logo
Rolls-Royce Phantom celebrates 100 years with art collection

Rolls-Royce Phantom celebrates 100 years with art collection

TimesLIVEa day ago
The Rolls-Royce Phantom, the marque's pinnacle nameplate, celebrates its centenary year in 2025, though the British luxury brand was founded in 1904 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.
More than eight generations and 100 years, this car has been owned by some of the most famous creatives in modern history.
Masters including Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Christian 'Bébé' Bérard and Cecil Beaton all travelled by Rolls-Royce while Dame Laura Knight, the first woman elected to full membership of the Royal Academy of Arts, used a Rolls-Royce as a mobile studio, painting from its interior.
With the Phantom's 100th birthday in mind, and the close links with the arts, the marque has selected the story of the eccentric Spanish artist Dalí and a Rolls-Royce car to commission two special artworks inspired by Dalí's moments with a Phantom — the first a cauliflower-filled Phantom on a cold winter day in December 1955 and the other inspired by Andy Warhol — one of the most influential artists of the 20th century — seen by many as Dalí's natural successor.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Aston Martin F1 Realme smartphone lands in SA
Aston Martin F1 Realme smartphone lands in SA

The Citizen

timean hour ago

  • The Citizen

Aston Martin F1 Realme smartphone lands in SA

The smartphone features IceSense Graphene technology. As the competition in mobile technology accelerates, Realme has launched the GT 7 Dream Edition in South Africa. The mobile phone was created in collaboration with the Aston Martin Formula One team. While F1 teams are no strangers to partnering with tech companies, the collaborations bring a sense of speed to technology to entice users. F1 collabs Last month, Bowers & Wilkins, the British audio pioneers, announced a new chapter in their partnership with iconic performance brand McLaren. Google, Dell, Lenovo, Cisco and Oracle are just some of the tech companies whose names are splashed across F1 cars as they race around tracks across the globe. The launch of the new Realme flagship falls in line with the company's strategy to double its global user base and establish itself as a major player in the high-end segment. ALSO READ: Huawei Pura 80 Series launches in SA putting a photography studio in your pocket Features The co-branded GT 7 Dream Edition features a Racing Green finish, two-wing aerodynamic design, and an engraved silver wings badge. It also comes with a collector's box including a themed case and F1 SIM card pin. Unlike F1 cars, which have small batteries that last just for the duration of the race, The Realme GT 7 Dream Edition is equipped with a 7,000mAh battery and 120W fast charging. The smartphone can reach 50% charge in 14 minutes and a full charge in 40 minutes. 'The GT series has consistently positioned itself as an AI performance flagship, delivering groundbreaking advancements with each iteration,' said Jace Chen, Country Manager at Realme. 'Motorsport fans, gamers, and tech enthusiasts will especially appreciate the luxury design, speed, multitasking ability, and camera intelligence we have integrated into a flagship smartphone'. Graphene The smartphone features IceSense Graphene technology, also in Huawei foldable phones, to offer higher thermal conductivity, 360° heat dissipation, The GT 7 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e chipset, built on the 4nm process from TSMC. The display is a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of 6000 nits and IP69-rated dust and water resistance. Price As the successor to the Realme GT6, the company claims the Realme GT 7 series is a 'flagship killer that offers a unique blend of power, functionality and value for money.' Priced at a recommended retail price of R18,999 the Realme GT 7 has tough competition from the like of Samsung with its recently launched Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE retailing at about R18 499 and the Huawei Pura 80 baes starting at R20 000. ALSO READ: Battle of the bulge: Samsung unveils new thinner Galaxy Z Fold 7 [VIDEO]

VIDEO: MG Cyberster reignites iconic brand's wow factor of old
VIDEO: MG Cyberster reignites iconic brand's wow factor of old

The Citizen

time5 hours ago

  • The Citizen

VIDEO: MG Cyberster reignites iconic brand's wow factor of old

All-electric two-door roadster brings supercar performance to the table at a fraction of the price. The adage that 'timing is everything' could not be more applicable to MG's recent return to South Africa. If the Chinese-owned iconic British marque's local re-entry was any sooner, it would have struggled to stand out with only SUVs to offer. This space is so saturated with models from the Far East that all of them are starting to look like copy-and-paste jobs from an SUV design app. But the 101-year-old carmaker had an ace up its sleeve in the form of the MG Cyberster, the world's first all-electric, two-seater, soft-top sports car. The R1.4-million niche ride is never going to be a volume seller stimulating the brand's cash flow. That is what its ZS and HS SUVs are there for. What the Cyberster does bring to the table is the kind of wow factor that MG cars of old were renowned for long before its ill-fated second local stint from 2011 to 2016. MG Cyberster a site to behold The Citizen Motoring can write books about the attention much more expensive exotic cars, we occasionally cruise around in, gets. Yet the admiration for the MG Cyberster clad in Flare Red paintwork we spent a week in was off the charts. Few things can match the sight of a car with scissors doors. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Whether the car was actually penned at holding company SAIC's Active Design in London, an important reference to the brand's proud British heritage, or in China where it is built, the designers did a great job. In paying homage to the famous MGB Roadster from the 1960s, the Cyberster's electric-operated soft top, Union Jack-inspired taillights, sleek lines and stunning 20-inch machine-faceted alloys with red callipers set the scene for the ultimate party trick; electric scissor doors with frameless windows. Before the MG Cyberster, the rare sight of car doors lifting up was only associated with supercars like the Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren Arturo. And then only valets at polo clubs got to see them up close and personal. That is why the Cyberster drew the kind of crowds at did even at the local Spar. Onlookers had a tough time keeping their jaws up seeing the doors being opening and closing with a choice of three switches in and outside the car, as well as from the remote key. ALSO READ: PODCAST: MG banks on heritage to boost South Africa return Gaming-type cockpit The interior does an excellent job of not being outdone by the smashing exterior detail. Only offered along with the red exterior, our tester's interior was finished in red and black. This configuration comprises black leather, piano black and brushed chrome finishes along with red suede inlays on the sports seats, doors and centre console and a red leather steering wheel. The tri-cluster screen creates racing sim-type vibes. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe The cockpit feels like a racing simulator with the heated steering wheel set in front of a tri-cluster surround screen. The latter features a 7-inch infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital cluster and 7-inch driving information screen. Climate is controlled via a digital screen on the centre console which features alongside an aircraft-like gear selector. The infotainment system comes standard with Premium Bose sound played over eight speakers and Apple Carplay and Android Auto. One little oddity was that these do not operate wirelessly, while there is also no wireless phone charger. ALSO READ: Prices revealed as MG officially relaunches in South Africa Let's go racing You get carried away so easily by all the Cyberster's prettiness that you almost forget this is a sports car. And traditionally that means there are some serious horses underneath the bonnet. Or watts in this case. The Cyberster's 77kWh lithium-ion battery drives two electric motors producing a total of 375kW of power and 725Nm of torque. And even though the car weighs a tad under two tons, almost what a double cab bakkie weighs nowadays, it still managed to dart from 0 to 100km/h in a mere 3.57 seconds during Road Test Editor Mark Jones' test. That is the exact number Mark clocked in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS a few years ago. The MG Cyberster only needed another 11.06 seconds to reach 200km/h before the limiter kicks in at 208km/h. But enthusiastic driving with the Sport or Super Sport diving modes activated does take its toll on the battery. The claimed range of around 400km can come down very quickly if you have too much fun. The good news is only took half an hour to go from 30 to 80% at a 120kW DC charger. Why it makes sense Double wishbone suspension at the front and five-link rear suspension creates of solid ride that is not overly firm, albeit you do tend to feel the car's weight on uneven roads. The taillights resemble the Union Jack. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe There are four regenerative braking modes that allows effortless one-pedal driving. Augmented soundtracks is also offered to try and fool your brain into believing it comes from the motors. The MG Cyberster is so easy to drive fast that purists will probably scoff at it for lacking a soul. Or an engine and high-revving exhaust notes. They'd be right, it can never stir your soul like the said 911 GT3 does. But this car is not about appeasing old school petrolheads. For younger generations whose world is sculpted by what they see on their devices, the Cyberster is as aspirational as the MG roadsters of old were to their grandparents. And for recreating that, at a fraction of the price of a supercar, MG can take a bow. MG Cyberster test data

Love and literature: turning the pages on the heartfelt journey in 'My Oxford Year'
Love and literature: turning the pages on the heartfelt journey in 'My Oxford Year'

IOL News

timea day ago

  • IOL News

Love and literature: turning the pages on the heartfelt journey in 'My Oxford Year'

Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest in 'My Oxford Year'. Image: X The transformative power of romantic relationships has, for generations, formed the premise of classic movies, the arcs of beloved television series and the inspiration behind hit songs. 'My Oxford Year', a new Netflix romantic comedy, is the latest offering which chronicles a love story so heartbreaking, you will be wiping your tears long after the credits have rolled. What elevates this production, which remains one of the streamer's most popular movies since it was released at the beginning of August, is the gut-wrenching plot twist, which has sparked a fierce debate online. Its fresh cast of American and British talents has done an excellent job at portraying the vast range of emotions - from comedy to bliss and heartbreak - that the genre demands. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Sofia Carson, the film's leading lady, has also been receiving raving reviews, and she commands the role with the same enigmatic grace which earned her plaudits for 'Purple Heart' and "The Life List", other Netflix movies which had viewers in their feels. She is brilliantly complemented by UK actor Corey Mylchreest, who plays Carson's love interest. Corey Mylchreest and Sofia Carson in a scene from 'My Oxford Year'. Image: X Their chemistry is electrified, and their dynamic makes for a convincing young couple who are trying to make their mark in the world while being delivered a cruel bout of fate. Meanwhile, the supporting cast, which includes Poppy Gilbert, Dougray Scott, Harry Trevaldwyn and Catherine McCormack, also brings a vibrant yet poignant edge to this captivating story. And behind the camera, director Iain Morris, who helmed this riveting film, which is based on Allison Burnett's original screenplay, has done wonders to provide a fresh spin on a hugely popular genre. 'My Oxford Year' opens with Anna De La Vega (Carson), a highly ambitious American student, travelling to study Victorian poetry for a year at the University of Oxford in England. On her first day, she meets Jamie Davenport (Mylchreest), and their first few initial meetings were anything but a fairytale. Jamie drenches Anna in a puddle of dirty water as he speeds past the pavement she is walking on. They later meet at a fish and chip shop, and Anna is not impressed when she finds Jamie trying to hide from his ex-girlfriend. Thinking he is a playboy, she doesn't think much of him and is instead determined to fulfil her lifelong dream of studying poetry at Oxford. Things take another unexpected turn when Anna realises that Jamie is going to be teaching one of her classes. Looking for a way to blow off some steam after things don't go as she had always envisioned, Anna goes to a local pub with her new friends. She ends up spending a romantic night with Jamie as he shows her around her new surroundings, and they share a star-lit stroll. After weeks of trying to deny their connection, a grand romantic gesture around their mutual love of books sees them kick off a steamy romance. This takes them out of their comfort zones and forces them to re-evaluate everything in their lives Anna and Jamie bond over their love of literature as they begin to integrate themselves into each other's lives. The couple introduce each other to new passions as they challenge each other to grow and rid themselves of past traumas. Corey Mylchreest and Sofia Carson in a scene from 'My Oxford Year'. Image: X In this typical case of how opposites attract, Jamie teaches Anna to be less obsessive about taking control and to live in the moment while she teaches him to confront his emotions and to repair his strained family relationships. But as their love story continues to strengthen, Anna is devastated when she learns of a secret which Jamie has been keeping - one that threatens to derail the rest of her life forever. With its themes of love, loss, mortality and the power of dreams, it is no wonder that 'My Oxford Year' has been moving up the trending list. Despite its intense emotional storyline, the movie's intelligent infusion of comedy helps to reflect a multi-faceted story which includes an abundance of both heart and humour. And when you are not sobbing at the fate of the leading lovers, it also does a stellar job of transporting viewers into the idyllic world of Oxford, dubbed the "City of Dreaming Spires'. It gives streamers the chance to escape into this love story, which plays out in this historic English, its prestigious university and its stunning architecture. Overall, it teaches us that while not everything we love is meant to stay, even the fleeting can mark an entire life. * I give it a four out of five stars.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store