Asia-Pacific Debut for Jaguar's F-TYPE Sports Car at 2012 Motor Show

In thrilling news for automotive fans across Asia-Pacific, the Australian International Motor Show can confirm that Jaguar will be revealing its all-new sports car, the F-TYPE at Sydney in October.

In what will be its second reveal in the world and first in the Southern Hemisphere, the F-TYPE's unveiling at the Australian International Motor Show will aid in marking Jaguar's return to the sports car market.

At this stage, teaser images are all that have been released of this all-new aluminium two-seater sports car, with the world waiting with baited breath for its covers to come off in its very first reveal at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The F-TYPE will be initially launched as a convertible with a choice of three petrol engines - 340PS and 380PS versions of Jaguar's all-new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and a new derivative of its existing supercharged 5.0-litre V8.

All three variants of the Jaguar F-TYPE will be rear-wheel-drive with an eight-speed-transmission and equipped with Stop/Start technology.

"The all-new F-TYPE is guaranteed to amaze the world's automotive industry and its unveiling is certainly a momentous occasion in Jaguar's illustrious history," said Russ Tyrie, Show Director.

"As Jaguar have stated, the F-TYPE will break new ground by delivering stunning sports car performance while demonstrating its cutting-edge engineering technologies and world-class design excellence.

"We are honoured and excited that the 2012 Australian International Motor Show has been selected as the platform for the second official world unveiling of the all-new Jaguar F-TYPE convertible."

Jaguar will also have on display the 2013 models of its XF and XJ, making the 2012 Australian International Motor Show one of their biggest local shows ever.

The Jaguar F-TYPE convertible will join the all-new Range Rover from Land Rover as vehicles currently confirmed to make their second world reveal and Southern Hemisphere debuts at the Australian International Motor Show.

The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from October 19-28, 2012.

For further information about the Show and to purchase early bird tickets, visit www.motorshow.com.au, which is also compatible with all android and Apple mobile devices.

LEXUS LFA TO SHINE AT MOTOREX

• Australian customer becomes the first to chrome their $700,000 LFA supercar
• Vehicle to debut at Meguiar's MotorEx enthusiast car show in Sydney

An Australian owner of a $700,000 Lexus LFA supercar has taken their vehicle to the extreme - wrapping it in a unique chrome exterior.

LFA number 304 - one of only 10 Lexus LFAs in Australia and 500 in the world - is the first example to receive the chrome treatment.

Debuting at this weekend's MotorEx show at Sydney's Homebush Bay, the vehicle will certainly become the 'shining star' of the show, joining hundreds of modified, tuned and collectible vehicles.

Lexus LFA is a powerful, balanced and lightweight vehicle, featuring an advanced Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) construction for its chassis and bodywork to deliver a light, incredibly strong and highly rigid structure.

Sixty-five per cent of LFA's body structure is carbon fibre, while the remaining 35 per cent is aluminium.

At its heart is a bespoke 4.8-litre V10 engine producing 412kW of power and 480Nm of torque.

It propels the supercar to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and is capable of revving from idle to a redline of 9,000rpm in just 0.6 seconds.

Top speed of the LFA is 325km/h.

Meguiar's MotorEx runs from July 21 to 22 at The Dome, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush.

Ticketing and further information is available from www.motorex.com.au.

Amphibious airplane takes its first passengers

Spring was action-packed for LISA Airplanes. The founders, the first clients and LISA’s team boarded the AKOYA for a flight from Lake Bourget. All the passengers and pilots agree: flying in this amphibious airplane is an incomparable pleasure.

Since early May, the AKOYA has never ended flying. With an average of four days of flights per week, LISA Airplanes’ team could once more enjoy, and for the first time share, the AKOYA’s remarkable performance.

LISA Airplanes’ founders, Erick HERZBERGER and Luc BERNOLE were the first two passengers of the AKOYA. “To me, this first flight is both a professional and personal achievement. Our airplane’s performance goes beyond our expectations. I’ve flown many light aircraft in my life, so I can tell the AKOYA is incomparable. She behaves exceptionally well on water in terms of speed and easiness to take-off just as much as in terms of comfort brought by the airplane’s stability. All the work done on the Seafoils turns to be a real success. After my first flight, I proudly announced to the team that the AKOYA is perfect.” tells Erick HERZBERGER, LISA Airplanes’ CEO and AKOYA’s first passenger.

During this series of test runs with passengers, and after years of research, studies, design and tests, LISA Airplanes’ team had the great pleasure to enjoy the advantages of its innovations. One after the other, team members got in the cockpit to live this priceless moment: a flight in the AKOYA. In various weather conditions, smooth lake or rough lake with 16 inches waves (40 cm) and 18 knots of wind, take-offs and landings were all made softly and on short distances. The sensations of flying in the AKOYA will remain unforgettable for all.

With this symbolic event, LISA Airplanes has gone through a major step towards AKOYA’s deliveries: the clients’ discovery of this seaplane.

Some of AKOYA’s future clients have been invited to go on board for a demonstration flight departing from Lake Bourget, at the side of the test pilot Gerald DUCOIN. AKOYA’s new pilots unanimously sung the comfort of the high-end finished cockpit and the in-flight qualities of the airplane. Benoit SENELLART, LISA Airplanes’ VP of Development, attests this enthusiasm: “I‘ve been involved in every step of AKOYA’s development and the first delivery will be the most memorable. Therefore, it’s with great pleasure that I watched our clients’ first flight. Their feedbacks are all positive on the easiness to pilot as well as on the sensations in flight. They really appreciated the visibility, the comfort and the safe atmosphere of the cockpit. This flight definitely won them and I am delighted with that.”

The next demonstrations in-flight will occur from September on since the AKOYA is on its way for the United States where it will be exhibited for the first time at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin from July, 23-29 2012.

Where in the world are all the men?

oops - Where in the world are all the men? The Australian travel writing scene's newest blogger The Global Goddess asks this question and more in her latest post - www.theglobalgoddess.com - which delves into destinations and dating.

Francis Birtles

Francis Birtles

The stirring story of Australia's most unusual adventurer
Brown, Warren

This is the colourful story of FRANCIS BIRTLES, a fascinating individual who led a life of incredible adventure and exploration in Australia and throughout the world.

A narrative account of the life and times of one of Australia's most extraordinary adventurers - a man who crossed Australia more than 70 times in the early part of the 20th century - by bicycle and car.

In 1927 he achieved the greatest motoring feat of the times, driving a car from London to Melbourne. This story follows his exploits across scorching Arabic deserts, through steamy Indian jungles and mountain snowstorms.

In between these journeys he made a collection of documentaries and films of his encounters with the outback. He documented his exploration of Australia in his book, BATTLEFRONTS OF OUTBACK. He eventually travelled to the Northern Territory in search of gold and retired a wealthy man.

About the Author

Warren Brown is well known as a cartoonist for the Daily Telegraph, and has had regular programs on ABC radio and TV. He writes on Australian war history, and is the regular MC at the ANZAC Day ceremonies at Gallipoli. He is also passionately interested in, and involved with, the restoration of and all things to do with vintage motor vehicles.

• Hachette Australia
• 9780733628672
• $35.00
• Paperback - C Format
• October 2012
• 400 pages
• Biography: historical, political & military

A Royal Tour for the Princess of London Beauty Georgia May Jagger visits Rimmel’s Ashford Factory

As a London founded brand and currently the most popular colour cosmetics brand in Britain , it only makes sense that the great Rimmel products are produced less than an hour away from the eclectic capital. Only makeup made in UK could get you the real London look. Rimmel London girl Georgia May Jagger visited the Rimmel Ashford factory to discover the secrets behind the manufacturing of Rimmel products.

Georgia started her day by taking a tour of the production lines where she discovered how some of her favourite Rimmel products, like Scandaleyes Mascara, Match Perfection Foundation and Moisture Renew Lipstick, just to name a few, are made. Georgia even got to try her hand at making and assembling products as she helped staff mix pigments for lipsticks and top off mascaras with caps. Georgia helped the production staff to maintain their impressive production of one Scandaleyes mascara every 0.8 seconds.

Always one for a challenge, Georgia was then led to the R&D labs in the factory where she sat down with R&D Vice President Alan Farer to make her very own Match Perfection shade. Like a true pro, Georgia mixed ingredients, and worked away in the lab to create her shade and discover the fascinating and complex process and technology behind the Match Perfection foundation. She even got a special sneak peak at the new formula being released later this year.

In the afternoon Georgia then greeted journalists for an afternoon press event at the Rimmel Ashford factory. Journalists were given an exclusive opportunity to gain a sneak peek into the production lines of Rimmel products, have an exclusive lab session with Alan Farer and finally join Georgia and makeup artist Kirstin Piggott for a Makeup Masterclass and informal chat on beauty, tips, trends and why Rimmel is unique when it comes to getting the real beauty London Look!

“Who knew chemistry could be this fun!” said Georgia, as a true fan of makeup, “and it was such an incredible opportunity for me to be able to see how it is all made and even have the chance to make my own. I couldn’t wait to tell press all about my experience when I met with them in the afternoon to talk about Rimmel and eye trends for the upcoming season.”

I-Gucci Sport watch

Designed by Gucci's Creative Director Frida Giannini, the I-Gucci is Gucci Timepieces’ first digital watch and has become one of its best-selling models. The I-Gucci Sport collection is recognizable by a striking perforated rubber strap in three appealing color schemes of black, orange and cobalt blue. The I-Gucci Sport has been created in a larger size of 49mm and features a brushed steel and rubber case with four push-buttons. The watch boasts a range of technical components including a chronograph and dual chronograph, countdown timer, tachymeter, pedometer and a sailing function specifically designed for timing regattas.