The Volkswagen Phaeton spotted

We spotted the Volkswagen’s premium class vehicle Phaeton in Bangalore. The car was introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, and marketed worldwide.

The name Phaeton derives from Phaëton, the son of Phoebus (or Helios) in Greek mythology, by way of the phaeton auto body style and the type of horse-drawn carriage that preceded it.

The Phaeton's platform is shared with the Bentley Continental GT and Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the Volkswagen Group D1 platform. The D1 is a stand-alone steel platform, and was specifically developed for the Phaeton and Bentley Continental. The Phaeton is hand-assembled in an eco-friendly factory called Transparent Factory in Dresden.

Under the hood of the Phaeton is a powerful 4172 cc V8 engine that can pump 330bhp and hit a top speed of 250 km/h. What more you ask? It takes only 6.9 seconds to race from 0-100 km\h.

The Phaeton features a Bosch ESP 5.7 Electronic Stability Programme along with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) traction control system, Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Engine Braking Control (EBC) and emergency Brake Assist (BA).

In short, the elegant styling, luxury and the power of the V8 makes the Phaeton a premium class brand in its breed.

Dodge Challenger SRT-8 by Ghost Motorsports

Ghost Motorsports in LA released photos of a Dodge Challenger that they just completed for an exclusive client. The following customizations have been done to it:

* matte finish on top of exterior
* reverse gloss striping on hood, roof and deck lid
* transition striping
* colormatched grille
* painted brake calipers brembo red
* painted emblems and gas cap
* wheel powdercoating and lip striping
* wheels & tires fitment
* smoke headlights, tail lights, corner lights and fog lights
* window tinting
* custom exhaust with quad matte black tips
* intake system
* throttle body spacer
* engine software flash

Looking good guys....

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: 2011 Torres Empire / Lowrider Magazine Car Show: Los Angeles

By now, we all figured out that I am a traveling photographer. I'm not one of the ones who says that they are a traveling photographer but they travel no further than the surrounding states that they are based out of. I'm a bit more than a regional photographer.

Last year, I went to a Lowrider Car Show in Commerce, GA (about an hour north of Atlanta). Don't get me wrong, it was a great show, but I wanted to go to a Lowrider Show where there's an abundance of them and to really understand the culture behind them. This past Sunday, I kept my word and went to a Lowrider Car Show... In Los Angeles, California.



Last time I traveled to LA, I had some issues with the company (DUB) who ran that car show. This time, it was the complete opposite. Torres Empire had my pass ready for me to pick up. No questions, no nothing. I didn't have to call anyone, I didn't have to curse anyone out. Torres Empire has their business straight.

An across country trip wouldn't be a trip without a problem, and mine was getting from the hotel to the Convention Center. But my knight in shining armor rescued me and took me to the show. Thank you, Glasses Malone.



At this car show, I met some great people, and I've learned some things about the culture. Most importantly, the room where the car show was held in was PACKED. Not just with people, but with cars. Fully customized lowriders. Let me say this again. Fully Customized Lowriders. I wish I had more time at the show, but I can't complain because I honestly thought I wasn't going to make it to the show, so spending 3 hours at a show is a lot better than reading medicore coverage online. One thing that separates a Lowrider Car Show from other car shows is their incredible attention to detail.

Enough talking... on to the photos.


Do you still not believe me when I mention the incredible attention to detail?


Again....


I love the displays too.


You know the bikes had to be customized too...


Love it!!!!


I do like this Impala, however...


THIS Impala is something I would want to own. Picture me rolling in this down Crenshaw Blvd, blasting Jay-Z. Yeah, Jay-Z was totally left field... Note to self: adds 1950's Convertible Impala (or a Chevy Bel-Air since it's practically the same thing) to list of dream cars. No, I'm still holding out for the Pontiac Star Chief since it's more rare.


Pointing out to the attention of detail... again.


I'm sure if this is the entire Majestic Car Club family, but to see them all in support of each other was a great feeling.


The interior was... different.


Never have I seen a Jetta that was customized like this one.


I absolutely love themed cars that are dedicated to sports teams. And this Surburban was completely done...


You know Dub wasn't too far behind...

All in all I had a great time. And I will be back at another Torres Empire/Lowrider Car Show... Los Angeles it's been great, but I had to return back to Atlanta to terrorize them.

To see the remainder of the photos, check out Bernie's gallery of the 2011 Torres Empire/Lowrider Car Show in Los Angeles

Mercedes Benz CLS550 Courtesy of Giovanna Wheels

Giovanna Wheels just got their hands on some photos of a 2012 Mercedes Benz CLS550 sitting on 20" custom painted Giovanna Kilis Wheels.

Recapping Episode Four of the Dub Magazine Project

This Sunday was episode four of the Dub Magazine Project. The series is starting to become more and more of a lifestyle series, and a smidgen less of an automotive series. Which means I can't really comment, or I chose not to comment if it's not about cars.

(Photo by JDizzle)

The host of the show, The Game and his co-host for this week, an old school, lowriding Chevy Bel Air sitting on Forgiano Ritorno Wheels. This is actually the first car that I've seen him with on this show that I would knock him over to get to. Something about those Bel Airs, but lately I've been seeing them more and more at different car shows (i.e. The Lowrider Car Show (ESPECIALLY in Los Angeles) and the World of Wheels Car Show)

Before a commercial break, Dub pieces together clips from interviews with different people answering the same question. This question had to do with cars, and asking famous people if they have the skills to work on a car. Surprisingly Nick Cannon said that he's worked on cars, changing breaks, etc. But poor Waka Flocka admitted that he can't do anything to a car other than drive it, he doesn't know how to change the oil.

Oddly enough, I like the Skatebording series with Paul Rodriquez and Terry Kennedy, and I don't know the first thing about it. Nike Sponsored Skateboarder Paul Rodriguez pulled up to Ghost Motorsports to get wheels and tires put on his silver Jaguar XJL and it looked gooooooooood. That Jaguar has my heart, even the non-supercharged XJ makes my eyes twinkle. Terry Kennedy pulled up in a Nissan GT-R (insert confused look here), but I gave him credit when he mentioned how those from his area of Long Beach tended to gravitate towards sports like basketball and football, and how he didn't want to be like everyone else.

Poor Ernie and his shop still dealing with Shaq's nonsense and changing his mind about that Mustang as often as he probably changes his underwear.

The extremely brief yet most informative Under the hood segment had to do with Borla Exhaust and how they create their famous stainless steel exhausts.

To still watch the episode, just hit play....

Get More:
The DUB Magazine Project, MTV Shows

P.S. I'm still waiting for that Amber Rose episode. And also, how come there hasn't been any New Yorkers on this series yet? New Yorkers like cars...

CarTunes of Atlanta Recomments the Pioneer App Radio

What other customization shop offers online sound (No pun intended) advice without expecting much in return? Well, the guys at CarTunes of Atlanta released their latest electronic recommendation... the Pioneer App Radio.


According to CarTunes,

If your world revolves around your iPhone, this is what you need!

Pioneer’s AppRadio has come to Cartunes. AppRadio is the first radio ever to fully integrate with your iPhone and bring many of your iPhone apps straight to your radio.

The AppRadio is the first radio that is truly like having an iPhone in your dash. With multiple apps supported and more on the way this is the perfect radio for an iPhone user that doesn’t want to pay for some of the more feature filled radios but want something that’s based around their iPhone.

Features Include:

Double Din 6.1″ Touch Screen Interface
iPod/iPhone connection
Built In Bluetooth
First ever radio with iPhone App Support
Use Apps like: MotionX GPS Drive, Google Maps, Rdio, Photo Viewer, and Pandora Radio

Not bad, but this is non applicable for me, seeing how I don't have an iPhone. Mac Laptop... yes. iPhone... no.

Savini Forged Presents New BS Series 2 Piece Wheels

For more information, just click on the photos...