Mercedes-Benz and Eurocopter Unveil Luxury Helicopter in Geneva

Mercedes-Benz just got a little bit cooler…if that was possible.  The luxury company has joined forces with Eurocopter and presented upon the world a luxury helicopter of grand proportions!

This is truly exciting news for luxury fans worldwide.  It is the first product by Eurocopter in the new Mercedes-Benz style range.  The companies jointly unveiled the EC145 luxury helicopter May 4th at the European Business Aviation Convention in Geneva.  EC145 Luxury Mercedes-Benz Helicopter

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Solar-Powered Plane Makes Maiden Voyage

After about seven years of development, the engineers of “Solar Impulse” can heave a collective sigh of relief as the solar-powered aircraft completed its maiden voyage on April 8th, 2010 successfully.

During the first launch, Solar Impulse departed from Switzerland and reached 5,500 feet in altitude, performing various test maneuvers.  Actual in-flight maneuvers went as seamlessly as the flight simulations Solar Impulse Solar Powered Planehad predicted, leaving the team pleased.  Takeoff and landing for the unique solar-powered plane also went off without a hitch.  The aircraft flew for approximately 87 minutes.  

This is a massive aircraft, with a prototype wingspan of around 197 feet.  According to Andre Borschberg, co-pilot, CEO and co-founder of the project,

 “Never has an airplane as large and light flown before!”

The wingspan is close in size to a Boeing 747, yet the aircraft weighs about as much as a compact car.  Outstanding! Technology is truly heading in a more sustainable direction, it would certainly seem.

The crew is gearing up for their planned flight around the world in 2012, during which they will attempt to fly the solar-powered plane both during the day and at night without fuel.  Before this attempt, they will test the Solar Impulse with a 36-hour night-flight.  Wise idea, team.  

Some specs for this solar-powered flying wonder include:

•    Crew of 1
•    Lithium batteries
•    Cruising speed of around 44 miles per hour
•    Altitude of 39,000 feet
•    11,628 photovoltaic cells on wing area
•    Powerplant:  4 electric motors, 10 hp each
•    71.7 feet long
•    21 feet tall

We are anxious to see how further development and testing turns out for this extraordinary and green aircraft.

For more on other luxury news bits, air & space stories and more, indulge in our luxury blog.

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Luxury Buzz: Sexy Plans for the New Mercedes-Benz CLK Leaked

New Mercedes-Benz CLK DrawingCould it be?  Is Mercedes adding a new wolf to its CLK wolf pack?  (Shameless reference to the movie “The Hangover”) The exotic auto rumor-mill is churning up talk of a new version of the C-Series Mercedes coupe, one that is quite shapely and sexy!  Of course, this has always been an attractive four-seater coupe option from the luxury company, but this makeover is smokin’ hot, if the talk is true.

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The 2011 Lotus Elise is Sexy, and Green

2011 Lotus Elise Who would have known social responsibility could be this sexy?  Yes, fans and readers, the 2011 Lotus Elise is one environmentally sound luxury car, capable of an astounding 56.1 miles per gallon European, which translates to approximately 46.7 U.S.  Don’t worry, we are just as shocked as you must be.

After all, it is not natural for an exotic or luxury car to exactly be green, quite the contrary.  Lotus is on the environmental fast track, so to speak, and we think that is incredible.  Lotus has made this is a fast car that owners can feel good about owning and driving, and likely created a standard for other luxury automakers to follow.

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BMW and SGL to Develop Carbon Fiber Plant

Two of our favorite luxury forces are about to combine, as BMW has plans to enter an agreement with SGL Group to develop a carbon fiber factory, right here in the U.S.  BMW is one of the leading luxury car makers in the world, and carbon fiber is currently the industry standard of what defines a luxury composite material.  This union pleases us, immensely.

The carbon factory will be located in Washington, and will have the capacity to supply material for the hybrids and electrical cars that are being developed for the future.  We can see the dollar signs now.

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Space Travel for the Masses? Meet Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic Commercial Space TravelThere was the invention of the wheel, which led to a multitude of transportation methods for the masses, then the Wright Brothers caught onto something.  Today, commercial airlines serve us in ways people in the past could not have dreamed of.  Enter Virgin Galactic, the company who aims to make space travel possible for everyone.

Seem outrageous?  So did commercial airlines to our predecessors, so why not commercial spacelines?  We live in a world of possibilities, and this could extend out of the world. 

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2010 Range Rover Technologically Robust

2010 Range RoverLand Rover is known for being among the top luxury SUV options and for its off-roading prowess.  Meet the 2010 Range Rover, who is adding to the list by offering tantalizing technology seamlessly interfaced-a truly modern stance.

Yes, the best SUV just got a little better.   There are 6 cameras total, and the dashboard is one big LCD screen.  For all the “techies” out there, it is truly a geek’s dream come true.  And I say that with all due respect; as I myself am quite the tech geek…don’t judge me.  

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Only 33 Dodge Viper SRT ACR’s Planned to Pound the Pavement

If you are a gearhead, you like to go fast.  And you like to know what everyone in the automotive realm is up to.  Well, the good people at Dodge are gaining attention with the special edition Dodge Viper SRT ACR, only 33 of which will hit production.

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Top 5 Submerged Hotels

Poseidon Undersea Resort Yes, I said “submerged” hotels-as in hotels with rooms that are actually beneath the surface of water!  So without further ado, let’s dive right into the top 5 underwater hotels:

1.    Jules Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida
2.   
Utter Inn, Vasteras, Sweden
3.    Hydropolis,
Dubai
4.    Poseidon Undersea Resort,
Fiji
5.    Underwater Hotel,
Istanbul

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Luxury Hybrids-Potential Players?

Is a fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrid luxury car a figment of fantasy, or is this automotive oxymoron potentially an upcoming player in the world of exotic cars? 

Of course the market is the central decision maker on the matter, and it stands to reason that a luxury hybrid could prove quite valuable and perhaps even common in the future, as greener standards are adopted across the board in the automotive industry.

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