A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION - Limited to one for Royal Family of Abu Dhabi

<center><img alt="A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION" height="302" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/4552597.jpg" width="400" /> </center><br />The Royal Family of Abu Dhabi is receiving this special A.R.T.-tuned SUV which is based on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG. This unit is the only one being produced, making it a once-off project. Called the AS55K YAAS EDITION, the vehicle has received a power upgrade to 456kW (620hp) and some comprehensive aerodynamic enhancements. <span class="fullpost">High-performance brakes are needed for such a combination of power and vehicle type so A.R.T. saw it fit to utilise perforated 380 size brake disks and 8-piston brake calipers up front and perforated 345 size brake disks as well as 4-piston brake calipers at the rear.<br /><br /><center><img alt="A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION" height="301" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/9583815.jpg" width="400" /> </center><br />A.R.T. has provided what can only be described as enough lighting power to make a night game at the stadium seem like an afternoon game. There are bi-xenon dual headlights, four xenon upper-beam headlights and four foglights added in a package seemingly designed not to leave the driver in the dark at any point in time.<br /><br /><center><img alt="A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION" height="301" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/1787217.jpg" width="400" /> </center><br />Stainless steel also played a role as it was included on the polished rear bumper, the air vents and other body elements. The tailpipes are chrome-plated and supposedly give out a sound that is hard to ignore. Chrome was again applied as the window tint colour which makes sure outsiders don't see much of the interior.<br /><br /><center><img alt="A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION" height="303" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/577416.jpg" width="400" /> </center><br />The aero kit includes carbonised surfaces such as the bonnet, the exterior side mirrors, the door handles and the spare wheel cover. Even the interior surfaces and multi-function steering wheel are covered in carbon fiber; the latter is coloured in gold. It is all just as the Royal Family had asked.<br />via:<a href="http://www.worldcarfans.com/109080320846/art-as55k-yaas-edition--limited-to-one-for-royal-family-of-abu-dhabi">worldcarfans</a><br /><br /><center><img alt="A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION" height="302" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/614954.jpg" width="400" /> </center><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Press Release</span><br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>AS55K YAAS EDITION</strong></p> <ul style="font-style: italic;"><li>Special vehicle for the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi</li><li>Limited edition of one</li></ul> <p style="font-style: italic;">This thoroughbred luxury four-by-four in Obsidian black with engine version AS55K was developed specially at the request of the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi. It is based on the G55 AMG. His performance was optimized up to 620 hp with 880 rpm. It will be difficult to find the equal anywhere in the world of this AS55K YAAS EDITION with its unusual exterior fittings and luxurious interior design.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Aerodynamic components for the front, side, rear, and roof, including the Aero hood lend the AS55K YAAS EDITION new striking contours. The comprehensive package of high-quality carbonized surfaces makes for individual highlights on the outer skin. The hood, aerodynamics components, the door handles, the spare wheel cover, the exterior mirror shells and the engine block have been generously coated in this luxurious material by hand to sparkle with that typical magical three-dimensional effect. This exterior variant with carbon parts was developed and manufactured on the wishes and in accordance with the decided suggestions of the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Numerous highly-polished stainless steel decorative elements draw attention to the air vents and other predestined points on the car body. The dual polished stainless steel bumper with its profiled appearance provides the finishing touches to the smart solid appearance of the vehicle rear below the rear skirt.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Light, enough to illuminate the skies, is provided by the xenon lighting system with bi-xenon dual headlamps as the basis, four xenon upper-beam headlamps and four fog lamps as add-ons. The six chrome-plated tailpipes of the exhaust system, each sporting an A.R.T. logo, dissipate what remains of the vast power from the engine block laterally under the running boards: its grandiose sound cannot be ignored.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">The high-performance brake system operates at the front with perforated 380 size brake disks and 8-piston brake calipers. At the rear, perforated 345 size brake disks and 4-piston brake calipers provide deceleration to match the power. The entire window surface of the AS55K YAAS EDITION is treated with chrome color window tinting, protecting the interior world of the vehicle from the stares of the outside world.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">As soon as you open the doors of the AS55K YAAS EDITION, you cannot fail to notice the graceful interior surrounds to entice all the senses. The seats, instrument board, door cladding and center console have been intricately covered in aromatic materials by hand. A.R.T. upholsterers use the finest velour leather, perforated smooth nappa leather, and alcantara in cinnamon and anthracite hues. High-quality carpets with leather edging and A.R.T. embroidered logo round off the overall warm and luxurious ambience for that very special driving experience.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Carbon features also lend magical highlights to the interior of the AS55K YAAS EDITION. All the covers on the instrument panel and doors have been given a high-quality carbon veneer. These features are crowned by the gold-color carbonized multi-function steering wheel.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">A journey into the magical world of fairytales with this expertly equipped luxury-class vehicle AS55K YAAS EDITION by A.R.T.</p><br /><br /></span><p>

A.R.T AS55K YAAS EDITION - Limited to one for Royal Family of Abu Dhabi

The Royal Family of Abu Dhabi is receiving this special A.R.T.-tuned SUV which is based on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG. This unit is the only...

Read more »

Spy Photos: BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible Facelift

<center><img alt="CarPix / BMW 3-Series Cabriolet E93 facelift spy photo" height="260" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/3336743.jpg" width="400"> </center><br />Just over a year ago BMW unveiled the facelifted 3 Series sedan. The time will soon come for the Coupe and the Convertible to show their faces in full too. But for now we must satisfy our curiosity with these spy pictures of both models doing final testing before their public debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="CarPix / BMW 3-Series Cabriolet E93 facelift spy photo" height="266" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/7521557.jpg" width="400"> </center><br />Modifications include a new front bumper, headlamps, LED rear lights and a new rear bumper. Previous spy pictures showed only the front bumper in disguise but these snapped shots show the true changes. Both models will exhibit these changes when unveiled in September.<br /><br /><center><img alt="CarPix / BMW 3-Series Cabriolet E93 facelift spy photo" height="267" src="http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/8/large/5572305.jpg" width="400"> </center><br />Since BMW has a habit of escorting a new product launch or update with a new engine or an upgraded one, our curiosity is running at full speed trying to figure out which new powerplant will accompany these cars. That information might leak out ahead of the show. If not then the wait will be a long one.<br /><a href="http://www.worldcarfans.com/109080320848/mini1/bmw-3-series-coupe-More Photosand-convertible-facelift-spy-photos">More Photos</a><br /><br /></span><p>

Spy Photos: BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible Facelift

Just over a year ago BMW unveiled the facelifted 3 Series sedan. The time will soon come for the Coupe and the Convertible to show their fa...

Read more »

Spy: 2011 Lincoln Mark LT spotted south of the border

<center><img alt="Foto espía de la Lincoln Mark LT 2010" height="298" id="ctl00_cphMain_imgPrincipal" src="http://imagenes.autocosmos.com/noticias/fotosprinc/0_2611192210.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" width="400" /></center><br />The Lincoln Mark LT never really worked out according to plan. The thinking was that trucks and SUVs were so hot, all you had to do was rebadge 'em and then roll around in all the easy money. <span class="fullpost">And while that worked wonders for Cadillac via the Las Vegas-a-riffic Escalade EXT, Lincolns with beds just never got any play. In fairness to the LT, the stage for failure was set by the Blackwood, a truck only intended to appeal to polo players (the bed was carpeted). The LT, on the other hand, was essentially a fully-dressed F-150 with Lincoln badges. Lincoln Mark LT production stopped in late 2008 and no one cared. Except, apparently, Mexicans.<br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/ay-dios-mio-2011-lincoln-mark-lt-spotted-south-of-the-border/">more detail</a>. ...<br /><br /></span><p>

Spy: 2011 Lincoln Mark LT spotted south of the border

The Lincoln Mark LT never really worked out according to plan. The thinking was that trucks and SUVs were so hot, all you had to do was reba...

Read more »

eBay Find of the Day: World's nicest Dodge Rampage?

<center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189856img41.jpg" /></center><br />Listen, we're not complaining here. Folks who restore old cars are to be applauded. Period. Mostly, the resto subjects are rides with mass appeal -- cars everyone is familiar with. Those are great and all, but the really insane aficionados are the ones who restore things you'd never think of. Seriously, though -- would you restore a 1982 Dodge Rampage? Frankly, we probably wouldn't either<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189636img05.jpg" /></center><br />But in this case, some Mopar lunatic did. And we want to hug him. We'll go out on a limb here and say that this is probably The Nicest Rampage in America, because on the exceedingly rare occasion when we actually see one out and about, it's usually a tired-looking disaster that's hauling something like 300 pounds of manure and/or a month's worth of recycling.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189619img02.jpg" /></center><br />This one? Concours condition. It's pretty amazing. Anything that wasn't up to snuff was replaced. You could touch the engine bay and then perform open-heart surgery without scrubbing in -- it's that clean.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189646img07.jpg" /></center><br />If a perfect Rampage in Sport Edition duds is the missing link in your personal collection, $12,900 on eBay is all that stands between you and forgotten-car Nirvana. Will people think you're crazy for spending that much on a Rampage? Probably, but screw those haters. They're just jealous.<br /><br /><center><object height="290" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z20nglCZnp4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z20nglCZnp4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="325" width="400"></embed></object></center><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/1982-dodge-rampage/#11">More Photos</a><br /><br /></span><p>

eBay Find of the Day: World's nicest Dodge Rampage?

Listen, we're not complaining here. Folks who restore old cars are to be applauded. Period. Mostly, the resto subjects are rides with ma...

Read more »