Monday, December 5, 2005

Video Coverage of the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show

Below is are links to videos of my most favorite cars. In order to view these videos you must have either Windows Media Player or Apple's Quicktime, which are both free downloads.

2007 Audi S8 - Video

2006 Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 - Video

Ferrari GG50 Concept - Video

Lexus LF-Sh Concept - Video

Saturday, December 3, 2005

iPod's Now In Your Car



Your ipod music can now be taken on the road with you with seamless intergration between selected automakers. Major automakers that participate in the intergrartion of ipods are; Acura, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Infiniti, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Volkswagen, Scion, and Volvo. Most of the 2006 models will have this feature as well as some prior year models. However, if your automobile does not have it iPod integration, you can obtain options from leading car stereo accessory manufacturers and outfit any car to play well with iPod. For a list of Apple's car stereo parnters visit here.

To view a quick demo of the process of intergrating your ipod, Mercedes-Benz constructed a demo at iPod goes Mercedes-Benz.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Google Experiment: nworbxela

I first want to apologize for the inconsistency with this post. The reason why I have to do this is for a class experiment, so please disregard if this does not pertain to you.

The class experiment was inspired by the book The Google Story [Located Below] which points out 'power' google has acquired, from an internet marketing standpoint, in such a short period of time. By making up a word that produces no results "nworbxela" we are trying to see what will happen if the whole class blogs about this word "nworbxela". We want to know what type of results will derived from blogging about it.

In case you are wondering where "nworbxela" it is Alex Brown, our professor spelled back words.

Don't forget to purchase this GREAT book!!

The Peugeot Moovie

What the...?



Excerpt from Automobile Magazine:
Peugeot runs a worldwide design competition, for which the prize is awarded at the Geneva motor show in the spring. Then the company builds a full-scale concept car in time for Frankfurt in the fall. The Moovie is an agile and environmentally friendly city car designed by a young Portuguese, André Costa. Among the innovations are dual-function doors that house gigantic rear wheels and slide forward to access the two-seat interior. We aren't sure, however, about the dynamics of the rubber band rear wheels and the tiny fronts.

To see various views of the vehicle visit Peugeot Moovie Concept article.

Monday, November 21, 2005

$100,000 Volkswagen...Would you buy it?



Yes, if this is your first time hearing it, than that $100,000 price tag is correct. VW has made a small move into the luxury market in 2004 with its Volkswagen Phaeton. Their reasoning behind this move is to offer their loyal VW owners whose salaries and aspirations have grown beyond the company’s core models, like the Golf, Jetta and Passat, a top-notch luxury sedan. And, to prevent them from transitioning into the typical high-end automobile market such as BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz.

However, this endeavor goes against the grain of what this company was founded on years ago which is being a "people's car", translated in German is Volkswagen. This could be the main reason why the cheap Beetle was so successful.

Since the birth of the VW Phaeton sales have not been that pleasing and I believe the reason is due to the fact no one wants to pay $60,000-$100,000 for a Volkswagen. As a marketing person I believe this venture could have yield a greater return if instead of making an epensive VW they could have made an cheap Bentley (which VW also owns). Cosumers would more likely run after a deal with a $100,000 Bentley versus a $100,000 VW. Below is a way to determine whether a person should or should not buy the VW Phaeton.

Is this Phaeton for you?


Buy This Vehicle If: You had a Beetle in college, a Golf hatchback for your first job, a Jetta sedan when you had more money in the bank and a Passat when you got married and settled down. The next-step Phaeton will keep you in the VW family. Then again, isn’t that what Audi is for?

Keep Looking If: You demand a luxury badge to go with the luxury price; you like a sportier ride and/or better fuel economy.

Who Fits?: The Phaeton is commodious and easily accommodates five adults, unless equipped with the four-seater package. Power-adjustable seats should keep occupants of all sizes comfortable.

Options Worth Splurging On: Parking assist ($700)

Closest Competitors:
Audi A8
BMW 7 Series
Infiniti Q45
Jaguar XJ
Mercedes Benz S-Class

Monday, November 14, 2005

The Most Expensive Cars in the World

Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive cars in the world in the year 2005.

1) Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - originated from California and uses a 750-hp V-8 engine and is the worlds fastest and most expensive car totaling around $670,384.

2) Pagani Zonda C12S 7.3 convertible - Reaches speeds over 200mph. Country of Origin is Italy and the price tag is $598,025.

3) Koenigsegg CCR - originating from Sweden this car is so bad it's illegal in certain countries like the U.S. The price tag is $562,659.

4) Koenigsegg CC8S - Some home as #3, but less powerful still with a V-8 power--in this case, a superscripted unit that delivers 655 hp. Price tag: $522,120.

5) Porsche Carrera GT - Born in Germany this car is also the toy model diecast I bought this past summer. Price for what I bought it at ($24.99) and the actual price tag $484,151. Big Difference, huh?

6) Maybach 62 - Coming from Germany, a product of Mercendes Benz comes in 2 sizes 57 (Average people) and 62 (Pro-Athletes like Shaq). Price Tag: $457,991

7) Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren - Germany is it's home with a price tag of $456,526.

8) Maybach 57 - The little cousin of the Maybach 62 which luckily comes at a cheaper price tag $389,226.

9) Rolls-Royce Phantom - The car they consider to be driven in comes from Great Britain totaling $328,750 and is also owned by BMW. This car competes directly with the Maybachs.

10) Spyker C8 Double 12 S - The Netherlands is it's origin with a price tag of $325,560. The C8 Double 12 S uses a 400-hp, 4.2-liter Audi V-8 and has a very unique distinctive body style.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

FREE Bentley with the Purchase of Diamond Rims

How awesome is that? Buy some diamond rims and get a free Bentley GT. I know you are probably waiting for me to say sike because you just can't believe this deal, but it's true. Though, the catch is they are set of four Asanti diamond-encrusted wheels which run about millon dollars. And, by adding in the Bentley it turns out to be about $850,000 so do you really get a deal?



This Asanti brand which is the luxury line of the wheelmaker Lexani are the only company that offers real diamonds in their wheels. These 22-inch wheels can be ordered with sapphires, rubies or any other gem a prospective owner desires. The famous rapper Master P who also owns a set, helps promote the new rims.



Tuesday, November 1, 2005

2005 Tokyo Motor Show

Dates for the general public were October 22 - November 6, 2005, however the press are able to enter October 19-20, 2005. Below is a list of vehicles that I have interest in with a breif description of each.

2007 Bugatti Veyron


After a long, public gestation period, the Veyron has graced magazine pages around the globe this month, as it makes its world premier in production form in Tokyo. Power output has been finalized at 987 horses at 6000 rpm, with 922 pound-feet of torque at just 2200. The direct-injection 8.0-liter W-16 has 64 valves and four turbos. Engine drives all four wheels (with a fixed 30/70 front/rear torque split) through a seven-speed DSG twin-clutch trans. Bugatti claims 0-60 mph in under 3.0 seconds, 0-124 mph in 6.0, and 0-186 mph in 14.0. Amazing numbers. VW boss Bernd Pischetsrieder admits the Veyron will not make money, even with a $1.2 million asking price. But he insists the total cost of designing, engineering, and manufacturing the world's ultimate supercar is less than it would cost VW for a single season of Grand Prix racing. "This is our Formula 1," he says.

Ferrari GG50

Giorgetto Giugiaro began his car designing career at Fiat in 1955. In the five decades since, he’s been responsible for some of the greatest car designs of all times, from the Maserati Ghibli, to the VW Golf. While at Bertone he designed two custom one-off Ferraris to order for special customers, but those were the only Ferraris on his resume until this one. At last year’s Paris auto show, he asked Piero Ferrari if he could design a special Ferrari to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a stylist. Ferrari consented whole-heartedly, insisting he use a 612 Scaglietti as a basis. The maestro shortened the overhangs and relocated the fuel tank to beneath the trunk floor, freeing up luggage space and enabling a rear hatch with fold-down rear seatbacks. The visual mass of the car is concentrated at the rear, and the B-pillars are removed. Folding the front seatbacks causes the rear windows to retract to ease entry to the rear seat. The interior is redesigned, but retains all Ferrari switchgear and underlying structure. The bodywork is in carbon fiber. The GG50 is not a concept car, it is a runner that Giugiaro intends to drive. Happy 50th Sr. Giugiaro, and to the Tokyo Motor Show too.



Lexus LF-Sh

Toyota officials will deny it, but this rakish sedan is the next generation Lexus LS. The LF-Sh showcases what are now two key Lexus product trends: sporty styling, and a hybrid powertrain. The LF-Sh shows the next Lexus LS will be aimed at luxury car buyers who don’t like the bold look of the new S-class Mercedes or BMW 7-series, though the car features a raised trunk that’s clearly inspired by Chris Bangle’s work. This next-generation LS will be all new, with a new platform, new suspension, new transmission, a more sophisticated VDIM integrated stability control system, and a new V-8 engine with Toyota’s new, innovative D-4S dual injection system, which injects fuel into the ports like a conventional fuel injection system, as well as directly into the combustion chamber. The top of the range LS will feature a hybrid powertrain tuned to deliver high performance while delivering class-leading fuel economy. Finally, the new LS will be available in two wheelbases. This is the standard wheelbase version: the long wheelbase car will feature an extra 3-4 inches in the wheelbase, all of it devoted to rear passenger legroom.

Print list of cars.
Print extended list of cars.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Inside Jay Leno's Garage


It' been rumored that Jay Leno was a former mechanic before he became the popular host of The Tonight Show., which lead to his obsession with cars. He has 3 garages with more than 50 cars ranging from vintage cars to modern bikes. There are 2 full-time mechanics on staff to assure all vehicles are working properly, although Leno does prefer to do everything himself.

Since being blessed with a parking spot in the NBC studios, Jay takes a different vehicle to work everyday. He refuses to have his cars become museum models, where they just sit around and collect dust.

Jay Leno does admit to not have any lust for these cars, but he states if he does see something he likes he will get it.

For the whole story visit Forbes.com.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Your Dream Has Just Came True

Although, I really wish I can afford one of these beautiful vehicles and I presume that you do too. There still might be a chance for us to realize some of our dreams of owning one of these vehicles, by buying the minature versions of them, diecast models.

Over the summer I made 2 purchases of the excellent toy models, 1 being the 2005 Mercedes Benz CLS and the other was the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT both made by Maisto. And, I admit I am absolutely infactuated with the models and I plan to buy some more in the up coming months.

The site I made the purchases and plan to make more is at is IDcow.com.

Below is a new vehicle that is on the cover of the most recent Car and Driver magazine and the car I that I have my eyes set on getting pretty soon. Feel free to click on the link and check out the picture of it.



Wednesday, October 12, 2005

The Bat Mobile has Arrived


Have you ever wodner what the Bat Mobile would look like in the near future? Wonder no more...Here it is, the very sexy 2-door Maybach Exelero. Well at least that's what you would think if you saw it. Just by looking at the eyes (headlights) of this car gives this dark evil feeling. Out of all the Batmans, this is the one you do not want to &*%@ with. And, it's crazy that a lot of people do not like the new Exelero because of the look. Are the crazy??? The look is the selling point, its unique styling just begs for heard turns and I bet if seen on I-95 heads will turn.



Outside of just the look of this even more upscale Mercedes marque, under the hood has some pretty impressive things. Things such as a 700bhp twin-turbo 6.0 litre V-12, which enables the Bat Mobile to do 60mph in a little over 4 seconds. 1...2...3...4..Done! Impressive, huh? Also, it has reached speeds up to 218.3mph. However, there is some bad news this vehicle styled by German designs is only for promotional use and not for production. Fulda, German tire maker financed this car to publize the new Carat Excelero tire. But wait...There is some good news I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

The Biggest and Most Expensive Jaguar EVER!!!

For 2006 Jaguar will be releasing their latest creation, the Jaguar XJ Super V8 Portfolio. With a price tag little over 6 figures makes the most expensive Jag ever built. It is also consider the most luxuries Jag ever built competing against the 12 cylinders vehicles by Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.



For a full story of this new vehicle visit Edmunds' Inside Line.

Monday, September 12, 2005

A Porsche with 4 doors? It's true...


Starting in 2009 Porsche will introduce their lastest creation the 4 door Panamera, derived from the legendary Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico. This $1 billion investment will have 4 seats, 4 doors but with a body that resembles a coupe. Similar to what Mercendes Benz did with their 2006 CLS-Class, although they were the first with the 4-door coupe. The price of course will be in the six figures, ranging from $125,000 to $175,000. The company is anticipating to sell 20,000 of these cars a year.

Porsche Panamera is expected to have a 340-hp naturally aspirated engine or a 450-hp turbocharged unit, with the choice of either standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. There are even rumors about having a hybrid engine for the Panamera, this plan won't be announced until next month. Trademark cues include Carrera GT-type headlamps, large lateral front air intakes borrowed from the 911 Turbo, a wide tailgate la Cayenne, and a four-light boomerang greenhouse to avoid that slouchy SUV/wagon look.

This 4 door coupe has been long over due. Porsche's fourth model line the 989 was originally suppose to be the first 4 door coupe with true back seats. However these plans were canceled due to expensive development costs and limited number of potential buyers. All envidence of the prototype was destroyed and was never shown to the public. Although, some parts of the 989 remained and inspired othevehicleses such as the 911s. Here is another link to a blog talking about the release of the Panamera at Auto Blog.



Thursday, September 8, 2005

Purpose Driven

The reason why I created this blog is because of a course at the University of Delaware called Information Technology Applications in Marketing with Professor Alex Brown. There isn't too many courses at a university where you can do a project and it is actually fun. And, I have to say this is one of those that actually might be pretty fun.

As I mention in the previous post this blog is dedicated to informing you with the lastest information on all luxury vehicles a starting price tag at $80,000 and at the same time satisfy my passion for automobiles. There may be some cars that range from $50-80,000 like my favorite car the 2006 Lexus GS 430.

Saturday, September 3, 2005

New Blog about Luxury Cars

This blog will be about cars and suvs that have a very expensive price tag. Most cars will be $80,000 or above, though they may be a few cars that I might include that will be around the $50-60,000 range.

My dream is to make enough money one day to afford at least one if not more of these cars.

I hope you enjoy my selections. You can find some of these cars at Dupont Registry.