Bernie's Favorite: Matte Black Mercedes Benz... In New York

I know I've been a little M.I.A. lately, because I'm back in school, working on a certification. The photography market is pathetic in Atlanta, and it's not what it use to be. So I rather get a job in an industry where I can make more money. And more money brings more opportunity to travel around the country for car shows. So I'm sacrificing now with the lack of posting so that I can travel to all over the country to cover car shows. I've always have been a traveling photographer, and I'll continue being a traveling car show photographer.

Now, on to the real post. When I first saw photos of this Mercedes, I said "Awwww...." like I just read a text message from that special guy in my life (I've mentioned his name on here before). ADV.1 Wheels released photos of a Matte black Mercedes-Benz C63 on the mean streets of Midtown Manhattan. This beautiful luxury car wearing wheels that are a ADV5.0 TRAKfunction setup in a 19″ fitment with a 19X9, 19X10.5 fitment. The matte black centers play off the paint while the brushed aluminum outers break up the wheels to keep them from blending into the car’s paint.

And before you ask, this is a matte paint job, not a matte wrapping job.

Isn't this the most gorgeous thing you ever seen? Remember, I'm talking about the car, not the scenery, even though New York is the greatest area on Earth. Just think, if it wasn't for New York, I wouldn't be the loving person I am today.

P.S. My GPA is currently at a 4.08 and I'm halfway through.

ADV.1 Wheels Shows off an Audi R8

The guys at ADV.1 Wheels released photos of an Audi R8 wearing their ADV 5.2.1 SL wheels. According to them, "Our customer just couldn’t wait for his new ADV05 Deep Concave’s to be made up for his new white Audi R8 V10 so we did what any good wheel company would do… loan him a set of ADV5.2.1 SL’s in a titanium finish. And before you say it – yes they look small, because they are. At 18X8.5, 18X12 they aren’t big and beautiful but they are wrapped in sticky R888 rubber and weigh 17lbs in the front, and 18.5 in the rear."

If I ever bought a Lamborghini, it would be the LB736

(Note: this would be a graphic design project, because this is not a photo. The magic of Photoshop)

My favorite automotive enthusiasts at Autoblog.com stumbled across an article speaking of the rumor buzzing around the automotive world. I'm not one to gossip, but the world on the street is that Lamborghini has a surprise at the Bejing Auto Show in April. Lamborghini may be releasing the LB736, an SUV that shares the same platform as the Audi Q7. The official engine work might be a V10 engine that could produce anywhere from 550-700 horsepower. (I heard several different numbers)

Autoblog continues to say that the body is reportedly standard Lamborghini-issue aluminum and carbon fiber, with a goal of a curb weight under 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds), and the completed project will go on sale in 2015. There's a suggestion that it might also come to Geneva instead of Beijing, but since the image is a Photoshop – and, frankly, most of this is speculation – don't be suprised if what we see now is not exactly what we ultimately get... whenever it debuts.

I think I'm in love, but we all know I say that every other week.

Huffington Post: "Women Are Better At Parking Than Men".

(I guess a guy parked this car)

Huffington Post released a highly interesting, yet truthful article entitled: Women Are Better At Parking Than Men. The shortened form of the article is that a study was released in the UK, although we (women) aren't necessarily better or worse than you'se guys (men) at driving, women are incredibly better at parking.

(Why not use a photo of Amber Rose)

Let me continue. According to HuffPo, "the BBC reports that men rush when parking and end up wasting time and gas driving past parking spaces and, once they do find one, are more apt to park sloppily. A press release states "The ladies' slower approach meant they were better able to notice spaces, or spot when other drivers were about to leave."

(Kimora Lee Simmons, and no she didn't crash that car)

"While women take longer to park, according to the report -- an average of 21 seconds, compared to 16 seconds for men (or, if you prefer a more depressing figure, 12 days out of our lives parking compared to nine days for men) -- that extra time pays off. 53 percent of women were judged to have parked centrally within a space, compared to just a quarter of men. This is largely due to what researchers called "the female shuffle." They found that 56 percent of women will reposition a car if they aren't aligned to go in, while just 29 percent of men bother to do so, the press release claimed."

Women Better at Parking Than Men

I agree with this article, since the one thing I do notice on customized cars is scratched rims from bad parallel parking. Young Jeezy had them on his Camaro, and sadly, he wasn't the only one. For the rest of this glowing article, check out Women Are Better At Parking Than Men at Huffington Post.com

Now guys are gonna be salty with me since I posted this. Oh well, at least I know how to parallel park my Envoy.

General Motors' Celebrity Program with Ben Baller

One of the few people I follow on twitter happens to be Ben Baller. Now I know you may not know who Ben Baller is, so the next paragraph will be very helpful.

Ben Baller, LA Native, who started out as an executive in the music industry and DJ, was smart enough to get out of the industry when digital took over and records wasn't selling like they use to. His family made jewelry for decades and decades, so he made the switch- launching a family owned business called IF&Co (Internally Flawless & Co.) with clientele who are wealthy (Not rich. Major difference). In his spare time, he launched a blog (same name of his jewelry company) where he writes about what he knows best- himself, his lifestyle, and the jewelry he creates. I like IF&Co (the blog) because what he writes about is legitmate and personable. (If you're not sure about unlegit false riches- book a flight to Atlanta during the BET Hip Hop Awards or if you would rather save your money- watch one episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta). If you're too lazy to read about Ben Baller, I'll sum it up in one statement- Ben Baller has credibility and is well connected. Useless fact- his birthday is one day after mine, which would make him a fellow Aquarius.

A few days before Christmas, Ben was honored to be a part of the Celebrity Program for General Motors- where you get a new car to drive around for a certain amount of months- you only pay for gas and tickets you may receive (Not everyone can get out of speeding tickets like Bernie). He had a choice between a 2012 Cadillac CTS-V (What Justin Bieber has) or a 2012 Corvette Z06 (which screams Midlife Crisis). Thankfully he went with the Cadillac... for now.

(Photo: IF&Co)

"I chose the CTS-V (word to Justin Bieber) 
and for a week now, this shit is amazing! it’s faster than most anything on the streets and it’s really tight, doesn’t feel all soft like the normal cadillacs…. I’m really surprised, it has a tighter feel than a lexus even! really nice recaro suede and leather seats with like 16 point options! this is fully loaded…. like a $80k car. the nav is sick! the stereo slaps and this shit moves! the back seats are actually back seats, not like a 3 series or a C class…" Ben Baller

Once GM handed over the keys, Ben took it out on the open road... all the way to the Bay Area. On the way back, he realized that a Cadillac CTS-V is not a great choice for a road trip companion. Comfortable- yes. Fast- yes. Bang for your buck- yes. Great on gas- no. Anything that has 550+ horsepower would not be great on gas, especially if you have a heavy foot.

(Photo: IF&Co)

The Cadillac CTS-V didn't stay long, and Ben received a new toy from GM- a 2011 Cadillac Escalade. Although he hasn't updated his latest adventures with this truck, I'll leave you with this...

"This thing is much smoother than before. it’s really a competitor against the Range Rover now for real. I think I might wait until the new body style drops next year though if I cop a SUV…"

If Ben knows what I know, after seeing the sketches of the newer modeled Cadillac Escalade, he might want to rethink that thought. I'm pretty good at matching people with cars, and he doesn't strike me as one who would drive a Cadillac SRX that can hold seven people.

But you know what, I'm happy that General Motors picked someone with some personality- and one who writes about the live that he actually lives. I'm not mad nor jealous, but it left me inspired. That will be me one day, but with my luck, by the time I make it there, GM will stop the program.

P.S. Ben knows a thing or two about cars. What he's had in his possession is what most people won't have the opportunity to touch.