Genesis X Skorpio Concept
Genesis unveiled its new X Skorpio Concept, an off-road concept vehicle designed to perform across demanding terrain including deserts, in the Rub’ al Khali “Empty Quarter” desert in the United Arab Emirates. The X Skorpio Concept, inspired by a black scorpion, is Genesis’ first extreme off-road vehicle, purpose-built to conquer harsh terrain with cutting-edge performance and luxurious design, driven by a spirit of fearless exploration.
Genesis also announced its new concept car strategy at the world premiere and showcased the X Skorpio Concept’s groundbreaking performance in real-world conditions alongside other concept models optimized for rugged environments including the GV60 Outdoors Concept, GV70 Outdoors Concept and GV80 Desert Edition.
The X Skorpio Concept is an extreme off-road recreational vehicle that celebrates the depth and emotional range of the Genesis brand. Its name, Skorpio, draws powerful inspiration from a black scorpion, known for its resilience and ability to thrive in harsh environments. This ambitious creation represents Genesis’ vision to blend daring innovation with luxury, marking the next chapter for Genesis as it connects with the active lifestyle of off-road enthusiasts.
The uncompromising exterior design of the X Skorpio Concept is built to overcome all potential obstacles in its path. The iconic arching tail of a scorpion inspired the vehicle’s tension-filled curves, which flow seamlessly across its sculpted body. The segmented armor-like panels not only evoke the protective nature of a scorpion’s exoskeleton but also enhance practicality, allowing for quick and efficient repairs in extreme environments.
Driver comfort and safety was central in its design. Off-roading is an intense sport requiring constant alertness and physical endurance. To meet this demand, Genesis incorporated ergonomic seating, intuitive controls and climate control systems to enhance performance and reduce driver fatigue.
The color palette and materials of the X Skorpio Concept were carefully chosen to capture the bold and daring essence of a black scorpion. The exterior features a deep black base infused with a vibrant blue tint, creating a striking visual effect that comes alive under sunlight, mimicking a scorpion’s natural hues while ensuring an unforgettable presence in any setting. The interior materials reflect a scorpion’s serious and aggressive nature. Luxurious suede with intricate gradient patterns — crafted using state-of-the-art laser cutting techniques — is paired with leather that features unique stitching inspired by the segmented legs of a scorpion.
Equipped with a high-performance V8 engine delivering 1,115 PS (1,100 horsepower) and 117.6 kilogram-force meters (850 pound-feet of torque), the X Skorpio Concept sets new benchmarks for off-road driving.
Zeekr 001
We recently experienced the Zeekr 001 on the streets of Dubai, discovering how this highperformance electric shooting brake responds to one of the world’s most dynamic urban landscapes.
There is a certain theatre to driving through Dubai. From the measured flow of Sheikh Zayed Road to the sculpted curves leading into Downtown, the city invites performance, and the Zeekr 001 answers with quiet authority. This high performance premium electric shooting brake is not simply transport, it is intent made visible.
Press the accelerator and the flagship dual motor AWD system releases 544 horsepower, moving from 0 to 100 km per hour in just 3.8 seconds. Yet the sensation is not aggression, but control. The car feels anchored, precise, almost architectural in the way it gathers speed. Power builds in a smooth, uninterrupted surge, accompanied only by the restrained whisper unique to refined electric engineering. In a city that appreciates spectacle, the Zeekr 001 delivers performance with composure rather than noise.
The platform beneath it feels equally considered. With multiple driving modes including Sport, Eco, Comfort, Sand and Off Road, the car adapts effortlessly to its environment. In Sport, it sharpens into something urgent and responsive, ideal for open stretches of highway. In Comfort, it becomes serene and measured, perfectly suited to evening traffic or a leisurely cruise along the waterfront. The balance between athleticism and refinement is deliberate, allowing the driver to choose the tone of each journey.
The design carries equal confidence. The shooting brake silhouette is distinctive, athletic without excess, blending practicality with sculptural presence. Frameless doors open with silent electric suction, closing with a hushed finality that feels closer to a private jet than a conventional vehicle. At night, the intelligent matrix lighting, composed of more than 600 LED elements, adapts to its surroundings, creating a striking yet sophisticated light signature. Against Dubai’s illuminated skyline, it feels entirely at ease.
Inside, the cabin becomes a sanctuary from the heat and spectacle beyond the glass. The arc shaped panoramic roof offers over 82% thermal insulation and 99.9 percent UV protection, filtering the desert sun with the assurance of SPF 50 while allowing natural light to flood the interior. The sense of space is amplified by clean lines and carefully selected materials. Microfiber velvet headlining adds softness overhead, while metal embossed gear detailing introduces a tactile precision that feels intentional and crafted.
Seating is equally indulgent. Fully functional ventilated and massage seats transform long drives into restorative experiences, and the three zone intelligent climate control system continuously monitors air quality to ensure optimal comfort for all passengers. Whether navigating midday heat or cooler desert evenings, the cabin remains a controlled, elegant environment. The Yamaha sound system with 11 speakers and a dedicated subwoofer completes the atmosphere, delivering layered, immersive audio that elevates even the simplest playlist.
Technology here is not ornamental. Four interconnected screens, including a 15.4-inch floating central display, a 14.7-inch head up display, a digital instrument cluster and a rear touchscreen for passengers, present information with clarity and fluidity.
On Dubai’s roads, where expectation is elevated and style is instinctive, the Zeekr 001 does not try to compete with the city. It complements it with confidence, clarity, and quiet strength.
BMW X7
We experienced the BMW X7 on the streets of Dubai, where scale meets spectacle, and discovered a flagship SUV that feels entirely at home in a city built on ambition.
There are cars that look impressive in a showroom, and then there are cars that truly make sense once they meet a skyline. The BMW X7 belongs firmly to the latter. From the moment we guided it onto Sheikh Zayed Road, framed by glass towers and the steady rhythm of city traffic, it felt less like a large SUV and more like a private lounge in motion.
The proportions alone set the tone. Stretching over five metres in length, with a commanding stance and a wide, confident posture, the X7 carries itself with quiet authority. Yet on the streets of Dubai, where supercars idle at traffic lights and luxury SUVs are part of the daily landscape, it does not shout. It simply arrives.
Inside, the experience shifts from presence to serenity. The elevated driving position offers a sweeping view of Downtown’s sculpted architecture and the distant silhouette of the Burj Khalifa, while the cabin cocoons you from the city’s intensity. It is remarkably refined for something so substantial. Road noise fades into a gentle hush, and even as the city pulses around you, the X7 maintains a sense of calm that feels almost tailored.
We experienced the BMW X7 in its xDrive40i guise, which delivers a smooth, confident surge of power that feels effortless rather than aggressive. With 380 horsepower and the ability to move from standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, it has more than enough energy for swift merges and confident overtakes. Yet what defines it is not speed, but composure. Acceleration feels seamless, almost silken, perfectly suited to gliding between DIFC meetings and sunset dinners along Jumeirah Beach Road.
Dubai is a city of contrasts, and the X7 mirrors that duality. In the tight entrances of valet drop offs and hotel forecourts, it remains poised and controlled. On open stretches of highway leading towards the desert outskirts, it stretches out with confidence, riding high with generous ground clearance that hints at its capability beyond the asphalt. Even if most owners will never test its full off-road potential, there is comfort in knowing that beneath the polished exterior lies genuine substance.
The adaptive air suspension plays a quiet but significant role in the experience. Over expansion joints and city imperfections, the X7 glides rather than jolts. Passengers in the second and third rows are treated not as afterthoughts, but as honored guests. With seating for up to seven, it is as much about shared journeys as it is about personal indulgence.
In Dubai, where lifestyle often extends beyond the individual to family, friends and business circles, that flexibility matters. The generous luggage space easily accommodates everything from designer shopping bags at The Dubai Mall to weekend luggage for a coastal escape. It is a vehicle designed to adapt to the pace of a full calendar.
Visually, the X7 holds its own against a skyline defined by ambition. Its bold front end, sculpted lines and refined detailing reflect a modern interpretation of luxury. It feels distinctly European, yet entirely at ease in the Middle East. Parked outside a five-star hotel in Business Bay, it draws attention not through flamboyance, but through proportion and presence.
Driving it through Dubai at night is perhaps when the experience crystallizes. City lights shimmer against the bodywork, traffic flows in polished streams, and the cabin becomes a personal retreat above the movement below. The X7 is not about proving a point. It is about arriving composed, carrying others comfortably, and embracing the scale of a city that never thinks small.
Lincoln Nautilus
For travelers seeking to immerse themselves in breathtaking vistas, the Lincoln Nautilus stands tall as the ultimate luxury coastal cruiser, engineered not just for travel, but for an elevated journey, making it the perfect companion for exploring the region’s most captivating drives.
At the heart of the midsize SUV’s capability is a choice of advanced powertrains. Be it the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 257 hp, or the same powerplant mated to a hybrid system delivering a robust 287 hp Nautilus provides ample power for smooth acceleration onto open highways and confident command over winding coastal roads.
And in Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FHEV) guise, Nautilus seamlessly blends petrol and electric power, utilizing regenerative braking to recharge its lithiumion battery on the go, meaning fewer stops at fuel stations – with and as much as 16.1 km/l – and more uninterrupted hours spent gazing at the horizon.
That additional freedom of extended range from a full tank proves a true advantage, too, when traversing remote coastal stretches, like those of Oman’s breathtaking Musandam Peninsula’s winding roads leading to Khasab, where dramatic fjords and crystal-clear waters dominate the landscape.
Complementing full economy, Intelligent All- Wheel Drive (AWD) across all variants promise confident traction on a variety of surfaces, from sandy coastal paths to the rain-slicked mountain roads of Salalah during Khareef. Additionally, the Adaptive Suspension system constantly monitors road conditions, adjusting damping in real-time to deliver a sublimely smooth and composed ride; essential for comfort on long, scenic expeditions.
Lincoln owners know long road trips necessitate an interior designed for ultimate relaxation and immersion, and Nautilus provides just that by way of a spacious cabin, offering generous headroom, legroom, and shoulder room for all five occupants, guaranteeing everyone enjoys the journey in supreme comfort.
Creating even more of a serene cocoon for cruising, Nautilus’ Active Noise Control system filters out road noise to allow the soothing sounds of the sea, while the available Panoramic Vista Roof is a game-changer for coastal drives, transforming the cabin into an observatory for spectacular ocean views, sheer cliff faces, or the dazzling expanse of a starry desert night.
For an added touch of indulgence, the Nautilus offers Digital Scents and the Lincoln Rejuvenate feature, turning every drive into a personalized spa-like experience. Seating reaches new heights of luxury, particularly with the available 24-way Perfect Position front seats massage function an invaluable feature for mitigating fatigue on multihour drives, helping the driver to arrive refreshed and ready to explore.
Technology and connectivity are seamlessly woven into the Nautilus’s DNA, where the expansive, immersive, 48-inch panoramic display screen is perfect for plotting the next coastal discovery, with crystal-clear maps guiding you along picturesque routes, elegantly integrated with an 11.1-inch LCD Center Stack Touchscreen for intuitive access to advanced navigation, vehicle settings, and entertainment. And with a wireless charging pad, as well as eight smart charging USB ports strategically placed throughout the cabin, all devices can remain powered for constant passenger entertainment.
The Lincoln Nautilus is more than just a means of transport; it is an invitation to discover, to indulge, and to experience unparalleled sophistication.
