Even a modest supermini can have its status elevated, with a makeover by a renowned fashion label. This is similar to how celebrity chef Justin Quek transforms a bowl of laksa from humble hawker fare to sky-high gastronomy, or give the ubiquitous xiao long bao a touch of fine dining with foie gras.
More goodies “for” your Gucci 500.
On supercars, the “wow” factor provided by a designer label tends to be toned down because it is difficult to outshine something like a Bugatti, Ferrari or Maserati in the first place. When it comes to dollars and sense, the cost of haute couture is insignificant on a prestige product that already costs a seven-digit fortune, but on a compact hatchback, any premium of over 10 percent seems a high price to pay for mere cosmetic enhancements – even those on the cutting edge (fancy scissors and all) of Italian leather luxury.
Fiat 500 by Gucci
Fiat made a special edition together with another very Italian name, Gucci, to mark the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification.
The “refashioned” supermini shares its technical specifications with the existing 1.4-litre Fiat 500, but costs $14k more. For that, you get more chrome on the bodywork and most importantly, a dazzling array of Gucci embellishments. The distinctive green-red-green stripe flanks the perimeter of the panoramic roof version and runs across the sliding electric top of the convertible. Proudly emblazoned on the 500’s B-pillars and tailgate is the Gucci signature, while peeking from within the 16-inch wheels wearing “G”-monogrammed hub caps are Gucci-green rear brake callipers.
More goodies “for” your Gucci 500.
Getting into this dressed-up 500 is like entering Gucci paradise, where more Gucci goodies await. The Frau leather seats have a Guccissima print and more Gucci stripes, while the double-“G” symbol can be found on the seats and seat belts. Even the floor mats have not been overlooked – they get a little green-and-red tab at the side.
What is a Gucci handbag when you can have a whole Gucci car? But strangely enough, the feel-good factor derived from slinging a Gucci purse over my shoulder seems to surpass that of getting behind the wheel of the Gucci 500 – and the pretty tote comes with a much smaller price tag. Even so, the fashionable Fiat has found over 10 appreciative buyers in Singapore.
Lancia Ypsilon Versus
This Italy-only supermini targets the same young and sophisticated audience as Versus, the diffusion line of Italian fashion house Versace. The limited-production model is dressed in a cool Bronzino Bronze coat, which is colour-coordinated with matching alloy wheels, grille, handles, door mouldings, rear bumper and tailgate. Even the detailing on the instrument panel, sill plates and gearbox area has the same bronze chrome finish as the exterior.
You also get your money’s worth of Versus logos on the roof, hatchback handle and seats.
As far as appearances go, though, the awkwardly shaped Ypsilon looks like it needs more than just a designer label.
Maserati GranCabrio Fendi
Just like any other designer vehicle, this trendy Maser is big on colours, materials and emblems, and they even have special names. For instance, the unique dark grey body colour with an iridescent golden finish is named Griogio Fiamma Fendi, while yellow Pergamena Fendi wood trim adorns the dash, doors and gear knob.
Fendi’s insignia can be spotted on the seats, wheels and along the rocker panels. On the dashboard and either side of the folding roof is a silver opal plaque, engraved with the Maserati trident, Fendi trademark and five-digit serial number. To top it all off, your supermodel comes cloaked in a special cover printed with the classic two-tone “twin-F”.
This Maser costs around $600,000 (excluding COE). At this price, I wish the entire convertible was plastered with “twin-F” badges and its boot loaded to the brim with Fendi bags.
The Bugatti Veyron was accessorised by Hermes’ renowned Paris atelier.
Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermes
When it has a name long enough to rival an aristocrat’s, you hope it’s something worthy of its epic title. Whether you rave about the Veyron’s futuristic styling or just cannot shrug off its urinal-like grille, it is undoubtedly one of the meanest road machines ever made.
As if a standard Veyron isn’t spectacular enough, they had to make it even more exclusive (and expensive) by “homologating” it as a Hermes collectible. Hence the horseshoe radiator grille and lateral lattices in an interlocking “H” design, bull calfskin by Hermes’ Paris workshop (on the dashboard, seats and even on the originally carbon fibre panel separating the cockpit from the mid-mounted 1001bhp engine), and door handles with a fluid shape like that of Hermes travel luggage handles.
According to Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, former president of Bugatti Automobiles, this is what happens when a “car-loving saddlemaker” and a “horse-loving carmaker” get together.
Check out Bugatti Automobiles
Head over to Hermes
