More than a drive

The fate of the Mercedes SL300 at the Dubai Classics Car Show this weekend is to be one of the most sought after sports cars in racing history - but it never leaves the lot.

It's one of the most sought after sports cars in racing history - but it never leaves the lot. Such is the fate of the Mercedes SL300, a feat of engineering perfection that was just one of the many coveted items on display at the Dubai Classic Car Show this weekend. For the drivers of the world who feel the need for speed, such shows are often a painful exercise in self-denial. There's no test drive. No open track for the one-time spin. Just the workings of the imagination and a glimmering body of untouched metal that is fated to sit in a garage and collect dust.
Luckily, the opposite is true on our roads. Whether it's the ubiquitous Porsche, Lamborghini or Rolls Roys in line at the Adnoc station or the silver-tipped carburettor of a custom SUV roaring past, luxury cars in the UAE aren't just admired. They're driven. Just make sure to exercise some caution if you are lucky enough to drive one. The police have started using some of the world's top-tier cars - including models that clock in at over 300 kph - to catch speeding drivers. Now that's high performance.