Top & Best of Qatar: Qatar Auto Show in 2011

Top & Best of Qatar: Qatar Auto Show in 2011

Volkswagens, Porsches and Lamborghinis were the stars of the 2011 Qatar Auto Show.

Porsche 918 RSR Concept

Compared to the well-known auto shows in places like Detrt, Frankfurt or Geneva the new one held in Qatar is but a fraction of their size. Nevertheless, you can't deny the enthusiasm reverberating throughout the exhibition center in Doha. For instance, when the cover came off the Porsche 918 RSR, the place stirred, just like Cobo Hall did when that Porsche made its official debut in Detroit

2011 Volkswagen XL1 Concept

Qatar owns a healthy stake of Volkswagen stock, and the German company used the auto show to present its newest vehicle aimed at the magical 1 liter/100 km (235 mpg) goal. Called the XL1, it is a plug-in hybrid with a 2-cylinder diesel engine, an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack and 7-speed DSG transmission. Built for low drag and maximum efficiency, the lightweight XL1 actually beats VW's stated goal, managing to burn only 0.9 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers it travels. That equates to 261 mpg. Rumors persist that VW will build a small production run of the XL1.

2011 Volkswagen Race Touareg The Dakar Rally Winner

Also on VW's stand was the highly modified Race Touareg driven to victory in this year's Dakar Rally in South America. This marks the third win in a row for a Touareg, which is built to conquer a wide variety of conditions with its high ride height and loads of suspension travel. A rooftop cooling system is fed by a huge vent that feeds, among other things, the 296-bhp twin-turbo 2.5-liter diesel engine.

2011 Dakar Winning Driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiya

Volkswagen Race Touareg Concept with Dakar Rally winning driver Nasser Saleh Al-Attiya

Adding to the excitement on the VW stand was a visit by home-grown hero Nasser Saleh Al Attiya, the Quatari driver who won the 2011 Dakar partnered with German Timo Gottschalk. Naturally Al Attiyah is something of a rock star here in Qatar. And, in our brief talk, seems like a nice guy.

Volkswagen Race Touareg Concept

To note its win in the 2011 Dakar Rally, VW created a concept that might see production. Called the Race Touareg, this VW has a body mimics that of the race machine, complete with huge rooftop air intake. The diesel engine is rated at just over 300 bhp, and VW says the Race Touareg Concept hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than six seconds. Riding on 18-in. BBS wheels, this very cool super SUV is painted in Magic Morning white. VW says the Race Touareg is "legally approved for use on public roadways." Does that mean U.S. roadways? We hope so.

As you can see by the spare tire arrangement, VW didn't stray far from the Race Touareg when it created the Race Touareg Concept (you wonder what the guy from the AAA might say when he comes to fix a flat!). And inside, the Race Touareg Concept obviously couldn't have the bare bones interior of the pure race machine. Still, VW left the rollcage in — finished in Serpentineo Grey Metallic — but then created a race-like but very ergonomic interior. VW calls it a "stealth look," and the term fits with the rows of very serious-looking switches and knobs. Recaro provided the leather-upholstered seats.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg Gold Edition

 

If the pseudo race machine Touareg isn't to your liking, consider the Touareg Gold Edition Concept. Doesn't take much of an imagination to see where the name comes from, with much of the car plated in 24-karat gold. This isn't just an exterior dressing up, either; many of the buttons inside are also plated...but thankfully not the Nappa leather seats or Alcantara headliner.

2011 Porsche Panamera Exclusive Middle East Edition

Porsche  unveiled a special model of the Panamera 4S called the Exclusive Middle East Edition. Only 66 will be built — they are reportedly already sold out — and finished in Carrara White Metallic paint. Note that the grille and side front intakes are also done in white. The car rides on 20-in. Porsche 911Turbo II wheels.

Part of the Middle East Edition package is an interior finished in Carrera Red leather, which is exclusive to this car. It's quite striking, contrasting with the carbon-fiber trim. Sewn into the floormat is the number denoting which of the 66 Panameras it is. The headliner is an attractive black Alcantara.

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore

Will we ever tire of the many variations on Lamborghini's Gallardo? Probably not. For Qatar, Lambo presented the Bicolore, which is Italian for a two-tone paint job. Each car will have a Nero Noctis black upper, including the roof, engine cover, rear spoiler and pillars. For the lower body color you can choose from Giallo Midas, Arancio Borealis, Grigio Telesto, Bianco Monocerus or Blu Caelum. (Isn't there an antibiotic for that last one?) Inside, the color theme continues and the black leather gets stitching to go with your exterior color. While countries outside the U.S. will get the Bicolore as an LP 560-4, U.S. buyers will have to be satisfied with rear-wheel-drive only, a la the Balboni.

2011 Spada TS Codatronca

Several Italian design houses presented concepts from their past, with Spadaconcept bringing its unusual TS Codatronca to Qatar. Stuffed with an E85-burning 630-bhp 7.0-liter V-8, it's said to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 3.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 211 mph. Under that rather different shape is an aluminum tube frame with a fully adjustable race-layout suspension. This Spada is a very odd-looking machine...and, strangely enough, there's also something oddly charming about it. Go figure.

2011 Toyota FT-86 G Concept

Toyota showed the FT-86 G Concept first seen at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon. This is the joint Toyota-Subaru coupe project that matches Subaru's turbo 2.0-liter flat-4 with rear-wheel drive. When we first saw the initial FT-86 at the 2009Tokyo Show as a concept, it was okay but a bit too round and dull. The G, with a crisp new nose and some carbon fiber bits, kicks up our interest level.

2011 Lexus LX 570 Invader L60

For those who think the Lexus LX 570 is mostly a Nordstrom cruiser, behold the ASI LX 570 Invader. How's this for nasty, take-a-bit-from-you styling? Apparently it isn't just an exterior thing, as the 5.7-liter V-8 is pumped up to 592 bhp. So equipped, the LX 570 Invader can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 5 seconds. You're guaranteed to get home from that shopping trip in a hurry...