Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible
Get ready to see it everywhere. Mercedes has annouced that the droptop version of their recently redesigned E-Class will hit showrooms in January, and its safe to say the response should be overwhelming. With a bevy of diesel and petrol engines available, the adaptation of comfort technologies like the AirScarf (previously seen on higher end M-Bs like the SL-Class), and a virtual cavalcade of safety techstuff (two-to-one airbag to passenger ratio, tilt sensor, etc.), this variation of the E-Class is undoubtedly their best yet. Summer can’t come fast enough.
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Kepler Motors MOTION Supercar
No, it’s not the most original car out there. But you have to give Kepler Motors credit for entering an already-crowded ring; their MOTION supercar will debut this week at the Dubai International Motor Show. The MOTION’s greatest feature, other than its insanely gorgeous wheels, is its uniquely devised 800bhp, courtesy of a tweaked and turbocharged Ford EcoBoost engine that drives the rear wheels; the front wheels are powered by a 250bhp electric motor. Yes, you read that correctly. While Kepler’s finest creation looks a bit like supercars past (McLaren and S7, specifically), its the drivetrain that will truly set it apart from its competitors. The power will ultimately go through a seven-speed sequential transaxle, undoubtedly delivering performance on par with its classmates, and the carbon fiber monocoque chassis and active suspension would put it at the front of its group with the upcoming McLaren MP4-12C and others. Kepler hopes to produce 50 in total, with deliveries starting in early 2011. Move over, Tesla. The next generation of green supercars has arrived.
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Exousia 24K Gold Luxury Water
The recession might be easing up a bit, but the prevalence of so many gilded objects on the market is a bit alarming. Case in point, Exousia Luxury Water. The water claims to be infused with anti-stress and anti-aging elements derived from pure gold, which, according to Exousia’s website, is achieved through an obviously unique distilling process. While we would definitely love to try a bottle, whether or not the allegations are true seems to be besides the point, as such a purchase would obviously be more for status or King Midas’ stocking stuffer than for any homeopathic abilities.
Smirnoff – Black Matriochka 70cl
It’s affordable and delicious. As if that weren’t enough, this year’s Smirnoff Black Label arrives just in time for the holidays in its third and final year of production, and in grand style. This premium variant of the well-known vodka maker is pot-distilled and filtered through seven tons of charcoal in a painstaking production process designed to produce a small-batch vodka of rare purity. Smirnoff also pays tribute to its Russian roots by cleverly disguising the bottle inside a Matryoshka doll; the brushed aluminum case is complimented by three onyx stones and is tastefully simple. Skip handing this out as a stocking stuffer and hang onto one yourself. Available now at Colette.
Lamborghini Toro LA 690-4 Concept
Lamborghini’s barrage of numbers and letters continue, but not without consequence. This latest creation, a concept brought to life by Canadian design student Amadou Ndiaye Ba, pays homage to the Lamborghini Espada of the 60s. The Espada was a unique grand tourer that boasted a front-mounted V12 and styling from renowned design house Bertone. This latest seems to indicate the bullfighting company’s current direction; the revival of an FR platform to compete with the likes of Aston Martin’s One-77 or perhaps Mercedes’ SLS AMG. Oddly enough, the Toro bears some resemblance to Bertone’s most recent creation, the Mantide, although they had no part in this current project; the sharp angles and aggressive styling still retain to soul of current Lambo vehicles but the elongated hood and overall proportions are clearly reminiscent of the GTs of the 60s and 70s. Ba’s take on styling seems to balance modernity and classic dimension without having the car look like a cheap throwback (see: Camaro, Mustang). The Toro follows current Lamborghini guidelines with its name: 690 denotes the horsepower, 4 indicates four-wheel drive, and LA signifies ‘Longitudinal anteriore,’ which is the position that the engine is mounted in. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for this one.
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Carefully Considered & Mac Motorcycles Collaboration
Design geniuses Carefully Considered have put their own touches on Brit newcomers Mac Motorcycles, and the result is a beautiful engineered, aesthetically gorgeous and unique motorcycle. The lightweight, minimalist street cruisers (4 different models in total) were the perfect subject for Carefully Considered’s newest target; the Zenophya-designed Macs are themselves affordable artwork and compliment CC’s styling quite well. The primary idea was to distance the new graphics on the bike from the typical and often garish logos and neon stickers that adorn modern motorcycles; by employing “such production techniques as laser etching, anodized finishes, and and screen printed graphics applied to the gas tanks,” the final product is one that exudes style and class.
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Alfa Romeo Brera Italy Independent Special Edition
There are few things we love more than a good collaboration. Alfa Romeo, a brand we rarely see stateside, has put forth a joint effort with contemporary stylish goods brand Italy Independent, and the result is a number of aesthetic changes to the vehicle. This version of Alfa’s Brera, the stock version of which is featured as the star of Forza Motorsport 3, can be distinguished by its matte black wheels with a BMW turbine-esque design; an aluminum gas cap and red brake calipers provide a little contrast against the muted colors. The interior receives a touch-up as well, with red-stitched leather, aluminum pedals, and the obligatory carbon fiber treatment. While none of this can be deemed revolutionary design, these simple touches on an already terrific car compliment the original design perfectly. Only 900 models will reach their eager buyers, and the first has already been delivered; it will start its European tour in early 2010 to promote the project.
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SpaceShipTwo by Virgin Galactic
It’s time to sell your timeshare in the Bahamas and upgrade to something better. Billionaire commercial cosmonaut Richard Branson unveiled his company’s space tourism craft, the SpaceShipTwo. Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo will be escorted to a suborbital altitude of about ten miles by a mothership, the WhiteNightTwo; upon detaching the SST’s thrusters take over and catapult the craft 65 miles above the Earth’s surface, nestling comfortably between the outer reaches of our atmosphere and the beginning of space. During the 2.5 hour flight, passengers will be able to experience full weightlessness and see a view of Earth that only a few dozen people have been able to take in. Tickets for the voyage will fall around the $200,000 range; that’s well worth it, especially since you can begin your sentences with “When I was in space…”
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Four Roses Private Selection Holiday 2009
A long time resident of America’s whiskey row, Four Roses has announced that they will indeed get into the holiday spirit of giving this year. The Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery has decided to make available to retailers a group of eight bourbon selections that vary depending on the proprietary yeast strain and mashbill. With such variety, retailers have the ability to stock a bourbon that has not been made available to the general public before. As part of the process, Master Distiller Jim Rutledge invites the purchaser to visit the Four Roses compound and partake in a rigorous sampling exercise to identify the ideal taste of the buyer. Once this process is complete, Jim and his crew bottle the barrel at cask strength; each barrel will yield between 25 and 40 six-barrel cases, and the bottling process is customizable with the retailer’s name and logo.
Vorsteiner V-GT Aero Package – Porsche 911 Carrera
Vorsteiner’s motto is “Passion Does Not Compromise.” In viewing their new aero package for the current generation Porsche 911 Carrera, we wholeheartedly agree. Following in a seemingly odd tradition of renowned stateside Porsche tuners, Vorsteiner has been successfully modifying the 911 for years, to tremendous results. Their newest creation, the V-GT package, will be available for the whole Carrera range and promises to turn the valet’s rolled eyes into raised eyebrows. The front spoiler is a carbon fiber masterpiece that is meant to improve downforce; the clever design also houses integrated dual brake duct openings with a black protective mesh grille. The rear of the car is altered by a super-sleek carbon diffuser, which looks deadly with its GT-esque fins. Other items in the package include a moonroof delete option (saving almost 50 pounds) and 19 and 20-inch forged wheels.
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