Yachts, Cars & Jets
Cupra Ateca — The Attractive And Sporty SUV
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I must start with a confession.
I have a Spanish mistress, and she captivates me. The trouble is I only get to see her a few times a year and for short meets. When I do, we have a fantastic time and make the most of every day, often spending hours in the country travelling through counties. The Spanish Siren that keeps pulling me back is the Cupra brand which I find utterly desirable.
The latest temptress I have been testing is...
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How Beaverbrook And Moke International Make The Perfect...
The allure of Surrey’s rolling hills hits its peak during the summertime. Longer stretches of daylight and deliciously fresh air make a solid case for a weekend, or even midweek getaway. For Beaverbrook, the historical Surrey estate spanning 470 acres, this time of year is arguably its most beautiful. As one of the UK’s most treasured boutique hotels, guests are accustomed to world-class service within its storied walls. This can include anything from the estate’s iconic hot air balloon dining to an invigorating treatment at the Coach House Spa. For many, a visit to Beaverbrook is about having access to amenities they wouldn’t otherwise experience outside its illustrious gates. Chief among them - the chance to get behind the wheel of a MOKE. With roots dating back to the late 1950s, MOKE was originally conceptualised as a British army car. For certain design reasons this dream didn’t really take off, but the car would later be reborn as a lifestyle vehicle in 1964. Embodying the glamorous essence of a coastal lifestyle, MOKE was widely endorsed by Hollywood heavyweights including Brigitte Bardot and The Beach Boys. Its laidback ideology and nostalgic charm was seen as a counterculture to the fast-paced celebrity lifestyle of the time. By 2018, MOKE underwent another redesign, courtesy of British designer Michael Young. It is now designed and manufactured exclusively in the UK, becoming the first automotive brand from the 1960’s to go 100% electric.
The VW California Camper Takes Cornwall
I am rethinking my holiday plans to stay two weeks in a tent in Cornwall. Instead, I am trying vanping and camping in a van, the Volkswagen California Camper. The perfect accommodation for a British summer with all the temperature and precipitation changes it can over the course of one day, let alone fourteen of them. You will recognise the VW California. It is the camper van chosen by surfers, dog walkers, sea swimmers, beachcombers and campers. At most seafronts throughout the year, you will generally spot a Volkswagen California as they are a home on wheels, catering to all their owners' necessities. People customise, name, and adore them because they give so much practicality and versatility over living under canvas.
Lewis Hamilton Breaks Record With His British Grand Prix Win
The 2024 British Grand Prix took place on July 7 with Lewis Hamilton claiming a record ninth victory. The driver was understandably overjoyed to take the prestigious title on home soil, while fellow Brit Lando Norris came in third. Around 164,000 spectators gathered at Silverstone to observe the race, with a buzzing atmosphere making it a memorable day for all. "I am still crying," Hamilton said, post-race. "There is no greater feeling than to finish at the front here. It is so tough for everyone. But the important thing is how you continue to get up and dig deep even when you feel like you're at the bottom of the barrel...There have definitely been days since 2021 where I didn't feel I was good enough or I would get back to where I am today but I have had great people around me and supporting me." This is Hamilton's first win in 945 days, marking the end of a lengthy dry streak. The drought was broken in more ways than one, with a bottle of Ferrari Trento sparkling wine dousing the podium.
Cupra Born Electric: The Versatile, Practical Hatchback
Named after El Born, an area near Barcelona, the good-looking EV is delightful to drive. Jeremy Webb drove one to God's own county of Yorkshire to see how it delivered. Cupra, the luxury and sporty brand of Spanish firm Seat, is producing an array of desirable vehicles, and from what I have read about the Born, they have another model that will prove popular. The fully electric Cupra Born enters a sector with plenty of competition, so what makes it stand out? On a trip up to Yorkshire, I found out. Let's address the competition, with the first an almost exact duplicate of the Born as they share so many components, Volkswagen's ID3, Then there is the Hyundai Kona Electric and the superb MG 5.
Aston Martin's Superb SUV
The names of their models trip off the Tongue and DBX and DBX 707 follow in the tyre tracks of DB5s, Vantage et Al. The first SUV from Aston Martin, the DBX, is a luxury vehicle delivering four-door flexibility with the capacity to venture off the tarmacked roads. Like a GT, it can also whisk you off to the Riveria in style and comfort.
The All-Electric Hyundai Ioniq 6 Saloon Car
Some may not like the bold looks, but the comfortable interior, charging speeds and excellent in-car tech mean it competes with the best electric cars. The Ioniq 6 uses the same Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that underpins the Ioniq 5 and other models, such as the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6 and EV9. A benefit is an 800V charging system that charges the Ioniq 6 at up to 220kW, providing 10 to 80 per cent top-up from a suitable rapid charger that takes just 18 minutes.
