The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
As supercars go, some attract your attention, others demand it. The McLaren 620R is the latter. Ignore it at your peril. Walk past it dismissively and it’ll grab you by the shoulder, spin you around and smack you in the face. That’s just the sort of car it is.
So, feast your eyes on this bright orange projectile. Notice the Tron-like white outlines highlighting the side air-intakes, front spoiler and side skirts. Take in the presence of a LeMans-style roof scoop, and marvel at that massive rear wing. And what’s this? Sponsor branding on the flanks? Is this a race car, is it a road car, or is it a bit of both?
The 620R is a bookend for the Sports Series in McLaren's product line. The Sports Series was a kind of (dare I say it?) "entry-level" range. Above it was the Super Series and, for ultra-exclusive hypercars, the Ultimate Series. This is being reconfigured. Ultimate remains, Sports is ditched, Supercars replace super and welcome the comfier GT Series.
Adapted for road use, in theory
The Sports Series featured the 570GT and 600LT and also sired a race car in the form of the 570S GT4. The 620R is essentially that car, but adapted for road use. However, while it has the same de rigueur 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, there is more power, about 50 more brake horsepower, taking it to 611bhp, or 620PS as befits its nomenclature. Likewise, there’s 620Nm of torque delivered by the time you’ve revved up the engine to 3500rpm. Which won’t take very long at all.
I would say blink and you'll miss it, but you won't be able to shut your eyes – or recover your dropped jaw – if you deploy said torque and find yourself propelled from rest to 100 kilometres per hour in just 2.9 seconds. Keep your foot in. In another 5.2 seconds, you will reach 200kph, 2.3 seconds after that you'll see off the quarter-mile, and eventually 322kph will arrive leaving the outside world a blur.
Rest assured that the 30-centimetre-high rear spoiler will keep you planted on the ground, as at half the speed, it was already exerting 185 kilograms of downforce.
While insane and mesmerising, the acceleration isn’t brutal or dramatic. It’s just very efficient and utterly relentless – so, in keeping with the purposeful nature of this car. The 620R also has full manually adjustable race suspension, although adaptive dampers can be had as an option. Most of the body is in lightweight carbon fibre.
Inside there's a six-point race harness fitted, although it also gets regular three-pointed seat belts for daily use. The centre console has been raised slightly, so that you can reach it once the full harness has you tightly in its hold. The AC and sat nav are no-cost options, there's Alcantara trim everywhere, and reduced sound-deadening means the Dh20,000 or so you'll spend on the optional 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo is a waste of dirhams.
Pricey or not, what you absolutely must have is the R Pack, which includes more carbon fibre, titanium sports exhaust, track telemetry with cameras and, best of all, the roof scoop.
You might think that’s just a faux affectation, but blast up through the gears and the engine audibly sucks in huge gulps of air through the scoop. It’s like you’ve got Darth Vader clinging on to the top of the car, breathing menacingly and finally pronouncing: “The Force is strong in this one.” You’ll hurry back to the dealership, shouting: "Take my money!"
Suited to the racetrack, in reality
Escape the city limits and the 620R comes to life. Always on-edge in town, looking too extreme, sounding too loud and feeling too harsh, it’s when you find that smooth piece of tarmac and an enticing and challenging sequence of S-bends that its forte shines.
The steering is quick and super-responsive, the direction changes will put a crick in your neck, the chassis is unshakeably clamped to the road with no pitching, diving or squat, and the gear changes fast and furious when you want them to be. The toggle paddles are unique in that you can change up or down with either paddle.
Stop off at the chiropractor afterwards, though. Why? Because driving the 620R on the road is intense, emotionally and physically. The ride is utterly unyielding, it picks up ridges and bumps you can’t even see. It transmits everything to the cabin unfiltered.
On a track that’s ideal. In the real world, combined with the aural assault, straining to see out of it at junctions and the stress of guiding it through traffic, it can all leave your nerves frayed and your energy drained.
Because while some might say this is a race car for the road, it's not. It's a race car for the racetrack that can be driven on the road – there and back.
Stock up on energy drinks, you'll need them when you get to the track, because that's where you'll be heading, of course. Once you're there, you can swap the wheels for another set shod with custom-made slicks at special request from Pirelli to fit over 20-inch rims. Suddenly the adrenalin will be coursing through your veins and the 620R will finally make sense.
Because while some might say this is a race car for the road, it’s not. It’s a race car for the racetrack that can be driven on the road – there and back. But you won’t want to take it to work or the shops and your better half will hate it. It’s raucous, rude and rock hard.
It cares little for your comfort and aims only to chalk up fast lap times, each one quicker than the previous. You almost feel like if you're not able to do that, it'll eject you and carry on by itself.
The 620R does not compromise. It doesn't play to the gallery either. Its efficiency chastises sentiment. It's not one for flattering you, drawing you in, making you feel special. It's there only to reward your competence and skill. If that's not what you're about, look elsewhere.
South Africa's T20 squad
Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
RESULT
Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
How to help
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
The years Ramadan fell in May
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
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
Brighton 1
Gross (50' pen)
Tottenham 1
Kane (48)
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Leaderboard
15 under: Paul Casey (ENG)
-14: Robert MacIntyre (SCO)
-13 Brandon Stone (SA)
-10 Laurie Canter (ENG) , Sergio Garcia (ESP)
-9 Kalle Samooja (FIN)
-8 Thomas Detry (BEL), Justin Harding (SA), Justin Rose (ENG)
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The%20new%20Turing%20Test
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
