Cars That Rival Luxury Hotels for Comfort

Opulence on the move is the flavour of the season with more and more luxury car makers making their vehicles offer unparallel luxury

CAMPER BED OUT IN THE WILDERNESS

Mercedes-Benz will showcase the lifestyle camper version of its V-Class MPV - called V-Class Marco Polo, at the Auto Expo 2020 which starts from Friday in Greater Noida.

The V-Class Marco Polo will seek to redefine what luxury is and claims to be an opulent home away from home - complete with a foldaway bed. Mercedes says that the V-Class Marco Polo is a ‘luxury camper’ made for the ruggedness of the outdoors and that it has been packed with a whole host of living space concepts.

A mobile mini home, the V-Class Marco Polo available in western markets feature swivel seats, fold-away rear seats that can be transformed into a bed, integrated drawers, cabinets and wardrobes. The fit and finish are, quite obviously, of top quality.

Mercedes says that the decision to launch the V-Class Marco Polo stems from the good response to the V-Class Elite that was recently launched in India. The MPV gets a new 2.0-litre diesel engine which is capable of putting out 161bhp of power and has peak torque figures of 380Nm. There are no surprises in the transmission unit with Mercedes opting for the 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic gearbox. The MPV moves from stationary to 100 kmph in 11 seconds.

In the long-wheelbase 6-seater option, it gets massage seats, climate control, an optional panoramic sunroof, a refrigerated section under the centre console, ambient lighting, electric sliding doors and 640 W Burmester surround sound system with 15 speakers.

While the V-Class Elite is priced at Rs 1.10 crore (ex showroom), expect a higher asking price for the V-Class Marco Polo.

SPA TREATMENT INSIDE A CAR

Audi has launched its flagship sedan - A8 L- in India at Rs 1.56 crore (ex showroom) and the car boasts of features that could make it rival hotel spas. The passenger on the rear left side of the car can make use of an on-demand foot massage which has been built into the rear part of the front passenger seat. Audi says the massager can adjust to small, medium and large foot sizes and offers a number of intensity levels along with heating options.

For a fragrant feel during the massage, the car is equipped with aroma diffusers which are climate neutral. The instrument panel conceals two vials of highly concentrated oil evoking optional a hint of summer and winter fragrances. The high quality of the fragrances is due in part to their above-average content of natural substances. The fragrances are stable even in extreme heat or cold, and are entirely safe for people, animals and materials.

To ensure clean air, the Audi A8 L comes with two ionizers that charge the air molecules electrically with negative ions. These anions will attract dust particles so that they form mini clusters that fall to the floor and so are not inhaled. There is also a combination filter in the four-zone automatic climate control. It also renders allergens and microorganisms harmless. Two detachable Android tablets take care of entertainment needs and can be controlled by a rear seat remote with OLED display. The remote can be stored in the center armrest when not in use.

The interiors, quite obviously, are absolutely plush and gets ambient lighting, Matrix LED reading lights, satin leather-wrapped head rests, among others.