Latest news with #Lamborghini
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
More EVs, fewer V8s: changes coming for Aussie drivers
A hybrid Lamborghini, an electric Rolls Royce, a convoy of low-emission people-movers and a rumble of battery-powered utes "that can actually tow things" will greet thousands of attendees to Australia's latest motor show. More than 100 electric and hybrid vehicles are on display at the Melbourne EV Show over the weekend which, Future Drive Auto chief executive Ray Evans says, has become significantly easier to organise in Australia's evolving automotive market. "The changes are certainly happening fast and in the third year it takes on a different dynamic," he says. "Before we had very limited product available - obviously Tesla and BYD and a few others - but that's escalated to a point where next year there are 70 new (electric) models going to be released in Australia." In addition to more powerful electrified utes, the show has introduced low-emission luxury sports cars for the first time and Mr Evans says he expects healthy queues to form around lower priced EVs from Chinese brands such as XPENG, Leapmotor and Zeekr. Industry experts say the packed event and others like it planned for this year demonstrate Australia's transport policies are having an impact and changing the future make-up of our roads. That effect is expected to intensify next month when penalties begin under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that sets emissions limits for manufacturers. More electric cars are scheduled to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles may be removed from sale, although debate continues over whether motorists are ready for the changes. For Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio, the arrival of penalties under the standard is "where the rubber hits the road" and consumers will be able to see what the rules deliver. The standard, introduced in January, sets yearly emission limits for new vehicle fleets that manufacturers must meet or trade credits or pay penalties to achieve. Brands must register new vehicles with the government from July to begin tracking emission levels, with a goal of reaching no more than 141 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for passenger vehicles and 210 grams per km for light goods vehicles this year. Car companies that exceed these limits will have two years to address shortfalls before penalties are collected. Having fines embedded into the scheme is important for enforcement, Ms Delvecchio says, even though brands are expected to avoid them by selling more advanced, low-emission transport options. "The first of July is an important turning point for clean energy and clean transport in Australia: it's when the (standard) gets its teeth and we see the enforcement power that has been signalled for a long time," she says. "Prior to (the standard) compared to today, we have double the number of electric car models which is exactly what it's there to do." Consumers can expect to see electric vehicles that have only been available overseas until now and the replacement of some petrol and diesel vehicles with hybrid equivalents. Australia's top-selling car maker Toyota, for example, announced it would end sales of petrol vehicles in Australia where it produced a hybrid variant. "Manufacturers have known that it's coming and are adjusting, and they have to because Australia is really just falling in line with the rest of the world," Ms Delvecchio tells AAP. Similarly, Nissan says it will bring its Ariya electric SUV to Australia to coincide with the rules. These types of changes will lower the nation's transport emissions, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones says, and shows manufacturers can make the rules work. "It's an indication they're starting to finally realise the homework is due," he says. "The companies that have done their homework are sitting pretty and those who haven't, despite their best efforts to get a reprieve, are going to get caught short." Popular brands such as Hyundai and Kia will be well placed to meet emission limits, Dr Jones says, although others, such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda, with fewer low-emission options will need to make bigger changes. Those reforms could involve removing high-polluting vehicles from sale. "The fact car sellers are saying things like we're going to have to offer fewer petrol and diesel vehicles, well, that's one way to do it," he says. "You can't say they weren't warned." Several of Australia's top-selling vehicles, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Ranger, already fall under this year's emission caps and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says brands have worked hard to make that possible. The next hurdle for the local automotive industry may not be with the supply of electric vehicles, he warns, but with demand for them. "The concern we have is that consumers are not changing their behaviour and there's not the demand like we expected for low-emission vehicles," he says. "We're already seeing cars being removed from the market - that's been well documented - and unless there is a change in the behaviour of consumers there are going to be penalties." While sales of new hybrid vehicles have risen strongly in Australia this year, electric car sales rose modestly to represent nine per cent of all vehicles in May. The chamber had predicted EVs would make up 14 per cent of the market, Mr Weber says, and its members would like to see greater infrastructure investments and financial incentives from federal, state and territory governments to back up the new standard. "The government has put in a very stringent rule, wants consumers to quickly move and change their behaviour dramatically, but they're not prepared to subsidise it," he says. "They've got to play a role." A hybrid Lamborghini, an electric Rolls Royce, a convoy of low-emission people-movers and a rumble of battery-powered utes "that can actually tow things" will greet thousands of attendees to Australia's latest motor show. More than 100 electric and hybrid vehicles are on display at the Melbourne EV Show over the weekend which, Future Drive Auto chief executive Ray Evans says, has become significantly easier to organise in Australia's evolving automotive market. "The changes are certainly happening fast and in the third year it takes on a different dynamic," he says. "Before we had very limited product available - obviously Tesla and BYD and a few others - but that's escalated to a point where next year there are 70 new (electric) models going to be released in Australia." In addition to more powerful electrified utes, the show has introduced low-emission luxury sports cars for the first time and Mr Evans says he expects healthy queues to form around lower priced EVs from Chinese brands such as XPENG, Leapmotor and Zeekr. Industry experts say the packed event and others like it planned for this year demonstrate Australia's transport policies are having an impact and changing the future make-up of our roads. That effect is expected to intensify next month when penalties begin under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that sets emissions limits for manufacturers. More electric cars are scheduled to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles may be removed from sale, although debate continues over whether motorists are ready for the changes. For Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio, the arrival of penalties under the standard is "where the rubber hits the road" and consumers will be able to see what the rules deliver. The standard, introduced in January, sets yearly emission limits for new vehicle fleets that manufacturers must meet or trade credits or pay penalties to achieve. Brands must register new vehicles with the government from July to begin tracking emission levels, with a goal of reaching no more than 141 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for passenger vehicles and 210 grams per km for light goods vehicles this year. Car companies that exceed these limits will have two years to address shortfalls before penalties are collected. Having fines embedded into the scheme is important for enforcement, Ms Delvecchio says, even though brands are expected to avoid them by selling more advanced, low-emission transport options. "The first of July is an important turning point for clean energy and clean transport in Australia: it's when the (standard) gets its teeth and we see the enforcement power that has been signalled for a long time," she says. "Prior to (the standard) compared to today, we have double the number of electric car models which is exactly what it's there to do." Consumers can expect to see electric vehicles that have only been available overseas until now and the replacement of some petrol and diesel vehicles with hybrid equivalents. Australia's top-selling car maker Toyota, for example, announced it would end sales of petrol vehicles in Australia where it produced a hybrid variant. "Manufacturers have known that it's coming and are adjusting, and they have to because Australia is really just falling in line with the rest of the world," Ms Delvecchio tells AAP. Similarly, Nissan says it will bring its Ariya electric SUV to Australia to coincide with the rules. These types of changes will lower the nation's transport emissions, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones says, and shows manufacturers can make the rules work. "It's an indication they're starting to finally realise the homework is due," he says. "The companies that have done their homework are sitting pretty and those who haven't, despite their best efforts to get a reprieve, are going to get caught short." Popular brands such as Hyundai and Kia will be well placed to meet emission limits, Dr Jones says, although others, such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda, with fewer low-emission options will need to make bigger changes. Those reforms could involve removing high-polluting vehicles from sale. "The fact car sellers are saying things like we're going to have to offer fewer petrol and diesel vehicles, well, that's one way to do it," he says. "You can't say they weren't warned." Several of Australia's top-selling vehicles, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Ranger, already fall under this year's emission caps and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says brands have worked hard to make that possible. The next hurdle for the local automotive industry may not be with the supply of electric vehicles, he warns, but with demand for them. "The concern we have is that consumers are not changing their behaviour and there's not the demand like we expected for low-emission vehicles," he says. "We're already seeing cars being removed from the market - that's been well documented - and unless there is a change in the behaviour of consumers there are going to be penalties." While sales of new hybrid vehicles have risen strongly in Australia this year, electric car sales rose modestly to represent nine per cent of all vehicles in May. The chamber had predicted EVs would make up 14 per cent of the market, Mr Weber says, and its members would like to see greater infrastructure investments and financial incentives from federal, state and territory governments to back up the new standard. "The government has put in a very stringent rule, wants consumers to quickly move and change their behaviour dramatically, but they're not prepared to subsidise it," he says. "They've got to play a role." A hybrid Lamborghini, an electric Rolls Royce, a convoy of low-emission people-movers and a rumble of battery-powered utes "that can actually tow things" will greet thousands of attendees to Australia's latest motor show. More than 100 electric and hybrid vehicles are on display at the Melbourne EV Show over the weekend which, Future Drive Auto chief executive Ray Evans says, has become significantly easier to organise in Australia's evolving automotive market. "The changes are certainly happening fast and in the third year it takes on a different dynamic," he says. "Before we had very limited product available - obviously Tesla and BYD and a few others - but that's escalated to a point where next year there are 70 new (electric) models going to be released in Australia." In addition to more powerful electrified utes, the show has introduced low-emission luxury sports cars for the first time and Mr Evans says he expects healthy queues to form around lower priced EVs from Chinese brands such as XPENG, Leapmotor and Zeekr. Industry experts say the packed event and others like it planned for this year demonstrate Australia's transport policies are having an impact and changing the future make-up of our roads. That effect is expected to intensify next month when penalties begin under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that sets emissions limits for manufacturers. More electric cars are scheduled to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles may be removed from sale, although debate continues over whether motorists are ready for the changes. For Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio, the arrival of penalties under the standard is "where the rubber hits the road" and consumers will be able to see what the rules deliver. The standard, introduced in January, sets yearly emission limits for new vehicle fleets that manufacturers must meet or trade credits or pay penalties to achieve. Brands must register new vehicles with the government from July to begin tracking emission levels, with a goal of reaching no more than 141 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for passenger vehicles and 210 grams per km for light goods vehicles this year. Car companies that exceed these limits will have two years to address shortfalls before penalties are collected. Having fines embedded into the scheme is important for enforcement, Ms Delvecchio says, even though brands are expected to avoid them by selling more advanced, low-emission transport options. "The first of July is an important turning point for clean energy and clean transport in Australia: it's when the (standard) gets its teeth and we see the enforcement power that has been signalled for a long time," she says. "Prior to (the standard) compared to today, we have double the number of electric car models which is exactly what it's there to do." Consumers can expect to see electric vehicles that have only been available overseas until now and the replacement of some petrol and diesel vehicles with hybrid equivalents. Australia's top-selling car maker Toyota, for example, announced it would end sales of petrol vehicles in Australia where it produced a hybrid variant. "Manufacturers have known that it's coming and are adjusting, and they have to because Australia is really just falling in line with the rest of the world," Ms Delvecchio tells AAP. Similarly, Nissan says it will bring its Ariya electric SUV to Australia to coincide with the rules. These types of changes will lower the nation's transport emissions, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones says, and shows manufacturers can make the rules work. "It's an indication they're starting to finally realise the homework is due," he says. "The companies that have done their homework are sitting pretty and those who haven't, despite their best efforts to get a reprieve, are going to get caught short." Popular brands such as Hyundai and Kia will be well placed to meet emission limits, Dr Jones says, although others, such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda, with fewer low-emission options will need to make bigger changes. Those reforms could involve removing high-polluting vehicles from sale. "The fact car sellers are saying things like we're going to have to offer fewer petrol and diesel vehicles, well, that's one way to do it," he says. "You can't say they weren't warned." Several of Australia's top-selling vehicles, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Ranger, already fall under this year's emission caps and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says brands have worked hard to make that possible. The next hurdle for the local automotive industry may not be with the supply of electric vehicles, he warns, but with demand for them. "The concern we have is that consumers are not changing their behaviour and there's not the demand like we expected for low-emission vehicles," he says. "We're already seeing cars being removed from the market - that's been well documented - and unless there is a change in the behaviour of consumers there are going to be penalties." While sales of new hybrid vehicles have risen strongly in Australia this year, electric car sales rose modestly to represent nine per cent of all vehicles in May. The chamber had predicted EVs would make up 14 per cent of the market, Mr Weber says, and its members would like to see greater infrastructure investments and financial incentives from federal, state and territory governments to back up the new standard. "The government has put in a very stringent rule, wants consumers to quickly move and change their behaviour dramatically, but they're not prepared to subsidise it," he says. "They've got to play a role." A hybrid Lamborghini, an electric Rolls Royce, a convoy of low-emission people-movers and a rumble of battery-powered utes "that can actually tow things" will greet thousands of attendees to Australia's latest motor show. More than 100 electric and hybrid vehicles are on display at the Melbourne EV Show over the weekend which, Future Drive Auto chief executive Ray Evans says, has become significantly easier to organise in Australia's evolving automotive market. "The changes are certainly happening fast and in the third year it takes on a different dynamic," he says. "Before we had very limited product available - obviously Tesla and BYD and a few others - but that's escalated to a point where next year there are 70 new (electric) models going to be released in Australia." In addition to more powerful electrified utes, the show has introduced low-emission luxury sports cars for the first time and Mr Evans says he expects healthy queues to form around lower priced EVs from Chinese brands such as XPENG, Leapmotor and Zeekr. Industry experts say the packed event and others like it planned for this year demonstrate Australia's transport policies are having an impact and changing the future make-up of our roads. That effect is expected to intensify next month when penalties begin under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that sets emissions limits for manufacturers. More electric cars are scheduled to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles may be removed from sale, although debate continues over whether motorists are ready for the changes. For Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio, the arrival of penalties under the standard is "where the rubber hits the road" and consumers will be able to see what the rules deliver. The standard, introduced in January, sets yearly emission limits for new vehicle fleets that manufacturers must meet or trade credits or pay penalties to achieve. Brands must register new vehicles with the government from July to begin tracking emission levels, with a goal of reaching no more than 141 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for passenger vehicles and 210 grams per km for light goods vehicles this year. Car companies that exceed these limits will have two years to address shortfalls before penalties are collected. Having fines embedded into the scheme is important for enforcement, Ms Delvecchio says, even though brands are expected to avoid them by selling more advanced, low-emission transport options. "The first of July is an important turning point for clean energy and clean transport in Australia: it's when the (standard) gets its teeth and we see the enforcement power that has been signalled for a long time," she says. "Prior to (the standard) compared to today, we have double the number of electric car models which is exactly what it's there to do." Consumers can expect to see electric vehicles that have only been available overseas until now and the replacement of some petrol and diesel vehicles with hybrid equivalents. Australia's top-selling car maker Toyota, for example, announced it would end sales of petrol vehicles in Australia where it produced a hybrid variant. "Manufacturers have known that it's coming and are adjusting, and they have to because Australia is really just falling in line with the rest of the world," Ms Delvecchio tells AAP. Similarly, Nissan says it will bring its Ariya electric SUV to Australia to coincide with the rules. These types of changes will lower the nation's transport emissions, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones says, and shows manufacturers can make the rules work. "It's an indication they're starting to finally realise the homework is due," he says. "The companies that have done their homework are sitting pretty and those who haven't, despite their best efforts to get a reprieve, are going to get caught short." Popular brands such as Hyundai and Kia will be well placed to meet emission limits, Dr Jones says, although others, such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda, with fewer low-emission options will need to make bigger changes. Those reforms could involve removing high-polluting vehicles from sale. "The fact car sellers are saying things like we're going to have to offer fewer petrol and diesel vehicles, well, that's one way to do it," he says. "You can't say they weren't warned." Several of Australia's top-selling vehicles, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Ranger, already fall under this year's emission caps and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says brands have worked hard to make that possible. The next hurdle for the local automotive industry may not be with the supply of electric vehicles, he warns, but with demand for them. "The concern we have is that consumers are not changing their behaviour and there's not the demand like we expected for low-emission vehicles," he says. "We're already seeing cars being removed from the market - that's been well documented - and unless there is a change in the behaviour of consumers there are going to be penalties." While sales of new hybrid vehicles have risen strongly in Australia this year, electric car sales rose modestly to represent nine per cent of all vehicles in May. The chamber had predicted EVs would make up 14 per cent of the market, Mr Weber says, and its members would like to see greater infrastructure investments and financial incentives from federal, state and territory governments to back up the new standard. "The government has put in a very stringent rule, wants consumers to quickly move and change their behaviour dramatically, but they're not prepared to subsidise it," he says. "They've got to play a role."
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
More EVs, fewer V8s: changes coming for Aussie drivers
A hybrid Lamborghini, an electric Rolls Royce, a convoy of low-emission people-movers and a rumble of battery-powered utes "that can actually tow things" will greet thousands of attendees to Australia's latest motor show. More than 100 electric and hybrid vehicles are on display at the Melbourne EV Show over the weekend which, Future Drive Auto chief executive Ray Evans says, has become significantly easier to organise in Australia's evolving automotive market. "The changes are certainly happening fast and in the third year it takes on a different dynamic," he says. "Before we had very limited product available - obviously Tesla and BYD and a few others - but that's escalated to a point where next year there are 70 new (electric) models going to be released in Australia." In addition to more powerful electrified utes, the show has introduced low-emission luxury sports cars for the first time and Mr Evans says he expects healthy queues to form around lower priced EVs from Chinese brands such as XPENG, Leapmotor and Zeekr. Industry experts say the packed event and others like it planned for this year demonstrate Australia's transport policies are having an impact and changing the future make-up of our roads. That effect is expected to intensify next month when penalties begin under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that sets emissions limits for manufacturers. More electric cars are scheduled to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles may be removed from sale, although debate continues over whether motorists are ready for the changes. For Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio, the arrival of penalties under the standard is "where the rubber hits the road" and consumers will be able to see what the rules deliver. The standard, introduced in January, sets yearly emission limits for new vehicle fleets that manufacturers must meet or trade credits or pay penalties to achieve. Brands must register new vehicles with the government from July to begin tracking emission levels, with a goal of reaching no more than 141 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for passenger vehicles and 210 grams per km for light goods vehicles this year. Car companies that exceed these limits will have two years to address shortfalls before penalties are collected. Having fines embedded into the scheme is important for enforcement, Ms Delvecchio says, even though brands are expected to avoid them by selling more advanced, low-emission transport options. "The first of July is an important turning point for clean energy and clean transport in Australia: it's when the (standard) gets its teeth and we see the enforcement power that has been signalled for a long time," she says. "Prior to (the standard) compared to today, we have double the number of electric car models which is exactly what it's there to do." Consumers can expect to see electric vehicles that have only been available overseas until now and the replacement of some petrol and diesel vehicles with hybrid equivalents. Australia's top-selling car maker Toyota, for example, announced it would end sales of petrol vehicles in Australia where it produced a hybrid variant. "Manufacturers have known that it's coming and are adjusting, and they have to because Australia is really just falling in line with the rest of the world," Ms Delvecchio tells AAP. Similarly, Nissan says it will bring its Ariya electric SUV to Australia to coincide with the rules. These types of changes will lower the nation's transport emissions, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones says, and shows manufacturers can make the rules work. "It's an indication they're starting to finally realise the homework is due," he says. "The companies that have done their homework are sitting pretty and those who haven't, despite their best efforts to get a reprieve, are going to get caught short." Popular brands such as Hyundai and Kia will be well placed to meet emission limits, Dr Jones says, although others, such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda, with fewer low-emission options will need to make bigger changes. Those reforms could involve removing high-polluting vehicles from sale. "The fact car sellers are saying things like we're going to have to offer fewer petrol and diesel vehicles, well, that's one way to do it," he says. "You can't say they weren't warned." Several of Australia's top-selling vehicles, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Ranger, already fall under this year's emission caps and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says brands have worked hard to make that possible. The next hurdle for the local automotive industry may not be with the supply of electric vehicles, he warns, but with demand for them. "The concern we have is that consumers are not changing their behaviour and there's not the demand like we expected for low-emission vehicles," he says. "We're already seeing cars being removed from the market - that's been well documented - and unless there is a change in the behaviour of consumers there are going to be penalties." While sales of new hybrid vehicles have risen strongly in Australia this year, electric car sales rose modestly to represent nine per cent of all vehicles in May. The chamber had predicted EVs would make up 14 per cent of the market, Mr Weber says, and its members would like to see greater infrastructure investments and financial incentives from federal, state and territory governments to back up the new standard. "The government has put in a very stringent rule, wants consumers to quickly move and change their behaviour dramatically, but they're not prepared to subsidise it," he says. "They've got to play a role."
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Audi E-Tron GT Is A Worthy Lamborghini Cousin
Audi RS e-tron Performance I've driven other vehicles from the Audi e-tron lineup in the past, and have been duly impressed with their instant torque, high-tech interiors, and precision tuning. But I'd never driven the RS e-tron GT before, and it took my breath away. Lithe, beautiful, and quick, the 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance is a sleek machine. This all-electric four-door sounds and drives much differently than the Audi RS6 Avant, and while I kind of missed the RS6 Avant's throaty roar I fell hard for the quiet acceleration of the RS e-tron GT. Bottom line: while this all-electric car uses Porsche-sourced platform and powertrains, it transcends its origins. If Lamborghini were to decide to make a battery-powered sedan, I think it would feel a lot like the Audi RS e-tron GT. Audi RS e-tron Performance interior What's New For The Audi E-Tron GT For 2025? Audi updated the powertrain and added the RS Performance option, which boasts an blistering 912 horsepower. The RS still impresses at 845 hp, and the base S model is no slouch with 670 hp. The e-tron GT styling was freshened up for 2025, including elements like the grille and wheels. Of the nine exterior colors, two are new (I'm partial to the Progressive Red hue). Audi RS e-tron Performance Carbon, Carbon Everywhere Inside the RS e-tron GT Performance, the cabin can be festooned with carbon fiber from tip to tip. An $8,400 forged carbon package adds 21-inch 6-double-spoke wheels, a dark carbon roof panel, illuminated forged carbon door sill inlays, forged carbon exterior trim and mirror housings, and forged carbon interior inlays. Plus, that package comes with summer tires for optimal zip. Audi RS e-tron Performance Range, And Still Room For Cargo In This Audi E-Tron A family of four could happily enjoy this car on a lengthy road trip. When equipped with 20-inch wheels, the e-tron GT S model is good for 91 MPGe in the city and 88 MPGe on the highway. You'll have to give up 2 MPGe in the city and 3 MPGe on the highway if you opt for the 21-inch wheels. Range is more than adequate to please the majority of EV drivers; the S model can go up to 300 miles on a full charge and the RS Performance with the larger wheels loses just six miles for a total of 294. The 97.0-kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes on a fast charger. Under the power liftgate, the e-tron GT has 9 cubic feet of capacity. That's plenty for a few carry-on bags and backpacks, with room to spare for snacks. Need to store a little extra? There's another two cubic feet in the frunk, or front trunk. Audi RS e-tron Performance Audi E-Tron RS Cabin Tech Audi is known to build tech-forward cabins and infotainment systems, and this electric sedan is no exception. The 10.1-inch touchscreen is well integrated into the dash and physical controls on the steering wheel and the console make it easy to navigate. Also, I'd recommend the panoramic fixed glass roof with digital light control for the most aesthetic appeal, and extra headroom that a physical shade would inhibit. The Audi e-tron lineup continues to set the pace for the future, and the RS e-tron GT Performance is guaranteed to thrill.
The Herald Scotland
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Should violent abuser Chris Brown be playing Hampden Stadium?
This missed opportunity to have a meaningful dialogue about accountability comes at a time when Glasgow is in the throes of a deepening crisis for women's safety. Instances of domestic abuse are up by 41 per cent, rapes increased by 41 per cent, and sexual assault has risen by 28 per cent, according to the most recent data from the Safe Glasgow Partnership. Every time I hear Chris Brown's name, I think back to a camera at the Grammys in 2009 panning to two empty seats, their vacancy eerie and unsettling. I think of how a young Rihanna's eyebrows are gently knitting together, holding back tears while her swollen face, black and blue, is photographed after her boyfriend, then 19, punched her repeatedly while driving a Lamborghini. Many of his fans will tell you that Rihanna has forgiven him, and so should we. Or 'seriously, the Rihanna thing happened like 15 years ago and he has apologised a million times'. But the violent incidents and string of allegations only started with Rihanna; they didn't end there. A documentary released last year, Chris Brown: A History of Violence, details the seemingly endless controversies, including numerous accusations of alleged sexual assault and a rape allegation. In 2017, Brown's ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran filed a restraining order, alleging that the singer repeatedly harassed her, punched her, and threatened to kill her and her friends. Brown kicked off his Breezy Bowl XX tour in Manchester earlier this week, a month after he was arrested in the city for an alleged bottle attack at the Tape nightclub in Mayfair in 2023. He spent a week in HMP Forest Bank, whom he thanked for being 'really nice' before performing to around 20,000 fans on Sunday night. Team Breezy, as his fans are known, are fiercely loyal. They will claim that Brown is Michael Jackson reincarnated, that he is the "king of R&B". They will wax lyrical about separating art from the artist. But we are living in an era with more music than ever before. It's easier to make, listen to, and discover. Something like 120,000 new tracks are uploaded to streaming services each day, according to a Luminate report from 2023. That is to say, the world is not short of options. Listening to Chris Brown is a choice. Glasgow Women's Aid said in a statement that Chris Brown 'should not be welcome in Glasgow' and asked what his concert says about our priorities. 'Time and time again, we see the entertainment industry turn a blind eye to abuse when profit is involved. Venues and sponsors claim to stand against violence against women but continue to hand a mic to men who harm.' The voluntary organisation called on promoters and venues to consider the impact of whom they choose to platform. They also said that fans should reflect on what they are supporting with their money and that politicians should have more of a voice when it comes to performers who have been charged with violent crimes. 'Abuse should have consequences,' they added. 'Glasgow is better than this.' I have been trying to unpack where it is I stand with this. Am I disappointed in DF Concerts for promoting Brown's gig? Or the tens of thousands of fans in the city and beyond who line his pockets with their ticket purchases? Or the political elites who have turned a blind eye to Brown while claiming Kneecap 'crossed a line'? Should someone pull the plug on the gig? What does that mean for free speech? Nearly every woman that I know, myself included, has been on the receiving end of men's sexual violence in some form or another. In terms of severity, these incidents vary greatly. Because formal institutions like the police and the courts have a history of failing survivors of abuse, the desire to hold someone to account in any way possible can be intoxicating. When it has happened to me, I have felt blinded by my desire to get justice and crippled by gut-wrenching feeling that it will never happen. Part of the problem is that as woman, what was meant to be our big movement, our big moment, went horribly wrong. Whitewashing everything with the same hashtag (#MeToo) had a flattening effect. It painted someone dog-whistling at you on the street with the same brush as rape. It also made us hyper-aware of what would be considered appropriate or inappropriate, and sometimes people got it wrong. But it seems like now, the middle has fallen out. And some people are so sick of walking on eggshells that they have just decided to give up thinking about these things altogether. Since the #MeToo movement there has been a cultural shift, a regression. Misogyny is creeping back into the mainstream. It often feels like a scary and hostile time to be a woman. I think part of this comes down to stripping nuance out of situations, which has in turn resulted in a chilling effect where it becomes so loaded to talk about something on a deeper level that we just stopped talking about it at all. Cancel culture is an illusion. It flattens complex situations, which in turn can strip someone of the opportunity to learn and grow. And while I don't believe in cancel culture, I do believe in accountability culture. And Brown does not come across to me as someone who has ever learned from his violent and disgusting mistakes. Chris Brown's stadium show is a great opportunity to have a conversation about what we as a city think is acceptable behaviour. And the silence speaks volumes. Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
NDTV
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
How Ram Kapoor Bought A Lamborghini Without Thinking As He Could Afford It
New Delhi: Ram Kapoor has been making headlines after he passed some inappropriate sexual comments during the promotions of his upcoming JioHotstar series Mistry. Now in conversation with Humans of Bombay, the Bade Acche Lagte Hain actor got candid about his financial journey so far. He spoke about building enough wealth to last him four generations and indulging in a luxurious Rs 5 crore Lamborghini without thinking. What's Happening Ram Kapoor has been one of the highest-paid TV actors. He played a huge role during the golden era of TV soap operas. Other than his passion for acting, he also has a lot of interest in luxurious cars and owns a Mercedes-AMG G63, BMW X5, Porsche and Ferrari. He was once again in the news as he recently became the first Indian to own a Lamborghini Urus that is approximately valued at a whopping Rs 5.21 crore. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Car Crazy India® (@ Speaking about how he does not like publicising his luxury car purchases online, he added that somehow the media always leaks it. He told Humans of Bombay, "When I bought the Lamborghini, I had clearly told the dealer not to put press there. However, they had their in-house photographer. Now, the minute they uploaded it on their site, the media took it. How can I stop this? I am lucky that I can afford all this." Speaking of spending money on such purchases without thinking, once one is able to afford it, he added, "I have always been a crazy petrol-head. I have really been into cars and bikes. People who are into cars and bikes like me, and people who can afford, them mostly have these collections. The difference is mine is talked about, while my friends who have better collections than me are not in the public eye, because they mostly belong to the corporate world, theirs are not talked about. So, if someone is a petrol-head like me, once you can afford it without thinking, you will have it because I don't like spending money on anything except that." Expressing his love for watches and cars, Ram Kapoor shared, "Watches and cars are the only things I love, so people who can afford these watches have fantastic watch collections. It's just that a lot of people who have it, like to keep quiet about it. Even if we want to keep quiet unfortunately because I am in the public eye, the media gets to know about it. Yes, I do have a car collection. I have a Ferrari, a Porsche but the thing is we don't like to show it off." Ram Kapoor On Co-Stars Sakshi Tanwar And Ronit Roy And Their Financial Status Ram Kapoor went on to talk about the pay disparity between movie stars and television actors. He mentioned that it's not likely that their paychecks will be the same. However, if an actor has a hit show for 7-8 years and has been on the top, then the actor's monthly paycheck is equal to the salary for 8 years. He said, "People like me, Sakshi and Ronit, if you have been on television for 20 years and are sensible, then you have made enough for at least 3-4 generations." In A Nutshell Ram Kapoor has an estimated net worth of Rs 135 crore and is one of the most popular names in Indian television. He recently spoke about his love for cars and watches and how he has built enough wealth to support four generations.
