Friday, January 30, 2009

Ducati Limited Edition 1098 R Bayliss

Ducati is coming out out with a limited edition of its 1098 R superbike, described by the company as "the most advanced and powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle ever built," honoring its longtime racing champion Troy Bayliss. The Australian-born Bayliss represented Ducati Corse on the track for the past decade and captured three Superbike World Championships in the process, ending with the 2008 title. Only 1098 R Bayliss bikes will be produced worldwide, at a cost of about €35,000.

 

The Italian beauty features Bayliss' famed number 21 and the red, white and blue colour scheme used during his final race at Portimao in Portugal. The 1089 R Bayliss boasts 188 HP and 102 lb/ft torque from its L-Twin Testastretta Evoluzione engine, as well as a race-ready traction control system. It features an unpainted carbon fiber stripe along the seat unit, carbon lower-fairing finished in red, and a natural carbon fiber aerodynamic recess for the side-stand. A numbered plaque on the top fork clamp is reproduced on a commemorative plaque bearing the engraved signatures of Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio and Troy Bayliss himself.

 

 

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Wiesmann 20th Anniversary GT MF4-S

Boutique vintage-inspired German sportscar maker Wiesmann will unveil a 20th Anniversary edition of its GT MF4, dubbed the GT MF4-S, at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The two-seater from the Dülmen-based marque, founded in 1985 by brothers Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann, is powered by a 4.8L V8 BMW engine putting out 420hp, available with either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission.

 

Only 20 examples are being produced, and each will come outfitted with a center console featuring an engraved plaque with the name of the car's owner, the production number and the Wiesmann brothers' signature. Custom istrumentation and embroidery on the saddle leather seats will further distinguish the MF4-S, which bears more than a passing resemblance to a classic Jaguar XK-120. While the price has not been announced, a guesstimate of about €200,000 would not be amiss. 

 

X-Yachts Launches Xc 42 in Dusseldorf

Having proven itself in the performance sphere, Danish boatbuilder X-Yachts is going on a leisurely cruise with its newest model, the Xc 42, being launched at Boot Dusseldorf this week. Comfort is key on the 42 ft. long distance “bluewater” cruiser, designed with smaller crews in mind and a wider and deeper hull shape compared to the rest of the racing orientated boats X-Yachts range. The raked transom gives the Xc 42 a classic, retro-inspired look while concealing a hinged swimming platform, and a range of accommodation layouts can include a workshop or office and up to three cabins.

 

The interior comes fitted with white surfaced structural bulkheads and recessed teak stripes for a paneled look. The furniture joinery, including the galley, Nav, station, sofa fronts, cabinets, shelves, wardrobe and grab rails, are all made of high quality varnished and satin finished teak, executed by X-Yachts’ specialist carpenters. Varnished teak bulkheads are also available for the full-on classic look. As twenty Xc 42s were sold before a single hull was completed, it’s obviously an appealing package.

 

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Rolex President

Today I am going to look at something of an icon for Rolex. This is a version of the Rolex Day-Date (because it displays the day and date), also known as the Rolex President. The reason this watch is known as the President, is because a few American Presidents were known to wear the watch, and thus it garnered the name. You can imagine that Rolex was thrilled about this distinction. Aside from being a "standard" Day-Date, this watch has a case and bracelet that is constructed from platinum. Then you have the applied diamond bezel as well as hour markers. That makers for quite the blingy, yet serious Rolex watch. This is pretty much what you get when you take Rolex and Luxury in a small room and tell them they have a few hours to kill.

Most of you probably get some sense of tingle looking at this watch, I know that I do. While this would not be a daily wear for me, it is just the type of thing any-well-to do man or woman wants in their safe for those special occasions, meriting a wear of the "president," the "platinum president." Retail soars at over $60,000, but this piece is being offered brand new at a scant $37,900 out of Florida.

 

Friday, January 23, 2009

The New Scuderia Ferrari F60

Ferrari’s brand new Formula One racecar, the Scuderia Ferrari F60, pays tribute not only to F1’s 60th anniversary, but the no less impressive fact that Ferrari is the only team to have competed in each and every season. The F60, which has a carbon fibre and honeycomb composite chassis, is distinguished from past season’s models by a new aerodynamic formula resulting in the most dramatic changes in 25 years, as evidenced by a lower, wider front wing and a much narrower rear aerofoil.

 

Overall the bodywork is more streamlined, while technical upgrades include a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) developed together with Magneti-Marelli; a new carbon-encased seven-speed sequential gearbox with limited slip differential; and Brembo ventilated carbon fibre disc brakes. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari's “Flying Finn”, will be putting the F60 through its paces, but all we can think about is that it’ll make one hell of a collector car some day.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Cirrus SR22 Turbo GTS X Edition

Gulfstreams and Falcons are fine for corporate jet travel, but sometimes a man just wants to fly the damn plane himself. U.S.-based Cirrus Aircraft has made that possible without sacrificing anything in the way of creature comforts with the introduction of its new X Edition package, available on the company's top-of-the-line SR22 Turbo GTS two-seater light sport plane, which costs about €460,000. The X Edition The X edition is nothing short of "the embodiment of bespoke tailoring and fine craftsmanship in a high performance personal aircraft," Cirrus promises.

 

The X Edition beefs up standard features like the the Garmin GFC700 digital autopilot and Synthetic Vision Technology with alluring aesthetic upgrades, including carbon fibre and machine-finished aluminum on the instrument panel and center console, a cabin swathed in leather with tailor-stitched accents, and sports seats finished in supple, durable Alcantara. The net effect is similar to the interior of a BMW 7 Series – which will have to tide you over until Cirrus puts the finishing touches on its long-awaited seven seater Vision SJ50 jet.

 

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

2010 Honda Fury Chopper Unveiled

At the New York Motorcycle Show Honda just unveiled its long awaited 2010 Fury chopper, which at 1808.5mm boasts the longest wheelbase of any production motorcycle. Powered by a 1312cc fuel-injected and liquid-cooled V-twin with a 5-speed transmission, the attractive bike, which will sell for about €15,000, features a radiator is tucked neatly in between the front frame rails, and uses a shaft drive as opposed to the more traditional belt associated with custom-style motorcycles.

 

A hidden rear shock attached to a 200mm rear tire gives the bike a hardtail look, while a raked-out front end houses a near-anorexic 21-inch front tire framed by sexy bladed spokes. It comes in Blue, Silver, Burgundy and Matte Black, with plenty of chrome scattered about to good effect. Honda intends to offer several accessories for customizing the Fury, and is promoting the tagline, "It's the chopper you would build for yourself - if you had a factory instead of a garage."

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sunseeker Debuts New 30 Metre Superyacht

UK-made Sunseeker yachts, which have featured prominently in the last three James Bond films, just unveiled their latest model, the 30 Metre trideck superyacht, at the London Boat Show. With a dual control flybridge helm, accommodation for up to ten guests and four crew, plus speeds of up to 28 knots and a range at a slow cruising speed of 10 to 12 knots up to 1,000 nautical miles with extended fuel capacity, the Sunseeker 30 turned plenty of heads.

 

The large deck expanse is home to spacious seating areas, dining tables, a sunpad and spa tub, while a four-cabin lower deck arrangement complements a master suite remaining forward on the main deck for panoramic views. Throughout the yacht Sunseeker’s trademark attention to detail is evident in the liberal use of state-of-the-art electronics, rich American walnut furnishings, highly polished teak decks, embossed headlinings, high gloss lacquer bulkheads, richly tanned leather and plush fabrics and carpeting.

 

Sunseeker Yacht 105 on JamesList.com

 

Monday, January 19, 2009

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI

Amidst all the trendy and fairly hideous eco-bio-hybrid crap wheeled out at the Detroit Auto Show, Audi displayed something decidedly different: a red-hot version of its already impressive R8 supercar with a 5.2L V10 engine out of a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The R8 5.2 FSI, as it's dubbed, delivers 525hp and 391 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 316 km/h – and so it should for €142,000.

 

The lightweight aluminum bodied, mid-engined rocket, which comes equipped with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system, is finished in a striking red and black color scheme. The front air inlets, which feed air to the coolers, and the lip of the front apron are painted in high-gloss black, while the vertical air scoops, known as the sideblades, more prominent in this model, feature a matte aluminum finish. Nappa leather and a Bang & Olufsen sound system are standard for the interior.

 

Friday, January 16, 2009

Frederick Jouvenot Chronographe Evolution I

Young French-Swiss watchmaker Frederic Jouvenot will debut his first timepiece, the automatic Chronographe Evolution 1, at the Salon International de la Haute Horologerie (SIHH) next week in Geneva. The 31-year-old Juvenot’s major innovation is the first classic chronograph with a fully visible automatic winding mechanism on the face. The watch features a 44mm case in either 18-karat white or rose gold with black gold detailing, and is limited to only 88 pieces in each configuration.

 

Waterproof to a depth of 50m, it has a massive bi-directional gold central winding rotor, 50 hour power reserve and intricate three-dimensional dial with recessed subsidiary seconds and 30-minute subdial. A sapphire exhibition window on the reverse reveals the complex column-wheel controlled mechanism, with its Cotes de Geneve patterns and anglage finishing on the bridges, beveling on the steel chronograph levers, and a polished swan neck adjustment.

 

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Silvestris 23 Sports Cabriolet

When designer Maarten de Bruijn decamped from Dutch sportscar marque Spyker a few years back, most people assumed he'd stick with road going vehicles. Wrong. Turns out De Bruijn's new passion is speedboats – with more than a touch of sportscar style. De Bruijn's' new brand, Silvestris Haute Motive Concept, just unveiled its first motoryacht with a tip of the hat to automotive legends: the Silvestris 23' Sports Cabriolet. The result is akin to an ocean-going Porsche.
The "Cabriolet" moniker comes into play as the cabin's rooftop can be opened or closed like in a high end convertible. Two more passenger posts – a rumble seat if you will – are controlled via a remote-operated hatch. Finishing touches include vari-coloured sea-water resistant leather and aluminum body panels riveted and bonded to a tubular space frame. And what's under the hood, you ask? Your choice of two Volvo diesel engines, one Volvo petrol engine, or the top of the line Silvestris 8.1L V8 made by Bones Marine. The latter puts out 560hp (417kW) through its single prop stern drive system, propelling the boat to speeds in excess of 55 knots 100km/h. Yeah, that's the one we'd choose as well.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The 2010 Jaguar XFR

We were a little underwhelmed by the XF, Jaguar's bells-and-whistles big cat which it started shipping last year. The new supercharged, direct-injection V8 XFR, however, just unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, is an altogether sexier beast. Performance-wise, the new version of Jaguar's AJV8 boasts a bigger 5.0 litres of displacement and produces 510 bhp and 460 lb-ft of torque, for a 0-60 mph time of only 4.7 seconds.

 

Exterior upgrades include a new front end with a new bumper design featuring large, chrome trimmed air inlets on both sides, hood vents, new fenders, side sills, a decklid spoiler, and new rear bumper wrapping around four exhaust pipes. It's also given 20-inch Nevis alloy wheels and larger brakes with in-your-face calipers bearing the "R" logo. Inside the XFR is outfitted in new dark mesh aluminum trim, a wicked 14-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and two-tone sports seats bearing the "R" logo. The car will be available in eight colors and will cost about €50,000.

 

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

NetJets Falcon 7X by Lord Norman Foster

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster has designed a sleek new fleet of Dassault Falcon 7X planes for NetJets Europe. Foster had originally been commissioned to create luxe interiors for 33 7Xs which will be added to Net Jets fleet over the next eight years, but the architect, who is also a pilot in his own right, set out to make exterior modifications as well. The 37 million 7X combines Dassault's fighter jet prowess with its advanced research capabilities and is the fastest Falcon ever made.

 

The jets feature a crisp blue and white exterior, and inside a cream leather and blond wood design scheme for the passenger areas, and industrial-style black and grey steel and carbon fibre elements for the crew, galley and work spaces. Fiddleback Sycamore wood was used for wall fittings and in a neat finishing touch, Foster also created custom seatbelt buckles in nickel (polished for the cabin and black for the crew). NetJets Europe COO Graeme Weston says Foster was given a free rein for the 1.7 billion project, noting, we placed compete trust in his ability to create something special.

 

 

Pangea Ship Company - Lucid Marine To Build In the U.S.

The Fort Lauderdale-based Lucid Marine Group is launching a new venture to build superyachts in the U.S. Rusty Preston, formerly of Westport Yachts, and Jeffery Ferguson, former vice president of Christensen Yachts, recently joined Lucid with the goal of developing a new line of semi-custom megayachts. The company also created the Pangea Ship Company, a division that will focus on custom yachts 200’ and larger, to be built at Oregon Iron Works’ (OIW) Swan Island Shipyard in Portland. Lucid Marine President Barin Cardenas says the U.S. offers unique opportunities to address the world’s current backlog in very large yacht orders, with technical expertise that an attractive exchange rate makes more affordable to international buyers.

 

After multiple visits to shipyards in the U.S. and abroad, Barin and his partners selected OIW, an industrial shipyard with a commercial marine division, founded 1944. With 300,000 sq. feet of manufacturing space, deep water access and technical expertise that earned OIW contracts for the conversion of the space shuttle launch complex, foundations of the new San Francisco Bay Bridge, and demonstration craft for the U.S. Navy, Barin says the shipyard has a unique way of addressing complex manufacturing processes and a solid engineering expertise that will help make Pangea competitive. OIW manager, who see in this new venture an opportunity to diversify its activities, plan to hire specific staff to handle yacht projects. Barin says they also plan to bring in subcontractors for interiors, not unlike many other shipyards here and abroad, including in the superyacht building meccas of Holland and Germany. The newly formed company has already worked closely with Canada-based Greg Marshall on two projects, Barin says. Two very large yachts are currently under bid. The goal is to build one yacht within three years.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Mansory Vincero Bugatti Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron is a pretty impressive package straight from the factory, but German-based exotic auto tuner Mansory obviously felt there was still room for improvement. Their conversion, produced in an ultra-exclusive limited edition of three for Abu Dhabi-based Prestige Cars, is dubbed the Vincero, Italian for I will win. With 1,109 hp and 967 lb-ft of torque produced by improved intake and exhaust systems along with Mansorys trademark engine tuning, thats no idle boast.

The high-gloss black and grey version pictured here has chrome accents on the grille, front fenders and doors, and carbon fiber panels on the bonnet, rear engine cover, rear fascia and diffuser. Fully custom forged wheels and LED headlight accents round out the exterior upgrades. Inside youll find two-tone black and white leather, alternating in smooth and woven finishes, ambient cabin lighting and custom F1-style shift paddles on the steering wheel. The Vincero will make its official public debut (including no-doubt-astonishing price announcement) at the Geneva Motor Show in March.