Elite Traveler May-June 2016

elite traveler MAY/JUNE 2016 47

The magnificent Blenheim Palace is the setting for special car shows

TAKE THREE/// FOUR-SEAT SPORTS CARS

All the thrills and a throaty roar, yet you can still get the kids in the back FERRARI GTC4 LUSSO This practical shooting brake from Ferrari comes with many of the advantages that all Ferraris bring, including a great driving experience. Here there is also the added benefit of being able to fit four people along with their luggage in the car. ferrari.com PORSCHE PANAMERA EXCLUSIVE Limited to just 100 cars worldwide, this is apparently where “dreams come to life”. Taking the Panamera Turbo S Executive as a starting point (with its 0-60mph time of just under four seconds), this is a practical bundle of tailored joy just for you. porsche.com BMWM5 Still one of the best ways to enjoy adrenaline-fueled driving pleasure in a vehicle with room for four adults and luggage, the M5 remains an awesome machine. What it lacks in supercar brand cred, it more than makes up for with its impressive engine and luxurious interior. bmw.com

SUPERCAR COFFEE MORNING The UK’s most influential luxury car show, Salon Privé, is extending its run at Blenheim Palace with a series of Cars & Coffee meets throughout the summer. Each event will be themed, with a Supercar Sunday kicking things off, followed by an event for classics from the 1960s and 1970s, with the final event using the rather looser heading of Speed & Style. Set in East Courtyard at the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, the meetings will be open to all car enthusiasts, although the participants will be carefully selected to be best-of-breed cars, ensuring a mouth-watering display for all visitors. Owners of exceptional cars are invited to apply for a coveted space on each of the days. blenheimpalace.com

ALL THE RIGHT NOISES Audi’s Q7 has long been a major player in the luxury SUV category, currently the hottest part of the car market. But it has upped the stakes

with the launch of the SQ7. The new engine is a belter. It is a redesigned V8 bi-turbo diesel, generating 435bhp and 900Nm of torque. An electrically powered compressor – a world first for a production car – allows the SQ7 to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph. There is a lot of clever tech tied into the exhaust system, but most owners will love that there is a sound actuator in the exhaust system that will amplify the already impressive eight-cylinder sound. Make some noise boys. audi.com

BMWM5, luxury and performance

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, a great driving experience

Porsche Panamera Exclusive, a bundle of tailored joy

Words: Richard Cree. Photo: Getty Images