Make a list of the world’s greatest driving roads, and the top 10 might include Italy’s Stelvio Pass, Australia’s Great Ocean Road and our own Jebel Jais. What the line-up won’t include, even if you extended it to a top 1,000, is any stretch of tarmac that happens to be in Miami.
The Floridian city might conjure up glamorous images of sun-soaked beaches and high-speed pursuits seen in 1980s TV crime drama Miami Vice, in which the suited yet sockless Tubbs and Crockett apprehended villainous types in their (fake) Ferrari Daytona Spyder. The reality, however, is that the roads are ruler-straight and heavily speed-restricted to boot.
It’s hardly fitting terrain to stretch a supercar’s legs or explore its dynamic potential, but Lamborghini’s minders say the objective of the drive programme for the Huracán LP610-4 Spyder is to savour its “lifestyle” appeal. The idea is to cruise and pose in the Dh1,032,847 rag-top, rather than to rag it at ten-tenths.
For what it’s worth, the convertible’s stats bode well. Its chassis is 40 per cent stiffer – making for tauter handling – than its Gallardo Spyder predecessor, while downforce is boosted by 50 per cent for greater high-speed stability.
The rev-happy, naturally aspirated, 5.2L V10 is essentially as per the coupé, with identical outputs of 610hp and 560Nm, but in its latest guise, the motor gains fuel-saving measures such as a “cylinder-on-demand” system and stop-start function. There’s also an upgraded, electronically controlled all-wheel-drive set-up to further optimises traction and handling balance.
Because of the roof-folding mechanism and added chassis reinforcement to compensate for the loss of the lid, the drop-top Huracán incurs a 120-kilogram weight penalty over its coupé sibling, yet it scorches to 100kph in 3.4 seconds (just two-tenths behind its hardtop brother), while 200kph is dispatched in 10.2 seconds (0.3 seconds adrift of the coupé). Top whack is (a largely academic) 324kph.
The Spyder’s fabric roof is well integrated with the Huracán’s lines, with the result that it doesn’t sacrifice anything in the looks department vis-à-vis the coupé – even though its profile is decidedly different. Aiding its visual purity are hidden rollover hoops that pop up in milliseconds if on-board sensors detect the Spyder is about to end up shiny side down.
Lowering or raising the roof is achieved via a button on the central tunnel, with the whole operation taking 17 seconds (Lambo claims this is the quickest in its category). You don’t need to come to a standstill either – all that’s required is dropping your speed to 50kph.
An interesting touch is the fact that the rear windscreen can be kept open or closed, regardless of whether the roof is raised or lowered – depending on how much audio input you want from the V10. Also novel are two movable fins that deploy just behind the seat backs when the roof is lowered, to visually enhance the profile of the topless car. In addition, there are lateral wind guards to help minimise buffeting around the driver and passenger’s heads at cruising speeds with the top down.
The biggest pay-off with the Spyder is that you get to bask in the aural glory of the V10 to a degree that’s not possible in the coupé. You get to savour every single nuance of the free-spinning 10-pot as you go up and down through the revs and gears.
And that V10 is an absolute peach. Peak torque might not surface until 6,500rpm, but there’s still ample urge down low, and throttle response is electrifying – so much so that your right foot feels hard-wired to the motor. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox delivers fast, seamless shifts in Sport mode, but in the hard-core Corsa setting, each upshift is accompanied by a firm kick up the backside.
The only glaring criticism of the Spyder relates to the soft-top when raised, as it noticeably compromises forward vision (this will apply even more to taller drivers) because of the fact it tapers down markedly at the front. Also earning a big thumbs-down are the optional fixed-back sports bucket seats, which offer as much comfort as a wooden park bench. Our advice? Stick with the standard pews – they’re far kinder to your spine.
The overall impression is that the drop-top doesn’t feel that different to its coupé sibling – apart from the fact that you will be sporting a tanned face and windblown coiffure by the time you step out after a day’s driving. Your ears will also be resonating to the tune of the more audible V10, but that’s certainly no hardship.
The Huracán Spyder is undoubtedly in the top bracket among convertibles capable of elevating your pulse rate to high triple figures, as long as you’re not in Miami. Jebel Jais would be a much more fitting playground.
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How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The 24-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Thomas Meunier (Paris Saint-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Bromwich Albion), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur).
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea/Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Dries Mertens (Napoli).
Standby player: Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles FC).
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Jawan
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'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
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Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) beat Hamza Bougamza (MAR)
Catchweight 67kg: Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) beat Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) beat Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg: Mosatafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) beat Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78KG: Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight: Sallah-Eddine Dekhissi (MAR) beat Abdel Enam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg: Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG) beat Rachid Hazoume (MAR)
Lightweight: Mohammed Yahya (UAE) beat Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg: Souhil Tahiri (ALG) beat Omar Hussein (PAL)
Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
The five pillars of Islam
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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