CARS AND TOYS

[Spotted in Paris]

Official images of Audi’s 2011 A7 four-door coupe have been released after images of the automobile were leaked onto the internet several days prior. Judging from the photos, the 2011 A7 looks like it will retain much of the same design cues employed across the rest of the marque—so much so that the A7 looks almost like an overgrown A5 sportsback. Nonetheless, we have to admit that the sleeker and sharper features of the A7 are stirring up the butterflies in our stomach. 

According to Autoblog, we can expect to see the 3.0L supercharged V6 found in the S4 to make an appearance in the A7. It remains to be seen, however, if Audi will produce a S7 or, more ambitiously, a track-oriented RS7.

Hit the jump for a couple more photos.

[via autoblog]

What started off as a one-time collaboration between fashion house Bottega Veneta and furniture maker Poltrona Frau has evolved into a full-fledge collection of leather sofas and armchairs. While the designs from the collection remain true to Poltrona Frau’s more classic line, the pieces are accented by the trademark leather weave that is Bottega Veneta.

[via curated]

Mercedes Benz’s CL63/CL65 AMG just got a little sexier for the 2011 model year—sporting significant changes visually and techincally. On the exterior, the CL has gotten the LED treatment all around and slight tweaks to its rear.

While the facelifted CL63 AMG retains the “63” designation, it’s 6.2L naturally-aspirated V8 engine has been replaced by a 5.5L twin-turbo that churns out 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque in its standard form. On the other hand, the facelifted 65 retains its iconic 6.0L twin-turbo which is now good for a stunning 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.

Equipment-wise, both cars now come with a whole host of new driver aids that have come to define the CL’s driving experience from lane-keeping assist to a torque-vectoring brake systems that help reduce understeer.

More photos after the break.
[via autoblog] 

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Magimax has created a revolutionary toaster that promises to put an end of all burnt toast. Using a double-walled transparent glass, this Magimax toaster allows control freaks to closely monitor the real-time “browning” of one’s toast.

Unfortunately, such a luxury comes at a premium with the toaster retailing for a cool (or, more aptly, hot) €250.

Product site

Inspired by the thin layer of morning dew that formed on the surface of a flat white V8 Vantage, one of the designers at Gaydon set out to create a unique paint that would reproduce this visual effect all the time. The result is, in the words of the official Aston Martin literature, “a striking tri-coat of white with hints of blue pearl.”

Here are some better photos of the paint on a V8 vantage:

(photo credit: 6speedonline)

[Spotted in Paris]

(photo credit: mocoloco)

British designer Tom Dixon has created quite a name for himself with his distinct line of furniture and lighting that exude both sophistication and sleekness. Indeed, espousing these two qualities are Dixon’s Angle collection of lamps. Despite their uncomplicated designs, the lights, made of extruded aluminium, would undoubtedly add a degree of zest that could nicely accent even the most boring of rooms.  

The lights come in table, floor, or wall variants and more pictures can be found on Dixon’s site.

Suffice to say, it looks good in red.

[Spotted in Paris]

Automaker Mercedes Benz has taken to the skies in an unique collaboration with France-based Eurocopter. Revealed at the recent European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2010 in Geneva, this luxury helicopter is essentially an EC145 chopper with a heavily reworked interior comfortable enough for eight well-heeled passengers. Indeed, the interior of the helicopter doesn’t deviate too much from the finishings of the three-pointed star’s top-end S-Class luxury saloon with almost every surface covered either in elegant wood veneer or luxurious leather upholstery. Also onboard are a plethora of amenities from DVD-player equipped 15-inch monitors to cool boxes.

Available from the fourth quarter of 2011, this Mercedes-Benz ‘copter will retail for about US$8 million.

[via gizmag]

Throughout the illustrous history of the Prancing Horse, only three cars have been worthy of the “GTO” moniker. GTO, or Gran Turismo Omologato, represents something very special: the pinnacle of hypercars pushed to the limit of bare street legal-ness. After a twenty year hiatus, the latest car of the marque to receive the designation is Ferrari’s current two-seater flagship, the 599 GTB Fiorano.

To ensure that the 599 GTO lives up to its name, the Italian automaker has reworked the 599 from top to bottom: the engine has been configured to push out a stunning 670 horsepower, the heavy electric seats of the standard 599 have been ditched in favor of lightweight carbonfiber seats, and various little upgrades have been made to the car’s braking system, aerodynamics, and electronics.

The result?

According to a review from Autocar, very good. To quote:

On the road – and in the raw – the 599 GTO is one of those rare cars that requires you to think long and hard before climbing aboard, thumbing the starter button and going for a blast up the road. Visually it is both fantastically intimidating and breathtakingly beautiful, with wings and orifices to inhale and dispel the air that feeds it seemingly everywhere you look.

Check out the full review here.

More photos after the jump.

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