DRIVE

Experience the pinnacle of mobility. In-depth coverage of world-class supercars, bespoke yachts, and the exclusive world of private aviation and aero-engineering.

One-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce x Kengo Kuma creation bridges luxury automotive and architectural worlds

by

  Bespoke Rolls-Royce Dawn in collaboration with architect Kengo Kuma. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Kengo Kuma have bridged the luxury automotive and architectural worlds with the unveiling of a first-of-its-kind Bespoke Rolls-Royce Dawn. The singular motor car will debut as a moving representation of the new luxury residence ‘The Kita’ in central Tokyo, designed by … Read more

Ferrari’s new model is the ultimate expression of an extreme front-engined berlinetta

by

  A new chapter in the legacy of Ferrari’s limited-edition sports cars begins. Aimed at Ferrari‘s most passionate collectors and connoisseurs, Ferrari’s new supercar features numerous uncompromising engineering solutions to guarantee peerless driving pleasure. The first official photographs of the special version of the 812 SuperFast were made available by Ferrari. The model’s name and … Read more

Swiss Boat Builder And Luxury Watchmaker Are Chasing the World Sailing Speed Record

by

 

@sp80.ch

Swiss boat builder SP80 and luxury watchmaker Richard Mille have all the chances to break the world sailing speed record. The hull of the SP80 sailing boat as well as the Richard Mille watches are made from Carbon TPT.

The special ‘super-ventilated’ foil of this record-braking boat positions the sailing boat at the surface of the water to
guarantee its stability at high speed. The goal: to pass the 80-knot mark (150 km/h)

Swiss boat builder SP80’s latest challenge is to break the world sailing speed record in 2022. SP80 wants to do this with the support of the luxury Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille. Midway between a boat, a plane and a Formula 1 car, the boat comprised of Carbon TPT will need to reach a speed of 150 km/h (80 knots) powered only by wind.

North Thin Ply Technology (NTPTTM), a world leader in pre-impregnated materials, has also contributed to the
endeavour by supplying Carbon TPT for the boat’s structure. The team can now get to work on the crucial stage of producing the sailing boat, which will have to reach a speed of 150 km/h (80 knots) using the wind as its sole source of power.

@sp80.ch

Richard Mille luxury brand has always been captivated by speed, aeronautics and extreme developments. When the
project was presented to the high-end watch brand by its long-standing partner NTPTTM, which produces Carbon TPT exclusively for use in the cases of Richard Mille watches, choosing to support this incredible odyssey was an easy
decision.

SP80 is team of EPFL engineers and students, who believe that through the combination of sailing, kitesurfing and
engineering principles, their boat significantly outperform the standing World Sailing Speed Record.

“We are imagining unique solutions and daring concepts that have potential in the sailing world. By establishing a new record, we want to demonstrate the applications of a new set of tools in fast marine transport, offshore sailing and energy production. We are now building a boat capable of reaching 80 knots (150 km/h) with the wind as its sole source of power” – SP80.

@sp80.ch

“Fuelled by the desire to achieve their goal, SP80 are ready to shake up sailing conventions. This same daring spirit has been guiding our brand for the last 20 years. In this young company, we see the effervescence of an enthusiastic and talented team,” – Tim Malachard, Marketing Director at Richard Mille.

SP80 was founded in 2018 by Xavier Lepercq, Benoît Gaudiot and Mayeul van den Broek, three engineers who are
passionate about kitesurfing, sailing boats of every kind, and ocean crossings. Today, their company comprises some
40 engineers and students from EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne).

To break the world speed record of 65,45 knots (121,21 km/h) set in 2012, the SP80 team set out to find a completely innovative solution. It is thus developing a sailing boat with a design unlike any other, measuring 7 m long and 6 m wide with a hull made entirely from Carbon TPT and propelled by a kite spanning 20 m. The engineering company has developed a ‘super-ventilated’ foil that positions the sailing boat at the surface of the water. In doing so, this technology avoids the phenomenon of cavitation, where water vaporised due to an excessive decrease in pressure affects performance.

The team has also filed a patent for a power management system, which transmits all the power from the kite to the
boat’s foil while maintaining stability at high speed. It is a design that is sure to go down in history.

“This is a partnership between two Swiss companies that are committed to high performance, exceptional feats and innovation,” explains Mayeul van den Broek, co-founder of SP80. “Even our respective production processes are similar in their use of Carbon TPT, which features in both Mille watches and our boat. Richard Mille’s involvement in the SP80 adventure is a source of great pride and incredible motivation for our young team. It means that we can step up our development and begin building our sailing boat, so that it can make its first journeys out to sea in 2022.”

 

@sp80.ch

 

Two global premieres for Mercedes-Benz in the world’s leading market for electric cars

by

    As part of its Ambition 2039 initiative, Mercedes-Benz is working on offering a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years from now. By as early as 2030, the company wants more than half the cars it sells to feature electric drive systems – this includes fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. At Auto … Read more

This new flying SUV offers a new generation commuter vehicle

by

 

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

A new Flying SUV Wants to Be a Private Commuter for all of us. Enjoy the city and then quickly and safely travel to the countryside in your own private vehicle.

Flying cars have the potential to create the same kind of niche in mass transportation as conventional cars did one
century ago. Aska’s new urban air mobility vehicle enters the fast-developing urban air mobility sector with an offer for commuting between the city and suburbs.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL

ASKA offers consumers a new generation commuter vehicle that combines the convenience of an automobile, with the safety, ease and efficiency of VTOL and STOL flight. Because ASKA is both drive and fly, it can be parked in existing parking spaces / garages and charge in existing EV charging stations.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

Aska’s flying car is a much larger air-mobility vehicle the size of an SUV.

With first deliveries scheduled for 2026 and a range of about 250 miles, this four-passenger flying car will feature electric motors powered by six batteries. ASKA has dual type of power supply sources. Each rotor has an independent battery power source plus a range extender power. Designed to ensure continued flight and a safe landing in the event of an emergency. The project features a robust energy management system with redundant power distribution architecture. Full electric system architecture of ASKA enables future models to convert range extenders to any other energy source such as hydrogen.

“The first deliveries may be limited to local roads. Our target is to obtain highway certification with a speed of 70 mph.” Aska Fly

The large wing design is optimized for safe landings and to reduce energy consumption. The flying SUV is boarded like a car, at home, in a garage or on the street, not on a busy airfield. The model gains additional safety with ballistic parachute. With the large propellers, ASKA has the best in class low Disc Loading (DL) and high Power Loading (PL) to hover with high efficiency and maneuverability.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

ASKA advances a great performant experience with its in-wheel motor technology, on the road or in the air. With this technology the wheels can be placed outside the fuselage, enabling better aerodynamics, and creating additional interior space to comfortably seat 4 passengers. It provides a high driving position, similar to a SUV, enabling the driver to have excellent visibility, and facilitates adequate ground clearance for Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) mode.

In drive mode, the in-wheel motor supports dynamic handling capabilities for a great driving experience.

VIP customers who preorder the $789,000 ASKA will become influential partners in the ASKA Founders Club, a global community of people who share our passion for travel in the 3rd dimension.

Club members are encouraged to be active contributors in virtual brainstorming sessions with the founders and
engineering team. Their insights will be used to improve the design and user experience of ASKA. Benefits of this
Founders Club include updates on key developments in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) curated from NASA, the FAA,
EASA and industry experts.

World’s First Consumer Drive & Fly eVTOL; @Aska Fly

Technohull’s brand new dayboat is beyond any doubt, a game changer in the category

by

 

@Technohull T7

Combining comfort with functionality, with a clean and dynamic design, Technohull T7 offers everything one would ask for from a well designed day boat.

Uncommonly spacious for its size, this medium-small day boat with rich entertainment can effortlessly tackle the high seas. Up to 350hp outboard power offers exhilarating pace, while Dynastream hull technology guarantees stability, comfort and a dry ride.

After revolutionising the design of large, powerful RIBs, Technohull is turning its attention to the smaller end of the
market. It has declared the new 7.8m T7 boat to be a totally new ‘species’ in the medium small category.

The secret lies in the boat’s seamless blend of top performance with dimensions usually only seen on larger craft. Its
3.13m beam gives the space for wider decks, but even a cursory glance is enough to confirm that this is a Technohull, with its crisp aesthetic and sporty lines. Those jet-black tubes, carbon fibre detailing, and deep, luxurious seating finished with hand stitching are all unmistakeable.

The layout is flexible and allows for two ergonomic pilot seats facing the central console, where touchscreen controls put every system aboard at your fingertips. Immediately aft is a clever seating arrangement that can be transformed into a large sunpad. Further lounging at the bow is in the form of a delta sunbed that can easily be turned into an even larger one.

Naturally, there’s teak decking, gleaming stainless-steel work and atmospheric LED lighting that can bring the deck to life with friends. So too a top-quality Fusion Apollo entertainment system, a fridge for refreshments as well as a deck shower.

@Technohull T7

Combining comfort and functionality, the T7 offers everything that a cruising day demands of the driver, while spoiling the guests as well.

And while the 65mph top speed of the boat shouldn’t leave any room for disappointment, it is the supremely stable
handling that is this hull’s real hallmark. Another awesome feature is that the boat stays on plane even at 9mph. Like the other recent boats from Technohull, the T7 features patented Dynastream technology developed over five years with a dedicated in-house team of naval architects. Two distinct steps in the hull channel air to provide lift, natural cushioning and unprecedented stability at all speeds. This hyper-ventilated hull shape even reduces fuel consumption, being some 10-15 per cent more efficient than previous Technohull designs.

Together with the deep-V wave-piercing hull, and the tubes, the boat can tackle offshore conditions with ease while keeping passengers dry. Getting all this into a boat with a relatively low length-to-beam ratio is a truly outstanding achievement. No wonder that Technohull is hailing it as the launch of a new category of medium small dayboat.

Although the first hull only hits the water later this April, 14 have already been sold, destined for owners around the world.

Fourteen hulls of the new T7 sold off-plan; @Technohull T7