"Diva Edition" Rolls Royce Ghost

An Italian fashion designer decided to take their talents from fashion to customizing cars...

... in which he came up with the Diva Edition Rolls Royce Ghost totaling to well over $1 million. According to the highly outraged The Daily Mail, "The Fenice Milano 'Diva' has been spray painted in 24-carat gold and the company is so proud of it they have described the model as a 'true.masterpiece.'
It is fitted with the same 6-litre twin-turbocharged engine of the Ghost, giving the saloon more than 560bhp and a top speed of 155mph."

"Fenice Milano believes their Rolls-Royce is a 'synonym for class, elegance and style'. many would disagree.
The interior has biscuit leather and 24-carat gold throughout. The standard Ghost costs £220,000 but the Diva is now for sale at £1.05million."

Maybe some things should be left up to car customizers... And why do I picture Bryan "Birdman" Williams buying this?

Told Ya So: Justin Bieber's Batmobile Cadillac

Photos by Biebs' friend, Jewelry Extraudinaire (like how I added that) Ben Baller, the guy in the middle

Back in August, I gave folks the heads up about the project involving West Coast Customs and Justin Bieber. Apparently what I stated happened to be true, since two short days ago, the Biebs got pulled over in Sunny California for cutting off an officer. Of course, they didn't give him a ticket...

I'm still convinced that this was a Hennessey edition Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, with adjustments to make it look like the batmobile. I'm not a fan of the whole batmobile aspect, however, I do love the customizations. I would have gave him more credit if he put JB on the grille. You already know it's his- this isn't the first "batmobile", but it would have been the first Biebed-out vehicle. I love the doors opening out- a la the Rolls Royce Drophead Phantom. We all know that I adore a blacked out vehicle that hasn't been blacked out before- like this.

P.S. I just took a look at Ben Baller's blog and I like it. It gives a "life of a jet setter" feel, and his stories (especially of Kim Kardashian not knowing how to roll down the windows in the Ferrari) are great. It's more exclusive than the "exclusive blogs" and it's underrated. Please note that Ben doesn't know me. And you know I added it to the blog roll on the index page. Think I'm playin, Son???

Wanna See the World's First Rolls Royce Platinum Matte Rosso Corsa Conquistador?

Many moons ago, I composed a post about Platinum Motorsport and the creation of the World's First Rolls Royce Platinum Matte Rosso Corsa Conquistador. They finally finished it, and released some shots of the new and improved Conquistador. Check it out...

I hope they bring this to SEMA which is just around the corner...

Tomorrow: You Can Place Your Order for the BMW M3 Frozen Black Edition

June 16th 2011 at 11:30 am EST, you can place your order for the limited edition 2011 BMW M3 Frozen Black Edition car. Now, how limited are we talking? Only 20 will be produced, but 19 slots that will be filled Thursday to those who have $80,000 for this car. The other one will be sent to BMW North America, where they will use it to show off at car shows and they might sell it at a later date.

What's so special about this car? Well, I'm glad you asked. BMW took a M3 and improved it by doing the following:

BMW Individual Frozen Black Exterior Paint (fancy version of matte black paint)
Black Extended Novillo leather with Red Contrast Stitching on seats, headrests, door inserts, armrests, middle console, and door pulls.
Black M3 GTS wheels, 19" diameter with high-performance summer tires
Red brake calipers
Gloss black kidney grills
Gloss black side-gill elements
Gloss black exhaust pipe tips

Additional specified equipment from M3 catalog:

M-DCT Transmission with Drivelogic
Competition Package
Lowered suspension
Sport mapping for EDC/DSC
Premium Package 2
Power folding auto-dimming mirrors
Universal garage-door opener
Power front seats
Carbon Leather interior trim
Interior mirror with compass
BMW Assist with Bluetooth
Convenience Package
Anti-theft alarm system
Comfort Access keyless entry system
Park Distance Control (rear)
Navigation System
Voice-command
iPod and USB adapter
Real-time Traffic Information
Heated Front Seats
Satellite Radio with 1-year subscription
BMW Individual Enhanced Premium Sound System

Performance wise: the Frozen Black M3 is powered by the award-winning 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower M V8 engine, equipped with BMW's M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) which lowers the 0-60mph acceleration time of the M3 from 4.7 to 4.5 seconds.

If you're seriously interested, dial 1-800-245-4269 Thursday, June 16th 2011 A.D. at 11:30 am eastern standard time.

I'm sure that BMW will show off this car at the next Beemerfest, SEMA, LA Auto Show, North American International Auto Show, and the New York International Auto Show.

Photos: BMW

Volkswagen Presents the Black Turbo Launch Edition Beetle

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle doesn’t arrive in showrooms until September, so Volkswagen decided to release an opportunity to be one of the few who can own a Black Turbo “launch edition” Beetle. This limited edition (only 600 will be produced) comes painted black (with Turbo lettering on the doors) and is powered by VW’s turbocharged 200-hp, 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine that also powers the GTI. In addition to the turbocharged performance features, the four-cylinder engine offers an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg on the highway when outfitted with the automatic transmission.

Standard features include Bluetooth® technology, iPod® connectivity, three-color ambient lighting, larger brakes with red calipers, a rear ducktail spoiler, and a sport suspension. The interior is set off by carbon-fiber-look dashboard trim, aluminum pedals, an anthracite headliner, and subtle red accent trim, a "kaeferfach" additional glovebox that is similar to that of the original Beetle, sport cloth seating surfaces, and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also includes an RCD 310 sound system with eight speakers.

If you are one of the lucky few who pre-orders the Beetle Black Turbo launch editions, it will cost you a $495 fully refundable reservation fee that will go towards the starting MSRP of $24,950.

Other than the obvious Turbo painted on the side, this looks great. It reminds me of the Porsche Cayman S Black Edition. But as we all know, I do love all vehicles that are considered black limited editions.

BMW 1 Series M: The "Reasonable Doubt" of BMWs...

(I love the Jersey plates on this car, and I know insurance for this car will be through the roof)

According to the Detroit Bureau, the BMW 1 Series M is only going to be out for a year. Designated a 2011 model, the 1M is just rolling into showrooms, but it will go out of production no later than December of this year. BMW drops hints that a future update may be in the works, but it could be some time before a model dubbed 1M returns to the States because the more conventional 1-Series is about to go through a significant update. There’s typically a delay of as much as several years before BMW adds a high-performance M edition of its conventional products.

Whatever it is called, the new 1M is the lowest-priced model – adjusting for inflation – ever to roll out of the M brand. Sharing many of its underpinnings with the slightly larger BMW M3, the newer addition features a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo inline-six powertrain that can launch it from 0 to 60 in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph. The proposed MSRP is $46,150, however if you add all the tchotchkes you can possibly add to it, it raises the price to $54,100.

Side note: I called this post the BMW 1 Series M: The Reasonable Doubt of BMWs because Jay-Z's first album, Reasonable Doubt, was suppose to be his only album, and we've seen what happened since then.

Guess Which Customization Shop Is Creating the World's First Rolls Royce Phantom Matte Rosso Corsa Conquistador?

The dynamic brotherly duo of Platinum Motorsports in LA has the pleasure of creating the First Rolls Royce Mansory Conquistador outside of the haus of Mansory. Of course, that's not good enough for the Keshishyan brothers and they're taking it a step further by painting it a matte Rosso Corsa (Rosso Corsa = basic red when speaking "Ferrari")

Platinum Motorsports hasn't released much details about it, but they did take some photos and posted them.

I'm anxious to see the finished product. Maybe it can change my initial reaction, because I'm not sold on the matte red.

We shall see....

Presenting the New Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible ISR

Bentley just announced today that the Continental Supersports Convertible ISR (Ice Speed Record) is the most potent and radically styled Bentley convertible ever. This new model, limited to just 100 cars worldwide, is a celebration of the Company’s world ice speed record for a convertible car set by Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible.

Driving the all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible on the perilous frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, Kankkunen achieved a speed of 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) eclipsing his own ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in 2007 in the Continental GT.

Bentley’s most powerful 6-litre W12 engine with FlexFuel technology
The 6-litre, twin turbo-charged W12 engine, produces 640 PS (631 bhp / 471 kW) - the most powerful Bentley ever - and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque. Paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, it launches the convertible ‘Ice Speed Record’ model from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.0s) and reaches 100 mph from a standing start in only 9.5 seconds (0-160 km/h in 9.4s).

And true to the Bentley tradition of delivering instantly available and exhilarating performance in real world driving conditions, the ‘Ice Speed Record’ convertible will sprint from 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds.

In common with its Continental stable mates, the new Supersports model runs on both petrol (gasoline) or E85 bio-ethanol or any combination of the two. Pioneered in the Supersports coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a well-to-wheel basis, a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. The on-board fuel supply system monitors the content of the fuel tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.

Large diameter (420 mm front, 356 mm rear), carbon ceramic brake discs, with eight-piston callipers at the front provide fade-resistant stopping power. This lightweight system also reduces unsprung and rotating mass, benefiting steering response and handling. As with all Supersports models the ‘Ice Speed Record’ is fitted as standard with Pirelli 275/35ZR20 ultra high performance tyres. The car’s potent performance is further accentuated by 20” inch, 10-spoke Supersports wheels with a dark tint finish.

Bentley’s designers have selected three ‘stand-out’ exterior paint colours for the new convertible: Beluga, Quartzite and, fittingly, Arctica White. Reinforcing its muscular styling, while its leather and Alcantara-lined cabin features high-gloss carbon fibre with a unique red weave. For an even more extrovert appearance, customers may specify the ISR Mulliner design package (available at no extra cost) with its bold ‘Supersports ISR’ graphics and red-accented detailing. The Supersports Continental Convertible ISR is now available to order at Bentley dealerships and is priced at £189,300 or in American Dollars: $310,292.99.

For those customers seeking to accentuate the high performance credentials of the car further, Bentley offers a special ISR Mulliner design package as a no cost option. The 20” 10-spoke Supersports wheels can be specified in a vibrant red paint with a diamond turned finish to produce a lustrous metallic contrast. The dual-louvered dark bonnet vents, unique to Supersports models, are complemented by red accent surrounds. The extrovert Mulliner design is completed with a set of bold of Supersports ISR graphics that run down both flanks of the car.

Unique to the ‘Ice Speed Record’ model, the high-gloss carbon fibre on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel, features a red weave. The theme continues with Pillar Box Red piping to seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

The front seats and floor mats also feature embroidered ‘Supersports’ legends while the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent.

An 8-inch screen displays the car’s audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings as well as the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also utilises dynamic navigation to avoid heavy traffic spots, locates destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible for most markets.

The infotainment system, with 7-digit postcode entry, combines touchscreen controls and classic Bentley knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability. It is complemented by a new driver information panel (DIP) located in the main instrument cluster. The new wide-screen DIP employs TFT technology and enhanced graphics provide the driver with clear and easily accessible information about a wide range of car systems.

The new Supersports Continental Convertible ISR made its debut on the Bentley stand at the 2011 Geneva Show.

I know Bentley of Manhattan will have a few. Since I'm on Bentley's media list, I wonder if that would guarantee a test drive. One can dream.