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.
Auction Yearbook
The latest, and 26th, issue of the Classic Car Auction Yearbook is almost ready. This fantastic, and for me essential, reference book by Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi will soon be with us. I am taking advance orders now, so if you would like to order a copy please send me an email at james@marinamarini.com.au The 26th edition of the Classic Car Auction Yearbook covers the most important auctions from 1st September 2020 to 31st August 2021: 5.407 cars of 334 different makes, illustrated by 834 color and b/w photos. Each car is listed...
read moreInternationale St. Moritzer Automobilwoche
The international St Moritz automobile week is underway as I write and I am somewhat disappointed in not being allowed to travel from Australia to take part, especially as I am an international ambassador for one of the integral events, the Bernina Gran Turismo. It was not until the mid-1920s that motor vehicles were allowed on the roads of the Engadine. The potential benefit of the motor car for tourism though was immediately obvious and so the first International St. Moritz Automobile Week was launched in 1929. It was financed by...
read moreFather’s Day – the News
Please read on, and eventually you will come to a bit about me. It takes six columns but it is worth the read.
read morePolitics
I do not delve into the murky world of politics or current affairs too often, but herewith a recent piece by me from a week or two ago in the Australian edition of The Spectator, the oldest weekly magazine first published in 1828 and over 10,000 issues…Make of it what you will. AUSSIE LIFE LANGUAGE July 24
read moreThe Playlist (Lockdown Blues)
Well it feels like spring is almost upon us here in Australia but the crazy politics and politicians have the country in lockdown. This is week eight for Sydney and it is starting to wear a bit thin to find ourselves some two years behind the rest of the world. So in order to keep myself sane and to share a little love and sunshine, herewith my Marina Marini play list of the music I am listening to at the moment. I hope you enjoy it: and once we can go out and enjoy events and life once again, normal service will be...
read moreChicago Auto Show
Herewith some early images from the Chicago Auto Show which caught my fancy…..I thought fire trucks and little Corvettes were supposed to be red!
read more“Do I see Bluebirds singing a song…” Irving Berlin
“Sad news in the passing this week, June 14, of Tonia Bern-Campbell aged 93 in Palm Springs, California. The wife of speed ace Donald Campbell she accompanied him to Australia for his land speed attempts at Lake Eyre in 1963/64 as well as his water speed attempts. The Belgium-born night club and cabaret artist was trained by the great Maurice Chevalier, a friend of her fathers. Charming, I had much to do with her when I brought Campbell’s Bluebird back to Australia for a 12 month tour in 1985, She was also a girlfriend of our own...
read morePicfair
If you like some of the imagery that I create do check out the gallery section on the website https://marinamarini.com.au/image-gallery/ And if you would like to purchase any of the images, a selection of these are now very reasonably priced for sale. Available for a variety of editorial or commercial usages or as prints to go on the wall, check out some of the latest at https://jamesnicholls.picfair.com
read moreMotoring god’s country
Australia, really does have it all – fantastic beaches, snowy mountains, wide open spaces, the lot! And one can drive all over it…as is evidenced by Rattletrap on Crowdy Beach in Northern New South Wales which I attended last month, and the Super Alpine 500, from Sydney to Thredbo in the snow which I will be covering next month. As it is so difficult to travel at the moment, herewith a few images for those less fortunate.
read moreBeyond Curated
It has been tough for many many businesses over the past year, none more so than for those working in travel and events. It is with much pleasure then that I am so pleased to see Beyond Curated continues to survive and thrive. As things at last are being brought under control in some places, including it would seem Great Britain, then the demand for inspired experiences and distinctive journeys that open the gates to Historic Royal Palaces, worlds of rare jewels, and private fine dining, in breathtaking spaces and insightful master classes...
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