RE LUXE MAGAZINE | Fall 2016

THE BMW 750I: PUTTING THE BRAKES ON SELF-DRIVING CARS

FALL 2016

JET SET THE EPITOME OF ELEGANT AEROSPACE TRAVEL

THE WORLD’S WHERE TO BEST HOTELS STAY: BOUTIQUE STARS AND THEIR

SUPERCARS

+ FASHION TRENDS FOR FALL

131 Bloor Street West, Toronto (416) 413-4929 Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto (416) 787-7474 456 Howe Street, Vancouver (604) 683-6878

www.ca.cartier.com

Diamond Collection

Available at Sephora and Sephora.ca

a collection of scent signatures

GLIDE. VIBE.

NARSCOSMETICS.COM

INTRODUCING VELVET LIP GLIDE THE NEW VIBE. GLIDES LIKE A GLOSS. CLOAKS LIKE A LIPSTICK. FEELS LIKE NOTHING ELSE.

HUDSON’S BAY

THE DELICIOUS NEW FLOR AL BY DIOR

FALL 2016 www.lushmag.com

CONTENTS

40 RE:LUXE MAGAZINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Keast (mkeast@reluxe.ca) ART DIRECTION Jan Haringa (jan@reluxe.ca) PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER Yuri Dojc (stop@yuridojc.com) FASHION DIRECTOR Serge Kerbel (serge@reluxe.ca) DIRECTOR, CONTENT AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS Katherine Minovski COPY EDITOR Dominik Sklarzyk

32 COVER IMAGE: BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 7000 PAGE 40

INTERNS Ivanna Hreshchuk, Lauren Quinn, Camila Sanches Calvo CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Yuki Barton, Serge Kerbel, Mark Keast, Serena Marotta, Ryan Carafa, Jake Taylor CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Emin Kadi, Jeffrey Chiu, David Oyagi RE:LUXE MAGAZINE 43 Hanna Ave., Suite 425, Toronto, Ontario M6K 1X1 Telephone: 647-348-8700 www.reluxe.ca

14 EVENTS:

Yuri Dojc Exhibit, Washington, DC; Toronto International Film Festival; AGO Photography Prize Exhibit

CJ Graphics Inc. is the official printer of RE:LUXE For information on advertising or a ratecard, for print or online, email us at info@reluxe.ca

18 FASHION TRENDS:

For editorial enquiries, email us at info@reluxe.ca RE:LUXE is inserted in the National Post newspaper across Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission of RE:LUXE Magazine is prohibited. All letters are the property of RE:LUXE Magazine. All materials are copyright RE:LUXE Magazine 2016. Canada Post customer account number is 7270780, and the publications mail number is 41589543.

Fashion Trends: Fall Forward (Our favourite looks for the season)

22 BEAUTY:

Cool Run (Beauty products for the onset of Fall season)

24 FRAGRANCES:

Seasonal perfumes and fragrances we love

26 ACCESSORIES:

Velvet Love and Copper Craze

30 HIGH END COFFEE MAKERS:

Brewing the best cup of coffee, time and time again

32 TRAVEL:

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The world’s Top 7 boutique hotels

40 JET SET:

Fly the skies in style with the latest in luxury jets

48 STARS AND THEIR SUPERCARS 56 TRUE BLUE:

Blue dial watches are one of the hottest emerging trends in the world of timepieces

58 THE NEW BMW 750I 62 ISLAND DREAMING:

Vacation real estate investment in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

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YURI DOJC

For private viewing contact stop@yuridojc.com

w w w.y u r i d o j c . c o m

FINE ART EDITIONS

NORTH IS FREEDOM RE:LUXE PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER YURI DOJC WAS FRONT AND CENTRE AT THE CANADIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, D.C., FOR THE OPENING OF “NORTH IS FREEDOM: THE LEGACY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD”, AN EXHIBIT OF HIS PORTRAITURE WORK FEATURING DESCENDANTS OF FREEDOM-SEEKING SLAVES WHO ESCAPED THE UNITED STATES IN THE YEARS BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR FOR FREEDOM NORTH OF THE BORDER. IMAGES COURTESY YURI DOJC

YURI DOJC WITH GUESTS.

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131 Bloor Street West, Toronto (416) 413-4929 Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto (416) 787-7474 456 Howe Street, Vancouver (604) 683-6878

www.ca.cartier.com

Diamond Collection

ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE CELEBRITIES IN

TOWN FOR THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN THE MOËT & CHANDON CHARITY BOTTLE AT THE EONE PARTY. THE BOTTLE WAS AUCTIONED OFF AT THE END OF THE FESTIVAL WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO SUPPORT TIFF’S CHARITABLE INITIATIVES.

EMILY VANCAMP

IMAGES BY TOM SANDLER AND SUMMER LEIGH DARBYSON ETHAN HAWKE

ATOM EGOYAN

GREG BRYK

LYRIQ BENT

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SNAPSHOT

THE AIMIA/AGO PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE EXHIBIT FEATURES THE WORKS OF FOUR EXCEPTIONAL FINALISTS FOR THE PRIZE, CURATED BY AGO ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF CONTEMPORARY ART, ADELINA VLAS. THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ENTIRELY

BY PUBLIC VOTE. VOTING – EITHER IN PERSON AT THE AGO OR ONLINE AT AIMIAAGOPHOTOGRAPHYPRIZE.COM – ENDS NOV. 27, AND THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TWO DAYS LATER. FINALISTS, SELECTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL JURY, ARE TALIA CHETRIT (USA), JIMMY ROBERT (FRANCE), URSULA SCHULZ-DORNBURG (GERMANY) AND ELIZABETH ZVONAR (CANADA).

P HOTOS CO URTE SY AGO

TALIA CHETRIT –TOP IMAGE

URSULA SCHULZ DORNBURG – ABOVE IMAGE

ELIZABETH ZVONAR – RIGHT IMAGE

JIMMY ROBERT – FAR RIGHT IMAGE 17

ALTUZARRA

SHEARLING BOMBER The classic aviatorstyle shearling bomber is back in full swing this fall adorning leather lapels and trims.

Perfect for bracing the urban cold in style, we love the practicality of this trend, especially when it pairs so easily with everything from your favourite jeans to a sleek midi dress.

CHLOE

FUR Fur was a favourite for many designers this season, coming in many variations from bold colours and patterns, to rich jewel tones with voluminous shapes.

We loved Chloe’s simple approach in a deep emerald with an elongated silhouette, modernized with a matching blouse and skirt.

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FALL FORWARD BRACING FOR THE URBAN COLD IN STYLE

BY YUKI BARTON

ALBERTA FERRETTI

DUSTY PINK Although it is unexpected for fall, blush and dusty pinks was seen on runways from Ulla Johnson, Delpozo, and Alberta Ferretti.

The key for incorporating this trend is to choose fall fabrics such as velvet or incorporate it into pieces such as turtleneck knits and coats.

TOMMY HILFIGER

NAVAL OUTERWEAR Naval and military inspired outerwear kept reappearing across runways in a variety of forms at Prada, John Galliano, Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger. Nautical overcoats in almost floor-length pieces will be worth the investment in the coming colder months

PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO

EIGHTIES SHOULDER The 80s came back in a huge way across all cities this fall, and proof of it was visible in the form of exaggerated shoulders, big ruffles, and miniskirts. Our particular favourite was the one shoulder top at Philosophy di Lorenzo appropriately paired with high-shine trousers.

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BURBERRY

TRACKSUIT Another ode to the ’80s, tracksuits are back in an updated and colourful way.

Everything from red, white, and navy ensembles at Tommy Hilfiger to understated skinny gray or black versions at Tim Coppens, you can take your pick of how you want to incorporate it. We especially liked the urban twist at Burberry and their pairing of the deep green zip-up with high-shine bottoms.

BRIONI

CHECKS Although it isn’t a new or unexpected trend, we love checks for its classic, tailored look, which was done especially well at Bottega Veneta and Brioni this fall. For an extra polished look, we recommend layering the pattern head to toe like this monochrome

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BALMAIN

MILITARY The military/navy trend is very popular this season in menswear as well as women’s, and comes in a variety forms.

From casual commando inspired knits at Rag & Bone, to luxurious detailing at Balmain, everyone can find a way to incorporate their personal style within this trend.

MAISON MARGIELA

AMI

POWDER BLUE For those who want to add some extra colour to the shorter days ahead we suggest trying some sky blue outerwear.

Versace, Ami, and MSGM all showed off knee-length coats paired with monochrome accessories.

EXTRA-LONG SLEEVES Having extra-long sleeves is a trend that is taking on the masses this season, made popular by Vetements, a new design collective that has taken on the fashion world by a storm. Maison Margiela featured a very easy-going approach to the trend, with a turtleneck layered under a coat, ideal for casual outings.

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CONTEXT NAIL POLISH Context is gaining popularity quickly due to its range of high-quality products and beautiful branding. We especially love the range of nail polishes, which come in a range of autumnal hues. It applies evenly, dries quickly to a high shine finish, and has opaque coverage so you really won’t mind giving yourself a manicure with this product. $15.

AUTUMN HUES DON’T LET THE BRISK FALL WEATHER DRY OUT YOUR SKIN OR HAIR

BY YUKI BARTON

ROUGE DIOR – COUTURE COLOUR Rouge Dior is a longlasting full coverage lip colour that has gained a cult following for good reason. It glides onto the lips and wears comfortably for up to 16 hours, and now comes in a new metallic couture case crafted with secret details to add a touch of luxury. $43.

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LANCÔME MIRACLE CUSHION LIQUID CUSHION COMPACT FOUNDATION Opt for a dewy, polished glow this fall with Lancome’s Miracle Cushion Foundation. The innovative sponge contains over 800,000 pores to transfer the perfect amount of product for effortless application, giving your skin a brighter, smoother complexion. $47.

GIVENCHY PHENOMEN’ EYES MASCARA Go dramatic with your lashes this fall with Givenchy’s Phenomen’ Eyes Mascara in ultimate black. We love it for its smudge-proof, non-sticky formula that curls, defines, and separates each lash with its precise spherical brush. $37.

SHU UEMURA – URBAN MOISTURE HYDRONOURISHING CONDITIONER FOR NORMAL TO DRY HAIR Revive your hair with this Shu Uemura conditioner for rich moisture that lasts. This conditioner will protect your hair for future dryness through its purifying ingredients that shields your locks from urban aggressors. $58.

VITAMIN NECTAR VIBRANCYBOOSTING FACE MASK, FRESH Fight dull skin with this instant glow facemask

by Fresh. With its unique formulation with 50% crushed citrus fruits, it reveals radiant skin even after one use.

The vitamin-rich paste even acts as a scrub, while the AHA fruit acid content offers a chemical peeling effect. $62.

ESTÉE LAUDER REVITALIZING SUPREME + GLOBAL ANTI-AGING CELL POWER CRÈME Don’t let the brisk fall weather show in your skin. Estée Lauder’s new Revitalizing Supreme Cream is a deeply nourishing multi-action cream that brings back your skin’s youthful bounce, glow and radiance. Ideal for signs of aging, lines, dryness, and loss of firmness.

1.7 oz. – $78.

BAKING & STROBING BRUSH SET, SIGMA BEAUTY Set and highlight with this 5-brush set by Sigma Beauty.

Designed to be versatile enough to work with cream, liquid or powder products, these brushes use fibers that are made to avoid product absorption and growth of bacteria. $84.

YSL SCANDAL COUTURE PALETTE

DIPTYQUE – RICH BUTTER FOR THE BODY Indulge your skin in a luscious body butter that will instantly soothe dry and sensitive skin. Its properties of rose floral water, radiance-boosting effects of organic honey, and argan oil will nourish even the driest skin and leave it deliciously perfumed. $90.

We love this YSL limited edition palette featuring olive green, shimmering burgundy, golden bronze, and luminous taupe, designed to blend effortlessly together to create the perfect autumn eye. The sharp packaging is an extra plus, with its combination of edgy yet feminine details. $60.

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TOP

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FALL SCENTS SEASONAL PERFUMES AND FRAGRANCES WE LOVE, BOTH FOR HIM AND HER

BY YUKI BARTON

WOMEN ESTÉE LAUDER MODERN MUSE LE ROUGE GLOSS

PRADA ‘L’HOMME PRADA’ COLOGNE

“SCENT OF A DREAM” FRAGRANCE, CHARLOTTE TILBURY

GRAND SOIR BY MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN

A new fragrance designed for the self-confident, sensual woman, by Estée Lauder. Featuring top notes of succulent fruits such as mandarin and black cherry, heart notes of rose, pink pepper, and jasmine, and base notes of saffron, labdanum, vanilla and patchouli. $85.

Charlotte Tilbury’s new scent features a first-of-its-kind “floral chypre” perfume.

It features a blend of joyous top notes of lemon, peach, and black pepper, fleurotic heart notes of jasmine, frankincense, tuberose and violet, and psycho-active pheromone base notes of fire tree, Ise E super, patchouli and ambroxan. $119.

AVENTUS FOR HER – CREED

A gorgeous new fragrance by Creed is Aventus For Her, to compliment the legendary Aventus launched in 2010.

Nearly three years in the making, this scent was inspired by history’s most powerful women and was formulated to empower and mesmerize. It features top notes of green apple, bergamot, lemon, pink pepper, and violet, middle notes of Mysore sandalwood, rose, and musk, and base notes of sweet peach, black currant, lilac and ylang ylang. $538.

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The house of Prada launched L’Homme in August, a new fragrant representing man and woman that are “reunited in an identical vision”. Designed to take the wearer on a “voyage through place, memory and time”, it features base notes of patchouli and cedar, middle notes of geranium, iris, and amber, and top notes of pepper and neroli. $100.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian has launched Grand Soir for fall, a new woody, oriental fragrance, composed beautifully with a honeyed, smokey feel. The new fragrance features notes of Spanish labdanum, siam benzoin, amber, tonkabean, and vanilla. $250.

ESSENZE GOLD COLLECTION MUSK GOLD BY ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA Musk Gold is our favourite from the Essenze collection. Deeper and more sensual than the others, scents of black pepper and coriander are heightened by saffron and textured Moroccan cedarwood. The fragrance also features carrot seed and myrrh, and ends with base notes of leather, musk, and patchouli. $245.

Grande Seconde SW Red Gold, ref. J029033401 橡胶化处理的黑色表盘。表冠经橡胶铸模处理。 18K红金表壳。陀飞轮自动上链机芯。 7天动力储存。6时位置设小时和分钟盘， 12时位置设陀飞轮框架和秒针桥板。直径45毫米。

W W W. J AQ U E T- D ROZ .C O M

Sherway Gardens Toronto 416.622.9400 www.loro.ca

GUCCI

RUTHENIUM-PLATED, VELVET AND RESIN RING $350.

This vintage-inspired Gucci ring provides an easy way to add a subtle touch of velvet to any look. Crafted from ruthenium-plated brass, the forest-green velvet center has a spike through the middle, further showcasing the lovely detail of this ring.

The smooth, light blue resin adds a refreshing pop of colour.

MARC JACOBS

SNAPSHOT VELVET CAMERA BAG $667.

Marc Jacobs consistently provides luxury tools to define individuality and personality. This exquisite camera bag, crafted from rich Bordeaux velvet, is a true spectacle. Maximize utility and use it as as a clutch with evening looks for a unique and dramatic finish.

LANVIN

CRYSTAL CHOKER $3036.

Chokers have made a huge comeback this season for their effortlessly chic appeal.

This multicoloured glass choker from Lanvin exemplifies the Parisian cool for which the couture house is known, while the regal purple velvet tie ribbon exudes feminine charm. Pair it with a cocktail frock or Bardot top.

ALEXANDRE BIRMAN

REGINA FLOCKED VELVET ANKLE BOOTS $1295.

Instantly master eclectic detail with these magnificent Alexandre Birman boots. Made from rich merlot velvet and featuring a stunning filigree motif, this pair provides a dramatic accent to even the most basic, everyday look.

Try yours with cropped jeans or high hemlines; they’re so comfortable, you’ll want to wear them with everything.

VELVET LOVE DOMINATING THE RUNWAYS THIS SEASON, VELVET IS THE FABRIC OF FALL ‘16. THE WONDERFULLY SOFT MATERIAL IS BOTH ECCENTRIC AND ELEGANT, EVOKING VINTAGE VIBES HOWEVER IT’S STYLED. THESE LUXE, ROMANTIC ACCESSORIES PROMISE TO BRING AN UNCONVENTIONAL TWIST TO YOUR FALL AESTHETIC. B Y S E R E N A M A R O T TA

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ISA ARFEN

CRUSHED-VELVET COAT $1735.

This glamorous lilac coat from Isa Arfen’s Fall ’16 collection is a statement in itself. Inspired by London’s Blitz Club in the 80’s, the loose-fitting coat is crafted with rich crushed-velvet and finished with a robust collar and ribbon neck tie. Wear with cropped pants for an impactful look.

LEND A HAND

BY RAISING YOURS

JBM EVENT AUCTION SERVICES HAS RAISED MILLIONS FOR CHARITIES WORLDWIDE

O

ver the past 25 years, Jay Mandarino has raised more than $50 million for hundreds of charities worldwide by performing as a professional auctioneer through his not-for-profit corporation, JBM Event Auction Services. He has worked with many celebrities over the years, including Cinema for Peace with Sting in New York, Chef’s Challenge with Gordon Ramsay in Toronto, The Eastern Congo Initiative with Ben Affleck in Los Angeles, the Annual Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation fundraiser in Toronto, and Artists for Peace and Justice with Jude Law and Paul Haggis in Toronto and for the Lynn Redgrave Theatre in New York City with Kevin Bacon and Lynn’s sister, Vanessa Redgrave.

For more information, go to www.jbmauctionservices.com or email Jay at jay@jbmauctionservices.com.

Pictured below with Jay and his joke book are Rick Mercer as well as Martin Short. All the proceeds of Jay’s book go to three charities, and it includes jokes from many of the celebrities Jay has worked with and X shared the stage with over the last 25 years. ●

If you wish to purchase a copy, please go to www.cjoysterpublishing.com THIS STORY IS A LUSH LUXURY SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FEATURE BEN AFFLECK

RICK MERCER

MARTIN SHORT

PAUL HAGGIS AND JUDE LAW

LIAM NEESON

VANESSA REDGRAVE

KEVIN BACON

SAINT LAURENT

PAISLEY-PRINT SILK SCARF $1035.

This lavishly ornate silk scarf is the ultimate way to complete your look this season. The rich autumnal-hued paisleyprint style can upgrade even the most basic look.

Crafted from super-soft silk-satin, the detailed brown tassel trim makes this one of this Fall’s finest accessories. Wear over a wool sweater or military overcoat.

GIVENCHY

LEATHER AND COPPER CHAIN BRACELET $423.

This Italian-made Givenchy bracelet will provide an intense focal point. Crafted from black leather and detailed with a rugged copper chain, this piece is the epitomy of the brand’s darkly romantic aesthetic. Its adjustable snap closure makes this piece not only edgy, but comfortable too.

TOM FORD

COPPER CRAZE

CHESTERFIELD CALF HAIR TASSEL LOAFER $1990.

This slip-on pair of chesterfield loafers from Tom Ford is perfect for on-the-go sophisticated style. Made in Italy from New Zealand calf hair, this pair redefines modern luxury. The tied suede tassels and silk and leather lining are a testament to the outstanding craftsmanship of the designer. Pair yours with tailored slacks.

COPPER IS THE NEW COLOUR OF FALL. THE ORANGEY-BROWN HUE HAS PUSHED ASIDE THE STANDARD AUTUMNAL NAVIES, GREYS, BLACKS AND GREENS. REPLACE YOUR GO-TO NEUTRAL ACCESSORIES WITH THIS RICH SHADE FOR A SHARP FALL WARDROBE B Y S E R E N A M A R O T TA

ORIS

CARL BRASHEAR BRONZE AND LEATHER WATCH $3282.

This limited edition timepiece by Swiss fine watch maker, Oris, pays homage to the late Carl Brashear, a U.S. Navy amputee diver. Forged in bronze – the metal traditionally used to create diving helmets – the timepiece boasts rose gold-plated hands and an anti-reflective sapphire dome. The dark brown leather strap makes it versatile for everyday wear.

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SAINT LAURENT

LEATHER-TRIMMED SUEDE BACKPACK $2339.

Saint Laurent once again blends cool and retro styling with a rugged vibe. This durable design was crafted in Italy from tactile tan suede and finished with black leather piping and a canvas lining. The roomy compartments provide plenty of room to keep your necessities organized; take it to the office or on weekend adventures.

C.J.

Graphics Inc. O F F I C I A L P R I N T E R fo r L U S H MAGAZINE As the President and Founder of The C.J. Group of Companies, Jay Mandarino gives back to the community through his two Not-For-Profit companies – C.J. Skateboard Park & School, one of the world’s largest Not-For-Profit indoor skateparks, and JBM Event Auction Services, donating his services to over 50 charity auctions a year. Jay is also the author of A Cause For Laughter, a joke book with all proceeds going towards charities, and, he is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to outstanding Canadians for their contributions and distinguished services to their community and country.

cjgraphics.com A MEMBER OF THE C.J. GROUP OF COMPANIES C.J. Digital • C.J. Interactive C.J. Oyster Publishing • Colour Technologies Digital Propaganda • Industry Press Not-for-profit: C.J. Skateboard Park & School JBM Event Auction Services

Photo: Jay Mandarino Photography: Babar Khan

coffee lover’s

DREAM

JURA IMPRESSA C9

Professional technology finds its way into the homes of people who demand the highest standards when it comes to coffee makers. The IMPRESSA C9 is a compact Jura automatic specialty coffee machine, for a perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button.

Pre-programmed beverage buttons for coffee, espresso, cappuccino, milk or hot water. $1799.

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BREWING THE BEST CUP OF JAVA, TIME AND TIME AGAIN. HERE ARE THREE OF OUR FAVOURITES. B Y M AR TA ULANOF F

NESPRESSO VERTUOLINE EVOLUO

Evoluo is the latest VertuoLine machine from Nespresso, making freshly brewed coffee and authentic espresso at the touch of a button. Very simple to operate, the VertuoLine machine uses an intelligent extraction technology that recognizes each Nespresso capsule, thanks to a barcode.

Integrated drop tray and movable cup support. $299.

BREVILLE BARISTA EXPRESS

A barista will tell you: it is best to limit the time between grinding and extraction to seconds, using fresh beans.

Breville’s Barista Express incorporates unique technology, ensuring a full flavoured espresso: a machine that grinds, doses, and extracts all at the same time. Beans to espresso in under a minute. $799.

Over the last twenty years, hoteliers such as Nick Jones (Soho House) and Andre Balazs (Chateau Marmont, The Mercer, The Standard) have built on the pathbreaking work of Anoushka Hempel who first gave us Blakes and The Hempel in London. All over the world, the concept of the boutique hotel is revolutionizing the way we spend our time traveling for business or pleasure.

Virtually every new boutique property entering the market today must meet the highest standards to accommodate an increasingly sophisticated clientele that is accustomed to excellence. Stateof-the-art architecture and interior design are de rigeur as are upmarket bars and restaurants that will also attract the local VIP crowd.

Accordingly, let us identify seven world-class boutique hotels that have attained legendary status in the travel and leisure industry and offer the ultimate in hotel experience.

DIVINE

DECADENCE T

ravel is increasingly becoming an art form. The proliferation of websites dedicated to flight and hotel bookings has given us a dizzying array of choices and an abundance of information to help us plan our journeys.

At the same time, we are pickier than ever when it comes to arranging holiday or business trips and choosing the right hotel is one of the most important decisions to be made.

In today’s market, discerning business travelers and vacationers are opting for boutique hotels which cater to those seeking a more intimate and personalised stay.

These elite properties deliver a level of style, service, and cuisine that is light-years beyond the antiseptic, soul-crushing, and mass market drudgery of the big hotels.

We feel privileged when the concierge remembers our name, the sommelier advises us on the latest California Cabernet, the barman mixes a magic potion that we read about in The Times’ Sunday edition, and the barista prepares the best flat white on earth. These are all hallmarks of the cutting-edge boutique hotel that is equal parts private club, sanctum sanctorum, and garden of earthly delights.

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SEVEN OF THE BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS ON THE PLANET

BY JAN JANSSEN

TORSTRABE 1, 10119 BERLIN, GERMANY TEL.: +49 30 40 50 440 WEBSITE: sohohouseberlin.de NIGHTLY ROOM RATES: $255 – $1000

SOHO HOUSE BERLIN - BERLIN

Home to movie stars, writers, artists, jet-setters, fashionistas and hipsters alike, the Soho House Berlin tops our list of the world’s best boutique hotels. Both a members’ club and hotel, this restored Bauhaus building has become one of the hottest spots in Europe ever since it opened its doors in 2011.

Part of the Soho House franchise launched in the mid-Nineties by Nick Jones and now majority-owned by American billionaire financier Ron Burkle, the Berlin property is the definitive example of a hotel that blends industrial chic, laissez-faire decadence, and a sense of old-world refinement.

Located on the border of Berlin’s trendy Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg districts, the hotel has become a fixture of the entertainment and fashion industry. On any given night you can find local and international celebrities looking very much at home on the seventh-floor which comprises a bar, lounge, and dining room. The rooftop is an equally inviting space that is distinguished by a green volcanic-stone pool and open-air bar.

George Clooney took up residence at the Soho House Berlin for several months while he was shooting The Monuments Men and is a regular guest whenever he passes through Germany’s capital while promoting his films. Sundry other A-listers also enjoy the hotel’s charm.

Conceived as a place where creative people can work, play, and otherwise hang out together, the Soho House offers glamorous guest rooms comprising old-fashioned gramophones, crystal chandeliers, and Art Deco–inspired couches. It’s an invitingly cosy mix of comfort and practicality that rings true to Nick Jones’s philosophy of urban cool.

Many guests are particularly fond of the spacious “large room” suites (80-90 sq. m) that come equipped with a massive mahogany bed and a free-standing tub. The hotel staff is a mix of Brits and Germans who are flawlessly bilingual. The food tends to be functional rather than Michelin-style fussy, and that suits the casual atmosphere where artists, yuppies, and trendsetters collide.

Above all, the Soho House Berlin is the quintessential boutique hotel which is every bit as dynamic and edgy as the city itself.

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CHATEAU MARMONT – LOS ANGELES

Perched on a hill overlooking Los Angeles and the fabled Sunset Strip, the Chateau Marmont has served as a de facto hideout cum hangout for Hollywood stars for the past 80 years. Completed in 1929 just as the Great Depression was taking hold, the seven-story structure was a loose replica of the Château d’Amboise in the Loire Valley, distinguished by Gothic faux-French spirals and turrets. It’s a place where you can indulge in what The Mamas and the Papas rock group once described as the California Dream.

The Chateau is now in the midst of an enduring renaissance, having been restored in 1991 to its authentic former gothic grace and elegance by renown hotelier and restaurateur André Balazs who has not only preserved the policy of strict discretion and privacy but also recaptured the hotel’s sense of understated grandeur and elegance.

Balazs’s masterful $20 million restoration – the lobby is a sprawling maze plants, plush sofas and wicker chairs, while the outdoor swimming pools are surrounded by lush gardens and palm trees - has attracted a brave new generation of Hollywood stars and elite world travellers. Johnny Depp liked to brag that he and former girlfriend Kate Moss had sex in every room over the years. Keanu Reeves lived at the Chateau for several years, and earned a reputation for ordering $2,000 bottles of vintage red wine for himself and his guests. Rock stars, Arab sheiks, and Eurotrash types have long embraced the Chateau as a party hotel where they can entertain their entourages in high style.

The Chateau Marmont was originally conceived as a high-class apartment building, but the onset of the Great Depression forced the owners to convert their California castle into a hotel. This meant retaining the kitchens and living rooms that not only gave the Chateau a certain homey charm, but inadvertently made it ideal for long-term stays by the rich and famous. The original complement of 63 luxury suites was later augmented by 9 Spanish-style cottages and 4 poolside bungalows, which made it a kind of exotic camp for movie stars.

8221 SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90046 TEL: +1 323-848-5908 WEBSITE: chateaumarmont.com NIGHTLY ROOM AND BUNGALOW RATES: $600 – $5100

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Apart from the individual kitchens, another source of the Chateau Marmont’s unique Boutique charm lies in its garden bungalows and cottages which have their own exclusive entrances. The hotel’s layout also allows VIPs to bypass the main lobby and bring in friends, mistresses, et al. via the underground parking garage elevator which runs straight up to the rooms.

There’s an unmistakable sense of privilege and entitlement that the Chateau offers its many illustrious patrons and those merely wanting to bask in its serene setting. Not only does it attract its fair share of guests who hope to mingle with the stars but it also offers a retro-nostalgic taste of “divine decadence.”

Owner André Balazs offers this intriguing analysis of the Chateau’s allure: “It is, in a way, a home. Yet at the same time, it’s absolutely not your home. Everything that would make you feel constrained about your home is eliminated. So there’s a sense of safety combined with a lack of familiarity, which has the effect of freeing you from those limitations that normally restrict you.”

CHILTERN FIREHOUSE – LONDON

Ever since it opened to considerable fanfare in 2014, the Chiltern Firehouse has established itself as one of the world’s leading hotspots not to mention favoured playground for aristos, Hollywood A-listers, rock stars, and City financial traders. Cara Delevingne, Margot Robbie, and Amber Heard celebrated the latter’s divorce from Johnny Depp there, while Jay-Z and Beyoncé were notoriously caught fighting in the hotel elevator (footage captured by video camera that was subsequently leaked).

An exemplary iteration of the boutique hotel concept that originated in London, this 26-room property packs an abundance of retro charm and refinement into its vintage interiors.

Another outstanding André Balazs property, the West End hotel is noted for both its fabled bar that occupies the centre of the main floor and its superb restaurant run by Portuguese master chef Nuno Mendes. Guests of the hotel not only find themselves in exotic company, but they also can enjoy an almost intolerable level of pleasure in the cosiest of settings.

Noel Gallagher throws his birthday party there every year, while Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Moss, David Beckham and others flock to the hotel’s exclusive inner sanctum and its fabled bar.

The hotel takes its name from its original occupant - that of the fire station which was built in 1887. Nestled in bustling Chiltern street lined with shops, the building itself has been transformed into a compact but highly functional space that embraces the finest in service, designer rooms, and gastronomy. The former engine house houses the restaurant while the rooms are located above. The resto is so popular, however, that it is often booked weeks and months in advance and typically fields several hundred calls a day from prospective patrons desperate for a reservation.

“There hadn’t been anything in London that created the same buzz since the 1990s,” said, Dylan Jones, British GQ editor-in-chief as quoted in a New York Times profile of the hotel. “I have a friend of mine, a pop star, who called me one Sunday morning and said, without a great deal of irony, ‘Who do I have to sleep with to get a table at the Firehouse?’”

1 CHILTERN ST., LONDON, W1U 7PA, UNITED KINGDOM TEL: +44 20-7073-7676 WEBSITE: chilternfirehouse.com NIGHTLY ROOM AND SUITE RATES: $820 – $2100

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THE SURREY NEW YORK CITY

Located along Madison Avenue in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, The Surrey is a recently restored Art Deco masterpiece that evokes the mystery and faded glory of 1930s New York. Amplifying its sense of grandeur are the multimillion dollar artworks by Claes Oldenburg, Richard Serra, and William Kentridge hanging in the lobby, as well as a stunning Chuck Close tapestry of supermodel Kate Moss.

The building underwent a massive $65 million restoration in 2009 that transformed it into one of the world’s outstanding boutique hotels.

Consistent with the spacious elegance of Upper East Side apartments that a Cary Grant or Greta Garbo might have owned, the expansive rooms range from

20 EAST 76TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10021, USA TEL: +1 212 288-3700 www.thesurreyhotel.com NIGHTLY ROOM RATES: $820 – $2640

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classic “salons” with fireplaces and private terraces to massive suites with separate living areas. And in case money is no object, you might consider renting out the stately presidential suite normally occupied by Russian oligarchs, hip-hop moguls, and visiting royal families.

The Surrey features a Michelinstar restaurant, Café Boulud, specialising in French cuisine, and a magnificent adjacent watering hole, Bar Pleiades, that give this property the kind of one-two punch that makes it a mainstay for both guests and New York illuminati.

Built in 1926 and originally conceived as a long-term residence hotel, the hotel has enjoyed a long and illustrious history playing host to politicians, writers, and painters.

Before he became president, JFK stayed there as did fabled Hollywood actors including Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Robert Mitchum, and Humphrey Bogart.

Walking into The Surrey, one is immediately swept away by its old world elegance and the sense that one is stepping back into a bygone era. It’s the kind of building that one could easily have imagined a Rockefeller or Carnegie or some other patrician industrialist having once held court.

Often cited as New York’s top hotel in various surveys, this 189-room property is arguably at the outer limits of the boutique hotel class, but its carefully conceived Art Deco lobby and immaculate furnishings create the kind of intimate ambience that one would find in much smaller establishments.

CASA DEL MAR – LOS ANGELES

A former beach club that was built to accommodate Hollywood movie stars in the Roaring Twenties, the Casa del Mar is the quintessential California beachfront hotel. Located in the trendy county of Santa Monica adjacent to Los Angeles, this luxury property offers a Mediterranean/ Spanish style décor that looks like it was created by a Hollywood set designer.

Nothing is left to chance in this supremely enchanting Pacific paradise that features four indoor cabanas that offer food and drink that would overwhelm Nero or even the most cynical hedge fund manager.

At arm’s length distance from L.A., film industry executives and movie stars flock to the Casa del Mar for its expert mixologists and superb cuisine. The hotel features two restaurants: Terrazza, which overlooks the ocean and features a market-driven menu that includes seasonal salads, pizzas, home-made pastas and a rotating selection of seafood; and Catch, a spectacular seafood resto specialising in crudo, shrimp cocktails, seared bigeye tuna, and lavish lobster salads.

One can easily imagine Tim Robbins’s studio mogul from The Player holding court at the Casa del Mar, or Frank Sinatra who used to stay there with some of his fellow rat packers.

Rooms, most of which front the ocean, are spacious, brightly decorated, and feature leather arm chairs and bookshelves that add to the relaxed gentility of the hotel ambience. Giant doors open up onto large terraces that look out onto the Pacific and in the evening the sound of the waves lapping onto the shore is the kind of soothing melody that amplifies the hotel’s Mediterranean charm.

1910 OCEAN WAY, SANTA MONICA, CA 90405, USA. TEL: +1 310 581 5533 www.hotelcasadelmar.com NIGHTLY ROOM RATES: $680 – $1200

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DAS STUE - BERLIN

Following in the footsteps of the Hempel and the Halkin, Das Stue has taken the concept of the designer/boutique hotel to the next level. Housed in a 1930s neoclassical building that once served as home to the Danish Embassy in Berlin, Das Stue is possibly the most impressive example of boutique hotel architecture as well as interior design on the planet. Rated as the best hotel in Europe by several surveys, Das Stue offers an elite hotel experience at affordable rates.

Designed by German architect Johann Emil Schaudt (1871-1957), best known for the Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) department store, Das Stue is distinguished by a convex façade whose curvature follows the arc of the street outside. Four pairs of columns greet one at the entrance to the hotel, and the lobby consists of a small atrium and checkered marble floor that endows it with a stately grace.

Located near Potsdamer Platz in the heart of Berlin’s diplomatic quarter, the structure was extensively renovated by the Potsdam-based firm Axthelm Architekten which also added a sleek new wing onto the building’s former back courtyard that looks out onto Berlin’s fabled zoo where guests can see monkeys and other animals at play in their “hotel.”

“Das Stue” is Danish for “drawing room”. Upon opening in 2012, then-General manager Jean-Paul Danti described it as “a place to withdraw in an intimate circle; and the idea of ‘drawing room plays’, a genre of theatrical productions and films whose plots are filled with elegance, wit and entertainment. Think of Cary Grant, bar culture, real gentleman and ladies, and cultivated conversations. It’s a celebration of socializing.”

The hotel features two superb restaurants, the Michelin-starred Cinco and The Casual, both overseen by Michelin-starred Spanish chef Paco Perez. Cinco offers an ethereal Mediterranean dining experience that has made it one of Berlin’s hottest resorts. Das Stue also boasts a cocktail bar serving vintage-style drinks inspired by the 20s and 30s, library, cozy lounges, and a collection of vintage fashion photography on display throughout the premises.

Since it began operations, Das Stue has emerged as a fixture of Berlin’s social scene and frequently hosts parties during Berlin Fashion Week and the Berlinale, the nickname for Berlin’s annual film festival held in February.

The hotel’s clientele ranges from businessmen to visiting statesmen to media and entertainment industry figures, and guests can benefit from an indoor swimming pool, as well as a glass sauna and gym. In addition to the wellness centre, guests can take advantage of the relaxation afforded by two intimate library lounges.

But the outstanding feature of Das Stue lies in the ultra-modern interiors and room design. A cross between Japanese minimalism and post-modern functionality, each of the 78 guestrooms feature polished surfaces, rich fabrics. massive beds and pillows, and futuristic fixtures that add even more gravity to the property’s original neoclassical aesthetic. The rooms are designed to recall the open spaces of villa environments and anyone staying at the hotel will have a hard time forgetting the classic accoutrements of this five-star property.

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DRAKESTRABE 1 10787 BERLIN, GERMANY TEL: +49 30 311 7220 www.das-stue.com NIGHTLY ROOM RATES: $300 – $1000

HOTEL IL PELLICANO - PORTO ERCOLE, ITALY

Located on a jagged cliff overlooking the Tuscan peninsula that juts out into the Tyrrhenian Sea, Hotel Il Pellicano is a destination long favoured by Italy’s upper classes, American socialites, as well as the usual collection of European jet-setters and Hollywood movie stars. Its secluded setting - it takes a good navigation system or road map to find it - makes it an ideal retreat for anyone looking for a taste of aristocratic charm. This also explains why it has become a haunt for celebrities anxious to avoid paparazzi and the prying gaze of the hoi polloi.

The hotel property was formerly a sprawling private villa owned by retired British aviator Michael Graham and his wife, Patricia, an American heiress who purchased it from Italian Prince Alessandro “Tinti” Borghese, of the legendary Borghese family dynasty. The Grahams later converted the estate into a luxury hotel in 1964 that soon established itself as one of Europe’s hidden gems. Some of its early guests included Jacqueline Kennedy, her sister Lee Radziwill, Sophia Loren, Charlie Chaplin, and billionaire Fiat owner Gianni Agnelli. In recent times, celebrities such as Madonna, Josh Hartnett, Margherita Missoni (of the Missoni clothing empire) and Agnelli’s granddaughter, Ginevra Elkann, have resided there.

Foreign guests can best reach Il Pellicano by flying to Rome and then renting a car for the two-hour drive up the eastern coast of Italy where you pass the neighbouring town of Porto Ercole. Once on the premises, you feel the immediate urge to take in the majestic seaside view and sunsets that stagger the imagination.

The property features a grass tennis court, gym, and a swimming pool located in a lush garden setting littered with towering cypress trees as well as terraced gardens first designed by Italian landscape architect Paolo Pejrone in the late ’90s, Il Pellicano underwent major renovations in 2006, carried out under the supervision of Marie-Louise Sciò, the daughter of Italian real estate magnate Robert Scio who purchased the hotel in 1979. Having studied interior design and architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design and worked for a major New York architecture firm, Marie-Louise decided that she was ultimately the best person suited to carry out the restoration herself.

Said Sciò: “I contacted several designers...but no one got the spirit of the place. One wanted to do it à la Provence, and another wanted to do it ultramodern. It just didn’t feel right. I said to myself, ‘I can’t get it too wrong. I grew up here.’”

Growing up on the grounds, she understood the heritage and legacy of Il Pellicano like no one else: “I remember hiding in the bushes with my brother and watching the gala night parties my parents threw on Fridays: women in fabulous gowns, and the men in seersucker suits.”

PORTO ERCOLE, TUSCANY, 58019, ITALY TEL: +39 0564-858111 www.ilpellicano.it NIGHTLY ROOM RATES: $680 – $1500

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JET

TOP 5 MUST-HAVES FOR THOSE SEEKING ELEGANCE IN AEROSPACE

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B Y J A K E T AY L O R

Y

SKYACHT ONE

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ou’ve got places to be and people to see – and conventional air wares just won’t cut the mustard. For the epitome of elegant aerospace travel, the private jet is the only vehicle that guarantees speed, style and sophistication without the risk of getting stuck in traffic on the way to that unmissable business opportunity.

But in a world of ever-advancing aviation, the question is where to start with the latest airborne releases?

How about the HA-420 HondaJet, Japanese transport titan Honda’s first punt at developing a light-weight business jet? With a wingspan of 39.8 feet and totalling 42.6 feet in length, this relatively pintsize plane certainly isn’t an Airbus, but if you’re looking to get from place to place

with limited fuss and hassle, and only need a maximum capacity of six people, then the HondaJet may well be the one.

Whilst the HondaJet falls short in terms of maximum speed (486 mph) and range (1388 miles) when compared to the bigger beasts of the business jet industry, it’ll put a slightly smaller dent in your wallet than your typical midsize vehicle, coming in at an almost bargain price of $5.9 million.

As would be expected from a company as dedicated to technological advancements as Honda, the entire shape of the HondaJet resembles a love-letter to inspired aerodynamics.

One such marvel of engineering is the overthe-wing engine mount – the eventual product of more than two decades of extensive research and development. This engine adaptation not only differs from almost every conventional market rival to the HondaJet, thereby giving you an aesthetic edge on the tarmac, but also provides practical advances, such as a more spacious cabin, greater noise reduction and increased fuel efficiency.

“

The craftsmanship is literally right before your eyes. Every line is an elegant sculptural element. Every plank of wood serves an aerodynamic purpose – they’re put together like a watch in a very precise way.

”

Imagineer Eddie Sutto – Skyacht One

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Further to this, Honda have adapted the design of both the main wing air-foil and fuselage nose shape to reduce drag and further maximize fuel efficiency and cruising speed, which stands at 423 mph.

The real beauty of the HondaJet, however, hides within the cockpit. Built with both safety and situational awareness in mind at all times, the Garmin G3000 all-glass avionics system houses dual touch-screen controllers and three 14-inch high-resolution landscape displays that offer enhanced navigation, flight planning and overall control. With the opportunity to enable either single- or dual-pilot operation, the HondaJet cockpit removes intrusions and supplements natural skill with technological intuition of its own.

If the pocket-size capabilities of the HondaJet don’t light your fire, then the Dassualt Falcon 8x – scheduled for commercial release in the second half of 2016 – could well fulfil your vehicular needs. At 42.6 feet long, and with a wingspan of 39.8 feet, the Falcon 8x represents a shift up in size from the humble HondaJet – and with a price-tag of $75.9 million, the Falcon 8x signifies a sizable mark-up in price, as well.

Those extra millions however will, of course, allow more of you to fly further. The Falcon 8x can carry up to 19 people for nearly 75,000 miles, making it one of a group of ultra-longrange business jets brought onto the market in appreciation of the truly global nature of commercial business.

The Falcon 8x’s biggest assets lay in its durability. First and foremost, its ability to adapt to steep approach angles and climb-out gradients make it the only ultra-long-range jet able to use London City’s runway, powering of a short runway with enough gusto to continue non-stop to far-flung places such as Dubai or New York. Even high altitudes pose no problem

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for the Falcon 8x; it can even depart from as high as 6,500 feet above sea level in Colorado and still make it unperturbed to Geneva, Switzerland.

Inside the Falcon 8x, there’s absolutely no question that you’re in complete control. Its state-of-the-art Falcon Cabin HD+ system allows you to use any personal Apple device in order to, among other things, track flight progress and call up a virtual moving map of any landscape around you simply by pointing your iPad in its direction.

The interior can also be personally customised, with over 30 different layouts available to the aspiring airplane owner. With the help of the Dassault design team, you can oversee exactly how you want your cabin to be constructed, and with the Falcon 8x keeping you at a comfortable altitude of around 4,000 feet, as opposed to the traditional 6,000 to 8,000 feet that most commercial airliner and business jets cruise at, you’ll feel better on board and even banish jet-lag, ensuring you’ll arrive at your destination in unique style and comfort.

But if internal comfort is wholly important, then there are very few jets in the business more suited to optimum comfort than the Bombardier Global 7000. With no less than four living spaces on top of a dedicated crew rest area, each available to customise in a seemingly endless variety of shades and textures, the Global 7000 takes full advantage of its hefty 111-foot length to transport up to 17 passengers in almost unrivalled luxury.

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Further to this, the Global 7000’s massive size allows for a far greater fuel capacity than fellow ultra-long-range jet the Falcon 8x, with Bombardier’s flagship able to carry 21,500kg of fuel. This in turn boosts the jet’s maximum range to over 8500 miles, making the Global 7000 the longest ranged business jet around, able to connect New York to Dubai, or Beijing to Washington, without complaint.

Whilst the Global 7000 has experienced a series of teething problems that have cast doubt over the possibility of the jet entering the market this year, the recent completion of Bombardier’s CS100 and CS300 have allowed the company to transfer the attentions of the majority of its workforce back to the Global 7000. The bulk of Bombardier’s $325 million program tooling and research budget has also been dedicated to getting the Global 7000 into circulation as quickly as possible.

Of course that 54 feet 7 inches of plush cabin space is the Global 7000’s biggest draw, but, at around $96 million, the Bombardier business jet also provides top-of-the-range cockpit contraptions – including four liquid crystal display screens and the Bombardier Vision flight deck that reduces pilot fatigue and increases speed control and situational awareness, allowing you to get on with your job in the cabin’s spacious interior, whilst the pilot can get on with his.

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SKYACHT ONE

SKYACHT ONE

Even the Global 7000’s quadruple living quarters in all of their seemingly infinite furnishing combinations can’t quite compare to Embraer’s masterpiece collaboration with former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sutto. Taking the vast Embraer Lineage 1000E as its base, the Skyacht One is a business jet with a difference; namely, that the interior resembles the nautical elegance of classic wooden motor-yachts that cruised the French Riviera in the midst of the 1900s.

Sotto, who is a former vice president of concept design at Disney and was once named

by TED founder Richard Saul Wurman as one of America’s top 1000 most creative people, has leant his considerable imagination to the completion of the Skyacht, which features a hand-painted mahogany ‘hull’ and an interior that owes much to the sailing vessels of the Old World, with navigational charts adorning the jet’s insides and nautical portholes lined with brass, nickel and mahogany replacing the traditional, uninspiring plane windows.

“The romance of those classic yachts with their planks and joinery – the way they’re built, with all the engineering exposed – is timeless,” Sutto told the BBC in February this year. “The craftsmanship is literally right before your eyes.

Every line is an elegant sculptural element.

Every plank of wood serves an aerodynamic purpose – they’re put together like a watch in a very precise way.”

Seating 19 people in maritime magnificence, the Lineage 1000E’s 118-foot length and 34-foot height means that the Skyacht’s

SKYACHT ONE

capacity for personalisation is almost unlimited.

The original model has come onto the market at around $110 million, but Sutto has said that this price is just a jumping-off point for those who wish to “make changes in a bespoke way.”

Of course, the Skyacht’s antiquated aesthetics may not be for those who revel in the monochrome elegance of modern travel, but the unique nature of this jet is certain to turn heads everywhere you go. As captain of this immense craft, the most sumptuous space is reserved solely for you, with personal quarters that are coated from the plush, carpeted floor to the panelled ceiling in padded suede and gold inlay.

The on-plane bath features a dazzling faucet inspired by the throttles of superyachts, with green Malachite countertops and shower

capacity for personalisation is almost unlimited.

The original model has come onto the market at around $110 million, but Sutto has said that this price is just a jumping-off point for those who wish to “make changes in a bespoke way.”

Of course, the Skyacht’s antiquated aesthetics may not be for those who revel in the monochrome elegance of modern travel, but the unique nature of this jet is certain to turn heads everywhere you go. As captain of this immense craft, the most sumptuous space is reserved solely for you, with personal quarters that are coated from the plush, carpeted floor to the panelled ceiling in padded suede and gold inlay.

The on-plane bath features a dazzling faucet inspired by the throttles of superyachts, with green Malachite countertops and shower

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juxtaposing the mahogany and teak woodgrain and lending further elegance to the incredible Skyacht.

There are few jets that can rival the Skyacht for sheer audacity, but Aerion’s planned $158 million supersonic tri-jet the AS2 may well be one – providing you’re prepared to put aside the aero-nautical elegance in favour of sheer, unadulterated speed. Though still some years away, the Aerion AS2 has benefitted from some technological input from Airbus, and the two companies are hoping to announce the formal launch of the Mach-1.4 capable business jet by the end of 2016.

With the purported ability to travel roughly 6000 miles at supersonic speed, the AS2 is being touted as the jet that will revolutionise intercontinental travel, with Aerion claiming that it will have the ability to shave three hours off a typical trans-Atlantic flight, and over six hours off a trans-Pacific route.

And if the combined efforts of aviation giants Aerion and Airbus weren’t enough to pique your interest in this supersonic spectacle, the internal engineering under the hood of the AS2 makes use of Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow – a technology developed first by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and then further tested by none other than NASA. Aerion hope that the inclusion of SNLF

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AERION

will make the AS2 more environmentally responsible than traditional supersonic jet designs and give it added flexibility in terms of its operational utility, although the jet’s sleek 170-foot body may make it unsuited to some runways.

Aerion also hopes that the AS2 will go further than any market rival before it by reducing airflow enough to sidestep the tough regulations imposed on supersonic travel over land, which prohibit aircraft from creating sonic booms over most nations. The SNLF is reported to reduce surface drag by up to 90%, allowing the AS2 to break the sound barrier with ease whilst still using traditional jet engines.

The challenges facing the AS2 are undeniably vast, but despite the physical and financial difficulties facing Aerion and Airbus in their attempts to change the face of intercontinental business travel forever, there’s still hope.

FlexJet, who offer fractional ownership of upmarket aircraft, have recently ordered 20 AS2’s at a cost of around $3 billion, and Rolls Royce are apparently interested in helping Aerion out with their engine issues, proving that the expectations behind AS2’s astronomically ambitious targets are not unfounded.

“We will proceed with an engine that allows us to meet our performance goals with the minimum changes required,” Aerion CEO Doug Nichols told AIN earlier this year. “Aerion is focused on an engine that meets Stage 4 noise standards while preserving long-range supersonic performance. This is a significant challenge with a low-bypass supersonic engine, but solutions are in sight with today’s engine technology. The engine is the key to the AS2.”

If realised, the AS2 may well succeed where Concorde and many others have failed, and change the entire landscape of private air travel to boot – after all, there’s little more impressive than arriving for a meeting several hours before X you even left the tarmac. ●

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BOND

STARSANDTHEI R TAKE

SUPERCARS THE

WHEN IT COMES TO TASTE IN AUTOMOBILES, IT’S ALL ABOUT MAKING A PERSONAL STATEMENT

BY JAKE TAYLOR

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W

hen it comes to cars, Hollywood has played a major role in capturing the public imagination. Sean Connery set the standard for 60s cool as the tuxedo-clad James Bond at the wheel of a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger. The legendary Hollywood star Steve McQueen and real-life speed demon loved racing the streets of L.A. in his 1963 Jaguar XK SS even though he was best known for driving the iconic 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 350 Roadster in the classic film, Bullitt.

And when it comes to pure, classic style, there has rarely been a more defining image than that of Richard Gere cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway in his black 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL convertible in American Gigolo.

Sports and luxury cars remain essential status symbols for the rich and famous. Movie stars, rappers, and top sports figures have no compunction when it comes to spending some of their excess cash on the most exotic road machines on the planet. From hip hop mogul Jay Z's $12 million sensational Maybach Excelero to David Beckham's relatively modest $375,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost to Leonardo DiCaprio's eco-friendly $150,000 Tesla Roadster, the leading figures in the entertainment industry are all bent on making a personal statement when it comes to their taste in automobiles.

Here are seven stars and their favourite cars.

As you will discover, celebrities choose cars that help define their image and send a clear message to the public about how they like to roll.

SIMON COWELL JAGUAR EAGLE SPEEDSTER – $1.1 MILLION

Simon Cowell has very exacting standards. The multi-millionaire music entrepreneur and TV producer has made that abundantly clear over the years as the legendary and blunt-spoken judge on TV's The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, and American Idol. Exceedingly intolerant of amateur performers who don't have what it takes to become stars, Cowell is no slouch when it comes to choosing the finer things in life.

And he makes no apologies when it comes to amassing a personal fortune estimated at over $511 million.

“The secret of my success is that I make other people money. And, never ever, ever, ever be ashamed about trying to earn as much as possible for yourself, if the person you’re working with is also making money. That's life!”

Perhaps the best example of his exquisite taste is his latest dream car – the Jaguar Eagle Speedster, the ultra-rare reboot of the original Jaguar E-type which is hand built by the Sussex-

based Jaguar specialist, Eagle. Based on the original Jaguar E-Type chassis with power coming from a 306bhp 4.7-litre six-cylinder petrol unit with 460Nm of torque, the Jaguar Eagle Speedster is arguably the sexiest car on earth.

Cowell, who has long been an avowed Jag fanatic with a private collection that includes an E-type classic, an F-type, and two XK models, first spotted the Jaguar Eagle when it was tested on BBC’s Top Gear in June, 2011. Then-host Jeremy Clarkson paid the sleek custom Jag the highest tribute: “I think this, by a long way, is the most beautiful car I have ever seen. It might actually be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

Cowell was so enamoured of the Eagle that he sold his $2 million Bugatti Veyron (a car he drove only a handful of times) and then spent $1.1 million on the Jaguar Eagle, which he said was “something you can't pass up.”

“

I think this, by a long way, is the most beautiful car I have ever seen. It might actually be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

”

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HUGH GRANT

FERRARI CALIFORNIA – $221,000 British rom-com star Hugh Grant has long had a love-hate relationship with acting. He approaches his film career with a kind of grudging acceptance that comes from not having “anything else in particular” to do with his life. Despite becoming a Hollywood superstar following his work in Four Weddings and A Funeral and Notting Hill, he might have enjoyed a successful career as an art dealer after completing postgraduate studies postgraduate studies in Art History at the Courtauld Institute in London. Grant famously earned a profit of $18 million after selling a Warhol painting of Elizabeth Taylor in 2007 and is also known as an astute real estate investor.

His taste in cars is no less astute, and on the occasion of his 50th birthday Hugh purchased the stunning Ferrari California convertible which was the Italian luxury carmaker’s first

“

front/mid-engined, V8-powered vehicle upon its release.

“I love the bang-bang noise of the engine when (downshifting),” Grant said of his Ferrari.

He added: “I find in life that I’m very attracted to beautiful women, beautiful cars, and cats. To me those three things all jave the same appeal.

Luckily, it’s only the women that hold a sexual attraction for me although I have started to get interested in cats a little bit!” (Smiles) Built entirely out of aluminium, the California is powered by a twin-turbocharged, directinjected 3.9-liter V8 engine that produces 553 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 557 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. The roadster does 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and boasts a top speed of 196 mph. The V8 returns 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

The Ferrari California is a far cry from Grant’s first car, a Citroën Dyane, which he described as follows: “It was a very pathetic car with a power of one child pulling it by harness. It had a roof that kept breaking and would fly off and the bar would come down and hit my (then) girlfriend on the head.”

I love the bang-bang noise of the engine when (downshifting).

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”

JENNIFER LOPEZ BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC –$341,000

“

I’m very fortunate to have a lot of advantages and help that other single moms might not have, so I'm not going to complain about my life.

”

For a girl who grew up in working-class Puerto Rican family in New York’s tough Bronx neighbourhood, Jennifer Lopez has enjoyed one of the most successful careers of any female entertainer. The sublimely beautiful singer/ actress is currently starring as a tough-minded street cop in Shades of Blue, the NBC crime drama which she developed and also produces.

After completing her stint as a judge on the final season of American Idol, she’s also been performing at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas as part of a two-year, $26 million contract.

A single mother of two, J-Lo doesn’t worry about her heavy schedule.

“I don't find it difficult to balance my work and raising my children.

I come from a hard-working family with a lot of strong women and I’m like any other single, working mother who has a job and looks after her children.... I’m very fortunate to have a lot of advantages and help that other single moms might not have, so I’m not going to complain about my life.”

One advantage of being one of the richest women in Hollywood is owning a white Bentley Continental GTC convertible. She loves the “very smooth ride” that the car offers while she uses it to take her kids to school. Though neither J-Lo nor her on-call chauffeur will likely never test its limits while shuttling her twins Emme and Max around L.A., the Bentley boasts a massive 590 horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 200 mph.

Not bad for a car formerly associated with Britain’s upper class and images of cruising along country roads on the way to Fox hunts.

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“

I had a Tesla. I was one of the first cats with a Tesla...

But I’m telling you, I’ve been on the side of the road a while in that thing.

GEORGE CLOONEY PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS – $230,000

Long-time Porsche fanatic George Clooney is not often surprised in life, but a smile might have crossed his face when he was reportedly gifted with a Porsche 911 GT3 RS by his wife Amal on the occasion of his 54th birthday last year. The car is a high-powered improvement on his previous Porsche black 911 Carrera, and satisfies his avowed preference for classic cars.

The Porsche GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-liter flat-six engine that generates 500 horsepower and 338 pound-feet of torque, all of which is directed to the rear wheels via Porsche’s sevenspeed PDK dual-clutch paddle transmission.

Equipped with a rear wing for added stability at high speed, the carbon-fibre and magnesium body panels reduce weight to improve handling.

The new Porsche, although George has yet to be spotted it, is capable of reaching 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and 120 mph in 10.9 seconds, and tops out at 8800 rpm and a maximum speed of 200 mph. The monster Porsche supplements a garage that also includes a 1959 red & white

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”

Chevrolet Corvette which was originally owned

by Clooney's father, Nick, who purchased it new.

Nick gifted the car, which was considered one of the top sports cars of its day, to his prodigal son over a decade ago and George subsequently had it loving restored to perfection.

Clooney is a long-time human rights activist who has often visited war-torn Sudan and Darfur in a continuing effort to draw attention to the genocidal strife and starvation in the region.

However, committed he may be to humanitarian as well as environmental causes, that feeling does not extend to the Tesla. He once owned a 2008 Tesla Roadster which he reportedly sold in 2013 after tiring of numerous breakdowns.

“I had a Tesla. I was one of the first cats with a Tesla,” Clooney stated in a 2014 interview.

“But I’m telling you, I’ve been on the side of the road a while in that thing. And I said to them, ‘Look, guys, why am I always stuck on the side of the f**king road? Make it work, one way or another.’”

JAY-Z

MAYBACH EXELERO – $8 MILLION - EST.

“

The burden of poverty isn’t just that you don’t always have the things you need, it’s the feeling of being embarrassed every day of your life, and you’d do anything to lift that burden.

The wealthiest music moguls of all time, it’s only fitting perhaps that the hip hop promoter/ executive/star should own one of the most expensive cars on earth – the Maybach Exelero.

Though it’s an absurd price for a car that isn't competing on a Formula One track, the Exelero ranks as arguably the biggest and fastest car ever made. It’s precisely the kind of street-legal vehicle that every record mogul needs to own, and Jay Z pulls it off in style. And the price tag?

When your net worth is estimated at nearly $853 million, you can be forgiven for shelling out $12 million for a ride.

The Maybach Exelero, currently out of production after disappointing results at the Maybach subsidiary, was manufactured at the Sindelfingen factory in Germany owned by parent company Daimler-Benz and is regarded as one of the most unique cars ever produced.

Weighing in at a massive 2.6 tonnes, the Exelero attains a speed 60 mph in the relatively

”

slow time of 4.4 seconds, albeit maxing out at a race-car worthy 220 mph. Powered by a 5.9 liter V12 engine, the Exelero produces 700 bhp with over 738 pound feet of torque.

Prior to purchasing it, Jay Z test-drove the car in Germany while it was still in the prototype stage and can be seen driving the Exelero in his video for the song “Lost Ones.” One of the music industry's most powerful figures who is also married to Beyoncé, one of the top-selling artists of all time, Jay-Z might be forgiven for feeling a sense of entitlement to flashing some of his wealth. In his book Decoded (2010), Jay-Z offers insight into what owning a car like the Maybach Exelero means to him: “The burden of poverty isn’t just that you don’t always have the things you need, it’s the feeling of being embarrassed every day of your life, and you’d do anything to lift that burden. As kids we didn’t complain about being poor; we talked about how rich we were going to be and made moves to get the lifestyle we aspired to by any means we could. And as soon as we had a little money, we were eager to show it.... The sad shit that you never really shake it all the way off, no matter how much money you get.”

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LEONARDO DICAPRIO TESLA ROADSTER – $142,000

Hollywood's outspoken environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio would have a hard time justifying anything more exotic or energyconsuming than a Prius or a custom made aluminium road racing bicycle. And though he does spend a lot of time on yachts which burn fuel faster than almost any other means of transportation, Leo does do his bit for the planet when it comes to his silver Tesla Roadster. The elite electric car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in an astonishingly quick 3 seconds and will reportedly run for 380 km on a single charge.

The curvy Tesla Roadster is one of the sexiestlooking electric cars on the market and is perfect for city driving. It’s only drawback is the puny 125 mph top speed which limits its appeal to the European market. But the next-generation roadster, the Tesla Model S, when set to “Ludicrous Mode,” will be able to do 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, faster than the 903 horsepower

“

I think the younger generation is much more sensitized to environmental issues than I was when I was growing up.

”

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McLaren P1. That would make the Tesla S the fastest four-door sedan in the world and surely capture a huge chunk of the luxury/sports car market once it comes onto market in 2019.

DiCaprio, 41, who finally won the Oscar this year for his performance in The Revenant, swears by the promise of green technology and tries to reduce his carbon footprint to the bare minimum (apart from partying on diesel-guzzling 100 meter yachts in St. Tropez). He believes in setting a good environmental example for the rest of us: “I drive an electric car...my roof is covered with solar panels, I separate my garbage, I don’t run the water unnecessarily, and I shut off the lights when I leave a room.

All those little things which if we all did can have a huge impact, and I think the younger generation is much more sensitized to environmental issues than I was when I was growing up."

DAVID BECKHAM ROLLS ROYCE GHOST – $375,000

A lover of the Rolls Royce brand, former football superstar David Beckham has an impressive array of exotic cars in his garage - including an Audi S8, a Porsche Turbo Cabriolet, a Cadillac Escalade, a customised Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, and a Jeep Wrangler for days when driving the most expensive cars in the world just doesn't seem appropriate! He also owned a Lamborghini Gallardo before he sold it in 2012.

These days, his car of choice is the Rolls Royce Ghost, a successor to his previous Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead. The Ghost, now produced in a Series II version, boasts a 6.6-liter turbocharged V-12 engine that produces a massive 563 horsepower. An 8-speed automatic gearbox allows for the smoothest drive of possibly any car available and true to the Rolls Royce marque. For a V-12, the engine is so quiet that it one only notices a slight hum at normal city driving speeds. However, if you want to have some fun and floor the throttle, the Ghost's BMW designed V-12 delivers the kind of Germanic thrust that will satisfy the automotive purist in you.

Beckham's Series 1 version can do 0-60 in 4.2 seconds while the newer model is slightly slower at 4.8 seconds. The car tops out at a puny 154 mph which is unimportant given that David apparently uses the car for dropping off the children at school or meeting friends in Beverly Hills.

Recently, David and wife Victoria’s son Brooklyn has just passed his driving test and has been seen driving a top-of-the-range new car, perhaps taken from dad's inexhaustible collection.

“

These days, his car of choice is the Rolls Royce Ghost, a successor to his previous Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead.

”

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KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL

BMW IS ONE LUXURY AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER THAT HAS PUT THE BRAKES ON THE PUSH TOWARDS SELF-DRIVING CARS, PREFERING A SLOWER, MORE INCREMENTAL APPROACH, AND FOR THAT WE THANK THEM

BY MARK KEAST

T

he whole point of getting behind the wheel of a $150k car is to drive it. Isn’t that the reason you bought it? You should want the experience of what a car at this level has to offer.

You should want to steer it through winding roads in the country, the Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System pumping crystal clear U2 into your ears (I did this). You should want to adjust the different driving modes.

You should want to open it up on a highway, blow past that transport truck, experience the 445 horsepower twin power turbo V8 engine, 480 pounds-per-foot of torque. Zero to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds means you are in Porsche 911 territory, after all.

If none of this appeals to you, then I might have the names of a few chauffeurs you can call.

That brings us to BMW’s 750i xDrive, which with all the bells and whistles came in at a notch below $133,000. The short-wheel drive version is the one I drove, more popular in Canada. The car also comes in a long-wheel version, with around 26 more centimetres of room in the rear, more popular outside this country. The car

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scored on so many different levels over the week word count restriction here forbids me from getting into every detail. As I was told when I picked it up, BMW takes pride in knowing that the people who buy their cars are still making new discoveries two years after they bought it.

That’s the goal.

For me, what I like about what BMW is doing comes down to building up self-drive technologies slowly, incrementally. The car has your back, but it isn’t going to drive for you.

Take the car’s safety technologies. You are driving down a street in your city and a pedestrian is crossing an intersection. In a below-60 km/h scenario like that the car will break for you, coming to a full stop. Above 60 km/h the driver assistance systems are there, but it’s best when you are not noticing them.

The safety systems in this car are a last resort.

No one wants their car making decisions for them.

Lane change assist technology will nudge you back to your lane, the rest is up to you.

Brake assist feature is there, but only as a last

C.J.

Graphics Inc. O F F I C I A L P R I N T E R fo r L U S H MAGAZINE As the President and Founder of The C.J. Group of Companies, Jay Mandarino gives back to the community through his two Not-For-Profit companies – C.J. Skateboard Park & School, one of the world’s largest Not-For-Profit indoor skateparks, and JBM Event Auction Services, donating his services to over 50 charity auctions a year. Jay is also the author of A Cause For Laughter, a joke book with all proceeds going towards charities, and, he is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to outstanding Canadians for their contributions and distinguished services to their community and country.

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resort, after a visual warning, then an audio wanting, then the car will start to apply the brakes for you. Cruise control? The 750i will maintain a set distance from the car in front, set at, say, a max speed of 140 km/h. In a traffic jam the car will brake down to zero km/h, if you don’t feel like braking yourself. The technology is there, but it’s not an autopilot. And thank BMW for that, for going against a trend.

A favourite, unique safety feature is that little coffee cup graphic that pops up on the iDrive operating system touch screen – the car telling you that maybe it’s time for a break, after it has measured driver inputs and parameters (maybe the driver hasn’t adjusted speed in a while, or is not actively steering, or perhaps the car has bumped the driver out of two lane changes).

From a luxury standpoint, the BMW 750i screams best in class. The aforementioned Bowers and Wilkins sound system (a $4500 upgrade with a car, but a quality sound system

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that would run you $40,000 if you wanted to set up comparable sound quality in your home) that makes two or three hour drives far more palatable.

The 750i and 750Li remains the flagship of the BMW brand, which, along with the Mercedes S Class sets the pace for all others in the luxury category. The agility and the manoeuvrability makes you feel you aren’t driving a luxury car with 4-wheel steering. The car has a real fast, effortless power train. It’s fast all the time. As someone said, in the 750 Li, you don’t feel like you are carrying that extra bulk in the back.

The car’s front and rear wheel air suspension – self-levelling is great, if you are transporting something a little heavier in the trunk, or have several passengers in the back seat.

New for the car is active comfort drive with road preview, a little camera that shows the road surface conditions in front of the car and adjusts the suspension damping in real time.

We are heading into winter season, and we all know the conditions of roads after the snow finally melts and the freeze goes away – pot holes that you could park the car in. The camera recognizes those and adjusts the wheels as you approach, absorbing the impact, then stiffens again once you are over it. Again, the 750i/750Li has your back.

Heads-up display continues to be one of the favourite features of these BMW cars, this time with more information on the display screen, which sits at eye level, right above your hands at 10 and 2.

X Keep your hands on the wheel. ●

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YURI DOJC

B Y A P P O I N T M E N T O N LY stop@yuridojc.com

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