maybach

They might be billing it as a concept vehicle, but it looks pretty production-ready to us. And the choice to launch it at the Middle East International Auto Show? All the more suspect -- Maybach could sell every last limited-production one of these at the next OPEC meeting alone.

Witness the closest thing to a production-ready four-door luxury convertible we've seen in a while, the Maybach 62 Landaulet. The Landaulet can thank the 62 S sedan on which it's based for its 612-horsebower biturbo V12 and reclining rear seats, the latter of which are done up in white leather, contrasting the black leather adorning the chauffer's cockpit. That and the electronically-dimmed glass partition aren't all that separates the "haves" from their driver -- while the cockpit is enclosed overhead, the rear passengers enjoy a retractable soft top.

Just to give the sun something to glint off of spectacularly, Maybach also sprang for piano lacquer and gold-flecked granite (yes, granite) inserts.

Check out Daimler's full press release after the jump.

Being in the drivers' seat is so passé. Sitting in the back seat, demanding that your full-time driver "step on it," bolstered by a whopping 750+ ft-lbs. of torque, is the new black.

As heavy as they are (5,000 lbs. plus, in some cases), big luxury sedans like the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Maybach 62 S haul ass to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds -- on par with the likes of the Porsche Boxster.

Absent, of course, is the driveability of similarly-priced luxury vehicles -- a 5,000 lb. luxury sedan does not an ultimate driving machine make. Instead, execs with cash are opting for off-the-line speed to get where they're going, fast, saving driving dynamics for their weekends on the track.

On that note, visit BusinessWeek's slide show of the world's fastest luxury cars, sure to get you up to speed in under 6 seconds.

[Source: Businessweek]

Sure, it doesn't do a whole lot that the original Bentley Continental GT couldn't do. It's only a few tenths of a second faster from 0-60 mph (4.3 seconds vs. the original's 4.6) and goes only four miles per hour faster than the original GT... but those four seconds make all the difference in the world.

The 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed goes 202 mph vs. the original car's198, but that puts the Bentley, finally, in the exclusive 200 mph club. Now, the Continental GT can sit among the Ferraris and Ford GTs of the world, and rightfully so.

The other perks GT Speed drivers will enjoy are 20-inch wheels, a low-slung suspension and tinted windows, not to mention the ability to order custom paint and trim.

Sure, it's hard to outdo the original, but why not go all out?

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Kimberly Stewart, daughter of rocker Rod, thought she was being a wee bit cheeky when she pinched the keys to P. Diddy's favorite ride, a Maybach limousine, for a brief jaunt to Cannes with a friend during a recent bash. Sean wasn't hip to the joke, however, and quickly sent his flunkies on a wild goose chase for the vehicle.

Rash? We think not -- at a cost of $715,000, we'd be hauling Kim's ass to the nearest precinct. Diddy did get his ride back the next morning, though Kim's people have failed to come up with any kind of statement for the media.

[Source: Now Magazine]

Ever since consumers gushed over the Bentley Brooklands limited edition coupe launched in Geneva last spring, Bentley has been preparing for early 2008, when the first of just 550 units of the vehicle will start reaching their owners.

At the focal point of the vehicle is the turbocharged 6.75Lengine, the most powerful V8 to come out of Crewe, England, Bentley's home of 60 years. The engine's 530bhp brings the heavy Arnage-based coupe up to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, boasting performance while offering unmatched luxury via 42 exterior paints, trimmed completely (even the headliner) with one of 25 hides and three veneers. The coupe joins the Park Ward Continental S1 and the Continental R and T in Bentley's historic line of coupe offerings.

Full release after the jump.

[Source: Bentley Motors]

Rolls Royce is celebrating its 100th birthday with the Phantom Silver, a special edition model commemmorating the automaker's best-known vehicle, the Silver Ghost.

The Silver Ghost was first built in 1906 as a concept vehicle promoting the six-cylinder 40/50 model. It hit production in 1907, earning massive kudos for engineering quality and reliability, not to mention its "stealthy" demeanor, hence the "Ghost" moniker.

The new "Silver" puts Rolls' money where its mouth is -- many of the accents are in solid silver, including the retractable hood ornament, key fobs and fountain pen included with the deal.

Only 25 vehicles will be built, making this Silver Ghost nearly as valuable as the first ones to hit the path.

[Source: Wheels 24]

Luxury cars are special in every way, from the state-of-the-art technology powering them and rare materials appointing their interiors to the aerospace-grade compounds they're built with to keep their weight down. Unlike most of the cars the rest of us drive, luxury cars are the epitome of wealth in another way -- the amount of gas it takes to power them.

Forbes has come out with a list of the "Top 10 Gas Guzzlers of 2007," or as we like to call them, the "Top 10 Ways to Support the Petroleum Market Via Automobiles" for a more positive spin. Topping the list (after a long list of disclaimers including how the 2007 GM HUMMER SUV doesn't appear on the list because the EPA hasn't rated it yet and other qualifiers) is the Lamborghini Murciélago two-door, which costs $3,505 per year to operate. In a three-way tie for second, the Bentley Arnage sedan, Bentley Azure convertible and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano coupe all come in at $3,213.

These and other cars on the list, such as the Aston Martin DB9 and the Ferrari F430, are unlikely to be daily drivers; however, other vehicles on the list, like the GMC Sierra, Nissan Armada and Jeep Grand Cherokee do a bit more traveling. The moral of the story for the environmentally aware? If you're not up for one of the newfangled electric supercars, you won't feel too bad taking your Maybach out on the weekends if your daily driver gets great mileage.

[Source: Forbes]

May-what? Car buffs certainly recognize the ultra-luxury DaimlerChrysler brand, but the super rich didn't apparently think enough of the cars to help DCX hit its goal of selling 1,000 of them a year. It's certainly a hefty feat, we'll give them that. After a warm reception for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept vehicle powered by a hefty 550 hp V12 engine, the automaker tried to revive the barely-there brand, going up against the Rolls Royce of automobiles... Rolls Royce. Out rolled the Maybach 57 and 62 models, and later the Exelero concept vehicle and sport models of the 57 and 62, but the company hasn't managed to strike any paydirt in winning over Rolls fans.

That may all change, or so rumor has it. Finally, after selling only 152 cars in 2005 and 146 in 2006, we're starting to hear some talk of new product over in the Maybach camp.

First up is a Mercedes GL-based sport utility vehicle, which, if Bentley doesn't beat Maybach to the punch, may be the next logical step for current Porsche Cayenne owners who feel like they're slumming it. The ute would have to be pretty packed with luxury amenities in order to account for what will be a hefty price premium over the GL-class, but there's certainly a market for it judging from the fact that the Cayenne quickly became Porsche's best-selling model.

Another option Maybach is reportedly considering is a "parade car" convertible based on its long 57 and 62 models. We saw something like it in the form of the Mercedes Ocean Drive four-door convertible concept, and if the Maybach follows suit, the ultra-luxury version of the Ocean Drive would be pegged along with the Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe.

Finally, the most recent thing we've heard about (by way of sister-site Autoblog.com), though also still just a rumor at this point, is a four-door coupe, based on the Mercedes CLS-class. This particular slot in Maybach's lineup is another good call -- the mid-size vehicle will provide decent competition for the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

For those cigar aficianados who enjoy smoking while driving, the Maybach Smoker Set by Dunhill is the ideal car accessory. A leather-trimmed humidor contains one of Dunhill's signature lighters and a custom-designed one-handed cigar cutter, so you can keep one hand on the wheel. Of course, it might take some practice before you can actually use the cutter with one hand, given that you'll have to maneuver the cigar into it and probably want to keep any part of it from falling onto the floor of your car, for neatness if nothing else. We don't have a price right now, but if you have to ask...