WHIPS:

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng have just successfully launched a flying car in Dubai, showcasing a glimpse of what the future of travel in the city could look like.

After successfully taking off on October 10 at Dubai Marina, the two-seated electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) is dubbed to be “the future of 3D transportation”, with the X2 flying car has a top speed of 130 kph and produces zero carbon emissions during flight.

“The next generation flying car will be intelligent, electric, vertical take-off and landing, air-land coupling. We hope that our flying car will be a perfect match for Dubai, to jointly explore and build the future of 3D transportation, so that everyone can fly freely in the sky,” the Vice Chairman and President at XPeng told Khaleej Times.

Ferrari has revealed its latest one-off creation, a front-engined V12 spider created to the specifications of a customer from Taiwan.

Designed by the Flavio Manzoni-headed Ferrari Styling Centre, the SP51 is based on the 812 GTS, taking on its layout, chassis and engine and offering a “successful roadster take on Maranello’s first front-engined V12 spider in 50 years.”

The complete absence of a roof – the 812 GTS features a retractable hard top – meant the car’s aerodynamics required fine tuning using computer simulations, wind tunnels and testing to ensure comfort and acoustics in the cabin.

Bare carbon fiber is used extensively in the cabin and on the exterior, sitting alongside three-layer Rosso Passionale paint – a color developed specifically for the SP51 – and a blue and white livery inspired by “a legendary 1955 Ferrari 410 S.”

Also specific to the design are the highlights and diamond-cut wheels with carbon fiber wing profile spokes while the car uses the same 6.5-liter, 789bhp V12 engine that powers the 812 GTS.

The client, described by Ferrari as “one of our leading collectors” was involved “every step of the way” in the crafting of the cabin, which takes on the same Rosso Passionale shade of red – here in Alcantara – and also sees the blue and white livery stripe continue through the interior.

Mercedes-Benz has been the exclusive automotive partner of the League of LegendsWorld Championship, or Worlds for short, since 2020 and recently renewed its partnership with Riot Games until 2025. Building on the extended collaboration, the German automaker has crafted its first-ever virtual show car seen in this year’s official Worlds music video “STAR WALKIN” by new LoL president Lil Nas X.

Beginning on November 3, fans will also be able to preview in-car elements from LoLwithin the Mercedes EQS digital vehicle display in San Francisco, which will eventually make their way into Mercedes-Benz’s  MBUX infotainment systems. As a virtual car, the vehicle is free from the laws of physics and road regulations, allowing for a fluid glass-like design with a bubble cockpit.

“When designing an extraordinary and virtual show car, two worlds merge – real automotive design and animated design,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. “Because of the virtual space, there are no limits to what we can do, which means we can push boundaries and give our creativity the space for the unexpected. The result is something unique: the first all-virtual show car from Mercedes-Benz.”

“Since establishing our partnership, it’s been inspiring to see how the teams across Riot and Mercedes‑Benz continue to fearlessly pursue opportunities to elevate and celebrate our sport. Whether in physical form, like our beautiful World Championship rings, or a virtual showcar, we are thrilled that our partnership extension reinforces our collective commitment to pushing creative limits that deliver exciting experiences to LoL Esports fans for the years to come,” Naz Aletaha, Global Head of League of Legends Esports continues.

LIFESTYLE AND DOPENESS

Dodge has officially unveiled the first photos of its new Dodge Charger Daytona SRT “Banshee” Concept, a fully-electric take on the American muscle car. The Banshee is powered by an 800V electric all-wheel drive propulsion system, offering a higher level of performance than Dodge’s other signature offerings including the Hellcat.

Defining features of the electric Charger include an eRupt transmission which delivers smooth transitions that give a similar jerking feeling to shifting gears, a “push-to-pass” button for a quick power boost, and a stunning new R-Wing design for increased aerodynamic efficiency. The most controversial feature of the car is its deafening Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust which is said to produce up to 126dB of sound, a similar level to the Hellcat, despite being fully electric. Additional cosmetic details include a modern interior with a panoramic glass roof, lightweight bucket seats, and a large center screen.

“Dodge is about muscle, attitude and performance, and the brand carries that chip on its shoulder and into the BEV segment through a concept loaded with patents, innovations, and performance features that embody the electrified muscle of tomorrow,” says Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis. “The Charger Daytona SRT Concept can do more than run the car show circuit; it can run a blazing quarter-mile. And when it comes to product cycles, it outruns Darwin. Charger Daytona does more than define where Dodge is headed, it will redefine American muscle in the process.”

Take a first look at the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT “Banshee” concept above. If all goes according to plan, a production version of the all-electric Charger will hit the roads by 2024.

Nixon and The Rolling Stones have partnered to create a limited-edition capsule of timepieces, watch straps and other accessories for the iconic band’s 60th anniversary. The tight collection includes a broad scope of Nixon fan favorites, including a Japanese Automatic movement, a unique chronograph, and an upcycled digital, all incorporating The Rolling Stones’ iconic “Licks” logo. The pieces are classic and able to withstand the test of time, just like the famous Rolling Stones band.

As a way announce the collaboration between Nixon and The Rolling Stones, Nixon restored the legendary Nude Bowl, located in a desert near Palm Springs east of Los Angeles. After temporarily painting the bowl to feature the historic band’s logo, rising skaters like Zach Miller, Phoenix Sinno, Ryan Carrell, Dane Barry and Mikey “Mooks” Jordan and legends like Christian Hosoi were invited to put the collaborative watches to the test. Photographed by the legendary Grant Brittain the restoration project was documented from beginning to end and after this memorable session went down. After the shoot, the pool was restored to white leaving a clean canvas for all the artists, taggers and brave souls who make their own trek out to the rehabbed piece of skateboard history

Included in the collective is the The Rolling Stones Primary model, reference A1352, in which only 250 special edition pieces were made– the first four numbered timepieces went directly to the band and family. Sleek and colorful, the timepiece dons a woven dial showcasing the band’s tongue and “Licks” logo and Japanese Automatic movement. Gold hands elevate the model’s look which is punctuated by a bluesy date window. Lastly, the face and body are firmly secured by an elegant stainless steel band. There’s also the Rolling Stones 51-30 watch which features a neon sign font, classic “Licks” logo and rock ‘n’ roll subdial that pays homage to the band’s early London club shows. The oversized shape is designed for attention, while the sturdy construction allows for rugged, everyday use.

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Nixon’s analog Time Teller is an all-time best seller for the brand and received two distinct treatments as part of this collaboration with The Rolling Stones. While the all-gold version features the band’s “Licks” insignia, the all-red version has a unique spikey version that originated from T-shirts for the Voodoo Lounge tour. The last watch in the capsule — The Rolling Stones Staple — includes a digital offering which is constructed with Nixon’s Other People’s Plastic material, an upcycled construction made from plastic bottles pulled from our world’s oceans. Secured by a performance-driven band, the razor-thin watch includes a customizable display and other functions like a digital coinflip.

The collection also includes replacement bands fans of The Rolling Stones can use to customize their Nixon timepieces or other watches they own. There’s two Rolling Stones 20mm Recycled NATO Bands that feature the music group’s signature or the Tattoo You album design. Voodoo Lounge fans will most likely reach for the 23 FKM Rubber Band, which has quick-release spring bars for easy changing and an eye-catching pattern inspired by the album artwork.

The collaborative collection will release in two installments with the first going live on August 30, 2022 and the second later in 2022. Prices range from $40 USD up to $1600 USD and will be available at Nixon’s website and select Nixon retailers. On Tuesday, August 30, the collection will also be launching in London at No9 Carnaby Street with a special in-store installation and custom video wall.Pushing the bounds of drone possibilities for every pilot, DJI is now introducing a new cinematic drone, dubbed the “DJI Avata.” Building on the cinewhoop drone design, the Avata offers first-person view (FPV) flight with racer speed and agility, while remaining stable thanks to its prop guard quad propellers.

The Avata was designed to be used with DJI’s Goggles 2 video headset and Motion Controller for an immersive experience and complex flight control with one hand. The drone is also compatible with DJI’s FPV Remote Controller 2 and FPV Goggles V2.

The new FPV drone is outfitted with a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor stabilized camera that captures 48 million effective pixels at an f/2.8 aperture with an ultra wide-angle lens. The camera is also capable of shooting 4K videos at 60 fps and 2.7K videos at 50, 60, 100, or 120 fps. With 20GB of internal storage, the DJI Avata can fly for 18 minutes on a single charge.

Priced at $629 USD, the DJI Avata is available on the company’s website and at select retailers, a set with the DJI Goggles 2 and a DJI Motion Controller is also available for $1,388 USD.

Inspired by the floating pod from the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, the Anthénea is a luxurious take on the concept and brought to life by Jacques-Antoine Cesbron, Jean-Michel Ducancelle, Yannick Littoux.

This eco-friendly vessel features solar panels, two electric propulsion pods, a silent electric motor, and is made with sustainable materials. Meant to be a floating hotel suite, amenities include a day space with a sofa and minibar, a roof solarium that seats up to 12 people, a 360-degree panoramic vision viewing area, and a night space with a circular bed and a bathtub.

Depending on the buildout, the Anthénea ranges from $365,000 USD for the smallest pod (9.4 meters in diameter) to $730,000 USD for the largest premium pod. Learn more over at Anthénea.

In other design news, Hintegro creates a resort-inspired townhouse in Tai Po, Hong Kong.

WHIPS:

The McLaren F1 needs no introduction, but this particular example — 97th of the total 106 built, and just one of the 64 road cars made — is a little bit special. Chassis No. 59 stands out for multiple reasons, notable because it is the only car to leave the factory with the revised headlight selection that sees the British hypercar sport lights from the equally unique BMW Z1, subsequently solving the F1’s problem of lacking high-quality lighting at night — something you’d probably want, given this car can hit a once-record-holding 240 MPH.

Further helping this car stick to the ground safely is the fact is was regularly serviced by McLaren Special Operations in its early years, leading to it being fitted with the sought-after High Downforce Kit. A new set of 18-inch rims also altered the appearance of the car in its early years and, alongside the body kit, still remain fitted to the F1 today.

With that in mind, this is one incredibly special F1. However, all of this goodness is made subtle thanks to a timeless “Magnesium Silver” over a black Alcantara and leather interior colorway. Only 16,400 miles are shown on the clock, meaning the F1’s incredible BMW S70/2 V12 engine — which produces 618 HP, 479 lb-ft of torque and can hit 60 MPH in 3.2 seconds — is in perfect running order.

When the car came out in the ’90s, prospective owners had to pay at least $1,000,000 USD for the right to buy an F1. Today, you’d struggle to find one for less than $20M USD (one sold for a record $20.5M in 2021, and another for $19.8M in 2019). This particular example will likely fetch more given its provenance in the F1 lineage. Take a look at the car above and find out more on the RM Sotheby’s website, where it’ll head to auction on August 18-20.Tesla (NASDAQGS:TSLA -2.44%) has been a pioneer in creating electric vehicles, primarily notable for its revolutionary introduction of the Cybertruck — influencing the emergence of many creative ideas. Spanish car designer Victor Rodriguez Gomez took inspiration from Tesla’s innovations, borrowing the theme for his new electric locomotive concept, the “Model M.”

The Model M is an independent design by Gomez, which has no ties with Tesla, yet brings a unique spin to the concept of electric vehicles — Featuring a futuristic metal streamline structure. The electric motor is located at the bottom of the vehicle, while the battery pack can be found at the top. The tires have frames despite not having wheels in the center, and the detachable handlebar borrows the look of the ones seen on Teslas vehicles. Finally, the taillights are M-shaped to highlight the model’s name.

Given that Model M is still a concept vehicle, the possibility of its actual production is very low. However, it is undeniable that Tesla has significantly impacted the automotive industry and continued to inspire designers to expand their imaginations. One could only ponder what future automotive concepts and designs could arise.

ART & WHIPS: Daniel Arsham Offers a Closer Look at His Crystal-Eroded 1968 Ford Mustang GT

Daniel Arsham has offered a closer look at his one-to-one scaled 1968 Ford Mustang GT replica modeled after the car in Steve McQueen‘s classic film Bullitt. The true-to-size model was made in collaboration with the film’s prop masters and arrives in a matte black body with Arsham’s signature crystal erosion details consisting of volcanic ash, pyrite crystal, and white quartz spread across the exteriors and interior seats.

The mustang was first teased as a scale replica at Arsham’s “Turning Wrenches” exhibition at Library Street Collective in Detroit alongside a Ferrari 250 GT from ’80s comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the iconic DMC DeLorean from Back to the Future, and one of Arsham’s favorite cars, the Porsche 911 Turbo re-interpreted as a Porsche 930A. The sculptures exist as a commentary on the beauty of natural evolution and decomposition within time.

Take a closer look at Arsham’s 1968 Ford Mustang GT replica above and head over to Library Street Collective in Detroit for a chance to catch it in person.

Library Street Collective
1274 Library St,
Detroit, MI 48226,
United States