There’s a hot buzzword in today’s ultra-fast-paced automotive industry: automobility. The term symbolises a movement toward autonomous vehicles and interconnected experiences for drivers and passengers alike. Staggering numbers of freshly-founded automakers seem to emerge across the globe each year, with the past twelve months delivering more than the usual selection of state-of-the-art vehicles loaded with groundbreaking technologies that leave old ideologies in the wind. The unique automobiles in Jetset’s 2023 Luxury Auto Preview, presented in an assortment of styles, platforms, and intentions, truly offer innovations for everyone.
A Legacy of Power and Performance
The supercar lineage can be traced back to the early 20th century when automotive visionaries pushed the limits of speed and performance. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that the term "supercar" gained prominence, with the introduction of legendary models like the Lamborghini Miura and the Ferrari GTC.
Design and Aesthetics
One cannot discuss supercars without acknowledging their jaw-dropping designs.
Unleashing Unparalleled Performance
Supercars are synonymous with blistering acceleration and mind-boggling top speeds. The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, for example, holds the title for the world's fastest production car, clocking an astonishing top speed of over 267 mph. Supercars are at the forefront of automotive innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible. As we step into the future, the allure and innovation of the supercar remain unrivalled.
Owning a supercar is akin to possessing a piece of automotive art—a symbol of status and success. Supercars are not just confined to the racetrack; they are also designed to be road legal. While track-focused variants like the McLaren Senna GTR or the Aston Martin Vulcan push the boundaries of performance, there are street-legal supercars that strike a balance between exhilaration and practicality.
We begin our forward-looking tour with the cutting-edge Bohema hypercar from Czech marque Praga. The track-focused model’s head-turning aesthetics and neck-snapping performance redefine what it means to be a road-ready racecar. Sharing its 700 hp motor with the iconic Nissan GT-R, the Praga Bohema has been carefully re-tuned to deliver even more power from its twin-turbo V6. The hypercar’s powertrain also benefits from a new dry sump configuration and upgraded Litchfield Engineering turbochargers. Extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the bodywork gives the Bohema an impressively light curb weight under 1,000 kgs, with the ability to aerodynamically produce nearly 2,000 lbs of downforce at high speeds. Titanium exhaust pipes deliver aural stimulation, while the vehicle’s enticing exterior will impress anyone fortunate enough to see one of the 89 limited-edition vehicles in person. The Bohema truly shines on the track, where the 6-speed sequential gearbox and Pirelli Trofeo R tires (conveniently interchangeable with track-only Michelin slicks) deliver racecar-level performance.
Features of the Bugatti W16 Mistral
Final Chapter of the W16 Legacy
- The Bugatti W16 Mistral marks the culmination of Bugatti's iconic W16 powertrain era, making it a collector's item as the last model to feature this revered engine.
Tailored for Bugatti Enthusiasts
- Developed with a keen understanding of Bugatti enthusiasts' desires, the W16 Mistral is a modern drop-top supercar designed to satisfy the demand for the brand's signature open-top experience.
Inspired by Roadster Heritage
- Reflecting Bugatti's rich roadster lineage, the Mistral draws inspiration from the legendary 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, blending classic design elements with modern aesthetics.
Powerful W16 Engine
- Boasting the same formidable 1,600 horsepower motor as the acclaimed Chiron Super Sport 300+, the W16 Mistral delivers exceptional performance synonymous with Bugatti's legacy.
Distinctive Design Language
- Radiating La Voiture Noire-esque appeal, the Mistral features a bespoke design with a bold black and yellow color scheme paying homage to the brand's founder, Ettore Bugatti.
Meticulous Engineering
- Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Mistral exemplifies Bugatti's commitment to both beauty and performance optimization, ensuring a harmonious blend of aesthetics and aerodynamics.
Monterey Car Week Unveiling
- Unveiled during Monterey Car Week, the W16 Mistral garnered significant acclaim, capturing the attention of automotive enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
Bolide-Inspired Taillights
- Featuring Bolide-inspired X-theme taillights, every element of the Mistral's design, including vertically stacked headlights and the iconic horseshoe grille, has been completely reengineered for a bespoke appearance.
Four-Wheel-Drive Configuration
- With a four-wheel-drive configuration, the Mistral ensures optimal traction and control, enhancing the driving experience and performance capabilities.
Ambitious Goal
- Bugatti sets an ambitious goal for the W16 Mistral, declaring its intent to reclaim the title of the fastest roadster in the world, aligning with the brand's pursuit of unparalleled speed and performance.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Audi’s AI:TRAIL quattro off-road vehicle offers a glimpse into the future of fully-electric sustainable mobility. Originally showcased at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Germany, the one-of-a-kind four-seater portends future autonomous driving with unrivaled off-road capabilities. A unique glass-encompassed cabin provides superior visibility for exploring nature in luxury with minimal onboard distractions to impede your view. The fourth vehicle in Audi’s series of concept cars with full-electric drive systems, the AI:TRAIL is powered by four electric motors plus systems for both assisted and automated driving on any terrain. As the name suggests, Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive remains a staple for the off-roader. Where the AI:TRAIL differs from its EV four ring counterparts, though, is its intended use for areas without charging infrastructure. The AI:TRAIL tackles the challenge head-on with 250 to 310 miles on paved roads, and as much as 155 miles on rough terrain where constant wheel slip significantly impacts power usage. By intelligently (and automatically) adjusting the torque to each wheel as needed, the AI:TRAIL optimizes energy efficiency and reduces battery consumption. Additionally, the model’s abundant size and 13.4 inch ride height allow access to otherwise unreachable destinations, with more than enough ground clearance to wade through as much as a half meter of water. Perhaps the most fascinating feature of the revolutionary ride is its advanced lighting system that utilizes five rotorless drones, dubbed Audi Light Pathfinders, to illuminate the trail ahead during navigation or as interior lighting though the vehicle’s transparent panoramic roof. Audi’s next-level off-road model is guaranteed to deliver an unmatched outdoor experience.
The past year also boasted its share of automotive start-ups, many of them vying for EV market share. Austria-based Deus Automobiles is one such company whose debut entry in the highly-competitive segment is a 2,200 hp electric hypercar affectionately known as the Deus Vayanne. Touting some seriously impressive performance numbers, the Vayanne is said to produce a ridiculously powerful 1,475 lb-ft of torque. Deus boasts that its Vayanne model will reach 62 mph in less than two seconds and achieve a top speed of 250 mph. Developed in collaboration with Italdesign and Williams Advanced Engineering, the highly-anticipated Deus Vayanne is expected to reach production in 2025 and will be limited to just 99 examples.
Similarly, and perhaps equally as mind-blowing, Devel Motors out of the United Arab Emirates has touted its Devel Sixteen hypercar’s performance for several years and looks to advance the concept in 2023. Said to be capable of producing 5,007 hp and 3,757 lb-ft of torque in its final form, the Devel Sixteen’s ultra-lightweight carbon fiber body is expected to help the optimistic automaker set new records for production car performance from the model’s gas-guzzling 12.3L V16 engine and four massive 81mm turbochargers. As the company puts it, “Devel Sixteen is born with extreme performance & unimaginable outstanding power of ten super cars, to pioneer a new era that never has been achieved before.” We’ll keep our fingers crossed as the world awaits this unprecedented road-legal rocketship.
With an ingenious tagline of #UnboringTheFuture, French auto firm Peugeot’s e-Legend Concept is one of our favorites among the recently unveiled new vehicles. The brand’s vision of autonomous driving invokes a world where technology and enjoyment work in harmony. With an aesthetic not unlike Wiesmann’s Project Thunderball, the compact e-Legend Concept takes future-forward design to new heights with the integration of high-tech componentry and ultra-luxe materials. Specifically designed to provide a fully immersive driving experience, the e-Legend Concept offers two self-driving and two manual modes. When set to an autonomous mode, drive-by-wire technology converts the vehicle’s interior into a spacious leisure area by folding the steering wheel away and repositioning the front seats. The model’s 49-inch curved center screen, plus screens located in each sunshade, provide viewing access to your favorite movie or the built-in game console. AI-powered voice control lets both driver and passenger take full advantage of the car’s driving modes and autonomous settings.
A handful of luxury sedans have also received the future-forward treatment, notably including Bentley’s gorgeous Bacalar model. The roofless grand tourer marks a long-awaited return to coachbuilding for Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke outfitter. The British barchetta takes inspiration from the acclaimed EXP 100 GT concept car and is powered by a reinvigorated version of the marque’s 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 engine. The two-seater’s performance boasts 650 bhp and 667 lb-ft of torque, offering more than enough get-up-and-go when desired. Featuring a mind-boggling 750 new components, many of which were derived from rapid additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, the Bacalar makes clever use of ethically-sourced materials such as reclaimed wood from trees that fell over 5,000 years ago and exterior paint colors created using rice husk ash. Completely bespoke in its delivered decadence, only 12 units of this rare Bentley will be produced.