Generation Y is commonly touted as the generation of entitlement and immediate gratification, and although some might argue it seems luxury car sales and statistics are backing up the "I want it now" trend of young people. BMW's M3, for example, is a car that starts at $54,000, and although that price tag would normally mean an older and wealthier demographic its most popular buyer is in their mid-20s. It seems the young people of today not only want high-end luxury cars but they're stretching themselves and scrimping in other places to have them. Brands across the board are noticing the trend, which in today's economy is a little surprising (and scary!).
While I was learning about the world of luxury at the Luxury Summit, John Neff from Autoblog was driving it. Last week he had the experience of driving a 2009 Bentley Brooklands 550 miles to from New Jersey to Cleveland, Ohio where it would be picked up and driven back to Bentley's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI. He had the honor of taking the car for its maiden voyage on U.S. soil. Talk about a road trip.
The car is one of only 550 that will ever be built, there are just two in the United States right now. Our man was cool and collected behind the wheel of a car that costs close to $400,000 with options. His post on Autoblog breaks down all the important details but it's the road trip stories I like such as the fact that a man in a Dodge Caravan followed him for 15 miles into a rest stop and that every tollbooth operator on his journey remarked on the car. If you are paying that much for your wheels, you likely want just that sort of attention. Oh, and be warned, the gas consumption is pricey too, filling the 25-gallon fuel tank with 20 gallons of 93-octane premium gas cost $75, and this is not a car known for its high mileage.
I'm not usually over the moon about the design of a new Mercedes-Benz but the Ocean Drive Concept has me intrigued. It's got a bit of Bentley style with its oversized grille and elegant rear. The car is based on the V12-powered, long-wheelbase S 600 sedan and has a soft top but keeps you warm with the Mercedes Airscarf neck-heating system. The car has LED headlamps and taillights, two-tone paintwork and long side-window opening that is not interrupted by a B-pillar or window frames for a seamless look even when the top is up. The interior is done in leather with bird's eye maple trim panels. Some of Autoblog's commenters pointed out that it looks a bit like a Sebring. Perish the thought.
Soon, hippies people looking to reduce pollution will have an option other than a hybrid or an electric car (which really doesn't reduce pollution, it just moves the source from the car to a power plant). BMW officially announced their hydrogen powered 7 series today and the numbers on it are pretty impressive. It's got a hybrid gas/hydrogen V12 that get 260 horses that can get the ride up to 143 miles an hour. Bimmer says it's the "first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile for everyday use." Do any of you readers out there know of another luxury hydrogen car period? Feel free to comment.
The Dengfeng City government in China has given the gift of a luxury sport sedan worth 1 million Yuan (about $125,500) to Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, for helping to promote local tourism. The temple is considered to be the birthplace of king fu and attracts millions of tourists to an otherwise poor area. Even with the fame of the temple, many feel that the car was an inappropriate gift for a monk, since they are supposed to be "renowned for their austerity." Others thought that it should not matter that Yongxin is a monk, since by running the temple he does so much for the region. The abbot seemed pleased with his prize and said "I dream of getting a bigger prize next year."
For those cigar aficianados who enjoy smoking while driving, the Maybach Smoker Set by Dunhill is the ideal car accessory. A leather-trimmed humidor contains one of Dunhill's signature lighters and a custom-designed one-handed cigar cutter, so you can keep one hand on the wheel. Of course, it might take some practice before you can actually use the cutter with one hand, given that you'll have to maneuver the cigar into it and probably want to keep any part of it from falling onto the floor of your car, for neatness if nothing else. We don't have a price right now, but if you have to ask...
The Tesla Roadster was unveiled this week in Santa Monica, California, and our friends at AutoblogGreen got a backstage look at the car and sat in on a test drive. The roadster is the first 100% electric performance car on the market and not only has no emissions (and no tailpipe), but actually generates energy when driven. The owners of the car will be doing a lot of driving, too, because the super-sleek car does 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of over 130 mph; it handles like a gas powered sports car, but like most EVs, makes no noise while doing so. The car comes with a home-based charging kit, so there is no need to install a generator in your garage, and charging it takes only 3.5 hours. Estimates state that the car will get around 250 miles per charge.
The roadster will be available for purchase starting in the spring of 2007, but people present at the unveiling were able to place advance orders for the car. The price will range from $80,000-$120,000.
We saw the
Russo-Baltique Impression and were instantly curious. What is this strange beast? It turns out that it is a carbon
fiber chassis four-seater which had its debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy. The new
car revives the Russo-Baltique brand which disappeared soon after the Russian Revolution. The car is powered by a V12
with 555 bhp and the company plans to build a small number of cars based on the concept shown here.
According to the company Leadpile.com in a press
release, more and more luxury car buying is going online. The company has an interest in the issue because they
sell luxury cars via the internet, though they do make some strong points in their argument. Luxury car buyers are
looking for stylish vehicles that offer comfort and convenience, and car dealerships could not be considered to be as
convenient as shopping from your computer at home. The question is really whether the shoppers will miss the
interaction and attention at upscale
dealerships, which, in some locations, can rival the level of service received at posh salons.
With buyers
who prize both comfort and convenience, it would make sense that they would put the comforts of being pampered at a
high-class dealership above the convenience of shopping online. If convenience alone was the issue, they might not
hold out for a luxury car in the first place.
Here you go, yet another reason
to envy Paris Hilton, she's traded in her Bentley for a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. Sky News has pictures of Paris out at (where
else) The Ivy in L.A. driving the new black beauty. How much does it cost? Well, it isn't a Bugatti Veyron (maybe next
year Paris) but according to the recent Forbes
List of Most Expensive Cars, the McLaren sells for a cool $452,750.
The eagerly anticipated Bugatti Veyron finally went into
production this year. With just 50 cars available worldwide and a price tag of one million euros this car is the
ultimate driving machine for the wealthy and leadfooted. The German Car Blog reports that
those 50 Veyrons have already found their homes. So if you are saving your pennies, you will now have to wait until
2007 for your own beautiful Bugatti.
Update: German Car Blog now reports
that Bugatti is upping the production from 50 to 70 in order to accommodate eager spendy speed racers.
At the Geneva Auto Show,
Rolls-Royce is showing off their new coupe concept, the 101EX. The new car has a new two-tone effect with brushed
aluminum on the hood and windshield header. It has 21" wheels and suicide doors. Inside it's typically luxe with
exotic woods and leathers but it also has a fiber-optic headliner that creates a starry, starry night inside your car.
It's a Rolls and of course it's gorgeous but not exactly the most exciting concept car we have ever seen by a long
shot. Autoblog has more
pics of the car.
This beautiful 1962
Ferrari 250 GTO Spyder was the pride and joy of Frank Beard, the drummer for ZZ Top. ZZ Top's love of cars is
well-documented in all those 1980s videos and this car was part of Beard's extensive collection. It was modified for
Frank Beard by Greg Jones Restoration and Genaddi Design Group and has a signed plaque on the firewall. The custom,
aluminum body was built in 1992 on a Ferrari 250 GTE Chassis that has been shortened and modified to accommodate the
Spyder configuration. The 3L, 12 cylinder engine was converted to accommodate 6 twin-choke Webber carburetors. It also
has a dry sump system, 5 speed manual transmission, fuel cell inside of an aluminum riveted gas tank, and original
Dunlop disc brakes. The engine has just been rebuilt and it has Borrani wire wheels with stainless steel spokes. It is listed for $325,000.
4 Car reports that Bentley will be launching
a new Diamond Series of the Continental GT and Arnage at the Geneva Motor Show to commemorate 60 years of production at
its Crewe factory. The Continental GT Diamond Series has 14-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, quilted leather seats, solid
aluminum pedals and 420mm ceramic brakes which are reported to be the biggest brakes ever fitted to a production car.
There will be 400 of this car available. There will be 60 of the Arnage made with only 30 going to the U.S. It will
have 19-inch alloy wheels, a front bumper mesh and a Flying B mascot on the radiator. Inside its got diamond-quilted
leather seats, and wood trim which is diamond-quartered using wood with symmetrical graining.
Aston Martin will be showing off a
new object of desire at the Detroit Auto Show. The British company will be revealing a four-door saloon concept that
uses the same VH platform as the DB9 and V8 Vantage. Classic Driver reports that the car will have a
longer wheelbase and an upgraded 6.0 litre V12 engine. The increased length is for the extra doors and larger rear
seats. The car known as the Rapide is similar to Maserati's Quattroporte and
might be produced in a few years.
The Dengfeng City government in China has given the 
For those cigar aficianados who enjoy smoking while driving, the 
According to the company Leadpile.com 
