Motoring | News

Lykan hypercar makes a splash in Qatar

Mega-powered, mega-buck cars grab the spotlight at the Qatar motor show. Try to act surprised

By Imran Malik, wheels
Published: 11:37 February 7, 2013

Image Credit: Supplied picture
The Arab world’s very own, very first and very expensive supercar — the Lykan Hypersport 2013.

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Lately, all the talk has been about Detroit, and for good reason; America knows how to put on a good show. But there’s been another event a little closer to home that has certainly merited praise. The fact that it is only in its third year and has already made the usual suspects sit up and take notice thanks to a stellar cast of production-ready cars, concepts and outdoor demonstrations of motocross and drifting, tells you all you need to know about the significance of the Qatar motor show.

The first expo back in 2011 saw roughly 90,000 fans walk through the doors of the Doha Exhibition Centre. That number increased to 120,000 the following year, but this time more than 150,000 attendees made sure it was a rip-roaring success.

Petrolheads were keen to catch a glimpse of the assortment of hot metal, which included three global launches and 26 new cars over the five-day extravaganza. Almost all of the major carmakers were there, including Audi, Ford, Chevrolet, Maserati and Mercedes. However, there was a newcomer in the mix that nobody dared miss — the Arab world’s very own, very first and very expensive supercar — the Lykan Hypersport 2013.

Built by W Motors, the staggering-looking Lykan comes with an equally staggering price tag of $3.4 million (Dh12.5million) — about twice as much as a Bugatti Veyron. What do you get for your money? Well, there’s the exclusivity factor as just seven units, each with its own 24/7 concierge service, will be built. Yes, you read that right.

Then there’s the fact that it gets diamond-coated LED headlights, gold-stitched leather seats and a 3D holographic display on the instrument panel. Still can’t justify the cost? Perhaps a special-edition Cyrus Klepcys watch worth more than $200,000 (Dh734,000) — which comes with the mid-engined supercar — will help?

Thankfully the claimed performance matches the extravagance. The 750bhp flat-six, twin-turbocharged Lykan develops 1,000Nm of torque and does 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds. Top speed is touted at an impressive 390kph. But what amazes us most is the strength of the glue that keeps those headlight diamonds in place!