Lifestyle: Motoring – California dreaming, and more

A QUIET week in the motoring world coincided with the Monaco Top Marques event; an understated little exhibition designed to give the principality’s super-rich some idea about where to spend their disposable income.

The glittering array of cars, yachts, helicopters and luxury goods sets the pulses racing (check out the website and you’ll see what I mean). This got me to thinking, if ever I was fortunate enough to win the lottery and join the elite of the elite, what would I spend it on?

So, if your numbers have come up and you’re in the market for a new set of wheels, how about these.

Ferrari has given us a glimpse of its exciting new Ferrari California T, choosing to showcase it – as you do – at an exclusive, celebrity-trimmed VIP event at Somerset House on the banks of the River Thames.

The invitations were restricted to 400 Ferrari clients, media and celebrities but hey, if your wallet’s big enough you’ll be able to gatecrash one of their showrooms I’m sure.

The California T certainly attracted the interest of the A-listers, with the Italian manufacturer claiming its elegant new design echoes the “pontoon-fendered” 250 Testa Rossa of the late 1950s. It also highlighted the powerful new twin-turbo V8 engine and “revised driving dynamics that promise to make the California T the most exciting and fun-to-drive coupe-convertible in the luxury segment”. Phew, thanks for pointing that out guys… I’ll get my order in pronto.

For the more patriotic amongst us, how about something a little closer to home? McLaren Special Operations, the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive, has released images of the MSO 650S Coupe Concept – a showcase of the MSO designed and engineered upgrades available for the McLaren 650S Coupe and 650S Spider, the latest models to join to McLaren’s jaw-dropping range of automobiles.

The model is being shown throughout China over the coming weeks and includes an array of bespoke MSO features, including a newly designed carbon fibre rear diffuser and MSO-branded carbon fibre side blades. According to the carmaker, the Coupe Concept has a “stealth-like, menacing appearance, with subtle upgrades made to the exterior bodywork and within the driver-focused cabin”.

Tempted yet? It’s certainly dramatic looking. The concept is finished in ‘Agrigan Black’, which McLaren says is a metallic black paint specially developed in-house with a deep ruby red metallic flake. The paint effect gives the exterior bodywork a dramatic colour change in direct sunlight, contrasting with the extensive use of satin-finished carbon fibre highlights.

Inside, the cockpit is fitted with the fixed-back carbon fibre racing seats, based on the lightweight design found in the McLaren P1, finished in carbon black leather. The seats are said to position the occupants lower in the car and provide “superb levels of upper and lower body support”.

Sadly, the 650S Coupe Concept is still a one-off design study but MSO is monitoring reaction so if you’re interested, put your name down now.

However, if you can’t wait then the MSO side blades and rear diffuser are available to order now from McLaren retailers and can be fitted to the 12C model. The price… £5,114 and £7,245 respectively. But hey, we’re all multi-millionaires so what’s the problem.

Personally, I wouldn’t go for either. Not only am I flushed and super-rich but I’m also keen to support my local manufacturer. Therefore, it’s the David Brown Automotive Speedback GT for me – all the way from Coventry.

What? you’ve never heard of it? Well you’re obviously not among the elite, darling. Didn’t you know it was one of the stars of the Monaco Top Marques event?

It’s the main picture accompanying this article. And if don’t want one after seeing it then you’ve no soul. I’ve got my name down for one in each colour. The price is a snip at £495,000 each.

A man can dream!

BMW X5 tops hitlist for car thieves

BACK in the real world, stolen vehicle recovery firm Tracker has revealed its top 10 for the most stolen and recovered vehicles in the UK.

At number one – and retaining its position for the last five years – is the BMW X5 offroader.

Tracker’s 2013 figures show that the BMW M3 is the second most stolen and recovered vehicle, moving up from third the year before and sixth place in 2011. In 2012, the number two spot was occupied by the Range Rover Sport and Vogue, but in 2013, they sit in seventh and eighth place respectively. The Mercedes C Class makes its first appearance in the table, taking third place, while the Porsche 911 reappears in ninth for the first time since 2011.

BMW proves to be the car thief’s favourite brand, with in addition to the X5, the 5 Series, M3 and 3 Series all making the table. However, the Audi A4 has leaped from ninth position in 2011, to fourth in 2013. This year, the Audi RS4 doesn’t appear at all, but the Audi S3 does, which takes equal eighth with the Range Rover Vogue.

“It’s clear from our latest figures that thieves continue to target prestige models with the most expensive car recovered being worth £90,000,” said Adrian Davenport, Tracker’s police liaison officer.

“The average value of the cars we recovered in 2013 was just £23,600, down on the average for the year before. This proves that you don’t have to be a luxury car owner to be at risk from thieves looking to make a quick profit.”

Last year Tracker recovered nearly £8.5m worth of stolen vehicles and returned them to their owners.

Drive safely.