Road Style Hot Machines

SSC Ultimate Aero

Well it has been great researching and blogging what I had read about luxury exotic/sports cars. I am not an avid fan of fancy cars, but when I started to research about these pretty road machines, I did like what I saw and what I read. The one thing that amazes me is the speed of these cars, they are really super fast and at the same time for those that can afford these cars, they could use them as normal everyday cars. The next thing I love about these cars is the design of the body and the materials used for its exterior and interior, it also includes the special tires used for these cars...really fantastic from inside-out and vice versa. The manufacturers are also exclusive for each brand or are tied up with a huge international ot national car brand names. No wonder these cars are mega-expensive. Don't need to write more of my opinions here about these cars but I believe a lot of you will agree that to own one or a fleet of these cars is to live life in the stylish fast lane. Zoom, zoom baby....

Pagani Zonda F

Photo Credit: SSC Ultimate Aero
Photo Courtesy: Loguef
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11684935@N02/

Photo Credit: Pagani Zonda F
Photographer: Wesley and Brandon Rosenblum
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wesbran/

Road Style: Koenigsegg CCX

Damn I think out of all the exotic/sports car that I am featuring this Swedish car is my favorite. The Koenigsegg CCX is designed to be safer in low speed collisions than previous Koenigseggs and the whole body is 3.46 in (88 millimeters) longer to comply with the United States' rear impact regulations. The acceleration of this car from 0-62 mph in 3.2 sec. and from 0-124 mph in 9.8 sec. is just incredible.

The engine is re-engineered by Koenigsegg manufacturers in Sweden based on Ford's Modular architecture. The engine is the 4.7 liter 288 cu.in. V8 with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

The car's exterior is really handsome: two door targa top and removable roof (that can be stored under the front trunk). The body made of carbon fiber and Kevlar. The doors rotate forward and upward similar to scissor doors. It has a flat underside at the rear an optional rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics.

There is more to write about this car - based from my source of information, but I am sure that just looking at the picture of the Koenigsegg CCX , there is NO DOUBT that this car is one of the best-looking cars of the 21st century. Nuff said!

Photo Credit: Koenigsegg CCX
Photographer: CHP Photo
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/palmer8/

Road Style: Gumpert Apollo

Here comes the Germans. The Gumpert Apollo was conceived by Roland Gumpert with the collaboration of Roland Mayer under the approval of Audi. The first production started in October 2005. The car developed its hybrid version in 2008, delivering a speed of up to 382 kW (519 PS; 512 hp), powered with a 3.3 litre V8 twin turbo engine coupled with a 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) electric motor. The car has the ability to recharge the battery under braking.

The good thing about the Gumpert Apollo is that it is also a street-legal race car. It is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive two-seater constructed on a tubular chromoly with fiberglass or optional carbon fiber body panels. The engine a 4163 cc bi-turbo intercooled V8. It has five valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts, a VarioCam Direct variable valve timing on the intakes and hydraulic valve clearance compensation. Its four-oxygen sensors monitor the gas mixture and a three-way catalytic converter. This car can reach a top speed of 223.9mph.

What a great sportscar and everyday street-car for those that can afford this sporty luxury.

Photo Credit: Gumpert Apollo
Photographer: Matteo Ravelli
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34399196@N08/

Road Style: Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo

As we move on fast like these hot cars we're talking about, let's check out the Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo. This car looks very handsome and sleek. I find this car more like a superhero's type of vehicle. The manufacturer's claim that this car is "The fastest and most powerful limited-edition street car in the world." (As most manufacturer's will tell you about their new models...haha!!!). The variants of Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo is a coupe and a convertible.

The Viper's Hennessey Performance Engineering increases the output to about 1100 hp and 1100 ft·lbf (1490 N·m) (rear wheels receive 981 foot pound force or 1329 N·m) of torque with the following modification: Engine displacement is increased via stroking to 522 cubic inch (8.55 L) and the compression is lowered to 9.0:1 compression ratio, twin Garett ball bearing turbo chargers and a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler.

The acceleration is from 0-200mph with a claimed top speed reaching 255mph. The brakes are manufactured by Brembo. The car has adjustable traction control system. Wheels are Hennessey Venom 7R forged aluminum wheels and the tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires: 275/30 YR19 front, 335/30 YR20 rear. The interior by the way is limited edition leather with custom embroidery.

This car is really hot, hot, hot!!!

Photo Credit: Hennessey Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Dodge Viper SRT Engine
Photo Courtesy: Rodrigo Power X
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodrigopowerx/3204067848/

Photo Credit: 2007 Hennessey Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Dodge Viper SRT
Photo Courtesy: Laura
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorrydrivaaa/4024203694/

Road Style: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

"Chevrolet's goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much – and does so with exceptional driveability," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 equipped with the ZR1 engine that is the heavily modified version of the LS3. Thicker cylinder walls. Oil squirters under each piston help lubricate the pistons and cylinder walls are used for the first time in a production Corvette. The flywheel was also upgraded form 6 to 9 bolt design for improved throttle response and acceleration. This car hits top speed in 6th gear.

The car's ride and control uses the Magnetic Selective Ride Control. The shocks are completely softened on launch and stiffened on rebound. The softened shock aids the ZR1 by allowing the weight to transfer to the rear aiding traction and the launch modifications minimize bounce.

The chassis is made out of aluminum. The fenders, hood, roof, splitter, and rocker extensions are made of carbon fiber and protected with a special paint treatment. The rear wheels are the largest ever mounted on a production Corvette with 335/25 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires on 20 in (510 mm) wheels. The clutch is designed to reduce inertia for better shift feel and the brakes has pad wear sensors. This car will stop from 60 mph in a current production car record breaking 96 feet (29.3 m).

Fast and furious. The Chevrolet Corvett ZR1 is an American super car.

Photo Credit: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Photographer: Rydell Chverolet
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47398376@N06/

Road Style: Bugatti Veyron

The hottest exotic car of which only 220 are known to have been built and delivered since production began in 2005 and ended in late 2008. The Bugatti Veyron is such a baby developed by VW. The car is named after French race car driver Pierre Veyron who once raced for the original Bugatti company in 1939. Special variants of the Veyron include the Pur Sang, the Fbg Par Hermes, the Sang Noir, the Targa, the Vincero, and the Bleu Centenaire.

This car has a W16 engine, with four valves each cylinder and its narrow staggered eight configuration allows two overhead camshaftsto drive two banks of cylinders so only four camshafts are needed. The transmission is dual clutch direct shift gearbox computer controlled. It also features fulltime permanent four-wheel drive, using the Haldex Traction system.

This exotic vehicle is a top speed car with an average top speed of 253.81 mph. The Bugatti Veyron lets you drive in fast style. Great luxe stylish car!!!

Photo Credit: Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang
Photographer: Hans Weschta
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hans_rued/

Road Style: Audi Le Mans Quattro

Nothing excites men of high style than to own and drive the world's exotic cars. The high life, the sleek colors and the great body of these cars are simply amazing. Fewer than 8,000 cars are produced each year by exotic car manufacturers compared to sports cars which are produced into the tens and hundreds of thousands.

Let me show you the Audi Le Mans Quattro, a cool exotic car. The car's structural framework - the Audi Space Frame is made entirely of aluminum and its outer skin made out of carbon fibre and aluminum. It features an auto rear spoiler which raises at 70 mph. It has a powerful permanent four-wheel drive optimizing traction and handling. It has four valves per cylinder, has twin turbochargers and Fuel Stratified Injection technology. The gearbox is the six-speed sequential manual transmission used in the Gallardo.

Neat style indeed.

The Last of My Style Icons

It has been fun blogging about personalities whom I believe are style icons. I genuinely believe they are such icons based on the right choice of clothes and accessories they wear. I did find it interesting that no young personality made it to my list of style icons. It makes me think that one's own great style doesn't really show until one gets more mature or perhaps young people today are more prone to be just blind followers of what the media and designers would like them to wear even if the style dictated to them are not fit for their age and personality. Whatever the reason is...I really don't care. To each his own style.
Here are the last of my eternal style icons, sadly all of them passed away.


Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) - High fashion


Princess Grace of Monaco (1929-1982) - Serene and aristocratic


Katherine Hepburn (1907-2003) - All American and headstrong

Photos Courtesy of Music2MyEars
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38934532@N04/

My Style Icon: Isabel Preysler

Isabel Preysler one of Spain's and Europe's most elegant woman is my style icon. The Philippine born journalist and celebrity is the epitome of modern elegance.

Her style is high-end simplicity. She knows the right silhouette and cut that best suits her body, she knows the right design and palette for her age and the fashion accessories that goes with her total look. I call that style - "quiet elegance", never vulgar. Isabel complements her clothes and her clothes becomes her.

Isabel Preysler, never over-dressed nor under-dressed for any occasion. The lady with great fashion sense, brains and gracious personality. Truly an icon of style.

My Style Icon: Grace Jones

Fierce and fearless in her style and attitude is style icon Grace Jones.

Known for her androgynous flat top-do that was copied and imitated by numerous fashionistas and black men during the 80's, the giant padded shoulders, the body hugging suit jacket that is tapered tightly to the waist, the tailored pantsuit, the hood, the exaggerated balloon skirts, the red hair, the white hair, the crazy hats, veils and headdress and slapping a TV anchor's face on live televison is totally Grace Jones style. And just like wine her style gets better with age.

Hail to the real pop diva and Style Icon!!! Ms. Grace Jones.

Photos Courtesy of Music2MyEars
Photo Credit: Grace Jones at Bryant Park Fashion Show 2009
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38934532@N04/

My Style Icon: Carolina Herrera

Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera no doubt is one of the most stylish and best dressed woman in the world. As a fashion designer her palette is always contemporary, her fabrics and her draping simple and innovative, and her designs are always classic and modest. As Carolina Herrera, the designer and business woman she wears her clothes well, and is the perfect model for her own clothing line.

I love Carolina's neat lines and the feminine silhouette. I love how she wears her white long sleeve blouses with standing collars matched with long skirts or feminine trousers. The simplicity of her choice of jewelry and the way she accessorizes her outfit is certainly a style only Carolina owns.

Carolina Herrera mi Icono de Estilo.

My Style Icons: George Clooney and Johnny Depp

George and Johnny are two of Hollywood's royalty that I consider Style Icons. George Clooney's style is simple and classic. Always neat and dressed rightly for his age and personality. There is nothing left to explain, the man is a man's man. His sense of style, fashion and his personal lifestyle can be summarized in four letters - COOL.
Johnny Depp on the other hand is one guy whom I admire for being fashion forward the manly way. He is not afraid of his Bohemian style of dressing that separates (in my opinion) him from the other Hollywood male superstars who are stuck with the rigid tuxedo and business suit. The long-ish hair, the scruffy face, the use of accessories, or sometimes just showing up in Hollywood events in his T-shirt and jeans avec beret or fedora is such a breath of fresh air. Depp is one actor who I believe can even receive the Oscar wearing a kilt or sarong and still get away with it.

Go Clooney, go Depp we need more stylish men like you.

Photo Credit: George Clooney
Courtesy: People Magazine (Aug. 2007)
Image: Crosera Silvestri/Reuters/Landov

Photo Credit: Johnny Depp
Courtesy: marleyrosinski
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30621993@N02/

My Style Icon: Diana Vreeland

Doyenne of style and extravagant taste Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) is included in My Style Icons. What I like about her style is her consistent fashion sense. Her personality and animated character stands out regardless of whatever she wears and to me that is style. She can wear her clothes well even past her 70's.

I like her style of over-accessorizing as well. She wears tons of accesories to complete a certain look and yes she can pull everything together. The big earrings, the chokers and necklaces, the huge bracelets and her colorful palette is a fashion riot that is truly and only a trademark of Diana Vreeland.

Diana Vreeland who once dictated women how to dress is an original - she breathed fashion and she is fashion.

Photo: Diana Vreeland (Vogue, Dec. 1980)
Photographer: Deborah Turbeville

My Style Icon: Andy Warhol

Pop Art King Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is included in my list. In my own opinion Andy is not the authentic epitome of high fashion or expensive couture, but what is so cool about his style of dressing is that it is very real and he wears it well.

I like his choice of simple tops and the jeans or black pants that completes his look. One of my favorites is of him wearing black turtlenecks (sometimes matched with a body hugging leather jacket).

Unlike his art which was considered avant-garde during its time his fashion sense remained grounded and yet stylish. There was also a time when he spiked his hair when no male celebrity ever dared to do so and started sporting a pair of huge framed eyeglass or sunglasses, that is style!

My Style Icon Andy Warhol - "regular guy dressing" with a hint of quiet style.

Photo Credit: Andy Warhol Self Portrait 1980
Photographer: Andy Warhol
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobito/
Photo Courtesy: Tobitooo

My Style Icon: Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel (1883-1971) one of the most colorful woman of the 20th century belongs to my list of Style Icons. Gabrielle Bonheuer Chanel aka Coco, is the epitome of elegant style. I like how she pulls everything together from a simple black dress to a tailored suit.

Her signature hairstyle, her hat, her beads and pearls, her scarf and the unhealthy cigarette is such a trademark of how the woman styled herself consistently. Coco's personal style is always and even today an inspiration in her collections.

Coco's style is definitely eternal. All styles come and go but Madame Chanel's fashion and attitude will never go out of style.

Photo Credit: Coco Chanel
Source: Fashion The Century of the Designer 1990-1999 by Charlotte Seeling
Credit: Glorious Vintage
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gloriousvintage/

My Style Icon: Karl Lagerfeld

Another Style Icon in my list is German designer and artist Karl Lagerfeld. His style and attitude is always consistent of how he presents himself. I like his European way of dressing and accessorizing himself. Great body-hugging tops matched with skinny pants. I also like how he matches his business suit with necktie or scarf, worn the Lagerfeld way with skinny jeans. By the way the extra accessories are the the sunglasses, the gloves and sadly I don't see the fan anymore. Of course the neatly pulled back and ponytailed silver hair will always be his signature look.

In my own words I would call Karl's syle as "funky elegance", I feel some hint of a fashion rebel in him. I love the style and admire the designer and artist. My Style Icon: Karl Lagerfeld.

Photo Credit: Karl Lagerfeld in Black and White
Courtesy by: Fabiana B.
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8226359@N03/page3/

My Style Icon: Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani the world famous Italian fashion designer is in my list of Style Icons. I like the simplicity of his personal style of dressing. Always wearing his signature black shirt and black pair of pants impeccably. On formal events Giorgio can be seen wearing a nice tuxedo or simply a business suit.

His menswear and women's wear just like his personal style is clean and straight-forward. His style is very classic and you know that you'll never go wrong when you wear an Armani.

Certainly a style icon - the man, the designer, Giorgio Armani.

My Style Icons

The days just fly so fast and quick. It is now April 2010, early Spring and the Easter Holiday just ended. Three months of 2010 over and we're not getting any younger. Oh life, we love it, we hate it!!!

Well for the next days to come I would like to blog about famous people or maybe not so famous people that I consider to be style icons, my Style Icons. These people that I will feature are those that I believe (in my opinion) are really the icons of style, not only in the way they dress up but in the way they handle their business and their personal affairs. Some of them may have a colorful past that we might be aware of or might not be aware of, or they may have some bizzare or weird character and some may still be here with us and others had passed away, etc.

At any rate I do not expect the readers to agree with my choices since this is a very subjective issue. But I invite you to come and check my choices and enjoy the ride. My Style Icons.