Vertu Ascent, now in "I drive a Ferrari" flavor

When you think about it, Vertus and Ferraris have a lot in common: just as Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $1,000 used car, Vertu offers a product with little additional value (and in some cases, less value) than phones offered free from carriers. Of course, you can't put a price on status, so getting these two status symbols to hook up and co-brand a device seems like a match made in heaven (more appropriate than a Ferrari-branded Moto, for example). The "Ferrari Challenge" rendition of the Ascent -- in red and black leather -- is limited to 1,947 examples (can that many people in the world really afford this thing?), each featuring a couple well-placed Ferrari logos and some weird thing on the back that's apparently supposed to look like a brake pedal. Look for it to grace your local Vertu retailer in July -- but please don't use it while driving, lest you destroy your real Ferrari, k?

[Via Autoblog, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[david case @ Feb 29th 2008 7:38AM]

Its nice if you can have both, But I am happy to have one :-)

[randy @ Mar 29th 2007 8:40PM]

A 1999 phone, with nickel and vynyl accents? What am I missing here?

[Kev50027 @ Mar 29th 2007 8:42PM]

Wow.. you bloggers just dont understand driving, do you. That's a clutch pedal by the way, and it seems you're just jealous of everyone with a nice car.

You show that you don't understand the pleasure of driving a fine car.

[Cupajo @ Mar 29th 2007 9:02PM]

"When you think about it, Vertus and Ferraris have a lot in common: just as Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $1,000 used car, Vertu offers a product with little additional value (and in some cases, less value) than phones offered free from carriers."


You just described Apple's business model.

[ScOObyDoo @ Mar 29th 2007 9:07PM]

Beautiful phone.

[morgan MArtindell @ Mar 29th 2007 9:46PM]

when is engadget gonna get answertips?

[Mike P @ Mar 29th 2007 9:46PM]

"Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $1,000 used car."

That's a totally ignorant comment. That's like saying to you guys that there's little difference between a no-name 20" TV and one of those new Bravia panels.

Even between a $1000 and a $50000 car, there's a world of difference.. fuel economy, safety, pleasure, etc.

[Ayle @ Mar 29th 2007 9:54PM]

Ok so let make correction:
"Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $10,000 used car."

[jarofchris @ Mar 29th 2007 11:57PM]

ahem, a further correction (have any of you actually driven one of those things??):

"Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $100,000 used car."

[Joe Smith @ Mar 29th 2007 10:07PM]

on march 29th, 2007, a new generation of fanboys was born. previously, people had associated fanboys mostly with electronic devices, such as those made by apple, microsoft, or sony, but this new generation was completely different. This new breed became known as the Ferrari Fanboys for their utter love of red objects and bipedal stallions.

[BEETROOT @ Mar 29th 2007 10:09PM]

I am pleasured frequently in my Ferrari.

[ole @ Mar 30th 2007 2:15PM]

"Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $1,000 used car."

You obviously have not owned a Ferrari.

[Dave @ Mar 29th 2007 11:09PM]

The $1,000 used car remark might be pushing it, but let's not overanalayze, hm?

[Taylor @ Mar 29th 2007 11:43PM]

Do the vertu phones even have a camera?
"Hey... nice phone, how much was it?"
"More than you'd want to know"
"Ah..."
*30 seconds later*
"OMG look at those girls wrestling in the fountain! Quick, take come pics with your phone's camera! For that price, i bet it takes great photos!"
"Oh... yeah... um... well, it doesn't have one"
"..."
-Taylor

[JT @ Mar 29th 2007 11:52PM]

Why don't you add the following lines?

"The phone doesn't have a camera, but I have my Canon 1D Mark III here though."

[Taylor @ Mar 29th 2007 11:58PM]

Heh, yeah, there's that. I was also thinking "Meh, i don't need cameraphone pics of a couple of girls in a fountain, i'm having a supermodel party at my mansion this evening."
But still... i feel like a camera should be a part of any phone...
-Taylor

[Chuckles McGee @ Mar 30th 2007 12:04AM]

Let's be real here. The Ferrari phone sucks for the price- like the Ferrari laptop sucks. You pay a premium and get zero. A Ferrari costs a barrel-full of cash, but you also get an awesome amount of power which may or may not really be of any practical use. Something expensive yet impractically powerful is different than something expensive and crap. Diss the phone, not the Ferraris.

[AJ @ Mar 30th 2007 1:05AM]

Chris Ziegler, you sir are an idiot.

"just as Ferraris give a select few the opportunity to spend an insane amount of cash on an object that provides little more value than a, say, $1,000 used car."

There are so many reasons that quote is asinine, I don't even need to touch it. I will point out one of the most obvious reasons though, a Ferrari will get you laid.

[jayk @ Mar 30th 2007 2:51AM]

Does Eddie Griffin drive this phone into a concrete barrier too?

[Ben @ Mar 30th 2007 4:11AM]

Just a few thoughts: Vertu sponsored a car in the Ferrari Challenge, so this isn't just branding for branding's sake.

As for the 1947 phones, a Mr. Enzo started a teeny tiny joke of a car company in 1947, but I am sure that is just a coincidence.

Finally, in regards to the $1,000 dollar car comment, name any other new car that can double or triple in value in the span of a year.

[mentalsticks @ Mar 30th 2007 6:18AM]

Er.. A Citroen 2CV6? They're getting rare, you know

[Ben @ Mar 30th 2007 12:47PM]

any other NEW car... when the Enzo went on sale, they were selling for 2-3 times their "sticker" price well before the last one was delivered.