This month, Esquire‘s resident petrol-fuelled columnist, Supercarblondie, discovers that if you can’t afford a luxury car, you can always rent one…
***
When I first arrived in Dubai, I would look longingly at the various supercars that pulled up next to me at the lights and think, ‘One day that has to be me.’ Then in an instant the car would be gone and I would be left in its sand, flailing behind it at the lights, settling back into the reality of my A-to-B motor. As a luxury-car lover, that was far from the dream. What no one told me until later was that some of those supercars I had envied had been rented — kudos to those drivers who had woken up to the dream far sooner than I had.
Fast forward a few years and I find myself behind the wheel of the super-luxe Rolls-Royce Dawn (rented, of course). I took this beauty around Dubai for a weekend and patted her softly to apologise that I didn’t live at the Burj Al Arab (obviously where she would feel most at home). Instead, she settled for letting me take her, and my husband, to the Dubai Opera. We got dressed up and I got comfy behind the wheel.
The only way I can describe what it’s like to drive a Dawn, is if you imagine you’re driving on a cloud. The speedbumps around the city barely exist anymore. It’s like the cabin is immune to any imperfections in the road — it would struggle to offer enough motion to rock a baby to sleep in the back seat. The weather was just perfect for the roof to come down too, which meant we had the sun on our faces and could see all the way to the tip of the Burj Khalifa as we passed by. Two things are guaranteed with this car: VIP parking, which means you’ll never be waiting in a valet line again; and you don’t have to worry about dropping a king’s ransom to pay for its upkeep.
***
Why rent a supercar?
Why the hell not?! The UAE is one of the few places you can drive your dream car without feeling like you’re in a fish bowl. Elsewhere, if you drive something similar, chances are you’ll feel awkward from all the attention (unless you like that kind of thing).
What can you rent?
E and S Luxury Car Rental in Dubai has a range of supercars that will delight most petrolheads, from the Ferrari 488 Spider, Lamborghini Huracán, Mercedes G63, and the Rolls-Royce Dawn. The Dawn is particularly noteworthy as they’re hard to come by from rental companies.
What will it cost?
Depending on the car you fancy, prices range from AED900 to AED5,000 per day. The rate gets much better if you decide to rent for a few days or a week.
Who covers the insurance?
Fully comprehensive insurance is covered in the rental price.
Are all driving licences accepted?
Most international licences are fine. However, it’s best to check with the rental company first.
Is there an age limit?
Ideally, you should be at least 25. But if you are desperate to get behind the wheel for your 21st birthday, they can make certain exceptions.
How do I book?
If you’re using E and S Luxury Car Rental, the best way is to go via the website, browse the cars, and contact them for availability. Once you have the booking, the car will be delivered to you anywhere in the UAE.