1. ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM METROPOLITAIN COLLECTION
Rolls-Royce’s flagship Phantom model has gone urban with a limited-edition collection of 20 vehicles inspired by the great cities of the world. The Phantom Metropolitan Collection flaunts a unique design that features hand-crafted ‘marquetry’ in the rear picnic tables and front panelling.
Each work of art consists of more then 500 pieces of wood veneer, varying in type, texture and colour to create dynamic interpretations of an imagined metropolis. Each car also features a special Aetherius Grey leather interior designed to reflect the colour of a conceptual modern city, and a hand-stitched abstract image of a skyscraper on the rear seats made of 6,800 two-tone stitches.
There’s also a specially made clock face showing the time zones of 24 cities around the world. Each model can be entirely tailored to suit the tastes of discerning buyers, who will no doubt be paying handsomely for the privilege of owning a piece of history.
2. BENTLEY MULSANNE SPEED
The Bentley portfolio has thus far been beautifully simple to navigate: driving enthusiasts opt for the Continental — preferably the GT Speed — and those who value vehicles for prestige as much as performance choose the Flying Spur. At the top of the spectrum, the Mulsanne is bought by back-seat drivers desperate to spend their children’s inheritance — it’s used to ferry them to the office or the country estate in utmost comfort, and is rarely driven by its owner. Until now.
That’s the image Bentley is trying to brush off with the Mulsanne Speed, a high-performance variant of the company flagship, whose massive 6.75-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 530 brake horsepower (25 more than the standard Mulsanne) and does 0-100 kph in 4.9 seconds, which is phenomenal for a car the size of a studio apartment.
The addition of wide, low-air intakes at the front and a sporty side air vent tucked behind the front wheel arches gives it a sporty edge over its stately cousin, but the interior retains its luxurious, tailor-made feel. We’re not sure who is going to buy this speedy behemoth, but no doubt it will take pride of place among many prestigious Bentley collections.
3. PORSCHE 911 CARRERA GTS
Choice is a fundamental part of luxury today. Discerning buyers don’t want to compromise – they want things just so, which is why Porsche now offers 19 variants of its legendary 911 sports car. The latest incarnations come in the form of four new-generation GTS models, offering all- or rear-wheel drive variants and the choice of coupé or cabriolet.
Performance tweaks mean the new GTS models churn out 430 bhp and manage 0–100 kph in a minimum time of four seconds. Aesthetic enhancements come in the form of Alcantara leather-trimmed sport seats inside and black chrome-plated exhausts outside.