Celebrity Life

There are few more convivial, charming or stylish ways of taking a drive than with the top down.

With that sentiment in mind, here are four of today's most desirable luxury convertibles.

Rolls-Royce Dawn

[gallery ids="212337,212349,212348"]

The nearest thing to driving an Aquariva speedboat on the public road, the Rolls-Royce Dawn is the personification of automotive elegance, 21st-century style. Vast in dimensions, sleek and gorgeously uncluttered in lines and extravagantly appointed within, it would scream ultimate indulgence if it weren’t for the fact that it’s all so incredibly tasteful.

Unless you’re one of the 50 customers who snap up the special-edition Silver Bullet (shown here), which is inspired by bespoke roadsters of the 1920s and replaces the two rear seats with a leather-clad titanium tonneau, there’s plenty of room for four passengers, who are wafted about in outrageous luxury, basking in the sun and breeze, not to mention the envious gaze of the less-fortunate masses. Power comes from a gently turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 engine, which generates more than 560bhp and a thumping 780Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm – meaning acceleration that, though rapid, is less terrifying than subtly relentless.

Although introduced just a few years ago, this current Dawn is probably nearing the end of its production cycle, as the Ghost on which it's based was recently replaced by a brand new model. But no matter, this regal ragtop is about as sweet and desirable as the best luxury convertibles can get – and if royalty doesn’t happen to be your thing, it’s also the Roller that makes every one of its privileged occupants feel like a rock star.

Bentley Continental GT Convertible

[gallery ids="212343,212341,212342"]

If Rolls-Royces are for kings or cads (two supposed opposites that, of course, sometimes turn out to be one and the same), Bentleys are for gentlemen – or, at least, that’s the saying. And if any motor car could be said to uphold the values of the English gent today – stylish, well-mannered and just a little bit raffish – then surely it’s the Bentley Continental. Reintroduced into the British car-maker’s line-up some 18 years ago, the Continental also played a big part in re-establishing the marque’s sporting credentials – and the current Conti, though large, rather heavy and extremely luxurious, is the most sporty of the lot.

Crucially, it’s built on a platform initially deployed on Porsche’s impeccably handling Panamera and, just like the Pana, one of its two engine options is a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 (though if 540-odd horses are insufficient there’s also a 626bhp, 6-litre W12), so it certainly walks the walk. There’s all-wheel drive and active suspension, so the thing grips like a sports car should and wafts like a limo too. And then there’s the stunning interior, all put together by hand and fashioned from the finest materials.

Order the Continental GT in softtop form and as well as being capable of annihilating autobahns it’s also the perfectly relaxed boulevardier, so once you’ve arrived at your destination after gobbling up much of Europe, you can dawdle to your dinner date in the highest style, all eyes on you. True, there isn’t quite as much room in the back for two passengers as in Rolls’ more spacious Dawn, but in ultra-posh Mulliner spec like the Continental shown here it puts the “grand” in GT like few other cars we can think of.

BMW 8-Series Convertible

[gallery ids="212344,212346,212345"]

Although sharing a platform with the more stately 7 Series saloons, the 8 Series Convertible is intended to display a more sporting demeanour, thanks partly to what BMW calls a “carbon core” chassis. The reality is somewhat different, as the rather heavy 8 works hard at being genuinely nimble and is thus more grand tourer than sports car – though the high-performance M8 variant does offer much more of a hardcore experience.

Fortunately, the 8 excels as a swift, large and fairly luxurious carriage for transporting four people in style between two faraway points on the map, and this is especially true of the M850i xDrive. In this guise, the big Beemer ragtop comes with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 worth 523 horsepower, as well as all-wheel drive – and to be honest it’s seriously quick, though its heft doesn’t make it the most wieldy of machines, in spite of BMW’s sterling efforts in the chassis department.

As to the interior, you’ll note we used the words “fairly luxurious” and that’s because, although the cabin is made from premium materials, well equipped and equally well put together, it’s not that different from lesser BMWs and thus not particularly special – and especially not when compared with the hand-built opulence of the Continental, which could and should be the 8-Series Convertible’s natural competitor. Hugely fast, cleverly engineeered and very comfortable, it’s both an impressive piece of kit and a continent cruncher par excellence, but a little more luxe on the inside wouldn’t go amiss.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

[gallery ids="212339,212340,212338"]

We’ve long nurtured a soft spot for the unostentatious elegance of Mercedes’ mid-size E-Class Cabriolet, and the air of ease that this excellent automobile imparts. Built less for outright speed than comfort, it’s a car for lazily meandering through landscapes rather than carving them up – and though it’s no Roller or Bentley, it still makes its occupants feel like a million dollars as they cruise, top down, along La Croisette or past the casino in Monte Carlo.

It’s based, of course, on Mercedes’ deeply impressive, spacious and sensible E-Class saloon, which means there’s plenty of room for four and oodles of comfort, too. And though slicing off the roof doesn’t do too much for body rigidity, that really shouldn’t be an issue in a vehicle that’s mostly about refined relaxation. That, of course, isn’t the entire story: for those journeys when you need to get there in double-quick time, Mercedes does have an ace up its sleeve with the recently introduced AMG E53 Cabriolet, which mates a mildly hybridised 3-litre straight six producing 429bhp with a nine-speed multi-clutch gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel drive.

Thus fettled, the Cab can move at a fair old clip, reaching a maximum of 250km/h (though surely not with the roof down, dear) and hitting 100 in less than 4.5 seconds – and it even gets a dollop of attitude with AMG’s aggressive Carrera Americana-style grille (not to mention the optional Dynamic Plus package that even offers Race and Drift modes – both entirely unnecessary in a car such as this). To which we’d say, sure, go for the extra power, eschew the race-track tech and then revel in a motor car that’s as much about the slow lane as tearing up the fast one.

The post Roofless Streak: Our Picks of the Most Desirable Luxury Convertibles appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Aston Martin’s bespoke division releases two special edition cars to celebrate James Bond’s 25th outing on the silver screen.

The post Two new Aston Martins released for No Time To Die appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Aston Martin’s bespoke division releases two special edition cars to celebrate James Bond’s 25th outing on the silver screen.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Buying a Ferrari is a cherished experience that is sure to be right at the top of the bucket list for anyone. However, what if you already own ten of them, and a new bespoke color or interior is not enough anymore? Well, Ferrari has an answer to that with a special division to cater […]

The post The Stunning Ferrari Omologata: For your eyes only appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Buying a Ferrari is a cherished experience that is sure to be right at the top of the bucket list for anyone. However, what if you already own ten of them, and a new bespoke color or interior is not enough anymore? Well, Ferrari has an answer to that with a special division to cater […]

The post The Stunning Ferrari Omologata: For your eyes only appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

It's the best of both worlds.

Sparks fly, the tarmac heats up, and heads turn when automobiles get a style makeover by luxury fashion houses. Here are some of our favourite luxury car collaborations.

[inline_related_article article_id="189729,79972"]

Porsche X Porsche Design

[gallery ids="210812,210813,210814,210815"]

Channelling the spirit of the Golden Age is the colour of the Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition in Cherry Metallic, which echoes the popular dark red exteriors of cars in the 1950s, as well as the intense red favoured by the marque for its manuals, workshop letterings and even dealership décor of that era. This tribute model also revives another vintage fashion mainstay – the tactile corduroy fabric, which was used to trim the seat centre and door panels of the Porsche 356 from 1952 onwards.

If these styling features are already bringing back fond memories of the Porsches of yesteryear, you’ll be happy to know that more Heritage Design models will be unveiled, and they will showcase other historic fabrics such as pepita, pasha and tartan. Also only available to owners of this ride is a new, eponymous Porsche Design 42mm COSC-certified chronograph watch in polished titanium, with a Bordeaux Red strap made of the same leather used in the car.

Bugatti X Hermès

[gallery ids="210817,210818,210819,210820"]

Sometimes it takes a special client order for magic to happen. This was the case for the one-of-a-kind Hermès Edition Bugatti Chiron, which was ready end of 2019 after three years in the making. Requested by California-based ultra-luxury car collector Manny Khoshbin, this two-seater Chiron Super Sport 300+ is a glorious ode to the 100-year-old relationship between the marque and the luxury French maison that began before World War I, when horse lover Ettore Bugatti commissioned saddles and tack from Émile-Maurice Hermès’ workshops. In post- war 1920s, as Hermès expanded into accessories and clothing, its leatherwork also started making appearances in Bugatti’s flamboyant racing cars.

Boasting the elegant Hermès Craie off-white paint, this new masterpiece is decked out with many custom flourishes, including the Courbettes horse graphic on the cashmere trim of the interior and the underside of the airbrake, the “H” pattern of the signature horseshoe grille and intakes, and exclusive badges all around.

Vespa X Christian Dior

Both founded in 1946, the Italian marque and the Parisian couture house have come together to reinvent the spirit of freedom, movement and creative expression that drives them. The Vespa 946 Christian Dior scooter oozes savoir faire and detailing mastery with monohull architecture and subtle graphic lines paying tribute to the heritage of the two brands.

Designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of the Dior women’s collections, it flaunts a saddle patterned with the Dior Oblique motif, which was created by Marc Bohan in 1967. Also featuring the same motif are the additional accessories of a helmet and a top case. This limited-edition vehicle is set to bring its joie de vivre to Dior customers around the world in Spring 2021.

Meyers Manx X Berluti

[gallery ids="210822,210823"]

This heritage menswear label has launched a fun, made-to-order summer ride that pays homage to the carefree surf culture of 1960s southern California: A beach buggy. Inspired by the original 1964 Meyers Manx buggy model by Bruce F. Meyers, Berluti’s version is made with a Volkswagen Beetle fitted with an open-wheeled polyester bodyshell replicating the original mould, complete with a canvas soft-top featuring the brand’s new signature print by Berluti’s Creative Director, Kris Van Assche. The Berluti logo appears on the hood in palladium-finished brass, and as a subtle imprint on the steering wheel.

For the dashboard, interiors and handcrafted seats, buyers are offered a selection of leathers and patinas. There is also a removable luggage carrier encased in black leather. Weighing in at just 500kg, it is powered by an air-cooled 1600cc flat-four engine with a twin carburetor, offers 90 horsepower, and comes with a roll-over protection structure that doubles as a surfboard stand.

Maserati X Ermenegildo Zegna

[gallery ids="210824,210825,210826"]

Sharing a legendary heritage of fine artisanal craftsmanship and a legacy of innovation, these two historic northern Italian companies joined forces in 2015 to develop Maserati car interiors. Five years ago, the first-ever fine silk interiors in the automotive sector were launched for select models including the Ghibli, and this year, a new woven Pelletessuta nappa leather version made its debut. Unique to the world of luxury motoring, this durable yet comfortable material is only available in a limited number of special-edition 2020 Model Year Quattroporte S Q4 GranLusso sedans and Levante S GranSport SUVs.

The Quattroporte sedans feature a custom Blu Sofisticato metallic exterior paint, dark brown Pelletessuta interiors and a dedicated Zegna Edition interior badge. The Levante SUVs showcase a Bronzo tri-coat exterior, black Pelletessuta interiors and the exclusive Radica wood trim.

Fiat X Bulgari

[gallery ids="210827,210828,210829"]

If a car could channel the joy, hedonism and exuberance that defines 1950s Italy, it would be the fabulous little B.500 By Bulgari Mai Troppo convertible. Just like a rare jewel, there are only three units of this Fiat 500 special edition in the world (and they were already auctioned off in July). And this first-ever electric model of the beloved Cinquecento truly lives up to its name of “never enough”. Evoking the light of the Eternal City, its metallic paint in Imperial Saffron is achieved through the integration of gold dust. Bulgari’s Parentesi motif is here reimagined on the engine front grid, while its eight-pointed star is referenced on the wheel rims.

Its interiors showcase a dashboard covered in colourful hand-painted silk, and seats decked out in embroidered octane leather. If it isn’t decadent enough that its wearable gold car key features an ancient coin in the style of the Monete collection, the steering wheel also has a diamond- and gemstone-set logo embellishment detachable as a brooch, while the rear exterior boasts a diamond-paved B.500 logo.

This story first appeared on Prestige Singapore

(Main and featured images: Porsche/ Porsche Design)

The post Luxury Car Collaborations That Merge the Worlds of Fashion and Motoring appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Why the addition of a mini fridge exemplifies the engineering and design brilliance of the new Land Rover Defender.

The post Car review: The Land Rover Defender appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Why the addition of a mini fridge exemplifies the engineering and design brilliance of the new Land Rover Defender.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

The annual automotive garden party featured some of the best in classic automobiles.

The post The vintage cars that caught our eye at the London Concours appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The annual automotive garden party featured some of the best in classic automobiles.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Classic cars are back but with a twist ⇒ Electric vintage models are the new tradition of classic car ownership.

There are many classic car collectors around the world. The Classic Car Club of America and the Antique Automobile Club of America owns a list of qualified original cars built in 1915 and 1948.

Continue reading Classic cars are back but with a twist at Luxxu Blog.

Plus, other automobile news for this month.

The post Bentley’s Flying Spur in Styling Specification is as sporty as it is enchanting appeared first on The Peak Magazine.