Samsung introduces a more eco-friendly phone
We’re a bit dubious hearing the words eco-friendly and cellphone uttered in the same sentence, when you consider how many unwanted handsets are clogging up landfills around the world. But Samsung has announced just that: the Blue Earth cellphone with a touch screen. The touch-screen idea has been around for decades—some of us might […]
Porsche’s R&D VP on the new 911 Turbo
Who better to tell us about the revised Porsche 911 Turbo than Wolfgang Durheimer, Executive Vice-President of Research and Development at Porsche AG? He tells us that the car will do 312 km/h, delivers 500 hp, and has fuel economy of 11·6 l/100 km. The videos are in German and English and are a bit […]
Derek Bell takes the Bentley Continental Supersports around the Nürburgring
Racing driver, Derek Bell, MBE, has been taking the new Bentley Continental Supersports for a spin. Except when you are a legend like Bell, that ‘spin’ would, necessarily, have to be at the Nürburgring, over 12 miles. The car will do 329 km/h (204 mph) and can run on E85 biofuel, part of a commitment […]
Volvo tests pedestrian avoidance feature in new S60
Volvo, which will shortly release its new S60 sedan, has been testing a new feature: one which recognizes pedestrians and will stop the car if they are in danger of being struck. We recently tested the XC60, which has a collision avoidance feature. Apparently, if one is heading toward a stationary object, the car […]
Fiat Punto Evo includes methane, LPG variants
Fiat has launched a revised version of its Grande Punto supermini, now called the Punto Evo. The good news: the MultiAir engines, which include diesel units, are better for the environment. Never mind all the infotainment equipment in the new model; Fiat also launches a methane engine as well as an LPG one. (While Kiwi […]
More from IAA, the Frankfurt Motor Show
The Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) saw numerous débutantes from the car companies, trying to look positive in one of the toughest years ever. Below are videos from BMW, where Dr Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management, is joined by German chancellor Dr Angela Merkel; and from Renault, where boss Carlos Ghosn gives insights, […]
Opel Astra to Bentley Mulsanne: new metal at the IAA
Ferrari wasn’t the only one making a big splash at IAA, the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW officially premièred its X1 (which had already appeared in German TV show Alarm für Cobra 11 two weeks before) and its 5er Gran Turismo—a hatchback version of the 5, if we had to be crude—with chairman of the board […]
Ferrari unveils 458 Italia at Frankfurt
We mentioned the Ferrari 458 Italia would receive its worldwide début at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Here it is, on the day of the launch on September 15, with chairman Luca di Montezemolo and Formula 1 racing driver Michael Schumacher commenting. You may also like More from IAA, the Frankfurt Motor Show An improved Alfa […]
I don’t think we could let September 11, 2009 pass without marking what had happened in the United States eight years ago. As with this year, the day fell during New York Fashion Week, and as the publisher I had a few things to contend with. I had returned to Wellington from Manhattan only […]
Fabergé returns, with first high jewellery collection in 90 years
Fabergé has returned. The company best known for its work for various European royal houses has unveiled its first high jewellery collection since 1917, with a starting price of US$30,000 and an average price of US$200,000. A flagship online store can be found at www.faberge.com, with a bricks-and-mortar one in Genève. Clients can select […]
