Technology

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

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
 

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. 

I love technology, and I love luxury cars.  So what is better than new technology in luxury cars?  There are some serious brains out there, dreaming, designing and daring to improve on perfection.  Auto perfection.  Welcome to the future, in all its science fiction like glory!
 

Here are some of the best upcoming tech trends for luxury autos:

1.    Emergency Steering Assist
2.    Simplify Your Drive
3.    AutoLine
4.    Active Force Feedback Pedal
5.    Intelligent Tire System/Fill Assist

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?

The Terrafugia Transition is the closest thing to a flying car that has been created to date.  There is no end to the awesomeness of this idea, a vehicle that is equal parts plane and you know, car.  Seriously.

Terrafugia is a startup firm, and they have been developing and tweaking the Transition (fitting name) since 2006.  This startup was founded by a group of MIT engineers who seem to have an affinity for the aerial.  Basically, Transition is a light, single-engine plane capable of folding its wings, with a substantial four-wheeled undercarriage allowing it to be a car.  One word:  Beast.

Have you ever wondered what it was like inside an exotic car factory?  How about the exclusive and illustrious Ferrari Factory in Maranello, Italy?  For those of us who love luxury cars, but can’t exactly arrange a private tour of the facilities, there are plenty of photos available out there to indulge in!  Let’s check out the Ferrari Factory, Italy.

Surprisingly, Maranello is a small town, located between Florence and Venice.  It is just a bit west from Modena, hometown of Enzo Ferrari himself. 

Public tours are not offered at the Ferrari Factory, and only a privileged few have access, for a number of reasons.  The production process of one of the original supercars is of course safeguarded, but of course blends the old-world craftsmanship with the latest available technology to maintain the classic, but not be left behind.

Inside the factory, the dedicated employees wear Ferrari-red uniforms and seem genuinely happy to be part of something so much larger than themselves.  They are an integral part of the development of one of the most impressive luxury cars of all time, after all!  These lucky souls get to be up-close and personal with every Ferrari that comes out of the factory, not a bad gig!  I am certain there are many jealous Italians who wanted their jobs!
 

Enjoy the Ferrari factory photos, and don’t miss out on our Ferrari rentals Miami and other luxury car rentals on your way out!
 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

The name Gulfstream certainly stands out among private jet and aircraft manufacturers, and the Gulfstream G550 is among their best models.  So let’s discuss what comes with the $59.9 million dollars buyers will shell out to own one.

The G550 Gulfstream features an oversized cabin, and is a long-range business jet charter that has been receiving its fair share of attention from its inception.  It accomplished this by flying non-stop from Seoul, South Korea to Orlando Florida just two weeks after it entered service, scaling the 7,301 nautical miles in just 14.5 hours.  This feat snagged the G550 a city pair record, and it established 40 more during its first 5 years of service (it has been in service since 2003).

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. 

The most expensive Porsche model remains the Carrera GT, which you can expect to decrease your bank account by around $440,000.  While this is certainly not the million or two damage a Bugatti would inflict, it is still on the high side for exotic and luxury cars.

So why the high price tag for this particular Porsche?  Power my friends, that would be power and prestige.  The Porsche Carrera GT can hit speeds of up to 205 miles per hour, possibly more depending on track and driver experience. 

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

Long ago, in 1916, Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in Italy.  His zodiac sign was Taurus the bull, hence the logo for the empire this young man would create.  From an early age he was fixated with engines, and during WWII found himself on the island of Rhodes in the army.  As there was not much going on in the way of war, young Ferruccio became a master of his craft-fixing engines.

Luxury car mega-brand Lamborghini is paying homage to their longtime test driver Valentino Balboni, by placing his name on a limited edition rear-wheel drive fleet of Gallardos.  Now that is flattering!

There are a million ways to say thank you, but the creative way Lamborghini has chosen will live on through the decades, a permanent piece of gratitude.

As every tech geek and gadget stalker is well aware of, the new iPhone 4 came out yesterday, which means there were likely a lot of sick days called in.  Yes, drones of Apple lovers (and I am not referring to Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter) endured the sweltering heat in many parts of the country today, waiting in lines that wrapped neatly around city blocks.

Hundreds waited outside of Apple’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York hoping to wrap their paws around the iPhone 4, in all it’s technological glory.  I feel that some people would stand in line without food, water or encouragement for an iPhone, but wonder if they would do the same for a shiny new Ferrari F430 Spider or other luxury rental car?