Overview

Last year set the stage for one of Malaysia’s foremost showcases of luxurious automobile living. This year, the second annual Robb Report Malaysia Ultimate Drives event returns to deliver more of the same extravagant driving experience.

Presenting fine examples from some of the most renowned Italian, German and English marques, there will be something to tickle the fancy of every type of driver—from sleek and sporty two- seaters, to lengthy and opulent four-door sedans and limos, and to spacious and tech-forward SUVs, all will be satisfied with the range-topping vehicles on exhibition.
Guests will, of course, have the opportunity to test drive each of the participating cars—and afterwards, retire to the hospitality of TPC Kuala Lumpur’s main lounge to discuss their experiences with like-minded peers.

Venue

TPC Kuala Lumpur

TPC Kuala Lumpur is one of the city’s foremost golfing destinations, replete with stunning fairways and manicured greenery. With this beautiful landscape as a backdrop, the event will be set in the club’s roomy main lounge. Here, guests will also be able to indulge in the offerings of our lifestyle partners—whether cocktails, coffee, or the simple pleasure of a good shave, luxury does not need to end with the journey.

Cars

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Aston Martin Vantage

The reinvention of James Bond, the Vantage offers razor-sharp steering, perfectly tuned engine notes and plenty of superspy smarts thanks to its new V8 engine which takes the car from 0- 100km/h in 3.6 seconds. On the exterior, its styling is a bold, intensified look with a sculptural, predatory stance and ultra-slim rear light graphics which elongate the full-width of its tailgate. Inside, both car and driver are unified by an intimate experience with a lowered driving position to optimise the driver’s feel for the car’s undoubted athleticism.

Audi A7 Sportback

The Audi A7 Sportback is a beast with a 3.0 V6 that outputs 340 horses, pulling off the century sprint in 5.3 seconds while still looking incredibly dashing. It’s all-wheel drive Quattro architecture ensures that signature Audi driver control, while the S tronic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission promises fast gear changes without any perceptible break in propulsive power. The car’s new HD Matrix LED headlights with variable light control makes its presence on the road a fearsome one, especially after the sun sets.

Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI Quattro

Audi’s flagship SUV is a sizable and spacious vehicle, but one that retains a sporty roofline. The much-heralded all-wheel-drive Quattro system ensures torque is delivered optimally to both axles, enabling the conquering of difficult terrain as well as a sharper and more responsive drive. When combined with the adaptive air suspension, which also reacts to driving style and terrain, the Q8 makes for a smart and adroit vehicle that tunes itself to the driver. With luxurious details such as seat ventilation, and a cutting-edge digital system accessible by two expansive touchscreens, the Q8 is a clear statement of contemporary lifestyle.

BMW M5

BMW’s executive race car is back in all of its glory with this 2018 iteration. The marque’s supreme engineering and driving intelligence allows for dynamics which adds interest to your daily drive with its 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. From its 4.4-litre V8 with M TwinPower Turbo tech, you get acceleration of 3.4 seconds from 0-100km/h, with a max torque of 750Nm between 1,800 – 5,700 rpm. Inside the cabin, a sumptuous interior design allows full enjoyment of the 16-speaker Harmon Kardon surround sound system.

BMW X7

Like its shiny chrome grille – the largest ever integrated into the nose of any BMW model – everything about this new X7 is sized XXL. It’s almost 10 inches longer than BMW’s X5 and looks even bigger courtesy of its towering 71-inch height and bolt-upright stance. Parked alongside its closest rival, Mercedes-Benz’s GLS, the X7 is longer by 1.3 inches. As you might expect, all those inches deliver a cabin that is nothing less than cavernous. There’s seating for either six or seven, with generous knee room in the third row for a couple of adults. The middle row offers a choice of a three-seat bench or a pair of captain’s chairs, both of which offer 5.7 inches of power-assisted fore- aft travel. Being based on a stretched, rear-drive-biased X5 platform should ensure this South Carolina–built leviathan handles itself well. All-wheel drive is standard, as are adaptive dampers and air springs. The X7 is also a capable load-carrier. With the second- and third-row seats folded flat—electrically, of course, no manual fiddling required—it can swallow almost 2,120litres of luggage or sports gear. And loading is made a little easier courtesy of a power-opening split tailgate and standard air suspension that can lower the truck at the touch of a button.

Bufori CS Sport

The CS will be the latest addition to Bufori’s available models. It is a more contemporary interpretation of the Bufori philosophy, featuring a modern yet timeless design. The ultra-stiff carbon-Kevlar monocoque body features fully adjustable double wishbone suspension on all corners, ensuring excellent ride & handling. The six-piston monoblock Brembo callipers guarantee unparalleled stopping power. The Bufori CS available at Ultimate Drives is one of three existing prototypes; eventually the CS will be offered in two powertrain variants, including a supercharged 3.6-litre V6 capable of 500bhp, and a 6.4-litre V8 delivering a mind-blowing 750bhp. It is expected to launch in Malaysia in the first half of 2020.

Bufori Geneva Luxury

The Geneva, a four-door luxury saloon, is the current flagship of Malaysian-based Bufori. This majestic car is powered by a mighty front-mounted, naturally aspirated 6.4-litre V8, delivering up to 470bhp to the rear wheels. The sumptuous interior can be conveniently accessed through elegant rear-hinged coach doors. The car is packed with state-of-the art technology such as adaptive cruise control and, carbon-and-Kevlar body, amongst many other features. One of the highlights is the rear centre console, which can be equipped with a fridge, mini-bar, cigar humidor and even an automatic coffee machine. Choices are endless, and every Bufori Geneva is a unique piece crafted to the personal preferences of its esteemed owner.

Lamborghini Urus

Touted as the first super-SUV, the Urus—named after an extinct ox—is a class-defying breed. “Our vision was for the Urus to be able to explore completely different surroundings, which, until now, was not possible to do with our cars,” explains Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s chief technology officer. “We wanted a new dimension—everyday usability and versatility.” This raging bull is unique among Lambos as it features six drive modes (including ones for snow and sand), but it also inherited aerodynamic attributes from the Huracán Performante and handling elements (such as four-wheel steering, active damping, and four-wheel drive) from the Aventador S.

McLaren 720S Spider

As with its stablemates, the futuristic looks of the McLaren 720S Spider are not just for show—they reflect the engineering perfection and aerodynamic brilliance that the British marque has become renowned for. McLaren’s flagship convertible features an ultra-stiff monocoque carbon fibre construction, and its retractable hardtop closes in just 11 seconds. Best of all, despite being blisteringly fast, it is surprisingly easy to drive, and its hydraulic suspension means its comfortable when it needs to be.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

To be the “Rolls-Royce” of a product category is to be the best. Named after the largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan sparkles as the first all-wheel-drive vehicle and the first with a hatchback in Rolls-Royce’s 112-year history. With a roofline just over six feet high, it is also the tallest Rolls-Royce ever. Powering the Cullinan, which has a curb weight greater than three tons, a tremendous 6.7-litre V-12 engine swallows pressurized air from two turbochargers to produce a walloping 563 hp. Rolls- Royce cars are lauded for having the world’s smoothest ride, which the Cullinan delivers with the help of a stereoscopic camera that detects upcoming bumps in the road, and then the Cullinan adjusts ride height accordingly to mitigate any potential passenger discomfort. The cabin furthers this extremely high standard for comfort. The Cullinan is available in two rear-seat configurations: a somewhat traditional but nonetheless plush leather bench that seats up to three people or, for the ultimate in luxury travel, two individually adjustable seats on either side of a centre console, which doubles as a bar—complete with glassware and a refrigerator.

Bang & Olufsen

Bang & Olufsen’s perennially sleek and futuristic appeal belies its significant history; the Danish manufacturer of high-end audio-visual equipment was in fact founded in 1925 as a radio technology business. Its commitment to high-fidelity audio and distinct design language still permeates the brand today, with its products renowned for their looks as much as their aural capabilities.

East Residence

The manicured grounds of TPC Kuala Lumpur is also the backyard for the East Residence, the first and only landed development in the master-planned Alya Kuala Lumpur. The 126 exclusive homes within the gated and guarded community include a lifetime membership at the premier golf club, and include other perks such as a private residents’ clubhouse and 24-hour security.

Jacob & Co

When it comes to standing out, few do it better than Jacob & Co. The New York-based outfit is relatively young, having been founded in 1986, but has already become a fixture in the modern high jewellery and watchmaking landscape. The relentless vision of founder Jacob Arabo has led the brand to establish itself as a creator of uncompromising opulence and luxury, with each timepiece or jewellery item a formidable statement on its own.

Martell

Martell, the oldest of the great cognac houses, forged by passion and knowledge passed through the Martell family since 1715 - creating cognacs that have been enjoyed and cherished for three centuries. From generation to generation, a celebration of French Art de Vivre, treasuring the beauty and pleasure of every moment. A rich history honouring craft and taste, with Martell cognacs enjoyed and cherished for three centuries - from regal coronations to Hollywood films, intrepid polar expeditions to royal weddings, and far beyond.

Samsung Wall Luxury

When does a TV stop being a TV? When it’s the Wall by Samsung. The new 146-inch stunner invokes a term as yet unfamiliar to the broader TV-buying audience: micro-LED. It’s the closeness of the smaller light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to each other—called the pixel pitch (the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels)—that determines how good the resolution is. The Wall has a pixel pitch of 0.84 millimeter, whereas most screens range from 1.5 to 3.0. The result is otherworldly, a hyper-real digital surface for TV, art, and interactive experiences capable of changing an entire room. The Wall is composed of micro-tile technology (screens made of stacked modules that hold 16 tiles apiece), which means it can be scaled to fit any space. Each tile can be removed and replaced, making maintenance a breeze. And it has a 100,000-hour lifespan, so even if you used it 24 hours a day, it would last more than a decade.The key difference between its two models, Pro and Luxury, is the number of frames per second: The Pro runs at 60 fps, and the Luxury option will hit 120. The Luxury model is also slimmer.

Truefitt & Hill

Established in 1805, Truefitt and Hill flourishes today by combining innovative and exceptional grooming products with the traditions and practices of the oldest barbershop in the world. Still headquartered in London, Truefitt and Hill are holders of the Royal Warrant and count almost all male members of the British Royal Family since George III amongst its distinguished clientele, as well as other luminaries such as the Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill, and Frank Sinatra.

Samsung

The Korean electronics powerhouse is synonymous with high-tech, contemporary lifestyle. Its products are an encompassing range that include everything from phones and TVs to washing machines and air conditioners and digital cameras and printers. As far as modern living is concerned, the quintessential Samsung device is the Galaxy line-up of smartphones; these have always delivered cutting-edge technology and user experiences.

Sothys'

A physician and biologist, Dr Max Hotz founded Sothys’ in Paris in 1946. In the beginning, his beauty institute operated alongside his medical practice, and he catered at first to the city’s elite. Today, the global network of Sothys’ salons continue to offer innovative and science-based cosmetics and skincare products and services.

Space

Space offers an extensive collection of furniture, lighting and accessories from the world’s leading contemporary brands and manufacturers. Working alongside exceptionally talented designers to produce some iconic pieces which are present in many residences and projects. With its first showroom in Sydney, Australia in 1993 followed by two other showrooms in Melbourne and Brisbane. In 2001, Space started its first Asian showroom in Singapore and quickly established an extremely high benchmark for design retailing in the luxury lifestyle contemporary furniture industry around the Asia Pacific region and expanded regionally with its fifth showroom in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.

Starbucks

Starbucks Reserve represents the best that the international coffee giant has to offer—the rarest, most extraordinary coffee beans from around the world, the most exacting of roasting and brewing methods, and then serving it all with the flourish of a mixologist. It is a chance to learn about and experience coffee the correct way: as a drink of complexity and deep satisfaction, created with though, care, and a dash of innovation.

Glenlivet

The remote and isolated Livet valley made it ideal for illicit distillation. This is where The Glenlivet’s founder George Smith learned his craft. Hidden away from the Customs Officers and soldiers, George had time to distil slowly making a whisky that would soon become world renowned. In August 1822, King George IV arrived in Scotland and asked to try a drop of the Glenlivet whisky. Two years later and after a change in legislation, George saw his window of opportunity and rode to Elgin to get his licence to become the first legal distiller in the parish of Glenlivet. To this day, The Glenlivet remains the benchmark that all other Speyside single malts are measured against.

Bentley

In celebration of its 100th anniversary today, Bentley has revealed the EXP 100 GT—a concept that pays homage to the British luxury marque’s storied past while promising that the next chapter will be its best yet. “We wanted to make sure we were showing a credible concept and not a flying saucer or spaceship, because there is always that danger if you look too far into the future,” says Stefan Sielaff, Bentley’s director of design. “This is why we have chosen the horizon of 2035, because that is where our engineering and technology road maps reach out to.” Within the EXP 100 GT—which measures 19 feet in length and roughly 7.8 feet in width— is a combination of current and future tech that includes an all-electric power-train configuration and the ability to be fully self- driving. But, solving the divisive nature of autonomous advancement, the state-of-the-art grand tourer also allows for human piloting if that is preferred. Four motors will provide 1,500 ft lbs of torque and enable the vehicle to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and reach 186 mph. And the targeted range is 435 miles on a battery that can be recharged to 80-percent capacity in 15 minutes. Entered through two 6.5-foot scissor doors, the cabin is a sybaritic encampment featuring ubiquitous glass, Scotland’s Bridge of Weir leather, crystal from Cumbria and, most noteworthy, trim from trees that fell as far back as 3,300 BC. “Underlying the design of the interior is actually a sustainability message with all the usage of the materials and the craftsmanship that we’ve engaged in with this car” explains Brett Boydell, head of interior design. In contrast to that ancient accent are planned onboard advancements such as the Bentley Personal Assistant, an artificial-intelligence component that will customize the interior environment, provide info and entertainment, and even monitor health metrics of the occupants. In addition, handling is constantly being optimized with active aero wheels and tires that can automatically enhance traction based on road conditions.