The latest Chevrolet Corvette Z06 represents a long-standing production practice. The original Z06 was conceived in the early 1960s by Zora Arkus-Duntov, the chief engineer at GM who helped transform the Corvette from a docile roadster into a world-class sports car. After the Automobile Manufacturers of America banned factory-sponsored racing, he wanted to provide a performance package for Corvette owners who would continue to race their cars. Thus, since launching the Corvette’s second generation in 1963, the…

Korean Air is making transatlantic travel more enjoyable than ever with the debut of its first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, which features an updated version of the airline’s pod-like Kosmo Suites. Each first class accommodation boasts a spacious 79-inch-long, lie-flat seat; in-flight entertainment systems; handheld touch remotes; and sliding doors that only allow visibility from the inside—giving guests privacy without feeling too confined. This third-generation 747 is the world’s longest (about 250 feet) a…

For over 53 years, Bond, James Bond, has been thrilling audiences with his debonair savoir faire and devil-may-care approach to saving the world from diabolical super villains time and again. With each cinematic installment, anticipation over the opening action sequence is matched only by the question of what car agent 007 will be driving. From the Sunbeam Alpine driven by Sean Connery in the title role for 1962’s Dr. No to the specially made Aston Martin DB10 soon to premiere, each vehicle is the mechanic…

Mandarin Oriental Milan’s stylish new 9,600-square-foot spa aims to bring serenity to Europe’s flourishing capital of fashion, art, and design. Situated in a moodily lit subterranean level of the new 104-room hotel—just steps from the chic showrooms of top Italian brands Dolce & Gabbana, Brioni, and Salvatore Ferragamo—the six-treatment-room spa (officially opened in September) provides state-of-the-art amenities and services.

Inspired by the linear, clean lines popular in mid-century Italian estates, M…

The BMW 750i xDrive could be considered BMW’s seven-year itch, because it has been seven years since the company updated its flagship sedan. In that time, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has reigned supreme and forced BMW to play catch up, which it has: The 750i xDrive’s zero-to-60-mph time of 4.3 seconds is a half-second faster than that of the Mercedes-Benz S550.

At 4,610 pounds, the 750i xDrive weighs 20 pounds less than the S550. BMW kept the car’s weight down by using ultra-high-tensile steel, aluminum, and …

Once the sole milieu of science fiction films like Minority Report, the self-driving car is moving closer to reality as Tesla’s Autopilot for the Model S attests. Recently announced by the electrifying marque, the autopilot hardware—while hardly hands-free—enhances driver safety with integrated warning systems and automated environmental responses for proactive protection.

Now standard, the package includes front-mounted radar, an electric-assist braking system, and 12 ultrasonic sensors that cast a 16-foot…

Looking to surpass BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo has launched an all-new compact luxury sedan—the Alfa Romeo Giulia. After revealing the rear-wheel-drive sport sedan at a small event in Italy this past summer, Alfa Romeo trotted out several examples at this year’s Frankfurt auto show.

So far, the Giulia has only been shown in its sportiest variant, the Quadrifoglio, whose name is in homage to the cloverleaf used on Alfa Romeo racecars since 1923. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is powered by a version of the 51…

Thomas Jefferson said, “One travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.” Given this sentiment, the Lone Ranger on the Serengeti package at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti presents an ideal opportunity for untamed introspection. Designed for adventurers traveling solo to Tanzania, the experience reveals the beauty of the African landscape and its inhabitants, while providing a boutique base camp for self-discovery.

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Set in the center…

Originally published in the October 2015 issue of Robb Report Collection as “Telling Secrets”

Charles Curtis was working as a chef—after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris—when he decided the liquid side of the restaurant business was where he should be. He got a job with a wine distributor and went to work selling to restaurants, and in 2004 he became the 22nd American to earn the prestigious Master of Wine certification. After a series of impressive posts, including heading the wine departments for C…

Will the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider be Robb Report’s 2016 Car of the Year?

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The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider displays a design reminiscent of the marque’s 33 Stradale from the late 1960s—a V-8-powered car that could cover a kilometer faster than any other production car; not even the V-12-powered Lamborghini Miura or Ferrari Daytona could catch it. Like the 33 Stradale, the 4C Spider is quick and agile because its design is based on the principle that speed is a function …