carbonfiber

World's Fastest Speedboat Unveiled in Miami

An orange, purple and green monstrosity dubbed the Phenomenon (above) was just unveiled at the Miami International Boat Show boasting the title of World's Fastest Speedboat. The 12,000 hp beast can do over 250 mph thanks to four T-55-L-7C Lycoming turbine engines kicking out 3,000 hp each. Engineers from NASA and Boeing and former US military naval architects collaborated on the 56-ft. craft with the aim of breaking the world's propeller speedboat record, spending millions of dollars in the process. The lightweight craft is made of carbon fiber and fiberglass over airex foam cores. The cockpit is a separate high-strength composite capsule with extensive all-carbon fiber window mullions and frames, fitted with custom carbon fiber NASCAR seats. Phenomenon belongs to Al Copeland, Jr., owner of the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits chain.

[via JamesList]

Tags: boat, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Miami, powerboat, speed record, speedboat, SpeedRecord

The $360,000 Carbon Fiber Canadian Supercar

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

We've seen exotic motors from all over the world, so why not a carbon fiber French Canadian supercar? For $360,000 HTT Technologies, brainchild of Quebec-based Luc Chartrand, will sell you a limited edition Pléthore LC-750 (above), which has a unique three seat configuration with a central driving position. Powered by a 750 hp 6.2-liter V8 engine its light weight of only 1149 kg gives it an impressive power-to-weight ratio. Somewhat similar in styling to the SSC Ultimate Aero the Pléthore sports gullwing doors and massive air intakes on the front and sides; the fairly restrained interior has some carbon fiber elements as well and two-tone orange and black leather upholstery. The car will be presented at the upcoming Top Marques Monaco show.

Tags: Canada, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Quebec, supercar

Feldo Watches See Carbon Fiber As Still In

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Feldo Luxury is a group I haven't personally heard of before. Not that I missed the memo, I don't think I was supposed to have heard about it. They are getting into the world of watches with an, original collection starting with the less than distinctive Feldo 1-1 R/B and 1-2 B/B watches. Each makes lots of use of carbon fiber and has only minor differences between the two models. The case is 45mm wide in an octagonal shape with a round dial. Feldo has used the "world's thinnest" carbon fiber plates on the dial. hands are large and circular - thinner forms of shapes I have seen on high-end Ulysse Nardin watches. Interesting looking seconds hands as well. The dial also has the date (once again displayed in a less than traditional manner). There is so much carbon fiber on the watch, it is as though the material is still as trendy as it was just until recently.

The gold tones on the watch are red gold plated, while the case is mostly PVD black steel. Inside the watch is an automatic Soprod A10 movement which is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback window. It comes with a black or white calf leather strap. Price is 2,775 euros. Having said all that I still don't know what to make of these watches. While there is a certain capability to the design, it lacks a level of maturity I prefer in watches that are in this range. It looks like the project of an ambitious industrial designer eager to make something new. A laudable goal, but the design just can't compete with similar offerings from more established groups at this price range for style and refinement. I will certainly look to Feldo's future offerings closely though.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Gallery: Feldo watches

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, feldo, luxury, watch

Sailing Superyacht Meteor for Sale at $46 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

If you missed out on the Maltese Falcon, don't despair - you can still pick up one of the world's great sailing superyachts, Royal Huisman's 170-ft. Meteor (above). The stunning gaff rigged schooner has just been listed for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $46 million. Her classic lines married to 21st century sail and rig technology resulted in a number of World Superyacht Awards in 2008, including Sailing Yacht of the Year, and Best Sailing Yacht Exterior Styling. She's fitted with carbon fiber spars and rigging, high-performance sails and unusually wide teak deck planks. The interior has ample space for six guests in three stately cabins along with a crew of 12. There are acres of Swetania mahogany throughout the accommodations, and in the main salon a beautiful mahogany and delft tiled wood-burning fireplace sets the tone while a massive beveled glass skylight provides an abundance of natural light and air as needed. Two beautifully-varnished teak deckhouses are connected by a large, twin-tabled cockpit, with a wood-spoke wheel behind a glass-faceted binnacle. The main deckhouse is fitted with leather upholstered furniture as well as a cleverly concealed wet bar.

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Maltese Falcon, MalteseFalcon, Meteor, Royal Huisman, RoyalHuisman, sailing, schooner, superyacht

Charter Richard Branson's Carbon Fiber Catamaran

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Want to go cruising in the Caribbean like a fun-loving mega-mogul? Starting next month you can now charter Virgin founder Richard Branson's 105-ft. catamaran, the Necker Belle (above), for $88,000 per week. The carbon fiber craft, which just underwent a two-year refit at Australia's Azzura Marine, is capable of over 20 knots while under sail and 18 knots under power. The yacht can accomodate up to 10 guests in four en suite staterooms and the main cabin's lounge area, which can be converted to a double cabin, as well as a crew of seven. The modern, beach-house style interior modeled on Branson's Necker Island retreat in the British Virgin Islands features a wine cellar and there's an open-air cinema as well.

[via JamesList]

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Caribbean, catamaran, Necker Island, NeckerIsland, Richard Branson, RichardBranson, yacht

Wally Carbon Fiber Superyacht Skis

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Sports

Monaco-based boatbuilder Wally, known for its avant-garde yacht designs, has expanded its range of high-tech, high-performance skis made using carbon fiber technology borrowed from seagoing craft. The collection now includes six different models engineered for a range of expert skiing styles and conditions. Wally's skis are 30% lighter than conventional ones and combine exceptional grip on ice with high performance on powder. The carbon fiber is accompanied by cores of ash and birch wood, titanium accents and steel edging. The models in the range are the Original, Tradition, Magic, Freewally, Minipowder and Wallypowder. At 176 cm long, the new Wallypowder is one of the widest skis ever produced and the only full carbon ski specifically developed for off-piste runs.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Monaco, skiing, skis, Wally, winter sports, WinterSports, yacht

Luxe Skis by Bentley & Paul Smith

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

The sport of skiing gets a luxe boost this season from the automotive and fashion worlds thanks to new collaborations between Bentley, Paul Smith and high-end sporting good firms. Bentley has partnered with Swiss firm Zai on a "Supersports" set (top) comprised of handmade skis, poles and a ski bag worthy of bearing the famed British marque's moniker, limited to 250 pairs. The skis are fashioned from a special carbon fiber material called "Zaiìra" with a natural rubber core, and chromium-steel-infused carbon fiber for the flexible components backed up by Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites.

The Zai Supersports poles use the ExoGrid tech usually associated with the world of golf clubs. Each pair is priced at $9,800, making them some of the priciest skis on the snow. British designer Smith meanwhile has collaborated with Austrian experts Edelwiser on a pair of skis decorated in his signature multicolored stripes (above). Dubbed the Paul Smith Swing 162, at $1,000 a pair they're far more reasonable than the Bentleys. Every pair of Edelwiser skis is hand-made and built with state of the art materials like wood cores, laminated sidewalls and graphite bases for optimized flex and torsion characteristics.

Tags: Bentley, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Paul Smith, PaulSmith, ski, skiing, skis, snow, Switzerland, winter sports, WinterSports, Zai

Brabus GLK - World's Fastest Street Legal SUV for $570,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Brabus GLK V12 (above), a modified Mercedes-Benz billed as the world's fastest street-legal SUV, just made its world debut at the Dubai Motor Show. The $570,000 beast is powered by a 750 hp 12-cylinder twin turbo engine, the vehicle set a new speed record of 200.3 mph at Italy's Nardo test track in October and can do 0 – 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. Other upgrades include air intakes and a carbon fiber spoiler lip on the front apron, a four-pipe sports exhaust system, fender flares, a rear roof spoiler. The interior is done in full leather interior with Alcantara elements, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and wood or carbon fiber trim for the dashboard, doors and center console. Custom consoles for the backs of the vehicles front seats contain multimedia devices in case the passengers get bored between neck-snapping accelerations.

[via JamesList]

Tags: Brabus, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Dubai, Mercedes-Benz, SUV

Dunhill Carbon Fiber Chassis Leather Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style

The carbon fiber components found on the world's most exclusive supercars get translated into a collection of stylish leather bags for London luxury goods firm Dunhill's new Spring / Summer 2010 offerings. The Chassis Leather collection is comprised of six elegant pieces gentleman's luggage, characterized by a unique graphic carbon fiber print applied to black matte leather, rendering each piece fully scratch proof and extremely durable. The six pieces in the collection feature gunmetal hardware and include a Holdall, 24 Hours Bag, Single Zip Briefcase, Messenger Bag, North South Bag, and Suit Carrier. Just the thing to toss in the back of your Bentley GT Speed.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Dunhill, leather, luggage

Rolls Royce Ghost "Numero Uno" by Deutsche Manufaktur for $670,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Just because it's being touted as the "baby" Rolls-Royce doesn't mean the new Ghost EX200 won't attract the attention of exotic auto tuners looking to kick it up a notch. Germany's Deutsche Manufaktur has already listed their tweaked version for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $670,000. Dubbed the "Numero Uno", the styling package "merges aggression and luxury using the precision quality of Deutsche's technology". A widened front makes the Ghost look more "bullish and strong," while the extended grill "sends signals of pride" and the "angry eyes express style". The windows feature intelligent glass that dims at the touch of a button. Inside you can choose from various finishes of wood, carbon fiber or Alcantara in addition to hand-stitched leather for the upholstery in various colour combinations, as well as a custom steering wheel and a three-part set of aluminum pedals and brake handle.

Tags: auto tuners, AutoTuners, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Deutsche Manufaktur, DeutscheManufaktur, Germany, JamesList, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-royceGhost, UK

World's Most Expensive Supercar, Diamond Carbon Koenigsegg Trevita for Sale at $5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

A limited edition Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita diamond-weave carbon fiber supercar (above), the first of only three being built for collectors worldwide, is for sale in South Africa with a whopping pricetag of $5 million, making it the world's most expensive supercar - easily beating out the Bugatti Pur Sang. The Swedish supercar is a special version of the marque's already exotic carbon fiber CCXR model, which goes for about $2 million. Both cars feature a 5.0 liter twin supercharged V8 engine producing 1,018 hp, and can do 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of over 250 mph. The Trevita's unique diamond weave finish means that when exposed to sunlight it "sparkles like millions of silvery white diamonds infused inside the visible carbon fiber weave bodywork."

Gallery: Koenigsegg Trevita

Tags: Bugatti Pur Sang, BugattiPurSang, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, diamond, Koenigsegg, South Africa, SouthAfrica, supercar, Sweden

Mansory Carbon Fiber Porsche Panamera

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

On the heels of our recent report about exotic auto tuners taking on the new Porsche Panamera, masters of the overstated Mansory have released details on their own version (above), kitted out in new carbon fiber aerodynamic body mods. Thankfully the design is in line with the carbon fiber Porsche Cayenne they unveiled earlier this year, and not the garish pink-hued "Vitesse Rosé" Bentey ditto. The Panamera gets a new front bumper, bonnet, side skirts and fenders, new air intakes, carbon diffuser and rear bumper housing a central, dual exit exhaust. The car sits 35mm lower to the ground on a set of 21″ alloys of which various designs are on offer. Inside you can select from a bewildering array of woods, leathers, and even more carbon fiber for the trim. The company has not yet released performance specs for the vehicle.

Tags: auto tuners, AutoTuners, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Mansory, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, PorschePanamera

Custom Tramontana Supercar "Art" for Sale at $2.9 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

A unique customized Spanish Tramontana supercar (above) hand-painted by renowned artist Fernando Leal-Audirac is for sale in Milan via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for €2 million, or about $2.95 million. The twin-turbo Tramontana R, unveiled over at our sister site Autoblog earlier this year, has a V12 engine capable of 760 hp and a 0 -100 kph time of 3.6 seconds. Leal-Audirac used special metallic paints enriched with gold and the powder of precious gems - hence the pricetag - to paint the carbon fiber-bodied exotic auto, designed in homage to the famed Hispano-Suiza marque. The iridescent colors react to movement and light changing them from purple to cobalt blue, and from green to gold. The car is "the synthesis of the artist's poetic vision in which art, tradition, technique, design and technology coexist through a constant research, incarnating the charm, the myth and the dynamics of contemporaneity," the artists notes.

Tags: art car, ArtCar, artist, carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, custom car, CustomCar, Fernando Leal-Audirac, FernandoLeal-audirac, gold, JamesList, Spain, supercar, Tramontana

German E-Wolf Electric Supercar Concept

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

At the moment it's only in the planning stages, but German firm E-Wolf's e-2 electric supercar concept (above) will be a real game-changer when it goes into production. The carbon fiber composite vehicle is the result of a collaboration between E-Wolf, the Saxony Lightweight Center and the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany. The e-2, due in 2011, will feature four electric motors, one in each wheel, delivering a combined output of 544 hp and 737-lb.-ft. of torque in a chassis that is expected to weigh in at just 2,000 lbs., enabling it to hit a top speed of 155 mph - all without using a drop of gasoline.

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, concept car, ConceptCar, E-Wolf, electric car, ElectricCar, Germany, supercar

Tuners Take On the Porsche Panamera

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Barely two months after Porsche debuted its revolutionary four door Panamera Gran Turismo, auto tuners are already weighing in with their own even more exotic versions. Famed Porsche customizer Gemballa aims to boost the vehicle's power up to a massive 750 hp on their version (above), dubbed the Mistrale. They've also given the car a new front splitter, air scoops on both the bumper and the bonnet, front and rear fender, a carbon fiber rear diffuser, quad exhaust set-up, 22″ forged rims, new performance brakes and a new air suspension system. Another firm, Lumma Design, offers a Panamera CLR 700GT with a kit including a carbon fiber spoiler, side skirts, new hood, 35mm lowered suspension, 22-inch wheels and a power upgrade up to 700 hp.

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Gemballa, Panamera, Porsche