A summer weekend to the Hamptons evokes words like “carefree” and “whimsical.” Wind in the hair, music pulsating through the speakers; the journey as amusing as the destination. There are of course automobiles that embody this longer-day, warmer-night season perfectly and stylishly. Below, Avenue presents the vehicles that rise to the sunny and sometimes sand-filled occasion.
Moke America
A reinvented, classic four-person cruiser from the 1960s, the Moke (rhymes with bloke) is neither a car nor a golf cart, but rather a door- and window-less low-speed vehicle that tops out at 25 miles per hour. Electrically powered, thanks to its lithium battery (up to a 75-mile range), Moke America’s namesake vehicle offers stylish options like wicker seats, a wood steering wheel, and 13 different colors, including camouflage. The company’s latest partnership with Palm Beach-inspired fashion brand Lilly Pulitzer features the first-ever fringe-detailed roof option and peony-pink rims. From $24,000, fully customizable Moke’s require a five-month lead time while more stock options are available at domestic dealerships.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II
Imagine watching the Southampton sun set into the horizon from the comfort of a bespoke leather seat cozily perched on a tailgate. Emerging from within the rear compartment of the Cullinan (along with a cocktail table, perfect for a set of chilled champagne flutes), the pair of chairs offers an escape into nature at your whim. Enjoy air heavy with the smell of salt carried on the wind without the pesky notion of sand stuck between your toes. The Cullinan Series II, a refresh of the first-ever super-luxury SUV, includes textiles made from natural bamboo fibers and 23-inch wheels with 10 interwoven spokes.
McLaren 750S Spider
Behold the retractable hard top that can vanish in a mere 11-seconds at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. There are convertibles and then there are supercars, and the 750S Spider combines the two into a sensory-filled package. It can handle winding, scenic roads with aplomb thanks to its four-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that’s mid-mounted for perfect weight distribution. Whether a daily driver or a weekend vehicle, the 750S Spider induces excitement. From $324,000.
Cadillac Lyriq Luxury
A reimagined grand-touring wagon capable of stowing all the beach accoutrements (coolers, umbrellas, water toys) plus kids and dogs, it’s easy to see how the Lyriq continues the Cadillac DNA from a company that created the legendary DeVille. What garage didn’t have a poster of that giant convertible tacked to its wall? Cadillac’s first fully electric vehicle, the Lyriq boasts a silhouette that avoids the boxy SUV/crossover designs and instead opts for a slicker, raked roofline and extended rear. The dual-motor AWD (307-mile range) can easily navigate the hard-packed sand of Dune Road beach at low tide, while the state-of-the-art self-driving system, called “Super Cruise”—as well as speakers in the headrests and a panoramic sunroof—will be helpful when the driver opts to tune the world out and merely meander.along the beach. From $62,690. –ALEXANDRA CHENEY
