Concept

Mini Goes Back to its Roots with the Rocketman Concept

When BMW resurrected the Mini from the annals of history, it made it bigger in more ways than one. Firstly, the new Mini went upscale to become a premium vehicle. Secondly, it got bigger in size. A lot bigger, especially when you compare the original with the latest Countryman model. But for the newest Mini concept car, the company has gone back to its roots.

The new Mini Rocketman concept car is smaller than the existing range, but a bit larger than the original. (After all, with all the modern safety standards, nothing could be as small as the original Mini.) It's also got a number of innovative design features to help make the most of the small shape, like outwards-pivoting doors and a three+one seating configuration, and the small shape also means exceptional fuel economy, projected at 78 miles per gallon by US standards. Purely for show at the moment, the Mini Rocketman will debut next week in Geneva.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, concept, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, mini, Mini Rocketman Concept, rocketman

Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept Car In The Flesh

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

While everyone else is stuck in the past with new cars that look that old cars, Bertone is looking ahead. The famous car designer now only devises concepts for various client automaker brands who take the designs as a study on future core brand style directions. Alfa Romeo has been a client of also Italy based Bertone for years. At the Geneva Autoshow (2010) Bertone unveiled this Pandion Concept - which I got to see in the flesh recently. While a thematic successor of the C8 Competizione, the Pandion is actually built on top of a Maserati GT. At least it is an all Italian machine.

The highly futuristic design is a source of pride for the design firm. The rhythmic shapes and smooth angles are couples with an interesting, and new type of design source - organics. Well, computer organics - if there is such a thing. Bertone created special software to create random looking shapes and "formations" which are the basis for the crystalline looking exterior parts, and the biologic looking interior parts. The entire rear-end and interior wheel decor is based on quartz crystal formations. The new type of look is utterly novel and highly thought provoking. Sensible for production? Not in an instant, but artistic nonetheless.

Inside the car is all about shapes looking like they stem from the "skeleton" of the case. As though they are ripping through the skin. Follow the paths of the cabin structure to see what I me an. The blue seats provide a color thematically like the pinkness inside a body. Despite the highly unconventional cabin structure, the car is still fitted with all the amenities that one might desire, mostly controlled via a large touch screen panel.

The real mechanical spectacle of the Pandion are the automatic gullwing doors. A press of a button and the rear haunches of the car lift and move aside, making room for the scissor like doors to electronically lift up. They close in the same automatic manner. Will any part of this car reach future Alfa Romeo cars? According to Bertone, "probably." Alfa quite likes the new interpretation of their "V" grill design that you can see on the front of the Pandion. If they are smart, Alfa will think a lot about how to incorporate the spectacular visuals of the Pandion's rear-end as well. Check out the "READ MORE" link below for video coverage of the Pandion in action.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept Car

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Bertone, Car, Concept, Pandion

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Naked Rolex! Black Out Concept Skeletonized Daytona Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

A stripped Rolex, don't you feel naughty gawking at it... While skeletonized dial watches are popular, you don't see too many skeletonized Rolex watches. Actually, this is the first one I have seen where the dial has be cut away to display the movement. Rolex movements aren't super glamorous, even though they are hardy as a tank, and known for quality. Regardless, the brave people at Black Out Concept (known for making black colored or otherwise modified Rolex watches) gave a Rolex Daytona watch the skeletonized treatment.

The dial was cut away as much as possible, leaving only the hour markers, chronograph seconds scale, and subsidiary dials for the seconds and chronograph registers. They then applied peralge polish to the movement plate, and of course being Black Out Concept, gave the entire watch case and bracelet a DLC black hard coating. Cool looking? Depends on who you ask. Certainly not for first time Daytona watch owners. Black Out Concept says that this is the first time anyone has offered a skeletonized Daytona, and I am sure it will appeal to some people. Personally, I like the black Rolex concept, but I will stick with the stock dial, Rolex actually does that pretty well.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: black, concept, Daytona, DLC, Rolex, skeletonized

Get Your Very Own Jetsons Car for $3 Million

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Okay, so what you're looking at is not a car from The Jetsons. It doesn't fly and it doesn't fold into a briefcase when you get to your office in the sky. But it might as well. What it is, in fact, is a one-of-a-kind prototype made by Pininfarina – the same company that designs every Ferrari – in 1960 to demonstrate what was possibly in advanced aerodynamics. And now it's up for sale.

Called the X Concept, it has a unique wheelbase with one wheel front, one aft, and two near the center. It has a drag coefficient of 0.23...that's lower than a Toyota Prius, one of the most aerodynamic cars on the road today, but this was done fifty years ago. Only one was ever made, and the Aero Toy Store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has it for sale with a price tag of $3 million. JamesList has it listed from the same dealership for $1.3 million, so it looks like the steep price is negotiable.

Gallery: 1960 Pininfarina X Concept

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Tags: aero toy store, concept, concept car, pininfarina, pininfarina x concept

Calling All Water Babies: the Arkki Solar Yacht

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Surviving apocalyptic scenarios always seems to mean fetid basements, a smoke-filled skies, canned food and cannibalism. But say the end of the world comes, Noah-like, with a land-engulfing flood. In that case, a kinder, gentler Apocalypse requires a kinder, gentler solution, the possibilities for which have been envisioned for you by Janne Leppänen's ARKKI solar boat.

The ARKKI is a trimaran featuring a concrete-and-natural-fiber hull enclosing 1,647 square feet of interior space, topped with a solar-panel-and-wood deck of 1,076 square feet. Solar panels adorning the deck are absorbent enough to power the entire yacht even in winter and allow a cruising speed of up to eight knots. It won't fit two of every animal, but come to think of it, that might make it better should you need to spend a few years on the water.

[via Gizmodo]

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Tags: apocalypse, boat, concept, concept yacht, industrial design, trimaran, yacht

Local Luxury, Easter Treats at Munson's Chocolates

by Kay Balbi (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Munson's Chocolates is a 3rd generation candy family, and "Connecticut's largest retail chocolate manufacturer." Munson's Chocolates has several "Best of Hartford's Area" Awards and has been recognized as "The Best" all over Connecticut, including "Best Candy" in Connecticut Magazine, to "Best Chocolate Shop" from the Hartford Magazine, to "Best Sweet Shop" by the Hartford Advocate, and "Best Candy" in a reader's poll in Fairfield Country Magazine.

The shop has a long history. In1946, Ben and Josephine Munson began their company, calling it the "Dandy Candy Company" and basing it out of Manchester, CT. It was right at the end of WWII; they began using their sugar rations to make batches of wafers and ribbon candy. Through three generations, the Munson family has become locally famous for their delicious chocolate candy and their attention to customer service.

The Munson's website includes a virtual tour of Munson's chocolate factory with pictures of the kitchen, enrobing, molding and packing departments. Munson's also helps out with fund raising ideas for businesses, community groups and schools looking for ways to make money. Custom items, party favors and premiums are also available.

Fans and family of the UCONN Huskies delight. There are special chocolate bars just for UCONN fans. Check it out at UCONN Bars at Munson's. Munson's also offers pre packaged party favor candy bars ranging in price from 1.75 to 4.35 a piece.

Some of Munson's best: Cordial Cherries, Route 6 Toffee Crunch, Gourmet Truffles, and the Almond Bark which is a heavenly rich dark chocolate combined with fresh roasted whole almonds. With Easter right around the corner, think of Munson's when you think chocolate Easter bunnies, too. The milk chocolate egg filled with mini jellybeans shown above sells for $4.98.

Stop by and see them at Munson's Chocolates Online or visit any of their 10 retail locations in the Hartford area at Munson's Chocolate Factory Store Locations Munson's is also on Facebook.

Tags: concept, deluxechocolate, easter chocolate, easter chocolates, hartfordctareasbestchocolate, hartfordsbestchocolate, local luxury, luxurychocolate, munsons chocolates

CRS Duu Combines "Badass" and "Bike" in Ways Never Seen

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you had the stomach to sit through Terminator Salvation with your eyes open, you'll remember the mototerminators that launched themselves from the legs of the collectors. (Our apologies if this has brought back terrible memories.) Those apocalyptic wheelie poppers were based on Ducatis, but if you fancied the look of them, Italian bike builder CR&S has something pretty close.

Called the DUU Concept, the hand-built naked ride is a combination of "a sporty European rolling chassis powered by a muscular American big-twin." The engine is a 1.9-liter (117 cu. in.) X-Wedge supplied by engine maker S&S. Wrapped around that powerplant is a chassis that CR&S says can be tailored by the customer. They don't specifically indicate the breadth of that customization beyond presenting the choice of single or two-seater versions, but any time you combine "Italian" and "hand-made," the options list usually runs long.

CR&S said it has plans to build them from next year, at €20,000 ($30,000 U.S.) apiece. Once you take delivery, your first mission can be to hunt down McG and, well, you'll know what to do when the time comes...

Gallery: CR&S Duu Concept

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Tags: bike, concept, crs duu, CrsDuu, duu, motorcycle, wheels

Hublot Depeche Mode Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Charity

Swiss watch maker Hublot is making 12 awesome piece unique watches with musical group Depeche Mode. Hublot is teaming up with Depeche mode as part of a charity concept to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust that will take place on February 17, 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall in London (tickets are available at Livenation).

Hublot will be making 12 one-off watches for an accompanying charity auction to support the event. Each of the 12 watches will have one of Depeche Mode's album covers on the dial. The watches will most likely be a Hublot Big Bang modified specially for the one-of-a-kind watches. While images of the watches haven't been seen yet, we can imagine how cool they will be.

In all likelihood the watches will be auctioned off as a set. Meaning that one lucky auction bidder will be able to own the entire collection of 12 watches - a perfect collector's item for the ultimate fine watch, and Depeche Mode music fan. Both Hublot and Depeche Mode are excited about the collaboration - and I can't wait to see what the watches looking sometime next year.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: album, auction, charity, concept, Depeche Mode, DepecheMode, Hublot, watch

Cartier ID One Concept Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

For once, a concept watch that is actually a concept. In the auto world we know that "concept" means "not for production." In the watch world, "concept" is often just a name stuck on a model to make it sound more exotic. Here "concept" actually means just that. So why all the to-do over this concept watch? Well because it is further proof that Cartier is serious about making not only nice looking watches, but mechanically sophisticated ones as well.

The ID One Concept watch takes a Ballon Bleu shaped case, makes it 46mm wide and constructs it out of a spacey sounding material called Niobium Titanium. It is apparently a special titanium alloy (which is itself an alloy) that is even harder and more wear resistant that titanium. It also apparently has other special (magical) properties. The whole point of the in-house made automatic tourbillon movement was to require as little service and regulation as possible. Regulation refers to what a movement initially goes through to ensure that it functions properly and accurately. Service is continual servicing that is needed in mechanical watches over the years. This can be as simple and lubricating and cleaning part of the watch. The whole point of the Cartier ID One Concept watch is to reduce or eliminate the need for these delicate and time consuming needs. They are also quite expensive (but that makes the watch makers happy as servicing watches is an income source).

Still, there is a shortage of qualified watch makers out there, so Cartier is correct in forging into this needed area of innovation. For others, the "build once and never service again" watch is a holy grail of horological pursuits. Parts of the new Cartier concept watch are made in a material called carbon crystal. This crystal is very shock resistant and does not requite lubrication - adding to a significant decrease in the need to maintain these watches. There are other innovations as well, but I will wait until I meet with Cartier to learn about more of them. The hope for collectors is that such innovations will find their way into production watches in the future.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2010, Cartier, Concept, ID One, IdOne, SIHH, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Scubacraft, On The Water And Beneath It

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

It's hard not to be intrigued by a craft that is billed as being "perfect for those 007 moments." Certainly the Scubacraft, a small boat that can happily float on the water or with a few alterations, dive beneath it, would be James Bond worthy. The Scubacraft recently went through underwater testing at the Pinewood Studios, a place where many Bond films have been shot. The Scubacraft can zip along above the water at speed of up to 50 miles per hour and can dive to a depth of 30 meters (nearly 100 feet). It's not a submarine so you will need to wear diving apparatus, something that James Bond probably has built into his special diving tuxedo. The engine produces 160 hp propelling the twin-hulled craft forward at a rapid rate. Underwater electric thrusters give the driver the experience of flying underwater.

The developers of Scubacraft are currently taking orders and expect the first customers to take delivery at the end of 2010. Scubacraft is priced from £100,000 with the final price being largely dependent on specification. Check out video after the jump!

Gallery: Scubacraft

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Tags: boat, concept, scubacraft, tender

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Toro Tractor Concept takes Lamborghini Back to its Roots

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Agricultural equipment isn't something we usually cover here at Luxist, but for every rule there's an exception. With aspiring designers rendering everything from concept cars and motorbikes to high-heeled shoes in the Lamborghini image, one designer thought it was about time the famed Italian sportscar-maker go back to its roots. The company's founder Ferruccio Lamborghini started out making tractors, and only got into the sportscar business after a notorious encounter with arch-rival Enzo Ferrari left insulted and defiant. Decades of exotic supercars later, Canadian designer Jason Battersby dreamed up the concept you see here. Called the Toro, it brings Lamborghini back to its source, blending themes from the company's latest sportscars with its agricultural roots. Of course this is just a design exercise, so don't get visions of tilling the fields at some Tuscan villa at breakneck speeds just yet. But it is a compelling vision.

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Tags: battersby, concept, jason battersby, JasonBattersby, lambo, lambo toro, lamborghini, lamborghini concept, lamborghini rendering, lamborghini toro, lamborghini tractor, lamborghini tractors, LamborghiniConcept, LamborghiniRendering, LamborghiniToro, LamborghiniTractor, LamborghiniTractors, LamboToro, rendering

Electronic Hermès Agenda Concept

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

French industrial designer Alexandre Fourn has come up with an amazing electronic Hermès agenda concept that could herald a new age of luxury goods. The Hermès Contre-Temps employs futuristic flexible OLED touchscreen and e-paper technology to expand from a pocket-sized device to a full-size diary when needed. It features all the bells and whistles of an iPhone including an electronic organizer, photo sharing, email, GPS, an RSS reader and more. It even has signature Hermès saddle-stitched orange leather inserts. Hermès should definitely hire this guy.

Tags: agenda, Alexandre Fourn, AlexandreFourn, concept, electronics, Hermes, industrial design, IndustrialDesign

BMW's GINA Concept: A Whole New Kind of "Convertible"

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The new GINA Light Visionary Model concept by BMW is a whole new kind of convertible that's a shape-shifter of sorts. The body of the car is made up of a flexible fabric that's stretched over a movable metal frame, so the car actually changes it's shape based on what features you activate. For example if you turn the headlights on the front end rearranges itself to expose the them and allow the light to reach the road, but when you're not using the headlights they remain hidden. Same with the doors, you can't see them unless you're using them.

No word on when (or if) this car will go into production, and when (or if) it does what kind of price point we're looking at. But if it does ever come into existence will you be interested in owning one? I kinda would be, as long as all that fabric doesn't start to flap around and make noise when driving at interstate speeds.

Gallery: BMW's GINA Light Visionary Model

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Tags: bmw, car, cars, concept, concept car, ConceptCar, concepts, convertible, convertibles, GINA light visionary model, GinaLightVisionaryModel, wheels

Coach Plans Their Legacy

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Coach is planning to open two new, upscale concept stores this fall. The Coach Legacy boutiques will be located on either coast, with one on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles and the other on Bleecker Street in New York's Greenwich Village. The stores will be more intimate than the larger, more commercial stores, and will stock more innovative bags, as well as a unique selection of Legacy limited edition items. Instead of being marketed towards upscale, stylish consumers, the Legacy boutiques will be specifically aimed at fashion consumers, including celebrities and other trendsetters, to see of Coach can further raise the cache of their brand.

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Tags: boutique, coach, concept, legacy

Swatch Infinity Concept Watch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

While you pine away for the iPhone, consider this concept, the Infinity Watch from Swatch. Pierre Merlet designed the concept watch that has a built-in mp3 player, video player/recorder and a photo album and of course, is also a watch. The strap has a magnetic clasp and the body of the watch pops off to be recharged. I want, I want, I want. If Swatch makes this (preferably with straps in many different colors) I will be a very happy girl indeed.

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Tags: concept, infinity, swatch, watch

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