Page 16 - Indulge June/July 2015
P. 16
By Patrick O’Donnell Courtesy of General Motors
Luxury is an indulgence —
something that adds pleasure
or comfort, but isn’t necessary.
Sure, a Suzuki Sidekick might
get you from point A to point B,
but it’s not going to do it in style.
Upgrade to a Ferrari LaFerrari, however, and you’ll
turn heads. Guaranteed. Everywhere. Or go retro
and channel your inner Audrey Hepburn in a cherry red
convertible. Don’t forget the scarf.
To Dave Helmer, co-owner of Knopf Automotive in
Allentown, luxury “comes down to materials and to the
performance of the car.”
These days, there are plenty of vehicles on the road
sporting amenities such as leather and wood grain
interiors, navigation packages and premium sound
systems – but there is a difference.
“Luxury cars have features other cars don’t have,” Helmer
says. “Why is Mercedes what it is? It starts with safety and
the prestige that goes along with quality ... and every year
the quality improves.” He points out that many of the safety
features drivers take for granted — such as antilock brakes
and air bags — first appeared on a Mercedes.
It’s a tradition that continues. The top-of-the-line
SL65 AMG utilizes a system Mercedes-Benz calls
PRE-SAFE: It’s designed to “detect instability during
certain vehicle maneuvers that suggest a collision or
rollover is imminent. It can then tighten the seat belts,
adjust the occupied passenger seat … all in an effort to
better prepare the occupants in the moments before a
collision,” Mercedes states.
Luxury is an indulgence —
something that adds pleasure
or comfort, but isn’t necessary.
Sure, a Suzuki Sidekick might
get you from point A to point B,
but it’s not going to do it in style.
Upgrade to a Ferrari LaFerrari, however, and you’ll
turn heads. Guaranteed. Everywhere. Or go retro
and channel your inner Audrey Hepburn in a cherry red
convertible. Don’t forget the scarf.
To Dave Helmer, co-owner of Knopf Automotive in
Allentown, luxury “comes down to materials and to the
performance of the car.”
These days, there are plenty of vehicles on the road
sporting amenities such as leather and wood grain
interiors, navigation packages and premium sound
systems – but there is a difference.
“Luxury cars have features other cars don’t have,” Helmer
says. “Why is Mercedes what it is? It starts with safety and
the prestige that goes along with quality ... and every year
the quality improves.” He points out that many of the safety
features drivers take for granted — such as antilock brakes
and air bags — first appeared on a Mercedes.
It’s a tradition that continues. The top-of-the-line
SL65 AMG utilizes a system Mercedes-Benz calls
PRE-SAFE: It’s designed to “detect instability during
certain vehicle maneuvers that suggest a collision or
rollover is imminent. It can then tighten the seat belts,
adjust the occupied passenger seat … all in an effort to
better prepare the occupants in the moments before a
collision,” Mercedes states.
