FRESH WHIPS:

Caviar, specialists in taking consumer products to a whole new level of luxury, are applying its design language on something a little more ambitious than an iPhone — by making the world’s most expensive Tesla (NASDAQGS:TSLA -2.45%) Model S.

Named the “Model Excellence 24K,” this custom Tesla was made using the Model S Plaid+ as the foundation where it was then double electroplated with 99.9% gold. The gold can be found on the grille, skirts, rare-view mirror, front and rear bumper, wheels, and small areas which normally see chrome. 

The website’s description reads: “Imagine yourself driving this car: a respectable high-quality oil-colored body and a dazzling glow of gold. You are not just driving the car of the future. This is a new word in luxury car modding. If you think that they will turn after you and look with an admiring glance, you are not mistaken. That is exactly what the Caviar Model Excellence 24K is made for.”

Limited to 99 units, the Caviar “Model Excellence 24K” is currently priced at $300,000 USD, an additional $135,000 USD over the Tesla Model S Plaid+’s sticker price. 

For most of us, the Mercedes-Benz E63S 4MATIC+ is more than enough of a car. However, Brabus disagrees. So, staying true to form, the tuning company has unveiled the Brabus 800, which takes the E63S to new — and much more powerful — heights.

Starting with the engine, Brabus has tuned the turbocharged four-liter V8 to produce 800 HP and 1,000 Nm of torque, which now sends the executive saloon car to 62 MPH in three seconds flat before hitting an electronically-limited top speed of 186 MPH. This is achieved thanks to a set of new turbochargers that deliver a boost pressure of 1.6 bar, and to manage all of the extra ventilation this level of power requires, Brabus has fitted the car with a revised body kit.

For example, a new set of carbon air intakes have been developed and now find themselves integrated into the radiator grille on the left and right sides, while a host of naked-carbon aerodynamic-enhancement components can also be added for a more aggressive look. A top-spec, fully kitted-out Brabus 800 will come with a new front lip, a rear spoiler on the trunk lid of the sedan (the wagon doesn’t get this due to its shape), as well as a new diffuser insert that helps nestle the set of quad tips that connect to the stainless-steel Brabus high-performance exhaust system, in turn delivering a visceral acoustic experience.

To make the Brabus 800 look more menacing, it now rides on 21” Brabus Monoblock “PLATINUM EDITION” Z forged wheels that tuck under the wheel arches thanks to a new airlift suspension, lowering the car by 10mm or 20mm depending on the drive mode selected. And of course, the interior has also been elevated to match the powerful exterior. Expect plenty of leather, Alcantara, stainless-steel, and carbon fiber to be found inside, which upgrades parts such as the aluminum paddle shifters on the steering wheel that control the nine-speed automatic transmission when in manual mode.

Take a look at the Brabus 800 above, and find out more about the tuned Mercedes-Benz E63S 4MATIC+ on Brabus’ website.The BMW E30 M3 is undoubtedly a modern classic, with prices continuing to push onwards and upwards for models that are particularly clean. Last July, a pristine E30 sold for $250,000 USD, while a similar Paul Walker-owned version sold for $150,000 USD in May 2020. In between these, the E30 has become a byword for what’s cool in the automotive world, being used as the canvas for collaborative efforts from the likes of KITH and Travis Scott. Now, auction site Bring a Trailer has another 1991 BMW E30 M3 up for grabs, and thankfully, this one is in brilliant condition too.

Showing just 31k miles on the odometer, this “Alpine White” over silver leather upholstery iteration comes with all the original bells and whistles we love to see on an old BMW. For example, it is powered by a numbers-matching 2.3-liter inline-four engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, which combined produce 192 HP and 170 lb-ft of torque and send that to the rear wheels.

As for the wheels themselves, they’re 15” basketweave rims that sit neatly under the extended fender arches. The fenders complement the revised rear bumper and the taller rear deck lid with an integrated spoiler, adding to the classic sporty look. Inside, you’ll find original components such as a BMW cassette player, original manually adjustable sports seats, an electric sunroof, and more contemporary conveniences such as air conditioning and cruise control.

As of writing, the 1991 BMW E30 M3 — which is one of 5,300 examples produced for the North American market in a five-year period — is sitting at a bid of $62,000 USD. Expect this to increase before the Bring a Trailer listing ends in nine days.