The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
On the day that Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing and Lewis Hamilton ended his season as a seven-time world champion with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, I drove a road car that, in the right hands, would embarrass them both.
On paper, the Bugatti Chiron is almost the equal of a modern Formula One car in terms of performance, but this Dh13.4 million Pur Sport limited-edition model, which is 50 kilograms lighter, has more track-focused suspension and shorter gearing for even quicker acceleration, raising the Bugatti marque to another level, yet again.
From zero to 100 kilometres per hour, the best F1 driver in the world would not see me as the Chiron Pur Sport covers it in 2.3 seconds compared with 2.6 seconds for a modern F1 car, according to British motorsport magazine Autosport.
Need for speed
The Chiron Pur Sport is mind-bendingly quick with its fantasyland engine specs of eight litres, 16 cylinders and four turbos, two of which are constantly working while the back two come on like a freight train at 3,800 revolutions per minute.
At this point, you are passing 200kph from zero in 5.5 seconds, less than a second behind Hamilton's current F1 car.
Hamilton, Verstappen and his crew get to 300kph in 10.6 seconds, while we clocked the Pur Sport reaching the triple tonne just a second shy.
Those four turbos are fed by four exhausts each and deliver a linear wall of torque from 2,000rpm to 6,000rpm. Top speed has dropped compared to the Chiron from 420kph to a mere 350kph, which is just 10 off this year’s F1 cars.
Yes, Bugatti slowed its road car down to a speed that’s closer to an F1 car.
This allowed them to not only shorten the gear ratios by 15 per cent to provide even better acceleration and the important in-gear punch, but also so the team could alter the suspension to run camber, which you can’t do on cars above 400kph.
The new seven-speed transmission doesn’t have any overdrive ratios, so nothing short of explosive performance was delivered in any gear and at any speed. Bugatti raised its redline by 200rpm to 6,900rpm as a result, but I have never experienced anything even close to this before, race cars included.
From 60kph in sixth, it hit 80kph in two seconds and 100kph in 3.4 seconds, while a 60kph to 120kph dash was done in 4.4 seconds, and it took 2.4 seconds to get from 80kph to 120kph.
The Chiron Pur Sport is almost two seconds faster than the already lightning-fast Chiron and, overall, its in-gear elasticity is 45 per cent better.
In layman’s terms, this means it’s virtually unbeatable, no matter what gear you choose.
Design decisions
Some of the 50kg saving has come from replacing leather with lighter Alcantara inside, as well as using 1 millimetre trim strips instead of solid billet aluminium, but mostly the saving has come from outside with a massive 1.9-metre wide rear wing replacing the heavy but effective hydraulic air brake.
If it weren’t for its giant rear wing, you’d be gobsmacked by the size of the diffuser below, that, like the front spoiler, is the natural enemy of speed humps, so I was aware of both fore and aft when negotiating Dubai’s many silent car-killers.
The rear diffuser is exhaust-blown in the same way as Red Bull used to great effect to win at least two F1 titles with Sebastian Vettel and, in this case, it’s another aid to overcome the loss from the missing air brake by providing more grip.
New magnesium aero wheels with optional wings save a further 4kg each, which results in a lower kerb weight and also removes a vital 16kg of unsprung mass. They are wrapped by newly developed high-performance Michelin Sport Cup 2R tyres (285 / 30 R20 front and 355 / 25 R21 rear) made exclusively for this car.
Behind the wheels are firmer springs with adaptive dampers, which Bugatti says are aimed towards performance, making it slightly harsher and noisier.
An engine this size has aircraft-like specs with an oil flow rate of 120 litres per minute and, at peak speed, passes 1,000 litres of air into its 10 radiators per second, while its water pump could fill an average-sized bathtub every 11 seconds at 800 litres a minute.
The Chiron Pur Sport’s forte is corners which, unfortunately, were beyond my reach in a short drive. I found a few to get a taste, but nothing ever prepares you for its missile-like acceleration.
With electric cars coming en masse, this masterpiece of over-engineering may never be topped and could represent the pinnacle of the internal combustion engine. Maybe that alone is worth the global price of €3 million excluding VAT ($3.6m) for only 60 cashed-up collectors.
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)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
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
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
if you go
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
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
