VISION AVTR: Mercedes-Benz unveils car of the future at CES 2020
Ever wondered what the cars of the future are going to be like? Extremely luxurious, AI-induced, galactically-inspired? German motoring marque Mercedes-Benz have us something of a sneak peek at the reality of this vision when it launched its all-new VISION AVTR at CES 2020, the annual showcase of the latest electronic gadgets and gizmos.
Taking inspiration from James Cameron’s smash-hit fantasy flick Avatar, this new design features an advanced vehicle transformation technology, with the car’s skylight and the back shell of the seats change colours between light and dark blue according to its exposure to light.
Undoubtedly, the exotic look of the Mercedes-Benz: VISION AVTR is only a minor part of what makes this automobile such a visionary design. Under the hood lies an engine with a staggering 350 kW of power and a graphene-based cell that allows the car to be charged in 15 minutes, it is very functional and versatile. Moreover, its all-wheel-drive feature allows the driver to move each wheel separately also letting the car to be turned sideways by up to 30 degrees.
With sustainability a key focus for the VISION AVTR – something that will only grow in importance in the near future – Mercedes-Benz has implemented an eco-friendly vision in various components of the car. For instance, the seats are made using recycled materials and its battery is 100-percent recyclable by composition.
In short, the Mercedes-Benz: VISION AVTR perfectly combines sophistication and sustainability, allowing car enthusiasts to venture forth into the future with nary a shadow of a doubt that they’re relevant, trendy while looking good doing it.
Ferretti wows the crowd at the 2nd International Cruise and Yachting Festival
Hong Kong’s recently-concluded 2nd International Cruise and Yachting Festival saw a veritable treasure trove of high-end sea-going vessels descend upon the Kai Tak Runway Park to showcase the luxurious world of luxury yachts and leisure boats. One of the undeniable highlights of the four-day event came courtesy of renowned Italian boat-maker, Ferretti Group, in the form of its gorgeous Ferretti Yachts 920.
At the festival, yachting enthusiasts, boat owners and industry insiders alike were welcomed into the exclusive world of Ferretti Group and proffered a unique opportunity to glimpse the sophisticated and innovative stylings of the Ferretti Yachts 920 firsthand.
Measuring 28.49m in length and standing as a triumphant homage to the intricate art of yacht-building, the Ferretti Yachts 920, which is classified as a pleasure craft, boasts a dynamic silhouette that encompasses sumptuous interiors and a remarkable number of outdoor relaxation spaces. The result of the collaboration between the Product Strategic Committee and the Engineering Ferretti Group Department, it is a true statement piece for today’s well-heeled millionaire.
For more information, please visit Ferretti Group’s website.
Ill-gotten Goods: Seized Lamborghini supercar sets new record
When Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, was charged with money laundering and the embezzlement of over US$100 million back in 2017, his collection of 26 supercars was promptly seized by Swiss authorities. Recently, those self-same vehicles were auctioned by Bonhams in conjunction with the state of Geneva, with amazing results. In all, the supercars fetched almost US$27 million, of which roughly US$23.5 million has already been earmarked by the auction house to be donated to a charity in the African country.
One particular model, however, a white 2014 Lamborghini Veneto Roadster, emerged as the most sought-after attraction. Following a fierce three-way bidding war, the car – dubbed “the top lot of the collection and rarest of all, one of only nine built and introduced for the 50th anniversary of Lamborghini” – eventually sold for a staggering US$8.4 million, setting a new record for the most expensive Lamborghini ever sold at auction.
Other star turns included a black 2015 Koenigsegg One-1, with a final price tag of US$4.57 million, and a 2011 Aston Martin One-77 Coupe, which fetched US$1.57 million.
Swanky new BMW Luxury Class Showroom unveiled in the heart of Wanchai
Legendary German automotive company BMW is no stranger to luxury. Indeed, its cutting-edge cars have long epitomised the perfect amalgam of sophisticated elegance and powerful performance. Now, following the successful launch of The X7 and The 8 Coupe over the summer, the maverick motoring marque looks set to further thrill car enthusiasts with the unveiling of its all-new BMW Luxury Class Showroom.
Located on Gloucester Road, the newly-updated state-of-the-art store is an homage to fine living and fast cars, dedicated to providing its discerning customers with a contemporary lifestyle retail experience. In layman’s terms, this means the days of putting the spotlight solely on cars is clearly long gone, with the new BMW showroom striving to offer emphasise a sensorially-sumptuous, high-tech experience with the customer as its key focal point.
This sees the store fitted with cutting-edge Bower and Wilkins audio systems – which also provide the Bower Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System that is an optional upgrade for BMW’s flagship models – a specially-formulated signature aroma, delicious food and beverage options, and a Lounge replete with a dedicated concierge service who can walk potential buyers through the wide array of luxury models and an even more extensive list of personalisation options.
It’s clear that the new BMW Luxury Class Showroom has completely reinvented itself with an eye on #TheRiseofNewLuxury, and it’s a warmly welcoming transformation that will surely enchant any lucky visitor who enters the store.
Visit the BMW Luxury Class Showroom today to see BMW’s current array of Luxury Class models, including The 7, The 8 Convertible, The 8 Coupe, The X7 and the futuristic i8 first-hand. For more information, visit this website.
All-round Luxury: Aston Martin hosts VIP Experience Night at Happy Valley showroom
Motoring marque Aston Martin recently joined hands with jewellery brand Fioretti and Tanqueray Ten gin to host a VIP Experience Night at its Happy Valley showroom. Lucky attendees were afforded
a glimpse of its new DBS Superleggera and a showcase of Fioretti’s luxury jewellery designs, all while sipping on delicious gin cocktails and single-malt Scotches. What ensued was truly an evening of sheer indulgence for all gathered.
Here’s a sneak peek at our exclusive video coverage:
Modified McLaren sets new record at auction
Motoring enthusiasts were in for something of a treat when Monterey Car Week, the much-lauded annual Californian automobile event, roared into town once more in mid-August. While there were hundreds of stunning motorcars on display, the star draw of the entire week-long affair was undeniably a rare 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’.
Part of just 106 cars to bear the McLaren F1 name, this particular model’s provenance is further burnished by the fact that it is one of only two extant examples to bear the ‘LM’ designation. For the uninitiated, this refers to the suite of upgrades – a new 680bHp GTR racing engine, and an aerodynamic transformation of its nose, front fender vents and rear wing – fitted post-production to the two McLaren F1s upon the motoring marque’s triumphant victory at the 1995 Le Mans race victory.
Given its rarified provenance, impeccably maintained body and an odometer reading of less than 21,500km, it came as no surprise that the final hammer price at the RM Sotheby’s auction where it was sold was a staggering US$19.8 million, simultaneously making it the most expensive McLaren ever sold at auction as well as the priciest car sold this year to date.
Voltswagons: A what’s Watt of the latest luxury electric hypercars
Once, when seeking the ultimate high-octane high, car enthusiasts would assuredly opt for the throaty petrol-powered roar of a V12 engine as it purred below the bonnet of one of the world’s super-specced supercars – a Ferrari, a Bugatti or, perhaps, a Lamborghini. Now, though, for many, such beasts are relics, with their gas-guzzling prowess deemed more sinful than salutary. In this very different era, fuel efficiency trumps Formula One flirtations and a low carbon footprint tops a stylish carbon fibre chassis. This, then, is the age of the highly environmentally-attuned electric hypercars.
In truth, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are far from a new invention. The first-ever battery-powered vehicle actually hit the streets of Scotland around 1837, the product of the fertile mind of Robert Anderson, a local inventor. While other innovators followed his lead, revising and refining his concept, none resolved the short battery life / restricted mileage issues that saw this current-powered conveyance swiftly overtaken by its petrol-reliant counterparts.
The original Tesla Roadster 2008, the first modern all-electric supercar
Fast forward the best part of two centuries though, and EVs are once more seen as the future of rapid, reliable, personal transportation. The lead here was initially taken by such doughty Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) as the Toyota Prius, a car that combined conventional automotive technology with planet-preserving alternatives. Of late, though, it is the more pure-play, all-electric contenders that have begun to surge to the fore.
As a sure sign that the sector is maturing, many luxury motoring marques have eschewed the utilitarian look and feel of earlier models, opting instead to bring a luxury ambience and aggressive performance to hitting the road without negatively impacting the biosphere. Of the many contenders keen to remain sleek and mean, while still unashamedly green, four electric hypercars, in particular, stand out as the clear frontrunners…
Volkswagen ID.R
Among the current crop of super-speedy EVs, one particular model truly towers above the pack – the Volkswagen ID.R. As initially conceived, its highly-innovative design was geared to deliver on one very specific goal – setting a new world record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, an insanely-challenging 20.8km track in Germany. It’s a target it achieved back in June, when it recorded the fastest lap time ever for an all-electric car, beating the previous record holder by a truly impressive 40 seconds. The ID.R then burnished its already impressive reputation by smashing two more records within a year, both at the Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado and at southern England’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Although the ID.R is undeniably the flagship of Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID range, it remains a prototype and has never been produced commercially. The German motoring marque has, however, announced plans to incorporate much of its top-line tech into the 20 electric-powered vehicles that are scheduled to arrive in showrooms over the next few years.
Pininfarina Battista
If the ID.R’s record-breaking performance is to be topped any time soon, it may well be Munich-based Automobili Pininfarina that does the topping. A well-established manufacturer of luxury EVs, its much-anticipated, high-specced Pininfarina Battista is set to roll off the production line later this year. When first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, its promised performance inspired oohs and aahs all around – 0-100kmph in under two seconds, a top speed in excess of 350kmph and an impressive per-charge range of 450km.
Its headline appeal, though, lies in the enormous thrust delivered by its 120kWh lithium-ion battery pack. All told, the Battista is said to be blessed with 1,900bHp, making it the most powerful road-legal car ever to go into production. Putting that figure into perspective, it’s almost a third more than the 1,341bHp that established the Koenigsegg Agera RS as the fastest production car back in 2017. Lovingly crafted from ultra-lightweight carbon fibre and with a production run of just 150, this four-wheel-drive sensation comes with 1969lb-ft of torque as standard and all the latest on-road technology from Rimac, Pininfarina’s sportscar-focussed stablemate. Speaking of which…
Rimac C_Two
When Rimac Automobili burst onto the super-luxury EV scene with its C_One electric hypercar back in 2013, it seemed the proverbial overnight success story. Spun out of the workshop of Mate Rimac, the brand’s Croatian founder, the C_One’s truly innovative design outshone the works of countless other more famous – and well-funded – marques. What’s more, thanks to this, the services of Rimac Technology are now regularly sought out by other would-be EV supercar brands.
Not one to rest on its laurels, though, the company is expected to launch its follow up – the C_Two – any day now. With an unprecedented 1,914bHp coming as standard, this upgrade is said to go from 0-60mph in just 1.85 seconds, while having a top speed in excess of 250mph. Sleek, streamlined and boasting an eye-catching matte carbon fibre finish, it is to be released in a limited edition of just 150.
Tesla Roadster 2020
No list of the world’s finest electric hypercars would be complete without a Tesla, with the soon-to-be-released 2020 Tesla Roadster more than meriting inclusion in its own right. With its name a nod to the 2008 model that first saw Tesla gain international recognition, hopes are high for this new addition to its roster.
While there’s no word yet as to its likely horsepower, Tesla’s prerelease publicity promises 0-60mph in 1.9 seconds and a top speed of more than 250mph. If these figures have a ring of familiarity, it’s probably because they are very similar to the specs of both the Pininfarina Battista and the Rimac C_Two. Although neither manufacturer is willing to confirm it, for many, it’s clear that the new Musk-driven EV hypercar is seen as very much the one to beat.
However, Musk still has one or two secret bonus features planned that could yet ensure it proves a true gamechanger. Most notably, there is the SpaceX thruster package, a refinement that has been the subject of several of the inventor’s most intriguing tweets. With the world’s foremost EV entrepreneur going as far as to hint that this under-wraps thruster technology could even see the new vehicle one day zoom skywards, it may be that the battle for supremacy amongst environmentally-friendly electric hypercars may truly be about to take off like never before.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Volkswagen, Automobili Pininfarina, Rimac and Tesla
Triple-up: Custom-built 69m Spectre megayacht by Benetti wins triple honours
It’s no secret that Benetti, Italian shipbuilder extraordinaire, is a past master at creating truly stunning ocean-going vessels. With a storied legacy that stretches back over 145 years to its founding in 1873, the yachtmaker’s undoubted skill at delivering custom-made motoryachts, built to the most exacting standards, has seen it catapulted to the forefront of the modern boat-building industry.
Benetti’s award-winning 69m M/Y Spectre megayacht
Nowhere is this well-earned reputation more suitably demonstrated than in the gorgeous M/Y Spectre megayacht – a fully-customised, 69-metre design unveiled at a lavish ceremony in Livorno, Italy, late last year. Painstakingly crafted to achieve just the perfect balance between athletic allure, powerful performance and luxurious comfort, it required a staggering 750,000 hours of work to complete.
The third Benetti one-of-a-kind superyacht to be delivered to John and Jeanette Staluppi, its sleek, sporty exteriors – featuring a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure – were constructed by renowned designer Giorgio M. Cassetta, while its sumptuous interiors were fashioned by Benetti’s own Interior Style Department to conjure a ’30s-era Art Deco aura, painstakingly embellished with steel detailing and sculptured glazing.
Capable of sleeping up to 12 guests across six cabins and hosting a crew of up to 14, the M/Y Spectre megayacht has many other attractions, including a dedicated spa area, four wine cellars, a custom swimming pool, and countless entertainment spaces throughout its multi-storey design. Under the hood, its cutting-edge engines are capable of delivering a top speed of 21.2 knots – 30 percent faster than a traditional displacement hull of its type – and an expansive range of 6,500 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots. It is also fitted with Naiad Dynamic Total Ride Control – installed for the first time on a yacht of this type – an active system that enables increased navigation stability and improved on-board comfort.
As recognition of its truly innovative design, the M/Y Spectre megayacht recently received top honours for “Best Custom-Built Yacht” at the prestigious Asia Boating Awards 2019. Scarcely a month later, Benetti snapped another accolade for its beautiful 69-metre vessel, this time clinching the World Superyacht Award for the “Displacement yachts between 500 and 1,999 tonnes” category. It burnished its reputation further still when it was awarded top billing in the “Best of the Best: Motor Yachts from 200 to 300 feet” category of the Robb Report’s US edition.
To find out more about Benetti’s fantastic custom-made yachts, check out the video below.
Range Rover Evoque combines rugged good looks with breakthrough technology
Hong Kong just witnessed the unveiling of British automobile marque Range Rover’s latest tour de force – the all-new Range Rover Evoque, said to be a pioneer in the luxury compact SUV segment.
Debuting at the Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Causeway Bay recently, the latest Range Rover Evoque apparently pushes the boundary with its cutting-edge technology while still retaining the rugged charm of vintage Range Rovers.
Modern, luxurious and sleek are the watchwords which define both the exteriors and interiors of the new Evoque – so while the outside of the car flaunts such details as Matrix LED headlamps, flush door handles and burnished copper accents, the inside is all about discreet luxury, courtesy of such fine touches as the twin touch-screen Touch Pro Duo system, 16-way seat controls and cabin air ionisation features. But perhaps its true pièce de résistance is its breakthrough ground-view technology (apparently the first in the world) which makes the bonnet virtually invisible, by projecting camera imagery onto the upper touch-screen to show the driver a 180-degree view under the front of the vehicle, thereby heightening the ground visibility for the driver by several notches.
Jaguar Land Rover Showroom Location: Shop Nos. 10-13, G/F, Sino Plaza, 255-257 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay Phone: 2821 7147 Location: G/F, City Industrial Complex, 116-122 Kwok Shui Road, Kwai Chung Phone: 2820 4060
Princess Yachts showcases Princess F62 at DCH Extraordinary Golf Day 2019
Princess Yachts, the redoubtable purveyor of luxury yachts, recently wowed a select group of VIP guests at the Bentley Hong Kong – DCH Extraordinary Golf Day 2019 by greeting them aboard the sumptuous 62-foot Princess F62 luxury yacht. Over 100 attendees from across the Greater China region turned up for the big day at Clear Water Bay Golf and Country Club, which also featured a full-course golf competition, as well as exhilarating test drives in the latest designs from British motoring marque, Bentley – the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, Bentayga W12 and a special Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner.
Over the course of the day, lucky guests were treated to exciting sea trials aboard the all-new Princess F62, which stands as the second-largest flybridge model in the Princess F-Class fleet. They were also afforded a first-hand glimpse at its sleek exteriors and sumptuous interiors, featuring a spacious three-cabin layout as well as a crew cabin for two in the stern.
From the go, it’s clear that the Princess F62 was designed to cater to both social and private settings, with its aft galley opening directly to the cockpit and creating a blended in-outdoor al fresco bar area. Replete with plush seating options throughout and plenty of natural light, courtesy of its full-length side windows, it offers a warm and welcoming aura that immediately puts guests at ease.
The flybridge, meanwhile, is equipped with a full wet bar and a barbeque area, as well as a unique circular seating area that can be converted into additional sunpads. A walk-through foredeck entertainment area and a hydraulic bathing platform also come as standard for this luxurious design, whose twin Volvo D13-1000 engines are capable of propelling her at a top speed of 32 knots.
For more information on the Princess F62, please visit this website.
