Will Indians Go For a $3.6 Million Dollar Bugatti to Drive in Gridlock Traffic on Inapt Roads?

Indian Roadway

With the increasing chatter about the Chinese and Indian markets being the new luxury market leaders, there certainly is plenty to discuss.  Now Bugatti is giving us a bit more to talk about, by bringing the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport to India.  But will the Indian market be interested in investing in a $3.6 million dollar supercar, the fastest and most expensive car in the world, to drive on predominantly poorly maintained, single-lane roads?  There are multi-lane roads available in areas, but they are often just like the photo above.

Bugatti Veyron Supercar

By contrast, India is also where the world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano, originated.  I suppose you could say India has come full circle!  Bugatti will now be joining the ranks of other exotic and luxury car rental brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche, who are all trying their luck in these emerging markets.  For some reason I am thinking of the infamous western ‘Goldrush’.

Bugatti Veyron Blue and White

While luxury cars represent less than 1 percent of the total Indian market, it has grown 10 percent per year, with positive projections for future growth.  The target consumers for the Bugatti are the new kings of India, the 69 individuals who form the largest group of dollar billionaires outside of the States.  These people, and those who already own luxury cars but crave something flashier to flaunt are the ideal audience for a supercar of this caliber.

Bugatti Veryon Silver

While the company seems hopeful, the fact remains that the Bugatti Veyron’s $3.6 million dollar price tag is almost four times more than any other exotic vehicle sold in India, and that includes the ultra-luxe Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Maybach.  True to luxury car marketing strategy, only 150 units of the Veyron will be produced, which should work in the company’s favor, revving up that exclusive appeal.

But I am still curious who would want to drop $3.6 million on a car that will spend the majority of its life in bottleneck traffic and ricocheting between potholes?   I recommend a Bugatti-hovercraft for the Indian market.
Red and Black Bugatti Veyron
 

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The SSC Ultimate Aero II Poised to Pound Bugatti

It appears that Shelby SuperCars has done it again, producing the SSC Ultimate Aero II supercar.  And by ‘it’ I mean unleash one hell of a fast supercar upon the market, one perhaps even capable of beating out the luscious Bugatti Veyron for the coveted title of ‘Fastest production car available’. 

The Bugatti Veyron can get up to 267 miles per hour, and the SSC Ultimate Aero II is capable of rocketing up to around 274 miles per hour.  Basically, the SSC Aero II not only looks like a jet fighter, it is damn fast like one, too!  Check out our fleet of private jet charters, you will see the resemblance.

Before we go forward, let’s go backward, to the predecessor of the Ultimate Aero II, the Ultimate Aero.  The original never really had a shot at outdoing the Bugatti, but the new one seems to have filled in all the holes. Not that the original was an embarrassment by any means, it reached speeds of about 257 miles per hour, and had the sleek appearance of a DeLorean from ‘Back to the Future’ with sweet gullwing doors.  The new SSC Ultimate Aero is simply more powerful and robust, and obviously had the design team working overtime.  It is literally astonishing.

Specifications include the same twin-turbo V8 engine, but kicking out 1350 horsepower instead of 1183.  That is around 150 more horses than the Bugatti Veyron SS.  So theoretically, the SSC Ultimate Aero will reach speeds of around 274 miles per hour, though we still must wait for the official record.  I assume the brains behind Bugatti are already looking to the future, as the war wages on for the best and fastest supercar in the world.  As far as a price tag, I am going to guess the SSC Aero II will hit the market at around a million USD, which will make it a bargain compared to the Veyron SS.  I think after stealing a market percentage and gaining a reputation, Shelby SuperCars will gain the confidence to raise prices like Bugatti. 

Follow links for more on Bugatti, luxury news and to scope out our fleet of very sexy luxury rental cars.  That is right, you don’t have to be loaded to indulge in an exotic car on occasion, just rent one of ours! 
SSC Ultimate Aero II Supercar

 

 

 

 

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Luxury List: The Porsche Carrera GT

Preceded by the Porsche 911 GT1 and succeeded by the Porsche GT1, you will find the Porsche Carrera GT.  This supercar hit a production run in 2004 that ended in 2006.  Yes, for a delivery charge of just $5,000, a Porsche Carrera GT would have been delivered right to your door. Now you can see why Imagine Lifestyles added this to the biggest luxury list on the web. 

That really isn’t too steep for a luxury car that sold for an MSRP of around $440,000 USD.  Tack on a dealer invoice of around $14,800, and the Porsche Carrera GT boasted a price tag of around $421,000.  Nice.  So what went wrong? 

The original production run called for around 1,500 of the Carrera GT models to emerge onto the market, but Porsche announced in 2005 that production of the supercar would come to a screeching halt, citing a change in U.S. airbag regulations.  Lame.  So as of May 6, 2006, 1,270 Carrera GT’s had been manufactured, with a mere 604 sold to the United States.  I am assuming the cost to convert the design plan and budget of the Carrera GT to conform to the new airbag regulations was deemed excessive. 

Getting down to specs, the Porsche Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7-liter V10 engine kicking out 605 horsepower.  This is in stark contrast to the original concept Carrera GT, which featured a 5.5-liter version Porsche Carrera GT Supercarwith 558 horses.  The Carrera GT hits the 0-60 mark in around 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 miles per hour.   A six speed manual transmission was the only option, which makes it a driving enthusiast’s choice.
 

As far as aesthetics, this luxury Porsche came in five basic colors:

•    Guards red
•    Fayence yellow
•    Basalt black
•    GT silver
•    Seal grey

Owners could custom order colors from the factory.  The Carrera GT features oversized side inlets and air dams to cool the larger sized V10 engine, framed by a carbon fiber rear bonnet.  So how do you stop a supercar that powerful?  With carbon fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide ceramic composite brakes, of course.  The brakes are ridiculously effective and equally attractive.  To show off, a rear wing spoiler deploys at speeds of around 70 miles per hour.  Wouldn’t this be a perfect car to add to our fleet of Miami luxury rental cars or our every growing amount of Chicago exotic rental cars?

The interior of the Porsche Carrera GT is predictably plush, with soft leather, Bose audio system, navigation system and other luxe options.  I will close with a fun fact:  the ignition is located to the left of the steering column, paying homage to the early days of Le Mans racing when drivers where required to make a running start, hop into their cars, start them and race.  That way, the driver could start the Porsche with one hand, and put it into gear with the other.  Awesome.
 

 

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2010 Monaco Yacht Show Promotes Environmental Awareness

This year marked the 20th Monaco Yacht Show, and it was a decidedly green tie affair!  Yes, luxury yachts and megayachts whisking their wealthy owners or yacht charter guests to the world’s most beautiful places, guzzling massive amounts of fuel along the way, are potentially sailing for greener pastures…er…seas.

The 2010 Monaco Yacht Show kicked off September 22nd with approximately 28,000 guests from the luxury yacht industry and Monaco business world squeezed into the area.  Around 100 superyachts were present on opening day, poised on the water to impress.  Issues like deforestation and carbon footprints will be highlighted and prioritized, which is wonderful with a larger crowd to absorb the message and new technologies!

The coveted Yacht Show Monaco is joining forces with the Foundation Prince Albert II to attack environmental hazards and bring awareness to them.  During the event, super yachts from around the world will converge on the scenic Riviera.  The Riviera is a small section that is actively working to reduce the carbon footprints emitted by the yachts that frequent its waters.
 

2010 Monacco Yacht ShowAccording to Luc Khaldoun, Commercial Director Europe from Fraser Yachts,

"Motivation is coming from all sides and some owners are really deeply concerned by environmental issues, particularly the more technically-minded owners."
 It is cool that increased carbon-offsetting has been seen among participants at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.  The idea of offsetting is that a yacht’s greenhouse gas emissions are quantified and then balanced by an equal amount of emission reductions.  These reductions come from carefully scrutinized green energy projects around the world.

Newly launched megayacht ‘Exuma’ is making some green with envy, as it is the first of a new series of Vitruvius motor yachts built by Italy’s Pichiotti and Perini Navi and green, yet cutting edge.   It is a 50-foot yacht capable of accommodating ten guests and eight crewmembers, with a light aluminum hull designed to slash fuel consumption.  It is rumored that the Exuma yacht is designed to function with fuel efficiency similar to sail boats.  Very cool!

Take time out to sink your eyes into our fleet of luxury charter yachts Miami and South Beach on your way out!

 

 

 

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Luxury List: The $1 million Mercedes-Benz G-Class

This luxury SUV appears to have been based on a simple cardboard box…just replace the cardboard with carbon fiber.  Oh, and slap on a price tag of $1 million smackeroos.  Meet the Mercedes G-Couture.

This SUV is not only an eyesore; it makes no logical sense, yet there it is.  Yet, it does please me greatly that companies are willing to add luxurious carbon fiber to SUVs, it will not only look great, but lighten the gas-guzzling load and lower environmental impact. 

In my humble opinion, the G-Class SUV still bears too much of a resemblance to its original tank-ish beginnings.  Now it is a tank with a luxury badge, and demands a heavy wallet.  Now let’s get down to specs!
 

Engine:  5.7-liter supercharged (I love that word)
Power/Torque:  700 bhp
Top Speed:  158 miles per hour
0-60 Mark:  4.3 seconds
Fuel Economy:  Don’t ask
Competition:  Lunar Shuttle, Brabus G-Wagon, TechArt Magnum, Chuck Norris

 

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Luxury List: Rare Porsche Nabs Nearly $4 Million and World Record

Attention Steve McQueen and Porsche fans, a rare 1970’s Porsche racecar just destroyed the auction block, fetching a stunning $3,965,000 million at Bonhams & Butterfield’s in Monterey.  This also shatters the world-record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction.  Let’s find out why.

The Porsche is actually a historic and rare ex-Jurgen, similar to the one sported by Steve McQueen in Le Mans.  It is a 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Porsche Interserie Spyder, so try saying that three times fast.  Racecars generally boast lengthy names, in efforts to give credit to various people or innovation. 

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Top 10 Reasons Why Luxury Has its Ups and Downs

Advantages & Disadvantages of Being RichHave you ever thought that things would be ‘perfect’, if only you had more money?  Fantasizing that all of those miniscule issues like bills would suddenly evaporate into a green cloud of awesomeness?  While I love the luxury lifestyle, it does umm, pay, to observe both ends of the spectrum.  Here are some pros and cons of being rich that may interest you and make you feel better about having less!
 

What?  You mean life is not just peachy when you are rich?  Hell no!  Being rich presents a whole new set of issues that must be dealt with, including:

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Most Expensive Apartment: $220 Million London Loft

Pretty Woman Penthouse Julia RobertsFor those of you who find New York to be expensive, take notice of London!  A luxury penthouse just sold for a staggering $220 million, located at One Hyde Park, a development in Knightsbridge.  This could be the most expensive apartment sale.

The prestigious One Hyde Park development features 86 luxury properties starting at the bargain rate of around $31 million. Interestingly, the sale of the $220 million dollar unit at One Hyde Park dwarfs the previous record holder in Britain, the James’ Square apartment in Westminster’s 8 St. that sold for $180 million in 2008.

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The Most Expensive Round of Golf?

I think I have discovered the most expensive round of golf in the world!  It seems that Barbados attracts more than those seeking the sand, sun and surf-it also beckons to golf lovers.  For $2,300 per game, yoSandy Lane Golf Courses Barbadosu could consider golf a luxury sport on this swanky island!

So how do they charge so much for 9 holes?  Well, the actual fee for a round of golf at one of Sandy Lane resort’s three courses, the Green Monkey, the Old Nine and the Country Club is $300. 

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Top 5 Most Expensive Paintings Sold in Our Lifetime

For the art lovers, I have compiled a list of the top 5 most expensive paintings sold in our lifetime.  These are the sough-after and pricey picks that grace only the most luxurious of art displays, and the artists may surprise you:
 

 

1.    No.5 by Jackson Pollock 1948
Sold by David Geffen in 2006 to a private buyer via Sothebys for $151.2 million dollars
No.5 by Jackson Pollock

2.    Woman III by Willem de Koonig 1953
Sold by David Geffen to Steven A. Cohen in 2006 for $148.5 million dollars

Woman III by Willem de Kooning

3.    Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt 1907
Sold by Maria Altmann in 2006 to Ronald Lauder, Neue Galerie for $144.8 million dollars

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustov Klimt

4.    Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent Van Gogh 1890
Sold by Siegfried Kramarsky family in 1990 to Ryoei Saito for $139 million dollars

Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent Van Gogh

5.    Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1876
Sold by Betsey Whitney in 1990 to Ryoei Saito for $131.6 million dollars

Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Renoir

These are the list-toppers for expensive paintings out there, though it is uncertain if any are available (collectors tend to hold on to them).  What happened in 1990 and 2006?  I ask because 3 of these paintings were sold in 2006, and 2 in 1990.  Is this a curious coincidence, or did David Geffen perhaps need a bit of money in 2006, to the tune of nearly $3 million dollars (as he sold 2 of the top 5 paintings).  These affairs are often highly discrete, and of course, highly priced.

 

 

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