The first Qatar Motor Show took place in the country's capital, Doha. The show attracted plenty of big names and expensive machinery.
Qatar is the third largest shareholder in the Volkswagen Group and the company had plenty to show. Along with the 0.9 litres/100km (313mpg) XL1 and the road-going Paris-Dakar Touareg concepts, Volkswagen revealed the Touareg Gold Edition. It gets its name from the 24-carat gold that adorns the grille, window frames, roof bars and 22-inch alloy wheels.
Plenty of manufacturers launched special editions for the Middle East, including Bentley with the Continental Flying Spur Speed Arabia. Fifty examples will be built, offered in an exclusive range of colours and with bright silver, ten-spoke alloy wheels. Special Arabia motifs appear on the front bumper, sill tread plates and ashtray lid. Prices start at the equivalent of €182,000.
Porsche unveiled the Panamera 4S Executive Middle East Edition. It is finished in Carrera White Metallic paint, extending to the front air intakes and rear diffuser. The interior is upholstered in red leather with black Alcantara headlining. Just 66 examples will be built with a €117,000 price tag.
Mercedes-Benz also announced a limited edition model for the Middle East. The G-Class Arabia 100 Limited Edition 2011 is a version of the G 55 AMG. It comes in either Cashmere White or 'Nightblack' with matt-finish 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside there is two-tone black and porcelain leather with carbon fibre and champagne with lacquered wood trim. As the name implies production is limited to 100 examples.
It wasn't just the German (and German owned) companies in Qatar. Fiat showed an open 500 with no doors but plenty of wood trim and a roof that probably provides more protection from the sun than rain. Toyota displayed a G Sports version of the FT-86 coupé concept and the Aston Martin One-77 attracted large crowds as ever.