Face it. You’re a family man now. Two kids; a dog; a quiet Friday night in with your favourite fruit blender. Driving fast simply doesn’t register in your old man vernacular anymore.

And then you stumble upon something special. A noisy sedan that packs the punch of five hundred horses with the familiar silhouette of a four door family saloon. Your inner lead foot comes rushing back to you like a lost lover and you subsequently divorce your partner and sell the kids. Because ain’t nobody got time for that.

These are the world’s fastest sedans that hide a supercar secret. You could potentially haul around a family, but you have none.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Timid in its signature styling yet brutal in its approach to traversing the tarmac with great pace, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a luxury sedan build for sublime driving.

It packs a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine which affords it a conservative 626hp, 820Nm of torque and 322km/h top speed. At 2.5 tonnes it’s no lightweight sportscar but it does make up for all that bare bones cornering requisites with quality craftsmanship in the form of diamond quilted leather all round and more legroom than you can poke a stick at.

Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Larger may mean practical in conventional sedans but in the case of Mercedes-AMG it certainly doesn’t mean slower. With features such as drift mode coming into play on future AMG cars, the E63 has set the precedence for exhilarating driving and blistering acceleration in a practical body.

It achieves this with the help of trick computers which balances the power to the AWD system which is further enhanced by a proven suspension setup. So despited the 577hp on tap from the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, the car is still very agile. You want creature comforts? You also get 14-way heated/cooled power seats alongside the usual bevy of Mercedes fit and finish.

Porsche Panamera Turbo

This is the German powerhouse that almost took the scalp of a slightly faster Italian in this list. We’re talking Nurburgring lap times and there’s been a trend over the years of seeing which four-door sedan can manage to score the fastest time around the Green Hell. There’s no reason for it really other than marketing but gosh does it work (on us anyway).

The Panamera Turbo S takes the classic 911 silhouette, draws it out without diluting it too much and then adds another two doors. The 2016 model is much more sleeker but we’re specifically focusing on the version that was taken to the Ring.

The Turbo S uses Porsche’s 4.8-litre V8 paired with larger turbos to help bump power to 542hp and 750Nm of torque. This helps launch the car to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds – not bad for a car weighing almost two tonne. Porsche’s proprietary PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) gearbox also helps in the rapid acceleration department.

Audi RS7

Quintessential German aesthetics and engineering is what makes the RS7 both a rare sight and a highly sought after piece of machinery. Those who know it will fall to their knees at the sight of one whilst those who don’t will continue to walk right past. And that’s the selling point of the RS7. Actually we take that back, the real selling point is its blistering speed and immense surge of power which is derived from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 to deliver 596hp and 750Nm of torque.

With the addition of Audi’s Quattro AWD system paired with an eight-speed auto, the two-tonne car can reach 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds before topping out at 305km/h. You’d probably lose your license at half that speed in Australia. Sharp handling, elegant styling, German luxury within. Need a family man ask for more? Oh right. And the noise it makes…

BMW M3

With the BMW M4 taking over the coupe duties, the late model M3 was left to evolve into a four-door sedan that added practicality into the mix of sheer driving pleasure. This didn’t make the Bavarian any less of a beast on the track though with 425hp on tap and 550Nm derived from a 3.0-litre turbo-inline six.

Beyond the M4 grunt is a grown-ups playground with luxury appointments such as adaptive LED headlights, a HUD display on the windscreen, comfort access, DAB+ digital radio, surround cameras, heated front seats and a Harman/Kardon audio system.

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV

This is the Alfa Romeo flagship car of modern times. It’s also the one that nabbed back the Nurburgring title back from Porsche after the Germans attempted to claim the fastest sedan time on the daunting track. We’ve already driven this car in Milan and you can read about it here.

In a nutshell it’s the most beautiful and fastest Alfa Romeo of the current portfolio line up. Built from the ground up to take on the Germans, this car succeeds both in the unique styling, practicality and pace. It gets moving with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 which pumps out a healthy 502hp and 600Nm of torque. Drive to work, race supercars on the weekends. Alfa Romeo is back.

Tesla Model S P100D

There’s no denying that Tesla’s Model S is a car like no other in this list. It’s electric drivetrain has been proven since its debut and has even scared companies like Porsche into thinking about the electric performance car segment.

The P100D which is the fastest Model S to date will continue to change the game with its zero emissions concept alongside mind-boggling figures like 0 to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds. This makes it the fastest accelerating production car ever thanks to dual electric motors which can churn out over 760hp and almost 1,000Nm of torque at 0 rpm.

And it does all of this without making so much as a whirring noise whilst transporting five passengers and their weekend luggage over 500km in range. A game changer in every right.

Aston Martin Rapide S

The post Ordinary Sedans That Hide Supercar Performance appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Remember that time your fiancee broke up with you via a brick through the window and topped it off with an Instagram of her and two other lads in a bubble bath? Of course you do.

They’re called bad memories and men have more than enough to spare in life. As our Editor often says, “bad decisions make great stories,” but what if you wanted to eradicate these stories from your head for good? Well now you can thanks to that sneaky little bastard called technology.

Researchers are currently looking at ways to selectively erase unpleasant memories from one’s mind. The way they’re planning to do it is via a form of memory manipulation.

Whenever a human recalls a specific memory from the past, it changes slightly. The essentials will always be there – say what you were eating the time you got hit by a car, but whether the weather was sunny or rainy on the day would probably be a bit hazy.

To make things even more confusing for your brain, details can be further convoluted with external sources telling you what the specifics of that incident was.

According to scientists that lapse in specific detail isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Researchers believe that they can take advantage of this flimsy memory by neutralising the feelings of sadness, fear or embarrassment by blocking norepinephrine – the chemical associated with fight-or-flight response and memory triggers.

Blocking this chemical essentially changes the way memory is put back in its place after it has been retrieved – a process called “reconsolidation”. Yes, exactly like in Arnie’s Total Recall sans the going to Mars and being married to Sharon Stone part. 

Another method currently being trialled is via the ingestion of xenon gas, a chemical often used as an anaesthetic in Europe. Stored in a asthma inhaler, the gas is taken while triggering a specific bad memory. The gas targets the brain receptors which are associated with learning and memory, thus stripping away any negative connotations to it.

The process still has a long way to go before it is deemed safe to use on human subjects, especially from a moral perspective. Given how deeply rooted memories are in forming the fabric of an individual mind, a miscalculated alteration in the memory chain could result in devastating consequences.

Then again, starting a colony on Mars sounded preposterous just twenty years ago so who knows. Bad memories could soon be a thing of a man’s own imagination.

The post Scientists Have Discovered A Way To Erase Bad Memories appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The private jet fit outs are rolling out in force this week first with Lufthansa’s visually stunning offering and now with Airbus’ final single aisle jet in production, the A320neo ‘Melody’ edition.

Not only is there millions already piled into the jet alone from well-heeled owners but also an immaculate interior fit out that will make any greenie mogul cry organic tears of joy.

Officially dubbed the ACJ320neo, the private jet straddles the fine line between corporate flyer and millionaire playboy. The bright hues of white and green pairs seamlessly with dramatic flowing lines which the designers say are “inspired by hilly horizons, rolling rivers and other curves of nature”.

Look around and there are almost no sharp edges. Technology and creature comforts is however in abundance with a dedicated chef’s kitchen, bathrooms with ‘magic glass’ which can automatically go from opaque to translucent at the push of a button and a conference area for up to six guests.

For the film and audiophiles the entertainment section is looked after with a curved 65 inch screen and roof mounted speakers which extends throughout the plane. A plane of this calibre doesn’t cut corners hence the ACJ320neo features carbon honeycomb construction with integrated windows which tints accordingly to the passenger’s wish.

The post Take A Peak Inside Airbus' New A320neo 'Melody' Private Jet appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article has been brought to you by Alfa Romeo

History. Romance. Passion. These are the three words that make up over 100 years of Alfa Romeo heritage hidden within Milan’s Museo Storico Alfa Romeo.

The idea behind the Alfa Romeo Museum is more than just an exhibition of hundreds of models though; it’s a detailed look at the illustrious history through the Italian marque’s victories, tragedies and cars that have carried them into the present.

Having first opened its doors in the fall of 1976, its curator Lorenzo Ardizio says that the museum is about telling a romance story with different chapters across six levels of the world’s most exotic metal.

“When you finish on the last page, you are in the last room and it’s a showcase of the future of Alfa Romeo. Not the end of the story,” says Vitza.

To successfully portray such a celebrated and extensive timeline, the Alfa Romeo Museum is curated to mirror the brand in three distinct chapters.

Chapter 1 is dedicated to the art of Alfa Romeo production – a showcase of the models you can buy and drive from 1910 until the present day.

Chapter 2 is dedicated to ‘Bellezza’, the Italian word for beauty, which is left in its native tongue to accentuate the Italian way of car design, aesthetics and driving.

Chapter 3 is dedicated to the sensation of speed. Velocita, as the Italians call it, pays homage to the rich motorsport history of Alfa Romeo which dates back to 1913 with their first ever race car. 

The Giulia badge is considered a milestone in Alfa Romeo history and as such, it receives two standalone exhibits in the museum.

From the Giulia’s place in the bigger Alfa Romeo timeline to the model variations of the Giulia family which extend to 60s police cars, the exhibits trace the celebrated model right up until the version unleashed in 2016 – the world’s fastest four-door sedan.

Such a sensation cannot be replicated. It has to be derived from a century of innovation and when a driver buys an Alfa Romeo, they are buying into an experience like no other.

Beauty, passion and a special piece of Italy are what make an Alfa Romeo.

To register for more information about the new Alfa Romeo Giulia click here.

Photographed exclusively for D’Marge by Rosario Liberti – No reproduction without written permission.

The post Exploring The History Of Speed Inside The Alfa Romeo Museum appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article has been brought to you by Dyson

“There’s an app for that” is more than a catchy commercial slogan; it’s a prediction of the future.

More and more, we’re surrounded by intelligent devices that capture data about what we do and how we live. These devices are increasingly sophisticated.

Now they don’t just collect information, they communicate with each other about it – coordinating to perform tasks on command and provide solutions to our problems.

The Internet of Things would have been unthinkable not long ago, and the future of it is equally unimaginable to us now. What we can do is appreciate the incredible strides we’ve made.

Case in point: the Dyson Pure Cool Link, a tricked-out air purifier that’s stylish, smart, and like nothing else on the market. And yes, there’s an app for that.

Discover The Dyson Pure Cool Link

We’ll start with the bad news. According to the Centre of Australian Weather and Climate Research, air pollution inside your home can be up to five times worse than outside.

Considering that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors these days, that number is nothing to scoff at.

On top of our progressively more enclosed lifestyles, modern homes are more sealed. The updated designs are intended to keep noise out and heat in, but pollutants and allergens get trapped inside along with the warmth. It’s a recipe for pulmonary disaster.

The good news is, the Dyson Pure Cool Link eliminates 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. The 360° Glass HEPA filter captures ultrafine particles from the air including pollen, bacteria, auto emissions, and pet dander.

In the summer, it’s also a powerful cooling fan. The smart device automatically monitors air quality and reacts accordingly, then reports to the Dyson Link app so you can remotely control your environment.

And of course, it does it all with an abundance of Dyson’s trademark minimalist style.

Pure Style

There’s already plenty to love about the Pure Cool Link from your first glance. It embodies the best of Dyson’s modern design ethos with a bladeless oval tower set atop a cylindrical base.

The purifier’s Air Multiplier technology disposes of traditional visible spinning blades for an ultra-sleek look that’s both safe and easy to clean. The minimalism extends to the base of the device, which is featureless except for a power button and an LED indicator.

The indicator displays a variety of symbols to represent the mode it’s in. It flashes green when Wi-Fi is in pairing mode, flashes white when it’s connecting, and turns solid white when it’s successfully connected.

When set to Automatic, the base displays a solid white A while cleaning and a solid green A when it has reached the target air quality. A crescent moon symbol appears when the machine is in its quieter Night-Time mode.

The Pure Cool Link comes in two colours, silver and metallic blue. Those new to Dyson might be shocked by the tower’s bladeless, bold statement, but fans of the brand will love its familiar space-age style.

Pure Smarts

If you were following along closely, you have an important question right now: if the Pure Cool Link base only has a power button, how do you control it? The answer is two-fold.

First, the low-tech option. The purifier comes with a compact remote control that boasts all the necessary buttons: Power, Auto, Fan Speed, Timer, Oscillation, and Night-Time mode.

Like the rest of the machine, the remote is sleek and minimal. When not in use, it can be magnetically stored on top of the tower (an especially handy feature if you’re the type who loses his sunglasses the second they’re off his head).

All functions from the remote are replicated by the real highlight of this experience: the Dyson Link app. Connect the purifier to Wi-Fi, download the app for Android or iOS, and you’re granted access to a host of cool data and controls.

The app can be used to monitor filter life, so you know when you need to change it, and set schedules for the Pure Cool Link to run on a daily or weekly basis.

The app can also conduct an instant reading of the air quality in the surrounding area and the air quality outdoors. Charts display air quality throughout the day or week, as well as how often the purifier was active.

Air quality targets (divided into “good quality”, “sensitive to particles and pollutants”, and “very sensitive to particles and pollutants”) can be set so the machine responds automatically to changes in the air, ensuring your purifier performs at optimal levels with minimum human intervention.

Smooth Operator

Out of the box, the Dyson Pure Cool Link comes in two pieces. Assembly requires no tools; the pieces must simply be aligned and snapped together. Replacing the HEPA filter is as easy as removing the top, discarding the older filter, and inserting a new one.

On the base of the machine you’ll find a blue sticker with an SSID and the Wi-Fi password to pair the purifier with your home Wi-Fi. Download the app, tap Add a Product, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

The rest of the experience is all pretty intuitive. The Pure Cool Link works well and is easy to move from room to room. It’s effective in keeping pollen, smells, and other irritants at bay.

The app is useful, though you may find yourself addicted to checking its data. Night-Mode, which dims the LED display and switches to the quietest settings, is a nice touch.

The appliance’s aesthetic appeal means it doesn’t have to be hidden – it’s a device you’ll happily display.

Verdict

The Dyson Pure Cool Link is a premium product that delivers on its promises. It rapidly cleans the air in any room, providing much needed respite for allergy suffers and germaphobes. The connected app is both fascinating from an informational standpoint and incredibly useful as a remote control. The design makes it a conversation piece, not just a utilitarian appliance.

The purifier’s downsides are few and excusable. It’s relatively large and the design may not complement everyone’s décor, but in the right setting, it makes a standout statement.

It can be loud when pushed to its outer limits, but it’s whisper quiet on lower settings. It’s hardly the cheapest gadget you’ll have in your house, but it works hard to live up to its price tag and many will agree it succeeds.

The post Dyson Invent One Of The Coolest Ways To Breathe Easier appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A secret Ferrari project was unveiled last night with the arrival of the J50 supercar to celebrate the Italian marque’s 50th anniversary in Japan.

Limited to just 10 examples, the J50 is based off the proven 488 Spider and will be made available to existing Ferrari owners. Lucky recipients will also be guaranteed exclusivity with each example being customised to every individual owner.

Under the bonnet the J50 will sport the same 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 with a slight retune which sees power bumped from 493kW to 507kW. Other changes on the J50 are purely cosmetic with a sleeker revised body which flow into a pair of roll hoops. The rear section is also notably different with a blacked-out section for the trunk and a clear glass panel allowing for full view of the engine.

The post Ferrari Unveils The Ultra Limited Edition J50 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

With or without Clarkson and co., the revamped Top Gear series is powering along rather nicely. To prove that point, the BBC production recently recruited the help of viral video sensation Ken Block to help their American host with a scenic tour of London.

Things obviously don’t go to plan with Block behind the wheel of his many horsepower Hoonicorn Mustang and grand monuments turning into a blur of smoke and silhouettes.

Even the Queen makes a rare appearance.

The post Ken Block Takes Matt LeBlanc On A Hair-Raising Tour Of London appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Picture a perfect holiday in Madrid. You’ll take in the masterpieces at the Museo del Prado. You’ll stroll through the Plaza Mayor and the gardens of El Retiro. You’ll visit the Palacio Real and the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida. You’ll dine on tapas in La Latina.

And in this particular Spanish fantasy, you’ll make this slick industrial pad your temporary headquarters.

Designed by Marisa Gonzalez Llanos, the Madrid home blends the simplicity and practicality of industrial style with modern refinement and the latest trends. The space is awash in different textures, many of which appear raw and unfinished. Exposed concrete walls mix with a variety of reclaimed wood accent features – a wooden plank wall, rough-hewn wood tables, doors seemingly crafted from upcycled crate boxes.

In the middle of the living area, we find a plush, neutral-toned sofa and the familiar leather of an Eames chair. The dining room adheres strictly to the industrial aesthetic, with stark concrete walls and oversized pendant lights. The tanned dining chairs are a rare break from the home’s grey colour palette.

Another small burst of colour is found in a smaller breakfast nook, which features a serene purple wall and the apartment’s most concentrated example of mixed materials: a metal table and acryclic chairs with wooden legs. In another space, so many textures could be overwhelming, but here they never overpower you with unnecessary detail.

The post Modern Industrial Madrid Home In Metal, Wood, And Concrete appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Private jets are nothing special these days but when Lufthansa Technik decide to hit an Airbus A350 with their bespoke stick, things tend to get a bit ostentatious.

Their latest private jet elevates the VIP treatment with a host of extravagant appointments, most notably a sleek residential vibe which strips away the typical conventions of an aeroplane for an open space flight experience.

In other words the cabin is fitted out with areas designed for both socialising and full privacy. Beginning at the front of the plane is a Family Flex Area’ which includes a bedroom, bathroom, lounge and work office.

Michael Reichenecker, Lufthansa Technik interior architect and co-designer of the A350 cabin, says that this is the “best place in the aeroplane”.

“It’s he most quiet, the least affected by movement, the place you want to be if you own this aircraft.”

For an even more customised approach to flying, the entire front section can be closed off with sliding doors in order to convert the space into a private master suite. Within that there are creature comforts such as large flat-screen panels for a true theatre experience in the skies, whilst Lufthansa Technik’s patented Living Lining concept creates the perfect mood lighting for any occasion in the air.

For the well-heeled foodie there’s a dedicated cooking station accompanied with an induction stove.

But that’s enough of the boring stuff. What you really came here is for the spa and the Lufthansa VIP Airbus A350 has it in spades. Steam baths, massage table, workout and yoga area, a steam shower suite and spa make up the leisure amenities section of this fine aircraft.

Why such an elaborate service on a plane exists is simple according to Reichenecker. “We want the VIP to leave more relaxed than when they entered.”

“It will not be the fastest [completion], but it will be the best looking,” he said.

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