What: 2014 Audi RS 7 Color: Audi exclusive Velvet Purple Pearl Effect(samtviolettperleffekt; metallic UNI; LQ87; Audi) VIN: WUAW2AFC5EN904015 Mileage: 47,791 Price at Time of this Writing: $41,991 CarFax:Link iPacket: Link Location: Houston, TX Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Not to be confused with the more prevalent and very similar Audi exclusive Merlin Purple Metallic, this Tailored Driver is finished in the slightly darker, more subdued Audi exclusive Velvet Purple Pearl Effect, giving it a cool factor that goes beyond the fact that it happens to be applied to an RS 7. Add in that it’s got a 560hp twin-turbo V8, regular service history at the selling dealer, Audi North Houston, and can be had for about $42 grand, we feel this is an attainable pathway into the world of Tailored Drivers for many with quite a lot going for it.
INEOS Automotive presents first special project build: ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’
Custom build leverages partnerships with class-leading accessory suppliers
Demonstrates the infinite customisation possibilities available with the INEOS Grenadier and Quartermaster
Visually arresting all-black off-roader features Norweld tray and canopy, JMACX suspension enhancements, Brown Davis long range fuel tank, and REDARC battery and battery management systems
Kaiju Quartermaster will be seen at events cross Australia over the next few months
[source: INEOS Automotive]
Australia – INEOS Automotive’s Australian operation has built a one-off special Grenadier Quartermaster Cab Chassis: the ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’. The name, meaning a mythical ‘giant creature’ or ‘monster’ in Japanese, was chosen to convey the powerful capabilities of the Grenadier, and acknowledges Australia’s love affair with modified Japanese 4×4 vehicles.
The striking all-black Kaiju Quartermaster is based on the strong foundation of the Quartermaster Cab Chassis ute, which is engineered to deliver a class-leading combination of off-road capability and load-carrying versatility for work and adventure. The one-off ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’ has been built in partnership with some of Australia’s most innovative and reputable third-party accessory suppliers, including Norweld, Rhino-Rack, Brown Davis, REDARC, JMACX, GME, BF Goodrich, MAXTRAX, and STEDI*.
With a fully blacked-out exterior and commanding presence, the Kaiju project has resulted in a unique off-roader that epitomises an iconic heavily modified Aussie 4×4 overlander, while showcasing the infinite customisation possibilities available to Grenadier and Quartermaster customers.
Justin Hocevar, Regional Director, APAC at INEOS Automotive commented: “We wantedto create a truly unique Quartermaster together with some incredibly innovative local engineering & accessory partners. The Quartermaster Cab Chassis is a ‘blank canvas’ that allows for great versatility when it comes to customisation, so together with these project partners, we let our imagination run wild.Ultimately, the ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’ expresses our Australian vision of Built For More.”
Equipment on the special build includes premium fitment options such as the Norweld Elite Tray and Compact Deluxe Lite Canopy, engineered to handle extreme conditions while being lightweight and designed with a gutter system and rubber seals to ensure dust and water resistance on the most extreme overlanding adventures.
The ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’ is also fitted with the Brown Davis long range fuel tank #IG23A2 – tucked neatly behind the rear bumper, giving explorers the ultimate option for remote travel with a total of 168 litres on top of the factory 90-litre tank.
To provide unparalleled performance and enhanced protection, REDARC’s range of RS3 Pure Sine Wave Inverters, Alpha150 150A lithium battery and Manager Alpha50 have also been fitted, giving the ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’ a complete battery management system for the most demanding recreational and off-grid energy needs.
Unusually, INEOS Automotive extends the vehicle’s warranty to cover select aftermarket components from official accessories partners when ordered through retailers. This provides customers with cast-iron peace-of-mind even when customizing their Grenadier or Quartermaster to suit their own particular needs.
The ‘Kaiju Quartermaster’ will be seen utilised across events and for promotional purposes in Australia over the next few months.
To find out more about Grenadier range pricing, technical specifications and options, visit www.ineosgrenadier.com.
What: 2021 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Color:Birch Green(birkegrün; non-metallic UNI; 253; Porsche) VIN: WP0BB2A9XMS235494 Mileage: 47,671 Price at Time of this Writing: $149,989 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Johnson Creek, WI Dealer listing:Link
Why we love mention it:
Okay, here’s the deal. We don’t always love them all, but we also recognize that polarizing specifications are often a matter of taste… or maybe acquired taste. So while we’re greatly entertained by Instagram accounts like @worstspec on Instagram, we’re not going to go so far as to jeer something outright. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we’ll use this as an opportunity to begin our Aquired Taste subsection. Check that for more polarizing builds, but let’s focus now on this seemingly Seussian 911 Targa 4S.
The exterior color in question is Porsche Birch Green, one of several neon greens in the Porsche color palette. That, in and of itself, isn’t necessarily polarizing. However, pair it with Bordeaux Red leather interior and it’s not just a green/red Christmas theme, but an eye searing green Christmas theme that more than casually harks The Grinch.
If you love it, and how could some not, we’re sharing it hopefully in time for a Yuletide P-car acquisition, great for any Whoville Cars & Coffee.
Landmark Bespoke commissions completed in 2024 reflect the record level of Bespoke demand
Commissions illustrate clients’ increasingly bold, diverse and personal inspirations
Each features unique details never previously seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car, including paint inspired by celestial phenomena and a Bespoke gold golf putter
Testament to the exceptional creativity, skill and unparalleled artistry of the Bespoke Collective
Highlights include all motor cars in the current Rolls-Royce product portfolio
[source: Rolls-Royce]
“Every Rolls-Royce motor car serves as a blank canvas for an owner’s Bespoke commission. This year, we have once again been delighted and challenged by the breadth of our clients’ imagination, creativity and ambition, which presented the perfect opportunity to showcase the ingenuity and vision of our Bespoke Collective. As these commission highlights demonstrate, inspiration can come from anywhere, and increasingly we see clients requesting even more personal touches in their motor car, creating expressive works in their own right and as part of a broader legacy. It is a testimony to the skills of our Bespoke teams, and our brand’s standing in the luxury world, that clients share with us their dreams, confident in our ability to realise them in line with their ambitious creative vision.” Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
In 2024, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople brought to life some of the most creative and ambitious examples of artistry ever seen.
Client commissions comprised highly complex, hand-painted and embroidered artworks, stainless steel and gold inlays, exquisite iridescent paint finishes and much more. Driven by their pursuit of perfection and the dreams of the marque’s clients, Rolls-Royce artisans created singular graphics, such as a 869,500-stitch embroidery inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy, and captured cultural symbols using the canvas of leather, wood and fabric. From finely executed coachline motifs to full-scale artworks within the interior, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective once again stretched the breadth of luxury possibility.
The extraordinary complexity behind this year’s commissions reflects the ever-growing number of clients that trust the marque’s artisans with their boldest visions. While these inspirations are as diverse as the personalities of the clients themselves, clear themes have emerged over the year. Bespoke commissions are becoming increasingly personal, with many clients curating individual masterpieces to mark major life events and commemorate transformative moments, places and people that are meaningful to them.
As 2024 comes to an end, Rolls-Royce reflects on just some of the finest examples of Bespoke possibility. The motor cars selected are owned by clients who have generously given permission for their details to be shared with the public.
PHANTOM SCINTILLA Limited to just 10 examples worldwide, this magnificent Private Collection celebrates the ethereal beauty, grace and legacy of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
The interior is embroidered with 869,500 stitches forming a continuous graphic inspired by her expressive form. The figurine itself has a unique ceramic finish, evoking the Parian marble of The Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Greek statue that inspired Claude Johnson to commission the original mascot in 1910.
The centrepiece is the Celestial Pulse Gallery, capturing the fleeting presence of the Spirit of Ecstasy. This artwork comprises seven individually milled ribbons, cloaked in the same ceramic finish as the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. Above, the Bespoke Starlight Headliner features an animation with 1,500 fibre-optic ‘stars’, inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy’s flowing gown.
BLACK BADGE GHOST CITY LIGHTS In this commission, created exclusively for the UK, the Illuminated Fascia features a Bespoke design recreating a bird’s-eye panorama of London. The graphic is inspired by the thrilling view of the city seen from an aeroplane as it makes its final approach to landing at night. The pattern is composed of 8,372 laser-etched lights, each individually placed by hand in the Piano Black veneer surface.
CULLINAN SERIES II – INSPIRED BY ROSE This delicate, highly artistic commission was inspired by the Phantom Rose, specially bred for Rolls-Royce, which grows in the courtyard of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and nowhere else in the world.
Bespoke designers created a stylised rose motif, which was then translated into the delicate embroidery on the front and rear headrests and incorporated into the meticulously hand-painted Coachline.
PHANTOM GOLDFINGER To mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film Goldfinger, Rolls-Royce created this intricately detailed homage to the eponymous villain’s 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville.
Bespoke specialists faithfully recreated the original motor car’s famous black and yellow exterior finish, with ingenious features referencing the film’s pivotal scenes – from a gold golf putter, inspired by one used by Auric Goldfinger in his infamous match with 007, to a solid 18-carat gold speedform displayed in the centre console.
Other gold-inspired features include gold-plated treadplates embossed with the same font developed for the film in 1964, a 24-carat gold-plated VIN plaque engraved with a number ending in 007, as well as organ stops, seat bullets and speaker frets with a lustrous gold finish.
The Gallery houses a stainless-steel artwork featuring an isoline map of the Furka Pass, where 007 is seen in the film following Goldfinger to his smelting plant. As another subtle reference, the Starlight Headliner reflects the constellations as they appeared over the Furka Pass in Switzerland on the final day of filming the scene. As a finishing touch, a hidden projector was developed to display the legendary ‘007’ logo when the boot is opened.
SPECTRE LUNAFLAIR Commissioned by a discerning client from the United States, Spectre Lunaflair draws inspiration from the optical phenomenon of a lunar halo, where moonlight refracted through high-altitude ice crystals creates a bright ring around the moon.
To capture this spectacle, the marque’s specialists spent a year developing a unique holographic paint finish, reserved exclusively for the commissioning client. The captivating ‘rainbow’ effect is achieved by applying seven layers of lacquer, including a pearlescent layer infused with fine flakes of magnesium fluoride and aluminium. This creates a deep metallic effect in low light that bursts into rainbow technicolour under bright sunshine.
The Spectre Lunaflair concept was partially inspired by another Bespoke masterpiece, the one-of-one Phantom Syntopia. Captivated by Phantom Syntopia’s iridescent Liquid Noir finish, the commissioning client asked the Bespoke Collective to create a light and luminous expression of this concept that reflected their fascination with the lunar halo phenomenon. This cross-pollination of ideas exemplifies the power of Bespoke at Rolls-Royce.
GHOST EXTENDED SERIES II – THE ENCOUNTER This exquisite Ghost Extended Series II is designed to mark the 120th anniversary of the meeting of its founders on 4 May 1904. The celebratory commission contains numerous references to The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, including their initials embroidered on the headrests, their signatures on the C-pillar, and the historic date of their introduction as the coachline motif.
The interior is finished in Duality Twill, a new rayon fabric made from bamboo, embroidered with a ‘Duality’ graphic – an abstract interpretation of the interlinked R initials of the marque’s founders’ names.
PHANTOM YEAR OF THE DRAGON Commissioned via the Shanghai Private Office, this extraordinary Phantom Extended was created to mark the Lunar New Year, beginning on 10 February 2024. In a beautiful example of the growing trend towards blending international heritage and Chinese cultural traditions, known as guochao, the interior features meticulously crafted details inspired by a traditional dragon symbol.
These include a unique hand-painted artwork on the front passenger panel, dragon embroidery on the headrests, coachline motif and the first-ever depiction of a dragon in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner, crafted from 677 ‘stars’.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Cullinan Series II: WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 380-363 g/km; Fuel consumption: 16.8-17.7 mpg / 16.8-16.0 l/100km.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Black Badge Ghost: WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 359 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.9 mpg / 15.8 l/100km.
Ghost Extended Series II: WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 358-348 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.9–18.5mpg / 15.8–15.3 l/100km.
Spectre: WLTP: Power consumption: 2.6-2.8 mi/kWh / 23.6-22.2 kWh/100km. Electric range 329 mi / 530 km. NEDC: CO2 emissions 0 g/km.
Phantom Series II: NEDC combined: CO2 emissions: 345 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.7 mpg / 15.1 l/100km. WLTP combined: CO2 emissions: 351-362 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.7-18.2 mpg / 15.5-16.0 l/100km.
Phantom Extended Series II: NEDC combined: CO2 emissions: 345 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.7 mpg / 15.1 l/100km. WLTP combined: CO2 emissions: 353-365 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.4-18.1 mpg / 15.6-16.2 l/100km.
About Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a true luxury house, creating the world’s most recognised, revered and desirable handcrafted Bespoke products for its international clientele.
There are over 2,500 people working at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex. This comprises both its global headquarters and Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence – the only place in the world where Rolls-Royce motor cars are designed, engineered and meticulously built by hand. An independent study by the London School of Economics & Political Science confirms that since the company first launched at Goodwood in 2003, it has contributed more than £4 billion to the UK economy and adds more than £500 million in economic value every year.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate, unrelated company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems.
What: 2024 Audi RS 6 performance Color:Berry Pearl Effect(beerepearleffekt; pearl effect UNI; Z4W; Audi exclusive) VIN: WUA1DBF27RN905299 Mileage: 723 miles Price at Time of this Writing: $144,989 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Johnson Creek, WI Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
If you’re into wagons in a very different colors that will command a ton of attention, skip the line for Audi exclusive and head to Kearns Motor Cars in Wisconsin for this MY2024 Audi RS 6 Avant performance. Painted Berry Pearl Effect, it’s a very noticeable deep pink in the vein of a Porsche Ruby Star, but pearlescent so appearing at a depth that Ruby Star just doesn’t do.
Other options including interior in black with black stitching, Dynamic Package, Carbon Matte Optics Package, Dynamic Ride Control Suspension, 22-inch Y-spoke wheels, Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system and Leather Package.
Vairano, December 4, 2024 – Totem Automobili proudly announces the completion of the 12th chassis in its limited production run of just 40 units. This one-of-a-kind GT Super is powered by the iconic 90° V6 twin-turbo engine, developed in collaboration with Italtecnica, delivering extraordinary performance.
Exclusive Paintwork and Advanced Materials
This chassis represents a true masterpiece of engineering and design. The bodywork is adorned with a bespoke metallic green finish, created exclusively for this unit. The carbon fiber elements feature a unique matrix, shifting from square to diamond patterns depending on the angle of light, complemented by an elegant matte finish.
Inside, bespoke carbon fiber racing-inspired seats were crafted to meet the client’s desire for a heightened, immersive driving experience. The vehicle’s bodywork, chassis, and internal supports—such as the central tunnel and dashboard—are constructed from structural carbon fiber. This advanced material, with variable density, is further reinforced with Kevlar in specific areas, showcasing the engineering complexity achieved with the support of our partner JM from Valfenera d’Asti.
The IVA Homologation Milestone
Currently, GT Super Chassis No. 12 is undergoing Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing at Vairano. This pivotal step will enable Totem vehicles to be legally driven across Europe and many other parts of the world.
Totem Automobili faces the challenges of an incredibly costly homologation process, designed for large manufacturers but rarely accessible to small independent carmakers. With costs often exceeding €10 million, we must ask: are these regulations genuinely focused on safety and environmental protection, or do they serve as financial barriers to safeguard the interests of major corporations?
A Call for a Fairer Future
We believe the time has come for Italy and Europe to create a regulatory framework that acknowledges the unique nature of small-scale manufacturers. Totem vehicles, produced with highly streamlined supply chains, have a minimal aggregate environmental impact and meet the most stringent safety requirements.
Totem Automobili remains committed to redefining quality, innovation, and sustainability in the automotive industry. With this 12th chassis, we celebrate our determination to overcome challenges with the passion and creativity that define the Made in Italy.
Totem Automobili is an Italian car manufacturer specializing in handcrafted luxury vehicles made from carbon fiber. Our mission is to blend cutting-edge technology with timeless design, creating cars that deliver an unforgettable driving experience. The GT Series is our first masterpiece, merging Italian craftsmanship with technological innovation.
What: 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS Color:Porsche Paint to Sample Smyrna Green (smyrnagrün; non-metallic UNI; Z33; Porsche) VIN: WP0CE2A84RK240166 Mileage: 1,578 Price at Time of this Writing: $239,878 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: St. Louis, MO Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
We’re seeing quite the resurgence in Porsche’s Paint to Sample Smyrna Green, and to be honest, we don’t hate it. In this instance, we can clearly see the lineage between the 356 that Porsche first applied Smyrna to, and the 718 Spyder RS, and we’ve never been shy about loving a tribute. Showing just 1,578 miles, this Spyder RS has completed it’s break in period, which means you can properly cane it as well without fear. Let’s take this opportunity to thank the original Tailor, not just for the color choice, but for also getting the boring stuff out of the way as they flip their way to whatever allocation is next.
What: 2000 BMW 328i Color: BMW Individual Carbon Black Metallic (carbonschwarz; metallic; C49; BMW) VIN: Unknown Mileage: 260,327 km (~161,757 mi) Price at Time of this Writing: €8,495 (~$8,912) CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Oss, NL Listing:Link
Why we love it:
Yes, in just a few days we’ll be 25-year survivors of the Y2K panic. And while our computers didn’t all self-destruct when asked to display ’00’ in a date window, the cars coming out of German and Japan were equally exciting- just in a much more controlled, less stressful way. This E46-generation 328i sedan was delivered in May of that year (making it importable soon!), having been ordered by a Tailor with taste. BMW Individual was chosen both inside and out, making this an incredibly interesting, relatively cheap proposition. The listing is low on detail and basic translation points to a few mistakes, so rather than the Frozen Black Metallic mentioned due to the gloss nature and blue/black shade depending on light, we feel safe in our assumption that the exterior is actually BMW Individual Carbon Black Metallic. We’d be doing a disservice though, if we didn’t share that our assumption may be just that, and that it could also could be the very complex BMW Individual Petrol Mica Metallic, although this does appear darker. More certain, however, is the Arizona Sun leather sport seats found within. We love this generation nearly as much as we love a deal, and at $9k plus shipping, we struggle to find a more interesting vehicular use of funds. Just make sure you validate VIN before putting it on a boat.
What: 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera C4S Cabriolet Color: Paint to Sample Riviera Blue (rivierablau; non-metallic UNI; S8; L39E; Porsche) VIN: WP0CB29916S769009 Mileage: 25,000 Price at Time of this Writing: $52,500 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Pictured below Location: Glen Cove, NY Auction listing:Link
Why we love it:
It may not get the love that its air-cooled ancestors receive, but the 997-generation 911 gets plenty of admiration due to it’s ideal size, relatively modern tech (current, should you get PCCM), and end-of-an-era dynamics that are defining characteristics of early 2000s metal. This one is a touch above having been graced with Paint to Sample Riviera Blue specified on it’s order sheet, with the absolute must-have paint matched center console also included. Open air motoring might be somewhat of a demerit to hardcore enthusiasts, but we’d be happy to let the wind flow through what’s left of our hairline in this Tailored Driver.
What: 1990 Porsche 911 Color: Egg Yolk (non-metallic UNI; no code; Singer) VIN: WP0ZZZ96ZMS400589 Mileage: 4,650 Price at Time of this Writing: £845,000 GBP Asking CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: London, UK Listing:Link
Why we love it:
The cue for a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer is measured in years, so for those seeking to own one and not hung up on creating their own commission, purchasing one off the pre-owned market is the most likely play. Granted, they don’t come up often, and when they do we tend to expect them in prestigious places like an RM Sotheby’s private listing.
That’s the case with the car you see here. Note the name of the commission, “UK 1”, which designates it as the first UK registered Singer. Are you surprised it’s right-hand drive? That should be obvious, but maybe adds to the cool.
Another cool note on this car is the history. Singer used this car for promotional activities, including display at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed where it was driven up the hill by Chris Harris and Marino Franchitti. Noted automotive journalist (and 964 Carrera RS owner) Dickie Meaden also drove the car for a feature in the December 2015 issue of Evo Magazine for which they also shot a video (see above).
Since this is an early Singer commission, it’s fitted with a Cosworth-built 3.8-liter version of Porsche’s flat six. It’s also finished in Egg Yolk paint over a relatively subtle black leather interior with comfort seats, Becker stereo with navigation and a roll bar.
