Mercedes has been busy being fabulous; take for example the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec. This is a luxury hybrid SUV that is part of the transition from off-roaders to on-roaders.
What does that mean? The death of large gas-guzzling SUVs has long been predicted, and it is being reinforced by new laws and standards for a greener future. Drivers do not want to pay the high fuel costs or harm the environment, yet they love the higher vantage point provided by an SUV. So what is occurring is a shift to a lighter, car-based chassis yet not away from a high-riding vehicle. Fuel economy is improved, emissions are reduced, and all are happy.
With all the hype and responsibility to be environmentally friendly, companies are stepping up with increasingly innovative energy solutions to reduce harmful impact on our environment. An increasing number of those companies are luxury companies, like Sauter Carbon Offset Design, who has unleashed the world’s first low carbon mega yacht!
The long lines for Ferrari’s latest prancing horse, the Ferrari F430, have begun to vaporize and rumors are now circulating about a successor. The Ferrari F142 is making headlines, and if you’d like to avoid lines, go snag an F430 Spider now!
The epic waiting lists for a Ferrari are part of the thrill of ownership, because it is like waiting for a new baby to arrive. The F430 successor, code-named F142, is anticipated to be unveiled at the Frankfort Motor Show this fall. As always, spy photographers are all over it.
Want the best of the best when it comes to luxury cars, but worried about fitting it into tight spaces? Meet the BRB Evolution supercar, a concept sports car designed to be different. It may look like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, but give it a chance.
The BRB Evolution was designed by 22-year old British engineer Daniel Bailey, and the fresh approach is certainly welcome. This is a luxury concept car that has the capacity to fold itself in half lengthwise in order to fit into tight parking spaces. Don’t worry, it manages to dazzle on the aesthetics end as well!
In the very recent past, performance hybrid systems have not had the best record for generating strong sales. That trend seems to be shifting gears, with green being the new black, and luxury carmakers jumping on the bandwagon, so to speak! Porsche is even joining the ranks of luxury hybrids, with its new 2011 Porsche Cayenne S hybrid.
Porsche evidently feels that the luxury hybrid market is the key to the future, and rightfully so. With new fuel economy standards being adopted in the United States and other countries, even the luxury carmakers are preparing for a green future. It is a good business move that has the double bonus of being good for the environment, which is in turn good for everyone.
Toyota Motor Corp. is a tough brand, and has had many punches to roll with in recent months. The strong and fighting spirit of this classic luxury car brand is in full effect, as it is purchasing $50 million in common shares in the electric-car venture started by Tesla.
This does not come as a shock until you consider that Toyota is also simultaneously recalling approximately 8 million cars in multiple countries, due to acceleration defects, repairable via the car’s computer system.
The company is taking the high road, initiating the recall with a positive outlook, viewing it as a “good lesson”, rather than making excuses. Toyota is poised to emerge stronger and savvier after the sequence of recalls.
Classic luxury carmaker and brand Bentley has unleashed its fastest and most powerful model to date, the Continental Supersports. Bentley unveiled the 630 horsepower turbocharged beauty at the Geneva Motor Show as a production model. According to Bentley, it is intended to reflect a new and “extreme character” for the brand.
The new Bentley Supersports marks a double success for the company, as it is not only the fastest model, but also the first model capable of running on both petrol and bio-fuel. The W12 engine packs a punch, rocketing it one mile in just 18 seconds, all while drinking a more economically friendly fuel, E85. It seems Bentley is geared up for a bright and green future, without sacrificing power in the process.
All luxury car fans recognize the winged badge on the nose of any Aston Martin, but would you recognize it on the nose of say, a much more diminutive Aston? Let’s revisit the Aston Martin Cygnet.
This is a teeny member of the luxury car family, measuring in at barely 10 feet from nose to tail. Look at the photo to the right, now try to picture James Bond behind the wheel…amused yet? I am!
This is a unique 3-door hatchback, quite futuristic and ideal for city living. Originally the Cygnet was billed as a sort of sidekick, or the equivalent of a tender to a luxury yacht. It seems the concept has re-emerged to fit the role as a luxury smartcar, and the timing could not be better, and is in-tune with current global realities and the worldwide auto industry’s decidedly green future.
What is more exciting is that Aston Martin is not the only company betting there is a market for downsized luxury cars. To compliment new emission regulations in Europe and North America geared toward improving fuel economy, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac and Audi have all chimed in with their own downsized but upscale additions to their luxury fleets.
Mercedes-Benz has enjoyed success with its Smart brand, and BMW has succeeded across the board, from its large SUVs to its Mini brand. It certainly seems all brands are interested in placing their unique take on the luxury hybrid market via their own downsized models. It will be a little interesting to see how large of an impact these auto bits will have!
BMW is the world’s leading luxury carmaker, and just keeps hitting us with awesome new models and setting new precedents. Now, it has been reported that the luxe company intends to keep up with itself, and unleash upon us its first all-electric urban luxury car in 2013. This is two years earlier than originally planned, and we are not complaining, it is like Christmas arriving early!
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 had 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.
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