Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Volante

With European sports-car manufacturers seemingly having just one high-level response to updating their offerings—add more power—Aston went to work under the DB9’s hood. The previous-gen DB9 churned out 470 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from its 5.9-liter V-12. The AM11 engine now adds dual variable valve timing, larger throttle bodies, and a new fuel pump, and also gets a revised block, machined cylinders, and a new intake manifold. The result is 510 hp and 457 lb-ft from the same displacement, all fed to a rear-mounted six-speed automatic transaxle via a torque-tube-encased carbon-fiber driveshaft. A limited-slip differential is standard. Sixty-two mph is said to be achieved in 4.6 seconds, and top speed is listed at 183 mph.


The V-12’s output now equals that of the outgoing DBS, a car that was replaced this year by the Vanquish. The so-called “Gen 4” VH architecture was developed for the Vanquish, and the DB9 benefits not only from its attendant engine upgrades, but also the latest iteration of Aston’s adaptive-damping system. The suspension can be set to Normal, Sport, and Track modes, varying stiffness and response. Aston’s latest GT also adds standard carbon-ceramic Brembo brake discs—15.7 inchers in the front, 14.2’s in the rear—that the company claims weigh about 28 pounds less versus the previous steel units; this should help steering response and feel. The calipers (also supplied by Brembo) actuate via six pistons up front and four in the back. You’re probably thinking that the boosted output and improved chassis components make the Virage superfluous; Aston Martin clearly agrees, as it has ceased production of that model “with immediate effect.”

Hot, Hot, Hot

The Virage certainly had visual sizzle, though, and so we fully endorse the DB9’s new stylistic updates. The trunklid spoiler is unique to the DB9 and Aston claims it improves aerodynamic performance, but the look otherwise is largely lifted from the now-deceased tweener car. We’d go into more detail on the styling, but that would sort of be like trying to describe why Charlize Theron is beautiful—trust your eyes on this one, friends.


Automatic bi-xenon headlights, 20-inch aluminum wheels, navigation, a rearview camera, and automatic climate control are baked into every 2013 DB9, and standalone options include a leather headliner, five wheel designs, rear-seat delete in coupes, a 1000-watt audio system, and faux suede on the steering wheel. Overall, the interior doesn't appear to have been updated much beyond materials and a new stitching technique. (In some respects this is just fine, but the radio screen and pop-up nav—swiped from ex-Ford Premier Automotive Group sibling Volvo—are heinously outdated and sad.) Aston is extending the Carbon treatment to the new grand tourer by means of exterior and interior option packs. The former bundles a carbon-fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, carbon-fiber side-mirror arms and caps, and titanium-finished exhaust tips. The interior package throws carbon fiber at the dash trim (walnut is standard), paddle shifters, and door handles.

The 2013 Aston Martin DB9 is available for order now in either coupe or Volante convertible form at a starting price of $187,515, with U.S. deliveries expected to begin in November.

Los Angeles, USA — Travel Review

Los Angeles, also known as the City of Angels or more popularly only as L.A. is one of the most diverse cities on the American West Coast. A diverse economy, a bustling metropolis home to nearly 4 million people and the home of Hollywood, the world’s most popular movie hub; Los Angeles offers a discerning traveler more than what an average 6-day trip can fit in.

Arguably the most known feature of California is the Hollywood sign, nestled in the Los Angeles hills.
Arguably the most known feature of California is the Hollywood sign, nestled in the Los Angeles hills.
Los Angeles can easily be billed as a city of artists. A day trip in the city can easily convince you that there are more artists, writers, dancers, singers and other exponents of various forms of performing arts living in the city than anywhere else.

Getting there



Reaching Los Angeles is easy. It is well-connected with major American cities and capitals across the globe. There are five major airports in LA with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) being the biggest and the busiest. It is well served by major international and domestic carriers with regular flights coming in and going out. Alternatively you can take the Amtrak or drive yourself.

When researching flights to Los Angeles, make sure you check out major airlines such as Emirates. Constantly operating routes between Australia and Los Angeles makes Emirates the ideal choice for travel to the States.

What to do

Los Angeles is broadly divided into the following districts – Eastside, Downtown, San Fernando Valley, Hollywood, Harbor Area, Westside, Wilshire and South Central. One of the major attractions of the city and the Los Angeles County are its 841 museums and art galleries.

It's one of the grooviest, one of the hippest and one of the most intriguing places in the USA, if not the world! It's Venice Beach.
It’s one of the grooviest, one of the hippest and one of the most intriguing places in the USA, if not the world! It’s Venice Beach.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art which happens to be the biggest of all Art museums in the country is a must see for all visitors. Located on Wilshire Boulevard it houses an impressive collection of more than 100,000 works beginning from ancient times right down to the modern age.

Another place, that one must make it a point to drop-by, is the Jean Paul Getty Center which is located in Brentwood. Apart from the countless pieces of art, photographs and other exhibits the center also gives a stunning view of the city of Los Angeles, ideal for setting your camera on panorama mode and taking a breathtaking picture.

It's heaven for kids and a must visit destination for almost anyone. We are talking of course about Disneyland!
It’s heaven for kids and a must visit destination for almost anyone. We are talking of course about Disneyland!


No trip to Los Angeles can be complete without a visit to the Universal Studios in Hollywood and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are endless other attractions all across the city and in the vicinity. One can easily take a day-off to see the world famous Grand Canyon to top the tour.

Where to eat

Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, beliefs and languages. It is the third largest city in the world with the highest number of Mexican speaking people. Apart from Mexicans, immigrant population such as Chinese, Ethiopians, Thai, Japanese, Filipino have also come to settle in this city.

The best thing is that they have all brought their cuisine, giving travelers an immense diversity in terms of food. So hitch a ride or take the public transport but do discover the small eating places inside Chinatown, Thai Town, Tehrangeles, Little Tokyo and the many other ethnic cities thriving inside this mega city.

Known for its beautiful pier and endless beach, Santa Monica is the ultimate summer hangout destination.
Known for its beautiful pier and endless beach, Santa Monica is the ultimate summer hangout destination.
Apart from these, less glamorous places from gourmet food trucks serving fresh hamburgers to cafés and traditional American cuisine can be found everywhere.

What to buy

Los Angeles offers a plethora of shopping opportunities for a traveler. If you’re the shopaholic type brace yourself as you could easily spend a week in some of the largest shopping malls in the country and the specialty shopping streets.

Some destinations that could feature in your itinerary are the Hollywood & Highland mall, the Westfield Century City, the Beverly Center, Larchmont Blvd. and of course Melrose Avenue.

Either way you cut it, Los Angeles really is a mega holiday destination and one that will keep you busy as a tourist.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel Review

I’m sure there’s that one tourist attraction or city icon that you’ve never visited, despite living so close by. For me it was the Melbourne Star. It has been staring me in the face for over a year — I can literally see it from our living room window.

As an engineer and closet Megastructures fan, the Melbourne Star had me worried. The Melbourne Star’s infamous past includes structural issues and almost five years of reconstructive downtime.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
It’s one of Melbourne’s biggest icons (literally). But, it has been frought with controversy. Paul Maric checks out the Melbourne Star to see what it’s all about.
Thankfully the Melbourne Star is now open again and better than ever. The repair period included work by some of the world’s best engineers, working tirelessly to bring the iconic structure back to fruition.

As you venture up to the entry platform you walk through walls of photographs and interesting facts about Melbourne and the Melbourne Star. The walk eventually leads you to the landing ramp where you walk on to one of the Star’s cabins.



It’s not long before the doors close and you are met with silence and a feeling of slow and steady motion. It takes around 30 minutes to perform a full rotation of the wheel and every single minute offers a new and exciting view of Melbourne.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
The Melbourne Star is located in Docklands and gives you sweeping views of Melbourne and the sea.
We toured the wheel on a rainy winter’s night and even then the view was incredible. If you have been on the London Eye, the Melbourne Star will feel familiar. The cabins offer standing and sitting room within a full glass cabin.

As the wheel rotates, you get views of the bay, Docklands and sweeping city views. In fact, I found the views on the Melbourne Star far better than the views on offer in London, thanks to our city’s vast and varying skyline.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel High Tea
The Melbourne Star now plays host to one of Melbourne’s highest high teas!
Ticket prices start at $19 for children and $32 for adults. For those more adventurous, you can now also book a Melbourne Star high-tea package for groups of up to 14.

The Melbourne Star offers both an epic journey and views of Melbourne right in the heart of vibrant Docklands. If you haven’t been yet, you must climb on board and check it out.

Las Vegas Luxury Travel Review — Where to stay, what to do and how to eat

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” It’s a throwaway line that has drawn in masses of men and women of all ages looking to have a good time and more often than not, spend a great deal of money gambling.

In recent years, Las Vegas has begun its transformation from the home of regretful weekends into a mecca for luxury, performances and good food. My goal was to investigate Las Vegas as a luxury entertainment venue, as opposed to a sultry adult playground. The results really surprised me.

Sebastian Ingrosso performs at LIGHT Nightclub in Las Vegas
Renowned DJ Sebasian Ingrosso performs at LIGHT Nightclub in Las Vegas.

Located around four hours by car or one hour by plane from Los Angeles, Las Vegas has long been known as Sin City. While Las Vegas houses some 1.4 million residents, it’s best known for its 6.8km strip of hotels and casinos.

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!”, an age-old adage that describes Las Vegas perfectly
There are countless hotels to choose from on the strip; I decided to aim for one of the biggest. MGM Grand features 5,044 rooms and the biggest casino on the strip, spanning some 15,800 square metres. This 30-storey hotel has four towers, five swimming pools, 51 luxury Sky Lofts and 29 private villas, it’s not hard to get lost when wandering around. The amazing views from the Skyline Terrace Suite balcony can be experienced by anyone happy to spend big for views and ultimate luxury.

MGM Grand Las Vegas Review — Suite

Despite the mammoth size of the hotel, each room is an inner sanctum that offers a quiet, luxury oasis away from the chaos of the strip. Prompt room service and courteous staff make the experience all the more better. Free valet parking and excellent wi-fi make the MGM Grand an affordable and luxury way to ‘do Vegas’.

Outside of Vegas:
Rent a car and drive to Hoover Dam or The Grand Canyon. Both sites are a welcome exit from the commotion of Las Vegas. Use a cheap car rental site like YouDrive.com.au to compare car rental prices in Las Vegas.Shopping:
Las Vegas has two huge outlet stores with top brands and huge discounts. You can reach both by shuttle bus or taxi from most hotels on the strip. The outlet stores feature all the major brands and normally offer coupons for other outlet stores.Weather:
Be careful if you travel in the peak of summer. Vegas gets very hot and stays hot overnight. Extreme weather can limit or exclude outdoor tour activities. And, always remember to drink plenty of water, despite how tempting beers in the sun can be!
MGM Grand Las Vegas Review — Suite View

Shows and live performances from the best acts now attract most of Las Vegas’ visitors. I went along to a performance by lifelong idol David Copperfield and breathtaking circus group Cirque du Soleil.

If you’re into magic or like being amazed, both David Copperfield and Cirque du Soleil will keep you entertained for hours. David Copperfield’s magic show includes stunts like making a car appear on stage and moving 15 audience members from one side of the room to another. David’s charisma and passion are quite clear, with his show a must-see for anybody with an inkling for the unbelievable.

David Copperfield



Cirque du Soleil on the other hand takes the idea of circus and turns it on its head. The incredible performers and live music in Zarkana are breathtaking, beautiful and mesmerising all at the same time. The entire performance is choreographed with nanosecond accuracy and death-defying movements.

The whole show is backed by a live band and further enhanced by amazing acrobatics and the lack of animals, which are the norm in most other circuses. This quirky and stunning display of modern art shouldn’t be missed in Vegas. You can also see some of the Cirque du Soleil performers at LIGHT nightclub, an equally impressive experience.

Zarkana at ARIA, Las Vegas
Cirque du Soleil performers on stage at ARIA in Las Vegas.
Authentic luxury American dining isn’t complete without a slab of beef or meat being seared over a hot plate. I visited what is arguably the best steak restaurant on the strip, Heritage Steak. The 220-seat restaurant is located at The Mirage and was created by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio.

Heritage Steak

As you enter, cosy lighting and an openly visible kitchen set an elegant vibe. The restaurant’s location is buffeted from the comings and goings of the casino and hotel nearby, which is important for fine dining. I sampled an aged Japanese Wagyu steak, cooked over an open wood fire.

Heritage Steak in Las Vegas
The Japanese Wagyu steak before it meets its match on the wood fire grille.
The delicious steak was mated to a gorgeous drop of red American wine that matched the meal perfectly. Our server was extremely attentive and knowledgeable, which made the whole experience even more unique. If you love steak, you simply cannot miss the opportunity to eat at Heritage Steak while in Vegas.

Heritage Steak in Las Vegas

If cars are more your thing, you shouldn’t pass up the chance to drive a race-ready Ferrari F430 full-speed at a racetrack. Dream Racing operates out of the Las Vegas Speedway circuit and gives everyday people the chance to race a Ferrari F430 GT under professional instruction for up to 40 laps.

Dream Racing at Las Vegas Speedway
One of the incredible Ferrari F430 race cars at Dream Racing in Las Vegas.
The white-knuckle experience starts with training in a race simulator before heading out to the track with an instructor. For a car nut like yours truly, it was amazing being able to drive at my own skill. The noise and excitement was second to none.

Dream Racing at Las Vegas Speedway

Forget any memories of the mischievous mob that once roamed the strip, Las Vegas has well and truly transformed into a luxury entertainment mecca that is accessible, entertaining and affordable for all walks of life.

Universal Studios Hollywood — Theme Park Review

When you think American theme parks, Disneyland is always the first that comes to mind. But, if you are not keen on kids’ characters or tame rides, the only other sensible option is Universal Studios.

Located in Los Angeles, California, Universal Studios sits in its own city called Universal City. Located around 40 minutes from Los Angles International Airport (LAX), University City is home to the Universal Studios theme park and six major film studios.

Universal_Studios_YouTravel_3

While the Universal Studios theme park on site generates a great chunk of the operation’s income, Universal Studios is known for some of the world’s highest grossing films, such as ET, Jurassic Park, Despicable Me and Jaws.

Opened in 1964, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park operates all year round and caters for people of all ages. The theme park features thirteen huge attractions, tours of the studio back lot and is spread over two huge levels, referred to as the Upper Lot and Lower Lot.

Waterworld_Show_Universal_Studios_YouTravel

As a young couple, we sampled the park from the point of view of a mid-20’s couple after a great day out. The theme park is also a great attraction for younger children and even older people; there really is something for everyone.

There are four main tickets available — a one day ticket, which is priced from $95US, a two day ticket, which costs $109US, a front of the line pass ticket for $149US and a premium VIP package ticket, which starts from $299US.

Universal_Studios_Studio_Tour_YouTravel

We sampled the park with a front of the line pass, which we cannot recommend highly enough. The front of the line pass gives you priority access to all rides and attractions one time. So, instead of lining up for (sometimes) over 30 minutes, you can skip the queue and head straight to the front.

The front of the line pass also gets you priority seating at some of the attractions — very helpful if you don’t want to get wet.

Jurassic_Park_Ride_Universal_Studios_YouTravel



While all the rides are enjoyable and have their own positives and negatives, the three attractions/rides we enjoyed most were the Studio Tour, Jurassic Park: The Ride and Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular.

Arguably the most amazing ride and experience at Universal Studios is the Studio Tour. Patrons are loaded on to karts that tour the back lot of Universal Studios. These are the huge studios where some of the latest sitcoms and television shows are filmed.

Plane_Wreckage_Universal_Studios_YouTravel

The Studio Tour also runs through old movies sets, including one from Jaws, Desperate Housewives and a spectacular plane wreck modelled from a used jumbo jet.

Running commentary from insightful tour guides helps supplement this fascinating look into the way movies are made. There’s even a sample of a 3D movie and my favourite, one of the underground train explosion scenes from Beverley Hills Cop.

Univeral_Studios_Desperate_Housewives_Set_YouTravel

Our second favourite attraction at Universal Studios was without doubt the Jurassic Park ride. Modelled on scenes from the epic movie, the ride tours an abandoned field full of extinct dinosaurs. The ride ends with a dramatic 26m drop into a stream of water. It’s incredibly fun.

Finally, a Universal Studios tour wouldn’t be complete with real life actors. The Waterworld show is set on a giant set full of water and high-rising platforms. The show is based on a story about people stuck out in the water with no land in sight. As you would expect, it doesn’t end smoothly as an opposing colony invades.

Psycho_Set_Universal_Studios_YouTravel

Our day at Universal Studios ran from the moment it opened to the moment it closed. If you do get sick of the theme park, the surrounding Universal City offers plenty of things to do and see.

Universal Studios is an absolute must see destination if you are visiting Los Angeles. No matter how old you are, we guarantee you will love exploring and riding some of the amazing rides on offer.

Have fun!

You can see our full Universal Studios gallery below.