The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,289,376
On sale: now
If you’ve seen a child reaching out for ice cream on a hot day but unable to get their hands on it, then you’ll start to understand what I went through the day I had the keys to the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante.
It has one of the best supercar drivetrains hiding under that long, carbon-fibre, wraparound clamshell hood, as well as some sensational lines and a powered roof that folds away in 14 seconds.
The DBS Superleggera also houses a 715 brake horsepower, 5.2-litre, twin-turbocharged V12 engine that revs to 7,000 revolutions per minute with 900Nm of torque from 1,800rpm and is mated to a rear-mounted, eight-speed automatic transmission.
Yet I wasn’t able to fully explore all this potential.
It made me question the point of owning high-powered sports cars in this era altogether
I was told it was fitted with a tracker that monitors its speed against local UAE limits, which is obviously responsible. But it meant that all that engineering artistry at my fingertips remained untapped, as I also wasn’t prepared to invalidate the insurance of this Dh1.3 million car by taking it to a racetrack.
It made me question the point of owning high-powered sports cars in this era altogether, and how having the same gorgeous lines and bespoke interior wrapped around a basic four-cylinder unit might be the sad, realistic future. But that’s a discussion for another day.
The convertible versus the coupe
Fortunately, I have already sampled the engineering wonders of the DBS Superleggera in the correct conditions on Germany’s unrestricted Autobahns when I drove the hardtop coupe last year.
The difference between the convertible and the coupe is the new body, which incorporates a folding roof with some added rigidity to offset the lack of C-Pillars in the rear and a revised design around the tail.
So, while this has the same big heart under its hood, it’s really all about the looks.
Aston has opted for the traditional fabric roof over folding alloy units used by others. Metal roofs may provide better security, but they come at the cost of added weight and reduced space. Insulation is virtually the same, with eight layers of hood lining wiping out any road noise, plus you get full-sized rear seats and a decent boot from the extra space.
The rear has received a major redesign, as the coupe uses the C-Pillars to channel air on to an invisible rear wing created by an air curtain at the outer edge of the bootlid. On the coupe, air is sucked through vents near the rear window, through channels in the boot and expelled upward, under pressure to create a virtual rear wing. All this disappeared when they lost the roof on the Volante (Aston terminology for convertible), so engineers have had to find a new solution.
A double diffuser under the rear bumper is the F1-inspired answer, taking a bit of Grand Prix know-how from Aston’s association with the Red Bull team. So air is now sent under the car to neutralise lift and produce 177 kilograms of downforce at top speed that is just 3kg off of the coupe’s target.
Lowering the roof allows you to experience the added emotions of hearing that luscious V12 spool up and crackle on the exhaust overrun. In Sport Plus mode, the exhaust will do this at parking speeds, so that is something I could still experience with the virtual nanny activated.
Testing out the top speed
During my experience with the coupe in Germany, a few engineers suggested I test not only the top-speed claims on the Autobahn, but also the 900Nm of torque. Even on the speed-limitless motorway, I never found a piece of road long enough to fulfil the challenge. The DBS pulled like a train and was hauling strongly beyond 300 kilometres per hour as I began to run out of road.
Our exit approached and it was back to urban reality for a brief spell, where the car slinked almost silently through the village before crossing back into Austria. It was brief, but it answered all of my questions about the DBS’s performance capability, which stands equally for this convertible version.
Noticeably, there was zero lag, no turbo whistle and no indication that it’s a turbocharged engine. It pulled cleanly, like a big, naturally aspirated car, and was easy to short shift on mountain roads to let the torque do all the work.
A colour-tinted carbon fibre is available for those who don't need to know the price
Choosing drive modes is ridiculously easy, with no endless point-and-click sub-menus to wade through on a centre console screen like you find in many of its competitors. It’s a simple process of selecting two rotary dials on the steering wheel, with the left one controlling the suspension, while the right dial alters the engine mapping for the GT, Sport and Sport Plus modes.
Aside from having a zero to 100kph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 340kph, the DBS Volante will out-accelerate the Ferrari 812 Superfast across the all-important 50-160kph haul in fourth gear. Holding the same gear, Aston claims the Ferrari covers it in 4.9 seconds, while the DBS takes 4.5 seconds.
All looks, no action
The Volante also stands out from the coupe, thanks to a range of eight new colours, including the eye-popping “Golden Safron” on the test car. It also offers further personalisation choices, with six colour options for the roof, while the windscreen surround is available in a carbon-fibre finish.
Carbon fibre replaces much of the leather used in the coupe, including the door skins and tonneau, while a colour-tinted carbon fibre is available for those who don’t need to know the price.
Thankfully, the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante received so much attention about its looks that no one asked what I thought about its performance.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,289,376
On sale: now
