It's lunchtime at Forte dei Marmi, a posh resort on Italy's Tuscan riviera, and the place is almost deserted. The autumnal Mediterranean weather is sunny and warm, yet of the crowds who'd thronged here just weeks ago, sunning and playing on the long beach edging the shimmering Ligurian Sea,
filling the bars and restaurants, and splashing their cash in the luxury boutiques that stand cheek-by-jowl in the town centre, there's no sign. Occasionally a lone jogger, cyclist or motor car makes its way along the wide road that runs parallel to the shore; otherwise, silence reigns as this emptying seaside town begins boarding up for the winter.
There is, however, one hive of activity in these somnolent environs, and that surrounds a clutch of identical blue cars parked by the side of the road. These aren't just any automobiles: they're a line-up of Ferrari's newest PHEV supercars, the 296 GTS, which was announced only weeks ago.
Along with five other writers from Asia, I have the good fortune to be driving one of them back towards the factory in Maranello on a 280km route that starts out along busy stretches of autostrada before taking us on to the tortuous roads that snake up and down the Apennine mountains. Being in sole charge of a brand-new machine such as this is an enticing and thrilling prospect, though as the combination of petrol and electric power places almost 820bhp beneath my right foot, that anticipation is inevitably tinged with apprehension, too.
Let's backtrack for a moment. Regular readers of Prestige may remember we wrote about the 296 GTB only a couple of months ago, when we proclaimed it the best supercar in the world. Although there's great similarity between it and the car I'm driving today, this new GTS has one significant difference. The "S" in the name signifies it's a "spider" - in other words, the roof comes off- and for many ferraristi, a drop-top is the brand's ultimate road-going expression.
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Prestige Malaysia.
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Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Prestige Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FEELING NEAT
The Balvenie 30 combines traditional techniques with rich, layered flavours, offering a refined quaff for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
CROWNED AS KING
King Living brings home the gold with a double victory at the 2024 Australian Good Design Awards.
ART DECO DREAMS
Khoon Hooi and PRESTIGE hosted an exclusive afternoon tea unveiling the eponymous designer's Art Deco-inspired collection, where guests embraced couture in anticipation of the PRESTIGE KL Ball.
MYTH OF THE MAN
In dedication to his late mother, Myth: Evolution’ takes us through the personal and professional journey of Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran through the vision of the dragon.
GREEN IS THE WARMEST COLOUR
From green initiatives to mythical beast-imbued writing instruments, our eclectic list of toys is sure to usher in the end-of-year cheer.
FOOD AWAKENING
From shopping sprees to setting off for Sabah and savouring some weekend hotel dining, it looks like food lovers are in for a busy month ahead.
AUTUMN JAUNTS
From deep waters off the coast of Singapore to the racetracks of Dubai, our travel recommendations for November ensures diversity in choice, and excitement in the experience.
REDEFININING URBAN LIVING
Sustainability, safety, and style come together in the innovative Swedish marque's latest all-electric compact SUV, designed for the modern city dweller.
PORT OF CALL
During the last week of September every year, the action in the Mediterranean’s glamorous enclave of Monte Carlo shifts to the famous Port Hercules for the annual Monaco Yacht Show, allowing visitors a glimpse of some of the finest yacht launches.
THE FIRST WAVES
From backstage interviews to KL cuisine under the Johor sun, the Ombak Festival's debut made its mark.