The new BMW M760e

BMW has a long and storied history of making fast, entertaining and slightly louche sports saloon cars. But how does it fare in the new era of hybrids and electronics? Darius Sanai, who has a rich history of BMW ownership, gets in the saddle of the latest top-of-the-range model, the M760e, in a series of reports

One of my favourite books, growing up as a book-and-car-mad chap in London, was a Roald Dahl compilation called The Wonderful story of Henry Sugar. Aimed more at young adults than children, it is a series of unrelated typically surreal tales that mix brilliant storytelling, myth, and a certain topical character.

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They have, incidentally, just been made into a series of short films by Wes Anderson – essential viewing if you haven’t seen them already.

The BMW M760e’s interior uses high-quality touchpoint

But back to the book. One of the stories is called The Hitchhiker, and it features a successful and wealthy gentleman – it is written in the first person, so I wasn’t ever that sure as a child, and still I’m not now, how much the narrator had the author woven into his persona – who gives a lift to a hitchhiker who turns out to be a dizzyingly brilliant pickpocket, or “fingersmith”, as he calls himself.

I won’t give any more of the story away, but what really mesmerised me was not the dark arts of the fingersmith, but the car the narrator was driving: a BMW 3.3 Li.

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Already a modern classic, or an old car, by the time I read the story, this was a masterpiece of 20th century modern design, inside and out. At that stage I wouldn’t have been able to identify an Eames chair from my school sofa, but I knew a beautiful post-Bauhaus car when I saw one.

‘I liked cars that were beautiful, growlingly powerful without being too flashy, and had the ability to transport you long distances effortlessly’

My school friends worshipped Ferrari and Lamborghinis; but for me that came later. I liked cars that were beautiful, growlingly powerful without being too flashy, and had the ability to transport you long distances effortlessly at high-speed, cigar in one hand, to the most glamorous end of Europe. The 3.3 Li as described in Roald Dahl story ticked all the boxes.

And so few years later, when I had enough money to buy my first car, I bought what was effectively the sexier sister car to the car in the story.  The 3.0 CSi was similarly powerful, but slightly cooler and flashier as a two-door version and unspeakably beautiful.

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After that, working as a foreign correspondent in South Africa, I had a chance drink in a bar with the esteemed chief correspondent of France’s Le Monde newspaper who was selling his car, BMW’s successor to the 3.3 Li, a 733i, a big, fast, imposing and swift saloon. It was not as beautiful as its predecessor, but it was a better car, and I bought it. Fast forward quite a few years and one wonders whether the great-great-great-grandchild of that original car, now dubbed the M760e, has anything at all in common with it apart from the BMW badge on the front and back.

‘The new M760e certainly has distinctiveness and character, but it also has a level of quality that is above anything’

Mine arrives on a drizzly day in December and it looks just the part, an imposing slickly drawn tank of a car in solid grey. If they ever made a nimble version of a battle tank, for commanders to zoom around in, assessing the field, this is probably what it would look like, I ponder.

But while imposing, the slickness of its design means it is not flashy – just like the original car in fact. Driving it around London, it doesn’t incite the aggression and envious looks that some cars of this price and opulence do. BMW has a justified base of admiration among car lovers, and I found I was more likely to get thumbs up and photographs.

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The new M760e certainly has distinctiveness and character, but it also has a level of quality that is above anything until you get into the price category 100% above this one, where Bentleys and Rolls Royces roam.

‘You want to feel quality, and that’s where the M760e really excels’

Particularly delightful to the touch were the glass switches for performing functions like closing and opening the doors, which are heavy and long.

Touch is so important for luxury: it’s what distinguishes the feel of changing the time on a Rolex or helming a Riva yacht. And if you’re going to be spending much of your time complying with restrictive speed limits and traffic, you don’t just want to feel comfortable: you want to feel quality, and that’s where the M6 really excels.

Meanwhile, like any powerful and driver focused car, this is a machine that needs plenty of road to show off what it can do and its first few weeks have been confined to within London’s orbital motorway, the M25. So, soon, I will take out out into the wilds of Britain’s Home Counties, traditional territory of Jaguars, Land Rovers, and men in red trousers who enjoy speaking about their second and third homes, to their second and third wives. How will it fare? Watch this space.

The BMW 760e defines what constitutes a ‘grand tourer’

Long-term review, Episode Two: testing the BMW 760e as a long-distance grand tourer

Among car enthusiasts, there has always been debate about what constitutes a “grand touring” car. Named originally after the travel taken (not by car) by the aristocracy of England in the 18th and 19th centuries to discover the wonders of Europe, the original grand tourers were cars with the power, comfort and capability to drive from London to Venice in two days and still leave the driver thrilled.

As cars became more powerful, more comfortable, and more electric, the term should have become completely moot – and in any case the fastest way to get from London to Venice is on a plane, either your own or someone else’s.

Enthusiasts still love the term though, as it evokes piloting your way across the continent, burning tarmac while in charge of your own destiny.

‘It evokes piloting your way across the continent, burning tarmac while in charge of your own destiny’

And this debate about what exactly a grand tourer is, fed our thoughts while piloting our BMW M760e for its first longer trips. The original intention had been to drive from London to the south of France, but a change of plans meant that trip is now waiting until the sunny climes of summer. Instead, our mini grand tour took place through southern Britain, which doesn’t have too many long straight and empty roads, but nonetheless allowed us the chance to stretch the big BMW’s legs.

We had two questions to ask of it: would it prove to be a truly luxury companion on the open road? And secondly, would this four-door powerful and imposing luxury car have that hard to define grand touring edge?

Some would say a grand tourer cannot have four doors, although it may have back seats accessed via the front doors. But more importantly for us is the question of whether a car is not just comfortable at high speed but feels like you are piloting something special and powerful, with the ability to enjoy itself on the open road.

‘The interior has really been honed from the highest quality materials with no obvious cost savings evident’

A grand tourer may be unsettled around town, but it settles down to a long gait on the highway and enjoys thrashing around high-speed curves on its way to your country manor.

Certainly, this BMW feels supremely luxurious cruising on a highway. That’s not just about power and comfort, it also a feeling that the interior has really been honed from the highest quality materials with no obvious cost savings evident.

That’s a serious statement of intent by BMW: given the cost savings afforded by economies of scale in parts manufacture. This is not just a giant version of the smaller BMWs used by the middle classes around the world to ferry their children to school and sports.

‘The M760e looks likely to be a benchmark in luxury car design and experience’

On the occasions we managed to stretch its legs it did feel more agile than any big saloon car would, normally. Much more fun to drive.

A point of distinction, and for the sanctity of the BMW brand, which has been built for decades on creating the “ultimate driving machine”, to quote an advertising tagline. On our experience so far, the M760e looks likely to be a benchmark in luxury car design and experience.

Episode three: BMW M760e long-term review: the passengers’ view

Car reviews, historically, are written by people who drive the cars they are reviewing. This makes sense if the car in question is made to be driven by its owner. However, in the case of the BMW M760e, the top of the range sedan/limo produced by the German car manufacturer, we imagine in a significant number of cases the person behind the wheel will be wearing a chauffeur’s cap and the people that really matter will be sitting in the back.

‘The high-quality leather and vast amount of legroom offered by this long wheelbase set up in this car means even tall and long-legged passengers felt completely at ease’

So, for the third episode of our time with this stunning and imposing car, we called on a variety of experienced rear passengers to give us their opinions. Comfort of seat and space is an important factor of course, and the high-quality leather and vast amount of legroom offered by this long wheelbase set up in this car means even tall and long-legged passengers felt completely at ease.

There is also excellent personal screen within the door controlling everything from temperature for the individual passenger to window blinds. Delightful.

A rarely mentioned but nonetheless important element of comfort is how the car makes you feel if you are a rear seat passenger. In short, does this car make you feel ill?

‘The car’s grace and power makes journeys disappear fast’

Some passengers are more susceptible than others to sickness, but there are certain cars that consistently create a worse effect than others through a combination of ride, road stance, noise. Some electric cars are particularly bad for combining disorientating silence with floaty rides – a terrible combination.

Our survey of seat passengers in the BMW show that it is one of the best performing of all the cars we have reviewed in terms of the “car sickness” index. We think this is due to accommodation of the measured sounds coming from the car – not silent, but not noisy either – and BMW’s historically slightly sporty stance on the road, which reduces floatiness and lean. Whatever the reasons, it’s a great place to be a rear passenger.

The BMW has ‘measured sounds coming from the car – not silent, but not noisy either’

With the final and most important element of our passenger review comes from one of the car’s most exciting features. At the touch of a button, a cinema style screen descends from the ceiling and displays itself in front of the rear passengers. Connect and you can watch Game of Thrones in your own home cinema with your own individual controls while your driver cruises you down the motorway towards your Cotswold country house.

It works very well and is engrossing for rear seat passengers. The car’s grace and power makes journeys disappear fast anyway, but with this element the M760e becomes the first car in the world where you reset passengers are likely to say, “I hope we’re not there yet!”.

bmw.co.uk

The long-standing friendship between Caroline Frey, Chief Winemaker and Vigneronne, La Chapelle and Peter Gago, Chief Winemaker, Penfolds, catalysed the creation of Grange La Chapelle

We live in an era of luxury collaborations. Whether it’s Fendi and Versace, Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama, or LUX and artists like Jeff Koons and George Condo, working together is the new chic.

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And why not? It brings great minds, and creativity, together rather than working in parallel and competition.

In the wine world, there have also been collaborations, albeit in a rather different way. Famously, Château Mouton-Rothschild commissions celebrated artists to create its labels – its collaborators include the likes of Picasso and Francis Bacon.

Caroline Frey and Peter Gago tasting their new wine

And over the last decades, great wine estates have worked together to create new wineries, most notably Opus One, created by the same Rothschilds and California’s Robert Mondavi.

But, nobody has ever created an actual wine that is a physical collaboration between two celebrated wines. Until now.

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Grange La Chapelle, announced this week, is a collaboration between the most celebrated wine of Australia, Penfolds Grange, and one of the most historically notable wines of France, Hermitage La Chapelle.

When we say collaboration, we don’t mean that the two companies worked together to create something new and put a label on it.

A bottle of Grange La Chapelle 2021

No, Grange La Chapelle is literally a blend of Penfolds Grange and Hermitage La Chapelle, 50-50, to create a groundbreaking, unique and completely new concept in the world of luxury wine.

For wine connoisseurs, it’s like Ferrari and Aston Martin coming together to create a new car. And there is method in the creativity: both Grange and La Chapelle are, famously, made from the Syrah grape, which is called Shiraz in Australia. Both are showcase examples of it: Grange is widely considered the best New World Shiraz, beloved of collectors, and has a shout at being known as the best Shiraz/Syrah in the world, full stop.

Hermitage La Chapelle, meanwhile, has a storied history, being produced as one of the standout wines of the great Hermitage area south of Lyon (all made from Shiraz) throughout the 20^th century. Indeed, before Grange gained global fame in the 1980s and 90s, Hermitage La Chapelle would have been many people’s choice as the greatest Syrah (Shiraz) in the world.

‘As the project progressed, I saw the elegance in Grange and the strength in La Chapelle’ – Caroline Frey

And now, they are together. LUX has not yet had the pleasure of tasting the new wine, but can imagine the producers are spot on when they say that it is “bold, yet elegant, structured and expressive”.

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Peter Gago, Chief Winemaker, Penfolds, comments that “this friendship created and idea, this idea became a trial, and the trial became a wine. Who would have thought…”

Caroline Frey of La Chapelle notes that “as the project progressed, I saw the elegance in Grange and the strength in La Chapelle” – encompassing the general view that the Australian wine is more powerful than the French – although, connoisseurs would say, it has always been every bit as complex.

Frey and Gago at Château La Lagune

Grange La Chapelle is about much more than an exciting and delicious new wine for collectors to get their hands on: it is a rewiring of the circuit diagram that underpins the wine world, which previously stated that you simply didn’t create a blend of different estates’ wines from different continents. Penfolds has form here, previously creating flagship wines itself from France and Australia and creating fine wines from three continents: Australasia, Europe and North America.

And why not? If Fendi and Versace can do it, so can Penfolds Grange and Hermitage La Chapelle. Now you know what to serve at your next dinner, and you can be sure your guests, however wine educated, will never have tried it before.

grangexlachapelle.com

The Anantara Ubud Resort family pool overlooks the green jungle which surrounds the whole resort

Nestled amidst the greenery of Ubud, in Bali, a wellness retreat awaits – Fabienne Amez-Droz reflects on the newly built Anantara Ubud Resort, where the surrounding jungle and the healing rituals provide a sanctuary for those looking to escape the winter cold

In recent years, Bali has undergone significant changes. Those who visited in the past will remember a very different island – one that has since, in parts, transformed into an Instagram hotspot, often overwhelmed by tourism. However, there are still places that have retained Bali’s natural beauty – spots that remain more untouched by social media hypes and globalization.

The newly bulit Anantara Ubud Resort, lies in the heart of Bali’s cultural and spiritual hub, Ubud. The resort offers a wellness sanctuary to visitors all of the worlds and blends luxury, tranquility, and authentic Balinese traditions.

Surrounded by green rice paddies and jungles, this hotel embraces the concept of a holistic getaway, providing an experience for body, mind, and soul.

Next to the family pool, the hotel also has an adult only pool

Refreshing welcome

After a approximately 50 mins car journey from Denpasar airport to Ubud, you will find the gate of the resort. From the moment you step into the Anantara Ubud Resort, you will receive a warm welcome from the Anantara staff, a tropical flower to put behind one of your ears and a refreshing herbal drink. Good to cool you off after a perhaps sweaty journey from a long overseas-flight. The open-air lobby is equipped with Balinese art and natural stone elements.

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The One-Bedroom Forest View Pool Villa offers a private space to take in the views of the jungle

Queen of the jungle

The resort offers different kind of accomendations. From Forest view suites in the main resort building to private villas overlooking the jungle. My forest view pool villa was a blend of modern elegance and Balinese charm, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the views of the jungle. The private infinity pool was a personal highlight, providing a very instagrammable spot.

The One-Bedroom Forest View Pool Villa costs 852.50£ per night

Cleansing rituals and manifesting

Anantara Ubud’s wellness programs are perhaps not for everyone but certainly interesting for a niche wellness and energy-sourcing clientel. The signature rituals that they offer, draw on centuries-old Balinese healing traditions. I started with the Water Purification at the Mengening Temple, a guided experience that takes guests to a sacred water temple nearby, where you can cleanse your soul in the holy considered water and wash away negative energies through holding your head under little waterfalls.

Back at the hotel, I had a look at the multiple spa treatments that they offer and decided to treat myself, when in Bali, to a relaxing massage – the Anantara Signature Massage.

Make sure to wear some swimming clothes under the sarong as you will definitely get soaked

To stay in shape while trying lots of different Balinese dishes like Nasi Goreng and Betutu, the hotels has gym facilities and hosts daily yoga session. For someone like me, trying Yoga for the first time, I must say, it is a pretty perfect setting – It wont get any better after that, many told me..

For a deeper sense of connection, I visited stepped into a temple and joined a fire ritual session with a real balinese priest. During this ceremony which happens multiple times a week, we were sitting in a group circle, singing songs and throwing rice into a big fire to burn away the negative energy – Let’s see if it worked..

The lobby deck shows views on the Mount Agung and you can enjoy a sunset cocktail

Choice of restaurants

The culinary offerings at Anantara Ubud compliments its wellness aesthetic. The Botanic Restaurant serves organic, farm-to-table cuisine that’s as delightful to the palate as it is nourishing for the body. Highlights included a vibrant jackfruit rendang and a refreshing herbal jamu drink. For a more immersive experience, guests can ask for a private dining setup overlooking the pool and rice fields.

The Kirana Restaurant Terrace is the right spot to enjoy a peaceful breakfast and also for a western or balinese lumch menu – whatever you are in the mood for

Adventures through the jungle

Alternative to the wellness programmes, for action-lovers, the hotel offers a VW 181 Safari tour, where you and a personal driver explore the roads and ricefields of ubud with a restored vintage Volkswagen Type 181 convertible. In case you prefer walking yourself, there is a guided trek through the Campuhan Ridge Walk, showcasing Bali’s natural beauty.

The resort has 85 suites and pool villas

Find out more: www.anantara.com/en/ubud-bali

Here at LUX magazine we like to have a car for every reason, and season. In one of northern Europe’s wetter winters of recent years, we dreamed of a car that could take us to Dakar – the now mythical Dakar of the crazy 1980s rallies – while also being enjoyable to drive between London and the Cotswolds, or Geneva and Verbier. Porsche kindly conjured up the 911 Dakar, one of the most extraordinary machines of recent times. Meanwhile, to shake off the cobwebs, we imagined a roofless car where you could drive, with a couple of friends, or all three of your blonde, Etro-clad boyfriends (sharing is caring), at high and enjoyable velocities; and BMW created the M4 Cabriolet and sent it to us. And then, when all’s said and done, we just wanted an excellent, understated, clean car with a beautifully designed interior, for those quick incognito visits to Loro Piana. Mazda’s CX-60 hove silently into view, like Jeeves

The Porsche 911 Dakar is a wild animal, part sports car, part rally car, and definitely not for the faint of heart. We take it out on a long lead and are smitten. The BMW M4 Competition, in our next story, meanwhile, is an old-school car for a rakish rogue to drive from Milan to Monte Carlo in, Havana in hand, his third mistress in the front seat, and a case of Richebourg in each of the back seats

Why is Porsche a car manufacturer that LUX has a particular soft spot for, like Rolex? Because they make engineered precision made products that very price from accessible luxury (918/Oyster), to among the most desirable and expensive products in the world. But they also make these products specialised to appeal to a variety of uses, and are the best in their individual class at those.

So while Rolex has a Sea Dweller and Submariner in case you want to explore deep reefs, Porsche has, within in its iconic 911 range, versions specialised for race tracks (GT3), for Monaco posing (Targa), for high-speed touring with a twist (Turbo), and for old-fashioned top down cruising (Cabriolet). There are numerous others.

To this, we can now add the Dakar. Car companies over the decades have not been short of marketing-led branded badges: you can buy variations of mass-produced cars called the Roland Garros (after the French Open tournament), the Vogue (a Range Rover), and the Picasso.

But none of those will make you any better at tennis, fashion or art; they are pure marketing. The Dakar is not one of those. It is named after the extraordinarily punishing and challenging Paris Dakar rally of the 1980s, which Porsche actually won, twice.

On the 40th anniversary of their first win, Porsche have created a 911 Dakar, but they didn’t do it simply by sticking a badge and some sand coloured leather inside.

Instead, they completely reengineered the car, effectively armour plating Its bottom half, raising it off the ground with an option to raise itself even further, even at high speeds (you have to go over big obstacles at high speeds on a rally), and re-engineered the driving programs to include modes called “off-road” and “rallye”, and tested them thoroughly in a real desert.

The Dakar comes as standard with massive balloon-like Scorpion off-road tyres more commonly found on vehicles taking you on safari, inside there are racing bucket seats (perhaps slightly less than useful for daily use) and a roll cage in the back in case you flip the car over while going up a crack in the Sahara desert at 90 mph.

The car’s engine is that of 911 GTS, one of the fast versions of an already rapid model.

But what’s it like to drive? If you, like us, thought that this high-performance dune buggy would feel a bit odd in normal city and country life, you would be as surprised as we are. It is, frankly, a hoot from the moment you turn the switch to start the engine, louder than normal 911s because the rear seat has been replaced by a metal roll cage. Put it into Sport, the standard mode for driving on road, tap the accelerator and go round a roundabout and the thing is an absolute blast. Where all other 911s, even the fastest ones, are so over engineered for the road they deal with more or less everything up to the legal spirit speed limit with a shrug of efficiency, this car lets you know that it’s made for the wild side of life.

The suspension is different to a standard 911, and you have those tyres, meaning you feel when you’re going round corners. Over high speed bumps it floats a little bit and squishes a little bit in a manner unthinkable within Teutonic brilliance of perfection of other 911s.

That’s not to say it’s better, necessarily, that depends a little bit on what you’re expecting from your car. It’s certainly laugh out loud fun in the way other 911s are not, but it’s also loud, and a little bit disruptive. It’s not a car that you can just fold yourself into at the end of a long day and ask to drive you home: it feels much more old school than that, and indeed if you are used to the old-fashioned air cooled 911s which were much more of a handful in some cases, this is true to DNA.

But it has something that none of them do, which is the ability to turn off a road, drive down a track or a muddy field and surge forward exactly where you aim it, taking obstacles in its wake. We drove through a muddy, grassy field in the Dakar and not only was it brilliant – it was enormous fun.

It’s also extremely fast – as fast point to point as the 911 GTS it is based on, perhaps more so in wet conditions when those tyres come into their own, but less so on an extremely twisty road where the increased body roll and general to-do make it more of a handful, but less brutally efficient.

We absolutely loved it, because we feel that many of the brilliant models in the standard 911 range are almost a bit too competent for their own good, like someone buttoned up that you know can be a party animal, but instead just chooses to do everything extremely precisely.

The 911 Dakar can do everything too, but does it with a big grin on its face. If they were ever making a remake of the classic road trip movie from the 80s the Cannonball Run, the Dakar would play the leading role.

porsche.com

BMW M4 Review

BMW is a brand that means different things to its different aficionados around the world. In China or the Gulf, it is a maker of big, shiny, powerful 4x4s.

To motor racing lovers of an older generation in Europe, it is the creator of the “M for Motorsport” cars, which are finely-honed and focused road racers.

For others, its heritage shines most brightly as a maker of coupés, two-door, four-seater cars that combine style and a rakish sportiness with the practicality of having back seats and a boot/trunk that is usable, and the knowhow of a manufacturer of luxury cars.

This particular heritage line probably started with the Bauhaus-style sleek coupés of the 1960s and 70s. It was amplified by its cultish 635 CSi model in the 1980s, the pinnacle of the Six series, which was the car of choice for someone not wanting to show off. Ferrari-style but wanting to look more stylish than the driver of yet another fast sedan car.

As with all cars, these heritage lines have become somewhat blurred by the proliferation of model lines and propulsion types over the years, and the profusion of huge SUVs. BMW no longer produces a Six series: customers are directed to the Eight series, which has a big, long coupe in its lineup, but more on the luxury than the sporting end of the spectrum and does not look as cool.

Climbing into the new M4 (we had the convertible version, but the review would be the same for the coupe, just with less La Roche Posay Factor 30) , it instantly struck us that this car is the progeny of two of those three illustrious heritage lines. It’s a long, rakish and stylish two door car with a four-seater interior, big enough for four adults but cool enough to look like a two-seater sports car unless you peer carefully inside. Its interior is particularly fun, at a time when many car interiors are starting to resemble the same virtual reality control pod. You get bucket seats with carbon fibre cut outs, plenty of carbon fibre elsewhere, and the feeling that you are piloting a sports machine, not a games console.

It’s also an “M Car” – M originally standing for the Motorsport division of the company where cars were individually conceived and built quite separately from the normal model lineup. That distinction has been diluted by the application of M badges to models in the rest of the range, but for enthusiasts, the M badge followed by a single number, like M4, still the denotes a BMW of supposedly pure racing heritage.

So much for the looks and the theory: what about the practice? This, after all, is a world where the average electric car will burn off most huffing and puffing petrol engine vehicles in a straight line race, and when many cars will cling to the road around bends, meaning there is no real world distinction between a sporting high-performance car and a standard electric car which just happens to go very fast.

Actually there is. You realise this as soon as you turn on the growly engine of the M4 and aim around your corner. This is a car that has proper steering feel and weight, enjoying itself as it zips into and out of corners, encourages you to drive faster and take the twisty route to wherever you are going rather than simply shuffle you along in an efficient haze of forgettable speed. The fact that it’s a convertible is, for us also a big bonus as when you put the roof down you have so much more sensation.

Passengers also feel they are in something sporting and special, rather than yet another generic, nicely built, swift piece of transportation. You would never use the M4 as an Uber, even though it’s plenty comfortable for four.

The original M cars had a reputation for being as fast as fun as pure sports cars like a Porsche 911. The BMW coupe from the 1970s and 80s were paragons of style. The M4 Competition cabriolet seeks to combine those qualities in an automotive climate that is completely different, dominated by safety and sustainability requirements which largely strip the soul and individuality and fun away from most machines. Remarkably, it succeeds: the only drawback is, it’s so good, and so well priced compared to other cars of its abilities which are in the category above, that it is bound to be a reasonably common sight on our roads. You can’t have everything. But you can have nearly everything.

bmw.com

Mazda CX-60 Review

Stealth wealth is a buzz phrase in increasing use at a time of continued political and economic uncertainty in the world.

What does that look like when applied to motoring? Perhaps swapping a highly ostentatious SUV for something that can do the same job while attracting far less attention, but with an interior appointed well enough to make you feel relaxed and content.

What does this have to do with the Mazda? Well, it’s a car that from the outside looks good enough, if a little plain: nicely proportioned, but with nothing that would make heads turn or anyone ask you what you are driving. For some people that is a bonus, and for many others it may simply be that it is less important then the inside of the car – where you spend all your time, compared to the seconds that you spent looking at the outside of your car.

The interior of the Mazda is lovely. And the light materials reminded us somehow of a beach club in the south of France, possibly not a look the designers were aiming for but very positive and stylish nonetheless. In a traffic jam or a slow highway, it’s a delightful place to be – more attractive than the interiors of many more expensive rivals which have followed each other down the rabbit hole of dark Bauhaus type black hole design for many years.

For many, the word Mazda is a byword for agility, as this is the company that created the brilliant two seater MX5 sports car which has kept singles and couples entertained with its joyously gazelle like handling for decades. You obviously don’t get the same kind of agility in a this, a mid-size five seater SUV, but this car still has a lightness of touch which is enjoyable; it never feels heavy, always precise.

Altogether, a most pleasing car to spend time in for driver and passengers. And one which, if it entered your daily life, would make you feel less conspicuous and quite possibly more at peace.

mazda.com

Domaine de Lavy, in the Dordogne, a historic, green and hilly region in Southwest France

In the heart of the historic Dordogne region, Domaine de Vieux Mareuil stands as a sanctuary-like estate with a simple yet profound philosophy: providing guests with freedom while preserving the land that defines it

Spanning 200 acres of forests, fields, and exquisitely restored properties, Domaine de Vieux Mareuil reflects the spirit of its creator, Laëtitia Morlat.

Madame Morlat’s family history dates back to the early 1200’s in Dordogne. She lives in the home she was born in and enjoyed her childhood in the Perigord Vert region. “I love every property because each one contains a part of my soul and my spirit,” she says. Madame Morlat’s intimate connection with the area and her determination to protect its future is at the core of the estate.

Laëtitia Morlat, owner and designer of Domaine de Vieux Mareuil

There are no rigid schedules, prefixed packages, or brochures dictating your stay at the Domaine. As Madame Morlat explains, “We want to leave each person that comes with an experience.”

Read more: Kempinski Palace Engelberg Review

Whether it’s a private dinner under the stars or truffle hunting with dogs in the forests surrounding the estate, the experiences are made bespoke to each individual. The idea is for guests to embrace the land they inhabit. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword at the estate—it’s a way of life.

A modern style billiards room in the former Soldier’s House within Domaine de Lavy

From the moment you step onto the estate, it’s clear that the Domaine’s connection to the land is not performative but essential. A sprawling permaculture garden provides the chef with organic, seasonal produce, ensuring that meals are not just farm-to-table but deeply tied to the local soil.

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Partnerships with nearby producers keep the supply chain short, reducing the estate’s carbon footprint while supporting the regional economy. Even the furniture in the beautifully Provençal designed interiors is often sourced second-hand and restored—an approach that celebrates craftsmanship while embracing circular practices.

A sitting area in Domaine de Bagatelle with access to the garden and sweeping views across the valley

Madame Morlat’s experiences abroad, particularly in Japan, shaped her philosophy of finding beauty in simplicity. This is evident in the carefully curated art by local artists, and the hand-painted details on beams and fireplaces by her long-time friend and collaborator Christophe Boucher. These design choices mirror her commitment to preserving not only the spirit of the past but the environment’s future.

Each bedroom is meticulously personalised and named in Chateau de Chanet; the above is Chambre Josephine

The Domaine is a haven, not just for its guests but for the ecosystems it fosters. Solar panels power much of the estate, while beehives and insect houses support local biodiversity, and forest maintenance practices ensure the land remains healthy.

For Madame Morlat, sustainability isn’t separate from luxury; it’s integral to it. It’s about ensuring that the pristine landscapes that shaped her childhood, and now provide solace for her guests, will last for generations.

Villa de La Roussie

Madame Morlat’s approach to hospitality was shaped by a new era, a world redefined by the pandemic. Privacy is no longer just a luxury; it’s a necessity. At the Domaine, guests enjoy this freedom in every aspect, from how they spend their time to the exclusive use of spaces. “People come here for the freedom of privacy,” Madame Morlat emphasises.

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This ethos permeates the entire estate, offering guests the liberty to craft a stay that reflects their needs, desires, and imagination. The 44 staff aren’t just employees; they are collaborators who contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for each guest.

The swimming pool in Chateau de Chanet overlooks the gardens of the estate

Each of the four estates possess their own character, shaped by their unique locations, yet all share an attention to detail that show a commitment to quality and authenticity.

Château de Chanet, true to its name, exudes the stately charm of a castle while retaining an inviting warmth. Despite being the largest property within the estate, its wooden beams and thoughtfully designed interiors create an unmistakable sense of home. It is also where Madame Morlat and her husband spent their honeymoon!

The bright drawing room filled with natural light in Villa de La Roussie

In contrast, Bagatelle is for those who seek a more modern escape, reminiscent of a villa on the Côte d’Azur. Its sleek, minimalist design is complemented by breathtaking views, with a pool that stretches out toward the rolling hills of the Perigord countryside.

Domaine de Lavy is an entertainer’s dream. Nestled amidst lush green hills, this property comprises two separate houses, making it ideal for hosting large groups of friends or family.

Every nook is used to its full potential, even this chess corner at Chateau de Chanet

Finally, there is La Roussie, the smallest and most intimate of the estates. Set within a lovingly restored farmhouse, it’s ideal for creating cherished memories with loved ones; a place where the simplicity of rural life meets the refined comforts of the Domaine.

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This is Madame Morlat’s legacy: not just a collection of properties, but a philosophy of love for a region, a history, and a future. At Domaine de Vieux Mareuil, luxury isn’t about excess – it’s about “intention”. That intention, like the estate itself, feels timeless.

Domaine de Bagatelle’s design blends the elegance of the French Riviera with the distinctive charm of the French countryside

Rates: €6,500 Euros per night at Chateau de Chanet/Bagatelle Estate/Lavy €3,000 Euros per night at La Roussie Villa.

Minimum 2 nights stay

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