190 marieclaire.com.au
NIKOL BARTZOKA/TRUNKARCHIVE.COM/SNAPPER MEDIAWhether you
like it flirty
and fun or
sexy and sleek,
here’s our pick
of the year’s
classiest cars
WATCH OUT FOR: TESLA MODEL S
It’s fair to say that Tesla’s Model S – an all-electric, super sports car that can
sit four adults in comfort (while simultaneously making all of them nauseous
with its prodigious acceleration) – has shaken up the car industry. Yes, it’s so
cutting edge you need gloves to touch it, but it’s also not cheap, with prices
ranging from $114,100 to north of $255,000.Winner: BMW i3
WHO IS IT FOR: Minimalist-
loving, tech-savvy early adopters;
successful start-up entrepreneurs.
WHY WE LOVE IT: If Apple has
taught the world anything it’s that
we’re all happy to get our geek on
over technology – as long as it’s
beautifully packaged.
BMW’s designers knew this
when they created the i3, a vehicle
that looks like it’s just driven here
from the year 2035. From the
interior that feels like a high-end
Scandinavian furniture shop, to
the electric motor that produces
no nasty carbon dioxide at all- while still providing seamless
and silent acceleration.
URBAN WARRIOR
Winner: MAZDA CX-5
WHO IS IT FOR: Families; soccer
mums; weekend adventurers.
WHY WE LOVE IT: SUVs are
the avo toast of the car world –
everyone wants one. And what’s not
to love? The high view, OTT safety
features and ample space are hard
to beat. As the vehicle of choice for
Australian families, the selection
available is overwhelming.
The best SUVs are like a reverse
Tardis – looks large from the
outside, but shrinks when you’re
behind the wheel (no-one wants to
feel like they’re driving a bus) and
Mazda has perfected this formula.
The CX-5 (from $28,690) takes
our top honours for the way it deftly
handles both urban duties and
the demands of an active family.
Happily, it’s also lovely to look
at, appearing far sportier than
anything else in its category,
and it’s so easy to drive.
OTT EXTRAS: The safety features
are truly impressive, like the car’s
ability to “sense” an impending
accident and stop by itself.WINNERCUTTING
EDGE
The electric motors will
provide you with (up to) an
extraordinary 200km of range
between charges. To reduce
power-shortage-panic you can
purchase a Range Extender, which
is basically a small motorcycle
engine that runs on petrol and can
kick in to recharge your batteries
when they’re getting low, effectively
doubling your car’s driving range.
All i3s sold in Australia also
have a built-in SIM card so your
car can talk to BMW and provide
bespoke advice about your battery
range, based on current traffic
conditions and the weather. If
you’re getting low on juice it can
guide you to your nearest electric
vehicle charging station.
Everything about the i3 feels
great, from the way you’re saving
the environment to the modern,
airy interior, but looking this good- and wearing a BMW badge – was
never going to come cheap. Prices
for the most advanced small car
on the road start at $63,900.
WHY VEGANS WILL LOVE IT:
Interestingly, the i3 is available
with an entirely vegan interior,
made from specially chosen
eco-fibres instead of cow hides.
WINNERTHE IT
ist
IT