2017 BMW 5 series makes India debut at Rs 49.90 lakh

The much-awaited 2017 BMW 5 Series has finally debuted in India at Rs 49.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). This seventh generation saloon is being offered in one petrol and three diesel variants – 530i, 520d Sport Line, 520d Luxury Line and the 530d M Sport—the  latter two being priced at Rs 53.60 lakh and Rs 61.30 lakhs respectively. Codenamed G30, the new BMW 5 Series is based on the modular OKL (Oberklasse) platform, which makes use of carbon fibre, aluminium, magnesium and high-strength steel to keep the saloon light. The platform was first seen in the new 7 series, and this isn’t the only thing the 5 series borrows from here—several style cues, too, are inspired by the 7 series. The kidney grille, elongated headlamps and the stretched profile give it an elegant look. The interiors feature a black and beige look with aluminium inserts. The longer wheelbase gives greater cabin space and thereby enhanced comfort. The new iDrive system present in the 5 series supports gesture control. As for the performance and power, the 530i petrol variant gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 248bhp and 350Nm of torque. The 520d gets 2.0-litre four-cylinder which delivers 190bhp and 400Nm of torque. The 530d on the other hand gets a 3.0-litre straight six churning out 261bhp and 620Nm of torque. All three variants get a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

Hortus Sanitatis: Limited edition book from Gucci

Hortus Sanitatis, Latin for ‘The Garden of Health’, is the name of Gucci’s limited edition book all set for release next week. The book is a showcase of Gucci’s pre-fall collection, featuring images in monochrome and multicolour, shot by top photographer Derek Ridgers. The cover has luxe painted all over it with the pale-blue hue and the gold foil derailing adorning the edges of each page in the entire volume. Limited to a print run of thousand copies, the book will be available from July 5 onwards, following the official launch at the Comme des Garçons Trading Museum in Paris. Priced at £75, the book comes wrapped in a red cotton pouch with a formidable skull and crossbones image upon it. The name Hortus Sanitatis is actually taken from the very first natural history encyclopaedia, published in 1485 in Germany.

Japan Airlines gets a new Minion-themed jet !

Japan’s flagship carrier, Japan Airlines, has just released a Minion themed jet in collaboration with Universal Studios Japan. An Embraer 190 painted over merrily with the unforgettable characters from Despicable Me, the jet named JAL Minion Jet would begin its flights from July 27, but will only be used for domestic routes. Japan Airlines recently sponsored the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Ride, the main attraction at Minion Park, in partnership with Universal Studios Japan and Illumination. Minion Park is the world’s largest Minion-themed area which opened on April 21, 2017. JAL is the official sponsor airline of Universal Studios Japan. Japanese airlines have been known for their particular penchant for movie themed jets, with Japan Airways’ competition All Nippon Airways already possessing three Star Wars themed jets, much to the delight of fans. Well this time it’s the Minion fans’ turn to raise a cheer.

Gear up for the 593bhp Rolls Royce Dawn Black Badge
THE DARK KNIGHT: Rolls-Royce’s drophead coupé has been transformed into an intensely sensuous convertible signifying temptation itself

The Dawn Black Badge is here finally and it’s being touted as the ‘ultimate statement of defiance’. Rolls-Royce’s drophead coupé has been transformed into an intensely sensuous convertible signifying temptation itself. More significantly, in Rolls Royce vocab, ‘Black Badge’ means faster, stronger. So like the Black Badge versions of the Wraith and Ghost, which were revealed alongside one another at last year’s Geneva motor show, the Dawn BB gets more power. An extra 30bhp has been liberated from the 6.6-litre, twin-turbo V12, bringing the total to 593bhp. Torque is up by 15lb ft to 620lb ft. 0-100 kmph takes 4.9 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250kmph (155mph).

The steering has been quickened and engineered for more feedback
The steering has been quickened and engineered for more feedback

The chrome has been darkened to the darkest of nights and carbon fibre composite wheels form a dark and distinctive halo around the Rolls-Royce emblem. The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy is as black as the shadows, too. The colour in which the car is finished is, thanks to a painstaking painting process, the “deepest, darkest and most intense black to ever grace a production car surface”. The interiors have been defined as “whisper-quiet” beauty with the technical fibre fascia glinting with a ‘deep allure’. There’s a lot of black leather and new aluminium-threaded carbon composite trim—but of course this is Rolls Royce so every bit of it is customisable.

The whisper quiet interiors feature black leather and new aluminium-threaded carbon composite trim
The whisper quiet interiors feature black leather and new aluminium-threaded carbon composite trim

The brakes are new and an inch bigger in diameter than the regular Dawn’s, the steering has been “quickened and engineered for more feedback” and there’s an entirely new exhaust that emits a “menacing bass baritone”. The optional sports exhaust is supposed to up the ante on the drama of the Rolls-Royce top-down drive.

The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy is as black as the shadows, too
The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy is as black as the shadows, too

Rolls Royce wants the Black Badge to appeal to a “younger, more dynamic patron of luxury” than its typical customer. It sees the label as an expression of the marque’s “assertive alter-ego”.  “This is the boldest expression of Rolls-Royce,” says the brand, “Crafted for those who will never conform.”

Rolls Royce wants the Black Badge to appeal to a younger, more dynamic patron of luxury
Rolls Royce wants the Black Badge to appeal to a younger, more dynamic patron of luxury

The Aston Martin RapidE, the brand’s first foray into electric, is all set to enter production in 2019—but only for a limited run of 155 cars. Based on the upcoming Rapide AMR concept, RapidE spearheads the English brand’s low and zero-emission strategy first launched by Aston Martin’s CEO Dr Andy Palmer. Palmer said, in a statement: “RapidE represents a sustainable future in which Aston Martin’s values of seductive style and supreme performance don’t merely co-exist alongside a new zero-emission powertrain, but are enhanced by it.” The RapidE will be using the structure of the Rapide AMR—the four-door sports sedan looks and dynamics of the Rapide but the 6.0 V12 engine is to be replaced by an undisclosed EV powertrain.

The Feit Runner Shoes created with ‘unfinished leather’

The latest Runner Shoes from Feit are stylish, minimalistic and feature the classic ‘unfinished leather’ that is the brand’s trademark. Why unfinished leather, you ask? Well, according to Feit founder Tull Price, “The more the shoe is exposed to air, light, and sun, the more the leather patinas”—the more it develops a unique look. What’s more it also allows the shoes to breathe and thereby dispel foot odour. Priced at $540, the Feit Runner shoes feature a seamless one-piece upper crafted from vegetable-tanned half cordovan leather, with the tongue being a unified part of the upper.

BMW teams up with Specialised for X3 inspired e-bike

BMW Lifestyle and United States-based premium bike manufacturer Specialized have joined hands to create this limited edition all terrain electric bicycle inspired by the X3, named the “Specialized for BMW Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie.”  Combining a sporty, classy exterior with a high performance specialised interior, this bike is the ultimate in cutting edge riding technology. The bike’s electric mototr produces an output of 250 watts and is powered by a 504Wh detachable, rechargable battery pack. The barely audible motor provides powerful pedal assistance for those long distance trails and steep slopes. Plus, it comes with a purpose-developed mobile application that enhances the riding experience by optimizing the electric motor to ideally match the riding conditions. Also featuring an automatically adjustable telescopic seat post and extra-short chain stays, the bike boats super agile handling, too. The Phytonic Blue exterior paint—the official colour of the X3—lends the perfect finishing touch to this excellent bike.  Priced at around $5900, the bike will be available August 2017 onwards.

Walt Disney’s hand-drawn map of Disneyland auctioned for $708,000

The original, very first map of Disneyland, made by none other than Walt Disney himself along with Herb Ryman, just got auctioned for a whopping sum of $708,000 at Los Angeles. The original drawing from 1953 was made to persuade investors to fund the theme park, which opened its doors to the public for the first time in July 1955. This map, which is now the most expensive ever sold, was among the highlights of the auction at Van Eaton Gallery, which included over 1,000 Disney artefacts from 1953 to the present day— original props, wardrobe, riding vehicles, and souvenirs.

Roaring luxe on the road
Superbikes like the speed demon Dodge Tomahawk draw inspiration from super cars to turn into roaring, galloping beasts of the most spectacular variety

Feast your eyes on three of the most powerful two-wheeled beasts that ever prowled the road. Magnificent to behold and awe-inspiring in their features, these are a real treat for aficinados.

Lazareth LM 847

Pic 1 Lazareth-LM-847-designboom

Ludvico Lazareth’s masterpiece, the Lazareth LM 847, is a herculean beast with a 470 hp Maserati V8 engine, 4 wheels and a tail from the Ducati Panigale. The name is a reference to its power of course, and it boasts four single-sided swingarms, rim-mounted brakes, dual hub-centre steering and a bunch of other crazy touches.

Lotus C-01

Pic 2 Lotus-C-01-rideapart

The Lotus C-01 is a bike with its design inspired by the 1960s Lotus 49 F1 car. Created by Daniel Simon— the guy who designed the TRON lightcycles—this bike has a body made up of aluminium and carbon fibre, replete with LOTUS decals. Its powered by the excellent 1195 cc KTM engine which pumps out a pretty 200 hp of power. It’s limited edition too, with ony 100 of these ever made, and is supposed to be more of a work of art than a track monster.

Dodge Tomahawk

Pic 3 Dodge-Tomahawk

Speaking of track monsters, here comes one. This Tomahawk materialised when one day the folks at Dodge decided to see what their Viper would look like as a bike. A 4-wheel chrome monolith, the Tomahawk is powered by the largest V10 engine ever fitted in a production car— the 8.3 litre V10 from the SRT Viper, belting out a massive 500 hp. Dodge claim that this allows the Tomahawk to reach unbelievable speeds of 675 kmph—which is untested actually, but mindblowing all the same—and makes this the world’s fastest superbike!

 

Check out the Kuroi Hana Japanese Knife Collection

The Kuroi Hana Japanese Knife Collection from London-based Edge of Belgravia is placed among the finest Chef knives in the world. The set of six knives has a steel core of AUS-10 alloyed with Vanadium for strength, long-lasting sharpness, and corrosion resistance.  Over this core, 66 more layers of Aichi Steel Corporation’s S/S 430 and S/S 431 high carbon steel are added, using the ‘Damascus Effect’ to create an especially attractive mottled pattern in the blades. There complete set includes a 4″ paring knife, a 5″ utility knife, a bread knife & general slicing blade both 7.5″ in length, and two Chef knives of 6″ & 7.5″ respectively.  Housed in a ‘Black Diamond’ knife block, the Kuroi Hana Chef collection is priced at $290 and would be the pride of a Chef’s collection.