Exotic Automobiles

This Labor Day weekend things will be scorching as usual in South Florida, especially Miami!  For those of you looking for a hot weekend slam packed with hot celebs and events, look no further than ‘No Sleep Till Miami’, a music infused event being held September 1st-5th in Miami Beach.

Steam powered engines were quite popular for a brief time around 1900, but lost its grip to the internal combustion engine.  External combustion engines are nothing new, and if Cyclone Power Technologies have their way, the steam-powered car will once again be as popular as gasoline-powered vehicles.

The gas powered cars eventually won the contest, as they were more convenient, with low maintenance and boasted better performance than the steam powered variety.  Prior to the electric starter, however, steam power was the champ.

The prestigious Le Mans race was rather creative and forward thinking this year, hosting an event called “Le Mans into the future” prior to the 78th annual event. 
 

The event highlighted unfolding eco-friendly concepts, hybrids and luxury technology.  Eco vehicles made demonstration laps during the event, including the following models and brands:

1.    Andros electric racecar
2.    Audi R8 e-Tron concept
3.    BMW Hydrogen 7
4.    Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
5.    Peugeot RCZ Hybrid4
6.    Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid
7.    Secma F16 Electrique
8.    Tesla Roadster
9.    Volkswagen Scirrocco Natural Gas

When you think of an exotic car rental, some see a sparkling red Ferrari and hear the orgasmic hum of many, many horses.  While there is certainly nothing wrong with the described mental image, some forget about the old school glamour of a classic Rolls Royce.

You look like you have seen a ghost.  Before you get to absorbed in flashbacks of days gone by, take a gander at the modern and fresh Rolls Royce rental car, our Ghost.  

The body of the Rolls Ghost retains most of the classic design cues that we all love, yet projects a modern and edgy vibe following a makeover.  The Ghost rental is an excellent choice to impress clients, celebrate a special event, indulge in an anniversary, or be chauffeured for that intimate occasion!

This luxury SUV appears to have been based on a simple cardboard box…just replace the cardboard with carbon fiber.  Oh, and slap on a price tag of $1 million smackeroos.  Meet the Mercedes G-Couture.

This SUV is not only an eyesore; it makes no logical sense, yet there it is.  Yet, it does please me greatly that companies are willing to add luxurious carbon fiber to SUVs, it will not only look great, but lighten the gas-guzzling load and lower environmental impact. 

In my humble opinion, the G-Class SUV still bears too much of a resemblance to its original tank-ish beginnings.  Now it is a tank with a luxury badge, and demands a heavy wallet.  Now let’s get down to specs!
 

Engine:  5.7-liter supercharged (I love that word)
Power/Torque:  700 bhp
Top Speed:  158 miles per hour
0-60 Mark:  4.3 seconds
Fuel Economy:  Don’t ask
Competition:  Lunar Shuttle, Brabus G-Wagon, TechArt Magnum, Chuck Norris
 

I bet these celebs wish they could get behind the wheel of one of our cars, and now they can.  For free.  Well, almost free.  We would, of course, want a video testimonial expressing how badass it was to peel through South Beach in one of our sumptuous luxury cars. 
 

So, will the real celebs please stand up, and take us up on our offer?  Sit down Kayne, we will let you finish later.

1.   LeBron James
2.   Ashton Kutcher
3.   Brad Pitt
4.   Tiger Woods
5.   Megan Fox
6.   Justin Timberlake
7.    Ellen Degeneres
8.    Cameron Diaz
9.    Perez Hilton
10.  Guy Kawasaki

Own a luxury car and ache to realize its full potential?  Take it to the track!  It is absolutely astounding how many drivers and owners (yes, you may also try a luxury rental car at a track) fail to realize that they can take their dream machines to an actual racetrack and enjoy them in their element.

So now that we all know that you do not have to be a famous racecar driver to hit the track, let’s talk about why it is awesome.  First off, there is nowhere else that enables a driver to pick up advanced skills more safely and rapidly.

On a racetrack, you can (legally) obtain a feel for what your luxury car is actually capable of, in a controlled environment that provides more safety.  Perhaps long ago it was acceptable to carve into the side of a mountain with your bitch-fast car, as there was less traffic, law enforcement, and punishments, but now it is advised against.  So a smoke-signal to my fellow driving enthusiasts to take your performance cars to the track is in order!

If you are a luxury car enthusiast, you may also love luxury car memorabilia.  For the Porsche lovers, German luxury publisher tenuous is about to unleash a limited edition book on the famous brand accompanied by a signed and numbered photographic print.  All of this can be yours, for the bargain price of $3,000. 

Only 50 copies of The Porsche Book collector’s edition will be released and it boasts some of the most stunning Porsche images captured in the world.  Some of the images were taken by designer Frank M. Orel, and others were selected by him, but all have passed his critical expert eye and made it into the book.   Orel collaborated with the Porsche Museum team in Stuttgart, Germany on the luxury masterpiece of memorabilia, both adding their passion and perspective to the project.

Students at DeLaSalle School in Missouri were fortunate to have the elite assistance of Bridgestone America when they created the most energy efficient electric car to date (according to claims).

So how efficient is the auto?  Reports claim this car can obtain 300 miles per gallon, a figure that has me run over.  If this is true it is certainly a milestone for Bridgestone and the students, who have already applied for a slot in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records. 

The car has been designed, engineered and tested both at Bridgestone’s technical center in Ohio and racetrack in Texas.  It is built on the chassis of a 2000 Lola Indy F1-style racing car.  That is about where the similarity ends!   It has been extensively customized with extremely lightweight materials, frame and a unique see-through plastic body. 

Attention Steve McQueen and Porsche fans, a rare 1970’s Porsche racecar just destroyed the auction block, fetching a stunning $3,965,000 million at Bonhams & Butterfield’s in Monterey.  This also shatters the world-record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction.  Let’s find out why.

The Porsche is actually a historic and rare ex-Jurgen, similar to the one sported by Steve McQueen in Le Mans.  It is a 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Porsche Interserie Spyder, so try saying that three times fast.  Racecars generally boast lengthy names, in efforts to give credit to various people or innovation. 

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I like to scan your website for stories and information on awesome cars.  My birthday is coming up soon, and I think I want to rent a luxury car for the first time.  The problem is that I am overwhelmed by the options, can you recommend a good first time luxury car rental? 

After checking out all of your cars, I have only narrowed it down to the fact that I prefer a convertible, and not a luxury SUV rental this time. 

Any input is appreciated greatly, and I am really excited to try this out.
 

Thanks,
Toby, Miami, FL
 

Have you ever thought that things would be ‘perfect’, if only you had more money?  Fantasizing that all of those miniscule issues like bills would suddenly evaporate into a green cloud of awesomeness?  While I love the luxury lifestyle, it does umm, pay, to observe both ends of the spectrum.  Here are some pros and cons of being rich that may interest you and make you feel better about having less!
 

What?  You mean life is not just peachy when you are rich?  Hell no!  Being rich presents a whole new set of issues that must be dealt with, including:

Wouldn’t life be so much easier if you could easily conduct business transactions without having to ‘watch your back’ constantly?  It seems to be the most frustrating in the automotive arena, with sales people, mechanics and even unsavory rental car people.  Here are some tips for avoiding luxury rental car scams and practices.

Renting a car or luxury car should be a simple and straightforward deal.  But as things often go, many rental car companies are just out there trying to scam and squeeze their customers. 

Hiromu Naruse was an esteemed test driver for the Toyota team for 47 years, from 1963-2010.  For the past several years, he was the chief test driver of the amazing Lexus LFA supercar, and tragically, it was in an LFA that Naruse sadly lost is life on June 23rd, 2010. 

The fatal crash occurred on a test track near Germany’s famous racing venue known as the Nurburgring, where Naruse is reported to have left his lane and hit a BMW production car frontally.  Naruse was 66 years old, and a valued and integral part of team Toyota.  Naruse died doing what he loved, in the company’s first-ever attempt at a supercar, and not many can make that claim.

People love luxury cars.  When you are walking down the street your head always turns when a nice exotic sports car parked on side of the road.  Some people stare and other love to take a picture to capture the moment.  Imagine Lifestyles have found some interesting shots of people posing in front of luxury and exotic cars. 

Check out our fleet of exotic rental cars. 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals