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.
Posted Oct 30th 2007 2:03PM by Erin Mays Filed under: Wheels
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.
Posted Oct 30th 2007 12:05PM by Erin Mays Filed under: Wheels
J. Lo might think she has an ass worthy of insurance, but Aston Martin has one up on her. The automaker's prized asset, the DBS, won accolades for its derriere with a total of 1,260 people who took a survey at the MPH '07 car show, beating out the other fantastic butts of the Jaguar XK, the Audi R8, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizone and the Bugatti Veyron. Interestingly enough, the women who took the poll were fonder of the Bugatti; however, the DBS won out.
Automotive asses are hardly the new topic of conversation. BMW design chief Chris Bangle's rear-end design was initially ridiculed with cat calls of "Bangle-Butt," then later highly-revered as the new direction for car design.
Dropping just $12,000 for a Ferrari might sound like a dream-come-true... but don't get too excited. The Ferrari you'd be picking up only goes 12.5 miles per hour.
In fact, despite its branded image, the Limited Edition Ferrari PTi2 apparently has no performance advantage over the original, though its leather-trimmed handlebars, classic Ferrari red paint and Scuderia Ferrari logo certainly make the personal transport vehicle look the park.
Like the original, the PTi2 can go about 64 miles on a single charge at speeds two to three times as fast as the average walker. Ferrari's employees apparently scoot around their Maranello plant on Segways quite a bit to save time.
Posted Oct 15th 2007 12:02PM by Erin Mays Filed under: Wheels
It's truly a thing of beauty. The new X6, BMW's answer to consumers' burgeoning love of crossover utility vehicles (or "sport activity vehicle," as BMW bills it), dresses the part without losing the style and driving dynamics that make it a BMW. As BMW head design honcho Chris Bangle hints, it's higher off the ground but is every bit a sports car as, say, the M3.
Though it's "technically" a concept in this form, we expect to see this in production form as a 2008 model. It is also expected to be BMW's first production hybrid vehicle, upping efficiency by 20% over the gasoline-powered model.
BMW recently gave Placido Domingo something to sing about -- his very own Hydrogen 7. As part of BMW's Hydrogen 7 Pioneer program, Domingo will use the 7 for his everyday use, serving to educate and inform the masses about hydrogen as an alternative source of energy. Domingo joins many others, including public, entertainment and governmental figures, in the Hydrogen 7 Pioneer program.
The Hydrogen 7 is the world's first production model hydrogen-powered luxury sedan, emitting nothing but water vapor when running in hydrogen mode.
Now that's a paint job. If a Lamborghini itself isn't enough a work of art for you, there's always tattooing it beyond almost all recognition. The Gallardo you see before you is an intricate work of art, with drawings of everything from the planets and stars to attack birds and angular patterns.
Of course, at a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds thanks to the massive V10 under the hood, the only time one can truly admire it is while parked.
In the category of "oh no he dih-ehhhnt," we offer for your enjoyment a stretch Ferrari limo, complete with round tail lights, ceramic brakes and nine-foot gullwing doors. We're not sure if the doors quite warrant the brooming of the mini-bar, but to each his own.
The beauty in question was commissioned by by Style Limousines of Manchester and involved almost $400,000 in mods, not the least of which was welding in the massive middle that makes the pony stretch so. The extra girth isn't enough to slow this Ferrari down much, however -- 0-60 in under six seconds and a top speed of 170 ain't too shabby.
Why fantasize about being James Bond when you can get a few steps closer to being 007? Aston Martin is offering a limited-edition Jaeger LeCoultre with the purchase of Bond's newest ride, the Aston Martin DBS.
At $332,000, one would think they would throw in the watch for free, but not so much. The watch is available only to purchasers of the DBS for a pretty $35,000, and is truly Bond-worthy at that -- not only does the watch look good, it also unlocks and starts the car. That will at least get you a second date, eh?
At the moment, buyers can choose between grade 5 titanium and rose-gold, but Jaeger's Jerome Lambert hints that a higher-end watch may be on its way.
Auto Trader UK, admittedly not always the most reliable source of information, is batting about the news that BMW plans to revive its Z8 roadster.
At a mere 3,300 lbs., the vehicle would be about 550 lbs. lighter than the competing Mercedes SL, and have BMW handling and high-performance engines to boot. Motor options include BMW's 300 hp 3.0L V6, 400 hp 4.4L V8, 500 hp 5.0L V10 and 600 hp 6.3L V12, the latter two of which could end up in an M version of the roadster.
The last Z8, designed by prolific auto designer Henrik Fisker, was Pierce Brosnan's steed in the 007 movie The World is Not Enough and was ultimately killed off in 2003.
At the Frankfurt Motor Show these past few days, the folks at the Audi stand have quite the uniform. The dress is tasteful black suits covering pressed white shirts or blouses -- but these are anything but your run-of-the-mill duds.
Audi has signed Michael Michalsky on to design its own Corporate Fashion Line for employees working auto shows, the Audi Forum and in dealerships. In the forefront of the fashion design world, Michalsky will also serve as an Audi brand ambassador.
The effort marks Audi's foray into the world of fashion, a role played by sibling brand Volkswagen several months ago when it launched high-end garments such as cashmere scarves to accompany the launch of its Jetta-based Eos convertible.
Check out Audi's full press release after the jump.
What do a fighting bull that gored a famous bullfighter in 1943 and a $1.68 million V12 Lamborghini have in common? Why, a name, of course.
The Reventon, powered by a 650-horsepower 6.5L V-12 and wrapped in CFC carbon fiber composite, has harsh, angular lines down to the spiky arrow nose. With just 20 slated for production and each one of them spoken for, the Reventon is reserved for only the richest, most exclusive customers, but the rest of the world gets to look at it, at least, as it sits on the show floor at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week.
Fergie's 2005 HUMMER H2, pimped out by the guys at DUB Magazine and driven by Ms. Fergalicious herself, is up for bid on none other than eBay. The charity listing advertises her ride as having everything modified, including the suspension, two-tone suede seat inserts, audio (including a green suede-wrapped molding covering the woofer) and 24-inch wheels.
At press time, bids were just up past $64,000, and given the fact that the car is undoubtedly worth twice that, one would hope more money will be raised for charity by the auction's September 15 end date.
Tasca Automotive Group in Cranston, Rhode Island is the first Ford Dealership to host automotive modification facilities sanctioned by Carroll Shelby himself. The shop promises to hawk the aftermarket wares of Shelby Automotive Group, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, turning ordinary Ford Mustangs into raging, performance-packed beasts.
Spokespeople for Shelby say the Tasca shop will offer Shelby handling, styling and power upgrades for V6 and V8 Ford Mustangs and Shelbys, as well as "Super Snake" packages for the 2007 and 2008 Ford Shelby GT500, the Shelby CS6, CS8, and Shelby GT500 40th anniversary packages. The shop will also feature clothing, accessories and other Shelby-branded goods.
Ahh, GPS systems are so passé all by themselves. Why bother with all that programming when you can simply send the directions to your car from Google or Yahoo! Maps?
Mercedes-Benz appears to be the first automaker to implement the idea, which simply involves sending the directions to your car, pressing the i-button and either loading up the directions or saving them for later via the Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid System.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the Search & Send is available starting on the 2007 S-Class, CL-Class, and 2008 C-Class with the Multimedia Package and Navigation System.
At the Frankfurt Motor Show these past few days, the folks at the Audi stand have quite the uniform. The dress is tasteful black suits covering pressed white shirts or blouses -- but these are anything but your run-of-the-mill duds.
