New Top Gear host Chris Evans is having an £11MILLION car sale including six Ferraris, three classic Jaguars and...a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica

• BBC Radio 2's breakfast host is selling off some of the most famous and beloved cars from his vast collection
• Six 'outstanding' Ferraris will line up alongside timeless Jaguar and Mercedes vehicles in next month's auction
• Renowned petrolhead is expected to coup £11million in the sale - with Children in Need set to benefit from the separate sale of 140 of Evans' prized automobilia pieces

New Top Gear host Chris Evans is having an £11million car clearout, it has been revealed.

The petrolhead and part-time car dealer has decided to get rid of six 'outstanding' Ferraris - including a 1966 275 GTB/6C model worth £2.9million.

He is also selling three classic Jaguars, his famous Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica, a 1964 Daimler police car, a Fiat 127 Abarth and Mercedes 280SL Pagoda.

The 13 cars will be sold at Bonhams' Goodwood Revival sale in Sussex on September 12 and if they sell for what is expected Evans will net himself more than £11million.

The models include the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider which Evans bought last year for a world record £2.27million. It is now expected to sell for up to £2.6million.

The 1936 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Replica, which he regularly drives at car events, has a £350,000 estimate.

But it is not just pricey motors being auctioned off either - Evans' 1983 Fiat 126 Abarth which he bought for £9,900 is set to sell for between £10,000 and £15,000.

In addition to the cars Radio 2 host Evans will also auction off 140 items of automobilia, with the proceeds from those going to Children in Need.

Sholto Gilbertson, Bonhams director of Motor Cars, said: 'Chris Evans is offering 13 incredible motor cars at Bonhams' sale, a stable which includes six outstanding Ferraris.

'Chris has been a long-standing client of Bonhams, so we're delighted to offer his incredible motor cars at Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale.

'In refreshing his collection, others will have the opportunity to enjoy Chris' fantastic cars - after all, you never 'own' a classic car, you enjoy it, look after it, and pass it on for others to appreciate.'

A number of the cars sold are listed as assets to a limited company, which is owned by Evans and his wife, Natasha.

He started the company in 2012 and, in the year to April 2014, sold £6million worth of cars. The previous year he sold £4.4million of motors.

The classic car market has been lucrative to Evans over the years. He once sold his Ferrari 250 GTO for around £18million - netting himself a £6million profit.

 

• 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy, estimate £2,600,000-2,900,000 

THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF THE LOT: 1966 FERRARI 275 GTB/6C - 3.3L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Ferrari	160mph	6 seconds	v12	305	94.5inches

The 275 GTB was formally introduced as the replacement for the ageing 250 series of Ferraris in September 1964 at the Paris Auto Show, alongside its drop-top sibling, the 275 GTS. The 275 GTB was developed under the watchful eye of Enzo Ferrari and was inarguably more purposeful than the gorgeous 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso it replaced. 'Il Commendatore' undoubtedly wanted to ensure that his next Grand Touring Berlinetta was more captivating in every way than his last. With its iconic design by Pininfarina and coachwork by Scaglietti, the new GTB incorporated a number of improvements over its predecessors, making it by far the best Ferrari grand tourer yet.

At its heart was a 3.3-litre Colombo V-12 with a lower overall height than the earlier 3.0-litre V-12, in an effort to give it a lower centre of gravity. The 275 GTB also boasted four-wheel independent suspension and a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle gearbox, resulting in near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution front to rear. The greatly improved power and handling was nothing short of incredible for its time, with a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just over six seconds, leading the car to a top speed of 160 mph—impressive figures even by today's standards—while the advanced driving dynamics delighted the senses. (source: RM Sotheby's)

 

• 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, estimate £2,300,000- £2,600,000 

ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER ROAD CARS EVER: FERRARI 365 GTS/4 DAYTONA SPIDER - 4.4L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Ferrari	175mph	5.4 seconds	v12	400	94.5inches

Designed by Pininfarina, built by Scaglietti, engineered by Ferrari. Three ingredients that make the Daytona Spyder one of the most sought after Ferrari road cars of all time.

The prototype was premiered at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show, exhibiting Plexiglas headlights and slight angulations to the body - features lost on the 121 other production models. Pop-up headlights were brought into comply with the regulations of the USA, the Spyder's largest export destination. Sharing a 4.4-litre V12 with its Berlinetta namesake, the Daytona Spyder made 170mph motoring all the more exciting with the roof down. It is a rare car, not only because of its low volume production, but also because it has never had any real contemporary.

The story is similar today and a genuine Daytona Spyder enjoys a unique following and ever-gaining appreciation. It is, without question, one of the ultimate and the last 'proper' open Ferrari from the Enzo era. (source: Silverstone Auctions)

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    1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L 'Lusso', estimate £1,400,000 - £1,800,000 

THE PETROL HEAD'S FAVOURITE: 1963 FERRARI 250 GT/L 'LUSSO' - 3L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Ferrari	150mph	6.8 seconds	v12	240	94.5inches

Ferrari's breath-taking 250 GT/L, more commonly known as the Lusso, is widely celebrated to be one of the most exquisitely proportioned Ferraris ever designed by Pininfarina. Ferrari wanted their newest offering to enter the market in between the sporting 250 GT SWB and its more luxurious sibling, the 250 GTE 2+2, believing that this new car should combine the best aspects of both cars at either end of the 250-series spectrum. When new, hundreds of enthusiasts wanted one to call their own.

Celebrity petrol heads like Steve McQueen and Eric Clapton owned Lussos, only adding to its allure. However, Ferraris like this were not meant to be handed out to everyone who wanted one. Demand outweighed supply, resulting in even more Lusso-mania. With 350 produced by the end of the second and final year of production in 1964, this was a car clearly destined to become a future classic. (source: RM Sotheby's)

 

• 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spyder, estimate £1,300,000 - £1,600,000

THE CONVERTIBLE THAT STARTED IT ALL: 1965 FERRARI 275 GTS SPYDER - 3L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Ferrari	155mph	7.2 seconds	v12	260	94.5inches

There had been open-top Ferrari road cars before the advent of the '250' series, but it was, chiefly, Pininfarina's offerings on the latter chassis that established the convertible as a fixture of the Ferrari range. After the experimentation and variety which characterised the coachwork of the 250-series cars, the arrival of the '275' in 1964 brought with it standard bodywork, that of the 275GTS being manufactured by Pininfarina themselves.

By the mid 1960s Ferrari's road cars were beginning to lose some of their rougher edges and take on a more luxurious mien, and the 275GTS interior is notable for its generously sized seats and wood veneer dashboard, the latter appearing for the first time in a Ferrari. Even the most sybaritic of customers, though, would acknowledge that the driving experience is the raison d'être of Ferrari ownership, and in this respect the 275GTS had lost none of its predecessors' aggressive charm. (source: Bonhams) 

 

• 1963 Ferrari 250 SWB Replica, estimate £500,000 - £600,000 

WHEN SPEED AND HANDLING COME TOGETHER: FERRARI 250 SWB REPLICA - 3L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Ferrari	145mph	6.5 seconds	v12	240	102.25inches

Many of Ferrari's convertibles were luxury cars in the grand touring tradition. Luxuriously trimmed and generously proportioned, they sported distinctive coachwork commissioned by Ferrari's roster of wealthy, famous and titled patrons, Roberto Rossellini, King Leopold, and Juan Perón among them.

As Ferrari recognized the contribution road cars could make to support the Scuderia's racing efforts, however, the appeal of production convertibles became apparent. They were readily marketable to a select clientele in Europe and particularly attractive to the burgeoning North American market. To respond to this market Ferrari created two legendary series, the cabriolets and the spyders.

The 250 GT cabriolets were based upon Ferrari's first series-built production cars, the 250 GT Pinin Farina coupé, and like the PF coupé were nicely trimmed and fitted for everyday use and long trips. Combining the exciting performance of Ferrari's race-proven 3.0-liter V12 with the excellent handling and supple ride of the 2,600mm wheelbase chassis, the 250 GT Pinin Farina cabriolet has a well-earned reputation as a superb, understated touring car with quality interior appointments and Pinin Farina style. (source: RM Sotheby's)

 

• 1949 Jaguar XK120 'Alloy' Roadster, estimated £325,000 - £375,000 

JAGUAR'S DEFINING MOMENT: 1949 JAGUAR XK120 'ALLOY' ROADSTER - 3.4L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Jaguar	132mph	10 seconds	Six cylinder	160	102 inches

The 1948 Earl's Court Motor Show was a defining moment for Jaguar. The show saw witness to its first sports car since World War II, and it was instantly clear to anyone that saw the new XK120 that Jaguar had a hit on their hands. Jaguar stirred up even more interest in the car when an XK120 hit a speed of 126mph in a speed run on a Belgian highway. That same top-speed run was performed once more after removing the car's windshield and it reached an even more astonishing top speed of 132mph, making it the fastest sports car the world had ever seen.

Jaguar had originally intended for the XK120 to be a limited-production automobile and planned to body the cars in aluminium. However, as consumer interest exploded after it premiered at Earl's Court, Jaguar only bodied the first 240 cars in alloy and then shifted production to steel, which was more readily available in post-war Europe. These alloy examples have proven to be highly prized by collectors, as they represent the earliest and purest form of William Lyon's brilliant creation. (source: RM Sotheby's)

 

• 1967 Jaguar XKSS 'Lynx', estimate £325,000 - £375,000 

ONE OF ONLY 16 THAT WERE EVER MADE: 1967 JAGUAR XKSS 'LYNX' - 3.8L, XK ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Jaguar	175mph	5.6 seconds	XK	270	102 inches

One of the rarest Jaguars of all, the XKSS was a spin-off from the D-Type racing programme. To satisfy sportscar regulations the D-Type had been built in numbers greatly exceeding the demand for such a specialised piece of racing equipment, and conversion to road trim was viewed as the best way of clearing unsold stocks, hence the XKSS.

Modifications to make the D-Type acceptable for road use included installing a seat and door on the passenger side, fitting a full-width windscreen, and heat-shielding the side-exit exhaust system. A mohair hood and detachable side screens provided weather protection, and, as twin fuel tanks and the spare wheel occupied the boot space, a luggage rack was provided on the tail. The 3.4-litre XK engine remained pretty much to racing specification, producing around 250bhp, which, in a car weighing just 18cwt, made for electrifying performance.

The loss of a number of bodyshells in the fire at the Brown's Lane works in February 1957 severely curtailed the XKSS programme, with the result that only 16 had been made when production ceased in November of that year. (source: Bonhams)

 

• 1936 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Replica, estimate £250,000 - £350,000

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG I LOVE YOU: REPLICA CAR FROM 1968 MUSICAL - 3L, V6 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Alan Mann Racing	Unknown	Unknown	v6	Unknown	Unknown

There were several Chitty Chitty Bang Bang cars made for the film, but only one that actually worked. The vehicle was designed by Ken Adam and built by the Ford Racing Team.

Its bonnet is crafted of polished aluminium; the boat deck is hand-crafted of red and white cedar, and the brass fittings taken from Edwardian cars.

The car - built by Alan Mann Racing - is powered by a Ford three-litre V6 engine and has a dashboard plate from a British World War I fighter plane.

Chitty was completed in 1967 and registered with the number plate GEN 11, given to her by Ian Fleming, who wrote the novel the film was based on. This car is one of five replicas made for the film.

 

• 1970 Mercedes 280SL 'Pagoda', estimate £100,000 - £130,000

AS COOL NOW AS IT WAS 45 YEARS AGO: 1970 MERCEDES 280SL PAGODA -  2.5L, SIX CYLINDER ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Mercedes	115mph	9.5 seconds	Six cylinder	170	94.5inches

Mercedes engineering, together with elegance and practicality, made the Pagoda one of the most distinctive designs of its era. In closed form it offered handsome proportions and coupé-like comfort, whilst the easy removal of the hard top turned it into an open top sports car for the summer months.

During the 1960s Mercedes-Benz refined the model, later fitting the 250 engine and finally arriving at the 280SL. As today, Mercedes-Benz motor cars were never cheap, but superb build quality and sophisticated styling made the 280SL an extremely popular sports car with the rich as well as famous and had firmly established itself as one of the finest cars to come from the Stuttgart firm. 

Pagoda models are fitted with smooth 6 cylinder engines, enabling effortless driving, and come with plush Havana leather interior, supportive seats and beautifully chromed dashboard dials.

Timeless, elegant styling and spirited performance and handling.

 

• 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS, estimate £100,000 - £130,000 

AGGRESSIVE YET REFINED: 1989 FERRARI 328 GTS - 3.2L, V8 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Ferrari	166mph	5.5 seconds	v8	270	92.5inches

The 308, boasting one of the most recognizable silhouettes ever penned by Pininfarina, wore a markedly different design from Ferrari’s first two-seat, mid-engined road car, the 246 Dino. While the Dino’s design was curvaceous and voluptuous, the 308’s was angular, sharp, and more progressive. Despite its differences in design, the 308 was an instant hit, and its lines came to define Ferrari’s late ’70s and early ’80s sports cars.

Regardless of the 308’s success, after a few years Ferrari was able to refine both its design and mechanical attributes, and in 1985, they released a new model, the 328.

Stylistically, the 328 was very similar to its predecessor, albeit with a few small differences. It received molded bumpers, a slightly smaller front grille, and its most readily distinguishable feature: a small roof spoiler that was mounted just aft of the rear seats. Pininfarina’s designers also took the time to smooth out the lines on the body, to make it appear slightly less aggressive but more refined. The 328’s interior received more supportive seats, along with superior ergonomics and improved general quality, which made the car’s driving experience more intuitive. (source: RM Sotheby's) 

 

• 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Fixed Head Coup, estimate £55,000- £65,000

ELEGANCE THAT NEVER AGES: 1958 JAGUAR XK150 - 3.4L, V12 ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Jaguar	175mph	5.4 seconds	v12	180	102 inches

Jaguar’s new XK150 Fixed Head Coupe premiered alongside the drophead variant in 1957 as the last of Jaguar’s XK-series cars. As the swansong of the series, the XK150 featured upgrades and changes that engineers had adapted from both the XK120 and XK140. Many believe that the XK150, especially the FHC, was the most livable of the three models.

Distinguishing an XK150 from its predecessors is simple, as the designers worked to mold the XK150’s body into a more conservative and subtle shape. The XK140’s sensual lines were smoothed out, and Jaguar widened the car’s bonnet, enlarged the front grille, and fitted a single-piece curved windshield, which all added to its elegant appearance. On the inside, the door panels were made slightly thinner, which helped to increase the interior shape, and a leather dashboard replaced the walnut unit that was found in the XK120 and XK140.

Mechanically, the XK150 benefitted from the addition of four-wheel disc brakes; this was the first time that such a feature was ever fitted to a production car. In the case of the fixed head coupe, these changes certainly made for a wonderful grand touring car, as they created something that was just as exciting to look at as it was to drive over extended distances. (source: RM Sotheby's) 

 

• 1964 Daimler Dart Police Car SP250, estimate £50,000- £60,000

RIDING TO RULE: 1964 DAIMLER DART POLICE CAR SP250 - 2.5L, V8 ENGINE 

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Daimler	123mph	8.9  seconds	v8	140	92 inches

Evans bought this fully restored Daimler Dart SP250, one of the last 26 ‘Darts’ used by the Metropolitan Police, in 2014.

Coming with two folders full of history, registration place ALM 742B cost the DJ a cool £50,400 when the hammer fell. He said at the time: ‘I’m completely taken with the SP250 ‘Dart’ police car. So lovingly cared for by the previous owner who enthusiastically prepared a stunning history record of the vehicle.

‘It has working (secret!), blues and twos, period police radio, and the remotebumper bell. An actual ringing police bell.'

 

• 1983 Fiat 127 Abarth, estimate £10,000- £15,000

RARE PREDECESSOR TO ONE OF FIAT'S MOST FAMOUS CARS: FIAT 127 ABARTH - 1.3L, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS 

Manufacturer	Top Speed	0-60mph	Engine	Bhp	Wheelbase
Fiat	98mph	11 seconds	Four cylinder	74	87.6 inches

The Fiat 127 was a fairly humble compact car produced by Fiat from 1971 to 1983. It was the predecessor to the Fiat Uno, and during 12 years of production nearly 5 million were built.

However since the car was discontinued in the early 1980s, it has more of less faded into obscurity. 

Petrol head and part-time car dealer Evans (pictured) has decided to get rid of six 'outstanding' Ferraris - including a 1966 275 GTB/6C model worth £2.9million

GOING UNDER THE HAMMER...THE FULL LIST OF CARS THAT CHRIS EVANS IS SELLING OFF AT AUCTION

• 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy, estimate £2,600,000-2,900,000
• 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, estimate £2,300,000- £2,600,000
• 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L 'Lusso', estimate £1,400,000 - £1,800,000
• 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spyder, estimate £1,300,000 - £1,600,000
• 1963 Ferrari 250 SWB Replica, estimate £500,000 - £600,000
• 1949 Jaguar XK120 'Alloy' Roadster, estimated £325,000 - £375,000
• 1967 Jaguar XKSS 'Lynx', estimate £325,000 - £375,000
• 1936 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Replica, estimate £250,000 - £350,000
• 1970 Mercedes 280SL 'Pagoda', estimate £100,000 - £130,000
• 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS, estimate £100,000 - £130,000
• 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Fixed Head Coup, estimate £55,000- £65,000
• 1964 Daimler Dart Police Car SP250, estimate £50,000- £60,000
• 1983 Fiat 127 Abarth, estimate £10,000- £15,000

Berlusconi sells his 68-room Sardinia mansion to Saudi royals for a whopping £350m

• Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reportedly selling 68-room retreat on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda
• Lavish holiday home where Tony and Cherie Blair, Vladimir Putin and George W Bush have all previously visited
• Saudi royals reportedly interested in estate which boasts six swimming pools, amphitheatre and artificial volcano

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is reportedly selling his 68-room Sardinian mansion to the Saudi royal family for a staggering £350million.

The 168-acre estate called Villa Certosa, which includes six swimming pools, an amphitheatre and even an artificial volcano, is situated on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda.

It is the lavish holiday home where Berlusconi, 78, has hosted many a high-profile guest including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie, George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is reportedly selling his 68-room lavish holiday home on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda to the Saudi royal family for a staggering £350million. The plush retreat features six swimming pools, an amphitheatre and an artificial volcano

The 168-acre estate, called Villa Certosa, comes with its own amphitheatre (pictured), as well as an underground cave leading to the ocean

Berlusconi (pictured left arriving in Sardinia by private jet earlier this month) has hosted many a high-profile guest at the retreat including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie (pictured right during their 2004 stay), George W Bush and Russia's Vladimir Putin

Guests can enter the billionaire's luxurious retreat by sailing from the Mediterranean through a gated entrance and into a semi-submerged cave.

They can then climb a stairway leading directly into the villa, which also boasts a large collection of Mexican cacti.

According to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, Berlusconi recently gave Prince Mohammed bin Nayef – the Saudi prime minister and first in line to the throne – a five-hour tour of the estate.

The newspaper suggests that Prince Nayef might be making a purchase on behalf of his uncle, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Said, who cut short his holiday to the French Riviera earlier this month after complaining he did not have exclusive use of the beach.

While no sale has yet been completed, it is rumoured Berlusconi is offering the luxury property – near Porto Rotondo - for £350million, having put it on the market three years ago for £325million.

The flamboyant retreat - which has a mosaic of Poseidon, the god of the sea, holding a trident tiled on the floor - has been known about since 2004 when opposition politicians objected to a series of changes at the property.

In 2012, photographs emerged of an underwater chamber at the villa, which apparently leads right out to the sea meaning the owner and guests can secretly pass in and out.

At the time, it was reported that alterations to the secret cave and estate were implemented without proper planning permission.

While no sale has yet been completed, it is rumoured Berlusconi is offering the luxury property – situated near Porto Rotondo on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda and which he has owned since at least 2004 - for £350million, having put it on the market three years ago for £325million

Berlusconi reportedly gave Prince Mohammed bin Nayef – the Saudi prime minister and first in line to the throne – a five-hour tour of the estate recently. It is believed that Prince Nayef might be making a purchase on behalf of his uncle, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Said

The estate is made up of a number of rooms and comes with its own separate villa (pictured) which overlooks the Mediterranean

The estate also comes with tennis courts and an orange grove (pictured), as well as a whopping 168 acres of land and tamed gardens

The estate, which boasts 68 rooms, 168 acres of land, six swimming pools and an amphitheatre, also comes with its very own lagoon

It was claimed that Berlusconi was advised to make changes to the mansion by the secret services after receiving threats to his life.

'It was the secret services who asked me to carry out the work, after I had received 38 death threats,' Mr Berlusconi said when the cave came to light.

However, he said he had sought design advice from cabinet colleague Pietro Lunardi, who was then the minister for infrastructure, and insisted that no planning regulations had been broken.

As well as being known for its famous guests, the villa has also attracted some unwanted attention for Berlusconi in the past.

The former prime minister ended up taking Italian photographer Antonello Zappadu to court after he snapped scantily-clad girls at his estate with a long-lens camera.

Berlusconi argued that the photographs taken of him surrounded by women were an attempt to make his home look 'like a harem'.

The pictures, published in glossy Italian magazine Oggi, showed Berlusconi walking hand in hand with the women who were described as 'Berlusconi's Angels'.

They also showed some sitting on his lap and in one snapshot he was pictured with his eyes closed and his hand inside a woman's T-shirt.

The images were printed over eleven pages and ran under the headline: 'Berlusconi's Harem.'

Another selection of images, taken by Zappadu on a different occasion, showed Berlusconi alongside Tony and Cherie Blair, wearing a bandanna having just undergone a hair transplant.

The flamboyant retreat has been known about since 2004 when opposition politicians objected to a series of changes at the property. In 2012, photographs emerged of an underwater chamber at the villa (pictured), which allows guests to secretly pass in and out of the villa

The secret underwater cave has a mosaic of Poseidon, the god of the sea, holding a trident tiled on the floor and leads out towards the sea

The former prime minister said he was advised to modify his underwater chamber by the secret service after receiving 38 death threats

The images were taken during the Blairs' stay with Berlusconi in the summer of 2004.

At the time, they were treated to a spectacular fireworks display which ended with the words 'Viva Tony' lighting up the night sky.

Berlusconi complained that all of the images taken by Zappadu 'deliberately excluded images of male guests because the photographer was looking for a sale.'

He added: 'To take the pictures that he did he would have to have come onto the property - it would not have been possible any other way.

'My staff found that branches and flowers in the area where the photographer was had been broken and trampled of.

'The grounds and garden of villa Certosa are wonderful - I have the largest hibiscus in the world and there is also a working pizzeria, ice cream parlour and fairground. People who are my guests leave very reluctantly.'

After a lengthy court battle, Italy's highest appeal court ruled that Zappadu had violated Berlusconi's privacy but that it was too late for any sanction.

When Tony Blair visited the villa in 2004, he was treated to a spectacular fireworks display which ended with the words 'Viva Tony'

The estate also boasts a very large Mexican cacti collection (pictured), as well as a dock which grants full access to the Mediterranean

It did, however, add that the magazine editor who published the images was entitled to do so if his only motive was to boost circulation.

The rumoured interest in Berlusconi's Sardinian mansion comes just a week after he signed a pre-sale agreement to sell 48 per cent of AC Milan football club.

The Serie A soccer club is owned by Fininvest, Berlusconi's family holding company which also controls Italian TV broadcaster Mediaset and publisher Mondadori.

On August 2, he agreed to sell nearly half his share of the club to a group led by Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol.

Berlusconi, who bought AC Milan in 1986, will retain a 52 per cent of the club, when the deal is finalised by the end of September.

The bling kings take over London!!!

Supercar season gets underway as foreign playboys parade their flash motors on capital's most exclusive streets

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The starting pistol has officially been fired on London's supercar season, when wealthy Arabs flee the scorching hot temperatures of the Middle East and cruise around the British capital in their ostentatious vehicles.

After a Mercedes covered in Swarovski crystals was spotted yesterday, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis appeared to be pouring onto the streets of Knightsbridge today.

The arrival of the supercars has become a regular event in recent years, with rich Kuwaitis, Saudis and Emiratis seeking to out-do each other over who can own the most souped-up sportscar.

A trio of Ferrari F12s were spotted out in Knightsbridge today, alongside a Lamborghini Aventor, a £1million Pagani Huayra and a modified Porsche 918, which were seen parked near Hyde Park.

The cars' Arabs owners traditional ship their machines over in the months leading up to the summer, so that they are here when they arrive in July and August.

But despite their dizzying top speeds, many of the cars rarely get out of the gridlocked London traffic and often spend much of the time parked outside Harrods and other luxury boutiques.

Flash: The hotels of west London have yet again been filling up with wealthy Arab guests, who ship over their extravagant supercars for the summer. Pictured right is a Ferrari F12, which has a top speed of 211mph and goes 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. It is alongside a Rolls Royce

Passers-by marvelled at this yellow and black Ferrari F12 parked near Harrods this afternoon, with its owners happy to show it off. The F12 has an F1 gearbox. It is also possible to use a smartphone to connect to the internet to listen to web radio, podcasts and download Apps

All smiles: The car's owner, who said he is from Saudi Arabia, was happy to be pictured sitting in the yellow car's red leather interior

This black Lamborghini Aventador - which also has a Saudi Arabian number plate - was spotted in Kensington. The model has a V12 engine with a top speed of 217mph. It can go 0-60 in 2.9 seconds and has an on-board computer with information about its various instruments

This £1million Pagani Huayra was seen in the car park of a hotel in Kensington, where its Saudi Arabian owner is believed to be staying. It has a Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-Turbo engine with 730 brake horsepower. The car's top speed is about 231mph 

Wealthy: This heavily-modified Porsche 918 was pictured near the Mandarin Oriental Hotel near Hyde Park this afternoon. It goes from 0-60 in 2.6 seconds, has a top speed of 214mph and 887 brake horsepower. The Porsche 918 is worth around £550,000

This Saudi-registered, six-wheel, adapted Mercedes AMG, which has an estimated value of £400,000 was also spotted parked-up in Kensington. It features six driven wheels, low range gearing, five differential locks and a tyre control system for its standard 37-inch wheels

Not all of the cars on show were foreign-registered however. This heavily-modified Mercedes convertible was also on the streets of the capital

Tourists and locals have expressed wonder at the sheer number of supercars which flood the city's streets each summer. Pictured is a Ferrari 458, which has 570bhp and a top speed in excess of 200mph. It can go 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and is worth around £200,000

The cars stand out not only because of their value, but also by their unusual paint jobs. Pictured: A matt blue finish Maserati Gran Turismo. It has a top speed of 177mph and goes 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. The standard price without extras is around £82,000

This Qatari-registered Rolls Royce was parked in the shadow of a Ferrari F12 in a hotel car park opposite Hyde Park this afternoon

Tourists and schoolboys queued up to take photos of the supercars usually only seen on the pages of car magazines and on TV

The Qatari-owned Ferrari F12, one of the many shipped over from the Middle East, was parked near the luxury Dorchester Hotel in Kensington

Sparkling: Passers-by stopped to take photographs of a garish Mercedes S-Class covered in Swarovski crystals in Knightsbridge yesterday

Having a feel: The £55,000 2014 CLS 350 - which this woman got up close to today - is often seen parked in exclusive parts of London

Popular: The garish Mercedes S-Class used to be owned by Russian business student Daria Radionova, who said it got 'lots of attention'

A team had spent 12 hours a day for two months working on the customisation, and she said last September that she was ‘really happy’ with it

'BAII BYY': A team from Russia spent 12 hours a day for two months working on the customisation of the car, pictured here last September

Spoiler alert: This Porsche 918 Spyder with Saudi Arabian license plates caught the eye of pedestrians after being parked in Knightsbridge

Super-rich: This Porsche 918 Spyder has Saudi Arabian license plates. It is one of a number of supercars seen parked around London today

Eye-catching: This blinged-up Rolls Royce with Dubai license plates has been causing quite a stir among people in Knightsbridge, London

Smart: The Rolls-Royce supercar was seen with Dubai license plates. It gives a glimpse of how the super-rich like to get around London

Is this James Bond's next car?

• Only 24 of the cars will be made by Aston Martin
• Owners will have to complete special course before being allowed to drive
• Smart U shaped steering wheel houses controls 

It is one of the most hi-tech cars ever created - and you'll need to go on a course to learn how to drive it, even if you can afford the $2.3m pricetag.

Aston Martin Vulcan showed off its track only 'hypercar' at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

It features a hi-tech dashboard and smart steering wheel from which almost everything can be controlled.

Scroll down for video  

Just 24 of the 800-plus bhp, all-carbon fibre Aston Martin Vulcans will be made.

The car features a hi-tech steering wheel that houses the majority of its controls

VULCAN SPECS 

Naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine

800-horsepower engine

Will run from 0-60 in less than three seconds

Aston Martin, which famously made James Bond's cars, says the Vulcan is its 'most intense and exhilarating creation to date.'

Just 24 of the 800-plus bhp, all-carbon fibre Aston Martin Vulcans will be made, and learners will have to attend special courses to learn how to drive it and customise it to their tastes.  

'Aston Martin Vulcan is, by its very nature, a rare and thrilling supercar,' said CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said.

'Designed and engineered to deliver a genuinely bespoke driving experience that draws on our rich heritage, this car tailors its power and handling to both the capabilities of the driver and the characteristics of the track.

'A sports car for true sports car lovers, I believe the Aston Martin Vulcan – and the unique ownership programme that sits behind it – sets a whole new standard in the ultra-high luxury supercar class.'

The supercar is powered by the company's naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine.

It also has a carbon fibre monocoque and body

The U-shaped steering wheel lets drivers perfomr most of its functions, including starting the car, neutral, pit lane speed limiter, turn indicators, flash-to-pass (basically flashes the high beams), adjustable ABS and traction control, and, of course, windshield wipers. 

Paddle shifters to swap gears are on the back of the wheel.

The supercar is powered by the company's naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine.

Although the specs of the Vulcan aren’t quite final, but Aston says the the naturally aspirated, 800-horsepower 7-liter V12 engine will run from 0-60 in less than three seconds and achieve a top speed in excess of 200 mph.

With its 800-plus bhp powerplant developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, it sees its power-to-weight ratio exceed those of the GTE cars which compete in the FIA's annual World Endurance Championship.

It also has a carbon fibre monocoque and body constructed by Aston Martin's long-term specialist body engineering and manufacturing partner Multimatic, integral limited-slip differential, magnesium torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft and Brembo racing calipers acting on carbon ceramic racing disc brakes which measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360mm at the rear.

Drive is channelled to the 345/30 x19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres through a race-bred rear mid-mounted Xtrac six-speed sequential shift gearbox.

Track-derived pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic's Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars front and rear, driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable traction control.

The new track car will comply with all relevant FIA race safety requirements.

Aston Martin's Director of Special Projects and Motorsport, David King, said: 'Taking the extensive learning from our various successful racing programmes and applying it to this exceptional track car for customers has been an exciting and sometimes challenging task for the team here at Gaydon.

'Our deep and broad motorsport experience, allied to our renowned road car expertise, has allowed us to make the Aston Martin Vulcan the absolutely compelling proposition it is today.'

its power-to-weight ratio exceed those of the GTE cars which compete in the FIA's annual World Endurance Championship.

There will also be the option of time in the virtual race car world of Darren Turner's Base Performance Simulators for owners

Prior to taking delivery of their cars, owners will be offered the opportunity to take part in an extensive and detailed programme of intensive track driver training.

Experienced racers including Aston Martin Racing's Le Mans-winning Darren Turner will support owners on their learning journey, offering them the chance to refine their track driving technique and increase their ability through a carefully-constructed series of practical and theoretical driver training events.

Using a number of exciting high performance Aston Martins including the V12 Vantage S and One-77 road cars and the Vantage GT4 race car, customers will gradually build experience and develop their track technique, before driving the Aston Martin Vulcan.

David King said: 'We will be running a series of exclusive track day events commencing in 2016 that will offer the opportunity for these customers to explore their driving capabilities, and the car's performance potential, on some of the world's most famous and glamorous race circuits.'

There will also be the option of time in the virtual race car world of Darren Turner's Base Performance Simulators, where buyers will have ample opportunity to further refine their driving style in the safety of the digital race track.