<a href="https://hydrogen.aero/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universal Hydrogen</a>’s first plane has been officially cleared for takeoff.



The Southern California–based aerospace start-up has just received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to start testing its 40-passenger&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/hydrogen/">hydrogen</a>-electric airplane. When it does finally take flight, it will be the largest hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered aircraft to hit the skies.



Universal Hydrogen, which&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/jetblue-hydrogen-plane-debut-1234727218/" target="_blank">received investment from JetBlue</a>&nbsp;in 2021, announced on Tuesday that the FAA had granted it a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category. The approval means that its flying testbed, the Dash 8-300, can now be flown out of the Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Wash.



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Universal Hydrogen first taxi" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2E4_ns5GyaU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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 The Dash 8-300 features a megawatt-class hydrogen-fuel-cell power train installed in one of its nacelles that allows it to run on zero-carbon-emitting hydrogen. Unlike most of its hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered peers, the plane does not use a hybrid-battery architecture. Instead, it utilizes an innovative setup that transfers power directly from the fuel cells to its electric motor, drastically reducing weight and lifecycle cost, according to the start-up. Once finished, the aircraft will be able to carry over 40 passengers. Tuesday’s announcement was&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E4_ns5GyaU" target="_blank">accompanied by a video</a>&nbsp;showing the Dash 8-300 completing its first taxi test.



“We are simultaneously providing a pragmatic, near-term solution for hydrogen infrastructure and delivery, as well as for converting existing passenger aircraft to use this lightweight, safe, and true-zero-emissions fuel,” Universal Hydrogen cofounder and CEO Paul Eremenko said in a statement. “Today’s milestones are essential, important steps to putting the industry on a trajectory to meet Paris Agreement obligations. The only alternative is curtailing aviation traffic growth to curb emissions.”



The Dash-300 isn’t the only project Universal Hydrogen has in the works,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://electrek.co/2023/02/07/universal-hydrogen-faa-certification-fly-40-passenger-hydrogen-electric-plane/" target="_blank">according to Electrek</a>. The company is also working on a conversion kit that allows the ATR 72-600 regional aircraft to run on hydrogen instead of traditional fuel. Universal Hydrogen expects it to be certified and ready for commercial passenger service by 2025. The start-up is also hard at work&nbsp;<a href="https://hydrogen.aero/product/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">developing an eVTOL</a>.

flight

Flying

Hydrogen-powered

zero-emission

This Hydrogen-Powered Passenger Jet Could Bring Us Zero-Emission Flying. The FAA Just Cleared It for Testing.

Airlines have been phasing out&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/first-class/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first class</a>&nbsp;over the last decade, but one UK design firm hopes it can revive it with one key ingredient: a toilet.



Improved business-class options and increasing premium economy experiences have crowded out first class, but Factorydesign believes there’s a new level of luxury airlines can tap into. That’s where the firm’s En Suite concept comes in. The company has laid out individual first-class suites that include their own bathroom, giving passengers an extra layer of privacy on their flight. No more crowding outside the cockpit to use the communal loo.



The design goes beyond a private bathroom. There are luxe finishes and the ability to make the suite a single or a double to account for you flying solo or with a friend or loved one. Most importantly, these would be enclosed suites that offer a little bit more seclusion. Although, Factorydesign first unveiled the concept in 2019, Covid-19 has made it even more appealing now to have your own little personal bubble when flying. Unfortunately, outside&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/etihad-airways-a380-aircraft-residence-first-class-cabins-1234783860/">Etihad’s Residence</a>(also the work of this firm), similar suite options on planes are unavailable currently. But Factorydesign argues thatraising the level of first class like Etihad is necessary to compete.



“With the trickle-down effect from First Class providing strong influences, there are now abundant Business Class products that would happily have worn the First Class moniker not very long ago,” Peter Tennent, managing director of Factorydesign, said in a statement. “The consequence is that airlines are finding it harder to differentiate and elevate a First Class offer to create a sufficiently impactful step-up to warrant an increased fee, leading to some airlines pulling their First Class offerings.”&nbsp;



Although En Suite hasn’t come to fruition yet, this isn’t some fly-by-night operation suggesting this concept. Clients on Factorydesign’s roster includes Singapore Airlines, Delta, Etihad and&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/virgin-atlantic-upper-class-retreat-suite-1234726553/" target="_blank">Virgin Atlantic</a>, which debuted its “Retreat Suites” last year. However, those suites didn’t have their own bathroom and this one does. So, airlines, let’s make this happen.

First-class

Travel

This Design Firm Wants Your First-Class Airline Cabin to Have Its Own Bathroom—and We Can’t Argue

It’s one small step for&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/nasa/">NASA</a>, one giant leap for commercial aviation.



The space agency <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-issues-award-for-greener-more-fuel-efficient-airliner-of-future" target="_blank">announced</a> Wednesday that it’s partnering with <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/boeing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boeing</a> to create a new airliner to further advance sustainability within the industry. The duo will build a full-scale demonstrator <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aircraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aircraft</a> aimed at lowering emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. It is expected to hit the skies in the late 2020s.



The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept will be fitted with long, thin wings that will be stabilized by diagonal struts. This sleek silhouette is made to create less drag; thus the airliner will burn less fuel than those currently in the skies. In addition, the craft will feature the most advanced propulsion systems and materials. NASA claims the new green technologies could lower the vessel’s fuel consumption and emission output by up to 30 percent compared to today’s most efficient single-aisle aircraft.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nelson_and_plane.jpeg?w=300" alt="NASA Administrator Bill Nelson holds a model of an aircraft with a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing during a news conference on NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington, DC. Through a Funded Space Act Agreement, The Boeing company and its industry team will collaborate with NASA to develop and flight-test a full-scale Transonic Truss-Braced Wing demonstrator aircraft. " width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">NASA Administrator Bill Nelson holds a model of an aircraft with a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. NASA/Joel Kowsky</figcaption></figure>



The hope is that this one demonstrator jet will inspire a new generation of environmentally friendly commercial planes. The existing airliners, such as the Boeing 737 or the Airbus A320, collectively account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. In short, creating greener commercial fleets will result in cleaner skies. It will also help the US to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from aviation by 2050, one of the environmental goals outlined in the White House’s US Aviation Climate Action Plan.&nbsp;



Over seven years, NASA will invest US$425 million (HK$3.3 billion) in the project. Boeing and other industry partners will cover the rest of the funding (approximately US$725 million/HK$5.7 billion). NASA will also provide access to its aeronautics facilities. 



“It’s our goal that NASA’s partnership with Boeing to produce and test a full-scale demonstrator will help lead to future commercial airliners that are more fuel efficient, with benefits to the environment, the commercial aviation industry and to passengers worldwide,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-issues-award-for-greener-more-fuel-efficient-airliner-of-future" target="_blank">statement</a>. “If we are successful, we may see these technologies in planes that the public takes to the skies in the 2030s.”



Giant leap, indeed.

Boeing

NASA and Boeing Are Teaming Up to Create a Sleek New Jet That Could Burn 30% Less Fuel

After teasing its new&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/lufthansa-airlines-new-suites-1234760810/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-class suite</a>&nbsp;late last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/lufthansa/">Lufthansa</a>&nbsp;is giving fliers a closer look at the “private room” for the skies.



The swish suite is part of the European airline’s new Allegris offering that is aiming to elevate the in-flight experience on long-haul routes. Lufthansa is investing a cool US$2.7 billion (HK$21.19 billion) to add better seats to every class in both old and new aircraft by 2025.



The preeminent Suite Plus is essentially a private double cabin with ceiling-high walls, an entirely closable door and two generous seats that can be turned into a comfortable double bed if desired. You can also control the temperature of each three-foot-wide seat to ensure maximum comfort.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lufthansa_Allegris3.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772779" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lufthansa_Allegris3.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lufthansa_Allegris3.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lufthansa_Allegris3.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first-class suite. Lufthansa</figcaption></figure>



In addition, the suite will be equipped with wireless charging stations to keep your devices fully juiced, a full-width screen and entertainment system that pairs with your phone, a personal wardrobe for your belongings and a table for in-air dining. Speaking of dining, fliers can enjoy dishes from the gourmet menu in their own room or opt to join fellow first-class folk at a large communal table.



“The <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/first-class/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">First Class</a> Suite Plus conveys the feeling of privacy and individuality similar to a hotel room—only at an altitude of 11 kilometers,” <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.lufthansagroup.com/en/newsroom/releases/lufthansa-presents-new-first-class-suite-plus-private-room-above-the-clouds.html" target="_blank">Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter</a> said at the launch of the suite in Berlin on February 28. “The Allegris range promises individuality, exclusivity and premium service along the entire travel chain.”



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lufthansa_Allegris1.jpg?w=300" alt="Lufthansa Business Class" width="652" height="365"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The business-class seats. Lufthansa</figcaption></figure>



Indeed, business-class passengers will have their own suites with chest-high walls and sliding doors. Those in the first rows will also enjoy 27-inch monitors, wardrobes and personal minibars. It’s even possible to connect two suites to create more space. To top it off, business class will offer six additional seat options, from an extra-long bed of more than seven feet to a comfy seat with a baby bassinet.



The 80 new dual-aisle aircraft joining the fleet (including Airbus A350s, Boeing 787-9s and Boeing 777-9s) will have the Allegris setup. Lufthansa will also retrofit existing wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747. The airline will replace 27,000 seats in full. Quite the upgrade.

First Class

Lufthansa

Luxury Travel

suite

Lufthansa Unveils a New First-Class Suite With a Double Bed and a Door That Closes

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/embraer/">Embraer</a>&nbsp;yesterday revealed four jets of the future. As part of its Energia initiative, the new jets will include 19- and 30-seat aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion. Two other 19- and 30-seat jets will be powered by hydrogen-electric propulsion. The company announced its new Energia aircraft program a year ago as part a companywide path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.



“We have set bold but realistic goals for these concepts to come to market,” said Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation during the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKTSGMFMb2k" target="_blank">webinar</a>. “Since we announced our Energia concepts last year, we’ve been busy evaluating different architectures and propulsion systems. Smaller aircraft platforms will be produced first because we can apply these new technologies faster than on the larger aircraft.”



Beyond using new technologies, the company also needs to ensure that the aircraft can fly at 30,000 feet in temperatures of -60 degrees Celsius (-76 degrees Fahrenheit). The hybrid-electric aircraft are expected to come online in the early 2030s while the hydrogen-electric aircraft should be in service by 2035.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-Energia-fuel-cell.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772658" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-Energia-fuel-cell.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-Energia-fuel-cell.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-Energia-fuel-cell.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Embraer’s 30-passenger aircraft with fuel cell.&nbsp; Courtesy Embraer</figcaption></figure>



The company is also focusing on smaller aircraft with 200-mile ranges because of the fast growth of regional air travel. It has employed lessons from its business-jet division to make the commercial jets much more comfortable inside.



Both aircraft types will have rear-mounted engines. The fuel-cell-powered jets will have longer wings to protect the propellers and fuel cells as well as exchangers to dissipate heat from the hydrogen fuel cells.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/E30-HE-Sao-Paulo-Brazil-1000x563-1d20625c-6868-461e-9bcb-d26da55954a9.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772659" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/E30-HE-Sao-Paulo-Brazil-1000x563-1d20625c-6868-461e-9bcb-d26da55954a9.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/E30-HE-Sao-Paulo-Brazil-1000x563-1d20625c-6868-461e-9bcb-d26da55954a9.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/E30-HE-Sao-Paulo-Brazil-1000x563-1d20625c-6868-461e-9bcb-d26da55954a9.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hybrid-electric aircraft has a different wing configuration than the fuel-cell-powered aircraft. Courtesy Embraer</figcaption></figure>



“We’re designing workhorses for aviation,” said Raphael Gama Ribeiro, Embraer’s head of product development, “not just a jet that will reduce emissions.” The executives stressed several times that the new aircraft will present a “strong business case” for real-world commercial flight. The company has established an Energia Advisory Group that includes airline executives.



“While the challenges of net-zero are significant, in less than 25 years our commercial aircraft have already reduced fuel burn and carbon emissions by almost 50 percent on a seat/mile basis, using only conventional fuels and propulsion,” said Luis Carlos Affonso, SVP of Embraer’s engineering, technology and corporate strategy. “I’m convinced net-zero is a goal we can reach.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-AirbusHydrogenFuelCell.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772660" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-AirbusHydrogenFuelCell.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-AirbusHydrogenFuelCell.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-AirbusHydrogenFuelCell.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/airbus/">Airbus</a>&nbsp;also revealed its new hydrogen fuel cell-powered engine as part of its sustainability initiative. Courtesy Airbus</figcaption></figure>



Airbus also announced a series of sustainability initiatives last week, including partnering with Neste, a company that produces sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), to help increase production and availability of SAF across the aerospace industry. The French conglomerate also announced a partnership with the Renault Group to advanced their respective electrification strategies to “mature technologies associated with future hybrid-electric aircraft.” Airbus aid it would be working with Safran on liquid-hydrogen technology by building the world’s first hydrogen refueling station at Toulouse, Blagnac Airport.



The company also revealed a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine that will begin flight tests in the next two years. “We are focused on developing this technology to understand if it is feasiblefor a 2035 entry-into-service of a zero-emission aircraft,” said Glenn Llewellyn, VP Zero-Emission Aircraft, Airbus. “If the technology targets were achieved, fuel cell engines may be able to power a 100-passenger aircraft with a range of approximately 1,000 nautical miles.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="http://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5.Energia-Fuel-Cell-M.jpg-2.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772656" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5.Energia-Fuel-Cell-M.jpg-2.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5.Energia-Fuel-Cell-M.jpg-2-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5.Energia-Fuel-Cell-M.jpg-2-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Courtesy Embraer </figcaption></figure>

Embraer

Embraer Unveils New Hydrogen Fuel-Cell-Powered Jets

It seems to be the year of the personal flying machine minus the pilot’s license. Three firms have announced one-person&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/tag/evtol/" target="_blank">eVTOL</a>&nbsp;aircraft that will be sold to the public this year. The&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/flying-elvis-cruising-vegas-new-one-person-chopper-1234801063/" target="_blank">Ryse Recon</a>,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/jetson-human-scale-drone-1234773156/" target="_blank">Jetson One</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/single-seat-rotorx-dragon-electric-aircraft-60-mph-1234786550/" target="_blank">RotorX Dragon</a> will be certified under the FAA’s Ultralight category, which does not require a pilot’s license, though each company is mandating training.



A fourth personal eVTOL from France, the AirRacer, will be coming to the US to show off its easy-flight abilities. The brainchild of Franky Zapata, a former Jet-Ski racer who has since invented wild flying contraptions like the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/jet-powered-hoverboard-flyboard-air-radical-design-1234794530/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flyboard Air</a>, the AirRacer is a very different animal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_6.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772113" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_6.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_6.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_6.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The AirRacer is designed for nearly autonomous flight, with the pilot controlling direction and altitude. The control module takes care of the rest.&nbsp;(Courtesy Ivy Digital)</figcaption></figure>



The craft is built on a modular carbon-fiber chassis with 10 jet engines that could potentially deliver speeds between 125 and 155 mph, according to the company’s website, with a possible altitude of 9,800 feet—though most pilots will probably be flying between 20 and 40 feet off the ground. Having so many motors offers failsafe flight in case one, or even two, stops functioning. The engines all have independent electric controls.



The Zapata video shows the AirRacer doing a barrel roll, but that won’t be part of its protocol. The software-driven control system is designed for stability—hence, no need for the pilot’s license—for flight in less-than-ideal weather conditions. It will also be designed to fly autonomously. Essentially, the pilot chooses a direction and altitude, and the control delivers on those commands. Measuring 7’2’ &nbsp;x 6’5”, the AirRacer should be able carry a pilot and cargo weighing up to 400 lbs.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Zapata JetRacer | First Flying Car available to the Public | Frank Zapata Flying Car | Air Mobility" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lXjUGY76qI0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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See the Zapata AirRacer fly and barrel role at the 4:20 minute mark in the above video.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, the AirRacer will never be for sale. The company said it designed the AirRacer to test its flight-controller technology as well as show the public it is capable of building an aircraft that is “safe, easy and accessible for all.”



But wannabe pilots should not be discouraged. “We are currently working on a new VTOL called the AirScooter (which has similarities with the JetRacer),” said a Zapata spokesperson. “It be revealed to the public this year and commercialized in 2024.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_4.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772114" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_4.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_4.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RR_Flying_Chair_4.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Franky Zapata, AirRacer inventor. (Courtesy Ivy Digital)</figcaption></figure>



Besides recreational use, the AirRacer could be used for industrial transport of materials (such as to an offshore oil rig) or military applications (think recon flights).&nbsp;



Zapata also has other ideas, such as establishing different “flight centers” that rent the AirRacers, like an ATV or Jet Ski. The French company plans to come to the US next summer to demonstrate the AirRacer and, according to its website, is offering 25 civilians the chance to pilot the aircraft, even if they can’t buy it.



The company said the AirScooter, a larger hybrid-electric aircraft, will have a longer range.

This One-Person eVTOL Lets You Do Barrel Rolls Like a Fighter Jet—and You Don’t Even Need a License

The Best in Aviation, From the Customisable Airbus Corporate Jets to Dassault’s Ultra Widebody

Being&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/supersonic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supersonic</a>&nbsp;involves a lot more than a cool-looking aircraft. You need engines that can push the jet past Mach 1, or 767.3 mph. These days, any jet maker also needs to consider sustainability, reliability and lower noise levels—in other words, mitigating sonic booms—that made the Concorde famous, and in cities, infamous for breaking windows.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/boom/">Boom</a>&nbsp;Supersonic says it has found a solution for its&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-overture-design-1234728720/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overture</a>&nbsp;jet with a new engine called Symphony. It has released a rendering and some technical data for the engine. These are more goals than current realities since it will be a clean-sheet design and five years before the Symphony-powered Overture makes its first test flight.



On paper, the Overture will be a Mach 1.7 supersonic airliner with 4,250 nautical miles of range. Boom says the interior can be configured for 65 to 88 passengers and that there are 500 possible routes for the jet. It foresees an eventual market for 1,000 aircraft.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2.-Boom-Symphony-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234769979" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2.-Boom-Symphony-1.jpg 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2.-Boom-Symphony-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2.-Boom-Symphony-1-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The engine is being designed from scratch for Overture.Courtesy Boom Supersonic</figcaption></figure>



Symphony will be key to making the program work. “Through the Symphony program, we can provide our customers with an economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic airplane—a combination unattainable with the current constraints of derivative engines and industry norms,” said Boom’s founder and CEO Blake Scholl. Florida Turbine Technologies, GE Additive, and StandardAero were all named partners on the Symphony project.



The company said the new supersonic engine will operate at net-zero carbon levels and have reduced sound levels compared to existing supersonic engines. The engines, add Boom, will lower maintenance costs for companies like United Airlines that have made pre-orders.&nbsp;



Florida Turbine Technologies will lead the engine design. Its team will include engineers responsible for developing the F-119 and F-135 supersonic engines in the US Air Force’s F-22 and F-35 fighter jets. GE Additive will design engine components that are lighter and will allow for faster build times.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/3.-Boom_LightHangar_16x9_v2.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234769980" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/3.-Boom_LightHangar_16x9_v2.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/3.-Boom_LightHangar_16x9_v2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/3.-Boom_LightHangar_16x9_v2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boom believes the Overture could eventually become a fixture in commercial aviation.&nbsp;Courtesy Boom Supersonic</figcaption></figure>



Symphony will be a medium-bypass turbofan engine with the same engine architecture powering modern commercial aircraft. But the new engine will have an axisymmetric supersonic intake, a variable-geometry low-noise exhaust nozzle and a passively cooled high-pressure turbine. It will also be designed to run on sustainable aviation fuel, which has 80 percent lower carbon emissions levels than Jet-A diesel. The single-stage fan is designed for quiet operation. It will produce 35,000 lbs at takeoff.



Boom says Symphony is already being designed, with production expected in 2024 at its&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-superfactory-north-carolina-1234660513/">facility in </a><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-superfactory-north-carolina-1234660513/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greensboro</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-superfactory-north-carolina-1234660513/">, North Carolina</a>. Overture’s first flight is anticipated for some time in 2027, with certification expected in 2029.



Boom is the only supersonic aircraft builder in the market, with competitor&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/aerion-shuts-down-1234615163/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aerion</a>&nbsp;having shuttered its business last year. The Colorado-based firm has plugged steadily along since Scholl founded it in 2014. It currently has an ongoing test program of the supersonic demonstrator&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-xb-1-carbon-neutral-aircraft-2901513/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">XB-1 in California</a>, with flight tests expected early next year. The company said earlier this year it expects to break ground on a new campus in Greensboro by the end of this year.

aircraft

Boom

Plane

Supersonic

Boom’s New Overture Jet Will Use a Quiet, Low-Emission Supersonic Engine to Hit 1,300 MPH

In the northern regions of Kowloon, you’ll find the secluded and serene Beacon Hill. Covered by lush greenery, the coveted neighbourhood overlooks the Kowloon Peninsula on one side, and Hong Kong’s famed and iconic skyline across Victoria Harbour on the other.



The latest to claim this grand address is Mont Verra, a rising jewel standing high on the horizon. Its location comes with historical context; nearly a century ago, residents of May Road and Tregunter Path in Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island called their homes the “Dress Circle,” alluding to having the greatest view in the city. Today, a new “Dress Circle” has emerged on Beacon Hill as Mont Verra is now considered the pinnacle of prestigious living in the region with exquisite, panoramic views like no other.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Mansion-B-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772796" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Mansion-B-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Mansion-B-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Mansion-B-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Mansion-B-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Mansion-B-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mont Verra’s Mansion B</figcaption></figure>



Comprising of five towering buildings and three expansive mansions, Mont Verra is an enduring statement on living life at the apex of luxury. A rarity in Hong Kong, these stately properties come with the privilege of space; most apartment units and garden units span over 4,000 square feet, and most penthouse simplexes and penthouse duplexes span over 8,000 square feet.



At Mont Verra, the pinnacle of luxury homes is redefined with its 64 accommodations. Taking centre stage are three large and luxurious mansions, each boasting an expansive area in excess of 11,300 square feet, with a private carpark in the basement, and spacious gardens. The homes embody generosity of space. Each residence features a versatile layout with a variety of different functional areas spanning two storeys. Relax in the entertainment room, stretch out in the outdoor swimming pool, sit down for a warm gathering in the family hall, or throw a barbecue party in the spacious backyard.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Penthouse-Duplex-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772795" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Penthouse-Duplex-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Penthouse-Duplex-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Penthouse-Duplex-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Penthouse-Duplex-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kerry-Properties-Mont-Verra-Penthouse-Duplex-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Penthouse duplex</figcaption></figure>



Embracing the three mansions, five towers housing the remaining 61 residences, including five penthouses that come with their own private lifts, and a dedicated lift lobby for added privacy. Cavernous interiors, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and state-of-the-art amenities are what characterise these sumptuous residences. Together, they contribute to the creation of a splendid space, while a connecting oversized balcony brings in the mesmerising cityscapes and verdant surroundings for residents to revel in.



All images courtesy of Kerry Properties.

Inside Mont Verra, a Rising Jewel in Kowloon

The Hangover may have been full of unabashed debauchery, but there is at least one elegant part of the trilogy: the <a href="https://www.compass.com/listing/415-south-grand-avenue-pasadena-ca-91105/1048186085309237201/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">California manse</a> featured in the first film.
Sitting on just over an acre in West Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco neighborhood, the stately abode was designed by noted Los Angeles architect Reginald Johnson and has been listed by <a href="https://www.compass.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Compass</a> for HK$10.8 million (HK$85 million). Originally built in 1930, it’s a beautiful example of classical Georgian Colonial Revival architecture with gracious proportions and symmetrical design throughout.
Located on South Grand Avenue, the gated property is accessed via a tree-lined drive that leads to a motor court with a two-car garage and the 10,400-square-foot main residence. Beyond the home’s elegant brick façade, the double-height entry hall flows through to a grand spiral staircase that connects the second level.
<div id="attachment_1234692599" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="max-width: 1000px;"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion8.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover">
The Colonial manse spans 10,400 square feet.&nbsp; Shawn Bishop 
</div>
The main level comprises a large living room with a bay window, a fireplace and dual French doors that open to a lush side garden. Elsewhere on this level is a paneled study with a black marble fireplace and built-in bookshelves. (This is one of the rooms that appeared in the 2009 blockbuster.) There’s also a dining room with another bay window, fireplace and butler’s pantry.
All five of the bedrooms can be found upstairs on the second level. The primary suite comes complete with two bathrooms, a walk-in closet, yet another fireplace and views of the Arroyo Seco. Three of the remaining rooms feature ensuites, while the fifth is currently being used as a den.
The basement level, meanwhile, comes equipped with a walk-in wine cellar and tasting room, a large laundry, a walk-in safe, a half bath and plenty of storage.
<div id="attachment_1234692593" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="max-width: 1000px;"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion1.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover">
The pool is accompanied by a large pool house.&nbsp; Shawn Bishop 
</div>
Outside, the manicured grounds sport a pool, spa and a covered patio. There’s also an ivy-covered pool house that mirrors the main house’s loggia with three sets of steel palladian doors. Inside, it offers a bathroom, sink, fridge and a closet that could be used as a storage room.
“This is one of Pasadena’s finest estates and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the very fortunate buyer,” listing agents Ted Clark and Heather Lillard told Robb Report via email.
It’s also now part of Hollywood history.
Check out more photos below:
<img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692602 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion11.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover"> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692594 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion2.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover"> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692600 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion9.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover"> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692598 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion7.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover"> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692597 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion6.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover"> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692596 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion5.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover"> <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1234692595 size-large" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pasadena_Hangover_Mansion4.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Pasadena Mansion on South Grand Avenue Featured in The Hangover">

The LA Mansion That Starred in ‘The Hangover’ Just Hit the Market for US$10.8 Million (HK$85 Million)

You can now add a rare piece of classical music history to your trove of treasures, thanks to this latest offering.



Brooklyn-based gallery “B” Dry Goods—known for collecting rare music, manuscripts and books—is giving you the chance to purchase an autographed musical manuscript from the iconic Wolfgang Amadeus <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mozart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mozart</a>. The leaf, from the renowned composer’s Serenade in D Major for Orchestra, is believed to have been penned in Salzburg, Austria, circa 1773, though there is no specific composition date found anywhere on it. The collector’s item showcases part of piece’s third movement, known as Allegro, with scores for solo violin, 1st violin, 2nd violin and viola written in brown ink.



Experts think the exquisite work was intended for Judas Thaddaus van Antretter, a friend of the Mozart family, upon his graduation from Salzburg University.&nbsp;The document itself is in pristine condition; there’s even a visible “55” written on it in pencil, marking it as page 55 of the score’s 58 total leaves, that’s believed to have been put there by Mozart’s father, Leopold.



Leopold would also be the one who assembled Serenade in D Major in its entirety; he combined the full musical manuscript with another Wolfgang piece to create a compendium known as Cranz Volume No. 1, named after August Cranz of Hamburg publishing house, a former owner of the work. The complete movement was later put up for auction in 1975 and subsequently split up—the exact whereabouts of many of its sheets are still unknown.



In an email to&nbsp;Robb Report, violinist and “B” Dry Goods founder Gabe Boyers described the sale as “an extraordinary opportunity to own a significant manuscript by not only one of the towering musical geniuses of all time, but really of one of the very greatest geniuses of any kind in the history of all humanity.”&nbsp;



The Crown Heights gallery mainly deals with primary and secondary art markets, including a wide variety of clientele from established names to up-and-comers. Boyers also owns and operates Schubertiade Music &amp; Arts, one of the country’s most respected dealers of rare books and manuscripts.



Priced at $250,000 (HK$1.96 million), the Mozart manuscript is now on sale through the gallery’s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://bdrygoods.com/collections/manuscripts/products/mozart-wolfgang-amadeus-1756-1791-antretter-serenade-k-185-autograph-musical-manuscript" target="_blank">website</a>. Other items in the “B” Dry Goods inventory include manuscripts from Beethoven and a signed Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition poster.

Auction

collectible

Investment

A Rare Autographed Musical Manuscript by Mozart Could Be Yours for US$250,000 (HK$1.96 million)

Art Basel Hong Kong is just weeks away. Following three years of pandemic-related restrained activities, the highly anticipated annual art fair aims to be back with a bang in all its full-scale glory in 2023. With 177 participating local and international galleries, this year’s edition is set to be the largest since 2019 with the return of the fair’s four special programmes—Encounters, Conversations, Film, and Kabinett.&nbsp;



Remarkably, the Encounters programme is slated to come back to the city’s Art Basel stage with 13 large installations themed “This Present, Moment.”&nbsp;



Curator Alexie Glass-Kantor explains, “Every project in this year’s sector considers in some way how we can hold space—how we might be present—individually and collectively in the singularity and precarity of this moment.”&nbsp;



One of the highlights is Jaffa Lam’s site-specific work&nbsp;Trolley Party,&nbsp;inspired by her childhood memory of female workers. The art installation features 14 metres of patchwork made from recycled fabrics stretching from six chairs made of industrial trollies.



Conversations, as the name implies, is curated for global art market insiders to share their insights on art production, collection, and exhibition. Over 85 international artists, gallerists, curators, critics, and collectors will gather and dive into topics such as synergies between public and private patronage, multipolarity, the influence of Cantopop over art works, humour and critique in the meme culture, and the future of crypto economies. Free of charge, the talks will be held from 22–25 March.



The Film section will offer free admission to eight screenings and 29 video works. The event will begin with the fantasy drama film&nbsp;Memoria&nbsp;by Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, winner of the Palme D’or in 2010. Two non-profit organisations dedicated to video art in the region—Videotage and Ghost 2565—will each curate&nbsp;screenings, too.



As for Kabinett, the sector for thematic solo presentations, 15 galleries will take part and showcase exhibitions of works showing a strong Asian focus in their respective booths. In the spotlight are splash ink and monumental landscape paintings by late local artist and ink painter Wesley Tongson, as well as marble works by Chinese artist Hu Qingyan that explore the concept of “emptiness.”



This year will also see a site-specific moving image work,&nbsp;Hand Me Your Trust&nbsp;by Pipilotti Rist, displayed on the M+ Façade. In her work, Rist plays with the concept of the hand in various scales, with hands&nbsp;travelling&nbsp;between objects at different speeds, reflecting Hong Kong’s architectural heritage at the same time. The moving image will be shown in the evening from mid-March to mid-June.



Save the dates and get your tickets&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/hong-kong/buy-tickets" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.artbasel.com/hong-kong/buy-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<a href="https://www.artbasel.com/hong-kong/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art Basel Hong Kong 2023</a>



23–25 March 2023



1 Expo Drive, HKCEC, Wan Chai, Hong Kong



Images courtesy of Art Basel.

What to Expect at Art Basel Hong Kong 2023

Occupying a secluded address off a private lane, invisible from the street, are four three-storey homes that exude elegance; in fact, when Nicole Kidman stayed in Hong Kong in 2021, she chose one as her residence, describing it as a “beautiful property”. Surrounded by half-century-old Podocarpus macrophyllus (羅漢松)—a symbol of auspiciousness, longevity, and prosperity—&nbsp;the luxury abodes are perched high but just beneath the fog line, allowing unhindered views over Victoria Harbour that unfold like a story every day.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3424_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771935" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3424_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3424_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3424_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3424_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3424_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Each of the four houses is addressed by its own name—Carlyle, Avalon, Napier, and Webster. Spanning an expansive 346 to 440 square metres (3,722 to 4,740 square feet), each comes fully equipped with four to five en-suite bedrooms, a private pool, private lift, garden, rooftop, and parking space—the largest also comes with parking space for up to 10 cars in its basement. As for security, the estate’s own Close Protection Officer rooms provide a base for dedicated security teams.



<figure class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-1 wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234771938" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3454_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771938" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3454_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3454_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3454_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3454_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3454_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234771937" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3459_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771937" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3459_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3459_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3459_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3459_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSCF3459_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



In an ode to Art Deco, each house is crafted with striking geometry and verticality, clad in cream-coloured limestone and with a generosity of space within. The sense of spaciousness is further accentuated by high ceilings and large windows that bathe rooms in natural light to create grand, airy yet intimate spaces. Interiors have been elegantly crafted by leading architects and designers, with Carlyle and Webster also replete with custom furnishings while Avalon and Napier remain blank canvases. All are just waiting for your own personal touch.



Images courtesy of The V Group.

Splendour on The Peak

Looks like there’s a new glam hotel splashing down in the French Riviera.&nbsp;



After expanding throughout Europe for the past year, Anantara Hotels &amp; Resorts is welcoming its newest property in the South of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/france/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">France</a>. Located along <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/nice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nice</a>’s signature boardwalk in the Golden Square, the luxe resort is housed inside a 19th-century heritage building that has been given a second life thanks to an extensive two-year renovation. The hotel’s neoclassical decor embodies that rich 175-year-old history with its Belle Èpoque–era ambiance, neutral palette and golden accents; the aesthetic and overall design were helmed jointly by the award-winning David Collins Studio, architect Jean-Paul Gomis and the TBC studio.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AS_Anantara_Plaza_Nice_Presidential_Balcony_Breakfast_0136_2X-3-31.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="651" height="365"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The view from the hotel’s Presidential Suite balcony.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>



Bringing its old-world elegance to the Côte d’Azur, the property was actually home to the city’s first luxury hotel, the aptly named Hotel de France, which opened in 1848. In the present day, the building offers a total of 151 rooms, each with views of lush gardens or the glittering sea, that offer up marble-clad interiors and rich wooden textures. Of those lodgings, you’ll find 38 suites, the grandest being the 807-square-foot Presidential Suite on the 5th floor, with views of the Baie des Anges from its private balcony.



The real gem of the resort is its premier rooftop restaurant, Seen by Oliver, created in partnership with chef-entrepreneur Olivier de Costa, who runs trendy eateries in destinations such as Lisbon and São Paulo. Black truffles, plump local oysters and other Mediterranean delicacies dot the menu, which you can enjoy at the eatery’s indoor seating. Outside, meanwhile, you’ll find stunning 360-degree views of the city and Baie des Anges in the distance. If you’re in the mood for some bubbly and caviar—you are in France, after all—opt for the hotel’s Les Colonnades restaurant, inspired by the gardens of Nice, with a menu of light bits and fresh seafood. When you’re ready for relaxation after a delicious meal, head to the on-site spa to unwind with five treatment rooms, a hammam and a sauna, plus a litany of exclusive massage oils.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AS_Anantara_Plaza_Nice_Les_Colonnades_Detail_Shot_With_Few_Tables_0484.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the chic Les Colonnades, filled with pops of green.</figcaption></figure>



“The opening of Anantara Plaza Nice embodies the coalescence of an iconic destination in a city that is reimagining itself as a cultural hotspot and the arrival of an international brand bringing global awareness and discerning guests,” Stéphane Vilar, general manager of Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, said in a press statement. “As a gateway to the Mediterranean, this property offers guests a taste of Anantara’s journey as the brand evolves in new markets and captures the imagination of a new segment of luxury clientele.”



Off-property, the hotel will also have a selection of local adventures on offer. You could choose to take a trip inspired by Coco Chanel (including a pit-stop at her official Nice residence) and visit one of wineries in France at Château de Cremat, perhaps, or enjoy a journey to the medieval village of Biot, where you’ll learn all there is to know about the art of glass-blowing and create your own decor to take home with you.&nbsp;



The Nice location is only one of several new openings from Anantara, including the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam last year and the Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel in Italy this month.&nbsp;



Who knows which locale will be next?



Rates for rooms start at US$354 (HK$2775) per night. 



Click&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/gallery/anantara-plaza-nice-in-photos-1234805020/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to see the Anantara Plaza Nice in photos.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/gallery/anantara-plaza-nice-in-photos-1234805020/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/niceover.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="651" height="365"/></a></figure>

Anantara Hotels

Resorts

South of France

Inside a 19th-Century Building That Been Transformed Into a Luxury Hotel in the South of France

Tucked away on the coast of Ayrshire in Scotland is a palace that’s off-limits to the public (and to royalty, too):&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.hendricksgin.com/us/distilling/" target="_blank">Hendrick</a>’s&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/gin/">Gin</a>&nbsp;Palace, an invite-only destination where visitors can immerse themselves in the creation of the liquor, with access strictly contained to trade partners and a scant few industry VIPs. It’s a temple to the Rube Goldberg–like eccentricity that’s synonymous with Hendrick’s, festooned with taxidermy peacocks and a hothouse that grows Buddha’s hand and similarly freakish varieties of citrus.&nbsp;



Ordinary gin lovers have never been invited—until now. Hendrick’s will welcome a&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;reader and their guests, who’ll be squired round the site by the British brand’s own master distiller, and industry legend, Lesley Gracie. She’ll showcase her lab, where she devises the latest expressions of the gin, and give a sneak peek of whatever she’s mulling to add to the assortment soon.&nbsp;



The trip will also include a chance to overnight in a nearby Scottish castle, with afternoon tea and a dinner at the dining table inside the Gin Palace. Every attendee will also receive their own distillery- exclusive edition of Hendrick’s Gin to bring a little of its offbeat charm home with them.&nbsp;



US$131,313.13 (HK$1.03 million) for a group of up to 12 people&nbsp;



Enquire at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:RobbReportGifts@livunltd.com" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">RobbReportGifts@livunltd.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="tel:2127574300" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">212-757-4300</a>.

Hendrick&#039;s Gin

A Rare Visit to Hendrick’s Gin Palace

<a href="https://maskarchitects.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Mask Architects</a>&nbsp;wants to help you live out your treehouse fantasies and do something good for the environment at the same time.



The Italian design firm has unveiled renderings of the forthcoming <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://maskarchitects.com/portfolio/baobab-luxury-safari-resort/" target="_blank">Baobab Luxury Safari Resort</a>, which it plans to build in South <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Africa</a>. The resort’s conceit centers on airy, design-savvy treehouse lodges set amid the verdant South African forest. But that’s not all: These treehouses are designed to autonomously produce their own green energy and water for your stay, making the property a first of its kind. They will also distribute water to communities nearby, as part of the firm’s goal to enhance the infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing on the world’s second largest continent. Ideal for couples or families that want to reconnect with nature and wildlife, the luxe treehouses will literally offer an elevated vacation experience with a decidedly eco-conscious ethos.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Baobab_Safari3.jpg?w=300" alt="Mask Architects' Baobab luxury safari resort lodge interior views" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rendering views of the private lodge accommodations at Baobab Luxury Safari Resort.&nbsp;Courtesy of Mask Architects</figcaption></figure>



Inspired by the prehistoric Baobab tree, the cone-shaped lodges appear to be floating mid-air, raised just 3.5 meters (about 11 and half feet) above ground. The condensation area, or base of the shelters, is where you’ll enter the space. Taking a curved staircase one floor up, you’ll enter a living area anchored in natural beachwood furnishings and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that drench the space in sunlight. The primary bedroom and a balcony are on this level as well, offering lush landscape views. Two levels up, you’ll find a sundeck surrounded by your own private panoramic pool.&nbsp;



Of course, the tech is the real star here. Each treehouse is fitted with Mask Architects’ “air to water technology” system, which is powered by a transparent solar device that can produce water by extracting moisture from humid air. This is facilitated by air filters that are built into wood-covered aluminum lattice poles that surround the treehouse facades. Air and humidity passing through these filters is then condensed and processed through an additional multi-step filtration system in a room below ground.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Baobab_Safari4.jpg?w=300" alt="Mask Architects' Baobab luxury safari resort lodge aerial view" width="644" height="361"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An overhead view of the cone-shaped structure featuring a balcony, sundeck and pool.Courtesy of Mask Architects</figcaption></figure>



The water-producing system will not only hydrate your stay but also help serve those in Africa who struggle to access water. When enough purified water is collected over time, it will be delivered to local communities via a distribution network, according Mask Architects.



“With this project, our goal is to make the most basic need of water accessible rather than a luxury experience, and to prevent hunger, thirst and the diseases and deaths its causes,” the firm writes <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://maskarchitects.com/portfolio/baobab-luxury-safari-resort/" target="_blank">its website</a>. That’s a goal everyone can get behind.

safari resort

South Africa

Treehouse

This New Luxe Treehouse Resort in South Africa Will Actually Make Its Own Drinking Water

What It’s Like to Stay at JW Marriott Nara, a Love Letter to Japan’s First Capital City

Encircled by the vast Indian Ocean, one thing the Maldives never lacks is the sight of crystal-clear waters, as far as the eye can see. Drawing on this natural phenomenon, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island vows to offer something distinctive and utterly unforgettable; this Maldivian resort is taking underwater adventures to the next level by inviting guests to sleep and dine under the sea. Literally.



A 30-minute seaplane from Velana International Airport will fly you to this twin-island resort located in the South Ari Atoll. In 2018, the resort debuted the Muraka residence, an ultra-sumptuous villa featuring the first underwater suite in the world. It’s one-of-a-kind residence split into two storeys: one above the sea surface and the other submerged nearly five metres below sea level in the Indian Ocean.



Architect Yuji Yamazaki explains the unique concept, “The Maldives is known for its pristine beach and sea. The views of the ocean are breathtaking, but that’s only half of the Maldivian beauty. The other half exists underwater.”&nbsp;



<figure class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-5 wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234772551" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Aerial-Dron-Shot-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772551" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Aerial-Dron-Shot-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Aerial-Dron-Shot-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Aerial-Dron-Shot-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Aerial-Dron-Shot-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Aerial-Dron-Shot-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Muraka. Image courtesy of Justin Nicholas</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234772550" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Undersea-Bathroom-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772550" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Undersea-Bathroom-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Undersea-Bathroom-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Undersea-Bathroom-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Undersea-Bathroom-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Muraka-Undersea-Bathroom-credit-Justin-Nicholas_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Muraka undersea bathroom. Image courtesy of Justin Nicholas</figcaption></figure>
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This desire to explore the Maldivian beauty underwater eventually led to the making of this extraordinary residence. Its expansive upper level is designed as integrated living, dining, and entertaining spaces with a sunrise deck that opens to the immense blue ocean. The lower submerged level is home to the underwater master bedroom wrapped in a 180-degree curved acrylic dome to bring in unhindered views of the surrounding waterscape. Simply lie on the bed and prepare to be amazed by the aquatic mysteries unfolding in front of your eyes. Behold a myriad of fish, rays, turtles, and sharks swimming freely around the tunnel-shaped bedroom, while colourful coral reefs act as natural décor. The connecting bathroom, walk-in closet, and living space all come with floor-to-ceiling windows. This is your private aquarium, serene and undisturbed.



Completing this exceptional sojourn, a team of butlers attending to your every need on a 24-hour basis are on stand-by. The residence also comes with its dedicated seaplane platform to ensure the highest level of privacy.



While the Muraka is undoubtedly the pièce de résistance, the resort also boasts a selection of luxury villas and suites. If you are travelling with family, the beachfront accommodations on the Rangali-Finolhu island would be a good fit. Meanwhile, the adults-only Rangali island is studded with refreshed overwater villas built above turquoise lagoons, perfect for couples and honeymooners.



Don’t miss the resort’s other “world’s first”—Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, an undersea restaurant like no other. Dipping five metres below sea level, the restaurant offers a 180-degree panoramic view of the underwater world paired with a menu of fusion delicacies and crafted cocktails. With seating limited to 14 guests, the restaurant can also be booked for private occasions. Hidden under the water is the resort’s wine cellar, home to a stunning collection of over 15,000 bottles and up to 950 labels preserved two metres underground. Together with the other 10 restaurants and bars across the resort, be spoilt by the diverse culinary offerings.



<figure class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-7 wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234772553" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant-Landscape-credit-Yashrib-Ahmed_11zon_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772553" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant-Landscape-credit-Yashrib-Ahmed_11zon_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant-Landscape-credit-Yashrib-Ahmed_11zon_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant-Landscape-credit-Yashrib-Ahmed_11zon_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant-Landscape-credit-Yashrib-Ahmed_11zon_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant-Landscape-credit-Yashrib-Ahmed_11zon_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ithaa undersea restaurant. Image courtesy of Yashrib Ahmed</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234772552" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CONRAD-MALDIVES-RANGALI-ISLAND_FB_Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant_Hero_credit-Justin-Nicholas_hi-res-4_11zon-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772552" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CONRAD-MALDIVES-RANGALI-ISLAND_FB_Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant_Hero_credit-Justin-Nicholas_hi-res-4_11zon-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CONRAD-MALDIVES-RANGALI-ISLAND_FB_Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant_Hero_credit-Justin-Nicholas_hi-res-4_11zon-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CONRAD-MALDIVES-RANGALI-ISLAND_FB_Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant_Hero_credit-Justin-Nicholas_hi-res-4_11zon-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CONRAD-MALDIVES-RANGALI-ISLAND_FB_Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant_Hero_credit-Justin-Nicholas_hi-res-4_11zon-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CONRAD-MALDIVES-RANGALI-ISLAND_FB_Ithaa-Undersea-Restaurant_Hero_credit-Justin-Nicholas_hi-res-4_11zon-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ithaa undersea restaurant. Image courtesy of Justin Nicholas</figcaption></figure>
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With all these experiences built on the beautiful Maldivian waters, the eco-conscious resort pledges to preserve its neighbouring marine environment. Apart from the replacement of single-use plastic amenities to save sea creatures, the resort also vows to protect its surrounding reefs by inviting guests to partake in its reef protection and regeneration programme, which includes a coral nursery and a coral adoption plan.



All images courtesy of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Inside Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Home to the World’s First Underwater Residence and Restaurant

Nearly 20 years ago,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bentley/" target="_blank">Bentley</a>&nbsp;introduced its W-12-powered Continental GT, breaking new ground with an ultra-luxe “personal” GT that delivered blistering performance in keeping with the marque’s prestigious pedigree. We well remember inviting the brand-new Bentley Continental GT to participate in the 2004&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;Car of the Year (COTY). Our editorial team knew it was a groundbreaking car for&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bentley-history-eg18-2836509/" target="_blank">Bentley</a>, the brand recently acquired by the Volkswagen Group at the time and making a best effort to catapult itself into the 21st century.



We shouldn’t have been surprised when it was named that year’s winner, given the brilliant 12-cylinder engine, German-infused precision and a rakish profile that tipped its hat to the glory days of the automaker’s R2 Continental. Never mind that most of today’s Bentley owners weren’t even alive—much less driving—when the first Continental hit the road in 1952.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w-L1390800_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772086" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w-L1390800_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w-L1390800_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w-L1390800_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bentley Continental GT S, the 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/robb-report-car-of-the-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robb Report Car of the Year</a>. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Our readers’ infatuation with the Continental had only just begun, and because the world loves a convertible, the Continental GTC took Car of the Year honors in 2007, the model’s first year on the market as a drop-top. The Continental Supersports checked in for the 2010 COTY session, and based on the sheer excess of power it so beautifully put to pavement, some might have wagered that it’d have taken top honors. But that Bentley Brutalé ended up mid-pack, we suspect due to its purpose-built racing-style seats, lack of rears and an uncompromising deference to handling over sublime comfort.



The 2019 model year ushered in an all-new car, with a redesigned W-12 mill and updated styling that was altogether more sculpted and aggressive than the first-generation cars. Throughout the years, Bentley’s Continental was also named&nbsp;Robb Report’s Best of the Best, and by 2022, it was once again the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bentley-continental-gt-speed-robb-report-2022-car-of-the-year-1234661367/" target="_blank">Car of the Year champion</a>&nbsp;in the guise of the flawless GT and GTC. (We had a convertible in California and a coupe in Florida, and astute Bentleyphiles will know that both cars are essentially identical apart from the roof.)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-L1380956_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772088" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-L1380956_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-L1380956_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-L1380956_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bentley’s Continental GT has now won Robb Report’s top honor four times in the last 20 years. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Those entries checked all the boxes for performance, luxury, quality and comfort, kind of like the very first Bentley Continental GT did when it claimed the COTY title in 2004. The engine’s fat torque curve is as satisfying as the vehicle’s opulent interior, a padded luxury cocoon that ensconces its occupants in leather, wood and carbon trim, as well as lots of tasteful metallic details to delight the eye. The rear seats are essentially useless, but the front chairs invite day-long drives without fanfare or fatigue. Our judges recognized the Bentley Continental GT and GTC as the quintessential grand tourers, thanks to the combination of power and agility matched by the comfort and capacity of a luxury sedan. That car’s signature is its twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter power plant producing 650 hp and even more torque to all four wheels, taking the more than 5,000-pound GT to a top speed of 208 mph.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4w-R1060529_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772089" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4w-R1060529_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4w-R1060529_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4w-R1060529_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The ideal automobile for those who like their motoring pleasure delivered in quilted-leather finery and sumptuous trim. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



So, without prejudice or preconceived notions, the editors thought it would be an interesting exercise to invite the Bentley Continental GT S, the V-8-powered variant (and the convertible GTC S) to the COTY party for 2023. To the uninitiated, they look nearly identical to their more muscular stablemates. And these were&nbsp;new&nbsp;Continentals, having more sporting pretensions than their eight-cylinder predecessors, with 542 hp and 568 ft lbs of torque.



Would they show us how to solve the same Continental equation with four fewer cylinders while shaving a year of ivy-league college tuition off the MSRP? They would, and if you like your motoring pleasure delivered in quilted-leather finery, then the Continental GT S and GTC S may be the best-kept secrets to come from England since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talked to Oprah.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-L1390810_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772090" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-L1390810_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-L1390810_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-L1390810_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Powered by a 542 hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, the Continental GT S covers zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds on its way to 198 mph. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Coupe or convertible, the latest Continental GT combines bold sports styling with an agile drive, resulting in a luxury grand tourer with a thrilling edge. Instantly recognizable, thanks to its dark exterior detailing, this S iteration is a leaner, meaner take on the Continental GT. Of course, a few judges with keys to a W-12 version in their pocket were not as wowed by the V-8, and that’s to be expected. Plus, our editorial trio wasn’t quite as enamored as were our judges, unanimously choosing the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/new-maserati-mc20-supercar-primed-defeat-italian-rivals-1234597143/" target="_blank">Maserati MC20</a>&nbsp;as their COTY winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6wL1390046_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772091" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6wL1390046_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6wL1390046_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6wL1390046_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">While the model variant’s base price is US$266,000 (HK$2,084,900) for the coupe, our test vehicle came in at US$318,290 (HK$2,494,740). (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Viewed objectively, though, the lighter, nimbler Continental GT S had so much good going for it that it won by a relative landslide. Response was almost universally positive, resonating with comments like, “This car is still king of the hill” and “You can drive it every day and never be bored.” Or simply, “Best car I’ve ever driven!”



Click&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/bentley-continental-gt-s-in-photos-1234804714/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for more photos of the Bentley Continental GT S,&nbsp;Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/bentley-continental-gt-s-in-photos-1234804714/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-3.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772092" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-3.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-3.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-3.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bentley Continental GT S. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>

Meet the Bentley Continental GT S, Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year

Not all model debuts are created equal. Some present next-gen versions of a longstanding line while others basically introduce newly branded packaging cobbled from existing platforms. Occasionally, though, a new vehicle is revealed that is far more than the sum of its parts; one that not only carries the legacy of the marque but, more importantly, could determine its very viability down the road. The most recent example of this is the unveiling of the 621 hp&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/new-maserati-mc20-supercar-primed-defeat-italian-rivals-1234597143/" target="_blank">Maserati MC20</a>. The car, crucial to the automaker, was the&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;editorial team’s unanimous vote for our 2023 Car of the Year (COTY), although ballot results from the field of reader-judges ultimately placed it third overall.



The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/maserati/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maserati</a>&nbsp;name once eclipsed that of its neighbor Ferrari due to a longer history as a high-performance automaker and early motorsport powerhouse. From 1937 through 1940 alone, Maserati garnered back-to-back wins at the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/slideshow/top-10-racecars-indy-500-history/" target="_blank">Indianapolis 500</a>&nbsp;and four first-place finishes at the Targa Florio—seven years before the first Ferrari-badged car came to fruition.&nbsp;Then, in the 1950s, famed drivers such as Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio piloted the trident logo to further glory, the latter winning the Formula 1 World Championship with a Maserati 250F in 1957. &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772043" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2w.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Maserati MC20, third-place finisher in Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Subsequent decades, though, saw a dilution of the brand, as it was first sold to Peugeot in 1968, followed by the Fiat Group—which also owned Ferrari—in the 1990s. With the new millennium came a new production push. But greater volume is diametric to exclusivity, and as the price points inevitably lowered, so did the level of prestige. Among the exceptions was the primarily motorsport-developed MC12 racer introduced in 2004, the most closely related predecessor to the MC20, but of which only a scant number of street-legal versions were made. This brief backstory puts in context how much was riding on the MC20 supercar when it was first unveiled in 2020, just months prior to the Covid pandemic that dominated the world stage for the next two years.



“The MC20 is the first car of the new generation—a new generation in terms of propulsion, a new generation in terms of process and a new generation in terms of approach.” That was how Federico Landini, the vehicle line executive for sport vehicles at Maserati, explained the importance of the model in a conversation with&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;after we originally experienced the car first-hand in Modena, Italy. And it was easy to be immediately smitten by its versatile prowess.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-R1050219_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772044" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-R1050219_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-R1050219_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3w-R1050219_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The MC20 not only carries the legacy of Maserati but, more importantly, could determine its very viability down the road. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Brawn is provided by the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/maserati-nettuno-engine-mc20-supercar-2932593/" target="_blank">Nettuno</a>&nbsp;3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6, an engine built in-house by Maserati that premiered on the MC20. Generating 538 ft lbs of torque, the mill also features an F1-derived twin-spark-plug, pre-chamber combustion system for greater efficiency, and output is managed through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that allows the vehicle to cover zero to 62 mph in approximately 2.9 seconds before topping out at 202 mph. As the MC20’s muscle flexes, there is nominal lag, though the staccato bursts from the turbochargers’ air management could be unsettling to some.



As for handling, the 3,306-pound (curb weight) coupe—built on a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis—dove in and out of apexes with aplomb at Autodromo di Modena’s 1.24-mile circuit, thanks to decisive and immediate response from the steering, which Landini described as having a “feel that is always linear, super smooth and super precise.” Though he may be a bit biased, we found his assessment spot on.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/7w-R1050262_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772047" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/7w-R1050262_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/7w-R1050262_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/7w-R1050262_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Nettuno 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine and eight-speed dual-clutch transmission allow the MC20 to cover zero to 62 mph in approximately 2.9 seconds before topping out at 202 mph.&nbsp;(Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



Those steering inputs are translated seamlessly to the Bridgestone Potenza Sport rubber and regulated by Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes (six-piston calipers in front and four-piston calipers in back). The deft automotive choreography served equally well on the narrow byways and coiling roads of the surrounding countryside, though the MC20 took on a more genteel persona, as the performance-focused suspension presented surprising refinement. And inside the Alcantara-clad cockpit, a 695-watt, 12-speaker sound system from Italy’s own Sonus Faber amplifies the overall haute aesthetic.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-R1070011_WEB-1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772065" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-R1070011_WEB-1.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-R1070011_WEB-1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5w-R1070011_WEB-1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Alcantara-clad cockpit features two displays—including a 10.25-inch center touchscreen—and a 695-watt, 12-speaker Sonus Faber sound system.&nbsp;(Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>



The net result is a US$212,000 (HK$1,661,640) base model that competes with the 671 hp&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/first-drive-mclaren-artura-hybrid-1234726488/" target="_blank">McLaren Artura</a>&nbsp;in price and performance, and can even draw some comparisons to the 819 hp&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/review-ferrari-296-gran-turismo-berlinetta-gtb-1234674911/" target="_blank">Ferrari 296 GTB</a>, which outperforms it but carries a starting cost that’s over US$110,000 (HK$860,590) more than the Maserati. We would have loved a showdown with all three, especially as the latter two are hybrids powered by both a V-6 and electrification, but neither were available for the duration of our judging period.



That timeframe comprised eight waves of evaluations in total, with testing on wine-country roads in Napa Valley, Calif., and specific drills on a segmented circuit at the Concours Club in Opa-locka, Fla. After putting the car through its paces on such disparate proving grounds,&nbsp;Robb Report’s three editorial team members came away convinced that, with the MC20, Maserati had delivered in the clutch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8w-L1400094_WEB.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772066" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8w-L1400094_WEB.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8w-L1400094_WEB.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8w-L1400094_WEB.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Starting at US$212,000 (HK$1,661,640), Maserati’s MC20 competes with the 671 hp McLaren Artura in price and performance.Robb Rice</figcaption></figure>



Although the remainder of judges were more mixed in their opinions, the general consensus seemed to confirm that the MC20 is indeed the vehicle by which Maserati can best restore its storied name. “The fact that Maserati finally made another proper supercar is something to be celebrated,” stated COTY judge Hugi Hilmisson. Believe us, Hugi, we hear you.



Click&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/maserati-mc20-in-photos-1234804761/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for more photos of the Maserati MC20, third-place finisher in Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/maserati-mc20-in-photos-1234804761/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-5.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772067" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-5.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-5.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/50-5.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Maserati MC20. (Robb Rice)</figcaption></figure>

Meet the Maserati MC20, Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year Runner Up

In 2027, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/alfa-romeo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alfa Romeo</a> hopes to launch an all-new electric SUV in the US that could redefine what we think of as fast charging.



The Italian marque’s CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, announced last week during a Japanese press event that drivers will able to recharge the brand’s upcoming battery-powered flagship in just 18 minutes, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://europe.autonews.com/cars-concepts/alfa-romeo-plans-large-e-segment-vehicle-us-expansion-2027?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D75747644639643917000889435496490736668%7CMCORGID%3D138FFF2554E6E7220A4C98C6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1675265584&amp;CSAuthResp=1%3A%3A1306869%3A20608%3A24%3Asuccess%3A135F53EC843EE7D2F9F676DB9AE4080B" target="_blank">according to Automotive News Europe</a>. That’s not how long it will take to reach a drivable range, either; that’s how long it will take to completely refill the battery.



Alfa Romeo currently has a presence in the US, but it’s small, to say the least. The brand currently sells two models stateside, the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-robb-report-car-of-the-year-eg18-2775109/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giulia</a>&nbsp;sedan and Stelvio SUV, with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alfaromeousa.com/tonale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tonale</a>&nbsp;crossover on the way. A high-performance electric model would certainly be one way to broaden its reach—especially if that vehicle could be fully charged in under 20 minutes.



It remains to be seen if that kind of charging rate is even possible. There isn’t a single EV currently on the market that can be completely recharged in under 20 minutes. One of the few that comes close is the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2022-porsche-taycan-better-tech-more-range-1234632269/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche Taycan</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.autoblog.com/2023/01/31/alfa-romeo-ev-crossover-flagship-18-minute-charge/" target="_blank">according to Autoblog</a>. The German sports-car maker’s first EV can be charged from 5 to 80 percent battery capacity in just 22.5 minutes if you opt for the 93.4-kWh Battery Plus pack and on-board DC charger. That’s impressive, of course, but the first 5 and final 20 percent of capacity take longer to fill. Alfa Romeo’s future flagship may be capable of this kind of charging rate because of its 800-volt architecture, but the brand may also be counting on some major charging advancements in the next four years.



Of course, as attractive of a feature as ultra-fast charging may be, it’s unlikely to make the EV a best seller. It sounds like Alfa Romeo’s new model will have much more to offer, though. Imperato also promised an ultra-aerodynamic design, which will be unveiled sometime this year, along with a power train that can generate up to 800 hp. The high-performance Quadrifoglio version will be capable of pumping out an extra 200 horses, too. The new EV is also expected to compete directly with the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2020-bmw-x5-m-competition-drive-review-2930156/" target="_blank">BMW X5</a>.&nbsp;



Be on the lookout for a lot more exciting (and electrified) information in the years to come.

Alfa Romeo

Electric

electric car

Alfa Romeo’s All-Electric Flagship Can Be Fully Charged in Just 18 Minutes—but We Won’t See It Until 2027

Aston Marin has done everything to make sure that the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-dbs-superleggera-2810595/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-dbs-superleggera-2810595/"> DBS</a>’s swan song is one enthusiasts will remember for years to come.



The British marque is saying goodbye to this generation of its V-12 flagship with a striking variant called the DBS 770 Ultimate. It’s not just the final version of this iteration of the grand tourer—it’s also the most powerful production&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aston-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a>&nbsp;ever built.



The end of the car’s current generation coincides with the automaker’s 110 anniversary, so it’s no surprise that the DBS 770 Ultimate is something special. Still, Aston Martin really seems to have outdone itself. The car’s 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 has been carefully tuned so that it produces seven percent more turbo boost pressure, according to the brand. Because of this, the mill can generate a truly ferocious 759 horses (or 770 ps, hence the name) and 664 ft lbs of twist, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. You’ll feel the extra power as soon as you put your foot on the gas because the car can rocket from zero-to-60 in 3.2 seconds and tops out at a quite impressive 211 mph.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ultimate02.jpg?w=300" alt="The Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate from the side" width="651" height="365"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The engine isn’t the only aspect of the 770 Ultimate’s hardware that has received an upgrade. Its underbody structure, suspension and steering have all been reworked so that the car is more responsive and agile than ever before. One feature that has not been touched is the coupé’s ceramic brakes. That’s because the brakes—16.1-inch discs in the front, and 14.1-inch in the back—provide more than enough stopping power, even with all the added oomph.



The exterior has also been subtly tweaked. The DBS 770 Ultimate sports a new front splitter, horseshoe vent and a deeper rear diffuser, small changes that improve aerodynamic performance and make the car look even more aggressive. It also rides on a new set of 21-inch wheels available in three finishes that come wrapped in Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires. The interior looks just like that of other DBS models, but comes with standard sports seats, along with special badging on the center console and doorsill plaques.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ultimate05.jpg?w=300" alt="Inside the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate" width="650" height="364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the DBS 770 Ultimate Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



Unfortunately, there’s one drawback to the high-powered variant—and a pretty big one at that. Aston Martin plans to build just 499 examples of the DBS 770 Ultimate (300 coupés and 199 convertibles), all of which are already reserved. Fortunately, the secondary market for premium automobiles&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bring-a-trailer-1-3-billion-sales-1234783599/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is robust as ever</a>, so we imagine at least a handful of examples will go up for grabs at some point.



Click&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-aston-martin-dbs-770-ultimate-1234796776/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;for more photos of the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-aston-martin-dbs-770-ultimate-1234796776/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ultimategallery.jpg?w=300" alt="The Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate in Photos" width="649" height="364"/></a></figure>

Aston Martin

The Ultimate DBS? Aston Martin’s Final V-12 Flagship GT Is a 759 HP Beauty

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mclaren/">McLaren</a>’s latest flagship is gradually making its way to the start line.



The British performance marque is expected to unveil a new&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/supercar/">supercar</a>&nbsp;called the 750S this spring,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonews.com/cars-concepts/mclaren-750s-supplant-720s-flagship-more-horsepower" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">according to&nbsp;Automotive News</a>. The model will replace the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mclaren-720s-super-series-supercar-review-2750255/">720S</a>, which was discontinued late last year after five years in production.



The newspaper’s info comes from an anonymous source with knowledge of the new car’s development. According to the source, the 750S will slot in between the plug-in hybrid Artura and 765LT in the brand’s supercar lineup and should be a “perfect blend” of its predecessor and the latter model.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/mclaren-720sspider-globaltestdrive-0024.jpg?w=300" alt="McLaren 720S Spider" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McLaren 720S SpiderPhoto: Courtesy of McLaren</figcaption></figure>



The new vehicle won’t be teased until later this month, so details are still relatively scarce. It sounds as if it will be powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, though, just like the 720S. The mill will feature a number of enhancements that will boost output to 740 hp, which is 30 hp more than its predecessor. It won’t look radically different from that car, but it is expected to have a new front fascia, larger air intakes and a more prominent rear wing. The interior will likely be closer to that of the Artura, including a steering wheel-mounted instrument cluster and a floating touchscreen infotainment system at the top of the center stack.



“Sadly, we cannot give any further comment on future McLaren products or launches,” a representative for McLaren told&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;when reached for comment on Friday.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/artura.jpg?w=300" alt="Inside the McLaren Artura" width="650" height="364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the McLaren Artura McLaren</figcaption></figure>



The information in the report is in line with comments made by McLaren president of the Americas Nicolas Brown early last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.motor1.com/news/630418/mclaren-720s-supercar-discontinued/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">according to Motor1.com</a>. While speaking in Las Vegas, the executive said the brand’s latest supercar would be more of a “refinement of the 720,” rather than a “next-generation, all-new, ground-up vehicle.”



Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long to see how much of the report turns out to be true. The 750S is expected to make its big debut in April. The hypercar is expected to start at US$340,000, (around HK$2.7 million) which is US$30,000 (HK$235,465) more than the 720S, and both coupé and spider versions will be available at launch. It might be hard to get ahold of, though. Brown’s January comments suggested the car was already sold out until the second half of 2024.

McLaren

Supercar

McLaren’s New 740 HP Supercar May Replace the 720S as the Marque’s Flagship

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi</a>’s next flagship will be based on one of its most striking concepts in recent memory.



The German marque, which has shown a willingness to <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-etron-concept-production-vehicle-1234627346/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">put concepts into production</a> in recent years, will base its next-generation <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/slideshow/10-favorite-cars-2016-la-auto-show/audi-a8/">A8</a> on the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-grandsphere-concept-car-revealed-1234633982/">Grandsphere prototype</a> it unveiled in 2021, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/new-2024-audi-a8-will-be-very-close-grandsphere-concept" target="_blank">according to Autocar</a>. The vehicle, which will likely debut next year, will also only be available with an all-electric powertrain.



The new A8 won’t exactly be a series-production Grandsphere, but it will be pretty close, at least from a design perspective. That’s a very good thing, too, since the four-door is one of the more memorable prototypes we’ve seen this decade. The luxe cruiser has a muscular-yet-sleek shape, and its suicide doors open to reveal an elegant interior inspired by first-class cabins on long-haul international flights. There’s a reason why the vehicle was teased as a “private jet for the road” upon its unveiling.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/newa804.jpg?w=300" alt="The Audi Grandsphere concept with its doors open" width="648" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audi Grandsphere <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/concept/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concept</a> Audi</figcaption></figure>



“The Grandsphere is a very concrete teaser,” the automaker’s design chief, Marc Lichte, recently told the British magazine. “It’s not far away from what will become production. It’s not 1:1 but very close.”



The production model may end up looking similar to the prototype, but its more advanced technical features are unlikely to carry over. Full Level-5 self-driving, for example, is still far off for everyone, so that feature will clearly not be available at launch. The car will be built on Audi’s new 800-volt Premium Platform Electric architecture, though, which was developed in conjunction with sister-brand Porsche. The marque’s next generation of EVs will also be built on the platform, including the upcoming Q6 E-Tron, and the next-generation A4 and A6.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/newa801.jpg?w=300" alt="A rear 3/4 view Audi Grandsphere concept" width="651" height="365"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audi</figcaption></figure>



As exciting as is it to learn that the Grandsphere is going into production, it seems unlikely that its fellow&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-skysphere-concept-1234629584/">“sphere” concepts</a>&nbsp;will follow—at least in the near future. The series, which started in 2021, consists of vehicles designed to represent what Audi believes will be the future of mobility. Still, if the new A8 turns out to be a hit, who’s to say the company won’t start building the others? We’re definitely holding out hope for last week’s off-road-friendly debut, the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audis-lfuturistic-activesphere-suv-truck-concept-1234800898/">Activesphere</a>&nbsp;SUV.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-audi-grandsphere-concept-a8-1234801719" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see more photos of the Audi Grandsphere concept.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-audi-grandsphere-concept-a8-1234801719"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/newa6gallery.jpg?w=300" alt="The Audi Grandsphere Concept in Photos" width="650" height="364"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audi</figcaption></figure>

Audi’s New All-Electric A8 Will Look Just Like the Elegant Concept That Inspired It

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/blancpain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blancpain</a>&nbsp;just gave the first true dive watch a modern makeover for its 70th birthday.&nbsp;



The Swiss watchmaker launched the Fifty Fathoms in 1953 for underwater exploration. Although Panerai (and later Rolex) offered similar&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/dive-watches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dive watches</a>, the Fifty Fathoms was the first to feature a rotating, unidirectional bezel with a diving scale to time underwater jaunts. As a result, the timepiece was favored by the Marines and other elite divers.&nbsp;



The new special edition, officially known as the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1, pairs signature elements from the 1950s with a few modern touches. The automatic timepiece sports a similar 42 mm case as the 1953 original, as well as a black dial with extra-large numerals and markings. It also sports a domed sapphire bezel insert with a luminous timing scale and a screw-down crown.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF2.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771418" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF2.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A front-facing view of the timepiece.</figcaption></figure>



Diving into Blancpain’s Calibre 1315 is where things get a bit more interesting.&nbsp;Launched in 2007, the self-winding movement is based on a three-barrel architecture that provides you with a five-day power reserve. Just like the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/how-blancpains-fifty-fathoms-watch-was-brought-back-to-life-2835262/" target="_blank">Fifty Fathoms 50th Anniversary watch</a>, the newcomer offers an impressive water resistance of up to 300 meters. It is also equipped with an oscillating platinum weight inscribed with “Fifty Fathoms 70th.” By no coincidence, platinum is also the traditional gift for the 70th wedding anniversary. To top it off, the watch is fitted with a black Nato YTT+ strap that was made from 100 percent recycled and recyclable thread from fishing nets found at sea.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF3.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771419" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF3.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF3.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blanpain_FF3.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The latest anniversary watch also features an oscillating weight that bears the “Fifty Fathoms 70th” logo.</figcaption></figure>



As with the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/blancpain-tribute-to-fifty-fathoms-mil-spec-2717603/" target="_blank">50th anniversary</a>, Blancpain has opted for a three-series release strategy. Fittingly, a total of 70 watches will be offered to collectors. The Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 will be available exclusively at&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.blancpain.com/en" target="_blank">Blancpain</a>&nbsp;this month.



All images courtesy of Blancpain.

Blancpain Just Unveiled a Special-Edition Fifty Fathoms for the Model’s 70th Anniversary

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/pre-owned-watch-surge-millennials-gen-z-1234760656/" target="_blank">Pre-owned</a>&nbsp;timepieces are rapidly growing in popularity. So much so, in fact, that experts believe collectors may soon buy more old watches than new.



The market for vintage pieces is expected to surge to US$85 billion (€79 billion, HK$667 billion) by 2033, according to a new industry report by Swiss firm&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.luxeconsult.ch/" target="_blank">LuxeConsult</a>. The secondary market is about half the size of the primary market, but the report shows it has been expanding at a much faster rate. In 2022, pre-owned watch sales rose by 20 percent year-over-year to US$27 billion (€25 billion, HK$212 billion). New watch sales, meanwhile, only climbed 12 percent to US$56 billion (€52 billion, HK$439.6 billion).



According to the report, secondary market sales are expected to rise three percent in 2023, then hit 10 percent in 2024 before averaging a 12 percent compound annual growth rate from 2025 until 2033. This is compared to an average four percent growth rate in the primary market. As&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-12/secondary-watch-market-to-top-new-sales-by-2033-at-85-billion?leadSource=uverify%20wall" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a> points out, LuxeConsult’s projections are more bullish than a recent Deloitte report that estimates the pre-owned market will grow 75 percent to US$30 billion (HK$235.5 billion) by 2023.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PP_5990_1R_001.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771735" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PP_5990_1R_001.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PP_5990_1R_001.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PP_5990_1R_001.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/patek-philippe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patek Philippe</a>&nbsp;Nautilus Ref. 5990/1R-001 Travel Time Chronograph (Courtesy of Patek Philippe)</figcaption></figure>



So, why are collectors opting for the pre-owned? Essentially, the demand for high-end timepieces has outstripped the supply. Production slowdowns have resulted in limited quantities among top-tier watchmakers and clients are now faced with annoying, yearlong waitlists. As a result, more and more collectors are turning to the secondary market, where coveted pieces by horological heavyweights can be snapped up (at a premium, of course).



The prices of pre-owned watches by&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex</a>, Patek Philippe and&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audemars-piguet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audemars Piguet</a>&nbsp;have been&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-patek-audemars-pre-owned-price-drop-1234761316/" target="_blank">steadily falling</a>&nbsp;over recent months, but the going rate for these pieces on the secondary market is still well above retail.&nbsp;The “big three” clearly dominate the secondary market, too, with Patek, AP and Rolex models making up 55 percent of total sales. Rolex has even launched its own certified&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-certified-pre-owned-program-1234779326/" target="_blank">pre-owned watch program</a>.



Secondary watch suppliers, like&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/tag/watches-of-switzerland/" target="_blank">Watches of Switzerland</a>, Subdial,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/tag/watchfinder/" target="_blank">Watchfinder</a>, Chrono24 and even eBay, stand to benefit greatly from the move toward pre-owned. Indeed, longstanding secondary-market retailer&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/watchbox-sales-may-exceed-400-million-1234785334/" target="_blank">WatchBox</a>&nbsp;saw sales increase to more than US$400 million (HK$3.14 billion) last year.&nbsp;The respective auction houses have also noticed a shift.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/phillips-new-york-watch-auction-seven-1234784304/" target="_blank">Phillips</a>, for instance, sold every single watch it’s put up for auction over the past two years, with 1,700 timepieces snapped up in 2022 alone.



One thing’s for sure, the next 10 years will be interesting.

Pre-Owned Luxury Watches Will Outsell New Models in the Next Decade, a New Report Says

The <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/why-steel-sports-watches-remain-in-demand-1234758566/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girard-Perregaux Laureato has been on fire</a> the last couple of years as collectors seek to find good-looking quality alternatives to less attainable metal sports watches. But for those looking for something that stands out among the wolf pack, the Laureato Absolute line—with its sapphire crystal cases—is much more dynamic, significantly rarer and, of course, a lot more expensive. And the company just released two striking new models.



Both models are sizeable at 44 mm by 11.56 mm offering plenty of space for a view of the self-winding mechanical skeletonized FP01800-1143 caliber. The architecture of the NAC-treated bridges and mainplate—executed in traits-tiré(long drawn lines) and circular satin finishing and beveling, as well as 55 hand-polished inner angles—begs to be noticed on the wrist. As it should: A skeleton movement is difficult to execute and here it’s made even more complex with the material used in the casing of both versions.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81071-43-2022-1CX_caseback.png?w=300" alt="Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light &amp; Shade Caseback" width="642" height="360"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/girard-perregaux/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girard-Perregaux</a> Laureato Absolute Light &amp; Shade Caseback Girard-Perregaux</figcaption></figure>



The Absolute Laureato Light &amp; Shade features a metalized sapphire crystal case to give the clear material a smokey effect. Sapphire crystal cases are notoriously expensive to create—they must be machined with diamond-tipped tools thanks to their hardness—and can take a significant amount of time to create. The company uses a process that heats and crystallizes alumina powder, transforming it into a solid block of sapphire crystal over a period of eight weeks before it is even machined. The block is then cut into small discs to form the bezel, case middle and case back before being thermally treated and polished. Each must be carefully screened to make sure no inclusions were created in the process. The finishing metalization treatment is added to the parts in a vacuum to create the appearance of shading. Each case requires 170 hours of work alone, so while this model is not limited, it will be made in very small production numbers.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81071-44-3115-1CX_Ambiance2.png?w=300" alt="" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light &amp; Fire</figcaption></figure>



But Girard-Perregaux is offering something a bit more colorful and certainly rarer for its Asian clientele. The Laureato Absolute Light &amp; Fire is limited to just 18 pieces. It comes in a cherry red polycrystalline material referred to as YAG, which looks strikingly similar to sapphire crystal but is used here because it is more conducive to creating this particular shade of deep red. The color was chosen to honor the Chinese New Year and symbolizes “energy, vitality and prosperity,” according to Girard-Perregaux.



Prospective clients will need plenty of the latter in order to purchase one of these two Absolute Laureatos. Both retail for US$99,600 (HK$780,759) and will be available for purchase in authorised Girard-Perregaux dealers worldwide. 



The Absolute Laureto Light &amp; Fire, however, will first make its debut in China, and thanks to the fact that it does not follow the traditional Swiss watchmaking route of featuring cartoonish representations of Chinese New Year animals on handpainted mètier d’arts dials, it will likely sell out before you can get your hands on one.

Girard-Perregaux

Watch

Watches

Girard-Perregaux’s Newest Watches Have Tinted Cases Cut From Man-Made Crystals

Hermès just further proved the sporty H08 can be sophisticated, too.&nbsp;



First unveiled at&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/partners/mr-porter-greatest-hits-watches-wonders-1234607279/" target="_blank">Watches &amp; Wonders in 2021</a>, the automatic timepiece has always sat at the intersection of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/how-to-blend-luxurious-watch-casual-clothes-1234642128/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sport and dress styles</a>. It has also been made available in several colorways, from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/hermes-h08-watch-42mm-W049625WW00/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black</a>&nbsp;to gray to blue, since its debut. The latest version, however, might be the most dapper of all.



Designed by Hermès Horologer’s creative director Philippe Delhotal, the newcomer keeps the same 39 mm cushion-shaped case as previous models but showcases a new mix of materials. The two-tone piece pairs a black ceramic bezel and crown with a glitzy 18-karat rose gold case. Similarly, the black grained dial is contrasted by rose gold-plated hands and Arabic numerals.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hermes_H082.jpg?w=300" alt="Front-facing look at the Hermès H08 watch in rose gold and titanium" width="641" height="359"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Hermès H08 watch in rose gold and titanium. Hermès</figcaption></figure>



Flip the watch over, the caseback is made of black DLC-treated titanium and has a rose-gold center, naturally. The strap is available in either black rubber or anthracite fabric to give collectors a little more versatility.



The beating heart is still the house’s H1837 self-winding movement. Made in Switzerland, this caliber is equipped with twin spring barrels that provide a 50-hour power reserve. Fun fact: the H1837 was first used in the Hermès’ Dressage Collection that was conceived by designer Henri d’Origny in 2003.&nbsp;



Of course, all that watch doesn’t come cheap; the new H08 will set you back US$15,500 (HK$121,662). Orders will open this spring, with delivery expected later in the year.&nbsp;



Hermès’ newcomer follows a slew of notable&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/hublot-zenith-bulgari-tag-heuer-debut-new-watches-for-1234793076/" target="_blank">releases at LVMH Watch Week</a>. From Hublot to Bulgari, the biggest luxury watchmakers unveiled new designs with colorful cases, diamond-set dials and more. The countdown is also on for&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/watches-and-wonders-2023-dates-1234766393/" target="_blank">Watches &amp; Wonder Geneva 2023</a>. The famous tradeshow, which will be held at the Palexpo convention center in from March 27 to April 2, will bring together nearly<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/watches-and-wonders-2023-dates-1234766393/" target="_blank">&nbsp;50 top brands</a>&nbsp;and will open to enthusiasts. Tickets will be available for about US$70 (HK$549) via the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.watchesandwonders.com/en/home" target="_blank">Watches and Wonders website</a>&nbsp;from early February. 



See you there.&nbsp;

Hermès

Rose gold

Titanium

Hermès Unveils a New Two-Tone H08 Watch in Rose Gold and Titanium

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audemars-piguet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audemars</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audemars-piguet/"> </a><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audemars-piguet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Piguet</a>&nbsp;is the latest watch industry heavyweight to start a proprietary secondary market program. The company will launch a certified pre-owned program by the end of this year. The news comes on the heels of&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-certified-pre-owned-program-1234779326/" target="_blank">Rolex’s surprising announcement</a>&nbsp;of its certified pre-owned initiative in December 2022.



According to news broken over the weekend by&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://misstweed.com/articles/audemars-piguet-to-launch-cpo-by-end-of-2023" target="_blank">Miss Tweed</a>, a European publication by Astrid Wendlandt covering the luxury industry, Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias announced the initiative at a luxury recruitment conference in Paris last week. Indeed,&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;spotted Yoni Ben-Yehuda, head of watches at Material Good, an authorized dealer of pre-owned Audemars Piguet watches, at the Hôtel des Horlogers in Le Locle, Switzerland last week where he was staying while visiting the adjacent AP manufacture. It would seem that planning for the program is already fully underway.



And Audemars Piguet is apparently expecting the program to be a huge business—unsurprisingly, given the astronomical prices of its Royal Oak watches in the secondary market. “The CPO business is going to be bigger than the new business,” said Bennahmias at the conference, according to Miss Tweed. It will be good news for those with deep pockets who may have missed their opportunity to get a Royal Oak at retail. The timepieces have become notoriously difficult to purchase due to supply and demand issues. Bennahmias cited production constraints and insisted it was not a strategy for scarcity. The program will offer an authenticity guarantee so that buyers can feel safer with their purchase than they might buying from a gray market dealer. The test phase for the project is said to be coming at the end of 2023.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/BOTB_Audemars_Piguet.jpg?w=300" alt="Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Black Ceramic" width="641" height="359"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Black Ceramic Audemars Piguet</figcaption></figure>



It’s not the watchmaker’s first foray into CPO dealing. It launched a program before the pandemic but put it on hold after it received some criticism for selling the same watch twice. But AP has also been working with Material Good for some time. In addition to independently selling authorized pre-owned AP watches, Material Good also operates boutiques for the company in East Hampton, Dallas and Boston and is also involved in its AP House in New York City’s Meatpacking District. And it would appear that Material Good may be heavily involved in the new CPO program.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/serenaroyaloak01.jpg?w=300" alt="Serena Williams wears a Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Quartz at the US Open" width="651" height="365"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Serena Williams wears an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Quartz at the US Open Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Business is, of course, already booming for Audemars Piguet. Revenue reached more than €2 billion (roughly US$2.17 billion/HK$17.03 billion) in 2022. The debut of the new CPO program will coincide with Bennahmias’s departure; the executive is set to leave the company by the end of the year. By then he will have been at the company for a decade, where he oversaw renewed interest in the brand fueled by serious marketing, notably with high-profile celebrities including Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, LeBron James and Mark Ronson. He was also instrumental in tightening the reigns on distribution, pulling back from wholesale accounts in favor of selling directly through AP-operated boutiques. The CPO program will offer yet another layer of control over brand image and sales.



Audemars Piguet, Rolex and Patek Philippe are said to make up more than half of the total market for pre-owned watches, which begs the question: Will Patek be next?

Audemars Piguet

Luxury watches

Pre Owned

Audemars Piguet Will Launch Its Own Certified Pre-Owned Program This Year, CEO Says

<a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/brad-pitt-wins-his-first-oscar-for-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-2898058/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brad Pitt</a>&nbsp;doesn’t need an excuse—like, say, an award show—to show off a dazzling timepiece.



A recent photo<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnk44jFva_9/" target="_blank">&nbsp;posted to Instagram</a>&nbsp;shows the&nbsp;Babylon&nbsp;star wearing one of the more striking horological releases of last year, the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/slideshow/the-must-watch-lots-selling-alongside-paul-newmans-daytona-this-week/vacheron-constantin-222/" target="_blank">Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222</a>. The watch is a reissue of one of the brand’s classic designs, but despite its throwback nature still comes off as fresh and modern, which is why it works so well with a casual outfit like the one the actor is wearing in the picture.



The original 222 came out in 1977 and was one of a number of luxury sports watches Swiss brands released that decade, including the Patek Phillipe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Despite its similarities to those timepieces—in particular its integrated bracelet—it never really caught on, with less than 2,000 produced during the eight years it was on sale.&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/vacheron-constantin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vacheron Constantin</a>&nbsp;brought the model back last year, though, and the market already seems much more welcoming of the watch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22201.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772692" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22201.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22201.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22201.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vacheron Constantin 222 Vacheron Constantin</figcaption></figure>



The picture of Pitt wearing the reissued timepiece was posted to Instagram (where it was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gq.com/story/watches-of-the-week-1-28-23" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">spotted by&nbsp;GQ</a>) by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/watch_momma_/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Lorel Monroy</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://feldmarwatch.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Feldmar Watch Company</a>, an authorized dealer in Los Angeles. Ref. 4200H/222J-B935 has a monobloc tonneau-shaped “Jumbo” case that measures 37mm across and is made from 18k yellow gold. The case, which has Vacheron’s signature Maltese cross at 5 o’clock, houses a matching gold-tone dial topped with sapphire crystal and the watch’s trademark fluted bezel. Rounding out the package is an integrated bracelet also made from polished 18k yellow gold.



As distinguished as the 222 may be, it’s also a sports watch, which means it needs to do more than just look good. It’s powered by Vacheron Constantin’s Caliber 2455/2 self-winding movement, which has a 40-hour power reserve. The watch has a transparent sapphire crystal caseback that allows you to see all of the movement’s 194 components, including 27 jewels, working in harmony.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22202.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772693" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22202.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22202.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vach22202.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vacheron Constantin</figcaption></figure>



As stylish as the 222 is, some enthusiasts may wonder why a Breitling ambassador is wearing a watch from another brand so publicly. Clearly, when he’s not on the red carpet, Pitt likes to flex the rest of his collection.

Brad Pitt

gold watch

luxury watch

Vacheron Constantin

Brad Pitt Just Paired One of Vacheron Constantin’s Coolest Watches With a Sweater and Jeans

Jozeph Forakis has always pushed the envelope of&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/boat-of-the-week-this-new-99-foot-explorer-blends-salty-tugboat-design-with-loads-of-luxury-1234765723/" target="_blank">yacht design</a>, but now you could say he’s aggressively shoving it.



The New York native, now based in Milan, has just unveiled a new&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/concept/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concept</a> that is invisible both in design and environmental impact. The 289-footer, known as&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.forakis.com/work/pegasus-88m/" target="_blank">Pegasus</a>, features a low, linear hull, a plumb bow and a trippy metallic finish that camouflages it with the surrounding environment. The reflective “Solar Wings” essentially mirror the clouds above to blur the line between the sky and the sea.



The wings also ensure Pegasus can cruise indefinitely and invisibly. The solar energy generated will be used to convert seawater to hydrogen. Fuel cells will then turn the hydrogen into electricity that will be stored in the lithium-ion battery banks. The clean, green power can then be used to power the motors and onboard amenities. According to Forakis, Pegasus will produce zero emissions and have a virtually infinite range.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design5.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772121" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design5.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design5.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design5.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The metallic hull. (Strutturaleggera/Jozeph Forakis)</figcaption></figure>



The designer’s eco ethos even extends to construction. Forakis says a framework that integrates both the hull and superstructure could be created using robotic 3-D printing. The result is an extraordinarily strong and lightweight body that can be produced using less energy, material, waste, space and time compared to a conventional build.



The interior is equally futuristic, of course. The centerpiece is the multi-level “Tree of Life,” which extends vertically through all four decks. The living, breathing ode to mother nature doubles as the base of a hydroponic garden that provides fresh food and air purification. By the tree’s roots on the lower deck, there is a reflecting pool and zen garden for meditation. A sculptural spiral staircase will lead you to all other decks. The upper deck, which was designed exclusively for the owner, offers an expansive forward-facing primary suite and a large private terrace.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design7.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772123" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design7.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design7.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design7.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Tree of Life. (Strutturaleggera/Jozeph Forakis)</figcaption></figure>



Elsewhere, the forward pool club sports a lap pool and generous horizontal windows on either side that can turn into open balconies when desired. The open beach club also comes with fold-down platforms that create more lounging space by the sea when you need it.



What will Forakis think of next?&nbsp;



Click&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/pegasus-superyacht-concept-1234803382/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to see all the photos of Pegasus.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/pegasus-superyacht-concept-1234803382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design10.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772124" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design10.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design10.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pegasus_Forakis_Design10.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Strutturaleggera/Jozeph Forakis)</figcaption></figure>

The 289-Foot ‘Invisible’ Concept Could Become the World’s First 3-D-Printed Superyacht

The Best in Luxury Vessels, From a 60-Metre Superyacht to Azimut’s Grande Trideck

Steve Kozloff wants to help you make a difference on the high seas.



The&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/epiphany-sailing-trimaran-concept-1234762240/" target="_blank">California-based designer</a>&nbsp;has just unveiled a new gigayacht concept that allows seafarers to oversee various philanthropic endeavors while living in the lap of luxury. The 705-footer, known as G-Quest, has been designed to further advance oceanographic research and deliver humanitarian aid. Of course, it’s outfitted for fun, too.



G-Quest pairs a sturdy displacement hull with an innovative electric propulsion system for clean and efficient cruising. Kozloff envisions the explorer will run off futuristic fuels like hydrogen or biodiesel and will use battery technologies that are at the bleeding edge. The onboard steam turbine, for instance, will be connected to a generator that charges the batteries to provide power to the azimuth thrusters.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GQuest1.jpg?w=300" alt="G-Quest Gigayacht" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The beach club. Steve Kozloff Design</figcaption></figure>



The designer says the yacht could have a range of more than 20,000 nautical miles. Naturally, it will be fitted with high-tech navigation and communication equipment and a crow’s nest with total vision. It will also come equipped with top-tier security systems and even armored windows.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GQuest5.jpg?w=300" alt="G-Quest Gigayacht" width="650" height="364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The seaplane hangar. Steve Kozloff Design</figcaption></figure>



Onboard, G-Quest will feature a medical laboratory with MRI and X-ray facilities, an ophthalmology department and a dentist suite. It will also offer more than 20 hospital beds and an operating room. Think of it as a floating Cedars-Sinai.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GQuest2.jpg?w=300" alt="G-Quest Gigayacht" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The bow bar. Steve Kozloff Design</figcaption></figure>



For the researchers, there is a fully equipped oceanographic laboratory and an impressive fleet of exploration vessels, including two Cessna seaplanes, six of Candela’s electric foiling tenders, one electric landing craft, a U-Worx submarine and three of Taiga’s electric Orca Jet Skis. To top it off, there is a 6,500-square-foot aircraft hangar for two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, a garage for two SUVs and a dive center with a decompression chamber.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GQuest3.jpg?w=300" alt="G-Quest Gigayacht" width="650" height="364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The aircraft hangar. Steve Kozloff Design</figcaption></figure>



The behemoth can accommodate a total of 26 guests and 150 crew. The upper three decks are reserved for the owner and their guests, while the rest is earmarked for doctors, scientists, researchers and the like. The owner’s suite is situated in the bow and offers 3,000 square feet of space, panoramic views and a giant private pool. Also in the bow is a large solarium with a lavish salon and dining room.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GQuest4.jpg?w=300" alt="G-Quest Gigayacht" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The G-Quest in the Arctic. Steve Kozloff Design</figcaption></figure>



Outside, meanwhile, there is a beach club with a full bar and a shaded lounge area aft with a pool. The flybridge sports another pool, along with a spa, a lounge and a half basketball court.



Kozloff says the estimated cost of the yacht is $1 billion (HK$7.84 billion) to $1.2 billion (HK$9.41 billion). It’s impact on the world, however, could well be priceless.&nbsp;

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This Massive 705-Foot Research Gigayacht Concept Can Almost Circle the Globe on One Tank of Gas

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.dynaship.com/?lang=en" target="_blank">Dynaship Yacht Design</a>&nbsp;wants you to have a whale of a time on the high seas. So much so, in fact, that the Italian studio has penned a new&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/explorer-yacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explorer yacht</a>&nbsp;that can take you to the farthest reaches of the globe in complete luxury.



The concept is based on Dynaship’s Nautilus 650 model but features a revised layout and an upgraded propulsion system. The new Black Whale edition also sports a distinctive matte black exterior inspired by its namesake.



Designed for lengthy, transoceanic expeditions, the 244-footer sports a rugged ice-class hull and offers a staggering 40 days of autonomy at sea. Dynaship’s founder&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/diamond-superyacht-concept-1234757159/" target="_blank">Franco Gnessi</a>&nbsp;says Black Whale is also a “green-powered” yacht, but didn’t go into specifics regarding the engines.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BlackWhaleEdition7.jpg?w=300" alt="Nautilus 650 Black Whale Edition" width="650" height="364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The swanky salon. Dynaship Yacht Design</figcaption></figure>



“We have adopted a revolutionary product that was recently presented to us, these are the latest generation Azimuthal pods certified to work even at very low temperatures,” the designer said in a statement. “For now, we prefer to keep it confidential.”



What we do know is the vessel has an estimated top speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. It will also be equipped with solar panels to generate clean, green energy on the go. The studio claims the setup’s yield is about three times greater in high-latitude areas than in continental climates.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BlackWhaleEdition10.jpg?w=300" alt="Nautilus 650 Black Whale Edition" width="649" height="363"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The fleet of toys. Dynaship Yacht Design</figcaption></figure>



Like any good explorer, Black Whale packs all the requisite gear to carry out oceanographic research. It’s not all work and no play, though. The yacht is fitted with multiple pools that you and your fellow seafarers can enjoy. Speaking of which, the vessel can sleep 12 across five VIPs and one owner’s cabin. The latter is located forward in the bow and has direct access to a pool. There is also accommodation for 18 crew.



Of course, you can expect a full arsenal of water toys, including a sub, Jet Skis and a tender, which can be stored on the floating dock aft. You’ll also find a helipad that can hold a chopper of nearly four tons. Coincidentally, that’s about the same weight as an orca.



Click&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/nautilus-650-black-whale-edition-1234807697/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to see all the photos of Black Whale.



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/nautilus-650-black-whale-edition-1234807697/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BlackWhaleEdition11.jpg?w=300" alt="Nautilus 650 Black Whale Edition" width="650" height="364"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dynaship Yacht Design</figcaption></figure>

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This Stealthy New 244-Foot Explorer Yacht Concept Was Designed to Look Like a Killer Whale

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/wally-yachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wally Yachts</a>&nbsp;has deemed its newest fleet member “a jack of all trades,” and for good reason.



The 66-foot (20-meter) crossover, which has been christened the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.wally.com/wallywhy/wallywhy100.html" target="_blank">wallywhy100</a>, pairs the elegance of a coupe with the space of a superyacht. The Italian yard, which is now helmed by the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/wally-reveals-the-48-wallytender-under-new-partnership-with-ferretti-group-2839032/" target="_blank">Ferretti Group</a>, says the vessel was designed to meet the growing demand for a voluminous cruiser below 70 feet with a sporty edge.



“Whilst beautiful and sleek, traditional coupes do not offer the comfort and livability that today’s owners expect from their boats,” Wally’s managing director Stefano de Vivo said in a&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.ferrettigroup.com/en-us/News-and-Events/Detail/t/Ahead-of-its-time-Wally-unveils-details-of/y/2022/n/1992" target="_blank">statement</a>. “In the same way, larger and more voluminous boats generally don’t offer speed or usage flexibility.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge2.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771389" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge2.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The lounge</figcaption></figure>



The wallywhy100 is hoping to fill the gap in the market by offering comfort and performance in one decidedly stylish package. Wally says the vessel will make a spectacular day boat or support vessel. At the same time, it has the capacity to function as a full floating home on longer voyages.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_at-anchor.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771390" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_at-anchor.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_at-anchor.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_at-anchor.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The exterior.</figcaption></figure>



Featuring exterior design and naval architecture by Wally’s in-house engineering team, the yacht is characterized by sleek lines and a slightly reversed bow that guarantees a dry, safe ride in all conditions. The closed cockpit has been pushed forward to create more room for outdoor living. Wally also opted for a one-level, stern-to-bow layout to create the illusion of more space.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_beach-area.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771391" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_beach-area.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_beach-area.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_beach-area.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The beach area.</figcaption></figure>



The vessel offers a large “hybrid area” on the main deck that can either fully open or closed depending on the weather. It also sports an enormous beach area of 150 square feet that comes with folding wings for 50 percent more space and a hydraulic platform for launching tenders and toys measuring up to 12 feet.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_owner-cabin.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771392" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_owner-cabin.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_owner-cabin.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_owner-cabin.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The owner’s cabin.</figcaption></figure>



The luxe interiors, meanwhile, were brought to life by A. Vallicelli &amp; C. The full-beam owner’s cabin aft sports expansive side windows, a generous closet and an en suite with glass walls that turn from transparent to opaque when in use. There is also a VIP stateroom port side and a twin starboard that both come with en suites. All up, the yacht can sleep six guests plus crew.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234771393" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wallywhy100_lounge.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The lounge.</figcaption></figure>



In terms of propulsion, twin D13 Volvo IPS engines give the wallywhy100 a cruising speed of 24 knots and a top speed of more than 27 knots. Wally says she offers “an easy and smooth navigating experience,” too.



Jack of all trades, indeed.



All images courtesy of Wally Yachts.

This New Crossover Blends the Elegance of a Coupe With the Volume of a Superyacht

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/oceanco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanco</a> just proved what’s old can indeed be new again.



The Dutch yard has successfully turned an older <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/superyacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superyacht</a> into an entirely new vessel fit for the future. The epic 344-footer, known as 1050H, was unveiled at Oceanco’s construction facilities in the Netherlands on Tuesday, following an extensive refit that was reportedly unprecedented in terms of scope.



“We are proud to say that we are relaunching a completely new Oceanco,” the yard’s CEO Marcel Onkenhout said in a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.oceancoyacht.com/preview-of-an-icon-1050h/" target="_blank">statement</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772678" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_1.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The vessel has been updated to meet new standards in technology and sustainability.  Guillaume Plisson</figcaption></figure>



The remodel features a decidedly modern exterior centered around a completely new superstructure. The yacht also received a fresh interior by Reymond Langton Design, though pictures of it are still to come.



In addition, the vessel has been updated to meet new standards in technology, safety, capability, utility and sustainability; it’s fully compliant with the rigorous IMO Tier III emissions standards, for instance. As Oceanco points out, turning an existing superyacht into a more environmentally friendly vessel can have as much, if not more, of a positive impact on the world as creating an eco cruiser from scratch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_2.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772679" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_2.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The superyacht’s overall build time was reduced by around a year. Guillaume Plisson</figcaption></figure>



The A Group’s Richard Hein, who acted as the owner’s representative for the project, said the “almost unimaginable transformation” has future-proofed the yacht for decades to come.



The project has other perks, too. By tweaking an existing vessel, the owner was able to bypass long wait periods and reduce the overall build time by around a year. As delivery windows for new builds at Oceanco are booked up into the latter part of the decade, the idea of a refit with a shorter construction time becomes even more enticing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_3.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234772680" srcset="https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_3.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_3.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.solpride.art/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oceanco_1050H_3.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The vessel received an entirely new superstructure. Guillaume Plisson</figcaption></figure>



“It is our ambition that this landmark project will inspire owners of existing yachts to benefit from the gift of time while adding value to their ownership experience as well as the planet,” adds Oceanco’s marketing director Paris Baloumis. “Through this approach, icons have the potential to become the new faces of tomorrow.”



Well, you know what to do if your Oceanco is getting a little long in the tooth . . .