Last year in September, the inaugural Primland Driving Experience was held at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR). The raceway is also the home of Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap. The race track is surrounded by 12,000 acres of Virginia’s scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

This summer, the Primland Driving Experience returns and expect to have fun driving all day at the famous Virginia International Raceway. Get a chance to race with Hall of Famer Tom Kristensen and Elite Endurance Competitor Harold Primat.

At last year’s race event, guests were flown to VRI by helicopter and had the chance to drive an Audi R8. This 430-hp performance car is very fast and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Tom Kristensen is the only nine-time winner of the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans car race and personally drove guests around the race track in an Audi R8 LMS.

The Primland Driving Experience package also included accommodations with two nights in one of the area’s Fairway Cottages, Tree Houses or luxurious Mountain Homes. Also enjoy a fabulous reception and dinner that was prepared by Executive Chef Gunnar Thompson. Next was an awards ceremony with a delicious Southern Soulful Buffet plus live music and dancing on a Tree House deck. Another fun activity was playing a round of golf on the acclaimed Highland Course.

This year’s Primland Driving Experience is scheduled for August 23 to 25, 2015. Here is a planned itinerary of events and activities.

• Two-night stay in luxury accommodations at Primland, which is one of the world’s top resorts.

Sunday, August 23
• Welcome Reception with Tom Kristensen and Harold Primat, followed by dinner prepared by our Executive Chef, Gunnar Thompson.

Monday, August 24
• Breakfast
• Helicopter to Virginia International Raceway
• Put the Audi R8 to the test by taking the wheel of this 430 hp performance car, which accelerates 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, as an experienced driving instructor guides you.
• Hug every hairpin turn as Hall of Famer Tom Kristensen and endurance racing pro Harold Primat whip you around the Full Course at dizzying speeds in a race-prepped Audi R8 LMS.
• Take an introductory class on the Ariel Atom followed by a drive on the Patriot Course.
• Lunch with the racing pros.
• Karting competition in the afternoon, and the final group will race with the pros.
• Return helicopter to Primland.
• Prize ceremony and cocktail reception, followed by live music and Southern Soul Buffet with racing pros.

Tuesday, August 25
• Breakfast.
• Golf tournament with box lunch and awards.
– Attendees who choose not to golf may select two other activities in lieu of the tournament including sporting clays with instruction, ATV trail rides, horseback trail ride or 60-minute spa treatment.**

The Primland Driving Experience is such a unique experience and should not be missed. The event will only accommodate 20 openings with a price of $8,500 per participant and guest.

Each participant is welcome to bring alone a guest. If your guest did not want to participate in the Virginia International Raceway activities, then choose from a golf tournament, golf lessons from golf professional Brian Alley or even a cooking class with Executive Chef Gunnar Thompson.

For an amazing experience, car lovers should consider adding Primland Driving Experience to your bucket list. Contact us for help planning and booking your trip. If you like reading about the latest car industry news, follow our popular luxury blog.

Photo: Primland Driving Experience

Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini, announced its new luxury SUV – Urus. The Lamborghini SUV is likely to become both the fastest and most expensive trucks anywhere in the world.

Joining a more crowded field of luxury SUV’s, the Lamborghini SUV will compete against the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Maserati Levante and Bentley Bentayga, plus who knows what other luxury SUV models will available in 2018.

The Lamborghini SUV was originally displayed based on the Urus concept back in 2012 at the Beijing Motor Show (see photo above). Lamborghini appears to be targeting the fast-growing, SUV segment, plus offering another buying option for its own clientele. The two primary Lamborghini car models currently offered are the Huracán and Aventador coupes.

Lamborghini will be expanding its Italian, Sant’Agata Bolognese factory to handle the SUV production. Current plant size of 80,000 square meters will be growing to about 150,000 square meters, as reported by Lamborghini. Over the lifecycle of the new Lamborghini SUV, hundreds of millions of Euros will be invested in the factory expansion. The plant growth will also require about 500 new employees to be hired, which will help the local economy in Italy.

Stephan Winkelmann is the Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO and was quoted, “This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini. The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies for us the beginning of a new era. The new SUV will be made in Sant’Agata Bolognese, demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the values of ‘Made in Italy’ worldwide.”

The Lamborghini Urus isn’t the first SUV from the Italian luxury car maker. It produced the LM002 model between 1986 and 1993. It was a blend of an off-road vehicle and luxury supercar.

Lamborghini expects to sell about 3,000 Urus models a year, and relying on the growing number of millionaires in the U.S., China, Middle East, Europe and Russia to fuel the demand.

The Life of Luxury works with luxury car brands around the world and can help you find and purchase your dream luxury car or SUV. Contact us today. Return often to follow our luxury blog and keep up with the latest luxury car industry news, like the announcement of the new Lamborghini SUV.

Tesla Motors is the poplar manufacturer of electric-cars. They recently announced a new base model car – Tesla Model S 70D – to be part of their battery-electric, luxury sedan portfolio. The “D” stands for dual motor.

What is surprising is that the new entry level car will actually be pricier than Tesla’s more expensive starter vehicle. With a price tag of $75,000, the new Tesla Model S 70D is an all-wheel-drive Model S. The car has a 240 mile range rating and is powered by a 70-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

The Tesla Model S first was introduced in the 2012 model year, and has gone through several changes over the last few years. This year brings a welcome feature many have been waiting for – all-wheel-drive!

The Tesla Model S 70D electric car is a five-seat luxury sedan but his some real speed. With an all-wheel-drive, 514 horsepower engine, the car takes only 5.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.

The Tesla Model S 70D will come with lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic keyless entry, parking sensors, as well as GPS-enabled Homelink system.

The previous, Tesla entry vehicle from the Model S line was the 60. It did not offer all-wheel drive and had a price of $71,100. It also lacked several features such as a navigation system, automatic keyless access, and blind-spot monitor. The Tesla S 60 required more frequent stops to recharge and the cars acceleration was slower.

Another nice perk is with the Model S 70D base model, you can receive free electricity at any of the Tesla SuperCharger locations. The Modle S 70D is now available for sale.

Although the S 70D base price tag is $75,000, you can take advantage of a federal tax credit that can drop the cost to own your own Tesla to $67,500. Tesla officials have stated they feel the their new model go up against both the BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Series luxury sedans.

If you are ready to finally own your own Tesla electric-car, including the new Tesla Model S 70D – contact us for assistance. We can help assist you during the buying process. Come back soon to read about other luxury car industry news and product announcements.

Photo: Tesla Motors

The Bentley car brand has long been an iconic of symbol of luxury. The 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 sedan continues that tradition with another stellar luxury car.

The 2015 line of Bentley luxury cars features the Mulsanne model which is the leading full-size sedan and comes in 3 different trim levels. The Continental is available in 10 two-door variations, ranging from the GT3 and even a Convertible option. As the performance sedan, 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is one option along with a W12.

Under the hood, the new 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 offers a powerful 4.0 litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine that produces 507PS of power plus 660Nm of torque. The luxury sedan also has a smooth, eight-speed quick-shift transmission for a smooth ride no matter whether you’re driving on a highway or busy city streets.

The Flying Spur can get up and go with a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds. It takes just 11.2 seconds to hit 100 mph. The fuel economy for city driving is 14 mpg and on the highways it’s an impressive 24 mpg.

The body shape is well defined with clean edges that are a signature of Bentley. You’ll notice the exterior has an upright grille, a headlight configuration with four lamps and sleek roofline that exudes luxury.

Inside the 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is simply gorgeous. Relax in fine leather seats and you’ll experience both ample leg and head room. The car’s driver has an excellent view over the large hood, due to the raised and upright seating. The striking trim panels are made from machine-turned aluminum. The consoles come in a glossy jet black color.

The Flying Spur also features the latest in-car technology. Enjoy a touchscreen front Infotainment system. Both driver and front passenger can utilize the navigation system or adjust the audio, telephone and even the luxury car’s ride and comfort settings.

The 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 base list price begins at $195,100 and with available options, you can easily add another $100k to that value.

So if you are looking for a luxury sedan that will definitely turn heads on the road consider the new 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8.

If you are in the market for a new luxury car, contact The Life of Luxury today. We work with the best luxury car dealers around the world and can assist your car buying process. If you like reading about luxury cars like the 2015 Bentley, come back and follow our luxury blog.

Photos: Bentley

The Porsche 918 Spyder is an incredible supercar that’s powered by a 887 HP, 4.6 liter V8 engine. For most places in the world, taking a Spyder car out to test its top speed is only a dream. Too much traffic, speed limits and so on make driving a supercar like this fast very frustrating.

But in Germany, it’s different. The German Autobahn road system is very well maintained and better yet – no speed limits!

Christian von Koenigsegg is a Swedish entrepreneur who developed the Koenigsegg Agera R supercar (photo above). This extremely fast car was built for speed. The stylish Agera R was made between 2011 and 2014. Only 18 production cars were ever built.

On a stretch of the Audobahn in Germany, a Koenigsegg Agera R is racing along. A Porsche 918 Spyder is in hot pursuit. This video was filmed showing the Porsche 918 Spyder reach about 350 km/h, which translates to an incredible 217.48 mph.

Below are facts about both supercars:

Koenigsegg Agera R
Horsepower: 1,140
Torque: 885 lb-ft
Top Speed: 273 mph (theoretical)
0-62 mph: 2.8 seconds

Porsche 918 Spyder
Horsepower: 887
Torque: 944 lb-ft
Top Speed: 214 mph (according to Porsche)
0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds

Have you ever dreamed of driving or even owning a Koenigsegg Agera R or Porsche 918 Spyder supercar? Contact us for a VIP experience and actually driving one of these amazing cars. We also work with authorized dealers around the world for the best new or used car rates, covering all major luxury car brands. If you like reading luxury cars, return to follow our luxury blog.

Photo: Koenigsegg /William Barber

Now in its second decade, the amazing 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is scheduled between March 13 and 15. It will once again be hosted on the 10th and 18th fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

This event is a popular car show where enthusiasts can enjoy walking around and viewing some of the finest classic cars in the world. At this year’s 20th Amelia Concours d’Elegance, get a chance to see a Porsche 914, which was the luxury brand’s first mid-engine production car. Also view one of only eleven 916 models ever produced.

The iconic Porsche 914 sports car was first designed utilizing a Volkswagen-sourced air-cooled flat-four and a mid-engine configuration. The The 914 project began as a joint venture between Porsche and Volkswagen. Porsche was searching for an entry level replacement for the four-cylinder 912. The 914 became commercially viable leveraging the economies of scale through the production partnership with Volkswagen.

The first prototype Porsche 914 appeared in early 1968. just as Porsche was poised to shed its reputation as a giant killer on the world’s race tracks. Porsche R&D chief Ferdinand Pieche led the 914 Project and was Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson. Pieche also created the popular Porsche 917 Le Mans endurance racer.

Porsche had a long run dominating racing venues. The new 914/6 quickly into the traditional Porsche role of “giant killer.” During IMSA’s 1971 IMSA GT championship calendar, the 914 won half the races. It was up against the much larger and more powerful Corvettes, Mustangs and Camaros.

Bill Warner is the Founder and Chairman of the Amelia Concours d’Elegance and stated, “The 914 is a true Porsche with pure Porsche DNA,”

said Warner. “The 914 was raced and rallied successfully all around the world and, like the 911, a cult has grown up around it. It’s time the 914 had its day in the sun.”

In luxury car showrooms around the world, the Porsche 914 quickly outsold its more expensive Porsche 911. The 914 was recognized for its technological advances, featured solid handling and the incredible Porsche brakes of the 914/6.

To attend one of the top automotive events in the world, let us book your reservation to this year’s 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance car show and see the iconic Porsche 914 sports car. Come back to read this luxury blog and hear about other luxury car news.

Photo: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

The 20th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance auto show will be held between March 13 and 15th on both the 10th and 18th fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

The show will honor the classic Porsche 914 sports car. The Porsche 914 was actually the original first mid-engine production from luxury car brand Porsche.

Initially, the Porsche 914 project began as partnership Porsche and Volkswagen. Porsche was searching for an entry-level vehicle to replace the four-cylinder 912. By utilizing the strong production capabilities of Volkswagen, the new Porsche 914 became a reality and commercially viable.

The first 914 prototype showed up in 1968 and was led by Porsche R&D chief Ferdinand Piech, who was the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche.

The 914 was a great success and had strong initial interest from luxury car buyers. it began to outsell the more expensive Porsche 911. Customers appreciated Porsche sticking the luxury car brand’s proud technological heritage and combining it with Porsche dynamics and excellent road handling.

Bill Warner who is both the Founder and Chairman of the Amelia Concours d’Elegance car show was quoted, “Here in north Florida the Porsche 914 found a home and willing customers through the racing exploits of Peter Gregg, Hurley Haywood and Brumos Porsche who took the 914/6 GT to victory in the first IMSA GT race in history on the way to winning the first IMSA GT Championship title in 1971.”

The new Porsche 914 became a true race car and solidified itself as the car to beat on the racetrack. The Porsche 914/6 was “giant killer” by winning half the races on IMSA 1971 IMSA GT championship calendar. The 914 beat the best at the time, including the bigger and more powerful Chevy Camaros, Corvettes and Ford Mustangs.

For avid car collectors, the ultimate Porsche 914 prize would be the 914/8. This awesome sports car was equipped with a three-liter flat-eight Porsche racing engine. Only two 914/8’s were ever created and they were for the Porsche family.

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance or simply “Amelia” auto show draws over 300 rare vehicles from car collections all around the world. For vintage car enthusiasts, it’s one car show you don’t want to miss.

If you would like to attend the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance at The Golf Club of Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in Florida – contact us today. We can help get you tickets and book your entire luxury travel itinerary. Car lovers needs to follow this luxury blog for upcoming car industry news.

Photo Credit: Bill Warner

The luxury 2015 Audi A3 Quattro is available in two different trim level choices. The Audi A3 FWD 1.8 pricing starts at $29,900, and the Audi Quattro 2.0 begins at a $32,900 price.

The Audi car model that was tested in this video by Autobytel has the legendary 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The engine produces 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. The Audi A3 Quattro fuel economy level comes in at 24 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.

Mansory is highly respected for converting some of the greatest supercars with extreme car styling and design creativity. At the recent Geneva 2014 Auto Show, Mansory presented their 7th Bugatti Veyron that they have rebodied.

They have named their new luxury car the Mansory Vivere. The Mansory Vivere comes complete with carbon parts over the entire car. It also has taken key features from both the Bugatti Vitesse and Super Sport models

Alfa Romeo and Zagato are definitely two of the most charismatic names in entire automotive history. For vintage car loves, now you have your chance to bid on this incredible vintage car.

Bonhams will be holding its Scottsdale, Arizona auction next month. This fifth series, Alfa Romeo car model still retains its original Zagato coachwork in its entirety, in addition to all of its original drivetrain components.

The 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 was first delivered to French gentleman driver and aviator, Baron Philippe de Gunzbourg. The Zagato Spider was used by the Baron as his daily transport vehicle during the same time that he and Luigi Chinetti co-drove an Alfa Romeo 8C in the 1933 24 Hours of Le Mans and proudly took second place.

This particular car is one of the finest examples of the brilliant Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 that is known to exist.

In 2007, the Alfa Romeo was found in an original and unrestored state in a French barn. The stunning has since gone through a meticulous, restoration by renowned expert Stephen Babinsky of Automotive Restorations.

The car has done the high-end car show circuit, including displays at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Amelia Island Concours, plus the 2013 Mille Miglia.

The rare Alfa Romeo car just completed being on display in New York City at Madison Avenue headquarters of Bonhams. It was shown along with the gorgeous 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” Coupe and singular Figoni & Falaschi-bodied 1947 Bentley MK VI Coupe.

The popular Bonhams Scottsdale Auction will take place on January 16th, 2014 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

If you would like to participate in the upcoming Bonhams Scottsdale Auction and possibly try bidding on the legendary 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Supercharged Gran Sport Spider, then please contact The Life of Luxury and we can help with all of your travel arrangements.

Courtesy of: Gotham Dream Cars

Gotham Dream Cars has long been the company to go to for the ultimate, ultra-exotic car rentals. For car lovers, who wouldn’t want a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive the latest Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, or Bentley?

Gotham Dream Cars is clearly the leader in exotic and super car rentals. The company’s passion is driving and their mission is to bring you the most exotic, exciting, and outrageous fleet of rental vehicles in the world.

For the upcoming holiday season, Gotham Dream Cars is offering a variety of car rental experiences that are like no other.

Choose from 3 lap autocross experiences to rally races abroad, these incredible driving experiences are only offered by Gotham Dream Cars.

* Dream Car Sprint – $249 – Participants will experience the speed and performance of a Lamborghini Gallardo or a Ferrari F430 Spider on a closed track. Clients are given instruction before driving the course and testing their skills; with some drivers reaching speeds up to 100mph.

* Dream Car Tour(tm) – $895 – An event like no other, the Dream Car Tour(tm) puts participants behind the wheel of six of the world’s most exhilarating automobiles on more than 150 miles of open road with personal and professional instruction before the four-hour drive.

* Vehicle Rentals – Starting at $395 – By the day, weekend, week or more, clients have the opportunity to drive some of the world’s greatest exotic and luxury cars with no strings attached.  Pricing starts at $395 per day, and amenities include door-to-door delivery and pick-up, no refueling requirement, complementary tolls and GPS navigation, free satellite radio (XM/Sirius) in select vehicles, iPod(tm) integration in select vehicles, and personalized driving route suggestions.

* DreamShare(tm) Membership Club – Starting at $18,000 – A timeshare/fractional-style club designed to provide a convenient way for frequent drivers to access the entire fleet at affordable rates.  Why buy a multi-million dollar car collection when you can access GDC’s for a fraction of the cost?  Membership is valid in any city the company operates in and costs $18,000 to $49,000 (Titanium, Elite or Diamond class) depending on usage level.

* DreamShare Concierge – Catered for the ultimate jetsetter who wants to drive in total style no matter the destination, the all new Dream Share Concierge is an international package that allows clients to have an exotic vehicle wherever they are in the world. A true and well-off auto enthusiast knows that cars perform and feel their best in their natural habitat. Gotham Dream Cars will make sure a car is waiting for you wherever you arrive, no matter the location. Below is a rundown of experiences.

o Experience 1 – Silver State Classic – $30,000
Participate in the world’s fastest race on open roads.  Route #318 between Lund and Hiko, Nevada are closed with permits from the State of Nevada for the running of this one of a kind event.  How about an average speed of 155 mph with top speeds approaching 190?  You experience starts with 3 days of high performance driving instruction to prepare you for participation in this one of a kind event. The course is run on 90 miles of fence lined, two-lane highway with long straights and challenging twisty sections and dips.

o Experience 2 – Colorado – $30,000
Ford GT across the best driving roads in the Colorado Rockies.  In addition to first class accommodations along your route, your drive will include the world-famous San Juan Skyway, arguably the best and most beautiful driving road in the United States.  Take on the challenge of the Pikes Peak Highway, Loveland Pass, and Independence Pass.  Americas best driving roads in one of the best sports cars ever produced by an American company.

o Experience 3 – Best of Italy – $50,000
Your choice of a Ferrari or Lamborghini for 10 days of the best driving roads in Italy.  Your trip will include the infamous Stelvio Pass; 48 hairpin turns at the top of the Alps and one of the most extraordinary views an automotive experience can offer.  Don’t forget Tivoli, the Amalfi coast, the island of Sicily and Mount Etna.  Tackle the famous roads of the Targa Florio and finish at either Modena, for a VIP tour of the Ferrari factory, or Bologna for a tour of the Lamborghini factory

o Experience 4 – The Autobahn and Nurburgring – $50,000
Your Carrera GT is waiting for you.  Drive from Munich to the Black Forest for some of the most breathtaking roads in Europe.  Your drive will include visits to Stuttgart for a VIP Porsche factory tour.  Make your way to Nürburg for several days of intense driving instruction before your chance to conquer the famous Nordshcleife section of the Nürburgring.

To learn more, contact Gotham Dream Cars at http://www.gothamdreamcars.com or complete the form below to make your dream car rental experience a reality.