supercar

Lord Foster Designs $70 Million Factory for McLaren's New Supercar

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

Famed British architect Lord Norman Foster has designed a stunning new $70 million Production Centre for McLaren where the legendary racing marque is busy assembling their wicked new MP4-12C supercar. The sleek new facility is an adjunct to McLaren's Technology Centre at the UK HQ, which Foster also designed and built for the company. Every aspect of the the Production Centre, a shrine to the ultimate in automotive technology and car design, is "clean, clinical and present for good reason," Wallpaper notes. The Production Centre is a low energy, eco-friendly structure with a roof designed to collect rainwater and a displacement ventilation system. It's connected to the Technology Centre by an underground walkway for ease of communication between McLaren's design and engineering teams. The overall effect is straight out of a James Bond film with its all-white interior, ceramic tiled floors and all-black technician's outfits; the only splashes of color come from the cars themselves.

Gallery: Lord Norman Foster for McLaren

[via JamesList]

Tags: architect, architecture, car design, design, Foster + Partners, Lord Norman Foster, McLaren, McLaren MP4-12C, Norman Foster, supercar, UK

Is Ferrari's New $265,000 Supercar an Accident-Prone Firetrap? [video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Video

Is there a curse on Ferrari's new $265,000 supercar, the stunning 458 Italia? In the mere 90 days that have elapsed since the first models were delivered to well-heeled customers, 458s the world over have been the victim of an inordinate amount of crashes, fires and other mishaps, the sheer number of which seem to indicate a mechanical flaw rather than mere idiotic driving. Their frequency and severity – such as the spontaneous combustion of one example on a Paris street (above) – has prompted Ferrari reps to declare that "We are taking it very seriously and investigating each incident" but they have declined to comment further or admit to any production flaw. Rumors abound however that faulty gas overflow tubes and vapor systems are to blame. Designed by famed styling house Pininfarina, the 458 has a 4.5-litre V8 engine boosting it from 0–62 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph. There have been 11 recorded wrecks in all, making for nearly $3 million in trashed exotics. Check out a timeline of the 458 Italia incidents and a video of the one that recently caught fire in China after the jump:

[via JamesList]

Tags: car crash, China, Ferrari, Ferrari 458 Italia, Paris, Pininfarina, supercar, Switzerland

Continue reading “Is Ferrari's New $265,000 Supercar an Accident-Prone Firetrap? [video]”

Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black by Jeff Koons

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

Earlier this summer my colleague Noah Joseph reported on the BMW M3 GT2 painted by famed artist Jeff Koons as part of BMW's renowned Art Car program. Now it seems Koons has adapted the design to the new limited edition Aston Martin Carbon Black DBS. Based on the top-of-the-line GT that serves as James Bond's ride of choice, the Carbon Black edition features a unique black paint process designed to deflect the light at different angles, plus lightweight carbon-Kevlar seats upholstered in black leather with silver stitching, piano black trim, special wheels and more. We're not sure why Koons' design would be applied over the special black finish, but there you have it. Koons' colorful pattern is meant to evoke "power, motion and bursting energy." The Aston was spotted in the Netherlands and is slated to participate in The Challenge 2010 race at the end of this month.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: art car, artist, Aston Martin, Aston Martin Carbon Black DBS, Aston Martin DBS, BMW, BMW art car, contemporary art, Jeff Koons, supercar

New $9.6 Million Aston Martin is World's Most Expensive Car

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

For a whopping $9.6 million you can now order the world's most expensive limited edition supercar, the Aston Martin Super Sport. Only eight examples will be built, each in a different color including red, yellow, silver, black and sky blue, for collectors worldwide. The incredibly costly vehicles are being offered by Star Electric Cars France (SECF), designer of coachbuilt specialty vehicles including Rolls-Royce golf carts and the like for rock stars, royalty and people with way too much money. A sort of souped-up version of the Aston Martin One-77, yet far more exclusive, the mid-engine engined hypercar is powered by a twin-turbo 5.4 liter V8 engine producing around 900 hp. It features carbon fiber bodywork, gullwing doors, carbon ceramic brakes and a leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber interior. While it may just seem like a hyperbolic concept, rest assured that if your check for $9.6 million clears SECF will actually build you one of these things.

Tags: Aston Martin, aston martin one-77, carbon fiber, supercar, worlds most expensive

Hit the Water in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Cigarette Boat for $1.2 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos

Back in February we first told you about plans for the wicked new 46' Cigarette powerboat inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar. Now the killer craft has hit the water, and you can pick one up via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for a cool $1.2 million. The Cigarette 46' Rider XP is the only powerboat available with the all-new Mercury Racing 1,350 hp 9-litre V8 Twin Turbo engines – altogether almost five times as much power as the SLS AMG that inspired it. Thanks to lightweight composite construction, it can do 95.59 knots with a maximum speed of 117 knots, or 130 mph for you landlubbers. With the same hand-applied silver paint as the SLS AMG that "covers body surfaces like a metallic skin, targeting light reflections to further emphasize exterior character lines and design details", it's a dazzling sight on the water – if it slows down enough for you to get a glimpse. The inside features marine-grade upholstery designed to resemble the two tone Nappa leather in the SLS AMG. Buy one of each, but just remember which one goes in the water.

Gallery: Cigarette 46 Rider XP SLS AMG

Tags: Cigarette boat, Germany, JamesList, leather, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, powerboat, speedboat, supercar, yacht

Arab Playboys Arrested After Supercar Smash in London

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Yesterday we reported that a cabal of mega-rich Arab playboys have made London the world's supercar capital this summer, shipping an estimated $80 million worth of eye-popping vehicles to the city while waiting out the heat in their homeland. With all the ultra-luxe vehicles racing around the crowded city, something was bound to go wrong, and it has; two of the fast-living fellows were arrested in Knightsbridge the other day after plowing their $280,000 Lamborghini into four other vehicles, the London Daily Mail reports. Abdulla Saeed Khalfan Al-Dhaheri, 28, and Sultan Khalifa Al-Muhairbi, 35, both from the United Arab Emirates, were taken into custody after their Lamborghini Murcielago smashed into the parked cars, flipping a BMW over completely.

Luckily no one was injured, but Al-Muhairbi was charged with dangerous driving and driving with no insurance and Al-Dhaheri was charged with perverting the course of justice. The men, who are due to appear in court on October 12, are said to have walked away from the pile-up, telling a passerby, "It's all right, we'll pay for the damage." The incident took place in posh Lowndes Square, home to some of the city's wealthiest residents, including Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Check out an image gallery of some of the Arab-owned supercars, including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Bugatti models, which have been flown to London for the summer from the UAE after the jump.

Tags: Arab, car crash, Ferrari, Knightsbridge, Lamborghini, London, Rolls-Royce, Roman Abramovich, supercar, UAE, UK, United Arab Emirates, wealth

Continue reading “Arab Playboys Arrested After Supercar Smash in London”

Porsche 918 Spyder Makes Its Driving Debut [video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

This past Thursday, the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid – which could become the world's most expensive production Porsche – made its driving debut on a closed road in Monterey, California, just days prior to its North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. After being shipped over from Germany by private plane, engineers handed the keys of the new 918 Spyder, dubbed the world's first true hybrid supercar, to Porsche AG Design Chief Michael Mauer. The car drove superbly under its own power, which comes from the mid-mounted 3.4 liter V8 engine out of the RS Spyder as well as an all electric mode which powers just the front wheels. That's good news for the 2,000 prospective buyers willing to fork out an estimated $630,000 to get their hands on one.

Tags: California, electric car, Germany, hybrid, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Porsche, Porsche 918 Spyder, supercar

McLaren to Open Showroom in London's Luxe One Hyde Park

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Real Estate Developments, Architecture & Design

Famed British race-bred auto marque McLaren has announced plans for a luxurious new London showroom at the base of the posh One Hyde Park development, currently under construction between Harrods and Harvey Nichols in the swanky Knightsbridge neighborhood. The premises (rendering above) will serve as the flagship for the company to flog its wicked new $250,000 MP4-12C supercar, a carbon fiber rocket with a 600 hp twin-turbo V8 engine. One Hyde Park, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, is due to open in late October with the McLaren showroom slated to follow early next year. As well as its supercar, the showroom will display a selection of McLaren's Formula 1 race cars.

[via Auto Express]

Tags: British car, Formula 1, Harrods, Knightsbridge, London, McLaren, One Hyde Park, retail, showroom, supercar, UK

Rare Racers at Ferrari Event in Nurburgring

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Sports

An incredible array of Ferrari race cars just converged on Germany's famed Nurburgring circuit for three days of test-driving under the legendary Italian marque's Corse Clienti department. 15 Ferrari 599XX and 4 Enzo-based Ferrari FXXs were joined on the track by 10 rare Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 cars, among the world's most desirable vehicles. Amongst them was the F190 raced by Nigel Mansell in the 1990 Formula 1 Championship; the 412 T1 with which Gerhard Berger won the 1994 German Grand Prix; the F300, which was the 45th car built by Scuderia Ferrari for the 1998 season, driven to six wins by Michael Schumacher; and the F2001, with which the German champion won nine races. Also present was the more recent F2007, which took both World titles for the Scuderia team. The beautiful thoroughbred racers are almost as much fun to look at as to drive.

Gallery: Ferrari Corse Clienti Event at Nurburgring

Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari 599XX, Ferrari FXX, Formula 1, Germany, Michael Schumacher, motor racing, Nurburgring, racing, supercar

Qatari Royals' $2 Million Supercar Clamped Outside Harrods

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Back in May we reported that luxe landmark London department store Harrods had been sold to Qatar's royal family for more about $2.2 billion. The other day the super-rich royals arrived to check out their new acquisition in a fleet of exotic supercars, all painted the family's signature shade of turquoise. However, while inside the posh retail palace the London police slapped clamps on the illegally parked rides. Spotted by London's Daily Mail with the unsightly locks on their wheels was a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce, valued at about $550,000 (above left) and a bespoke specification Koenigsegg CCXR (above right), one of only six in the world, worth about $2 million. To get the vehicles unlocked the scofflaw sheikhs had to pay a release fee of £70 plus a fine of between £40 - £120 and complete a set of paperwork for each car.

[via LuxuryInsider]

Tags: department store, Harrods, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, London, Qatar, royal family, royalty, supercar, UAE

Wally Supercar Concept for the Superyacht Set

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos

Monaco-based boatbuilder Wally, known for its avant-garde yacht designs, is responsible for some of the most eye-catching craft plying the waters. As we reported last year they also make some of the world's coolest high-performance skis. Now Matthew Hockham, an automotive design graduate of the UK's Coventry University, has come up with a Wally supercar concept inspired by both of the company's passions. Hockham's brief was to take Wally's distinctive design language and apply it to a suitably high-end and high-tech automotive concept. "The aim is to bring the essence of Wally onto the land and offer an exclusive user experience," he tells Car Body Design. Hockham's design uses Wally's trademark futuristic form language with sharp edges, black glass surfaces and hi-tech gray tones. The side profile was inspired by the lines of the stunning 118 WallyPower yacht. The interior makes extensive use of carbon fiber and teak, two materials used widely by Wally, and the elongated chassis is especially designed to transport a pair of Wally carbon fiber skis.

Gallery: Wally Supercar Concept

Tags: car design, carbon fiber, concept car, design, industrial design, Monaco, skis, supercar, teak, UK, Wally, yacht

Automotive Elegance at London's Salon Privé

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

The Salon Privé, Europe's finest and largest dedicated display of supercars, exotics, classics and luxury goods set up English garden party style, graced the lawns of London's famed Hurlingham Club last week. An exclusive selection of luxury goods was on display alongside a seven-category Concours d'Elégance showcasing modern and classic motors. Jaguar made in impressive showing with a special marquee featuring many of the firm's iconic models in its 75-year history. Rolls-Royce exhibited the new Ghost alongside the Phantom and its new bespoke picnic set. Morgan showcased the Aero Supersports, Bentley showed off the new Muslanne, Aston Martin had a Rapide on display and Lotus brought along the Evora. Classic Ferraris, Alfa-Romeos, Bugattis and more rounded out the alluring eye candy to the obvious appreciation of a stylish audience.

Gallery: Salon Prive 2010

Source

Tags: Aston Martin, Bentley, classic cars, Concours delegance, Ferrari, Jaguar, London, Lotus, luxury goods, Rolls-Royce, Salon Privé, supercar, UK

Magnum Opus: The $40,000 Ferrari Book

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Books

UK ultra-luxury publisher Kraken Opus, known for using real blood in some of their outlandish tomes, plans to charge $40,000 for a forthcoming book on Ferrari. The epic volume, which will be limited to just 399 copies, is signed by all living Ferrari champion racing drivers. The text is contributed by the world's finest automotive writers and interviewers, accompanied by hundreds of rare and previously unpublished archival images, including unseen pictures of Enzo Ferrari's villa and action inside Formula One racing pits, along with specially-commissioned photographs and illustrations. Opus uses special color processes and only the highest grade paper stocks, and each book is individually hand-bound and designed to stand the test of time and increase in value. A hedge-fund manager has already ordered 20 copies of the book (or $800,000 worth) and will pay Kraken a quarterly fee to store them in a climate-controlled facility, Karl Fowler, CEO of parent company Opus Media Group, tells the Wall St. Journal. Of course, for $40,000 you could buy a real Ferrari, albeit an older model like a 308 or Mondial.

Tags: books, coffee table books, Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari, Formula One, Kraken Opus, motor racing, publisher, racing, supercar, UK

Enzo Ferrari's Bespoke Clothing for Sale at $100,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

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

Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari was obviously a man of great style - just look at the supercars bearing his name. For Ferrari enthusiasts he is of course nothing short of a god as well. Now Collector Studio Motorsport Gallery in Toronto is offering the ultimate in Ferrari memorabilia – a museum quality collection of Enzo's bespoke clothing and accessories, priced at $100,000. The highlight of the collection is an original Bertazzoni of Modena custom tailored beige wool houndstooth sport coat made for the great man in 1972, and worn for the next 10 years, including at the 1972 AutoSport ceremony, along with a pair of bespoke Bertazzoni gray flannel pants he wore with it.

Also included is an original and totally unique "Ferrari" brown and white silk necktie custom made for Enzo in 1978, and worn for the next 10 years; and an original pair of bespoke Marelli brown leather shoes worn by him in the 1970s and 1980s, complete with box. The collection comes accompanied by a letter of authenticity from a Ferrari colleague of Enzo's who acquired the items from him directly, as well as many photos of Enzo wearing each item. Also included are the original notes from the Modenese tailor who made the clothing, along with fabric swatch samples and measurements to match.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: bespoke, Collector Studio Motorsport Gallery, collectors items, cothing, Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari, Italy, memorabilia, mens style, Modena, necktie, supercar, tailoring, ties, Toronto

Take a Ferrari Tour of Central Switzerland

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

On Sept. 9 – 12, Loeven Sportwagentouren, organizers of the Bugatti tour we wrote about last summer, is offering a driving tour of Central Switzerland 's scenic Rigi, Reuss and Rütli Oath regions in the new Ferrari 458 Italia. The tour offers three adrenaline-filled day trips from the luxurious base camp of the Bürgenstock Resort perched above Lake Lucerne. You'll power through famous mountain passes like the Grimsel, Gotthard, Furka, Nufenen and Ächerli – a steep, single-track lane with sharp ascents, hairpin turns and narrow bends. If classics are more your cup of tea, Loeven can arrange to get you a Ferrari Dino, or you can even bring your own car as long as it can keep up. The 458 Italia costs about $6,500 and the Dino about $3,200 on top of the $2,800 per person base price for the tour. Bookings are now open, but be quick about it – space is limited to about 10 cars.

Tags: Bürgenstock Resort, Bugatti, driving tours, Ferrari, Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari Dino, Lake Lucerne, Loeven Sportwagentouren, supercar, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, tour

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