All Things Alpha

Daily Zen

2011-09-15T10:03:00.001-07:00

Lambo Sesto Elemento

2011-09-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

The body of the 570-horsepower V10 supercar is made almost entirely from carbon fiber, which is the sixth element -- or "Sesto Elemento" in Italian -- on the periodic table

Slice me up some of that American Dream

2011-09-14T15:41:00.002-07:00

2011-09-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

Good morning

2011-09-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Land Rover Defender Concept

2011-09-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Bugatti Boat

2011-09-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Bugatti can do anything.

New Caddy to knock your socks off

2011-09-14T15:32:00.001-07:00

Eat your heart out Sinatra.

America Finally Gets it Right

2011-07-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

With this new 2011 Dodge Durango. Granted, this is the Alpha Blog, where all things are Alpha. And many people wouldn't necessarily think Durango when they think Alpha, but look out boy, America's times they's a changing.

Check out the new 2011 Dodge SUV-

Goetz Brothers

2011-02-23T10:03:00.001-08:00

Kevin and Michael Goetz work harmoniously together, both investing the same visual style and narrative direction into each project. “It all starts with preparation. Filmmaking is a collaborative art-- all we do is take that collaboration and run with it.” With the adage two heads are stronger than one, the Brothers Goetz have been directing commercials and music videos for over 12 years, helming projects for Nissan, Honda, Disney, HBO, State Farm, McDonald’s and BMW to name a few. Recently, they just finished a campaign for the hugely successful Call of Duty Black Ops video game franchise.

Strand Super Yacht

2010-12-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

I have just replaced the wallpaper on my superficial mind. This now takes it place.
Sail across the pond to New York, pull up next to the Statue of Liberty, fire up the ‘tender,’ drive it into the city, valet at the Setai 5th Avenue, and you’re living the life.
Sure it’s just a concept. And sure, it’s probably a crooked ponzi moneymaking scheme. After all, the company claims the ‘supercar’ will do 230 plus MPH. Not even the cutting edge Bugatti pulls that off-yet.
Still, if you have 24.5 million, blow it on this Strand Super Yacht and get a 880hp V12 super car as your tender. With it’s own garage.
The luxury boat will have 4 state rooms, each containing a 52-inch LED TV and sound system. (Couldn’t they make ‘em 65” TV’s?) Power comes by way of a twin MTU 16V000 engine, which can reach speeds up to 43 knots, or 55 knots if the Rolls Royce KaMeWa boosters are added.
Only 6 will be made, worldwide. And five have already been ordered. How convenient. Still, hats off to the conceptual artist.

Jag's new purr has a peculiar buzzing sound...

2010-11-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

I admit it- I was one of the first to slam electric cars-- first they take our manuals, then they take our engines, soon they'll take our steering wheels...

This new electric Jag has me second guessing- a total plug and play model that does 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and hits 205 mph with 790 (electric) horses buzzing under the carbon fiber.

Jaguar’s new supercar concept, the C-X75 makes its North American debut in Los Angeles this month. This plug-in halo car joins high-end concept supercars exploring electric propulsion, such as Porsche’s 918 concept and Audi’s e-tron concept. The C-X75 builds on Jaguar’s legacy of high-end supercars in the vein of its XJ220 or XJR-15. Jag has yet to disclose any build or pricing dates. Just dangling the carrot for now.

2010-11-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

Remember that big boned girl who really, really tried hard to be sexy? And most of the time, she pulled it off? Well, that's a lot like Land Rover- a company long known for bloated SUV's and unmatched off-roading abilities has been desperately trying to become SEXY. (Just look at their commercials.)

What do you think? Have they finally succeeded? This is the new Evoque, Land Rover’s compact Range Rover. The Evoque has been unveiled with the promise that the car would be the smallest, lightest, cleanest Range Rover ever. The company has built the small, sexy beast based on the same platform as the LRX concept with no change whatsoever.

The Evoque has been offered as Land Rover’s first front-wheel drive vehicle. Concerns for the environment have also gone into its making with efforts having been undertaken to snip CO2 emissions below 130g/km on the fwd, diesel version that comes powered by a Ford-PSA-sourced 2.2 TD. The London unveiling saw the three-door Evoque, and it is being said that a five-door version will soon come through.

Showcased as an exclusive, cosmopolitan and sophisticated model, the Evoque will most likely fit the up-and-coming Burberry scarved, mocha latte female (and a few metro men). Pricing begins at 45k and units roll out summer of 2011.

Christmas Gifts...

2010-11-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

With Christmas right around the corner, it's time to start looking into the perfect gift. And this just might be it. A perfect, 1:1 scale replica of the space shuttle. Sure, it doesn't really work, but it looks cool. Plop it by your pool, turn it into a guest house and you, my friend, will have lift off. Price: 2.2 million, not including set up, transpo, decorating. (Thanks Jesus @ Gizmodo.)

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

2011 Confederate Motor P120 Fighter Black Flag

2010-09-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

Base price: $72,000

Price as tested: $80,000

Powertrain: Air-cooled, carbureted, JIMS radial twin, six-speed

Displacement: 120 cubic inches, or 1,966 cc

Rear wheel torque: 135 pound-feet

Rear wheel horsepower: 160

Dry weight: 460 lbs.

Seat height: 27 inches

Best Pool. Ever.

2010-09-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

The World’s Most Incredible Hotel Pool Opens In Singapore

There’s no doubt there are rooms with pretty spectacular views at the brand-new Marina Bay Sands hotel, but it’s hard to imagine topping the vista from the rooftop infinity pool, 55 storeys above Singapore.

Swimming to the edge isn’t quite as dangerous as it looks. While the water in the infinity pool appears to end in a sheer drop, it actually spills into a catchment area where it is pumped back into the main pool. At three times the length of an Olympic-sized pool and 650 ft. above street level, it is the largest outdoor pool in the world at that height.

The incredible pool is a highlight of the boat-shaped 'SkyPark' perched atop the three towers that make up the world's most expensive hotel, the $6.4 billion Marina Bay Sands development designed by Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. The hotel, which features 2,560 rooms starting at over $500 a night, was officially opened recently with a concert by Diana Ross.

The title of world’s most expensive hotel was previously held by the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, estimated to have cost $3.2 billion when it opened in 2004. But with its indoor canal, opulent art, casino, outdoor plaza, convention centre, theatre, crystal pavilion and museum shaped like a lotus flower, the Marina Bay Sands has taken its crown.

Inside the resort, shoppers can ride along an indoor canal in Sampan boats styled on traditional Chinese vessels from the 17th century. The owners commissioned five well-known artists to create works of art designed to 'integrate' with the buildings. Among these is a 40 metre-long sculpture made from 16,100 steel rods. The whole thing weighs 14.8 tons and it took 60 people to assemble it in the hotel. Another dramatic artwork is titled Rising Forest and consists of 83 three-metre-high pots with trees in them. The pots were so big the artist had to build a customised kiln the size of a small building to make them in.

Finally, a Ferrari Theme Park

2010-09-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

I've always said why don't they build a car themepark? Cars inherently give an adrenaline rush (come on, even in a Yugo, if you go around a corner too fast...) They're sexy, sleek and they epitomize speed. Especially Ferrari.

Looks like, they've finally done it.

On Oct. 28, if all goes according to plan, Ferrari World will welcome visitors to what the automobile company claims will be the world’s largest indoor theme park. The park, about 21 acres, is in Abu Dhabi, about an hour from Dubai.

All the park’s roughly 20 attractions, dressed in an abundance of rosso corsa (”race red”), will celebrate the Italian sports-car maker and its relentless pursuit of speed.

A look at Ferrari World’s coasters, rides and shows:

Coasters
Formula Rossa — This hydraulically launched Formula One-styled coaster accelerates to 149 mph in just 4 seconds, which is said to make it the fastest coaster in the world. Riders will be issued skydiving goggles to protect against sandstorms during the 1¼-mile indoor-outdoor journey.

Fiorano GT Challenge — The twin-tracked-launched, dueling coaster features Ferrari F430 Spider-themed trains that race to the finish line.

V12 — A flume ride through the 12-cylinder heart of a Ferrari 599 engine. The park’s most unusual ride.

Rides
Viaggio in Italia — An aerial voyage over Italian cities, monuments, mountains and coastlines while pursuing a Ferrari. Similar to Disney’s Soarin’ hang-gliding rides.

I've always wanted to go to Dubai.

Meet the "A" Boat

2010-08-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Malibu, CA -- At the top of a spiral staircase lined with scalloped, silver-leaf walls (the banister cost $60,000) is a door accessible by a fingerprint security system. It opens to an all-white, 2,583-square-foot master suite wrapped in bomb-proof, 44-milimeter glass. There, a king-sized bed sits on a giant platter that rotates with the press of a silver button. Another set of buttons rotates the bed itself. The combination of the rotating bed and the rotating platter allows limitless angles for watching the sunset, sunrise or the 60-inch plasma TV, which retracts from the ceiling.

And of course, everything's afloat.

In the battle among Russia's billionaires for yacht supremacy, Roman Abramovich's upcoming 540-foot Eclipse may soon become the biggest, but Andrey Melnichenko's 394-foot "A" has become the most talked-about yacht on the seas.

With its radical shape—more sleek submarine than boxy pleasure boat—and reams of custom parts and finishes (including bath knobs costing $40,000 apiece), "A" is a conspicuous marker of an ocean-going plutocracy that's largely been untouched by the recession. The boat, designed by Philippe Starck and completed in mid-2008 for more than $300 million, has spawned a flotilla of copycats emulating its low-slung hull and design scheme. Numerous companies involved in its construction went bankrupt, done in by the novelty of the project and the level of customization required.

For all its fame, "A" remains a bit mysterious. Its owner, a 38-year-old banking, steel and fertilizer czar, is intensely private and requires all his construction crew and staff to sign strict confidentiality agreements (he declined comment for this article). He and his wife only rarely entertain on board, and few public images of the boat's interior exist.

Dirk Kloosterman, "A"'s project manager and a veteran of the world's largest yachts, recently provided an exclusive tour of the boat's 23,600 square feet of living space.

The boat's interior departs dramatically from most conventions of yacht design. Instead of the usual overstuffed couches and mahogany walls, there are Baccarat-crystal tables, shiny white finishes and polished silver, a kind of Manhattan-loft-meets-Vegas aesthetic. Many of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling mirrors, which Mr. Starck says have a built-in "mathematical beauty" that also refer to the "mathematical genius" of Mr. Melnichenko.

The walls of one room are covered in white sting-ray hides, while another is covered in hand-stitched calf's leather. The main deck features two Michel Haillard chairs made from alligator hides and Kudo horns. Known for his mischievous streak, Mr. Starck outfitted "A" with risqué touches like the suite dubbed the "nookie room" by the crew, with its white circular bed with padded walls and a ceiling-mounted TV.

Mr. Starck says that while most megayachts are "vulgar" statements of wealth and power, "A" was designed to be in harmony with the sea and nature. "This boat has elegance and intelligence, it is not trying to show the money," he adds.

As with many Russian-owned yachts, "A" is highly secure. Its rounded exterior and knife-like hull make it difficult for intruders to board. It has 44 security cameras and more than a dozen exterior cameras fitted with motion-detection systems and a night-vision infrared system.

It is also designed to outrun threats: Twin, high-speed diesel engines deliver 24,000 horsepower and push the 5,959-gross-ton ship to 24 knots, roughly a third faster than most boats its size. The boat, which is stabilized by fiber-optic gyroscopes and four giant motorized flaps, is rumored to also be equipped with a pod-like escape system, but the staff declined to comment.

A transom door in the rear of the boat, which swings with open to become a swim deck, is fitted with so many hydraulics, locking pins, rotating stairs and electronics that it cost around $25 million to build. The company that made it eventually went bankrupt, along with the company that made the bomb-proof wrap-around glass encasing the master suite and the company that built the hydraulic gangways. The ship's two main landing boats are mini-yachts themselves, stretching to 36 feet, boasting plush interiors and costing more than $1 million each.

There's little sign that the billionaire boat boom is ending. The recession has certainly hit the "middle-class" yacht market, as banks cut back on boat loans and mere millionaires struggle to rebuild their fortunes. Orders for boats of more than 80 feet fell to 753 last year from 992 in 2008, according to Showboats International magazine. Yet orders for superyachts, or those more than 250 feet, were actually up more than 20% in 2009, according to Showboats.

"A" has a crew of between 35 to 37 people, including stewards and stewardesses, mechanical engineers, security staff, housekeepers, deck hands, galley crew and chefs. The crew also has specialists for surfing, jet skiing, water skiing and cycling. All of the crew wear Starck-designed uniforms—crisp white dress shirts and white pants for daytime, and tight, black T-shirts and slacks for evening. The boat costs over $20 million a year to maintain; Filling the gas tank costs more than $500,000.

There are many discussion groups and forums about "A" online, with titles like "The Ugliest Yacht in the World" and "Should Philippe Starck Design Boats?" Debates can get heated: On the "Insider's Guide to St. Bart's"—a Web site frequented by vacationers on the upscale Caribbean island—dozens of "A" spotters tracked the boat's daily movements.

The 727 Fuselage Suite

2009-11-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

Like the name implies, this is indeed a hotel where you sleep within the Fuselage of a 727 airplane. Join the mile high club at 34 feet.

Located in Costa Rica, is a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe which, in a previous life, shuttled globetrotters to and from South Africa.

The suite has been renovated carefully into a two-bedroom, fully outfitted suite as part of Hotel Costa Verde's new look. With hand-carved, teak wood furnishings imported from Indonesia, no expense has been spared in this crafty refurbish. Guests can relax in their air-conditioned bedrooms, or relax on the seaside balcony which sits atop the Boeing's massive wing.

Cost- 400-500 bucks a night.

Check out this 25 million dollar Malibu Mansion

2009-10-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Jet Luxury Resorts, a premiere provider of 4 and 5 star properties, is proud to announce the launch of their new JLR Estates Division. Jet Luxury Resorts continues to provide the finest in affordable luxury to their clientele. With this added Estates Division, Jet Luxury Resorts will be able to provide all options to their guest, from High-end Luxury Hotel accommodation worldwide to estates where an entire family can stay together.

Jet Luxury Resorts’ mission is to provide the traveling community all forms of luxury and to do so at the most affordable prices possible. “We are very excited about our growth into this market,” states Steve Aylsworth, COO of Jet Luxury Resorts. “Our purpose is to provide the best in affordable luxury to our guests and the implementation of the estate division will add to the variety of accommodations we can provide our guest - matching our properties with their specific needs.”

Accompanying the launch of their new division, Jet Luxury Resorts recently produced an engaging viral commercial and a high-resolution 4k digital virtual tour of their inaugural property in Malibu, California.

The property, located within the prestigious Pt. Dume Rivera section of Malibu, sits on over an acre of oceanfront land and has been featured in numerous media outlets (including the hit ABC show “The Bachelor” and "Fantasy
Open House” on Home and Garden Television.) It has been described as one of the most desirable ocean front estates in the world. The home, designed by renowned architect Carl Volante, features a tennis court, two guest homes, a wine cellar, a pool and spa with waterfalls overlooking the ocean and a private staircase to the sand.

The addition of the new JLR Estates division accompanies a well-established roster of 4 and 5 star resort accommodations such as the St. Regis NY, the Limelight Lodge Aspen and The Buena Vista Luxury Villas in Costa Rica. The notable addition of the new JLR Estates Division brings not only more options of luxurious accommodations to the guest, but also peace of mind to estate owners looking to solidify rental revenue.

YachtPlus' new Ocean Emerald

2009-09-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Fractional ownership company YachtPlus, officially launched it's first superyacht, Ocean Emerald. This much anticipated event took place at Porto Lotti, La Spezia, Italy in the presence of the yacht's designer, the world renowned architect Norman Foster.

Ocean Emerald will be the first of four identical superyachts to be launched by the company over the next two years, all of which are currently under construction at the Italian boatyard Rodriquez Cantieri Navali in Sarzana, Italy. The next two superyachts to launch will be Ocean Pearl and Ocean Sapphire.

This spectacular and contemporary 41 metre masterpiece has been designed with a strong emphasis on space and light and has five suites for up to 12 guests at any one time who will be looked after by a permanent, highly trained crew of seven to cater to their every need. The internal planning of the yacht offers total flexibility to respond to the most discerning requirements of the owners and their guests and keen attention has been paid to design and detail ranging from the internal and external areas to cutlery, crockery, fabrics and crew uniforms. All furnishings and fittings are provided by the Italian manufacturer Cassina and kitchen and galley equipment by Schiffini.

Design
The yacht’s design concept is the result of the work over a 15-month period by a permanent team of 7 architects at Foster + Partners in London and Italy, headed by Lord Foster himself.

The result is a new concept luxury yacht that compares very favourably to many predecessors in her type, with four genuine deck levels offering over 30% more outdoors and indoors space than any yacht in her category.
The YachtPlus Programme

In order to join the YachtPlus ownership lifestyle programme an initial payment of EUR 1.850.000 will give a 1/8th shared ownership of the yacht and guarantees 34 days per year on board – 11days in the Mediterranean during summer, 11 days in the Caribbean during winter and two six day cruises. In addition there will be an annual service charge of EUR 200.000. Ultimately 1/8th ownership will also give access to the YachtPlus fleet of yachts worldwide so owners will have the flexibility to choose when and where they go.

All arrangements from bookings to transport, private jet, helicopter transfers and onboard requests will be handled by the Swiss based management company Floating Life who will take care of every detail, thereby ensuring a totally hassle-free and relaxing time onboard.

The concept of fractional ownership is fast becoming acknowledged as the logical way forward for those wishing to have personal ownership of top-end luxury products and YachtPlus offers the investor the opportunity to part-own a truly beautiful superyacht. One of the main attractions of this type of ownership is that it removes all the stresses, concerns and unforeseen financial pitfalls experienced by sole ownership thereby giving total pleasure, exclusivity, privacy and relaxation to those participating.

YachtPlus
+44 (0)20 7824 9945
info@yachtplus.com
www.yachtplus.com

Jet's video goes viral!

2009-07-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

Jet Luxury Resorts released their first video commercial, "Are You Ready to Jet" and has accumulated over 200 thousand hits on youtube alone. See it here!

2011 Jaguar XJ

2009-07-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Finally. Jaguar is in the process of revamping their positively geriatric top of the line XJ series sedan. And from the looks of it, it'll be well worth the wait. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...

2010 Porsche Panamera

2009-07-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

When you think of a luxury four door sedan, usually images of supple, silky smooth BMW’s and Mercedes come to mind. You know, nice, respectable, well mannered flagships that even if they did have gobs of torque—Well, let’s just say that to them, the power was found in the restraint. Enter Porsche into the four door sedan world. And you can hear the angry exhaust note from here.
Finally, a true sports car that you can show off your newly fangled driving skills to three average sized (and brave) adults to.

When the Panamera launches in late summer it will be only initially be offered in S and 4S trim, and both models will be powered by a 4.8-liter V8 engine that develops 400 bhp. Performance figures for the Panamera S include a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds,a top speed of 176 mph and a combined fuel consumption rating of 26.2 mpg. The 4S on the other hand runs to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and has a top speed of 175 mph.

The all-wheel drive Panamera Turbo features a 4.8-liter biturbo V8 with 500 bhp that results in a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 188 mph.

Porsche claims it’s really a sports coupe, with an interior large enough to hold four. Six-speed manual transmission comes standard, with a seven-speed double-clutch also available.

The Interior.
The most prominent design feature is a large center console that flows all the way from the dashboard to the rear seats, effectively creating four separate seating areas. The interior also boasts 13 leather and color combinations, including four bi-color options. There are seven interior trim choices and they run the gambit from Olive Nature open-pore wood to sporty carbon fiber.

The Panamera S and 4S feature front comfort seats with eight-way power adjustment while the two rear passengers are treated to individual seats and a folding center armrest. The Panamera Turbo gets front passengers power seats with lumbar support and electrical steering column adjustment. Of course a variety of sport seats will be available on all models, but in typical Porsche fashion, prepare to shell out a good chunk of change.

Options for the new GT car include a high-end surround sound system by Burmester, four-zone automatic climate control, rear side airbags, and the company’s new double-clutch seven-speed PDK transmission for the Panamera S.
The Panamera S will start at $89,000, while the all-wheel-drive 4S will cost $93,800. The Turbo will ring in at $132,600, which is slightly more than a Cayenne Turbo. U.S. sales are to begin in October.

Ultimate Garage

2009-06-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Pop goes the egotistic James Bond alter-ego as you press a button to summon your Porsche from the depths of hell.

The Cardok PopUp Garage hides your car under ground using an elevator like mechanism. It is driven by a hydraulic platform which can be hidden under a water feature, flowerbed, or even a second car. You can activate it using your electronic key fob. So far, only eight have been built in London and are growing with popular demand.
They don’t come cheap though. First you have to be on waiting the list which is currently four months long. It takes 10 weeks to build and will cost you up to $61,181 depending your customization. Add another car ontop and it will be $72,816. Chump change when you think of the effect it will have on passing squirrels.

Attack of the Ekranoplans

2009-06-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

So this is what George Lucas did between Star Wars installment one and two.

The Bartini Beriev is a version of a Russian EKRANOPLAN— a bizarre cross between a hovercraft and an airplane developed during the cold war. They hover and skim above the water surface at speeds of up to 250 miles an hour carrying heavier loads of cargo and troops than any airplane - the Ekranoplans, or "Wing-in-Ground" (WIG) vehicles are possibly the most exciting and strange looking technology ever designed by men or alien alike.

Developed mostly by Soviets during Cold Wars years (by Rostislav Alexeev's design firm) some of them were over 500 feet in length and had an estimated weight of over 500 tons! And yet they skimmed over the waves with grace, at high speeds, able to negotiate stormy conditions, unseen by radar - all thanks to an aerodynamic principle known as the "ground effect".

All pilots are familiar with this effect: when an airplane is about to land, it almost wants to "float" on air, moments before touchdown. The compressed air between the wing and the ground becomes a "cushion" that gives the plane smooth gliding ability. Over the sea surface this effect is even more noticeable.

Russian "Caspian Sea Monster" Ekranoplan
The biggest ground-effect vehicle ever designed (100 meters long, weight: 544 tons, powered by ten Dobryin VD-7 turbojet engines). It still holds the record for lifting the heaviest load off the ground. It also had an air of mystery around it for a long time, tested in secrecy on the Caspian Sea in 1966 and spied on by a US satellite. After an accidental crash (due mostly to poor visibility in the fog), KM was abandoned in a shallow 20 meters of water, thwarting all efforts to recover it because of its weight; its high tail sticking out of the water like a funeral cross.

Some more Ekranoplan models:

The Penthouse

2009-03-05T17:44:00.001-08:00

Here's your hotel room, would you like an upgrade?

If being 58 stories above the earth overlooking the Las Vegas strip surrounded by the magic of Nevada's mountains and by the opulence of man's finer things is for you, check this out:

It's Jet Luxury's Penthouse at the Palms Place Hotel in Las Vegas. And it really doesn't get any better. Not only are you at the to, but you have your very own wrap around deck to take in the view. And if it gets cold, slip into the glass hot tub perched on the end of the deck; getting into this thing was like settling into your own little perch in Heaven. Seriously, words cannot describe the feeling you get submerging 58 stories up with nothing between you and gravity except for a pane of glass. Takes your breath away. And the strip never looks better.

Add to that 3,ooo square feet of interior space boasting a pool table, two bedrooms, two baths, spa tubs, a 12 person dining room, surround sound stereo, a stocked stainless steel kitchen and a game room and you may never make it out to the porch.

And all this, for only 2K/ night during the week. And 5k/ night on the weekends. May sound steep, but add six friends and suddenly you're living the way you should in Las Vegas; LARGE.

Check it out at www.jetluxuryresorts.com or call them at 877-538-7389 to reserve.

Remember when...

2009-02-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

Somewhere around the age of 18, when we find ourselves locked within the bittersweet crossroads betwixt boy and man, we pull down the wrinkled, once idolized poster of the Lamborghini Countach, tear it up so that it fit neatly into our parent’s trash can, and walk away.

Strange, that only a few years prior, if asked, we would have sworn up and down (in our high-pitched prepubescent voices) that that car would someday be in our driveway. Or at least driven, once. With Farrah Fawcett, Carol Alt or Cindy Crawford sitting shotgun.

But then, we adulterate into a depressing reality. And the only items on our walls become random prints of strange art, photographs and antique mirrors that return a dazed middle aged-complexion.

What happened to the Countach? To the Testarossa? To lusting after the Rolexes and the private jets? What happened to that soul stirring, inherent hope and promise of a prosperous future?

Nothing. It doesn’t have to end. You’re not dead. Just because you don’t have the wall space in your life doesn’t mean it’s not yours to still have.

Here it is. The wall space. To reconnect. To reboot and re-ignite that childhood passion. Here is the latest and greatest, most super luxurious, awe-inspiring, dream-making gadgets and transpo humankind currently has to offer.

Put the poster back up. Cuz it ain’t over. Yet.

Lamborghini Gallardo Stilettos

2009-02-23T12:44:00.000-08:00

First I wanted to own Lamborghini Countach. Then, I would've been ecstatic just renting a Lamborghini Countach. Later, I was happy just taking a picture next to someone else's Countach. (Especially of the Lambo that the guy down in Orange County hung on his wall as artwork.) Now... No, I wouldn't be caught dead in these.
Lamborghini Gallardo Stilettos. (Thankfully, just a concept right now).

The all new 200EX Baby Rolls Royce

2009-02-20T16:23:00.000-08:00

An entry level Rolls Royce—you have to start somewhere, right?-- emerges with this all new 200EX concept. Rolling on the recently revealed 2009 BMW 7 series platform, this baby Rolls is a bit shorter, narrower and lower than its big daddy Phantom, but inside, it’s still has all the British stately manor.

The 200EX will be officially unveiled at next month’s Geneva Auto show and it will arrive ready to fight packing a 500 horsepower V-12 within an aluminum shell. Pricing should start at around $300K when it becomes available sometime in 2010.

As can be seen by earlier posts on this blog, I was never too smitten on Rolls, until now. This smaller, fresher, not quite so grey-poupony Rolls looks like it will be right up my alley. Literally. More info as it becomes available.

Rolling Thrones of Excess

2009-02-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

Most people think of limousines as overindulgent, blatantly despicable rolling thrones of wealth—but isn’t that the point? I must admit, in my youth, there was something magical about having a ridiculously long, stretched out car pull up to my curb. Knowing you were going to slip into rich, soft leather twinkling under neon stars and sip champagne while looking down on others during a rowdy night on the town was indeed satisfying. Although I do remember the beginning of the night was so much better than the end—in fact, the two were quite dramatically juxtaposed. At the start it’s all wine and roses and at the end, it’s vomit, carsickness, almost morning and you have barely enough cash left to tip the driver. Maybe the tree huggers have it right. Party in a Prius.

Or not. Limos will be around as long as the NBA, so check out a few of the best here below:

Is that a sports car or are you just happy to see me?

2009-02-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

One of the most detrimental elements of RV travel in the past was the fact that owners would have to tow their ‘tender’ laboriously about behind them. We've all seen it before- the red Jeep Cherokee wasting away behind an RV traveling 43 mph in the fast lane. No longer. Check out the sleekest of the sleek, the Volkner Mobil 800c. (The German’s are fast becoming the go to group for super high end, luxurious recreational vehicles.)

Socotra Island - Alpha Places

2009-02-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

Socotra Island
One of the most bizarre looking places on Earth, Socotra Island is truly a sight to behold. Situated in the Indian Ocean (just off the coasts of Somalia and Yemen) this island is truly a land from another time. Home to more than 800 species of plants, it’s the Galapagos of the Middle East and is the largest island found in the region.

Despite having over 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni Government just put in the first road only 2 years ago. And there are no real resorts as the island is geared very much towards eco tourism. But make the trip and you will see incredible plants that are over 20 million years old, a walled city, plenty of whales and dolphins, some of the rarest birds in the world and of course, picturesque, sandy, (and desolate) beaches. Leave planet Earth, without, really leaving the planet.

Oculus – 250’ Super Yacht

2009-02-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

What better way to design a yacht than to copy mother nature? Enter the Oculus, whose exterior styling is representative of the jaw and eye socket bone structure of large oceanic fish and mammals. Not only is the boat a nod to god, but it’s also a serious work of art.

Check out the elevator tube, low riding berth (for easier recreation) and cylindrical double height dining room. All within 250 feet of ultra futuristic luxury that will do 25 knots and carry 12 guests.

Of course, it’s only a concept right now (by Schöpfer Yachts), but look for this one to emerge soon as plans are currently in the final stage of completion.

Aston Martin Rapide

2009-02-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Bentleys and Roll Royces have never really agreed with me. Sure, the inside of the British alpha cars are a gorgeous and sumptuous indulgence, but the exteriors, the chrome, the stilted, old money looks; to me, it's just a whole lotta Grey Poupon.
Bring on the Aston Martin Rapide. Now here’s something worth all that money—not only is the Rapide an incredible driving machine, but an artform to boot. This is what all those greenbacks should bring you—true class wrapped within true vision. A car that might scream to others, “hey, I’m rich, but look at this thing, can you blame me?” If the Rolls is an arranged marriage, the Rapide is your twenty year old girlfriend.

Of the 2,000 units being built, the first will arrive stateside, not long after their official presentation at this year’s Geneva Auto Show.

Despite it’s sporty looks, the Rapide is roughly the size of a Mercedes Benz S class. Offered will be two engines, a 500 hp V-12 and a entry level V-8. Interestingly, this will be the first Aston Martin to be built outside the UK, thanks to a partnership with Magna Steyr of Austria. As more pictures and details become available, I will post. Maybe that’s because I always wanted to be James Bond—and now with this four door, I still can be/ and have room for the car seats in back.

Air Force One

2009-01-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

Check out this link to see Obama's first tour of Air Force One. Also, did you know you can follow Air Force One on Twitter?

Dream Moto's

2009-01-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Australia-based designer, Chris Hunter compiles a daily dose of cool bike images on bikeexif.com.

Great to see motorcycles blending into functional art forms, isn't that what they're best for?

Technology: Capitalism’s best friend

2009-01-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Technology begets more technology. The MAN sure has it all figured out. Wanna take a picture of that new baby?

Buy a digital camera. Snap the picture. Wait, now you'll need a USB cord to connect to a COMPUTER with a software program (UPGRADE TO ILIFE ’09)—but wait, your computer might DIE, so buy this BACK UP DRIVE—no actually, BUY TWO, cuz you gotta back up the first BACKUP (gotta save that picture). Now, buy this PRINTER. And then you’ll need THIS $50 CARTRIDGE OF INK and (just to kick us while we’re down) this ten dollar PHOTO PAPER.

To take just one picture of your baby and hold it in your hand—
20 years ago cost about $66 ($50 camera, $5 roll of film, $11 processing)
Today costs $1,894 ($250 camera, $10 USB cord, $1,000 computer, $74 photo software, $150 back up drive x2, $200 printer, $50 ink and $10 photo paper.)

God bless America. And God bless this new Canon Exilim that just debuted at the 2009 CES show in Vegas. It can shoot high speed bursts faster than a SLR!
Here’s the press-- Casio is pleased to release the slim and compact High Speed Exilim EX-FS10 digital camera, featuring high-speed burst shooting faster than an SLR camera. The Casio EX-FS10 is also equipped with high-speed movie functions that have been squeezed into this highly mobile camera. In this card-sized camera measuring just 3.8” wide x 2.3” high x .64” thin, Casio has packed a newly developed 3X optical inner-zoom lens and a 2.5-inch high-performance Super Clear LCD. This high-speed model boasts an effective 9.1-megapixel resolution and the Casio Exilim EX-FS10 can take up to 30 shots per second of high-resolution 6.0-megapixel images.

What’s more, it can save up to 25 frames prior to the instant that the shutter button is actually pressed, so even if the user hits the shutter a bit late, that special moment will not be missed. The number of shots per second can be set at 30, 15, 10, 5, 3 or auto, and the user can set the total number of shots in one burst at 30, 20, 10 or 5. The Casio Exilim EX-FS10 digital camera can automatically record just the best of the images captured in a high-speed burst. Also, a number of images from a burst can be combined into a single image. It is this high-speed burst capability that offers the functionality for easily creating photos precisely in accordance with the wishes of the user. After taking a set of shots, there is no need to go to the trouble of manually select the best one.

LG Prada KF900

2009-01-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

Usually I'm not a label hound and the fact that this watch/ phone combo has PRADA tagged all over it is a bit obscene. But there's nothing a bit of electrical tape can't fix. Especially when you discover that the watch not only tells time, but is bluetooth married to your phone. Read and send text messages, silence and answer your phone from your wrist. Now that's genuis. And the phone (underneath all those letters) ain't no chump neither. With a slide out QWERTY keyboard, 3 inch touchscreen, 5 mexapixel camera and 30 fps video recording it's sure to be a welcome companion to your personal communication.
Availability: limited release, now. Price $700.

Lazzara LSX 92 Yacht

2009-01-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

Like everything else in America, your value as a consumer (and as a citizen) is a direct function of your wealth and your propensity to spend it. The corporatist aristocracy that owns and runs more of our lives every day, tells us continually that we are only what we buy.
If that’s true, I want to be this 92 foot yacht built by Lazzara.

Better than a Lamborghini Poster

2008-12-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

Who says you can’t be rich and white trash? Newport Beach’s Richard Moriaty takes the concept of putting that old-car-on bricks-in your-front yard thing to a whole new level.

When we first came across this story, we were ready to declare Richard a complete idiot. Bolt a Lamborghini to the wall? Sacrilege. This is a car that should be driven. This is worse than the guy who only puts 6 miles a year on it. But then we discovered that Richard did drive it. A lot. And it got old. And he got sick of it breaking down. And towing it.

So, he had the wall space. And access to a seven ton crane. And, well, we have to say, it’s a pretty darn good piece of art.
BTW, the Lamborghini’s 12 cylinder engine now lives as a coffee table in the same room. (To be sure, a copy of the children’s book Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel sits atop it.)

The Fisker Karma

2008-12-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

Talk about the right car at the right time. Legendary car designer Henrik Fisker has unveiled his hybrid sports car, the Karma. Not only will the Karma hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds, but when operated properly, it will consume only one tank of gas a year. And we're not talking about George Jetson stuff, this car will be available next year.

The first of its kind four-door plug-in hybrid premium sports sedan will have a starting price of $80,000. Initial deliveries of the Karma will commence in the 4th quarter of 2009 with annual production projected to reach 15,000 cars.

The Fisker Karma will offer partly self-contained climate control, as consumers will have the option to purchase a full length solar roof that will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked. Additionally, Fisker Automotive will offer consumers an option to purchase a set of solar panels for their roofs or garages where they can generate electricity during the day to charge the car overnight…again cost and emission free.

Armor Horse Transpo

2008-12-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

If you’re not rolling a 10-ton, bullet proof, blast protected armored car limo, then you’re not rollin’. The beefed up limo offers gun ports, LCD satellite TV’s, bullet resistant glass, emergency escape hatches, two bars, sound dampening walls and a retractable stripper pole. The XXL can be yours for $149,000 and will hold 25 people. Or, wait until 2010, when the XXXL premiers and seat 45 (yes, 45) of your closest friends. About the only person I can see buying this is Shaq- oh wait, he already has one--
"I use the Vault whenever and wherever I have the chance and I believe they are the wave of the future, because I am not the only one who wants space, style and security."
--Shaquille O’Neal

For more information, check out www.armorhorse.net.

Upgrade

2008-12-16T14:41:00.001-08:00

We don’t think there’s anyone in the world that would argue coach seats on any airline give adequate space when paying hundreds of dollars for air travel. (Jetblue’s extended legroom comes the closest). American is hilariously atrocious. Sit in a middle seat for 13 hours to Japan and you should be awarded a medal when you get off the plane. And we hear there’s an actual room at Guantanamo where they place the enemy in a coach seat, surround him front and back with hopped up 3 year olds, sit him next to a failed Jenny Craig testimonial and then charge five bucks per beer with a two beer limit.

That said, here’s the most opulent, who-cares-what-time-we-get-there first class cabins currently offered-

The best of the best—Singapore Airline's A380 FIRST CABIN

Close runner up: Emirates planned first and bar

Qantas' A380 first

And United's more utilitarian but still spacious first

Preview: 2010 Porsche Cayenne

2008-12-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

Porsche has always been a smart company—back in 2002, standing within the crosshairs of a mad dog purists revolt, Porsche bravely introduced the Cayenne SUV—which has since then become its best selling model. Now with demand falling for big, thirsty SUV’s, Porsche is re-tooling their money tree SUV. Debuting in 2009 (as a 2010 model) the new Cayenne will be smaller, faster and more fuel-efficient. The good news is that the vehicle will be even more Porsche-like, the bad news, it will lose some of its off-road capability.

The 2010 Cayenne will be substantially downsized as well—being built on the Audi Q5 architecture, regulating it to the midsize SUV category. These latest spy shots visually confirm that the Cayenne will adhere to an even sportier image with superior handling and dynamics to the current car. Engines will remain the same but look for a hybrid (26 mpg) Cayenne to join the lineup in late ‘09.

The Octopus

2008-12-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

When the biggest issue of the day becomes: Which helicopter should I take... off my yacht?
You know you've got it good.
The Octopus is currently the world's 8th most expensive yacht, 2nd for a person other than a head of state. That person is Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. This 414’ puppy cost 200 million to build, hosts a full time crew of 60 (including Navy Seals), carries two helicopters, seven boats and 2 submarines. Operating costs per year? 20 mil.

The Swimming RV

2008-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

By the year 2000 weren’t we supposed to be zooming about in flying cars, taking day trips to the moon and teleporting ourselves to Moscow? It’s nearly 2010 and what do we have to show for it? Where’s all the dreaming engineers, the ingenuity, the passion to further mankind’s technological world dominance?

It’s here:
The Terrawind Amphibious RV—part RV, part houseboat, all money. Talk about impressing the opposite sex. It’s the Clark Griswald of 007.

The 42’ RV/ hippo will cruise the interstate at 85 mph or plow through a lake at 7 knots. To make the transition from lizard to frog, simply place the automatic transmission into neutral and shift the marine transmission into gear. (Interestingly enough, the fine print warns against doing this in oceans.)
$1.2 million as shown
Visit Terrawind.com to learn more about their Amphibious Motor Coaches designed to meet the needs and desires for the land, the lake and the luxury.
Now that’s progress.

The Gulfstream G650

2008-12-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

The next time you’re squeezed into a middle seat in coach for 10 hours, comfort yourself with the knowledge that not everyone has to endure that same torture. Some fly, like this:

The Gulfstream G650 private jet.

The all new G650 is the largest non-airliner business jet in the market with an array of the most sophisticated electronic systems for passengers and pilots alike. It’s the world’s fastest civil jet and is capable of traveling non stop for distances up to 13,000km.

Interesting note: The FAA standard for flight-critical structure and system reliability is 109, which equals one in a billion. Gulfstream's chief of programs and engineering, Pres Henne, has decreed that essential cabin systems will meet a 107—one in 10 million—reliability standard. What that means is that the toilet will always flush, water will always flow and drain, voice communication from the cabin to the ground will always be available and no single point failure can deprive the cabin of power. The goals will be met in the same way flight-critical standards are, by adding redundancy and isolating system components so individual failures do not cripple an entire system. It is a radical concept, until you consider the G650 can fly nonstop between most any civilized points on the globe, and its passengers must be properly cared for over those vast distances.

The jet will be delivered in 2012 at a cost of 60 million dollars each.

Mobile Communique

2008-12-12T21:02:00.000-08:00

Cell phone communication has come a long way since the heavy beige brick device of the early nineties. With evolution, of course, you have your works of art and you have your dogs. Worse, you have your gold encrusted, bling-bling attempts at art (see below). But every now and then something beautiful (like the Motorola Aura) or something functional (like the Blackberry Storm) come along to get fired up about.

Vertu Boucheron 150

The new Vertu Boucheron 150 cell phone is made out of solid gold, took over 1,000 hours to shape, 700 to hand polish, and another 500 hours to hand build and it’s only $30,000. Could you really talk on this and walk down the street?

Mobiado 105 GMT

Mobiado, known for their ultra high-end phones, offers this: The 105GMT mobile, made out of 18 carat gold with a limited release of just 50 units. And yes, that is two self-winding Swiss watches built in underneath.
Price-- Not yet announced but likely will be astronomical. Why two watches? Why not.

The Motorola Aura

Unique, fashionable, almost affordable. The Motorola Aura has a 62 carat sapphire crystal lens that is scratch resistant, a rotating blade mechanism made of Rockwell 50-55 steel gears and a liquid crystal display in circular form. The creators got their inspiration from a luxury watch design and the end result is a pretty tasteful, functional work of communication art.
$2,000

The Blackberry Storm

IPHONE killer? Launched under the Verizon platform, the new Blackberry Storm is set to do battle with Apple’s Iphone. Not only is this a death match between the Berry and the Iphone but also between Verizon and AT&T. (If you remember, Steve Jobs originally approached Verizon to own the Iphone product, they turned him down—and somebody lost their job) Now the stage seems to be set for both Verizon and Blackberry to enact their revenge upon Mac.

The Storm is a good start. Everything you’ve come to expect from blackberry but with an added (and no doubt Apple inspired) touch screen (although it works better than Apple’s and it should-- The Storm’s touch screen provides tactile feedback to confirm your selection and isn’t quite as cramped as the Iphone). The Storm offers dual mode functionality for world-roaming capabilities, 3G speed on the Verizon network, GPS and a 3.2 megapixel camera.
$600 retail but only $200 when you sign a 2 year contract with Verizon.

And want a phone that costs a million bucks?
Here it is:

The Goldvish Le Million

Made the Guiness Book of Records for world's most expensive phone. Much like the barnacle- laced bottom of a boat, this diamond encrusted device is made of 18 carat gold and comes in pink, yellow or white. Seems it's only function is to appear in rap videos, though it's tough for me to see even P-Diddy player-hating on this.

The Lamborghini Reventon

2008-12-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

Indeed, Justification for a Higher Education.

Lamborghini’s Reventon is the Countach for the new millennium with a 6.5 liter V12 engine, 650 HP and 487 pound feet of torque. Rumored to be based on the F-22 Raptor, it has a fighter jet pricetag as well at $1.6 million. But that seems to be a well-spent fortune. The Reventon will be difficult to get, even if you have the money, as only 11 are said to be headed for the states, twenty worldwide—and all are spoken for. Although it does have a speedometer, the only gauge on the instrument panel you and your friends will be trying to focus on will be the G force display.

With the Reventon as its poster boy, there’s still other Lambo’s to be had. The Gallardo LP560 comes in just as exotic, and a bit more reasonable at $198,000 and rents daily for around $2,300 in major US cities (minus the supermodel sitting gun).
Or check out Road and track live- where, for $3,500 you drive 6 different exotic supercars in one day in your area.
Lastly, to satisfy the racecar driver within, there’s the legendary Bob Bondurant School of High Performance driving. 1 to 4 day programs racing everything from supped-up Corvette Z51’s to CTS's to Formula cars. I did it. It’s worth it. Trust me. Go to Bondurant.com for more info.