Mon, Feb 15, 2016


Lifestyle
High-flying inventions to thrill Monaco


An electric hoverboard that literally flies a foot off the ground, a recreational jetpack billed as the ‘world’s safest aircraft, a one-off titanium supercar and a shape-shifting speedboat will be turning heads at this year’s Top Marques show in Monaco.

Now in its 13th edition, the ultimate luxury car show takes place from April 14 to 17 at the Grimaldi Forum conference and congress centre in Monaco.


ARCABOARD

Created by ArcaSpace Corporation, ArcaBoard is said to be a “21st century flying carpet”. Visitors will be able to see the ArcaBoard in action, and purchase one at the show. Reports put its price at around $20,000.

Dumitru Popescu, CEO of ArcaSpace Corporation, comments: “I’m extremely pleased to announce that the official introduction on the worldwide market of the ArcaBoard will be held at Top Marques on April 14.

“This groundbreaking and green technological innovation creates an entirely new transportation sector, which runs entirely on electric energy. Launching it in Monaco mirrors the values of this state as a beacon in the green movement,” Popescu says.


JETPACK 

Designed to be the “world’s safest light aircraft”, the recreational Martin Jetpack is described as “elite transportation which promises to shape the future of tomorrow’s travel.” The first jetpack is due to go on sale later this year, and the company’s website lists the price at $150,000.

Steven Saltzman, director of Top Marques Monaco, says: “Top Marques scours the world for exciting products that are at the leading edge of innovation and technological development. 

“We are therefore thrilled to be able to provide the stage for the European launch of the Martin Personal Jetpack. We are looking forward to offering visitors the opportunity to experience flying a Martin Jetpack using the full motion simulator.” 


ICONA VULCANO 

A one-off creation from Italian design house Icona, the titanium body of the Icona Vulcano took over 10,000 hours of handcrafted work to create. Built by Italian coachbuilder Cecomp, the powertrain was created by ex-Scuderia Ferrari director Claudio Lombardi and the man behind Lancia Racing Team, Mario Cavagnero.

The Vulcano can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 kmph) in just 2.8 seconds, 120 mph (193 kmph) in 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed 220 mph (354 kmph).

No price has been disclosed but if it’s any indication, Icona’s earlier one-off supercar launched in 2013, was priced at around $3.8 million.


KORMARAN 

Billed as one of the fastest and most fun boats under 50 m, the Kormaran is a 23-ft speed boat, which is able to morph into six configurations at the push of a button, and reach a top speed of 44 knots. 

Depending on sea conditions, the Kormaran can morph into a monohull, catamaran or trimaran, with electronically controlled actuators, which reposition the hull’s pontoons.

Expect a price of $1.5 million for this shape-shifting speedboat.

Top Marques will also be presenting more supercars than ever before, which will be available for test driving on the Monaco F1 Grand Prix circuit. Tickets for Top Marques can be purchased at www.topmarquesmonaco.com. 





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