Latest news with #Koenigsegg
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Private jet boss gets a parking ticket when he leaves his £2.2million Koenigsegg hypercar in Kensington
A private jet boss was hit with a parking ticket after leaving his £2million Koenigsegg Jesko hypercar on a street in Kensington. The luxury car, which belongs to Ameerh Naran, the CEO of Vimana Private Jets, was pictured with the bright yellow fine slapped on its bonnet outside Dishoom in west London. While the supercar, worth around $3,000,000 (£2,228,742) sat on Derry Street, the entrepreneur enjoyed lunch at the Rooftop Gardens, according to his Instagram. A parking charge notice (PCN) issued by the borough of Kensington and Chelsea can cost £160, however this can be reduced by half is paid within a 14-day period. This type of Koenigsegg model boasts a 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 1280 horsepower on regular fuel and a 1600 horsepower on E85 fuel. The car can go from 0 to 62mph in only 2.79, with a staggering estimated top speed of 310mph. Mr Naran, 39, heads one of the 'most sought after private jet services in the world', his website says, boasting access to more than 5,000 aircrafts across the globe. Originally from Zimbabwe, he first stepped foot into the aviation at the age of 23, and has since developed an opulent clientele which includes politicians as well as royals. In an 2020 interview with Forbes, Mr Naran revealed plans to launch a hypercar with 1048-horsepower, 5-litre, twin turbo engine, stemming from a childhood dream. The CEO was once a promising racing driver in his youth, but due to a lack of financial backing, his career on the track never sped off. However off the back of advice from former Jaguar design director, Ian Callum, and head of design at BMW Adrian van Hooydonk, he studied industrial product and automotive design at university. 'Growing up in Zimbabwe I decided my purpose in life was to build cars and I've been obsessed ever since,' he said in 2020: 'I told my parents at the age of four that's what I would do.' And despite earning credits and celebrity endorsements from the likes of the Kardashians, the entrepeneur was always desperate to find his way 'back into cars', establishing his own car manufacturer, Naran Automotive. It comes after the businessman previously revealed his average client spending a staggering around $1,000,000 (£742,914) a month on 'personal family travel'. According to the CEO, Paris and Geneva are among the top destinations for Vimana clients, who mainly come from Asia, the Middle East and the US. In 2024, Mr Naran said he used freight forwarding licence to transport clients' purchases means that while shoppers pay VAT on goods as they buy them. But when the items are taken to their destination outside the European Economic Area, the tax is reimbursed by a company called SkyBlue Exports, which earns a percentage of the VAT as a fee. Among the companies the private airline broker works with are top-end jewellers like Ferrara Diamonds and Catherine Best among others, as well as pricy department store Harrods and British stalwart Asprey London, which sells luxury versions of items like jewellery, home wear, and handbags. According to Mr Naran, he previously had a client who receives a monthly budget from her husband to spend on clothes of $2,000,000 (£1,485,828). MailOnline has contacted Mr Naran for comment. His parking fine debacle comes after a disgruntled Michael McIntyre had his £195,000 Mercedes sportscar towed away from the same street. The comedian, 49, was photographed in May speaking to an official as his high-end £195,000 vehicle was hoisted on to the back of a lorry with its wheels clamped. Michael looked unimpressed as he had an animated discussion with an official, who wore a yellow hi-vis jacket as builders watched on. The funnyman looked dapper in a navy suit and pink shirt while he sported his signature square glasses for his unfortunate outing into the city. Michael's vehicle, a Mercedes-AMG GT R, had been hoisted on to the back of a tow truck as it was moved from the street. The TV star's vehicle was towed after it was parked in a parking bay reserved for police vehicles.
Top Gear
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Mamma mia! This new Italian hypercar gets a 7.0-litre quad-turbo V12 that makes 2,127bhp
Supercars It could be the second most powerful production car in history, and it'll send all of that grunt through the rear wheels Skip 19 photos in the image carousel and continue reading How's your capacity to contextualise numbers? Reckon you've got a fairly good understanding of what 100bhp, 300bhp and 500bhp feel like in a car? Well, prepare to have your tiny mind blown, because this new Italian hypercar is claiming 2,127bhp . That isn't a typo. We really do mean well over 2,000bhp. And heck, it's not like that power comes from a couple of electric motors a la Lotus Evija. It's not even a punchy-V8-plus-hybrid system. In fact, this thing deploys a quad-turbo V12 that also happens to shove out 1,481lb ft of torque. These are numbers that make the 2,031bhp Hennessey Venom F5 Evolution and the 1,775bhp Bugatti Tourbillon look like golf buggies. If it makes it, it'll be the second most powerful production car in history after the 2,269bhp hybrid V8 Koenigsegg Gemera. Advertisement - Page continues below The car itself is called the Katla, and it has been unveiled in Modena by a new company called Giamaro Automobili. The former apparently comes from an Icelandic volcano (although not the one that stopped us all going on holiday in 2010), while the latter describes itself as 'a new force in the world of ultra-high-performance motoring – a brand defined by vision, soul, and technical audacity'. Modest, too. We'll forgive a little bit of self-congratulation if this thing actually does reach proper production, though. Apparently the dry-sumped engine was 'developed entirely in-house from the ground up' and features a 120-degree hot V configuration. Quite how all four turbos are supposed to fit between the cylinder banks remains to be seen. Let alone cooling the things down. You might like There'll be three separate keys to unlock different stages of power. A white key apparently limits the car to somewhere between 395bhp and 789bhp, which Giamaro says is for 'calm and confident driving'. Not quite sure 'calm' will come into it if it's up near the 800bhp mark, but it'll certainly be less intense than if you use the black key. That opens up 1,647bhp, before the final red key allows access to the full 2,127bhp. We'd imagine at this point you'll need to sign a waiver, write a will and pray to whichever god will listen, because the Katla's power is sent through a seven-speed CIMA automated manual gearbox (although an 11-speed dual-clutch is apparently also in development) and a mechanical limited-slip diff to the rear wheels alone. Yep, it's rear-wheel drive. Good grief. No word on top speed or 0-62mph times just yet, but we do know that it weighs just 1,450kg. Advertisement - Page continues below That's mostly thanks to the bespoke carbon fibre monocoque that tips the scales at 170kg. All of the suspension components are CNC-machined from solid bits of aluminium, and we're told that it's both 'active and intelligent'. Not to brag, but we had a school report that said something along those lines once. Anyway, the Katla will get adjustable dampers and ride height, plus a heave spring at both the front and rear. There are carbon ceramic brake discs to try and slow the thing down, plus the active rear wing turns into a giant airbrake. It actually looks fantastic too, doesn't it? Shouty and aggressive enough so that you know not to mess with it, but not so over the top that it looks like it has been crashed backwards through a carbon fibre factory. Giamaro says that all of the bodywork and styling has been sculpted around the engine, hence the presence of those two giant roof scoops. 'Its proportions are deliberately rear-biased,' says Giamaro's press release. Still room for a classic hypercar reference up front though, because those square intakes that also house the DRLs are apparently inspired by jet fighters. The interior also takes inspiration from aviation, although Giamaro is keen to point out that it isn't 'falling into imitation'. Anyone else hearing the start of a rap there? The centre console is apparently shaped like the control panel from a fighter jet, and then you'll get two screens plus plenty of exposed carbon fibre and aluminium. Sounds like a go on the configurator might be a full day's work too, because Giamaro wants every single Katla to be unique. That means it's not just the colour and trim you'll be picking, but also the steering feel, suspension tuning and throttle mapping. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. 'We don't build cars for customers — we build them with them,' said company founders Giacomo and Pierfrancesco Commendatore. 'That's the only way to create the kind of authentic bond that transforms each vehicle into a personal expression — an extension of who you are, and how you move through the world. 'For us, a car must be more than fast or beautiful. It must stir something deeper — it must transcend. It must connect with the person who lives it, becoming an extension of their identity.' Skip 6 photos in the image carousel and continue reading But wait, what's this same-same-but-different version lurking in the shadows above? Well, not content with unveiling one car, Giamaro decided that it should also show off its second at the same time. This one is known as the Albor and takes its name from a remote volcano on Mars. You can see where this is going can't you? Yes, it is an off-road hypercar. The Albor will get the same carbon tub and ludicrous quad-turbo V12 as the Katla, but there's more ground clearance and a more dramatic design. No word on whether it'll be all-wheel drive or not though. Could be interesting if it's still sending 2,000bhp+ through the rear wheels on loose gravel. Still, that's about all we know of Giamaro so far. Stay tuned to for more info as we get it though, because when a company describes its vision simply as 'Why Not?' we reckon it's worth paying attention to…
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Controversial Block bidder Adrian Portelli unveils his 'fresh' multi million-dollar private jet as it's revealed he will face trial over unlawful lottery charges
Adrian Portelli is certainly no stranger to living the high life. And the controversial Block bidder took to Instagram on Thursday to give followers another sneak peek into his lavish lifestyle. Portelli, 36, shared a series of images that showed his luxe private jet sporting a sleek new paint job. The jet, which Portelli purchased in March last year for an undisclosed sum, had been given a facelift with a stylish black paint job along the top of the plane. It also featured a chic gold strip, as well as his initials AP, emblazoned in gold on the jet's rudder. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the . The photos also featured Portelli's Koenigsegg Jesko Attack sports car, worth a reputed $3million, parked alongside the luxury aircraft. 'Here she is,' Portelli captioned the jealousy-inducing post. 'AIR AP looking fresh with a full new respray.' The post was met with a flurry of comments from Portelli's 506,000 followers, including Aussie actress Nicky Whelan who responded with a series of fire emojis. 'Man I need to get more money,' one fan offered while another chimed in with: 'I shop at ALDI.' Others were quick to point out the similarities between the scene and the controversial video game franchise Grand Theft Auto. 'GTA6 never looked so real,' one follower quipped. The reality star has been travelling the world in the sleek jet, which has his initials stamped on its tail, since he announced the extravagant purchase in March 2024. The jet, which Portelli purchased in March last year for an undisclosed sum, had been given a facelift with a stylish black paint job along the top of the plane. It also featured a chic gold strip as well as his initials AP emblazoned in gold on the jet's rudder In June, the Herald Sun reported the twin-engine jet, a 2001 Bombardier Global Express, was last owned by the late Melbourne advertising man Harvey Mitchell. An expert source informed Daily Mail Australia that Portelli could have spent as much as $15 to $16 million on the aircraft, which can accommodate 21 passengers and fly distances of up to 12,7137km nonstop. Mitchell spent $5.6million purchasing the aircraft from Crown casinos in 2018, reported the AFR in 2018. According to Global the plane was first introduced to the market in 1991, and manufacturing ceased in 2006. One hundred and fifty of the jets are still operational. Features include an air speed of 1126km/h, a full galley and entertainment system. Portelli flaunted the luxury item while taking an overseas jaunt earlier this year. In a series of pictures shared to his Instagram in July, the rich-lister told followers that 'flying around the world in my private jet', was a highlight of the trip. He announced the purchase of the jet in March, posting a photo of himself standing in front of the breathtaking new investment as he held his, then one-month-old son, Mercy. 'I did a thing... Welcome to AIR AP,' he boasted in the caption of the Instagram post. Portelli's latest extravagance comes after it was revealed that he will face trial on charges of conducting an unlawful lottery over a promotion in which the major prize was a house from the reality show The Block or $3million in cash. He is charged with nine counts of conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery in South Australia. His business Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which trades under the name LMCT+, has also been charged with 10 counts of the same offence. Portelli appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court in May via audio link for a pre-trial conference. The charges, instigated by SA's Consumer and Business Services, allege Portelli's business did not hold a licence to conduct the lotteries in SA. Prosecutors asked for 'basic AVL facilities' to play videos at the trial, while defence counsel said it would call two witnesses to give evidence. Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal has listed a trial for September 4 to 5. If convicted on all charges, Portelli and his company could face a maximum penalty of $190,000. Portelli gained fame as the 'Lambo Guy' in 2022, after arriving at a house auction for The Block in a yellow Lamborghini. In the 2024 series of the reality show, he spent $15.03 million to acquire all five homes on offer.
Tom's Guide
17-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just tested this new DJI drone that combines aerial and mirrorless camera prowess — and I can't get enough of it
It shouldn't come as a surprise that, right now, DJI is dominating the consumer drones market. The Chinese tech giant has put out one hit product after another with the likes of the DJI Air 3S, the DJI Neo, and the DJI Flip. As the in-house drones expert, I've covered these products extensively, often raving about how the Air 3S brings me unbridled joy, and that I can't stop thinking about flying the Neo. And just when I thought it couldn't get better, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro took flight. On average, I review four or five products a week, and it isn't often that a product blows me away. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro improves on its predecessor by introducing 6K/60fps video, 100MP stills powered by a Hasselblad camera, and a brand new RC Pro 2 controller that makes flying a breeze. With a long flight time and 5-star performance across the board, it's the ideal drone for commercial and personal use — as long as you don't mind the weight restrictions. A 5-star rating isn't a common occurrence at Tom's Guide, but the Mavic 4 Pro earned the rare rating from me for a number of reasons, like its 100MP Hasselblad camera, 6K/60fps video capabilities, and ease of use, and we need to talk about that new RC Pro 2 controller, and we will in this feature. The Mavic 4 Pro is nothing short of a flying Hasselblad — let me show you why. Before I get into why I've fallen head over heels for the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, I want to talk about the new DJI RC Pro 2 controller. You can get the drone with the RC-2 controller (which you can see in my DJI Air 3S review) which is great in its own right, but you can always opt for the Creator Combo which adds 512GB of internal storage to the drone and comes with the RC Pro 2 — and I believe it's worth the extra spend. The RC Pro 2 improves on its predecessor by introducing a flip-up screen which hides the joysticks. The 7-inch mini LED touchscreen is large and its ability to flip out makes for better viewing. It's also extremely bright at 2000 nits. For context, the first-gen RC Pro is rated at 1000 nits while the RC-2 is rated at 700. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. DJI has designed the RC Pro 2 to display colors and footage as accurately and true to life as possible, and if you're shooting in D-Log/D-Log M, the screen will show exactly what the RAW footage looks like. Another design choice I really like that makes flying intuitive is that the drone's gimbal rotates if the screen is rotated at a 90° angle for vertical viewing. The Mavic 4 Pro supports 4K vertical recording, and you don't need to manually change the shooting setting from horizontal to vertical — just flip the screen. That is cool. There's also an HDMI port for streaming and built-in mics, and there's enough to talk about that I could dedicate a whole article just to the controller (and I will). We all know the name Hasselblad. My editor described the Hasselblad X2D 100C as "the Koenigsegg of cameras" — and he isn't wrong. The brand oozes luxury, and its cameras don't come cheap. You may also know that DJI owns Hasselblad (and if you didn't, you do now). And I fully believe that the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the cheapest way of getting a (flying) Hasselblad. The drone has three cameras, and one of them is the main Hasselblad cam. The Mavic 4 Pro is fitted with a 4/3-inch Micro Four Thirds 100MP Hasselblad CMOS sensor. This is the most advanced camera on a consumer drone (yet), and it takes stunning photos with lots and lots of detail and (very) faithful color reproduction. A picture paints a thousand words, they say, so I'll let the gallery above do the talking. These are some of the best photos I've taken with a drone (or camera, even) so far. The compilation of footage above was shot in 4K/60fps with the main Hasselblad camera, and I don't think I've seen smoother footage from a drone before. You can also shoot in 6K/60fps and 4K/120fps slow motion. What's even better is that the Hasselblad camera captures 10-bit 4:2:2 video, which means it's capable of capturing 1.07 billion individual hues. I should, however, point out that the Mavic 4 Pro isn't currently available to buy in the U.S. DJI confirmed that it has had to "adjust [its] market strategy as local conditions and the industry environment have evolved." So while pilots in the rainy British isles, Europe, Australia and most other parts of the world can enjoy all the goodies the Mavic 4 Pro has to offer, Americans can't. And that's a real shame. I sincerely hope that changes. The Mavic 4 Pro is the ultimate drone and it's a game-changer in the field of aerial photography. I would hate for anyone to miss out on this drone. No other piece of tech has given me such an adrenaline rush as the Mavic 4 Pro has — and I can't wait to take off again.
Top Gear
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Holy heck, the Koenigsegg Absolut just did 223.5mph in a standing half-mile
Holy heck, the Koenigsegg Absolut just did 223.5mph in a standing half-mile CvK's has a bit of fun with his supertoy, casually reels off blistering times Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut has been subjected to a bit of a leg day at the company's dedicated test track (read: former military airstrip) and has casually reeled off a litany of scary numbers. Numbers like 0-62mph in 2.79s. Like 62mph to 124mph in 2.74s. Like 124mph to 186mph in 3.96s. A standing quarter mile in 8.88s, and the small matter of a standing half-mile in 13.27s at a heady 223.5mph. Advertisement - Page continues below Two hundred and twenty-three miles per hour (359.83kmh) in 13.27s to cover off half a mile. That's… yeah, scary. But then the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is a scary car. Underneath lurks a very dark heart: a 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 capable of revving out to 8,500rpm, sending 1,600bhp and 1,106lb ft to the rear wheels and rear wheels alone via a nine-speed gearbox. It's also the fastest ever Koenigsegg – a car Christian imagines will comfortably hit that magic 300mph+ mark. 'The name Absolut comes from the fact that this is the absolute fastest Koenigsegg we will ever make,' CvK said on the car's launch. Speaking of, click below to see it launch off the line – with minimal fuss – to very casually reel off a litany of scary numbers. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
