Opulent Living essence Compiled by Florian Gast Words by Richard Webb
The dream coupé ■ There are few coupé’s that feel as
instinctively ‘right’ as the MercedesBenz E-Class. Emotive design, innovative safety features and fine materials cosset four adults and their luggage in rare and understated opulence. There’s a wide range of appealing diesel and petrol engines, topped off by the attention-grabbing C63 AMG, so there’s a coupé for every occasion. They’re surprisingly good value, too. www.mercedes-benz.com
The quintessential art of travel ■ Speed and Bentley are as entwined as luxury and grandeur, and the GT Speed Convertible is the epitome of performance and refinement. A worthy successor to the victorious Bentley ‘Speed Six’, this aristocrat delivers a peerless combination of agility and comfort. Its rare combination of devastating performance and enduring pace imbues the hand-crafted car with a level of refinement and acoustic insulation that belies its 325km/h top speed. Put the top down and you’re no longer an observer of the passing landscape – rather – a part of it. www.bentleymotors.com
Evolution of the species ■ Exclusive, yet familiar. Rear-engined, yet one of the finest handling cars
on sale today. Blisteringly fast, yet economical. In a fitting testimony to the 911’s 50th anniversary, Porsche built just 1 963 of its 911 Anniversary Edition coupés, based on the 911 Carrera S. That familiar shape is packed tight with technology, such as Active Suspension Management, sport exhaust system, a seven-speed manual or dual-clutch PDK automatic – keeping the 911 at the pinnacle of sports car desirability. www.porsche.com
Italian grandezza on four wheels ■ If power goes hand-in-hand with authority, the Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder is
unequivocally in charge. But uncompromising design and towering performance is nothing without control, and this 419kW Ferrari is one of the most finely balanced and beautifully constructed cars in the world. The depth of its abilities is simply breathtaking; monstrous acceleration, delicate, poised handling and fabulous looks. Amongst the finest supercars money can buy, this is a perfect example of Ferrari’s undisputed automotive alchemy. www.ferrari.com
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