I don’t know for certain if CES 2015 was the first time Tonino Lamborghini Mobile showed up for a big reveal. Regardless, the company obviously knows how to grab some attention. You simply introduce a $6,000 smart phone.
Designed by Tonino Lamborghini Group, the 88 Tauri is billed as “the ultimate luxury smartphone” and is obviously aimed at owners of the Italian supercar. Each 88 Tauri is assembled by hand, coded with a unique device number and finished in top-quality leather. Of course, that leather comes in five colors to match your Lambo’s upholstery (black, blue, red, orange and brown).
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For your six large, you end up with an Android phone wrapped in said leather and incased in high impact steel. The tech specs include a 5-inch screen and a quad-core Qualcomm 801 processor. But who really cares about its tech specs. You’re paying for the bespoke privilege of owning a phone made by hand from top of the line materials. You’re also paying for that proud bucking bull badge.
Tonino Lamborghini Mobile will build only 1,947 units. The number could refer to the year a bull like the one adorning every Lamborghini killed famed bullfighter Manuel Rodriguez. Regardless, it’s safe to say there are enough devoted drivers of the Bologna-based automaker to make certain each will be sold.
I’ve seen the 88 Tauri already described as gaudy and unnecessary. Ignore these sad individuals. They’re whimpering hand-wringers disguised as “men” who drive Smart Cars or some tinny breeds of Prius. They would emerge from a hot lap in a Lamborghini in tears, and you wouldn’t want to sit with them long enough to enjoy a drink after your track time. Their primary motivation in life is hatred of testosterone and achievement, and they know they’ll never have $6,000 to spend on a flashy phone working as a stock boy at Whole Foods.
Pity them.
