Bentley has announced it is to create an exclusive limited-edition version of its flagship Mulsanne limousine for the European market.
Called the ‘Birkin’, the Crewe-based marque state that the new model is inspired by gentleman racer Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin, who piloted the brand’s racing cars in the ‘Bentley Boy’ era of the 1920s and 30s.
The Mulsanne is a far cry from the racing cars that “Tiger Tim” Birkin competed in, however, with the already opulent standard specification taken to new heights.
Limited to just 22 examples, the Birkin Mulsannes will be available in three colours: Ghost White, Damson and a contrasting two-tone Fountain Blue and Dark Sapphire finish.
Birkin models are further denoted by their unique 21-inch wheel design, inspired by those on the original Mulsanne concept car, and 3D ‘Flying B’ emblems stitched into the headrests and inlaid into the dashboard’s polished wood trim.
The door trims and seats are finished in diamond-quilted leather, with the headlining is also slathered in soft leather. A unique knurling to the interior metalwork completes the design enhancements.
Customers will also receive a handcrafted three-piece luggage set, coloured to match the interior of the car.
Obviously aimed at those who travel great distances, the Birkin Bentleys are equipped with twin 8-inch LCD screens in the headrests, a DVD player and a Wi-Fi hotspot, and integrated iPads, allowing rear seat passengers to work or play as the mood takes them.
Power is unchanged from the regular Mulsanne, though this is no bad thing, given the car is equipped with an enormous 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 engine. Developing 505bhp, it is enough to get this near three-tonne leviathan from 0-60mph in a Porsche Boxster S baiting 5.1 seconds.
The price hike over the standard car’s £225,000 asking price has yet to be announced. But if you have to ask….
McLaren, the iconic British sports car brand, has introduced three retro-styled fashion collections inspired by cars, drivers and the most exhilarating moments from its 50 years of race-winning history. McLaren 50, McLaren 50 by Hunziker and James Hunt Racing Collection comprise a range of clothing and accessories celebrating the best of this remarkable journey. Originally released in August 2013 there are still great items available and all items can be purchased directly from the McLaren Store – www.mclarenstore.com.
The McLaren 50 collection includes a commemorative range of classically styled clothing and collectables available for men and women. The renowned automotive artist, Nicolas Hunziker, designed the McLaren 50 by Hunziker line comprising five retro-styled t-shirts and inspired by the most accomplished McLaren cars in Formula 1™ history. Concluding this vintage offering is the collection designed by James Hunt Racing in collaboration with the Hunt family and Hunziker to celebrate the achievements and style of this British racing legend.
McLaren 50
A classic white polo shirt with vintage McLaren 50 logo, twin striped detail in McLaren Orange and deep blue on the chest is available for men only and has been inspired by a shirt worn by Bruce McLaren in 1966 at his 24 Hours of Le Mans victory. The polo shirt is complemented with a unisex, hooded sweatshirt in classic black, with vibrant, contrasting McLaren Orange lining and drawstring. This comfy essential for any race fan also features an embroidered ‘speedy kiwi’ logo on the chest, in honor of Bruce McLaren’s New Zealand roots, and McLaren 50 logo detail on the cuff.
Available for women is a stylish black t-Shirt with Bruce McLaren’s famous quote: “Life is measured in achievement not in years alone” in contrasting McLaren Orange and his signature in silver. The sleek, slim-fit top features a flattering scoop neckline and gives female fans a great opportunity to own a fashionable souvenir marking 50 years of McLaren. Concluding the collection is a beautifully-detailed, unisex bracelet made with orange and black fabric and inspired by design cues evident throughout McLaren heritage cars.
McLaren 50 by Hunziker
The McLaren Orange t-shirt with a silk-screened retro print of the McLaren M7A and classic logo design of the time pays tribute to Bruce McLaren’s racing car, which won the first ever Grand Prix for McLaren at Spa in 1968. Also, celebrating classic moments in the history of the brand is a steel grey t-shirt featuring arguably the most successful Formula 1™ car McLaren has ever built – the all-conquering MP4/4 – driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost to win 15 out of 16 races during the 1988 season. Making a great present for avid McLaren fans the t-shirt features some striking details including a contrasting red neckband and a distinctive McLaren 50 logo on the sleeve.
James Hunt Racing Collection
This cool range of vintage clothing includes a unisex embroidered black cap featuring James Hunt’s signature, his recognizable blue, yellow and red stitching and bold helmet graphics with number 11 in tribute to his racing career and the iconic McLaren Ford M23. Female fans can celebrate their favorite racing hero with a smart, deep black polo shirt featuring a contrasting neckband, James Hunt logo and Union Jack print on the left sleeve. Available for men is a classic grey t-shirt featuring a vintage wash print of Hunt’s racing helmet and making a fantastic addition to the wardrobe of any racing enthusiast.
McLaren 50, McLaren 50 by Hunziker and James Hunt Racing Collection are available for limited time only and can be purchased directly from the McLaren eStore – www.mclarenstore.com – with prices ranging between £29.95 and £49.95.
The 2015 Audi A8 L Security might be the perfect car for any one worried about keeping safe. This fantastic car now comes with enough security features to satisfy the most demanding clients.Audi made a few tweaks to the A8 full-size luxury sedan lineup for 2015, but the A8 L Security has a few options you won’t find on other models.That’s because the Security is an armored car designed for protecting civilians in dangerous locales. Audi calls it the most exclusive A8 model.Only available in long-wheelbase form, the A8 L Security looks exactly like an unarmored A8, right down to the LED headlights.Yet this car is certified by the German Ballistics Testing Center as a bullet-resistant vehicle. Passengers are encased in a shell of heat-formed steel, aramids fabric, ceramics, and a special aluminum alloy used in the floor that can withstand an exploding hand grenade.The windows are made from a special glass that includes a layer of polycarbonate to prevent splintering. Opening windows are optional, but there is a standard “door stop” function for holding open the heavy armored doors.Another standard feature is a communications box mounted in the trunk, because you can’t always outrun trouble.
Optional features include armor plating for the fuel tank and battery, a fire extinguisher, fresh air system for the cabin, and an emergency exit system that uses explosives to open the doors in the event of a power failure.
The A8 L Security is available with one of two engines: a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 435 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque or a 6.3-liter W12 with 500 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system is standard.
Despite all that power, the A8 L Security’s armor adds a few pounds (Audi won’t say how many) to the curb weight. That explains the relatively leisurely 0 to 62 mph times of 7.5 seconds for the V8 and 7.1 seconds for the W12. Audi also had to fit special tires with a higher load index to deal with the bulk.
Speed may be a better bet than endurance when escaping the bad buys. Audi estimates fuel economy for the V8 model to be in the neighborhood of 21.5 mpg, or 17.4 mpg for the W12.
Audi is taking orders for the 2015 A8 L Security, with deliveries set to begin in the third quarter of 2014. The price is classified, for n0w.
It might look like the inside of a private jet, but this stunning interior belongs to a farmer’s Land Rover.
The iconic Land Rover Defender is a favourite of the Royal family, despite its basic interior and lack of comforts.
But one farmer decided he wanted classic design and off-road capability, but with added luxury – so got in touch with Carisma Auto Design, and set about transforming the 4×4.
The result is the Carisma Defender D1, an £80,000 transformation of the trusty off-roader, which only cost £20,000 to begin with.
It now boasts foldaway tables, a drinks cabinet with lead crystal glassware, dimmable mood lighting and an on-board PC, complete with wi-fi.
No expense was spared for the transformation, which also has an interior made from Connolly hide, and the ceiling and side panels have been trimmed in a matching quilt.
Clive Drake, sales boss at the Essex-based firm, said: ‘Satisfying special and unusual requests is a key part of our specialist skills and services.
Thanks to www.uk.news.yahoo.co.uk for sharing this with us.
On 6 January, the new Porsche Macan made its UK debut in a distinctive window display at the world-famous Harrods store on the Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London.
The new Macan is the first Porsche in the compact SUV segment, and received its global unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November. Now, it is being shown in London until 5 February, two months ahead of its formal arrival in Porsche Centres in the UK.
In addition to being renowned for its cosmopolitan clientele, Knightsbridge in London is also rated as one of the top destinations for enthusiasts to spot the world’s newest and most exotic sports cars. It is therefore appropriate that the newest addition to the Porsche family makes its first public appearance here.
Fresh from celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, an example of the iconic 911 coupé – in this case, the new 560 hp Turbo S – sits beside the Macan in the display, together with the latest Panamera S E-Hybrid, the world’s first plug-in hybrid in the executive saloon class.
Special prominence is given to a scale-model of the ground-breaking 918 Spyder, a plug-in hybrid super sports car which features a V8 petrol engine and two electric motors to deliver 887 hp combined. The two-seater has set a new production car lap record around the Nürburgring race track of 6:57 secs, yet offers an outstanding breadth of performance that includes being able to return up to 94 mpg and 70 g/km CO2.
Each day between 10:00 and 20:00, fans, prospective customers and passers-by alike will be able to get up close to each of the cars on display and find out more information – furthermore, a series of evening receptions are planned to formally introduce the new Macan.
“We are delighted to be able to show the new Porsche Macan here at Harrods in London throughout January,” said Ragnar Schulte, Marketing Director, Porsche Cars Great Britain. “It is a great opportunity to see the car since it will not be arriving at the official Porsche Centres until the beginning of April.”
Harrods Media Director, Guy Cheston, added;”Harrods’ iconic exhibition windows are one of the most sought after and visited retail display areas in the world, and we’re thrilled to showcase the latest Porsche models to our discerning, international clientele.
The Porsche Macan – the most dynamic vehicle in the compact sports utility vehicle segment
As the first Porsche in the compact SUV segment, the Macan will set new standards in terms of dynamic performance, both on the road and over uneven terrain. This is because the Macan combines the typical handling characteristics that have become indelibly associated with Porsche. The sporting DNA of the Macan, as with every Porsche, is immediately recognisable in the design, with several styling cues taken from other models and then enhanced for the Macan. It is therefore clear to see from the very first glance that the Porsche Macan is the first compact SUV that is also a sports car.
The Macan is available in three versions, and each features Porsche Traction Management (PTM) active all-wheel drive and the Porsche PDK double-clutch transmission. With a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and 258 hp (190 kW), the Macan S Diesel is the long-distance sports car. The engine accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds and returns an average of 46.3 mpg (NEDC). The Macan S is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers 340 hp (250 kW), accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds and returns up to 32.5 mpg (NEDC). The 3.6-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine in the Macan Turbo produces 400 hp (294 kW) and accelerates the vehicle to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of up to 31.7 mpg (NEDC).
The Macan S Diesel and Macan S are priced from £43,300, and the Macan Turbo is priced from £59,300.Standard equipment on all models includes Porsche Traction Management (PTM), seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) double-clutch transmission, alloy wheels, digital radio, front and rear ParkAssist, floor mats, multi-function steering wheel with gearshift paddles, electronic tailgate release, USB port connection and a three-year warranty.
The Macan Turbo adds BOSE Surround Sound audio system,Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with satellite navigation, leather interior, alcantara roof lining, 18-way adjustable adaptive front sports seats with memory, Bi-Xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), sideblades in exterior colour and 19 inch diameter alloy wheels.
Jaguar North America has announced Sir Ben Kingsley, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Strong to apper in “Rendezvous,” its 60-second television advertisement to debut during the second half of Super Bowl XLVIII. Their largest-ever brand and product marketing campaign called “British Villains,” introduces the Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe (on sale spring, 2014). The TVC was filmed by Oscar-winning British director, Tom Hooper, in London.
“With ‘British Villains,’ Jaguar will present itself on the Super Bowl stage as a challenger to the usual luxury car suspects, with a unique cinematic expression of our modern British style,” said Jeff Curry, Brand Vice President, Jaguar North America. “With the three renowned actors, Sir Ben, Tom and Mark, who have all played memorable film rogues, we have brought together the best of British film to star in a major motion picture caliber campaign that addresses the simple cultural observation that Brits often play the best villains in film. This talent, coupled with the direction of Academy Award-winner director Tom Hooper, enables us to launch our campaign for the F-TYPE Coupe in a manner that captures the new spirit of the entire brand inspired by our latest sports car.”
“Jaguar is truly a beloved British brand and it’s exciting to help them make some noise as they debut in a beloved American event, the Super Bowl,” said Sir Ben Kingsley. “As for being known for playing the roles of renowned villains, I’ll have to ponder that one – I think I’m flattered?!”
“2014 will continue a very significant period in the growth of the Jaguar brand, marked by quickly rising sales, and new beautifully designed products coming to market, like the F-TYPE Coupe this year, and in the future, an all-new compact sports sedan,” added Curry. “This is perhaps the brand’s most memorable marketing campaign and deserves to appear in one of the most-watched sporting events, the Super Bowl.”
“British Villains” captures the premise that Brits have long made the best villains in landmark films, combining intelligence with charm, restlessness with calm, and always confident. In the world of pop culture, villains disrupt the status quo and challenge the establishment, while living one step ahead of, and better than, the pack. The campaign asks the question, ‘Have you ever noticed how in Hollywood movies, all the villains are played by Brits?’ It was filmed by Hooper in London in a creative partnership with his Smuggler Films production house.
“This is one of those jobs that can really be a lot of fun, so I was quite happy to oblige when Jaguar asked me to be a part of their first Super Bowl commercial,” said Hooper. “To work with the caliber of great actors we cast in this project is a truly special experience on its own and reflects the cinematic approach that we took in the production with Jaguar.”
Unlike in Dubai this supercar wont actually be patrolling so in this case things aren´t as they first seem to be but it is still an attention grabbing sight to see the McLaren 12c Spider with Police livery.
Safety: Police hope mocked up 200mph supercar will spread safety message
Britain’s fastest police car has been unveiled – a McLaren supercar capable of a scorching 207mph.
The £240,000 McLaren 12c Spider, was revealed at the Autosport International event in Birmingham on Saturday – but it won’t be patrolling the motorways any time soon.
The supercar, which can do 0-60 in just 3 seconds is on loan from Formula 1 manufacturers McLaren.
It’s been mocked up with full police livery in the hope that it will break down barriers with motorists and spread a road safety message.
Chief Inspector Paul Keasey, from West Midlands based Central Motorway Police Group, said: “Shows like this are a fantastic opportunity for us to meet and engage with motorists who are interested in performance cars and are out and about on our roads.”
PC Angus Nairn – star of BBC TV show Motorway Cops – will be behind the wheel of the supercar through the weekend, and hopes it will be a bit hit.
“We have taken extraordinary cars to the event before and the response has been overwhelming” he said.
“People literally flock around them. The McLaren 12C is a stunning looking car, capable of high speed. With the police livery it will certainly be very remarkable and look like no other sports car.”
He also hoped it would drive a road safety message through to young motoring enthusisasts.
He said: “Although the car won’t be used operationally on the motorways, at the show we get a lot of interest from younger drivers and those with an interest in performance cars and that gives us the chance to talk with them over issues of road safety.
“Excess speed, using mobile phones, drink driving and not using seatbelts are a few of the topics we will discuss.”
Germany is thought to have the world’s fastest police car, after they introduced a Brabus Rocket with a top speed of 255mph.
Still, the West Midlands Police Department has a long way to go if it wants to keep pace with the Dubai law enforcement crew. The Dubai police already have the 12C. They also have an Aventador, a GT-R, a Ferrari FF, and even an Aston Martin One-77. Now that is a fleet of cars… and it’s only part of a longer list that also includes a Bugatti Veyron.
Reported by http://www.mirror.co.uk and www.motorauthority.com
Model, actress and Real Housewife Joanna Krupa was spotted giving the paparazzi a real show while washing her white Ferrari 458 Italia recently. Could you imagine if Kim Kardashian did this with her Ferrari 458?
Our American clients still have a few weeks to visit “Porsche by Design: Seducing Speed” at North Carolina Museum of Art, as the museum has extended the exhibit until February 2 of 2014. Since opening in October of last year, the exhibit has attracted thousands of Porsche fans, and featured rare cars such as a Type 64 from the Automuseum Prototyp from Hamburg, Germany, Ralph Lauren’s 959, Miles Collier’s 917 in Martini & Rossi livery, as well as a factory 16-cylinder race car that was built as a technology demonstrator. Visitors also got to see Steve McQueen’s 356A Speedster, on loan from his son Chad, in addition to many other prototypes and historic race cars.
The exhibition hosted a number of short documentaries about Porsche.
“Porsche by Design has been extremely popular with our traditional members and visitors, as well as visitors from across the country who are intrigued by high design and the idea of cars in an art museum,” said Museum Director Lawrence J. Wheeler. “We’re thrilled to keep the exhibition open for an additional two weeks and excited to offer a ‘hoods up’ event to the public.”
2013 being the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911, a number of celebrations took place in addition to the release of an anniversary 911 model, though we can’t think of a better way to wrap up the year’s festivities than to see historic Porsches and learn about where it all began. In addition to two museum members-only “Hoods Up” events, the museum will also host one open to the public over an entire weekend.
“Porsche by Design: Seducing Speed” will stay open through Feb. 2, at the North Carolina Museum of Art (www.ncartmuseum.org) in Raleigh, N.C. Visit the museum’s website here or call (919) 839-6262 for hours and directions.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com, thanks to Jay Ramey. Picture from www.performance.porschedealer.com
She’s usually surprising audience members with unexpected gifts on her show, but Ellen DeGeneres recently gave her wife Portia de Rossi a shock.
Sharing it all in a segment titled Celebrity Christmas Stories, the affable host explained, ” ‘I got her a car. That was easy. But I had to hide it in the attic…which was not easy. It was a car she really, really wanted and was obsessed with this car. It’s pretty rare.
Setting the scene, the 55-year-old comedian begins, “So there is a car called The Defender, and there aren’t a lot of them, and every time she sees one, she says ‘I love that truck. I love that it is so cool.’ But they are hard to find. I found one in Texas. I had it trucked in and I parked it in a shopping area I knew we were going to go shopping in later that day and had the bow on it. So we were walking and I knew she would notice it, so I filmed it with my phone.”
Spotting the vehicle immediately, the “Arrested Development” star asks, “What about that car, did you get me that for Christmas?” Upon seeing Ellen with a keys, the shocked actress exclaims, What, are you kidding?” Check out her reaction in the player below.
If you think this is a great reaction, imagine the surprise of your better half when you surprise them with a Ferrari , Bentley or any luxury car when you rent one through Hemingway Luxury Car Hire. We are excellent at planning surprises so just let us know it is a surprise gift when you book your luxury car through us this year.
