duPont REGISTRY September 2023

When it comes to symbols of excess, affluence, and influence, six driven wheels on your daily driver have become the new scissor doors. Back in the day, the vertical lift of a Lamborghini’s door instantly telegraphed your place in the social hierarchy: at the top. In today’s car culture, its six wheels on a car otherwise meant to operate with four.
The recently introduced Brabus XLP 900 6X6 is that kind of statement piece. Beginning life as an already impressive Mercedes-AMG G63, the XLP 900 6X6 is the result of some mad scientists at Brabus being given carte blanche to develop the ultimate truck. That’s right, this thing has a bed despite the donor vehicle being a fully enclosed SUV. I suppose making it a pickup is small potatoes after you’ve already decided to add a third driven axle.

We chose the XLP 900 6X6 as this month’s cover car because it reminds us what we love about duPont REGISTRY: turning the page and being arrested by a picture of a car for sale that’s wilder than we could have ever imagined. And yet it exists, and it’s for sale. That’s the feeling it gives us, and you can read the rest of the story on Brabus’ brutish six-wheeled Mercedes-Benz with a bed on page 14.

This month’s other feature car is wholly different. The Rolls-Royce Spectre is arguably the most significant product the luxury car maker has ever built, but it looks similar enough to the Phantom Coupe it replaces that you might mix up the two. You can’t tell at first glance that enclosed within is the marque’s first all-electric powertrain. Will the Spirit of Ecstasy faithful embrace the brand’s electrified  future? We’ll tell you why they should on page 22.

We also spent some seat time with the new BMW M2, an engaging, charming, and decidedly unexpected creation from the people who brought you the 2002. The M2 is a hell of a fun ride, and its front end lacks the oversized double kidney grille that’s appeared on so many other BMWs lately and roiled the brand’s user base. We have nothing to complain about regarding the M2, yet we still have many things to say, which you can read on page 28.

It’s also that time of year to start thinking about Monterey Car Week on the California coast. Book your lodging and transportation early, and don’t forget to wander through the event’s parking lots for the best unofficial car show you could ever attend. We’ve got more tips on how to prep for Pebble Beach on page 46, as well as a look back at the most expensive auctions ever hosted at Monterey.
We end this month’s issue with an important piece on watch safes. God forbid the worst case scenario happens and a burglar is standing in your bedroom wondering what to take. On page 70, we show you some options that will ensure your watch collection doesn’t make his list.

Summer’s almost over, but rather than dwell on where you’ll go this year when the weather turns, how about sitting back and enjoying the final rays of summer on a beach chair reading this month’s issue of duPont REGISTRY? Maybe you’ll turn a page and be stopped by something special you’ve never seen before.