A light blue Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster was the last pure, naturally-aspirated V12 Lamborghini to be produced, bringing an era to the end. Lamborghini has sold more Aventadors than the sum of all its previous V12 models, delivering its 10,000th Aventador in September 2020.
Unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in 2011 as the Aventador LP 700-4, the Aventador was a game-changer at its launch, and stood as the flagship model of the sportscar maker for 11 years of production.
“The Aventador is a jump of two generations in terms of design and technology, with an exceptional package of unique, innovative technologies and performance that is simply overwhelming,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini at the time of its launch.
Nissan Motor and Citizen, the watch company, both have long heritage starting from the 1930s. In the nine decades they have been in existence, they have introduced many iconic products in their respective markets.
Citizen’s line of sports watches are well known with a reputation for high quality and technology. Likewise, Nissan has produced many sportscars and one of the most famous is the Z which made its debut in 1969. The original Datsun 240Z was one of the first Japanese models to show that Japan could also make sportscars and not just econocars. It certainly added another side to the Datsun brand (Nissan was not used as a brand name then) and drew enthusiasts to it.
Limited edition, 1,700 pieces
50 years later, the seventh generation of the Z has been launched and its iconic design has been modernised. To celebrate this much-anticipated return of the sportscar, Citizen has collaborated with Nissan to create a pair of limited edition watches in its Eco-Drive range. Only 1,700 watches will be available with a recommended price of US$2,495 (around RM10,400) in the US market.
The watches feature accents in the striking new Seiran Blue or Ikazuchi Yellow, both colours available with the new Z. The colours stand in bold contrast to the matte black on the centre of the dial that evokes the sense of smooth new asphalt on a highway.
The black of the dial is accented by silver hands and indexes to create a cool, understated look, while a red second hand is inspired by the redline on a tachometer. The watches each have a ‘Z’ mark on the crown and NISSAN logo on the case back.
Super Titanium casing and bracelet
The case is made of Super Titanium as is the bracelet. The proprietary space-age material is 5 times more scratch-resistant and 40% lighter than stainless steel. Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal is used to offer impact and shatter resistance, with anti-reflective coating to make it easy to view in all lighting conditions.
1 second loss in 1,000 years
Like other Citizen Eco-Drive watches, there is solar-powered quartz chronograph movement. Powered by any light source, there is no need to replace watch batteries. Atomic Timekeeping Technology with Synchronized Time Adjustment is available in 26 Time Zones, and the 1/20 second Chronograph measures up to 60 minutes. It is claimed that if you use the watch for 1,000 years, you would lose 1 second at most…
Shell has been in Malaysia for over 110 years, initially starting with exploration operations and then moving downstream to establish a nationwide network of retail outlets selling fuel and other products.
One of the brand’s oldest stations is in Penang and has existed since the 1920s, serving many generations of motorists on the island. With ambitions to preserve Penang’s living heritage whilst maintaining an important connection to the past, Shell has carried out restoration of the station and unveiled the new look recently.
The station has served the community through thick and thin, as exemplified by the station surviving World War II and witnessing Malaysia’s independence Situated along Penang Road in the Buffer Zone of the Penang Heritage zone, an area popular with tourists for its rich historical context, Shell Penang Road will be listed under the Penang Heritage directory, reflecting its significance as an important cultural landmark. Shell is collaborating with Penang Global Tourism to elevate Shell Penang Road as a tourist landmark.
“Shell Penang Road has been a part of Penang’s colourful history and heritage for 100 years, and I am pleased that Shell continues to preserve the heritage of this station while innovating to cater to all of its customers’ needs. I hope that this latest addition to the Penang Heritage zone will encourage Malaysians to visit Penang and support local tourism and businesses,” said Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State Executive Councillor.
While the station’s new look retains elements of colonial architecture, it also embraces modernity within. The convenience store offers modern comforts for motorists and provides food, snacks and other services.
“As we evolve to meet our customers’ dynamic demands and needs, it is important to remember our roots and hold on to our core values. Shell Penang Road stands as a testament to Penang and Shell’s history in Malaysia, reflecting how far we have come together. This station truly reflects Shell’s commitment to continue providing the best for the communities that we operate in,” said Seow Lee Ming, General Manager, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore.
To commemorate the launch, Shell is offering BonusLink members a limited-edition Shell Heritage Jute Bag, which features Penang’s cultural elements. Exclusively available at Shell Penang Road, the Shell Heritage Jute Bag is redeemable with 1,200 BonusLink points. Customers who sign up to be a BonusLink member at Shell Penang Road will be able to purchase the bag for RM15 (while stocks last).
For a brand with a history of over 130 years, the transition to a new era of design and technology has to be managed carefully. There is the legacy and the birth of the brand to keep in mind while at the same time, the future must be shown as well.
At Design Essentials 2019 in Nice, France, Mercedes-Benz Design is presenting the Vision Mercedes Simplex, a sculpture embodying the heritage and future of the luxury brand. “Only a brand that is as strong as Mercedes-Benz is capable of the physical symbiosis of history and future. The Vision Mercedes Simplex symbolises the transformation of the brand-specific luxury of Mercedes-Benz,” said Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener.
The inspiration for the Vision Mercedes Simplex goes back to 1901, when the history of mobility changed radically. At Race Week in Nice, a car the world had never seen before appeared on the starting line: a high-performance car which Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft had developed at the suggestion of the visionary Emil Jellinek.
The designs which were the norm back then were still closely related to motorised carriages. The Mercedes 35 PS, named after Jellinek’s daughter Mercedes, appeared with a completely new vehicle architecture and dominated the competitions in Race Week, which took place on the famous racetrack from Nice to La Turbie, right at the heart of what is now the Mercedes-Benz International Design Centre Europe.
The design is acknowledged as the first modern car and it heralded in a new era. Nearly 120 years ago, the transformation, away from a high motorised carriage to a flat vehicle design with a light high-performance engine installed low down in the frame and a honeycomb radiator organically integrated into the front, was the pioneer of success and role model for all the cars that were to follow, whatever the brand. The vehicle layout presented for the first time over a century ago remains to this day the technical basis of all cars.
The Vision Mercedes Simplex recalls this historic event and carries the pioneering spirit and the styling characteristics of those days far into the 21st century. Its message? The passion for luxury and innovation is part of the Mercedes-Benz brand DNA. This brand DNA gives Mercedes-Benz the strength to set new standards in mobility over again, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Two-seater with forward-looking digital luxury
The Vision Mercedes Simplex reinterprets the historic Simplex as a two-seater with freestanding wheels, an alternative drive, User Interface and a thrilling design. Its body with the dominant horizontal alignment sits as a monocoque amid the 4 large wheels, which form the outer points of the vehicle.
The resolutely vertical colour separation into a white front section and a black rear section follows the historic example. The transparent trims on the wheels reflect lightness and efficiency, as do the aerodynamic surface areas between the front wheels and the vehicle body. The entire sculpture lives from the interplay between clearly and powerfully drawn surfaces and precise technical details.
Radiator grille a symbol of digital transformation
The radiator blends a dominant frame in rose gold – reminiscent of the bronze radiator grille of the historic example – with an opening in the form of a large lens-shaped Black Panel/3D display. This is where the famous MERCEDES lettering is digitally superimposed, as are animations which provide information on the vehicle status. This detail, too, is a symbol of the transformation of the luxury brand Mercedes-Benz into the digital world.
The decentralised wheel location components unite aesthetics and engineering artistry in a unique way. The omission of a windscreen – as on the historic role model – reinforces the uncompromisingly sporty character and allows a seamless transition from the front-end flap to the instrument panel. The slim reversing lamps which are horizontally integrated into the rear section separate the upper section from the lower section of the exterior shell, which envelopes the occupants like a protective cocoon.
Perfect handcraftsmanship is also evident on the leather bag which rounds off the tail end of the vehicle body and – with its contemporary interpretation – is also themed around the historic vehicle.
Homage to history
The entire interior pay homage to the successful history of Mercedes-Benz and the DNA of the Simplex racing car – systematically reduced and nevertheless highly emotively appealing. A seamless transition between the exterior, interior and User Experience reflects the holistic approach of the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy. This is particularly evident in the flowing, flute-like transition between the bonnet and instrument panel with its reduced interface which works with projections. The seamless look continues into the footwell.
The fashion world is reflected in the interior with exclusive accessories like the high-quality openers for the stowage compartments. The bench seat is inspired by stylish furniture, the hand-made Chesterfield quilting denotes a contemporary interpretation of classically luxurious handcraftsmanship. The colour-and-trim concept, including the azure blue upholstery cover which transitions seamlessly into the footwell, is inspired by the colours of the Cote d’Azur.
UI/UX design: digital luxury
The UI/UX design demonstrates a Mercedes-Benz vision of digital luxury. The driver is only shown precisely the information they actually require in the specific driving situation. The heart of the instrument panel is a physical rose-gold-coloured instrument on which dynamic digital content is projected.
This combination of mechanical beauty and intelligent digital content is described by the Mercedes-Benz designers as ‘hyper analogue’. The right information is shown on the display at the right time, eg speed, navigation instructions or vehicle information. Other information is displayed on the instrument panel depending on the situation.
A star pattern fused with the material of the instrument panel creates a large surface onto which information can be projected for a certain amount of time. Thanks to the simple presentation and the size of the display the driver can take in relevant information and yet still concentrate fully on the road at all times.
The inaugural Fullerton Concours d’Elegance, a three-day celebration, is set to transform The Fullerton Heritage precinct in Singapore from 29th June to 1st July, 2018. Organised as the pinnacle event to mark the 90th anniversary of the iconic Fullerton Building, now home to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, it offers visitors a diverse range of activities and experiences that embody the building’s rich heritage and the brand’s passion for luxury hospitality and lifestyle.
Anchoring the event will be a showcase of more than 90 vintage and classic cars, as well as supercars from around the world, taking visitors on a journey through time across The Fullerton Heritage precinct. Other highlights include gala dinners, live music performances, art and cultural exhibitions, workshops, family fun activities, luxury yacht displays and charity car convoys set against a panoramic view.
Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, General Manager, The Fullerton Heritage, said, “As one of the most iconic colonial buildings in Singapore, The Fullerton Building has been preserved with the highest form of recognition for its national significance. Likewise, the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance represents the pinnacle in automotive heritage and excellence, celebrating the best in collector and car design. The event will be a fitting showcase that not only pays tribute to the heritage of the Grand Dame, but also celebrates the building’s continued relevance in bringing the community together and creating shared memories.”
The Fullerton Building was gazetted as a National Monument on 7th December 2015 in recognition of its pivotal role in Singapore’s history. It previously housed the General Post Office, once the “most important post office in the East,” and served as “Mile Zero” from which all of Singapore was measured. Today, the Fullerton Building serves as the cornerstone of The Fullerton Heritage precinct, which comprises seven key establishments: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, The Fullerton Pavilion, Clifford Pier and Customs House.
Activities have been curated to ensure there is something for everyone. Highlights of the celebration include:
An unprecedented tribute to automotive excellence
The preeminent Concours d’Elegance (competition of elegance) showcases some of the finest examples of pre-war and post-war collector cars in terms of history, craftsmanship, power and technology. Restored vintage cars from the 1920s, antique cars from the 1930s, classic cars from the 1970s, and modern marvels will be prominently displayed along the picturesque waterfront at Clifford Square and Clifford Pier, in the iconic Fullerton Hotel Singapore and at Fullerton Square.
Highlights include the classic 1934 Austin Seven Ulster Special, which boasts an aluminium body with no doors, a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II from the hotel’s recently restored Rolls-Royce fleet, and the legendary Lamborghini Miura previously owned by Don Miura himself. Visitors will be the first in the region to see the 2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge and 2018 Ferrari Portofino. Additionally, innovative electric car prototypes created by the students from Nanyang Technological University will be displayed at One Fullerton.
For the first time in Singapore, visitors can also view the largest display of cars owned by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Admission to the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance starts from S$9.90 *(RM 29.30) for a Single-Day Pass. Gold Passes are also available for access to VIP areas and the after-party at Lantern in The Fullerton Bay Hotel. Children under five years old will enjoy free admission.
