It's taken a while but Audi's A7 has finally grown on me. Until very recently, I viewed this huge, four-door fastback coupé as nothing more than a curiosity - a case of unnecessary niche filling gone mad. Perhaps it's because I see loads of them out here, but that sleek shape has burrowed its way under my skin and I now view it as a properly desirable automobile. And now we have what, for the time being at least, is the ultimate expression of Audi's sleek rocket ship: the S7.
If evidence were needed that engine technology is advancing at a furious pace, you only need look here. Audi has ditched its naturally aspirated 5.2L V10 in favour of a 4.0L twin-turbo V8, which at first might seem like a backward step. But when you consider that this is basically the same lump that is currently seeing active service in Bentley's Continental GT V8 (easily better than its W12 brethren), the prognosis is good. Being able to squeeze more power and performance from smaller engines is good news for everyone, with one caveat: the nature of the car in question needs to remain as it once was.
BMW has been down this road with its latest M5 (also previously a non-turbo V10), yet that car has definitely lost some of its appeal, at least when it comes to the engine note, which used to set the hairs on the back of my neck on end. By comparison the new one, despite its on-paper statistics, feels rather sanitised and, although better looking than its forbear, has become less desirable. Could Audi have made the same mistake with its S model line up?
The S7 is a treat to the eyes, especially this one with its Estoril Blue, crystal effect paintwork. The 20-inch S design wheels look superb and the S sits 10mm lower than the normal A7, all of which combine to give this car real presence on the road.
Its natural rivals are BMW's beautiful new 6 Series Gran Coupé, Mercedes-Benz's not so beautiful CLS and Porsche's frankly monstrous Panamera - German autobahn-stormers, one and all. The Bimmer is the only one of that trio to rival the S7's visual loveliness, but it's really boring to drive. If the S7 can thrill from behind the wheel then it could very well clinch the title of best in class.
Early signs are good, for the S7's cabin positively oozes class and sophistication. Everything about it, the look and feel of the materials used, the driving position, the intuitive instrumentation, the safety features that help rather than hinder - is a masterclass in quality construction. With a push of the starter button, the V8 rumbles into life with an almost malevolent, deep base tone that cannot be misinterpreted as anything other than a serious performer.
On the road, the S7 manages to move its portly 1945kg frame with alacrity and Audi claims it'll hit 100kph from rest in 4.7 seconds, which means it's as quick as a Porsche 911. It feels it, too. There's not even a hint of lag from the turbochargers, with immediate throttle response no matter what rev range you happen to be in, and the immense 550Nm maximum torque surges in from as low as 1,400rpm. The net result is absolutely effortless performance, all the while with an engine note that always satisfies yet never really intrudes.
Only at low speed, full-lock manoeuvres, does the all-wheel drive start to annoy. The front wheels, scrabbling for grip, send high-pitched vibrations through the steering wheel, which feels nasty, but once you've straightened up and on the move, it's all good. When cornering, the S7 simply hunkers down and gets on with it, no matter what the speed, and the levels of grip are stupendous, with the air suspension keeping things nice and flat.
All of which is deeply impressive, but the S7 has an ace up its sleeve, and it's one that has me scratching my head in disbelief. And that is down to its magnificent engine, but not because it provides supercar baiting performance. What leaves the biggest impression is that this engine operates plenty of the time on only four cylinders, switching between being a V4 and a V8 with no perceptible difference in sound or urgency. It makes the change in just 300 milliseconds, once the computers have worked out the torque requirements of your right foot, and the payoff is a significant reduction in emissions, fewer stops at the petrol station and absolutely no feeling that you've been shortchanged because there isn't a V10 under the bonnet.
And then there is the price. While you could easily spend twice what the S7 costs on a Panamera Turbo, or a CLS55 AMG, neither would give you twice the enjoyment of this Audi. I struggle with the notion of calling any car that costs Dh335,000 "cheap" but the S7 looks, feels, sounds and goes like it's way more expensive than it is and yes, I would be prepared to spend my own money on one. The S7 really is that good.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh335,000 / Dh352,400
Engine 4.0L, twin-turbo V8
Gearbox Seven-speed automatic
Power 420hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque 550Nm @ 1,400 rpm
Fuel economy, combined:
9.6L/100km
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Final: UAE beat Qatar by nine wickets
Third-place play-off: Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by five runs
Table
1 UAE 5 5 0 10
2 Qatar 5 4 1 8
3 Saudi 5 3 2 6
4 Kuwait 5 2 3 4
5 Bahrain 5 1 4 2
6 Maldives 5 0 5 0
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.