Beating the Tamburo!
The opportunity to take more than one friend or member of the family in a Lamborghini has not been possible since the demise of the fabled LM in 1993. Until now that is, with the launch of the new Lamborghini Urus. Whilst the LM was more of a truck (the ‘Rambo-Lambo’ conspicuous by lack of even a mention at the launch at Barangaroo in Sydney), the new Urus is a luxury super suv. At its Oceania premiere I was able to sample the new Lamborghini experience, which combines the DNA and qualities of the current Lamborghini offering. Take the very best bits of the Huracán and the Aventador super sports cars, such as four-wheel steering and carbon ceramic brakes, throw in air suspension and lots of other high-tech stuff including torque vectoring, and Lamborghini has created an SUV capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 305 km/h. Despite its increased centre of gravity and the fact that it is much higher and heavier than the other models from Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Urus is capable of stopping from 100 km/h to a stand-still in just 33.7 metres
This is a sports car on steroids that is capable of running on sand, snow, gravel, race-track or tarmac, with breathtaking performance and amazing all round capability. This is in no small part due to its exciting new V8 4.0 litre twin-turbo engine, the first occasion that Lamborghini has utilised turbo power. All controlled from the Tamburo, or Drum at the centre of the ultra-modern interior which comfortably seats four. And the name, well, as has been the tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is a wild ancestor of domestic cattle. The Spanish fighting bull, as bred for the past half-millennia, is still close to the Urus in its appearance.
“I’m putting on my top hat…”
I am really looking forward to attending the 9th Zoute GP and being a member of the jury of the Zoute Concours d’Elegance by Degroof Petercam at the Royal Zoute Golf Club in Belgium on 10th-13th October. If it is anything like last year then it should be great fun indeed. There will be some marvellous, marvellous cars on display, not least the incredible Jaguar XK120 LM that premiered at the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance back in March and which has been sweeping all before it on the concours circuit. Will it pick up another...
read moreTarga Florio
Looking for some good driving in November then look no further than the Targa Florio Australian Tribute. The iconic Targa Florio has been a much-loved tradition and motor event in Sicily since 1906. Today the Targa Florio is considered the world’s most historic, traditional and unique event for classic car enthusiasts. And because passion has no bounds, that experience can now be enjoyed Down Under! The four day sister competition replicates this unique and traditional event and brings the style, culture and spectacle to Australia with a...
read moreGT
I had fun at the Australian launch of the new McLaren GT recently. It is a bit out of my price range but it looks worth every penny. Storage space front and rear; high performance driving (0-120mph or 200km/h in nine seconds and a top speed of 326km/h (203mph); lots of technology; 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins entertainment system; 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 with 7-speed SSG transmission. Why, it even has machined and knurled aluminium switches and controls! Seriously though the interior looks like it would be a very pleasant place in which to...
read moreLevante Trofeo
One review of the new Maserati Levante Trofeo Limited Edition, with its V8 engine due to hit Australia’s shores early in 2020, describes it as “obscenely expensive.” Here Glen Sealey COO of Maserati Australasia and South Africa justifies the Aus$330,000 price tag, and talks exclusively for us about the exciting Italian brand. “The car itself is at a high price point but in terms of the performance it offers, the craftmanship it offers, and the all-round capability of the car across track and road it is a bargain, especially when compared to...
read more2019 Historic Motoring Awards
It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance has been shortlisted for The Historic Motoring Awards 2019. A finalist in the category, Breakthrough Event of the Year, the awards will take place in London on October 17th. https://historicmotoringawards.co.uk/hma2019/en/page/home Fingers crossed.
read moreLooking for Adventure?
Then, look no further than these two incredible events coming up in India next year. First up is the 21 Gun Salute International Rally & Concours d’Elegance from the 14th -16th February in Delhi. I will be there as a judge as also as the Master of Ceremonies. It will be my third visit to the event and six months out I am already excited. Then if you really want to get a feel for the country go straight on to the Incredible India Royal Expedition Rally from the 17th February until 10th March – 35 cars, 23 days, 4000 kms; from...
read moreEurope Part 2
And then it was on to Lake Como, for the relaunch of my 1954 Albatross Super Sport. Purchased at auction as a not very good hull with no engine or indeed anything else, it has subsequently been totally restored to its original beauty by my wonderful brother-in-law, Charles. Test drive, with nephew Sam, who transported it from England to Lake Como. “Unbelievable!” Sitting alongside its big sister in the dock at the Hotel Nautilus Sam, taking ‘Nazarena’ for a blast!
read moreEurope
I have been travelling a great deal in Europe these past few weeks and covering some great stories including Chantilly Arts & Elegance; exploring the secrets of Venice; and a classic Riva boat rally in Trieste and along the coast of Slovenia. Its been hot, hot, hot and the opportunity for some great images:-
read moreBernina- Gran Turismo. A classic car event like no other.
I am honoured to have been chosen as one of the first three Ambassadors for the Bernina-Gran Turismo https://www.bernina-granturismo.com/index.php/en/ Along with Porsche-girl Michelle Hambly Grobler from Cape Town and designer Gustav Magnussun from New York City I am helping to promote one of the most exciting classic car events going. The first International St Moritz Automobile Week took place 90 years ago in 1929. The highlight of the week was the Bernina Mountain Race. Hans Stuck in the Austro-Daimler ADR 3.0 won that race in 1929,...
read moreForza Italia
What a fantastic trip to Italy! First up was a visit to the incredible Mauto, the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile (http://www.museoauto.it/website/en) which very kindly lent me this stunning Lamborghini Miura S from its Marcello Gandini exhibition to play with in Turin. The Miura of course was one of Gandini’s greatest designs and I was also lucky enough to meet the legend himself and be accorded an exclusive private interview. I also retraced the footsteps of The Italian Job for its 50th anniversary by staying at the old...
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