Blasting along a quiet road early in the morning with a great soundtrack on the stereo has to be one of my favourite pastimes. Doing it from behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DB9 takes this oddly serene experience to a whole new level. I challenge you not to smile whilst sliding along an empty road with a glorious British supercar howling away around you. But this is nothing new. For generations, people have loved Aston Martins. Mr A and Mr M will always be a much admired moniker, in the same way as Mr Harley and Mr Davidson hold such a grip on people's heart strings. From the glory days of the DB5s and 6s, through the decidedly dodgy 1980s and the notorious unreliable '90s, people seem to be able to carry on loving one of England's greatest motoring brands.
Given some of the major mistakes the brand has made over the years, it is a testament to the pure adoration of the marque and the power of the famous winged badge. In more recent times, operating under both Ford and now its own steam, Aston has upped its game and brought out a string of cars worthy of the name and the hefty price tag. The V8 Vantage was a masterstroke, bringing the Aston Martin name to a wider audience, and the DBS proved good enough for Mr Bond and tempted supercar buyers across the world. But within the lineup, the DB9 probably suits more people, more often.
The V12-powered DB9 is without a doubt one of the most achingly beautiful cars that has ever been designed. From the sculptured nose to the rounded rear, this is a car that you simply never get tired of looking at. It is not as fat as the DBS, but easily more elegant than the V8. In my mind at least, this is the most pure Aston on the market for many years. I actually found myself pulling up a chair in my carport and enjoying a morning coffee and the Ian Callum-penned lines of the big Aston. Bear in mind, it was already around 35°C outside despite being fairly early in the morning. That's the strength of the amazing design.
Snuggled down in the cosy and opulent interior you start to get an idea of where the Aston love potion comes from. It really does feel special, as well as being remarkably comfortable. Where the DB9 does well is at low speed, where it's easy to drive and simple to manouvere. Not many supercars, save perhaps the Ferrari 599, can make that claim. Try parking a Lamborghini Murcielago in Spinneys. I have, and it's not such a simple process. After a few days in the Aston, you just drive it and slot it in where it needs to go. All very civilised at this end of the market.
Behind the driver, the rear seats are frankly pointless, but I won't get into that old argument about 2+2 coupes and their leprechaun rear legroom again. Just rip them out and put somewhere for that extra luggage or a set of golf clubs. The metallic dials dominate the dash and the signature ski slope centre console separates you neatly from your passenger. This is a car you sit in, rather than on. Luckily, Aston has moved on from the infamous Mondeo keys supplied with some of their previous models.
You now get a strange cubist glass thingy that you press into the centre of the start switch to stir the V12 into life. A great idea in principle, although it's a little heavy for the suit trousers and slacks most owners will probably be wearing. Perhaps Aston owners have someone to look after the key for them? Under the bonnet, the immense engine throbs quietly to itself until you start to dance on the power pedal. When you do decide to "get on it", there's the usual wait that accompanies all big cylinder supercar engines. In the same way as the Lamborghini Murcielago, the DB9 isn't instant. It seems to wait a little before it gets into the ideal torque range before releasing all of its 469 hp to the rear wheels. Although the lazy V12 is annoying for sudden blasts, it's magnificent when given the room to play and will leave most other road clutter for dead given the chance.
That's really the trick. Keep it above 4,000 rpm and pick your line through the bends in advance. In return, you'll find yourself delivered out the other side in a blink and all without upsetting the ambience of the carefully prepared interior. Switching off the traction control brings a whole new dimension to the driving experience. Although the car continues to grip the road, you know there isn't a computer waiting to step in and save you when your skill/ego graph falls over. It is a sobering thought that this car costs the same as a large apartment in the UAE.
Oddly, the DB9's natural opposition is very diverse. Aston has always said their cars have to compete with luxury yachts and beach houses, but in the real world the only real rival is Bentley and Ferrari. The V12 Lamborghini is the polar opposite of the DB9, whilst the 599 Ferrari is technically far superior. However, your average Aston owner probably loves the brand regardless and traditionally won't buy a highly-strung Ferrari. So that just leaves the Bentley GT.
When all is said and done, the DB9 is automotive art of the highest level. Underneath it has its limitations, but that hardly seems to matter. At this level, cars are bought with the heart, not the head. And the DB9 is very good at taking care of that particular human trait. If you are weak-willed and deep of pocket, don't walk past an Aston showroom and expect to complete your journey empty-handed. Even Cupid drives a DB9. motoring@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
HAJJAN
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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.
BeIN Sports currently has the rights to show
- Champions League
- English Premier League
- Spanish Primera Liga
- Italian, French and Scottish leagues
- Wimbledon and other tennis majors
- Formula One
- Rugby Union - Six Nations and European Cups
Company%20Profile
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
ACC%20T20%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Championship
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THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
