This billion dollar superyacht can host its own concert

By Bruce Brown Published July 17, 2016

Looking for luxury and versatility in a superyacht? If so, how about a 230-footer with a forward deck large enough for concerts and outdoor cinema? In a pinch, the Heesen Galactica Super Nova’s deck also serves as a helipad, according to Tech Insider.

Designed by naval architect Espen Øino and decorated by Sinot, the aluminum, fast displacement yacht tops out at 30 knots, which is impressive for a boat measuring 70 meters. There’s no announced price (“If you have to ask …”), but a Heesen spokesperson told Business Insider that 10 million pounds ($13.2 million) per meter is about right for this yacht class. With that estimate, the Galactica Super Nova should price out somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 million pounds ($923.6 million). A billion dollars may seem a lot of money, but remember, you’ll save on a ski boat because this aluminum yacht is fast enough to pull a full team of waterskiers.

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Helipads, concerts, and outdoor film screening aside, the Galactica Super Nova’s 6-meter main deck infinity pool is packed with special features. The pool includes hydro-massage spa jets, a waterfall, and glass panels on the bottom for natural light to the deck below, which also offer a view of your aquatic exploits for those below.

The number of staterooms and heads isn’t mentioned (it’s safe to assume there are quite a few), but there are ample entertainment spaces in the four-level yacht. In addition to a wind-protected, partially shaded sun deck with a barbecue and dining area, there’s also an aft day lounge that serves as a club at night.

If you want a break from the water and sun, interior lounges decorated with Italian Marble and leather furniture abound. And if you’d rather watch films inside, there’s another home cinema for just that purpose.

The Galactica Super Nova is the largest and most extravagant superyacht Heesen has produced. So if you’re intrigued but looking for a superyacht in the same class but with different design features, they can probably hook you up with another yacht — it just won’t be as long.

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Contributing Editor

Bruce Brown Contributing Editor As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…

Cars

Kia EV9 and EV6 now fully qualify for the $7,500 tax credit – except for one trim

Kia EV 9

As Kia reported record first-quarter sales, Eric Watson, Kia America VP of sales, made a point of painting a rosy picture for the future: Now that the latest versions of its two best-selling electric vehicles, the EV9 and the EV6, are in full-scale production at Kia’s plant in Georgia, the road is paved for further sales growth.
After all, when Kia announced it was switching production of the EV9 to the U.S. from South Korea in 2023, it largely based its decision on its EVs being eligible for the $7,500 tax credit on new EV purchases offered under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
But the EV9’s battery still came from South Korea and China, which meant it would only receive a partial tax credit of $3,750. Starting this year, the EV9 can qualify for the full $7,500 credit, as Kia switched the sourcing of its battery to its Georgia plant.
As for the EV6, 2025 marks the first time its production takes place stateside, and most of its trims have also become eligible for the full tax credit.
However, there are notable exceptions: Both the EV6 and EV9 GT trims, which are known for providing more horsepower - ie, being faster – and offering a “more aggressive styling and accents”, won’t qualify at all for the tax credit: That’s because production for those vehicles remains based in South Korea, according to CarsDirect, which cited a Kia bulletin to its dealers.
The full credit should still be available for those who lease the vehicles, as leasing does not have the same sourcing requirements under the IRA.
Another big unknown for the GT trims is whether the U.S.’ 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles will again be applied. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump paused most tariffs announced in early April for 90 days.
While prices for the new EV6 and EV9 have yet to be revealed, the combination of the tariffs and the inegibility for the tax credit could seriously dent the appeal of the GT trims.

Cars

Subaru’s electric comeback starts now: Trailseeker EV to debut in NYC

subaru trailseeker ev debut 2026 4 thumb

Subaru is finally accelerating into the EV fast lane. The automaker is officially teasing the 2026 Trailseeker, an all-new electric SUV set to debut at the New York International Auto Show next week. While details are still scarce, the Trailseeker marks Subaru’s long-awaited second entry into the EV space, joining the Solterra — and the expectations couldn't be higher.
The teaser image offers only a glimpse of the Trailseeker’s rear badge and taillight, but the name alone suggests rugged ambitions. It's a clear nod to Subaru’s outdoorsy heritage. But in the EV space, the outdoors belongs to brands like Rivian, whose upcoming R2 compact SUV is already turning heads. The Trailseeker is Subaru’s chance to reassert its identity in an electric age.
Currently, Subaru’s only EV is the Solterra, a joint venture with Toyota that shares a platform with the bZ4X. While the Solterra nails some Subaru essentials — all-wheel drive, spaciousness, and off-road capability — it falls short on key EV metrics. Reviewers have pointed to its modest 225-mile range, slow 100kW charging, and unremarkable acceleration, especially compared to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The hope is that Subaru has learned from these criticisms and is poised to deliver a more competitive product. The Trailseeker could either be a variation of a newer Toyota EV (possibly the next-gen C-HR+), or something entirely new under the shared platform strategy. Subaru previously announced that its next three EVs would be co-developed with Toyota, before launching four in-house EVs by 2028.
Given how long Subaru has waited to expand its EV offerings, the Trailseeker has to deliver. It's not just about adding a second electric model — it's about keeping pace with a market rapidly leaving legacy automakers behind. If the Trailseeker can improve on the Solterra's shortcomings and channel that classic Subaru ruggedness into a truly modern EV, it might just be the spark the brand needs.

Emerging Tech

I tested the world-understanding avatar of Gemini Live. It was shocking

Scanning a sticker using Gemini Live with camera and screen sharing.

It’s somewhat unnerving to hear an AI talking in an eerily friendly tone and telling me to clean up the clutter on my workstation. I am somewhat proud of it, but I guess it’s time to stack the haphazardly scattered gadgets and tidy up the wire mess.

My sister would agree, too. But jumping into action after an AI “sees” my table, recognizes the mess, and doles out homemaker advice is the bigger picture. Google’s Gemini AI chatbot can now do that. And a lot more.