Latest news with #BenMcKimm
Man of Many
3 hours ago
- Business
- Man of Many
Etihad Airways Will Soon Fly its Flagship Airbus A350-1000 to Sydney, Here's What it's Like Onboard
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 2 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Etihad A350-1000 begins Sydney route 1 October 2025. Becomes exclusive daily service from 31 January 2026. Business Class includes sliding door, flat bed, wireless charging, 18.5' screen. Overall seat capacity grows 10%, premium seats increase 20%. Competes with Qatar A350 and Turkish Airlines' upcoming Istanbul route. Etihad Airways will fly its flagship latest-generation Airbus A350-1000 from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, and back from 1 October 2025 before it becomes an exclusive service from 31 January 2026. That means travellers will have access to one of the best business class services in the world from right here in Australia, an experiene that includes an 18.5-inch TV screen, built-in wireless charging dock, forward facing with direct aisle access, and seat that converts into a fully flat bed of 79 inches (200 cm) in length. The news comes after Turkish Airlines announced its non-stop Sydney to Istanbul service in December last year—set to begin in late 2026 on board a long-range version of the same Airbus A350-1000. Compared to Etihads Abu Dhabi service, the Turkish Airlines Sydney to Istanbul non-stop flight will open the door to more than 340 destinations across 130 countries on a one-stop itinerary, and considering our recent expeirence on-board a Turkish Airlines A350 from Istanbul to Jakarta, it's something we're looking forward to! Now, let's take a closer look at what you'll get on-board the Etihad Airways A350-1000 from Sydney to Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways A350-1000 | Image: Supplied / Etihad Airways Etihad Airways was ranked 9th on 2025 list and was only beaten by Korean Air, Qatar, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Japan Airlines, and Qantas. However, these rankings don't usually tell you the full story, as each route is different, with some airlines using older airplanes our of Australia, including Etihad Airways who was previously using the Boeing 777-300 ER before the current Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. We're yet to get on-board Etihad Airways out of Australia, but these are the best carriers we've experienced from Sydney: Qatar Airways Emirates Singapore Airlines Qantas Cathay Pacific Airways Delta Traditionally, airlines that aren't part of a major airline alliance like oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam struggle to attract loyal customers in Australia. However, Etihad's A350-1000 has one trick up its sleeve—it's one of two planes flying to the Middle East that offers a sliding door in Business Class. It will compete directly with Qatar Airways' Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 Qsuite out of Sydney. 'We are delighted to bring more premium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route,' said Arik De, Etihad's Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer. 'When the schedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by ten per cent, and premium seat count by over 20 per cent.' 'We have increased our flight frequencies to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity across our expanding global network. This growth provides more seamless travel options to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and also welcomes more visitors to our home in Abu Dhabi, where they can enjoy our exclusive stopover program, featuring one or two-night complimentary stays at a premium hotel.' Etihad Airways A350-1000 | Image: Supplied / Etihad Airways Etihad Airways A350-1000 | Image: Supplied / Etihad Airways Etihad Airways A350-1000 | Image: Supplied / Etihad Airways Etihad Airways A350-1000 | Image: Supplied / Etihad Airways The Etihad Airways A350-1000 service from Sydney to Abu Dhabi will start as a four time weekly service (Mon, Weds, Fri, Sat) from 1 October 2025 leaving at 21:30 pm while the Boeing 787-9 will service every other time slot from (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun) at 15:40 pm and Saturdays at 21:30 pm. The Airbus A350-1000 service will then replace the Boeing 787-9 service from from 31 January 2026 with the following time slots: EY450 Route: Abu Dhabi to Sydney Departure: 09:40 Arrival: 06:10 (+1 day) Days: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun EY451 Route: Sydney to Abu Dhabi Departure: 16:20 Arrival: 23:55 Days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun EY454 Route: Abu Dhabi to Sydney Departure: 21:55 Arrival: 18:35 (+1 day) Days: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun EY455 Route: Sydney to Abu Dhabi Departure: 21:30 Arrival: 05:00 (+1 day) Days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun Once it's fully deployed early next year, Etihad will have grown overall seat availability by 10% and premium seat count by over 20%. Business Class will account 44 Business Studios, and each has a sliding door, forward facing seat with direct aisle access, converts into a fully flat bed of 79 inches in length, Noise-cancelling headphones or Bluetooth headphone pairing, 18.5-inch TV screen, and built-in wireless charging dock. While business class onboard the new Etihad Airways A350-1000 from Sydney will be the flagship experience, there's also 327 Economy Smart Seats that feature the brands innovative recline feature alongside a 13-inch touch screen and Bluetooth headset pairing. Like other airlines, Etihad offers complimentary Chat packages on Wi-Fi, but you can also opt for full internet connectivity throughout the flight from Sydney to your chosen destination. More information about the new route can be found at the brands website, linked below.
Man of Many
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
32 Influencers Sink Rick Ross's 4,000HP Lamborghini Yacht in Miami
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 2 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 2 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Sometimes, the headlines write themselves. That's especially true when it comes to Miami influencers, Lamborghini Yachts, and rapper Rick Ross, whose 1 of 63 'Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63' yacht was recently sunk by a pod of influencers near Monument Island, South Beach. Commenting on a social media post, the rapper is one week away from hosting the 'biggest self-made car show in history' at his Fayetteville, Georgia, 'Promised Land' mansion. Now he's in nautical trouble after the 32 occupants aboard the Lamborghini Yacht were rescued by the US Coast Guard Southeast on the water near Monument Island around 5 p.m., May 3rd, 2025. Commercial salvage recovered the vessel, and now it's looking like one of the 63 Lamborghini yachts in existence is heading to scrap. Powered by two MAN V12 engines that produce 2,000HP each, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is one of the rarest and fastest yachts on the ocean. The top speed of 63 knots is only beaten by infamous vessels like Galeocerdo, World Is Not Enough, and Bollide. Notably, the carbon fibre construction (a typical element of the cars of Sant'Agata Bolognese) does reduce the capacity onboard—only five guests and two crew (seven people total) are allowed on board. Hilariously, those onboard seemed completely unfazed by the matter, and videos posted online show women sporting life vests, including one where a lady was holding onto an expensive bottle of tequila, remarking that the 'baby is safe' once the USCG arrived. Here in Australia, the yachting market is growing every quarter, and some believe it will reach 8% of the global yacht market within the next three years. There are two Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 yachts registered in Australia, both of which are owned and chartered by gambling mogul Laurence Escalante. Other celebrity owners include Conor McGregor and Cristiano Ronaldo. The price for the Lamborghini Yacht when new was around AUD$4-5 million, depending on the options chosen. Today, like many boats, that price has climbed to $7-8 million, and will likely climb again now that Rick Ross's Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 has dropped that number to 62.
Man of Many
3 days ago
- Business
- Man of Many
New Balance ‘Made in USA 1300JP': Hands-On With the $500 Sneaker That Releases Once Every 5 Years
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 30 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. The cherry on top of Grey Day 2025 is the New Balance Made in USA 1300JP, which is only released every five years. You rarely get the chance to get your hands on a near-handmade sneaker from one of the biggest brands on earth, but now's your chance as the 1300JP is set to be released on and New Balance The Galeries store beginning on May 29th, 2025, with a suggested retail price of AUD$500. It might sound crazy to spend this much money on a pair of sneakers, but the 1300JP is specially crafted in New Balance's Skowhegan, Maine, manufacturing facility. Here, it is produced with a level of detail, expertise, and premium quality that is quite frankly unrivalled in the sneaker world, especially amongst the top brands. 'The 1300JP is a shoe like no other, an emblem of the soul of New Balance, that is prized by collectors and appreciators around the globe,' said Shinichi Kubota, Vice President, New Balance Japan. 'Even before joining New Balance myself 34 years ago, I was inspired by my father's work with the brand on the innovative sole design for the original 1300JP. This legacy model has been a constant throughout my career at New Balance, from spending years perfecting the first reissue to working diligently on each subsequent launch to subtly evolve the style while remaining true to its roots.' New Balance 1300JP | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many To provide some historical context before I jump into my hands-on thoughts, the 1300JP was first released in 1985. It was known for its combination of technological innovation and premium materials, but it was never appreciated as a pure performance running shoe. It was all about comfort, style, and wearability, and people were happy to pay for it. When it was released, the New Balance 1300JP had a retail price of nearly USD$130, which significantly raised the ceiling for sneaker prices. That works out to be about AUD$460 in today's money! Sneakerheads know that this is a special shoe, but in an industry where cost-cutting is constantly changing (ruining) the most famous sneakers in the world, it's refreshing to see a brand reproduce a shoe in its original form with only minor changes. New Balance has kept the construction true to the shoe, with a slightly updated design that adds premium comfort and design features. Cushioning is provided by full-length ENCAP alongside premium materials, mostly nubuck and mesh. New Balance 1300JP | Image: Supplied / New Balance New Balance 1300JP | Image: Supplied / New Balance New Balance 1300JP | Image: Supplied / New Balance New Balance 1300JP | Image: Supplied / New Balance The first reissue of the 1300JP was in 1995. It has been released every five years, celebrating the brand's rich heritage and building anticipation for this extremely limited release every year since. It's one of those shoes that you almost don't want to put on your foot. You know it's going to be a comfortable shoe, but it's equally a work of art, constructed in a special factory that only produces the brand's most famous models. There's some 574-like design here, which was a takedown model that launched at a more affordable price-point back in the day, but has gone on to be a successful shoe in its own right. However, I find that this shoe has a more authentic appeal, utilising elevated materials and with meticulous craftsmanship. It's easy for me to see (and feel) why this shoe continues to capture the attention of fashion and sneaker culture every five years. 'With 2025's launch, we are excited to continue the 1300JP's legacy, showcasing the Confidential – Not for Public Consumption or Distribution design's timeless appeal to loyal fans and a new generation,' said Kubota. The 1300JP is set to be released on and New Balance The Galeries store beginning on May 29th, 2025, with a suggested retail price of AUD$500.
Man of Many
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Stunning BMW Concept Speedtop is a Modern ‘Clown Shoe' That's Limited to 70 Vehicles
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 27 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Rarer than an E90-generation BMW M3 GTS (150 examples), the limited-run BMW Concept Speedtop is made for collectors and enthusiasts with the most powerful V8 engine currently offered by BMW. Unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2025, it's a modern-day take on 'sporty Touring,' meaning it's a weekender with enough space in the back to fit two people's luggage. Like the 50 limited edition BMW Concept Skytops released last year, the BMW Concept Speedtop will be hard to get your hands on. If you haven't got the call to secure one of the 70 vehicles heading into production (rumoured to cost around €510,000), you've likely missed out! It draws similarity to the famous Z3 M 'Clown Shoe' with a shark-nose design, slim front lights, illuminated kidney grilles, and a central spline that runs from the bonnet over the roof to the rear spoiler to give it the 'dynamic Touring profile.' BMW Z3 2.8 coupe | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW 3.0 CSL | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW Concept Skytop | Image: BMW Like the BMW 3.0 CSL retro unveiled in 2022 and the BMW Concept Skytop unveiled in 2024, the new BMW Concept Speedtop continues the trend of limited edition, low production vehicles for BMW. Not only does this formula keep well-off brand enthusiasts involved in a world of tightening global emissions laws, but it's a guaranteed way to make a few million dollars in the process. Look at what Aston Martin has accomplished with the Valhalla, Valkyrie, Valiant, etc., to see how successful this is. Heck, look at most watch brands! Drawing our attention to the design again, you'll notice how the colour gradient on the roof shifts from 'Floating Sunstone Maroon' to 'Floating Sundown Silver,' to emphasise this 'dynamic Touring profile.' Broad shoulders and two-tone, 14-spoke wheels, designed specifically for the BMW Concept Speedtop, round out the key design features. 'The BMW Concept Speedtop is characterised first of all by its profile,' continued Hooydonk. 'It is very unique in the automotive industry. In this way, we have created an exclamation mark for our entire lineup of vehicles, especially for the Touring models.' BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW While BMW has made it their mission to add recycled materials and leather alternatives inside their standard production cars, the BMW Concept Speedtop throws all that out the window in search of premium leathers and traditional brogue-style details. Produced at the Manufactory workshop at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing in collaboration with traditional Italian manufacturer Schedoni, the two-tone colours are the most eye-catching details inside, where that 'Floating Sunstone Maroon' exterior paint carries over into the interior alongside a brown 'Sundown Maroon' contrasted by the light 'Moonstone White' of the seats. Dynamic and functional areas are split by these colours while the roof spline on the exterior is mirrored as a light beam on the two-tone leather headliner, extending into the luggage compartment. Like a coachbuilt car of yesteryear, even the trunk area is leather-covered and refined with brogue-style perforations. Here, the boot is split into two sections, one allows large items of luggage to be stowed inside for multi-day trips, and the other is for smaller items. Behind the seats, a custom-made storage area with leather straps to provide space for two of Schedoni's made-to-measure bags. You can even pick up a matching weekend bag for storing in the trunk. BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW BMW Concept Speedtop | Image: Supplied / BMW Under the skin, the BMW Concept Speedtop is based on the current BMW 8 Series. More specifically, the M8 Competition, and that means it features the same 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and should accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in around 3.2 seconds. 'Last year, the presentation of the BMW Concept Skytop at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on Lake Como generated great enthusiasm among connoisseurs and automotive enthusiasts,' said Bernd Körber, Senior Vice President BMW Brand and Product Management. 'This led to a strictly limited production run of 50 units. Thanks to this positive response, this year we have decided to also offer the BMW Concept Speedtop in a limited production series of 70 units. This extraordinary vehicle is now available for order. We are pleased to be able to offer collectors and enthusiasts another exclusive model.'
Man of Many
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Chery's iCar Off-Road Brand Confirmed for Australia, Electric V23 Model On the Cards
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 23 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Chery's off-road EV brand 'iCar' set to launch in Australia after the UK by next year Name changed to 'iCaur' due to trademark issue The first vehicle is likely to be V23 compact off-roader to rival the Suzuki Jimny Expected to be priced less than AUD$40,000 plus on-roads One of the stars of the Shanghai Auto Show, Chery's off-road brand 'iCar,' is confirmed for Australia. The first car to arrive for local markets will be the iCar V23, according to a company representative who spoke to 'Because Jaecoo has the 03 exported already, we're going to do the V23 under iCaur (for overseas markets).' The V23 is a compact electric off-roader and soon-to-be range-extender hybrid that will be available to 'global markets' from mid-2026. With Jeep Wrangler vibes and a length (4,220 mm) that would place it closer to a five-door Suzuki Jimny (3,965mm), the car will appeal to prospective buyers who want an off-road aesthetic, but will likely never leave the inner city streets of Sydney or Melbourne. The car, which reminds us of Apple's scrapped EV project, will arrive with a different name to avoid trademark issues. Set to be called 'iCaur,' the V23 will likely be followed by the larger Jeep Wrangler-sized V25 hybrid SUV in late 2026 before the smaller V21 electric SUV arrives in 2027. Here's everything you need to know! iCar V23 | Image: Supplied / iCar While it looks like a Temu car, it ticks all the usual SUV design cues with those chunky wheel-arches, slab-sided proportions and mean-looking front-end. Hence, despite being just 4,220mm in length, it sure does pack a punch in terms of sheer road presence. Despite its small stature, performance is just fine, and certainly better than a Suzuki Jimny because of that EV powertrain. Expect both the single and dual motor versions to arrive in Australia, and here's what power and range look like: Single-motor iCar V23 (China specifications) : 100kW/180Nm 47 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery Up to 300km range (CLTC) : Dual-motor Single-motor iCar V23 (China specifications) : 155kW 81 kWh (NMC) battery Up to 500km range (CLTC) : What stands out the most is that 300km range (CLTC) figure—it might not be enough. The CLTC cycle is far more lenient than the WLTP figure standard in Australia, and we'd only expect 250km of WLTP range when certified for our market. We don't see how this is enough to make it a true off-roader for Australia. It won't have enough range to make it out of the city, but the range-extender hybrid that's rumoured to arrive later could fix this issue. Despite the tough looks, off-road ability is limited. The iCar V23 has only 210mm ground clearance, which is similar to a Toyota RAV4 (213 mm). On a positive note, it does have 43- and 41-degree approach and departure angles, which should help it out on steep carpark entries and exits. iCar V23 | Image: Supplied / iCar On the inside, the interior looks reasonably plush, while the steering wheel looks like a Range Rover and is flanked by actual buttons and a massive 15.4-inch touchscreen, which is standard fare these days. The large infotainment system runs a Snapdragon 8155 chip in China, and you get safety features like ADAS, all-around cameras and more. Whether or not all of these features arrive in overseas markets like Australia is still up for question, but they usually do. Storage-wise, boot capacity is an ample 744 litres. Publications, including Autocar and Drive, say that the iCar V23 is going to arrive in the UK by next year, meaning we should expect an Australian market launch a bit later in the year. In China, the V23 is priced between 99,800 to 139,800 yuan (AUD$21,500 to AUD$30,000), which does suggest that it could arrive in Australia with a targeted price of less than AUD$40,000 before on-road costs. It all depends on how much it costs to swap that 'iCar' badge to one that says 'iCaur.' Strange name, isn't it?!
