Few sedans are as alluring as the Aston Martin Rapide S (astonmartin.com), and considering the car’s looks, agility, and speed, it is no wonder that the company’s designers insist on calling it a four-door sports car instead of a sedan. The new model has received a significant performance boost over the original, which was launched in 2013. The new 8-?speed automatic transmission provides crisp, perfectly timed shifts and is paired with a retuned 5.9-liter V-12 that produces slightly more power than it did …

New heights for a hybrid.

For the striking design of its thermoplastic-and-aluminum body alone, the BMW i8 is a novel vehicle. But its ability to accommodate four occupants in such a low and shapely mid-engine design with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain elevates the i8’s status to groundbreaking.

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Behind the passenger compartment, which is made primarily of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and aluminum, is a twin-turbocharged, 1.5-liter inline 3-cylinder…

Boasting the longest range of any business jet in service, the Gulfstream G650ER (gulfstream.com) can fly more than 8,600 miles nonstop at a cruising speed of 562 mph (when transporting eight passengers and four crew members). The $66.5 million jet is an enhanced version of the G650. It can carry 4,000 additional pounds of fuel compared to the G650, which enables it to travel nearly 600 miles farther. (For $2 million, Gulfstream will upgrade an existing G650 to G650ER specifications.) Under the right cond…

Peace and quiet on the open seas.

The most striking feature of Perini Navi’s Grace E is its sundeck, which was designed as a health spa at the request of the owners; they wanted the 240-foot trideck super­yacht to be a spa at sea. The designer Philippe Briand accommodated that request by outfitting the 2,500-square-foot space with a hydro­therapy room that includes a cold plunge pool, a meditation room that features a 180-degree view of the sea, and a massage area that is connected to a hammam-style steam r…

A daily driver that practically drives itself. 

Having left the cobblestone streets of Siena, we were on a two-lane Chianti country road, butting through a Tuscan summer monsoon. The rain, horizontal and ferocious, had turned the dirt shoulders into mush. If there were any objects ahead, we prayed they would be small and soft.

 

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Saner souls would have headed for the nearest Autogrill Ciao and sipped espresso while the sto…

The new Alta Sartoria collection by the fashion house Dolce & Gabbana delivers made-to-measure services that reflect the designers’ passion for fine tailoring and their flair for statement-making style. This three-piece wool Alta Sartoria suit (price upon request)—which features 24-karat gold thread, hand-sewn buttonholes, and custom-dyed accessories—is merely one example of how far the firm will go in customizing each piece for its clients. The service, which offers clients t…

The revival and modernization of antique watchmaking styles has become increasingly popular in recent seasons. Although there are many impressive examples of this trend, the best of these is the new Maestoso (from $166,000) from the complication specialist Christophe Claret. With a trans­parent openwork dial arrangement and clean, contemporary lines on its case and chapter ring, the watch certainly does not have the appearance of a historical replica; however, the movement’s features are historically inspir…

The exceptionally powerful Dassault Falcon 900LX (dassaultfalcon.com) can climb to an initial cruising altitude of 39,000 feet in just 21 minutes, and it cruises comfortably at about 555 mph, yet it burns 30 to 40 percent less fuel than other jets in this category. The fuel efficiency gives the 900LX a range of nearly 5,500 miles. It can fly from London to Mumbai or from New York to Moscow with fuel to spare. Ten-hour flights such as those are made comfortable in a 33-foot-long cabin that typically accomm…

A fast-moving storm with a calm inside.

As the replacement for the Gal­lardo, Lamborghini’s all-time best-selling model, the Huracán LP 610-4 had to be good. It is better than good: It is excellent, featuring advanced design, extraordinary performance, exquisite build quality, and good manners.

The Gallardo’s great shortcoming was a 6-speed automated-manual transmission that, thanks to the clunking brutality of its shifting, made the car seem like a piece of mechanized armor. The Huracán’s n…

The Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel offers a Venetian-inspired escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Guests looking to add even more Italian flair to their stay can book one of Mr. C’s new vacation packages and cruise the Sunset Strip in one of two classic Italian cars. The Classic Cruise package starts at $361 per night and includes a Fiat 500 1957 Edition with overnight valet parking. The Driving Italia! package starts at $1,308 per night and features a stay in one of the hotel’s 12 suites, a bottle of…