It's the sound that captures you first. Much louder than you'd expect from a Mercedes, yet somehow still sophisticated. Not as effete as a typical European V12 but neither the brutish brawl of a high-performance North American V8. At idle, it threatens. Push the throttle and that menace erupts in a guttural flurry of revs and torque that is at once both sinister and unrelenting. The SLS at full chat sounds like nothing could slow it down. Claiming that an SLS sounds fast without being able to pass along an audio clip of it accelerating through the gears is to know journalistic inadequacy at its most frustrating.
It's also deceptive. At full throttle, there's a certain monotonal quality to the 6.3L V8's syncopation that, like the Eurotrash muzak that passes for house music in every corner of the massive Yas Marina Circuit facility, lulls you into a sense that you're just loafing along. Until, that is, you look down at speedo sweeping rapidly past the 260 kilometre an hour mark just as the 200m braking marker for the second-gear hairpin at the end of the Yas Marina Circuit's long back straight starts looking alarmingly close.
Then the whole internally combusting symphony gets even better. For unlike any other car that I've ever tested, the new V8-powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG sounds better coming down its piston-generated musical scale than going up. The seven-speed dual clutch manumatic is the very master of the smooth downshift, automatically matching revs in a pas de deux that sees blipping throttle and co-ordinated clutches working in perfect unison. Mash the (optional) carbon ceramic brakes hard (because that tight second-gear hairpin is coming up very quickly indeed) and the entire downshift from seventh gear takes on a rapid-fire blatt-blatt-blatt that is purely magical. My only question is how Mercedes manages to make this entire soundtrack legal in our increasing controlled, even for sound levels, world.
What's immediately obvious is that, while the SLS is (officially) not a replacement for Mercedes outgoing SLR, it does, in fact, replace that McLaren-built supercar at the top-end of Mercedes's sporting lineup. Equally obvious is that AMG, Mercedes' inhouse tuning arm that has, so far, only been allowed to modify existing Benz product, has been chomping at the bit to design their own supercar. The surprise, especially considering that McLaren is at the forefront of Formula One technology, is that the SLS is the far superior car, despite costing much less than the SLR.
For one thing, despite the SLR's chassis being entirely constructed of carbon fibre, the SLS weighs less. Credit an all-aluminium chassis (with only one small piece of high-strength steel in the A-pillar) held together by thousands of rivets and high-strength steel. The lighter-than-steel chassis also boasts phenomenal frame rigidity as well, more than in the SLR's league. Indeed, thanks to the SLS front/mid-engine layout, there's room for a massive rigidity-inducing cross-member ahead of the engine. It's the first such application I've ever seen and helps explain why the SLS's front tyres feel seemingly directly connected to the driver's synapses through the steering wheel.
That steering feel will require some acclimatisation by traditionalists, however. Sports cars of the SLS' exalted status typically have heavy steering to allow greater feedback to the driver. The SLS, on the other hand, has magnificently light steering, yet is as communicative as anything with four wheels.
That precise front end steering is married to a traction control system that, by Benz standards, is very liberal. Unlike previous Mercedes ESP systems, the "sport" version of the SLS' electronic stability program allows far more tail-wagging than normal.
In fact, the SLS's ESP system allows as much tail-happy oversteer as the Corvette's excellent "competition mode." Indeed, as I am pumping those carbon composite brakes (part of an AMG Competition Package that also adds stiffer suspension) trying to somehow get the SLS down to manageable speed for the aforementioned Turn Eight hairpin, the rear end does the gentle high-speed sideways dance that warns you that you're right on the limit. For once, Mercedes electronic nannies don't intrude on the fun.
Even the SLS' engine fits into making the SLS handle better. AMG, in its determination that the SLS' centre of gravity be as low as possible, converted the 6.2L V8 to dry sump operation.
By eliminating the oil pan (and carrying the engine oil in a completely separate container) AMG was able to lower the engine's 206kg by 100mm. Combined with the low, squat rear-mounted transaxle, it makes for excellent weight distribution and a very low centre of gravity. Factor in double-wishbone independent suspension all round not to mention sticky P265/35R19 (front) and P295/30R20 (rear) Continental performance radials and you've got a car that deals with the rigours of the track - even one like the Yas Marina Circuit that was voted the number one F1 venue for 2009 - with ease.
Of course, there's much more to the engine than guttural sounds and a lower waistline. Based on the same normally-aspirated, double overhead cam V8 that powers all of the Mercedes' "63" badged cars, it sports a modified intake system, more aggressive forged pistons and a set of equal-length, "big tube" headers (perhaps the source of all that exhaust music?) that sees its output raised to 571hp and 650Nm of torque. Mercedes says that accelerating to 100kph takes just 3.8 seconds and, if the driving instructors that Mercedes used as chaperones would have got out of our way, we might have even skirted with the SLS' reputed 317kph top speed. Performance will not be an issue.
My greatest revelation, however, the one that would allow me, if I were independently foolish, to own an SLS are its seats. The SLR, you might remember, was only available in race seats with no recline option. Either you fit or you did not. My diseased lower lumbars did not and, no matter even if I had loved the McLaren, I could have never owned one. The best thing I can say about the SLS' interior is that its supercar status requires you to sacrifice none of Mercedes' luxury
Indeed, Mercedes wanted just such an accessible supercar when they originally commissioned the SLR. They got it in the SLS.
motoring@thenational.ae
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
INDIA SQUAD
Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
