The futuristic, beastly-looking sports car seems to be the ultimate crowd favourite after all at Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 presented by Opus by Prudential

“Extremely powerful”, “futuristic” and “smooth”. These were some of the words that were commonly uttered today by our guest drivers when describing the Aston Martin Vantage, BMW i8 and Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Performante. But have these machines done enough to prove to these petrol heads that they qualify as the best sports cars of 2018?

Aston Martin Vantage — The Vantage is the smallest, sportiest two-seater member of the Aston Martin family

Aston Martin Vantage, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — This car possibly has the sexiest roar you would ever hear

Beyond its sleek lines, the beauty of the Aston Martin Vantage lies in its robust engine, a 510hp, 4-litre V8, which propels the Vantage to a top speed of 314km/hr in a paltry 3.6 seconds. “It’s a terrific sports car, and what really surprised me was how comfortable it is to drive it. The Vantage’s aerodynamic detailing allows the ride to be extremely smooth, and I was truly blown away by the car’s swift responses,” said guest driver Jian He.

So much so that the Lamborghini Huracan Performante didn’t quite catch his fancy. “The Huracan Performante surely delivered in terms of performance with its solid dual-clutch transmission and gear system, but in typical Lamborghini fashion, its aggressiveness isn’t entirely fitting for the roads here,” he remarked.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — Lamborghini’s signature stripe Lamborghini on the Huracan Performante

Lamborghini Huracan Performante LP640-4 — The Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Performante is the maddest Huracan ever

Richard Koh, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — Guest driver Richard Koh changes his perception of Lamborghini after test-driving the Huracan Performante

On the other hand, Richard Koh shared with us his newfound love for the Huracan Performante. “The car proved to have surpassed its predecessors on multiple levels – I didn’t expect to get so much thrill from driving it. The engine response is impeccable and it’s so comfortable to drive in Strada mode. The Huracan Performante didn’t just change my impression of the Lamborghini sports car, but the brand and its technical finesse as well,” said Koh.

The BMW i8 seemed to have land in the good books of a couple of drivers too, and emerged on top for Michael Lee. “I think the BMW i8 stole the show today. There’s just this indescribable feeling you get from driving an electrically boosted car, especially one with an acceleration capacity as rapid as the BMW i8’s,” quipped Lee.

BMW i8, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — The scissor doors of the BMW i8 prove to be quite a marvel to behold

Dave Ang, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — Guest driver Dave Ang poses for a photo

Guest driver Dave Ang is positive the BMW i8 is a car that’s arrived from the future. “The way the doors go up – that itself makes a distinctive statement. The petrol engine kicks in and out very smoothly, and the brake regeneration system isn’t that strong, so it almost feels like the car is ‘floating’ when you drive it,” beamed Ang.

Opus by Prudential, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — Perfume-making sessions at your disposal courtesy of Opus by Prudential

Roger Dubuis, Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 — You’ll never go wrong with Roger Dubuis’ intricate timepieces

Kitchen Language Catering — Set the tone for the evening with delightful pre-reception canapes

Beyond the drives, guests at the three-day car affair can also revel in installations put up by event partners. These experiences include perfume-making sessions courtesy of Opus by Prudential, a fun photo booth built by the folks from Chow Tai Fook and quick massage services at the Sultans of Shave booth. Get acquainted with exclusive asset protection tips shared by the team from Tayrona Capital, or if you’ve got a soft spot for booze, knock yourself out at the whisky tasting and masterclasses held by The B28 Whisky Fund and indulge in cocktails specially concocted by The Balvenie. Other event partners include Ashley and Co, Adrgowan Distillery and Fiji Water.

Robb Report Ultimate Drives 2018 presented by Opus by Prudential
9 – 11 November
Gillman Barracks