Haute Toys: Lotus, Inizio, BlackBerry Torch, Tag Heuer Fuchsia Meridiist GMT

[highlight_text] Only the new Esprit truly reflected traditional Lotus values of lightweight, no-frills construction driven by a powerful engine. [/highlight_text]

Hauto

Joie de Esprit

My first impression of the concept cars that Lotus previewed at the Paris Motor Show was somewhat disparaging. They showcased an entire new line of concept cars that offered a glimpse of the route the company might take in coming years. The revelation of five new models seemed an abrupt strategy departure for a company that has essentially created only three new models over the past 25 years.

While most of the motoring press welcomed Lotus’ evocation of their history by dredging up some of the classic monikers of its past like the Elite and Elan, there was also the unanimous opinion that of all the models, only the new Esprit truly reflected traditional Lotus values of lightweight, no-frills construction driven by a powerful engine.  The other cars, such as a bloated next generation Elise, a retractable hardtop Elite, and the 4-door Eterne, all seemed to place an unprecedented premium on luxury, resulting in heavier, less well handling cars, anathema to the principles that have guided Lotus’ philosophy since its earliest days.

It was a relief to many of us when Lotus backed off their ambitious plan.  The brand has apparently prioritized development of the Esprit only, meaning that the other luxurious concept cars will be relegated to the metaphorical back burner, where they will hopefully remain for the indefinite future.

Many people will recall the original Esprit of the ‘70s and ‘80s as the Union Jack-clothed James Bond car that turned into a submarine in The Spy Who Loved Me.  Indeed, my first unforgettable view of the car was watching it get cinematically blown up by a very protective alarm system in For Your Eyes Only.  Though the original Esprit is now a dated symbol of its era’s obsession with wedge-shaped design, the model remains a favorite for many enthusiasts, and may forever be pegged as the car by which the brand is popularly identified.

With a modern take on the wedge, the new Esprit lives up to its predecessor’s dynamic stance (particularly with its one-piece glass windshield/roof).  Performance is expected to be no less riveting than appearance, with a 5.0 liter Lexus V-8 delivering 550 horsepower and propelling the car from 0 – 60 mph in the low to mid 3-second range.  Mated to a seven-speed paddle shift transmission, the engine should provide the kind of exuberant driving experience that has defined Lotus cars since the ‘50s.  Production examples are scheduled to hit showrooms in 2013. – Mike Daly

Hauto

America’s First Electric Supercar

North Carolina-based Li-ion Motors has introduced their new electric supercar, the Inizio. It makes a bold claim as America’s first and only 100 percent homegrown battery-powered supercar. Sure, the Tesla Roadster is distributed from the U.S., but with a chassis produced in England and a body made in France, the Roadster can hardly claim to be authentically American.

Green fanatics may recall Li-ion as a winner of this year’s Automotive X-Prize, an award for the most energy efficient and promising new electric cars. The victory gives Li-ion credibility in developing a feasible all-electric supercar.

Considering that independently produced supercars have metaphorically crashed and burned in the past, the Inizio does carry some promise beyond its technological merits. Ron Cerven penned the design, and it is clear that his resume of racecar driving, aerospace engineering, and Hollywood productions has helped in his vision. The Inizio is exotically attractive and favors soft throwback curves to hard edges and angular wedges. In fact, with its removable hardtop and its red paint finish, the Inizio bears at least a passing resemblance to the Ferrari F50 although seemingly channeled through the parameters of early ‘90s Japanese supercars.

The Inizio can reach 60 mph from standstill in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 170 mph. Regenerative braking feeds power to the batteries, which at full charge are good for 250 miles. Li-ion hopes to launch the car in the middle of next year with a pricetag of $139,000, Nevertheless, the Inizio’s packaging and performance should give highline sports car manufacturers an even more pronounced kick in the butt to get their various electric cars off the ground and into high gear. – Mike Daly

Haute Gadget

BlackBerry Torch

Boasting a Smartphone makeover, the newest BlackBerry incorporates all the same elements that made this phone an all-time favorite, with new features that are adept for socially connected consumers and business consumers alike. The optical trackpad and full QWERTY keyboard, for example, let the lover of the old-fashioned smart phone navigate effortlessly, while the touch screen appeals to his more youthful counterparts. Other features include the new BlackBerry 6 Operating system with expanded messaging capabilities that simplify the management of social networking, social media feed, tabbed web browsing, a 5-megapixel camera with continuous autofocus, and built-in GPS and Wi-Fi.

And for users who enjoy communicating primarily through SMS and MMS, the new Text Messages application is sure to be a dream, with a new “reply all” functionality that enables its use for up to 10 contacts, as well as a Locations feature that lets users easily search points of interest with the ability to insert the information into a message. Together, these new features enable the user to arrange group meetings easily by sending one message to many friends, “discussing together where to meet and then sending a map—all in one threaded conversation.” — Veronica Rodriguez

Haute Gadget

Tag Heuer Fuchsia Meridiist GMT

When Tag Heuer comes to mind, one can’t help but think of its line of avant-garde watches. But recently, the brand introduced its own line of cell phones. The newest in the collection is the Fuchsia Meridiist GMT. The luxe phone comes equipped with a QVGA sapphire crystal main display, a secondary OLED screen, and a 2MP camera along with other top-of-the-line features. To keep true to its exclusive style, Tag Heuer has made use of the skin of a rare water snake, scientifically named Acrochordus arafurae. The luxury cell phone goes on sale in 2011 in TAG Heuer boutiques and authorized outlet stores worldwide.

Haute Gadget

Ferrari Go-Kart

You love your toys: the watches, the cars, and the gadgets you’ve been collecting for years. But if you are really looking to satisfy your inner child, who has been screaming incessantly since Christmas, then the Ferrari FXX Racer pedal Go-Kart is what you’re looking for.

Equipped with eco-leather upholstery and two rear disk brakes, four 43-cm wide Super Slick X-treme tires, seven gears to switch between and an electronic system to monitor speed, this racer will take you back to the days when you dreamed of winning the NASCAR races. And it’s the perfect toy to enjoy with your kids; though it only has holds one passenger at a time, the monitor can measure the time it takes to make the drive past the tree, turning this into a perfect tool for a fun and friendly father-son competition.

Haute Yacht

Sail Away Aboard Marie

The 180-foot Marie was was built by Vitters Shipyard with engineering and interior design by Hoek Design. One of the things making Marie distinctive is the rich, deep black paint on her 187-foot mast and her hull.

Inside, a baby grand piano takes center stage in the saloon, suitable for an owner who enjoys inviting people to perform. Then there’s the mirror skylight directly above the dining table. Expertly crafted anigre wood lines the walls, including in the three staterooms and master suite, which includes a steam room and access to a private cockpit.

In 20 knots of breeze, Marie should be capable of 17-knot speeds or better, thanks to her 15,548 square feet of sails. Imagine how those will look when Marie races in the Spirit of Tradition Class competitions, for which Andre Hoek says the yacht was engineered.

Marie’s weekly charter rate in the Caribbean this winter is $215,000. Contact your charter broker or Fraser Yachts, which holds the central listing. — Diane M. Byrne