Company:W Motors

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W Motors SAL
TypePrivate
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedJuly 11, 2012; 13 years ago (2012-07-11) in Beirut, Lebanon
FoundersRalph Debbas[1]
Headquarters
Dubai
,
UAE
Number of locations
2 (2019)[2]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Ralph Debbas (CEO)[3]
ProductsLuxury cars
OwnerPartly owned by Ralph R. Debbas
Number of employees
51–200[4]
WebsiteOfficial website

W Motors is an Emirati sports car manufacturing company based in Dubai that develops high-performance luxury sports cars. The company's activities include automotive design, research and development, as well as vehicle engineering and manufacture.

History

Development of the W Motors brand took seven years.[5][6] European auto manufacturers Carrozzeria Viotti, Magna Steyr, RUF Automobile and StudioTorino were involved in W Motors's development.[5][7] Initial investment topped US$13 million,[5] some of which came from FFA Private Bank of Lebanon, who became a stakeholder in the company.[6]

W Motors was founded in Lebanon in July 2012.[8][9]

A Lykan HyperSport photographed at Port Hercule in Monaco

W Motors launched its first prototype model, the Lykan HyperSport, at the Qatar International Motor Show in January 2013.[10] Shortly thereafter, the company moved its headquarters to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[6]

Also in 2013, Universal Studios ordered twelve Lykan HyperSport stunt cars to appear in the film Furious 7,[6] one of which is available for public viewing at the W Motors Gallery in Dubai. It is the most expensive car ever featured in the Fast and the Furious films,[11] though the vehicles seen on screen were driveable stunt models rather than production vehicles. The Lykan HyperSport's first pre-production model debuted at the Dubai International Motor Show on 5 October 2013.[10]

Other venues where the Lykan HyperSport was displayed include the Dubai International Boat Show[12] in the United Arab Emirates; the Historical, Vintage, and Classical Cars Museum[13] in Kuwait; and Cohen&Cunil[14] in Marbella, Spain.

The road-ready model of Lykan HyperSport premiered at Top Marques Monaco in April 2014.[9] The Lykan HyperSport officially went on sale in December 2014.[15] Limited to 7 units,[7][6] the HyperSport was priced at $3.4 million and was manufactured in Turin, Italy.[5][11]

Founder Debbas announced in April 2015 that W Motors would be opening an automotive design academy, W Design School, in 2017, which has been delayed to 2020 with the upcoming W Motors factory.[16] Also in April 2015, Furious 7 debuted, featuring the Lykan HyperSport.[7]

In June 2015, the Abu Dhabi police purchased a Lykan HyperSport.[17][18]

W Motors had a three-person automotive design team as of 2012, all graduates of the transportation design degree program at Coventry University.[8] It operates several facilities in Europe, with its main production facility in Turin, Italy,[6] and has collaborated with international partners and suppliers from the automotive industry, including Magna Steyr, StudioTorino, Ruf Automobile, Novasis Ingegneria, ID4Motion,[19] and the University of Tokyo in the technical field, and Franck Muller Watches and Quintessentially Lifestyle Concierge Services in the luxury field.[10]

The company's second model, the Fenyr SuperSport, debuted in November 2015.[6] Two SUV models, which were to be built in the UAE and have a price range of US$200–300K, were set to debut in April 2016, at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.[6] A sedan, whose model name has not been announced, was scheduled to debut in 2015 or 2016; it would have had a US$200,000 retail price.[7] Neither the SUVs nor the sedan have been confirmed as future production lines.

W Motors planned to its factories and manufacturing facilities to the port city of Jebel Ali in the UAE sometime in 2016.[6][15] The plant was expected to make over 200 cars per year by 2017, when production of the sedan and SUV lines were intended to begin.[20] It would have been the first automotive manufacturing facility in the region with on-site R&D, and was intended to include a test track.[15] W Motors confirmed in September 2017 that the facility would be delayed until 2020.[21]

The company also revealed in September 2017 that the Fenyr SuperSport's road-legal model would debut in November of the same year, along with the opening of a new showroom in City Walk 2. They also teased a new model, planned to be revealed in 2018, which would be priced around US$500,000 and will compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Aventador SV or the Ferrari F12.[21]

Present day

W Motors currently operates two locations: a design centre in the Dubai Business Bay, and the flagship Gallery in City Walk.[2]

The company claims to have sold all seven of the Lykan HyperSport units, and has confirmed that the 10-unit Fenyr SuperSport Launch Edition series has sold out (five to a Japanese businessman).[22]

On 17 November 2019, British racing driver Oliver Webb was announced as a W Motors Brand Ambassador[23] and took part in the company's first track experience two days later.[24][25] He will drive at W Motors events and assist in the development of their upcoming car.[23][25]

Construction of the US$100 million W Motors factory began in January 2020, with Stage One expected to be complete by October 2020.[26][27][16] At the same time of the announcement, W Motors confirmed the first 9 Fenyr SuperSport Launch Editions had been delivered, and batch of approximately 60 cars was in production.[26]

In February 2020, Ralph Debbas announced the company would produce an electric supercar.[28]

Models

W Motors has produced three vehicles independently, three vehicles in partnership with ICONIQ Motors, and has planned and announced a variety of others.

Produced/In production

Lykan HyperSport

Main article: Engineering:W Motors Lykan HyperSport
Rear view of the Lykan HyperSport

The Lykan HyperSport is powered by a flat 6-cylinder 3.7 L (3,746 cc) twin-turbo mid-rear engine, developing 780 hp (582 kW; 791 PS) and 960 N⋅m (708 lb⋅ft) of torque,[29] claiming 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds with a maximum speed of 404 km/h (251 mph).[30] It features a holographic display with interactive motion and tactile interaction. LED headlights are made up of a titanium blade encrusted with diamonds and the taillights with sapphires. A 24-hour concierge service is also available from Quintessentially.

Fenyr SuperSport

Main article: Engineering:W Motors Fenyr SuperSport
Fenyr SuperSport at Geneva Motor Show 2018

In 2013, W Motors announced it would manufacture a second line of supercars, that was later unveiled as the $1.4 million Fenyr SuperSport, named after Fenrir, a monstrous wolf in Norse mythology. This car, with production limited to 110 units total,[17][31][32] focuses on high-performance and more discreet luxury details when compared to the Lykan HyperSport.[31] The Fenyr SuperSport features a 4.0L twin-turbocharged Flat-6 with 900 hp (670 kW; 910 PS) and 811 lb⋅ft (1,100 N⋅m), with a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) performance time of 2.7 seconds, and a top speed over 249 mph (401 km/h),[31][33] and a curb weight of approximately 1,200 kg (2,600 lb).[34] The Fenyr Supersport was unveiled at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show.[6] On November 29, 2017, with the opening of the new W Motors Gallery in Dubai, the production version of the Fenyr SuperSport was revealed, with many changes from the concept.[35]

The Fenyr SuperSport was being developed in concert with an eco-friendly racecar program fostered by Quimera, an electric-car manufacturer.[33][34] The results of this partnership are unclear.

Ghiath

Dubai Police Ghaith SUV

W Motors Special Project Divisions developed a prototype police vehicle for the Dubai government, originally referred to as Beast Patrol. The vehicle was renamed Ghiath by the Crown Prince of Dubai.[36]

Little is known regarding technical specifications of the vehicle. The first vehicle is currently in use by the Dubai Police, and is badged by the Safe City Group rather than W Motors.[37]

Productions with ICONIQ

ICONIQ Model 7

W Motors’ first collaborative project with ICONIQ resulted in the Model 7, an upscale electric passenger van.[38]

MUSE

An autonomous passenger vehicle known as MUSE, designed by W Motors, debuted at Auto Shanghai 2019. The concept was presented at the brand's showroom in February and claims level five automation.[39] It will be produced in the UAE.[26]

Future projects

W Motors will continue to produce ICE-powered cars until 2026, as it transitions to a wholly electric brand.[28]

Fenyr SuperSport HSF

A racing version of the SuperSport, the Fenyr SuperSport HSF, will use what W Motors is calling a "hybrid synthetic fuel" and be carbon-neutral.[33][40]

Luxury Sedan

An as-yet unnamed sedan model was scheduled to debut in 2016. An estimated 100 sedans per year will be produced, each costing approximately US$50,000. The sedan's premiere was planned for the September 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.[7] It is unknown if this model will be produced.

Sport Utility Vehicle

Designs for a US$250,000 luxury SUV were released to CNN in 2015, and it was expected to begin production when the factory opened.[41] It is unknown if this model will be produced.

Electric supercar

In February 2020, Debbas provided an interview with CNBC International to discuss W Motors' future electric supercar. Nicknamed 'Wolfie', the EV is expected to cost between US$600,000 and US$900,000 with a production run in excess of 500 units. The car should be able to travel 450 km on a single charge, with future developments pushing this past 1000 km. The car will be powered by four electric motors producing 1,600 hp (1,200 kW; 1,600 PS), powering the car's 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time in less than 2 seconds. The car will be fully developed and produced in the UAE at W Motors' new factory and will debut as a pre-production car by the end of 2020, with a production launch in early 2021.[28]

In media

The Lykan HyperSport originally gained much of its attention from its inclusion in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Project CARS, a motorsport racing simulator video game developed by Slightly Mad Studios and distributed by Bandai Namco Games, released the Lykan HyperSport as its first downloadable content (DLC) vehicle in May 2015.[42] As of 2016, the Lykan HyperSport has also been included in eleven other video games, including Driveclub, Forza Motorsport 6, Forza Horizon 3, and CSR Racing 2 in January 2016 as DLC.[7][43]

References

  1. ↑ Quick, Darren (6 February 2013). "W Motors unveils US$3.4 million Lykan Hypersport". http://www.gizmag.com/w-motors-lykan-hypersport/26119/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "W Motors - Contact". https://www.wmotors.ae/contacts.html. 
  3. ↑ "W Motors: Founder and CEO". https://www.wmotors.ae/founder-and-ceo.html. 
  4. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/company/w-motors/about/ [self-published source]
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Debass, Ralph (7 February 2015). "First Lebanese car unveiled: W Motors marks debut with Lykan HyperSport". http://www.businessnews.com.lb/cms/Story/StoryDetails.aspx?ItemID=2657. 
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 "$1.6m Fenyr Supersport unveiled at Dubai show". 12 November 2015. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/-1-6m-fenyr-supersport-unveiled-at-dubai-show-611959.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Hoffmann, Jonas; Lecamp, Laurent (28 August 2015). Independent Luxury: The Four Innovation Strategies To Endure In The Consolidation Jungle. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 192–197. ISBN 978-1137481443. https://books.google.com/books?id=YlpOCgAAQBAJ&q=%22w+motors%22&pg=PA192. Retrieved 18 September 2015. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gallina, Eric (29 December 2012). "W Motors: The First Arab Supercar". http://formtrends.com/w-motors-the-story-behind-the-first-arab-supercar/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (14 April 2014). "770-Horsepower Lykan Hypersport Set For 2014 Top Marques Monaco Debut". Motor Authority. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1091441_770-horsepower-lykan-hypersport-set-for-2014-top-marques-monaco-debut. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "The first Arabian supercar debuts at Dubai Motor Show". Arabian Business. 6 November 2013. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/photos/the-first-arabian-supercar-debuts-at-dubai-motor-show-525394.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Hill, Jessica (31 March 2015). "Meet Ralph Debbas, the man behind Vin Diesel's Furious 7 Lykan Hypersport". The National (Abu Dhabi). https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/meet-ralph-debbas-the-man-behind-vin-diesel-s-furious-7-lykan-hypersport-1.14934. 
  12. ↑ Genty, Emmanuel (9 November 2015). "Lykan Hypersport : l'exclusive supercar libanaise en images [Lykan Hypersport: exclusive Lebanese supercar in pictures"]. CCM Benchmark Group. http://www.linternaute.com/auto/voiture-de-luxe/1242654-decouverte-de-la-lykan-hypersport-l-exclusive-supercar-libanaise/. 
  13. ↑ Clark, John. "Top 10 of the Most Expensive Cars in the World". DeWebsite: p. 4. http://www.dewebsite.org/top10/expensive/expensive_cars_part1.html.  (Lykan HyperSport is mentioned on page 4 of the article )
  14. ↑ "El coche más caro del mundo llega a España [The most expensive car in the world comes to Spain"]. Europa Press (news agency). 28 May 2013. http://www.europapress.es/motor/sector-00644/noticia-coche-mas-caro-mundo-llega-espana-20130528144525.html. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Nagraj, Aarti (31 March 2015). "New Supercar Making Facility in Dubai To Start Production In 2016". http://gulfbusiness.com/2015/03/new-supercar-making-facility-dubai-start-production-2016/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Bridge, Sam (2020-01-13). "Luxury car maker starts work on $100m Dubai manufacturing hub" (in en). https://www.arabianbusiness.com/construction/437489-luxury-car-maker-starts-work-on-100m-dubai-manufacuring-hub. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "A ride with diamond eyes: The first Arab supercar". 5 August 2015. https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/w-motors-first-arab-supercar/index.html. 
  18. ↑ Hard, Andrew (3 June 2015). "Abu Dhabi police enlist 770-horsepower, $3.4 million Lykan Hypersport into patrol duty". http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/abu-dhabi-police-adds-lykan-hypersport-pictures-specs-performance/. 
  19. ↑ "Arab World's First Sports Car to be Unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show 2013". 2013. http://qatarmotorshow.gov.qa/arab-worlds-first-sports-car-to-be-unveiled-at-the-qatar-motor-show-2013/. 
  20. ↑ Merani, Megha (1 April 2015). "Car firm behind the 'star' of Fast and Furious 7 reveals plans for UAE academy". http://7days.ae/car-firm-behind-the-star-of-fast-and-furious-7-reveals-plans-for-uae-academy. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "A new hypercar, supercar and Dubai flagship for UAE's W Motors". 9 September 2017. https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/motoring/a-new-hypercar-supercar-and-dubai-flagship-for-uae-s-w-motors-1.626677/. 
  22. ↑ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (2019-08-14). "W Motors sells five Fenyr Supersports to a single buyer" (in en). https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1124555_w-motors-sells-five-fenyr-supersports-to-a-single-buyer. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "W Motors New Brand Ambassador Oliver Webb". 2019-11-17. https://wmotors.ae/blog/?article=w_motors_new_brand_ambassador_oliver_webb. 
  24. ↑ "Fenyr SuperSport Track Event at Dubai Autodrome". 2019-11-19. https://wmotors.ae/blog/?article=fenyr_supersport_track_event_at_dubai_autodrome. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Aki, Sara (2019-11-20). "W Motors Announces New Brand Ambassador Oliver Webb At Dubai Track Event" (in en). https://www.albawaba.com/business/pr/w-motors-announces-new-brand-ambassador-oliver-webb-dubai-track-event-1322505. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Nair, Manoj (2020-01-13). "Dubai will build 'hypercars' from October" (in en). https://gulfnews.com/business/dubai-will-build-hypercars-from-october-1.68978346. 
  27. ↑ "W Motors lays foundation stone for $100m facility". 2020-01-13. http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_362772.html. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "W Motors aims to go fast and green with new supercar" (in en). 2020-02-07. https://www.arabianbusiness.com/video/441377-video-w-motors-aims-to-go-fast-green-with-new-supercar. 
  29. ↑ "Specifications". W Motors. http://www.wmotors.ae/models/lykan_hypersport. 
  30. ↑ Mills, James (3 February 2013). "Car of the week: W Motors Lykan HyperSport". The Sunday Times. http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/cars/article1205108.ece. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (13 November 2013). "First Look At W Motors' Next Model, The Fenyr SuperSport". Motor Authority. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1088405_first-look-at-w-motors-next-model-the-lykan-supersport. 
  32. ↑ "2015 W Motors Lykan HyperSport is Coming to North America". DuPont Registry. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/w-motors/w-motors-lykan-hypersport-is-coming-to-north-america/. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (22 January 2015). "W Motors Teams Up With Quimera To Develop Eco-Friendly Race Car". Motor Authority. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1096432_w-motors-teams-up-with-quimera-to-develop-eco-friendly-race-car. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Anderson, Brad (23 January 2015). "More Lykan Supersport Details Revealed". http://gtspirit.com/2015/01/23/more-lykan-supersport-details-revealed/. 
  35. ↑ "Hypercar manufacturer W Motors opens its new Dubai boutique – in pictures". 30 November 2017. https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/motoring/hypercar-manufacturer-w-motors-opens-its-new-dubai-boutique-in-pictures-1.680193. 
  36. ↑ "W Motors - Beast Patrol". https://www.wmotors.ae/ghiath-beast-patrol.html. 
  37. ↑ "W Motors ties up with Nasdaq Dubai as it seeks further expansion" (in en). 2019-11-29. https://www.arabianbusiness.com/banking-finance/433596-w-motors-ties-up-with-nasdaq-dubai-as-it-seeks-further-expansion. 
  38. ↑ "W Motors - ICONIQ Seven". https://www.wmotors.ae/iconiq-seven.html. 
  39. ↑ "UAE News: UAE's first autonomous vehicle to be unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2019 - ArabianBusiness.com". 17 February 2019. https://www.arabianbusiness.com/transport/413397-uaes-first-autonomous-vehicle-to-be-unveiled-at-auto-shanghai-2019. 
  40. ↑ Edelstein, Stephen (23 January 2015). "W Motors goes green with 1,000-plus HP Lykan Supersport HSF". http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/w-motors-lykan-supersport-hsf-first-details-and-pictures/#ixzz3lyfEIehl. 
  41. ↑ "A ride with diamond eyes: The first Arab supercar" (in en). 2015-08-06. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/w-motors-first-arab-supercar/index.html. 
  42. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (30 March 2015). "Gorgeous Racing Game Project Cars Getting Free DLC Every Month". http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gorgeous-racing-game-project-cars-getting-free-dlc/1100-6426257/. 
  43. ↑ "Forza Motorsport - Polo Red Car Pack". http://www.forzamotorsport.net/en-us/news/fm6_january_polo_red_car_pack. 

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