As the birthplace of the automobile, Germany also is recognized for housing four of the world’s most prominent museums focusing on cars. Luckily for tourists and interested visitors, all four museums are located in close proximity to each other in the southern region of Germany (within 250 kilometers) and can be visited in the span of two days’ time.
Opened in 2006, the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart holds collections from both the Mercedes-Benz and Daimler companies, showcasing a range of products such as early bicycles and engines to motorboats and cutting-edge large vehicles. Visitors first take an elevator to the top of the museum to view the earliest collections, then follow two spiraling walkways lead visitors to the lower level for more current exhibits.
Mercedes-Benz has a well-earned reputation as a leader in motorsport and racing vehicles; the museum accurately captures the breadth of the company’s advancements in this field. Likewise, exhibits also highlight the company’s leadership in producing road cars that offer speed and luxury. For more details, visit www.museum-mercedes-benz.com.
Travel to Munich to visit the historic BMW Museum, a silver building shaped like a salad bowl that has stored collections since 1973. Designated as a historic site, the bowl building is at the epicenter of a larger complex completed three years ago known as BMW Welt (BMW World). This complex offers expanded space for exhibits, as well as retail shopping.
In addition to exhibits that document the history of the company beginning 1916, the museum includes exhibits on motorcycles, cars, Art Cars, and more recent technology and design advancements. For more details, visit www.bmw-museum.com.
Stuttgart is home to the Porsche Museum, which opened in 2009 after many years of previously showcasing just 20 of hundreds of cars in a temporary space previously. With an exterior cubist design, the museum is located next to the company’s factory complex in Zuffenhausen. Inside, visitors can learn more about Ferdinand Porsche and his career and view an array of beautifully designed vehicles, such as racers and concept cars, all arranged chronologically. For more details, visit www.porsche.com/museum.
Only 165 kilometers from Stuttgart is Ingolstadt, home of the Audi Museum Mobile. This fascinating car museum reflects Audi’s complex history as one of four car makers required to merge by German banks in 1932. The resulting company was entitled Auto Union and its symbol became the four-ring design still used on Audi vehicles today.
Audi is the only surviving company from the merger. Even so, the museum pays homage to all of the companies. In addition, it features other care makers that impacted Audi’s designs over the years, such as Porsche. Tourists will enjoy a wide range of exhibits, including two-wheelers and many concept cars. For more details, visit www.audi.com/forums.
Average car companies aren’t the only ones seeing green these days. Luxury car companies are making aggressive strides in using green technology to command a considerable market share. Even in the face of economic downturns, European luxury car makers are looking to capitalize on the science of going green.
At a recent car show in Frankfurt, participants were treated to a wide range of new vehicles designed out of the best research and development over the last few years. Mercedes, for example, unveiled the F125, a limousine with wing doors that open with a simple hand motion. This model also boasts a range of 1000 kilometers and uses stored hydrogen to power a total of four motors. It’s a rare model, indeed, boasting the ability to generate zero emissions.
Jaguar also presented a clever hybrid model in its C-X16, a sports car with an electric system designed to effectively boost the rate of acceleration. Citing strong market demand for such a product, Jaguar executives may in fact have created one of the very first luxury sports cars with such a system.
Lexus won’t be left behind, either: The company showcased the GS450h, a new hybrid sedan model that will follow its current CT200h, a hybrid that’s smaller in size. Overall Lexus sales have already increased this year because of the CT200h, and executives predict that company targets will be met.
Even conservative brands are in the green technology market. In the market for the last three years, Bentley’s GTC Convertible offers a large 12-cylinder engine using petrol. Company leaders reveal that 2011 worldwide sales of at least 7,000 cars is on target. And Ferrari is enjoying consistently solid sales of its 458 Spider convertible. After decreasing production by ten per cent due to economic uncertainty, the company notes that market demand remains strong, paving the way for a successful year.
So, despite market downturns globally, going green is paying off for luxury carmakers. And if you’re in the market to buy a luxury hybrid or green sports car, the giants of the industry promise to deliver.
Monacois known for all things glamorous and plush. In fact Monacois the one place where the luxurious lifestyle is more a foregone conclusion rather than a rarity. And when it comes to the royal family of Monaco– the Grimaldis, one can expect the very best in luxury.
The latest occasion that demands the most plush and exclusive arrangements is the wedding of Prince Albertto Charlene Wittstock. Each detail of the entire event is precise in its splendor and style. The most glaring first example, and one which will have the whole world gawking is the one of its kind Lexus 600H Landaulet that the Prince will ride in to his wedding.
The car, an exclusive version of the hybrid has been specially customized by Frederic Duchatelet of the Carat Duchatelet group- luxury coach builders, in collaboration with Lexus, the Japanese car manufacturer. It features a transparent roof made from polycarbonate to ensure a good glimpse of the royal couple. This roof has been built with help from a French firm that supplies special helicopter windscreens and fighter jet tops. It took the company 2000 hours to get the roof ready for the Lexus 600H Landaulet.
The roof is the centerpiece of the car and is an engineering feat because of the complex procedure involved in creating a roof that is sturdy and durable and yet looks sleek and elegant. The resultant 26kg translucent roof looks great and offers clear visibility from outside and within the car.
The Lexus 600H Landaulet is an emission free car in adherence to environmental laws. It is a sleek, stylish and unique car that the royal groom and his bride will ride in, through the streets of Monaco, after the wedding. Lexus has ensured the best and most exclusive treat for an exclusive royal event.
BMW is known for its excellence, sophistication and modern chic in the luxury segment in the automobile market. BMW has now entered the electric car market and has designed two cars in this segment – the i3 and the i8. ‘Born Electric’ is the catchphrase for these eco automobiles which are being built in accordance with the most advanced and latest technological design and ideas.
The i8 is the bigger car which will come equipped with a 1.5liter three cylinder engine, a pack of lithium-ion batteries, electric motors at the front and back and eco car fuel consumption. The i8 batteries will enable the i8 BMW to travel approximately 50kms. The engine comes into focus only if and when the batteries need to be charged.
The i3 which is a smaller version eco car will also come equipped with the finest technology and machine. This car which will run solely on battery electric power will have a 125kilowatt electric motor which will be fixed at the rear and batteries under the floor of the car. These batteries will enable the i3 to travel for distances close to 200kms. The batteries on the floor will also help to maintain the balance by equal weight distribution. The i3 will be capable of reaching speeds of 150km per hour with an acceleration of 0 to 100kms per hour in less than nine seconds.
Both the BMW i3 and the i8 will be fitted with the lightweight carbon fibre reinforced plastic body, used usually in racing cars. This lightweight body, unlike the normally heavy steel and plastic, makes up for the heavy batteries fixed on the car floor.
The BMW i3 and i8 are two first-class, exclusive cars that are bound to be the toast of the market when officially released in 2013.
In keeping with their exclusive and unique tag Audi have always brought out the best and most distinctive cars right from their inception. Audi has also brought out special cars and put them on the block to be auctioned at charity events, mainly, the Sir Elton John Aids Foundation Charity event held every year as an annual black tie and tiara ball.
This year Audi donated an exclusive chromed R8 Spyder, a special version of the sports car R8 Spyder by Audi. The chromed Audi has been conceived and designed by Damien Hirst who has been responsible for unique Audi releases in the past too.
The Audi R8 Spyder has been fitted with a 5.2 liter engine which is capable of producing 525 horsepower at 8000 revolutions per minute. The car has a powerful thrust going from 0 to 100kmph in just 3.7 seconds. This car also gives a modest mileage of 12 kms for each gallon of fuel.
The Bluetooth seat belt microphone, the Homelink remote transmitter, parking system with rear view camera, signature LED headlights and the 19 inch wheels with performance tyres are features which draw one’s attention to this plush open top sports vehicle. But it is the stunning chrome body that is the most striking, assuring an enthusiastic audience at the charity event.
This glamorous limited edition sports car has all that it takes to be the top grosser at the exclusive event. Its elite tag suits the occasion and the audience who will be in attendance at this high profile charity event. The chromed Audi R8 Spyder is a fitting model to be presented at an event that sees rich and famous celebrities and personalities from around the world putting their best foot forward at the Sir Elton John fundraising ball.
