Bentley - Limited Edition By Tibaldi !

Certified to commemorate 60 years of production at the Bentley factory at by the Swiss Federal Customs Administration Office of Geneva, Tibaldi produces its pens with precious metals used only in the inner workings of fine watches. Tibaldi pens are worked in Switzerland, the home of luxury timepieces. Tibaldi writing instruments reflect technical excellence and high precision. Their unique filling mechanism is protected by patent. Its surfaces boast “Clou de Paris” diamond point. So here is the deal; Whilst you may or may not be in such standing to afford a fine automobile of the likes of a Bentley, you still can associate yourself with this brand of potency, luxury and power. The British automaker Bentley has recently released a collection of pens in cooperation's with the luxury Italian pen maker TibaldiCrewe. Arguably amongst the world’s finest writing implements, these exquisite pens draw their design cues directly from the Bentley Arnage and the Continental GT. These Bentleys etchings and engravings--known as knurling--are found on all functional handles and buttons requiring contact, such as the indicators, media system controls and gear shifts, just as it does decorate all parts of the Bentley pen such as turning the cap. It also allows the upper and lower parts of the pen’s barrel to act as a grip. Only 400 silver fountain pens, 200 silver roller balls, 40 solid white gold fountain pens and 20 solid white gold roller balls are made. Get yours when you service your Conti GT the next time right at your Bentley dealer. The rest of us can click on the pictures and try to order them online. I must warn you though; Whilst only the fraction of a Bentley automobile, the price on these puppies still add up to a whole car for some of us!

Mercedes Ocean Drive Concept - More Boat Than Car !

Mercedes where you will probably see some of theses if Mercedes decides to build it--on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, the has unwrapped another potential millionaire's toy. It's called Ocean Drive and that's Côte d'Azur, or anywhere else in the world where sunshine, sea breezes, beautiful people, and money converges. This Mercedes concept car will easily compete in the mega-money league with the upcoming Rolls-Royce convertible and the Bentley Azure. The Ocean Drive is a four-door convertible, long-wheelbased, 510-hp, twin-turbo V-12-powered S600 cruising on a five-speed super smooth slushmatic. All of the S-class sedan's heavy curves are significantly smoother on the Ocean Drive sporting an elegant two-tone metallic paint and an imposing pointed grille that is a lot bigger then ever. The space-age LED headlights on this car each consist of 35 LEDs. They form two inverted Cs, incorporating daytime running lights as well as turn signals. In the back the LED tail- and brake lights are separated by slim horizontal chrome crossbars. Spanning a record acreage of 34 square feet, the canvas top forms an arc. The electric motors and valves that open and close this massive 87 inches long when fully extended awning ensure that the process is executed in perfect synchronicity and in only 20 seconds. Even when this thickly padded fabric top is raised, the Ocean Drive is very sleek. The interior was designed at the Mercedes-Benz design studio in Como, Italy. Beautiful matte finish birds-eye maple woods, impeccably stitched leather upholsteries and rich cream-colored fabrics add the adequate interior to the this car. Two elements are sticking out; The absolute cool square-bottomed steering wheel--which all by itself could make me want to buy this car-- and the cliché center console that houses a bottle of champagne and two flutes! Proximity sensors activate the concealed door handles on this car--but it almost seems that out of sheer pity Mercedes-Benz stopped short on this feature and yes--still lets you open and close your doors with your own hands. For those of you whom get stimulated by wheels and rims; here we are looking at a set of 36-spoke high-gloss aluminum wheels shod with 275/35ZR21 tires. At this stage this beauty is introduced as a concept car. I would assume that this car was originally intended to be the convertible brother to the Maybach. Since it is my prediction that the Maybach brand really has no future within the Daimler-Chrysler holdings, this car does not stand a chance to show anytime soon at a dealer near you. Sorry--but be sure that you will find a lot of similar features and design inputs from the Ocean Drive on the next generations Chrysler 300C's. Instead expect Mercedes-Benz to launch a new two-door CL convertible available with the 4Matic as a new option late in 2008. Remember; It is never too early to put your order in with your Mercedes dealer!

Green Machines - The Electrum Spider Eccentric !

Next to the Tesla Roadster—the de facto benchmark among the new breed of electric sports cars—the Electrum Spyder is not necessarily a contender, but a solid alternative. This battery-powered two-seat hardtop convertible sports a very unique design. With the hardtop in place, the car resembles a fiberglass fish out of water. With the top off, the Spyder finds quite an attractive pose. Its performance cannot compare to the Tesla. The Spyder right now tops out at around 80-mph and makes it to 60 mph in seven seconds. It has a 150-mile range, and you can drive it home for about $60,000 price. I like the fact that there are more and more alternative cars coming to the market that are actually fun, cool and sport some sex appeal. The more the better and pretty soon these kind of cars will be able to shake the sticky "Birkenstock" stigma. Check it out!

Top 10 - The Fastest Street Legal Cars In The World !

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is currently the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive street-legal, full production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 253.2 mph (407.9 km/h). It reached full production in 2006. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS in its Molsheim AlsaceFrance factory and is sold under the legendary Italian/French Bugatti brand. It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. It is also the world's second supercar with 16 cylinders, after the Cizeta Moroder. The car packs a whooping 1001 horses!

Koenigsegg CCX

The Koenigsegg CCX is the second latest supercar from Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg. CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X. The X commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. The CCX is intended to be more suitable for the U.S. market and thus engineered to comply with US regulations. It is also the World's Fastest V8 production supercar. The Koenigsegg CCX tops out at 245 mph and is getting from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. The 4.7 litre, V8 engine, twin superchargers, 806 bhp and 678 lb ft of torque can prove this Koenigsegg’s qualities.

Bristol Fighter T

The Bristol Fighter is a British supercar manufactured by Bristol Cars in small numbers. In 2006, Bristol announced the Fighter T, a turbocharged version of the Fighter with a modified V10 engine producing 1012 bhp and 1036 lb.ft of torque at 4500 rpm. The Fighter T will also benefit from a drag coefficient of Cd 0.27. Bristol claim that the car is capable of more than 270 mph; however it will be electronically limited to a "more than adequate" 225 mph. The first production cars are expected to be delivered in about September 2007.The Fighter T gets from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Gumpert Apollo

The Gumpert Apollo is the first supercar produced by Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH in Germany. The Apollo is a street-legal race car with up to 650 bhp weighing less than 1100kg. It has an Audi-sourced, 4.2L V8 engine with two turbochargers. The car is designed to take on the Porsche 911 GT3, it is a mid engined, rear wheel drive two seater constructed on a tubular Chromoly frame, with fiberglass or optional carbon fiber body panels. An Audi 4.2L V8 engine is joined to a six-speed sequential gearbox. The cars top speed is 223 mph (360 km/h) with 0 - 62 mph (0-100km/h)reached in 3.0 seconds.The car is the creation of Roland Gumpert, a former Audi employee who oversaw many a rallying success working as competitions chief in their Quattro division. Gumpert's partner is Roland Mayer, the boss of German tuning house MTM.

Pagani Zonda C12 F

The Pagani Zonda C12 F is a supercar produced by Argentinan car manufacturer Pagani in Italy. It debuted in 1999 and continues through the present, with production proceeding at roughly 25 cars per year. It is a mid-engined 2-seat coupe and convertible. Construction is mainly of carbon fiber. The Zonda F, named after F1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio, comes with an extra head light and different fog lights at the sides, new bodywork (revised front end, new rear spoiler, more aerodynamic vents all around) that improves the cars aerodynamics and different side mirrors. Further enhancements over the 'S' centre around optional carbon/ceramic brakes developed in conjunction with Brembo, magnesium wheels, inconel titanium exhaust system, hydroformed aluminium intake plenum and a redesigned 'Z preg' weave in the crash structure to improve rigidity and reduce weight.. This car impresses with 214 mph top speed and a performance of 3.5 seconds getting at 62 mph.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP640

The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 is a supercar produced by a Italian automaker Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2001 as the successor to the Diablo. The Murciélago is a two-door, two-seat coupé.The Murciélago sports a 6.2 L version of the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine, a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive. It also has a rear spoiler that can be raised to an angle of 70 degrees, side mirrors that fold in to improve aerodynamics, and side scoops that automatically open to the needed size to let in just the right amount of air needed to cool its engine. In 2006 the Murciélago's engine was replaced by a stronger 6.5-litre engine and the car's name was changed to Murciélago LP640. This car tops out 211 mph and gets from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren “722 Edition”

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a supercar automobile co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Automotive. Though classified as a Supercar, and compared to cars like the Porsche Carrera GT, Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari Enzo Ferrari, the presence of the automatic and its driving characteristics lead some commentators to classify the SLR McLaren as a Super GT whose closer rivals are the Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 599 GTB. In fact, one of the goals of the SLR was to combine both supercar and GT characteristics. This is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world. It is assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. SLR stands for "super-leicht, Rennsport" (super-light, racing). The new versionis called the "Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition". The "722" refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. The "722 Edition" creates 650 bhp, with a top speed of 337 km/h (5 more than the standard SLR). A new suspension is used with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and 0.4 inches lower body. The SLR is planned to end production in 2008, according to Mercedes-Benz.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (internal code F139) is Ferrari's 2-seat Gran Turismo flagship model, replacing the 575M Maranello in 2006 as a 2007 model. The styling of the 599 GTB was handled by Pininfarina, under the direction of Ferrari stylist, Frank Stephenson. It is named for its engine displacement (5999cc), Gran Turismo Berlinetta nature and the Fiorano test track used by Ferrari. This Ferrari has a top speed of 205 mph powerde by a 6.0 litre V12 engine at 8,400. It gets from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds.

Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Edition

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish', designed in 1995 by Ian Callum, is a grand tourer manufactured by Aston Martin. It rose to fame after being featured as the official James Bond car in Die Another Day, the twentieth James Bond film. In the film, the Vanquish has the usual Bond film embellishments, including active camouflage which rendered the vehicle virtually invisible, giving it the nickname "the Vanish". It is expected to be discontinued after the 2007 model year. The Aston Martin DBS V12 will temporarily replace it atop Aston's lineup until the Vanquish's true successor model is introduced in 2010. Aston Martin has announced that the last 40 cars built will have a new ‘Ultimate Black’ exterior color, upgraded interior, and personalized sill plaques. More significantly, the Ultimate Edition will be the first Vanquish to be offered with a conventional stick-shift manual gearbox. The auto-shift manual gearbox in the original Vanquish has been widely criticized so this could be a popular option for new buyers. This Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Edition comes with a V12 engine, with 520 bhp, 200 mph top speed and gets from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Ruf RT 12

RUF built this car on Porsche's new 997 platform. A twin-turbocharged, 3.6 litre flat-six cylinder engine based on the previous 996 series Turbo engine provides 530 and 560 Bhp options while the bored-out 3.8 litre option produces 650 Bhp. This makes the Ruf RT 12 a viable alternative to the upcoming 997 Turbo, which produces 480 Bhp. The RT 12 is available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive form, as opposed to the 911 Turbo which is only available with Porsche's all-wheel drive system. By offering this choice of drivetrain, RUF caters for purists who feel that rear-wheel drive is essential to remain true to the Porsche 911 marque. The Ruf RT 12 features specially developed RUF bodywork, giving the vehicle a unique appearance while functioning to increase downforce, improving high speed stability. Large cross-drilled brakes are included, although some debate has arisen as to how much of an upgrade the system provides over the factory-optional ceramic brakes (PCCB) that Porsche offers on "S" model 997s. Alois Ruf Jr, the company's owner, is dubious of the lifetime of the PCCB system which seems to explain this choice of brake system.[1] In addition, RUF chose to replace the factory "active" suspension system with a static system of their own design. A RUF system with hydraulic control, developed together with Öhlins, which can raise ride-height in situations such as driveway entries is available as an option. The Ruf RT 12 comes at a 200 mph top speed.

Confederate Hellcat - A Real Man's Ride !

A real man needs a ride - one with two wheels. There are a few bikes out there that will make you different. A Hellcat from Confederate Motorcycles will certainly make you stand out from the crowd. For nearly 14 years Confederate have been uncompromising in their pursuit of the ultimate symbiosis of client and his Confederate Motorcycle. Confederate's patented proprietary chassis and powertrain mounting system is entirely unique from that of Harley Davidson. The "F" architecture of the Hellcat is simple, yet incredibly rigid and light. It is the only backbone downtube, cradle based chassis to utilize the powerplant as a stressed member. It is also the last architecture for a crafted series built machine designed entirely by analogue methodology. Born from the draftsman's table, it has the essence of a finely crafted turntable. "F" architecture is unquestionably the stiffest, strongest, most rigid welded platform ever to run the Iconic American radial twin power plant. In 1995, tooling for 500 G1 Hellcats was crafted. The last of these collectibles was built in 2001. All have been sold. In 2003, 150 G2 Hellcats were tooled for crafting. Ninety seven have been completed. Presently, 48 positions for ownership remain. Production is one machine per week. In October of 2007, the book will forever be closed on our beloved Hellcat. So if you want to get in on this one, you need to get going. It is certainly a stunning bike.

True German Engineering - iMac In Mercedes CLS Rear !

Germans not only know how to build great cars but they also have some great custom upgrades. Check for example German car customizer Mattes Interieurtechnik, which has created a customized Mercedes CLS with a nicely integrated iMac personal computer in the rear seats. The iMac’s compact all-in-one design lends itself to such an installation, and the firm makes sure the integration is complete with slick leather covering around the machine. A wireless mouse and keyboard mean there are no exposed wires to contend with. Of course, the customized CLS also gets a completely revised interior, with some pretty fancy upholstery and trimmings. I know this makes all you Macies out there jump with excitement!

Bentley Continental GTC - The Car To Own In 2007 !

2007 Bentley Continental GTC convertible - there is simply nothing hotter than the 551-hp GT coupe convertible. If the prodigious rump of the Bentley Continental GT coupe doesn’t suit your style, this handsome convertible might get your attention. And if its looks don’t grab you, the 190-mph top speed should. That is if it doesn’t rip off the fancy multi-layer fabric roof and glass rear window first. Put the roof down (watch that toupee!) and a flush leather-wrapped tonneau cover keeps the side profile clean. As in the Continental GT coupe and the Flying Spur sedan, all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo V-12 mounted forward of the front axle ensure high-speed stability, albeit at the expense of agility. This car weighs about as much as a new Chevy Suburban. And as always here onVONCIGARS; If you need to ask for the price, you cannot afford it!

hitchsters.com - Share A Ride Versus Hitch A Ride

Hitchsters.com is catching on fast. Started out in New York (where else?) and is now spreading very fast. It is an easy-to-use web-based system which conveniently connects travelers so they can share taxis (and thus split the fare) to and from an airport. In many places taxis are the most convenient form of transportation between metropolitan centers and airports, but they are expensive, too. The hitchsters.com matching system (patent pending) makes riding in a taxi more affordable, more environmentally friendly and more fun. You first look for a potential co-rider by checking out the list of users who have already signed up. If you don’t see anyone with whom you can conveniently connect, you can enter in you own information and wait to be matched. Once a match is made, you will be notified with both a text message to your cell phone and an e-mail containing the first name and cell phone number of the other co-rider (nothing else is shared with the other co-rider). As an additional safety feature, we preserve the phone numbers of all of the successful matches. You then contact each other to arrange to meet to share a cab. If you are sharing a ride to an airport, then you will only be matched with someone else who is leaving from your area to go to the same airport. If you are sharing a ride from an airport, you will only be matched with someone who is on the same flight (no worries about late flights) and going to the same area you are. Use it if you can and always remember; You heard it here first!

The Greatest Auto Race 2008 - New York To Paris Via Mongolia !

"I like people who do something, not the good safe man who stays at home" Theodore Roosevelt once said. According to Julie Fenster’s Race of the Century: The Heroic True Story of the 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race, Roosevelt delivered his speech to a crowd of 250,000 New Yorkers that had assembled in Times Square to witness the commencement of the longest race in the history of the then-fledgling automobile industry. Officially, it was called the "Greatest Auto Race on Earth." Six cars from four different countries competed in the contest, and only half would eventually cross the finish line in Paris some 22,000 miles (35,000 km) down the road. In an age before the interstate highway system, simply driving coast-to-coast would have been an extraordinary feat. The goal was to prove the “newfangled” combustion engine powered automobile was not only a practical, durable machine, but could also meet the demands of a future on the move.

Dubbed "Great Race World" the event will again commence in Manhattan on February 12 - Lincoln’s birthday - of 2008 and end some 80 days later at the Eiffel Tower. To reach their destination, the cars will need to travel approximately 400 miles per day across rugged terrain. The circuitous route, the details of which are still being finalized, will wind its way westward through San Francisco, then cross the Pacific by container ship to Shanghai, China, and then proceed to such exotic destinations as Ulaanbaatar and Irkutsk. From Beijing to Berlin and Prague to Paris, the Great Race World promises the ultimate in automotive adventuring. Despite many changes over the last century, teamwork, determination and ingenuity are still required to finish, let alone win. Not every vehicle will make it, as even the slightest human error or mechanical malfunction can end a team's chances of finishing. To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Greatest Auto Race, two divisions will compete in this special event. In the Innovation Technology Division, race teams can use the latest alternative fuels and automotive engineering to create reliable, innovative solutions that may propel next generation of automotive travel. In the Classic Division, racers will drive street legal classic automobiles, manufactured in 1969 or earlier, as they follow in the tire tracks of the original adventurers’ quest. Unlike other motor sports events, anyone can enter and win GREAT RACE WORLD - private teams, manufacturers, and educational institutions are welcome to apply. The deadline to submit your application to enter GREAT RACE WORLD is February 2007. Only 40 teams (20 in the classic division and 20 in innovative division) will be allowed to enter. The entry fee for a two-person team is $65,000 for the classic division or $40,000 for private entries to the innovative division ($75,000 for corporate). But the rewards far outweigh the risk: namely, a $1 million innovation - vehicle prize and a $500,000 purse for the classic division. But to finish is to win - if for no other reason, President Roosevelt—no stranger to adventure himself - would like you for it.

Best Sportscar 2006 - The Koenigsegg CCX !

No, we are not talking Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghinis. The superlative sportscar to own is a Koenigsegg CCX. You may never heard this name before and I don't blame you. The inventor of this high-performance automobile is the Swedish fellow Christian von Koenigsegg which was born in 1973! He put this company together when he was only 22 years of age! Koenigsegg grew up with the dream of creating the perfect sportscar. After several years of planning he launched the Koenigsegg project in 1993. Designer David Craaford provided a design concept following Christian'’s guidelines. A tight-knit group was gathered and a prototype was assembled, the success of which enabled the foundation of the Koenigsegg Automotive Company. Koenigsegg receives major backing from Volvo, which kindly provided access to their wind tunnel as well as providing financial aid. Volvo's parent company, the Ford Motor Company, supplied the original Koenigsegg with a V8 engine ; however, Koenigsegg now comes with their own engines. On February 28th, 2005, at 12:08 hrs local time, in Nardo, Italy, the Koenigsegg CCR broke the record for the fastest production car in the world, having attained 388.87 km/h (242.91 mph), breaking the record previously held by the McLarenF1. The record was held until September 2005 when the long awaited Bugatti Veyron broke the record again at 407.5 km/h (253 mph). In May 2003, on the San Francisco to Miami Gumball 3000 Rally, the first Koenigsegg CCR in the United States received the biggest speeding ticket in the US ever; 242mph in a 75mph zone somewhere in west Texas. Two Koenigsegg car models appear in the XBox360 racing game "Project Gotham Racing 3" and also in "Need for Speed Carbon".
Since the first production car rolled off the assembly line in 1996, Koenigsegg has shipped ultrafast autos to the Middle East, Hong Kong, Eastern Europe, Russia, Britain, and Japan. Everywhere, it seems, except to the U.S., because Koenigsegg's cars have not met stringent U.S. safety and emissions standards. That's about to change. The new 2006 Koenigsegg CCX is an evolution of the previous record-breaking design, tweaked to meet U.S. standards. Not to worry, the car retains its speed rating, and it's the industry's only car with 806 horses under the hood. That's nearly twice the horses in Porsche's top-of-the-line 911 GT3, and more powerful than Mercendes-Benz' supercar offering, the SLR McLaren. The CCX carries a supercar price tag - $722,534, fully equipped and before taxes. The price even includes driving lessons from the world record-setting driver himself, Loris Bicocchi. Christian von Koenigsegg estimates his company will ship 20 to 25 cars the next 12 month alone, doubling the company's entire output over the last 10 years. That means even if he's wildly successful, the car is going to be scarce. This car is perfect for those who find that the Lamborghinis and Ferraris have become too common, too pedestrian! Check it out before you buy your next car!

Valkyrie Rune - The Honda To Own!

Remember this; Every guy needs a motorcycle in his toy line-up. The ladies love to see their man on a strong ride. For many years I favored my custom build Harley FatBoy. To me the Japanese bikes always looked like wanna-bee Harleys. Not this one.

Honda, a company known for mass-producing motorcycles, is building this exclusive Valkyrie Rune. It is an extremely-limited-production machine; Honda will only build from 1,000 to 2,000 Runes. The Rune began as an over-the-top concept vehicle. The stylish details from its concept forerunner have been incorporated into the Rune'’s long, low, and finely sculpted chassis, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a custom bike builder'’s one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The bike also features a rear suspension from the team'’s world champion GP racer, and the largest brakes that the company has ever fitted to one of its machines. With its 1,832cc 6-cylinder engine, the Rune needs them. If you have a chance, drop in on a showroom and check this ride out. It is impressive and will run you new around $ 28.000.