Modern luxury vehicle manufacturers – and, indeed, those providing cheaper variants on the theme – have done their utmost to make road travel comfortable and stress-free.
Anyone who remembers how cramped and basic car journeys used to be will not need reminding of how far things have come.
The main problem with improving the experience for drivers and passengers, though, has always been cabin size. You do not need an expert in city management to tell you urban roads would be more challenging to navigate if we all zipped around in cars the size of coaches.
However, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a radical vehicle that appears aimed at making journeys resemble a visit to the glitziest, cosiest living room of someone who also enjoys fun and games.
And all of this comes in a reasonably sized container.
The Vision V is an ultra-luxury concept ride that is far from a traditional people mover as you can imagine.
The exterior is modern, with sweeping curves, big wheel arches, anthracite-coloured highlights and fancy details that set it apart from other vehicles.
The chrome radiator grille, with three horizontal illuminated glass elements, is unlike anything Mercedes has previously produced.
However, all that pales into insignificance when you open the Vision V's doors and see the ultra-high-end cocktail lounge styling inside.
Not many vehicles make you feel like you should take off your shoes before stepping inside, especially through a portal door with a hypnotically smooth sliding mechanism. But this one does.
The most striking cabin feature – among the white leather and mood lighting that give the impression of a cinematic sci-fi starship – is the retractable 65-inch cinema screen, complete with a 42-speaker surround-sound system and seven projectors.
This can transform the Vision V into a gaming or karaoke hub, or, alternatively, a mobile office.
Calling the set-up immersive is probably underplaying it. Intense might be a more accurate description of what it is like in there.
There are plenty of cubby holes and cabinets crafted from burr wood to hold food and drinks, reducing the need to stop off at motorway service stations.
The seating is ergonomic, resembling comfortable options from an average living room, but stopping short of the full-on snugness of an armchair.
A lot of the styling in the rear is echoed in the front (huge screen aside), with the driver and their next-door neighbour enjoying a riding experience that makes an average bus configuration seem beyond underwhelming.
Whenever concept vehicles are unveiled, plenty of drivers wonder what they will morph into in real life. Sometimes what we are finally presented with is a very different proposition from the prototype.
However, Mercedes-Benz says the Vision V gives a good impression of how the final product will look and feel, and that the aim to bestow “true greatness to automotive luxury” remains intact.
If so, the Vision V could become a popular limo at red-carpet events the world over.
As yet, we cannot comment on the Vision V driving experience, but the current Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the same class should provide a clue.
A vehicle with many of the features outlined here will enter production, estimates suggest, in 2026.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
The finalists
Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho
Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson
Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
more from Janine di Giovanni
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
match info
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')
Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')
Man of the match Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
