Distinctively designed

High-tech and comfort

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is now on sale. The intermediate entry in Mercedes-Benz’s electric SUV range, the EQE takes after its larger counterpart, the EQS, with air suspension and climatized front seats. Mercedes-Benz claims best-in-class comfort, even with the “base” model that includes memory-function sport seats and 12·8- and 12·3-inch digital displays. Get to the AMG Line Premium model, and there are features such as Burmester Surround Sound and MBUX augmented reality for navigation. The Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen (a full-width digital display across the car) is optional.

Blasting back to the ’80s

It looks 1980s but inside the GPO Manhattan is a powerful Bluetooth speaker system with 100 W peak power. You can even hook up 20 Manhattan speaker systems together. You can stream via your phone or tablet, record to and play back from a USB stick, plug in two mics, and adjust bass, treble and balance. Retails at £210. Visit www.gporetro.com for more info.

Stand out

Here’s a collaboration we didn’t expect: Samsonite and New Balance. The famed luggage brand has teamed up with the sportswear company to create a distinctive, colourful range of bags and luggage. The items are made from Polycarbonate, enhanced with antimicrobial treatment. There’s a cross-body bag, a shoebox cross-body bag, and hard-side luggage in 18- or 22-inch models. Available now at Samsonite retail stores, samsonite.com, selected New Balance stores, and other official distributors.

As black as onyx

Sometimes you hear about things from your own country from one of your international bureaux—which means it does pay to be international. Last year, we were invited to the US launch of Scapegrace Black, the world’s first naturally black, colour-changing gin from New Zealand. Beginning with premium botanicals and juniper, Scapegrace added kumara, aronia berries, pineapple, saffron and butterfly pea flower. The result is a full-bodied gin with hints of tropical fruits and herbs. When mixed with tonic or a citrus, the gin changes to a light lavender shade. An impressive distillery, meanwhile, opened on Lake Dunstan in Central Otago last year. •



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