Lifestyle

News on consumer habits, trends, and lifestyle spending.

Lifestyle
Ferrari 296 Speciale is faster, lighter than the GTB
Ferrari has unveiled the 296 Speciale, a high-performance, hybrid sports car that hopes to take driving excitement to a whole new level. It's based on the 296 GTB, but packs more power and unique features to make it stand out. Here’s what makes it unique:Powerful Hybrid Engine: It has both a turbocharged V6 engine and an electric motor, working together to deliver 880 horsepower. That’s 50 more than the regular 296 GTB. Aerodynamic Design: The car is built to handle air better, increasing downforce by 20% compared to the GTB. This helps the car stick to the road during sharp turns and high speeds. Lightweight Materials: Ferrari shaved off 60 kilograms by using materials like carbon fibre and titanium, making the car lighter and faster. Extra Features for Thrills: It has special tweaks like a lower suspension, advanced brakes, and new driving tech designed to make it feel predictable yet exciting when you push it to the limit.Simply put, the 296 Speciale isn’t just fast — it’s designed for those who love the thrill of driving. With upgrades inspired by Ferrari’s racing experience, it’s a car meant to impress both on the road and track.296 SPECIALE – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Type V6 – 120° – twi
Lifestyle
Earnings: A better-than-expected Q1 for adidas
German athletic apparel and footwear giant adidas had a strong start to 2025, with their currency-neutral revenues growing by 13% compared to the same period last year. This boost was mainly because of adidas products' rising popularity, which grew even faster at 17%. They earned about €6.2 billion in revenue, a significant increase of €700 million from the previous year. Notably, the results didn’t include money from Yeezy products since those were sold off last year, which contributed around €150 million in the first quarter of 2024. Footwear drove adidas’s growth during the first quarter, with sales increasing by 17%. Popular product lines like Originals, Sportswear, and Running show double-digit growth, reflecting strong demand across various styles. Apparel, which includes clothing like shirts and jackets, also did well, with an 8% increase, thanks to items like Originals and outdoor gear. Accessories like bags and hats saw 10% growth during this time. Adidas saw strong sales not just in casual Lifestyle products, like its Terrace and Retro Running sneakers, but also in Performance products like running shoes and sports equipment. They launched new models of their popular Adizero running shoes and introduced unique d
Lifestyle
Restructuring, China, tariffs drive Porsche's Q1 loss
Luxury German car company Porsche has released its earnings, which dropped because of three main issues: fewer sales in China, which is an important market for them; rising costs to run the business; and changes they’re making to improve how the company works in the long term. During the first three months of this year, Porsche’s total sales fell slightly, by 1.7%, compared to the same time last year. They made €8.86 billion in sales, which sounds like a lot, but it’s less than what analysts thought they would earn. Even worse, their operating profit dropped by a huge 40.6%, shrinking their profit margins.Credit: PorscheThe company also spent a lot of extra money this year. They estimate spending €1.3 billion on unusual costs, which is half a billion euros more than they previously thought. For example, in just three months, they spent €200 million on special projects. A big reason for these expenses is Porsche’s plans to focus on the future — like developing new technology and improving their work. However, this will add more pressure to their finances in the short term. Added to their challenge, Porsche has lowered its profit forecast this year. They originally aimed for around €40 billion but now think they’ll make betwee
Lifestyle
Australian wine exports up as China shipments surge
Australia’s wine exports grew in value and volume over the year ending March 2025, primarily due to a large increase in wine shipments to China. Exports by value rose by 41% to A$2.64 billion that year, the highest since 2021, while average values increased by 33% to $4.09 per litre free on board. However, shipments to other markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas declined, according to a report by Wine Australia. “Despite a very positive headline export result driven by an exceptional full year’s trading back with China, stubbornly high global stock levels coupled with increasing economic uncertainty continues to negatively impact trade and consumer sentiment and is evident with continued softening of exports to other established and emerging markets around the world,” said Wine Australia’s general manager of marketing Paul Turale. “As we all try to navigate and adapt to the unknown, risk mitigation is paramount. In the world of wine that means a strategy based on delivering market diversification, playing to our relative strengths, and capitalising on opportunities as they present.” Wine exports to mainland China were up by 94 million litres to reach 96 million litres, and increased by over $1 billion in value
Lifestyle
Mercedes-Benz unveils new luxury limo at Auto Shanghai
Auto Shanghai, also known as the Shanghai International Automobile Exhibition, kicked off this week and showcased many upcoming vehicles. One was the world debut of the Mercedes-Benz Vision V, providing a glimpse into the new luxury limousine segment. Vision V is a chauffeur-driven limousine that combines generous space with maximum exclusivity and an “unprecedented” digital experience. After showing off the Mercedes-Benz CLA in Rome, the car manufacturer announced that it would soon be available in China as a long-wheelbase version. Another big hitter at the car show was BYD with their newly introduced Seal 06. The Seal 06 is aimed at families and adds spaciousness to BYD’s electric vehicle line-up. It has a panoramic sunroof for a light and airy cabin. Nissan also announced the Nissan Frontier Pro and the Nissan N7. Lexus unveiled the new generation Lexus ES, and it will be available in hybrid and all-electric forms globally for the first time. The Zeekr 9X was also revealed, however not announced for Australian showrooms. Related contentThe CarExpert team's favourite reveals from the Shanghai motor show Biggest reveals so far from Auto Shanghai 2025

Lifestyle
Titanic survivor letter sells for record price at auction
A high-profile Titanic survivor's letter sold for a record $624,000 at auction. The letter was written by first-class passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie. He also wrote ‘The Truth About the Titanic’, one of the most vivid accounts of the 1912 maritime disaster. He described his experience of the 1912 tragedy that claimed 1,500 lives on the ship's maiden voyage to New York. His now-sold letter that was dated 10 April 1912, the day he boarded, was postmarked for Queenstown, Ireland at 3.45pm on 11 April and London on 12 April. The item sold for five times the expected price at Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes, Wiltshire, England. The seller’s great-uncle knew Gracie, and he received the four-sided letter at the Waldorf Hotel in London. “It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys' end before I pass judgment on her,” Gracie wrote, in an unsettlingly prophetic line. “The Oceanic is like an old friend and while she does not possess the elaborate style and varied amusement of this big ship, still her sea worthy qualities and yacht like appearance make me miss her." On the day of the sinking, April 14 1912, Gracie woke suddenly around 11.40pm, realising that the ship’s engines were no longer moving. As the
Lifestyle
Liverpool, Wrexham highs - US finds success in football
It's a great time to be alive if you're a Liverpool supporter - or fan of Welsh not-so-minnow Wrexham Football Club - with the former becoming champions and the latter gaining promotion to the Championship division of English football. Now arguably the world’s most popular and richest sports industry, English football's success is led by its flagship Premier League - and its prominence across global markets has significantly risen over the past few decades. Globally, football's market footprint is projected to reach US$59.10 billion in revenue this year. The Big Five European leagues (English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French) dominate the sport with vastly superior finances. And it's been a remarkable football season this year for many reasons, with two football clubs standing out from the pack with their recent successes. An almost monopoly of a trophy-winning football team in Manchester City F.C. has relinquished an impressive haul of titles and cup wins this season to newly-crowned Liverpool F.C., which again lifted England’s coveted top-tier Premier League trophy just hours ago. Wrexham F.C. is somewhat of a fairytale of success, having generated extra income through its celebrity owners to afford stadium r
Lifestyle
Volvo EX90 named 2025 World Luxury Car winner
Volvo’s all-electric flagship SUV, the EX90, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 World Luxury Car title at the World Car Awards, held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show. The EX90 emerged as the winner from an initial entry list of ten vehicles and a final shortlist of three, which included the Porsche Macan and Porsche Panamera. The final results were determined by a jury of 96 esteemed automotive journalists from 30 countries, who extensively tested each vehicle under real-world conditions. The EX90 impressed judges with its “silent yet powerful ride”, and “ergonomic and luxurious interior designed for long-journey comfort”. Its 510-horsepower twin-motor powertrain, combined with seamless electric performance, was also praised. “We’re pleased to see the EX90 get the recognition it truly deserves,” said Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars. “It was up against some tough competition, but this award proves that the EX90 appeals to some of the most demanding customers across the world.” Among the standout innovations of the EX90 is its advanced LiDAR system, which enhances safety by detecting vulnerable road users up to 200 metres away, even in total darkness. Volvo explained that integrating
Lifestyle
New funding to revive Australia's live music scene
Money is being injected into the Australian music scene to keep it alive through multiple funding programs. Two of the major funds at the moment are the Contemporary Music Fund by the NSW Government and the Australian Governments Revive Live program. The Contemporary Music Fund has recently allocated a combined A$2.25 million emergency funding to Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Lost Paradise on the Central Coast, Your and Owls in Wollongong, Listen Out and Field Day in Sydney. The fund is in response to a slew of cancelled festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Spilt Milk and Groovin’ the Moo. “The post covid era has been a financial nightmare for music festivals in NSW,” Music and Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said. “The government needed to step in to save the furniture, and the feedback is that this fund has helped some of these festivals survive.” The NSW government hopes that injecting $500,000 into each festival will encourage people to buy more tickets, help local regional economies, and keep the Australian music industry alive. “We can’t afford to lose that cultural experience because the festivals can’t afford to pay their rising bills,” Graham said. “The festival circuit is