Highways of Benzel-Busch by MOD Media, LLC

P R E M I E R E

I S S U E

SPRING 2017

THE BEAST

MERCEDES-AMG GT R

CARIBBEAN CHIC: ST. BARTHS

AUDIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MISSION TO THE MOON HEADING INTO THE FUTURE WITH MERCEDES-BENZ

THE LAUREUS FOUNDATION KETEL ONE HONORS ARNOLD PALMER

Discover. For nearly half a century Benzel-Busch Motor Car Corp., Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier automotive dealership, has been defining the way you drive by establishing a new standard of automotive excellence. Family-owned and operated as a premium brands dealership, Benzel-Busch has maintained a reputation for honesty, integrity and trust among its many valued customers. Benzel-Busch, awarded the Sales and Service Laureates Award from Mercedes-Benz for outstanding customer experience is also recognized as both a DealerRater 2017 Dealer of the Year and 2017 Consumer Satisfaction Winner. Audi Meadowlands, is recognized as a 2017 DealerRater Consumer Satisfaction winner for the third consecutive year. Both dealerships, are proud to be named Customer Champions Honoree by 1to1 Magazine for excellence in customer service. Experience our personalized approach to automotive retailing where we provide a range of streamlined service offerings, utilizing cutting edge technology that deliver an unparalleled ownership experience. Whether your needs are sales or service related, visit a Benzel-Busch dealership to meet with your own personal account representative and begin to define your journey with us today. benzelbusch.com 888-218-5997

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2017 CONSUMER SATISFACTION AWARD

2017

Mercedes-Benz Dealer in:

NEW JERSEY

28 Grand Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631

425 Route 3 East Secaucus, NJ 07094

28 Grand Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631

3/30/17 3:15 PM

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INSIDE TOC

S P R I N G 2 017

COLUMNS 10 OWNER’S MANUAL 14 STATEMENTS 20 INDULGE 24 EXPERIENCE 30 TASTE 36 TECH REPORT 70 IN THE NEWS 78 THE CIRCLE 82 IN THE KNOW 84 THE NUMBERS 86 BENZEL-SELECT

FEATURES 40

2018 MERCEDES-AMG GT R

ST. BARTHS

RACING IMPROVES THE BREED

The road has never seen anything quite like the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R. Setting a new record for the fastest lap taken on the Nürburgring Nordschleife test drive, this luxury supercar features a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine and 516 lbft of torque. And that’s just for starters.

Jet set to the land where glitz and glam blend seamlessly with Caribbean chic. From premier shopping to world-class dining, this beachy, celeb-laden hotspot is a top idyllic paradise for all.

The battle to be no. 1 was paramount in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. Audi and Mercedes-Benz entered the competition hoping to come out on top. Which speedsters took home the gold, silver and bronze? Read our recap to find out.

WRIST WATCHING Timepieces are essential to any dapper gent’s savoir faire. Eye-catching watches from Blancpain, Hublot and Rolex provide that must-have finishing touch. What are you waiting for? Tick tock. Tick tock.

60 ADVANCES IN

AUTONOMOUS DRIVING The future is now, especially with the impressive innovations by MercedesBenz. With advances such as evasive steering assist, drive pilot and active brake assist, we’re getting closer to making these futuristic vehicles a reality.

64 SPORT FOR GOOD:

CHANGING THE WORLD Highways speaks with Benita Fitzgerald Mosely, CEO of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, about the nonprofit’s impact on children around the globe.

Treasure it. Play it. Stand in awe of it.

E N T E R TA I N W I T H I T.

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THE OWNER’S MANUAL

J. and Arthur Agresta

elcome to Highways of Benzel-Busch. We are thrilled to launch our own publication and share our world with you. The original concept behind Highways goes back to the early 1980s and a series of paintings commissioned by our father, Joseph “Skip” Agresta. The artwork depicted roads and highways around the country. The idea was that these vignettes represented moments in time captured by our customers driving their cars; they were views into their journey. The series was called Highways. This publication is dedicated to that concept. Highways will embark upon a modern and sophisticated journey that extends beyond the drive in pursuit of the ﬁner things in life. With the discerning taste of our highly regarded Benzel-Busch clientele in mind, our lifestyle experts will provide a unique insider’s look into the artistry and technology behind some of the world’s most venerated automobile brands while ex-

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

ploring the best in world travel, luxury goods, epicurean retreats and local experiences. Because our brand has always been about more than luxury, we also will show how we give back through our commitment to the many charitable partners we support. Our family’s experiences in the transportation industry date back more than a century. Our great-grandfather hammered out a hardearned living as a blacksmith, shoeing horses and building carts for local farmers and merchants. To him, every customer was an individual, every cart unique and every shoe custom forged and struck exclusively. That business philosophy has always stayed with us. It deﬁnes who we are. We believe the reason we are one of the most successful automobile groups in the country is that we have never lost our focus on the individual. Each car we sell or service is never a number in a series or the next one in line. It’s special because of the many aspects that went into its crafting, the manufacturer’s long history, and the training and dedication invested by our team to make each purchase perfect. Every car is special because of what you’ve done to earn it. It’s special because it’s yours. To talk about what we do is one thing; to be recognized for the way we do it is something else altogether. We continually receive recognition from our clients, manufacturers and even our own team for exceeding expectations. We’ve been awarded the Mercedes-Benz Sales and Service Customer Laureates Award, Audi Magna Society, DealerRater’s Dealer of the Year, DealerRater’s Customer Experience Award and Best Places to Work award. The list continues to grow, and we will never stop striving to raise the bar. All of this and more are the foundation of this publication. We hope you enjoy your journey along our Highways!

d…

m d

n o B r i l l i ance The 2017 Audi A4, is the next generation of the best selling Audi model.

Its innovative design and advanced technologies set a new benchmark for the luxury sedan segment. With class-leading horsepower, inspiring driving dynamics and optional legendary quattro® all-wheel drive, the Audi A4 offers a refined interior reminiscent of Audi’s flagship A8 sedan.

The 2017 Audi A4

Audi Meadowlands, the Tri-State’s Premier Audi dealership located just minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel has a selection of Audi A4 vehicles to suit your needs. We are proud to provide a personalized, serviceoriented, streamlined, customer-friendly automotive experience for both sales and service. Audi Meadowlands, a DealerRater Consumer Satisfaction Award winner for 3 consecutive years and named Customer Champions Honoree by 1to1 Magazine. Visit or call to arrange for a test drive with your personal account representative today. audimeadowlands.net 888-218-5997

3 Consecutive Years Audi Flagship Dealer Certified R8 Dealer New Vehicle Sales: 425 Route 3 East, Secaucus, NJ 07094

32038 A4_Highways_2017.indd 1

Service & Certified pre-owned Sales: 4700 Westside Avenue, North Bergen, NJ 07047

4/10/17 5:51 PM

S P R I N G 2 017

Shannon Steitz Group Publisher EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Elaine Doremus SENIOR EDITOR Mike Banka MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Fonzino EDITOR Emma Reynolds GRAPHIC DESIGN Morris Stubbs CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dom Miliano,

Simon Murray, Joel Levin CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jeremy Smith SALES EXECUTIVES

Steven Fischer, Lisa Medina PUBLIC RELATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA ASSOCIATE

Kopal Pandey WEB DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING TEAM

Socialfix Media INTERNS

Dana Jarvis, Daniella Luciano, Teanna Owens

For advertising inquiries call 973.249.6157 or email advertising@modmediaus.com. For all editorial inquiries contact editorial@modmediaus.com. For subscription information and customer service contact circulation@modmediaus.com.

HIGHWAYS

is published by MOD Media, LLC

JASON LEMBO Chief Executive Officer

SHANNON STEITZ President

CHRISTOPHER ANTONUCCI Executive Director

MOD MEDIA, LLC info@modmediaus.com 973.249.6157 11 Park Street, Suite 2F Montclair, NJ 07042

BENZEL-BUSCH 28 Grand Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631 benzelbusch.com 201.567.1400 Audi Meadowlands | powered by Benzel-Busch 425 Route 3 East, Secaucus, NJ 07094 benzelbusch.com/audi 201.330.1214

STATEMENTS HIS

entlemen, grab your keys! It’s time to take your beloved sports car out of hibernation and let it stretch its legs! Nothing says springtime better than driving top down and/or cruising the tristate’s most scenic routes. However you plan to spend your weekends, be sure you hit the roads looking your most dapper with these ensemble essentials. BY NICOLE FONZINO

BERLUTI BELT There’s no better accessory to have in your wardrobe than an Italian-made leather belt. Berluti’s brown gaspard polished-leather belt is exquisitely crafted to stand the test of time. Boasting high-quality Venezia leather and a simple but striking silver buckle, this belt will never fade out of style, ensuring you wear it season after season. Available at MrPorter.com, $710

BARTON PERREIRA COLTRANE SQUARE SUNGLASSES Sunny days are here again, which means sunglasses are in order. These Barton Perreira Coltrane sunnies are stylish and can be integrated into any outfit. The unique design features square-shaped lenses and transparent champagne-colored frames that complement the blue-green gradient lenses. They’re so universal, you can wear them every day. Trust us: you will! Available at NeimanMarcus.com, $470

JIMMY CHOO DRIVER SHOE This crocodile-embossed driver shoe by Jimmy Choo is just what you need this spring. The hazelnut-colored slip-on pairs well with business or casual wear. The rubber sole ensures comfort, while the shoe’s calf-leather lining and upper exterior shout sophistication. Topped with a delicate metal detailing, this driver shoe will have you putting your best foot to the metal every day. Available at SaksFifthAvenue.com, $650

14 c

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

HUGO BOSS COTTON SPORT JACKET Take a page out of Hugo Boss’ sartorial style book and incorporate this dark-blue sport jacket into your ensemble. The light, breathable cotton fabric will keep you comfortable no matter the weather. The two-button design, notch lapels, pockets and side vents keep it looking refined. Sport it at the office or dinner at the country club and get ready for the compliments. Available at Nordstrom.com, $545

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A more cost-efficient alternative to ownership, charter serves the exact purpose without long-term commitment. With as little notice as 2 hours, we can have you en route to your destination (subject to aircraft availability).

Pre-Paid Flight Card entitles members to the ultimate in luxury concierge services. Have the world at your fingertips today with your new Pre-Paid Flight Card. Available in increments of 25 hours, jetting the world will never be this easy.

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STATEMENTS HERS

armer weather means swapping your winter wardrobe for light and airy springtime attire. Whether you’re traveling to the nearest Hamptons hotspot or strolling down Fifth Avenue, make sure you head out in style. These musthave accessories will turn the roadways and sidewalks on which you travel into your own personal runways.

GUCCI SUNGLASSES Channel your inner ‘70s goddess with Gucci’s round metalframed sunglasses. This pair of Italian-made shades has subtle hints of glitter mixed into the framework that instantly add glamour to your ensemble. Whether you’re poolside or on the go, Gucci’s round-frame sunglasses will be one of your new favorite accessories. Available at Gucci.com, $400

BALENCIAGA BRACELET Balenciaga’s classic leather single-strap bracelet is one red-hot accessory. Perfectly crafted with lambskin leather and yellowgold embellishments, its striking looks and scalloped trim will wear boldly on anyone’s wrist. The Italian-made accessory is ideal to sport whenever your daytime attire can benefit from a bright dose of color. Available at NeimanMarcus.com, $225

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO WHITE SOFT LASER CUT HANDBAG Salvatore Ferragamo’s coveted Sofia bag is getting a makeover this season, and, trust me, you’ll want to get your hands on it. With a unique laser cut design, this Sofia bag is crafted with soft white leather, an exterior lock closure, large handle and a removable strap. Perfect for work-related functions or weekend getaways, it’s airy look will have you gearing up for warmer weather in no time. Available at Ferragamo.com, $2,600

ZCD MONTREAL SNEAKER Say hello to what will undoubtedly redefine your springtime weekend wear: the NICO shoes by ZCD Montreal. These ultraluxe slip-ons made with natural python uppers have neutraltoned colors that pair perfectly with any weekend ensemble. We dare you not to reach for these shoes every time you head out the door. Available at ZCDMontreal.com, $675

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STATEMENTS AUTO

here’s no reason you shouldn’t wear your love for your luxury auto on your sleeve—or on your accessories! From clothing to timepieces to must-have bags, there’s no shortage of stylish Mercedes-Benz and Audi collectibles to ﬂaunt your admiration.

BURL WATCH CASE Timepieces are a main component of any working man’s ensemble. To ensure you keep your watches safe when they’re not on your wrist, store them in this Burl Watch Case by Audi. With compartments for eight watches, the box is crafted from a brown burl wood with velour lining. It’s topped off with a glass cover so you’re always able to look at your prized possessions, and the iconic Audi rings are etched into the bottom righthand glass. Available at AudiMeadowlands.net, $244.95

TAYLORMADE GOLF CART BAG

LADIES’ PERPETUAL CALENDAR WATCH Never lose track of time on a long drive again with Mercedes-Benz’s Ladies’ Perpetual Calendar Watch. Fashioned with a mineral crystal lens, the refined face allows you to monitor the date, moon phases and time, while the bold red band adds a fiery touch. Wear this to work or out-and-about while running errands. Wherever you choose to flash it, you’ll do so with pride. Available at BenzelBusch.com/Boutique, $199

Next time you tee off on the green, make sure you do it in eyecatching fashion. This sleek black bag will not only shout out your love for Mercedes-Benz, but also help you get around the course with ease. Crafted with 14-way dividers, eight additional compartments and an insulated section for refreshments, you can carry what you need for 18 holes while also chilling your drink of choice. Other features include the embroidered Mercedes-Benz logo, a thick shoulder strap and a detachable rain hood, just in case you’re shooting hole-in-ones in the rain. Available at BenzelBusch.com/Boutique, $339

WINE DECANTER There’s nothing to wine about when you have this handmade Audi decanter in your bar set. Fashioned with a stainless steel pourer, wine is poured into the flagon and flows through six holes. After it settles, the wine is able to aerate, bringing out its distinctive flavors. With a bamboo lid engraved with the iconic Audi logo, this decanter is the perfect accessory to entertain with. Available at AudiMeadowlands.net, $99.95

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A P P A R E L

INDULGE

BY NICOLE FONZINO

HEAVEN ON EARTH

The rooftop infinity pool offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

The SoJo Spa Club elevates New Jersey’s luxury Gold Coast to spectacular new heights

20 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

eaven on earth just became a re-

Leaving your troubles at the door is a

ality. Along with signature stun-

must-do here.

ning views and easy access to

Troubles aren’t the only things you’ll

city life, residents of New Jersey’s Gold

be leaving behind: you’ll also be slip-

Coast now have the luxury of living in

ping off your shoes. In true Korean spa

close proximity to the state’s newest ur-

fashion, the 240,000-square-foot facil-

ban resort, the SoJo Spa Club.

ity is the ultimate barefoot experience,

The SoJo Spa Club is everything you

greeting you with heated floors that

could want it to be: an eight-floor oasis

run throughout the spa’s eight levels.

where you can escape the whirlwind of

Upon arrival, you receive an access wrist

everyday responsibilities and unwind.

badge (which doubles as a locker key)

an artist’s & designer’s studio WOODFORM CONCRETE DESIGN AND FABRICATION www.jmlifestyles.com

973-668-5057

INDULGE

and a line of credit so you don’t have to worry about toting your wallet around. The SoJo Spa also supplies colorful loungewear (shirt and shorts). Comfort is the key to relaxation, after all. You roam the facility at your leisure. An admission pass grants all-day access to the saunas, pools and bath areas. You also can book spa appointments to further enhance your repose. The SoJo Spa Club offers 10 saunas and therapy rooms, including far-infrared, red clay, white clay, Himalayan salt and charcoal saunas, as well as an ice room, Courtyard with hinoki bath; the SPA is the first NJ-based facility to carry ESPA products.

ganbanyoku beds and halotherapy. Col-

in SoJo Spa

lectively, these provide a host of ther-

Club’s

apeutic benefits, including improved

py pools and

blood circulation, release of internal tox-

baths. Power-

ins, immune boosts, body detoxification

ful water jets boost your circulation and

and energy elevation, to name a few.

provide massage as you enjoy breath-

You also can revive mind and body

thera-

taking views of the Manhattan skyline. The outdoor hinoki offer carbon-rich silk baths that emit antibacterial oils, improving blood oxygen levels and skin

treatments such as a 60-minute marine

elasticity. There also are a 170-foot foot

sea body wrap and 90-minute Balinese

massage walking path, a family pool and

massage as well as express manicures,

a rooftop infinity pool open from spring

pedicures and massages.

to late fall.

make sure you stop by the casual dining area to grab a Juice Journey smoothie

the SPA at SoJo Spa Club is another

or an out-of-this-world ramen bowl from

must-experience highlight. It already

an array of menus.

has a stellar reputation as the first and

The best is yet to come for the SoJo

only New Jersey spa to carry the premier

Spa Club. It will soon unveil a full-service

brand ESPA, whose luxury products are

restaurant that seats up to 80 people

offered in top Manhattan hotels such

as well as a hotel, all but ensuring this

as the Manda-

will become one of New Jersey’s hottest

rin Oriental and

weekend getaways. For more informa-

Peninsula.

tion about the SoJo Spa Club, please

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

The

SPA offers lavish

visit SoJoSpaClub.com.

SOJ O SPA CLUB

Although you can spend the entire day in the saunas and pools if you wish,

The 170-foot outdoor massage foot path utilizes smooth, flat and rounded stones.

Before you head out for the day,

EXPERIENCE

BY JOEL LEVIN

Caption tk are a compact engine Views of the vines at instantaneous the Warwick response design, Valley Wineryfrom and the Distillery. turbochargers

ith hundreds of wineries and

Hop into the Audi mothership, the

most corner to Cape May at its southern

tasting rooms within a 2-1/2-

magnificent Q7, and pack in five adults

tip, so even a short jaunt can be fruitful.

hour drive, the NYC metro

and two children, or two adults and two

Setting out from, say, Benzel-Busch in En-

region abounds with opportunities for

mountain bikes. You’ll still have room to

glewood, you’ll find it easy to fill your day

tasty tripping. The options are as diverse

stow your new favorite bottlings. Go seek

with beauty and discovery without ven-

as they are numerous, ranging from tiny,

the wine adventure of your dreams!

turing outside a 60-mile radius. If you’re

ambitious mom-and-pops to mega operations with overflowing parking lots.

24 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

The Garden State has some 70 winer-

in the mood for a two- or three-day jour-

ies spread from Montague in its northern-

ney, dozens of splendid B&Bs await you.

GERALD B ERLINER/WARWICK WINERY

WINERY DAY TRIPS: A GLASS FAR MORE THAN HALF FULL

Three things to consider. Cava wine flights feature samples of assorted wines; Warwick Gin is distilled with juniper berries, citrus peel, coriander, angelica root and anise.

First, winery owners and winemakers (sometimes the same person) can be sources of infinite information because they truly love their work. Second, familiar varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon grown in NJ taste entirely different from the same varietals grown in Bordeaux or Napa. A good thing, but

GERALD B ERLINER/WARWICK WINERY (GIN)

prepare to be surprised.

tered a bustling

Third, in metro NYC wine country,

10-yard-long tast-

there’s no such thing as taking the wrong

ing bar and went

route. That’s because the journey is half

through

the pleasure. Routes 23, 94, 517, 519 and

short list of favor-

521 in NJ and 9W, 17, 22 and 94 in New

ites. There, they

York (to name just a few) all reward with an

grow what grows,

eye-filling mélange of preserved farms,

meaning a selec-

Revolutionary-era buildings, sprawling

tion heavy on va-

vistas of hills both rolling and craggy, plus

rietals more famil-

meadows, ponds and streams. We’re not

iar in the similarly

even mentioning the grape-friendly Del-

chilly Finger Lakes

aware River and Atlantic Ocean areas.

region upstate. The great consumerist

And don’t be afraid to explore unknown

attraction of tasting rooms is that you

Savoring the wine-friendly fare, we

roads: getting lost in a throwback to sim-

pay one price and get to try everything.

stayed far past our time budget and had

pler times will be revelatory for anyone

Among our favorites were the Harvest

to think fast to plan the next stop. Here’s

wanting to escape the city and suburbs.

Moon in the collectible blue bottle—a

where the Garden State Wine Growers

Besides, the Q7’s big-screen nav system

Cayuga/Vidal blend which tasted of can-

Association’s guidance comes in. Not ev-

is your close friend and will always steer

taloupe and summertime—and for des-

ery NJ vineyard is listed, but both online

you back to civilization.

sert, pear liqueur with the aroma of drippy

and in the association’s Passport, you’ll

ripe pears but with a dry finish, followed

find a map showing clusters of wineries

by Warwick’s version of a light ruby port.

to make your routing more efficient.

On a late winter weekend we drove through NJ ski country, passing Mountain

WVW’s

tions worth salivating over.

Creek’s wide slopes and crossing State

The delightful surprise was the full-scale

Due to time limitations, we bypassed

94 into New York’s expansive “black dirt”

restaurant under the same roof. Headed

Westfall in Montague and headed down

farmland to the Warwick Valley Winery/

by chef Jack Cummings, this boisterous

94 again as farmland was left behind for

Distillery/Farm complex. When the oo-

fireplace-warmed venue is worth lingering

rugged mountains. It was a quick trip to

hing and ahhing at the scenery were over,

in. Highlights were the Croquet Monsieur

Cava Vineyards in Hamburg, distinguished

we squeezed the big “Q” into Warwick’s

made with house-cured local ham, the

by its rustic-raftered dining room where

last available parking space.

truffle fries and pizza generously topped

tasting is enhanced by their bistro menu

with your call. There are so many selec-

and vice versa. Wines are arrayed in seven

Crossing a large patio, we encoun-

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

EXPERIENCE

flights of four each, but our server cheer-

Bucco and the sublime choices possible

fully substituted a selection from flight #4

with a wine cellar of 100,000+ bottles

although we had ordered flight #3.

and 6,000 labels. Spectacular!

thousand 12-bottle cases per year. The tiny farm winery relies on local volunteers to staff the tasting room and

Because Cava’s acreage is small,

On to Ventimiglia Vineyard located off

provide some of the labor. Talk about job

good use is made of fruit from others’

a road so little traveled that there’s a bas-

creation! Our untiring server Diane, ever

vineyards, in the Napa fashion. We en-

ketball goal on the road-

loyal to the vineyard,

joyed the novel-tasting, uncharacteristic

side. When turning onto

personably

Pinot Noir and Merlot with wings and

the property, the queen

us through 10 wines.

pasta and Tuscan nachos and grilled

of Audi SUVs trundled

Gene and his workers

pizza, and finished with a complex gor-

downhill and over a wee

manage to create im-

gonzola-and-pear spread, which paired

bridge over a stream

mensely enjoyable if

guided

unfamiliar bottles that can be enjoyed on two levels: casually without thinking too hard, and intellectually, Matty Matarazzo, owner, chef and winemaker at Four Sisters Winery; the Cava vineyard in Sussex County, NJ.

while

reveling in serendipity such as the fruity but dry pineapple-y notes of Buon Giorno Cayuga, the sprightly, spicy,

Fuji-apple flavors of the Vidal, and the Cabernet Sauvignon’s autumnal grassiness reminiscent of mixed fruit salad, wildflower pollen and peaches. The approach of a bone-chilling dusk was nature’s way of reminding us to return to our Audi’s warm, leathery embrace and the well-realized comfort of wonderfully with blueberry wine.

(we didn’t feel the bumps; merely saw

wine exploration for the following week-

Minutes from both Cava and our next

them) and came upon the only structure

end, which brought us to…

winery stop is the don’t-miss shrine to fine

in sight, a two-story colonial home. Only

…Brook Hollow Winery in Columbia,

dining, Restaurant Latour in Hamburg,

after a big double take and an expla-

with its view of the Delaware Water Gap

on the grounds of Crystal Springs Resort.

nation did we realize that we had been

and its proprietor, the ever-affable oe-

Open for dinner Thursday through Mon-

looking at the tasting room whose pro-

nologist Paul Ritter. Man, here is a guy

day only, Latour is good enough to be

duction facility is cleverly carved out of

who’s happy to be where he is! Listening

your proverbial “last meal.” At the end

a basement. La famiglia Ventimiglia has

to him enthuse about his wines is almost

of a daylong wine tour, immerse yourself

been making wine for generations, with

as satisfying as imbibing them.

in the genius of executive chef Anthony

the current one producing a minuscule

26 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

With 14,000 vines on property, Rit-

CAVA W INERY; FOUR SISTERS WINERY

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EXPERIENCE

ter still has to source two thirds of his

ery has been host to scores of outdoor

grapes from other in-state vineyards,

wine/food/music events. The invento-

Last stop: Villa Milagro Vineyards,

buying well to try to ensure consistency

ry is anchored by the mouth-watering

an organic and sustainable operation

of taste. Brook Hollow’s hallmark is sweet-

Papa’s Red, but is comprised mostly

perched 200 feet above the Delaware,

ish wines in dry style. Witness the Vidal

of sweet wines and dessert bottles like

owned by Steve and Audrey Gambino,

Blanc, Cayuga and dry Riesling, each a

Mia’s Blueberry and Robin’s Raspberry.

who instantly become your brother and

conversation piece in its multi-dimen-

We loved the Cherry Melissa made

sister or mother and father. Audrey, a for-

sionality. The blend of Chambourcin and

from sour cherries in over-the-top concen-

mer cooking-show host with a PhD in nu-

Merlot seemed to have been pushed

tration but still showing enough restraint

trition, is a hands-on winemaker, insisting

for a plump cherry-forward taste, one of

to keep it on the dry side. Poppa Joe was

on creating wines that are best with food.

those Garden State surprises I hinted at

port-like with a dry cherry finish, while Cap-

The vineyard’s selections are limited but

earlier. And the Cabernet Franc, which of-

tain’s Choice, vinified from Matarazzo Or-

intriguing, showing the hand of someone

ten expresses tartness, was a total bomb

chards’ granny smiths, was more apple-y

who enjoys experimenting with extracting

of chocolate and ripe red plums on the

than applejack and easier to like. Brandy is

and balancing flavors. Try their Luz del Sol,

palate. Bonus: enjoy free tastings for life

added, resulting in a 19% alcohol content.

an off-dry blend of Chardonnay and Pinot

simply by returning any time with your

When we asked Valerie, our guide, if we

Grigio so balanced that it tastes of neither,

could take the Q7 out to play so we could

and the Rosita Blush, a light-colored and

One novelty here is two machines

test the famous Quattro all-wheel-drive

light-bodied Muscat/Vidal creation. Both

pumping out your choice of a refreshing

system, she pointed us to a winding farm

can be year-round refreshers.

cranberry-wine slushy or Merlot slushy.

road. It certainly made driving in the snow

Of the Bordeaux-style blends, the

Brook Hollow, as with many other state

an easy and confidence-inspiring job. Even

Noche calls out for red meat or stout soup,

wineries, makes it easy to spend an af-

when stomping on the gas in the muddy,

while the Casi Dulce is heavy-bodied and

ternoon relaxing in a big chair in a cozy

snowy ruts, I hardly sensed the constant

close to sweet. We did not taste it with

woody dining room listening to live mu-

correcting of the hardware and software

food, but it seemed as if it would make a

sic. This place also has the indoor and

that kept us on track and

great accompaniment for sweet-

outdoor space for hundreds at a corpo-

right side up. An ordinary

and-carroty brisket stew. As a

rate event or wedding. Sited on the 250-acre Matarazzo Farm in Wantage, Four Sisters Win-

Chambourcin grapes at the Four Sisters Winery; Views of the outdoor patio at the Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery.

novelty, try the just-out Feliz Navidad, artistically crafted with naturally sweet grapes and a whisper of Christmas-y seasonings and spices. On your way back out to the 18th-century village of Finesville, linger over a panorama of fields and nearby hills sloping down to the Delaware Valley. For homework, enjoy the bottles that everyone takes home from winery stores and fire up the ol’ computer to plan a year of tastings and special events at dozens of local vineyards!

28 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

GERALD B ERLINER/WARWICK WINERY; FOUR SISTERS W INERY

$10 embossed tasting glass.

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TASTE

BY EMMA REYNOLDS

Arnold Palmer’s golfing memorabilia was exhibited inside Club Ketel One. Among the choice items were his 1960 Masters trophy and winning scorecards.

A TOAST TO THE KING

KETEL ONE HONORS ARNOLD PALMER’S LEGACY WITH A SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOTTLE.

ou’d be hard-pressed to find an-

er Invitational PGA golf tournament, held

Pennsylvania-native was a trailblazer

other man who better exempli-

at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando,

and a soft-spoken superstar who helped

fied a life well-lived and a life well-

Florida, was for the first time without Mr.

open the doors of this traditionally up-

Palmer himself. Everyone felt the loss.

per-echelon pastime to the middle and

played than Arnold Palmer. Known for his kindness and selfless heart, Mr. Palmer

Nicknamed “The King,” Mr. Palmer

working classes. He won 62 titles on

imprinted a lasting legacy on all those

is, of course, one of the greatest play-

the PGA Tour, including four Masters,

who knew him. This year’s Arnold Palm-

ers in the history of golf. The Latrobe,

two British Opens and one U.S. Open.

30 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. As

Guests toasted Mr. Palmer with delicious Bloody Marys featuring vodka from the limited-edition collector’s bottle.

someone who appreciated respect and manners more than anything—hence,

“Mr.

Palmer”—he

became a household name with a relatable sense of humor and an unrelenting determination to excel. He appealed to everyone from presidents to children to CEOs and was accessible to his fans. True to his generous spirit, Mr. Palmer was known for celebrating life and making time for those most important to him. After each round of golf, he would head to the 19th hole, where he enjoyed a Ketel One on the rocks with a lemon twist. It comes as no surprise, then, that longtime friend and 11th-generation patriarch Carl Nolet Jr. and his brother Bob of the Nolet distillery in the Netherlands, producer of Ketel One vodkas and other spirits, have dedicated a bottle of the famed Dutch brand to their dear friend Mr. Palmer, known to them simply as “Arnie.” Using the Arnold Palmer Invitational as a launchpad for Ketel One’s limited-edition tribute bottle, Nolet was on hand to toast to The King. “I felt compelled to do something, to continue his legacy [which is] even more important today than when he was alive,” says Nolet. “Together with his daughter Amy [Palmer Saunders] and many other wonderful folks around us, we want to continue what Arnie stood for.” The bottle, which comes in 750ml

TASTE

and 1L sizes, features a nostalgic blackand-white vignette of Mr. Palmer on the course and reads: “Dear Mr. Palmer, This one’s for you.” It’s accompanied by Mr. Palmer’s iconic signature and the open golf umbrella in red, yellow, white and green that has been his company logo since 1961. On the bottle the 10th-generation

Car-

olus Nolet’s signature is replaced by Mr. Palmer’s.

“It

was

always

about the family for 325 years, with one excep-

(From left) Arnold Palmer’s signature cocktail, Ketel One on the rocks with a lemon twist; Carl Nolet Jr. of Ketel One vodka holds the Arnold Palmer limited-edition collector’s bottle.

tion, which is why this one is so special,” says Nolet. Nolet recalls that the best life advice he ever received came from Mr. Palmer when the two had the opportunity to

going

remember

a Ketel One bar, along with an array of

sign Ketel One bottles

who this was in three

captivating Arnold Palmer memorabil-

together. “I grabbed a

months from now or

ia, including his Masters’ win medals,

Ketel One bottle and I

five years from now.’

1960 U.S. Open winner’s trophy, winning

put what I thought was my signature on

When you have the opportunity to share

scorecards and original photos. It also

it,” he says. “He looked at it, then looked

a family legacy, respect it and make sure

featured memorabilia from another of his

me straight in the eye and goes ‘What

it’s legible. From that moment on, I wrote

passions, flying.

In addition to honoring Mr. Palmer with the bottle, Ketel One donated a $100,000 check to Arnie’s Army, the charity Mr. Palmer founded that supports children and families in need. The company presented this check to his daughter, is this? It’s chicken scratch!’ He gave me

my name legibly on every bottle.”

Amy Palmer Saunders, who was present

the life lesson right there to make sure

To honor their friendship, Ketel One

your name is legible. If you look at his

constructed a tent on the 18th hole at

“He’s missed,” says Nolet of this year’s

signature, it’s absolutely perfect. He is

this year’s invitational, calling it Club

Arnold Palmer Invitational. “You come to

the master of that. He said, ‘Nobody is

Ketel One. The massive tent featured

the realization that when you walk here,

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

at Club Ketel One.

STEVE MILLER FOR KETEL ONE VODKA

“If you start peeling back the onion, there’s nothing but an incredible heart,”

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TASTE

you see his likeness placed everywhere, and you can’t just walk up to him.” The Nolet fam-

Club Ketel One, located at the 18th hole of the Bay Hill Course at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, featured Mr. Palmer’s memorabilia and a Ketel One bar.

ily’s friendship with Mr. Palmer started about 20 years ago when his late-wife Winnie said in an interview that Mr. Palmer’s favorite meal was his meatloaf, his mashed potatoes and his two Ketel Ones. Although a friendship kindled, it wasn’t until Winnie asked the Nolet family to do something special for Mr. Palmer’s 70th birthday that they forged a truly memorable relationship. Winnie called up Nolet asking what Ketel One could do for Mr. Palmer’s birthday ing but an incredible heart,” says Nolet.

since he was a man who had everything.

going to last many years,” Nolet says. “As

“She sent us his 9-iron, golf balls and oth-

long as I’m on this planet, he will be at the

Mr. Palmer was a private man, but the

er clubs, and we had it frozen into an ice

forefront of my thinking and the forefront

fun was never done. Nolet recalls one of

bar,” Nolet says. “He was mesmerized by

of what we’re doing. We will continue to

the last times he golfed with Mr. Palmer at

the entire thing.”

help out his wonderful charity [Arnie’s

a private course they frequented in South-

Army] and his fantastic golf tournament.”

ern California. Mr. Palmer shot a 168-yard

Nolet said their friendship was family A bronze statue of Arnold Palmer was unveiled before the start of this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

based and thrived on

Nolet, who had the privilege of golf-

shot with a 9-iron that landed eight feet in

“integrity and authen-

ing with Mr. Palmer, says that despite the

front of the hole. “I was puzzled because

ticity,” things Mr. Palmer

legend’s iconic golfing accomplishments,

there’s an age difference between the

stood for. “This [relation-

he was a charitable family man. “If you

two of us and for him to hit a 9-iron 168

ship] is something that’s

start peeling back the onion, there’s noth-

yards, that’s a big shot,” Nolet says with a chuckle. “When we were walking down to the green, the caddy nods [at me] and lifts a club. It was 6-iron.” If you look past the medals, the trophies and the titles, Mr. Palmer was a family man, a charitable man and a role model through and through. While The King is no longer here with us, we’re raising a glass to toast the legacy he left behind: Dear Mr. Palmer, this one’s for you. Visit ArniesArmy.org

34 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Speak without saying anything

TECH REPORT BY SIMON MURRAY

Cirrus Aircraft’s SR22 G6 gets ready for takeoff.

CLOUD NINE AND A HALF

Cirrus Aircraft’s SR22 has a long and storied history of taking owners above the clouds. The all-new G6 continues that tradition.

nless you’re new to general aviation or have been under a rock for the past decade, you’ve heard of the Cirrus SR22. That’s because of one simple fact: the SR22 holds the title of the world’s best-selling general aviation airplane and has held

36 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

it every year since 2003. To reach that rarefied stratosphere, however, the SR22 needed to outmaneuver (in more ways than one) the established industry leaders in its class. Its unveiling turned the industry on its head: this “plane with the parachute” had the ability to survive a tailspin. The history of aviation is one of game changers. In the last half century alone, the Beechcraft Bonanza, Cessna 172, Mooney M20 and a handful of others have pushed the envelope. Viewing the sky as a laboratory, these companies nudged aviation design forward in many ways. Still, in an industry of game changers, Cirrus Aircraft Corporation—originally Cirrus Design—broke the mold. Unveiling a revolutionary airplane called the SR20, its line has since grown to include the SR22 and SR22T: singleengine, five-seater, piston-powered machines considered to be the Porsches of small aircraft today. When brothers Dale and Alan Klapmeier started building kit airplanes in the basement of their parents’ barn in Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1984, they realized that with a few tweaks to the design

TECH REPORT

of their amateur-built prototype they could introduce the market to a new-generation airplane. From the very beginning, what would become the Cirrus SR20—Cirrus Design’s VK-30—was designed as a five-seat aircraft, making it significantly larger than most home and kit-built aircraft at the time. It featured Clockwise from top: The SR22 G6’s an all-composite conseats boast carbon lunar grey leather struction, had a low drag and recline for your convenience; design and possessed a throttle quad; yoke and digital mid-engine placement for backup; headset holders; Cirrus a 300 hp Continental IOPerspective+ by Garmin; QUERTY 550-G engine. flight management system. By 1998, the Klapmeiers certified the SR20. By 1999, they were delivering it to customers. The SR20 was a boundaries-pushing aircraft, setting a number of milestones. It was the first manufactured aircraft to be completely constructed of composite materials, have side-yoke flight controls and feature the option of full flat-panel avionics with dual 10- or 12-inch flight displays. Most notable of all, however, it was the first production general aviation aircraft with a parachute. “What we’re after is making aviation safer,” said Dale Klapmeier, CEO of Cirrus Aircraft, at the time. “We want our airplanes to be the safest airplanes. That’s why we design them; that’s how we design them.” Probably no technology that Cirrus has introduced has been more revolutionary to the aviation industry than the parachute system, or CAPS (Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System). CAPS was an integral part of the Cirrus SR20 development from initial conception. Alan Klapmeier, Dale’s brother, was inspired after surviving a mid-air collision early in his career. He wanted the SR20 to have some form of life-saving device if a pilot lost control. It is now standard on all of their general aviation airplanes. Fast forward to today, where Cirrus Aircraft has announced

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

the launch of the all-new G6: the smartest, safest and most advanced model of the SR20, SR22 and SR22T (“T” standing for turbocharged, of course) piston airplanes. The benchmark for high-performing, single-engine aircraft has been raised once again by Cirrus. Recent improvements include the just-unveiled ultra-high speed Cirrus Perspective+ by Garmin flight deck, the luxury automotive-inspired Cirrus Spectra wingtip lighting and premium cockpit connectivity solutions. These enhancements will take customers to new heights. Pushing the line between performance and comfort, the SR22 G6 delivers, giving new excitement to the freedom of flight.

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2018 MERCEDES AMG GT R REDEFINING SUPERCAR PERFORMANCE

BY DOM MILIAN0

ERMANS ARE NOT TYPICALLY GIVEN TO hyperbole. But when Tobias Moers, the head of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division, says about the

Mercedes-AMG GT R, “We put everything into this car. We invested all our heart and soul into it…” you better sit up and pay attention! That’s because the AMG Petronas Formula One team has dominated F1—the pinnacle of motorsports—for three seasons, winning 51 of 59 races and earning three driver and manufacturer championships. Mercedes-Benz has made it clear that they are in motorsports to expand their corporation’s technical and engineering knowledge and then apply what they have learned to the cars they sell. Nowhere is that more apparent than with the soon-to-be-released Mercedes-AMG GT R, a Mercedes-Benz they call “a track car off the showroom floor.” Unique to the AMG brand are handmade “One Man – One Engine” (signed by the craftsman who built it) power plants. The new Mercedes-AMG GT R boasts a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8-rated 577-hp at 6,250 rpm. More impressive is the 516 lb-ft of torque that it makes between 1,900 and 5,500 rpm. While horsepower figures make the headlines, torque—especially torque this strong coming on at such low engine rpm—is what

40 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

gives that satisfying push you feel in your

sion is located between the rear wheels.

back when you press down on the accel-

AMG has added several design fea-

While the engine and transmission

erator. Torque, every racecar driver will

tures perfected on the track to help get

have been designed to deliver maximum

tell you, is your friend!

all of the GT R’s power to the road. The

acceleration, the Mercedes-AMG GT R

speeds at the limit.

An engineering trick AMG learned from

most innovative is electronic limited slip

would certainly be less exciting to drive

Formula One is where best to bolt the tur-

differential and the availability of nine

without superior handling performance

bochargers for maximum efficiency. Rather

levels of rear-axle traction control. Using

to match. AMG has that covered, too.

than placing them outside of the cylinder

a rotary switch on the center console, the

Dipping into their racecar bag of tools,

banks, they have been located within the

driver can select the grip level desired

the engineers have built a suspension

“V”. Engineers call this an “inside hot V”

given the road or track conditions. Level

that mirrors what they use on the track in

design. AMG claims, “The benefits are: a

1 is programmed to deal with reduced

their AMG GT3 customer sport and the

compact engine design, instantaneous re-

grip conditions such as rain. This adds a

German Touring Car Masters Series cars.

sponse from the turbochargers—free from

level of safety reserve by allowing mini-

First, wishbones, steering knuckles and

turbo lag—and low exhaust gas emis-

mal slip of the tires. At the other end of

hub carriers on the front and rear axles are

sions thanks to optimum air flow for the

the spectrum, Level 9 allows for maxi-

manufactured entirely out of forged alu-

close-coupled catalytic converters.”

mum slip. During acceleration, when the

minum in order to reduce the unsprung

Although the car’s motor is in front of

wheels reach the

weight. Racing experts

the driver, AMG describes the GT R as

driver-programmed

know that excessive

front-mid engine. Placing the engine far-

level of slip, trac-

unsprung weight wors-

ther back and lower in the chassis results

tion control mod-

ens wheel control un-

in a slight rearward weight bias, approxi-

ulates the engine

der hard acceleration

mately 47% front and 53% rear. With less

or braking. The dou-

weight on the front wheels, this scheme

ble-wishbone

gives the car more nimble handling, and

plants the wheel firmly

with a little more weight out back, the rear

with minimal flexing.

tires have more traction. That’s win/win!

The benefits are a compact engine design, instantaneous response from the turbochargers—free from turbo lag—and low exhaust gas emissions thanks to optimum air flow for the closecoupled catalytic converters.

Another race-bred design feature is the transmission. It’s a seven-speed, dual-clutch, automated manual design. The driver has the option of selecting one of several modes: Comfort, Sport,

output so that this level is not exceeded

Sport Plus, Individual and Race. Each

and the vehicle continues accelerating.

varies the way the computer-controlled

The effect of the electronic limited-slip

transmission shifts based on whether it is

differential—a technology that ensures

being driven on a racetrack or the street.

power is sent to both rear wheels—is

Of course, there is also a pure manual

also included in the adjustments. AMG

mode allowing the driver to shift gears

claims that all of this computer-controlled

using racecar-like behind-the-steering-

magic takes place without lag. They say

wheel paddles. To help further improve

it not only improves the grip of the driv-

overall weight balance, the transmis-

en wheels, but also increases cornering

42 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

design

The Mercedes-AMG GT R set the fastestever lap time on Nürburgring Nordschleife in a test drive Because this results in high camber and toe-in stability, the driver is provided with the potential for fast speeds and excellent road feel when cornering at the limit. The designers also learned the unique

adaptive damping system. Everything is

qualities and adjustability of a suspension

computer controlled and automatically

design called coil-over. As in professional

adapts the shock absorber damping to

motorsport, a coil-over design gives driv-

the current handling situation, speed and

This brief article can only touch on

ers the ability to select their personal set-

road conditions. Damping is modulated

the impressive technical achievements

up and infinitely adjust the spring preload.

rapidly and precisely by separate valves

AMG has built into the new GT R. From

This makes it possible to set the amount

for rebound (downward) and compres-

aerodynamic tweaks that improve top

of dive experienced on heavy braking and

sion (upward) in the shock absorbers.

speed stability to fade-resistant race-in-

The new Mercedes-AMG GT R boasts a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8rated 577-hp at 6,250 rpm.

happens without driver intervention.

body roll in hard cornering. Essentially,

One last thing about suspension: as

spired brakes, this car will make a drive

the driver can tailor the grip of the Mer-

standard equipment, a first-in-an-AMG

to work or around a racetrack a memora-

cedes-AMG GT R precisely to what’s re-

active rear-wheel steering system has

ble experience. Cossetted in racecar-like,

quired, be it personal preferences or the

been installed. This provides an ideal

supportive

characteristics of a particular racetrack.

combination of agility and stability, han-

by carbon-fiber accents and, more im-

bucket

seats

surrounded

The GT R’s coil-over suspension is

dling characteristics normally in direct

portant, carbon-fiber components that

combined with a system called AMG

conflict. This by-wire system adjusts the

add strength while removing perfor-

RIDE CONTROL, which makes the

angle of the rear wheels within a pre-

mance-robbing weight, the driver will be

suspension a continually variable and

defined operating map. Up to a speed of

confident that he or she has one of the

62 mph, the rear wheels are turned in the

most exciting automobiles in the world. If

opposite direction to the front wheels. In

you’re still not convinced, here’s one more

effect, this shortens the wheelbase, mak-

interesting tidbit: the Mercedes-AMG GT R

ing the Mercedes-AMG GT R more agile.

just set the fastest-ever lap time on the

A side benefit is greater driving enjoy-

Nürburgring Nordschleife in a test drive

ment and less steering effort, especially

independently conducted by the maga-

on small and winding roads, narrow race-

zine Sport Auto. In a time of 7:10.9, it was

tracks and slalom or autocross courses.

faster through the Green Hell—nickname

Further benefits include increased ma-

for the 12.9-mile track given by F1 champ

neuverability and a smaller turning circle

Sir Jackie Stewart—than any other road-

in everyday driving situations, especially

going sportscar ever tested by the motor-

helpful when parking. Naturally, all of this

ing magazine.

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

St. Barths The Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Elite Getaway

Beyond the allures of its storied opulence, St. Barths is ideal for a tropical recharge. The French island in the West Indies boasts a particular savoir vivre, while dramatic mountains, isolated stretches of beach and rocky cliffs invigorate your soul and make you an instant convert. BY EMMA REYNOLDS

44 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Boats docked in the BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017 Caribbean 45 Sea at St Barths.

There’s a reason that actors, socialites

exploring, this feels like no other Carib-

vance through St. Barths Commuter or

and billionaires alike retreat to the is-

bean destination.

Winair. It’s a short flight, but that doesn’t

land of St. Barths year after year. While

make the trip any less daunting. The run-

its cerulean waters and mountainous ter-

GETTING THERE

way at St. Barths’ Gustaf III Airport is the

rain are enough to captivate any lucky

There are no direct flights to the island,

shortest in commercial aviation. Pilots

traveler, the unique laissez-faire Carib-

so unless you charter a small private air-

land between wind-buffeted peaks and

bean vibe fused with the sophistication

craft, your best option is flying into St.

your stomach loops as the plane brakes

of Saint-Tropez are what keep people

Maarten’s Princess Juliana Internation-

hard 15 feet before roaring ocean waves.

coming back. St. Barths, which blends

al Airport before catching a dozen-seat

Dangerous? No. Exhilarating? Yes.

European and Creole traditions, offers a

puddle-jumper or ferry to the island. The

Those seeking a not-so-thrilling arrival

unique brand of luxury that remains un-

15-minute flights must be booked in ad-

can catch a 45-minute ferry ride to the ma-

pretentious in all its glory. This overseas territory of France has exclusivity to spare with its luxury shops, superyacht-paneled marina and star-studded clientele. Yet it remains a feet-in-the-sand hotspot where barefoot locals blend with Birkin-toting travelers. In fact, what intrigues people most about the island is how it makes you feel like a seasoned local, glitz and all. With no seedy neighborhoods to avoid and every inch of the nine-square-mile island worth The Eden Rock–St Barths Sand Bar restaurant looks great by night or by day; Bonito St Barths brings chic elegance to the table.

46 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

rina. You can buy your tickets in advance from Great Bay Express or the Voyager. WHERE TO STAY The best time to make your way to St. Barths is November through June. The peak season falls between December and January

and

requires

reservations at least six months in advance. Luxury

accommo-

dations aren’t hard to

Shallow lagoons that surround the island are great for snorkeling and swimming; Eden Rock–St Barths overlooks St. Jean Bay.

come by, although behemoth,

all-inclusive,

commercialized resorts are foreign to the island’s

Saline Beach remains both a local and visitor’s favorite for its untouched stretch of sandy beach free of restaurants, bars and shops. The beach is remote enough that it requires a five-minute walk after

boutique vibe. For complete seclusion,

family-friendly getaway, Le Guanahani

parking, taking you up a slight rocky

Hotel Le Toiny is your answer. Located on

offers five-star accommodations com-

pathway and down a lush-paneled cres-

the area of the island referred to as Côte

plete with an itinerary of fun adventures

cent before hitting the beach. It’s one

Sauvage, it has 14 private luxury villa

for the family and the choice to relax on

of St. Barths’ only fully nude beaches,

suites that span the hotel’s 42-acre prop-

not one, but two pristine beaches.

though still perfect for swimmers of all

erty and boasts a coastal-chic aesthetic.

If you want to forgo a hotel, renting

ages and sinking your feet in the sand.

If you want to mingle with the who’s

a villa offers a home-away-from-home

Gouverneur Beach is a hidden gem

who of the island, Eden Rock-St Barths

experience with luxury amenities and

that lies between Saline Beach and the

is the splashy place to stay. Located on

heightened privacy. St. Barths Properties

downtown capital of Gustavia. Shallow

St. Jean beach, this mainstay has some of

offers one- to eight-bedroom palatial villas

reefs make this spot perfect for snor-

the finest dining and luxury villas on the

throughout the island and will take care of

keling along the shore or cooling off in

island. Its suite Villa Rockstar is complete

all your needs: from airport transfers and

the waves. Yachts routinely dock here

with a full recording studio and has be-

dinner reservations to organizing day ex-

and set up camp for the day, so don’t be

come home away from home for such art-

cursions or booking a babysitter. Most vil-

surprised if you see impeccably dressed

ists as Kenny Chesney and Mick Jagger.

las are fully staffed, and laundry, cleaning

For couples who want an elegant

and even cooking are left to professionals.

and romantic stay, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France sits along the arc of Fla-

BEACHES

mands Beach and has hosted the likes of

As pure and natural as the cuisine, all

Marc Jacobs, Jay Z, Beyonce and Ryan

16 beaches are pristine, white-sanded

Seacrest. The hotel has rooms and suites

oases. Surrounded by shallow lagoons,

along the beach and secluded bunga-

they are perfect for snorkeling, diving

lows in the garden at the back. For a

and boating in the azure waters.

“It remains a feetin-the-sand hotspot where barefoot locals blend with Birkintoting travelers.” BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

crewmen

assembling

chaises

and

umbrellas and unloading coolers of rosé. For a more lively scene, head to St. Jean, whose turquoise waters invite more adventurous guests to windsurf, paddle board and frolic in its waves. Much-needed lunch breaks are easier on this part of the island, where you have nonstop fun and ample people-watching at Nikki Beach, La Plage and Eden Rock-St Barths. When your day of fun is over, locals and visitors alike head to Shell Beach, comprised of millions of thumbnail-sized shells of all colors and shapes. This unparalleled sunset view offers a chance to

ren, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton, Her-

at the brand’s latest

kick off your shoes and hop in the water

mès and Tourbillon Boutique. Yet there’s

pieces while sip-

while the bartender salts your margarita.

also a distinct island-chic vibe with Ca-

ping on a cocktail.

From top: Eden Rock–St Barths’ juice bar serves up refreshing beverages; a lush, sandy pathway guides visitors to the popular Saline Beach.

lypso for boho-chic kaftans, Poupette

In St. Jean, you’ll

WHERE TO SHOP

with bold-patterned airy dresses and

find more beach-

Gustavia, the capital and port of the is-

Mademoiselle

inspired wear from chic boutiques such

land, and St. Jean, the second-largest

warm-weather staples.

Hortense

for

classic

as Filles des Iles, Hartford, Terra and Kiwi

hotspot, are the two main shopping

After shopping, stop in at Carre d’Or

and dining areas. Gustavia brings a

plaza to get a cocktail and gaze at the

Fifth Avenue sensibility to a stretch of

stark-white mega-yachts bouncing at the

WHERE TO EAT

superyacht-lined streets with Dolce &

marina. Or, head to Dolce & Gabbana’s

When you’re ready for lunch, enjoy

Gabbana, Cartier, Bulgari, Ralph Lau-

brand-new Martini Bar for a sneak peek

some of the island’s freshest meals at

St.-Tropez.

one of Eden Rock-St Barths’ chic lunch spots, Sand Bar, on St. Jean Beach with a menu from the notable French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Don’t let the name fool you: the best-dressed and most well-connected folk come here for a midday meal. (Eden Rock-St Barths’ On The Rocks restaurant is perfect for dinner.) If you opt for something more upbeat, no place is more lively than Nikki Beach. Known for massive seafood boats, early-afternoon bottle service and dancing on the tables well into the night, this St. Jean hotspot gives you a chance to experience

48 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

vibe, it serves up some of the best caviar, seafood and truffle-infused dishes. You can find the finest Italian food at Gustavia’s L’Isola, a romantic spot that transports you to the heart of Rome. The best casual Italian can be found at its daughter restaurant down the street L’Isoletta,

for

“The peak season falls between December and January and requires reservations at least six months in advance.”

nights when you don’t

Bonito’s cold pea soup with citrus zest and milk-fed pork confit please the palate.

dressing up.

the island’s wild social scene. For a more reserved lunch-

for late-night dinners. Everyone on St. Barths is active,

Though it may

and exercise doesn’t require a gym. In-

sound trite to say

stead, your workout lies in the hilly ter-

ing experience, Grain de Sel

each

restaurant

rain. Before the midday sun wears you

near Saline Beach serves up

has the freshest

down, head out for a morning hike to

burgers and salads, while

seafood, this is

the famed “washing machine” in Grand

Le Select in Gustavia (which

nonetheless true.

Fond, which spans rocky cliffs and leads

inspired

Buffett’s

L’Espirit Saline, on

you to a natural pool whose tides mimic

“Cheeseburgers in Paradise”)

the more tranquil

the swirling water of a washing machine.

has greasy burgers in a no-frills

side of the island,

A trek to Colombier Beach, though not

Jimmy

setting. When the sun goes

has been a staple

for the faint-hearted, is a local favorite.

down, bikinis are traded for Louboutins

for decades and remains one of the most

This isolated haven is accessible only by

and the island starts living up to its glam-

consistently delicious hubs.

boat or a 30-minute downhill hike.

orous reputation. St. Barths rivals the south of France for award-winning chefs. PHOTOS BY ROMEO BALANCOURT, LAUREN BENOIT AND EDEN ROCK–ST. BARTHS

feel

Bagatelle, an offshoot of the original

St. Barths is famous for its nightlife.

in New York City’s Meatpacking District,

New York hotspot 1Oak just planted

A trip to St. Barths isn’t complete

offers phenomenal cuisine and turns into

roots here, and Le Ti St-Barth, the rau-

without a visit to Maya’s, a restaurant

a club at 10 p.m. The neighboring Baz

cous and kitschy nightclub, is a must for

loved by every celebrity from Paul Mc-

Bar offers a more local feel with reggae

those wanting to experience authentic

Cartney and Ellen DeGeneres to Rus-

music and serves some of the best su-

St. Barths after hours. If you’re looking

sian billionaire Roman Abramovich and

shi on the island as guests dance to live

for a post-1:00 a.m. party, search no fur-

Leonardo DiCaprio. You can enjoy its

music. Jon Bon Jovi and Jimmy Buffett

ther than Modjo St. Bart’s.

renowned mahi mahi and fresh vegeta-

are no strangers to picking up guitars

Despite St. Barths’ proclivity for at-

bles as you gaze out at the waters and

and entertaining guests with a late-night

tracting elite and discerning travelers,

experience the breezy Caribbean night.

show when they’re in town for the Christ-

the life, love and creativity that charac-

Reservations get swiped up quickly here,

mas season.

terize the island can be enjoyed by all

so be sure to book your dinner months

and are what keep this island buzzing. WHAT TO DO

One thing is for certain: you’ll never want

The Latin-French restaurant Bonito

If there’s one thing uniform about the St.

to leave this idyllic paradise.

will quickly become your favorite. Boast-

Barths scene, it’s how laid-back and re-

ing

served it is by day. So leave your heels

in advance.

Hamptons-meets-South-Beach

Visit StBarth.com to book your trip.

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

RACING

Improves the Breed Audi and Mercedes Impress at Daytona 24 Hours By Dom Miliano

50 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the 2017 Daytona 24.

There are lots of reasons a manufactur-

critical data they need to make improve-

on Monday. Everyone loves a winner and

er goes through the effort and expense

ments. That’s why automotive experts

if your car is performing better on track

of transporting their cars to the track to

claim “racing improves the breed” and

than Brand X, you can use that fact to en-

compete against other companies. Pres-

why many of the world’s top manufactur-

tice customers to buy your car over the

tige, of course, is one, but there is more

ers invest millions in racing programs.

“other guy’s.”

to it than that. Racing is the crucible

There are side benefits to racing,

This year, Audi and Mercedes-Benz

of speed that yields an environment in

too. First, you have the opportunity to

each fielded three-car teams in the IMSA

which flaws, often not easily discernible

use motorsport as a learning tool for

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

in testing, become manifest. Engines,

your engineering staff. Things happen at

for the 55th running of the Rolex 24 At

transmissions, brakes and suspensions

a lightning pace. If a system or even a

Daytona. This is significant and, quite

are pushed to the limit. When a compo-

single part underperforms on track, the

frankly, brave because this race is consid-

nent fails, doesn’t perform with the ex-

engineers are challenged to find out why

ered by experts to be the world’s most

pected longevity or sim-

it happened, and before the next race,

challenging endurance contest. This

ply does not measure up

design, build and test a solution.

twice-around-the-clock match is run in

No. 33 consistently remained in the top five throughout the race.

to the challenges, it pro-

Another benefit is the long-held be-

January, shortly after the winter solstice,

vides engineers with the

lief that if you win on Sunday, you will sell

when the weather is coldest and daylight

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

time shortest. I have been on a Daytona 24 Hours pit crew, and 3 a.m. in Daytona Beach, Florida in January (don’t tell the chamber of commerce), can be goshdarn chilly! By contrast, the Le Mans 24 Hour classic—the other well-known endurance classic—is run close to the summer solstice so it’s blessed with warmer weather and lots more daylight. Mercedes-AMG Customer Sports Teams: Racing under the banner of AMG-Team Riley Motorsports, car no.

ond half. They drove into the lead for the

just under six hours

33, co-driven by Ben Keating, Jeroen

first time at 3:10 a.m. Sunday morning,

into the race. Van

Bleekemolen, Mario Farnbacher and

around the race’s 13th hour. In endurance

Gisbergen

Adam Christodoulou, challenged for the

racing, the rules mandate the frequency

his back bumper to

top spot in their class, GTD (Grand Tour-

of driver changes to ensure safety. These

his class for nine laps, the first time a

ing Daytona), throughout the race’s sec-

are done during pitstops for fuel and new

Mercedes AMG has ever led at the Rolex

tires. Two of the four drivers, Christodou-

24 and in IMSA competition. The team

lou and Bleekemolen, during their stints

continued to run strongly through Satur-

behind the wheel led the race eight dif-

day night but was later retired from the

ferent times for a total of 106 laps. The

event when MacNeil spun in cold and

two other team members rarely dropped

wet conditions, making contact with a

car no. 33 out of the top five.

barrier at 4:20 a.m. MacNeil was unin-

The team’s bid for victory came down to a final 2.5-hour stint with Bleekemolen

showed

AMG-Team Jeroen Bleekemolen, Mario Farnbacher, Ben Keating and Adam Christodoulou.

jured, but the no. 50 was too damaged to continue.

at the wheel. He was able to hold the lead

The third member of the Mer-

until the final 70 minutes. Despite their

cedes-AMG Customer Sports teams was

rookie status in a difficult and caution flag–

the SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG

filled race, they made marque history with

GT3, no. 75. It was the highest qualifier

a solid third-place finish.

of the three Mercedes-AMG entries and

In addition to the impressive run by

the first to race into the top 10. Boris

Team 33, the no. 50 WeatherTech Rac-

Said, teamed with Kenny Habul, Tristan

ing Mercedes-AMG GT3 was actually the

Vautier, Maro Engel and Paul Morris, took

first car to make Rolex 24 racing history

the wheel in the 18th starting place. Bo-

for Mercedes. Drivers Cooper MacNeil,

ris, a seasoned and successful veteran of

Gunnar Jeannette and Thomas Jaeger

road-course racing, improved five posi-

all played a vital role in getting the car

tions on the very first lap and then drove

into the lead despite starting deep in the

to a race-high seventh early in the sec-

GTD field. With Shane van Gisbergen at

ond hour. Despite his behind-the-wheel

the wheel, no. 50 worked its way up from

heroics, the SunEnergy1 team later lost

the 24th spot to take the class lead after

more than a dozen laps in the fourth hour

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

when a pitstop incident damaged the re-

straight away. It’s been great; I’ve had

in recent memory with 15 hours of rain,

fueling system. Later in the race, no. 75

three super quick teammates that have

near-freezing temperatures and 21 yellow

was forced into the garage to investigate

been great to work with. Watching the

flags says a lot about the teams and the

a rear-end issue. This cost the team a

last few laps was pretty nerve-racking.

cars they brought to the endurance classic.

significant amount of time and ultimately

I’m still shaking now, but it’s a brilliant

The Audi R8 LMS Lands Motorsport

played a part in the team’s decision to re-

feeling, so I’m really happy.”

no. 29 took second place following

Audi R8 LMS: Meanwhile, feelings

edge-of-your-seat, wheel-to-wheel rac-

were running high at the Audi paddock as

ing that, after a full day of competition,

After the race, Adam Christodoulou,

well because all three Audi R8 LMS teams

saw them finish fewer than three-tenths

Driver of car no. 33 said, “It’s been a

finished in the top six. They have reason

of a second behind the top spot!

great weekend and it’s been tough. The

to be proud because, again, the Dayto-

Audi no. 57 of Stevenson Motorsports

weather conditions haven’t been the

na 24 hours requires teams to battle a lot

returned to Daytona for the second time

nicest, but working with AMG-Team Ri-

more than just other cars. The elements,

in the Audi R8 LMS, this time running a

ley has been great. I only met the guys

long hours of darkness and the change-

flawless race and delivering an impres-

two weeks ago and

able January weather can affect how a

sive fourth-place finish, less than six sec-

they just made me

car finishes. Scoring as well as they did in

onds behind the class winner. Stevenson

feel right at home

a race thought to be one of the toughest

Motorsports’ smart strategy, strong crew

tire the car on Sunday afternoon—sadly, before the checkered flag.

The Audi R8 LMS Lands Motorsport no. 29 took second place in the race.

54 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

and skilled drivers were the forces behind their success. The no. 23 Audi R8 LMS of Alex Job Racing finished in sixth place in their first race with the new car. Achieving this high a finish after receiving a significant penalty early in the race, along with fighting the wet and almost icy track conditions and a radio communications issue, showcases the drive, talent and professionalism of this highly respected and success-

street car. This includes the naturally as-

away in Ger-

ful race team.

pirated V10 5.2 liter engine, the Audi

many to make

As the cliché goes, this wasn’t Audi’s

Space Frame chassis and a variety of oth-

their competi-

first rodeo. The manufacturer began a

er components. Here is proof that racing

tion cars fast and reliable also share their

new chapter in 2009 with the introduc-

really does improve the breed.

knowledge with their road car colleagues.

The Audi team: , Christopher Mies, Jules Gounon and Conner De Phillippi.

tion of the Audi Sport customer-racing

While Daytona is a very prestigious

Call it “win on Sunday; sell on Mon-

program. For the first time, Audi made

event, it is just one race in a long season. Be-

day” or, as I believe, “racing improves

it possible for motorsport customers to

cause all three Audi R8 LMS teams finished

the breed,” but knowing that the heart

acquire a factory-prepared racecar spe-

in the top six spots, they captured valuable

and soul of the vehicles you drive to

cifically designed for the highest level of

points that will firmly place Audi in the run-

work, school or on vacation have been

This race is considered by experts to be the world’s most challenging endurance test. track competition. Since inception, the

ning for the 2017 series championship.

forged in the fiery crucible of wheel-to-

success of the R8 LMS has been signifi-

So, what does all this success in racing

cant throughout GT3 racing series world-

say to the buyers of Audi and Mercedes

wide, with multiple victories starting in

automobiles? For one, it is testimony that

Old-time racers have another saying

2012 in the Pirelli World Challenge se-

the fundamental engineering and key

that’s a bit politically incorrect but applies

ries. The all-new R8 LMS had strong en-

components of their automobiles meet

to the benefits gained by the lessons

durance-racing debuts, winning both the

a very high standard. It says that if the

learned in racing: “When the green flag

2015 24 hours of Nürburgring and the

engines, transmissions, brakes and the

drops, the Bull**** stops!” Empty boasts

2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona and conclud-

other important parts can be stressed at

fade into the winter mist if you can’t back

ing the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech season

maximum speed for 24 hours and not just

them up. It was true in the earliest days

with the Manufacturer’s Championship in

endure but surpass the performance of

of motorsports and it’s still true today.

GTD. For buyers of the street version of

other manufacturers, then you can have

Congratulations to Mercedes-AMG

the Audi R8, it’s important to note that

confidence in the quality and ruggedness

and Audi for an impressive start to

the Audi R8 LMS racer shares more than

of their street vehicles. That’s because the

what promises to be an exhilarating

50 percent of its parts with the Audi R8

race engineers and technicians that toil

racing season.

wheel racing is inspiring and validates your purchasing decisions.

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

WRIST WATCHING The true horologist ﬁnds inspiration in the past while looking toward the future. This year’s watch trends typify that philosophy. Timepieces are borrowing from famous watchmakers while incorporating innovative technology and a modern aesthetic. These chronographs will bring together any ensemble while giving everyone a reason to glance at your wrist. BY EMMA REYNOLDS

BAUME & MERCIER CLIFTON CLUB Equally elegant and sporty, the Clifton Club watch is designed for men who want a multipurpose, yet sophisticated sporting watch. The design features a stainlesssteel case with a round opening and a diameter of 42mm to suit all wrist sizes, plus an opalin black dial delivered on a black vulcanized rubber strap with gills. Available at London Jewelers, Saks Fifth Avenue and Blancpain.com, $2,250

ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. A reliable chronograph and bezel with tachymetric scale is perfect for accurately measuring speeds. The 18 CT gold, black dial and Rolex’s classic oyster-style bracelet are the ﬁnishing touches. Available at Rolex Retailers and Rolex.com, $12,400

56 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

JAEGER-LECOULTRE MASTER CHRONOGRAPH This iconic model is reincarnated as part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest collection. The Master Chronograph upholds rigorous performance standards, while its reﬁned design is compelling to those who pursue a sleek aesthetic. The 40mm case size and 11.7mm thickness make it sturdy and masculine, while the blue accents show off an afﬁnity for fashion and luxury. Available at Jaeger-LeCoultre Retailers and JaegerLeCoultre.com, $8,000

MB&F LEGACY MACHINE NO2 TITANIUM The pioneering works of past watchmasters, speciﬁcally Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), Ferdinand Berthoud (1727-1807) and Antide Janvier (1751-1835), inspire MB&F’s titanium piece. The two bespoke balance wheels fly above the movement and dials and compete for attention with the planetary differential sitting proudly at the surface. No less captivating is the turquoise face beneath the delicate machinery. This one is sure to glimmer to all passersby. Available at London Jewelers in Long Island and Manhattan, $138,000

BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS BATHYSCAPHE In 2013, Blancpain brought back the Bathyscaphe diver as part of the Fifty Fathoms collection. Though similar to this model, the 2017 rendition is slightly smaller at 38mm and thinner than previous Bathyscaphe pieces. With a stainless-steel case, automatic date and seconds, a blue dial and a unidirectional satin-brushed bezel with a blue ceramic insert, it’s perfect for everyday wear for the modern man. Available at Blancpain Retailers, price available upon request

F.P. JOURNE VAGABONDAGE III The third and last edition of the Vagabondage limited series is this perfectly mastered soon-to-be-classic. The Flat Tortue case, seen here, is different from the brand’s traditional round cases. The outstanding feature is the digital jumping hours and seconds. A window at 10h displays the digital hour, while another at 6h shows digital seconds. Available at F.P. Journe Retailers, $56,000

BOVET RECITAL 20 ASTÉRIUM Celebrating celestial wonders, this 10-day flying tourbillon takes you on a journey. The night sky is the theme in this intricately designed chronograph. Stars and constellations are laser-engraved on a dome of translucent blue quartz to mimic the real-life sky. The ornate display is at once artistic and functional. Available at BOVET Retailers, $350,000

58 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION CHRONOGRAPH ITALIA INDEPENDENT KING GOLD The expertise of Hublot, Italia Independent and famous Italian tailor Rubinacci fuse to create a collection of timepieces unlike any other Hublot has made before. The Basel 2017 Novelty piece is limited-edition and features authentic fabric from a Rubinacci “Tartan” suit with grey stitching and black rubber. Available at Hublot Retailers and Hublot.com, $35,100

IWC INGENIEUR CHRONOGRAPH EDITION RUDOLF CARACCIOLA Dedicated to Rudolf Caracciola, who won three European Drivers’ Championship crowns in the 1930s, this piece echoes the look of the classic racing cars that brought Caracciola fame. This exclusive chronograph features a stainless-steel case, rhodium-plated hands, a slate-colored dial and a brown calfskin strap. Available at IWC Retailers or IWC.com, $7,150

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

By Dom Miliano

Mercedes-Benz: Advances in Autonomous Driving

iven the state of the current technology, Internet articles announcing the dawn of autonomous driving should earn the dis-

paraging moniker of click bait instead of real news. These posts seem designed to lure you onto an advertisement-filled site where all too often the information leaves you disappointed. While we have lived with science-fiction

depictions of self-driving vehicles for years, reports of stunning breakthroughs are usually revealed as false or, being kind, gross exaggerations. To produce a non-driver-assisted vehicle that can safely navigate through streets, parking lots and highways, many complex components or systems have to be integrated and perform flawlessly. So far, no one has successfully brought such a vehicle to the market. But wait, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more! Despite the current reality of not being able to buy a true self-driving car, manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz are not only working hard on developing them, but also already integrating technology that ultimately will become part of a completely autonomously driven vehicle. Here are some exciting features that come as standard equipment or are available as options on the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. DRIVE PILOT: This system represents one of many designed by Mercedes-Benz as part of their strategy to bring true autonomous-driving capabilities to the marketplace. This optional feature,

60 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Mercedes-Benzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Luxury in Motion is being dubbed the â&#x20AC;&#x153;car of the future,â&#x20AC;? as the luxury auto company is pushing the boundaries to deliver an autonomous driving vehicle to consumers.

Currently, the E-Class Sedan is the most technologically advanced sedan on the market, which aims to help minimize the chances of an accident.

called Distance Pilot DISTRONIC®, works

of Steering Pilot is that it can actively

only if its camera and radar systems con-

on multilane highways and two-lane

continue to intervene by taking into ac-

firm the lane is unoccupied.

country roads. When engaged by the

count the surrounding vehicles and ob-

These systems are designed to make

driver, it not only automatically maintains

structions, even if the painted lines on

driving much safer and easier, especially

the preselected distance from the vehi-

the road are faded or nonexistent. Like

in heavy traffic. As you can imagine, they

cle in front, but also can follow traffic at

Distance Pilot, this system continues to

will be an integral part of an autonomously

speeds of up to 130 mph. (Spoiler alert:

function at highway speeds.

driven vehicle.

just because it’s being done by a com-

Additional

DRIVE

PILOT

innova-

puter doesn’t make triple-digit speeds

tions include (for the first time on a Mer-

ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST WITH CROSS-

legal or safe!). This “smarter than the

cedes-Benz) Active Lane-change Assist.

TRAFFIC FUNCTION: This is another

average cruise control” system is de-

This radar-and-camera-based system aids

optional system that, compared with the

signed to make driving easier. In most

the driver when changing lanes. Once the

standard version on the current E-Class, will be effective at higher speed thresholds with respect to vehicles and pedestrians. That means it can detect crossing traffic at intersections and, if the driver fails to respond, apply the brakes Active Lane-change Assist helps drivers change lanes using a radar- and-camerabased system.

autonomously. Another first: it can detect hazardous situations as the vehicle approaches the tail end of a traffic jam. If

there is no room to maneuver, it will warn the driver and then, if still needed, initiate autonomous braking well in advance. The system is designed to help completely avoid accidents at speeds up to 43 mph or substantially reduce the severity of accidents at higher speeds. EVASIVE STEERING ASSIST: This new highway situations, the system can op-

driver has clicked the turn-signal stalk,

optional system complements the pedes-

erate both the brake and accelerator

the system can steer the vehicle into the

trian-detection function of Active Brake

so the driver experiences less fatigue

selected lane. This feature is especially

Assist. When the driver deliberately or in-

associated with those responsibilities. It

useful when overtaking. Only when the

stinctively performs an evasive maneuver

also gives the driver steering assistance

driver has indicated a desire to change

in a dangerous situation, this function can

from a system called Steering Pilot. The

lanes (i.e., by holding the directional sig-

assist by adding precisely calculated steer-

assist even works on moderate bends,

nal for at least two seconds) will Active

ing torque to support the movement of the

not just on the gentle curves common on

Lane-change Assist help with steering into

steering wheel. This helps the driver avoid

most highways. Another useful feature

the adjacent lane. Of course, it will do this

hitting, for instance, a pedestrian and then

62 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

aids in the straightening-up of the vehicle to allow the situation to be negotiated safely. DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE PLUS: This optional package includes Active Lane Keeping Assist, designed to help stop the driver from unintentionally changing lanes. It works by applying corrective Evasive Steering Assist provides steering support for abrupt moves.

one-sided application of the brakes. The

ing Assistance Package PLUS. It detects a

ter, sharing and receiv-

programming is even capable of keeping

potential lateral collision and moves the

ing safety information

the vehicle in the proper lane when the

driver or front passenger away from the

automatically.

road is striped by broken lines. Another

danger zone by inflating an air chamber in

system in this package is Active Blind Spot

the side bolster of the front seat backrest.

tems alone will not give a vehicle the abil-

Assist, which can warn of the risk of a lat-

Later this year a system called Remote

ity to drive autonomously. However, these

eral collision, a common concern in low-

Parking Pilot will become available, allow-

currently available technologies bring

speed urban traffic.

ing the vehicle to be moved into and out

what some analysts call “semi-autono-

Each of these sys-

PRE-SAFE® PLUS falls more into the

of garages and parking spaces remotely

mous” capabilities to the current market.

category of a safety system but is still

using a smartphone app. This is especially

In fact, an E-Class—a car you can drive to-

worth mentioning. Using sensors and

helpful when parking space is very tight.

day—can park itself, safely maintain a pre-

systems already in the vehicle, it can sense when a collision might be imminent. Then in a split second it performs

several

tasks

to help minimize the effects of the crash on passengers. PRESAFE can detect cer-

Probably the most

Mercedes-Benz is working on these challenges today, and you can bet when autonomous driving vehicles are a reality, theirs will be among the best.

fascinating

selected speed on a highway or country

system—

road, and keep itself in a lane or change

currently available in

lanes when requested without the driver

the 2017 E-Class—is

touching the steering wheel. In addition,

Car-to-X-communi-

the radar and camera sensors can prevent

cation. Like the spot-

collisions with vehicles, obstructions and

ters high on the top

pedestrians ahead and from the side by

of stadiums sending

steering and/or applying the brakes. All

coaching instructions

done without driver intervention!

to players on the field,

It’s only a matter of time until the in-

tain conditions such as

this system exchanges

tegration of these technologies and their

extreme skidding and

information with other

acceptance by the driving public reach-

then tighten the front seatbelts, adjust the

similarly equipped vehicles farther ahead

es a point where autonomously driven

front head restraints and passenger seat,

on the road. This program gives the driv-

vehicles are not only available but desired.

and close the windows and sunroof, all to

er the ability to “see around corners” or

Mercedes-Benz is working on these chal-

better prepare the occupants for more ef-

“through obstacles” well in advance. The

lenges today, and you can bet when

fective results from the restraint systems.

driver will receive an early warning of im-

autonomous driving vehicles are a reali-

With PRE-SAFE®, serious injuries such as

minent danger, such as a broken-down ve-

ty, theirs will be among the best. Watch

whiplash can be minimized in a rear-end

hicle at the edge of the road or heavy rain,

these systems in action at: https://www.

collision. There is also a PRE-SAFE® Im-

snow or black ice. The new E-Class simul-

mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/

pulse Side system that is part of the Driv-

taneously acts as a receiver and transmit-

innovation/autonomous-driving/

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

TREND SETTER

64 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

PHOTOS BY STUART C. WILSON AND EAMONN M. MCCORMACK (GETTY IMAGES FOR LAUREUS)

BY ELAINE DOREMUS

SPORT FOR GOOD: CHANGING THE WORLD Laureus Sport for Good is a nonprofit organization which uses sport as an agent of social change. Highways spoke with Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, 1984 Olympic Gold medal-winning hurdler and CEO of Laureus USA, to understand the scope, impact and future goals of this remarkable organization founded in 2002.

Swimmer Michael Phelps of the U.S., winner of the Laureus World Comeback of the Year, poses on stage with other winners during the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards at the Salle des Etoiles, Sporting Monte Carlo on February 14, 2017 in Monaco.

aureus Sport for Good derives its

first awards. Mandela gave a speech that

gerald Mosley, who assumed the role of

name from the Latin word for lau-

would become the driving force behind

CEO in February 2016. “We use sports to

rel, a crown made of branches and

Laureus and the entire Sport for Good

achieve positive outcomes in education,

leaves worn by ancient Olympians as a

movement. In it, he said: “Sport has the

employment, health and wellness, and

symbol of victory. The name speaks to the

power to change the world. It has the

social cohesion of youth.”

history of the annual Laureus World Sports

power to inspire. It has the power to unite

Fitzgerald Mosley experienced first-

Awards for sporting excellence, which

people in a way that little else does. Sport

hand the positive impact sports can have

served as the genesis of this nonprofit.

can create hope where once there was

on a person’s life. “At the very basic lev-

only despair.”

el, I learned confidence from sports, even

In the late 1990s, South African Johann Rupert, chairman of Richemont,

Inspired by Mandela’s declaration, the

the exploration part of sports,” she says.

envisioned an event to celebrate the

Laureus Academy Members adopted the

“I tried softball and gymnastics and was

best in global sport. He was inspired by

mission of Laureus Sport for Good. Its ini-

not good at those, but the sheer act of try-

how sports had helped unify a racially

tial work focused on helping young people

ing and being part of a team taught me

divided South Africa just emerging from

overcome challenging social issues includ-

to step out and try new things and give it

Apartheid. Collaborating with German

ing poverty, homelessness, war, violence,

my best. I learned that you can’t find your

automaker Daimler, he presented the in-

drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS.

passion without some trial and error. Trying

augural Laureus World Sport Awards in

Since its founding, Laureus sports-related

other sports also helped me build a phys-

Monaco in 2000, spotlighting some of the

community projects have been working to

ical foundation for when I did transition to

world’s greatest athletes.

educate children and bring people from

track and field. I went from being a shy in-

divided communities together.

secure girl to being much more confident.

Honoring the best of the best: the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards gala.

Rupert

invited

his

friend Nelson Mande-

“The organizations we fund are direct

“At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, I

la to Monaco for those

service providers to youth,” Benita Fitz-

won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 500m

66 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

hurdles,” she continues. “I was the first African-American woman to take home gold in that event and continued to advance the Olympic movement throughout my life.” Prior to assuming her CEO role at Laureus USA, Fitzgerald Mosley was the Chief of Organizational Excellence for the US Olympic Committee, leading the USA Track & Field’s 2012 Olympic team to 29 medals in London, its best performance in 20 years.

STUART C. WILSON AND EAMONN M. MCCORMACK (GETTY IMAG ES FOR LAU REUS)

“I call my gold medal the gift that keeps

involved. Ul-

and increase their

on giving, and winning

timately,

impact

was just the tip of the

will

enable

young

people through col-

iceberg,” she says. “Every piece of my

more youth to benefit from quality sport

life—my husband, children, friends, job,

for development programs that are fo-

As Dietmar Exler,

vocation and avocation—are all tied up

cused entirely on making them healthier,

President and CEO

in winning the gold medal.”

happier people.”

laboration.

Mercedes-Benz

From top: Bonita Fitzgerald Mosley, CEO of Laureus USA; the Laureus World Sports Awards trophy and Monaco Harbour; Laureus Academy Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick (left) introduces new members Sir Chris Hoy, Fabian Cancellara and Ruud Gullit.

Fitzgerald Mosley is determined to

Laureus USA recently kicked off Sport

help as many youth as possible achieve

for Good Atlanta, a long-term commit-

from past experience with Laureus in oth-

positive outcomes in their lives. She ex-

ment to strengthening local youth through

er cities across the U.S. that participation

plains: “Laureus USA has enabled sports

the power of sport. Mercedes-Benz USA,

in sports can have a very positive impact

organizations to work together in New

which recently moved their headquarters

on children, specifically their academic

Orleans for the past two years. Instead of

to Atlanta, is supporting this mission to

success. Sports can also provide a unifying

competing for funding and participants,

bring together nonprofit organizations

force that strengthens local communities.

USA, said, “We know

these organizations are now sharing resources and building best practices, which have grown from serving 10,000 youth to impacting 50,000 youth in the New Orleans community. They also are developing into a model that Laureus USA will be able to scale to cities nationwide. We aim to build collaborations like this across the country, bringing together program leaders to share experiences and resources. We know this is the future of the Sport for Good movement and a process that benefits all of the leaders

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

reached over 1.5 million youth since its

been recently appointed to its Board of

we’re looking forward to our partnership

inception in 2002.

Directors. It was 2013 when the organi-

with Laureus USA. It will enable us to har-

Laureus’ work would not be possible

zation first funded the training of football

ness sports to help open future pathways of

without the support of generous donors,

coaches as youth mentors in Englewood,

success for the children of the west side.”

including J. and Arthur Agresta of Benzel-

NJ. The coaches were trained through

Since 2012, Laureus USA has impact-

Busch, who have been long-time support-

Laureus’ partner program, Up2Us Sports.

ed 480,000 youth in the United States.

ers of Laureus. Benzel-Busch has support-

Together, Laureus and Up2Us Sports have

The Laureus foundations globally have

ed Sport for Good since 2013 and J. has

trained more than 3,300 coaches in 82

Clockwise: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award winner Usain Bolt poses with the other award winners for a selfie on stage during the 2017 ceremony; winner of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, gymnast Simone Biles of the U.S. poses with her trophy at the Winners Press Conference; Laureus Academy member Edwin Moses; racing driver Carmen Jorda of Spain; Laureus Academy member Nadia Comaneci.

68 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

STUART C. WILSON AND EAMONN M. MCCORMACK (GETTY IMAG ES FOR LAU REUS)

As a member of the Atlanta community,

cities across the coun to their youth par-

goes on throughout the year around the

ticipants, driving them to set goals and

globe, the annual Laureus World Sports

make better decisions. Training teaches

Awards honor on a global stage the

the coaches how to operate as leaders,

world’s greatest athletes who have been

maintaining a positive culture at practice

nominated by the Laureus Academy mem-

while remaining sensitive to any trauma

bers. This year’s grand gala took place in

their participants may have experienced.

February in Monaco, birthplace of the first

In addition to the important work that

annual awards in 2000. Hosted by Hugh

Grant, it recognized athletes

such

Simone Biles and Michael Phelps from the United States,

President of Benzel-Busch J. Agresta (center) with Teshawn Warren and Jason Perez, Benzel-Busch’s sponsored coaches at Up2Us Sports.

who received awards. The Laureus Academy Members are an exclusive group of 60 living sporting legends under the chairmanship of rugby legend Sean Fitzpatrick. Academy members share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, bring people together and improve the lives of young people around the world. They are passionate about volunteering their time to support the work of Sport for Good. They also vote to decide the winners of the Laureus World Sport Awards. BEN SCH ORNACK “BENZEL-BUSCH IMAGE”

“It was also inspiring to see the first-ever Olympic Refugee Team, led by Tegla Loroupe, win the Laureus Award for Sporting Inspiration,” says Fitzgerald Mosley. “They represented millions of refugees who are currently without a home. It’s great to see the Olympic stage used to highlight an important issue that Clockwise: Laureus World Comeback of the Year winner Michael Phelps of the U.S. and Nicole Phelps; Prince Albert II of Monaco speaks at the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards; Duha Amla (left) and Heni Bizawi of Peaceplayers International talk on stage during the awards ceremony.

our world must face. Sport does have the power to change the world.”

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

IN THE NEWS

A NEW FIELD OF DREAMS BY NICOLE FONZINO

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will unveil this summer in Atlanta.

eather isn’t the only

on the schedule are two presea-

reason

son Atlanta Falcons games. The

nicknamed Hotlanta.

Atlanta

Atlanta United game will be the

These days the city is a hotbed of

stadium’s official kickoff and will

new construction, and no struc-

be followed by a grand opening

ture is more eagerly anticipated

ceremony in August.

all LEED water requirements.

than Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This

Along with its impressive fu-

With its superior sustainability,

entertainment and athletic facili-

turistic look, the stadium already

the stadium will operate using

ty is expected to be unveiled this

has created quite a buzz over its

nearly 29% less energy than most

summer and has fans of two local

high-grade entertainment sys-

other stadiums use.

sports teams, the Falcons and Unit-

tems and sustainable qualities.

ed, thrilled by its debut as these franchises’ permanent home.

Guests will be able to buy food

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will

from some of Atlanta’s favorite

be home to the biggest LED

eateries, including Bruster’s Real

Mercedes-Benz Stadium also

screen of any athletic venue. De-

Ice Cream, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q,

is scheduled to be the site of

veloped by Daktronics, the LED

the Varsity, Delia’s Chicken Sau-

the 2019 College Football Play-

screen will be a massive 360-

sage and Miss D’s Popcorn, to

off Championship game, the

degree halo that will stand 58

name a few.

2020 NCAA Men’s Four game

feet high and 1,075 feet in cir-

For more news and updates

and the 2019 Super Bowl. The

cumference. Additionally, it is the

on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium,

facility’s first contest is an Atlan-

first sporting facility to achieve

please visit MercedesBenzStadi-

ta United game on July 30. Next

LEED Platinum status and meet

um.com.

70 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

BETTER CONNECTIONS LEAD TO A BETTER RESULT

SAM JOSEPH, LUXURY COLLECTION SPECIALIST ated quite a buzz by depicting the royal family. Luxury sellers have a right to expect an agent Sam has proven his outstanding perforwho concentrates exclusively on extraorSelling a property mance to both sellers and buyers by redinary homes in our region. With superiin the luxury arena ceiving the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Exor market knowledge and an impressive demands better conneccellence Sales Award® on the Platinum buyer clientele from the tristate area and tions… and requires an agent Level in addition to earning the desigbeyond, coupled with the resources rewho has been a leader in this nations of Accredited Buyer’s Represenquired to market luxury properties effecsegment of the market for tative (ABR®) and Certified Negotiation tively, Sam Joseph offers a platinum level many years and has the Expert (CNE®). Out of 650 agents, Sam of service to those who want to sell their contacts to make a was recognized as the #1 sales associate home to the luxury buyer. deal happen. in Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices New In 2007 and 2008, Sam was featured Jersey Properties Pinnacle Group division. He as a luxury home specialist in HGTV’s program has also received the coveted Berkshire Hathaway Bought and Sold, where he offered his expertise in upHomeServices Chairman’s Diamond Award. scale listings and celebrity clientele. Since 1992, Sam has lived in Glen Ridge, South Orange Sam has more than 15 years of and Montclair. experience in decorating and Discerning property owners like you require the best repredesign, which enhances his sentation available. Sam’s one-on-one personalized service is talents as a REALTOR®. His unique in today’s real estate luxury arena. Sam does not have design expertise is an invalua cast of agents on a team; you deal directly with him at all able asset to sellers in stagtimes for every aspect of the selling process. ing their homes for maximum Don’t you deserve unique? value. As VP/Creative Director Choose Sam Joseph for personalized platinum service you of Macy’s Herald Square, Sam deserve. drove the vision for the world famous holiday windows and annual Flower Show. Previously, he was window director for London-based Harvey Nichols, where he cre-

SAM JOSEPH Mobile: 917-359-8990 samueliamarealtor@gmail.com www.samjosephrealtor.com

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES New Jersey Properties 695 Bloomfield Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 973-744-5544

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

IN THE NEWS

HONORING

BENZEL-BUSCH

ow there’s another reason Benzel

possible customer service in every aspect

-Busch is one of the most trusted lux-

of our business and have been recognized

ury auto dealers in the tristate area.

by Mercedes-Benz for excellence in cus-

This year, the Englewood-based corporation

tomer satisfaction through winning their

was recognized by DealerRater as the Mer-

Laureates Award. Now to have customers

cedes-Benz Dealer of the Year (NJ) and also

recognize us with consistently high ratings

won the Consumer Satisfaction Award. That’s

for customer satisfaction on DealerRater is

not all. Audi Meadowlands, powered by Ben-

extremely rewarding.”

zel-Busch received the Consumer Satisfaction

The award, granted to only the top 10

Award for the third consecutive year, making

percent of dealerships in the United States

2017 already memorable for the dealership.

and Canada each year, is based solely on

Benzel-Busch President Joseph

online reviews by customers. This is not the

Agresta, Jr. commented, “We always strive

first time Benzel-Busch has been recognized

for excellence in delivering the highest

for its outstanding service, and it certainly won’t be the last. For more information about Benzel-Busch, please visit www.BenzelBusch.com.

ONE GIANT STEP FOR AUDI...

oads? Where Audi is headed in 2017, they don’t need roads. The luxury auto company will try literally to defy gravity by winning Google’s Lunar XPrize, a private competition that will grant $30 million to the first team to land a rover onto the surface of the moon, remotely drive it 500 meters and send back HD images to earth. In collaboration with a Berlin-based engineer group named the Part-Time Scientists, Audi entered the compe-

tition and has been developing the Audi Lunar Quattro to try to clinch the honor. To date, the Audi Lunar Quattro already has won two awards related to the competition. Besides utilizing solar panels to generate power, the Lunar Quattro has four 360-degree wheels, off-roading capabilities, and three cameras, one of which will capture the images in HD. Will the Audi Lunar Rover solve Houston’s problem? We’ll know soon!

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Members of the Benzel-Busch team (top) and Audi Meadowlands team (bottom) proudly pose with their DealerRater awards.

Hudso

IN THE NEWS Guests had the opportunity to view more than 1,100 boat exhibitors.

SHOW A BOATS! BY SIMON MURRAY

bellwether for the $36-billion

the

not-to-be-missed

Yachts Miami Beach along Collins Avenue.

International Boat Show and

The in-water-only display of new and pre-

Yachts Miami Beach are among the most

owned vessels covering more than 1.2-mil-

anticipated boat shows of the year. Manu-

lion square feet from 41st Street to 54th

facturers from around the globe use them

Street is situated across from the legend-

to debut their latest models and unveil

ary Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

exciting innovations in marine technology

a remarkable stand-alone show in its own

and gear. For the second year in a row,

right. A favorite of this boatfest? The gor-

more than 100,000 boating enthusiasts

geous new Superyacht Miami location at

from 35 countries flocked to the iconic

Island Gardens Deep Harbour on Watson

waterside Miami Marine Stadium Park &

Island, accommodating behemoth-sized,

Basin on Virginia Key, where sea trials in

deep draft vessels up to 500 feet.

shows apart from all others.

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

also

U.S. boating industry, the Miami

front of the picturesque skyline set these

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

When boat shows roll into Miami, the world takes notice.

THE DRINK of CHOICE THE DRINK of CHOICE THE DRINK of CHOICE THE DRINK of CHOICE. THE DRINK of CHOICE

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IN THE NEWS

ASTON MARTIN Miami is benignly being invaded by the British luxury car marque. Last fall it was announced that the Aston Martin Residences is to break ground next to the Epic Hotel in downtown Miami. So, what better place than Yachts Miami Beach for the U.S. debut of the Aston Martin powerMore than 150 impressive boats were docked in the water for guests to view.

boat? The residences, which include such

we’re talking the

lavish amenities as a rooftop helipad, a

biggest of all—

superyacht marina behind the building

including

and private outdoor pools on penthouse

jaw-dropping

balconies, form the perfect backdrop for

206-foot 11.11 from Benetti Yachts (the

the $1.6-million powerboat with its sliding

oldest luxury shipyard in the world) and the

deck, wraparound windscreen comprised

brand-new, 180-foot, all-aluminum Quinta

of one piece of sculpted glass, and car-

Essentia. These sublime state-of-the-art

bon fiber dashboard evoking the Aston

megayachts were drool worthy.

the

Martin’s most sophisticated sports cars.

the 76-foot Lagoon Seventy 7’s design simplicity belies such highly sophisticat-

Residences and powerboats seem to

STRICTLY SAIL

ed, innovative features as a forward hull

complement each other, don’t they?

Launching the Oyster 745 last April, Oys-

door that opens out to a private balcony,

ter Yachts’ third hull has arrived stateside.

a large stern platform that serves as a sun-

SUPERYACHTS

The 74-foot sailing vessel made her U.S.

bathing area and a tender dock.

Now in its 29th year, Yachts Miami Beach

debut at the Strictly Sail showcase at the

is bigger than ever. No longer limited to a

Miami Boat Show. The largest sailboat

VROOM, VROOM!

mile-long stretch of docks, the show has

present at the show features Oyster’s con-

The engine companies that put the

returned to the marina at Island Gardens

temporary styling with clean, easily driv-

power in powerboats were on hand at the

Deep Harbour on Watson Island. Island Gar-

en hull lines drawn by Humphreys Yacht

Miami Boat Show. Unveilings includ-

dens can accommodate the big yachts—

Design. The largest catamaran on display,

ed new products from Mercury, Suzuki Marine, Volvo Penta, Honda Marine and more. Evinrude reengineered the E-TEC lineup to produce 30 percent more power while maintaining a fuel efficiency that rivals that of comparable four-strokes. Volvo Penta introduced its new joystick for inboard system on a Tiara 4300. And the all-new Raptor 460 from Indmar Marine Engines has less displacement, is lighter and more powerful, and has better fuel economy than the Ford’s Legacy 460. These aren’t your grandfather’s engines.

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Everything, Anytime, Everywhere Eye to Eye Entertainment is a full service event planning and entertainment company servicing the tri-state area. From corporate events to high-end weddings, founders Paul and Joe Lebo provide high quality work and collaborate with customers to ensure they are completely satisfied every step of the way. With a wide range of services, Eye to Eye Entertainment serves as the one-stop shop for all of your event planning needs, making them the go-to source for everything entertainment related, anytime and everywhere!

EYEtoEYEent@hotmail.com www.EYEtoEYEent.com Weddings - Parties - Corporate Events DJS - Car Service - Entertainment - Photobooth 973.303.9059 | 973.303.9058 #EYEtoEYEent | #LeboTwins

IN THE CIRCLE

BENZEL-BUSCH CONCERT SERIES BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Benzel-Busch announced its 2017 lineup for the dealership’s lauded Concert Series. This year, Benzel-Busch will sponsor performances by Itzhak Perlman, Asia and Paul. (The legendary Dionne Warwick performed on March 3.) Below are some highlights from the dealership’s recent performances, including shows featuring Toni Braxton, Chris Botti, Melissa Etheridge and Darlene Love. For more information, please visit www.bergenPAC.org.

1. Chris Botti performs at bergenPAC 2. Karen Smithmore, Michelle Crawford, Naomi Diggs and Miles Diggs 3. Heather Choi and Dr. Mingi Choi 4. Chantel Shavers 5. Toni Braxton performs at bergenPAC 6. Laura Hoffman and Linda Simon 7. Benzel-Busch cars on display outside of the Toni Braxton show 8. Chris Taccetta and Pamela Sieradzki 9. Hannah, Rebecca Rogers, Sarah and Julia 10. Joe and Claire Cafaro

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

2017 E-CLASS EVENT BENZEL-BUSCH In celebration of the newly launched Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Benzel-Busch invited guests to their Englewood showroom to view the luxury series. Eventgoers had the opportunity to test drive the all-new 2017 E-Class Sedan, the most technologically advanced sedan on the market. Besides the Sedan, Benzel-Busch displayed a BMW 5 Series for a competitive comparison. When not test driving, guests were able to view other displayed cars throughout the showroom, and enjoy light hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and refreshments. People who purchased a vehicle from the dealership that day received a complimentary two-year, prepaid maintenance package with a $500 accessory gift certificate.

1. Elio Perito, Sayo Plaza, Rafael Figueroa, Eli Kalajian 2. Jaime Roberts, Angela Thomas and Jennifer Sweetwood 3. The 2017 E-Class Sedan 4 . Pam Sieradzki, and Sallee Pietri 5. Pat Capasso and Timothy Reilly 6. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bernard and Family 7. Robert and Jennifer Delcalzo 8. Allison Marin, Sayo Plaza, Alix Grubbs, and Justina Tedesco 9. Angela Thomas 10. Staff of Ben and Jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ice Cream

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

IN THE CIRCLE

GALA AUCTION DINNER & DANCE DWIGHT-ENGLEWOOD On February 25, Benzel-Busch supported Dwight-Englewood, a coeducational, independent school in Bergen County, at its 2017 Gala Auction Dinner & Dance. Held at the Glenpointe Marriott in Teaneck, the event’s theme was “Celebrating Children, Inspiring Dreams.” Guests danced to music by On the Move Entertainment, enjoyed dinner, participated in an auction and helped celebrate the evening’s three honorees: Rob DeBellis, Brian Kosnik and Lynne Rullo.

1. Guests 2. Irena Kaham, Lenora Klein, Lino Dumani and Dana Romita 3. Gala panoramic view 4. Gala co-chairs Miyako Schwartz and Kelly Sacks 5. Guests

80 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

Ellen Fadar

What impressed you the most about your buying experience at Benzel-Busch?

Each and every person that I have dealt with, from the one who meets me when bringing my car in for service to the sales manager Joe Herman and our salesman Mike Messina, is committed to making the customer satisfied. At every level, there is an exemplary work ethic and professionalism.

Joe A. Bernard The most striking thing about Benzel-Busch is the professionalism. The Benzel team works more as automobile consultants than sales people. Their friendly, kind approach to helping you with your vehicle needs is top-notch. I have bought six vehicles from BB over the years and now the team is like my extended family.

Jerry Benison I have been with Benzel-Busch for approximately 30 years and have leased nine high-end Mercedes. During this time, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve interacted with sales, service and management personnel and developed close relationships. I feel more like family here than a customer. Consistently the team has been so focused on courtesy, reliability and timely follow-up that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never considered competitive choices.

Jason Malcolm Three words: white glove service. The team at Benzel-Busch provides the highest quality service, from the moment the client starts browsing the showroom to long after the car has been sold. A state-of-the-art service department overwhelms the customer with its attention to detail, periodic checkpoints and updates on the completion of service. I am driving my second Mercedes from Benzel-Busch and I look forward to my third.

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

IN THE KNOW

New York International Auto Show

New Jersey Spring Wine Festival

If you’re a car aficionado, the New York International Auto Show is the place to be. Guests will have the chance to view more than a thousand of the world’s most luxurious autos. WHEN: April 14-23 WHERE: Javits Center, New York, NY TIME: M onday-Saturday 10 AM-10 PM, Sunday 10 AM-7 PM VISIT: AutoShowNY.com

Wine, dine and mingle with friends at the New Jersey Spring Wine Festival. Featuring more than 150 worldrenowned wines, the festival gives guests the chance to taste test all of them while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and live music by guitarist Matt Marshak. WHEN: May 13 WHERE: Hilton, Short Hills, NJ TIME: 7-10 PM VISIT: N ewYorkWineEvents.com/ Events/New-Jersey-SpringWine-Festival-2

Spring Musclepalooza XXV Car Show Are you crazy for muscle cars? If so, come visit the Spring Musclepalooza XXV Car Show, spotlighting some of the world’s most fascinating autos and New Jersey Spring Wine Festival

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

featuring a quarter-mile drag race. WHEN: May 28 WHERE: West Lebanon, NY TIME: Gates open at 7:30 AM VISIT: Hemmings.com/Events/ Musclepalooza

Englewood Hospital’s Annual Gala Join Englewood Hospital in celebrating its annual gala at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This year, the hospital will honor James Klein, MD and Thomas C. Senter, Esq. for their accomplishments. Guests will enjoy a special performance from Grammynominated singer Gavin DeGraw. WHEN: June 17 WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ VISIT: EnglewoodHospitalFoundation. org/Event/2017-Gala

An Evening with Bill Maher For an evening of fun and sly political humor, visit NJPAC and welcome Bill Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time, to the stage. The Emmy Award-nominated host will have you laughing all the way home. WHEN: June 25 WHERE: Prudential Hall, Newark, NJ TIME: 7:30 PM VISIT: NJPAC.org/Events/Detail/ Bill-Maher

EQUI-PHOTO (CLASSIC CAR SHOW)

Classic Car Show Head to the Monmouth Park Racetrack to view more than 100 classic cars. Enjoy live music by the Cameos and a broadcast by one of New Jersey’s top radio stations, 101.5 FM. WHEN: July 9 WHERE: Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport, NJ TIME: Gates open at 11:30 AM VISIT: MonmouthPark.com

Habitat Bergen’s 22nd Annual Gala Join Habitat Bergen as members celebrate its 22nd annual gala at New Jersey’s premier venue, the Venetian. Guests will enjoy a red-carpet

Bill Maher

entrance, entertainment, dinner and the chance to participate in a silent auction and tricky tray. WHEN: May 10 WHERE: The Venetian, Garfield, NJ TIME: 6-10 PM VISIT: HabitatBergen.org

Greater Bergen Community Action’s Annual Spring Gala This year, the Greater Bergen

Community Action will celebrate its 50th year of striving to put an end to poverty in America. The group will commemorate the occasion during its Annual Spring Gala event, where they will honor the Northeast Jersey Legal Services, Center for Food Action, Family Promise, Workforce Development Board and the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative. Proceeds will benefit various funds, including the Lois A. Braithwaite Scholarship Fund. WHEN: April 27 WHERE: The Terrace, Paramus, NJ TIME: 6-9 PM VISIT: GreaterBergen.org/Gala2017

Save the Date

ITZHAK PERLMAN

Classic Car Show

October 21 Bergen PAC Englewood, NJ

BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

number of stitches on the leather interiors of an Audi A8.

Mattias Ekström celebrating his 2016 World Rallycross wins.

endurance before its first race in 2015.

The number of milliseconds it takes an airbag to deflate.

40:

36,520: The

WORLD RALLYCROSS IMAGE: TONY WELAM/EKS/MCKLEIN

The year Audi entered the U.S. market.

The amount Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 Race Car sold for at a Bonhams auction.

The number of miles a Greek taxi driver drove in a Mercedes-Benz, setting a record for the highest mileage driven to date.

$29,650,095 million:

2.9 million: 1968: test the Audi TT’s

traffic each year.

30: The number of hours it took to

38: The number of hours the average American spends sitting in

Quattro secured Mattias Ekström and the EKS RX team the world championship titles.

the World Rallycross. Last year, the Audi S1 EKS RX

75,000: The number of people who attend

NUMBERS

30,000: The number of

parts built into an average car.

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BENZEL-SELECT

BY ELAINE DOREMUS

AT THE PINNACLE OF CARE

n an exclusive interview, Warren Geller, President and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center (EHMC), offers an inside look at how his facility has evolved from

a community hospital into an award-winning medical center that cares for its community. EHMC is a nonprofit health system. What does that mean for patient care and the surrounding community? We provide care to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. We know that the more we can provide care on a proactive basis, the less sick our patients will be in the future. We are constantly striving to be the best for the populations we serve. We think about the needs of our community and invest every dollar earned back into cutting-edge technology and development of new programs. As healthcare is a rising and expensive need, we are charged with providing care in an increasingly efficient

our state-of-the-art, 180,000-square-

manner at a lower cost. Nothing we do would be possible

foot center which houses all oncology

without our Board of Trustees who give their time, energy and

services and experts in one location.

expertise, as well as our generous benefactors.

We also built a new Family Birth

Warren Geller, President and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

Place, where we offer award-winning maternity care in luxury You are in the final stretch of a $50-million capital campaign.

accommodations, as well as a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive

What has this funding allowed you to accomplish?

care unit for our smallest and most vulnerable patients.

Our campaign has raised more than $43,000,000 to date. It is humbling to be the beneficiary of our community’s generosity.

Could you comment on the leadership style and success

The funds raised through this record-breaking philanthropic

that have won you recognition?

initiative will underwrite the single most significant modernization

EHMC is not my hospital; it’s our community’s hospital. I’m

program in the medical center’s history. The centerpiece project

honored and privileged to be the steward of this dynamic ship.

is the Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center,

My goal is to give caregivers and their teams the safest and most

86 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

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BENZEL-SELECT

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

efficient environment possible to deliver care. Our strength is in

to listen. I need to be omnipresent in

our medical staff, nurses, clinical and nonclinical teams. It doesn’t

the hospital and out in the community

matter what your job title is; this is a 100 percent team effort. It is

to observe interactions firsthand. It’s

our responsibility to nurture the next generation of leaders, and I

important, as a leader, to build that time into my daily routine.

strive every day to promote an environment that fosters success.

To accomplish this, I ensure my days are not entirely booked in conference rooms and meetings. I want to be out in the halls,

Tell us about the community partnerships that are integral

listening to our team, to understand what we are doing really

to EHMC’s success.

well and what we can build upon as we strive to achieve optimal

Our medical center enjoys collaborative partnerships with many

performance. It all goes back to being a good listener. Our

local and regional businesses and nonprofit organizations, all

patients and the entire organization love to interact with our

focused on providing access to the highest-quality services for

management team, and we can’t be out there too much. It’s not

all members of our shared communities. Our relationship with

possible to over-communicate. When we are all in agreement on

Benzel-Busch and the Agresta family is one of particular pride.

our standards of excellence, we can rise to the occasion together.

Their brand personifies the highest level of quality and customer care. J. and Arthur Agresta always deliver above and beyond; I am

What do EHMC’s many awards and recognitions mean to you?

proud to call them colleagues and friends. All of us in the service

We receive a multitude of awards for high-quality care and the

industry have a lot to learn from them, and they are willing to

safe experiences we provide. We are not excited as much by the

share. Their generosity and support go a long way toward helping

trophies as by the fabulous outcomes we achieve. Our entire

us achieve our goals.

team puts their personal needs and interests aside to focus on our patients, and these awards reinforce our standards of

You are known to make frequent patient rounds as well as

excellence. They are a testament to the effort it takes to provide

interact with employees in your organization and be active

the level of care our community demands and deserves, and

in the community. Why is this important to you?

help our team members feel encouraged by the positive impact

An important component of quality leadership is the ability

they are making on our patients and families.

88 BENZELBUSCHHIGHWAYS.com SPRING 2017

2017 E-Class Sedan

I LY G AD N I R VA N I C ED. I N S P

The 2017 E-Class Sedan, a step into the future of automotive innovation is available now at Benzel-Busch. It is perhaps the most technologically advanced sedan of all time, with the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first series production vehicle to exchange information with other vehicles on the road. Available with advanced assistance systems such as DYNAMIC SELECT, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. Benzel-Busch provides a range of service offerings that deliver an unparalleled ownership experience centered on transparency, honesty, integrity, and trust.

32064 E-Class_Highways.indd 1

SI G

TE C IC

E T N

Awarded the Sales and Service Laureates Award from Mercedes-Benz and named Customer Champions Honoree by 1to1 Magazine for excellence in customer service. Experience why Benzel-Busch is Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier automotive dealership. Arrange to meet with your own Personal Account Representative today to take an up-close look at the 2017 E-Class Sedan or start your journey at benzelbusch.com. 2017 CONSUMER SATISFACTION AWARD

2017

Mercedes-Benz Dealer in:

NEW JERSEY

benzelbusch.com 888-218-5997 28 Grand Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631

3/30/17 3:48 PM