Month: February 2023

The Pininfarina Battista is officially the world’s fastest accelerating car.

Sporting Italian tri-color racing stripes, the all-electric supercar from the fabled automotive design house completed a record-setting 8.55-second quarter-mile sprint at the NATRAX testing facility in India—watch the dramatic moment below:

According to Road & Track, the Battista beat out the all-electric Rimac Nevera by just .03 seconds to take the production car quarter-mile record.

Later in the session, the 1,900-horsepower-plus exotic also set the half-mile record at 13.38 seconds before maxing out at 222 mph at the helm of an Autocar Indian journalist. The Nevera still holds the top-speed record for electric production cars, which it set at 256 mph in late 2022.

“This year, new Battista owners are excited to explore the unprecedented performance of this design and engineering masterpiece,” CEO Paolo Dellachà said in a statement.

“These speed records—and independent tests—have validated our ambition to create a new generation of hyper and luxury car leading with Battista, whereby electric power delivers performance that is simply unachievable in the world of ICE powertrains.”

“Nothing prepares you for the brutal acceleration and pace of the Battista. It’s like being shot from a cannon,” added Hormazd Sorabjee, who was joined by colleague Renuka Kirpalani on the top-speed run.

“Equally amazing is the ease with which Battista hit its top speed, within just half a straight of Natrax’s high speed track. Even at VMax, the Battista felt rock solid, relaxed, and discreet. This is the future of speed.”

The records are a landmark achievement for Pininfarina. Founded in 1930 by Battista “Pinin” Farina, the legendary Italian design house penned many of history’s most beloved automobiles through half a century of collaboration with Ferrari, the last being 2012’s F12berlinetta.

The Battista is the first Pininfarina automobile created since its split from Ferrari. But as Maxim previously reported, the Battista is only the beginning of Pininfarina’s larger plans to become the foremost manufacturer of electric luxury cars.

An upcoming vehicle based on the Pininfarina PURA Vision concept will launch the all-new S-LUV (Sustainable Luxury Utility Vehicle) category, though not much information about the half-SUV, half-shooting brake has been made public.

Elon Musk has reclaimed the title of richest person on the planet.

The polarizing boss of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter was toppled from the top spot by Bernard Arnault, CEO of French luxury brand LVMH last year, making Musk No. 2 on the world’s wealthiest list for more than two months. As of Monday, Feb. 27, however, Bloomberg reports that a surge in Tesla stock has lifted Musk back to the top of its real-time Billionaires Index.

Musk’s net worth was some $187.1 billion as of Monday after markets closed, according to Bloomberg, edging out the $185.3 billion fortune of Arnault.

While Tesla’s stock took a dive in the wake of Musk’s troubled acquisition of Twitter and a broader market downturn in tech stocks, shares for the electric automaker have surged in 2023 so far.

Not only does Musk currently hold the lofty title of World’s Richest Person, but he also holds a record for the biggest fortune ever lost by anyone in history.

CNN reports that Musk became the first person ever to lose $200 billion in wealth in 2022—after his net worth skidded from $340 billion in Nov. 2021 to $137 billion in Dec. 2022.

The Kimpton Surfcomber, a hip South Beach Art Deco masterpiece originally built in 1948, recently completed a multimillion-dollar revamp designed to amp up the hip hotel’s sophistication and luxe amenities like poolside bungalows, while paying homage to its storied history.

The aptly-named Surfcomber sits on 200 feet of prime oceanfront property with direct beach access on Collins Avenue. Following the makeover the hotel now “offers visitors a distinctively relaxed yet worldly guest experience, within a “backyard bliss”-themed,” design-driven environment.

Dayna Lee, principal designer at Powerstrip Studio which led the effort, says their aim was to imbue the Surfcomber “with the same love of stylish leisure” found on the French Riviera. That translates to “design-driven spaces that bring together the eclectic style of European Bohemia.” Overall it’s “an example of transitional architecture, bridging the ornamental styles of art deco from the 1930s with a streamlined and relaxed modern style.”

The design manifesto continues, “statement pieces are understated,” and “sleek Calacutta marble blends with geometric patterns, and teak moulding pairs with textured grasscloth. All in a color palette of soothing neutrals, soft tropical hues and serendipitous pops of color inspired by the South of France and infused with Miami spice.”

The most coveted accommodation is the renovated Ocean View Luxury Suite, at 725 square feet with a large, landscaped balcony—aka “private open-air green space”—offering prime views of the pool, bar and beach. It’s one of the hotel’s freshly restyled Specialty Suites showcasing “curved and linear Art Deco lines, soft white tones, muted tropical hues and textured natural fibers.”  

Outside, the picture-perfect pool is of course the main draw, and cool pool parties abound during events like Miami Music Week, Art Basel Miami Beach, and of course Miami Swim Week. During 2022’s Art Basel, the Surfcomber hosted UNREVEALED, a “wellness, web3, and entertainment oasis” there, and live DJs can be found spinning tunes on certain nights when the vibe gets a bit sexier.

Between the pool and the beach is the new High Tide Beach Bar and Grill, designed to be a “neighborhood backyard beach party” South Beach style. The chef has put together an all-day menu of “flavorful tacos, wraps and salads, while the bar serves up a parade of beachy drinks, local IPAs, light-and-bright wines and more,” as the hotel puts it.

Our favorite new feature however is The Vines Cabanas at Surfcomber. Those who want an elevated poolside experience can choose from revamped upper and lower cabanas, “offering guests the ultimate relaxation, pampering and privacy during their South Beach getaway in a prime location that’s just steps away from the beach.” Service is friendly and efficient whether you want a magnum of Dom Pérignon or just a bucketful of Miller High Life.

The Vines is also home to the dedicated K’alma Spa Cabana. Here you can indulge in “a plethora of personalized therapy variations” including the Surfcomber’s new signature Cafecito Massage, a unique treatment with extra-invigorating effects from an antioxidant-rich oil infused with organic coffee beans in a nod to Miami’s Cuban heritage.

Just off the lobby is the hotel’s social hub, aptly named the Social Club, an inviting bar / restaurant with classic and craft cocktails and a menu of items designed to be shared amongst friends, old or new. With both indoor and outdoor seating on bustling Collins Ave., it’s the ideal spot for everything from a boozy brunch to an entertaining dinner or end-of-the-evening nightcap.

In a nod to the interior design cues, the chef came up with fresh new South of France-inspired offerings, with his own twists of course. On the dinner menu, Latin American touches are found in the likes of hand-made empanadas, while the Boneless Short Rib over potato foam, and Pan Seared Branzino layered on green-apple mint couscous, are standouts.

Pair them with something from the barrel-to-glass wine selection or a round of your favorite cocktails—and repeat as necessary.

On a track or race course, it’s all about the little details that shave seconds off your time. What if the same logic held true even as you navigated uneven terrain? What if there were a pair of sneakers that transcended current technology, delivering the running equivalent of an impossibly smooth ride on the open road?

That’s the logic behind the impressive Norda 001 Trail Running Shoes, which defy all expectations in the current trail running market and are available now (while supplies last) at Huckberry.

To wit, Sneaker Freaker calls them the “Lamborghini of trail shoes,” and if that’s not incentive enough to lace ’em up, we don’t know what to tell you.

Founded in 2020 by sneaker and design industry vets Louis-Martin Tremblay and Willa and Nick Martire, the company’s shoes, on the surface at least, look more like an impressive design exercise than a rough-and-tumble set of trail running sneakers.

Yet again though, the difference lies in the details. For one, there’s the Vibram outsole, more akin to what you’d find with hiking boots, while they’re also reinforced with Dyneema throughout, a material lighter than Kevlar.

They’re finished off with Cordura nylon, plus Dyneema laces, for even more abrasion resistance, and the Montreal-based company also worked with Vibram on a custom midsole for a smooth ride underfoot.

Rather incredibly, the Norda 001 Trail Running Shoes are even made from 75 percent renewable sources, and then dialed in with a TPU insole for plenty of energy absorption.

As if those design details weren’t enough, the award-winning Norda 001 Trail Running Shoes come in two no-fuss colors (white and black) for the runner who’d rather keep their focus on what’s beneath their feet than on copping a limited-edition collector’s colorway.

Accordingly, these sleek trail running shoes are pricier than your average pair of running shoes: The Norda 001 Trail Running Shoes will set you back $285, but if Huckberry’s word is anything to go off (and it is), then these new runners are more than worth that price tag.

It’s form and function rolled into one sleek running shoe that’s also been dubbed the “Land Rover” of trail runners–sounds like a winning pair of kicks you’ll want to lace up to hit the trail this spring.

Presented by Amir Bakian

From creative innovations to strategic planning, female entrepreneurs are making a mark across industries globally, proving talent is not specific to any gender. Souhayla, the founder and owner of House of Bratz, is a perfect example of an outstanding female entrepreneur who went from humble teenaged beginnings to owning a global brand.

House of Bratz is an aesthetic clinic well known for non-invasive treatments like Botox, BBL, IV drips, and fillers. The brand spans several countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Dubai, and Souhayla recently launched a fifth location to cater to clientele from different corners of the world. The story behind the business could inspire and empower women to relentlessly chase their dreams. 

Souhayla was only 20 years old when she started House of Bratz. Starting with nothing, she had to manage everything on her own. Souhayla worked hard for long hours every day just to ensure her clients got the best experience through her services. Souhayla barely had any time to spend with her family or friends. She realized that this approach to work might soon exhaust her, as she had no time for herself. To achieve the much-needed balance in her life, Souhayla sought the advice of a life coach, who completely transformed her outlook on life. 

Gradually, Souhayla realized that balancing life and work was possible. Having time for friends and family is not a privilege but a necessity. This new outlook on life not only made her more productive but also more confident. Her entrepreneurial journey posed several challenges, but she has overcome them all to make her business grow. After six years of consistent hard work, she is now an ace with unparalleled marketing skills. Souhayla’s expertise lies in making something out of nothing. She leveraged this talent to elevate her clinic to the position of a brand that is recognized internationally. 

Souhayla wants women to know that they can work hard towards their goals while taking care of themselves. Challenges and setbacks are part of everyone’s entrepreneurial journey in life. Instead of considering them as barriers, take them as lessons learn from.

Souhayla wants to be a role model for aspiring women who dream of starting their own ventures. She believes that if she can come so far having started with nothing, then no dream is too big to achieve for anyone.