Taste
Future on four wheels: from heritage to experiment
The automotive world is in motion. Literally and figuratively. While some brands are putting their heritage in a modern jacket, others are opting for an uninhibited view of tomorrow. One thing is certain: behind the wheel of the future, there is more than just speed.
110 years of Italian luxury
With a special series of an iconic model, the GranTurismo 110 ANNIVERSARIO, Maserati celebrates 110 years of performance, design, craftsmanship, uniqueness and technology. The Maserati GranTurismo is more than a car: it is a lifestyle that perfectly embodies the spirit of the brand, a model capable of combining sporty performance with comfort and luxury over long distances. At the same time, it is also a model for the future, with a 100% electric powertrain for the first time in Maserati's history, in the Folgore version. The 110 ANNIVERSARIO is released in a limited edition of as many units as the Maserati brand is young. There are two configurations of 55 units: the first in the Rame Folgore colour, the second in the exclusive Blu Inchiostro. Both feature special finishes, rims with black and copper accents, and interiors in denim or black Econyl, with matching stitching in copper or blue. Another unique element is the logo designed exclusively for this 110th anniversary and located on the C-pillar: the Trident, followed by the numbers '110'.
Announcing a new era
In 1999, the Dutch car brand Donkervoort switched from Ford to Audi engines. Initially four-cylinder, since 2011 five-cylinder. But nothing is permanent for a car brand that wants to continue to develop. At the end of 2022, the 500 hp F22 was presented, of which the last five units have now been announced: the F22 Final Five. This ultimate edition is equipped with carbon-ceramic brake discs, a titanium exhaust system and ultra-light wheels, resulting in a weight saving of 34 kg compared to the curb weight of the F22: 750 kg has been reduced to just 716 kg. In just 2,5 seconds, the F22 Final Five sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h, in just 7,5 seconds the counter is already 200 km/h on the counter and its top speed is 290 km/h. The F22 Final Five costs € 315.000, excluding local taxes. With the disappearance of the F22, Audi's five-cylinder engine will also disappear at Donkervoort. What will replace it? 'The exclusive club of hypercar brands will soon have something new to worry about', Donkervoort looks to the future. Spoiler alert: the new Donkervoort is not electric and not a multi-million dollar car either.
A taste of the future
Rolls-Royce founders Charles Rolls and Henry Royce were committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and quality, so they created the EX concept to explore the possibilities of what was possible. EX – standing for EXperimental – is a core part of Rolls-Royce’s DNA. Every car is an expression of a deep-seated fascination with the future: what's next and how can we make it happen? The various models are science fiction and history rolled into one: it’s hard to remember when the advances of decades past seemed so impressively futuristic, and yet the promise of tomorrow’s innovations remains thrilling. The first experimental car was produced in 2004 to commemorate the centenary of Charles and Henry’s first meeting. Featuring an extraordinary 9-liter V16 engine, the 100EX was never intended for production, but eventually evolved into the Phantom Drophead Coupé in 2007, proving that EX models truly do offer a glimpse into the future. The 200EX, for example, with its unique monocoque structure and all-new 2009-liter twin-turbocharged V-6,6 engine, heralded the Ghost. The 12 102EX, the Phantom Experimental Electric, ditched the V2011 engine in favor of a lithium-ion battery pack and dual electric motors driving the rear wheels. The 12 103EX (codename for VISION NEXT 100) continued this tradition of exploration and experimentation, presenting the brand’s uncompromising vision for the future of luxury mobility: fully electric, with fully autonomous drive and enhanced artificial intelligence. Based on past performance, we can expect a lookalike of the 2016EX to hit the tarmac at some point.
Unfiltered and raw
After serving as head of exterior design at Bugatti and then Head of Design at Koenigsegg, Sasha Selipanov was ready for his own brand. Enter NILU. After hypercars like the Bugatti Chiron and Koenigsegg Gemera, the Russian designer is now launching the NILU27. While Koenigsegg and Bugatti have embraced electrification, Selipanov is staying far away from it: he wants his NILU27 to offer an unfiltered and raw experience. He achieves this with features including a carbon fiber monocoque, aluminum subframes and a naturally aspirated V12 that produces more than 1.000 hp. The 6,5-liter power source, built by Hartley Engines in New Zealand, is inspired by the F1 engines of the eighties and nineties. Gears are shifted via a seven-speed manual transmission. The hypercar will first be released in a limited-edition of fifteen units for track use. Behind the scenes, work is underway on a street-legal variant, which will be released in a limited edition of 54 units, 4 of which will have a one-off design.
