It’s unfortunate that the vast majority of new cars on sale deliver nowhere near the excitement, luxury or dynamism that is purported by the copywriters employed to write the sales brochures and web pages. From time to time, I have been known to single out certain cars to compare the marketing rhetoric with the reality – almost always at the cars’ expense. Seriously, read the brochure for a Toyota Yaris and you’d think a 911 GT3 was being described, such are the extremes employed by advertising suits.
Having said that, occasionally a car company hits the nail squarely on the head. Take the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, for instance, which is thus described on the company’s website: “The all-new S-Class is all about a certain approach to life. It stands for ‘wellness on wheels’. Anyone stepping into an S-Class is immersed in an ambience of stylish well-being. The car is built for customers who set extremely high standards, but have incredibly full diaries as well. Such individuals especially value being able to step into a car that is an oasis of ‘well-being’, a ‘protected’ space that they can literally lean back and enjoy.”
A bit flowery, perhaps, but whoever wrote this was bang on. The current S-Class, more than any before it, has taken the luxury barge fight beyond the fringes of Audi, BMW and Jaguar. Forget the A8, the 750i or the XJ – all excellent cars in their own right – because the S-Class is more Rolls-Royce Ghost or Bentley Mulsanne in its unashamedly full-on approach to “wellness on wheels”.
If you’re thinking that this all sounds a bit like a posh hotel spa on wheels (you’d be right, up to a point), there’s so much more to the S400 – this region’s entry-level S-Class. In other markets, that nomenclature would tell you that you’re looking at a hybrid and, indeed, there are much lower numbers on offer but here, where we have little demand for parsimonious fuel consumption in large, luxury automobiles, the 3.0-litre V6 S400 is where it starts. We don’t get standard wheelbase models, either, with the L standing for – you guessed it – “long”. If you want more performance and consumption, you can choose two other models: the 4.6-litre S500 L and the 5.5-litre S63 AMG mentalist.
For most, though, the S400 offers more than enough oomph and gangster gravitas. And it certainly doesn’t feel like anything has been overlooked when it comes to design detail, with the exterior bringing to the fore a more mature, more stylised appearance that combines modernity with tradition in a way that won’t alienate either the company directors or the young, thrusting executives. But it’s when you open a door and take a seat that you see the gap narrowing between this and the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
Swathes of diamond-stitched, quilted leather cover the seats and the swooping dashboard, like some enormous Chanel handbag has been cannibalised in the process. Every surface, every button and control is easy on the eye and exquisite to touch and use. The timber is real and the lustrous lacquer looks like you could sink your arm into it, just as it does with the finest, bespoke furniture. The only thing missing from the posh spa analogy is the plinky-plonk ambient music but, should you have any to hand, the awe-inspiring Burmester audio system will make it sound like you’ve never heard it before. This German company was chosen to develop the Bugatti Veyron’s in-car entertainment, no less, which should give you an idea of the quality at play here.
Only one area comes in for criticism and that’s the enormous LCD screen duo that dominate two-thirds of the dash. It looks futuristic and lovely when all lit up and is exceedingly useful for relaying all manner of information but when the car is switched off, it just looks like a huge black hole.
I’m nitpicking, however, because this living space is unlike any other. Ambient mood lighting gently floods the cabin surfaces (it stayed nightclub blue while I had the car but I’m reliably informed you can adjust it for other hues) and, on the move, there’s an irrepressible sense of serenity not experienced in anything else at the S400’s price point.
This entire page could be packed with lists of features the S-Class has had bestowed upon it, whether they’re safety, comfort or infotainment-related but, to be honest, having had the car in my possession for only a couple of days, I barely managed to scratch the surface of what’s on offer. But it’s obvious that this is a modern-day masterpiece of cutting-edge engineering, old-school craftsmanship and contemporary design. It isn’t cheap but it represents incredible value when you consider what its rivals are and cost.
My father has a long wheelbase S-Class from the late 1980s, which he bought in an online auction a few years ago for less than I paid for my television. One day, years from now, this S400 could be the same sort of money and I assure you I’ll have my credit card at the ready.
khackett@thenational.ae
Fixtures (all in UAE time)
Friday
Everton v Burnley 11pm
Saturday
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm
West Ham United v Southampton 6pm
Wolves v Fulham 6pm
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm
Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm
Sunday
Chelsea v Watford 5pm
Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm
Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm
Monday
Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
Company%20Profile
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Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
Community Shield info
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Referee Bobby Madley
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Switching%20sides
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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.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
More on Quran memorisation:
GRAN%20TURISMO
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THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
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.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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