Blog
Like Minds – Alexander Schett
McLaren owner Alexander Schett likes to focus on the finer things in life – literally. As a leading expert in the field of powder coating, it’s his daily business to notice the small details most people would overlook. Subtle colour changes on brushed aluminium parts, orange peel on zinc-plated structures or even micro-scratches on magnesium alloy panels – nothing escapes his eagle eye.
From a custom-built facility in southern Germany, Alexander runs a successful company employing more than 100 people. By performing highly technical procedures on a wide range of metals and composites, the company has built up an international client base that includes a host of prestigious global brands
However, having such a keen eye for detail does have its drawbacks, especially when it comes to choosing a new car, as this self-confessed petrolhead explains.
‘With most cars, even at the top end of the market, I’m constantly let down by overall quality,’ he says. ‘Nothing else on the road even comes close to my 570GT. It’s simply perfection. The design, the colour [Pacific Blue], the driving experience, the comfort, the way it makes me feel… it’s all brilliant. But don’t simply take my word for it – ask my wife, who’s even harder to please than me. She had the final say when it came to buying, and didn’t hesitate for a second. It was YES at first sight!’
Since first picking up the keys three years ago, Alexander and his wife have put more than 30,000km on the clock, most notably by taking special driving trips south to Switzerland and Italy over the Alpine passes.
‘One of my favourite things about the 570GT is that you can drive for hundreds of kilometres at a time without stopping and still arrive at your destination feeling fresh. It’s so comfortable and relaxing thanks to all the ancillary functions being tuned just right. Take the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, for example, which is wonderfully rich and clear, not only when the engine is turned off but even at 200kph on the deregulated parts of the autobahn.’
In addition to long trips abroad, Alexander also enjoys going for shorter drives around his local region of Swabia, where he is spoilt for choice by smooth tarmac roads that twist away through immaculate vineyards and chocolate-box villages. It’s a part of Germany that fringes on the fairytale Black Forest, and boasts a strong regional identity that is steeped in tradition.
‘Us Swabians are said to be the Scots of Germany,’ he says with a wry smile. ‘Not only do we have a pronounced dialect and a celebrated culture of good food and drink, but we also have a reputation for being industrious, hard-working and innovative. Fine craftsmanship is also highly valued in the Swabian mindset, which probably explains why so many people are interested in my 570GT – it’s a pretty rare and exciting beast.’
Indeed, Alexander says that sightings of other McLarens in the area are few and far between, and when he stops off at petrol stations, people often approach him to talk about the car – or even to ask if their children can sit in the driver’s seat.
‘That’s the only detail the Stuttgart dealership failed to mention when selling me the car,’ he adds. ‘You don’t simply become a McLaren driver, you actually become a brand ambassador!’
