Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Porsche, Tesla, Aston Martin ... 8 of the classiest and cosiest luxury cars money can buy in 2020

James Bond’s vintage Aston Martin DB5 looks pretty passe compared with the high-tech luxury motors on this list. Photo: United Artists Corporation

The year 2019 has been a pretty exciting one for car aficionados, welcoming plenty of new releases, concept cars and new technologies debuting in the car industry.

We were also offered a glimpse into the smart-driving cars of the future, with innovative designs such as the Tesla Cybertruck and the Faraday Future FFZERO1. And, of course, not forgetting Lamborghini’s recently unveiled virtual supercar, the Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo.

This year also marks a rise in the number of British cars entering the luxury market, as noted by many car journalists. Will this trend continue into 2020?

Before we get too excited by the upcoming “holy trinity” of releases next year – the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Mercedes-AMG One – let’s take a quick drive around the block of the moment’s most luxurious motor vehicles, focusing on sports, electric, convertible and SUV vehicles.

Bugatti Chiron Sport

 

This is one car that every kid dreams of having while playing car Top Trumps, as it allows you to win in every category. Imagine this: the Bugatti is capable of reaching an insanely fast speed of 482.8km/h (300mph). Bugatti has achieved this record-breaking speed with only a slightly modified Chiron (this September the hypercar maker went one better, announcing the Bugatti's Chiron Super Sport 300+ – officially the fastest production car in the world, reaching speeds of 490.484km/h).

Driving the fastest car in the world might sound like something only Formula One drivers should attempt, but if you have a chance to get behind the wheel you’ll be blown away by the immaculate interior design and the use of the most exquisite materials like forged carbon fibre and beluga black leather – of course all customised and in limited production.

10 billionaires who chose to drive cheap, modest cars

McLaren 720S

 

McLaren has been working relentlessly over the past few years to push boundaries and limitations to build a lighter, faster and more luxurious sports car. The result is the 720S. From the majestic way the butterfly doors open to the distinct aerodynamic contours of the exterior, the car embodies the drive for efficiency in a scientific but eye-pleasing way.

While the weight-saving carbon fibre tub ensures a rigid and protective chassis, the two-seater cabin appeals to drivers who don’t look for flashy interiors, such as the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. The carbon fibre steering wheel, complemented with the black Alcantara leather detailing, sets you in the right mood to push the car from your home straight to the racetrack. Those who are more concerned about the technical aspects do not have to worry; next to the electronic suspension high regulator is a large seven-inch touch screen and multiple USB ports to satisfy your daily tech needs.

Tesla Model S

 

You probably didn’t expect to see the Tesla Model S on this list of top luxury cars. Especially as this car can today be found in most cities, and the novelty effect of seeing a Tesla on the street has long vanished. But hear me out on why Tesla’s first mass-market, all-electric outing deserves much more praise, whilst acknowledging the average quality of the interior or the misalignment of door panels.

The car provides a different type of luxury to its drivers – technological supremacy. When we look inside the car, a vast 17-inch touch screen is the centrepiece of the dashboard. And one that packs a punch, too, as home of several features that make the Tesla outshine all other vehicles in the market: Climate control, navigation and a hands-free phone system all pale in comparison to Tesla’s proprietary gadgets. These include the smart summon (which lets you move the car in or out of a parking space from outside of the car), theatre mode (for watching movies while waiting), games (for interactive games), car-aoke (read lyrics off the screen), sentry mode (the car monitors suspicious activities) and dog mode (keeps your dog cool while you’re away). Last but by no means least, the autopilot and auto-cruise mode; honestly, there is not a more luxurious feature than letting you relax while driving and having the car do all the work.

10 billionaires who chose to drive cheap, modest cars

Porsche Taycan

 

The Porsche Taycan is the electric car that many have been waiting for. But can it take on the hegemony of Tesla? The Taycan features Porsche’s iconic lines while building on top of the Panamera-looking four-door model. The car is sporty, independent, with a flat front and flowing forms. Once you sit inside, you’ll immediately notice that the entire dashboard has been designed in a new and efficient manner: Instead of instrument buttons, you’ll find a fully curved digital display in front of the driver, next to two more displays and a screen right in front of the passenger to assist in whatever you need. The car ticks all the boxes when it comes to infotainment. Plus, one controversial feature can be found too – the sound function that allows you to synthetically simulate the noise of a proper, petrol racing car. Thankfully, that’s only optional.

Bentley Continental GTC

 

Bentley’s gorgeous new Continental GTC. Now before we start let’s just take a moment to appreciate the view of the back of the car, with the roof down, and those lovely elliptical tail lights showing off one of the best exterior designs we’ve seen in the past few years. This car basically screams pure luxury that is all about transcontinental touring for four people at its finest.

Driving a convertible with winter approaching can be tricky. You’ll want a bit more heating, and for your steering wheel too. Bentley has it all covered with the quilted leather seats and a heated centre armrest. There’s even an air scarf to keep you comfortably warm – just imagine the comfort you would feel while driving this car in winter.

While there's certainly some old-school romance in the vaguely-1930s speedboat-shape of the car, the fact the digital display can be switched seamlessly to an analogue set of dials is likely to cause a pang of sadness in the traditionalist aesthete. 

14 celebrities with crazy expensive supercars worth up to US$40 million

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante

 

The ultimate dream of every petrol head who likes the feeling of fresh air hitting the car cockpit while driving up winding mountain roads: Aston Martin was able to combine the best of 007’s beloved DBS with the most luxurious convertible experience possible. True to its name, the grand touring car offers comfortable, power-adjustable leather racing seats with heating and memory standard adjustments, an improved infotainment system and the traditional choice of interior trims, including open-pore ash wood, carbon fibre, or satin-finished chrome. There are few cars on the road that allow the driver to accelerate to such mind-boggling speeds, while wowing bystanders with the growling V12 engine and offering the comfortable ride of a luxury vehicle.

Range Rover SVAutobiography

It won’t be long before we spot the off-road icon of the Range Rover SVAutobiography being driven with refinement and sophistication through posh neighbourhoods. Photo: Range Rover

If car enthusiasts were to see a Range Rover appearing in any list focusing on luxury cars or interior uniqueness five years ago, they would most likely have laughed. Not in 2019.

This is why we love this industry, where car manufacturers are sometimes able to impress all the naysayers. The SV in the name stands for special vehicle, a well-deserved name. The Range Rover-esque design lines on the outside of the vehicle have been elegantly updated and it won’t be long before we spot the off road icon being driven with refinement and sophistication through posh neighbourhoods.

The quality of the interior is above par and the multiple control panels allow you to adjust the relaxing massage functions, three infotainment screens and the impressive quad zone climate control. Land Rover invented the concept of the luxury SUV almost five decades ago and it remains as relevant now as it was back then, perhaps even more with this latest iteration.

This US$1m bulletproof hypercar beats the Batmobile

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge

 

What’s the most luxurious SUV out there? The answer is simple; there is currently no match for the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The original and first version of the Cullinan was launched last year and now accounts for around 50 per cent of Rolls-Royce’s sales book. This clearly shows that there was a customer segment just waiting to empty their heavy wallet to get a new full-sized luxury toy.

This year Rolls-Royce won everyone over with their latest trump card; the Back Badge edition. The “King of the Night” finish allows you to glide or “hover” over the pavement in a majestic way whilst impressing everyone around you. The customisation level offered astonishes, from unique paint jobs, individual selected interior materials to the startling diamond star roof finish. All these features make the Rolls-Royce Cullinan a worthy purchase – even with its hefty price tag. Once you get behind the wheel, no other SUV comes close to the once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will get with the Rolls-Royce.

Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter .

As the decade comes to an end, STYLE surveys the hottest luxury cars to hit the market in the past year – from the record-breaking ostentation of the Bugatti Chiron Sport hypercar to the domestic driveability of the Range Rover SVAutobiography