Photos: DriveArabia.com

Expect more high speed videos from long stretches of road surrounded by sand. The 2011 Mustang GT has arrived in the United Arab Emirates and we’ve seen what kinds of excitement can result. The pony car market is hot there, with Camaros and Challengers being available as well as the Mustang.

The newest Ford Mustang was launched at a crowded event inside and outside the Dubai Autodrome’s Kartdrome grounds. Most would call the public event a success as a strong crowd Mustang owners and fans showed up for the afternoon launch.

Ford has reported a 31%  increase in sales in the Middle East markets in the first nine months of the year. Saudi Arabia was the best market, followed by the UAE and Kuwait, according to Ford Middle East managing director Larry Prein.

Ford is extending the 24-hour free roadside assistance to 5 years or 100,000km, for Middle East customers. This supplements the existing 5 years/100,000 km powertrain warranty and the three year/60,000km manufacturer’s warranty.

Middle East GT prices start from $33,960 for the base model, and rise to $43,480 for the top of the line automatic coupe with leather and polished alloys. The Convertible V8 is available as a full-options only model for $46,195. V6 models start from $26,900 for the base coupe and rise to $32,600 for the SYNC-equipped range-topper. As with the V8, the convertible is now only sold as a full-tilt model at $39,400.

Ford Motor Company’s history in the Middle East goes back to over 60 years. The company’s local importer-dealers operate more than 100 facilities in the region and directly employ over 7,000 people, the majority of whom are Arab Nationals.

You can see from the smiles of the participants, in the video below, that enthusiasm for this car is just as strong in the UAE as anywhere you might go in North America.