Bulletproof

Strand Craft Yacht & Supercar for Sale at $27.5 Million

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

The Strand Craft 122 superyacht / supercar combo we first told you about back in May has moved beyond the concept stage into a production-ready rocketship. The first example has just been listed for sale by Sweden's Gray Design via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $27.5 million, with a slated delivery date of October 2013. The sleek 125-ft. craft will be able to reach a top speed of 55 knots with the use of her optional Rolls-Royce KaMeWa boosters kicking out over 14,000 hp. High gloss mahogany inlays on the foredeck and all-glass atrium covering the cockpit deliver the best facets of both open and closed yachting in one razor sharp high-tech package.

The retro-futuristic Art Deco interior features four large, bedrooms, reception and leather-upholstered salon areas alongside comfortable crew cabins. Elliptical bulletproof windows that stretch halfway across the hull and enough Greek marble to recreate Athens round out the fancy finishes. The specially handcrafted carbon fiber supercar that comes with it is a completely one-off design closely resembling the genetic form and fashion of the mothership. With a rear mounted, 880hp twin-turbo V12 engine it has an estimated 375 km/h top speed and a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. A hydraulic garage door raises upwards and deploys a retractable ramp to become a dockside driveway.

Gallery: Strand Craft 122 by Gray Design

Tags: Art Deco, bulletproof, carbon fiber, JamesList, leather, mahogany, Rolls-Royce, Strand Craft, supercar, superyacht, yacht, yacht design

Russian Billionaire's Philippe Starck - Designed Superyacht Startles San Diego

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Yachts & Sailing, Wealth, Architecture & Design

It caused quite a kerfuffle when 38-year-old Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko's megayacht A (above), designed by Philippe Starck, weighed anchor off San Diego the other day while its owner drove off to check out Hearst Castle. The 390-ft. craft which resembles a sci-fi submarine cost over $300 million to build to the quirky designer's specs at Blohm + Voss, where Roman Abramovich's Eclipse was also constructed. With a crew of 35 (all outfitted in Starck-designed uniforms) to run it, the A's twin diesel's kick down 24,000 hp for a maximum speed of 24 knots, impressive for a ship this size. The interior features $40,000 bath faucets and $60,000 stair banisters.

The all-white, 2,583-sq.-ft. master suite wrapped in bulletproof, 44-milimeter glass is accessed by a silver-plated staircase with a fingerprint scanner at the door. Elsewhere Starck scattered Baccarat crystal tables, alligator skin and Kudu horn chairs, stingray skin upholstered walls and hand-stitched leather paneling. Some of the companies involved in constructing the unique sea beast went bankrupt due to the difficulties in executing Starck's design dictums. Filling the A's gas tanks alone costs $500,000 a pop and running costs come to about $20 million a year. Check out a video of the eye-popping yacht after the jump:

Tags: alligator, Andrey Melnichenko, Baccarat, Blohm + Voss, bulletproof, design, leather, megayacht, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaire, San Diego, silver, stingray, superyacht, yacht

Continue reading “Russian Billionaire's Philippe Starck - Designed Superyacht Startles San Diego”

Dartz Unveils $1.5 Million Monaco Red Diamond Armored SUV

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Back in October we first wrote about the $1.5 million Monaco Red Diamond Edition SUV concept from Russia's Dartz, billed as the world's most expensive, luxurious and strongest armored car. A controversy ensued over the kooky company's plan to use genuine whale penis leather for the interior, echoing the upholstery on Aristotle Onassis' famed yacht the Christina O. After Pamela Anderson protested the move, Dartz declared it would spare the whale's private parts. Now the company has finally unveiled the finished product at the Top Marques Monaco show. It features a matte black and ruby red paintjob, gold-plated bulletproof windows, 22′ Kremlin Red Star bulletproof wheels, tungsten and white gold gauges decorated with diamonds and rubies, an additional outside kevlar coating, and a custom Vertu mobile phone with a panic button. The interior is leather and vinyl made to look like whale skin. It also comes with three bottles of the world's most expensive vodka, RussoBaltique, another Dartz sideline adorned with yet more gold and diamonds.

[via JamesList]

Tags: armored car, bulletproof, Christina O, Dartz, diamonds, gold, precious stones, rubies, Russia, SUV, Top Marques Monaco, whale, white gold

$450K Armor-Plated Porsche Panamera for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

We've seen the bag of tricks the exotic auto tuners have used on the brand new four-door Porsche Panamera - now how about a bulletproof version? An armored Porsche Panamera Turbo has just been listed for sale in Frankfurt, Germany via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for €295,000, or about $450,000. It comes equipped with armored steel in the doors, posts, overlaps and walls, and ballistic steel in the roof and floor; bulletproof glass; run flat tires; an armored fuel tank; armored battery and radiator protection; and more. Capable of stopping 9mm rounds as well as an assault from an M16 or .44 Magnum, the car's impressive performance is not hampered in any way by its added security measures.

Tags: armored, bulletproof, Germany, JamesList, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, PorschePanamera, security

$1.5 Million Monaco Red Diamond Armored SUV

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Back in May we wrote about he Russian-made Dartz Kombat grenade-proof luxury SUV debuted at Top Marques Monaco. Now the company has unveiled plans for a $1.5 million special edition featuring gold and diamond accents and an interior upholstered in.... whale penis leather. Apparently this is not a joke. The Monaco Red Diamond Edition will be shown under the name Prombron at the 2010 Top Marques show. The Red Diamond is being billed as the world's most expensive, luxurious and strongest armored car. It features a matte ruby red paintjob, gold-plated bulletproof windows, 22′ Kremlin Red Star bulletproof wheels, tungsten and white gold gauges decorated with diamonds and rubies, an additional outside kevlar coating, and a custom Vertu mobile phone with a panic button in addition to the disgusting-sounding interior. It also comes with three bottles of the world's most expensive vodka, RussoBaltique, another Dartz sideline adorned with yet more gold and diamonds.

[via JamesList]

Tags: armored car, ArmoredCar, bulletproof, Dartz, Dartz Kombat, DartzKombat, diamonds, gold, Russia, SUV, Top Marques Monaco, TopMarquesMonaco

The $500,000 Bulletproof Bentley

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Sure, you could get yourself an off-the-rack Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but what happens when the s--t goes down? Better perhaps to be prepared with an armored version that can stop an AK-47 dead in its tracks. For about $500,000 you can pick one up in Germany via global online luxury marketplace JamesList. Featuring military-grade B6-level protection, the upgrade makes this super-luxe sedan war zone-ready. With no virtually alteration to the outside appearance and adjustments to handle the extra weight without sacrificing the 552-hp engine's performance, the changes are subtle but effective: ballistic steel in the doors, pillars, overlaps and sides of the vehicle, bulletproof glass, run flat tires, an explosion-proof gas tank, kevlar flooring, and more. Other security options include a self-contained oxygen supply system in case of a poison gas attack and exploding hinge bolts that blast open the doors should a speedy exit become imperative.

Tags: armored, Bentley, bulletproof, JamesList, security

Russian Dartz Kombat Grenade-Proof Luxury SUV

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The other day we told you about the awesome $1.5 million armored Rolls-Royce Phantom. If you're looking for something a little more utilitarian (and less expensive) though equally anti-ballistic, feast your eyes on the new Russian-made Dartz Kombat T98 SUV. The Hummer lookalike, a sort of tank-meets-luxury SUV, features heavy steel plated doors and 3-inch windows, and is impervious to everything from AK-47s to rocket-propelled grenades. Powered by an 8.1 liter Vortec V8, capable of 110 mph, it's priced at about $200,000. Prince Albert of Monaco was spotted checking the vehicle out at the recent Top Marques Monaco auto show.

Tags: armored car, ArmoredCar, bulletproof, Monaco, Prince Albert of Monaco, PrinceAlbertOfMonaco, security, SUV, Top Marques Monaco, TopMarquesMonaco

$1.5 Million Armored Rolls-Royce Phantom for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

A fully armored Rolls-Royce Phantom, able to withstand everything from a direct assault with an AK-47 to a poison gas attack, is for sale in Germany via online global luxury marketplace JamesList for about $1.5 million. Engineered to the highest international protection rating, the armored Phantom is virtually indistinguishable from the standard version to lure attackers into a false sense of security.

The car features high-tech fiber composites and special steel plating to provide protection for the bodywork, with bulletproof glass for all windows and its own oxygen supply in the trunk in case of a gas attack. The ultra-luxe car's aluminum spaceframe chassis and suspension have been strengthened and the 453 hp powertrain remains unchanged, while nothing has been sacrificed in the way of luxury, refinement and comfort.

Tags: armored, bulletproof, Germany, JamesList, Rolls-Royce, security

Mercedes' New Armored E-Class Stops .44 Magnums, Hand Grenades

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz is coming out with an armored version of its all-new 2010 E-Class, able to withstand fire from weapons up to a .44 Magnum, and with optional underbody armor, hand grenade blasts as well. The E-Guard, which will be available when the sleek new 2010 E-Class goes on sale this summer, receives reinforced "protective elements" around the bodyshell consisting of high-strength steel and aramide components, aided by resistant polycarbonate glazing, MotorTrend reports. Despite the additions luxurious interior space and comfort levels remain the same as the standard E-Class, and pricing begins at about $58,000 depending on the specific model and drivetrain selected.

Tags: Armored car, ArmoredCar, Bulletproof, Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Mercedes-benzE-class, Security

Continue reading “Mercedes' New Armored E-Class Stops .44 Magnums, Hand Grenades”

Obama's Big Bucks Bulletproof Wardrobe?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

There's been a lot of speculation over whether Barack Obama actually wore bulletproof clothing when he was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on Jan. 20. There were certainly a number of extraordinary security measures in place. One thing's for certain however - the only person capable of making bulletproof clothing that's indistinguishable from your average Hart Schaffner Marx ensemble is Colombian designer Miguel Caballero - but it costs a hell of a lot more.

(For the record, Caballero's rep declined to comment when we asked if they'd furnished the President with any clothing.)

Back in October we told you about Caballero's stylish $10,000 quilted riding jacket. Known as "The Armani of Armor", Caballero developed a proprietary lightweight anti-ballistic fabric which he fashions into a number of garments, including a bulletproof tuxedo shirt (above). This allows for maximum flexibility and discretion while providing protection from weaponry ranging from a 9mm pistol to an Uzi, depending upon the security level you select.

Caballero's high-end Black Label line, favored by such security-conscious VIPs as Prince Felipe of Spain, President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia and President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, also features a $12,000 bulletproof polo shirt, a trench coat, leather jackets and even ski gear. An additional stab-proof lining is optional on most garments. Check out the gallery for some more of his attack-proof designs.

Gallery: Miguel Caballero Bulletproof Clothing

Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, Bulletproof, Colombia, Miguel Caballero, MiguelCaballero, Obama, Security

The Quilted Riding Jacket That Stops Bullets

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

We've long been fans of the quilted riding jacket, as popularized by the classic British outerwear company Barbour. Now Miguel Caballero, the Colombian designer known as "The Armani of Armor", has introduced a totally bulletproof version (above), which manages to not sacrifice anything in the way of style. Since many devotees also wear this kind of jacket for upland hunting, it's practical even for those who aren't princes, presidents and out-of-favor oligarchs in fear of their lives, as some of Caballero's best customers certainly are.

Enough anti-ballistics to stop an Uzi or a .44 Magnum - never mind some birdshot - doesn't come cheap of course, but at about $10,000 the jacket is more bang for the buck so to speak than Caballero's $12,000 bulletproof polo shirt. Plus it's waterproof, with an optional stab-proof lining. Caballero's only retail location outside of South and Central America is Harrod's in London, but the company takes special orders directly. They'll even make you one of these in cashmere if you insist (we asked).

Tags: Barbour, Bulletproof, Harrods, Jacket, Miguel Caballero, MiguelCaballero

Globe-Trotter Celebrates 110th Anniversary with Bulletproof Bag

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Globe-Trotter, the British luggage designer which since 1897 has furnished luxury carryalls for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, will soon add another formidable piece to its collection: a bulletproof case designed by Ross Lovegrove. Weighing in at under three pounds, it's the lightest rigid suitcase of its kind. Even before this news, Globe-Trotter was getting around: the luggage maker recently collaborated with J.Crew to craft limited edition pieces for its new luggage collection, and it showed up last year in the Conran Shop with a special rolling fashion statement.

The Lovegrove piece will make its debut during New York Fashion Week in September, posing from the windows at Moss. Until then, you can still get the perennial classic, the Centenary trolley suitcase in orange (designed by hand from Vulcan Fibre and lined in silk) at Moss for $1,580. The Lovegrove designed Air Cabin, by comparison, will retail for $3,500.

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Tags: bulletproof, centenary trolley suitcase, CentenaryTrolleySuitcase, conran shop, ConranShop, globetrotter, j.crew, luggage, moss, queen elizabeth, QueenElizabeth, ross lovegrove, RossLovegrove, travel, winston churchill, WinstonChurchill