The Palacio, as I said, is situated at the south of the city, by the Belem Tower and surrounding the hotel are various sights to take in whilst in Lisbon, or none of them. There is a huge Brutalist edifice that houses the museum of the locality, but at every turn there is something to see, visit, climb, ride, eat or drink.
Sat discreetly in the heart of Mayfair and set over 5,500 square feet with Old Bond Street a literal stone’s throw away, one makes their way up five floors to be released into an oasis of clean lines, cool tones, and – dare you miss it – two whacking great mock-ups of jet fuselages.
I have a wide range of interests, automotive being peak among them, but the list is long, and the glaring hole was that of the two-wheeled variety. Through conversation with people in the know and riding friends, I was directed towards BMW Motorrad UK, who through a dedicated group of training centres, provide a Rookie-to-Rider training, aimed at people exactly like me.
LeShuttle has been a fixture in the UK to France movement of people and goods for almost 25 years, first seeing passengers in May 1994. Some 90 million vehicles have been estimated to have used the service. Movement with pets is integral to their service, having transported over two million cats and dogs since the year 2000.
The hotel forecourt gave me my first impression of the car, and in a sea of Mustang Mach-e and Tesla Model 3’s the length and breadth of the country, the Jaecoo 7 SHS cuts a stylish dash – even more so with several lined up alongside one another.
Power comes from the only naturally aspirated V12 available, derived from the block seen in the 812. However, in the 12 Cilindri this represents a 600rpm higher redline and a gain of 30bhp. The 6.5 litre V12 puts out 818bhp at 9500rpm. I mean, come on now.
Puerto Rio is borne out of an immensely long and diverse history. Its current social make-up and the basis for much of the social aspects of life, food, dance and art are influenced by the triumvirate of backgrounds that the population is largely made up of, those being the indigenous population.
The transatlantic flight is one of the staples of international air travel. We’ve all heard reference to taking the red eye out of New York, and for many, it’s a consistent and oft’ times fraught journey to make. In fairness, it seems that most air travel is the same. The London-New York route is one that is serviced by a wealth of traditional carriers, yet has long been the target of many a disruptor. As a route taken by so many for so long, to crack it, or crack into the incumbents, would represent a good bit of business. In walks JetBlue. A relative newcomer in a world of BA,…
This seems as good a place as anywhere to interject with some information pertaining to the car in question. The 296 heralded part of a new era for Ferrari in the move towards hybridisation and the creation of this 120 degree turbocharged V6, dubbed internally as the mini V12. The hybrid, turbocharged V6 has also been the standard in Formula 1 since 2014, so Maranello is not short of experience.
The trip in question was to the far-flung shores of Thailand, a place I had once visited in what was seemingly a whole other lifetime. I say that as it was a trip taken with a former fiancée, in a pre-social media world.
A carbon-bodied 765LT perhaps? Or XP1, the first Le Mans F1 car, factory converted for road use and sat next to XP5, takes pride of place.
Down a Paris side street sits an ex-industrial unit housing an open vaulted studio space. First walk-in unveils the concept car in all her glory, and most notably, her size. This is no shrinking violet, but rather an instantaneously captivating creation.
I slip my slightly clammy hand gingerly into the slot, ease some pressure and pull gently skyward. That scissor-door entry is nothing less than muted pornography. So effortless in its execution, it’s part of the recipe that makes the Aventador just that little bit more special.
Nautor Swan, the boat builder of choice for the single marque extravaganza has been crafting sailing yachts since 1966 and is one of the few builders that take the process from inception through to delivery.
A one-off Bentley Continental Azure styled around the heritage R-Type Continental Fastback, celebrating its 70th anniversary and adorned with the plate, JAS 949. Bentley is a formidable force nowadays, breaking into 2023 with perhaps what is their strongest-ever lineup.
Launched in May, the Range Rover Sport enters its third iteration. With it comes a sense that it has always been there. It fits. I mean, for many of the younger generation, it actually has always been there.
Finished in a hue not dissimilar to Audi’s Nardo Grey, the Ferox-T cuts a mean silhouette. Inside, one is introduced to the Italian side of this curious combo, but an interior that is certainly one that could be classed as luxury. Through the use of high-grade materials and the liberal application of them; the cabin feels as special inside as the outside does rugged.
Fresh from four days in Scotland driving the simply astonishing Ferrari F8 Spider, there are times in one’s life where you have to sit back, take some time, and genuinely let an experience wash over you. You need to take it in. Revel in it. The smells, the sights, the sheer visceral nature of it.
The grandfather of the segment is the Land Rover Range Rover. Not the Range Rover Sport, not the Velar, not even the Discovery. The full fat, bonnet at shoulder height, wafting armchair that is the Range Rover.
As far as statements of intent go, it doesn’t get any grander or more opulent than the Boat Tail. Having been sent the pre reveal press literature, I have spent an almost alarming time since, perusing over every detail, over every curve, every fixture, every decision taken, every whim that was answered.