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Filed under: Aftermarket , Aston Martin , Lifestyle , UK Click above for more gruesome shots of gold-plated exotics Do you ever wonder what company actually does the 24-carat gold plating jobs on those gilded exotic and luxury cars that surface on the web from time to time? Perhaps you're looking for someone to do the same to your Camry? Alchemist is the appropriately named company behind these works, and its specialty is gold plating just the roof panel, though it will to dip the entire car in gold for the right price. The company is based in London, England and headed by a Frenchman named Jacques Blanc, who will soon be taking a perfectly good Aston Martin DBS and gilding the entire thing with 24-carat gold and platinum-leaf at the upcoming MPH Show in London. Gallery: Alchemist: Gold Plated Roofs [Source: Alchemist ] Continue reading Alchemist: the company that turns cars gold Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Gadgets , Tuners , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Tech , Toyota , Lifestyle Click above to view video after the jump We truly do appreciate the custom-car scene, in all of its various guises. There is, however, a problem with the custom Prius you see above and in the video embedded after the break . Generally speaking, the goal of modifying a car is to either A) make it go faster or B) make it look better. When Classe Gustafson, Elvis Häggbom and Kenny Kyrk from Sweden had finished spending $184,000 customizing a Toyota Prius, they had accomplished neither. This Prius-trocity, which was modified for a television show, is anything but subtle. It lost two doors during its transformation from mild-mannered hybrid eco-mobile to whacked out sport compact that just happens to get good fuel economy, though it did get scissor-style portals that are nearly impossible to open in the process. And it also gained a huge honkin' stereo and the body-kit from a Volvo...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Wagons/Estates , MINI , Lifestyle , Special/Limited Editions Click for high-res gallery of the Aznom MINI Chateau Mothers Against Drunk Driving are not going to like this one. Italian coachbuilder Aznom, which has previously rolled out custom MINIs like this pickup "tender" , has now produced a Clubman inspired by a vintage of another sort. The Aznom MINI Chateau is distinguished by a mobile wine cellar installed in the trunk, capable of housing six wine bottles in isolated comfort, along with six wine glasses with which to enjoy them. Aznom's wood veneer finish decorates the exterior and cabin, which also gets a unique leather trim. Riding on 18-inch TSW Pace rims shod with Yokohama rubber, Aznom will only produce 12 examples, each one individually numbered and personalized for their owners. We'll have to wait a few years to see if the Chateau gets better with age like the vino it transports. Images in the gallery below and press release...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Etc. , Audi , Toys , Lifestyle , Special/Limited Editions Click on the above image for a gallery of the Q7 limousine Proving that money and taste don't always occupy common ground, we've stumbled upon this 14-seat Audi Q7 limousine (don't worry, it's not a factory conversion). With colorful purple Disco lighting adorning both the floor and ceiling, and heated alligator/snake upholstery covering the bench seats, the faux fish tank above the simulated flames doesn't seem so out of place. While twin 17-inch flat screens are nothing to brag about, the "jet door" mounted on the side will surely get you the looks you crave. Located in New York, we should mention it comes from the same company who also offers a 14-passenger Range Rover, and a 14-passenger Infiniti QX56. And you thought HUMMERS got all the fun... Gallery: 2008 Audi Q7 Limo [Source: Royal Luxury ] Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Euro , SMART , Lifestyle Take a smart fortwo , cut it in half just behind the doors, and spend 300 man-hours over the next month adding nearly nine more feet to the vehicle's length. The result is the world's first smart fortwo "limo" that is about as long as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class! The images show a prototype model from Carbonyte, a UK limo specialty company, that was designed as a promotional vehicle ( we see more than just a little resemblance to a popular energy-drink company ). As expected with a custom fabrication, the customer can choose his or her own design, seating capacity, and intended use (if you have the need, Carbonyte is looking into creating a electric fortwo hearse). We know what you are thinking. Adding all this mass to a smart must slow the fortwo to a crawl. Right? Well, Carbonyte claims the original 600cc engine can still propel the contraption to a blistering 80 mph. Maybe so, but not with us in it. Carbonyte's press...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Hybrids/Alternative , Wagons/Estates , Crossovers/CUVs , Subaru , Toyota , Driving , Lifestyle There are few words in the English language which can conjure up as much meaning, and likely so many memories, as these: road trip. We've all been on them before; some are the highlights of your life and some... well, not so much. But having the right vehicle can make all the difference in the world. Thule , maker of "transportation accessories", has added its name to the ever-growing list of companies that have invented an "__ of the year" award. For this particular honor, Thule has broken the automotive landscape in half, dividing its choices for the best vehicle to take a road trip in at the $30 grand mark. Without further ado, the winners are: Best road trip vehicle under $30,000: Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Best road trip vehicle over $30,000: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited If you really want to read all of the reasons that Thule offers...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Etc. , Honda , Lifestyle click above for more pics of the Ursa Minor ECamper The family vacation just hasn't been the same since the ubiquity of the Westfalia Camper and the VW Type2 as a family vehicle, both of which have been toppled by the rise of the minivan. There have been Westys since VW went mostly conventional with the Eurovan, but they're not much of a common sight on US Highways anymore. Ursa Minor Vehicles understands that all those former kids who took trips to the Grand Canyon in a Westfalia have a soft spot for the poptop. Thus, the Ursa Minor ECamper kit for the Honda Element has been born. For those willing to part with an additional 4,000 bones, they will regain the ability to tilt up the roof again and contort themselves into an upper bunk area. The ECamper does require that the donor Element have a sunroof, which is the access hatch to the 85" x 50" sleeping area under the carbon fiber lid. Options such as color matched paint...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Government/Legal , Earnings/Financials , Lifestyle , UK The phrase "cost is no object" was redefined last week when an aftermarket tuner dropped close to a cool million on a license plate. Yes, a license plate. The "F1" plate was first registered in the UK 104 years ago, when it was more likely a two-digit coincidence than a vanity plate, and until recently was used on a Volvo S80 owned by the chairman of the Essex County Council. F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and former F1 driver Eddie Irvine had tried to snatch it up in 2005 at Goodwood, but failed to meet the reserve. Last week at auction, Afzal Kahn, head of the Kahn Design and Project Kahn aftermarket tuning house, placed the winning bid of £375k, which comes to more than £440k with tax (the equivalent of about $873,000). The price beat the previous record of £331k paid at a Bonhams auction in 2006 for the "M1" plate, but may yet be beat when the UK's...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , SUVs , BMW , Lifestyle Click above for a full resolution image The closest BMW has ever come to having an off-road vehicle was sticking its V8 engines into Range Rovers. Even it's "Sport Activity Vehicle", the X5, rarely sees time off the pavement and sticks to hauling kids to school and soccer practice. Hartge has set out to change that with an off-road program for Bimmer SUVs, the latest of which is an X3 dubbed the "Hunter". The Bavarian tuner gives the mini-ute increased ground clearance with longer springs and shocks as well as spacers up front. An underbody stainless steel skid plate, shortened axle ratio, and automatic differential locks on both axles improve its exploring capabilities. All-terrain tires are a must, and they are mounted on Hartge's lightweight 18-inch "Classic 2" wheels. For the true enthusiast, Hartge offers washable seat covers and a "green look" interior. We doubt Land Rover and...
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