Off-road vehicle enthusiasts in UAE invest up to 80,000 dirhams in modifications to prepare for winter desert expeditions.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), winter weekends are sacred for those who have caught the off-roading bug. These weekends offer a stress-free escape from city life, providing a therapeutic environment away from the hustle and bustle of urban life [1].
One such off-roader is Salem Al Ali, an Emirati adventurer who owns a modified Nissan Patrol VTC. Al Ali's vehicle has been tailored for harsh climbs, soft sand, and long drives. His upgrades this year cost him nearly Dh38,000 and include reinforced axles, lifted suspension, extra fuel tanks, and a mini kitchen in the back [2].
Mujeeb, another off-road enthusiast, runs Off Road Motors Garage in Dubai. His workshop is currently swamped with vehicles being upgraded for the upcoming desert season, and they are fully booked three weeks in advance [3]. Mujeeb is set to launch his own brand of suspension systems under the name Piranha Off-Road Products.
The cost for off-road vehicle upgrades in the UAE for the desert season varies widely. Basic modifications might cost around AED 10,000, involving essential modifications such as improved tyres, minor suspension tweaks, and basic protective equipment. On the other hand, high-end builds aimed at serious off-roading performance enhancement can cost over AED 80,000 [1][3]. These encompass advanced performance modifications like reinforced underbody armor, heavy-duty suspension components, engine upgrades, heavy-duty bushings, upgraded tires and rims, advanced lighting systems, winches, snorkels, and specialized bumpers tailored for desert conditions.
Off-roaders in the UAE go beyond just cosmetic changes, with serious performance mods like suspension components, heavy-duty bushings, upgraded engines, and reinforced underbodies with armour [4]. Bobby Tom Puthenveetil, for example, has spent more than Dh200,000 on modifications for his Jeep Wrangler [2].
Thousands of off-roaders like Bobby treat summer as the season to prepare for winter adventures. Across the UAE, the pre-desert season period sees off-road workshops being fully booked, reflecting strong demand from enthusiasts preparing for winter desert trips [1].
Typical necessary upgrades for desert dune bashing include special all-terrain or off-road tyres, raised suspension (lift kits), electric winches, off-road bumpers, snorkels, and other safety and performance gear to handle sand traction, heat, and rugged terrain [5].
Off-roading in the UAE is not without its rules. Some vehicle modifications are prohibited under traffic laws, such as altering the vehicle's chassis or body structure without approval, excessive lift kits, removing or tampering with catalytic converters, engine swaps that increase power output beyond permitted levels, installing exhaust systems that produce excessive noise, fitting unapproved lighting, tinting windows beyond the legal 50% limit, and more. Motorists found with illegal modifications can face hefty fines, black points, and even vehicle confiscation [6].
Despite the challenges, the allure of the desert remains strong. Salem Al Ali spends his winters in the desert or up in the hills, while Bobby Puthenveetil's Jeep Wrangler is ready for the desert, and he spends his weekends from October to March amidst the golden dunes or rugged wadis of the UAE. December hosts the biggest off-road events in the UAE, marking the peak of the off-roading season, which officially starts at the end of September and peaks in December and January [7]. Going off-road offers a stress-buster, providing peace and quiet away from noise, traffic, and phones.
[1] Off-roading in the UAE: A comprehensive guide for beginners
[2] Meet Salem Al Ali: The Emirati adventurer who turned his Nissan Patrol VTC into a desert beast
[3] Preparing your car for off-roading in the UAE
[4] Off-roading in the UAE: A look at the most common modifications
[5] What you need to know before going off-roading in the UAE
[6] Illegal modifications: What you need to know about the rules for off-roading in the UAE
[7] Off-roading in the UAE: The ultimate guide to the biggest events
- Salem Al Ali, an adventurer from the UAE, has a modified Nissan Patrol VTC tailored for rugged off-road adventures, spending his winters in the desert or the hills.
- Desert season in the UAE is a busy time for off-road workshops like Off Road Motors Garage, with upgrades costing anywhere from AED 10,000 to over AED 80,000, depending on the level of modifications.
- In addition to basic modifications like improved tyres and suspension tweaks, high-end builds also include advanced performance modifications such as reinforced underbody armor, heavy-duty suspension components, and engine upgrades.
- The allure of off-roading in the UAE is strong, offering peace and quiet away from noise, traffic, and phones, and attracting enthusiasts like Bobby Puthenveetil, who has spent over Dh200,000 on modifications for his Jeep Wrangler.
- Despite the allure, off-roading in the UAE is not without its rules; some vehicle modifications are prohibited under traffic laws, such as altering the vehicle's chassis or body structure without approval, removing or tampering with catalytic converters, and fitting unapproved lighting.
- During the pre-desert season period, off-road workshops across the UAE are fully booked, reflecting strong demand from enthusiasts preparing for winter desert trips, with December hosting the biggest off-road events in the UAE, marking the peak of the off-roading season.
