Mission iPossible drives BMW on

Mission iPossible ... BMW's stunning electric car

THIS is BMW's sensational new electric car which offers supercar performance and nearly 90mpg.

Tom Cruise will drive the electric/diesel hybrid i8 in new Mission Impossible film The Ghost Protocol.

And it will go on sale in 2013 as part of a radical brand of BMW electric/hybrid cars.

The brand, launched this week in Munich, will be called BMWi - with the first models an electric city car, the BMW i3, and the high-performance i8 coupé.

The i3 will be a zero-emission all-electric supermini with room for four and a range in excess of 100 miles. It is aimed at commuters around the world. But the car that will change the image of electric motoring will be the stunning i8, a four-seat coupé with supercar performance, but fuel economy of nearly 90mpg, a range of 435 miles and CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km - and that means no road tax.

The incredible performance comes from a relatively small 1.5-litre turbo diesel, boosted by two electric motors, that delivers 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Expect a price around £100,000 plus.

BMW's Sales and Marketing boss Ian Robertson said the new brand and cars would "radically alter the motor industry and set a new benchmark for premium electric cars".

He added: "These cars and the i brand will shift the game and shape the future of motoring.

"It will change the way we build cars with new materials and production techniques and the way we drive."

He said it was too early to talk prices for the new cars but said that the i3 - despite being a small city car - would have a premium price and cost more than such rivals as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt.

Luxury The ground-breaking brand follows a decision at the weekend by Rolls- Royce, also owned by BMW, to develop an all-electric Phantom as the first ultra-luxury electric car.

And BMW are also working on plans for an electric Mini - the German Group own Mini - to complete their electric range.

To that end BMW have been testing a fleet of 600 prototype electric Minis in the UK and around the world for the last two years.

And research from those drivers who took part in the Mini electric trials has been vital in developing the BMW i3 city car.

iBrand ... BMW hope their i cars will shape the future of motoring

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Supercars

Geographically located in between the supercar capitals of Europe, Switzerland is where the world's automakers come to showcase the latest array of mouth-watering, bank-balance-tempting exotic sports cars. And this year's Geneva Motor Show didn't disappoint in the least.

In between all those luxury sedans, upscale sport-utes and premium hatchbacks were a blinding assortment of six-figure supercars seemingly capable of bending the very laws of physics. Standing out from the crowd were brand-new offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani, new takes on old favorites from Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar, concept cars from Alfa Romeo, BMW and Wiesmann and more.

We went to Geneva to check them out with our own eyes (and lens) – follow the jump to see what we found, and click the images to view the full galleries from our sister-site Autoblog.

Among the most eagerly anticipated of the new debuts was the all-new Pagani Huayra. The oddly-named supercar from Modena replaces, at long last, the much-loved Zonda that stood for years as a favorite among those in the know. The new Huayra, packing a Mercedes AMG V12 engine, looks much better in red and in person than it did in the first batch of beige images released when the car was initially announced, leaving us with little doubt that the Huayra will be as sought-after as the Zonda it replaces.



Arguably even more anxiously awaited was the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4. After months of teasers and spy shots, the Raging Bull marque finally unveiled its all-new supercar under the flood lights on the Geneva show floor to rave reviews. Replacing the old steel-framed Murcielago with a completely new carbon-fiber monocoque, the Aventador drives 700 metric horsepower to all four wheels from an all-new engine through a new type of gearbox with an F1-inspired suspension that, all together, promise blinding levels of performance.



Pagani and Lamborghini weren't the only Italian automakers presenting new supercars in Geneva, as Ferrari arrived with the new FF. Succeeding the lackluster 612 Scaglietti, the Ferrari Four is an all-wheel-drive "shooting brake" (that is, somewhere in between a hatchback and a station wagon with a sleeker profile) that seats four and packs a new V12 engine. The intriguing new flagship model was proudly showcased in duplicate at Ferrari's impressive show stand as well as at designer Pininfarina's (alongside the De Tomaso Deauville).



Ferrari's sister company Maserati, meanwhile, unveiled the ultimate variant of its GranTurismo range with the new GranCabrio Sport. The four-seat convertible packs the same 450-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 engine as the GranTurismo MC Stradale, but offers wind-in-your-hair cruising for you and three of your best friends. (If they're not your best friends now, you can bet they will be after you give 'em a ride in this beauty.)



Another storied sister company Alfa Romeo wowed with the spritely 4C concept, seen for the first time here in Geneva. Envisioned as a more accessible successor to the achingly beautiful 8C Competizione, the 4C packs a much smaller four-cylinder engine (hence the name) and was unveiled in a tempting matte red paint scheme to critical acclaim. If built for public consumption, it could provide a decidedly more latin-flavored alternative to England's Lotus.



The fun wasn't all left up to the Italians, though, as the Germans got in on the supercar action as well. BMW presented its concept for a technologically-advanced roadster in the form of the Vision ConnectedDrive which is strictly a show car, but its ingredients could find their way into future production models from Munich.



Niche automaker Wiesmann, also powered by BMW engines, presented its Spyder concept that boils the existing Wiesmann Roadster into a more stripped-down, if not necessarily attractive, package.



Meanwhile Gumpert – producers of the lightning-quick but ugly-duckling Apollo supercar – presented the new Tornante with a sleeker form designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera of Milan.



Heading further north, Swedish supercar-builder Koenigsegg presented the final production version of the new Agera as well as the even more extreme new Agera R. Capable of burning E85 bio-ethanol, the Agera R's twin-turbo V8 produces as much as 1,115 horsepower for a 2.9-second sprint to sixty.



The British were well represented as well by former sister companies Aston Martin and Jaguar. The former unveiled the new Virage, a luxurious V12 grand touring coupe based on (and slotting into the line-up in between) the DB9 and DBS models. Jaguar meanwhile presented the ultimate version of its XK coupe to take in the form of the XKR-S. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original XKE, the limited-edition XKR-S offers up 550 horsepower from its supercharged V8 for a 4.2-second 0-60 time.



Finally the Japanese joined in on the action with the Nurburgring package for the Lexus LFA. For an extra $70k over the $375k list price on a "regular" LFA, the Nürburgring package offers extra power, aerodynamics and other enhancements that make the V10-engined supercar even more extreme. A pretty good note on which to finish our coverage of this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Lamborghini Aventador & Ferrari Four Sold Out for 2011

Can't decide between the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 and the Ferrari Four? One's a front-engined hatchback and the other a mid-engined wedge, but form factor aside, the two have more in common than you might think. They've both got new V12 engines bigger than six liters and with over 600 horsepower. They're both all-wheel drive, each tops the range from arch-rival exotic Italian automakers and cost upwards of $300,000. So which one would you take?

Even if you have the cash on hand, you'll still have a while to think it over. Because according to reports, they're both sold out for the rest of the year. Lamborghini earmarked 700 units for 2011, Ferrari 800. But they've all reportedly been spoken for. So take your time deciding which you like better. And then buy both. Hey, if you're gonna dream, might as well dream big

Karnival Rio disertai model terkenal

SEBUAH kenderaan berhias daripada sekolah samba Vila Isabel menyertai karnival Rio de Janeiro, Brazil kelmarin.

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RIO DE JANEIRO - Perarakan yang terkenal di seluruh dunia, Karnival Rio bermula kelmarin dengan pertunjukan bunga api dan sorakan peminat-peminat yang berpesta di jalanan selama dua hari.

Perarakan itu menampilkan penari-penari yang berpakaian hampir bogel, kereta-kereta berhias yang luar biasa dan watak-watak tambahan yang berjumlah ribuan orang serta 70,000 penonton di sebuah stadium selain disiarkan menerusi saluran televisyen antarabangsa.

Hanya 12 buah sekolah samba yang berada dalam senarai tangga teratas dibenarkan menyertai Karnival Rio itu.

Setiap sekolah perlu membuat persiapan berbulan-bulan dan melibatkan kos sehingga AS$5 juta (RM15 juta).

Juara sekolah samba dipilih berdasarkan koreografi, muzik, tarian dan kreativiti persembahan.

Kemenangan dalam pesta itu umpama menjadi juara dalam pertandingan bola sepak.

Secara keseluruhan, pertandingan itu mempamerkan imej-imej yang sinonim dengan Brazil seperti seksi, masyarakat yang pelbagai budaya dan semangat berpesta yang sangat membara.

Model terkenal dari Brazil, Gisele Bundchen berusia 30 tahun turut menyertai perarakan tersebut dan dia menari di atas sebuah kenderaan berhias dengan memakai pakaian singkat.

Pelakon terkenal, Pamela Anderson turut menyaksikan perarakan karnival itu. - Agensi

The Big Fat Indian Wedding

While the upcoming royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton remains the most awaited wedding of this decade, the big Fat Indian wedding in the family of Kanwar Singh Tanwar, the Delhi politician from the ruling Congress party with the daughter of an influential former Delhi politician, has been dubbed as the most expensive Indian wedding.

The wedding of Lalit Tanwar, to his bride Yogita Jaunapuria is indeed a larger than life ceremony that is estimated to cost upward of $22m to around $50m. Reportedly the groom has been blessed with a Bell 429 helicopter as a gift valued at $6 million alone.

“True, a Bell 429 helicopter was given but it was a simple wedding,” the groom’s father later told the media.

The high-profile guest list includes political and Bollywood big shots Indian PM Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The insanely sumptuous wedding celebrations are due to conclude on Sunday with a VIP reception at a five-star hotel in Delhi.

If Thor’s grumpy I know NOT to tickle his chin

Mane man ... Lion Whisperer Kevin Richardson poses playfully with one of his big cats

KEVIN RICHARDSON has a remarkable talent when it comes to the king of the jungle.

The Lion Whisperer breaks every known safety rule to swim, sleep and even PLAY FIGHT with the big cats at his wildlife park in South Africa.

Friends say he must have a gift to be able to enjoy such a relationship with his 41 lions without getting killed.

But Kevin, 36, says his gift is knowing when NOT to play with them.

He said: "My talent is being able to read their behaviour and know when not to interract with them.

"If a big adult male is grumpy or looking interested in a female that's not a good time to give him a cuddle.

Animal magic ... as Kevin's hand disappears into the lion's mouth, he trusts it not to bite

"That's not when he wants a tickle under the chin."

Kevin, who taught himself about animal behaviour, made that mistake once - and it almost cost him his life.

He says: "When I was early in my career I believed that every lion would accept me because I had formed a pseudo-relationship with one adult male lion.

Cat fight ... Kevin play wrestles with lioness Meg

"I went into his compound one day and he was not happy. He pinned me on my back and proceeded to bite me all over. I was covered in blood.

"Luckily, he was not trying to kill me, just teach me a lesson.

"If he had meant to harm me I would not be here because, if and when a lion wants to kill you, it doesn't take much."

Pride and joy ... the lions at the wildlife park have accepted Kevin as one of their own

Kevin's love of animals started in early childhood. At three he bred crickets under his bed and had a pet toad.

As he grew up, keeping more wild animals, neighbours in his home town called him "The Bird Man of Orange Grove". Twelve years ago, while working as a physiotherapist, he met a man who was buying a lion park. Kevin got playing with two six-month-old cubs - and discovered his unique gift.

He said: "The relationship grew and grew and people started saying I should make a profession of it."

Fur-tastic ... Kevin cuddles up to lion

Now Kevin - along with wife Mandy - combines bringing up son Tyler, 16 months, with running the 1,700-acre Kingdom Of The White Lions park. Just north of Johannesburg, it is home to 41 lions, 20 hyenas and a few leopards.

The animals include several white lions and Tau and Napoleon, the two baby lion brothers he first bonded with, now the park's senior citizens.

Jaw-dropping ... brave Kevin puts his head inside a lion's mouth

Along with the ones he raised from cubs, many of the lions that come to him are bred by Britain's Chipperfields Circus.

These are raised from generations of big cats going back to ones exported from South Africa to European zoos and circuses in the early 1900s.

To pay for the upkeep of the beasts and the park, he hires out his services as a trainer and provides wild animals to film and documentary makers.

His life with the big cats has been filmed for My Lion Family, which is on the Nat Geo Wild channel at 8pm on Wednesday.

Kevin said: "A lot of people say what I do is mad. But having a relationship with the animals, particularly the carnivores, makes their lives much easier.

"It also helps dispel the myth that you must keep lions in chains and beat them with sticks before you can train them.

"I can lie down with the lions or swim in the river with the lionesses.

"There are risks but there are risks in everything you do - like flying airplanes.

"The more experience you have the less chance of a fatal mistake. The biggest killer is complacency.

"I am just a human being who has a relationship with lions like you might have a relationship with your pet dog.

"You must never overstep the mark."

Keluarga rugi RM261j tidak terima bayaran

LONDON - Seorang peguam bela bersara, Anthony Johnson dan ibunya kerugian 53 juta pound (RM261 juta) kerana tidak menerima sebarang bayaran untuk pasu antik China yang dilelong.

Menurutnya, mereka belum menerima sebarang bayaran selepas empat bulan mereka melelong pasu antik berusia 271 tahun itu dari Dinasti Qing yang dijumpai dalam sebuah rumah yang akan dijual.

Menurutnya lagi, terdapat kecurigaan bahawa mereka telah menjadi mangsa terbaru plot kerajaan China untuk mensabotaj lelongan yang melibatkan barang antik yang dicuri dari negara itu.

"Mereka kemudian menghantar pembida untuk membeli semula artifak itu tetapi gagal menyerahkan wang lelongan," katanya.

Terdahulu, kerajaan China pernah menubuhkan Program Pemulihan Khazanah Kebudayaan yang Hilang pada 2002, untuk merebut kembali artifak-artifak yang diambil oleh warga asing selama berabad-abad lamanya.

Bagaimanapun, terdapat kes lain, di mana program lelongan disabotaj oleh agen yang mempunyai hubungan dengan kerajaan China yang memenangi tawaran, kemudian gagal untuk membayar wang, dipercayai mereka sepatutnya tidak harus membayar barang hak milik mereka.

Cara makan yang baik

Namun ada cara yang baik untuk anda amalkan demi menjaga kesihatan. Antaranya:

1. Bersihkan tangan sebelum menyentuh makanan, dan pilihlah tempat yang bersih untuk menikmatinya.

2. Makan perlahan-lahan, kunyah makanan dengan baik sebelum ditelan. Air liur mengandungi enzim yang membantu penghadaman. Enzim-enzim itu boleh menghadam sehingga 80 peratus kanci, 30 peratus protein dan 10 peratus lemak.

3. Jangan makan berlebihan. Fahamilah tubuh sendiri, anda tahu jumlah makanan yang patut diambil untuk sihat.

4. Buat keputusan lebih awal; banyak mana dan apa yang ingin anda makan, itu lebih baik daripada makan mengikut keinginan nafsu.

5. Apabila perut benar-benar lapar dan anda mahu mula makan, contohnya selepas berpuasa, amalkan minum jus segar yang tidak masam atau berasid.

6. Relaks, jangan gelojoh.

...Salah satu cara makan tidak sihat ialah, makan tanpa berfikir dan tidak melakukan aktiviti selepas itu.

7. Nikmati sepenuhnya makanan dan bersyukurlah.

8. Makanlah makanan yang sihat. Mulakan dengan sedikit sahaja, mungkin buah-buahan. Makanan yang berlemak, mempunyai kandungan garam dan gula terproses yang tinggi, tidak baik untuk anda.

9. Berfikir sebelum makan; adakah anda makan sebab lapar dan sepatutnya makan, atau kerana keinginan semata-mata?

10. Akhir sekali, lakukan aktiviti selepas makan. Bukan terus tidur ye....

Tip Tiga Perkara

Tip berkaitan bijirin, jagung dan kentang ini mungkin dapat membantu anda di dapur...

Menyimpan Bijirin

Bijirin mudah rosak apabila terdedah kepada udara kerana kandungan minyaknya. Sesetengah khasiat bijiran pula lebih cepat termusnah walaupun disimpan dengan cara yang betul jika terlalu lama. Maka anda perlu menyimpannya dengan cara terbaik;

* Simpan bijirin di dalam beg yang kedap udara dan masukkan dalam peti sejuk agar tidak mudah rosak disebabkan serangan serangga perosak.

* Simpan di dalam balang kedap udara di tempat sejuk dan kering.

* Bagi oat pula, bijirin ini tidak boleh disimpan terlalu lama kerana lemak yang terkandung di dalamnya mudah rosak. Jadi beli dalam kuantiti sedikit dan simpan dalam bekas kedap udara.

* Untuk beras juga, simpan di dalam bekas kedap udara dan untuk mengelakkan kutu beras, letakkan tujuh hingga lapan tangkai cili kering ke dalam tempat menyimpan beras. Pastikan cili-cili tersebut ditimbus di dalam beras.

Memilih Jagung

* Pilih tongkol berwarna hijau muda dan masih rapat dengan kulit luarnya. Ini menandakan isi jagung masih elok.

* Seeloknya jagung direbus atau dikukus sebaik dipetik untuk mengelakkan kemanisannya hilang.

* Semasa merebus jagung, jangan gunakan garam kerana garam akan menyebabkan jagung menjadi keras.

Kentang

* Pilih yang kelihatan segar, bukan yang sudah layu, berkulit keras, hijau, hilang warna asal atau sudah bertunas.

* Simpan di dalam beg nylon atau bekas berjaring di tempat yang bebas udara.

* Lebih baik dimasak secara membakar di dalam ketuhar atau dikukus berbanding merebus atau menggoreng. Ini adalah untuk mengekalkan kandungan zatnya.

Gantimurova rangkul Miss Russia

Natalia Gantimurova

MOSCOW: Jelitawan ibu kota Russia, Natalia Gantimurova, diisytiharkan sebagai pemenang dalam pertandingan ‘Miss Russia 2011’, kelmarin.

Selain gelaran dan mahkota kemenangan, Gantimurova turut memenangi hadiah wang tunai berjumlah AS$100,000 (RM300,000) serta satu geran untuk belajar di mana-mana universiti pilihannya tidak kira di mana saja lokasi universiti berkenaan.

Selain itu, sebagai ratu, Gantimurova juga perlu terbabit dalam pelbagai majlis kebajikan, sosial dan budaya bagi mempromosikan budaya dan kesenian Russia selain memperkenalkan gaya hidup sihat dan berjaya kepada masyarakat Russia selain menunjukkan sikap positif setiap masa serta menggalakkan pendidikan.

Pertandingan akhir ‘Miss Russia 2011’ itu diadakan di dewan konsert Barvikha Luxury Village di pinggir Moscow kelmarin.

Pusingan kelayakan diadakan di 86 wilayah di seluruh Russia pada bulan November hingga Disember tahun lalu.

Pertandingan ratu cantik yang diadakan setiap tahun itu terbuka ia terbuka kepada sesiapa saja yang berminat untuk bertanding dan memenuhi semua syarat pertandingan terbabit.

Antaranya, peserta mestilah berusia 17 hingga 23 tahun, mempunyai ketinggian melebihi 175 meter, warga negara Russia dan tidak ada sebarang masalah peribadi.
Seramai 50 peserta mengambil bahagian dalam pertandingan akhir itu mengambil masa sebulan untuk bersedia mulai 12 Februari sehingga final berlangsung, 5 Mac.

Selain itu, semua peserta disyaratkan mengamalkan diet tertentu selain bersenam sekurang-kurangnya enam jam sehari. – Agensi