All systems go at Big Boys Toys

Got a few thousand dirhams to spare or just want to dream? Then you might want to head to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre because, starting today, the UAE's premier consumer and lifestyle event featuring some of the wildest and most outrageous products opens at the exhibition centre.

From customised monster 4x4s to personalised choppers, yes choppers, and billiards tables that can morph into poker tables and high-end audio systems, organisers of the four-day Big Boys Toys event have promised products like you have never seen before. Although targeted at mostly high-net individuals, what with most products starting in the neighbourhood of Dh100,000 (hey, it's not called Big Boys' Toys for nothing), the event is open to everyone with valid tickets. And with performances by UAE-based musicians and bands and shows by stunt riders and contortionists, there is no reason why you can't make an event out of it.

If that's not convincing enough, tabloid! has rounded up 10 of its must-have, must-see toys:

Nissan R35 GTR Alpha 10

Tensai Tuning has called their customised Nissan the world's fastest and quickest GTR, with 1,100 horsepower. The Nissan model is the first in the Middle East to have one of the first pre-released Alpha 10 turbo kits made by US based dyno-tuning and performance firm AMS Performance.

Wildcat off-roader

Sure to be a hit with visitors, the manufacturers of this off-roader say it has been designed to withstand the roughest roads and terrains. Equipped with a lightweight tubular space frame chassis surrounded by composite fibre-glass and running on a 4-litre V8 engine, the 4-wheel drive Wildcat also comes with air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, an iPod dock and stereo hi-fi — just in case the rush of the terrain is not enough.

Jordi Milà Barcelona furniture

The Spanish interior furniture design company will bring six of its star products, which take style and form to whole new level. Targeted at those who prefer their furniture to be a bit more than just inanimate objects, the company says their uniquely crafted products will compel you to touch and feel them and. May we add, buy?

DeScript DNA portraits

Art doesn't get more personalised than this. Russian company Genomix will bring their geeky artworks created from DNA sequencing. Using its experience in DNA scripting technology, the company's range of personalised art are without a doubt, one-of-a-kind.

LRC customised dune buggies

Lehman Race Cars Off-Road Engineering says it has 37 years in off-road racing and fabrication experience, promising that their customised buggies will satisfy even the most demanding drivers and thrill seekers. Visitors to their kiosk will also get a chance to sketch their dream sand dune machines on the same software used for production.

Gamma 1 audio system

Experts in loudspeaker systems, German company Cessaro will showcase what it calls "the world's most extreme audio system". According to them, the Gamma 1 worth Dh1,630,671 can reproduce sound in your living room like it was from a real concert hall.

Blacklight luxury billiard table

Sleek and luxurious, this unusual billiards table comes with a built-in audio system and a lighting system, which synchronises according to the music being played. Fully customisable and available in a variety of colours, the Blacklight worth Dh 170,000 can also morph into a poker table.

Stingray 225SX

This 23-foot luxury boat worth Dh288,670 comes with a 320 horsepower engine and is considered one of the fastest boats out there. Equipped with a grated hood scoop, low profile tinted windshield and minimalist black racing stripe design, this one's for the bold and the powerful.

Dragonfly DF1 Tip Jet Helicopter

Nothing says power like a personalised chopper. This will be the Dragonfly DF1's Middle East debut, an easy to fly, easy to maintain, safe and stable helicopter by Avinech Aircraft. This tiny chopper has also been called a "green helicopter" because it uses hydrogen peroxide as a source of fuel. The Dragonfly is able to fly for 50 minutes, hit a top speed of 185km/h, climb up to 4,000 meters and weighs just 104kgs.

Big win

Visitors to Big Boys Toys will have the chance to take home exciting and expensive luxury prizes in a grand raffle draw on March 19, the last day of the Big Boys Toys exhibition. Ticket holders will automatically enter into the prize draw to win giveaways including a luxury boat worth Dh100,000; a Kawasaki Jet Ski worth Dh70,000; an Ice Link Watch worth Dh73,000; LG 3D LED TV worth Dh30,000; a Humberto Ribeiro autographed sports bike valued at Dh28,500; a five-night holiday package for two to Thailand worth Dh25,000; Yas Hotel Health Club memberships worth Dh16,000; a helicopter tour for four people from Abu Dhabi Aviation worth Dh14,000 or a Bykal Couture chair worth Dh10,000. VIP ticket holders are entitled to five coupons, Gold ticket holders are entitled to three coupons and Silver Single Entry holders are entitled to one coupon.

Don't miss it!

Gold Class tickets for Big Boys Toys have sold out, but VIP (Dh1,000) and one-day Silver (Dh100) tickets are still available. Three-day Silver entry tickets are also available for Dh200. The VIP ticket is inclusive of entry for all entertainment features and shows, while Gold and Silver ticket holders have entry to the event from March 17 to 19. Go to boxofficeme.com, ticketingco.com and virginmegastore.me to buy your tickets or at Hallmarks, Spinneys Audio Video and Virgin Megastore outlets. For more information, call 055-7766998.