This is 'Avus', a new design from Konstantin Grcic for Italian furniture firm Plank, which pays tribute to the characteristic qualities of the classic leather club chair.

But, as you may have noticed; with some differences.

Comfortable it surely is, but Grcic has incorporated modern materials, processing them with cutting-edge technology from the automotive and sports industry.

The rigid base in ABS is produced as a twin-sheet moulded shell, and reinforced with a polyurethane foam core.

The stiffness of the base is contrasted by a flexible upper shell made of a single sheet of the same material and the soft leather upholstery is zipped into the upper shell in one piece - using a technology common in the production of high end luggage.

Certainly an aesthetic departure from the classic overstuffed armchair of posh gentleman's clubs, but we're as yet undecided here at M.E. as to whether we like it.

Thoughts?