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The Fire and the Fury: Johnny Depp's Car Collection Will Leave you in Awe.

Actor Johnny Depp’s deeply troubled personal life is once again grabbing headlines thanks to his second major lawsuit involving ex-wife Amber Heard. Back in the good old days, the news about Johnny Depp had more to do with his film-acting career and incredible lifestyle than domestic problems. So in remembrance of those happier times, when Johnny was the king of the silver screen, we’ve decided to take a look at his dazzling car collection. Depp is a global superstar movie actor known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirate of the Caribbean movie series as well as a number of other quirky and notable roles. He’s also known for his wealthy lifestyle, which has included owning multiple homes, a French village, a yacht, and even an island in the Caribbean. He’s not only an actor but a producer, a painter, and a serviceable musician. Depp’s personal possessions have included a luxury yacht, an island, a village, a private jet, and some very expensive properties such as a penthouse in a historic building. But did you know he’s also a world-class car lover who has a number of incredible luxury cars in his collection? more So let's get right to it. Let's take a look at Johnny Depp's auto collection. His personal garage is said to include more than 45 luxury cars. Here’s a glimpse at just a few: Rolls-Royce Wraith Estimated value $330,000. The Rolls-Royce Wraith brings sporty luxury and speed to Depp’s car collection. The Wraith is actually derived from the Rolls-Royce Ghost but is a bit sportier and sexier. The luxury couple is sure to indulge Johnny’s need for speed without sacrificing any love of the regal opulence that is the very essence of Rolls-Royce. While the Wraith coupe is still a Rolls classic it has its own distinct and sportier personality, including a 2-door frame. The 6.6L twin-turbo V12 engine churns out 624 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It can take you from zero to 60 in an impressive 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. Porsche 911 Carrera S Estimated value $40,000. As with other cars from Porsche adding an S to the name denotes more a more powerful version. Usually in the form of turbocharger boost pressure. The Porsche 911 Carrera is an iconic symbol of automotive passion and desire. Its classic 911 shape, rear-mounted flat-six engine, and circular headlights make it instantly recognizable around the world. Dropping into the driver’s seat Johnny has everything Porsche at his fingertips – precision, power, and fun. Starting it up, you instantly recognize the sound of the 911 Carrera’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six-cylinder engine and the feeling of that quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, now with a seven-speed manual offered on S models. Every 911 has amazing acceleration, and Porsche's optional sports exhaust system enhances that experience by providing an even fuller engine note. All models have rear-wheel drive but they can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Comfort reigns supreme with a smooth and supple ride and highly communicative steering, increased cornering grip, and stability in the coupe and convertible models. You can Depp-end on it! Land Rover Range Rover Estimated value $80,500. The Land Rover Range Rover - aka the Range Rover - is a 4x4 car produced by Land Rover, a marque (and sub-brand) of Jaguar Land Rover. The Range Rover line was launched in 1970 and is now in its fifth generation. It’s the original SUV and meant for all sorts of rugged terrain. (Perhaps Johnny uses one when driving around on his island or his French estate). We’re not sure which model the actor favors but you can choose from several under the Range Rover name, including the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar. Ferrari 488 Spyder Estimated value $301,000. This shows the real car lover in Depp. The Ferrari 488 (Type F142M) is a class – if not the classic mid-engine sports car produced by the Italian automaker. The car replaced the 458, being the first mid-engine Ferrari to use a turbocharged V8 since the F40. It was succeeded by the Ferrari F8. This car is powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, smaller in displacement but generating a higher power output than the 458's naturally aspirated engine. The 488 GTB was named "The Supercar of the Year" by Top Gear, as well as becoming Motor Trend's "Best Driver's Car.” Depp is sure to love this classic Ferrari for a drive around the French countryside or a long trip up the California coast. BMW 7 Series Estimated value $100,000. BMW has created some of the most reliable and performance-driven vehicles in history. And the bonnet boasts an impressive engine that is the stuff of dreams. The BMW 7 series car can get Mr. Depp to a max speed of 155 mph and takes 5.4 seconds to get you from zero to 60 mph. It's a dependable yet sexy vehicle for cruising down Rodeo Drive. Lamborghini Aventador Estimated value $390,000. When it comes to sports cars, Lamborghini makes the cream of the crop. The Italian automaker’s Aventador carries an impressive 6.5-liter V12 engine that churns out 690 horsepower and can reach a searing top speed of 217 mph and get you from zero to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. It's the perfect car for living in the Hollywood fast lane.

Jaguar E-Type Roadster Hearse

The Harold and Maude Jaguar Scene that is Hard for Certain Car Lovers to Watch

Although it is a much loved classic cult film, Harold and Maude contains one scene that is hard for old car lovers to watch. Jaguar lovers find it particularly gut-wrenching. If you are a movie buff you know exactly what we’re talking about. That is the conversion of a Jaguar E-Type roadster into a hearse. And then, to make matters worse, that final scene where it ends up flying over a cliff. Ouch. Let’s back up a bit for those who are too young to have experienced this cinematic moment. Harold and Maude tells the story of a death-obsessed young man, Harold (the legendary Bud Cort), who falls in love with a free-spirited elderly woman, Maude (the even more legendary Ruth Gordon). It’s the early work of acclaimed director Hal Ashby, who would go on to direct such films as The Last Detail, Coming Home, Shampoo, and Being There. Sadly he died too young and left a lot of movie lovers heartbroken. In Harold and Maude, the male lead’s main hobbies are faking his own death – much to the horror of his aristocratic mother – and obsessing over hearses and all things macabre. more Harold’s mother doesn’t like the first Hearse that Harold purchases so she replaces it with a spectacular and cutting edge 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 roadster. (The same car just celebrated its 60th-anniversary last year around the same time that Harold and Maude celebrated its 50th year as a classic). Those of us who love classic cars delighted in her choice. Until Harold picked up that blow torch. Suddenly, just a few scenes later – in what appeared to be a matter of days - the Jaguar had become a perfectly compact hearse. This actually happened to the Jaguar. But the retrofitting was done in England and took about six months to complete. Here are some other fun facts about the H arold and Maude Jaguar. -The car was actually based on an E-Type 2+2 coupe, not a roadster as it is depicted in the film. “Regular E-Types were two-seaters, but the 2+2 had a small back seat, made possible by a 9-inch-longer wheelbase. That stretched wheelbase, in addition to the 2+2’s 2-inch taller windshield, made the conversion of an E-Type into a “last ride” more feasible,” according to Consumerguide.com -The customizer who did the work on the Harold and Maude Jaguar was a British man, Red Harden. He actually attended the screening of Harold and Maude at the International Jaguar Festival in Scottsdale, AZ, in 2016, where he saw the film for the first time! -Harden also worked on cars such as Batmobile, The Dukes of Hazzard General Lee and Drag-u-la from The Munsters. -In Harold and Maude, the Jaguar hearse really is driven off a cliff in one of the final scenes. It cost the film production company about $32,000, which is about $215,000 today. -There’s actually a replica of the Jaguar hearse that was built by a collector named Ken Roberts. It took hundreds of hours of research plus four years to build and cost Roberts about $1 million to complete. Love it or hate it the Harold and Maude Jaguar hearse represents an incredible conversion and is a piece of cinematic history. Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type. To celebrate the introduction of its super mod masterpiece, Jaguar built six roadsters and six coupes that were delivered in March of last year. Delivered in pairs, six collectors took possession of the exact replicas of the most famous E-Types: the “9600 HP” and the “77 RW.” Jaguar recreated the incredible pair at its Classic Works garage in Warwickshire The team took 12 existing 1960s E-types and painstakingly restored them to sparkling new condition with certain 60th-anniversary specifications that included commemorative detailing overseen by Jag design director Julian Thomson. The cars also got a custom paint job. It’s testament to the E-Type’s advanced design and engineering that it can still be enjoyed and admired as passionately almost 60 years on,” Dan Pink, director of Jaguar Classic, said in a media statement at the time. “The E-type 60 Collection is a lasting tribute for E-type admirers, honoring the car’s legacy and the achievements of the team that created it.” Check out our latest Jaguar inventory!

Ferrari Portofino M landscape

More than Skin Deep: The Ferrari Portofino M is a Work of Art On the Inside Too!

It’s not an overstatement to say that the Ferrari Portofino M is a work of art. With its sculpted and flowing body and its powerful high-revving 612 horsepower twin-turbo V-8, this gorgeous convertible exemplifies everything Ferrari and is sure to turn heads everywhere it goes. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The interior is equally stunning and luxurious. The sumptuous materials and technology blend seamlessly to delight your senses and soothe your nerves thanks to features such as 18-way power-adjustable front seats with a neck-warming function along with zone-specific ventilation that keep you super comfy on the road. more Put the top down and the Portofino M reveals its sporty and super stylish GT interior with seamless interlocking design elements. Ferrari's "Styling Centre" team outdid itself here. It all started with laser focus attention to aesthetic and functional coherency between the car’s exterior and its interior, weight reduction, and more occupant space, according to Ferrari. The team then moved to crafting the interior starting with a multi-level dashboard structure that includes an upper half and an intermediate gap designed to lighten the perceived mass of the lower half. So everything upfront looks light and beautiful, soothing even. Designers created the lighter feel by subtracting rather than adding elements, which broke up the dash into different levels and allowed the team to organize the technical elements and in-car features in a highly rational and organized way while "simultaneously defining its signature full-width architecture." A central horizontal aluminum blade divides the instrument panel, air conditioning vents, and passenger display into separate areas in the upper section. More control functions are located in the scooped section below, with a 10.25” touchscreen at the center. Taken together, the layout provides impeccable ergonomics and highlights the construction quality of every single detail through its seamless marriage of ultra-high-tech elements and materials with handcrafted assemblies and trims. It's Ferrari for a new era. Moreover, according to Ferrari, the interior - and the dashboard architecture in particular - features two shells incorporating all of the technical components and a bridge that visually connects the instrument panel area with the central tunnel. This layout is designed to involve the passenger and is underscored in the styling of the door panels, handles and various controls and devices available, including the central and passenger touchscreens. The seats of the Portofino M are something special about this Italian work of art They are, in fact, the product of a special research project at Ferrari and have an innovative magnesium structure. You enjoy varied density padding and an ultra-compact seatback profile that frees up space for rear occupants. "Also available is three-level ventilation for the seat and backrest, and the very popular neck warmer for use in winter months," according to Ferrari. The latter offers a choice of three heat levels and the system continuously adapts the speed of the warm airflow from the headrest to ensure it is proportional to the car’s speed, outside temperature, and the position of the retractable top. What else would you expect of a Ferrari? Other smaller features we love inside the Ferrari Portofino M: The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) available as options for the Ferrari Portofino M are: • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function for driving in traffic • Predictive Emergency Brake System that can alert the driver to potential collision risks readying the car to lessen the consequences of a frontal impact • Blind Spot Monitoring to alert the driver to vehicles in the blind spot • Lane Departure Warning with acoustic and/or visual alert that the car has strayed out of its lane • Automatic High Beam, which automatically turns on and off high beams when driving at night • Traffic Sign Recognition, which constantly displays the speed limits on the particular road/street vehicle • Surround View with 3D display • Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which warns the driver of moving obstacles hidden in the car’s rear blind spot, when reversing Check out our Ferrari inventory here! Ferrari Silicon Valley Cavallino Rosso St. Louis

Lamborghini Aventadors that Burned and Sunk in the Atlantic

Back from the Ashes: Lamborghini to Open Up Production on the Discontinued Aventadors that Burned and Sunk in the Atlantic.

We all heard about the thousands of cars – many of them luxury vehicles – that literally went up in flames on a ship at sea before it sank 13 days later. The vehicles were aboard a large cargo vessel 250 miles off the coast of Portugal when a fire broke out in March of 2022. As firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames, the ship’s 22-person crew was rescued. Mercifully, no humans were hurt. But about 4,000 cars were lost. And it’s still a mystery what, exactly, caused the fire. Among those cars that were lost were the last of the Lamborghini Aventadors. The V-12 Aventador Ultimaes were the last of their kind due to the fact that the Italian automaker is actively transitioning its lineup to 100 percent hybrid/electric powertrains over the next few years. It would have been a sad ending for the luxurious supercar. They were the last in production, meaning a handful of excited buyers would have had to give up their dream of owning that particular Aventador. But not anymore. more Lamborghini has saved the day, announcing that it will restart production of the supercar in order to replace those that were lost at sea. "We put our heads together, and luckily, we are able to replace those cars, so there will be no loss for our customers in the U.S. due to the sunken ship. This is good news," CEO Stephan Winkelmann told the media during a recent news conference. He said the automaker has worked out a way to fill the orders along with those of 70 other Lamborghini vehicles that were on the ship. “The Aventador was tricky, but we made it." Roughly 4,000 cars from Volkswagen-owned brands were on the ship Felicity Ace – including not only the Lamborghini but Bentley, Porsche, and Audi models as well. The ship was on its way from Germany to Rhode Island. The car brands are working with dealerships and customers to replace the lost vehicles and find solutions for each buyer, Cameron Batten, chief communications officer for Volkswagen Group of America, told the media. Replacing the Aventadors won’t be easy, Winkelmann said, due to the fact that there’s a shortage of wiring harnesses manufactured in the Ukraine that has made it necessary to switch to other suppliers for the needed component. Production of the Aventador Ultimae had been limited to 350 coupes as well as 250 convertibles. The sinking of the Felicity Ace comes at a time when the auto industry is already suffering from a number of pandemic-related supply chain issues. Lamborghini said it will build 15 examples of its final variant, the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimate, which were among the 85 Lamborghinis lost when the ship sank. The other Lamborghinis lost, such as the Urus, are still in production. “This was the edition that was closing the production of the Aventador, and there were 15 on board of the ship,” Winkelmann told the media. “Luckily, we are able to replace those cars, so there will be no loss for our customers in the US due to the sunken ship.” The Aventador Ultimae is hand-assembled and also the last gas-powered V-12 in the Lamborghini lineup. So what do you do if the car you ordered burned on the ship? Technically, the vehicles belong to the automaker until the car is delivered to the customer – so personal insurance is not an issue. Instead, commercial insurance for vehicle manufacturers and the cargo company would come into play. Volkswagen Group maintains vendor relationships for shipping cars, not for each individual VW brand, a spokesperson for VW said recently. So now your options are to resubmit the order for the vehicle, maintain that deposit, and wait. Depending on the car you ordered it could be several months before it is delivered but we think it's worth the wait. Be sure to check out our latest Lamborghini cars.

Chrome car wrapping making a comeback

There's No Accounting for Taste: Is Chrome Car Wrapping Making a Comeback?

Chrome car wrapping may have peaked in the early 2,000s but when you scroll through the internet you might experience a nagging sense that it’s poised for a comeback. Nothing about chrome car wrapping is understated. And it may even be considered bad taste. But it’s still happening, even today. And if you long for that metallic shine and perhaps a blingy personalized color, chrome wrapping may be exactly what you are craving. Just don’t ask your dealership to do it. It’s not an actual thing among auto manufacturers. And one downside is that you might be pulled over by the cops more frequently due to its reflectivity. So what, exactly is a chrome car wrap? more A chrome wrap is actually a kind of vinyl wrap that gives your car’s exterior a glossy, reflective, and yes, metallic, look, kind of like you dipped your entire car in hot metal. Think Donald Trump’s penthouse interior with more color choices than gold. Chrome car wraps are thin but generally considered durable (especially by those who install them) and there are currently four top brands to choose from: Avery, Oracle, 3M, Rwraps, and WrapStyle. If you don’t find anything you like there, you can also opt for metalized and polyester films, according to the Topmarq blog. Such alternatives are not used as full car wraps. Instead, they can be employed for covering smaller parts of the car and creating special custom graphics that you choose. But let’s go back to chrome wraps, which allow you to choose from a seemingly endless rainbow of colors: Anything from the more “staid” black, gold and silver to flaming red or pink. (Who doesn’t love a metallic pink Land Rover? Or a glossy pink VW?) And of course, it’s going to cost you. For a sedan expect to pay up to $8,000. Larger cars like a Bentley or Rolls will run you $12,000 or more. So what are the pros and cons? Pros You will always make an entrance. There is nothing subtle about how your car will look once you chrome wrap it. In fact, everyone will stop and stare, gape-mouthed, as you drive by. It might help to prevent scratches. According to proponents, a wrap will actually protect your original paint job in the same way a high-quality synthetic wax does. (Not sure the folks at Rolls would agree with this but we’re just passing along some info from the pro-wrap world). So ostensibly you are preventing nicks and scratches from rock chips, branches, and debris. They can last several years. Drop a chrome wrap over that Bentley and you might not have to change it for five or six years. Imagine the impression you can make in that time frame! And, for better or worse, you will make an impression. The Cons It’s not cheap. As we already mentioned a glossy metallic wrap for your ride can set you back $6,000 to $8,000 or more depending on the size of the vehicle and the scope of the project. It’s difficult to maintain. The wrap may be susceptible to heat and cold so your car may have to be stored in a temperature-controlled environment, which can add extra cost. It’s a little tacky for most tastes. Despite the fact that you might think it looks cool, many others do not think a chrome wrap looks cool. In fact, you might be perceived as a bit out of touch if you drive around in a gold-plated car. We suggest sticking with the colors provided by your luxury car’s configurator or a tasteful tone available at your dealership. But there’s no accounting for taste…

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Unleashing a Legend: Rolls-Royce Road Tests its New All Electric Spectre and Promises Unsurpassed Power and Luxury. Here's What Makes it Great.

Rolls-Royce promises that it’s next automobile, the Spectre, will be fully electric, and that its entire fleet will be electric by 2030. Better for the environment? Yes. Lacking in luxury? No. In fact, the Spectre will sit on the same Architecture of Luxury as all Rolls-Royce automobiles. The venerable British automaker recently released more details about its first EV, which will be on sale by the end of next year. When it comes to the Rolls-Royce Spectre there’s a lot to be excited about. Here’s a look: It will a coupe, likely with rear-hinged doors. With its curved back end and seamlessly built-in spoiler, the Spectre has been compared to the Boat Tail Rolls-Royce cars of the early 20th century. It's a classic look for an automobile that is said to usher in an electric future for Rolls-Royce. Electric does not mean austere in the world of Rolls-Royce. The Spectre will look, perform and provide all luxury and comfort of a Rolls. And it will also have the iconic grille at the front of the car, albeit a purely cosmetic grille because it's an EV after all. It will undergo 1.5 million miles of testing before the world launch at the end of 2023. Rolls-Royce has started on-road testing of its first fully electric car on public roads. Rolls-Royce says it has created the most demanding test program in company history, covering 1.5 million miles in order to simulate 400 years of use. Engineers will evaluate the prototypes in “all four corners of the world to push this new motor car to the limit," according to Rolls. "They will be tested in all conditions and overall terrains on their multi-million-mile journey that will literally accelerate Rolls-Royce into the future.” more It will be spectacular. It will sit on the same Rolls-Royce Architecture of Luxury platform that underpins the Phantom, Cullinan, and Ghost. That means incomparable ride quality, acoustic characteristics that are unsurpassed, extreme passenger comfort, gorgeous exterior presence, and refined and luxurious interior space. Its hood ornament will be smaller. As part of its 111th anniversary, Rolls is unveiling a smaller, more aerodynamic Spirit of Ecstasy that will be part of the new Rolls-Royce Spectre - the venerable British brand’s first battery-electric vehicle. The brand’s re-imaging of the classic automotive mascot comes 111 years after the Spirit of Ecstasy was first registered as the specific intellectual property of Rolls-Royce. In her new form, she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before — the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, according to the automaker. The new version of the Spectre measures in at just 3.26 inches tall, compared to her predecessor’s 3.94 inches. It is not only lower and more dynamic but it closely resembles the drawings made by her creator, illustrator, and sculptor Charles Sykes, in the early 20th century. It will be fast. Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös told Car & Driver that the Spectre would need to offer at least the same level of performance as that provided by the company’s existing V-12–powered models. That means zero-to-60 mph in a searing 4.3-second zero-to-60-mph and a top speed of at least 155 mph. In fact, Rolls-Royce says the name "Spectre" suits the car “perfectly” because the car is “a silent, menacing creation. Powerful and edgy, but in profile, smooth, sleek, and elegant.” The company has not yet confirmed what batteries the Spectre will use, but it should compare with other top luxury EV's 470-mile range. It will be incredibly quiet. Even the non-electric Rolls-Royce cars with V12 engines are super quiet and the Spectre should be even more so. And with such little engine noise that could mean that outside noises like other vehicles, wind, road noises, might need to be tamed with some Rolls wizardry. The price is still a mystery. It should not surprise anyone that the Rolls-Royce Spectre will come with quite a price tag. Since Rolls vehicles start at $200,000-plus - and even a used version generally starts at $100,000. Car experts are estimating that the Spectre with start at between $300,000 and $350,000. The Spectre is, in fact, an entirely new Rolls-Royce. To sum it all up you can expect classic Rolls-Royce luxury, a plethora of options, and an array of highly-customizable packages via the automaker’s Bespoke design service. In the words of founder Charles Rolls: "The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration, and they should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” That may have been 123 years ago but Rolls-Royce is celebrating its founder's prophetic vision with the unveiling of a legend. A re-cap of the Rolls-Royce Spectre’s features: The name Spectre was chosen to match the equally otherworldly Rolls-Royce model names such as Ghost, Phantom, and Wraith. Rolls-Royce brass called the unveiling of the Spectre the most significant day in the automaker’s history since May 4, 1904, when the company was ideologically born. The Spectre will be silent, refined, and capable of near-instant torque while at the same time able to generate tremendous power. The fulfillment of Charles Rolls’ prophecy, the Spectre represents a promise kept by the company’s founding fathers. The Spectre is the beginning of a new legacy for Rolls-Royce, carrying a name that is both powerful and evocative. This is the first stop in full electrification of the entire Rolls-Royce product portfolio by 2030.

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What's the Deal with the Rimac Nevera? Everything You Need to Know About this Mysterious Electric Hypercar.

With all the buzz around the Rimac Nevera you might be wondering about the origins of this exotic hypercar that wreaks of James Bond-level excitement and suspense. It’s been called the Hypercar 2.0. Capable of exceptional speed, and powerful beyond comprehension. In fact, the, 2022 Rimac Nevera is named for a mighty storm system and is a force like no other. But where did this mysterious car come from? Exotic and powerful to the extreme, the fully electric Nevera was designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Croatia, created to outperform in every way. Rimac’s history is an interesting lesson in how a modern automotive company can be born. Its origins actually date back to 2007, when an engineer named Mate Rimac began to convert his own BMW E30 to an electric powertrain in his garage, with funding from a group of small investors. more A few years later Rimac had created several patents, many of which were sold to allow the foundation of Rimac Automobili. The Rimac's eE30 soon became a testbed for Rimac's first concept cars, which subsequently became known among its own engineers as the "Green Monster." With continued research and development that turned into the Concept One car, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frenkfurt Motorshow. Rimac eventually created an initial production run of 88 units. The group later delved into Formula E Championship as a way of promoting its brand and they went on to develop the Concept One’s successor. Fast forward to now and we have the Nevera. By specializing exclusively in electric performance, Rimac was able to engineer and extract the most extreme performance on the planet inside the Nevera. Each of the Nevera’s wheels is independently driven by one dedicated electric motor that channels torque accordingly to give you unprecedented control and agility. Beneath its skin lies a carbon-fiber monocoque with bonded carbon roof, an integrated structural battery pack, and rear-carbon subframe. The structural core is lightweight, powerful, and exceptionally strong. With the Nevera, unparalleled performance meets real-time intelligence for an exceptional driving experience that you will never forget. Four electric motors churn out 1.4 megawatts - an incredible 1877 horsepower – and can take you from zero to 60 in a stratospheric 1.85 seconds. And unlike other electric cars, the Nevera gives more than just torque. The Nevera can also reach a searing top speed of 258 mph on the track, leaving competitors in the dust. Starting at $2.4 million. This is what Rimac has to say about what it does: “We design, engineer, and build the most advanced automotive technology possible. From developing and manufacturing era-defining hypercars to inventing and building ground-breaking new technologies. We challenge convention and push technology to the edge of possibility. Welcome to Rimac. This is our story.” Wow! More about the Rimac Nevera: -Named for a quick, sudden, and mighty Mediterranean storm, the 2022 Rimac Nevera represents power to the extreme. -The Nevera was designed to be the fastest accelerating car and the fastest electric car in the world today. -Not only is it visually striking but it carries exceptional speed and severity, a Hypercar with a capital H. -Rimac will make 50 Neveras for 2022 - each hand-crafted in Croatia for a total of 150 cars over time. -Four independent surface-mounted, carbon-sleeve, permanent-magnet electric motors and four independent inverters and gearboxes spell searing speed and performance. -The two front motors produce 220 kW (299 hp) each and the two rear motors produce 480 kW (653 hp) each. -The Nevera was handcrafted to perform beyond all expectations, with its inner workings made specifically for high performance. -The 120-kWh battery is shown to recharge from zero to 80 percent in as little as 19 minutes with 500 kW DC fast charging. -Expect purpose and performance - Nevera's bold but functional form is designed to exceed all expectations. -Expect precision engineering that pushes performance to the edge of possibility and beyond. -Rimac engineers found and developed the very best materials in order to handcraft everything from powertrain components to composites and in-car controls. -The 2022 Rimac Nevera's carbon-fiber monocoque is the largest and stiffest of any automobile on the market. Want to order a Rimac Nevera? Contact us today!

8

They Said it Could Never Happen but the Ferrari SUV is a Real Thing!

Uber-luxurious SUVs are selling like hotcakes within the high-end auto industry. But if you’d said a decade ago that Ferrari would create a sport utility vehicle many sports car enthusiasts would have said that day would never come. The words Ferrari and SUV just didn't belong in the same sentence, right? Wrong. Here it comes! The Ferrari Purosangue, which is Italian for “pure blood” is slated to begin production in 2022 and begin deliveries soon after. Here's what we know so far about the Ferrari Purosangue: It will be fast. The Italian automaker’s first SUV is powered by a V12 - and there’s a hybrid version that combines a V8 with an electric motor. Two fully electric models are also in development and will hit the market in coming years. more The driving experience is ah-mazing “I’ve driven it several times in the hills of Maranello,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna told the media recently. “And I can testify that the driving experience is really astonishing.” In fact, he said it will exceed all expectations. It’s long and sleek Ferrari has not unveiled much about what the Purosangue will look like or what it will cost. But early, heavily camouflaged photographs of the car suggest the all-wheel drive vehicle is long and sleek. In fact, thanks to its raised ride height it seems to look more like a glamorous GT cruiser than an SUV.  Featuring a long bonnet and swept greenhouse, the folks at Maranello are calling it a Ferrari Utility Vehicle. It will be all about you, the driver Being a Ferrari, it’s all about you, the driver, and your driving experience. Expect a driver-focused layout in the cockpit. It also has room for four adults and a generous cargo bay. And it’s filled with high-end leathers as well as sporty carbon-fiber trim. The exterior is still a bit of a mystery No detailed photos have been released. But according to the Motor1 website it will likely have quad exhaust tips. “We also believe the production-ready SUV will have larger wheels, but the rest of the vehicle is seemingly the finished product.”LED daytime running lights have also been spied and seem to be positioned above chunky air intakes, according to the website. To recap, here are the big features you might want to know about: The Ferrari SUV will ride on a new front mid-engine architecture with support for all-wheel drive. Purosangue has a dual-clutch gearbox, air suspension, and hybrid powertrains. The four-seat interior will accommodate a rear-seat entertainment system and there’s rumors a  flagship V12 will join electrified V6 and V8 engines. According to CNBC, the Ferrari SUV comes at just the right time. News reports suggest Ferrari had a strong fourth quarter last year, a spike that was caused by massive wealth creation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Italian company delivered a record 11,155 cars in 2021, up 22 percent from 2020. Now, its order book is “the strongest ever,” stretching into 2023, the company said. Along with releasing the new SUV, Ferrari is also gearing up for the shift to electric vehicles. The Italian automaker aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and is developing a range of hybrid and electric models to move it in that direction. Its first fully electric vehicle is due for release in 2025. The Italian automaker launched the V-8 hybrid SF90 Stradalein  2019. Most recently, the company unveiled the 296 GTB with a plug-in V-6 powertrain. “It’s important that we look and see how new technologies can help our brand,”  Vigna told the media. “For sure, the digital technologies, Web 3.0 and using the blockchain and NFTs is an area that can be interesting for us.”

15

The Spirit of Ecstasy Hood Ornament is Shrinking to Make the Battery-Electric Rolls-Royce Spectre More Aerodynamic

It just wouldn’t be a Rolls-Royce without a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. Or would it? Back in the brand’s early days, not every car carried the mascot. But we'll get to that later... As part of its 111th anniversary, Rolls is unveiling a smaller, more aerodynamic Spirit of Ecstasy that will be part of the new Rolls-Royce Sceptre - the venerable British brand’s first battery-electric vehicle. The brand’s reimaging of the classic automotive mascot comes 111 years after the Spirit of Ecstasy was first registered as the specific intellectual property of Rolls-Royce. more Today’s Spirit of Ecstasy remains “the embodiment of our brand, and a constant source of inspiration and pride for the marque and its clients,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “(But) like our brand, she has always moved with the times while staying true to her nature and character.” In her new shorter form she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before — the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, according to the CEO. The new version measures in at just 3.26 inches tall, compared to her predecessor’s 3.94 inches. The new version is lower, more dynamic, and ... historically accurate. In fact, it closely resembles the drawings made by her creator, illustrator, and sculptor Charles Sykes, in the early 20th century. When originally sculpted, the Spirit of Ecstasy stood with her feet together, legs straight and tilting at the waist. Today, she stands with one leg forward, as if braced for the wind. Her robes – no, they are not wings - have been revised to make them more realistic and aerodynamic. “She leans forward, expressing our relentless pursuit of progress, and her dress gracefully flows in the wind, echoing the serenity of our products in motion,” said Anders Warming, director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Interestingly, the new Spirit of Ecstasy was digitally sculpted to better capture the essence of Syke’s original drawings. Of course, being a Rolls-Royce emblem, the process was highly detailed and painstaking. To keep her authentic yet contemporary, designers turned to stylists at Goodwood for their input on everything from her hair and clothes to her posture and facial expression. Until 1939, each individual Spirit of Ecstasy was made by Sykes himself. He even hand-polished each one! Back then, Rolls-Royce had limited production, making this task easier for one man to carry out. Today, these very special hood ornaments are still made the way Sykes made them, using the lost-wax process, aka cire-perdue. It’s an ancient procedure that actually dates from the third millennium B.C. The lost-wax process is a form of metal casting that starts with a wax model used to create a mold. Once the mold is constructed, the wax model is melted away, and molten metal is poured into the mold. Keep in mind that this is not the first time Rolls-Royce has altered the Spirit of Ecstasy. In fact, the original 1911 mascot was 6 7/8 inches tall. By the 1960s, she had changed eight times and then measured a shorter 4 5/16 inches tall. And, the distance from her nose to the tip of her outstretched robes shrank as well, from 5 inches to just three. Her base shape, stance, and positioning of her robes have also changed over the decades, according to Rolls-Royce. The new version created for the Spectre will appear on all future models. The existing design will continue to adorn the Ghost, Wraith, Dawn, Phantom, and Cullinan and their Black Badge variants. They are made by specialists in Southampton, England. Interestingly, company founder Sir Henry Royce disliked mascots/hood ornaments of any kind; and The Honorable Charles Stewart Rolls died in a flying accident in June 1910, so he never even saw the Spirit of Ecstasy. And back then, buying a Rolls-Royce didn’t ensure your car would get the hood ornament. In fact, it was an option you could purchase through 1939. And less than half of the 20,000 cars sold during that period came with one. Since then, many subsequent owners of those older cars have added them to make them look more like what people think of as a Rolls. And now, the British marque is celebrating its 111th birthday by unveiling a new, more aerodynamic version of the Silver Lady. Why? Aerodynamics appears to be the big reason for the design changes. The Spectre is the Rolls-Royce’s most aerodynamic vehicle ever. The drag coefficient (cd) is a mere 0.26, something which will help improve battery efficiency and speed. And, that figure is expected to improve as testing continues. “In her new form she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before—the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, Torsten says, “and for gracing the prow of our bold electric future.” The new Spirit of Ecstasy is scheduled to show up in showrooms on the Spectre in 2023. Contact any of our Rolls-Royce dealerships for more information.

1

Call it Kardashian Gray: The Reality Star Shells Out $100,000 to Paint Cars to Match Her Mansion

It might have to be re-named Kardashian Gray. The paint color Kim Kardashian recently chose for her luxury cars is causing a giant stir in pop culture media. That's because she shelled out roughly $100,000 to paint three of her luxury cars – including a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce - a hue called “ghost gray” so the vehicles would match her mansion. The Skims founder hired an outfit called Platinum Motorsports in Los Angeles to carry out the work, sources told the media. The so-called “ghost gray” color is said to be a “very specific Rolls-Royce gray.” And it wasn’t easy: Each car took about a month to complete due to the fact that each of the vehicles had to be taken dis-assembled in order to be sprayed. more Among the three cars Kardashian had painted: a Lamborghini Urus and a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Kim’s budget may be anything but austere but her aesthetic is quite clean. She loves to design her homes in neutral tones and keep in the interiors modern and simple. And now her cars match her abode! In a new video for Vogue, the reality star gave a tour of clean-lined mega-home and also gave viewers a look at her newly painted vehicles. During the interview, she said, “I've always been a car girl, I love cars, and I really wanted something different. I wanted my cars to blend in with my house which is grey. So I did all grey cars, instead of my typical matte silver, which I used to do. I picked out my Lamborghini Urus with a kit on the front, Rolls-Royce Ghost with a crystal lady….I love everything about it.” The Lamborghini, apparently, was the hardest to complete due to the intricate body kit on the front of the car. Interested in staying on top of the color trends for luxury cars? Here’s some info that might help you make that important decision for your car's exterior: Car & Driver is reporting that according to research by PPG, Kardashian was right on trend because grayscale shades – ranging from white to black - make up 3/4ths of paint colors on vehicles sold in the United States. Furthermore, blue, the next most popular color, took up about 9 percent of market share. But you might notice that today's automotive advertising is filled with brighter colors, a trend that has been making gains the past few years. You might have admired the Audi Q8's Dragon Orange Metallic. BMW’s compact M cars might catch your eye in Sao Paulo Yellow. Lamborghini, of course, will allow you to customize any portion of their Huracán or Aventador with just about any color you choose. Or maybe an even rarer color is your thing. In fact, just about any color is possible thanks to Porsche’s Paint to Sample program. It will cost you thousands of dollars but you can choose from a catalog of old colors and apply any of them to your new Porsche. Even better: If you can’t find that exact hue, the people at Porsche will create a color custom. And it will cost you twice as much. But it can be done! For that unusual buyer, Aston Martin and McLaren offer a wide selection of bold paint schemes, including bright lime yellow hues. Need a custom car color that's even more on the wild side? Car & Driver points to the bronzy palette of colors available for the McLaren 765LT. If you’re drawn to warmth you can choose Papaya Spark, which will attract eyeballs wherever you go. When it comes to stately elegance nothing beats a Bentley and with each passing year the available color schemes are becoming less staid. Think “light-blue Jetstream II Metallic” paint color for your exterior. You will create a buzz where every you go without sacrificing one ounce of luxury.

Ferrari Roma

La Dolce Vita Revisted: Why We're in Love with the Ferrari Roma

With its beautiful, refined proportions and sensuous yet timeless curves, the Ferrari Roma really is like something out of a Fellini movie. And in fact it’s been said that the Roma actually represents the pleasurable - or "sweet" - way of life that characterized Rome in movies of that era. This new mid-front-engined 2-plus coupé not only offers distinctive flare and timeless design, it’s simply downright gorgeous. It's contemporary, sexy and iconic all at the same time. Although beholding it’s sleek, muscular exterior lines never gets old, the Roma’s beauty is more than skin deep. There’s lots to love about the way this coupé performs. It’s one of several new models that Ferrari promised to have out by this year and we’re excited to take a closer look. more Here's what we love about the Ferrari Roma so far: Power. Not only is the Roma a thing of beauty, but it’s also thrilling to drive. Thanks to its turbo-charged 3.9 liter V8 that produces 612 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque you will absolutely feel the power. The engine reaches 620 cv at 7500 rpm and is paired with the new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. You can expect responsive steering as well as precise handling only found in a great car like Ferrari. Luxury. With its sleek lines inspired by the stylish ‘50s and ‘60s Rome vibe and the grand touring Ferraris of the same era, you can rightly expect those same lines and curves to show up in the interior. The Frau leather interior blends seamlessly with sleek dual cockpit design and form fitting seats that seem to wrap around you and your front passenger, making everyone comfortable on longer drives.  Not only is there plenty of comfort but there’s nothing lacking when it comes to infotainment and connectivity. Speed. You may want to take in the sun-drenched Riviera, a dip in a fountain, cocktails at an outdoor café butt the Roma is also built for driving thrills. It can get from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 199 mph. Prepare yourself for some beautiful sound vibrations as you rev that engine. Ferrari engineers gave much attention to the sound produced by the exhaust system. They even redesigned it to remove any silencers and to add bypass valves to magnify naturally produced notes. Sophisticated Details. The Roma is “understated luxury” Ferrari style. And it’s a car that is absolutely designed to capture the romance and sophistication of  another time and place while remaining thoroughly modern. Extra sharp full-LED adaptive headlights with a horizontal light strip add to the sleek silhouette of the sculpted hood and grille, suggesting that the La Dolce Vita is no longer just a distant dream. This very special highly customizable car starts at $218,670. Some other features of the Roma we love: -The rear is muscular with its shoulders wrapped around 20-inch wheels as thin taillights and two sets of dual exhaust pipes denote the Roma’s power while creating a sleek look worthy of La Dolce Vita. -The dual cockpit includes separate cells for driver and passenger; main commands can be accessed via haptic controls on the newly designed steering wheel. -The rear window has a built-in spoiler that is flush within the rear of the car and deploys on its own under hard driving conditions to aid with downforce. -The Roma includes cutting-edge dynamic systems like its Side Slip Control 6.0, with a five-position manettino (steering-wheel-mounted switch), and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, which controls yaw angle by actuating individual brake calipers. -With a touch of a button next to the new flush door handle, the Ferrari key allows you to unlock the car effortlessly. -Lighter components throughout the Ferrari Roma reduce weight and result in a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. -A 16-inch digital instrument cluster gives you up to the minute information, and the 8.4-inch vertical touchscreen and a passenger screen, are highly intuitive. Can't get enough? Check out our Ferrari inventory. Contact Ferrari Silicon Valley Contact Cavallino Rosso St. Louis

2022 the yeard of the electric vehicle

2022 Has Been Called the Year of the Electric Vehicle - Here’s Why Right Now is the Perfect Time to Buy One

It’s been called the Year of the EV but is 2022 really the best time to buy an electric vehicle? Let’s take a look at the facts. With so many new luxury EVs and hybrids coming on the market, from sedans to SUVs this is a big year for plug-in fully electric vehicles. So why buy an electric vehicle? more For starters, they’re good for the environment. You want to help the planet. The good news is that if you drive an EV, unlike gas-powered cars, you are putting out zero emissions into the atmosphere. Those emissions are part of what contributes to climate change. So, it's a fact that EVs are responsible for less pollution overall than conventional gas-powered vehicles despite the fact that cumulative environmental impact will vary depending on the source of electricity, of course. Electric vehicles of today are super fast. That's because that electric motor puts out all of its available torque instantly - and continuously. Especially when it comes to luxury or sports EVs. Many luxury electric vehicles can now get you to 60 mph in as little as 3.0 seconds! (Or less if you are talking something like the Porsche Taycan). Additionally, performance can be better. The W battery pack is normally mounted beneath the passenger compartment so your EV has a lower center of gravity that contributes to quick cornering abilities you would only see in a sports car under most circumstances. Yes, upfront costs can be high compared to a car with a conventional gasoline-powered engine. But over time high-end EVs are easier on your wallet. Taken together, that means that a growing number of potential car buyers are weighing whether it's time to buy their first electric vehicle. Lower fuel costs are a big benefit. Charging an EV at home can work out to be much cheaper than paying for gas every week – especially as gas prices are going up over time in recent months. And, as an added benefit, EVs don’t need all the maintenance of gas-powered vehicles. In fact, they only require an estimated one-third of the maintenance. That means one-third of the cost! No fluid and filter changes or tune-ups. Nor do they need new spark plugs, hoses or belts, etc. You're only required to do things like rotate the tires and replace windshield wipers while checking brake pads - plus a few more routine service items. Additionally, there's still that one-time $7,500 federal tax credit for people buying electric vehicles. The Biden administration has proposed extending the credits for all automakers and even increasing them depending on where a vehicle is built and whether union labor is involved. Several states, including California, offer incentives for EV buyers and those who lease an EV. The California Clear Fuel Reward Gives you Yet Another Incentive to Buy Electric in 2022 Did you know you can save big on your EV purchase when you buy an eligible EV? And you may be able to combine that with existing incentives announced in the past several years. The California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR) is now available to anyone who buys or leases a new electric vehicle with a battery capacity greater than 5 kWh. While there are no income or location restrictions within California, you have to register your electric car in California and you must live there. The goal of the California Clean Fuel Reward is to put more electric vehicles on the streets for a carbon-neutral future. Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. It is essential to reduce carbon emissions in order to reach a state of climate neutrality. It’s easy to obtain the reward. When you buy or lease an EV at an enrolled retailer in California, the retailer will simply include the reward in the transaction at the point of sale. The customer does not need to provide any paperwork or fill out any forms. Additionally, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and other electric utilities have teamed up with the California Air Resources Board to offer the reward, which is even offered on a sliding scale depending on your car battery size. Discounts of up to $1,500 are offered on cars with larger batteries that carry a bigger charging capacity. And, the incentive is also available on leased electric vehicles. Only vehicles purchased or leased from approved participating retailers are eligible. If you purchased your vehicle before your retailer was approved in the program or if you did not purchase at a participating retailer, you can visit your electric utility’s website or search Additional Incentives because you may still be eligible for rewards. You can view additional CCFR program rules here. “The goal of the program is to accelerate the number of electric vehicles on California’s roads and highways,” said CARB Vice-Chair Sandy Berg. “The instant point-of-sale price reduction of up to $1,500 will help make these ultra-clean cars more affordable, especially for low-income families or those living in disadvantaged communities.” So far, more than 20 cars from 15 manufacturers are eligible for the reward including 2021 models eligible to receive the full $1,500. Moreover, the CCFR can be combined with existing post-sale federal, state and local incentives. These include the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, Clean Cars 4 All, and the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program. Together that can potentially save you $10,000 on your EV purchase. It’s a good time to buy electric! PG&E’s EV Savings Calculator helps customers who are considering purchasing or leasing an EV to compare cars and evaluate total cost of ownership of an EV compared to gas-powered cars. The tool provides customers with a personalized recommendation that includes estimated costs, savings, and rebates or incentives of up to approximately $10,000. Additionally, the EV Savings Calculator allows customers to explore EV rate options available to them for residential charging and find public charging stations in their area. Since launching two years ago, the tool has helped more than 350,000 users calculate their savings. Make sure you check out our luxury EV car inventory.

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