Bentley plans to take on Tesla with a luxury electric car

Bentley wished to meet a new challenge: adapt its car’s luxury and performances to new electric models, without altering the driving pleasure and comfort. That is now possible with the new EXP 12 Speed 6e.

ANSWER LUXURY NEEDS

Bentley knows it well; its customers only want to benefit from the same unparalleled luxury that the brand brings to each of its vehicles. So Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e reflects the same luxury standards as the brand’s gasoline-fuelled vehicles, while being an electric car.

So Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e combines cleverly new technologies, Bentley’s craftsmanship as well as all first choice materials regularly used in its vehicles, meaning a true level of refinement.

Then amateur can be reassured, the electric vehicle’s conception does not alter these qualities. Indeed, Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e is able to provide the same exhilarating drive than gasoline vehicles, and remains a grand touring supercar. Indeed, the brand wished to build a vehicle able to drive from London to Paris, or Barcelona to Roma, without ever charging the battery. And these technical skills perfectly merge with Bentley’s high technologies.

CONNECTED CABIN AND ATHLETIC SILHOUETTE

Once inside Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e, the owner finds this unparalleled level of luxury common to all Bentley’s vehicles. He has access to on-board concierge services from his car through the central console.

The cabin is never cold and still refined, and the Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e wishes to satisfy both the driver and the passenger. The central console is protected by a curved glass and has an high definition OLED screen that gives him a quick access to the cabin’s commands such as navigation, entertainment and climate control.

From the steering wheel, Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e’s driver can also have access to the car setting, the navigation, medias and communication control but he also can boost the rapid inductive charging vehicle or limit speed. Finally, passenger also has access to his own console with social medias, e-mail and entertainment.

Outside, Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e appears to be elegant, futuristic and athletic, to represent Bentley’s car future. The 3D mesh grill as well as the smoked finish identifies the vehicle as an electric Bentley. When the car is running, the “6e” logo then illuminates and brings a bright white light to the vehicle’s silhouette.

Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e’s form and aerodynamics are inspired by aircrafts and reveal all the supercar’s potential. The front is short, the bonnet is long, the grill lower and the rear wider, a true revolution!

And if the inductive battery is not available, Bentley has integrated an auxiliary charging point that can be connected to any AC power supply, discretely hidden behind the rear number plate. With the Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e the brand’s future is already there!

 Discover the Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Mabrouk Group to Open New Luxury Hotel in Tunisia in 2017

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, and the Mabrouk Group, Tunisia’s preeminent investment group, will be introducing a new luxury experience to Tunisia with the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Tunis in late 2017.

Perched along the hillside of the exclusive Gammarth neighbourhood, Four Seasons Hotel Tunis will offer unrivalled views of the coast, combining Arabic-inspired architecture and Mediterranean influences to create a hotel experience unlike anything else in the city. Set along 500 metres (1,600 feet) of pristine beachfront, the 200-room Four Seasons Hotel Tunis is conveniently located near Tunis’ central business district and major cultural attractions, including the picturesque town of Sidi Bou Said and the historic ruins of Carthage.

“Whenever we enter a new market, we look for opportunities like this that offer a winning combination of the best location in the destination and a strong partner,” said J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “The Mabrouk Group shares our vision of creating a new luxury experience in Tunisia, one that showcases the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship, and introduces the personalised service and care for our guests that Four Seasons is known for.”

Marwan Mabrouk said, “As a company with deep roots in Tunisia, it’s a great pleasure to unveil plans for a hotel of this calibre in Tunis. Four Seasons has a well-earned reputation worldwide for creating hotel and resort experiences that bring together luxurious designs and amenities alongside highly customised service. Four Seasons Hotel Tunis will build on the strengths and expertise of both of our companies – creating a world-class luxury hotel that is true to the destination.”

Four Seasons Hotel Tunis will offer the largest accommodations in the city, many with outdoor terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. The Hotel will also feature an expansive Roman-inspired Spa, as well as a series of pools, gardens, and fountains that echo the design of the historic medina, creating a tranquil oasis within the heart of Gammarth. 

Our Mrs. Safa Hajjaji from Tunis who is Passion4Luxury's Business Development Manager will visit
the new Four Seasons Hotel as soon it opens.

Joining Tunis’ vibrant food and beverage scene, the Hotel will attract locals and travellers alike with a casual, coastal beach bistro and lounge, a Monaco-inspired brasserie, and an internationally-inspired market venue. The neighbouring marina also offers private charters to explore the Mediterranean as well as bars and restaurants along the coast with distinctive North African flair.

“We are excited to extend our presence in North Africa, and particularly along this stretch of the Mediterranean coast, as we create more opportunities for our luxury guests to experience Four Seasons in the region,” said Smith.

Four Seasons Hotel Tunis will be the first Four Seasons in Tunisia and the seventh in North Africa. Four Seasons currently manages two properties in Morocco and four in Egypt.

About Mabrouk Group

Founded in 1948 by Ali Mabrouk, the Mabrouk Group was initially active in the food industry and real estate. Through the years, and particularly under the leadership of the three Mabrouk sons, the holding company realised a large diversification in the retail, automotive and finance services sectors. Mabrouk Group is today among the premier private holdings group in Tunisia, and bases its continuous development on international partnerships with strong partners who share its vision of modernity and innovation.

Malaysian businessman glues 4600 Hot Wheels toys to his Jaguar S-Type

From special edition paintjobs paying ode to some of the most iconic race cars in the history to dazzling gold-plated supercars from the Middle East to diamond and Swarovski crystals encrusted bling-machines, we have seen them all.

But a Jaguar S-Type from Malaysia might just grab the title of the wackiest car decoration in the world. Spotted driving in and around Kuala Lumpur, the unusual-looking Jaguar S-Type limousine covered in thousands of miniature cars quickly became popular on the social networking platforms. However, no one knew anything about it including the information about the owner or the story behind its crazy customization. Luckily, Malaysia’s daily Harian Metro managed to track down the owner and get to the bottom of this mystery.

The Jaguar is owned by a 34-year-old Malaysian businessman named Datuk Seri Mahadi Badrul Zaman. He has been collecting Hot Wheels miniature cars ever since he was 13, and is now the proud owner of a collection of around 5,000 cars. Mahadi decided to give his Jaguar S-Type an eye-catching makeover by gluing 4600 Hot Wheels cars onto the bodywork of the car. Interestingly, it’s not the first time someone has tried to decorate a car by gluing thousands of toy cars. Back in 2008, James Ford also used thousands of toy cars to cover up his Ford Capri which was later auctioned off on eBay.

MasterCard introduces credit card with fingerprint scanner

If you have a hard time remembering your credit card’s four-digit PIN, there is good news for you.

MasterCard has unveiled its first payment card with biometric fingerprint scanner. Instead of requiring its owner to enter a four-digit personal identification number (PIN), it features a small area that can verify the card user’s fingerprints. Much of our devices that we use on a daily basis now use biometric fingerprint scanners for authentication; so it makes sense that credit and debit cards also adopt this technology to make our lives simpler.

MasterCard has introduced the payments card in South Africa, following successful trials with a local bank and retailer. It is currently extending the trials and plans to fully introduce the technology this year, as well as bringing the fingerprint sensor cards to Europe and Asia. MasterCard’s chief of safety and security, Ajay Bhalla, said that the fingerprint technology would help “to deliver additional convenience and security. It is not something that can be taken or replicated.” The card with the biometric sensor is surprisingly not thicker than a regular credit card. The fingerprint sensor is a small, thumbnail-sized rectangle that sits at the top right corner, and is easily accessible when you stick the card into a payment terminal. But the biometric verification can only be used for in-store purchases.

The Jaguar E-Type Has Been Remarkably Reborn

A bygone beauty is back as Jaguar Land Rover Classic recently announced its Jaguar E-Type Reborn—a new take on a timeless tourer.

The limited-edition lineup will be built from original Series 1 E-Type examples curated by Jaguar Classic, an extension of the marque’s Special Operations division. 

Introduced in 1961 and produced through 1968, the Series 1 E-Type took the automotive world by storm with its stunning design and distinctive power and performance. The model, inspired by the D-Type racecars that dominated Le Mans in the mid-1950s, left the competition behind with its ability to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 mph. Giving the sleek cat its claws was a 268 hp, 6-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Not surprisingly, its list of owners included car connoisseurs such as Steve McQueen, Jackie Stewart, and Frank Sinatra.

The mod automobiles to be released are painstakingly pieced together with mostly period parts (unless safety requires new versions). Upgrade options include an enhanced cooling system, an all-synchromesh transmission, and brakes from later variants.

The first of Jaguar’s official E-Type restorations is a 1965 Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe 4.2 that arrived in California during the same year and logged a total of 78,000 miles before being garaged in 1983. Maintaining the same coinciding numbers for its 4.2-liter engine, gearbox, and body, the car has been returned to factory specifications by experts using archived records and drawings (kept by Jaguar Heritage Trust) in order to accurately reconstruct it with Jaguar Classic components.

The revived vehicle will make its premiere at the Techno Classica Essen event to be held in Essen, Germany, from April 5 through 9. Currently, only 10 examples of the Jaguar E-Type Reborn are planned, each with a starting price of approximately $356,000 (Euro 333.346) 

The 7 cars that floored us at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is always one of the best places to see amazing new cars and concepts, but the 2017 show really blew us away with all the new models.

While there are too many cars to cover in just one article, here are the top seven cars that totally floored us at this year’s show:

7. Lamborghini Huracan Performante

You can’t have a list of awesome show cars without at least one entry from Lamborghini, and the new Huracan Performante that made its debut at the show this year is enough to take your breath away. Sheathed in a new Forged Composite carbon fiber alloy, the 5.2L V10 engine will tear up the track before you even know you’ve hit the accelerator.

6. Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e

Bentley is known for power and luxury, so it was only a matter of time before they stepped into the world of the electric car. The Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e is a fully electric car has a range of just under 200 miles on a single charge — at least according to Bentley’s claim that it can drive between “Milan and Monaco on a single charge.” There isn’t a whole lot of information available yet about the power of this new electric beauty, but we can probably expect more information in the coming weeks.

5. Mercedes AMG GT

Mercedes always puts on a great show at these events, but this year their new AMG GT concept really took the cake. Billed as a four-door coupe, this new sports car has a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 hybrid motor. Between the gas powered and electric motors, this little car can put out an astonishing 805 horsepower. It can pull 0-60 in less than three seconds — and it looks good while doing it.

4. The Dendrobium

This is one of the few entries that didn’t come from a major international car manufacturer, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t one of the most unique entries on this list. The Dendrobium is being dubbed as the electric hyper car of the future, with some definite Formula 1 inspiration, almost no emissions and an engine that can do 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. It might look a little out of place in the carpool lane, but it’s still one of the most interesting cars at this year’s show.

3. The Alpine A110

Alpine is a European based offshoot of Renault’s brand, and their first entry into the world of sports car is as sexy as they get. The A110 has a smaller engine than the other entries on this list, but that doesn’t mean that it’s going to get left in the dust. The little turbocharged 1.8L engine puts out a respectable 249 HP which carries the aluminum frame from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Unfortunately, it will only be available in Europe when it releases for the 2018 model year.

2. McLaren 720S

McLaren always puts on a good show, and this year’s Geneva Motor show is no exception. The new 720S is designed to replace the 650S, with more power and sleeker lines than its predecessor. Its designation comes from its 720HP engine, and at its core, it is designed to create a balance of design and comfort, something the 650 didn’t manage to achieve.

1. Aston Martin Valkyrie

You can’t go wrong with an Aston Martin, and the Valkyrie that was debuted at the Geneva Motor Show this year is as mind-blowing as they get. The newest entry in the world of hyper cars, the Valkyrie tears down the track with a 6.5L V12 engine under its sleek and sexy carbon fiber hood. This car looks like it’d be just as at home on a Formula 1 track as it would in your garage.

We could write a book on all the amazing cars from this year’s show, but these seven are definitely a few of the highlights.

Bugatti Creates One of the World's Lightest Bicycles

Bugatti introduces the world’s lightest urban bicycle that’s almost entirely made of carbon fiber

...And It Costs Euro 36.800 ($40K)

After collaborating with yacht manufacturers Palmer Johnson to craft the Chiron inspired limited edition Bugatti Niniette 66, Bugatti has now teamed up with German luxury bicycle manufacturer PG to introduce a bicycle that shares its design language with the marquee’s newest hypercar. With every new product, the French carmaker aims to shatter old records. While the Bugatti Chiron is almost ready to grab the crown for being the world’s fastest production car, the ‘PG Bugatti Bike’ has bagged the title of the lightest special urban bike in the world by weighing in less than 4,98kg (11lbs).

The PG Bugatti Bike is crafted primarily of carbon fiber and boasts aero-optimized cross sections along with its German-made “carbon components are handcrafted using prepreg materials and methods otherwise found only in motor sport and the aeronautic industries in order to guarantee the lightest weight and highest rigidity possible.” The bike is made of 95 percent carbon fiber, with the frame, fork, rims, handlebars, seat, crank and brake all made by Italian carbon experts Merelli. The uber-luxe bicycle will have a limited production of only 667 pieces, and upon request, existing Bugatti owners will be able to have their bicycles hand-customized in the PG Bugatti showroom in Weinstadt to match their cars. There is no word on the pricing of the bicycle.