The Latest in Tech, Phone and Auto

AUTO

Electric Ghost
The 102 EX Phantom from Rolls Royce is the world’s first electric vehicle in the super luxury segment. In the coming months, this experimental vehicle, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), will tour Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America during which the makers will try to understand the market and the feasibility of a cleaner fuel alternative. Powered with two electric motors, the Phantom develops 290 KW and 800 NM of torque, which essentially translates into an acceleration of 0-60 miles an hour in less than eight seconds. The lithium ion battery lasts for 200 km and takes about eight hours to recharge.

Volkswagen has an electric taxi project that has been shown in Berlin, Milan and London and is also being studied for New York, Hong Kong and cities in India. The latest is in the guise of a London black cab and while it looks the part, the VW Taxi Concept does not meet London’s arcane taxi regulations that require, among other things, an 8.5m turning circle and seating for five. The Concept is small — just 3.73 m long — but offers generous room at its two passenger seats, accessed from a single cantilevered door. The space alongside the driver is available for luggage. Volkswagen thinks that in the future, city centres will be restricted to zero-emission vehicles so Concept is pure electric. It is based on the Space Up! Mini-MPV that has appeared

TECH
 

The Sound of It
The Reference 3 is an exercise in pure innovation and is equipped for high-resolution formats such as DVD Audio and SACD. This product from Anthony Gallo Acoustics can be used equally comfortably in stereo or home-theatre set-ups. The optional Bass Augmentation Module 2X240 watt amplifiers are capable of extending its bass response down to a room-shaking 22 Hz. The Reference also features the patented Roundsound S2 technology and comes in black, or stainless steel with black, with a cherry or maple base.
Price: Rs. 162,500;

anthonygallo.co.uk

HOME

Sink into Simplicity
Cloth, from Cassina, is an armchair that is extremely and deliberately simple. It’s supporting frame is made of glass-reinforced plastic while its padding is made from polyurethane foam and polyester wadding. Two lateral zips make the fabric or leather upholstery, combined with polyester wadding, removable and give it an original finish. The covers are available in plain or two-tone colours.
cassina.com

PHONE

Pink, and pricey
Tired of proclaiming your love in the form of flowers or chocolates? Try something a little more permanent, like the TAG Meridiist GMT. This phone, or “communication instrument” as TAG likes to call it, has two displays with 60.5 carats of smoked sapphire, a fuchsia backplate and two precious stones (green East African tsavorite and red ruby) set on the keypad. There’s a 2-megapixel camera and 2 gigs of memory as well, just in case your betrothed would like to do more than just make calls.
Price: Rs. 355,000;
tagheuer.com

Sink into Simplicity, The Sound of it, courtesy Better Interiors; Hailing a new Taxi, courtesy Overdrive; Pink and Pricey, courtesy T3 (This material is reproduced from T3 magazine and is the copyright of or licensed to Future Publishing Limited, a Future plc group company, UK2010. Used under licence. All rights reserved.)