Driving In Style

Ferrari Purosangue

We experienced the Ferrari Purosangue on the roads of Dubai, where the Prancing Horse’s first four-door, four-seater revealed how performance, driving pleasure and comfort can coexist without diluting the character of a true Ferrari.

The name Purosangue means ‘thoroughbred’ in Italian, and the reason for it becomes clear within the first few kilometers. From the moment we joined the flow of Sheikh Zayed Road, the car felt alert, balanced and deeply connected to the driver’s inputs. It may offer the access and practicality of four doors, but its responses belong unmistakably to Maranello.

At its heart is Ferrari’s iconic naturally aspirated V12, mounted in a mid-front position and producing 725 cv. The engine delivers 80 percent of its torque even at low revs, making the Purosangue immediately responsive in urban driving. When the road opens, the character changes dramatically. Power builds with breathtaking linearity, the eight-speed F1 dual- clutch transmission moves rapidly through its ratios, and the engine note rises from a cultured resonance into the enthralling soundtrack that only a Ferrari V12 can provide. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.3 seconds and can exceed 310 kilometers per hour, although its most memorable quality on public roads is the immediacy with which it responds.

The innovative layout plays a central role in that sensation. The gearbox is positioned at the rear to create a sporty transaxle configuration, while the Power Transfer Unit sits ahead of the engine to provide the unique 4×4 transmission. The resulting 49:51 percent weight distribution allows the Purosangue to feel poised and natural through sweeping bends. On the curved approaches to Downtown Dubai, its size seemed to recede around us as the steering, chassis and powertrain worked with remarkable unity.

Ferrari active suspension technology helps control body movement with exceptional precision. It allows the car to remain composed over changes in road surface while preserving the agility expected of the Prancing Horse’s most extreme sports cars. Independent four-wheel steering further sharpens the experience, giving the Purosangue confidence in faster corners and welcome maneuverability around hotel entrances and valet areas.

Its design is equally distinctive. Rather than following conventional crossover or SUV proportions, Ferrari created a completely different architecture. The long hood, compact cabin and muscular rear volumes give the Purosangue a low, athletic presence, while the rear-hinged back doors preserve the sculptural purity of the profile and make access to the two individually adjustable rear seats remarkably easy.

Inside, the cabin balances intimacy with genuine space for four adults. The driver and front passenger are surrounded by separate cockpit- inspired environments, while the rear seats are heated, independently adjustable and capable of folding forward to expand the 473-liter luggage compartment. The Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System is standard, though during our drive the V12 remained the soundtrack we most wanted to hear.

Against Dubai’s architecture, the Purosangue looks dramatic, but it is the driving experience that defines it. It does not attempt to imitate an SUV, nor does it feel like a sports car stretched beyond its natural purpose. It feels like a Ferrari conceived for four people and a broader range of journeys, without compromising the performance, emotion and precision at the heart of the marque.

ferrari.com

BMW M5

We experienced the all-new BMW M5 on the roads of Dubai, where the seventh generation of the legendary high-performance sedan demonstrated how 40 years of M5 history can enter an electrified era without losing its intensity.

Dubai is an ideal setting for the M5’s multi- layered character. In the measured traffic of Downtown, it moved with the composure of an executive sedan, its performance kept discreetly in reserve during relaxed, electric-only cruises. A few minutes later, on a clearer stretch of highway, the car’s other personality came vividly to the fore. The transformation is immediate, yet never feels artificial.

A model-specific version of the M HYBRID system combines a high-revving 4.4-liter V8 with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. Together they produce a maximum output of 727 horsepower and peak system torque of 1,000 Nm, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.5 seconds. The electric motor delivers its power instantly, filling every pause, while the V8 builds relentlessly toward the upper reaches of the rev range.

The result on Sheikh Zayed Road is not simply speed, but an immense sense of reserve. Press the accelerator and the M5 responds without delay, gathering pace in a smooth, linear rush. The sports exhaust adds a multifaceted and emotionally engaging engine note, while BMW IconicSounds Electric provides an M-specific acoustic response when the car is operating on electric power. Top speed is limited to 250 kilometers per hour as standard and can be raised to 305 kilometers per hour with the optional M Driver’s Package.

M xDrive transfers power to the road with a pronounced rear bias in 4WD Sport mode, giving the car the secure traction required to deploy its output with confidence. For experienced drivers in the appropriate controlled environment, 2WD mode sends drive exclusively to the rear wheels with Dynamic Stability Control switched off. On public roads, the standard configuration gave us the blend of assurance and agility that has long defined the M5.

The chassis makes the breadth of its abilities equally clear. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers allows the body to remain settled over expansion joints and uneven surfaces, while Integral Active Steering turns the rear wheels by up to 1.5 degrees. Around tighter streets and valet entrances, this improves maneuverability. At higher speeds, it adds stability and accuracy, helping the substantial sedan feel more compact than expected.

Prominent wheel arches, side-skirt extensions and a sculptural front apron give the new M5 an athletic stance. Yet its body-colored surfaces keep the appearance controlled and sophisticated against Dubai’s illuminated skyline.

Inside, the progressive sports-car cockpit combines a newly designed flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel, M multifunction seats and the BMW Curved Display with M-specific content. Merino leather, four-zone air conditioning, ambient lighting and the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System preserve its executive credentials. The M Hybrid controls tailor the experience through HYBRID, ELECTRIC and eCONTROL settings.

On Dubai’s roads, the all-new BMW M5 felt less like a compromise between tradition and electrification than a new interpretation of the original idea. It remains a luxurious sedan with genuine everyday comfort, but beneath that composure is a deep reserve of performance that can be summoned instantly. The familiar duality of the M5 is not only preserved. It is intensified.

bmw-me.com

Ram 1500 RHO

We experienced the all-new Ram 1500 RHO on the roads of Dubai, discovering a high-performance pickup that brings aggressive styling, race-bred engineering and serious off-road capability into a package that remains unexpectedly usable in the city.

The RHO makes its presence felt before the engine is even started. Its two-inch ride-height lift, six-inch wider track and 35-inch off-road tires give it an imposing stance, particularly against the glass towers of Sheikh Zayed Road. Yet from behind the wheel, its scale quickly becomes manageable. The elevated driving position provides a commanding view of traffic, while the steering and eight-speed automatic transmission give the truck a sense of precision that feels well suited to Dubai’s fast- moving roads.

At the heart of the Ram 1500 RHO is the formidable 3.0-liter High-Output Hurricane Twin-Turbo inline-six engine, producing 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque. Pressing the accelerator on an open highway reveals an immediate and forceful response. The engine feels lighter and more alert than a traditional V8, while
the rapid gear changes and high-flow dual exhaust give every surge of speed a suitably dramatic edge. The distinctive, throaty note is present without overwhelming the cabin.

Dubai’s roads also revealed the breadth of the RHO’s character. Along Jumeirah Beach Road, it settled into a confident cruise, absorbing surface changes with impressive composure. As we moved toward the city’s desert outskirts, the reinforced frame and long-travel suspension began to make even more sense. Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks continuously adjust damping to absorb heavy impacts and stabilize the truck over unpredictable terrain, while the wider track and generous ground clearance inspire confidence when the landscape becomes less forgiving.

Nine selectable drive modes, including Baja, Rock and Mud/Sand, tailor the truck’s responses to different environments. On asphalt, the settings allow the RHO to feel controlled rather than restless. Beyond it, they hint at a far more adventurous personality. Launch Control adds another layer of theater, channeling the truck’s twin-turbo power into a clean, determined start.

Inside, rugged character is balanced by modern connectivity and comfort. Premium leather-trimmed sport seats with substantial bolstering hold the driver securely, while more than 50 inches of combined digital display space creates a distinctly contemporary cockpit. The class-exclusive 10.25-inch front-passenger screen allows the person beside us to manage entertainment and journey information without distracting the driver.

On Dubai’s roads, the Ram 1500 RHO proved that extreme capability need not come at the expense of everyday refinement. It has the visual presence and mechanical strength expected of a high-capability sport truck, but also the comfort, technology and control required for the city. The result is a pickup that feels ready for the full range of the UAE driving experience, from polished boulevards to the edge of the dunes.

ram.com