Green Luxury

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

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. 

Can you guess?  According to a study of 16 different hybrid automobiles, only one can claim to actually cost less to purchase and operate on its gasoline counterpart.  For those of you thinking Prius, think again amigos.

What?  It isn’t the Prius?  The hybrid car most associated with the word hybrid?  Shocker.  It has historically been a complaint that there is essentially no payback for purchasing a hybrid car, that they are more expensive to buy and cost just as much in fuel.  I mean, shouldn’t a hybrid return the initial cost of investment in fuel savings? 

So which one can claim the opposite?  Drumroll please.  The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid gets that title.  A Benz beat the quintessential Prius in this department?  The Prius hybrid that sold over a million units?  Heads will roll.

Luxury carmaker Lamborghini is apparently into trying new positions, market positions that is, as it is altering some of its design tactics. 

The company has vocalized in interviews that there is a shift in focus from top speed to design, because many drivers will never take their Lambo past 200 miles per hour anyways.  What?  Who wouldn’t burn to take their shiny new Lamborghini up to top speed, if not just to see if you got your money’s worth?  That is like buying a Smartphone and only using to make calls. 

It seems that lately all I hear about are new hybrids, hybrid technology, or carbon fiber.  While all of these are innovative and interesting, it is also refreshing to know that some brands are opting to maintain their identity, at least for now.

Porsche CEO Michael Macht has reportedly expressed his sentiment that hybrids lack excitement for the curve junkie, and that the luxury brand has no real need for them.  The brand has tweaked some of their SUVs with hybrid technology, like the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera, but is not in a rush to do the same to their sports cars.  Hybrids do not exactly hit mach speeds, eh Macht?

I think I have discovered the most expensive round of golf in the world!  It seems that Barbados attracts more than those seeking the sand, sun and surf-it also beckons to golf lovers.  For $2,300 per game, you could consider golf a luxury sport on this swanky island!

So how do they charge so much for 9 holes?  Well, the actual fee for a round of golf at one of Sandy Lane resort’s three courses, the Green Monkey, the Old Nine and the Country Club is $300. 

Ferrari brand has officially unveiled its “HY-KERS” experimental vehicle at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, giving merit to the previous rumblings of the luxury car rumormill.

The future Ferrari hybrid is based on the fabulous Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, with of course, some green perks that are likely to cost a bit more green. 

We at Imagine Lifestyles are big fans of Lexus Honda.  We love the products, and the same rings true for the new Lexus HS 250h hybrid, which is being called the “easy to like luxury hybrid”.  Let’s take a look at why.

The 250h marks a milestone for Lexus, as it happens to be the luxury carmaker’s first 4-cylinder vehicle.  Gas-guzzlers beware; this eco-friendly find is a sipper, obtaining an impressive 41.3 miles per gallon highway.  The interior of the Lexus HS 250h is also comprised of roughly one-third “sustainable ecological plastics”, way to set the standard, Lexus!

The HS 250h Lexus boasts an Atkinson-cycle engine, which is rumored to be quite efficient.  The object is not power, but rather energy efficiency in this Lexus, bear that in mind as I continue, as I will not be stroking the ego of a car intended to be the Incredible Hulk of luxury cars.

It is a twin-cam powerplant featuring four valves per cylinder and Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) on the intake side.  That said, it puts out a mere 147 horsepower, which is bumped up to 187 when combined with the hybrid drive motor.

There are four 250h modes to choose from:  Standard, Power, Eco and EV.  This is a good way to gauge how “green” you are, depending on which mode you choose.  The EV mode exclusively utilizes electricity, and is only ideal for short distances and people passing by may blow your doors off.  The Eco mode automatically adjusts the air conditioning and reduces throttle responses to maximize fuel efficiency.  Power mode of course offers you the most propulsion, and standard is your normal mode.

Regenerative braking is common in hybrid automobiles, and the Lexus 250h of course has it.  For those unfamiliar, regenerative braking sends unused energy back to the battery pack to recharge it when you are braking.

The interior is as luxurious as one would expect from a Lexus.  The seats are plush leather, and it boasts amenities such as voice recognition, Bluetooth, USB/iPod connect, satellite radio and convenient steering wheel mounted controls.   This luxury hybrid provides maximum passenger comfort, with dual-zone automatic climate control and a power sunroof.  And safety?  Try 10 airbags!

The Lexus HS 250h will hit the market at around $35,000 USD, joining the ranks of an ever-increasing market of luxury hybrids and clean-diesel automobiles. 
 

Don’t forget to check out our luxury car rentals on your way out!  We also have luxury property rentals, aircraft charter and luxury yacht charters available in Miami, New York, Chicago and LA!
 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

It is exciting to read about the increasing volume of luxury hybrid cars peeling out of the woodwork (or steelworks), so to speak.  Meet the BMW 335d, a pretty and green luxury hybrid than anyone would be proud to drive.  I decided to revisit this model, as it seems to be making headlines and to give a bit more tech details.

Not only is the BMW 335d a looker, she features clean diesel technology.  Yes, there is a diesel engine in the form of a 3.0-liter bitrubo inline 6 powerplant, just like the Europeans have!  My regular readers know that I have been jealous of their green toys for eons, so this is certainly music to my ears! 

The 335d is still a BMW from every angle, and the handling is phenomenal!  So why diesel?  The luxury company realized that hybrid engines are still on the heavy side, which translates to poor fuel economy.  For the moment, it seems a clean diesel is a solution while further developments continue with regard to hybrid engine technology. 

So what are the perks of choosing the BMW 335d?  How about 23 miles per gallon city and 36 highway?  Yeah, that will do it.  And the interior is as lavish as one would expect from BMW, so those miles spent behind the wheel will be a pleasure!

As with a majority of diesel or hybrid technology, there is a higher sticker price because it is a new development, and those cost money.  On the bright side, consumers are not likely to scoff at paying a bit more for something that will save them so much more on fuel costs over time.

The diesel system in the 335d uses BluePerformance urea injection, allowing it to be sold in all 50 states under new fuel and environmental guidelines.  Yes, even in California, where guidelines are considered the toughest.  BluePerformance basically enlists a solution known as AdBlue to transform oxides into nitrogen gas and water vapor.  This works with a specific filter to reduce overall emissions and produce a cleaner greener luxury car.
 

For more on Luxury Hybrids, follow link.  Don’t miss out on our fleet of Luxury rental cars on your way out!

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has emerged, and is a surprisingly diminutive version of its predecessors!  With Land Rover celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the 2010 Evoque is certainly taking the cake!

This Range Rover is the smallest and lightest version yet, which translates to improved fuel efficiency.  In fact, it boasts the best fuel economy of any Range Rover, now that is a serious bragging right in today’s green luxury car market.  With so many companies, including luxury carmakers, looking toward the future and developing more economically sound vehicles; the Evoque will surely be a marketable luxury SUV and ideal luxury SUV rental!

Mercedes has been busy being fabulous; take for example the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec.  This is a luxury hybrid SUV that is part of the transition from off-roaders to on-roaders.

What does that mean?  The death of large gas-guzzling SUVs has long been predicted, and it is being reinforced by new laws and standards for a greener future.  Drivers do not want to pay the high fuel costs or harm the environment, yet they love the higher vantage point provided by an SUV.  So what is occurring is a shift to a lighter, car-based chassis yet not away from a high-riding vehicle.  Fuel economy is improved, emissions are reduced, and all are happy.

With all the hype and responsibility to be environmentally friendly, companies are stepping up with increasingly innovative energy solutions to reduce harmful impact on our environment.  An increasing number of those companies are luxury companies, like Sauter Carbon Offset Design, who has unleashed the world’s first low carbon mega yacht!

Technology is a constantly advancing field; we have the ability to utilize the power of the sun and even wind.  Now, thanks to a very creative engineer, we can harvest the power of even potholes!

Sound weird?  Certainly.  Levant Power Corporation is developing a new type of shock absorber that converts the jolts caused by driving down rough roads and potholes into usable electricity.  This could actually cause drivers to swerve towards potholes, if it didn’t damage the tires and rims.

Want the best of the best when it comes to luxury cars, but worried about fitting it into tight spaces?  Meet the BRB Evolution supercar, a concept sports car designed to be different.  It may look like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, but give it a chance.

The BRB Evolution was designed by 22-year old British engineer Daniel Bailey, and the fresh approach is certainly welcome.  This is a luxury concept car that has the capacity to fold itself in half lengthwise in order to fit into tight parking spaces.  Don’t worry, it manages to dazzle on the aesthetics end as well!