Revolutionary ‘Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63’ to Launch in 2021

Automobili Lamborghini and The Italian Sea Group will launch the first 60-knot Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 next year, having recently revealed details of the supercar-inspired motor yacht.

Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 will reach 60 knots with twin MAN V12 2,000hp engines

With a design influenced by the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, the sleek 19.2m yacht is being built by The Italian Sea Group, which owns the Tecnomar and Admiral luxury yacht brands and NCA Refit.

With twin MAN V12 2,000hp engines, the 63-footer will be Tecnomar’s fastest model, with a top speed of 60 knots. The use of carbon-fibre material – typical of Lamborghini super sports cars – enables the ultra-lightweight yacht to weight just 24 tonnes.

The yacht’s sporty design was inspired by the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said: “Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 will become as futuristic an icon as the car she is inspired by. Selected owners around the world will own not only the fastest Tecnomar motor yacht in the fleet but a Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 masterpiece.

“I’m proud we have chosen to create this innovative and challenging project with Automobili Lamborghini, which links technology, supreme design, quality and performance.”

Lamborghini’s Style Centre helped design the super sporty yacht

Designed in collaboration with Lamborghini’s Centro Stile (‘Style Centre’), the yacht was inspired by the Sián FKP 37, the hybrid super sports car incorporating a supercapacitor and groundbreaking technology, and offering customised colours and details.

The yacht’s super sporty exterior is characterised by a sporty silhouette, with an aerodynamic hardtop is inspired by Lamborghini roadsters. The hull and superstructure are created from a high-performance shell developed by naval engineers specialising in hydrodynamic sciences.

The aerodynamic hardtop is inspired by Lamborghini roadsters

The bow lights are an homage to the Lamborghini concept car Terzo Millennio and the Sián FKP 37, both distinctive for their Y-shaped front lights.

Lamborghini’s iconic clean lines, hexagon shapes, Y-motif and materials are incorporated into the design, together with the fully customisable colours and materials in the manner of the company’s Ad Personam programme.

Clients can choose from extensive exterior colours and livery options

Clients can choose from extensive exterior colours and livery options, while the interior is offered in two versions, with options from an extensive combination of materials.

The yacht’s instrument panel interprets the car cockpit in a nautical style. As in Lamborghini super sports cars, details are finished in carbon-fibre, with Lamborghini’s Carbon Skin used in the sports seats and on the helm, styled as the super sports car’s steering wheel. The two start/stop buttons, one for each engine, are the same used to start a Lamborghini engine.

The instrument panel interprets the car cockpit in a nautical style

Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, said: “Our co-operation on this yacht allows the essence of both organisations’ style and expertise to be transferred to different worlds, sharing in their diversity to interpret and add value to the final product in a new environment. If I had to imagine a Lamborghini on water, this would be my vision.”

www.tecnomar.com

www.theitalianseagroup.com

Adamas-TISG Asia Superyacht Charters: Q&A with Traugott Kaminski

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Give us feedback to receive a $500 voucher towards your next purchase

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Come to represent a range of values and ideas, motorcycles encompass an inspiring blend of technical innovation, art and design, alongside concepts of rebellion and identity. Transporting the average rider’s mind beyond the physical realm and into newfound clarity, the pride of each model’s meticulous craftsmanship coupled with the bliss of eventual ownership, is what makes these engineered beasts so desirable.

The Tarform Luna Motorcycle is a Sustainable, Retro-Themed Electric Cafe Racer

Borne out of the Brooklyn-based startup company, Tarform, this retro-themed electric cafe racer represents a combination of two iconic builds – the Tarform Luna Racer Edition and the Scrambler Edition. Packing a 55 horsepower motor and 10kWh battery, the Tarform Luna boasts up to 120 miles of range, a 3.8-second 0-60 time, and a top speed of 95 MPH.

With a high priority placed on sustainability throughout construction, the Tarform Luna features a vegan leather seat, recycled TIG-welded aluminium, and a flax weave to reinforce the composite body panels, alongside Ohlins suspension, ISR brakes, and a 3.4-inch HD display with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, plus haptic blind-spot detection, keyless proximity starting, 180° HD rear view camera,18″ billet aluminium or spoked wheels, a 3.3kw onboard charger, hand fabricated trellis frame, and biodegradable fairings.

Scheduled for production and delivery in 2021, Tarform is currently accepting online enquiries and pre-orders with a minimum deposit of $500.

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The State of Asian Private Residential Prices In This Pandemic

Palace magazine’s regular columnist Alexander Karolik Shlaen sheds light on the interesting developments in the Asian property markets during this global pandemic.

Alexander Karolik Shlaen

You have been following closely the Singapore property market over the past months. The current market, despite the health crisis and related “Control Breaker” in place, seems to be resilient especially on the high side (District 9, 10, 11). How do you explain such resilience?

A study by the IMF showed that Singapore’s private residential prices appear to have decoupled since 2013 from the global chase for yields. The demand by foreign investors for the local property was so strong that the Singapore regulators had to undertake extreme measures in recent years. This jubilant love for Singapore properties, said the study, which was released within the annual Financial Stability Review of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) end of last year, was behind the steep rise in prices. By targeting sources of risks including transactions of speculators, foreigners and corporates through stamp duties, the cooling measures undertaken by the local authorities since 2013 have limited excessive property price increases. In fact, it made the prime residential property undervalued. And it left the playground to mostly local buyers and investors. Simply put, high-end properties in Singapore is so undervalued that the wealthy foreigners don’t mind paying the 20 per cent stamp duty. Read about Singapore’s CCR property market here.

3 Orchard By-The-Park

What are your three favourite new developments in Singapore which you feel buyers should be paying attention to? 

I feel that the secondary market is so much undervalued that no new launch can compete with the better located and lower-priced secondary properties. So, I would look at the prime secondary properties on the market. For the location and quality-wise, my preferred new development would probably be the Boulevard 88.

How is Sentosa doing? It is now much of a resale market. What are the latest trends and highlights? 

Sentosa is by far is one of the most undervalued of high-end secondary markets. It is further depressed because the local buyers tend to overlook the leasehold properties, and Sentosa is only just that a 99-year leasehold. Foreigners do not have as much issue with the leasehold as in many other countries there are even shorter leases on land and that doesn’t discourage buyers to buy in prime locations of Hong Kong, PRC, Bangkok or London. Hence, Sentosa has great deals to be picked up by smart investors.

South Beach Residences: The seamless flow of the living area to dining space

Do you envision the Singapore government to ease within the next 8 to 10 months some of the real estate market cooling measures put in place since 2012?

I wish so, but it is unlikely to happen simply because the prices are already very realistic if not undervalued, due to all these cooling measures. Hence, the prices do not even go down much despite the unprecedented economic hurdles brought upon us by the epidemic. So, it does not look like the property market is in destress and hence the government is unlikely to lessen the measures. The new launches are priced to the higher land prices which developers paid in the last few years amidst the collective sales fever. The developers though seem to offer discounts to have a faster turnover, and eventually, the price increases are passed on to buyers of the new property. But the price increase did not materialise yet in the resale segment! Last year, the average price of new homes sold in the prime locations (CCR) stood at just under S$3,000 psf, versus the average transacted price for resale units which are just a tad above S$2,000 psf. These Singapore prime property prices are significantly cheaper if compared to the similar type of locations in Hong Kong, Manhattan, or London.

Hong Kong is currently facing more political turmoil with China intending to play a larger role in the city and ending de facto the One Country Two Systems policy put in place in 1997. What consequences for Singapore? Could this affect substantially the office and residential property market in 2021 and after?  

Hong Kong is probably in the same situation as the rest. Despite its current troubles, its property market is still not baulking a zilch, in truth, prices are still rising even in this global pandemic. There will always be individuals that will feel safer away from the Communist Government and these will be some PRC citizens. But overall, it seems that there is not enough supply of residential in Hong Kong and the strong demand is still outstripping it. Office space is a different story. There will be a slowdown in business as in any other country where companies will try to engage their staff to work from home whenever is possible. Hence, it is possible that the demand for offices will ease.

Kerry Hill’s aesthetic for Conlay’s facade, KL, Malaysia

Within SEA, how would you rank Malaysia and the latest real estate developments in Kuala Lumpur? Do you see Penang emerging as a secured and promising market to invest? 

Malaysia did not materialise as a good investment for retail investors in recent years, generally speaking. Residential property did not appreciate and quite the opposite; seems to depreciate as the secondary market in both KL and Penang is weak. Furthermore, the local currency depreciated quite a bit against all major currencies, adding to the loss of investors.

You have been bullish about the Philippines property market and especially second-tier cities there as investment vehicles. What have been the trends in the past two years? What advises would you give to investors looking at this specific market? 

Philippines property market is doing well, especially in the secondary market where there is still never enough properties to accommodate the increasing middle class. Thousands of Filipinos are joining the middle class daily and this transition is only accelerating. This is going to be the biggest growth story of the residential property market in this huge country of over 100 million population. The government is smartly decentralising away from the over-populated and traffic-clogged Metro Manila and provincial centres are growing in importance and in population day by day.

What is the best advice you would like to give to real estate investors who are facing one of the worst economic and health crises?

Do not panic and do not worry about your residential property value reduction if you are a landlord. The more gyrations in the financial markets, the more people will tend to switch to invest in a much more stable property market. If you are looking to buy a new property, naturally now is a great time, as there are discounts on the seller side and the interest rates are the lowest and it will stay so for a long while. It is a great time to consider investing in property.

About Alexander Karolik Shlaen
Alexander Karolik Shlaen, Executive MBA, is the founder of the Singapore-based Panache Management Pte Ltd which represents Aston Martin Interiors, Tonino Lamborghini Casa and Formitalia design lines in Asia. Panache Management is involved in real estate and technology investment projects and provides luxury interiors and design for exclusive real estate, private jets and superyachts. Shlaen has appeared in various regional and global media and has written the Luxury Expert columns of regional business magazines since 2009. He was also the chairman of the judges’ panel for Asia Property Awards and is frequently sought to attend established business forums. Learn more on PanacheManage.com

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Monaco Yacht Show 2020 Cancelled, Fort Lauderdale ‘On Track’

Organiser Informa Markets has announced that the 2020 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show has been cancelled. The show organiser said it had been in discussions over the past few weeks with superyacht industry stakeholders and partners to understand the challenges facing yacht owners, shipyards and brokers due to Covid-19.

This year’s Monaco Yacht Show was scheduled for September 23-26

Charlie McCurdy, Chief Executive of Informa Markets, said: “Like many other industries, the international superyachting community has experienced significant disruption in 2020.

“As we move to the other side of Covid-19, we are remaining agile in how we are supporting our partners and customers, flexing our events calendar, adapting products and providing digital alternatives where beneficial to best meet the needs of international communities through this difficult period.”

Informs had discussed with show partners including the Principality of Monaco to determine if a low-density, not-for-profit support edition – a concept announced in late May –  would have been practical and beneficial to the market.

The 30th Monaco Yacht Show will be held in September 2021

However, with much of the superyacht fleet currently located in the US and Caribbean and the normal calendar of activity severely disrupted, Informa decided to cancel this year’s show and stage the 30th edition in September 2021, three decades after the first edition in 1991.

Informa Markets said it was still pushing ahead with this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 28-November 1 and expects more than 900 boats – including 100 superyachts – to be on show.

McCurdy added: “We are focusing our efforts in the latter part of the year on delivering a strong platform to showcase the industry at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October, with the Monaco Yacht Show now set to return in style in September 2021, when it will celebrate its 30th anniversary.”

www.monacoyachtshow.com

www.flibs.com

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Deemed the ultimate road-going evolution of one of the world’s rarest and most beautiful race cars, Jaguar’s Lightweight E-Type showcases a classic supercar with the intoxicating thrills of a 1963 factory Lightweight, thoughtfully and comprehensively re-engineered.

The Eagle Lightweight GT Was Built Equivalent To The Legendary D-Type XKSS Supercar

Highly exclusive and a direct descendent of the legendary C and D-Types, only 12 Lightweights were manufactured by the factory for the 1963 season. Noisy, brutal, exhilarating and exhausting, these brilliant race cars were exhilarating on the track and visceral on the road.

Re -equipping and re-tuning 16 legendary D-Type racers to create the XKSS – which is revered for being race car fast, yet comfortably refined, thus not only allowing owners such as Steve McQueen to drive them daily, but placing them in an all-new calibre amongst the most highly prized collectors’ automobiles.

Long uncontested, especially by Lightweight E-Type equivalents, the world’s most capable E-Type specialist with over 35 years of experience in developing a deep understanding of every nuance of the model, evolving and refining the original design to create ‘ultimate’ E-Types that meet the quality and performance aspirations of the world’s most demanding enthusiasts, Eagle presents its latest classic supercar transformation.

Replacing each panel with lightweight aluminium of a modern grade more suited to road use that than the thin, fragile material of the original Lightweights, specialist craftsmen invest more than 2,500 hours forming the sensual curves on an English Wheel, then fitting them to a tolerance many times more demanding than those specified by Jaguar’s Competition Department.

The famous Lightweight profile is faithfully recreated, with subtle enhancements to aerodynamics including a deeper rear ramp angle, deeper sills (which also increase chassis stiffness and allow the driver to sit lower, improving headroom and lowering the centre of gravity) and increased screen rake front and rear with bespoke glass. Wheel arch size has also been enlarged to accommodate 16” peg-drive magnesium alloy wheels, modelled on the original Dunlop racing wheels but wider, with a little more offset and one inch taller to allow more modern tyres.

The heart of the car is Eagle’s 4.7 litre evolution of the famous Jaguar XK straight six that was fitted not just to E-Types, but also to the C and D-Types that, in the 1950s, won an astonishing five outright victories at Le Mans. Factory Lightweights were specified with an aluminium block replacing the iron block of road cars, an upgrade we have replicated. A bespoke crankshaft, pistons and con rods improve responsiveness and durability, while a wide-angle head, as specified for factory Lightweights, accommodates larger valves and a higher lift camshaft for improved breathing. Peak power of 380 bhp arrives at 5,750 rpm, but the pleasure of this unit is the vast wave of torque: 375 lb ft at 4,000 rpm and a wonderfully flat curve that makes the Eagle Lightweight GT feel effortlessly fast, before an urgent, howling dash for the redline.

As any driver familiar with the best lightweight sports cars will confirm, shaving a few grams from as many components as possible adds up to a wonderfully agile vehicle. Switching major castings to aluminium is a proven route to useful weight savings: Eagle has gone a significant step further by specifying ultra-lightweight magnesium alloys for the gearbox case, bell housing, differential case, sump and rear hub carriers. The gearbox has been uprated to a carefully re-engineered, all synchromesh five speed unit, taking care to provide a perfect period feel to the change with no compromise in the position of the lever. There is also no compromise allowed in the gearbox ratios, as each one has been designed to ensure a seamless flow of torque that is ideally matched to the weight of the car and the characteristics of the engine.

Deemed the ultimate road-going evolution of one of the world’s rarest and most beautiful race cars, Jaguar’s Lightweight E-Type showcases a classic supercar with the intoxicating thrills of a 1963 factory Lightweight, thoughtfully and comprehensively re-engineered.

The switch to lightweight engine and differential castings is particularly important because reducing the weight towards the ends of the car reduces the polar moment of inertia, making it more agile, while a significantly lighter front contributes to fine steering response and feel. Through extensive use of specialist lightweight materials including magnesium, Inconel and titanium, the Eagle Lightweight GT weighs just 1017 kg; not in stripped-out race configuration, but luxuriously specified for comfortable road use.

Comfortable road use also means resisting the temptation to give the Eagle Lightweight GT an exhaust note that shouts ‘race car’ or a track-focussed suspension calibration that too often makes such vehicles too harsh. Far more challenging is to combine taught, sports car dynamics with the ride quality and refinement of a world-class Grand Tourer. Working together with the seats and tyres, Eagle’s lightweight suspension, carefully specified geometry, spring rates, bushings and bespoke Ohlins adjustable dampers, ensures long distances can be completed in refreshing comfort.

Throughout the car, every component has been evaluated and, where even a marginal improvement can be engineered, has been upgraded to increase performance, comfort, durability and safety. Take seating as an example. The design of the floorpan, pedal mountings and the rear bulkhead have been tweaked to dramatically increase legroom in the E-Type’s notoriously cramped cabin while the seats are redesigned to improve safety, retention and long-term comfort. The remarkable attention to detail has even increased finger room around the seat adjusters, using the latest 3D printing techniques to create bespoke control levers.

That attention to detail is continued throughout the Eagle Lightweight GT in the most comprehensive review and enhancement of an E-Type ever undertaken, accomplished with great sensitivity to the original feel and aesthetic. Most of the revisions, like the gorgeous peg-drive magnesium alloy wheels and aluminium three eared wheel spinner nuts, could be described as ultimate evolutions of the correct period technologies, but there are also carefully selected modern systems that have been discreetly integrated. Braking is by four piston, servo assisted vented discs, a subtly integrated electrical distribution panel increases safety and reliability and the extreme cabin heat of the original is solved by modern thermal barrier materials and the careful integration of a discreet air conditioning system; designed in-house to eliminate the compromises that would be inevitable with a bought-in design.

The result is a classic supercar that fuses the character and charm of the original Jaguar E-Type, on which the Eagle is based, with the intoxicating thrills of a 1963 factory Lightweight, thoughtfully and comprehensively re-engineered to ensure the new owner enjoys every mile, every day.

–

Adapted from the official Eagle website.

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Passing Of An Architectural Legend – Edward Tuttle

Born in 1945, Edward Tuttle, the Seattle-born architect and cofounder of Paris-based Design Realization has died on 21 June 2020. Throughout his career, he enduringly kept a low profile, so much so that many lauded architectural tomes and periodicals are bereft of his quotes. Perhaps Tuttle’s success relied on his lifelong discretion. Unbeknownst to many, he was the man behind the main house owned by nefarious billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. His oeuvre of work was prodigious and these included prestigious residences, commissions for hospitality brands such as Park Hyatt, and of course, the Amanpuri resort located in scenic Phuket, Thailand. He also created designs for Jim Thompson’s textile products and a Chesterfield-inspired seating system for Wittmann called “Edwards”.

Ed Tuttle (Credit: Interna Group)

Tuttle’s career evidently reached an apogee, as revealed in the debut of the 40-something-villa Amanpuri, Thailand in 1988, which later on snagged headlines across the world. The property was quoted as “groundbreaking” by Architectural Digest when it celebrated a milestone – its 30th anniversary; whereupon, its unparalleled guest service and stunning landscape were feted.

Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand (Credit Getty Images)

In fact, a 2020 Wallpaper magazine feature cited Tuttle’s accomplishments, particularly, Amanpuri which was “the blueprint for every Aman resort that followed”. The design glossy even mentioned, “to this day, one sees the iterations of the larger Aman imprimatur in terms of design, service, and hospitality levels in luxury resorts everywhere.”

Tuttle worked tirelessly for Aman Resorts through the 2010s, sprawled across four continents. These included Amanjena in Morocco (2016), Amangani in Jackson, Wyoming, US (2016) and Amanzoe in Greece (2016).

Amanzoe (Credit: Archidaily)

“It’s about making the individual feel comfortable and stimulated in a space that functions well.” – Edward Tuttle

Tuttle made humble beginnings, working for Gump’s in San Francisco, including doing interior design work in Greece and Hong Kong. While he finally settled in Paris, cofounding Design Realization with Christian Monges in 1977, Tuttle was still raring to go out, be curious and work across the globe to oversee his numerous projects in residential and hospitality.

When it came to building structures on sensitive landscapes, he responded with a quote for Architectural Digest in 2010, “Respect for both the cultural context of the location and the potential impact of the structures on the surrounding environment is fundamental to his approach.”

Uncannily, his passing also reminds us of architects who have left an indelible mark on Aman resorts, who similarly bestowed posthumous works as well – Kerry Hill who designed nine Aman resorts, chiefly among them Amansara in Cambodia, Amanemu in Shima, Tokyo, Japan, and Amanyangyun in China; there is also the late architect Jaya Ibrahim who designed for Summer Palace in Bejing, Amanfuyun in Hangzhou and Amandayan in Lijiang, both in China.

Amangani (Credit: fivestaralliance.com)

In fact, the main architect, Malaysian-based Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston, of which he designed eight properties for Aman was quick to point out that Aman was not a singular brand signature but rather his, Hill’s, and Tuttle’s work. While they are disparate in design personalities, they operate in a similar DNA which has established the look of Aman all over the world. Read more about Gathy here.

Even Bill Bensley – the Bali- and Bangkok-based designer, famed for his Midas Touch on luxury tropical resorts Capella Ubud and Shinta Mani Wild passionately opined in a recent Wallpaper article, “I don’t think there is a resort designer on the planet who has not been influenced by Aman. I was most influenced by Tuttle’s space planning which really set the scene for a new era. Imagine, he made the bathroom the same size as the bedroom and with natural light from four sides, when the rest of us were cramming tiny bathrooms into dark corners.”

Well, his legacy clearly lives on! Just pop yourself over to one of Tuttle’s many hospitality projects, once international travel begins, and you can attest to Tuttle’s deep respect for the lay of the land and nature. Rest in peace, Mr Tuttle!

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Benetti Delivers 107m Lana, Available for Charter with Imperial

The 107m Benetti Lana is available for charter through Imperial after the eight-cabin gigayacht joined the Monaco house’s Charter Central Agency fleet, following delivery to her owner in mid-June.

The 107m Benetti Lana joins Imperial’s charter CA fleet; Photos: Benetti / Imperial

Imperial represents the owner and was also the build supervisor for Lana, whose project name was FB277.

Lana, which joins the 136m Flying Fox in Imperial’s charter fleet, has a crew of 34. She can accommodate up to 12 guests in eight cabins, comprising seven VIP suites on the main deck and a full-beam master suite, which is located on the wheelhouse deck and has two balconies.

Features include a large swimming pool and a touch-and-go helipad

Features include a large swimming pool on the sun deck, 2.7m-high ceilings, a grand piano, touch-and-go helipad, a wide range of toys and tenders, and a luxurious spa with hammam, gym and massage room.

Julia Stewart, Imperial’s Director, said: “It was a pleasure to collaborate once again with Benetti’s professional teams. We would also like to thank the Imperial team behind this impressive success, with their hard work and extreme dedication to making the dream of our client come true. Lana has now entered our Charter Central Agency fleet with a large array of destinations in her bucket list that she will explore. ”

The sun deck features a large pool and interior dining (below)

Benetti’s in-house team created both the interior and exterior design of the gigayacht, which has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, a 15.2m beam and a volume of 3,900GT.

PLANA (PierLuigi Ausonio Naval Architecture) handled the naval architecture of the yacht, which is powered by twin 2,800kW diesel-electric engines, and has a top speed of 18.5 knots and a range of 5,500nm at 12 knots. Two Kongsberg wing stations were among recent additions requested by the owner.

The aft area on the main deck leads into the saloon (below)

“I am absolutely satisfied with the work done by Benetti and Imperial together,” said the owner. “Lana represents a statement of building excellence. Every technical feature, every aesthetic element, every single detail was executed to perfection. I am glad we all made this way to prove a new level of Italian shipbuilding industry.”

Testing and commissioning of complex equipment was carried out in Livorno by Benetti technicians under the remote supervision and direction of the equipment’s manufacturers based in England, Norway and Sweden.

Features include a grand piano in the wheelhouse-deck saloon (above) and a full spa with hammam (below), gym and massage room

Paolo Vitelli, Benetti’s President, said: “We are proud to have delivered another gigayacht. Lana is an example of excellence: outstanding quality, unique style and an icon of Made in Italy. A particular thanks to the owner who trusted Benetti for this creation. We are happy to have met all his expectations.”

www.benettiyachts.it

www.imperial-yachts.com

Benetti’s 107.6m Luminosity Shines Light on Innovative Megayacht Living

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The new Mini Electric 2020 is really a better looking BMW i3

In some parts of the world, it’s known as the Mini Electric. In other regions, it’s called the Mini Cooper SE; but wherever it has been introduced, there has been unequivocal opinion that the electric car is an attractively designed, undeniably recognisable Mini, taking the technology of the BMW i3 and repacking it into the signature Cooper design. While parent company BMW’s new 4-series has been drawing mixed reactions of late with its newly re-designed grille, the new Mini Cooper SE electric continues to inspire passionate devotion with its cute looks and well engineered technology.

“We believe this launch will be a tipping point for the adoption of electric cars in this country,” declared David George, managing director of Mini UK on occasion of its debut in the market. Indeed, given its unmistakable good looks, Mini Coopers from across the generations have, on occasion become lead actors in Hollywood films, representing urban insouciance for the driver who demands his/her ride to be more than just functional but also fun.

The new Mini Cooper SE 2020 brings Maximum Enjoyment

In 1969, the original British Mini acted with Michael Caine in the gold-heist film The Italian Job. In 2003, the remake of that movie also starred the next generation Mini Cooper: if we digress, it’s only to reaffirm the point that cars are more often used as mere props rather than co-equal stars in movies.

Electrification is not new to Mini. In fact, the Mini Cooper SE is not even the marque’s first electric car. Though the Mini E officially debuted in 2008 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, three electric Minis were already in use during the 2003 remake of The Italian Job to satisfy the subway authorities concerns over possible carbon monoxide poisoning. In fact, the Mini was the platform instrumental in enabling the BMW Group, the world’s first major car manufacturer to deploy a fleet of more than 500 all-electric vehicles for private use – it’s tacit agreement, if not testament to the Mini Coopers’ blend of aesthetics and performance.

Mini Cooper SE brings Quintessential Brit styling to the BMW i3

At a glance, the Mini Cooper SE is looks like a regular Mini but flashy neon yellow trim elements, unusual rims, and the closed radiator grille are subtle but noticeable details that this Mini Cooper is no an ordinary Mini but an electric one. Borrowing the motor from the BMW i3s, the Mini Electric produces 184 horses and 270Nm of torque, in fact, we dare say, it’s essentially a better looking BMW i3 at an a more attractive price point.

Running 235km to 270km on a full charge, cynics might complain about its significantly lower range than competing electric vehicles (i.e. Hyundai Kona Electric or Jaguar i-Pace). They might even decry the lack of alacrity when compared to a Chevrolet Bolt or Nissan Leaf Plus, but what it “lacks”, the Mini makes up with defiant intelligence: this sort of compromise keeps the battery size, weight and charging time manageable: The T-shaped, 12 module 32.6kWh battery is ingeniously placed in the vehicle floor between the front seats and below the rear seats. ensuring that boot space hasn’t been compromised unlike most of the competing EVs out there.

When critics complain it’s not as zippy as the competition, it’s definitely no slouch either. Completing its century sprint in 7.3 seconds, the Mini Electric lurches strong off the line and handles like a F1 candidate. Why? Intelligent design means that Cooper SE is properly balanced with 58/42 front-to-rear weight distribution, considerably better than that of a Cooper S. Furthermore, despite riding 18mm higher than in the conventionally powered model – to provide clearance for the battery – the Mini Electric’s center of gravity is functionally 30.5mm lower.

In compact, crowded city states like Singapore: the Mini Cooper SE checks the trifecta of value, performance and aesthetics. You simply will not find a more pleasurable EV experience than the Mini Electric.

 

 

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