Auto, Tech and Event

AUTO

An Electric drive
Porsche has opened the order book for 918 Spyder mid-engined hybrid supercar. As expected, it is expensive — 645,000 Euros before tax. The first customers will take delivery in November 2013. The 918 has a 4 litre engine derived from the racing Porsche RS Spyder, developing more than 500 PS, and two electric motors — one at the front and one at the rear axle with a combined output of 218 PS. This gives the car variable four-wheel drive, with independent control of both axles. It also has a plug-in facility; a full charge of the lithium ion battery pack will give an electric only range of 25 km. Performance is near the top of supercar class: 0-100 kmph in 3.2 seconds and 320 kmph maximum speed.
porsche.com


HOME

Fitting in
Belgian designer Alain Gilles has featured his latest creation, Collage — Small Tables, a design for furniture company Bonaldo, at the international furniture fair in Milan. Inspired by an awkward collection of frameless mirrors, the modular tables include a central circular table that swivels and  three others that “partially gravitate around it”. An unattached additional table can be placed as pleased. The tables are made of lacquered metal.
bonaldo.it , alaingilles.com


PIECING TOGETHER

Traullit Hexagon is an acoustic tiling system that, as the name suggests, comprises hexagonal tiles in several colour options. Installing this cladding is almost like piecing together a puzzle. Only in this case, you get to decide what the final picture will look like! The project is a collaborative effort between Swedish design firm Form Us With Love (FUWL) and wood wool cement board manufacturer Traullit. (Also known as excelsior, wood wool is basically slivers of wood, often used as packaging material, stuffing for soft toys and cooling pads for swamp coolers.) Their natural composition gives the recyclable tiles moisture regulating and heat accumulating properties. This ensures a balanced indoor climate at all times, which in turn contributes to lower energy costs and reduced environmental impact. Fitted with magnets, the tiles can easily be reaffixed to thin metal sheets that are mounted on to the underlying surface (wall or ceiling). The system can also be installed using screws or glue.
formuswithlove.se

TECH

Book of all things
MultiBook from Rotaliana fulfils several needs: It can light up your desk, it has a three-way multi-socket, and a container for cables and transformers. The spine of the MultiBook has a calendar and digital clock, while the top cover has an illuminated label for your personal details. So it makes sure that your table top is all neat, functional and fancy — all at the same time.
rotaliana.com


EVENT

 
More than monsters
For the first time in India, National Theatre Live will broadcast the performance of the production Frankenstein at the NCPA.

Based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the play is written by Nick Dear and is directed by Oscar-winner Danny Boyle (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire). Actors include Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the grotesque being he creates.

Frankenstein’s creature — with childlike innocence but a monstrous form — is bewildered as he is cast out into a hostile universe by his maker. He meets cruelty wherever he goes and becomes increasingly desperate and vengeful. He decides to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal.

The play is embedded with concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil.

Dates: June 17 - 19
Venue: Godrej Dance Academy Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
Phone: 022-66223754/24