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☆ Porsche’s iconic 911 is going hybrid
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A hybrid Porsche 911, with its gas engine assisted by at least one battery-powered electric motor, will officially be revealed in an online event on May 28. Porsche itself already sells plug-in hybrid models like the Cayenne e-Hybrid SUV and Panamera e-Hybrid four-door car but a hybrid 911 is another matter. This new hybrid model will be the closest Porsche can get to an electric 911 without raising those sorts of philosophical questions. But we do know the hybrid 911 is clearly faster than the current purely gas-powered 911. The faster time indicates the hybrid 911 has greater power due to the addition of electric assistance.

Persons: CNN —, ” Jörg Bergmeister, didn’t, Ferdinand Porsche Sr, Ferdinand “ Ferry, Ferry’s, Ferdinand “ Butzi Organizations: CNN, CNN — Porsche, Porsche, Volkswagen Locations: Cayenne

☆ Fender benders mean serious high-tech repairs now
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Virtually every new vehicle sold in the last few years has sensors and cameras, including radar and sonar, throughout the body of the vehicle. These have made the repair process more complex because, unlike a smashed fender, a sensor or camera can’t just be bolted or welded back on. Some of these systems can cut crash rates in half, said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at AAA. In a crash, these sensors and cameras can be damaged or just knocked out of alignment. Claim adjustors, who often come from the collision repair industry themselves, need to understand all the nuances involved in repairing these automated systems and sensors.

Persons: It’s, ”, Todd Dillender, Greg Brannon, “ They’re, Brannon, “, Hami Ebrahimi, ” Ebrahimi, Ebrahimi, That’s, Dillender, adjuster, Mike Bunda, We’ve Organizations: CNN, Auto, AAA, Systems Locations: United States, Chicago, Seattle, New York

☆ Kyle Larson wins by 0.001 seconds in closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Capping off a weekend of photo finishes, Kyle Larson won NASCAR’s AdventHealth 400 by a staggering 0.001 seconds in Kansas on Sunday. The RFK team could be seen on the broadcast jubilantly celebrating before the official result was finalized. Eventually, Hendrick Motorsports’ Larson was declared winner in the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history, per NASCAR. “I didn’t know if I won or not, I was pumped for the finish,” Larson added as he explained his spotter said it was a second-place finish before celebrating wildly down the radio when he found out Larson had won. I haven’t seen a replay other than just a picture and I sure can’t see it in that picture,” a dejected Buescher told FS1.

Persons: Kyle Larson, NASCAR’s, Mystik Dan, Larson, Chris Buescher, Buescher, ’ Larson, ” Larson, Logan Riely, “, ”, FS1, ” Buescher Organizations: CNN, Kentucky Derby, Roush Fenway, Racing, RFK Racing, RFK, Hendrick, NASCAR Locations: Kansas

☆ NASCAR and Its Race Teams Fight Over the Sport’s Future
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Ken Belson | More About Ken Belson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Michael Jordan and his right-hand man, Curtis Polk, bought a NASCAR team in 2020 with the driver Denny Hamlin, they were prepared to endure short-term losses. The Next Generation cars that were introduced in 2022 would cost top teams about $18 million a year to run before paying a driver, and their team, 23xi, had two. But they believed they’d make that money back over time because NASCAR had a lot of room to grow. Sponsorships, the lifeblood of every race team, were still in demand, especially for a team owned by a basketball legend like Jordan. The main reason, they said, is NASCAR’s reluctance to share more of its growing revenue with 23xi and the 15 other racing teams in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Persons: Michael Jordan, Curtis Polk, Denny Hamlin, Jordan Organizations: NASCAR, Fox, NBC, Amazon, Warner Bros .

☆ How G.M. Tricked Millions of Drivers Into Being Spied On (Including Me)
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Kashmir Hill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Automakers have been selling data about the driving behavior of millions of people to the insurance industry. In the case of General Motors, affected drivers weren’t informed, and the tracking led insurance companies to charge some of them more for premiums. This month, my husband received his “consumer disclosure files” from LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk, two data brokers that work with the insurance industry and that G.M. I had requested my own LexisNexis file while reporting, but it didn’t have driving data on it. Though both of our names are on the car’s title, the data from our Bolt accrued to my husband alone because the G.M.

Persons: Bolt, heeding Organizations: General Motors, LexisNexis Risk, LexisNexis

☆ Tesla heads to court after Apple engineer’s family says Autopilot caused his fatal crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But Huang’s family said Tesla oversold its Autopilot technology’s capabilities, and that it is not as safe to use as advertised. Tesla has come under intense scrutiny for its Autopilot technology over the six years since Huang’s fatal crash. That didn’t happen in the case of Huang’s crash, Tesla has said. Although Huang’s family acknowledges he was distracted while the car was driving, they argue Tesla is at fault because it falsely marketed Autopilot as self-driving software. If the jury finds in favor of Huang’s family, Tesla could have to pay damages, and they could add up quickly.

Persons: New York CNN — Tesla, Tesla, Walter Huang, Elon Musk, Huang, Huang’s, Mrs, ”, Mark Fong, Musk, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Apple, National Transportation Safety, Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Locations: New York, Silicon Valley, United States, California

☆ Elon Musk announces Tesla will unveil a ‘robotaxi’ on August 8
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But Musk, on a Friday afternoon, when companies tend to bury news, announced on X that Tesla would unveil its robotaxi on August 8. “Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8,” the Tesla CEO (and owner of X) posted. Musk has said in the past that Tesla will make a car without controls for a human to use. Musk has said the system will one day make Tesla cars incredibly valuable. Cruise has paused its testing work after one of its self-driving cars hit and dragged a pedestrian.

Persons: CNN — Elon Musk, Tesla, “ Tesla, Musk, ” Musk, ”, Kelly Funkhouser, she’s, “ You’re, “, Cruise, Waymo Organizations: CNN, Tesla, Consumer, Department of Justice

☆ Eva Mendes opens up about her acting hiatus after having kids with Ryan Gosling
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Eva Mendes has opened up about her transition from actress to full-time mom to her kids with actor partner Ryan Gosling. “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, okay, he’s going to work and I’m going to work. Mendes and Gosling reportedly met as co-stars on the set of the 2012 crime drama “The Place Beyond the Pines.”The longtime couple have two daughters together. Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling reportedly met while co-starring in the 2012 crime drama "The Place Beyond The Pines." Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed.”Speaking about that moment, she said, “Because that’s what it’s about.

Persons: CNN — Eva Mendes, Ryan Gosling, “, ”, I’m, ” Mendes, Mendes, Gosling, Eva Mendes, Sonia Recchia, Ken, Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie, Gosling’s Oscar, Barbie, Oscar, Ken ” – Mendes, ” Mendes ’, “ Desi, Mami Organizations: CNN, ABC Locations: Hollywood

☆ Remembering Marcello Gandini, designer of the world’s most famous supercar
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Look at almost any modern high-horsepower supercar and you will see the work of auto designer Marcello Gandini. Sharp lines, a low stance, doors that swing up; all were influenced by Gandini’s seminal work, the Lamborghini Countach. Gandini designed both of those cars and, if he had done nothing else, he would still be remembered. But in addition to his work for Lamborghini, Gandini produced cars for automakers including BMW, Fiat and Ferrari. The Lamborghini LP500, a first prototype for the Countach sports car, designed by by Marcello Gandini of Gruppo Bertone, circa 1972.

Persons: Marcello Gandini, Gandini’s, Lamborghini Countach, Stefano Guidi, Lamborghini Miura, Gandini, —, Miura, Lamborghini, ” Gandini, “, ” Marcello Gandini's, “ Gandini, ” Bertone, ” Organizations: CNN, Lamborghini, BMW, Fiat, Ferrari, Volkswagen Polo, Renault, Bertone, Geneva, Hulton, Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile, National Automobile Museum, Lancia, Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile, Porsche, Gooding, Co Locations: Turin, Italy, United States, Pebble Beach , California

☆ Porsche unveils one of the fastest cars in the world, featuring a 1,000-horsepower ‘launch control’ button
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The electric 1,093-horsepower Taycan Turbo GT, coming to market this summer, has already set two race track speed record for an electric car. High horsepower numbers and eye-popping acceleration are more common among electric cars than gasoline-powered ones, especially since EVs can have multiple motors. This Turbo GT, a new version of the electric Porsche Taycan, features two motors. One, the standard Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, will be fast but reasonably comfortable for street driving. The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package, though, will dispense with backseats and other comfort items to save weight.

Persons: Nordschleife Organizations: CNN, Porsche, Tesla, Toyota, Turbo, Taycan, Volkswagen Group Locations: Turkish

☆ Dodge’s new electric muscle car can have a gas engine if you want
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Muscle car shoppers will face some important decisions with the 2024 Dodge Charger. First, the new Charger will be available as a battery-powered electric car or with a gasoline engine. The most powerful and fastest version, at least initially, will be the fully electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, capable of producing up to 670 horsepower from two electric motors. Dodge Charger Daytona models are fully electric and have a hidden front wing. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack will be the top performance version, at least initially, with a maximum of 670 horsepower.

Persons: Dodge, We’re, ”, Tim Kuniskis, it’s, Stellantis Organizations: CNN, Chargers, Dodge, Challenger, All Chargers

☆ 2024 Formula One season: How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix and the biggest storylines to look out for this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The 2024 campaign will be the longest F1 season in history, featuring 24 race weekends. How to watch the season opener in BahrainThe 2024 season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix after three days of testing in the Middle Eastern nation last week. Red Bull’s 2023 F1 season was the most dominant of all time. He was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by the investigation, the team’s parent company, Red Bull GMBH, announced on Wednesday. Albon has bounced back from a disappointing spell at Red Bull in 2020 and is now a highly-sought after driver.

Persons: Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton’s, Hamilton, “ It’s, ” Hamilton, Mercedes, Will Buxton, Carlos Sainz, “, Hamad I Mohammed, Bull, Red Bull, Mercedes ’, George Russell, Verstappen, Max, hasn’t, he’s, Lawrence Barretto, ” Verstappen, Clive Rose, we’ve, Christian Horner, Horner, “ I’m, ” Horner, Ferrari, Russell, Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Williams, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Kimi Antonelli, Sainz, Carla Carniel, Sergio Pérez, Daniel Ricciardo –, Red Bull’s, –, Aston, Haas, Albon, James Vowles, Mark Thompson, McLaren, Piastri, Norris, Dan Istitene, Alonso, Lance, Lawrence, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce –, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon Organizations: CNN, Bahrain, Circuit, Red Bull Racing, Prix, ESPN, Qualifying, Saudi, Mercedes, Ferrari, PETRONAS F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari, Arrows, Reuters, Constructors, CNN Sport, Red Bull GMBH, Sky Sports, “, McLaren, Silver Arrows, Bulls, Sauber, Team, Red Bull, Getty, Aston Martin’s, Kansas City Chiefs Locations: Bahrain, British, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Red, Aston Martin, Thai, –

☆ For Car Thieves, Toronto Is a ‘Candy Store,’ and Drivers Are Fed Up
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Vjosa Isai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Whenever Dennis Wilson wants to take a drive in his new SUV, he has to set aside an extra 15 minutes. That’s about how long it takes to remove the car’s steering wheel club, undo four tire locks and lower a yellow bollard before backing out of his driveway. His Honda CR-V is also fitted with two alarm systems, a vehicle tracking device and, for good measure, four Apple AirTags. Its remote-access key fob rests in a Faraday bag, to jam illicit unlocking signals. As a final touch, he mounted two motion-sensitive floodlights on his house and aimed them at the driveway in his modest neighborhood in Toronto.

Persons: Dennis Wilson, Wilson Organizations: Honda, Apple Locations: Toronto

☆ Daytona 500: how to watch and what to know about Monday’s race as storms loom
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Travis Caldwell | Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Daytona 500 has been postponed until Monday for just the third time in its history due to “inclement weather,” organizers announced Sunday. Consistent rainfall washed out Saturday’s lower-division Xfinity Series race and Sunday’s forecast is far from sunny. 6) exits the garage area during Daytona 500 practice on Friday. A two-time series champion and 2015 Daytona 500 winner, Joey Logano took the pole position with an average qualifying lap speed of 181.947 mph and will be a favorite to run up front throughout the day. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the defending race champion and often competitive at superspeedways, will start 35th in the No.

Persons: Dwayne “, ” Johnson, –, Brad Keselowski, Mike Ehrmann, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, McDowell, Toyotas, Sean Gardner, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Michael Jordan, William Byron, Kyle Larson –, Kyle Busch, gunning, Jimmie Johnson, Richard Petty, Ross Chastain, Pitbull, Ricky Stenhouse, Ryan Blaney's, Jared C, Tilton Organizations: CNN, NASCAR, Netflix, Daytona, FOX, Ford, Fords, Getty, Los Angeles Coliseum, Toyota, Hamlin, Chevrolet, of Famer Locations: Florida, Martinsville, pileups

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson and his Legacy Motor Club race team welcomed Creed to NASCAR with arms wide open. So singer Scott Stapp and the rest of the multi-platinum rock band filled them — they handed Johnson an autographed guitar. Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, joked he quickly needed lessons. 84 Toyota on the scoring pylon and now the band and the seven-time NASCAR champion are in the Daytona 500. Legacy Motor Club reached an associate sponsorship deal with the band to give Creed a spot on the Toyota for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Persons: — Jimmie Johnson, Creed, Scott Stapp, Johnson, ” Stapp, Gibson, Erik Jones ’, Jones, “ We’re, ”, Mark Tremonti, Richard Petty, “, Stapp, Tremonti, Brian Marshall, Scott Phillips, Madison Marsh, DJ Khaled, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Pitbull, ” Tremonti Organizations: DAYTONA, Motor, NASCAR, Toyota, of Fame, GNR, Daytona Locations: Fla

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Don’t expect Denny Hamlin to stay in line during the closing laps of the Daytona 500. “In the end, you have to be selfish to win these races and certainly we realize that through results more than anything else,” Hamlin said. He’s repeatedly made it clear he wouldn’t trade any of his Daytona 500 victories for series championships. “I think Denny is really good at, like, being dramatic and building our sport up well, bringing some drama to it. I think that’s good.”The ultimate drama might be seeing Hamlin jockeying teammates and his own drivers over the final laps.

Persons: — Don’t, Denny Hamlin, He’s, “, ”, Hamlin, ” Hamlin, Ricky Stenhouse, Stenhouse, Michael Jordan, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Hall, Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Richard, Cale, it’s, Martin Truex Jr, Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, Denny, Hamlin jockeying Organizations: DAYTONA, NASCAR, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, NBA, 23IX Racing, Hall of Famers, Daytona, JGR, Netflix, Hendrick Motorsports Locations: Fla, Los Angeles, 23IX

☆ Billions in AI patents get new guidelines as regulators regroup
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But how will patent protections apply to inventions made with the help of AI tools, particularly generative AI? In connection with training an AI system, what level of planning will be required? “A natural person who only presents a problem to an AI system may not be a proper inventor” of something, the USPTO said. In that case, the USPTO had rejected the patent applications of an inventor who had given his AI system sole credit for the inventions. The inventorship guidelines will help everyone understand the boundaries of patent protections as AI is increasingly used in the inventive process.

Persons: ”, Jamie Nafziger, Dorsey, Whitney, Thaler, Vidal, Ryan McCarthy, Hall, It’s, Estill, John Bergmayer Organizations: CNN, Office, Biden, White, USPTO

Berry, who drives for Stewart-Haas Racing and will make his Daytona 500 debut on Sunday, wished he had Swift sign a yearbook. “I would have already sold it by now,” he quipped Wednesday at Daytona 500 media day. For the Daytona 500, Hard Rock is taking bets on everything from winning driver and winning race team to top Ford, Chevrolet and Ford drivers. That’s the fastest I’ve ever accelerated because of the all-wheel drive and the torque.”YELEY BEHIND THE WHEELJ.J. Yeley was a late addition to the Daytona 500. DE FERRAN TRIBUTEAustin Cindric, the 2022 Daytona 500 winner, has dedicated this race to late open-wheel star Gil de Ferran.

Persons: — Taylor Swift, Josh Berry’s, Swift, Berry, Stewart, Haas, “, ”, Dang, ’ ” Berry, ” Berry, David Ragan, Ragan, ” Ragan, They’re, I’ve, Yeley, Greg Biffle, ” Biffle, FERRAN, Austin Cindric, Gil de Ferran, De Ferran, Cindric’s, Tim, Austin, ” “ Gil, ” Cindric Organizations: DAYTONA, Henderson, Daytona, ESPN Bet, NASCAR, Ford, Chevrolet, Martinsville Speedway, Toyota, EV, NY Racing, Team Penske, Penske, California Speedway Locations: Fla, Tennessee, Florida, BetMGM, Martinsville, Indianapolis

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — No one needs to remind Kyle Larson about his record at Daytona International Speedway. “It’s tougher today than it’s ever been,” three-time Daytona 500 winner and current Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon said. He's finished 18th or worse in half of his Daytona 500 starts. Truex doesn’t have a top-10 finish in the 500 since, but he did win the series championship the following year. Hall of Famers Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin are the most notable drivers to never win the Daytona 500.

Persons: Kyle Larson, He’s frustratingly, ” Larson, “, —, Larson, Jeff Gordon, “ You’ve, Ricky Stenhouse, He's, it’s, Martin Truex, Joe Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, Truex, Kyle Busch, Busch, Brad Keselowski's, Keselowski, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, ”, ” David Ragan, A.J, Allmendinger, Hall, Hall of Famers Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Famer David Pearson, Kyle Busch’s, Kurt, Dale Earnhardt, “ I’ve, we’ve, Hendrick Motorsports, Rick Hendrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jenna Fryer Organizations: DAYTONA, Daytona, NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Talladega, Penske, Hall of Famers, Famer, Auto Locations: Fla

☆ How China Built BYD, Its Tesla Killer
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Keith Bradsher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s BYD was a battery manufacturer trying its hand at building cars when it showed off its newest model in 2007. “They were the laughingstock of the industry,” said Michael Dunne, a China auto industry analyst. BYD is building assembly lines in Brazil, Hungary, Thailand and Uzbekistan and preparing to do so in Indonesia and Mexico. And the company is on the cusp of passing Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, as the market leader in China. The last automaker to accomplish that in even one year in the American market was General Motors — and that was in 1946, after G.M.

Persons: China’s BYD, ”, Michael Dunne, General Motors — Organizations: Volkswagen Group, Audi, General Motors Locations: Guangzhou, China, BYD, Brazil, Hungary, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Mexico, Europe

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Bartender Catey Regis had a pricey misadventure buying a used car recently — an experience that speaks to why voters are worrying about the U.S. economy going into this year's presidential election. “To me, it’s a telltale sign about the economy," Regis explained from a bar stool after her shift. But conversations with dozens of voters around Grand Rapids — a city of 200,000 in one of Michigan’s swing counties — show they're thinking about the economy through their own experiences. Grand Rapids is the seat of Kent County, which backed Trump in 2016 and then flipped to Biden in 2020. To the extent that the economy is doing well, there is little confidence that it is necessarily sustainable.

Persons: Catey Regis, it’s, Regis, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, ”, Cameron Brown, “, Scott Thompson, Uber, ” Thompson, Teresa Johnson, Johnson, Nikki Haley, Charles Kroll, he’s, ” Kroll, Arick Davis, Davis, ” Davis, ___ Boak Organizations: Founders Brewing, Toyota Corolla, Republican, Westwood, Trump, Democrat, South, Biden, Census, Chamber, Commerce, Business Locations: GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, U.S, Grand Rapids, Kentwood, East, Ukraine, Caledonia, South Carolina, Grand, Kent County, South East Grand Rapids, Commerce “, Washington

Nearly half of all flash flood deaths are vehicle-related, experts say, which is why you should never drive into a flooded street. Here’s what to do in advance — and in the moment — to get through a flash flood safely. A “flash flood warning” means a flash flood is imminent or already occurring, and you should immediately move to higher ground if you’re outside or in a basement apartment. The most dire alert is a “flash flood emergency,” which indicates that not only is flooding occurring, but it’s posing a severe threat to human life. “People need to realize that most people who lose their footing in a flash flood don’t get out,” she said.

Persons: there’s, ”, Bonnie Schneider, Schneider, it’s, Hurricane Ida, You’ll, Ready.gov, David Markenson, ‘ It’s, Sabine Marx, I’m, Julie Munger, Munger, “, Dr, Markenson, you’re, don’t, they’re, Ms, Lynn Burttschell, Burttschell, Eugene Resnick, ’, ” Susan Shain Organizations: National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cross Training Services, Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Sierra Rescue, FEMA, Wimberley, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Times Locations: United States, New York City, New York, Madison, Wis

☆ Don’t Bet on This Former Vegas Mayor Being at the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Ken Belson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was just after 4 p.m. on a recent weekday, and Oscar Goodman, the mob lawyer turned Las Vegas mayor turned civic cheerleader, was sipping perhaps his first Hizzoner of the day. The drink — made with Bombay Sapphire gin, more Bombay Sapphire gin and a slice of jalapeño pepper, served in a large martini glass — is not just Mr. Goodman’s favorite social lubricant. It’s a homage to a faded version of Las Vegas that he has spent decades celebrating and trying to keep alive. Mr. Goodman, 84, has no trouble dishing out bare-knuckle opinions about everything from graffiti and gambling to prostitution and the homeless situation. Mr. Goodman is more than merely an “only in Vegas” relic, however.

Persons: Oscar Goodman, —, Goodman, Meyer Lansky, Tony Spilotro, . Goodman Organizations: Las Vegas Locations: Las, Bombay, Vegas, Las Vegas, Sin City

☆ The super-rich are buying more ultra-customized Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Lamborghini sold more than 10,000 vehicles last year for the first time ever and Ferrari had a more than 17% increase in revenue. But customers purchasing Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys have an even wider array of infinitely customizable paint colors and interior materials, to start with, than carmakers offer for less expensive brands. If the customer has a favorite shirt, for example, the car paint could be matched to the fabric color. At Dixon’s Rolls-Royce dealership three quarters of the roughly 90 cars sold each year include some degree of custom options, she said. While she and Rolls-Royce’s design team can provide guidance, in the end, the choices have to be the customer’s.

Persons: Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, ”, Stephan Winkelmann, Lewis Hamilton, Altrata, Royce Cullinan, Javier Gonzalez Lastra, “, ” Gonzalez Lastra, Pietro Frigerio, Kellyn Dixon, Dixon, Bugatti Chiron, Bugatti, Chiron, Lamborghini’s Winkelmann Organizations: California CNN, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Royce, CNN, Ferrari’s, Tema, Volkswagen, Ford, Art Basel Miami Beach, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Bugatti Bugatti Locations: Irvine, California, Newport Beach , California, Irvine , California, Goodwood

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