Any idea what Volvo means? We all know what the brand stands for: sensible, classy, incredibly safe motoring, but the actual word is Latin for “I roll”; the company having been set up in 1927 as a subsidiary of SKF, the Swedish ball-bearing manufacturer. And Volvo is definitely on a roll at the moment, having stunned the world with some incredibly beautiful and well-resolved concept cars over the past three years, as well as launching this: the all-new XC90.
Much like Jaguar Land Rover when the corporate giant was bought lock, stock and barrel by India’s Tata, Volvo has also been the subject of intense speculation since it was sold by Ford to China’s Geely Holding Group five years ago. Most believed that Geely would slash spending, reduce quality and desirability and forever tarnish the reputation of a once-proud brand. On the basis of the XC90, however, nobody need worry – it’s an excellent automobile.
It’s quite the looker, too. While Bentley was busy trying – and failing in the most part – to make a beautiful SUV, Volvo quietly got on with the job of making a distinctive, subtly curvaceous and visually harmonious behemoth that immediately makes its predecessor and most of the competition look a bit old hat – and, dare I say it, vulgar.
Volvo proudly says this is the safest car it has ever made and that it comes with more safety features as standard equipment than any before it, although having said that, this is actually reflected in the inflated prices. And that’s all very worthy isn’t it? But it’s a bit dull, too, so it’s with no small relief that I can confirm the XC90 scores extremely highly in areas that you actually want to talk about: the way it accommodates its occupants and the way it drives.
First and foremost, this is a car for families. Middle-class families, I grant you, but it’s rare to see a new car that’s as intelligently thought out as this. There are seven usable seats, although the rear two enjoy less headroom, and all of them individually slide back and forth. Boot space, when the rearmost seats are in use, is compromised, but once they’re folded away, there’s enough room to shame many large estate cars. The tailgate is electrically powered, and there are really useful stowage spaces all around the interior to prevent anything being left to roll around the cabin without restraint. Because, you know, that could be dangerous.
There’s a premium plushness to this car that, depending on the trim level, can easily rival a Range Rover – it’s that lovely. The dashboard is a model of simplicity, with a large touchscreen in the centre to operate pretty much anything – the dashboard area only possesses eight buttons in its entirety. That’s all well and good, but that screen stops looking nice after a few minutes of prodding with anything other than surgically clean fingers – don’t even think about eating while on the move.
And it’s while you’re on the move that Volvo’s recent pledge to make sure nobody is seriously injured or killed in any of its cars by the year 2020 starts to make itself known and felt. There’s even a system to prevent the worst should you career off the road by accident – Volvo’s engineers have studied tens of thousands of crashes involving its cars all over the world. Again, all very admirable, but how does it work in real-world situations?
You soon get the impression that the XC90’s main mission in life is to tell you off. It shrieks and yells with every mistake you make, practically threatening to have you evicted if you don’t do everything by the strict Volvo rule book. Try moving it in a tight space and there are so many alarms going off that there’s a very real risk of getting a migraine. And if you dare drive too close to the white lines or, gasp, actually cross them without your indicators flashing, it fights you for control of the steering wheel. If you’re within three kilometres of the car in front, it will tell you to back off, and if you’re not quick enough on the brakes, it’ll sort that out, too. Why am I even here at all?
So the best thing to do, rather than get the screen even grubbier by swiping through its menus to turn off these nannies, is to just go with the flow and let this Volvo do what it does best: protect you and your fellow occupants. It browbeats its driver into submission, but you realise that if you do as you’re told, everything will be a lot more relaxing.
If the UAE is serious about eradicating road casualties by 2020, it needs to make it compulsory for everyone to drive new Volvos and make it impossible to switch off their safety systems. Overnight, this country would become the safest place on Earth to drive – now isn’t that a thought?
The Specs
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,900
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged four-cylinder
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 316hp @
Torque: 400Nm @
Fuel economy, combined: 7.7L / 100km
motoring@thenational.ae
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell
Four stars
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 112-4 (10 ovs)
Banton 53 no
Northern Warriors 46 all out (9 ovs)
Kumara 3-10, Garton 3-10, Jordan 2-2, Prasanna 2-7
Qalandars win by six wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
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RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEjari%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYazeed%20Al%20Shamsi%2C%20Fahad%20Albedah%2C%20Mohammed%20Alkhelewy%20and%20Khalid%20Almunif%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESanabil%20500%20Mena%2C%20Hambro%20Perks'%20Oryx%20Fund%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Motori Profile
Date started: March 2020
Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa
Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi
Sector: Insurance Sector
Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Safe City Group
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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