Some Sweet Rides From the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

Each Christmas, Neiman Marcus comes out with their hefty Christmas Book, filled with drool worthy fashion and gifts for the holiday season. This year's is no exception and is filled with alternative forms of transportation to get your motor running.


above: The cover appears to be the work of Yulia Brodskya

The most chichi gifts include exclusive versions of the Mission One Electric Motorcycle, A special Jaguar Supercharged XJL, The ICON A5 Aircraft, complete with pilot training for two and the sweetest, literally, which is also the silliest..... The electric Cupcake Car.

The Cupcake Car



First introduced at Burning Man and Maker's Faire a few years ago, The Cupcake Car, an electric vehicle built (baked?) for one by Bay Area designer Lisa Pongrace is definitely this year's most odd item in the annual Marcus Neiman Christmas Book.



For $25,000, you can have your own 24 electric volt vehicle that tops out at a sweet and safe 7 miles per hour. And you can have it made in your choice of flavors...er, I mean colors.
buy it here.

For those who prefer a less fattening ride, there's a limited-edition Mission One electric motorcycle for $73,000 or an Icon A5 airplane — complete with training for two people — for $250,000. Both of which I have blogged about before.

The Mission One Electric Motorcycle


The clean, pure ride you’ve been waiting for is here, with 150 mph of quiet, gorgeous power. Say “Hi” to the Mission One, the world’s fastest electric sport bike. It debuted at this year’s TED Conference to rave reviews—and giddy celebrity pre-orders. What it isn’t: another lame-tech exercise in green disappointment. What it is: the official obsolescence of internal combustion cycling. Crank it up to 150 with an amazing 100 ft-lbs. of instantaneous torque at every speed.



With zero carbon emissions, the ear-splitting tailpipes and planet-killing exhaust are history. Its liquid-cooled AC induction motor and single-gear transmission also eliminate the distraction of shifting. There’s no need for a gas tank, with a next-generation lithium-ion battery pack that runs a full 150-mile range between charges. Use the interactive interface (just like pro racing teams use) to collect data on your laptop, adjust the throttle maps and tweak the regenerative braking system to suit your riding style.



The amazing profile and clean lines are from world-renowned designer Yves Behar. Our exclusive edition is limited to just 10 bikes tricked out with numbered NM plaques, exclusive wheels, and a special paint job. Come to San Francisco to meet your bike and the people who designed it. You’ll get one-on-one training with a pro on a test track, learning the nuances of handling for optimal performance.



For more information on the Mission One Motorcycle, please visit http://www.ridemission.com or see my post on it here.


The Amphibious Icon A5 Aircraft, trailer and training for 2:


Exclusive 2009 His & Hers gift package: the game-changing ICON A5 sports aircraft. It’s from a world-class team of engineers and designers who helped create the groundbreaking Virgin® Global Flyer and X Prize®-winning SpaceShipOne® (among other things). It’s been rigorously tested, meets or exceeds all FAA standards, production is about to begin, and the waiting list is stacking way up.





Some of the features:
1) An amphibious hull and landing gear to take off and land just as easily on water as on land.
2) The ability to run on automotive gasoline or aviation fuel.
3) A sexy, streamlined two-seat interior with intuitive controls, including
4) FAA-approved flight instrumentation and
5) a state-of-the-art GPS system, so you don’t get lost.
6) A range of 345 land miles or 300 nautical miles.
7) A next-generation lightweight carbon fiber frame.
8) Spy-movie wings that rotate up and fold back out of the way.
9) Removable side windows to dangle your arms out into the wind and sun.
10) A custom, high-tech trailer for fast and easy loading and unloading from land or water.



Your package includes one ICON A5 sport aircraft with NM exclusive exterior and interior luxury upgrades, a custom trailer, and full FAA-certified Sport Pilot License training for two. Load “your” song onto an MP3 player and slip it into the dashboard dock and there it is, the perfect way to float through the clouds, just the two of you.

For more information on the ICON A5, please visit www.iconaircraft.com or see my post on it here.

The 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition:



Especially designed for NM, only 50 will ever exist. The all-new frame is pressure cast from aluminum and magnesium to give the XJL a strong, light architecture that improves fuel efficiency and structural rigidity. The new panoramic safety-glass roof provides a tremendous sense of spaciousness in the cabin and an amazing view for every trip. The powertrain? A new third-generation supercharged 5-liter V8 that delivers 470 horsepower. The Jaguar Sequential ShiftTM six-speed ZF automatic transmission adapts to its driver, with wheel-mounted shift paddles and Sport, Standard, and Winter modes.

Instead of dull dials, there’s an interactive 12.3" high-def screen to display all the pertinent info in your line of vision. An integrated navigation and entertainment system is at your fingertips to access audio, Bluetooth® 2.0, hard-drive based GPS navigation, and climate control systems via touch screen or by speaking your commands into the Interactive Voice™ system. There’s a media hub with docks for MP3 players and USB devices, a Bowers & Wilkins® 1,200-watt premium sound system with Dolby® ProLogic® IIx Surround Sound and an aural-inspiring 20 speakers throughout the cabin.



Massaging front seats, electric sun blind, heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, integrated security system and more.

The Neiman Marcus edition also features an exclusive Celestial Black metallic paint outside and the NM nameplate on the custom interior intaglio, of course. Dazzling 20" double-10 spoke polished alloy wheels complete the exterior. Inside, there’s a custom interior of butter-soft navy and ivory leather and Zebrano matte wood accents.



Other refined details of the automotive masterpiece include illuminated tread plates and trunk finisher. They even throw in a five-piece set of matching Jaguar luggage, in navy blue leather.
Price? $105,000.00

Visit www.jaguarusa.com/neimanmarcus for all the details.

Also worth noting:
While it won't get you from point A to point B, this gift is really amazing.


A $200,000 dinner; The Algonquin Rountable Experience, that lets you break bread with this list of accomplished literati: Christopher Buckley, Roz Chast, Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Gopnik, Lewis H. Lapham, John Lithgow, Anna Deavere Smith, George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth learn more about that here..


most images and item information courtesy of Neiman Marcus. Additional photos courtesy of Icon Aircraft and Mission One

It's Fast. It's Furious. It's Earth Friendly. The New Mission One EV Sport Bike.

This past Wednesday, Feb 4th, Mission One's EV Sport Bike, the world's fastest electric motorcycle, designed in conjunction with Yves Behar and his Fuse Project, was unveiled at the TED 2009 Conference. It's mean, it's green and I wish I had the 70k to buy one.


above: designer Yves Behar

Forrest North of Mission Motors and his two co-founders, Edward West and Mason Cabot, have assembled a real dream team with incredible depth and experience and whose resumés list companies like Tesla Motors, Ducati and Google. The first 50 bikes produced will be a special Limited Edition model delivered in 2010 with a $68,995 price tag, while a standard, more affordable Mission One model will be announced this summer.





The Batteries:
Mission motorcycles use the most energy dense lithium-ion batteries available on the market. That makes them different from most other electric vehicle companies. Most vehicle manufacturers opt for lower energy cells that are simpler to manage, but result in vehicles with limited performance and limited range. The high-energy lithium-ion cells in a Mission Motorcycle get the 150 miles of range that riders expect when on a sport bike. And their patented battery cooling and management technologies allow the bikes to safely draw more power from these cells, giving them the acceleration of a race bike.



The Electric Motor:
Mission motorcycles' induction motor provides over 100 foot-pounds of torque. Unlike an engine, however, the torque curve on their electric is completely flat. The rider feels 100 foot-pounds of torque at a standstill, at 60 mph, and everywhere in between. Gasoline motorcycle require multiple gears in order to provide power at different speeds. The torque curve on our electric motor means that a Mission motorcycle can achieve gasoline sport bike performance with no gears. And all that power comes in a package about the size of a soccer ball.



Wireless Technology:
On a Mission Motorcycle, the on board computer does more than run the bike. It comes fully equipped with data acquisition system and wireless communication capabilities. On a Mission Motorcycle, riders can capture ride data in real time and wirelessly download that data to a computer to share with friends. Gone are the days of tuning your engine with a wrench, you tune your ride in minutes with your laptop computer.



Top Line Components
We have complimented our groundbreaking powertrain with the best components money can buy. The Mission One is a superbike in all aspects of the word. The 2010 model comes equipped with: Ohlins inverted front forks, 43mm TiN coated tubes, Ohlins fully adjustable shock, Brembo 4 piston monobloc calipers, Marchesini wheels, and race compound tires.

Regenerative Braking
The Mission One recaptures the kinetic energy of the motorcycle during braking and turns it into electrical energy stored in the batteries. By recapturing energy, the Mission One goes further on a single charge. The Mission One also allows riders to tune their regenerative braking to fit with their riding style.

Recharge Anywhere
The Mission One's onboard charger allows riders to recharge from any standard wall socket. Recharging from empty to full takes 2.5 hours off of a 220V outlet (8 hours off of a 110V). In California, which has the 11th highest electricity prices in the US, "filling up" your bike only costs you $1.96.

Real Time Data Acquisition
The Mission One's data acquisition feature allows riders to capture ride data in real time. Riders can record ride data, such as speed, location, or lean angle; or bike data, such as motor current, battery voltage, or efficiency. Riders can take that data to their computer to analyze their performance, brag to other riders, or prepare for their next ride.


SPECS:


P O W E R T R A I N
Battery Pack High Energy Lithium-Ion with Integrated Safety
Motor Liquid-cooled, 3 phase AC Induction
Torque 100 lb-ft @ Zero RPM
Transmission Single speed, #525 O-ring chain
C H A S S I S
Front Suspension Ohlins, 43mm inverted fork, fully adjustable
Rear Suspension Ohlins, single schock w/piggyback reservoir
Front Brakes Brembo forged 4 piston calipers.
Rear Brakes Brembo, 220mm disc; single-piston caliper
Wheels/Tires/Front Marchesini forged Al 3.5"x17", 120/70Z
Wheels/Tires/Rear Marchesini forged Al 6.0"x17", 190/55

T A R G E T P E R F O R M A N C E
Top speed 150mph
Range 150 miles per charge (Est. under EPA drive cycle)
Recharge Under 2 hours @ 240V (8 hours @ 120V)
Features: Adjustable regenerative braking,
Intuitive/adjustable data acquisition system

PRESS RELEASE

America's Newest Motorcycle Company, Mission Motors, Launches at TED2009
Mission One, World's Fastest Production Electric Sportbike
Design by Yves Béhar & fuseproject

LONG BEACH, CA - February 4, 2009 –Today, Mission Motors unveils a revolutionary vehicle, the Mission One, the world's fastest production all-electric motorcycle, at TED2009. Mission Motors CEO, Forrest North, along with lead designer Yves Béhar, founder of fuseproject, will present the vehicle in development onstage to the TED audience on February 4. Mission Motors will exhibit the vehicle throughout the conference at the Kohler LivingHome at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, and will be on hand to discuss the company's vision for a radically new brand of motorcycles. The company will also provide attendees the opportunity to see inside the product development process through the installation of a motorcycle design studio inside the Kohler LivingHome.

"The Great Unveiling," the TED2009 theme, makes a fitting platform for the launch of Mission Motors' first vehicle, the Mission One. It is the first production electric sportbike that features uncompromised performance and an iconic new design created by world-renowned designers Yves Béhar and fuseproject. With a top speed of 150 MPH and an estimated range of 150 miles, the Mission One rivals gasoline sportbikes while dwarfing the performance of any other electric motorcycle on the market. The electric drivetrain creates a riding experience unlike anything currently available on a production vehicle. The electric motor's linear torque curve provides peak torque at zero rpm, a feature gasoline engines cannot match. The motor delivers faster acceleration than most gasoline sportbikes without ever having to shift gears.

The announcement formally debuts Mission Motors, a San Francisco-based company geared to redefine the world of performance motorcycles, which was founded in 2007 by entrepreneurs Forrest North (CEO), Edward West (President), and Mason Cabot (VP of Engineering).

Building on their backgrounds in engineering, a desire to develop clean vehicles, and a passion for motorcycles, the Mission Motors founders developed a proprietary high energy lithium ion battery pack that could provide both the range and acceleration needed for a high performance sportbike. The company (named Hum Cycles at the time) placed second in the transportation category of the 2007 California Cleantech Open, the largest cleantech business plan competition on the West Coast.

"As a motorcycle enthusiast and engineer I knew I could combine my passion for motorcycles with my passion for innovation and create a motorcycle that truly sets a new standard in the perception of electric vehicles," said Forrest North, Founder and CEO, Mission Motors. "With the Mission One, we're writing the next chapter in motorcycle design, delivering a new riding experience without sacrificing performance or design in a zero emissions vehicle."

With core engineering underway and an attractive business model, North and his co-founders turned to Yves Béhar's fuseproject to create Mission's unique brand and creative direction, as well as an iconic industrial design for the first product. The engineering team at Mission Motors and the design team at fuseproject worked in close collaboration to design the Mission One from the ground up, creating a machine that makes a bold statement about performance, technology, sustainability and design.

"This project was a dream come true: a statement about how design can make performance and sustainability come together without compromise," said Yves Béhar. "I believe Mission is an icon for a new era of efficient and exciting vehicles. Designed to express speed and efficiency in it's overall sharp lines, the Mission bike is also highly detailed with special attention to a riders needs, bringing a high level of product design and ergonomics to a new generation of performance transportation."

About Mission Motors:
Mission Motors is building the fastest production electric motorcycle in the world. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company combines innovative technology, iconic design, and superb performance with the freedom of a zero emissions riding experience. Mission's elite team of engineers is creating the first motorcycle company built on the innovative spirit of the Silicon Valley. The concept is simple: Redefine the world of performance motorcycles.

For more information on Mission Motors, visit www.ridemission.com.


special thanks to Mission Motors, Autoblog Green and Yves Behar for info and images.