When people think of Dubai, they often envision towering skyscrapers, luxury lifestyles, and futuristic innovations. But beyond the opulence lies a city that has firmly positioned itself as a player in the global automotive landscape — not just as a consumer, but as a producer. Leading this transformation is W Motors, the first supercar manufacturer to be fully established in the Middle East. Headquartered in Dubai, W Motors is not only the top car maker in the region but also a symbol of the UAE’s ambitions to be a leader in high-performance automotive engineering.
The Birth of a Visionary Brand
Founded in 2012 by Lebanese entrepreneur Ralph R. Debbas, W Motors was created with a clear vision: to build hypercars that combine cutting-edge technology, bespoke craftsmanship, and luxurious design — all while being proudly based in the Middle East.
Though initially headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, the company soon moved its operations to Dubai, where it found both the infrastructure and visionary leadership needed to expand. Dubai’s strategic location, business-friendly environment, and passion for innovation made it the ideal home for W Motors.
The Lykan Hypersport: A Statement to the World
W Motors made a thunderous entrance onto the global stage with the launch of its first production car, the Lykan Hypersport, in 2013. This wasn’t just another luxury sports car. It was a bold statement — a supercar that featured:
- A 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine with 780 horsepower
- A 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 2.8 seconds
- A top speed of 395 km/h
- Diamond-encrusted LED headlights
- A holographic mid-air display system inside the cabin
The Lykan Hypersport made headlines globally, especially after being featured in the Hollywood blockbuster Furious 7, where it famously jumped between skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi. Priced at $3.4 million, only seven units were ever produced, each one meticulously hand-crafted.
This supercar firmly established W Motors as not only the top car maker in Dubai but also one of the most exclusive and innovative automakers in the world.
Innovation Beyond Supercars
W Motors is not limited to building eye-catching hypercars. It has significantly invested in innovation and R&D through its subsidiary, W Motors Automotive Group. In 2019, the company opened its automotive facility and manufacturing center in Dubai Silicon Oasis — the first of its kind in the region. This facility handles everything from design and prototyping to final production, serving as a hub for advanced automotive engineering.
Additionally, W Motors has launched the Fenyr SuperSport, a more performance-oriented and track-ready hypercar than its predecessor. With a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 800 horsepower, it delivers blistering speeds and showcases the brand’s growing technological prowess.
Collaboration and Smart Mobility
What sets W Motors apart from traditional supercar brands is its interest in the future of mobility. The company has actively engaged in smart transportation technologies, collaborating with governments and institutions on autonomous vehicle systems, electric mobility, and smart city integration.
In partnership with China’s ICONIQ Motors, W Motors co-developed the ICONIQ Seven, a fully electric, autonomous-ready MPV aimed at transforming urban transportation. Though vastly different from the brand’s hypercars, this vehicle highlights W Motors’ adaptability and commitment to future-ready innovation.
Local Pride, Global Reach
W Motors stands as a source of pride not only for Dubai but for the entire Arab world. As the first Arab manufacturer of luxury hypercars, it has inspired a new generation of engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs in the region. The company’s global outlook, combined with deep regional roots, has allowed it to sell vehicles in markets across Europe, Asia, and North America.
More importantly, W Motors has brought automotive manufacturing — traditionally dominated by Europe, the US, and Japan — to the heart of the Middle East. It’s proof that Dubai is no longer just a playground for the world’s fastest cars, but a serious player in building them.
The Road Ahead
As Dubai continues to push the boundaries of innovation across industries, W Motors is expected to play a crucial role in the UAE’s vision for a diversified, tech-driven economy. Plans are underway to expand the company’s lineup, explore electric powertrains, and continue investing in AI-based automotive solutions.
With major global events such as the Dubai Expo and the city’s Smart Dubai 2030 vision, W Motors is perfectly aligned with the future Dubai is building — a future where luxury, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology intersect.
Conclusion
In a region known for its love of luxury and performance cars, W Motors has taken the bold step of becoming a creator, not just a consumer. As Dubai’s top car maker, the company is not only producing some of the world’s most advanced hypercars but also reshaping what it means to be an automaker in the 21st century.