Autoblog

Automotive-themed cell phones are nothing new. We've reported on mobiles branded by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche... even Fiat and HUMMER. But some phones don't need a licensing agreement and a flashy little badge to appeal to automotive enthusiasts.

Take, for example, the new Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte. Based on the already-slick-in-its-own-right 8800 series, the Carbon Arte edition is constructed of the same stuff you're likely to find in the most desirable of supercars: carbon fiber, titanium, stainless steel and polished glass. The sleek mobile packs 3G connectivity, a 3.2-megapixel camera, 4 gigs of memory and a new "turn to mute" feature that automatically kills the ringer when the phone is placed upside down on a table. At $1,600, it ain't cheap, but it looks like a relative bargain next to the $6,400 limited-edition racing-themed cell phones from Nokia's upscale brand Vertu.

[Source: acquire]

For the Lamborghini owner on your Christmas gift list (we all have one, don't we?), here's yet another branded item to make sure everyone knows who left the LP640 with the valet.

Our friends at Luxist.com turned us on to the new limited edition Nokia 8800 Sirocco phone that features a stainless steel casing that is etched with Lamborghini's charging bull logo as well as the words "Automobili Lamborghini". The Lamborghini branding doesn't end there, either. The phone also comes with Lambo wallpaper graphics, engine-inspired ringtones and a short video documentary about their cars. Most notably, according to the press release, "ball bearings crafted by Lamborghini have been used, allowing a sophisticated slide mechanism". One can only ponder the cost of that clearly relevant engineering feat.

Nokia will only produce 500 of these exclusive phones, which will be sold through selected Lamborghini dealerships.

[Source: Luxist.com]