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
 

*Check out our fleet of luxury rental cars on your way out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals
 

[…]

Read More…

[…]

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

The Most Expensive: Priciest Porsches

We all know that exotic cars come with the corresponding price tags, and Porsche is no exception.  Big brands such as Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche seem to set the precedent in terms of pricing and standards.  So what are some of the most expensive Porsche models?

 •   Porsche Carrera GT
•    Porsche 918 Spyder
•    Porsche 917 031/026

 

 The Porsche Carrera GT is a list topper, coming in around $440,000.  So for nearly half a million, you get a luxury car capable of reaching speeds of 205 miles per hour and faster, hitting the 0-60 clincher in just 3.9 seconds.  Yes please.
Porsche Carrera GT
Up next is the sultry Porsche 918 Spyder, a concept that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show and has since been confirmed for production.  In fact, it is going to be the most expensive production car for the elite company ever, surpassing the half million marker to a staggering $650,000.  

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from The Most Expensive: Priciest Porsches

Another New Ferrari You Can’t Have

At the Paris Auto Show Ferrari unleashed a new beast, dubbed the Ferrari SA Aperta.  This luxury car has been created to honor the 80th anniversary of a long collaboration between Pininfarina and Ferrari.  Pininfarina is basically synonymous with Ferrari at this point, having designed some of the most breathtaking cars for the brand.

The SA Aperta Ferrari will be exclusive, as one would expect with a special edition luxury car.  Only 80 SA Aperta’s will roll out of the Maranello Ferrari plant, and every last one has already been sold following a private event at Pebble Beach Concours.   The rumored selling price was around $540,000 USD. I suppose we at Imagine Lifestyles will not be offering a Ferrari SA Aperta rental any time soon, as they are all taken!  This would be a perfect car to add to a fleet of Miami exotic car rentals and Chicago luxury rental cars.

Ferrari SA Aperta Supercar

The SA Aperta will sport such a wide range of interior trim options that it is pretty much ensured no two of the 80 supercars will be the same!

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from Another New Ferrari You Can’t Have

Ducati’s Make the Big Screen in Wall Street Movie

For my movie buffs out there who also happen to be luxury motorbike fans, the movie ‘Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps’ features two Ducati D16RR’s.  These are rare superbikes, only 1500 were made by Ducati for the retail market. 

Ducati branded each of the 1500 D16RR motorcycles with a special number to differentiate them all, which is another thing that makes them special, aside from their exclusive status.   So it is cool that two of these Ducati bikes made it onto the big screen.Ducati D16RR Superbikes

It seems the luxury bike company has been on a bit of a PR mission lately, donating two Ducati Multistradas to the Pope for his personal motorcade, and starring on the big screen.  Money never sleeps, and neither does Ducati.  That is fine with me, if it is fast and expensive, it has my attention, and Ducati makes amazing motorcycles.

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from Ducati’s Make the Big Screen in Wall Street Movie

Luxury List: The Matsutake Mushroom Japan $2000 Per Pound

This is a sensitive subject for some, as some believe the most expensive mushroom is the white truffle.  The white truffle is a rare and expensive fungus, but it is lacking one vital quality when vying for the title:  it is NOT a mushroom.  Does that settle it?  Now, meet the new contender, Japan’s matsutake mushroom.Most Expensive Matsutake Mushrooms Japan

The matsutake mushroom of Japan, or mattake, is extremely rare.  We all know how this works-something is rare, therefore it is expensive, the old ‘supply and demand’ strategy for marketing.  Historically the matsutake mushroom is synonymous with autumn in Japan. 

So why are the matsutake shrooms so rare?  This has been bugging me.  The plight of this mushroom is literally due to a bug, an insect that eradicates the trees that shelter the sumptuous shrooms.  The decline of these trees has in turn led to a decline in the matsutake mushroom, as symbiotic relationships go.  So the price per pound of this glorified fungus is a staggering $2,000.  Yes.  For fungus.

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from Luxury List: The Matsutake Mushroom Japan $2000 Per Pound

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

 

 

 

 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals
 

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from The SSC Ultimate Aero II Poised to Pound Bugatti

Top 10 Fastest Cars in the World

Ok speed demons, I have compiled a hot list of the top 10 fastest luxury cars to ever tear across a track.  Let’s get it on.

 

1.    Bugatti Veyron 267 mph
2.    SCC Ultimate Aero 257 mph
3.    Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo 248 mph
4.    Koenigsegg CCX 245 mph
5.    McLaren F1 240 mph
6.    Ferrari Enzo 217 mph
7.    Jaguar XJ220: 217 mph
8.    Pagani Zonda F: 215 mph
9.    Lamborghini Murcielago LP640: 211 mph
10.  Porsche Carrera GT: 205 mph

 

 

On top of being a Bugatti, this mega-brand gets the added perk of being the fastest luxury car available right now.  I love the aluminum W16 Engine with the astounding 1001 horses.  Yum.  The base price of $1,700,000 is totally worth this badass sports car…I may even trade my dignity in for one.

 

Bugatti Veyron Supercar

The SSC Ultimate Aero shoots up to 257 mph, much like an arrow.  And it hits the 0-60 mark in 2.7 head-jerking seconds (insert dirty joke).  It boasts a hot V8 Twin-Turbo engine with 1183 horses with a base price of $654,000.  That price is a bit more palatable than the Bugatti.  This was the fastest car in the world from March of 2007 until July 2010, when the Bugatti Veyron flew by it.

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from Top 10 Fastest Cars in the World

Most Expensive: $5 Million 1964 Aston Martin DB5

A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 graced by none other than 007 himself is set to hit the auction block in London on October 27th, 2010.  The luxury car is expected to rake in an estimated $5 million dollars when it changes hands at Sotheby’s.

Wow, $5 million smackaroos is a bit more than the $12,000 paid by the current owner, Jerry Lee, when he purchased the DB5 from Aston Martin in 1969.  It certainly seems that Mr. Lee stands to make a profit!  Of course, the fetching price is steep for this particular Aston Martin as it hit the big screen with James Bond in both early films “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball”.  So if it is a 1964 yet Mr. Lee purchased it from Aston Martin in 1969, what happened in the interim? 

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from Most Expensive: $5 Million 1964 Aston Martin DB5

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.
 

 

Don’t miss our Porsche rentals and other luxury car rentals on your way out!

 

 

 

 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals
 

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from Luxury List: The Porsche Carrera GT

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!

 

 

 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

[…]

Read More…

[…]

Read More… from 2010 Monaco Yacht Show Promotes Environmental Awareness