Summoning the spirit of Major Tom, we take McLaren’s most refined supercar to England’s industrial birthplace. Words: Adam Hay-Nicholls. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: April 2017
City AM Bespoke: Mexico’s Art Hotels
Luxury boutique hotels are celebrating Mexico’s artistic heritage and architectural prowess, writes Adam Hay-Nicholls.
City AM Bespoke: The Prancing Moose
Driving onto a frozen lake with traction and stability control switched off, I’m starting to regret the 20-course meal of pig’s head, decomposing leaves and bird’s liver custard that’s in my belly. But that’s the price you pay for experiencing the finest and wildest that Sweden has to offer.
Intersection: Election Drive
You don’t need me to tell you that the 2016 US presidential election was the most bitter, divided and downright ugly of any living person’s lifetime. Yet despite this, with 41.6 percent of eligible voters not casting a ballot, the winner wasn’t Donald Trump, it was apathy. But I did my bit. I may not have the right to vote in America, but I did my darndest to uphold democracy in the land of the free by borrowing a Bentley and driving people to the polls. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: California Dreamin’
A trip to Tuscany in a Prancing Horse shows Ferrari still evokes an almost spiritual passion in its homeland, writes Adam Hay-Nicholls. Continue reading
Intersection: Lewis Hamilton – “There’s life after F1, don’t worry about me”
There’s a lot more to Lewis Hamilton than being the fastest driver in the world. He talks exclusively to Adam Hay-Nicholls. Continue reading
Goodwood Road Racing Club: Maserati to Monaco
I got a few weird looks as I unloaded my soiled wellies from the back of a Maserati as I checked into Monaco’s elegant Hermitage Hotel. Where on earth had I been, the valet must have thought.
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Intersection: The Art of Chauffeuring
Open the door to a Rolls-Royce and you’ll spot one of its nattiest party pieces – a custom umbrella that can spring out of the side of each door. It can do more than merely shield the elements of the on-board VIPs, though. “The umbrella can be used both defensively and offensively,” says Andi McCann, as if he’s just walked off the set of Kingsman: The Secret Service. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: Love Bite from a Spider
The 488 Spider drove me to drink petrol. There was no warning when it ran out of fuel. OK, the gas light came on about 40 miles back but the way I was driving it, with ‘race’ mode selected on the manettino dial and some heavy application of the right pedal, that distance came and went pretty fast. The car coughed twice before the power died and the steering went heavy. Not ideal when you are up a narrow switchback somewhere in the Ligurian mountains and the nearest petrol station is far from walkable. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: Blown-up Barbie Car
As controversial as the EU referendum, the world’s foremost luxury Range Rover have lopped the top off their Evoque in a bid to create a new lifestyle niche; the cabrio SUV. To some, this is the best of all words. To others, it is a motorized selfie stick. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: The Most Important Aston Ever Built
We take the Ferrari-baiting new DB11 for a drive through prancing horse territory. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: The A-list Invitation
There are four bungalows situated behind the high walls of the notorious Chateau Marmont, each a source of parties and privacy for starlets and rock n’ rollers. Mine has a particularly macabre claim to fame; the master bedroom was where comedy icon John Belushi checked out permanently. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Mid Range
Positioned between the urban cowboy’s Evoque and the big full-fat Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport manages to do what no other SUV can; it’s equally brilliant on and off the road, writes Adam Hay-Nicholls. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Alfa Gets Its Groove Back
The Alfa Romeo 4C is the quintessential Italian sports car – ferociously fast, gobsmackingly beautiful and totally uncompromised. Adam Hay-Nicholls holds on tight. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Ghost Story
The Rolls-Royce Ghost II is a marriage of tradition, high-tech, opulence and restraint. Adam Hay-Nicholls enjoys the ride front and back. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: If responsibility is sexy then this Volvo is Alexander Skarsgård
The Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription feels incredibly Swedish, in the best possible sense; classy and restrained, with a hint of noir about it. If a forensic psychologist arrived at your door in one of these, investigating the murder of your business associate, you would be very worried indeed. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: First Love
You may love many cars in a lifetime, but you only ever have one first love. For Adam Hay-Nicholls, it was an Aston Martin. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: Muscle Stimulant
Most cars are born to be forgotten. The Daewoo Matiz, for example, is a perfectly serviceable hatchback but it’ll never be passed down the generations or wind up on display at the V&A. Cult cars are a rarity but the Ford Mustang is definitely on the list. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Teutonic Talent
The Porsche 911 is often described as the best all-round sports car on the planet. Is the 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabrio the best of all? Adam Hay-Nicholls gets to grips with a German icon. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: Norman Conquest
Foreboding skies, bracing wind and incessant rain set the scene for my drive along the Normandy coast, but the rolling of thunder you hear is the gargle of my Bentley Mulsanne Speed. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Driving It Home
Classic cars are not only sexier than stocks and shares, they’re the ultimate high performance investment. Continue reading
City AM Bespoke: Grace Over Fire
The subtle Maserati Quattroporte GTS may hide its light under a bushel, but make no mistake; this is a four-door Ferrari. Adam Hay-Nicholls sweeps through France in the most aristocratic of super saloons. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Bigger Mac
The McLaren 650S is the connoisseur’s supercar. It makes commonplace Ferraris look like high-street imposters, writes Adam Hay-Nicholls. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Back to its Roots
BMW returns the company to what it does best with the M235i Coupe , writes Adam Hay-Nicholls: a simple, fast, fun two-door that could very well be the ultimate driving machine. Continue reading
Asia Tatler: Dress Code
Luxury fashion and accessories brands stand at the gates of a new era that’s going to change the way we shop and consume. Adam Hay-Nicholls investigates 3D printing and how it’s already part of our daily lives. Continue reading
Adam Hay-Nicholls 