Indulge yourself in luxury with these 3 motoring splurges

from Scene in the City - Autumn 2021

by hotwiremarketing

Ideal weekend getaways in Durban

HIGH ROLLERS

Indulge yourself in luxury with these 3 motoring splurges

In a time of restriction, there’s nothing wrong with indulging yourself. So, if money is no object, which are the most luxurious cars in South Africa in 2021? Join motoring journalist Daniel Calbacho as he explores three fabulous splurges in the motoring world – the ultra-rare, ultra-expensive and ultra-luxurious Porsche Taycan, Audi RS Q8 and limited-edition Range Rover Fifty. This is the cream of the super-luxury crop!

THE ELECTRIFYING PORSCHE TAYCAN

The 2021 Porsche Taycan (pronounced tie-kahn) is a truly innovative electric vehicle, showcasing the high-performance potential of the species. As the first production electric vehicle (EV) with an 800-volt architecture and a multispeed automatic transmission, it sets new benchmarks in charging speeds and acceleration times. In fact, the top-of-the-line 1050N.m Turbo S is among the quickest cars on the market, even trying hypercars like the R7.5m McLaren 720S Spider from 0 to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds.

This EV also has stamina, with the ability to make multiple high-speed runs without a significant loss in performance. Sure, the four-door sedan has a much shorter estimated driving range than its primary rival, the Tesla Model S that unfortunately isn’t available in South Africa, and the top-of-the-range versions cost twice that of other Porsches at present. But the Taycan drives like a Porsche sports car and exhilarates in ways few electric models have done before, which is why I have it on this indulgent shopping list. Most Taycan models feature dual electric motors, with one powering the front wheels and the other powering the rears. They produce separate outputs that vary by trim level. All Taycan models also have an innovative two-speed transmission that provides a thrilling shift during hard acceleration. While all three variants feature all-wheel drive and an innovative two-speed transmission that provides a thrilling shift during hard acceleration, a rear-drive model will eventually join the line-up. Interestingly, the Tesla Model S that also reached 100km/h in under three seconds isn’t able to make repeated acceleration runs without experiencing severe performance degradation. The Taycan could though. This, along with the car’s low-slung driving position and precise steering, is what makes the Porsche special among electric vehicles. Plus, it’s comfortable – even rolling on 21-inch wheels with narrow sidewalls tyres, the Taycan Turbo S manages to maintain being relatively comfortable. Inside, the sleek-looking Taycan is a tech-laden environment. The design is ostensibly simple and recalls

what can be seen in other Porsche models. As expected, the interior can be covered in a range of rich materials and different colour schemes. There’s a long list of luxury options, including four-zone climate control, massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Note that these are all very pricey. The Taycan comes standard with 2+2 seating, but there’s an option to add a third spot in the back if desired. I found the electrified Porsche’s rear accommodations and storage space to be a bit lacking and didn’t enjoy having to manoeuvre into the low front seat. However, from behind the wheel, the view out is excellent; one that could easily become a familiar place of excitement. Now for the important question of range, charging and battery life. The Taycan’s driving range is unremarkable compared with that of the Tesla Model S, which can crest 643km on a charge. The Taycan has an estimated range of 320km with the smaller battery and 365km with the larger pack. Every model features an 800-volt architecture that allows a charging capacity of up to 270kWh. Models with the 83.7kWh battery can go from a 5% charge to 80% in about 23 minutes. However, 800-volt DC fast chargers are rare. The more common 400-volt DC fast chargers provide 50kWh, which can charge the battery from 5% to 80% in 93 minutes. Opting for the available 150-kW onboard charger does reduce that time. Porsche says charging the Taycan’s largest battery from fully drained to 100% at home with the standard 9.6kWh AC charger will require 10.5 hours.

The price tag: Pricing for the Taycan ranges from R2.5m for the base Taycan 4S, which would be my choice, followed by Turbo model at R3.4m and the Turbo S at R4m.

THE RS Q8

THE ULTIMATE AUDI SUV

With a whopping 441kWh under the hood, the 2021 Audi RS Q8 is the ultimate Audi SUV. It borrows elements from the outrageous Lamborghini Urus while still incorporating the German luxury brand’s signature styling. All models come with Quattro all-wheel drive as standard, and Audi says this beast can leap to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The cabin is layered with premium materials, including Nappa leather upholstery and your choice of either genuine carbon-fibre trim or wood accents. All of Audi’s latest tech gadgets are standard here too, such as the Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display and dual-screen infotainment system. Not into performance SUVs? Audi offers this same bonkers powertrain in the svelte RS6 Avant station wagon. The RS Q8 comes with a seven-figure price tag, but its performance, styling and featured content are likely to be worth the investment. All RS Q8 models come with a standard adaptive air suspension system, 22-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats as well as a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system. What’s more, the RS Q8 has a twin-turbocharged four-litre V-8 engine that’s paired with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic. There’s also a 48-volt hybrid system to improve fuel efficiency. The RS Q8’s five-seat cabin is mostly the same as the Q8’s, although it has some special trim pieces and sportier, more aggressively bolstered front seats to hold you in place while cornering. There are also RS logos sprinkled throughout. Passenger and cargo space carries over unchanged from the regular Q8 model, which means plenty of legroom and headroom for adults in both rows of seats.

The Audi Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster and dualtouchscreen MMI interface have certain RS-specific displays that can show information such as torque and power output, lap times and g-forces. Other than that, we expect the same technology offered in the Q8, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The RS Q8 is the ultimate Audi SUV, but the most discerning auto enthusiasts recognise that it’s not the ultimate Audi. That title goes to the RS6 Avant, but seeing as South Africans aren’t into station wagons, the RS Q8 will have to do!

The price tag: Pricing for the RS Q8 starts at R2.36m.

50 YEARS OF RANGE ROVER

50 and fabulous! The Range Rover Fifty special edition is to celebrate 50 years of Land Rover’s Range Rover, which first launched in 1970. There are only 1970 units of the special edition that are for sale worldwide. The Range Rover Fifty is be based on the luxurious Autobiography trim, but features plenty of special distinguishing features inside and out.

Being a special edition, the Range Rover Fifty has plenty of bespoke features, like exterior accents painted in Auric Atlas (that’s black) and two unique 22-inch wheel designs. The special palette of four standard colours are Carpathian Grey, Rosello Red, Aruba and Santorini Black. If you crave another level of exclusivity, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) will paint an extremely limited number of Range Rover Fifty SUVs in Tuscan Blue, Bahama Gold or Davos White, replicated from the colour palette of the original Range Rover. The vehicle’s badging carries a special ‘Fifty’ script lettering created by Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern. In addition to being featured on the exterior badging, the special design will be visible on the headrests, dashboard, illuminated doorsills and centre console, which numbers each vehicle as ‘1 of 1970’. When it first debuted in 1970, the Range Rover was the first SUV to feature permanent four-wheel drive. In 1989, it became the first 4x4 to be fitted with anti-lock brakes. Three years later, in 1992, the Range Rover became the first 4x4 with electronic traction control and an automatic electronic air suspension. In 2012, it was the first SUV to be constructed of aluminium. It was even the first vehicle to be displayed in the famous Louvre Museum in Paris. In addition to that long list of firsts, a Range Rover has crossed the Darien Gap and won the Paris–Dakar Rally twice. Originally built to be a workhorse, the Range Rover has evolved into a status symbol for the wealthy. In years past you might’ve found them tackling off-road terrain, but as of late you’re more likely to find them in premium suburbs in the pickup line at a private school. Despite the change in scenery, the Range Rover retains its rugged roots and all-terrain capability. And regardless of where it goes, it’s for certain that its occupants will be in the lap of luxury. Since 1970, the Range Rover lineup has grown to include the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar, but the original Range Rover is still the ultimate Land Rover.

The price tag: Pricing for the Range Rover Fifty is R3.5m.

From the finest croissants and baguettes to hearty country loaves and boundary-shifting pastries, you can enjoy it all at the beautiful L’atelier Bakery; a patisserie, café and bakery in the trendy Keyes Art Mile district in Rosebank. Everything is made fresh using natural ingredients – with no additives or preservatives – that are guaranteed to make your taste buds dance.

Whether you’re after exquisite viennoiseries, pastries and desserts, a sandwich to accompany a perfect cup of coffee or a gorgeous cake for a special occasion, L’atelier Bakery is the answer. Their executive chef is readily available to discuss any special dietary requirements and prides himself on sourcing the best local and international ingredients to bring you a truly Parisian menu of handcrafted delicacies out of the world-class certified pastry kitchen.

L’atelier Bakery has also introduced a new tapas menu, which offers something for everyone – beef short rib tacos, pickled octopus, potato and herb croquettes, deep-fried cauliflower as well as beef and chicken sliders on brioche buns. For dessert, try the popular chocolate tart with chocolate sable, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache, the cheesecake with berry jelly and white chocolate or the ‘Financier’ – brown butter cake with vanilla cream. There are also a number of vegan options on offer, including rice pudding made with coconut milk and moist orange cake with edible golf leaf.

Welcome to a space where confectionery excellence meets fine art. L’atelier Bakery brings you a taste of Paris and will satisfy every type of sweet tooth!

Level 1, Trumpet Building, 21 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank 010 110 7467 www.latelierbakery.com info@latelierbakery.com

A high-rise restaurant fit for an artful city. This 165-seater, Infinity Restaurant is everything a glamorous escape atop Cape Town should be, complete with panoramic views and an interior playfully themed, afro-chic, according to the tropical wallpaper with exotic birds, mixed textures, animal print dining chairs, chic and shimmering chandeliers as well as splashes of cream, lilac and emerald green.

Combining 360-degree mountain and sea views with ‘skystronomy’ – the concept of gastronomy in the sky, courtesy of our Olympian chef, Infinity Restaurant boasts a stylish scene with a smorgasbord of celebratory drinks and on-trend dishes made from fresh, top-quality ingredients.

It’s a spot for casual comfort food – think dishes like alcohol-free beerbattered hake, a BBQ pulled pork burger on a brioche bun, prawn tagliatelle in a spicy tomato bisque sauce or smoked chicken breast with green beans, charred bell peppers, salty capers, coriander and an orange dressing. Infinity is also a beacon of breezy indulgence; the perfect space to take in cosmopolitan views with laid-back Mother City ease where one cocktail from our superb cocktail list, which celebrates all the classics, can quickly spiral into two or three … or more. Not to be missed is the namesake drink, the Infinity Cocktail – shaken with Bacardi, mango, strawberry and curaçao, it’s bursting with the flavours of the tropics. Lively, romantic, cosy – whatever you’re looking for when making lunch or dinner plans, you can have it all at Infinity Restaurant while taking in the natural beauty of Cape Town. Choose from popular internationally inspired dishes, such as a Sparta beef sirloin with smoked tomato sauce, grilled onion and fried potato, as you feel transported to simpler times; a point in space and time that seems infinitely distant. Or, test your palette on specialties like sous vide rolled pork neck and Thai fish curry with cauliflower purée and a citrus butter sauce that packs a powerful flavour punch, paired with a wine from our stellar, wide-ranging wine list. If you fancy something a bit more extravagant with your meal, there’s also a fabulous selection of French champagnes plus some lovely MCCs and Proseccos. Adding doses of over-the-top eclecticism, the Afro-chic décor sets the mood itself.

Dining at Infinity Restaurant is a crash course in Africa’s melting pot culture and history, vividly retold by dishes that make the most of local seasonal food underpinned by bold flavours and international flair. Book in advance to avoid disappointment – the 10-seater Captain’s Table seats 10 and offers the best views in the house.