It’s Friday. It’s six o’clock. It’s time to down tools, pour yourself a drink and look back at what A Prodigal Week it has been. Here’s your bite-sized helping of news and views.
CARS
Electric, schmelectric…
You’ve read me proclaim the future of cars as electric more than once. And I believe that. I believe it right until McLaren puts a photo of their new Artura under my nose.
To be fair, it’s a hybrid - and comes with the promise of “up to 19 miles on electric power alone” - so there is some small comfort to those of us who care about the planet. But the real excitement of course comes from the engine. Engadget reports:
The powertrain is driven by McLaren’s new twin-turbo V6 ICE outputting 577 HP and 431 lb-ft of torque. Dubbed the M630, this engine manages to save 110 pounds of weight and a few inches of length over the company’s conventional V8. It’s paired with a 94 HP, 166 lb-ft axial flux E-motor which can propel the Artura up to 19 miles on electric power alone or work in harmony with the V6 engine to notch a 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds, hit 0 - 124mph in 8.3 seconds with a governed top speed of 205 mph.
Yes, that’s 0-60 in 3 seconds flat, while looking like that.
GADGETS
Apple kills Tidal
We don't mention the price of things much here in the pages of TPG. Mostly because we tend to go along with the old adage that if you need to ask, you can’t afford it. So, it’s a pleasure be able to bring you news of a major announcement in Gadget World that will cost you precisely nothing.
This week, Apple announced spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and lossless streaming on its Apple Music service - and at no extra cost. Lossless starts out at CD quality 16 bit at 44.1 kHz and goes up to 24-bit/48KHz. Apple says 24 bit at 192kHz is meant for "the true audiophile."
Some claim to be able to hear the difference. Honestly, I can’t. But I do have a pressing need to always ‘feel’ like I’m getting the best quality. Box ticked, Apple. And farewell, Tidal. We hardly knew ye.
WATCHES
IWC and AMG get a room. Again
Watch brands entering into partnerships with other brands - particularly in the automotive sector: let’s fact it, it often ends in tears. Indeed, I’d go so far as to say I can’t think of one where the partnership has actually increased the appeal of either brand. Except…except…IWC’s relationship with AMG. They’ve been ‘together’ since 2004 and, as this week’s article in Hodinkee covers in detail, in that time they’ve produced some truly great pieces.
This latest variation of the Pilot’s Watch chrono takes the handsome looks, in-house movement, and sensible proportions of the new 43mm model and adds a case made from titanium and a dial clad in carbon fibre. Wow.
To my eyes this works because the partnership tweaks feel authentic for both brands. Lightweight, strong titanium and carbon fibre lend themselves to use in watches just as well as F1 cars. This looks and feels ‘right’.
In case you missed it…
⌚️ Why I buy watches, what stuck, what didn’t, and why. If you’ve never been interviewed about your watch choices, in terms of introspection, it’s not disimilar to visiting a psychiatrist - or, if Eric Drosin is doing the interviewing, a proctologist.
Have a listen >
✈️ My obsession with IWC Pilot’s watches is laid bare in the first of a new series, The Wish List, in which we explore the dozen or so pieces I’m clamouring to add to my watch box.
Discover the list >
⌚️ Vintage Rolex collecting can be a dangerous, murky way of life. I asked Eric Drosin to share his story. It’s a riveting tale of bravery, treachery and a perfectly-coiffed rascal of a watch dealer.
Have a listen >
Welcome to the weekend, folks.