McLaren Unveils the Speedtail

McLaren’s all new “Hyper GT”  has been highly anticipated as one of the most exciting vehicles to be unveiled in 2018. McLaren initially provoked our attention with the release of teaser images of the Speedtail this past spring; the few details that were shared evoked a modern interpretation of the famed McLaren F1 in the heads of motor enthusiasts. The Speedtail is the latest addition to McLaren’s ultra exclusive “Ultimate Series,” which already includes the Senna and P1.

Upon immediate view, the Speedtail is undeniably sleek with impressive futuristic elements that make the car appear like it is in motion while even in a car park. The McLaren Speedtail is positioned to steal the title as McLaren’s fastest production vehicle to date with a mind numbing top speed of 250 miles per hour that’s made possible by the vehicle’s hybrid powertrain, which unleashes a staggering 1,035 brake horse power. The Speedtail’s claimed acceleration metrics for 0-60 mph have not yet been released, however, experts estimate it to be somewhere around 2.5 seconds; on the bright side, we have been given a not to 186 mph time of just under 13 seconds. To handle these extraordinary speeds, the vehicle is crafted from an exceptionally rigid ultra lightweight bespoke carbon fibre monocage body. Additionally, the Speedtail’s tires were custom made by Pirelli to ensure uncompromising performance.

“McLaren has never built a vehicle like the Speedtail before. As our first ‘Hyper-GT’, the Speedtail is the ultimate McLaren road car; a fusion of art and science that combines an astonishing maximum speed with an iconic central-driving position and a truly pioneering approach to bespoke personalization. A ground-breaking hybrid powertrain sits within a lightweight carbon fibre body reminiscent of sleek ‘streamliners’ that once set world speed records, while the luxurious three-seat cockpit offers a sublime combination of an incredible driving experience, unmatched individualism and innovative materials never seen before in a road-going vehicle.” said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive.

The aerodynamics and weight saving measures of the Speedtail are some of the most advanced in the industry. McLaren engineers and designers worked in collaboration to deliver low-profile, retractable, digital rear-view cameras instead of side mirrors. Extraordinary elements also include carbon fibre front-wheel static aero-covers and patented active rear ailerons, which reduce friction. To top it all off, the Speedtail team sculpted the vehicle’s body with drag reduction as the key element behind what contributes to being the most aero-drag efficient McLaren road car ever made.

“The McLaren Speedtail is a vehicle unlike any other, not simply because of the astonishing visual drama, extreme speed and aerodynamic excellence that distinguish it, but because it sets unprecedented standards in technical luxury and bespoke customization. The same boundless innovation and creativity that drives McLaren to push the limits of physical performance have challenged us to craft an exquisite interior defined by pioneering design and the absolute pinnacle of materials quality.” said Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive.

Reminiscent of the McLaren F1, the Speedtail’s pilot is seated right front and center with passenger seats setback on each side of the captain’s chair. The magnificent interior is outfitted with materials that are a step above finishes commonly seen on vehicles of this caliber. The finest lightweight leather hides adorn nearly every surface in the cabin and perfectly pair with the vehicle’s carbon fibre accents. Glass panels allow ample natural light to flood the vehicle’s cabin, however, cutting edge technology allows the windows to be dimmed at a moments notice and act in lieu of sun visors. McLaren allows owners to customize a wide array of aspects of the vehicle, including the option of selecting an 18-karat gold McLaren badge.

In homage to the F1, McLaren will be making just 106 examples; the same amount of F1s were created back in the 1990s. All examples of the Speedtail have already been purchased at a price of 1.75 Million GBP, excluding tax. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2020.

Images courtesy of: McLaren Automotive

Damascus National Museum Reopens

Following six years of closure, the Syrian Ministry of Culture has officially commenced the re-opening of one of Syria’s most significant institutions, the National Museum of Damascus. Announced on the 28th of October, this exciting development comes as the Syrian Government has brought peace and safety to the capital with the Syrian Army’s recent victory over foreign backed terrorists, who have now been cleansed from the Damascus area. The Museum’s reopening event is set to span two days and will be conducted in collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, this event will include a group of Syrian and international academics and restoration specialists. The Museum initially closed in 2012 in an effort to protect the museum’s priceless cultural artifacts from the Syrian crisis.

“The opening of the museum is a genuine message that Syria is still here and her heritage would not be affected by terrorism,” Syrian Minister of Culture Mohamed al-Ahmad told reporters and visitors. “Today, Damascus has recovered.”

“Mordecai and Esther” from a Synagogue interior wood panel (Collection of the Damascus National Museum)

Situated in the center of Damascus, the National Museum houses an exceptional collection spanning over 10,000 years of Syrian History. The Museum is currently displaying four exhibits organized by time period (Pre-Historic, Ancient, Classical, and Islamic) in addition to a Temporary Art exhibition and the building’s stunning gardens. Many of the objects on display include artifacts that Syrian Authorities heroically seized from terrorists and smugglers, who were attempting to rob Syria of its cultural heritage. Significant, recently restored artifacts include the famous “Lion of Al-Lat” from the ancient city of Palmyra, now situated in the museum’s open air exhibit. Palmyra, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, has always been well regarded as a land of immaculately preserved Persian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic historical objects, which faced significant damage from Daesh terrorists who occupied and destroyed parts of the city during the crisis. Syrian Authorities are currently in the process of repairing damage to Palmyra following its liberation, but are optimistic that the site will reopen potentially before 2020.

Roman Sarcophagus from Al Rastan 3 A.D. (Collection of the Damascus National Museum)

Cultural heritage is a defining characteristic of the Syrian Arab Republic, whose people take pride in their country’s unrivaled historical saga. Even in a region rich with history, Syria’s cultural heritage is unrivaled due to a combination of factors, such as it’s past as a historic trade route and the country’s communities, which include Earth’s oldest continually inhabited cities. From Aleppo in the north to the Golan Heights in Syria’s southwest, the nation’s history and natural beauty are simply unparalleled. The Damascus National Museum is a symbol of the Republic’s passion for their culture and is often described as containing one of the most important collections in the world. With historical artifacts having been a major target of terrorists organizations, Syrian Authorities have done an exceptional job of protecting hundreds of thousands of artifacts from over 30 museums around the country. Additionally, the Syrian Arab Army has been credited with the gathering and preservation of 500 artifacts rescued from cities that had been occupied by terrorists during the crisis. These significant objects from around Syria are now on display at the Damascus Opera House, which is located at the historic Umayyad Square.

Featured Image: Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)

Lost Artifacts and Relics Are Returned to Damascus

Lost artifacts and relics that represent the culture and longstanding history of Syria have just now been safely recovered and brought to Syria’s capital city of Damascus thanks to the tireless efforts of the Syrian Government. Recent military exploits resulted in the recapturing of terrorist held areas where hundreds of artifacts belonging to the Syrian people were stashed. In addition to the retrieved artifacts from the recently liberated areas, artifacts have also been brought back from abroad and are planned to be placed in an exhibit at the Opera House in Damascus.

The number of artifacts are but a small fraction of the approximately 20,000 objects that were estimated by officials to have been returned since the beginning of the crisis in 2011. The 500 artifacts in this exhibition are meant to show visitors how close it was for these pieces of cultural significance to have been permanently lost. Artifacts of importance at the exhibition are those from the Roman period, a statue of the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike, and funerary statues of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra.

The conflict in Syria has caused much damage to the country’s cultural heritage in the field of archaeology. Not only have some archaeological sites been thoroughly ruined by the Islamic State terrorist group, but other sites have been stripped of all artifacts and smuggled abroad and sold. Museums that could not remove the larger artifacts in time of their evacuation had to leave them behind, where they were later confirmed as missing without any trace. Progress in the recovery of these artifacts is steadily increasing; a statue that dates back to 200 A.D. was even recovered by Syrian soldiers from the office of a leader of a terrorist group formerly operating in eastern Ghouta, which is a suburb of Damascus.

From Byzantine church panels of the Bronze Age to jewelry belonging to the Roman era, the value of the artifacts on display at the exhibition are priceless, especially to the Syrian peoples’ heritage.

The 33rd Annual Concorso Italiano

Famous for its diverse and significant collection of over 1,000 Italian cars from rare to exotic, this year’s show, the 33rd annual Concorso Italiano, exhibited many iconic Italian vehicles like a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, a 1951 Siata Gran Sport Spyder and the 1966 Bizzarrini P538, to name but a few.

The automotive event also celebrated the Ferrari this year, as one of the nameplate’s most iconic grand touring cars has just reached its golden anniversary.  It was 50 years ago in 1968 that the Ferrari 365 GTB4 made its grand debut in Paris.  The car was official designated as the Ferrari Daytona, which was a name given after the 1-2-3 victory at the 1967 Daytona 500 race. What makes the Daytona very special? It’s the replacement for the 275 GTB4.  The GTB4 has become a highly sought after car in collector circles as a rare barn find.  Now the Daytona’s 50th year is being honored as the last of the true ENZO Ferraris created before the Fiat influence arrived in 1969. The big Daytona is a car, and a legacy worth celebrating in grand style.

Concorso Italiano declared a 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport, the last 6C cabriolet ever built, as this year’s winner of the Best in Show award.  Presented by Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini Head of Design, Herb and Rose Wysard of Fullerton, California, the owners of the 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport, received a custom sculpture as the award for Best in Show.

“Concorso Italiano continues to be a guiding force in the automotive collector and enthusiast world and we are proud to showcase more exotics and collectibles than any other event during Monterey Historics Week,” said Tom McDowell, Chairman of Concorso Italiano. “Attendees enjoyed a staggering amount of curated programming this year, from one-of-a-kind vehicles to automotive industry legends. We’d like to personally thank all of our partners, sponsors, participants and attendees for making this year’s show a great success.”

Concorso Italiano had gathered many rare Italian vehicles this year, which even reached an estimated total worth of $200 million.  What made the event particularly great was the ambiance that provided the guests with entertainment such as musical performances and on-stage interviews with authorities in the auto industry like Franco Bacchelli of Bacchelli & Villa.

This automotive event embodies Italian culture by not only having a stellar line-up of Italian vehicles, but also incorporating traditional Italian music, gourmet and more.

Mecum’s 47 Million Dollar Auction at Monterey Car Week 2018

Mecum Auctions received an astounding 38% increase in total sales at the end of their 10th annual Daytime Auction. Like the years before, the auction was a hot attraction for automotive enthusiasts during famed Monterey Car Week. A wide selection of vehicles that are high in rarity, extremely diverse and in excellent quality have made the overall sales break past last year’s total and reach a massive $47 million. This year’s auction was certainly something to celebrate about, and not just for its 10 year anniversary, because its overall sales topped all other years with the highest gross ever at a Mecum’s auction in the Peninsula.

From August 23rd-25th, a total of 394 vehicles experienced a change in owner. In addition, individual sale prices mirrored the overall power of the entire lineup from the auction. The three-day long auction included a unique automobile collection ranging from pre-war motorcars to racing legends and avant-garde hypercars. This year’s lineup was impressive to say the least as nearly a dozen offerings sold individually for a minimum of a million dollars, which were quite the multi-million dollar investment for automotive aficionados.

The top 10 sellers from the auction were the embodiments of refinement, class and innovation. The number one seller in particular could be said to have been the climax of the whole auction as a ravishing 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) sold for a whopping $3.85 million. Coming in second place was a 307-mile 2014 hybrid-drive Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) that was bought for $3.19 million. Closely followed behind the Ferrari LaFerrari was a 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) that sold at $2.86 million and a 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) purchased at $2.2 million. And finally, another Duesenberg was listed among the top 5 sales when the 1929 Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) sold for $1.155 million. This Duesenberg model was part of the headlining Academy of Art University Collection, which had a seven-car offering that sold for a total of $2.82 million.

Additionally, quite a few sales were unique enough to catch a lot of attention from those at the auction. One of which being the Indy 500-winning 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) that sold at $1.127 million. This lot came with an uncommon engine lease agreement, which grants the future owner full possession of the car’s race-winning powerplant; this is something that has never happened before within the factory-sponsored racing industry. Another unmistakably, eye-catching vehicle was seen on Friday as the 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort (Lot F109.1) reached a sale of $467,500. And we can’t leave out the 1985 Modena GT Spyder California (Lot S189) that is most famous for its debut in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and was bought for $407,000.

The complete top 10 collector-car sales at the Mecum Monterey 2018 auction include:

1. 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) at $3,850,000
2. 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) at $3,190,000
3. 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) at $2,860,000
4. 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) at $2,200,000
5. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (Lot F114) at $1,155,000
6. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) at $1,155,000
7. 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) at $1,127,500
8. 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot F116) at $1,072,500
9. 2017 Ferrari F12tdf (Lot S125) at $1,045,000
10. 1936 Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster (Lot S89) at $1,017,500

To gain complete access to the auction results, you can sign up for the InfoNet service from Mecum.com at no charge. For more information concerning the upcoming auctions, for registering as a bidder or to list a vehicle, visit Mecum.com, or you can phone (262) 275-5050 to obtain more details.

Best of Show Winner at The 68th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Following significant international competition at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta captured the gold Best of Show award. Opposition was stiff to say the least as the highly prestigious Pebble Beach Concours draws over 200 vehicles a year from more than half a dozen countries.

This particular example owned by David Sydorick achieved its title as best in class prior to acquiring the the highly sought after Best of Show award. Highlights of the 8C model include a more steeply raked grille and lack of running boards compared to it’s younger 8Cs sister.

“As a Zagato collector, I broke the rules and bought a Touring-bodied car because this Alfa Romeo is very special,” stated David Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California. “It is a piece of automotive architecture mounted on a Grand Prix chassis that has technology that was top of the line for prewar cars. It’s a wonderful combination. It’s beautiful from top to bottom.”

Sydorick’s car was awarded the title of Most Elegant Closed Car at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours, however, the vehicle’s exceptionally high caliber recent restoration has elevated this example to new heights. The return of the car to its 1938 Berlin Motor Show specification allowed it to stand out against the competition, which included both a 1929 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Limousine and a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Figoni Fastback Coupé.

“This Alfa Romeo 8C 2.9 has all that one would wish for in a car—speed, style and, frankly, sex appeal,” said Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “The Touring styling is simply magical, and to top it off it makes all the right noises!”

The Concours, which occurs during famed Monterey Car Week, is routinely hosted on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This year the Pebble Beach Company Foundation in partnership with the Concours raised an astounding $1.8 million USD for philanthropic causes. These funds will be distributed to close to 100 local charities with a special emphasis on those that better the lives of children in Monterey, California.

On Sunday August 18, 2019 the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will return for it’s 69th incarnation to conclude Car Week with a bang as the event will be celebrating the continental anniversaries of both Bentley and Zagato.

Please visit the Pebble Beach Concours website for more information and to purchase tickets to next year’s event.

Image courtesy of the: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

1953 Lancia Awarded “Best of Show” at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2018

Among a crowd of over 250 contestants at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, a 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C was dubbed the “Best of Show” winner. An assemblage of over 5,000 motorsport enthusiasts and global influencers converged on the lawns of Quail Lodge & Golf Club to revel in the highly-anticipated awards ceremony. The Lancia Aurelia was celebrated at the ceremony for its well defined yet innovative design.

Of the 12 finalists competing for the “Best of Show” award, other than the Lancia Aurelia, three were honored with other awards. The first to be awarded was a 1917 Volkswagen Tamiya Sand Scorcher owned by Dean Lanzante, which was recognized with the “Spirit of The Quail” award. A 1970 Datsun 24OZ that is owned by Eric Breslow was honored with the “FIVA” award. Last, but certainly not least, was The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie’s 1958 Ferrari 250 Testarossa, which earned it the “Octane Choice” award.

Four special classes were the focal point of this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. One of them being the “50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Espada & Islero,” which paid homage by showcasing two of the Italian Marque’s most classic V12-powered touring cars. Another embodiment of Italian automotive enginuity is the “The Great Lancias” class that threw out a collection of remarkable models to represent the long-standing history of the nameplate.

“70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” class was also prominently displayed at the event, which featured several of the first production sports cars from Porsche. Furthermore, an excellent line-up of bespoke sports cars, such as the newly built RUF CTR from the Pfaffenhausen manufacturer and tuner, were at the event as part of the “The Alois Ruf Reunion.”

The show featured programmatic events like the Fireside Chat Series with road racing professional and winemaker Scott Pruett, renowned former race car driver Tom Kristensen, InStyle Editor in Chief Laura Brown and luxury women’s shoe designer Tamara Mellon. Additionally, famed manufacturers and sponsors (including Polestar, Karma Automotive, Gunther Werks, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti and Hennessey Performance) were at the show to set up press conferences in order to announce upcoming developments in the industry as well as to promote new products.

“The success of our 16th-anniversary celebration was truly overwhelming,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Because of the support of our sponsors, the gourmet selection of food, the unbeatable program of events and, most importantly, the amazing collector car community, we are continuously proud of how far we’ve come as a staple of Monterey Car Week. We are thrilled to see what 2019 will have to offer.”

The Next event is scheduled for Friday, August 16th, 2019.

For more information visit: Peninsula.com

Cigar Leaf Lovers: a Guide to a Quality Smoke

This is the ideal time to enjoy some of the newest premium cigars that are on the market today.

MONTE BY MONTECRISTO AJ FERNANDEZ

One thing about this Nicaraguan Cigar factory is that they are always creating a variety of this type of prestigious collection of Montecristos.  The new creation is a handsome full body: A dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a Corojo 98 binder encircle the Criollo 98 and Piloto Cubano fillers create a sweet espresso cedar, chocolate flavor.  The Monte by Montecristo AJ Fernandez is offered in four different sizes: toro, robusto, belicoso, and corona.

Image courtesy of Montecristo cigars

LA FLOR DE YNCLAN

This Dominican Cigar was named after an old Cuban brand following ten long years of perfecting, which resulted in a beyond excellent quality cigar.  The cigar is a recent addition of La Flor and has hints of coffee and leather.  The De Ynclan cigar by La Flor is available either as a torpedo, a robusto, or as a Churchill.

WINSTON CHURCHILL THE LATE HOUR BY DAVIDOFF

This earthly cigar is far more different than the other mild-grade cigars from Winston.  This unique Late Hour variation was given a boost because of its famous namesake.  It has a full body because the leafs were aged for 6 month in scotch-whisky casks.  Winston Churchill The Late Hour is available in three separate sizes: toro, robusto and Churchill.

Image courtesy of Davidoff cigars

PARTAGAS HERITAGE

This kind of cigar was created in the Dominican Republic about 11 years ago.  The rosado wrapper is from the Olancho San Augustine valley in Honduras; it consists of Honduran Jamastran, Dominican piloto Cubano and Mexican San Andres tobaccos that subsequently creates a medium bodied smoke.  Four sizes are produced: robusto, Rothschild, Churchill and gigante.

Surgeon General Warning: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers of the Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering Introduces Four Special Classes For 2018

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering officially celebrates their 16th anniversary with the announcement of Four Special Classes to the premier automotive event: Lancia, Lamborghini, Porsche and RUF Cars.  The special selection features “The Great Lancias,” “50th Anniversary of the Espada & Islero,” “70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” and “The Alois Ruf Reunion,” all of which being nameplates that pay heritage to the Italian Marques and German automakers.  The celebration, which will once again be held during famed Monterey Car Week at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, welcomes these four spectacular classes as the centerpieces this year on Friday, August 24th.

“The Great Lancias” class will include many outstanding models that impeccably embody their Italian heritage.  Along with the special arrival of these Lancias’, which give off an intense flair of  Italian ingenuity, a 1974 Stratos HF Group IV, a 1955 Aurelia B24S and a 1988 Delta Intergrale 8V will be put on display, to just name a few.

Furthermore, the “50th Anniversary of the Espada & Islero” class introduces two of Lamborghini’s most classic and iconic V12-powered touring cars, which are respectably the 2+2 Espada that was named as one of Sant’Agata’s best-selling models and the low-production Islero GT.  It has been a total of five decades since both the Espada & Islero had their premier at the Geneva Motor Show, and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering have now the honor of displaying 21 of these classic automobiles for the event’s 16th anniversary.

Next up, The Quail pays homage to German automotive innovations and longstanding history by exhibiting the “70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” class, which comprises of time-honored vehicles that were a part of the first production sports cars from the Marque. This special class offers tribute to the legendary cars of the past like a 1951 356 Pre-A Split Window, a 1958 356 A Speedster, a 1965 356 C Coupe and many more vintage models.

And finally, “The Alois Ruf Reunion” symbolizes the sheer brilliance of German automotive manufacturing with a line-up of remarkable sports cars from RUF Automobile, which is headquartered in Pfaffenhausen, Germany.  This special class will be featuring the 1988 CTR “Yellowbird” #001, which RUF  themselves masterfully restored to an immaculate condition.  “Yellowbird,” with its newly added 710 horsepower CTR, will definitely make a spectacular North American debut during this year’s Monterey Car Week.  In addition to the 1988 “Yellowbird,” RUF also plans to deliver several other notable automobiles such as the CTR2, the RCT, and many other examples.

“To amp up the anticipation surrounding The Quail, we are featuring four new classes for car enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Guests of the show will be delighted to see a remarkable selection of cars that represent the Italian and German perspectives of automotive excellence.”

These four special classes were selected together in order to complement both the of pre and post-war classes across the enchanting verdant grasses of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, where they will be put on display. In fact, the prestigious Quail Lodge & Golf Club sets the stage for the Peninsula Signature Events such as The Quail Ride, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, The Quail Rally and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

Aside from the peerless line-up of distinguished vehicles exhibited throughout the event, The Quail will also be providing those in-attendance with a wide range of culinary pavilions, award-winning wines & spirits and a Fireside Chat Series in the luxurious yet cordial setting.  After viewing the exceptional vehicles on display as well as savoring the culinary delicacies and drinks, guests will later be lead to the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction, which is going to be held at the Quail Lodge Farm Field.

For those who are planning to attend the event and have yet to obtain their ticket, unfortunately, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is now sold out.  However, even if you missed this chance, you may still have the opportunity to purchase tickets by submitting a waitlist request online.  Additionally, there are alternative premium admissions such as The Quail Helicopter Ticket and The Quail Charitable Patron Ticket that are also available for purchase.

For further details about the available ticket options, visit:  FestivalTicketing.com

For more information about the event, visit:  SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com

Oceanco Reveals Their New 90-metre Superyacht Y717: Project Shark

Delivered by the prominent yacht builder, Oceanco, this new 90-metre (295 ft) superyacht makes waves with its contemporary exterior from DeBasto Design and its elegant and refined interior styling by Nuvolari Lenard.  Superyacht Y717 is a masterful creation that greatly differs from other current superyachts in a positive way to allow those on board to sail across the seas in absolute class, luxury, comfort and security. Y717 mirrors the same unique design DNA and technological installments that is distinctive of Oceanco’s awe-inspiring fleet.  The superyacht showcases the latest from the forefront of glass technology and, most impressively, it was the first yacht to be bestowed the official Lloyd’s Register Integrated Bridge System (IBS) notation and classification in the Netherlands.

“The profile has a unique sense of contrast and homogeneity between the dark glass and the white balconies, providing a constant exchange in shape and lines between the two elements,” says Luiz DeBasto. “My initial drawings may have looked like a futuristic concept, yet she is now a very real yacht on account of the execution made possible by the advanced technology of the Oceanco engineering team and by the vision of her experienced owner and his team.”

The aluminium superstructure of Y717 is fully finished in reflective glass, which, viewed from the interior, provides a sweeping floor-to-ceiling view from aft to port to starboard.  DeBasto made sure that, though the superyacht yeilds an immense amount of volume, it still prevails to be lengthy, sporty and slender.  This is especially significant when you compare these aspects with the heavy superstructures of which individualize many of the considerable large superyachts of today.

“The main theme is nature, starting from blossom cascades, and moving to feathers, fish, waves and so on,” says Valentina Zannier, chief interior designer and junior partner at Nuvolari Lenard. “It is all nicely integrated in a fluent feeling that would make every guest feel very comfortable in any room, any time of the day. The richness is almost invisible because it’s expressed by the quality of the details and the tasteful combination of complete bespoke finishes.”

The interior of the superyacht was skillfully integrated to complement and harmonize with the exterior.  Nuvolari Lenard previously stated that Y717’s owners decided to not use dark timbers and instead favored the exquisite and cultured use of materials and finishes like wallpaper, 3D lacquer, fine fabrics and loads of upholstery.  The interior layout featured many different tones of  sycamore fiddleback, minor specifics in tinted Brazilian carballo wood and the abundant use of maple bleached gray.  Furthermore, there are also additional accents such as bas-reliefs; metallic facades and 3D cut leather panels.

Given the moniker ‘Project Shark’, the superyacht greatly resembles the appearance of a hammerhead shark from the viewpoint of the wing stations; one would discover this when they stand on the wing stations that the contour of the mast bears a resemblance to a fin, whilst the sinuous accent of the steel hull below brings about a contrast.

The design of Oceanco’s Project Shark is such an ingenious design concept that it is going to inevitably play a huge part in revolutionizing the future of yachting designs.  Just like how a shark carries the important duty of keeping the ecosystem throughout the world’s oceans under control by ensuring a harmonious balance for marine life, Project Shark plays its part by leading a new direction to yacht design development that is sure to come.

Y717 was created with the thought of giving those aboard numerous outdoor living spaces and to allow them more time to connect with the nautical environment.  The whole upper deck is reserved solely for the owners, therefore it was designed without any walkaround corridors to allow for ultimate privacy.  The owners has full access to the outside via their own balconies, which not only engulfs the interior with light but also provides wondrous, all-encompassing views.  In addition, the owners has access to their own personal forward-facing Jacuzzi.

Also similarly relating to the aspects of a shark is the superyacht’s speed as Y717 can maintain a speed of 20 knots thanks to its 2 x MTU 4,828hp / 3,600kW MTU 20V 4000 M73L engine.

For more information visit:  www.BuiltByOceanCo.com

Naval architecture is by Oceanco / Azure