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.
Red, White and Blue Off-road
Whoever says that Bentley cannot do off-road does not know what they are talking about. I have just been on a Bentley Bentayga Diesel Adventure Drive in the Hunter Valley, NSW. We drove and stayed at Tower Lodge (which is fabulous). The cars as expected were brilliant on-road. After a brilliant degustation dinner presented by chef Meet Tansu, the next day it was onto the mud and puddles. The Bentayga, the world’s fastest diesel SUV, does it all as the images show. You can read the whole story in a forthcoming edition of Signature Luxury...
read moreNew Record
And here is the 1977 Holden Torana A9X Hatchback leaving the building after being sold for a staggering Aus$715,000! A new record for the marque and a new record for an Australian muscle car at auction!
read moreRoll up, Roll up!
This car has certainly been causing a stir, having made an appearance on Channel 7, ABC radio (http://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/breakfast/torana/8505814), and The Australian newspaper (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/motoring/torana-the-bogans-ride-fit-for-a-millionaire/news-story/0219f9da1afda54e18db300cb1bc5078) in the space of 48 hours! The reason? The iconic 1977 ex-Bob Morris Holden A9x Hatchback Torana is one of the headline lots at the forthcoming auction I am running at Carriageworks in Sydney on May 28th. To find...
read moreRequiescat In Pace
The term legend is used too loosely these days. On April 10th, however, we lost a legend when the genius boat designer Carlo Riva, aged 95, went to the big harbour in the sky. This was the man who between 1950 and 1970, on Lake Iseo in the north of Italy, created the legend and the myth that was Riva, the finest of all boat brands encapsulating la dolce vita. R.I.P. Herewith, as a small homage, just a few of the images I have taken of Rivas.
read moreBoys just wanna have fun!
With apologies to the lyrics of Cyndi Lauper, sometimes my job really is fun. What more do I really need to say about this image taken on a recent photography session with a 1964 Aston Martin DB5? The reason for the fun and games was the DB5 I recently consigned for the upcoming auction at Carriageworks in Sydney on May 28th. To find out more go to www.mossgreen.com.au.
read moreIndia Rubber
Highway Masala! Being a Judge at the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Delhi, was indeed an honour and a privilege. Not only was the event, organised by India’s largest collector, Madan Mohan, a grand success in promoting India as a motoring tourist destination, it was also an incredible collection of experiences. One of those experiences was the discovery of a wonderful 1914 Benz 8/20 PS Runabout Tourer. This car, which was judged by us as Best in Class, has phenomenal history and provenance having been in...
read moreIndiaaah!
This week I am off to Delhi for the seventh edition of The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show. The three days of motoring indulgence should prove to be a very exciting experience especially as I am also an Honorary Judge as well as covering the event for various magazines including Octane, Rewind and Jetgala. The main highlight will, I am sure, be the wonderful collection of cars from Maharajas from all over the country, but, no doubt, there will also be one or two unexpected surprises and some great...
read moreSydney Concours d’Elegance
I was the Chief Honorary Judge at the 2017 Sydney Concours d’Elegance which took place recently at Darling Harbour Wharf in Pyrmont under the auspices of the ICJAG, the International Chief Judge Advisory Group. Honorary Judges have no need to concentrate on originality and authenticity, but adjudicate on the more ethereal notions of design, rarity, styling, historical significance and indeed, elegance – after all this is a Concours d’Elegance. All we had to do was look at the tremendous class winners, each honoured with a red rosette on...
read morePEACE AND LOVE IN ’17
It has been a great Christmas and New Year period and I have been taking things pretty easily in readiness for a big year ahead. I did however manage to do a couple of stories in between all the eating and drinking and boating. I did a story on the alter ego of Rolls-Royce and its new Black Badge offering, amazing cars; and of course I was also out on the water on Boxing Day for the start of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Coming up I am really looking forward to being a guest at The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally &...
read moreUp, up and away!
I say it every year, but right about now, Sydney Harbour is a difficult place to beat if you love sun, sea and boats! The GC32 hydro-foiling ultra-light catamarans certainly made a splash as the new weapon of choice at the Extreme Sailing Series and I had a great time covering the event. Coming up at the end of the month of course will be the start of the Sydney to Hobart. Bring it on!
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