Cool Cars: Ferrari 458 Italia

Replacing the outgoing Ferrari F430, the 458 Italia represents Ferrari’s latest engineering conquest. The mid-engined 4.5L V8 enjoys power increases over its predecessor as factory numbers point to outputs of 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque with the majority of the pull available at 3,250 rpm. The relatively lightweight aluminum chassis results in a 3,042 lbs dry weight with performance numbers suggesting 0-62 mph sprints of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. The 458 Italia is the first Ferrari V8 to break the 200 mph mark. The car will be officially unveiled in September of this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.viahypebeast

find your swank. think insane. be urbane.

Romero Britto x Bentley Continental GT

While talks of such luxury vehicles such as Bentley conjure up images of refinement and elegance, the heralrded British carmaker has gone against the grain with their partnership involving Romero Britto. With the Bentley Continental GT as the canvas, the Brazilian pop artist was given the chance of a lifetime to make his mark on the luxury vehicle. The work will be seen at his upcoming “Come to my World” exhibition in Berlin. The design of the car itself features a number of symbols including stars, a happy flower, hearts and an all-over print of squiggle lines. The “Come to my World” exhibition will begin July 10th and run until September 6th as hosted by the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden in cooperation with the Mensing Gallery. Following the exhibition, the car will be auctioned off in honor of the Nathalie Todenhöfer Foundation for multiple sclerosis as well as Best Buddies, an initiative for integrating the mentally disabled into society.

Bentley meets pop art
For his exhibition “Come to my World” in Berlin, the famous artist Romero Britto chose a Bentley Continental GT as a canvas for his cheerful and vivid signature motifs.

This is probably one of the most unusual Bentleys ever seen: a large, happy flower, little stars, squiggles and signs dance on the elegant hood and colourful, comic-like figures adorn the doors. The Continental GT – a static prototype built in 2003 – has become a truly unique work of art created by the world-renowned Brazilian artist Romero Britto. Bentley Motors donated the Coupe on the occasion of Britto´s Berlin exhibition “Come to my World” in the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden.

Britto, one of the most admired and popular artists currently working within Pop Art, creates pieces specifically to put a smile on people´s faces. Having grown up in poverty in Recife, Brazil, his work belies his background by creating a fantasy world inhabited by child-like creatures and optimistic, strong colours. “Since everything in life moves toward an end”, says Romero Britto, “we should fill our life with colour and hope.” His paintings, graphics and sculptures can be admired in many of the world’s leading art galleries including the Museum of Modern Art and Guggenheim in New York. He counts the Kennedys, Rothchilds, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steffi Graf and Elton John among his friends and collectors.

Romero was delighted to be given the chance to turn a Bentley into a Pop Art sculpture: “It is the most beautiful and elegant car in the world. The lines of the new design are perfect to paint as a clean canvas. What a way to start a fascinating and colourful journey.”

Raul Pires, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors and like Romero Britto, a Brazilian was central to the creation of the Continental GT. He thoroughly agrees with his countryman: “A Bentley holds the unique combination of exhilaration and relaxation in one package. An automotive sculpture with elegant powerful surfaces. The ultimate in craftsmanship.”

The Romero Britto exhibition, hosted by the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden in cooperation with the Mensing Gallery, will take place from 10 July until 6 September 2009. In keeping with Britto’s wider ideals, at the conclusion of the show, the “Britto-Bentley” will be put up for auction in aid of the Nathalie Todenhöfer Foundation for multiple sclerosis as well as Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to improving the integration of the mentally disabled within society.viahypebeast

ihope you live before you die-Wally.Vega

Cool Cars:2009 Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris

“One of the very first models of the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris, the world’s most expensive SUV, is being offered for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $300,000. Made by the Dutch supercar company, the Peking-to-Paris was originally styled the D12 and and featured a V12 engine in concept form, but will be fitted with a V8 for production.” Look for production models to hit the roads around September.

viaselectism

findyourswankthinkinsanebeurbane

Super Cool Cars

If you know me, you know that I'm not really a car guy, but I AM a style guy. And one cannot deny the thin line between style and ingenuity that automobile manufacturers straddle in creating these new concepts for cars that are being released. If you know me, you also know how big of a dreamer that I am, so these cars are strictly for those of us with lofty ambitions.

Mercedes McLaren SLR Roadster 722S



Mercedes have launched the latest iteration of their Mercedes McLaren SLR called the SLR Roadster 722 S. The Mercedes McLaren SLR Roadster 722 S is based on the SLR Roadster but features various performance improvements. The performance has been improved by lowering the suspension ten millimeters and recalibrating the spring and damper rates the engine has also been retuned to boost output to six hundred and fifty horsepower giving it a top speed of over three hundred and fifty kilometers an hour. The car is named the 722 after the Mercedes Benz 300 SLR driven by Stirling Moss and Dennis Jenkinson which won the 1955 Mille Miglia race. Only one hundred and fifty will be made with deliveries commencing next year. It's safe to say that I won't have one....unless this date with Rhianna goes well this weekend! :-(

Maybach Maybach 62S Landaulet

Ever since Hip hop Super Hero Shawn Carter introduced the Maybach to the ears of music in his Kingdom Come album, any and everybody from the affluent minority community has aspired to be seen in the chauffeur driven hotels on wheels. The 2009 version is not a diamond in the rough by any means, but pearl on her neck. Hip hop faithful's are sure to adore the "Belly" inspired white on white on white ensemble. If you look closely at the pictures, you will see the moon, excuse me the Jupiter roof. No more laying the seat back to watch the drive-in movies, just pull up in this yacht and unleash the moon roof and enjoy the show. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I have to have Miss Daisy driving ME in this....TOMORROW!!!!

Until next time...- Find your swank. Think insane. Be urbane.