Dubai was one of only three locations worldwide for the simultaneous launch of the all-new, third-generation Range Rover Sport this week.
Together with New York and London, the UAE was one of the marque’s premium markets for the global reveal of the vehicle that replaces the second-gen Range Rover Sport which made its debut in 2013.
The new model has the job of taking on the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7 and BMW X5 in the regional sale race.
In keeping with Jaguar Land Rover’s mandate to streamline its fleet down to two platforms, with hybrid and battery-powered vehicles adopting the electrified modular architecture (EMA), the Range Rover Sport now shares the MLA Flex base with the fifth-generation Range Rover.
What to expect in the new Range Rover Sport
There’s familiarity between the two as they were designed concurrently to simplify manufacturing, with similar dimensions, styling cues and a shrink-wrapped look.
The new modular architecture is 35 per cent stiffer despite the Sport being 20 millimetres longer, 20mm wider and almost 20mm taller than its predecessor, yet boasting a wind-cheating drag coefficient of 0.29.
New headlights claim to project up to 500 metres of light using digital LEDs and 1.3 million micro-mirrors inside each lens. The lights work in unison with the car’s navigation system and speed to predict curves ahead and bend around upcoming corners.
Speaking to The National, Land Rover’s external design manager, Robert Battams, says: “The grill and headlight assembly is elongated across the nose to give it a flush look with parking sensors, cameras and other ancillaries hidden from view.
“The trademark clamshell bonnet gap is half the size of the previous model, but it’s that gap that determines the line down the rest of the car, so it has to be absolutely perfect.
“A high window and hip line give it a flush look with taut panels similar to the new Range Rover with barely enough room for your fingernails between the glass and the doors. Just 6mm gives it that really snug appearance,” he says.
The traditional floating roof continues with black pillars supporting a body-coloured top that extends beyond the rear window, giving the profile an arrow-like look. High-gloss, black D-pillars blend into the glass to eliminate any sign of window rubbers for a smart, wrap-around look.
The biggest visual differentiator between the Sport and the Range Rover is across the tail. Horizontal LED lights, which appear almost OLED in definition, add intensity to the light’s colours and stretch to the full width. Along with a bumper-mounted number plate (that might take some getting used to for purists), it defines the Sport from the Range Rover’s signature black vertical strips.
The other big differentiator between the two is the single-piece tailgate on the Sport over the two-piece design of the Range Rover.
Behind the numbers: 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds
A Stormer package makes its debut on the Sport. This includes all-wheel steering, which reduces its turning circle to under 11 metres, as well as an electronic rear diff and antiroll dampers that reduce the pitch by dialling in up to 1,400 newton-metres of lateral torque, of which 900Nm can be deployed in 200 milliseconds.
A mix of electrified six-cylinder engines and the venerable V8 are available under the hood. A fully-electric Range Rover Sport leads Land Rover’s charge into electrification in 2024 as the first of its six-model EV push due by 2026.
The MLA Flex platform has been built to accommodate a floor full of batteries, so the hard work of configuring it for EV use, to run the BMW-sourced electric motors, has already been done.
For now, there’s the familiar I6 Ingenium three-litre, inline six-cylinder petrol motor. This comes with either a 48-volt, 400 horsepower mild-hybrid unit, or the P510e, 510hp, 700Nm Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) assisted by a 38-kilowatt-hour battery.
WLTP figures claim 740 kilometres of range, of which 125km can run on electricity and it should take an 80 per cent DC fast charge in 60 minutes.
Purists and SVR hopefuls can rejoice because the BMW-derived 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 remains, dishing out 530hp and cracking 100kph in 4.5 seconds.
Priced from Dh470,000, the Range Rover Sport features a 13.1-inch Pivi Pro display in what is a clean, uncluttered and minimalist interior.
The 22-way cooled and ventilated front seats are available either in leather or vegan Kvadrat that combines a wool blend with suede cloth made from recycled plastic bottles.
A 1430W Merredin audio system with 29 speakers, including two speakers in each head rest, is also available as an option.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
More coverage from the Future Forum
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
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
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
MORE FROM CON COUGHLIN
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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
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
