supercar

Ultimate Drives Launches Supercar Tours of Europe

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

Taking a jaunt though Europe just got a hell of a lot more exciting thanks to Ultimate Drives, a new supercar touring outfit. The company offers a high-octane tour to Switzerland's swank St. Moritz and the neighboring Engadine region, which also takes in the stunning Stelvio pass and crosses the border into Italy. Prices for the tour start at about $1,800 per person, including equally stylish off-road accommodation. The eye-popping autos to choose from include a trio of Ferraris – the F430 Spider, California (above) and 599 GTB – as well as the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Bentley Continental GTC and Maserati GranCabrio. Starting in July, the Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will also be available for speed junkies. The round trip includes over six hours of driving, as well as lunch en route and a trek to one of the region's famed glaciers. More budget-conscious enthusiasts who still like to put their foot down can opt to do the tour in a BMW or Jaguar instead.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Europe, Ferrari, Ferrari 458 Italia, Italy, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, St. Moritz, supercar, Switzerland, Zurich

600 Ferraris Converge in Japan for Ferrari Fest

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

The awesome sight of 600 Ferraris congregating in the shadow of the famous Mt. Fuji greeted spectators at the recent Ferrari Festival of Japan. Organized by the Japanese branch of the Italian auto marque in conjunction with Ferrari's Corse Clienti department, the eye candy included rare racers like the famed F399 Formula One car from 1999, four 599XXs and six FXXs (above) circling the track. The event also featured a heated competition between Challenge versions of the 348, 355, 360 and F430 for the Ferrari Trophy of Japan as well as the Japanese debut of the 599 GTO and the 458 Italia. Decidedly a showcase for modern rather than classic Ferraris, there were also a striking number of F40s, F50s and other supercar stars.

Gallery: 2010 Ferrari Festival of Japan

Tags: Ferrari, Ferrari FXX, Formula One, Japan, supercar

Ducati Desmosedici RR2 Supercar Concept

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

From time to time we've brought you news of efforts to make a Ferrari superbike; now Ducati is turning the tables with a supercar concept. The vision of young designer Anthony Collard, the Desmosedici RR²concept is a carbon fiber-bodied two-seater made mostly from motorcycle parts. A spyder which can be converted into a coupe via a removable polycarbonate roof, it's designed to be powered by a V8 based on two Ducati L4 Desmosedici engines kicking out about 420 hp. Collard's goal is to deliver a driving experience as similar as possible to actually piloting a superbike, with style to spare befitting a vehicle bearing the famed Ducati name. Some of the mechanical parts are left visible to enhance the effect, with a narrow front and open back to display the Italian-made Marchesini superbike wheels. The engine is situated in a central front position just behind the front wheel axis, similar to that of the Mercedes SLR McLaren. We think it definitely has potential.

[via JamesList]

Tags: carbon fiber, concept car, Ducati, Ferrari, motorcycle, superbike, supercar

Strand Craft 122 Super Yacht Features Supercar and Garage

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos

Strand Craft 122 Super Yacht – Click above for high-res image gallery

As near as we can tell, the single biggest issue with the average run-of-the-mill yacht is the distinct lack of storage. No, not so much storage for your clothing or personal goods... we're talking about a garage for that favorite supercar of yours, of course. Strand Craft has taken the issue to heart with its latest design, the 122 Super Yacht.

This creation, which exists only in renderings at the moment, would feature a built-in garage in the stern, which naturally would be filled with a bespoke supercar of its very own. Not much is known about the supposed supercar, other than the fact that it would be powered by an 880-horsepower V12 engine and have a top speed of over 230 miles per hour.

As you might expect, the yacht itself is no slouch in the power or speed departments. In fact, its twin Rolls-Royce engines coupled to the extra Booster engine put out an impressive 14,000 horsepower combined – enough to push the 122 to speeds of 55 knots. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Strand Craft 122

[Source: Strand Craft]

Source

Tags: strand craft, strand craft 122, supercar, supercar tender, tender

Is This the New Ferrari Enzo?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

There's been plenty of speculation surrounding Ferrari's long-awaited successor to the iconic Enzo, usually referred to as the F70. After some revealing remarks from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa recently, the new vehicle is beginning to take shape. Most insiders agree the F70 will be based on the marque's lightweight Millechili supercar concept combined with some tech from the FXX or racetrack version of the Enzo. The resulting "hypercar" (rendering above) is expected to feature a carbon fiber chassis and be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8. Look for the F70 to hit 0 – 62 mph in three seconds with a top speed in excess of 230 mph. Also expect it to be limited to just 399 examples like the Enzo, available for purchase by invitation only with a pricetag in the $850,000 range when it's released in 2012.

Tags: carbon fiber, concept car, Enzo, Ferrari, Ferrari Enzo, ferrari enzo successor, Ferrari F70, supercar

Less Weight, More Power: Audi Announces Limited-Edition R8 GT

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Making a car – especially an exotic supercar – go even faster may be a complicated business, but the idea is simplicity itself: decrease the weight, and increase the power. It's the same notion that has made such supercars as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera better performers than their progenitors. And now Audi's applied the same formula to its R8.

To make the R8 GT, Audi has fitted thinner glass (replacing that giant rear window over the engine bay with a plastic one) and replaced many of the aluminum body panels with carbon fiber, shedding 220 lbs off the curb weight. Meanwhile, the German automaker has increased output from the 5.2-liter V10 from 525 horsepower to 560. Mated to the R-Tronic semi-automatic transmission, the R8 GT runs from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and tops out just shy of 200 miles per hour.

Audi will only make 333 examples of the R8 GT, selling for €193,000 ($256,000) apiece.

Source

Tags: audi, audi r8, audi r8 gt, exotic, r8, r8 gt, supercar

The Classicist: Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

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

Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection

Simon Jordan takes his supercars seriously. He is the director of Cortese, an independent Ferrari and Maserati showroom located in Bath, UK on the Priston Mill Estate, where you can pick up an F430, Testarossa or GranSport as well as classic and racing models. It also houses his vast collection of Ferrari and Maserati memorabilia, including a library of books, pictures and models dating back to 1947. For Jordan, thoroughbred automobiles are a way of life. Hence he has also created Caracalla Bagaglio, a line of Italian leather goods designed to complement the world's greatest cars. The line takes its name from the Terme di Caracalla race circuit in Rome, where Ferrari won its first race in 1947, and its main range is the Commemorative Motorsport Collection featuring leather bags and holdalls dedicated to pivotal moments in racing history.

Skilled artisans hand make each bag in Tuscany from the finest leather in a process of craftsmanship passed down over generations. Each piece relates to the history of famous race car marques, drivers and racing numbers, and are endorsed by racing legends such as Sir Stirling Moss, Niki Lauda and Emerson Fittipaldi. Each piece closely matches the color (interior or exterior) and racing livery of the car it's designed to celebrate. The Moss No. 7 bag (priced at £295) for example, commemorates Sir Stirling Moss's victory at Goodwood in 1961 driving the legendary Ferrari 250 SWB bearing the number 7, Moss' favorite. Finished in dark blue leather to match the original paintwork it features Moss' official signature embossed into the white center panel, and Moss himself owns one of the bags.

Gallery: Caracalla Bagaglio Motorsport Collection

JPS Fittipaldi No. 6 (1972 'Type 72' Lotus F1)

Cortese 56 (1947-2007 Ferrari 60th Anniversary)

Tags: bags, Caracalla Bagaglio, Ferrari, Italy, Jaguar, Le Mans, leather, leather goods, leathergoods, Lotus, Maserati, motor racing, motorsports, Porsche, racecar, racing, Simon Jordan, Sir Stirling Moss, Stirling Moss, supercar, Tuscany, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection”

Spyker Watch Collection by Expressions d'Artistes International

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Dutch sportscar-maker Spyker, having recently completed the takeover of Swedish automaker Saab from General Motors, is gearing up to launch their own watch line. The collection will be officially launched at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this coming June, but a few details have already been released.

Geneva-based timesmiths Expressions d'Artistes International will be crafting the collection, which will feature examples encased in steel (starting at €8,000) and rose or white gold (at around €20,000). Chronographs, power reserve meters and date indicators will be included amongst the complications featured, while the design will borrow trademark Spyker styling elements from the machine-turned metal finish from the cars' dashboards to the Hulshof leather featured on the bucket seats and wrist straps. An additional range of special editions will be offered to existing Spyker owners, featuring their cars' Vehicle Identification Numbers.

Tags: car watch, car watches, chronograph, expressions dartistes international, spyker, supercar, watches

Mansory Launches Carbon Fiber Furniture Line

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Cars & Autos

Mansory, the German supercar tuning company known for outrageously over-the-top creations like the Vitesse Rosé Bentley and Vincero Bugatti Veyron, is bringing its dubious talents to bear on a new line of sickeningly luxurious office furniture for true "executive living". Modeled on the kind of ridiculously expensive bespoke interiors the company creates for its aesthetically impaired clients, the first offering in the new range is a line of handmade desk chairs constructed from carbon fiber, priced at $25,000 apiece. Featuring something called a "sport-carboxylic" finish, the sybaritic seating is available with a number of leather upholstery and wood paneling options. One of the more hideous combinations couples padded gold leather with black piano lacquer inlays. You can of course have chairs made to match the interior of your Mansory vehicle.

Tags: carbon fiber, furniture, mansory, supercar

Brazil to join the Supercar League with the Amoritz GT DR7

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Brazil may be known for a lot of things, but exotic supercars isn't one of them. That could all change, however, with the advent of the Amoritz GT DR7.

Little in the way of information has been released so far, aside from this rendering and one very scrumptious morsel of technical specification: The engine, as it turns out, is being sourced from the Dodge Viper. That's a massive 8.4-liter V10, but the brains behind the Amoritz haven't stopped there. In addition to modifying it to be placed behind the cabin in a midship layout, they say they've also increased power to over 600 horses.

We hope this won't be the last we've heard of this particular start-up, so stay tuned.

Source

Tags: amoritz, amoritz gt dr7, brazil, gt dr7, supercar

Lamborghini Legends Dream Car Tour with Valentino Balboni

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

Gotham Dream Cars (GDC), New York and Miami's premier "ultra-exotic" car rental company and membership car club, will hold its 2nd annual Legends Dream Car Tour on May 11, 12 and 13 in Englewood, NJ. This intimate experience will put auto enthusiasts behind the wheel of five of the newest Lamborghini models alongside a legend in the automotive community, famed Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni. Participants will have the opportunity to compare and contrast the characteristics of five of Lamborghini's latest models on an open-road route that spans some of the best driving roads in Northern New Jersey and upstate New York. The lineup is still being finalized, but cars on the tour could include the Murciélago LP 640, LP 640 Roadster, Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni and the Murciélago LP 670 SuperVeloce.

The Legends Dream Car Tour is a five-hour experience starting with lunch at GDC's clubhouse in Northern New Jersey, a full vehicle overview and safety presentation, and a meet and greet/photo opp with Mr. Balboni. The tour then will put participants behind the wheel of each of the five cars, including time riding shotgun to Balboni as he leads as the official Grand Marshal. Space on the tours is extremely limited and must be reserved in advance; tickets can be purchased for $1,295 per driver. Non-driving passengers can attend free of charge. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.gothamdreamcars.com.

Tags: exotic car rental, Gotham Dream Cars, Lamborghini, supercar, supercar tour, tour, Valentino Balboni

Ferraris and Maseratis Meet at Motori & Sapori

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

An incredible array of Ferrari and Maserati supercars was on display recently at the annual Motori & Sapori festival in Castelfranco Emilia, Italy, celebrating sports cars as well as the region's fine food and wine. The town is located near Modena, where Ferrari is based and which is the center of the Italian motorsports industry, and is located on the route of the famed Mille Miglia race. Ferrari F430s, F360s and F348s, Testarossas, 330s and more along with many Maseratis convened on the picturesque town along with some highly prized vintage and racing models, including the first Ferrari ever built, the famed "Auto Avio Costruzioni 815″, owned by a renowned private collector. Several collectors participated in the event allowing some rarely exhibited exotics to be appreciated by all.

Gallery: Motori & Sapori 2010

Tags: car festival, Ferrari, festivals, Italy, Maserati, Modena, supercar

One-Off 9ff GT9-R Prototype for Sale at $1.15 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The one-off prototype of the wicked 9ff GT9-R (above), the contender for the "world's fastest car" title based on a Porsche 911 Turbo which my colleague Noah Joseph reported on a few months back, is being offered for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $1.15 million. Only 20 examples are being built for collectors worldwide based on this prototype created by the German exotic auto tuner, though not all will be as powerful as the primogenitor. With 1120 horsepower in a lightweight custom body it boasts a top speed in excess of 414 km/h. Torque clocks in at 1050 Nm which translates to a 0 – 100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds. Incredibly enough it's street legal, at least in Europe.

Tags: 9ff, 9ff GT9-R, auto tuners, Germany, Porsche, supercar, worlds fastest

Drive Six Supercars in One Day Across the UK

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

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

Luxury concierge service Pure Conciergerie is offering a spectacular supercar driving day experience in the UK's picturesque Cotswolds.You don't drive just one but six different supercars during the day-long jaunt through some of the most stunning and famous landscapes in the country - an Aston Martin DBS, Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560, Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo - each with a unique character and distinct driving style. The journey starts with a light breakfast followed by brief training from a driving instructor. Each participant then spends about an hour of wheel time in each of their selected cars (other automotive options are available) for a total driving time of around six hours. The price is $2,500 per person, or $1,500 each if two people elect to share the same cars, not including accommodations.

Gallery: UK Supercar Tour

Tags: Aston Martin, Bentley, car trip, concierge, Cotswolds, driving tour, england, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, supercar, UK

Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute Concept

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

What could a future collaboration between Saab and its new owner Spyker produce? A cross between a stylish Swedish sedan and a Dutch supercar of course. Eduard Gray, an industrial designer educated at Coventry University in the UK and now based in Saab's hometown of Trollhättan, Sweden, has come up with a viable vision for this automotive offspring. His long, lean two-door Saab Spyker 9+ concept car imagines an evolution of Saab's Aero-X enhanced by some of Spyker's exoticism. The design features a Spyker chassis with a mid-mounted engine and low down aerodynamics, including a system to reduce friction in straight line driving whilst increasing traction in cornering and braking. An enormous panoramic glass roof gives it an airy feel as well. Envisioned as a 2+2 model in the storied GT tradition, engine-wise it's speculated to house a V6 bi-turbo capable of producing over 600 hp, perhaps powered purely by ethanol.

Gallery: Saab Spyker 9+ Concept