Month: April 2014

The Bugatti Veyron becomes a work of art

We see more and more luxury cars getting an artistic makeover these days than ever before! The rich and famous want to make their cars stand out and be a one of a kind design that no one else will have.

It’s know surprise then that Bugatti have created a limited edition ‘piece of art’ to satisfy their fans out there.

Without putting too fine a point on it, Bugatti appeals to a pretty select clientele. Nevertheless, its product planners grapple with the same challenge that faces every automaker: When you’re spending multi-millions to achieve exclusivity, you don’t want to see a mirror image of your Veyron motoring around every corner. Right?

Bugatti’s answer to this problem is a series of 18 limited-edition Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse roadsters—Les Légendes de Bugatti. The series consists of six three-car groups, each named for famous figures from Bugatti’s glory years, and this one, fourth in the sequence, is called Rembrandt.

The name suggests artistic inspiration, which is true, but it’s not the Rembrandt you might expect. This Rembrandt was Rembrandt Bugatti, brother of company founder Ettore, and a well-known sculptor. Although Rembrandt won fame for his work with bronze sculptures, he’s celebrated in Bugatti family lore for creating the dancing elephant logo that adorns the grille of the princely Type 41 Bugatti, better known as the Royale.

Commemorating Rembrandt Bugatti’s favored artistic medium, the latest Vitesse Legend sports bronze-hued clearcoat carbon fiber on its upper half contrasting with a light brown lower portion. The wheels are two-toned in colors Bugatti head designer Achim Anscheidt calls “noix” and “firefinch,” and Rembrandt’s signature has been laser etched onto the gas cap and oil-filler cover.

Inside, the special-edition Vitesse is distinguished by cognac-colored leather, a bronze-hued carbon-fiber console emblazoned with a cast bronze version of the Type 41 dancing elephant logo, and the signature and portrait of Rembrandt Bugatti on each door sill.

Naturally, the Rembrandt Vitesse has all the go-fast hardware that makes this the fastest production roadster in the world, according to Bugatti: 1184 horsepower and 1106 lb-ft of torque from a quad-turbo W-16 engine, yielding a 0-to-62-mph sprint in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 254 mph.

Previous special editions have honored Jean Bugatti, son of the company’s founder; Jean-Pierre Wimille, who drove Bugattis to two victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans; and Bartelomeo “Meo” Costantini, another factory driver who went on to manage the works racing team from 1927 to 1935.

On display at the Geneva auto show, the Rembrandt Bugatti carries a sticker price of €2.18 million (roughly $3 million at today’s exchange rates)—almost a half-million more than the standard Grand Sport Vitesse. We suspect this is a no-haggle price. If any of the nine previous Legends are any indication, you better hurry—all nine of the previous special editions have been sold.

Source http://blog.caranddriver.com/bugatti-veyron-rembrandt-legends-edition-what-to-buy-when-a-standard-veyron-is-too-ubiquitous-2014-geneva-auto-show/

Rick Ross’ Gets Red Forgiato Wheels For His Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari 458 Italia is a beautiful car, but some people still feel the need to make it stand out in the crowd even more.

Rick Ross certainly isn’t a man to go unnoticed. Thanks to his large frame, heavily tattooed body and most importantly to us, his impressive exotic car collection, you can always be assured that Ross will make a big appearance wherever he goes. And thanks to a new set of bright red wheels on his Ferrari 458 Italia, he’ll stand out from the crowd even more.

These new wheels come courtesy of Forgiato and while they certainly aren’t to everyone’s taste, there is no doubt  they catch your eye!

3 Ways Digital Innovation Is Driving Engagement In The Luxury Car …

If you like to keep up to date on the latest gadgets and technology AND like stylish luxury cars, you need to read The Future of Luxury’s 3 ways  luxury car manufacturers have harnessed digital platforms as part of a strategy to tackle poor performance in the luxury car market.

The luxury car sector has long been a leader in adopting the latest technology for design, manufacture and in-car systems however, luxury car brands are now increasingly turning to digital tech to entice customers before they’ve even taken a test drive in a bid to create powerfully engaging experiences.

1. Porsche – Augmented Reality App

Designed to support the launch of the Panamera in the Middle East, Porsche’s augmented reality iPad app gives potential customers a chance to explore the car’s capabilities through a highly interactive experience. Using augmented reality enables Porsche to bring the vehicle’s features to life in a more meaningful and impactful way than a simple brochure description could ever hope to achieve.

 

Steve Blyth of Engage, creators of the AR app, described it as providing “a unique and immersive experience” created to achieve the objectives set by Porsche of  “a high-level view of the product and brand as well as an introduction to the Panamera’s features.”

In the showroom, car each feature 5 markers that trigger the iPad app to provide detailed content about the car’s features in the form of texts, images, animations and video.

Online and offline are connected through data capture, with additional information revealed to users who supply their email address via the app. This data is then used by Porsche sales teams to follow up leads.

2. Audi – Digital Showrooms

Earlier this year, in addition to locations in London and Beijing, Audi opened another of its digital showrooms in Berlin. Featuring  interactive touchscreens, the showrooms allow customers to explore the range by personalising  Audi cars to their own specifications. A significant advantage of the digital showroom for both customers and brands is the lack of space restrictions. Although only 4 models are on display in the showroom, all 49 models in the Audi range can be viewed and interacted with using the multi-media screens.

 

Creating immersive experiences is central to success in today’s market; Audi’s head of sales in Germany, Wayne Griffiths commented,  “staging the brand is becoming so much more important.”  The success of this venture has been reflected by the footfall generated with Audi Beijing reporting 8,000 visitors per week , 60% of whom were new to the Audi brand.

3.   Volkwagen Group – Mobile Game

Mobile gaming was recently used by the Volkswagen Group to bring consumers closer to their premium sports car brands which includes a roll-call of some of the world’s most sought after cars – Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche.

Designed to bring each car to life through immersive gameplay, the ‘Sports Car Challenge 2’ app (available on android and iOS 7), allows  consumers to engage with vehicles through hyper-realistic, 3D product interaction.

 

Game features include the ability to compete for a position on the global leader board and a chance to take part in time trials with the ‘Ghost race’ feature helping to build racing talents. In addition, the immersive experience lets users customise gameplay through a choice of racing environments, driving conditions as well as offering the ability to customise the cars themselves.

Kristien Wendt of Proelios, creators of the ‘Sports Car Challenge 2’ app,  highlighted the growing importance of mobile platforms to increase customer engagement, “Because of the accessibility, brand engagement, reach, measurement through data analytics and the hugely realistic worlds we can now create on mobile, clients are looking at how we integrate mobile gaming into campaigns, how we can connect, measure and interact with offline media such as outdoor posters and print advertising, and how we can use the gaming platform to generate greater consumer loyalty.”

Gamifying the app drives repeat engagement with consumers, creates greater reach opportunities, lets users build an affinity with the vehicles and ultimately, bridges the gap between virtual and real-life brand interaction.

http://thetoptier.net/index.php/home/luxury-vehicles-a-sports-cars/2947-3-ways-digital-innovation-is-driving-engagement-in-the-luxury-car-market

What luxury cars are celebrities driving?

Everyone envy’s the cars that celebrities both sides of the pond can afford to drive. whether you like the classic Ferraris that Chris Evans owns or the Eco friendly cars that the likes of Cameron Diaz and Diane Kruger drive, you are sure to find some little gems in the list below!

Audi: David Beckham (S8), Sandra Bullock (A6), Daniel Craig (S6), Vanessa Hudgens (A7), John Mayer (R8), Jason Statham (R8), Dwyane Wade (R8), Robert Downey Jr. (A7), Cristiano Ronaldo (RS6), Justin Timberlake (S8), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (S5), Chris Brown (R8), Taylor Lautner (R8), Sienna Miller (TT), Kevin Costner (S8), Zooey Deschanel (A5), Michael Bloomberg (R8), Phil Knight (R8), Taylor Swift (Q7), Zac Efron (S5), Zoe Saldana (A8), Miranda Kerr (A8), Harry Styles (R8)

Aston Martin: Dwyane Wade (Vanquish Volante), Jason Statham (DBS), Olivier Martinez (V8 Vantage), Ice-T (Vantage), Eddie Murphy (Vanquish), Ryan Seacrest (DB9), Pierce Brosnan (Vanquish), Adam Carolla (DB9), Jonathan Ives (DB9 and Vanquish), Lil Wayne (Vantage), Sylvester Stallone (DBS), Prince Charles (DB6), David Beckham (AMV8), Janet Jackson (Vanquish), Marc Anthony (DB7), Missy Elliott (Vanquish), Jamie Oliver (Vantage)

Bentley: Drake (Supersports), Jennifer Lopez (Continental), Prince William (Flying Spur), Bruce Willis (Continental), Eva Longoria (Continental), Jonathan Ives (Brooklands), Simon Cowell (Azure), Sylvester Stallone (Continental), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Supersports), Paris Hilton (Continental), Floyd Mayweather (Mulsanne), David Beckham (Supersports and Mulsanne), Cristiano Ronaldo (Continental), Ryan Seacrest (Flying Spur), The Game (Continental), Lil Wayne (Mulsanne), Sharon Stone (Continental), Scott Disick (Mulsanne), Queen of England (State Limousine), Carlos Slim (Flying Spur)

BMW: Brad Pitt (Hydrogen 7), Jessica Alba (750iL), Anne Hathaway (i3), Reese Witherspoon (Alpina B7), Heidi Klum (M6), Selena Gomez (X5), Cristiano Ronaldo (M6), Taylor Lautner (Z4), Will Ferrell (Hydrogen 7), Alanis Morissette (X5), Samantha Ronson (750iL), Sean Penn (Z3), Taye Diggs (X6)

Bugatti: Drake, Birdman, Flo Rida, Floyd Mayweather, The Game, Chris Brown

Ferrari: Pharrell (Enzo), Justin Bieber (458 Italia), Harry Styles (California), Kim Kardashian (F430), Jermaine Jackson (California), Eddie Murphy (599 GTB), Dwyane Wade (F12 Berlinetta), Rick Ross (458 Italia), Gordon Ramsay (F12 Berlinetta), Paris Hilton (F430), Adam Levine (365 GTC), 50 Cent (FF), Cristiano Ronaldo (599 GTO), John Mayer (599 GTB), LeBron James (F430 Spider), Ozzy Osbourne (458 Italia), Tommy Hilfiger (Enzo), Alex Rodriguez (575 Maranello), Hugh Grant (California), The Game (F430 Spider), Ashton Kutcher (California), Tyga (California), Seal (F430 Spider), Kobe Bryant (458 Italia Spider), Flo Rida (California), Ralph Lauren (F430 Scuderia), Keith Urban (F360), Usher (F430 Spider), Gucci Mane (458 Italia), Wyclef Jean (360 Spider), Adrien Brody (F430), Rod Stewart (599 GTB)

Ford: Shia LaBeouf (F150), John Mayer (Raptor), Heidi Klum (Raptor), Dwayne Johnson (F150), Simon Cowell (Bronco), Christina Aguilera (Mustang), Amber Heard (Mustang), Nick Jonas (Mustang), Shaquille O’Neal (Mustang), Benji Madden (Galaxie), Ken Block (Raptor)

Jaguar: Victoria Beckham (XJ), Kelly Rowland (F-Type), Lana Del Rey (XKF), Patrick Dempsey (XK120), Harrison Ford (XK140), Miranda Kerr (XJL), Danny Aiello (XJL), Jay Leno (E-Type), Kristin Davis (XF)

Lamborghini:  Kanye West (Aventador), Swizz Beatz (Aventador), Chris Brown (Gallardo and Aventador), Scott Disick (Aventador), Cristiano Ronaldo (Aventador), 50 Cent (Murcielago), Rick Ross (Murcielago), Missy Elliot (Gallardo), Robinho (Gallardo), Kobe Bryant (Aventador)

Lexus: Natalie Portman (RX), Paris Hilton (LFA), Paul McCartney (LS600h), Gisele Bündchen (RX), Owen Wilson (ES), Sarah Michelle Gellar (RX), Halle Berry (RX)

Maserati: Pierce Brosnan (GranTurismo), Miley Cyrus (Quattroporte), Lapo Elkann (Ghibli), Gwen Stefani (Quattroporte), Barry Diller (GranCabrio), Britney Spears (GranCabrio), Kylie Minogue (Gran Turismo), Katy Perry (GranCabrio)

Maybach: Madonna, Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Jay Z, Sean Combs, Kanye West, Rick Ross

McLaren: Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, David Beckham, Ludacris, Larry Ellison, Swizz Beatz, Dwayne Wade, Jay Leno, Will.i.am

Mercedes-Benz: Liev Schreiber (E350 wagon), Harry Styles (190 SL), Hilary Duff (G-Wagen), Jon Hamm (SLS AMG), Ashley Tisdale (G55), Tom Ford (G-Wagen), Ashley Olsen (G-Wagen), Kylie Jenner (G-Wagen), David Hasselhoff (CLS), Khloe Kardashian (G-Wagen), Gwen Stefani (G-Wagen), Bradley Cooper (G-Wagen), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai (G63 AMG), Jay Z (S-Class), Patrick Dempsey (SLS AMG and G-Wagen), Sandra Bullock (GL550), Eddie Murphy (SLS AMG), Tom Cruise (SLK), Justin Theroux (S550), Rick Ross (CLS and S550), Nigo (300 SL), Russell Crowe (S550), Usher (CLS), Jim Carrey (S550), Wyclef Jean (G-Wagen), Jensen Button (C63 AMG DR250), Britney Spears (G55 AMG), Selma Blair (ML 350), Shakira (SL 550), Shaquille O’Neal (S-Class), Jared Leto (SLS AMG), Tiger Woods (S65 AMG), Tobey Maguire (S400), Alec Baldwin (M-Class), Megan Fox (G-Wagen), Mark Wahlberg (SLS AMG)

Porsche: Kate Moss (vintage 911), David Beckham (911 Turbo Cabriolet), Dustin Hoffman (911 Cabriolet), Kanye West (Panamera Turbo), Patrick Dempsey (GT3), Hilary Duff (911), Keith Urban (Cayenne), Kiefer Sutherland (Panamera), Jonah Hill (911), Miley Cyrus (Cayenne GTS), Adam Levine (356 Speedster), Maria Sharapova (Panamera GTS), Cristiano Ronaldo (Cayenne Turbo), Ellen DeGeneres (911), LeBron James (911), The Game (Panamera), Jerry Seinfeld (various 911s), Keanu Reeves (911), Zach Braff (911), Adriana Lima (Cayenne), Lindsay Lohan (911 Cabriolet), Rihanna (911 Turbo), Chris Brown (Panamera), Samantha Ronson (911 Targa), Bruce Willis (911 GTS), Sylvester Stallone (Panamera), Pharrell (550 Spyder), Steven Tyler (911 Turbo), Matthew Perry (911 Cabriolet), LeAnn Rimes (Panamera), Ashley Tisdale (Boxster), Bill Gates (959), Michael Dell (Boxster), Robert Pattinson (Boxster)

Range Rover: Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Russell Brand, Kate Moss, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Robin Thicke, Sofia Vergara, Pippa Middleton, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Ryan Seacrest, Sharon Osbourne, Chris Brown, Shannen Doherty, Prince Harry, Queen of England, Courtney Cox, Alessandra Ambrosio, Richard Branson, Tim Burton, Hugh Jackman

Rolls-Royce: Swizz Beatz (Wraith), Jaime Foxx (Ghost), Ice-T (Ghost), Rick Ross (Wraith), Simon Cowell (Phantom), David Beckham (Phantom and Ghost), 50 Cent (Ghost), Snoop Dogg (Phantom), The Game (Ghost), Tom Brady (Ghost), Eddie Murphy (Phantom), Ryan Phillippe (Ghost), Shaquille O’Neal (Phantom), Missy Elliott (Phantom), Sean Combs (Phantom), Guy Ritchie (Ghost)

Tesla: Matt Damon, Eva Longoria, Jack Osbourne, Jeremy Renner, Shakira, Ashton Kutcher, Rachel Zoe, Laurence Fishburne

Toyota: Leonardo DiCaprio (Prius), Adrien Grenier (Prius), Ryan Gosling (Prius), Julia Roberts (Prius), Kirsten Dunst (Prius), Eric Schmidt (Prius), Sarah Jessica Parker (Prius)

Sources: Zimbio, X17 Online, Celebrity Cars Blog, Flickr, London Daily Mail, Autoevolution, UrbanDaddy’s DRIVEN, GT Spirit, Just Jared, Celebritycarz,

http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/luxury-cars/feature-1953959.php

 

Top 3 luxury cars you may consider buying in 2014

2014 is well on the way and it’s this time of year that people will start looking for their next car.

Here are 3 of the top luxury cars that you should be looking at before making a purchase.

These cars are not just high on comfort but also are high on power and refinement. Amid juggling between busy schedules and bad traffic snarls, a luxury car gives you that much needed relaxation space. In recent time many international car-makers have ventured into the Indian market space with the interesting lot of luxury cars.

Audi has recently bagged the top spot in terms of sales with over 10000 units being sold in the country last year. Terence Johnson, Vice-President, Overseas Sales, Audi AG, said, “We believe this market has tremendous potential for further growth of brand Audi. Reaffirming our commitment to the Indian market, we are bringing the Audi A3 Sedan – the next big Audi to India. We expect the Indian market to continue to grow and to contribute substantially to Audi’s global sales.” The German car-maker is relying heavily on the upcoming A3 sedan in India. As per sources the company is likely to assemble A3 at the Skoda Auto India Private Ltd’s manufacturing plant located in Aurangabad. Under the hood, a 1.8 litre TFSI gasoline motor is likely to be equipped that pumps out a maximum power of 180 Bhp and torque output of about 250 Nm respectively. Diesel variant on the other hand is expected to get a 2.0 litre,TDI powertrain that engenders a top power of 150Bhpand a peak torque of 320Nm.

Mercedes Benz GL63 AMG shall be powered by 5.5 litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine that enables the SUV to propel from 0 to 100 kmph within 4.9 seconds and acquires a top speed of 250 Kmph. The usual trim of GL is devoid of the mighty 5.5 litre motor that pumps out a pinnacle power of 557 Bhp along with a maximum torque output of 760 Nm. The 5.5 litre V8 engine comes fitted with a high-tech power package that consists of spray-guided direct petrol injection, bi-turbo charging, all-aluminium crankcase, Piezo injectors, air/water intercooling, alternator management and the ECO start/stop system.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe has just been launched in the country. The sedan is powered by astonishing 4.4 litre V8 gasoline motor with two win scroll turbochargers that is capable of churning out a maximum power output of about 552 Bhp between 6,000 to 7,000 RPM and a peak torque of 680 Nm between 1,500 to 5,750 RPM. The robust engine enables vehicle to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph within 4.2 seconds and attain a top speed of 250 Kmph. The engine is mated to a seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission that transmits power to the rear wheels. M6 Gran Coupe available in international markets offers enhanced power output along with an increased wheel rim size of 20 inch.

If you can’t afford to buy a luxury car, have a look at the cars you can hire on our website! http://hpiluxurycarhire.com/

Original story by Car Trade at  http://www.cartrade.com/car-bike-news/top-3-luxury-cars-you-may-consider-buying-in-2014-123505.html

 

Lamborghini Aventador Crash in London – Ouch!

 

A £250,000 supercar turned heads for the wrong reasons after it was involved in a three-car smash in Kensington.

The matt-black Lamborghini Aventador was left with damage to its front and had to be towed from the scene of the crash in Sloane Street.

Witnesses told how the rare supercar was in collision with a hatchback, causing the Lamborghini to veer off into a parked car.

After the crash, during which no one was hurt, shoppers in Sloane Street gathered around taking photos and videos.

Crash: The front right wing of the car was badly damaged Picture: Nigel HowardArt consultant Lila Afshar returned from a Mother’s Day lunch with her two daughters to discover their BMW had been the caught up in the collision.

Ms Afshar, from St John’s Wood, said: “We showed up about three hours after the incident and there was a letter on the windshield.

Witnesses said the rare supercar hit a hatchback and crashed into parked cars Picture: Nigel Howard“The Lamborghini was being towed away and the owner came up and explained what had happened.  He was really apologetic about it.”

The smash caused a mass outpouring of schadenfreude among witnesses on Twitter.

One user, who gave her name as Kate Sloane, wrote: “Smashed lambo on Sloane Street. The heart bleeds.”

Another posted: “Gutted for whichever footballer crashed their lambourgni on Sloane Street. Already people taking selfies with it.”

But one user took a more sympathetic approach, posting a photo and adding: “Not a good way to start a Sunday for this guy :(”

 

Thank you to The Evening Standard Motor Authority for this trending news.

Jaguar gears up to rival Porsche 911 with F-Type

Jaguar F-Type: looks as glorious in the metal as it does in its photographs

Several years ago, as Jaguar launched its new XJ, we got a chance to chat with its then chief executive Mike O’Driscoll. Within minutes the talk turned to future plans and there was only one car on his mind: a Jaguar rival to the Porsche 911.

At dinner that night he and his executive team outlined a very rough plan they were working on to give Jaguar a real halo model, something they could really hang their new sports luxury image on. The F-Type is the end result.

Most of those executives have moved on, but they must be happy with what’s now on the road. One man who is still there is Ian Callum, the brand’s chief designer and the one credited with shaking off the stuffy image of old and giving Jaguar real appeal.

As with the earlier launched convertible, the F-Type coupe comes with three engine options: the coupe with 3-litre V6 340bhp; coupe S with the same V6 and 380bhp or the flagship F-Type R with a V8 5-litre 550bhp.

The 8-speed automatic transmission – controlled from either the paddle shift on the steering wheel or a short stubby gear lever – gets the most from the powertrains.

With its concept car creases the F-Type looks as glorious in the metal as it does in its photographs, though colour choice is vital, as the award-winning lines are at their best in black, silver or white. In those colours it looks a worthy rival to a Maserati or Aston Martin. In red strangely it looks like a sibling of the Toyota GT86.

The compact cabin interior can feel a little confined, but that’ s the way with two-seater sports cars. It also boasts a lot of button controls, but the key one is te starter. Hit that and the hairs on the back of your neck spring to life. Acoustically the F-Type’s raspy engine note is addictive. A lot of work has gone into getting the sound right and enthusiasts will be enthralled.

Both on the road and on the test track the F-Type demonstrates incredible poise, albeit slightly unnerved by some badly surfaced corners. Nonetheless with the optional Adaptive Dynamics System fitted to the Coupe S we tested, there’s little chance of getting into trouble. From the hydraulic assisted steering – which is weighty and direct – to the incredible grip and smooth acceleration throught the eight-speed transmission, it’s a car that makes even the most ordinary driver feel talented.

The top of the range, the R Coupe also features an electronic active differential for high speed cornering precision and a new torque vectoring system for lower speed corrections. Both are impressive but even after some incredible fun at the racetrack in the R, it’s hard to look further than the Coupe S, given the difference in price between the two is a whopping €52,170. A blast across the Spanish plains with the F-Type R showcased what a complete package the flagship version is, with incredible power on tap. This is no grand tourer; it’s an all-out performance car with 550bhp on tap at any time and incredible cornering poise. Behind the wheel it’s hard to argue against, but while the heart says R, all but the most bulging of bank accounts will live well with the 3-litre V6 S and spend some extra cash on the optional ceramic brakes, which defy physics with their stopping power.

Pricing is attractive when pitted against its rivals at Porsche – and also against the more niche F-Type convertible variant already on sale. Whereas the convertible F-Type starts at €108,250, the arguably better looking coupe comes in at €94,820.

Meanwhile, the 350bhp Porsche 911 Carrera starts at €130,319, a detail Jaguar includes on its own pricelist, eager to remind everyone of who it has in its sights.

While the focus for now is on chasing those select group of sports car buyers looking for an alternative to Porsche, this is only the taster for what is arguably the most important car to feature the Jaguar brand in over a decade: the upcoming XE.

As the firm’s new rival to the 3-Series and Audi A4, reports suggest that engineers have been burning the midnight oil on this project. We may be excited by the F-Type and its eye-catching looks, but all the talk at Jaguar is of the car that will hit Irish roads this time next year.