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 inBelgian 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.

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