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Editorial W
PRODUCED BY APlus Asia Network Co. Ltd. Country Director: Eric Lim
elcome to the European Auto (EA) magazine; Cambodia’s premier publication dedicated to support Official European Automotive distributors, dealers and importers in Cambodia. As Cambodia’s economy prospers and people become more affluent and buy new European cars, there is an increasing demand for detailed and correct information such as specifications, information and pricing from official importers. The contents of EA also include articles and features that we believe fits the profile of the owner of a European car. In later issues, European Auto will be looking behind the scenes of some of the official dealerships to see what happens off the showroom floor and we will continue to feature interviews with key market leaders in the European automotive industry in Cambodia. EA is a bimonthly publication and distribution is free to select premium establishments and an electronic version is also available online at www.europeanauto.asia European Auto would like to thank the European Automotive Committee and the Cambodia Automotive Industry Federation for their kind support as we strive to bring out the best in the European car sector in Cambodia.
Eric Lim, Publisher, European Auto.
Eric Lim
Managing Editor: Iain Donelly Art Director: Stéphane Dartoux ADVERTISING Marketing Manager: Sokpho Chron (Paul) Website: Facebook: European Auto Asia
APlus Asia Network Ltd. No. 104, Street 273, Sangkat Toul Sangke, Khan Russei Keo, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
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am very happy to have taken the editorial reins for Issue Two of EA and hopefully we can build on the success of the inaugural issue. The market for quality European cars is growing rapidly and people are beginning to realise the advantages of only buying from official dealerships and that following this route actually saves you money in the long run. Not only that but you get a high level of after-sales service and repairs that is missing from the unofficial import market. New for this issue we have the first of our regular columns from Antoine Jeanson in his capacity as Chairman of Eurocham’s European Automotive Committee, as well as a guest article from renowned freelance journalist and novelist, Mark Bibby Jackson. I hope these additions signal our intention to continue developing quality content for the magazine. As always, in addition to car focused articles, we bring you a selection of lifestyle articles on everything from travel to technology. We hope that these continue to be of interest and that they provide a welcome addition to the reviews and features on some of the world’s most exciting cars. I’d like to echo Eric’s thanks to the EAC and the CAIF for their support and assistance, and also extend those thanks to all the official dealerships involved in bringing this second issue to fruition.
Iain Donelly, Managing Editor, European Auto.
Tel: +855 (023) 864 438
Iain Donelly No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior written approval from the publisher.
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JAGUAR F-Type 2016, Purring like a cat.
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5 EDITORIAL. 8 INSIGHTS. Ride in peace AUDI. Q5, Sporty, attractive and 10 versatile INSIGHTS. 50 shades of grey 14 BMW. X-Men Reborn 16 ACCOMODATION. The 20 Peninsula, Hong Kong. FRAGRANCE. A rose by any 22 other name… REAL ESTATE. Building 24 Confidence LAND ROVER. Discover the 28 world HIFI. Sound System 32 INSPECTOR GADGET. 34 FAST & FURIOUS. Mc Laren 36 570GT OCEAN. Wonders of the 38 underwater world.
40 TOYS FOR BOYS. Mille Miglia 42 2016 XL Race Edition DINING. Ultraviolet, Shanghai
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AUDI Q5: Sporty, attractive and versatile. A 2016 variant entirely practical for the diverse driving conditions that Cambodia presents.
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FRAGRANCE A rose by any other name...
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INSPECTOR GADGET Technology is moving fast these days, and sometimes it is hard to keep up with concepts being thrown at us.
16 BMW
X-Men Reborn. The X1 have been completely redesigned for 2016.
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44 SPORT. Golfing in Cambodia 46 RACING. The Great Race FOOD & DRINK. Whisky Kiss 48 GEM & JEWELRY. Pigeon Blood 50 Red Ruby JAGUAR. F-Type: Purring like a cat 52 FASHION. Bentley – A World of 56 Sophisticated Elegance AUTONOMY. I, Robot 60 HEALTH & FITNESS. Amanemu, 64 Ise, Japan CLASSIC CAR. Aston Martin DB5. 66 SUPERCAR. Viva El Toro 70 HOLIDAY GATEWAYS. Platinum 72 Bucket List
REAL ESTATE Building confidence. A talk with two industry experts; James Whitehead; Director of Content at Realestate. com.kh, and Alexander Evengroen; CEO of Key Real Estate.
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PIGEON BLOOD RED RUBY Christie’s last Hong Kong auction in mid-2015 garnered nearly $118 million in sales, setting a record for the most valuable jewellery auction ever held in Asia.
TRAVEL. Life on an Ocean Wave 76
DINING Ultraviolet, Shanghai. A fully immersive multi sensorial experience accompanied by “avantgarde figurative cuisine.”
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HIFI Sound System. It would be fair to say that one modern concept Cambodia has yet to grasp is that of quality audio gear.
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INSIGHTS
Ride in peace Antoine Jeanson is the Chairman of Eurocham’s European Automotive Committee and is also Operations Director for Audi in Cambodia.
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oday’s cars are complex products; even a compact city car can have up to 30,000 separate parts making up the finished product. And this number can go far higher than that when you look at vehicles at the luxury end of the market. Despite this complexity, every car owner expects reliability, safety, ease of use, practicality, low emissions and efficient design. Official dealerships are here, not only to sell you the car of your choice, but to ensure that your vehicle stays in perfect working order throughout its time on the road. This is how we do it: First, we get the right products. Every country has its own specifications; climate, roads, fuel quality, and specific homologation requirements. As a result, although a given model looks identical around the globe, there are actually hundreds of different adjustments made country by country. For Cambodia, every official dealer makes sure the specifications meet the country’s requirements to ensure the best performance and reliability of their products. Unofficial importers don’t usually care for or have knowledge of these matters, and as a result usually import vehicles with
the wrong specifications. Having a powerful heating system in Cambodia when you should have a powerful AC is a very common issue that can soon ruin your daily ride. But there can be far more serious issues; cars unofficially imported are often tuned for high quality fuel which is unavailable in the Kingdom. This brings a long list of issues that are really complex to correct. A wrong fuel quality tuning will always lead to expensive and repetitive repairs. When it comes to regular maintenance and repairs, you should always go to your certified service centre. The cars of today are great pieces of engineering filled with clever equipment and managed in real
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Antoine Jeanson time by powerful computers. As a result, car technicians of today need not only high levels of mechanical proficiency but also good computer skills before they even put their hands on modern cars.
In every certified service centre, technicians always go through extensive initial training as well as regular updates and refresher courses to ensure their skills are always up to date with the latest technology installed in your car. When your car enters a certified service centre, the technicians will always plug it to the diagnostic computer to receive the information from all the computers installed in the vehicle (up to 60 in some vehicles). This way, the diagnostic is always accurate and shortens the time your car will have to be immobilised. The computer-assisted diagnostic will also provide all the correct part numbers
your car needs. As mentioned above, one model can be very different under the hood from one country to another. Getting the correct part for the correct car is a key to quality service. During every step of the job performed at a certified service centre, the technician will be following strict guidelines provided by the manufacturer. If a repair is getting too complex, the certified service centre can even get in contact with the manufacturer’s headquarters to receive guidance. Unofficial service centres are often offering attractive prices; but is it really a good deal? If the diagnostic isn’t done the right way, it will lead to unnecessary repairs, wrong part replacement and will often make you spend more than if the diagnostic was done properly in the first place. Repairs performed at uncertified service centre never meet the manufacturers’ guidelines and as a result often make things worse than they were in the first place. Official service centres will usually provide diagnostic packages at attractive prices. This allows customers to get accurate feedbacks on their cars. Most certified centres will also inform you about the origin of your car, its real mileage (imported used cars have often had their mileage tampered with) and other information about its previous life. Here are the European car manufacturers who have certified service centres in the Kingdom: Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and VW.
AUDI
Sporty, attractive and versatile It may be eight years old this year, but the Audi Q5 is showing no signs of age or of losing touch with the market as each year the German car maker tweaks the specifications and makes improvements that see it keep pace with its rivals. The Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro in particular stands out as a 2016 variant that is stylish, fun to drive, yet entirely practical for the diverse driving conditions that Cambodia presents.
ប្រភេទរថយន្ត
AudiQ5 កំលាំងម៉ាសីុន 2.0 TFSI Quattro
ទំហំ
What Audi continue to achieve with this latest model is the perfect balance of driving comfort and driving performance. Many commentators argue that no-one understands the compact luxury crossover market better than Audi, and looking at this Q5, you find yourself agreeing with them.
ចំណុះធុងសាំង: 75L លីត្រ
The Q5, as with many of Audi’s models, possesses an elegance that at times seems understated, yet at other times seems bold and brash, and is just as much at home on the dusty streets of Phnom Penh as the snow sprinkled roads of Innsbruck.
ប្រភេទម៉ាស៊ីន: Inline petrol engine with direct fuel injection, exhaust gas turbocharging and Audi valvelift system
What is, at least for me, the foundation of the Q5, is Audi’s now legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system; this latest-generation
បណ្ដោយ: 4,629mm ទទឹង: 2,089mm
គំលាតកង់មុខក្រោយ: 2,807mm កម្ពស់: 1,655mm
ទម្ងន់យានយន្ត: 1,830kg
of the Quattro system can handle just about any possible challenge that Cambodia’s roads can throw at you. The Q5’s asymmetric torque distribution shares the power between the axles and also adapts the traction of each wheel perfectly to the situation, enabling you to take each corner even more dynamically and precisely than ever before. Electromechanical power steering and eight-speed tiptronic gearbox boost the driving experience further making the Q5 a sheer joy to drive. There’s an inherent sportiness to the Q5 that many other cars in its class do not come close to matching. The now revised and sharper roof arch produces smooth and flowing design lines. The redesigned grille with its vertical chrome struts and those iconic Audi rings possess a sculpted look that has a chic minimalism that somehow suits the car as a whole. The xenon plus headlights, in tandem with the rear tail lights, have a continuous strip of LED daytime running lights round their edges and the wrap-around tailgate and engine hood are both made of aluminium – a common design element that runs right through the Q series. Under that aluminium hood, the most recent 2 litre TFSI engine introduces innovative new solutions; valve control, thermal management, turbocharger, the exhaust manifold integrated in the cylinder head as well as the common rail system that integrates additional fuel injection into the induction manifold. That 2 litre engine produces 225bhp but still manages to have the lowest fuel consumption in its class at 7.9 litres per 100km. Just to underline the focus on more power, less
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fuel consumption, this new engine consumes a huge 15% less fuel on average than the previous incarnation. Fuel economy may not be the primary factor for potential Audi buyers but it’s still a consideration for many. The 2.0 litre four makes that factor an attractive one with an EPA rating of 8.5kmpl in the city, 11.9 on the highway and 9.77 combined. This is partly due to the standard kinetic brake-energy recovery – the Q5 also has an optional auto start/stop system in higher trims. Yet despite that power under the hood, Audi manages to isolate the cabin totally, limiting not only engine noise, but also wind and road noise – hopefully also reducing the repetitive cacophony of the horns that sound everywhere on the roads in Cambodia. And the eight-speed automatic Tiptronic gear system – new to the Q5 model series - is ideal for the Q5’s personality; giving you fast and responsive shifts whether you are operating it by hand or leaving it to its own devices. All transmissions are characterized by a high level of efficiency, precise operation and wide selection of gear ratios: the lower gears have close, sporty ratios, while the upper gears have wide ratios to reduce engine revs. The differential is located in front of the clutch and the torque converter, which shifts the front axle to a far forward position. This results in a longer wheelbase and a well-balanced distribution of axle loads. One factor contributing to the high efficiency of the fast and very comfortably shifting torque-converter transmission is a highly efficient oil pump. Another is heating of the transmission fluid within the thermal management system. A hydraulic reservoir supports start-stop functionality: When the engine is restarted, stored 12
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fluid is pressed into the system – and the tiptronic is ready to start within a very short time. But as beautiful as the Q5 is outside, it’s the inside that captures the hearts of Audi-philes and newcomers alike. The finishing, as one would expect with Audi, is near to impeccable. There is a well thought out combination of high-end wood, leather, aluminium or metallic/soft plastic pairings covering most surfaces throughout the cabin. There is a definite sporty feel to the car’s interior and the styling is elegant and light. Controls remain simple yet welllocated and intuitive, as demonstrated by the three-spoke leather steering wheel with new multifunction and shift paddles. The air conditioning system – a priority in Cambodia – has seen some big improvements and should cope admirably with even the hottest day in May. Even minor changes, such as the centre console displays, upgraded instrument needles and redesigned ignition key and steering wheel stalks, all add to the overall experience. And for driving comfort, it doesn’t get much better than the Q5’s front seats. Both are electrically adjustable and feature four-way lumbar support – thus offering driver and passenger high standards of both support and body motion control. But all passengers in the Q5 can enjoy plenty of space with more than adequate head and legroom. The back bench seat is adjustable over a range from 24 to 30 degrees and the head restraints have been placed so as to have very little effect on visibility from the
ប្រព័ន្ធដំណេីរការមា៉សីុន
ទំហំពីស្តុង: 1,984cm3
ថាមពល: 165/4,500 – 6,250 (225 hp) កម្លាំងរមួលអតិបរមា: 350/1,500 – 4,500Nm ប្រអប់លេខ: 8 speed tiptronic transmission
កំរិតនៃការស៊ីប្រេងសាំង ការប�ើកបរក្នុងក្រុង: 8.5 l/100 km
ការប�ើកបរក្រៅក្រុង: 11.9 l/100 km ការប�ើកបរក្នុង និងក្រៅក្រុង: 9.8 l/100 km
ការបង្កេីនេល្បឿន
ល�្បឿនខ្ពស់បំផុត: 222km/h
ពី 0 ទៅ 80 km/h: 4.9 sec ពី 0 ទៅ 100 km/h: 7.1 sec ពី 0 ទៅ 160 km/h: 20 sec ពី 0 ទៅ 200 km/h: 46.5 sec
ថាសកង់
សំបកកង់កំរិតស្តង់ដារ 235/65 R 17 ហ្វ្រាំងមុខ: 320mm (ventilated discs) ហ្វ្រាំងក្រោយ: 300mm (ventilated discs)
រិតប�ើកបរ (គីឡូម៉ែត្រ) ការប�ើកបរក្ង នុ ក្រុង: 637km ផ្វលូ ហាយវ៉េ: 891.5km
ការប�ើកបរក្ង នុ និងក្រៅក្រុង: 764.25km
Audi Q5 airbags. front. For added ‘comfort’ the Q5’s drinks holders are even temperaturecontrolled on certain trims. As always, the interior’s colour scheme is elegantly mixed. With the exclusive program, there are other choices for customised interiors, including the Audi exclusive line. Its basic colour is black, and the sport seats are upholstered in two-tone Fine Nappa leather. The centre panels are alabaster white, cognac and cloudy grey. As you’d expect from a compact crossover, there is plenty of room for luggage. The luggage compartment in its most basic state offers a capacity of 540 litres and the Q5’s maximum payload is 580kg. To put that space in some sort of easy to visualise context, the space will easily take four golf bags. And if that’s not enough room for you, then simply use the latches on the side walls to drop the seatbacks down, increasing your capacity to 1,560 litres that has a maximum load length of 170cm. The list of standard features on the Q5 is pretty impressive. It includes that improved three-zone
automatic air conditioning, high-gloss package, six airbags, front fog lights (perhaps only useful here if driving on Bokor Mountain), roof rack, foldable exterior mirrors, concert radio with 6.5 inch colour display, integral head restraint system, tyre pressure monitors, Audi parking aid plus, electrical opening of luggage compartment lid, electromechanical parking brake and 7-spoke 17-inch aluminium wheels. If upgrading to the luxury class, customers can choose from the Equipment Package – which includes special lighting options and those climate controlled cup holders mentioned earlier – or the Comfort Package – which includes a comfort key, lighting package, pivoting sun visors and manual blinds for the rear side windows. Other add-ons include a panoramic glass roof, a Bang and Olufsen sound system, climate comfort seats with ventilation functions, and alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter. There are also the sporty S-Line exterior package and distinctive offroad package, both of which strongly accentuate the already impressive looks of the Q5. Add together all these factors, the improvements made, the list of optional extras, and the sheer reliability and reputation of the Q5 series, and you can see why this model is one of, if not the, best in the category of mid-class/compact SUVs. That balance between superb road holding and a comfortable ride is almost perfect. And that road holding can almost lull you into a suspicion that it will only handle well on the straights. Au contraire; the Q5 handles curves and apexes as well as, if not better, than any of its more firmly sprung competitors. And that handling is equally true for those uneven or pothole-riddled surfaces; something that will make it more attractive to the Cambodian market. Where other models with the same longevity are beginning to look tired and dated, the engineers and designers at Audi continue to breathe fresh life into the Q5 and there seems little reason for the model to be consigned to history for some time to come. The Audi Q5 is a winner – on the European market it is already the clear leader in its class. In Cambodia it could very likely do the same. In Cambodia, the Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro is launched at a retail price starting from 85,000 USD. W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A / JUL-AUG 2016
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INSIGHTS
50 shades of grey only country in the economic bloc without any limits on importing grey cars. “With 40,000 cars imported per year, the grey market is 10 times larger than the official one,” says CAIF President and CEO of Premium Auto BMW, Peter Brongers.
Peter Brongers By Mark Bibby Jackson.
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friend of mine recently told me how he was amazed to see three Rolls-Royce Phantoms all in a line on his first visit to Phnom Penh last year. While this is by no means an everyday occurrence on the streets of the Cambodian capital, the last few years have seen a marked rise in the country’s luxury car market. Roll-Royce opened its first official dealership in the ASEAN country last year, looking to the long-term. “Cambodia is an emerging
economy, with good potential in the years ahead but we have no desire to see a RollsRoyce on every street corner of Phnom Penh,” Paul Harris, Asia Pacific regional director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, says. Recent years have seen a steady 10 per cent growth in the number of imported cars, although 2016 has seen a decline across the industry, according to the Cambodian Automotive Industry Federation (CAIF), which represents the country’s authorised dealers. The recent decision by the government to increase the rate of taxation levied on luxury cars imported into the country from 50 to 60 per cent could jeopardise this. For
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example it’s estimated that the price for the highly popular Mazda Cx-5 would rise from $52,900 to $55,900. Harris believes the move could have a negative impact on the country’s development. “Negative taxation increases simply defer investors to other places,” he says. “The super-luxury retail industry is still developing in Cambodia and our wish would be to see that it continues to provide jobs and services for the country.” However, Michael Vetter, the CEO of Precision Cars (Cambodia), Porsche’s official importer, says the tax hike will have little impact on his market. “Porsche customers are relatively less price sensitive, so the effects of an acceptable rise of import taxes would not be as harmful to our sales as it might be to others,” he says. Vetter is much more concerned that “the government ensures a level playing field”. This is a reference to the country’s large grey market, where cars are imported second hand – sometimes as scrap – and then re-sold within the country. Unauthorised dealers often avoid paying taxation such as the 10 per cent VAT. According to the CAIF, Cambodia has the biggest, unregulated grey market in ASEAN, and, apart from Myanmar, is the
This April, the CAIF launched an awareness campaign, #SameSameButBetter, with a dedicated Facebook page to advise consumers on the benefits of buying authorised cars. “It is now time for the automotive industry to advise and warn customers about the privileges, safety and peace of mind that they will get upon purchasing vehicles from the authorised dealers,” says Brongers. He is concerned by the lack of “real inspection” carried out on cars upon arrival. Many might have serious safety issues. Brongers estimates that 20,000 of the 250,000 cars written off after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, ended up in Cambodian showrooms. “The CAIF knows of ‘new’ Audi Q7s sold on Monivong Boulevard [in Phnom Penh] to be flood damaged cars, cleaned up and imported as new, but the electronics will get a problem, as will the engine,” he says. “Now if something happens with these cars, people will look at the brand and not the history of the car.” Sorya Pum believes the solution is to ban the import of used cars. “Cambodian customs could start by enforcing the law and reject any cars coming into the country disassembled or taxed under scrap steel tariff,” says the managing director of MG, which opened its first dealership in Cambodia in May 2014. The unregulated grey market is a major factor deterring MG from establishing a production line within Cambodia, despite government tax incentives. “We will invest once we are sure the government takes positive steps to promote the authorised dealers over the grey market,” he says. “Now, this is just too risky.” This article first appeared on Forbes.com in May 2016.
BMW
X-Men Reborn The X1 is seven years old in 2016 and to keep the model fresh and challenging in an increasingly competitive market, BMW have completely redesigned it. The previous generation of the X1 was a popular choice in the compact SUV/SAV market, with well in excess of 700,000 units sold worldwide.
ប្រភេទរថយន្ត ប្រភេទរថយន្ត: X1
ទំហំ
បណ្ដោយ: 4,455mm ទទឹង: 2,060mm
គំលាតកង់មុខក្រោយ: 2,670mm កម្ពស់: 1,598mm
ចំណុះធុងសាំង: 61 លីត្រ ទម្ងន់យានយន្ត: 1,660kg
ប្រភេទម៉ាស៊ីន: I-4 2.0 litres
BMW say they listened to their customers who they say wanted a more spacious vehicle, better seating position and for the X1 to look more like an SUV than an estate car; something that was one of the very few criticisms levelled at earlier models. And so the 2016 model is taller, has a shorter wheelbase and looks far more like an SUV than its predecessor. And, as you would expect, this move to looking like an SUV brings more space to the X1; both for people and for luggage. When directly compared to the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA, the X1 easily wins on space. The larger windows combined with the optional moonroof can make the cabin feel even more spacious again. The new X1 has a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine under the boot. Based on the same core design as the new inline-six found in the 2016 340 series, the four cylinder version delivers maximum power of 192hp (4% greater than the old model) and a maximum torque of 280Nm (also a 4% improvement on the old model). That power means you can hit 100km/h from 0 in just 7.7 seconds and the redesigned engine will give
you a fuel consumption average of 6.1litres/100km (an improvement of 9%) while CO2 emissions have been improved by 10%. As well as that new engine, the X1 chassis has also been totally redesigned for this new model. It now comprises a single-joint strut suspension at the front of the car and a multi-link axle at the rear. Aluminium swivel bearings and high-strength steel axle carriers and control arms reduce the weight and raises the rigidity of the front axle. This increases responsiveness and precision when it comes to turning or direction changing. These improvements, and others such as the anti-roll bars, axle mounting and specially tuned elastokinematics, all contribute to improved agility and comfort on the new X1. And then we have the new eightspeed automatic transmission. While not much fun in its standard setting, the Sport drive mode allows the engine to shine as the entire powertrain is placed on edge. Or for those longer journeys there’s an
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Eco Pro setting which smooths the acceleration and gives you improved efficiency. Servotronic speed-sensitive steering assistance comes as standard on the new models with ‘Variable Sports Steering’ a new addition to the options list. Not only does this allow parking or turning off manoeuvres to be done safely and with little effort, but also means that at higher speeds you have that steering precision and stability that is a BMW hallmark. You can also choose the special option of M-Sport suspension which features tauter springs and a ride height 10mm lower than standard. And for the first time on the X1 you can also add the option of the Dynamic Damper Control system. These electronically controlled dampers improves the ride of the X1 and also heightens their dynamic attributes. Two different settings can be accessed via the Driving Experience Control switch. The X1’s DSC system has all the features you would expect on a BMW crossover model; anti-lock brakes (ABS), dynamic brake control
(DBC), dynamic traction control (DTC), fading compensation, brake assist system, a start-off assistant and dry braking function. For optional choices, customers can chose from trailer stabilisation function, function and performance control and active differential brakes (ADB). When your DSC system is switched off, an electronic locking function for front axle differential is switched on. Known as electronic differential lock control (EDLC) this stops a spinning wheel in tight corners and transfers power to the other wheel as required. The exterior of the X1 is as impressive as what is under the bonnet. A large BMW grille with that instantly recognisable combination of twin headlights and single fog lamp really makes the car stand out at the front. Smooth lines, flared wheel arches, all converging in a distinctive X shape to the grille all illustrate the thought that has gone into designing the new model. LED daytime lights are standard on the X1 and the full LED headlights generate a bright light that is almost close to daytime. Aerodynamically, the car is a step up from the older version; air flaps in the grille and the lower intake of the front apron can be shut off when the need for cooling is less, thus dramatically reducing front drag. And the air curtains integrated into the outer air
intakes channel onrushing air behind front side panels which reduces any turbulence. The new X1 has several other featured contributing to aerodynamic efficiency; air deflectors on front wheel arches, vertical aeroblades, and smooth underbody panelling, all of which add up to a drag coefficient that can be as low as 0.29 depending on the model; a figure that puts it ahead of its competitors.
Proportion wise, the specifications of the new X1 are exactly that of an SUV/SAV in compact form. The new height increase is the most notable, which helps create extra interior space. Looking at the X1 from the side, the impressions are of a model that is athletic yet solid, with the wedge shape, lines and windows all producing an eye-catching combination. W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A   / JUL-AUG 2016 17
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Colour wise, customers have a choice of 12 colour finishes for their X1; two non-metallic and ten metallic finishes. There is also an exclusive metallic finish – Estoril Blue – offered for the M Sport model. If the exterior is testament to the character and aerodynamic changes made to the model, then the interior reflects an almost Feng Shui-like balance of driver-centric focus and comfortable elegance.
ប្រព័ន្ធដំណេីរការមា៉សីុន
ទំហំពីស្តុង: 1,998cm3
ថាមពល: 228hp/170kW
កម្លាំងរមួលអតិបរមា: 350Nm
ប្រអប់លេខ: 8 speed automatic
កំរិតនៃការស៊ីប្រេងសាំង ការប�ើកបរក្នុងក្រុង: 10.7 l/100 km
ការប�ើកបរក្រៅក្រុង: 7.4 l/100 km ការប�ើកបរក្នុង និងក្រៅក្រុង: 9.05 l/100 km
ការបង្កេីនេល្បឿន
ល�្បឿនខ្ពស់បំផុត: 210km/h ពី 0 ទៅ 100 km/h: 6.5 sec
ថាសកង់
សំបកកង់កំរិតស្តង់ដារ P225/50R18 ហ្វ្រាំងមុខ: Disc (abs)
ហ្វ្រាំងក្រោយ: Disc (abs)
រិតប�ើកបរ (គីឡូម៉ែត្រ) ការប�ើកបរក្ង នុ ក្រុង: 570km ផ្វលូ ហាយវ៉េ: 829km
ការប�ើកបរក្ង នុ និងក្រៅក្រុង: 700km
The aforementioned increase in interior space is instantly notable for anyone who has been inside both the old and new models. The redesign of the instrument panel and console controls; clean, flat surfaces angled optimally towards the driver, allow ease of access and avoids the confusion that some control panels presents. The addition of a bar separating the lower controls from the front passenger side set out a clear demarcation zone. The X1 operating system – iDrive – comes in either a 6.5 or 8.8inch freestanding monitor. An accent strip spans the full width of the instrument panel and, along with the interior trim strip, extends through the door panel trim, thus surrounding all vehicle occupants with a uniform material and colour structure. A hugely obvious improvement in the X1 interior is the raised seating positions; by 36mm in the front and by 64mm in the rear, yet also with an increase in headroom, shoulder room, and elbow room for every occupant. Legroom in the rear
cockpit has increased by between 37mm and 66mm (the latter in combination with the optional adjustable rear seat). Boot capacity is up too; from 420litres in the firstgeneration X1 to 505litres in the new model. And of course this can be increased dramatically by folding down the rear seats, to as much as 1,550litres in the best configuration. Moving the concept of ‘intelligent driving’ forward is the BMW ‘ConnectedDrive’ system. A high end networking system linking driver, vehicle and the environment, it raises the levels of convenience and infotainment for both driver and passengers. Thanks to the system’s built in sim card, the new generation of the X1 comes fully equipped with the whole range of ConnectedDrive services, which includes BMW Online, BMW Apps, Intelligent Emergency Call, Real Time Traffic Information, Remote Services,
Teleservices and Concierge Services. And there’s an option of ordering the Head-Up display which projects all driving-related information directly onto the windscreen. Another worthy optional extra is the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The reproduction of high quality digital sources – such as Spotify via Bluetooth or am HD radio signal – is about as good as any car based audio system. Overall, the new X1 looks like being a winner. While it may have been produced as a result of those customer desires and an acknowledgment of what the global, and particularly American, markets want from the growing crossover market, the end result is still every inch a BMW. Though some see the move to front wheel drive as an almost ‘non-BMW’ thing to do, it has to be remembered that BMW have been engineering front-drive Mini Coopers for 15 years now, and their experience with that process has very much served as a blueprint for doing it on the X1 and likely many future BMW models. The increases in driver and passenger comfort and space can’t fail to please customers, and the raised seating sits perfectly with the move towards emulating SUV/SAV design more closely than the old X1 models. This raised seating is also something that will very much suit the roads and driving conditions here in Cambodia where visibility can be a definite advantage in almost every situation. The X1 has the power and comfort to make longer trips in the Kingdom enjoyable, and the manoeuvrability and responsiveness to make city driving feel a whole lot safer. It seems highly likely that the 2016 X1 will make a big impact on the European auto market here.
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ACCOMODATION
The
Peninsula Known to many as ‘The Grand Dame of the Far East’, The Peninsula Hong Kong is the epitome of luxury and elegance.
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DID YOU KNOW? On 25 December 1941, at the end of the Battle of Hong Kong, British colonial officials led by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered in person at the Japanese headquarters on the third floor of The Peninsula. The Governor was confined for two months in one of the hotel suites before he was shipped to a prison in Shanghai. The hotel is mentioned in the Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun and also features In the film The Dark Knight Returns.
K
nown to many as ‘The Grand Dame of the Far East’, The Peninsula Hong Kong is the epitome of luxury and elegance. Opened in 1928 with the aim of being the “finest hotel east of Suez”, the hotel is situated In Kowloon and is located directly opposite the quays where ocean liner passengers disembarked. Kowloon was also the final stop for the trans-Siberian rail link bringing many travellers from Europe. Founded by members of the Kadoorie family, the hotel is now part of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group headed by Sir Michael Kadoorie and is the flagship property of The Peninsula Hotels group. A 30 storey tower extension was added in 1994 which was designed in the same style as the original building. The tower is topped with a helipad,
Suite living room.
allowing the hotel’s most affluent guests to transfer by air from the airport. The extension increased the total number of rooms to 300. Then, in 2012, a $58million refurbishment programme began; rooms were decorated in Oriental chic and digital enhancements such as touch-screen tablets and high-definition televisions were added. No changes were made to the iconic lobby, restaurants and bars. The Peninsula is also famous for its fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms painted in the hotel’s own green livery which are used to ferry VIP guests from the airport and around the city. The culinary choices at The Peninsula include gourmet French restaurant Gaddi’s - which has one of the first chef’s tables in Hong Kong – and ‘Felix’, designed by Philippe Starck. The Lobby serves traditional Englishstyle Afternoon Tea, a throwback to Hong Kong’s colonial past The hotel is also home to one of the oldest fashion arcades in the city, which has been home to such brands as Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. over the years. With the recent refurbishment, The Peninsula truly combines the elegance of the 1920s with the modern sophistication of the 21st Century. From the gilded ceilings and pillars of the magnificent lobby to the marble bathrooms and soaking tubs, The Peninsula is a bucket list choice for many of the world’s wealthiest and most important people. The indoor
Bathroom view on Hong-Kong harbor. pool, the spa with superb views over Hong Kong and a modern fitness centre, all add to the luxurious experience. There’s even a hotel-wide dress code that ensures decorum is maintained and that items such are flip-flops are banned entirely. And for the pinnacle of luxury at this grand old Dame, one must book into The Peninsula Suite, viewed by many as the most luxurious suite in Asia. Situated on the 26th floor, the suite offers panoramic views over the harbour and Hong Kong Island. As many guests at the suite are diplomats or heads of state, both the CIA and MI5 were consulted over the design of the suite to ensure maximum security. The suite has direct access to the helipad – in case a quick getaway is needed – and there is also security guard rooms down the hall. Guests of the suite have access to one of the hotel’s Rolls-Royces as well as a 24 hour butler. Though nominally a one-bedroom suite, the sheer amount of space and rooms means it can be converted to a seven-bedroom spread if required. The rooms are modern yet elegant, with marble and limestone used throughout ensuring sophistication without ostentatiousness. Lounge windows are floor to ceiling and offer stunning views over the city and the suite also comes with a fitness room, private study, kitchen and dining room as well as an extensive terrace. Prices for the Peninsula Suite start at around $5,000 dollars per night, while an ‘ordinary’ room starts at around $500 per night.
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FRAGRANCE
“A
perfume is like a piece of clothing, a message, a way of presenting oneself… a costume… that differs according to the woman who wears it.” The history of perfume goes back thousands of years. The word itself comes from the Latin phrase “per fumus”, meaning “through smoke.” Perfume as we know it has its roots very much in Europe and the Middle East; although there is a history of perfume in East Asia, it tends to be more incense based. The art of perfumery has been refined over the ages by the Romans, the Persians and the Arabs. Perhaps the biggest contribution to perfume came from the Islamic cultures. They produced progress in two significant areas; introduction of new raw materials and the perfection of extractions of fragrances through the use of steam distillation. These jumps forward have influenced not only perfumery but also the field of chemistry.
A rose by any other name…
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In the modern age, the range of perfumes and colognes available is simply staggering. With celebrity and product endorsed fragrances taking a large part of the low to mid-range market, the high-end market has continued to experiment and explore new methods and ingredients. Though of course there are many fragrances on the market that are now regarded as timeless. But what are the most exclusive fragrances, for men and for women, available on the market today?
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Clive Christian No.1 Pure Perfume $2,150/30 ml
Officially the most expensive perfume for men and containing some exceptionally rare ingredients, this is the choice of some of the world’s wealthiest men.
Caron Poivre
$1000/30 ml
FOR HIM
What gave the Muslims an advantage was their access to so many diverse ingredients as traders; spices, herbs, precious woods and ingredients such as musk or ambergris. There was also a huge variety of native ingredients such as rose and jasmine. In more recent times, the growth of the perfume industry in Europe, particularly amongst the wealthy and the aristocracy, was due in no small part to its use in the 16th and 17th centuries to mask the body odours arising from infrequent washing. It was during this period that France and Italy established themselves as the centre of the perfumery industry, and they have remained so to this day.
1
FOR HIM
Although now over 50 years old, this perfume continues to be a popular choice among those who can afford it today, whether male or female. Its distinctive crystal bottle with white gold encrustment and rare ingredients makes it a regular choice for the discerning customer.
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FOR HIM
Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien $441/30 ml Annick Goutal uses the Italian south as the inspiration for this perfume, another fragrance popular with both men and women. Many people see this as one of the most emblematic perfumes of the 20th century.
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Clive Christian 1872 $2,150/30 ml
Using entirely natural ingredients, this fragrance with strong citrus freshness has proven extremely popular amongst fans of luxurious perfumes.
Kilian Straight to Heaven $260/ 50 ml
FOR HIM
Inspired by Cuban rum, this exquisite fragrance for men is a reminder of hot tropical nights, so is perhaps ideal for Cambodia. Another factor that makes this a popular choice is that it is very long lasting.
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Clive Christian Imperial Majesty Perfume $215,000
Hermes Perfume 24 Faubourg $1,500/30ml
FOR HER
Designed by Maurice Roucel and Bernand Bourjois to resemble the images of luxury and feminine quality, this fragrance is a combination of of ylang ylang, orange blosson, jasmine, iris, vanilla and ambergris. Named after Hermes’ flagship store in Paris, this perfume continues to be one of the most popular choices for wealthy women the world over.
This comes in as the most expensive perfume in the world. A mixture of jasmine, cardamom, carnation, lemon, bergamot and benzoin, this is a stunning fragrance but much of the price label comes from the diamond encrusted bottle. 20 bottles were produced, 10 for men, and 10 for women.
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4 FOR HER
FOR HER
Baccarat Les Larmes Sacrées de FOR HER Thebes
$1,700 for 1/4oz
Over the last century we have seen many non-perfumers enter the fragrance industry. To date, Baccarat is the only crystal manufacturer to have done so. Having made the bottles for the Clive Christian scents, they decided to release their own scent. They wanted to evoke Middle-Estern aromas so this perfume is a mixture of frankincense and myrrh and comes in a pyramid shaped crystal bottle.
Jar The Bolt of Lightning $765 per ounce Designed by renowned jewellery designer Joel A. Rosenthal, The Bolt of Lightning is a strong and fresh perfume that has been described as smelling similar to the air just after a bolt of lightning strike. Using his background as a jewellery designer, Rosenthal has created a bottle hand cut from glass. And the unusual aroma is a perfect reflection of the perfume’s unconventional designer.
Jean Patou Henri Alméras’s Joy Perfume $800 per ounce
FOR HER
Designed in 1929 during the Wall Street Crash, this is considered one of the greatest perfumes ever created. Made from the fragrances of many flowers, it is impossible to identify any specific flower from the smell.
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REAL ESTATE
BUIL
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Cambodia is certainly one of the most vibrant and exciting real estate markets in all of Asia and is continuing to see good rates of growth and increased investment across the board. But is this trend likely to continue throughout 2016? And what type of developments are potential investors best advised to look at? I looked at the main factors in the current market, and also spoke to two industry experts; James Whitehead; Director of Content at Realestate.com.kh, and Alexander Evengroen; CEO of Key Real Estate Co., Ltd, Vice-Chair of the Real Estate & Construction Committee of EUROCHAM and Chief Advisor of Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA).
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The most recent World Bank report on Cambodia notes that; “Cambodia continues to enjoy robust growth, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Real growth in 2015 is estimated to have reached 7 percent, compared to 7.1 percent in 2014. The garment sector, together with construction and services, are the main drivers of the economy. Growth is expected to remain strong in 2016, as recovering internal demand and dynamic garment exports offset stagnation in agriculture and softer growth in tourism.” In fact, Cambodia’s economic growth is only exceeded in the region by Myanmar, where recent political changes have encouraged the investment floodgates to open. Alex Evengroen sees these factors as crucial; “Cambodia’s very stable growth of around 7% in the last few years is one of the reasons that the country is still in high demand with local as well as foreign investors and developers. The success of development will attract more skilled people to the country and that will create a continuing cycle of demand and supply.”
Key Real Estate CEO, Alex Evengroen (left), chats to James Whitehead (right) of Realestate.com.kh And some of the recent restrictive measures in Singapore – where real estate investment sales fell 74% in the first quarter of 2016 – have seen big companies such as TA Corporation, HLH Group Ltd. – operating in Cambodia as PH One Development Ltd. - and Oxley look to Cambodia for investing in large scale projects both commercial and residential. Among the main external investors in the real estate sector in Cambodia are Korea, China, Japan, the UK, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia; showing that
the vast majority of inward investment in this sector is coming from Asia itself. Overall, investment in the real estate and construction sectors increased to $1.752 billion in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $1.54 billion during the same period in the year before; an increase of 13.8%. Many investors will have their eyes on two factors; the potential volatility and oversupply in the condo market, and the impending election in 2018. One thing seems to be agreed on by many industry professionals; with the supply
Changes to Cambodian law - The Foreign Ownership Property Law, allowing foreigners to own upper-floor units, but not ground floor units, and up to 70 percent of a condominium project – have stimulated interest both among Cambodian based expats and also foreign investors looking to new locations for good returns on investments. In Thailand, ROI on residential units now average just above 5%, while in Cambodia, careful selection of your property can return anywhere from 6% to around 10%, thus making it an attractive focal point for those able to shift their investments easily. These changes to the law, combined with the existing legal frameworks in place, make property purchasing in the Kingdom a less complicated process than in some other countries. James Whitehead agrees; “Increasing investment from Singaporean, Japanese, Korean, Hong Kong and Chinese residents continues to grow in Cambodia, and the comparatively high yield guaranteed by many developers is still attracting overseas purchasers who see positive chances for appreciation in Cambodian developments compared to their slowing home markets.”
Exchange Square, Phnom Penh. W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A / JUL-AUG 2016
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What the rest of 2016 will continue to see is an increasing amount of diversified investment, particularly from the big players and the smart money. We are already seeing an increase in mixed use buildings and it is probable that this pattern will continue. Hong Kong Land Development’s ‘Exchange Square’ looks an interesting project, though many will be casting glances at its near neighbour, Vattanac Tower, with its approximately 30% occupancy rate, and wondering if Exchange Square can outperform it.
BUIL
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of condominiums set to multiply sixfold by 2018, the residential condominium sector is the one area where investors may show more caution. CBRE’s Q3 report in 2015 said that as of 2018, “…the number of condominium units in Phnom Penh would increase to almost 20,000 units, an increase of 915 per cent compared to the number in 2015,” and also identified that one third of the units would consist of high-end properties, with almost half of the total units being mid-range. Alex Evengroen gave his overview; “The Real Estate market itself is slower than a few years back but don’t let this fool you. The realistic need is still growing very rapidly. National Road number 3 is one of the key areas as far as development is concerned. Phnom Penh itself is now at the point where many building projects need to be finished and this will allow people and developers to focus on the outskirts and surrounding provinces” And what the industry is generally identifying as the “need’ part of the residential sector is for low and middle income residences. When you consider the lack of a good
transport infrastructure in Phnom Penh, concentrating all developments in the high end market means that the manpower needed to provide ancillary services for the city will gradually be priced out and pushed out of the city centre. If you also take into consideration that 70% of the Cambodian population is under the age of 35, how can they afford high end housing, even with the increasing number of mortgage products from the financial sector? Investors will increasingly recognise that rather that aiming for risky short-term profits, a sustained investment income from low and middle income housing both guarantees a return and also helps to sustain market growth over a longer period. And with continuing development and changing policy in the banking sector, along with the accompanying increase in availability of mortgages for young couples and families, this focus on low to mid-range apartments and villas has a solid financial foundation. At the other end of the market, some observers also look to AEC integration as being a catalyst for an influx of skilled expatriate workers; something that could counter-balance the forecasted oversupply of high-end condos. James at Realestate.com.kh agrees with this view and says; “A massive demand exists for quality, affordable housing development in Cambodia suited to the needs of the lower-middle class and lowest income earners, especially in expanding urban centres. Without any proposed government intervention in the market for this demand, this appears to offer a great opportunity to developers able to cater to this large demographic.”
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As well as the potential for commercial developments – also potentially fuelled by AEC integration – another sector where investment could pay dividends is the industrial sector. With a combination of ASEAN integration and changes to government policies – offering tax breaks and development grants – developers could see good returns in this sector. A good example of this is the ongoing development of several SEZs around Poipet and the Thai border. With plans to turn some of the area into an automotive parts hub for the region, the shift away from casinos and small traders can have big benefits for the area as there will be a need for housing and other ancillary services. As there is a marked population shift from central areas to the suburbs, there will also be a need for commercial and service developments in those areas. Alex Evengroen sees similar opportunities arising in other areas; “When the population is growing as rapidly as we are expecting in the areas around National Road number 3 there will also be a big demand for shopping and services and this will generate opportunities for investors and developers to build and sell commercial projects. This circle will continue as long as we keep working hard on our ability to provide the quality and knowledge to the market and start closing deals together. This will not only move forward the industry but also Cambodia as a whole.” This potential for growth which Alex identifies is a pattern that we will likely see repeated around other main transport arteries into the capital, with both National Road 1 and National Road 6 offering potential for developers and investors. Alex also sees a need for industrial development on the periphery of the capital itself; “We’re seeing an increase in demand for large factories plus related housing development on the outskirts
of Phnom Penh as well as in the surrounding provinces due to the growth in national and international need for a variety of products to supply the ever growing market.” Investment and development outside of the capital are two factors that may be very relevant in the Cambodian real estate market over the next 2 years. The aforementioned developments at the Thai border region and the increasing focus on Sihanoukville – where developments such as D’Seaview are setting benchmarks – may see an increasing shift away from Phnom Penh.
home buyers. I am currently working on a draft script for the CVEA which will soon be adopted as the first ever standard script in Cambodia. This will make it easier to identify the real buyers in the market and that will increase the levels of efficiency we can offer to the customers and will give those customers more confidence in the real estate industry itself.” To summarise; Cambodia’s real estate market appears to be fairly healthy for the immediate future.
If developers recognise some of the changing patterns in the market today and shift focus to accommodate these patterns, then there is no reason that there should be any adverse effects. And for small scale investors looking for healthy returns, it is crucial that they research both the market and their potential investment targets. Healthy ROIs are both achievable and sustainable but only in those cases where you know the market well or where your research has been thorough.
Oxley-WorldBridge’s The Peak development, due for completion in 2020, is a 55 floor mixed use building that will include a 5 storey shopping mall and an adjoining hotel from the Shangri La chain.
But investing in luxury condos in Phnom Penh can still be a prudent investment. In recent years the build quality and construction materials used – long points of criticism from those used to Western standards – have improved dramatically. It pays, literally, to do your research when considering investing in a condo unit. How experienced is the developer? Does the location have adequate infrastructure and services? Is the area ‘up and coming’ and likely to increase in value? What sort of occupancy rates do previous developments have? If you investigate the potential of these developments then your investment could be lucrative in the long term. Developments of note that are worth looking at for investors include The Peak – from Oxley-WorldBridge Cambodia, and Casa Meridian on Diamond Island. For those looking for luxury then the forthcoming Sky Villa towers beside the Olympic Stadium currently look like being the best units on the market as well as the most spacious. And a developer always worth keeping your eye on is Borey Penghuoth Group; recent winners of five awards at the Cambodia Property Awards 2016. They seem to be a developer who not only has an eye for quality developments that offer good returns on investment but also recognise the importance of affordable housing. Another developer attracting notice is Mega Asset Management which has been steadily growing since they were established in 2008. As standards increase across the board; in the construction, real estate and appraisal sectors, then market and investor confidence increases too. This is something Alex Evengroen is actively encouraging; “Our goal in the real estate industry is to be ready to offer the best deals to the project developers, investors and W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A / JUL-AUG 2016
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LAND ROVER
Discover the world Many people are surprised to learn that, in the world of global car manufacturing, Land Rover is a fairly recent marque when put up against the long histories of companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford or Rolls Royce. Although the first model, thought to be influenced by the American Jeep, was launched in 1948, it was as part of the Rover range of cars and Land Rover as an independent company did not exist until 1978. down with a hose, thus reflecting the utilitarian nature the company intended for it. ‘Luxury’ additions, such as carpeted floors, leather seats, a/c, and power steering were added later.
First designed by the Wilks brothers; Maurice, who was chief designer for Rover, and Spencer, who was managing director, the car quickly became a firm favourite amongst Britain’s farming and estate owning communities, as well as the British, and later other, armies. In fact, it was only 2 years ago that the SAS decided to stop using Land Rovers after five decades of front-line use.
ប្រភេទរថយន្ត
After the collapse of parent company British Leyland in the 1980s, the company was shuttled about between various owners; first to BMW in 1994, then on to Ford in 2000, and finally on to its present
ប្រភេទរថយន្ត: Discovery Sport 2016
ទំហំ
បណ្ដោយ: 4,599mm ទទឹង: 2,173mm
គំលាតកង់មុខក្រោយ: 2,741mm កម្ពស់: 1,724mm
ចំណុះធុងសាំង: 70L លីត្រ ទម្ងន់យានយន្ត: 1,750kg
ប្រភេទម៉ាស៊ីន: 20 Litre Si 4 Petrol Automatic
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owners, India’s Tata Motors, in 2008. As part of the deal, Tata retained the right to buy Ford engines until 2019. In 2011, Tata confirmed that it would be investing $559 million to build an engine assembly plant in the UK. But the announcement only said that the new factory will produce fourcylinder engines. In 1970, three years after the first prototype was built, the Range Rover was launched in the UK. Surprisingly, the original Range Rover was not designed as a luxury off-road vehicle; the early interiors were fairly sparse with plastic dashboards and vinyl seats that were able to be washed
Series 1 of the Discovery range was launched in the UK in 1989. Based on the chassis and drivetrain of the Range Rover the model had a lower price in order to compete with the Japanese offerings flooding the UK market at that time. Initially only available as a three-door version, the five-door version was launched the following year. Showing how far the marque had come from its utilitarian roots, the company hired legendary British designer, Sir Terence Conran, to design the car’s interior, with a brief for the interior to be a “lifestyle accessory.” Conran’s design went on to win a British Design Award for 1989. The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the company’s offering to the premium compact SUV market – part of a Range Rover sub brand that will initially feature two models; the Sport and the larger Discovery. The direction the company wanted to take these models in was first previewed at the 2014 New York International Auto Show with the Land Rover Discovery Vision concept.
DID YOU KNOW? • In the early days of Land Rover, the vehicles only came in various shades of light green as the colour was dictated by the large amounts of military surplus aircraft cockpit paint available after World War II. • Astonishingly, some three-quarters of the 2 million Land Rover Defenders built since 1948 are still in regular use. • Due to the rise of city use of off-road cars that never went off-road, particularly in areas of London, Range Rovers were the cars most often given the nickname “Chelsea Tractors.”
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consumption. The Discovery Sport’s EU6 compliant Ingenium engine will be available with two power outputs - 150PS and 180PS - delivering fuel economy of up to 57.7mpg (4.9l/100km) and CO2 emissions from 129g/km. The powerful 180PS engine has a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h) and can accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in just 8.9 seconds. ប្រព័ន្ធដំណេីរការមា៉សីុន
ថាមពល: 176.5kW 240PS
កម្លាំងរមួលអតិបរមា: 340Nm
ប្រអប់លេខ: 9 speed automatic
កំរិតនៃការស៊ីប្រេងសាំង ការប�ើកបរក្នុងក្រុង: 10.7 l/100 km
ការប�ើកបរក្រៅក្រុង: 6.8 l/100 km ការប�ើកបរក្នុង និងក្រៅក្រុង: 8.2 l/100 km
ការបង្កេីនេល្បឿន
ល�្បឿនខ្ពស់បំផុត: 200km/h ពី 0 ទៅ 100 km/h: 8.2 sec
The Discovery Sport is based on the Land Rover LR-MS platform, itself a modified version of the Ford EUCD platform customised for off-road use. Unveiled in the UK in April of 2015, Land Rover see the Discovery Sport as the world’s most versatile premium compact SUV. Uniquely for its market segment, the Discovery Sport offers optional 5+2 seating as well as a host of debuting Land Rover innovations which include; integral multi-link rear axle, advanced pedestrian airbag technology, an all-new touchscreen infotainment system and state-of-theart high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium bodyshell which delivers outstanding performance, safety and efficiency. The 2016 model adds optional driving systems such as Active Driveline, Torque Vectoring by Braking system and Adaptive Dynamics with MagneRide. Engine wise, the Discovery Sport offers Land Rover’s innovative Ingenium diesel engine from. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine is designed to deliver impressive torque and power outputs, combined with excellent refinement, reduced CO2 emissions and lower fuel
As one would expect from a car with Land Rover at its heart, the Discovery Sport can cope with any challenging terrain, whether tarmac, snow, sand or gravel; its All-Terrain Progress Control acts similarly to a low speed cruise control. Safety wise, the new model offers ‘Autonomous Emergency Braking’ (something that could be wonderful in Cambodia) where images from stereo cameras are analysed by on-board computers to calculate the risk of collisions. With this system, collisions under 50kph could be avoided altogether and up to 80kph could drastically reduce severity. For a model in the compact SUV segment, the Discovery Sport is surprisingly roomy; the sliding second row of seats offers legroom on a par with a Range Rover. And the cargo space behind the second row of seats offers a generous 813 litres and when the flexible seating is stored flat, it offers a cargo floor that is also on par with its bigger brother. Overall the interior feel is definitely premium level, with a centre console that forms a strong graphic in the middle of the instrument panel and ensures that all key controls are easily accessible from the driving position. Clean surfaces
and high-quality materials throughout the cabin complete the touches required for a premium compact SUV. The innovative InControl technologies mentioned earlier puts the Discovery Sport at the cutting-edge of in-car connectivity. Developed in conjunction with Bosch, SoftTec, InControl Apps enables vehicle-optimised smartphone apps to be displayed and controlled with their original look and feel from the vehicle’s new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Owners simply download Land Rover InControlTM Apps to their smartphone and connect it to the vehicle’s dedicated USB port to enable compatible apps to function on the Discovery Sport’s touchscreen, with new content available every time the apps update. On the outside, the Discovery Sport is a sleek and streamlined SUV; its lines creating a very distinct compact external profile that almost contradicts just how much room there is inside. Design is nothing, however, if it doesn’t match usability and practicality, and the Discovery Sport delivers on all fronts with excellent all-round visibility and ease of cabin access. Land Rover and Range Rover have always built their reputation on a foundation of reliability. While in the past the designs, on the outside at least, may not have been setting the world on fire, that is something that has been left behind in more recent times. And with the advent of the new Discovery Sport they have a model that is firing on all cylinders. Exciting from the outside, exciting on the inside, and, perhaps most importantly, exciting to drive. Final word on the Discovery Sport goes to Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer: “Every Land Rover must have design leadership and outstanding all-terrain capability. For the Discovery family of vehicles, the key differentiator is versatility. Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony. I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that; Discovery Sport’s dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV.” RMA Cambodia has limited units of the 2016 Discovery Sport available at a special offer price of $115,000.
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HIFI
SOUND SYSTEM
Moon Audio Opulence
It would be fair to say that one modern concept Cambodia has yet to grasp is that of quality audio gear. The standard Khmer approach is to obtain speakers of dubious provenance and turn the volume as high as it can go. It always reminds me of the American comedy film, This Is Spinal Tap, a mockumentary about a British rock band, and in particular the scene where Nigel the guitarist proudly shows off his amplifier that has been custom made with a volume knob that goes up to 11 instead of the standard 10. Anyone who has spent more than a few nanoseconds in close proximity to a speaker here will know exactly what I mean. No consideration for retaining the quality and crispness of the sound – or of anyone’s hearing – but seeking the highest possible volume, complete with the awful distortion that accompanies it.
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the world’s best drivers, wiring and internal parts. They weigh over a ton, thanks in no small part to the integrated internal vibrational control system, which has been developed rom systems used on stealth fighters and tactical submarines. The price – a jawdropping $1.1million – includes set-up in the buyer’s home anywhere in the world as well as a lifetime warranty.
D&W Aural Pleasure
A
s a long term audiophile, I have always had an appreciation for the very best in hi-fi equipment, even when I can’t always afford it. The two most important components of any system are the amplifier and the speakers. So I thought I’d take a look at what’s available on the market if your wallet is virtually bottomless. First up are the Moon Audio Opulence speakers. The designers of the Opulence have 25 years’ experience at the ultrahigh end of the audio industry which has given them an understanding of flaws in previous systems and just what is needed to design the perfect system. And thus the Opulence was born; a state of the art audio transducer system taking home music reproduction to an entirely new level. With less than 20 pairs of speakers produced, the system has some of
Next in line are the Transmission Audio Ultimate speakers. Coming in at $2 million per pair, these are generally regarded as the world’s most expensive speakers. Each channel consists of six. 2.1-metre high panels which will take up around 12-13 metres space in your house, so they are not recommended for more bijou accommodations. To save you some money, Transmission Audio has very kindly bundled in six dual-mono amplifiers and a preamp to help you along. With 40 subwoofer cones for the bass, all line up in a grid, the system produces extremely low distortion. Combine that with an output of 30,000watts and a claimed reachable volume of 146 decibels – that’s louder than a jet taking off – then you have the potential capacity for bringing the house down…literally. On second thoughts, maybe we should ban these speakers from Cambodia permanently.
only 1 pair in 100kg of Solid 18k Gold – at a dizzy $5milion – these are the speakers for the audiophile who likes to show off. Inspired by the large Big Ben bell, these deliver the ultimate audio experience with the ultimate level of style. Each speaker features 3 speaker drive units and bespoke chrome stands. As well as the drive units, the system is topped off with a super tweeter, extending the speakers’ bandwidth to its full potential. The pair boasts sensitivity range of 97db 1w@1mtr, impedance 5 Ohms and a frequency range 47Hz- 37Khz (+-4db & 39Hz-47Khz +- 10db). For the best performance, these should be situated in the corners of the room, but if you have a $5million pair of speakers, wouldn’t you want everyone to see them?
So you’ve bought the Bugatti, purchased the Learjet and just closed the deal on your own private Caribbean island. So what extravagant item could possibly be next on your wish list? For the man, or woman, who has almost everything, I’d suggest a pair of D&W Aural Pleasure loudspeakers. With 99 pairs made in bronze – at $63,000, 5 pairs in sterling silver – at $314,00 - and
Transmission Audio Ultimate
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INSPECTOR GADGET
Smart Storage
Technology is moving fast these days, and sometimes it is hard to keep up with the bewildering array of new releases and concepts being thrown at us. The CES – Consumer Electronics Show – held every January in Las Vegas, is usually a good indicator of what the tech-giants – and tech start-ups – have in store for us. We looked at five of the most exciting gadgets around for the boy, or girl, who hasn’t quite outgrown their toys.
Camera Obscura
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hen it comes to cameras, most people tend to think of the usual suspects such as Nikon or Canon. But Phase One is the company that those in the know expect cutting edge and revolutionary developments from. For over 20 years they have been pushing the limits of digital imagery and now, with the XF 100MP, they say everything they have previously worked on has come together in one camera. Though described as ‘full frame’ the sensor is actually 53.7 x 40.4mm, so it is some 2.5 times larger than the format ‘full frame’ normally describes. The camera offers 16-bit colour output and 15 stops of dynamic range. Those 16-bit files are captured in a new format called IIQL 16-bit which creates some pretty large file. One of the downloadable examples on the Phase One website comes in at an impressive 701MB…for one image.
The camera body, back and 80mm Schneider Kreuznach lens (50mm equiv.) will set you back around $49,000.
A
nother area of tech making rapid strides forward is the ‘smart fridge’, and Korean manufacturer Samsung are the ones setting the benchmark. The Family Hub is by far the smartest – and best designed – smart fridge to date. With a 21.5 inch touchscreen on the door, and with internal cameras that keep watch over your food, this brings
storage into the 21st century. With prices starting at $5,600 (or $6,000 for a counter-depth model in black stainless steel) it’s also the most expensive smart fridge to date. Those internal cameras are also a big improvement on previous smart fridge tracking methods; simple little drag and drop icons on your touchscreen ensure that you can keep an eye on expiry dates. Apart from using the screen to monitor your food, there is also a web browser, a link to your Samsung smart TV, a MasterCard app for grocery delivery and the ability to sync the whole family’s calendars into a shared fridge calendar. There is also an option to stream music or internet radio though the speakers are the most average thing about the whole set-up.
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Ultimate Boys Toy
Beyond Reality
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here is no doubt that 2016 is the year when virtual reality technology finally comes of age. At the forefront of the wave is the HTC Vive, released on 5th April 2016 yet already the winner of 22 CES awards, including best of CES 2016. The Vive is a VR headset designed to turn a room into a 3D space by way of sensors, and giving the user the ability to walk around a virtual landscape, interact with objects and avatars within the landscape, and experience fully immersive environments. The graphics are stunning and there is a definite ‘real feel’ to the virtual reality you enter. The Vive headset retails for around $799.
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f like me you have ever spent hours on your favourite PC game, or indeed had to spend hours working at your computer, then you know it can be pretty uncomfortable at times. In recent years a number of specially designed workstations and ergonomic chairs have come onto the market, but nothing comes close to the MWE Lab Emperor 200 which is like something off the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. The 200 is a futuristically sumptuous workstation from web designer, Martin Carpentier. At the heart of it is a reclining Italian leather chair featuring temperature control, an adjustable leg rest, an air purifier, and a built-in BOSE sound system and LED lighting therapy controlled by an embedded Windows-operated system with a 10 inch touch screen. Once in your chair you can then work on and from three LCD/LED displays – of up to 27” – connected to your PC. There is also the option of all this being on a 360 degree rotating podium. The workstation also includes 4 USB ports and 3 HDMI ports – conveniently located under your armrest – and has connections for secondary audio. The whole system is custom built to your own requirements and will cost you around $49,000.
True Home Cinema
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n the last few years, home projectors have improved rapidly. There are even mini-projectors on the market
that can be plugged into your mobile phone. But if you want that truly cinematic experience, then you probably want to go for the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector. The beauty of this projector is that you can place it virtually right next to the wall, leaving more floor space and avoiding those distracting shadows. The 4K provides a resolution that is 4 times greater than full HD, so it doesn’t matter how close you sit.
You can change the projected image size from 66 inches (perfect for TV viewing) to 147 inches (amazing for movies). A picture position function allows you to zoom in and out to suit the area you are using the projector in, and no matter the distance from the image, there is no annoying pixilation. And the special laser light source both maintains colour and brightness longer and hits best brightness level more quickly. Expect to pay around $50,000 to bring movies and television to life on your wall.
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FAST & FURIOUS
Turning heads faster than corners
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McLaren has been dominating the world of Formula 1 for the last two seasons, but with the forthcoming release – due at the end of this year – of the 570GT, they could be dominating the world of supercars too. The third in McLaren’s “Sports Series” range, this stablemate for the 570S and 540C Couple is by far the most luxurious of the three. At $225,000 it’s also the most expensive of the three models, but given the tweaks McLaren has made that’s no surprise and looks to be worth it. Although it and the 570S Couple share the same basic set up, everything on the GT has been fractionally recalibrated for a better and smoother ride. So slight changes to front and rear anti-roll bars as well as reduced spring rates; 15% reduction on front and 10% on rear. The GT is less noisy than its predecessors, has better steering, and comes with an abundance of leather, heated electric seats and a glass roof to make the interior feel roomier.
There are also two boots now; one at the front and one at the rear, giving a combined storage space of 350 litres. Engine wise, there is the same 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 as the 570S producing the same 562bhp. It does 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 328kph. The seven speed gearbox will take you a quarter of a mile in 11.1 seconds and the new model has lightweight iron brake discs over aluminium hubs; a big improvement on the carbon ceramics of the 570S. Wheel wise, the GT has new 15 spoke alloys (19 inches at front, 20 inches at rear) and Pirelli P Zero tyres come as standard. And the doors have lower and narrower sills than previous models, making it far easier to get into the cabin. With the 570GT, McLaren look to have achieved the perfect marriage of comfort and practicality with their usual breathtaking performance. Racing elements combine with luxury to form an ultimate sports car ideal for daily use or longer journeys.
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OCEAN
wonders of the underwater world
Top 5 From barrier reefs and blue holes to seabed sculpture parks, we don our wet suits and explore 5 of the best underwater attractions.
2) Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada
1) Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Imbued with beautiful beryl blues, Grenada’s dazzling west coast becomes all the more spectacular when you dip below the waves and discover its sunken art museum. The Underwater Sculpture Park, featuring installations by Jason deCaires Taylor and Troy Lewis, is located on the seabed and is the first of its kind. Man on a Bike, a life-size gent cycling along a reef, and Ring of Children, a circle of kids holding hands, are among the inspiring artworks that double up as a substrate for marine life.
The world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is under threat from a recently approved coal port and may be downgraded by UNESCO as an endangered World Heritage Site. But for now this 1,400m (2,300km) reef, which can be seen from outer space, remains one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Its kaleidoscopic coral shelves are home to an abundance of marine life including turtles, sharks and more than 1,500 species of fish.
3) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador A miracle of Mother Nature, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse marine life on the planet. The archipelago’s unique flora and fauna – Galapagos penguins, Galapagos sharks, marine iguanas and many more – have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world, inspiring Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution there. For whales and sharks, the best time to visit is between June and September. 38
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5) Ithaa Restaurant, Maldives If you’re looking for a seafood restaurant with a difference, Ithaa might be for you. This underwater eatery in the Maldives turns the aquarium theme on its head, exhibiting diners to the local marine life in a transparent dining room. The first of its kind, Ithaa seats just 14 guests at a time, who can quaff their way through a six-course seafood dinner in full view of nosy – and, presumably, disapproving – fish.
4) Belize Barrier Reef, Belize Charles Darwin described it as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies,” a statement that still rings true today. Forming part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, this underwater World Heritage Site is home to a cornucopia of marine life, including 500 species of fish and 106 species of coral. The jewel in its crown, though, is the Great Blue Hole, a large submarine sinkhole that attracts divers and snorkelers from around the world
DINING
ULTRAVIOLET SHANGHAI
When is a restaurant not a restaurant? When it’s a fully immersive multi sensorial experience accompanied by “avant-garde figurative cuisine.”
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f that sounds pretentious, it’s probably meant to, but such is the way of Paul Pairet and the VOL Group’s restaurant, Ultraviolet, in Shanghai. It is hard to tell whether Pairet is taking the often pompous world of modern haute cuisine too far, or having a (very) elaborate joke at its expense. Whichever one it is, it seems to work, with diners and critics alike raving about Ultraviolet in the four years since it launched. Born and trained in France, Pairet is regarded as one of the leading avant garde chefs, often talked about in the same breath as Heston Blumenthal. First making his mark at Café Mosaic in Paris, his culinary style was influenced by his French training combined with his wanderings to date – taking in Sydney, Hong Kong and Jakarta. Noticed by legendary French master chef, Alain Ducasse, he was then headhunted to be head chef at the Ritz Carlton Cam in Istanbul where he turned the restaurant into the city’s first cutting edge eatery. From Istanbul he made the move to Shanghai in 2005 to open ‘Jade on 36’, the flagship restaurant of the Shangri-La Hotel Pudong where, in less than three years, he’d established international fame for his “highly personal and completely original cuisine: often exaggerated, highly technical plays on texture, temperature, and preconceived expectations”.
The experience begins long before any food is brought to a table; the diners for that evening are driven around Shanghai, eventually arriving at a secret location in an old neighbourhood. Each evening’s dining is limited to a maximum of 10 guests; whether individuals, a private party or a combination of guests. You then enter through a set of anonymous double doors and step into Pairet’s world of fantasy – one suspects that Pairet grew up on a cocktail of Narnia books and James Bond films. Metal doors slide open as you approach, leading you to where a welcome drink awaits on a raw wood bar. After your drink, another door slides silently open, inviting you into a hallway lit by a Baccarat crystal chandelier. Pairet’s love of, and flair for, the melodramatic is obvious as you finally enter the dining room to the opening chords of Strauss’s ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ – the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey – and a blank canvas of an all-white room with a plain table and 10 white chairs. There is no décor, no paintings or prints hanging on the walls, no windows to gaze out. Pairet and his team have designed the evening to be a totally immersive experience with each course being accompanied by specially tailored sound, vision and even scents. What follows are 20 courses over four hours; a journey through whimsy and the quirky imagination of this inventive Frenchman. As the owners themselves say; “A dining room that more closely resembles a movie theatre, with 360-degree video screen walls, surround-sound speakers and high-tech overhead lighting, each dish is accompanied by a carefully choreographed set of sounds; visuals and even scents, all intended to create a specific ambience to enhance the flavours of the meal.” Pairet’s play on fish and chips, for example, features a single battered caperberry stuffed with an anchovy
paste and paired with a Scottish beer, while the video projectors portray a typically British storm onto the walls of the room, complete with sounds of thunder, followed by a Union Jack being illuminated on the table and the Beatles song, ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ playing through the speakers. For the lobster course, the diners are surrounded by the images of crashing waves and the sound of seagulls while the host walks around the room spreading the scent of seawater from a pressure cooker. With examples of dishes ranging from Engloved Truffe Lamb to No Shark Fin Soup and from Cucumber Lollipop to something called Ispahan Dishwash, diners know that they will never have tasted anything similar before. And with a soundtrack to your food that ranges from AC/DC through Ennio Morricone and the theme from Zorba and ending up with Edith Piaf, you can’t fail to be entertained too. Since the late 1990s and the innovations of Blumethal, there have been an increasing number of chefs stretching the boundaries of their cuisine and conceptual integration has become a big part of that – Blumenthal even enlisted illusionist Derren Brown to help with the relaunch of his pioneering Fat Duck restaurant. Pairet’s avant-garde vision, combined with his startling skills in the kitchen have not only created a unique dining experience in the Far East, but have gained the restaurant the accolade of the third best restaurant in Asia (and best in China) for 2015. With prices starting at around $600 for the evening – a price that some commentators say means they run at a loss due to the 25 chefs and waiters catering only to ten diners nightly – one expects great food, but the multimedia additions make it seem good value for money too.
In 2008, Pairet teamed up with the VOL food and beverage group, then launched Mr & Mrs Bund in 2009; a very French and very modern restaurant, featuring simple but classic and well-executed dishes. But one suspects that all through his time in Istanbul and Shanghai, Pairet’s mind was fermenting the idea that would eventually become Ultraviolet, and indeed Pairet himself confirms this saying that Ultraviolet was 15 years in conception.
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TOYS FOR BOYS
The
Mille
2016 Miglia
XL Race Edition The Mille Miglia is one of the most legendary races in the world of motorsport. It was an open-road endurance race based in Italy which took place twenty-four times between 1927 and 1957. Like the older Targa Florio and the later Carrera Panamericana, the Mille Miglia made Gran Turismo cars like BMW, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Porsche famous.
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he race was originally started by Count Aymo Maggi and Franzo Mazotti after the Italian Grand Prix was moved to Monza from their hometown of Brescia. With a group of like-minded and wealthy friends they conceived a race from Brescia to Rome and back, following a roughly figure-eight shaped course which was 1500km in length – so a thousand Roman miles, thus giving the race its name. The race also functioned
as a round of the World Sports Car Championship from 1953 until 1957. The race was banned in 1957 following two horrific crashes, one of which claimed the lives of two drivers and nine spectators, five of whom were children. The race was briefly resurrected from 1958 to 1961 as a rally-like round trip driven mainly at legal speed but was discontinued in 1961.
In 1988, the German-owned Swiss watchmaker, Chopard, became the official timekeeper and sponsor of the Mille Miglia. Each year until 1997 – when the watches were made commercially available – they produced an annual special edition watch for the participants of the race.
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to its large numerals and luminescent hands.
In 1977 a new Mille Miglia was born; taking the format of a more sedate race for classic and vintage cars. All participating cars must have been produced before 1957 and must have attended or been registered for the original race. A similar route is used, taking in the Brescia to Rome round trip, and using the original departure and arrival point at Viale Venezia in Brescia. This has been described by many as; “The world’s most beautiful race.”
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Issued in a 1,000-piece stainless steel limited edition, the Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition throbs to the tune of a unique ‘engine’: the new Chopard Calibre 03.05-C, a chronograph movement with COSCcertified precision. Surrounded with a tachymetric scale, the dial revives the aesthetic of vintage dashboards and ensures maximum readability thanks
The Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition is inspired by the design codes of the cars that took part in the historical race between 1927 and 1940. Water-resistant to 50 metres, its sturdy 46 mm-diameter case makes it the largest of the Mille Miglia wrist chronographs created by Chopard. Its classic and refined lines are enhanced by two traditional pushers and a fluted crown. The perfectly readable black dial is enlivened by wide Arabic numerals and luminescent hands,
while the bright red sweep-seconds hand stands out clearly to count off the precious seconds of the race. These legibility-enhancing attributes are essential in a timepiece dedicated to competition in any conditions.
Topped by a tachymetric scale, an indication that is useful in calculating average speed which is a decisive factor in endurance racing, the satin-brushed dial displays snailed anthracite and black counters reminiscent of car dashboards. Echoing the sweepseconds hand, the “Rossa Corsa”, the red arrow-shaped Mille Miglia logo appears both at 12 o’clock on the dial and around the rim of the exhibition case-back. In a final nod to the world of classic racing, this performance-driven watch is fitted with a finely weathered strap in “Suportlo®” calfskin, whose waterproofness and superbly supple feel recall the leather tie-down straps on the bonnet of a racing car. A true partner for drivers, the Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition is equipped with a high-precision watch ‘engine’, chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). Entirely developed, designed and assembled in the Chopard workshops, the Chopard Calibre 03.05-C is a new mechanical self-winding movement equipped with a column wheel. It powers the hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and aperture-type date functions, while ensuring a comfortable 60 hours of operating autonomy. Capturing perfectly the spirit and elegance of the cars that drive the Mille Miglia, this watch is the perfect choice for the man who appreciates the combination of timeless elegance, great timekeeping and the style of a bygone era. In a limited edition run of 1,000 timepieces, the Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition is priced at $15,000.
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SPORT
Golfing in Cambodia
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T
he modern game of golf originated in Scotland, and the first historical record of it is in 1457, when James II banned the game as it was seen as a distraction from archery. James IV subsequently lifted that ban in 1502 when he himself became a golfer. For golfers the world over The Old Course at St Andrews remains a place of almost holy pilgrimage. Until 1764, golf courses were 22 holes in length but in that year St Andrews members modified this to the now standard length of 18 holes. Jump forward around 250 years and golf is not only a huge sport globally – the 2015 US Masters had a global TV audience of some 100 million – but is also a huge industry; in the US alone it is a close to a $70billion industry, supporting two million jobs and over $55 billion in annual wage income. It is also a sport with a strong sense of social responsibility. The sport has an annual charitable impact in the US of about $4 billion per year with around 143,000 events and 12 million participants. To put in some sort of context, golf raises more money for charity in the US than the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL combined. While in the West, golf has become accessible for all, irregardless of social or economic status, the scarcity of good facilities, and the cost of maintaining those facilities, means that in South East Asia golf remains mainly a pursuit for the wealthy. Golf is a very recent arrival here, with the first course – The Cambodia Golf & Country Club – opening in 1997. Around 90% of the current golf in the Kingdom comes from golf tourism, and when you consider that this is a tourism sector worth around $3 billion annually in South East Asia, then you can see it is a potentially lucrative market that Cambodia is finally tapping into. And of course, if tourists come to play golf, then they will also put money into hotels, restaurants, shopping and sightseeing. At a time
when tourism numbers are a little down on previous years, targeting such customers makes perfect sense in a volatile market. There are now ten international standard golf courses scattered across the kingdom; six in Phnom Penh, three in Siem Reap, and one at Koh Kong. And the Koh Kong location – scheduled to eventually have three courses, including a links course – is the first coastal course for the country. The two with famous names attached are the Angkor Golf Resort – rated number 1 in the country and designed by Sir Nick Faldo – and the Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club, perhaps the most exclusive club yet and designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. There were also plans for an Arnold Palmer designed course on Bokor Mountain but as of yet they have not come to fruition. Siem Reap’s Phokeethra Golf Club is rated second nationally and may be the only golf course in the world to feature a UNESCO World
Cambodia is Prime Minister, Hun Sen. He regularly posts his scores online and even won a tournament in 2015 at Phnom Penh’s popular 9 hole course, City Golf. And In January this year, it was announced that his doctors in Singapore had advised him to play more golf to maintain his fitness and health. With such esteemed supporters of the sport, with Cambodia being added to the itineraries of many international tourist companies specialising in golfing tours, and with more planned investment in new courses across Cambodia, the future of golf in the Kingdom is looking decidedly bright.
Heritage Site within its course. The Royal Cambodia Phnom Penh Golf Club in Phnom Penh is the club of choice for expat professionals and the wealthy Khmers, and 18 holes here will see you rub shoulders with Embassy staff, Okhnas and senior politicians. For locally based players, the demographics continue to be quite narrow; Siem Reap has a sizable Korean community who play regularly, and many of the emerging middleclass also seem to be taking to the game. But it is predominantly the wealthy elite who have taken the game to their hearts. And of course the most famous proponent of the game in
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RACING
The The
Great Great Great The
RaceRace
Few events in motorsport come close to matching the challenge of The 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is the oldest endurance race still running and has been held annually in June since 1923 – with cancellations only happening in 1936 – due to a national strike – and between 1940 and 1948 due to World War 2. Viewed as one of the most prestigious races in the world, the race is one leg of the Triple Crown of Motorsport; with the other two events being the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.
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rganised by France’s Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the race runs on the Circuit de la Sarthe; a combination of closed public roads and a racing circuit; which tests teams’ ability to find a balance between speed and endurance. The race is also part of the FIA’s World Endurance Championship and has inspired imitators around the world, including the 24 hour races at locations such as Daytona and the Nürburgring. Both Europe and America have Le Mans series based on the original’s regulations and there are also versions for classic cars from previous Le Mans races, a motorcycle version, a kart version and a truck version. There is even a parody race – perhaps unique in the world of motorsport – the LeMons series (A wonderful play on words as a “lemon” is an American slang term for a car that is found to be defective only after it has been bought) where all cars must have a value of $500 or less. Le Mans was started at a time when Grand Prix racing and the pursuit of speed was dominant. The idea behind Le Mans was to offer a different sort of challenge; instead of fastest, the race would test the ability of car manufacturers to build a car that, while still fast and sporty, would be reliable and be able to run for long
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Race periods. This actually helped lead to innovative developments in the car industry as companies sought out ways to make cars more fuel-efficient. As well as the need for good fuel efficiency and reliability, the actual track layout meant that the cars needed good aerodynamics and stability at high speeds just as in Grand Prix cars. Though parts of the circuit have similar corners and chicanes to many Grand Prix tracks, the Circuit de la Sarthe also had the Mulsanne Straight; 6 km of road which saw top speeds of around 400 km/h in the late 80s. After some horrific accidents, and to comply with FIA regulations that said they would not sanction any course with a straight longer than 2km, two chicanes were added before the 1990 race to break the straight into three sections. Those early links between Le Mans cars and innovations in the car industry have continued to this day. The oil crisis of the 1970s meant that race organisers had to find ways to limit the amount of fuel each car used. This formula, known as Group C, is no longer used but a focus on fuel economy remains central to development as reduced pit stops for refuelling means better finish times. And the innovations used for these cars have had direct connections to similar ideas in consumer cars and in
supercars. In recent years the Le Mans races have also seen increased use of hybrid systems in an effort to push efficiency. The race itself tests not only the endurance of the cars but of the drivers too. Due to its being held in June, conditions for drivers can often be very hot, especially in enclosed cockpits with poor ventilation systems. Rain is also a frequent factor in the races, adding another challenge for competitors to face. The race always begins in mid-afternoon and finishes, of course, 24 hours later. Total distances covered exceed 5,000 km, with the current record being 5,410 km; to put that into some sort of context; that is around 18 times longer than the average Formula 1 race. Success in the race depends on teams managing a number of factors; from maintaining a good average speed and avoiding any mechanical issues to good management of the car’s consumables such as fuel, tyres and brakes. Then of course there is the human factor; current regulations say that three drivers share each car and drivers frequently race for over two hours before swapping during a pit stop. Another unique Le Mans rule is the requirement that cars must be switched off while being refuelled. Apart from the obvious safety
advantages of this rule, it is also another test of reliability as cars that can restart multiple times over 24 hours are much hardier. Teams are also not allowed to do any work or to replace tyres during refuelling. The only thing a team can do while fuel is being put in is to switch drivers. Originally there were no such regulations, and legends of Le Mans such as Pierre Levegh and Eddie Hall attempted the race solo, but this practice was banned due to the inherent dangers of driver fatigue. Up until the 80s, there were many two-driver teams but by the end of the 80s the new rules were brought in stipulating that each team must have at least three drivers. Levegh’s attempt at driving solo in 1954 – where he drove for 23 hours and would have won if fatigue had not caused him to make a faulty gear change – won him a seat with Mercedes the following year. Sadly this race saw the worst accident in motorsport history. Levegh was killed after his car went airborne after a collision, flying into a spectator are and disintegrating, spreading lethal debris through the crowd. As well as Levegh, 83 spectators died. As you would expect from a race with such a rich history, there are various traditions which make it stand out.
One of those is the waving of the French tricolour to start the race – which is usually followed by a fly over of air force jets streaming red, white and blue smoke. At the end of the race, track marshals wave safety flags during the final lap to acknowledge the race winner and other finishers. And Le Mans was the birthplace of the motorsport tradition of the winning driver spraying champagne instead of drinking it. In 1967 Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt were the winners. When they were handed the magnum of champagne on the podium, Gurney noticed Ford CEO, Henry Ford, team owner, Carroll Shelby, and several journalists who had predicted the duo would not win. Instead of opening and drinking from the bottle as was the normal practice, Gurney instead shook it then sprayed everyone nearby. Originally the team that covered the greatest distance was declared the winner. This led to an unusual situation in 1966 when the Ford team had a dominant 1st and 2nd place lead. The two cars slowed as they approached the finish line for a photo opportunity with Ken Miles a little ahead of Bruce McLaren. But McLaren’s car had actually started the race much further back on the grid than the car of Ken Miles, so it worked out that McLaren – incidentally not only a famous driver but the founder
of the McLaren motorsport team and brand – had covered eight metres more than Miles. This was not only an individual disappointment for Miles, but also cost him the opportunity of being the first man to win Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona, and in the same year. This rule was changed with the introduction of the rolling start, and now the team that completes the greatest number of laps is the winner. To be classified in the results, a car must actually cross the finishing line after the 24 hours have elapsed. This had led to the often ludicrous situation of damaged cars sitting on the side of the track or in the pits then restarting their engines to crawl across the finishing line and be classified. Thankfully this practice has been banned in recent times and now every team must complete a set distance in the last hour of the race. With a history stretching back to 1923, with imitators and homages the world over, and with competitors as eager as ever, the future of the Le Mans 24 hour race looks to be as colourful and exciting as its history has been. W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A / JUL-AUG 2016 47
FOOD & DRINK
Whisky Kiss As a Scotsman, I’m unashamedly proud of my country, and even more unashamedly fond of whisky.
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get quite aggrieved when people misspell whisky as whiskey – pedantic I know – and have to correct them. For the uninitiated among you, the basic difference is geographic; ‘Whisky’ refers to Scotch whisky, normally made in Scotland (of course) but also imitated in some other countries like Japan. ‘Whiskey’ usually refers to either the Irish version or to American bourbon. Scotch whisky is made mostly from malted barley, Irish from a mixture of grains, and bourbon from corn. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that matters. But proper, quality Scotch whisky should come from one place; Scotland, and while I begrudgingly acknowledge that a couple of good Malts – okay, very good - have come out of Japan in recent years, it’s just not the same. Sadly, here in the tropics of Cambodia I can’t drink whisky the way I would like; in front of a roaring peat fire somewhere in the Scottish highlands with the wind and rain howling outside and a nice pot of Cullen Skink bubbling away on my cooking range. The etymology of the word whisky itself is firmly rooted in the hills and glens of Scotland, with a slight nod to the Romans in passing. Distilled alcohol was known in Latin as ‘aqua vitae’ – the water of life – and this translates to Scottish Gaelic as ‘uisge beatha’, which in turn was shortened and Anglicised from ‘uisge’ to ‘whisky.’ The earliest records of whisky’s distillation in Scotland date back to 1494 when the Exchequer Rolls – which documented royal income and expenditure – recorded the following; “To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae, VIII bolls of malt.” Eight bolls – a boll was an old Scottish unit of measurement –
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would have been enough to make around 1,500 bottles of whisky; thus suggesting that distillation was well established before this date. Whisky production was first taxed in 1644, which led to a huge rise in the amount of illicit distilling across the country. Around 1780 there were about eight legal distilleries and some 400 illegal ones. In 1823 parliament eased restrictions on distilleries by bringing in the Excise Act; legislation that many see as ushering in the modern era of whisky production. After this there are two events that historians agree contributed to a rapid rise in the popularity of whisky; firstly the introduction of the column still in 1831 which reduced operating costs and produced a smoother whisky. And secondly the phylloxera bug which destroyed wine and cognac production in France in 1880.
And not only has whisky become a recognised luxury item, but in recent years it has developed as a thriving market for investment. With companies like WhiskyInvestDirect launching specialised markets where you can purchase whisky as an investment while still storing it in the distillers’ bonded warehouses, and with leading auctioneers like Bonhams holding whisky auctions four times per year, then with the right choice it is a safer investment than many other commodities. Choosing a wise whisky to invest in is in some ways fairly simple. Obviously you want to pick a distiller with a reputation for producing not only good whisky – ideally exceptional whisky – but also ones who have produced whisky that have shown appreciation in value. You also want to ideally pick a whisky that is a rare, old or an unusual bottling, and whiskies from now closed
distilleries can also be a wise choice. Smaller distilleries, such as Dalmore, are always a good choice as bottles and casks tend to be limited numbers wise. My own personal choice, and one that many experts and aficionados agree with, is for whiskies from Islay; a small island in the Inner Hebrides situated about 20 miles off the Scottish west coast. Islay is abundant in peat, which gives the whiskies distilled here a distinctive smoky flavour. Among the whiskies originating here are such famous names as Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. It is also the source of the world’s most expensive whisky; Isabella’s Islay. Or to be more accurate, the world’s most expensive whisky bottle; made of hand crafted English crystal then covered in white gold and studded with diamonds. The writing on the bottle is in rubies and if all that is not to your taste, the entire process is customisable with sapphires or emeralds substituting for the diamonds and personal inscriptions available. Once finished, there are refills available for the bottle, which is reassuring when the price tag is a hefty
valuable version for those watching their pennies at only $740,000. Other high value whiskies do tend to base their prices more on the whisky than the bottle though. Or sometimes a combination of both; the oldest malt ever released by Macallan – at 64 years old – was sold in a unique Lalique decanter at auction in 2010 for $460,000. At other times, a distillery will release a limited edition to commemorate a special event or anniversary; Glenfiddich had a barrel of Scotch whisky that has been aging since New Year’s Eve of 1955. When Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of Glenfiddich’s founder William Grant, passed away
at the ripe old age of 110, the company decided to honour her by making 15 bottles from the barrel. Four were kept by the family while the rest were auctioned off. A whisky connoisseur from Atlanta bought one of them for $94,000. Or the Dalmore 62; a blend of four single malt whiskies that were distilled in different years. Only 12 bottles were made in 1942, each of which was given a name unique but relevant to the Dalmore Estate. The most expensive was the Matheson, named after Alexander Matheson, the owner of the estate. An anonymous buyer bought this in 2005 for $58,000. He quickly opened it and finished it with five of his closest friends. With stock markets the world over subject to the ups and downs of economic uncertainty, it’s nice to know there are some things in life that are a safe investment. With the limited numbers of many of these whiskies there will never be an oversupply, nor is there likely to be a fall in demand. Whether buying a bottle for a ludicrously hedonistic night of drinking with your friends, or buying to watch the value rise over the years, the water of life will surely reward you. Me? I’m going to pour another dram, sit back, close my eyes and imagine that roaring peat fire…
$6.2 million. There is a slightly less
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GEM & JEWELRY
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PIGEON BLOOD RED RUBY Christie’s last Hong Kong auction in mid-2015 garnered nearly $118 million in sales, setting a record for the most valuable jewellery auction ever held in Asia.
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n particular, three pieces broke world records at the auction: A 120 ct. Etcetera Burmese ruby and diamond necklace sold for just shy of $13 million, setting a world auction record for a ruby necklace; a
DID YOU KNOW? Despite the recent regime change in Burma, and the seeming return to democracy, there is still an embargo on the export of many goods from Myanmar. With initial embargoes put in place in 2003 to penalise the Junta for human rights abuses, a loophole in how those sanctions were worded meant that gem dealers continued to export uncut stones until July 2008 when President Bush signed into law the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act, effectively banning the import of all precious Burmese gemstones – a trade that the US claim netted the Junta $300million in 2006. The main impact was on Burmese rubies, but the country also is a leading source of jade and jadeite.
jadeite cabochon pendant sold for $5.7 million, setting a world record price for a single jadeite cabochon; and a 10.33 ct. circular-cut Kashmir sapphire sold for $2.5 million, setting a world auction record for price-per-carat for a sapphire. The necklace was designed as an articulated brilliant-cut diamond lattice-work band, centring on a line of thirteen pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 5.14 to 1.00 carats, framed by two rows of oval
RUBIES A ruby is a pink to blood-red coloured gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum. However, in recent times, the USA has introduced a minimum colour saturation level in order for a gem to be called a ruby. If too light, then it is classed as a pink sapphire. This is something that is still being widely debated in the gem-dealing community. Rubies are tough and the only natural gemstone harder than a ruby is a diamond.
an outstanding fine purity, rarely encountered in rubies of Burmese origin. The small inclusions found by microscopic inspection and the analysed properties of these rubies are the hallmarks of rubies from the reputed mines in the Mogok valley (the majority of these rubies including the largest ruby) and Mong Hsu (southeast of Mogok). The colour – normally referred to as “pigeon blood red” - is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements in these gemstones, characteristic for the finest rubies from Burma (Myanmar). To find such a matching selection of natural rubies from Burma of such quality and size - all showing the most sought after colour is extremely rare and exceptional.
For centuries, the primary source of rubies was the Mogok Valley in Upper Burma, but that supply has dwindled to an extent in recent years. The “pigeon blood” red colour of many Burmese rubies are the most prized amongst collectors and dealers. Since the 1990s, the Mong Hsu area of Burma has become the predominant ruby producing area. A large flawless Burmese ruby can easily fetch millions of dollars.
and cushion-shaped rubies weighing approximately 7.02 to 1.10 carats, to the brilliant-cut diamond link back chain accented with a pear-shaped diamond, mounted in 18k white gold, 43.9 cm long. The necklace came with a report from the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute confirming that the 48 rubies weighing 130 carats total were of Burmese origin and showed no indication of heating. An appendix to the report also mentioned that the ruby necklace possesses extraordinary characteristics which merit special mention. The rubies exhibit a highly matching vivid colour and
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JAGUAR
PURRING LIKE A CAT
Little boys always have dreams of what they want to be; astronaut, footballer or secret agent. Or sometimes the dreams are of the cars they see in films and television. It was certainly the latter for me; and the two cars that were imprinted in my dreams were James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, and Jaguar’s sleek and iconic E-Type. And sometimes dreams do come true. Many years later, at Knockhill racing circuit in Fife, Scotland, my friend’s dad was racing his restored E-Type in a classics race. And, as we were there a couple of days before the actual event, he gave both me and my friend the opportunity of driving a few laps in it. The sheer thrill of guiding that beautiful car round the circuit at speeds in excess of 200kph has stayed with me to this day; and that’s despite having driven several supercars and one Formula 1 car since. There’s a very good reason that the legendary Enzo Ferrari, on seeing an E-Type for the first time, called it “The most beautiful car ever made.” Since then I have always liked Jaguar; they always produce stylish and well-designed cars; I even owned a trustworthy but rather battered XJ6 for a while. But none of the general production cars they produced – I don’t count the amazing XJ220 as general production - could ever wow me in the same way that the E-Type did… Until now. The F-Type is, for me, simply the most exciting production car from Jaguar since 1961. There’s a very good
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reason it’s been hailed as the E-Type’s natural successor as well as the replacement for the XK. The evolution of the F-Type starts in many ways with the 2010 C-X75 hybrid concept supercar which led to the C-X16 whose front grille shape and wrap-around rear lights were directly borrowed from the concept car and had a side-hinged opening rear window reminiscent of that wonderful 1961 E-Type. The first version of the F-Type proper was a convertible version, first shown at Sundance in London in 2012, followed by a presentation at that year’s Paris Motor Show. The coupe version was then unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show and Tokyo Motor Show. The F-Type had truly arrived. It’s engineered to produce the very best in high performance coupled with the responsive handling you’d expect from a Jaguar. Reports all agree that the driving experience is both exhilarating and instinctive. Available in both coupe and convertible styles, each has a unique character while offering the same levels of great engineering, high level performance and a driving experience to take your breath away.
Jaguar E-Type 1963-64 At the heart of the F-Type are the advanced Jaguar dynamic performance technologies which provide the car’s high level of handling. The chassis is all aluminium – giving that lightweight body so essential for a high performance sports car – and insulation from sounds and vibration is provided by a special underbody tray and engine mounts as well as a double bulkhead between the passenger cabin and the engine bay. Under the bonnet is where the wow factor really begins. The basic model of F-Type has Jaguar’s new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine powering things, giving you 335bhp, a top speed of 259kph, and doing 0-97kph in 5.1 seconds. At the top of the range is the SVR, with a 5.0-litre V8 engine giving 540bhp, a top speed of 320kph and
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In keeping with the Jaguar name, the headlights have an almost feline look, elongated and sweptback to merge with the car’s smooth lines yet still offering good visibility from the front and sides. A combination of Xenon headlights and LED running lights provide the whole spectrum of visibility and safety options.
doing 0-97kph in 3.5 seconds. It’s a front engine layout as you’d expect, with rear wheel drive as standard or with all-wheel drive as an option. The gearbox is eight speed automatic but with paddle-shifters offering a manual override option. There is also an optional ZF six-speed manual gearbox; only available on the V6 models. V6 models have a mechanical limitedslip differential while the V8 has an electronic version. The exterior of the F-Type is a joy to behold; as sleek as the South American big cat the company takes its name from. Aerodynamics are brought to the fore to produce low levels of lift and excellent stability even at high speed. Splitters beneath the front grille and rear venture manage the airflow for the underside of the car while a deployable rear spoiler automatically rises when the car is at high speeds in order to increase downforce and reduce drag. So much thought has gone into the aerodynamic aspects of the model that even the door handles retract when not needed, creating a flush surface on the car’s sides and allowing uninterrupted airflow.
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As you would expect, the interior oozes elegance and charm while still feeling every inch the sports car. The F-Type seats two and the standard model comes with suede and leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats and a heated steering wheel, though the latter may be unnecessary in Cambodia. Options for the cockpit include heated seats, premium leather upholstery and performance seats that offer added side support. The cabin offers good headroom though those with longer legs may find that the seats don’t move back far enough for premium levels of comfort, but this is a minor inconvenience when sitting in one of the most exciting cars of the last few years. Other standard features include automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth options, high quality navigation system, and satellite and HD radio. The superb Jaguar Sound System brings depth and power to in-car entertainment with 6 speakers, 180W and 8 channels. There is also Jaguar’s own InControl infotainment system. This provides an 8-inch touch screen, a USB port for music and smartphone connectivity. Automatic F-Type models also come with an InControl remote system which allows you to lock or unlock your doors and start the vehicle from your smartphone. Also available are front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
Overall, the interior combination of function and style works perfectly. Instruments are clear and easily readable with two large analogue dials. The three-spoke steering wheel incorporates key functions making control and access far easier. Automatic models also have paddled mounted behind the steering wheel to allow you access to gear selection without taking your hands from the wheel. One drawback of many sports cars is the lack of storage. But the F-Type has managed to provide a capacity of up to 408 litres; easily enough for a full set of luggage or two sets of golf clubs. Safety wise, there are two front airbags and two side airbags (4 side airbags on the coupe) giving high levels of assurance. The system is intelligent in that sensors detect the size and weight of driver and passenger before deploying. The F-Type also has advanced seatbelt pretensioners installed which automatically tighten when they sense rapid deceleration. As well as protecting those inside the car, Jaguar’s innovative and industryleading Pedestrian Contact Sensing System is designed to automatically raise the bonnet to help cushion a potential impact. Now from the opening paragraph, you can probably tell I’m a little biased. I’ve been a Jaguar dreamer, a Jaguar driver, a Jaguar owner, and am now writing about the F-Type. Quite simply, it’s a beautiful car, yet it hasn’t sacrificed any functionality in its quest for smooth lines, stunning looks and an exciting driving experience. I’m no longer a boy, but now I’m dreaming of driving the F-Type round the Nurburgring circuit. Maybe dreams can come true again… The F-Type is available in Cambodia at $215,000. The price on the new 5.0litre SVR model is expected to be around $379,000.
FASHION
A World of Sophisticated Elegance
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or almost a century Bentley has been the epitome of elegance and grace but with an almost dangerous soupcon of speed added to the mix. Bentley was formed in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley, known to everyone simply as W.O., though Bentley’s innovative aluminium pistons had been fitted to the famous Sopwith Camel during World War I. With an innovative engine designed by Clive Gallop, production was initially slow, with the first cars not arriving till 1921. They quickly gained a reputation among the hill climbing and racing fraternities and came to
“Every inspired idea, every invention and industry, started with an extraordinary moment. A big bang. A meeting of minds. A merging of futures.”
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more widespread attention with their entry in the 1922 Indianapolis 500; a race dominated by specialised cars. Despite its obvious disadvantages, the Bentley, driven by works driver, Douglas Hawkes, completed the 500m miles and managed to finish 13th from a starting position of 19th. Two years later, despite the company being underfunded, the team of John Duff and Frank Clement won the Le Mans 24 hour race in a 3 litre Bentley Sport. This led to wealthy British financier, Captain Woolf Barnato, agreeing to finance the company in 1926, which led to him taking control and becoming chairman. As was often the case in those days with
wealthy young men, Barnato pursued a number of hobbies without having a career. He was a keen racer, both in cars and boats, a good amateur boxer, a keen shot, a first class cricketer, and also bred race horses. In 1931, as a result of the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression, Bentley encountered financial difficulties and a receiver was appointed. The winning bid to buy Bentley came from the British Central Equitable Trust, which turned out to be a front for Rolls Royce. From that point, Rolls Royce used Bentley to release more sporty versions of their own models. By the end of the 1970s Bentley sales had fallen so badly that at one point only 5% of the combined production of Rolls Royce and Bentley
carried the Bentley badge. Under the new ownership of Vickers from 1980 there was a push to restore the brand and the reputation. This began with the release of the 1980 Mulsanne, and by 1986 the ratio had reached 40:60, and then achieved parity by 1991. In 1998, Vickers sold off Rolls Royce and Bentley, though there were ensuing complications as Volkswagen were the victorious bidders but BMW were supplying engines and components. After a few years of negotiations and legal wrangling, the matter was finally settled with Volkswagen becoming the sole provider of Bentley cars, while BMW controlled Rolls Royce. Volkswagen made a huge investment in Bentley, with some commentators estimating their total financial input was in the region of $2billion. The workforce at the Crewe factory was more than doubled and production increased. Recent years have seen a return to profitability and models such as the Mulsanne and the Continental have ensured Bentley’s place in the luxury car market.
As with many car companies, peripheral lifestyle products play a big part, both in terms of sales and of marketing. Given Bentley’s early involvement in the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 hour race, it comes as no surprise that the majority of these peripheral goods lean towards those offered by other motorsport giants; polo shirts, umbrellas, tech shirts, club jackets etc. But in 2013 they added a handbag collection that matches their car models in terms of design standards and sheer opulence. The design partnership of Bentley’s Head of Product Design, Daniele Ceccomori, and famous luxury leather bag designer Vincent du Sartel, worked together to ensure that Bentley’s contemporary elements combined with the classic styling of the company’s early days in a range of chic accessories. As Ceccomori said; “With the actual design of the handbags we wanted to create a strong link with some of the key features on our cars.” There are two distinct models in the handbag collection: The Barnato –
named after Diana Barnato, daughter of Woolf and herself an accomplished Bentley driver and aviatrix, as well as the first British woman to break the sound barrier – and The Continental, named after Bentley’s most famous model lines which has been used since 1952. Dr Ariane Reinhart, member of the Bentley board, said: “Just as the Bentley Boys are our historical racing heroes, and an iconic part of the brand, today there is an emerging culture of confident and successful women, ‘Bentley Girls’, with the same adventurous spirit. We are creating this luxurious and stylish handbag series to appeal exclusively to these modern women.” With prices ranging from around $2,500 to just under $7,000, these bags are certainly luxurious accessories that will look good matched with any of the Bentley marques.
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Organiser:
.c www.ttgcambodia
om
9-11 SEP
2016 DIAMOND ISLAND Exhibition Hall HOTLINE: 068 263 263 Aplus Asia Network Ltd. #104, Street 273, Phum Toul Kork, Sangkat Toul Sangke, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
AUTONOMY
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ntil fairly recently, if someone had mentioned driverless or autonomous cars, then the first thing that would spring to mind would be science fiction. Whether from the pages of a Heinlein novel, or on the big screen in films like I, Robot or Minority Report, or even – for those of a certain age – KITT from the television series, Knight Rider. But 2016 seems to be the year when science fact started catching up with science fiction. In reality there have been various experimental versions of autonomous cars around for years. But in the last 12 months or so it seems that you can’t open a car magazine or watch a motoring programme without some mention of the next wave of… well, driverless driving. But how close to reality is this new technology? Is it safe? To try and get a clearer picture, we looked at some of the myths – and facts – behind the world of autonomous cars. Many people think that a driverless car would eliminate human error. But for this to be 100% true, the designer or programmer would have to be able to envisage every potential situation the car might encounter. You may be taking away the element of error from
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a physical driver, but you are replacing it with the possible errors or oversight of programming and design. If, like me, you have been driving for a long time then you can likely recount numerous situations encountered while driving that you could never have foreseen.
driverless car can give an equal - if not greater – field of view than a human driver, the computerised system lacks the depth of understanding its human counterpart has. Experiential learning can, in time, solve this too, but it’s currently impossible to ‘install
Another point often put forward is that humans are so bad at driving that an autonomous system would be an automatic improvement. Yet when you consider the all too human factors often involved in driving; such as experience or intuition, then how can you translate these into a computer programme? Yes, there are computer programmes – for example, some of the chess playing programmes – which use experiential learning to improve their performance, but that is something, just as with humans, that takes time to develop. And when you consider the first point about a system not being able to envisage every possible scenario, then would human or computer reaction be more able to cope with those situations? This is one area still perplexing the teams designing autonomous systems; how to programme s system to cope with unexpected emergency situations and manoeuvres. There is also the environmental factor to consider. While cameras and scanners on a
At the moment, there are very severe limitations as to where an autonomous car can drive. People tend to think that because they are seeing multiple stories about the different companies developing driverless systems that this means the cars can go anywhere. But the cars are very dependent on GPS systems; to such an extent that Google’s car – perhaps the most reported on of these cars – can’t even handle parking garages. And while many people expect the current autonomous systems to completely free the driver from any responsibilities, the reality is that manufacturers are still expecting drivers to have some input; even if that input is a hand on the wheel or a foot near the brake. But in tests, the manufacturers are finding that people not only expect to be fully passive but are also finding ways to bypass the car’s safety measures; including once incident where a test driver taped a can to the steering wheel to fool the system into thinking he was holding it.
FORECASTS BMW to launch autonomous iNext in 2021 At their annual shareholder meeting, BMW CEO Harald Krueger said that BMW will launch a self-driving electric vehicle, the BMW iNext, in 2021. Uber fleet to be driverless by 2030 Uber CEO, Travis Kalanick, has indicated in a tweet that he expects Uber’s fleet to be driverless by 2030. Next generation Audi A8 capable of fully autonomous driving in 2017 Stefan Moser, Head of Product and Technology Communications at Audi has announced that the next generation of their A8 limousine will be able to drive itself with full autonomy. Jaguar and Land-Rover to provide fully autonomous cars by 2024 says Director of Research and Technology At the 2014 Paris Motor Show Dr. Wolfgang Epple, Jaguar and Land Rover’s Director of Research and Technology said that about fully autonomous driving: “For Jaguar and Land Rover it will happen within the next 10 years”. Truly autonomous cars to populate roads by 2028-2032 estimates insurance think tank executive At a meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Robert Hartwig, President of the Insurance Information Institute estimated that it will take between 15 and 20 years until truly autonomous vehicles populate US roads. Intel CTO predicts that autonomous car will arrive by 2022 Justin Rattner, CTO of Intel predicts that driverless cars will be available within 10 years. Intel is hoping to equip autonomous smart cars with its Atom and Core processors.
One thing is for certain; a fully working autonomous system would be more energy efficient. If a system was proven to be safer and to reduce the likelihood of accidents, then the amount of steel needed in a car purely as protection would also reduce. Given that some 85% of the energy used to move a car is needed to move that steel and not the driver and passengers, then the maths are fairly simple. Ethics plays a big part in the discussions around the new technology. Do you programme the system to be able to break the law or speed in order to keep passengers safe? A decision made every day by human drivers. And given the parallels between science fiction and science fact, many commentators have pointed to The Three Laws of Robotics; a set of rules devised by the science fiction author Isaac Asimov. One of the underlying principles of Asimov’s law was having the protection of human life as being more important than obeying human orders. Many of the current systems have an ‘off’ button which immediately allows the human operator to take over, but if designers were going to follow Asimov’s lead, then the system would have to have the capacity to make judgements as to whether obeying a command would risk human life. These sort of questions have led to a rather distracting side issue in the development world of autonomous vehicles; that of “ethical algorithms.” These algorithms look at hypothetical dilemmas that could arise in a driverless world. For example; what decision should an autonomous vehicle make if it had to choose between two situations that both result in fatalities? Many see this as an unnecessary and, given the finite resources currently available, wholly distracting. As of yet, there is no centralised governance or laws on autonomous vehicles, though there are government agencies discussing the issues and the Society of Automotive Engineers have formed a standards committee. Insiders think some form of voluntary standards will be released at some point in the next year. One of the other questions these standards may address is whether or not cars can be connected. There is a strong argument in favour of this; if cars are connected then they can communicate with each other, sharing information about traffic, accidents, weather etc. This would surely lead to a more efficient and safer driving – or not driving – experience. Whatever the future holds, one thing seems certain; autonomous vehicles – in some sort of form – are here to stay. W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A / JUL-AUG 2016
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Aman Resorts International is a luxury hotel group founded in 1988 and now with a presence in over 20 countries. The word “Aman” means “peace, security, safety, shelter, protection” in the Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, Urdu and Persian languages respectively. Their latest venture, Amanemu, opened in central Japan’s Ise Shima National Park in March of this year. Nestled within the beauty of the Osaki Peninsula and overlooking the picturesque ‘Bay of Pearls’, Amanemu offers an opulent retreat for those seeking to escape busy lifestyles.
F
itting in with the overall Aman ethos, Amanemu has as its central philosophy the idea of ‘omotenashi’ – the Japanese idea of combining a welcoming spirit with respect and warmth. Amanemu has also adopted many of the ideas of the ‘Ryokan’ – the traditional Japanese Inn that served travellers on the highways – by employing an ‘okami’ – a female manager – whose role is to pay very close attention to detail and to anticipate the needs of every guest. Based mainly around the famous hot springs of the area, Amanemu offers sumptuous accommodation in 24 suites and 4 villas, all laid out and designed to resemble a traditional local village, albeit one at the pinnacle of luxurious living. With design by Kerry Hill architects and inspiration from the local Minka buildings, Amanemu features
contemporary interiors, natural fabrics and custom-made furniture throughout. Each suite comes with its own private onsen (hot spring), terraces with outstanding views, and full floor to ceiling windows The central theme at Amanemu is water, and the 2,000 square metre spa
Much of the produce comes from the local area including fresh seafood and the renowned Matsusaka Wagyu beef. As Mie Prefecture has a variety of microclimates, there is also an array of vegetables as well as the delicate Nabari melons on offer. A team of 12 chefs headed by Masanobu Inaba - from the Conrad Tokyo - create a rotating menu which includes bento boxes of sashimi and tempura to spiny lobster curries. For those who want to indulge in alcoholic drinks after a day of spa treatments, Amanemu’s restaurant offers a fine selection of Sake, Shochu, and the very best vintage Japanese whiskies. There are outdoor sunken terraces, in
through the natural beauty of the Kumano Kodo with its streams, waterfalls and mountains, and which also lead to sacred shrines such as Kumano Sanzan, Yohshino and Omine and Koyasan. Hotel guests have access to Nemu Golf Club; an 18-hole championship golf course overlooking Ago Bay. Only a few minutes from the hotel itself, the course has recently been redesigned and offers golfers a number of challenging holes against a breathtaking backdrop. Each of the 24 suites measures 99 square metres, and features a private onsen and terraces to enjoy the natural surroundings in any
features a watsu pool, treatment suites, two peaceful onsen bathing pavilions and a fitness centre. The local area abounds in natural springs, with high mineral content that is renowned for its healing properties. Treatments are rooted in local plants and traditional Japanese techniques – and so feet are scrubbed in wasabi and crushed pearls while massages use oil blends of local cedar leaves and tangerine. The resort is complemented by the beautiful natural surroundings and provides a taste of traditional Japanese therapies in exclusive surroundings. The restaurant at Amanemu focuses mainly on Japanese cuisine, with a limited choice of Western dishes.
basalt, between the restaurant and bar, for guests to relax and enjoy an aperitif or evening drink, and these come complete with glass covered fireplaces for those chillier evenings. The hotel also features a spectacular 33 metre freshwater infinity pool with stunning panoramic views over Ago Bay The resort is situated close to the holy Shinto site of Ise Grand Shrine and the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails so offers plenty opportunities to explore the area. Ago Bay itself offers the chance to watch the oyster divers or the locals working on the pearl rafts. Aman have also developed a series of hiking routes which will lead guests
season. Views are either out to the bay or onto the wonderful gardens. The 2-bedroom villas are spread over 375 square metres and feature a private onsen, a kitchen, a private garden and a powder room and offer views of the lush greenery or onto Ago Bay. The villas open onto expansive verandas which have daybeds and an alfresco dining area. Amenities include separate showers and guest WC, walk in closets, TVs and sound systems, personal bars and large safes. Prices for Amanemu range from around $1100 per night for a suite, to around $5000 per night for a villa.
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CLASSIC CAR
The Aston Martin DB5; the car that became an icon.
Bond, James Bond
I
t is perhaps the most iconic car, not only of its generation, but of all time. The Aston Martin DB5 was a luxury touring car made by British firm Aston Martin and designed by Italian coachbuilders, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Released in 1963, it was a follow on from the final series of the DB4. The DB series was named in honour of Sir David Brown, the legendary British entrepreneur who owned and ran Aston Martin for 25 years. When launched, the DB5 sold for $6064 for the saloon version and $6522 for the convertible. A pittance when you consider that examples of the DB5 today can fetch anything from around $900,000 up to just under
Sean Connery, the ultimate Bond, relaxes by his DB5 in 1964’s ‘Goldfinger’ 66
$3,000,000. Throughout the DB4 series, Aston Martin continued making developments and changes with the aim of producing the best GT sports coupe in the world, and many commentators agreed that with the DB5 they had achieved that goal. The main difference between the DB4 Series V and the new DB5 was the switch to an all-aluminium engine as well an increase in size from 3.7
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litres to 4.0 litres. The new model also featured a robust ZF five speed transmission and 3 SU carburettors. This engine produced 282 bhp (210kW) and gave the DB5 a top speed of around 145mph (233km/h). The ‘standard’ equipment that came with your new DB5 included reclining seats, wool pile carpets, twin fuel tanks, electric windows, chrome wire wheels, a magnesium-alloy body, oil cooler, full leather trim throughout the cabin and even a fire extinguisher. All DB5 models were 2 doors and followed a 2+2 configuration. As the DB4 had before it, the DB5 also used a live rear axle. As well as the ZF five speed transmission, a three speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission was also available. Towards the end of the DB5 run, the automatic option was changed to the Borg-Warner Model 8. The DB5 was in production for just over two years. The first one left the gates of the Newport Pagnell factory in July, 1963, and the final one in September, 1965. In that period, only 1,021 DB5s were produced, of which 123 were convertibles, and only 19 were original left-hand drive. But of course, though there is no doubt that the DB5 would have placed on any
greatest cars list, what transformed it to the most famous car of all time was its association with James Bond.
DID YOU KNOW? • Two Aston stories were leapt on by the media when Skyfall was released: first, that Bond had gone back to using ‘his’ Aston Martin DB5, and secondly that it (or a realistic model of it) was blown up during the making of the film. Both are true, but what is often overlooked is the fact that despite carrying the same registration number, the car used was not the original DB5 from Goldfinger. Daniel Craig’s car was, in fact, a green DB5 with brown leather seats that was carefully restored to the ‘correct’ spec in 2010. • With a total of seven full rolls, the Aston Martin DBS from Casino Royale holds the world record for the number of rollovers in a stunt. Since the car was too heavy to be rolled several times simply by using a ramp, which is the normal method, an air pressure gun was installed under the floor. It worked. • The first Bond book, Casino Royale, had Bond in a supercharged, battleship grey 1930 Bentley 4.5-litre. Its supercharger was positioned in front of the radiator, making it instantly recognisable – for those who know their Bentley and 007 history, that is – as the original James Bond car.
1964’s ‘Goldfinger’ was the third James Bond film and the third outing for Sean Connery as Bond, an actor who many see as the ultimate Bond. In Sir Ian Fleming’s original novel, Bond had driven a DB Mark III, but with the DB5 being the current model, this is the one that producer Albert Broccoli decided to use. Unlike most cases of product placement, where the manufacturer pays the film producer to use their product, the reverse was true with Goldfinger. Though after the box office success of the film which saw an increase in sales and a rise in the profile of Aston Martin, all cars used in subsequent Bond films were provided for free. For the film, Broccoli used the original DB5 prototype, with a second standard model used for stunts. Both models were showcased at The World Fair of 1964 in New York, and the DB5 was instantly dubbed “The most famous car in the world.” What made the DB5 in Goldfinger
stand out, and what attracted generations of men and boys to come, were the additions made to it by special effects wizard John Stears in real life and by gadget supremo Q in the films. From the simple yet prophetic GOPS system to the revolving number plates to the tyre slashers, smoke screen, oil slick, bulletproof screen and machine guns, this was a car unlike anything seen before. And then of course there was the ejector seat which, despite its brief and relatively unimpressive appearance in the film itself, was the gadget everyone was talking about. It’s little surprise therefore that Corgi’s toy model of the car – which began a decades long relationship between toymaker and filmmaker – became the biggest selling toy in the world for 1964. And to add a postscript of suitably Bond-like mystery to the whole story is the fate of one of the two DB5s used in the film. The standard model, used for stunts in Goldfinger, was sold to a private collector at auction in 2010
for $4.6 million. But the prototype – know to aficionados by its chassis number, DP/216/1 - and the only one originally fitted with all the special effects gadgets in 1964, disappeared in a daring raid which could have come straight from a Bond script. In the dead of night in June 1997, thieves cut the alarm and broke into the hangar on a small Boca Raton airfield and disappeared into the darkness with the car of legend. Since that fateful night, DP/216/1 has not been seen again, yet rumours abound as to its fate. Some say it was cut up for parts – though surely that would make no sense given its value (the owner received a $4.5 million insurance pay out) – others say it was dumped at sea for some bizarre reason. But I like to think that some villain straight out of one of the Bond films has it as his trophy in his underground/volcanic island lair. Truly a story that could leave you both shaken and stirred.
ENGINE TYPE DOHC Straight six, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 280 lbs-ft @ 4500 rpm ENGINE SPEC Transmission: 5-speed ZF box or optional Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic SUSPENSION Front: Telescopic shock absorbers Rear: Double acting lever arm shock absorbers Brakes: Girling Twin servo assisted brakes with front and rear solid discs DIMENSIONS Length: 4570 mm Width: 1676 mm Height: 1320 mm Weight: 1468 kg ACCELERATIONS Top Speed: 229 km/h Zero to 100 km/h: 8.4 sec
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Where dreams start coming true…
O
nly founded in the 1950s, Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s primary seaside destination spot with the ability to move on to some of the most beautiful islands in the region. With its airport now servicing flights from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Korea, as well as internal flights from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and with plans for an improved highway from the capital as well as the recent reopening of the passenger train network, it certainly seems that 2016 is the year Sihanoukville comes of age. The first six months of 2016 saw a 17% rise in tourist arrivals and a huge 66% rise in arrivals by sea as more and more cruise lines choose to add Sihanoukville to their itineraries. Infrastructure has seen big improvements, and the provincial authorities have been moving forward their master plan to turn the city into a tourist mecca. And recent reports and comments from many of Cambodia’s real estate professionals have identified Sihanoukville as being a property hotspot over the next few years which will offer favourable returns on investment. Those predictions are part of the reason why the D’Seaview project is so exciting. A development project from PH One Development (Cambodia) Limited, a subsidiary of the renowned Singapore based HLH Group, D’Seaview promises to set a benchmark for future developments and investments in this thriving coastal city. In 2010 the National Assembly passed the law of foreign property ownership which allows foreign clients and investors to buy units in co-owned buildings built after 2010, with a maximum of 70% of all units in such buildings able to be owned by foreigners. This has
led to a lot of interest in D’Seaview with many local expats and overseas buyers from Malaysia, Singapore, China, even from Australia and Europe expressing interest or purchasing off-plan. D’Seaview is a residential and commercial mixed development set on a freehold plot of 9,818 square metres. Located less than a kilometre from one of the best beaches in Sihanoukville, Sokha Beach offers over a kilometre of pristine white sandy beach, clear blue green sea and home to the best 5 star beach resort in Cambodia, Sokha Hotel. D’Seaview also offers unparalleled views over the Gulf of Thailand and the nearby islands. Ms Patricia Ooi, Sales & Marketing Manager for the project says that “D’Seaview is the biggest project in Sihanoukville, a residential and commercial mixed development set on a freehold plot of about 1 hectare comprising over 700 condominiums, mall, restaurants, shop houses, offices and a hotel”. And on your doorstep, Sihanoukville offers a wide range of activities and entertainment for all the family. The residential units themselves offer a wide range of choice to suit every need; the 1 bedroom units are compact yet well designed, offering the perfect getaway space for young executives or couples looking to escape the city. Families with young children will find the 2 bedroom units – available in 8 different layouts, 4 of them split level – spacious and ideal for family living. Larger families and families with older children will be attracted to the varying sizes of 3 bedroom apartment – again available in 8 different layouts and sizes, from 84.55 square metres to 326.76 square metres. And for those who like their accommodation opulent and well appointed, the 2-level 4 bedroom duplexes with roof
deck are the height of luxury accommodation available in Sihanoukville. Prices start from $86,000 for a one bedroom unit to just over $200,000 for a 3 bedroom unit; all fully furnished. In addition, the developer offers a 10% rental guarantee a year for the next 3 years (30%) or alternatively a buyer can option for a rental guarantee of 40% over 5 years. According to Ms Chan Kanha, one of the property agents for D’Seaview; “It’s not easy to find a good deal today but with the developer guaranteeing a strong yield of 10% and the units coming fully furnished, it certainly looks attractive, especially when direct flights are now coming to Sihanoukville from neighbouring countries” “What’s more attractive,” she adds, “The rental guarantee applies to the complete mixed development; from condominium units to commercial offices, retail shops and more, and this gives buyers and investors more confidence.” Investment in real estate is expected to be very favourable over the next few years as there are no comparable developments presently in Sihanoukville, though there are a few mega resort projects by Chinese companies in the pipeline. Whatever level of accommodation you are looking to buy, one thing is sure; D’Seaview is the most exciting project to happen in Sihanoukville’s history and has already been hailed by industry insiders as a “fantastic investment opportunity.” Maybe it’s time to stop dreaming of that idyllic life by the sea and actually make your dreams come true… For more information on properties at D’Seaview, please call the hotline on +855 (068) 55 77 33.
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LAMBORGHINI ENGINE Type: V12, 60°, MPI Displacement: 6,498 cm³ Valve gear: Variable valve timing electronically controlled Maximum power: 700 CV (515 kW) @ 8,250 RPM Maximum torque: 690 Nm (507 lbft) @ 5,500 RPM Emission control system: Catalytic converters with lambda sensors Cooling system: Water and oil cooling system in the rear with variable air inlets Engine management system: Lamborghini Iniezione Elettronica (LIE) with Ion current analysis DRIVETRAIN Type of transmission: 4WD with Haldex generation IV Gearbox: 7 speed ISR, shifting characteristic depending on drive select mode Clutch: Dry double plate clutch, Ø 235 mm PERFORMANCE Top speed: 350 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 2.9 s DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 2,700 mm Overall length: 4,780 mm Overall width (including mirrors): 2,265 mm Overall height: 1,136 mm Dry weight: 1,575 kg Weight/Power ratio: 2.25 kg/CV Weight distribution (front rear): 43% - 57% CHASSIS AND BODY Frame: Carbon fibre monocoque with Aluminium front and rear frames Body: Carbon fibre engine bonnet, movable spoiler and side air inlets; Aluminium front bonnet, front fenders and doors; SMC rear fender and rocker cover Rear spoiler: Movable - 3 positions depending on speed and drive select mode TYRES AND WHEELS ESP: ESP/ABS with different ESP charecteristics managed by drive select mode Steering: Steering Gear with 3 different servortonic characteristics managed by drive select mode Front tires: 255/35ZR19 Rear tires: 335/30ZR20 Front wheels: 19’’ x 9J Rear wheels: 20’’ x 12J BRAKES Dual hydraulic circuit brake system with vacuum brake booster; front and rear CCB, 6-cylinder brake callipers, 4-cylinder brake callipers Ø 400x 38mm – Ø 380 x 38mm
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Viva El Toro The origins of Lamborghini cars are both fascinating and bizarre. Ferruccio Lamborghini was an Italian industrialist who began manufacturing tractors in 1948. His company was a huge success and, as his wealth increased, he indulged his love of fast cars, adding to his collection and at one point being able to drive a different car every day of the week, including a Mercedes 300SL, a Jaguar E-Type and two Maseratis.
In 1958, Lamborghini purchased his first Ferrari – a 250GT – which would be the first of several he would own. Though he thought Ferrari’s cars were good, he also though they were noisy and rough, and saw them more as track cars with poorly built interiors that had been adjusted for road use. One of his particular gripes with the Ferraris was that the cars were fitted with inferior clutches, which often led to numerous trips back to the factory for a rebuild. Once there, the technicians would secrete the car away for several hours, and this also annoyed Lamborghini as he saw it as another facet of what he perceived as poor customer service. He even tried bringing his complaints directly to Enzo Ferrari himself, but the notoriously proud Italian dismissed Lamborghini’s points with no discussion. Annoyed with Ferrari’s response and service, Lamborghini began tinkering with his own models with the result that his own 250GT was outperforming Ferrari stock models. It was this that was the catalyst for Lamborghini to start manufacturing cars himself. He had a very clear idea of what he wanted from a Grand Tourer; high performance combined with high tractability, good ride quality, and luxury interiors. Lamborghini had commissioned the firm, Società Autostar – led by former Ferrari engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini – to design a V12 engine for his new car, similar to Ferrari’s but to be designed purely for road use. Unfortunately what he ended up with was exactly
what he didn’t want; an engine with all the characteristics of a racing engine. This led to a protracted legal battle over fees that ended up in the courts. The first chassis was designed by Gian Paolo Dallara, who had worked for both Ferrari and Maserati, along with Bob Wallace of Maserati and a young graduate, Paolo Stanzani. The body was styled by an unknown designer, Franco Scaglione, and the first 350GTV was built in four months and unveiled at the 1963 Turin Motor Show – though with no engine under the hood due to the ongoing legal battle with Società Autostar. The design got a fairly lukewarm response and Lamborghini decided to rework it, dropping Scaglione and bringing in Carrozzeria Touring of Milan to restyle the car. Bizzarrini’s engine was retuned to make it more suitable as a road car. Finally Lamborghini had a finished product; the completed 350GTV debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show with production beginning shortly after and 13 cars sold by the end of the year. Over the decades that followed, Lamborghini’s fortunes waxed and waned, with ownership of the company changing hands several times. In 1998, Ferdinand Piëch, grandson of Volkswagen’s founder, Ferdinand Porsche, and the new chairman of Volkswagen AG, went on a spending spree that most of us can only dream of. Over the course of that year he bought Bugatti, Bentley and Lamborghini. Lamborghini was bought for around $110million and was brought under the control of Volkswagen subsidiary, Audi AG. Audi took Lamborghini to new heights, enjoying some of their best years in the 2000s. The Asia-Pacific market in particular became very successful for Lamborghini as new millionaires looked to buy the most exclusive supercars. As with most car manufacturers, the financial crisis of 2007 and the fallout afterwards damaged sales for a few years. In March 2011, Lamborghini unveiled their new model, the Aventador, at the Geneva Motor Show. In keeping with Lamborghini tradition - Ferruccio Lamborghini was a huge bullfighting fan and adopted a raging bull as the Lamborghini badge – the Aventador was named after a famous bull from Spain.
DID YOU KNOW? • The Lamborghini Aventador starred in Transformers: Age of Extinction as Lockdown, the film’s main antagonist.
Designed as a replacement for the aging Murciélago, the Aventador was an instant hit with fans and critics and by June 2013, 2,000 had already been built, with only a total of 4,000 planned. Several of the leading international car magazines hailed the Aventador as the best ever Lamborghini. Motor Trend Magazine called it “the friendliest V-12 supercar in the world.” Praise was heaped on the car, particularly for its new V-12 powerplant, its responsiveness and its smooth power output. Since 2011, there have been a number of variants of the Aventador as well as some unusual spin-offs. Robert Gülpen of RGE Robert Gülpen Engineering GmbH produced a 1/8-scale model Aventador LP 700-4 that was sold at auction in December 2011 with starting bid price of US$4,700,000. A second model - carved out of a 500-kilogram block of solid gold – went on sale at $7.5million, making it the world’s most expensive model car. And BMC Switzerland produced a limited 50 units Lamborghini Anniversary edition impec bicycles inspired by the Aventador which sold for $32,000 each. To celebrate that 50th anniversary, Lamborghini themselves released the Lamborghini Veneno; a limited production supercar based on the Aventador. When it was released in 2013 – at a cost of $4.5million – it was the most expensive production car in the world. The 2016 Aventador comes at a starting price of $402,995.
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HOLIDAY GATEWAYS
P “Herein, I think, lies the chief attraction of railway travel. The speed is so easy, and the train disturbs so little the scenes through which it takes us, that our heart becomes full of the placidity and stillness of the country.” R.L. Stevenson
latinum Bucket List T here’s something immensely satisfying about travelling by train, certainly far more so than by car or by plane. Sitting back in comfort while sipping your favourite libation and watching the scenic countryside unfold outside your window is one of the great pleasures in this world. There are many classic train journeys that maintain those echoes and memories of a bygone age when life was lived at a gentler pace and gentlemen were truly gentlemen. The
Maharajas’ Express in India, The El Transcantábrico in Spain, and the more recent addition of The Kyushu Seven Stars in Japan all retain a timeless elegance and guarantee luxury and elegance. But by far the most famous of all global train journeys, and one that immediately conjures images of sumptuous surroundings and Art Deco luxury, is the Orient Express. Running in various guises and on various routes since 1883, and immortalised in many films and television programmes, the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, as it is now known, epitomises everything that is ideal in a train journey. Their parent company, Belmond, are renowned for running some of the world’s most iconic and luxurious hotels and trains, and for the last few years they have offered the most luxurious train service in South East Asia for discerning travellers who are in no rush to get to their destination. The Eastern & Oriental Express duplicates the elegance of its European sister but in a tropical setting. Train journeys in this region, while always scenic, often leave
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a lot to be desired in the areas of comfort, service and cuisine. Not so The Eastern & Oriental Express, which offers the more than appealing combination of cocktails, fine dining, convivial company and spectacular views. Running on a variety of routes which take in the beautiful vistas of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos, no other method of travel in the region comes close in terms of experiential adventure.
The train offers two dining and two bar cars. Internationally renowned chefs on board create menus which combine Eastern and Western cuisine which rivals the world’s best restaurants. Enjoy dishes such as Hoisin glazed Saba mackerel, with white turnip salad, crispy wonton and
Cabin offers two inviting single beds, additional seating area and an expanded bathroom.
cucumber coulis. Or medallion of beef accompanied by foie gras croquette, Asian vegetables, vindaloo sauce and mustard foam. There are also regular special events such as Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan guesting as chef and market tour guide. The colonial-style, teakwood Observation Car at the rear of the train offers open-air sightseeing by day and cocktails and entertainment after dark. The Saloon Car gives guests a place to relax and read or play a selection of games. And the Bar Car offers a friendly atmosphere for daytime conversation or for cocktails and entertainment after dark.
Accommodation is to the standards you would expect on such a luxurious journey. There are four categories of cabins: Pullman Single, Pullman, State and Presidential. All are fully air-conditioned with en suite bathrooms. Decorative marquetry and fine fabrics give an atmosphere of warm elegance. During the day, your cabin is a private lounge complete with banquette-style sofa. At night, it converts into a plush bedroom with an upper and lower bed. Pullman Cabins have upper and lower berths, while State Cabins offer two single beds. All Pullman Singles have one single bed. For the ultimate high end travel experience, the Presidential
Among the various options for travelling on the The Eastern & Oriental Express, one journey stands out for class and sophistication; The Fables of the Peninsula, limited to just 60 guests in State and Presidential Cabins. This 7 days, 6 nights journey begins with a 1 night stay in a Courtyard Suite at the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore. From there the train makes it way to Kuala Lumpur with a choice of two morning excursions. Then on by coach to the Cameron Highlands, the highest point in peninsular Malaysia, with an overnight stay at the Cameron Highlands Resort. The following morning allows you to visit the famed Best of Highlands tea plantation with several tasting opportunities, or discover the jungle’s flora and fauna on the Jim Thompson trail. Lunch is from a decadent Western or Japanese menu at Gonbei Restaurant before returning to the train. Day 5 sees you reaching Penang with different excursion options. The final destination is Huay Yang in Thailand, a charming fishing town with access to Koh Chaan – part of the national park and home to thousands of bird colonies – before the train finally makes it way overnight to the disembarkation point of Bangkok. Prices for this, arguably the best train journey in the region, start at $7,900 per person. W W W . E U R O P E A N A U T O . A S I A / JUL-AUG 2016 73
TRAVEL
LIFE ON AN
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n many ways, cruise holidays have come full circle. Originally a bastion of the rich – the word ‘posh’ has its roots in the fact that the cooler side of the ship was only affordable by the wealthiest, thus port out, starboard home - there was a time in the 1970s and 1980s when it was looked upon as little more than a holiday camp at sea, with cramped cabins, canteen style food and often low quality entertainment. But in the last two decades, cruising has not only seen a resurgence but also a massive diversification into many specialised areas; educational cruises, Arctic and
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Galapagos cruises, culinary cruises, the list of choices is almost endless and many of the old stereotypes of cruise holidays have long been dispelled. But the main attraction of cruising has remained the same across the years; the opportunity to visit a number of very different locations all within the same holiday.
And as choice has increased so has the demand for luxury options in every area of the cruise; with several ships switching to suite only accommodation and entertainment, itineraries and cuisine increasing in quality to match. At the forefront of luxury cruising
is Regent Seven Seas Cruising, who were the first to introduce all suite, all balcony ships. 2016 sees the launch of their new ship, the ‘Seven Seas Explorer’ which will take the concept of luxury cruising to a new level and will set the benchmark for other companies to emulate.
At a cost of $450million, the Explorer will be the most expensive luxury ship ever built and its inaugural cruise in July – visiting ports such as Saint Tropez, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Valetta and Venice - has been fully booked since mid-2015. The Explorer is being billed as the ultimate in luxury and elegance, with spacious designer suites, decadent spas and high quality entertainment. And with a ratio of 540 staff to 750 guests, you can be sure that there will be a high level of service throughout the cruise. To top it all off the Explorer is going to have the largest cruise ship suite in the world; The Regent Suite, which will sleep two, comes in at a whopping 360 square metres including the wraparound balcony with two separate balconies, and an equally awe-inspiring cost of $5634 per person, per night (though this price is inclusive of all drinks, excursions. food and flights). As well as those balconies with jaw-dropping views, the suite also features a private
garden, a sauna, a steam room, a personal butler and even a Steinway grand piano. To complement such luxurious accommodation, you also need the best in cuisine. The Explorer offers a range of restaurants, from the Pacific Rim – offering the very best culinary delights from Asia – to the Chartreuse – emulating a Parisian fine dining restaurant on the banks of the Seine – and the Prime 7 – designed to personify luxury and give the impression of dining at an exclusive members-only club. As well as the top of the range fine dining choices, there are also a number of less formal eateries for daytime dining and snacks. On the relaxation and entertainment side, The Explorer offers a wide range of choices. There is the world renowned Canyon Ranch Spa Club; offering a choice of massages, treatments and therapeutic bodywork. A state of the art fitness centre with Lifecycles, treadmills and weights, all with a group of highly qualified fitness staff to advise and support. There is also a dedicated sports area on Deck 12, with a jogging path, putting greens, golf nets and more. And of course, no cruise ship would be complete without a pool area, and The Explorer features a lavish pool with two whirlpools.
owls. From the tranquillity of the observation lounge to the refined atmosphere of the Connoisseur Club – where you can enjoy a fine cigar with your favoured libation – or for music and entertainment you can choose form the Meridian Lounge, the Constellation Theatre or the Explorer Lounge. And for those guests who like a little bit of risk in their lives, there is a Monte Carlo style casino, open every day at sea when not restricted by territorial laws, and featuring Blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and slot machines. For those who like the idea of an ocean going holiday, but want all the luxury of a five star hotel, then The Explorer
looks to be the choice to make. Regent Seven Seas Cruising has set a new benchmark in luxurious cruising, one that will be hard to beat.
NAIA
For the discerning traveller who is attracted to a sea-going holiday but doesn’t want to share a ship with hundreds of other guests, the obvious option is to charter a boat or yacht for your family or for a small group of friends. But going small does not meaning having to sacrifice standards or luxury. There are numerous options available worldwide that ensures that size doesn’t matter. And it also doesn’t matter whether you don’t know your
There are cooking classes and gourmet explorer tours for those guests who want to learn about the cuisine of the destinations they visit, and an on-board service to help you organise shore tours, either with others or on your own. The ship also has a fully stocked library, a card room for social gaming, and a range of designer boutiques featuring everything from upmarket handbags to fine jewellery. And if you feel the need to keep in touch with the office, then there is a fully staffed business centre with everything you need and fast Wi-Fi access. It’s in the evening that cruise ships truly come to life as this is when they generally sail between destinations. And, as expected, The Explorer offers plenty of choice for the night
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Accidental jibe from your Variable pitch, as most charter companies offer the option of fully crewed boats. And that choice of small but beautiful doesn’t get much better than in the shape of the luxury motor yacht, Naia (formerly known as the Pegaso). Coming in at 73.6 metres, the Naia was built in 2011 by the Freire Shipyard in Spain, with her interior designed by Mark Berryman and exterior styling by London’s prestigious H2 Yacht Design. Beautiful styling and top of the range furnishings throughout the yacht create a luxurious and elegant atmosphere. The Naia sleeps up to 12 guests across 8 rooms which include a master suite, 1 VIP stateroom and 2 double and 2 twin cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 22 crew which ensures that you don’t need to lift a finger throughout your voyage and that service will be at
five star levels. And just to emphasise that point, one of those available staff is a Michelin starred chef, so expect your gastronomic taste buds to be truly pampered. The Naia was built with a steel hull and an aluminium/steel superstructure and is equipped with a top of the range stabilisation system which reduces the effects of roll motion and results in a far smoother cruising experience (thus far less chance of seasickness for the landlubbers in the party). The yacht also has ‘at anchor’ stabilisers which work at zero speed and increases comfort when at anchor or in rough seas. Naia was built to MCA and Lloyds Register standards and with a cruising speed of 14 knots, a maximum speed of 16 knots, and a range of 6,800 nautical miles, she is the ultimate combination of luxury and performance. There is also an
HCA Commercially Certified helipad on the Naia for those quick shopping trips into Milan or Monte Carlo. While not featuring the multitude of features one might expect on a cruise ship, what the Naia does offer is the intimacy of a small boat and the freedom to decide on your own itinerary. It does however offer the trimmings you would expect; a Jacuzzi on deck – and one in the fully equipped gym- Wi-Fi, a cinema, an elevator between decks and full air conditioning throughout. And for those fun moments, the boat comes with 2 Yamaha VX Cruiser Waverunners, wakeboards and waterskis, 4 mountain bikes for exploring when ashore, a 14 foot inflatable trampoline and a 10 metre waterslide that goes from sundeck to sea. Oh and then there’s the submarine. Yes, that’s right, by arrangement; the Naia comes with a 9 metre submersible capable of taking 5 passengers to a depth of 165 metres. Part of the reason for this is that the Naia, despite all its luxurious design and furnishings, can be used as a research vessel – if you happen to be a millionaire scientist that is. To help with this there is also a fully stocked science laboratory on board. The cruising region for the Naia is mainly confined to the Mediterranean which allows you to explore Cannes, Corsica, Croatia, The French Riviera, Greece, Ibiza, The Italian Riviera, Monaco, Montenegro, Mykonos, Sardinia, St Tropez, and The Balearics, though negotiations with the owners are possible for trips further afield. Costs to have the Naia as your private plaything range from $603, 000 plus expenses per week in low season to $666,000 plus expenses per week in high season.
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