Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago Archives - Page 9 of 11

Le Mans Into the Future Event Sparks Imagination & Green Ignitions

The prestigious Le Mans race was rather creative and forward thinking this year, hosting an event called “Le Mans into the future” prior to the 78th annual event.

The event highlighted unfolding eco-friendly concepts, hybrids and luxury technology. Eco vehicles made demonstration laps during the event, including the following models and brands:

1.    Andros electric racecar
2.    Audi R8 e-Tron concept
3.    BMW Hydrogen 7
4.    Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
5.    Peugeot RCZ Hybrid4
6.    Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid
7.    Secma F16 Electrique
8.    Tesla Roadster
9.    Volkswagen Scirrocco Natural Gas

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Auto Energy Efficiency Meets Ingenuity AKA One Badass Sports Car

Students at DeLaSalle School in Missouri were fortunate to have the elite assistance of Bridgestone America when they created the most energy efficient electric car to date (according to claims).

So how efficient is the auto? Reports claim this car can obtain 300 miles per gallon, a figure that has me run over. If this is true it is certainly a milestone for Bridgestone and the students, who have already applied for a slot in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records.

The car has been designed, engineered and tested both at Bridgestone’s technical center in Ohio and racetrack in Texas. It is built on the chassis of a 2000 Lola Indy F1-style racing car. That is about where the similarity ends! It has been extensively customized with extremely lightweight materials, frame and a unique see-through plastic body.

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Which Luxury Hybrid Pays Owners Back?

Can you guess? According to a study of 16 different hybrid automobiles, only one can claim to actually cost less to purchase and operate on its gasoline counterpart. For those of you thinking Prius, think again amigos.

What? It isn’t the Prius? The hybrid car most associated with the word hybrid? Shocker. It has historically been a complaint that there is essentially no payback for purchasing a hybrid car, that they are more expensive to buy and cost just as much in fuel. I mean, shouldn’t a hybrid return the initial cost of investment in fuel savings?

So which one can claim the opposite? Drumroll please. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid gets that title. A Benz beat the quintessential Prius in this department? The Prius hybrid that sold over a million units? Heads will roll.

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Lamborghini Eliminating Manual Transmissions?

Luxury carmaker Lamborghini is apparently into trying new positions, market positions that is, as it is altering some of its design tactics.

The company has vocalized in interviews that there is a shift in focus from top speed to design, because many drivers will never take their Lambo past 200 miles per hour anyways. What? Who wouldn’t burn to take their shiny new Lamborghini up to top speed, if not just to see if you got your money’s worth? That is like buying a Smartphone and only using to make calls.

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Not All Luxury Brands Hyped for Hybrids

It seems that lately all I hear about are new hybrids, hybrid technology, or carbon fiber. While all of these are innovative and interesting, it is also refreshing to know that some brands are opting to maintain their identity, at least for now.

Porsche CEO Michael Macht has reportedly expressed his sentiment that hybrids lack excitement for the curve junkie, and that the luxury brand has no real need for them. The brand has tweaked some of their SUVs with hybrid technology, like the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera, but is not in a rush to do the same to their sports cars. Hybrids do not exactly hit mach speeds, eh Macht?

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Luxury List Item: The Koenigsegg CCXR-Pricey but Green Supercar

In the market for a supercar, but it needs to be environmentally friendly and be able to successfully display your impressive bank account? Meet the 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR, destroyer of wallets, but not the planet! It can be yours, for $1.2 million or more.

That is right, no matter what color your CCXR is, they are all green inside. So how does a world-class supercar manage to meet eco standards, while keeping its er, cool? I thought you would never ask, let’s get down to specs.

This Koenigsegg has taken all the success of its predecessors, and adapted it a bit to create a new level of performance. The CCXR is a derivative of the CCX model, but boasts a modified 4.7-liter twin-supercharged Koenigsegg engine that can run on E85 and E100 biofuel, and normal 98-octane petrol (Europe).

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Luxury Hybrid News: The 2015 Ferrari Hybrid

Ferrari brand has officially unveiled its “HY-KERS” experimental vehicle at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, giving merit to the previous rumblings of the luxury car rumormill.

The future Ferrari hybrid is based on the fabulous Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, with of course, some green perks that are likely to cost a bit more green.

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Luxury Hybrid: Meet the Lexus HS 250h

We at Imagine Lifestyles are big fans of Lexus Honda. We love the products, and the same rings true for the new Lexus HS 250h hybrid, which is being called the “easy to like luxury hybrid”. Let’s take a look at why.

The 250h marks a milestone for Lexus, as it happens to be the luxury carmaker’s first 4-cylinder vehicle. Gas-guzzlers beware; this eco-friendly find is a sipper, obtaining an impressive 41.3 miles per gallon highway. The interior of the Lexus HS 250h is also comprised of roughly one-third “sustainable ecological plastics”, way to set the standard, Lexus!

The HS 250h Lexus boasts an Atkinson-cycle engine, which is rumored to be quite efficient. The object is not power, but rather energy efficiency in this Lexus, bear that in mind as I continue, as I will not be stroking the ego of a car intended to be the Incredible Hulk of luxury cars.

It is a twin-cam powerplant featuring four valves per cylinder and Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) on the intake side. That said, it puts out a mere 147 horsepower, which is bumped up to 187 when combined with the hybrid drive motor.

There are four 250h modes to choose from: Standard, Power, Eco and EV. This is a good way to gauge how “green” you are, depending on which mode you choose. The EV mode exclusively utilizes electricity, and is only ideal for short distances and people passing by may blow your doors off. The Eco mode automatically adjusts the air conditioning and reduces throttle responses to maximize fuel efficiency. Power mode of course offers you the most propulsion, and standard is your normal mode.

Regenerative braking is common in hybrid automobiles, and the Lexus 250h of course has it. For those unfamiliar, regenerative braking sends unused energy back to the battery pack to recharge it when you are braking.

The interior is as luxurious as one would expect from a Lexus. The seats are plush leather, and it boasts amenities such as voice recognition, Bluetooth, USB/iPod connect, satellite radio and convenient steering wheel mounted controls. This luxury hybrid provides maximum passenger comfort, with dual-zone automatic climate control and a power sunroof. And safety? Try 10 airbags!

The Lexus HS 250h will hit the market at around $35,000 USD, joining the ranks of an ever-increasing market of luxury hybrids and clean-diesel automobiles.

Don’t forget to check out our luxury car rentals on your way out! We also have luxury property rentals, aircraft charter and luxury yacht charters available in Miami, New York, Chicago and LA!

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

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Luxury Hybrids: The BMW 335d-Pretty Green

It is exciting to read about the increasing volume of luxury hybrid cars peeling out of the woodwork (or steelworks), so to speak. Meet the BMW 335d, a pretty and green luxury hybrid than anyone would be proud to drive. I decided to revisit this model, as it seems to be making headlines and to give a bit more tech details.

Not only is the BMW 335d a looker, she features clean diesel technology. Yes, there is a diesel engine in the form of a 3.0-liter bitrubo inline 6 powerplant, just like the Europeans have! My regular readers know that I have been jealous of their green toys for eons, so this is certainly music to my ears!

The 335d is still a BMW from every angle, and the handling is phenomenal! So why diesel? The luxury company realized that hybrid engines are still on the heavy side, which translates to poor fuel economy. For the moment, it seems a clean diesel is a solution while further developments continue with regard to hybrid engine technology.

So what are the perks of choosing the BMW 335d? How about 23 miles per gallon city and 36 highway? Yeah, that will do it. And the interior is as lavish as one would expect from BMW, so those miles spent behind the wheel will be a pleasure!

As with a majority of diesel or hybrid technology, there is a higher sticker price because it is a new development, and those cost money. On the bright side, consumers are not likely to scoff at paying a bit more for something that will save them so much more on fuel costs over time.

The diesel system in the 335d uses BluePerformance urea injection, allowing it to be sold in all 50 states under new fuel and environmental guidelines. Yes, even in California, where guidelines are considered the toughest. BluePerformance basically enlists a solution known as AdBlue to transform oxides into nitrogen gas and water vapor. This works with a specific filter to reduce overall emissions and produce a cleaner greener luxury car.

For more on Luxury Hybrids, follow link. Don’t miss out on our fleet of Luxury rental cars on your way out!

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

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Revealed: Smallest Range Rover Ever

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has emerged, and is a surprisingly diminutive version of its predecessors! With Land Rover celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the 2010 Evoque is certainly taking the cake!

This Range Rover is the smallest and lightest version yet, which translates to improved fuel efficiency. In fact, it boasts the best fuel economy of any Range Rover, now that is a serious bragging right in today’s green luxury car market. With so many companies, including luxury carmakers, looking toward the future and developing more economically sound vehicles; the Evoque will surely be a marketable luxury SUV and ideal luxury SUV rental!

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Category: Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago

Le Mans Into the Future Event Sparks Imagination & Green Ignitions

Auto Energy Efficiency Meets Ingenuity AKA One Badass Sports Car

Which Luxury Hybrid Pays Owners Back?

Lamborghini Eliminating Manual Transmissions?

Not All Luxury Brands Hyped for Hybrids

Luxury List Item: The Koenigsegg CCXR-Pricey but Green Supercar

Luxury Hybrid News: The 2015 Ferrari Hybrid

Luxury Hybrid: Meet the Lexus HS 250h

Luxury Hybrids: The BMW 335d-Pretty Green

Revealed: Smallest Range Rover Ever

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