Vicem Unveils First Model in New Cruiser Series

Turkish shipbuilder Vicem Yachts is known for its classic style handcrafted motoryachts recalling a more civilized era. They have just debuted the first model in their stylish new Cruiser Series, the 92 Cruiser. The 92-footer will eventually fall in the middle of Vicem’s Cruiser range, which will feature yachts from 75 – 115 feet in length. The Cruisers offer classic style, superb living accommodations and intrinsic long-range cruising capabilities, inspired by the grand tradition of Gold Coast pleasure yachts.

 

Expanding on Vicem’s signature Classic Series of 50 – 72 feet motoryachts, the 92 Cruiser features a raised pilothouse, larger superstructure, standard flybridge and oversized guest and crew accommodations well suited to long-range excursions. The ship is powered by twin 900 hp MAN Diesels (@ 2300 rpm) generating a maximum speed of 18 knots, a cruising speed of 13 knots, and cruising range of 2,000 nautical miles at 10 knots. A modified deep-V hull design and side power bow and stern thrusters facilitate a smooth ride even in rough seas.

 

Viking Revives de Havilland Twin Otter Turboprop

After more than two decades, Canadian-based Viking Air is bringing back by popular demand the classic de Havilland Twin Otter turboprop airplane. Based on the original design beloved for its rugged versatility, the new Twin Otter Series 400 has been upgraded with modern technology to improve performance and safety while sticking to classic looks and functionality. It's a highly maneuverable, versatile aircraft which can be flown safely at various speeds from 80 to 160 knots.

 

The 52-ft. high winged, un-pressurized, twin Pratt & Whitney engine turbine powered plane is ideally suited to operate in all conditions and climates. It seats up to 19 and can be equipped with wheels, floats, skis, or tundra tires for flying anywhere from the tropics to the Antarctic, where it's used by researchers. Its fixed undercarriage makes for easy maintenance, and it handles even short, rough runways with aplomb. Prices start at €3 million for delivery this summer.

 

Triumph Speed Triple Carbon Ltd. Edition

Classic British motorcycle brand Triumph is continuing the celebration of 15 years of its most successful model, the beloved Speed Triple streetfighter, with a new limited edition version finished in carbon fibre. The new Speed Triple Carbon Limited Edition is built around the famed liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder 1050cc engine delivering 130 bhp. The 6-speed beauty features Brembo 4-piston 4-pad radial calipers, fully adjustable black anodized Showa USD forks and fully adjustable Showa monoshock rear suspension.

 

The Carbon Limited Edition is available only in matte black, and features a flyscreen, seat cowl, infill panels, heat shield, front mudguard and sprocket cover all in carbon fibre, a black leather seat, and black chunky handlebars. Only 55 of the bikes will be made, priced at £8,250 apiece. The Speed Triple has gained a cult following and has appeared in movies including The Matrix and Mission Impossible 2, in which it out-acted Tom Cruise. 

 

New Rolls & Range Rover from Project Kahn

Ultra-luxe British bespoke auto conversion house Project Kahn Design has just unveiled two brilliant new creations, the Rolls-Royce “White Pearl” Phantom and their take on the Range Rover Vogue edition. Both are finished in gleaming white, this year’s hot car color of choice among design cognoscenti. As founder Afzal Kahn notes, there is "no need to even worry about the [Rolls’] V12 engine as it is without a doubt one of the best engines made today,” so his efforts on the Phantom are confined to the cosmetic. Chief among these, in addition to the lustrous White Pearl finish, are 22" Silver Mist alloy wheels with Rolls centre caps and a "meticulous diamond polish" for each spoke.

 

As for the Range Rover Vogue, it gets a new bodykit, color-coded paint scheme and a custom sports exhaust system, in addition to specially designed 22in ‘RS-L’ alloy wheels featuring a multi-spoke design with studded edging and a titanium silver finish. Kahn’s signature piano black trim graces the interior, with bespoke options left up the individual customer as per the Rolls. Kahn has done stellar work with Range Rover recently, as evidenced by his Range Rover Sport package co-developed with engine specialist Cosworth, featuring an output of 300 hp.

 

Hublot Big Bang King Power Watch

Avant-garde Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot has unveiled the latest limited edition model in its much-coveted Bing Bang series, the black-on-black Big Bang King Power. Only 500 numbered pieces will be offered worldwide, priced at €17,600. It's bigger and brawnier than the other Big Bang models, aimed to appeal to manly types. Unique to this model, the strap is black rubber with a clasp crafted from microblasted black ceramic and PVD-coated steel.

 

The movement is a self-winding mechanical split-seconds foudroyante chronograph developed in concert with La Joux-Perret, and a power reserve of 42 hours. Water resistant to 100 meters, the matte finish dial and anti-reflective flat sapphire crystal add to the stealthy appearance of the timepiece, along with black hour markers and hands. Hublot, a forerunner in the oversized watch category, was purchased by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH last year.

 

A look at the A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Merite

Here is something you don't see everyday. The Tubrograph "Pour le Merite" by Saxony's A. Lange & Sohne was the second watch by the high-class watch maker to bear the "Pour le Merite" badge. The available model is of the rarest, in platinum, with just 51 pieces made. The watch was released in 2005 with an incredible reception. Despite the fact that A. Lange & Sohne watches are often very similar in character, it is the small differences that each new model bears that are intriguing. The watch company defines conservation, when it comes to keeping high-end watch making a purists' art form.

The Turbograph "Pour le Merite" features a world's first combination of desirable complications. It had a one minute tourbillon, a fusee and chain escapement, and a rattrapante chronograph, along with a power reserve indicator. All in a very simple looking, but mechanically complex package. The watch itself has over 1000 parts inside, each carefully finished by hand. The split second or 'rattrapante' chronograph is a 30 minute counter that can split between two time. That is why the watch has two chronograph seconds hands. Manufacturing, decorating, constructing, and testing of each Turbograph "Pour le Merite" watches takes well over a year. So even though the limited edition was release in 2005, Lange is still likely making them today, even with such a limited run.

Despite the ultra luxury status of the watch, when you handle it, you don't immediately think "I should really be careful with this." It doesnt come across as delicate, but rather as a very well put together watch utterly capable of being worn and relied upon daily. Given its value, and the fact this this is what I call an "investment grade" watch, I wouldn't recommend wearing it so often though. Price? Well it is high, very high, but this is the type of watch that can command such a value. Like I said, they are investment grade watches meaning that they are among the few watches in the world with the ability to appreciate in price. The watch is being offered now at about 685,000 Euros.

By Ariel Adams

Pagani Previews Zonda R Final Series

Horatio Pagani is laying his much-lauded Zonda R supercar to rest with the just-announced €1.4 million final series, of which only 16 will be built and 15 offered for sale to collectors worldwide. The beauteous beast boasts a revolutionary carbon-fiber/titanium hybrid chassis resulting in an ultra low weight and centre of gravity. Fitted with a Mercedes-Benz AMG-sourced 739 hp 6.0-litre V12 engine, the rear-drive rocket does 0-60 km/h in three seconds and has an impressive top speed of 375 km/h.

 

In addition to Pagani's first-ever paddleshift gearbox, the Zonda R final series features a carbon-fibre high-flow intake, racing multiple disc sintered clutch, an F1-style exhaust system, forged suspension, and a four pump fuel tank borrowed from aeronautical engineering. The similarity to a jet fighter doesn't end there, however; a longer front bonnet with flaps, a closed underbody and rear overhang with adjustable wing and race-derived diffuser all serve to make the supercar look as if it could easily go airborne.

 

HSR-Benelli Series-R – The World’s Fastest Jetski

t's no exaggeration to say that Austrian manufacturer HSR-Benelli makes the Ducati of jetskis; its Series-R Race Edition, the world's fastest jetski, is powered by a 342 hp V6 engine created by fusing two 1130 cc in-line three cylinder engines lifted from the Benelli Tornado 1130 Superbike. This is fitted into a sleek composite hull, painted black, red and silver, measuring 3.23 metres in length by 1.2 metres wide. Capable of carrying up to three people the total unladen weight of the craft is 328 kg.

 

If that's a little too intense, the company also makes a Prestige Edition that still requires serious handling skills but doesn't quite blow you out of the water. The Series-Rstarts at about €17,500. The pump is a high-pressure axial flow unit with reverse, while the dashboard features an integrated RFID function, adjustable sponsons and hydraulic trim. Since it's designed to seat up to three riders, you can easily imagine how fast it tears through waves with one person at the helm. 

 

Rodriguez Collezione 40 Series Superyacht

High-tech Italian shipbuilders Rodriquez Cantieri Navali have unveiled their new Collezione 40 series aluminium-hulled superyacht designed by Filippo Rossi Associati architects. The sleek, elegant four-decked craft has a 39.9-metre full-displacement hull and can reach a maximum speed of 17 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar C32 Acert diesel engines. She has a range of 2,000 nautical miles at, a cruising speed of 13 knots.

 

The clean, modern interior is finished in neutral shades with plenty of warm wood detailing. The high volume full-beam main deck features the salon and a formal dining room, divided by the impressive main staircase. The large master suite is also on the main deck, located forward, features a large en-suite bath. Guests are accommodated in four cabins, 2 VIP and 2 twin, located on the lower deck, each en-suite baths. The top deck is a sundeck designed for luxury lounging complete with a wet bar.

 

New Sikorsky S-76D is Airborne

Capping more than three years of design, development and experimentation, Sikorsky just successfully conducted the first test flight of its new S-76D helicopter in Florida. The prototype chopper successfully maneuvered through taxi, hover, hover turns, and forward flight to 40 knots. The sleek S-76D, which is scheduled to enter production this year with certification and customer deliveries in 2010, features all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced Thales avionics system and autopilot; dual speed rotor with active vibration control; powerful Pratt & Whitney 210S engines; and an optional Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather flying.

 

The S-76D also offers an increase in useful load and extended range performance versus Sikorsky’s currently fielded S-76C model. In addition, a quiet engine mode minimizes disturbance while flying over residential areas. Inside, the atmosphere is comparable to a luxurious private jet with satellite phones, entertainment systems, flight progress displays and refreshment cabinets featuring custom woodwork, along with a full suite of optional equipment designed to enhance crew and passenger safety and comfort. Several advance orders have already been placed.

 

Maybach Revives the Zeppelin for New Ltd. Edition

Following its revival of the throwback Landaulet, ultra-luxurious auto marque Maybach is resuscitating another lustrous name from the past – the Zeppelin. A model by that name last appeared in the late 1930s and harkens back to Maybach's origins as an airship motor company. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Maybach will show to new limited edition Zeppelin versions of their 57 and 62 models. Their 6.0-liter biturbo V12 engines putting out 640 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque make them the most powerful Maybachs to date.

 

A two-tone Taiga black and Rocky Mountains light brown paint scheme distinguish the Zeppelin models. Other enhancements include an odd-sounding option: an exclusive perfume atomizer. The illuminated Plexiglas sphere sits on the rear center console and slowly distributes fragrance throughout the cabin. Elsewhere the interior features a contrasting California beige and Stromboli black leather scheme, piano lacquer finish trim, a topstitched dash and door panels and lambskin carpets. Base pricing for Zeppelins based on the Maybach 57 will start at €406,000 while those based on the 62 will ring in at €473,200. Only 100 examples will be built in total.

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Navy SEALs Edition

At the recent Salon International de la Haute Horologerie (SIHH) in Geneva, Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled a limited edition series of three Master Compressor diving watches developed in collaboration with the US Navy SEALs, the highly-trained special ops forces of the American Navy. The new models are the Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs, the Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT Navy SEALs (limited to 1500 pieces each) and the Master Compressor Diving Pro Geographic Navy SEALs (300 pieces).

 

All feature grade 5 titanium cases with unidirectional ceramic bezels and are watertight to 300 metres, meeting the stringent requirements of the SEALs, who are trained in employing unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense and counter-terrorism missions. Each timepiece is engraved with the Navy SEALs emblem and comes with wristbands in one leather, titanium, rubber, or rugged black Cordura. Jaeger-LeCoultre, maker of the legendary swivel-case Reverso, was founded in 1833 in the Vallée de Joux.

 

New BMW Alpina Models Slated for Geneva

At next month’s Geneva Motor Show, leading BMW tuner Alpina will unveil two smoking hot new models, the B6 GT3 (above) and the B7, based on the German marque’s 6-Series coupe and 7-Series sedan respectively. The B6 boasts a supercharged 4.4-liter V8 producing over 520 horsepower and 535 lb.-ft. of torque, capable of 0-60 mph in under 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of over 177 mph. Alpina is returning to motorsport competition after a 20-year hiatus with the B6 GT3.

 

The all-new B7 is Alpina's revamp of the latest F01-generation BMW 7-Series flagship 750i sedan, kicking out 500+ hp from a centrifugal-supercharged 4.4-liter V8. Aside from a new front lip, rear wing and trademark multi-spoke Alpina wheels, not much else is known about this bad boy, but all will be revealed, including the no-doubt-astronomic prices, in Geneva. The cars will be sold through BMW dealerships in late 2009. Meanwhile, check out the Alpinas available on JamesList.

 

Sealine T60 Aura by Studio Conran

UK-based luxury boat builder Sealine have just unveiled their revamped 18-metre flybridge motoryacht, called the T60 Aura, with a crisp, modern interior redesign by London’s Studio Conran. Natural oaks, light finishes, long clean lines and floating, linear forms were employed in the open plan design by Studio Conran, founded by Sir Terence Conran, whose motto is “elegance lies in simplicity”. Details include a teak laid cockpit, an L-shaped leather sofa and hand crafted coffee table in the saloon, and a striking full-width master stateroom with bespoke Japanese Maple wall features and an en-suite bath.

 

Power options for the craft include twin Volvo Penta Diesel D12’s at 775hp apiece for a total of 1550 hp, or twin Caterpillar Diesel C15’s at 865hp apiece for 1730 hp. Designed for comfortable cruising at 25 – 28 knots, it can do 33 knots with the bigger engines. Kitted out by Conran, which has also done interiors for the Concorde, Sealine describes the T60 Aura as a “rare environment in which performance, safety and practicality are equally as important as luxury and aesthetic beauty.”

 

Victory CORE Concept Motorbike

At the New York Motorcycle Show, the Victory Motorcycles Industrial Design team unveiled its CORE concept bike, engineered to show what a performance cruiser of the future could look like. It consists of only the essentials: engine, frame, wheels and front suspension – with no rear suspension at all. The bike’s striking and unique cast aluminum frame was made by pouring molten aluminum into a sand core, which was removed when the casting was complete. The CORE also celebrates Victory’s 10^th anniversary.

 

There is no traditional bodywork; the motorcycle is effectively turned inside-out with its architecture completely exposed. The frame is in effect the body, incorporating fuel, air-box, battery box and the entire electrical system. A contoured mahogany seat provides the only sensualist note. The overall impression is of a thin, low, sharp and purposeful motorcycle that is “elemental and fierce at the same time.” The CORE is built around a Victory Freedom 106/6 Stage 2 1731cc power plant, producing 97 horsepower / 113 ft/lb of torque.

 

Aston Martin to Debut New V12 Vantage in Geneva

At next month’s Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin will present the new V12 Vantage, dubbed the most potent production sports car in the marque's 95-year history. Stemming from a concept first unveiled a year ago and based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 is indisputably the fastest and most agile Vantage ever, employing race-derived technology throughout. The new Vantage will feature a carbon fiber driveshaft, rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox, and 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 hp, and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.2 seconds.

 

Benefiting from race-developed materials and components, and featuring lightweight carbon fibre components, performance and agility have been tuned to perfection, while enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids optically widen the car. Interior upgrades include carbon fibre and Kevlar composite sport seats and even carbon fibre door pulls. Production will be limited to between just 300-500 examples per year, with prices to be announced in Geneva. 

 

A look at the Zenith Defy Xtreme Zero-G Tourbillon

This interesting interpretation of a multi-axis tourbillon does something that is seemingly impossible. It takes a tourbillon carriage and sets it in a free-moving gyroscopic styled housing. Basically the bottom of the tourbillon always points down, no matter than position the watch is in. This is done by having a series of conical shaped regulator gears that follow the movement of the tourbillon escapement as it literally dangles around in the watch.

 

With the open window into the Zer0-G escapement, the Zenith Zero-G Tourbillon is a pretty thick watch (17mm thick, and 46mm wide). Aggressive styling which is part of the Zenith Defy Xtreme helps frame the character of this serious mechanical marvel. The watch face itself is actually almost a side thought as it is shifted to the top left in order to allow focus to remain on the tourbillon window. Despite the large proportions of the watch, the case and bracelet are done in black PVD titanium. The watch is a wild luxury, with just a few in existence and a world of complexity for complexities sake. You can call it an oddity, or you can smile at how ridiculous it is. Secretly you want to have one. Watches like this are fun to observe. The retail price for this watch when it was new was $500,000. Big bucks!  How is this for discounts when you talk about prices like this: on JamesList.com the Zenith Defy Xtreme Zero-G Tourbillon is about $370,00 brand new. That is over $100,000 off retail. Where else can you get discounts at amounts that are more than middle American homes?

Edison Marine Electric Classic Cruiser

Oregon, USA-based Edison Marine recently debuted its electric, zero-emissions, 1940s-style mahogany powerboat, combining old world charm and clean running technology. The gorgeous Edison Classic Cruiser, priced at about €95,000, is now available to order for spring delivery . Hand crafted from solid African mahogany, the barrel-back twin-propeller 17-foot powerboat can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. Power for the whisper-quiet twin 85-hp electric motors is generated by high performance 144v AGM batteries.

 

The lightweight boat can cruise for 8-10 hours at hull speed on one charge. The batteries are fully rechargeable using a standard AC/DC 110/220V outlet, with full recharge achieved with 3-4 hours charging time. Options include a full leather interior, and an on board gas generator for remote charging is also available. A 22-foot model equipped with a more powerful 250-hp Steyr Marine hybrid engine is also in the works, and will be priced at about €125,000.

 

The New Panerai P.9000 Series

At the Salon International de la Haute Horologerie (SIHH) in Geneva, Italian watchmaker Officine Panerai unveiled its new P.9000 series of timepieces featuring automatic movements designed and made entirely in-house. Introduced at the Salon were three calibres, dubbed the P.9000, P.9001, and P.9002, fitted to a range of Panerai models including the Luminor Submersible, Luminor GMT and Luminor Marina Automatic.

 

The new P.9000 calibre is fitted with two barrels which ensure a power reserve of 72 hours; the single-piece rotor winds in both directions thanks to an automatic ratchet device; the balance wheel with adjustment screws oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz; the stop balance wheel device enables the time to be synchronised with a reference time signal. Panerai was founded in Florence in 1860 and became the official supplier to the Marina Militare, i.e. the Royal Italian Navy. The company is credited with perfecting the world's first underwater watches in the 1930s. 

 

Porsche to Unveil New 911 GT3 in Geneva

At the Geneva Auto Show in March Porsche will unveil the new 2010 model 911 GT3, dubbed the most sporting and dynamic normally-aspirated road-going 911 ever. With both increased performance and driving dynamics, it's about as close as you can get to a street-legal version of the Stuttgart marque's track racers. With 435 hp from its 3.8-liter six cylinder, the new GT3 does 0 - 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, and reaches 160 km/h in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is 312 km/h or 194 mph, and the base price will be €98,100 for spring delivery in Europe.

 

Innovations on the GT3 include a particularly sporting variant of PSM Porsche Stability Management, offering the option to deactivate both Stability Control and Traction Control in separate steps, as well as modifications of the car's aerodynamics, significantly increasing down-forces both front and rear. Topping it off is the new PADM (Porsche Active Drivetrain Mount) engine bearings for adaptive driving. Options include ceramic brakes, center lock wheels and a lift system for raising ground clearance.

 

Surface-to-Air Missile: The Samson SkyBike

California-based Samson Motorworks has unveiled a James Bond-worthy motorcycle-airplane hybrid concept dubbed the SkyBike that it hopes to have ready for production in 2010. The enclosed three-wheel vehicle features retractable wheels and wings that deploy at the touch of a button. The flat-panel instrument display changes automatically from flight instruments to ground instruments, and it can take off from and land on any level surface. To refuel, you simply drive it up to the pump.

 

Designer Sam Bousfield was working on a supersonic propeller aircraft when he came up with the concept. Initially he simply bolted wings onto a typical motorcycle, then evolved the enclosed cockpit for comfort while in the air, and the third wheel for ease of landing. Though no speed or performance data has been released, a scale model of the SkyBike is currently in the wind tunnel testing stage. And while we don’t yet have a price either, you can bet that if it works, it’ll be worth it.

 

The New Princess V78 Sport Yacht

Later this month Britain-based Princess Yachts plans to deliver the first of its new V78 sport yachts, the latest addition to its V-Class range, which recently passed its first sea test with flying colors. The 78-ft. craft is the first Princess yacht to benefit from resin-infusion moulding, a highly advanced manufacturing system that reduced the ship’s weight by an estimated three tones. The V78 is a sleek beast with raised bulwarks, a powerful deep-V hull and an enormous cockpit complete with wet bar. Power options range from twin Caterpillar C32 engines at 1675hp each up to C32As putting out 1825hp apiece, good for a maximum speed of about 37 knots.

 

A convertible roof and triple sliding glass doors foster the feeling of an open boat with the flexibility to provide shade at the touch of a button. Underneath the teak decks is an opulent yet clean and contemporary interior. The owner’s stateroom features a large en-suite bathroom with twin sinks, a cavernous shower, and a separate walk-in wardrobe situated to port. Guest quarters include a luxurious VIP stateroom forward and two twin berth cabins forward of the galley.