Centurion United Kingdom Autumn 2014

ART & DESIGN ON THE ROAD

ART & DESIGN ON THE ROAD THE ULTIMATE ELECTRIC SHOCK Hybrid drivetrains have done more than help save the planet – against all odds they’ve helped rescue the supercar from extinction, as Kevin Hackett reports It was in 1901 that Ferdinand Porsche gave the world its first hybrid car, but it wasn’t until mass production in 1997 that this “new” propulsion system came of age in the bulbous form of the Toyota Prius. Hybrids, and there have been many iterations since, heralded a fresh, more environmentally considerate approach to motoring, but nobody – not for a second – thought they’d ever be exciting. Makers of sports cars, though, had other ideas. They had quietly spent the years developing hybrid powertrains of their own, realising that electricity could provide a healthy dose of extra punch to complement the power of a traditional engine while increasing efficiency. This win-win formula, tried and tested in the upper echelons of motorsport, has now given us five of the most exciting cars of all time, each showcasing radical hybrid drive technology and each pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in an automobile. Porsche’s 918 Spyder, McLaren’s P1, Ferrari’s LaFerrari, BMW’s i8 and Honda’s (or Acura’s) upcoming NSX are all sending ripple effects across the industry, proving beyond any doubt that “hybrid” need not mean dull in any way. But getting the keys (or fobs) to one won’t be easy: just 499 LaFerraris will be produced and McLaren will build 375 P1s, all of which were sold almost immediately. Porsche has been a little more generous: 918 build slots were slated originally, though it’s doubtful how long those remaining will be around for. Each is unique in the way it’s constructed and in the way it drives, but there is one thing they all share: hybrid powertrains. You can propel the McLaren and Porsche on battery power alone, while High-powered hybrids: McLaren’s very limited-edition P1, cars.mclaren. com; BMW’s i8 appears to have come straight from sciencefiction, bmw.com MCLAREN P1 BMW i 8 PHOTOS FROM TOP: © MCLAREN, © BMW 68 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM

PROMOTION One of the Park Hyatt Vienna‘s tastefully decorated guest rooms P PARK HYATT VIENNA MAKES A GRACEFUL DEBUT With a superb location in Vienna’s Goldenes Quartier, Hyatt’s first Austrian property is ready to shine erched at the heart of Vienna’s iconic First District, Park Hyatt Vienna is the brand’s first property in Austria, setting a new benchmark for understated elegance and discreet luxury to match the cultural charms and imperial heritage of the city itself. Housed in a 100-year old edifice once occupied by a bank – a jewel in its own right – great care has been taken to preserve the unique architectural features, while also infusing the space with a contemporary feel, exhibited best of all in its 143 spacious rooms and suites. Here, modern décor blends seamlessly with each room’s carefully restored interiors. The on-site restaurant, The Bank, is also evocative of times gone by, and head chef Daniel Schöfisch adds a strong local twist to continental European fare in dishes like bouillabaisse with fish sourced from Austrian lakes and streams and a delectable char-grilled fillet of beef Rossini. Equally indulgent is the Arany spa, a 1,000sq m temple of relaxation that offers an array of personalised wellness experiences expertly administrated in six copper mosaic and mother-of-pearl treatment rooms. As the day winds down, guests can head to the Living Room, a beautifully preserved space resembling a British gentlemen’s club, or to Pearl, a chic Coco Chanel-inspired bar serving freshly inventive cocktails and prepared bar snacks – the perfect end to yet another rewarding day in the Imperial City, one filled with countless unexpected pleasures. From left: the hotel’s spacious and inviting lobby; The Bank restaurant, the property’s shining centrepiece; Park Hyatt Vienna’s stately facade Discover Personalised Luxury Park Hyatt Vienna vienna.park.hyatt.com