Tag Archives: visitors

News

Best of a dying breed: Ford, Lexus and Jaguar V8 showdown

The walkers, cyclists and various day-tripping guests of the Peak District shouldn’t have any bother listening to us coming.

It’s an early July day in the course of the working week (and, sure, this does depend as work, though I by no means stop to be amazed about that), so I’m not too sorry to interrupt their peace.

I’m, in spite of everything, solely taking advantage of the chance whereas I can. Soon sufficient, the vacationers can have nothing to detract from their leisure however electrical motor whine and cattle flatulence (be careful, Daisy: you are subsequent).

In entrance of us is a barely combined trio of vehicles that you just won’t have anticipated to seem collectively in the identical group take a look at. But since they have been chosen by destiny and happenstance, not by me, they’re what they’re. Specifically, they’re the final three front-engined, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered sports activities vehicles left on sale within the UK.

From the late Fifties proper the best way by means of to the rise of the reasonably priced mid-engined sports activities automotive within the Nineties, this was the way it was completed.

Plonk a robust V8 engine longways within the entrance of your light-weight chassis, sending its drive to the axle on the again, after which work on the finer engineering particulars later.

It was a confirmed profitable recipe that produced sports activities vehicles as completely different because the AC Cobra, Chevrolet Corvette, TVR Griffith, Porsche 928, Jaguar XK and Aston Martin Vantage V8, together with a terrific many extra that you just would possibly loosely have described as reasonably priced of their day.

Today’s diverse band, amongst them a sporty luxurious GT, an ageing British sports activities automotive and a much-celebrated legend of American muscle, is what stays to symbolize one of the crucial fashionable mechanical layouts that the sports activities automotive market has ever identified.

A Ford Mustang GT can nonetheless be snaffled up for lower than £50,000. The Lexus LC500 has simply been taken off sale within the UK, though should you’re content material with a base mannequin, you would possibly simply safe one used for a whisker beneath £100,000.

And the Jaguar F-Type, additionally now retired, beforehand break up the distinction on worth between the opposite two, and nearly meets our qualification standards in as a lot because the mid-range P450 model has just one pushed axle.

So which of those three is the very best tribute to a basic mechanical recipe? Which must you seize, should you’re so inclined, and treasure for so long as the world will permit? And which is able to we miss essentially the most?

Engines

A V8 engine within the entrance of a useable, reasonably priced, highly effective sports activities automotive simply makes good sense when you consider it. Yes, they burn hydrocarbons – various hydrocarbons, clearly, and should subsequently be wiped from the face of the planet as rapidly as potential, in accordance with good outdated public opinion. 

BMW

MINI INHABIT SOUND: Exploring the Sound Identity of Cities

Milan. 5,000 visitors at the ADI Museum had the opportunity to experience MINI Inhabit Sound from October 24th to November 5th, 2023. The project was made possible through a partnership between MINI and the SOS School of Sustainability, a school established in 2015 by Mario Cucinella, offering a 9-month post-graduate program for young designers in Architecture and Sustainable Design. It was the culmination of a training and creative journey curated by Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound Design at BMW Group, alongside a group of international students focusing on the theme of Sound Design from the 2022/23 academic year.

“Through the collaboration with SOS – School of Sustainability,” says Federica Manzoni, Head of MINI Italy, “our brand aims to promote young talent and underline its commitment to the world of design by encouraging reflection on sustainability in urban environments, in line with MINI’s philosophy of Big Love for the People, Big Love for the Planet, Big Love for Progress. In this scenario, trends, creativity, design culture, and technology are vital for developing joint initiatives.”

“MINI is an iconic design object in continuous evolution, always faithful to its original while beating to the rhythm of the city,” continues Federica Manzoni. “It remains in line with current trends, while also paying attention to important urban and future city issues.”

The project and MINI’s vision of sustainability 
Sustainability in the urban environment is central to MINI’s strategy, born as a small, efficient, urban car in response to a 1950s fuel crisis, and evolved by anticipating the needs of the time to create a sustainable future.

Sustainability means well-being for the planet, its ecosystem, and mankind, whose behavior significantly impacts coexistence and the evolution of living beings. Well-being includes psychophysical balance, often attained through sensory gratification, including the sense of hearing.

Sound as an element of city identity
The course created by MINI, under the guidance of Renzo Vitale, focused on research into sound design, a discipline that plays a fundamental role in project realization.

Sounds contribute to defining a city’s identity, understanding them is crucial to redesign the dynamics of listening and to make conscious use of them for collective well-being.

Acoustics characterize and define a space, and sustainability in this area is increasingly important in architecture, building, urban design, and the production of objects.

Sound, fundamentally an invisible entity, is an essential element of existence, and the installation aims to give sound a visual and architectural form to create a holistic experience in which acoustics and sustainability work together for collective comfort.

The aim of the project
The objective of the MINI Inhabit Sound project is to build a sustainable space for listening, contemplation, and sharing by transforming sound into a tangible, livable form, enhancing the psychophysical and emotional condition of those who experience it.

“It is necessary to build auditory awareness so that individual actions lead to collective well-being,” says Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound Design of the BMW Group.

MINI INHABIT SOUND: the experience
The MINI Inhabit Sound installation aims to provide visitors with a real sound walk, starting from the sounds perceived in a metropolitan reality such as Milan.

The experience takes place along a tripartite auditory path representing interpretations of distinct conditions: urban soundscapes, suspended time, and a future auditory scenario conceived in the context of urban sonic sustainability.

The installation utilizes sustainable acoustic fabric and a Raum-im-Raum (room-within-a-room) solution to reduce acoustic field energy, disturbance, and reverberation, creating a space for concentration on physical and acoustic surroundings.

The visitor will experience combinations of everyday sounds and find themselves in an acoustically isolated space in the core chamber, thus being able to reflect on self-perception and the integration of natural and artificial sounds.

Materials and Project Partners
Caimi Brevetti SpA, with its sound-absorbing fabric, furnishings, and acoustic panels, has played a critical role in ensuring the required acoustic insulation for the installation.

The Snowsound-Fiber technology in the sound-absorbing fabric controls reverberation, and the Snowpouf elements use ECONYL® yarn created from the regeneration of nylon waste, such as fishing nets or used carpets.

The installation also features light from Artemide, enhancing the communicative and functional aspects through expressive graphic signs.

A unique sound for the new all-electric MINI family.
Sound design is a crucial element in customizing the products of the new MINI Family, providing different sound atmospheres for the new all-electric MINI Cooper, enhancing the immersive experience.

The MINI Sound DNA, based on the brand’s core values, will be featured on the new all-electric MINI, incorporating completely new driving sounds, jingles for MINI Experience Modes, and sound notifications for information and warning functions.

The new sound atmospheres include distinctive acoustic symbols, called earcons, signaling specific events or information.

NewsNew

2023 DUBYA WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP

The 39th Annual Dubya Vet World Championship held at Glen Helen Raceway drew a massive crowd over the weekend. This event has become Glen Helen’s largest and attracts both casual fans and legendary riders. Among the iconic riders present were Mike Brown, Jeremy McGrath, Doug Dubach, and Kurt Nicoll. However, the standout performer of the weekend was Austrian rider Günter Schmidinger, who left everyone struggling to pronounce his name. Schmidinger, who currently works for KTM’s testing department, has previous experience in international competitions, having participated in the World Vet and USGP events.



Austrian Günter Schmidinger was the big winner in the 30+ pro class.


Ryan Morais came close to winning the 30+ Pro class.

In the first 30+ Pro race, Schmidinger took an early lead and comfortably secured the win. Second place was hotly contested between Giacomo Redoni, the 2018 WORCS champion, and Ryan Morais. The race ended with Redoni narrowly holding onto second, despite Morais challenging him at the finish line. Morais, mistakenly thinking he was in the lead, approached the second moto with that mindset. Eventually, Schmidinger worked his way up to second place, but Morais held a significant lead and secured first place overall. Official timing and scoring initially placed Morais in second, with Schmidinger in first, but a discrepancy with the transponder pickup shifted their positions. Redondi finished with a 2-4 score, while Canadian Mitch Cooke achieved a 5-3 score.



Mike Brown won the 50+ Pro and the Pasha 50+ 125 race.


Jeremy McGrath came second in the 50+ Pro class.


Doug Dubach was third in the Pasha 50+ 125 and first in the 60+ Expert class.


Kurt Nicoll finished fourth in the 50+ 125 class.

The 50+ Pasha 125 class was particularly competitive, featuring well-known riders such as Mike Brown, Jeremy McGrath, Doug Dubach, Kurt Nicoll, and Ty Davis. Among them, Mike Brown stood out as the most experienced rider. However, the race turned out to be much closer than expected. McGrath showed strength in starts, while Dubach excelled in finishes. Ultimately, the final standings were Brown, McGrath, Dubach, Nicoll, Ty Davis, and ISDE legend Brian Storrie. Brown also participated in the 30+ Pasha 125 race, finishing fourth behind Morais, Redondi, and Dominic Desimone.



Gary Jones has a full set of Dubya World Vet trophies.

In the 50+ Pro class, Brown, McGrath, and Nicoll competed once again, with Brown securing an easy victory. Dubach made his debut in the 60+ Expert class and claimed a straightforward win over Canadian Pete DeGraff. In the 40+ Pro class, Morais and Canadian Mitch Cooke traded moto wins, but Morais emerged as the winner of the second race. Kris Keefer and Dirt Bike Managing Editor Mark Tilley finished third and fourth, respectively.



Giacomo Redondi and Mitch Cooke competed in the 30+ Pro class and Cup of Nations.

The Cup of Nations is a unique competition created by Glen Helen, where national teams consist of three riders from different age groups. Canada #1 emerged as the champions, with Julian Cerney winning the 50+ class, Shane Cuthberson placing fifth in the 40+ class, and Cooke taking first in the 30+ class. Italy #1 finished in second place, comprising of Simone Girolami, Marcello Disetti, and Redondi. For full results, visit www.glenhelen.com.

Volkswagen

Great resonance: the Yad Vashem exhibition ‘Flashes of Memory’ in Berlin extended – educational partner Volkswagen continues to support visitor formats

In response to the tremendous interest of museum visitors, the exhibition ‘Flashes of Memory. Photography during the Holocaust’ will be extended to January 28, 2024, in the ‘Museum für Fotografie’ in Berlin. The Volkswagen Group will continue to act as an educational partner of the exhibition project, which was originally scheduled to run from March 24 to August 20, 2023. The exhibition in Berlin is on loan from the international remembrance center Yad Vashem and marks the first time that the exhibit has been displayed outside Jerusalem.

As part of its partnership, the Volkswagen Group will help provide educational opportunities to a broad audience for five more months. Volkswagen will continue to support the visitor formats ‘Ask Me!’ and ‘Close up!’. The program ‘Ask Me!’ is available to visitors on Thursday afternoons, Friday afternoons, and weekend afternoons. On these days, guides provide interested visitors with in-depth information about the exhibits and answer questions. The ‘Close Up!’ series will also be extended through the end of the exhibition. During public discussions, experts in such related disciplines as photography and film, history, Holocaust studies, and Jewish studies share their thoughts on the photographs and films on display. Visitors may use both formats free of charge. Since the exhibition opened, a large number of trainees and graduates of training programs at Volkswagen have learned valuable information during tours through the exhibition and in discussions.

‘We are very proud of the decision to extend the exposition of Yad Vashem’s exhibition Flashes of Memory. Photography during the Holocaust now on display at Berlins Museum für Fotografie,’ says Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan. ‘I am filled with profound gratitude for the overwhelming response from visitors. This remarkable showcase stands as a testament to the collective commitment towards preserving the memory of the Holocaust and illuminating the darkest chapters of history.

The significance of this exhibition lies not only in its poignant portrayal of the Holocaust’s harrowing reality but in its unique multilayer perspective. Through the lens of photography, we capture the narratives of the German perpetrator, the Jewish victim, and the liberating armies, intertwining their experiences to form a comprehensive and empathetic portrayal of this tragic era. This mosaic of perspectives serves as a powerful reminder of the human impact, suffering, and resilience amidst the horrors of the Holocaust. The presence of this profound exhibition in the heart of Berlin, a city deeply connected to the Holocaust, sends a resolute signal to the world. It exemplifies how Germany continues to shoulder the responsibility for Holocaust remembrance and awareness. By confronting its past with unyielding courage and preserving historical truth through initiatives like these, Germany sets an exemplar for nations across the globe to foster empathy, tolerance, and vigilance against prejudice and hatred.’

The importance of remembrance culture is also emphasized by Benita von Maltzahn, Head of Volkswagen Culture Engagement: ‘It is extremely important to us that we continuously reiterate together – particularly to the younger generations – how the holocaust came to pass and what fates the countless victims suffered. We do this so that antisemitism, racism, and discrimination can never spread again.’

In the exhibition ‘Flashes of Memory. Photography during the Holocaust’, the Yad Vashem Remembrance Center shows photographs and films that were taken and made of the broadest range of people – perpetrators, victims, and liberators – during the years of the Holocaust. Focal points include the intentions of the photographers and filmmakers as well as the conditions under which the photo documents were made. In the process, the viewing of the images becomes an encounter with their impact.

The partnership for the exhibition is integrated into the comprehensive remembrance work and the Volkswagen Group’s international commitment to culture. For more than 30 years now, the company has been organizing volunteer projects in which trainees support the memorial work in Auschwitz and conduct projects with Holocaust survivors.

BMW

BMW Motorrad Celebrates with 37,000 Visitors in Berlin

Last weekend, BMW Motorrad had a reason to celebrate as 37,000 visitors gathered in Berlin for the 21st BMW Motorrad Days. The event, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad, attracted fans from 60 different countries, with a total of 32,000 motorcycle enthusiasts joining the festivities. Alongside the Motorrad Days, the Pure&Crafted Festival also took place in the German capital, drawing almost 5,000 visitors.

The BMW Motorrad Days offered visitors a comprehensive program that showcased the brand’s entire range at five different locations. At the event, attendees had the opportunity to see more than 60 brand-new motorcycle models, explore various accessories, visit a large fan shop, and engage with over 30 international travel, training, and test ride partners. Additionally, visitors could witness stunt shows, learn about motorcycles without a license, enjoy a children’s program, and discover unique custom bikes in the Heritage Area. A special exhibition highlighting the company’s 100-year history was also available for attendees to experience.

One of the highlights of the event was the chance to visit the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin Spandau, where around 1,600 visitors had the opportunity to go on guided tours and witness the manufacturing process of BMW motorcycles firsthand.

For fans of the BMW GS models, BMW Motorrad offered special treats, including enduro training courses and guided off-road tours through the beautiful Brandenburg countryside. Additionally, the grounds of MCC Schenkenhorst became a gathering place for the international BMW GS community, hosting the international qualifying round for the 2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will take place in Namibia.

Visitors also had the chance to ride the latest BMW S 1000 models on the 2.7-km, 10-meter-wide race track at Spreewaldring. With the guidance of experienced instructors from MotoRacingSchool, attendees could test the performance of these motorcycles. Furthermore, multiple race taxi drives in BMW M2 vehicles were offered each day.

Running in parallel with the BMW Motorrad Days, the Pure&Crafted Festival catered to music lovers. Originally launched by BMW Motorrad in Berlin in 2015, the festival offered a unique fusion of music, motorbike culture, and lifestyle. Held at the Napoleon Komplex in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, the festival featured performances by various artists, including Cari Cari, Drangsal, and WU-LU.

For press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment, please visit the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com. For further inquiries, please contact Dominik Schaidnagel, Spokesperson BMW Motorrad, at Dominik.Schaidnagel@bmw.de or Tim Diehl-Thiele, Head of Communications BMW Motorrad, at Tim.Diehl-Thiele@bmw.de.

The BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, consisting of the brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad. With over 30 production sites worldwide and a global sales network in more than 140 countries, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and over 202,000 motorcycles worldwide in 2022. The company’s commitment to sustainability and efficient resource management is a top priority, from the supply chain through production to the end use of all products.

For more information, visit www.bmwgroup.com or follow BMW Group on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BMWGroup), Twitter (twitter.com/BMWGroup), YouTube (www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView), Instagram (www.instagram.com/bmwgroup), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/).