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.
The Four Graces?
Surely there can be no other car event as glamorous and aristocratic as the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. Set amidst the amazing grounds of the hotel with a history spanning nearly 500 years the event has been run since 1929. This is where the rich, beautiful and famous have always come to play and still do.
read moreMonaco Historic Grand Prix
What a fantastic event the Historic Grand Prix held every two years in the Principality of Monaco is. I loved every moment of recording these fantastic classic racers going hard around the famous street circuit. I must remember to bring my earplugs next time though! Not only is it stimulating visually but the aural sensation is not to be forgotten either.
read more1,000 miles to go!
They say that if it rains for the start of the Mille Miglia, as it certainly did again this year, that it is going to be a lucky run. Obviously some people have more luck than others.
read moreFerrari 488 GTB
Last week I was a guest of Ferrari and paid a visit to the factory. Of course it was very impressive indeed and even more so was the fact that they entrusted me with a beautiful 488 GTB to go for a test drive above the hills of Maranello…
read moreSt Tropez
This year it is the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Riva Junior. What better way to celebrate than spend some time on the water in St Tropez at the meeting organised by the Riva Club de France for classic Riva boats. Brigitte Bardot used to drive one and it seems the tradition continues.
read moreVisit from a Wallaby
This weekend it is the 10th Monaco Historic Grand Prix and I am very excited to be attending this event. Before heading for Europe though, this week when taking some rugby coaching at Scots College we had a surprise visit from Wallaby star and NSW Waratah captain, Michael Hooper. Needless to say the youngsters were almost as excited to meet the dashing flanker as I am to be in Monaco. I look forward to reporting on the historic racing and the other events I will be covering whilst in Europe.
read morePacking My Bags
I am getting excited about my forthcoming trip to Europe. Not only will I be covering the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique for the first time, I will also be attending the big classic car auctions taking place in the Principality on the same weekend. Then it is straight on for the Mille Miglia start in Brescia before heading back to Lake Como for the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. The following week will see me in St Tropez for the Riva meeting and the Voiles Latines sailing. Its not all fun in the sun though as I do have to...
read moreBest of British
The Queen Mary 2 was in Sydney Harbour this week and what better backdrop for me to photograph this fabulous Aston Martin Vantage. Formerly the property of Jodhi Meares (also pictured) and other well known custodians, this is one very special motorcar, the history of which you will be able to read up on soon in Unique Luxury Magazine inter alia.
read moreNew Novella
My new novella, “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”, has just been published by Vivid Publishing. If you live in Australia and are interested in ordering a copy please go to http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/jamesnicholls/ If you live elsewhere in the world (like most people do!) please contact me directly should you wish to place an order. Review copies available upon request. Happy Reading
read moreComing Up in 2016
2016 is already well under way and although unfortunately I did not make it to Paris for Retromobile earlier this month, I have some exciting editorial planned from around the world for the year ahead. At this stage, listed below are just some the events which I will be delivering for Unique Luxury (Australia), Rewind (Singapore), Volante (UAE), Invictus (USA), and the host of other magazines that I contributed to last year including Perpsective (HK); Motorsport (UK); Octane (UK); The Spectator Australia; MotorBoat & Yachting (UK); Ocean...
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