Latest news with #VAG
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
BMW M135 xDrive review: Faster, sharper and still premium
The BMW 1 Series has always been a popular choice amongst those who wanted a small everyday premium car. And hardcore enthusiasts that wanted to tear up the streets. The Citizen reports that over time, with the advent of the world going SUV-crazy, the BMW 1 Series has become more of a niche car. And with the change from the old days of them being rear-wheel driven and powered by those legendary N54 and N55 engines, dare I say it, the car has become more civilised in M135 xDrive guise. Just like the VAG boys have moved from 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, VW Golf Rs to 2.5-litre, five-cylinder Audi RS3s for breaking records. With the new M135 now running the same 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder powerplant as before, it's no longer considered a weapon for the BMW guys that want to tear up the streets and dragstrips. Today they are spending stupid money on S58 3.0-litre straight-six powered M2s, M3s and M4s. New naming strategy A quick lesson in BMW badging might also be in order right now. BMW have dropped the 'i' from the naming of their gasoline-powered cars because this letter is now reserved for their electric cars like the i4 etc. But the diesel cars still get a 'd', and the plug-in hybrids get an 'e' and the mild hybrids don't crack a mention. I think these corporate execs have too much free time on their hands like the Audi guys who decided the 30 TFSI and 40 TFSI means something to them and only them. So, when I type M135 and M135i, I am actually referring to two different cars and have not just made a typo. This is in no way a VW Golf 8 R versus BMW M135 shootout. But almost everybody I spoke to had to chip in and say that the Golf would smoke the M135. So, for what it is worth, these two are separated by mere hundredths of a second here and there at any measured distance. And by less than one kilometre too as you can see from the comparison chart. Faster than before This does not mean the BMW M135 is slow by any means. It is in fact now very much back on par with the VW Golf R. And also somewhat quicker than its predecessor despite making less power and torque, while almost weighing in the same. But how? Let me give you the numbers first, so that you too can try figure this out, before I add my two cents. The BMW M135 hit 100km/h in a fraction better than claimed 4.77 seconds, while the previous M135i did this sprint in 5.41 seconds. At the longer 800m mark, the new car is doing 212km/h, while the old one is lagging at 199 km/h. This is an advantage that stays all the way to their electronically limited top speeds of 250 km/h. Even in the roll-on acceleration runs, the new M135 outguns the old M135i. For 2025 the F70 BMW M135 xDrive produces 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The previous F40 BMW M135i xDrive with the same engine churned out 225kW and 450Nm. 50Nm of lost torque is not easy to overcome, especially when the listed kerb weights are only a mere 5kg in favour of the new car. Dual-clutch advantage The power now comes in a bit later, as does the torque. Yes, the power holds a bit longer, but the torque starts running down at the same place on paper. But this alone can't explain the difference in performance on the road. I have only two explanations that make some sort of sense to me. One, put the two cars on a dyno and you might see graphs that indicate different power and torque figures throughout the rev range that differ from the claimed numbers. Two, the change in transmissions from the previous gen's eight-speed, torque converter back to a seven-speed dual-clutch unit has had a bigger effect on the performance than we thought it would. I thought the old transmission was really good, but my off the line data indicates that the dual-clutch set-up gets up and bolts away from torque-converter. And without anything else to work with, unless I got a dud M135i from the manufacturer a few years ago, I am just going to say that the new F70 BMW M135 is quicker than the old F40 M135i. And I have no idea why. BMW M135 road test data
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
BMW M135 a premium pocket rocket that keeps Golf R in check
Latest reiteration of all-wheel drive hot hatch has become more civilised than before. The BMW 1 Series has always been a popular choice amongst those who wanted a small everyday premium car. And hardcore enthusiasts that wanted to tear up the streets. But over time with the advent of the world going SUV-crazy, the BMWs 1 Series has become more of a niche car. And with the change from the old days of them being rear-wheel driven and powered by those legendary N54 and N55 engines, dare I say it, the car has become more civilised in M135 xDrive guise. Just like the VAG boys have moved from 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, VW Golf Rs to 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, AudiRS 3s for breaking records. With the new M135 now running the same 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder powerplant as before, it's no longer considered a weapon for the BMW guys that want to tear up the streets and dragstrips. Today they are spending stupid money on S58 3.0-litre straight-six powered M2s, M3s and M4s. ALSO READ: Box-fresh all-new BMW 1 Series makes dramatic debut New naming strategy A quick lesson in BMW badging might also be in order right now. BMW have dropped the 'i' from the naming of their gasoline powered cars because this letter is now reserved for their electric cars like the i4 etc. But the diesel cars still get a 'd', and the plug-in hybrids get an 'e' and the mild hybrids don't crack a mention. I think these corporate execs have too much free time on their hands like the Audi guys who decided the 30 TFSI and 40 TFSI means something to them and only them. So, when I type M135 and M135i, I am actually referring to two different cars and have not just made a typo. This is in no way a VW Golf 8 R versus BMW M135 shootout. But almost everybody I spoke to had to chip in and say that the Golf would smoke the M135. So, for what it is worth, these two are separated by mere hundredths of a second here and there at any measured distance. And by less than one kilometre too as you can see from the comparison chart. BMW M135 faster than before This does not mean the BMW M135 is slow by any means. It is in fact now very much back on par with the VW Golf R. And also somewhat quicker than its predecessor despite making less power and torque, while almost weighing in the same. But how? Let me give you the numbers first, so that you too can try figure this out, before I add my two-cents. Very little separates the times posted by the BMW M135 and VW Golf 8R. Picture: Mark Jones The BMW M135 hit 100km/h in a fraction better than claimed 4.77 seconds, while the previous M135i did this sprint in 5.41 seconds. At the longer 800m mark, the new car is doing 212km/h, while the old one is lagging at 199 km/h. This is an advantage that stays all the way to their electronically limited top speeds of 250 km/h. Even in the roll-on acceleration runs, the new M135 outguns the old M135i. For 2025 the F70 BMW M135 xDrive produces 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The previous F40 BMW M135i xDrive with the same engine churned out 225kW and 450Nm. 50Nm of lost torque is not easy to overcome, especially when the listed kerb weights are only a mere 5kg in favour of the new car. ALSO READ: New BMW 1 Series and 2 Series out to banish doubt further Speed-seven double clutch The power now comes in a bit later, as does the torque. Yes, the power holds a bit longer, but the torque starts running down at the same place on paper. But this alone can't explain the difference in performance on the road. I have only two explanations that make some sort of sense to me. One, put the two cars on a dyno and you might see graphs that indicate different power and torque figures throughout the rev range that differ from the claimed numbers. Two, the change in transmissions from the previous gen's eight-speed, torque converter back to a seven-speed dual-clutch unit has had a bigger effect on the performance than we thought it would. I thought the old transmission was really good, but my off the line data indicates that the dual-clutch set-up gets up and bolts away from torque-converter. And without anything else to work with, unless I got a dud M135i from the manufacturer a few years ago, I am just going to say that the new F70 BMW M135 is quicker than the old F40 M135i. And I have no idea why. BMW M135 road test data
Vancouver Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Art Gallery losing money, will lay off staff
Faced with an 'unsustainable annual deficit,' the Vancouver Art Gallery is making dramatic cuts to its staff. The VAG is laying off or buying out a third of its unionized employees, along with an unspecified number of non-union staff. 'The cuts are across the organization, every department, all levels,' said Jasmine Bradley of the VAG's communications department. Bradley said there are currently 129 full-time staff at the gallery. CUPE Local 15 president Warren Williams said 29 of the 90 unionized staff will be affected. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The cuts come after the VAG's annual general meeting June 17, when it reported it had lost $2.85 million in operating revenue during the 2023-24 fiscal year, and was on pace to lose money in 2024-25. Jon Stovell, chair of the VAG's board of trustees, said Wednesday the gallery has 'never really returned to pre-COVID attendance levels,' and 'the whole (art gallery) sector across North America, and maybe Europe, is struggling.' 'There's changes in how traditional visual arts organizations are funded,' said Stovell. 'Philanthropy is challenging, government contributions are kind of diminishing.' As a result, the VAG decided to make cuts to avoid what Stovell dubbed an ' uns u s t ainable annual deficit .' 'We're not like a government that could just tax our way and keep going, we really are obligated to live within our means,' said Stovell. 'Those are the adjustments that we're making. Our fiscal year starts on July 1, so we're targeting a balanced budget for 2025-26.' For 2024-25, though, he expects there will be a deficit 'similar in magnitude' to 2023-24. In December, the gallery made the decision to cancel plans for a flashy new art gallery designed by the Swiss firm Herzog and de Meuron. Stovell said the gallery had already spent $63 million to $64 million on 'soft costs' on the project, which was initially estimated at $350 million but later ballooned to a $600-million project when it was cancelled. The VAG's CEO and executive director Anthony Kiendl left the gallery in March. He joined the VAG after the departure of longtime head Kathleen Bartels in 2019, who had been the champion of the Herzog and de Meuron gallery. The VAG is still looking to build a new gallery designed by a Canadian architect. But it will be more modest, because construction costs have soared. Stovell said building an art gallery today would probably cost $1,200 per square foot. 'Through this hyper-inflationary cycle that we've been in, everything has gotten more expensive — insurance, shipping, wages, repairing the (current) building — everything's been more,' he said. 'I think the gallery also had been kind of scaling up a little bit in preparation for this new building — building a bigger team, and having all the extra costs of managing the project.' The VAG also made a costly decision in 2019 to operate its own restaurant or bistro. According to the VAG's 2023-24 report, the bistro had 'an accumulated equity loss on investment' of $2,459,727. The bistro was before Stovell's time on the board. The VAG has stopped running the bistro by itself and leased it. CUPE's Williams has been meeting with union members to answer questions and provide information on the cuts. 'They're offering severance packages, which are somewhat better than the collective agreement language allows,' said Williams. 'The employer has been pretty good about that. They're in a deficit financially, there's no doubt about that.' According to the 2023-24 report, in its general fund the VAG had $12,099,467 in revenue that fiscal year, as well as $3,478,450 in grants from three levels of government. This made for income of $16,466,917, versus expenses of $19,320,263, and a deficit of $2,853,346. Other losses left the VAG with a 'deficiency of revenue over expenses' of $3,973,186. 'Interfund transfers' from other parts of the Vancouver Art Gallery Association left it with a deficit in the 'fund balance' of $1,976,202. The VAG's building fund was still large: $98,663,735. It also had an acquisition fund of $1,772,745. Revenue from admissions dropped to $2,731,368 in 2023-24 from $3,152,966 in 2018-19, the last year pre-COVID. jmackie@
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Art and the Man: In memory of K Venkatappa
On Kasturba Road, abutting Cubbon Park, is a set of three adjacent buildings that feature in every 'Things To Do In Bengaluru' list. The first, if you are heading down from Queens Road, is a nondescript rectangular structure, with an actual Marut – the first Indian-developed jet fighter, conceived and manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the 1960s – in its front lawn, which houses the exciting, interactive Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM). The second, whose name and purpose elude many Bangaloreans, is the magnificent neoclassical structure designed by Col Richard Sankey in 1877 and painted an eye-catching Pompeiian red (psst, that is the Government Museum, which contains many priceless historical artefacts, and is currently under renovation). The third, a plain modernist building set back from the road and originally designed to stand in the middle of an artificial island, is the Venkatappa Art Gallery (VAG), established in 1975 primarily to house the works of one of the most celebrated artists of the erstwhile Mysore state. Many Bangaloreans believe that the red building is in fact the VAG, but that kind of mix-up is less likely to happen going forward; last week, as part of its golden jubilee celebrations, a swank, state-of-the-art VAG, renovated by the Brigade Foundation, reopened to the public in the same location. His artistic talent – he came from a long lineage of Chitrakaras, court painters patronised by the Mysore kings – was spotted early, by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who urged the lad to hone his skills at the Government School of Art in Calcutta. Arriving in Calcutta at 23, Venkatappa spent the next seven years studying under Tagore, alongside peers like Nandalal Bose, the pioneer of modern Indian art, and Asit Kumar Haldar, one of the major artists of the Bengal Renaissance. Like other artists of his generation who grew up in the ferment of nationalism, Venkatappa strove to create a new paradigm of art that was resolutely 'Indian'. But his reluctance to align himself with any artistic school, his rejection of important commissions that did not, in his estimation, compensate him adequately, or interfered with his artistic style (he preferred working in watercolours, when oils, inspired by Raja Ravi Varma, were all the rage in Mysore), and his habit of frequently neglecting his art for his music saw him produce far less work than his contemporaries. He may have faded into obscurity were it not for the Irish poet and theosophist James Cousins (famously responsible for nudging Kannada poet laureate Kuvempu into writing in his mother tongue after the latter solicited Cousins' feedback on his collection of poems in English), who, taken by Venkatappa's talent, recommended him to Nalvadi's brother, the Yuvaraja, in 1924. A royal commission followed soon after – a series of bas reliefs for the Mysore Palace, with a studio in the palace thrown in as a bonus. Venkatappa accepted, but he was by then so deep into his 'Ooty watercolours' phase (during which he produced some of his finest work) that delivery of the reliefs was inordinately delayed. With the death of Nalvadi in 1940, Venkatappa lost his most loyal patron. The new king, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, summarily dismissed the artist and evicted him from the palace. Furious, Venkatappa sued the Palace, but in vain. He produced no more new work until his death in 1965. That the state government should have, despite everything, set up a gallery for his work 50 years ago, is clearly a testament to K Venkatappa's relevance and impact as an artist. But go visit the VAG, and judge for yourself! (Roopa Pai is a writer who has carried on a longtime love affair with her hometown Bengaluru)
Medscape
08-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Nature Art Prescriptions Support Mental Health in Vancouver
On World Health Day, the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) and BC Parks Foundation's PaRx, Canada's national nature prescription program, launched a partnership to support patients' mental health and psychological well-being. The new collaboration is the first of its kind in Canada and possibly the world, providing an immersive indoor art and nature experience in an urban setting. Sirish Rao 'We know that visitors come to the gallery seeking more than art — they come to reflect, restore, and find solace,' VAG Interim CEO Sirish Rao told Medscape Medical News . The exhibition 'Emily Carr: Navigating an Impenetrable Landscape' provides an appropriate indoor nature experience for the prescription. Carr's paintings of British Columbia's forests invite leisurely contemplation, according to Rao. Melissa Lem, MD, a family physician and director of PaRx's Park Prescriptions, told Medscape Medical News , 'PaRx frequently receives questions from patients and prescribers about how people who have outdoor accessibility issues, whether it's due to inclement weather or trouble with mobility, can fill nature prescriptions. Melissa Lem, MD 'Prescribing a nature-inspired art experience is a way to make the health and well-being benefits of nature accessible to more people,' she said. 'It's also a way to inspire new audiences — those who may feel more at home in an art gallery than outside — to step outside into nature to improve their health.' A printed guide for the exhibit encourages visitors to 'slow look' (ie, look at each painting at length), connect to the images of nature, and reflect on how the experience makes them feel. Visitors also are encouraged to spend time exploring local parks or getting involved in protecting nature. During the first year of the program, each visitor with a prescription and an optional guest will receive free admission to the gallery, underscoring the initiative's effort to foster social connections while removing financial barriers. Visitors may return as often as they like through January 4, 2026, by retaining their PaRx nature prescriptions. What the Evidence Says 'Nature is so powerful that just looking at images of it can improve markers of health and well-being,' Lem said. 'There's an impressive amount of evidence describing the benefits of nature time across almost any kind of mental and physical health issue you can imagine, from hypertension and diabetes to prenatal care and depression.' Recent studies have supported those benefits. For example, a special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health entitled 'Advances in Nature-Based Therapies and Human Health' features 11 papers with research covering exposure to or participation in nature and their effects on mood, psychological well-being, anxiety, and social engagement across a range of settings. In addition, a small study published in Scientific Reports showed that photo slideshows of forest had a positive effect on cognition and reduced physiological arousal among university students in Germany. Studies also support the psychological benefits of prescribing art. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that art interventions led to 'a statistically significant improvement in well-being' among participants, with 'promising outcomes' that require further investigation, such as reductions in anxiety and depression. Most prescriptions in the PaRx program tend to be for mental health concerns, Lem noted. 'Vancouver has a reputation for being a lonely city, and this new collaboration specifically seeks to improve social connection.' Research shows that connecting people to nature not only improves their health and well-being but also can result in fewer prescriptions for pharmaceuticals. For example, a recent study indicated that heading outdoors three to four times per week can lower the likelihood of taking blood pressure pills by 36% and taking mental health medications by 33%. Paula Toledo In addition, some evidence suggests that spending time in museums can reduce stress and cortisol levels, said mental health advisor Paula Toledo, the VAG's lead well-being consultant. 'As we look at ways to buffer loneliness and social isolation, we are drawing on research that shows that interactions with art and nature can evoke feelings of awe and inspire wonder,' she told Medscape Medical News . 'In these moments, when people feel interconnected with something larger than themselves, they can often feel a greater inclination toward community involvement and pro-social actions.' What Prescribers Say Lem said that while it's 'early days' for the collaborative initiative with VAG, which was launched last month, 'two of my own patients, a young woman who's struggling with a new cancer diagnosis and an elder with hypertension and chronic kidney disease, have asked me for nature prescriptions, specifically saying they thought a visit to the gallery would improve their mental health.' Carla Fry, PhD Carla Fry, PhD, director of the Vancouver Psychology Centre, told Medscape Medical News , 'What stands out most is how moved people feel afterward. One client told me she hadn't realized how much she needed 'a place to just be' — no pressure, no expectations. Several others have shared how the exhibit gave them a sense of calm they hadn't felt in weeks. 'A few were surprised by how emotional the experience was,' she said. 'For some, Carr's landscapes stirred memories or longings that had been sitting just beneath the surface. Interestingly, the chance to bring a guest has also made the experience more inviting. Clients often describe going with a friend or family member and finding it strengthened those bonds, too.' Because some of her clients weren't sure what to expect or whether they were expected to 'understand' the art in a particular way, Fry emphasizes beforehand that there's no right or wrong way to experience the exhibit. She advises clients with sensory challenges to wear shaded glasses, hats with brims, or noise-cancelling headphones to limit the impact of other patrons, lights, or ambient sounds that may distract them from focusing on the art. Cindy Hayto Cindy Hayto, a registered physical and occupational therapist at ARC Active Rehab Consulting in Burnaby, British Columbia, prescribes the exhibit to her older clients with mobility issues that make it difficult to get outside without relying on caregivers. The idea that connecting with nature can bring physical and mental benefits 'can be a foreign concept to some, but introducing them to nature-themed art is a way of breaking the ice,' she said. The exhibit provides a worksheet that prompts viewers to sharpen their observations as they reflect on the paintings, and this increased acuity can be transferred to observations outdoors. 'Even looking at the trees from their window, they can see the movements, hear the sounds, observe the winged wildlife within the branches and imagine stories,' Hayto continued. 'The benefits can be immediate, including slower, deeper breathing; lowered blood pressure and heart rate; improved mood, a quieting of the mind. 'The bonus of a second pass for a guest means a caregiver receives a direct benefit as well,' she added. 'Or if not a caregiver, my client has a unique opportunity to offer something to a friend, to share in the experience, and to pursue future opportunities to connect with nature.' Looking Ahead Going forward, Rao envisions the potential expansion of the program. 'Already, we can see that the experience would be even more beneficial if we had the capacity and wherewithal to have regular group classes, a dedicated person to receive guests, or even a resident art therapist. These are dreams we nurse for the future as we garner more support for this program. 'Art prescriptions are best seen not as a one-visit scenario but as a pathway that includes participating in the arts, engagement in self-expression, and social interactions,' he said. 'A recommended 'dosage' would be a minimum of one visit or more per month to an art experience that lasts at least 30 minutes. This is extremely powerful, and we hope that this program can help inspire other arts organizations and medical professionals to collaborate and make such offerings widespread, even normalized.' Fry encourages colleagues globally to think about the untapped resources in their own regions (such as local museums, parks, and cultural spaces) and consider how these environments might serve as extensions of the therapeutic process. 'We don't always need to prescribe medication or a therapy protocol,' she said. 'Sometimes, what helps most is giving someone permission to slow down, to look, to feel, and to connect with nature in all its forms.' Lem pointed out that the new collaboration also aims to inspire more care for the planet. 'Research shows that people who are more connected to nature are more likely to protect it and engage in more pro-environmental behaviors that go beyond biodiversity conservation, like recycling, energy conservation, and voting for decision-makers who prioritize environmental protections,' she said. 'In a world with increasing stress on health professionals due to increasingly challenging practice environments in our offices and hospitals, as well as stresses from outside the healthcare system due to climate change, it feels good to be part of a movement that improves both patient and planetary health,' Lem concluded. Rao, Lem, Toledo, Fry, and Hayto reported having no relevant financial relationships.
