TIRED OF GOLF CART SAMENESS? MERCEDES HAS A $73,000 SOLUTION

BY ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE

Ever restless for new markets, Mercedes Benz has directed its design eye to the purposeful, if plodding, golf cart realm. Seemingly taking a number of cues from its smart car subsidiary, Benz, in collaboration with Danish golf cart manufacturer Garia, has produced something of a hybrid a low speed but street legal vehicle (a “golf car,” in effect) with a pleasingly rounded shape as well as raked windshield and headlights. Other car like features are a carbon fiber roof, 14inch aluminum rims, and a double wishbone front suspension. As one might expect from its $73,000 asking price, though, this is nearly as much luxury coupe as links conveyance; items like a 10 inch tablet are on board, displaying speed and battery level (a lithium battery provides a 50 mile range), and with a tap of a finger the driver can use it to switch modes from Sport to Eco as well as control head lights, AC, wipers and other functions. The touchscreen is also GPS enabled, and connects to various weather apps. Additional features include waterproof leather seats, Hi-Fi Bluetooth speakers, an electronic score pad to keep strokes counted, and of course, a refrigerator to keep duffers hydrated.
The Garia is now available for preorder.

Garia Golf Car, Inspired by Mercedes-Benz
$73,000 / garia.com