Connoisseur Ep 115

Welcome Connoisseur.It has been a slow week in the world of beautifully designed and built objects, like supercars and motorcycles, as there were no new car or bike announcements, so your wallet will have to remain closed. For those with a serious thirst for finer things in life, I have selected a few interesting pieces for your MMM...

...Monday morning motivation!

P.S. Please share this with others, I will make sure that they are entertained.

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate

This week the motoring press managed to get their hands on the DBS 770 so we thought I would investigate what Aston Martin has created for the DBS swan song.

The Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate, the final edition of the DBS series, is a remarkable achievement. This rear-drive GT car, boasting a 5.2-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine, has power increased from 725 to 770ps, making it the most powerful series production Aston Martin ever. Despite being a large and heavy car, the 770 Ultimate shows improved chassis control and the ride is firm, handling tricky terrains effortlessly. The twin-turbo V12 offers impressive acceleration even from low revs, making the drive both exciting and slightly intimidating.

The 770 Ultimate stands out with its distinctive wheels, inspired by the one-off Victor. The car's body, including the vast clamshell bonnet and the boot, is carbonfibre. Inside, you'll find an array of carbon elements, from the smooth, sculpted shells of the front seats to the door casings and centre console.

The car's performance is impressive, particularly in the way the DBS lunges forward as soon as the throttle is squeezed. The traction and stability control system does an excellent job of maintaining control without abrupt interjections. Despite its size and weight, the 770 Ultimate provides a sense of connection, and its revised chassis allows it to glide silkily along B-roads while managing sudden potholes at low speeds.

This final DBS model is more than just fancy wheels and a power boost; it's a testament to Aston's engineering prowess. The 770 Ultimate is not just a collectable run-out special for the wonderful DBS but a dynamic manifesto for the incoming DB11 replacement, the 'DB12'. With the combination of style, practicality, and stupendous performance, the £314,000 Ultimate truly represents the best of Aston Martin.

The top image is my own design from the Aston Martin configerator which you can find here at this link.

The Rabbit Hole

Sunseeker 100

The luxurious Sunseeker 100 Yacht is a pinnacle of nautical design, blending performance and comfort in equal measure. Beneath its sleek silhouette, it houses either MTU 12V 2000 M96X or optional MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, permitting speeds up to 30 knots. This opulent vessel offers accommodation for up to twelve guests and five crew, embodying an ideal mix of social and private spaces.

One of its noteworthy features is the Master Stateroom, positioned forward for optimal privacy, complete with a personal bow terrace and sunbathing hideaways. The interior is open-plan, beautifully proportioned, seamlessly flowing from the flybridge to the foredeck. This vessel also boasts a generous 'Beach Club', offering an intimate connection to the sea. It houses a capacious tender garage, equipped with a hydraulic ladder passarelle for easy access to water-based activities.

The Sunseeker ‘Beach Club’ is the epitome of relaxation, featuring an oversized rain shower, large built-in barbecue, and a multifunctional sunbed. The innovative X-TEND™ system offers flexible seating configurations, perfectly suited for different moods and occasions.

The vessel's interior design direction is simultaneously modern and timeless, showcasing elegance through a blend of textures, furnishings, and fabrics. The saloon, flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling glazing, is a spacious area for relaxation, featuring a comfortable L-shaped sofa, 55-inch TV, and a dining area. The Master Stateroom is a luxurious retreat, with a walk-in wardrobe, office, and generous en suite. The yacht can be specified with four or five cabins, providing flexibility for charter market needs, with crew accommodation designed for utmost comfort and efficiency.

The Sunseeker 100 Yacht exemplifies the brand’s dedication to sophistication and innovation, offering an unrivalled boating experience for the discerning seafarer.

The Rabbit Hole

Coachbuilt

Last week I featured a business that famed F1 World Champion Jenson Button was involved in, that was the Radford Type 62-2. Jenson has obviously been busy as he is also part of Coachbuilt, which is not a car company, but a whisky company.

Coachbuilt Whisky was founded by spirits expert George Koutsakis and Formula One racing driver Jenson Button. This blended Scotch whisky is made with spirits from five of Scotland's whisky-producing regions, and married together in ex-sherry casks, building a rewarding flavour profile. It is a well-balanced, full-bodied blended whisky with aromas of tropical fruit, candy and soft spices fill the nose, complemented by notes of caramel, cinnamon, dark chocolate, coffee and winter spice throughout the palate.

Nose: Butterscotch, pineapple, buttered crumpets, and chocolate peanuts.

Palate: Gingersnaps, espresso, candied peels, a touch of peaty smoke drifting in.

Finish: Heather honey, vanilla-rich malt, dried cherry.

The Rabbit Hole

Formula One

Post Miami

There was F1 this weekend, but in the light of Miami a week ago a few things have emerged so I thought the easiest way to let you in on those is to drop a couple of links that are interesting.

The first is about Alpine and some pretty harsh comments made by their CEO.

The second video is a good round-up of some recent news about Adrian Newey and Mercedes potentially trying to sign him.

The only other news of note was Daniel Ricciardo having a seat firing at Alpha Tauri which has caused many to speculate about Nyck de Vries seat security after his slow start in his rookie year of F1.

Next Race - Emilia-Romagna (Imola) - 19th May - 21st May

19th May Practice 1

19th May Practice 2

20th May Practice 3

20th May Qualifying

21st May Grand Prix

Other News, Links and Stuff

Whats-The-Fuss

Other dates for your diary:

Gumball3000 - 10– 17 June

Atlantic Road Trip - 30 June– 09 July

Silverstone Grand Prix - Fri 7– Sun 9 July 

Goodwood Festival of Speed - Thu 13 – Sun 16 July

Goodwood Revival - Fri 8 – Sun 10 Sept

The Atlantic Road Trip

Looking for the ultimate luxury road trip experience? Look no further than the journey from Stockholm, Sweden to North Cape, Norway. This trip is the pinnacle of road trips, featuring breathtaking scenery, perfect driving roads, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with memories that will last forever.

This is not your average road trip – it’s a bucket list moment that will only be done once. You will travel the road less travelled, experiencing some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Scandinavia. For nine days, you will witness epic scenery that will take your breath away.

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