Testing a vehicle on the road is one thing, but, if it’s something on the sporty side, not being able to give it the beans because of speed limits can be frustrating.
Testing a vehicle at Yas Marina Circuit, then, essentially eradicates this issue. The gloves, as they say, are off (or on, if they’re those nicely stitched leather ones donned by the vintage-vehicle brigade as they hoot horns at many a classic car fest).
What was under the spotlight, then? That would be BMW’s new M3 and M4, those not-exactly-shy-and-retiring tearaways. Wisely, the manufacturer’s Middle East team realised letting a pack of testers loose around Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 track was probably a solid call if the assembled posse were to get a good idea of what the cars are like.
The unveiling, as is commonplace, was akin to a curtain being pulled slowly aside to reveal a great work of art on a museum tour, and while this might be over the top for, say, a new family runabout, this seemed apt for bona fide modern classics like the M3 and M4.
The sun shone down on all the shiny metal in a variety of less-than-subtle colours as the cars were revealed in Yas’s pit lane, the electric doors rising achingly slowly to show the new vehicles.
Everyone had seen pictures of the new models in advance, so there were no revelations about their appearance. Even so, there would have been few sharp intakes of breath if this hadn't been the case, as the design changes are subtle. The new models come with BMW's new fierce kidney grille, but otherwise they resemble recent M3s and M4s.
That doesn’t dampen their allure, though, rest assured.
These kind of cars flatter you as a driver. You’re unlikely to be as fast as Lewis Hamilton (if you are, you’re probably in the wrong job), but even if you don't have the nerve to brake as late as Yas’s instructors suggest, you certainly feel like you’re on the edge in these cars, albeit in a controlled manner.
You can get from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.2 seconds in the M3 and the M4, but that goes down to 3.9 seconds in the special Competition versions, which makes tearing up Yas’s North Circuit straight distinctly cheek-wobbling. The power comes courtesy of a three-litre turbocharged engine, that howls in a suitably exhilarating fashion when you really need it to.
It’s all very power orientated, and that’s exactly what fans of these vehicles are after. There is an M Race Track Package now available as well, which will really up the ante.
The M3 is referred to as a sedan while the M4 has coupe status, but, such distinctions aside, these are both comfortable cars to get into.
There’s no sense of being thrown about as you tear in and out of the corners, either. The seats cosset you nicely, and that gentle cuddle the safety belt gives as it sucks you gently into the seat is always comforting.
Enthusiasts, then, will not be disappointed by the new breed of M3 and M4. BMW continues to make minor adjustments that add up to an improved driving experience. This is certainly the case when you get these newbies on to a track, which is exactly what a lot of buyers will be doing.
Another lap around the circuit, you say, Mr and Mrs BMW? Well, alright then. Probably won’t need those stitched leather gloves, though, as there’s very little that could be described as old-fashioned around here.
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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Can NRIs vote in the election?
Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad
Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency
There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas
Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas
A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians
Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.
This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India
A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians
However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed
The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas
Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online
The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online
The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
