Dubai
, UAE
– February 12, 2012:
New Zealand, long regarded by those in the know as the “adventure playground of the world”, is bringing some of its unique innovations and technologies in the leisure and lifestyle sector to the UAE this weekend (Thursday 9 to Saturday 11th February) at the iconic Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
The event – “Big Boys’ Toys” promises to showcase everything that appeals to the modern male – from off-roading via fashion to wellness. While the event promises some unusual vehicles, gadgets and gizmos, New Zealand’s home grown talent is set to steal the show.
Hulme Supercars, for instance, is bringing its 7000cc CanAm Spyder test car “Bear 1” to the Palm – designed and built in New Zealand. “Bear 1”, will be on display at the Gillette stand at Big Boys’ Toys 2012. It is named in honour of Denny Hulme, New Zealand’s only Formula One World Champion and double CanAm Champion who became known to the American media as “The Bear”.
It is their first driving test car, it is powered by a hand built 600 HP V8 engine and features a F1 style high down force generating aero package and push rod suspension to provide superior road holding, handling and road comfort and with its open wheels, electrifying performance and spectacular looks gives the driver an experience as close as possible, to driving a Formula One car legally on the road.
The test car is being used to develop their first production supercar, the “Hulme F1” which will be a closed, 2 door, 2 seat, side by side high performance supercar which uses a state-of-the-art carbon, titanium and Kevlar composite chassis and composite body panels and will be built to the quality levels achieved by the fabulous Pagani Zonda. It will be built in very limited numbers, ensuring rarity and exclusivity.
Chuck Pelly, acclaimed American automotive designer, who has created vehicles for GM, Chrysler, Mazda, Subaru and BMW, said: “New Zealanders are true leaders in innovation and design, they have established a reputation for building the best yachts in the world, and now we have a New Zealand designed and built supercar to compete against the best.”
At the other end of the scale in terms of speed, but right up with the CanAm Spyder is YikeBike, the New Zealand born-and-bred powered bicycle, and is the world’s lightest, smallest electric folding bike.
YikeBike was placed fifteenth in Time magazine’s 50 best inventions of 2009. More than 500 people in 30 countries already own the YikeBike – and demand outstrips supply.
It was also listed among the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) most notable inventions next to the likes of BlackBerry, Google, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), SpaceShip One, Viagra, and an anti-HIV vaccine. The YikeBike was also enshrined in The 2011 Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest and smallest compact electric bike in the world.
“We created the YikeBike to dramatically change urban and suburban transportation, providing users with a fast, safe, cost-effective, eco-friendly way to navigate their cities and towns,” said YikeBike CEO Grant Ryan. “The original, upscale, carbon fiber YikeBike generated tremendous interest among early adopters when we unveiled it in late 2010. This led us – in record breaking time – to design the more mainstream YikeBike Fusion, which uses conventional materials to make it more appealing to both cost-conscious and energy-conscious consumers.”
At about half of the size and weight of other electric bicycles and many regular bicycles, the YikeBike Fusion is the perfect vehicle for urban and suburban use, especially for commuters. Similar to the original, the YikeBike Fusion travels at a maximum speed of 14 miles per hour, with a distance of up to six miles between charges, or up to eighteen miles with the optional extended batteries.
If these companies do not do enough to underline the sheer scale of business innovation flowing from New Zealand, the final exhibitor is BloKart – the three-wheeler go-karts with sails.
These wind-powered fun craft represent an amazing land-based sailing experience, powered by you and the wind – it’s an eco-friendly sport that’s fun for all ages.
A proudly made New Zealand product, the BloKart has now gone global – including a site at the Meydan hotel in Dubai and is enjoyed by many people all over the world.
As trade links between New Zealand and countries across the GCC grow, more and more companies from the small nation are keen to gain a foothold in the Middle East.
Trade figures show New Zealand’s exports to the GCC have grown from $695 million in 2009, to $1.2 billion in 2011 – a 71 per cent increase over the two year period.
“New Zealanders are continuing to innovate and create new products and services for the Gulf market as evidenced by the unique ‘toys’ exhibited at the show this week. And our creativity is not limited to adrenaline fuelled pursuits, it extends to other sectors as well including health technology, food and beverage, ICT, construction and marine engineering,” explains Steve Jones, NZ Trade Commissioner for Africa, Middle East and Pakistan.
Big Boys Toys is set to bring the top products and services for the man who ‘wants it all’, across ten categories: Adventure, Aviation, Digital, Drive, Fashion, Lifestyle, Marine, Off Road, Ride, and Wellness.
The 2012 edition will be held at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai during February 9th – 11th.
For more information, visit http://www.bigboystoysuae.com/