The 2013 Qatar Motor Show opens to the public this afternoon at the Doha Exhibition Center, featuring the latest rides from Europe, Asia, North America, and for the first time, an Arab supercar.

UAE-based W Motors is launching its first model, the Lykan Hypersport, choosing Qatar for its world premiere.

“Qatar is a perfect place to launch it because it’s a country that loves what we’re doing,” W Motors co-founder Sari El Khalil told Doha News.

El Khalil says although the company is new, he expects the $3.4 million (QR12.4 million) hypercar to gain traction as its partners are world-renowned.

The Lykan’s 750-horsepower engine is built in Germany, and the diamond, gold and platinum crusted interiors and body are crafted in Italy. While the first car is currently going into production, only seven will be produced overall.

“We are choosing our customers carefully,” El Khalil said. “It’s the first Arab car, we want Arabs driving our car. We’ve gotten interest from India, we’ve gotten interest from Moscow, we’ve gotten interest from China.”

Also on offer for auto lovers at this year’s motor show: futuristic concept cars from Italian designer Bertone, a stunning blue Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, the latest from Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, and more classic cars than you can shake a stick at.

The exhibition hall opens daily (starting today) from 4pm to 10pm, through Feb. 2. Children under 12 are not permitted, though last year that policy was scrapped pretty quickly.

Outside the exhibition center, organizers have planned daily stunt driving and Red Bull Drift performances.

Will you be going?

Credit: Photos by Omar Chatriwala