When we realized who it was and turned around, he was already whisked away by his comely entourage, but we wonder what he thinks about his baby whenever he sees a Vertu or a Goldstriker gold-plated cellphone. Anger? Amusement? Shame? Maybe a mixture of all three.

[Sybarites]

Frankly, it looks better than anything we have ever seen. It looks better than the iPhone. It looks better than a Vertu. Hell, it even looks better than a lovechild that resulted due to an illicit relationship between an iPhone and a Vertu, which subsequently underwent plastic surgery to work out any gold-clad imperfections. We want. [Swongled]

Just like Vertu's previous models, the Ascent Ti's chassis is worked in some pricier stuff than the usual plastic.

Looking a bit like a robot's head with that green light and the camera hole, the body is all titanium, thus the Ascent Ti, with a leather top. The keypad has a slight dip in its key shape, like a shallow V. And, if you look real close, you can make out the gold trimanother thing the Ti has in common with previous Vertus. Unfortunately, it's probably going to share the same pricetag. Vertu phones tend to run into the 4-digit range, putting even the iPhone to shame. And that's for the cheapest ones. Ever thought of paying $5,200 for a phone?

Vertu readying second-generation Ascent phone [Electronista]

Vertu, that overpriced cellphone company so beloved of celebrities and the uber-rich, has announced details of its latest mobile. The Vertu Ferrari 1947 (of which just 1,947 have been craftedNOT made, you understand) has a scaled-down replica of the Ferrari gas brake pedal in aluminium (high-grade, natch) on the back, a prancing donkey horse on the front and a black and red leather trim.

Ah, let's talk about the leather, shall we? Apparently it's been tested against lipstick and petrol, so it will survive that nasty encounter you've been dreaming about with Janice, your local gas station attendant. The Vertu Ferrari 1947 is out in July, and the spoilsports are not telling us the price - because they're probaby too embarrassed. If you want to do a bit of window licking, check the gallery below.

 Ad Dugdale

Update: Our writer's transmission has broken. Yes, it's a brake pedal, as some of you pointed out. But a brake pedal? Come on, a kajillion dollars phone for the leaders of the world that has a brake instead of a gas pedal? Aw smleh!

Bling! Bling! [CNN via SlashPhone.com]

Vertu (Nokia) just announced the final two models in the series, the grey Nurburgring edition and the yellow Monaco edition. Finally, I can buy both and fill those sorry holes in my limited edition display case.  Mark Wilson

Vertu's Racetrack Legends [luxurylaunches]

The headset is pretty average. Push button answering and calling system, noise reduction, ear hook, included leather pouch and a Vertu-esque design. Doesn't look that bad, but I'm not one to wear Bluetooth headsets as a fashion statementas long as it gets the job done I'm happy.  Travis Hudson

Vertu Aerius Bluetooth Headset [Sybarites]

The GSM/EDGE cellphones, aside from being gilded, are fairly standard: expect Bluetooth and USB support, but then again, I'm pretty sure that my toothbrush has Bluetooth now, so it's really not that impressive.

While the Constellation cellphones are supposed to be more affordable, Vertu still hasn't said how much they want for their utterly amazing luxury cellphones. Given the company's history, though, affordable may be a bit of a misnomer.  Nicholas Deleon

The Most Affordable Vertu Fashion Phone [SlashGear]

Vertu Home Page [Vertu]

In today's episode of "What the FCC is Approving" starring Tony Danza and Betty White, we are greeted with the latest phone from luxury phone manufacturer, Vertu. This phone may be "luxury," but it doesn't seem that spectacular in my book. It is a candybar style phone with quad-band GSM support, EDGE, Bluetooth and even a color display! Wowee! The inner bits don't seem too special, but at least it looks nice. Who cares if the phone is a piece of junk? Isn't the coolness factor all that really matters?  Travis Hudson

FCC Documentation [Via PhoneArena]

The thing about Vertu phones is that they're simultaneously elegant and tacky. The beauty of their designs and crafting is undeniable, but the ridiculously high price tag is what makes them seem so, well, cheapeveryone we know rich enough to buy one of these things without hesitation never would, because phones are just phones and they've got battalions of secretaries and assistants to keep track of their appointments and make their calls for them. Usually it's the people who feel the need for everything about them to scream money who don't really have that much of it or who've just gotten their hands on some; nothing's less cool than the nouveau riche.

All that said, these two phones from Vertu's new Ascent Racetrack Legends Series really are lovely, with their racing grade rubber tire detail and radiator grille bezel nose. The red is called the Monza after the track that hosts Formula One's Italian Grand Prix, and the green is the Silverstone, after the home of the British Grand Prix. Only a thousand units of each phone have been made, and every one is etched with its number in the series.

Vertu, maker of expensive phones, recently got some credibility handed to them it seems. The company is marketing their Ascent Motorsport Edition, which is an ultra-luxurious phone made with petroleum-resistant automotive leather inlaid with carbon fiber and Liquidmetalyou know, the stuff the future Terminator was made of. In short, it's strong. So Vertu claimed the phone could be run over by the very car it was based on: an F1 Porsche. So the New York Times called bull and got one of these phones and ran over that thing five times with a Porsche Boxster. Oh, no! What horrible things happened to the expensive Vertu phone, you ask?! Nothing. Nada. Not a scratch. Score one for Vertu.

Vertu AScent Motorsport, Run Over Five Times, Survives [Oh Gizmo!]

Now that so many cellphones are being targeted to women, luxury phone company Vertu decided to go back to its roots and make a manly phone. The Motorsport limited edition (only 997 phones available) takes its cues from the company's participation in the Porsche eMichelin Supercup and Porsche Infineon Carrera Cup Asai. Say that 5 times fast why dontcha? The phone is black and made from liquid metal alloy and oil resistant leather, so it's pretty tough to mess up. And the sapphire crystal screen could show Apple a thing or two about what it means to be scratch-resistant. It includes the brand's dedicated concierge service as well as tri-band (GSM 900,1800 and 1900) with Bluetooth and modem support. Oh, and to make sure it's worth the $5700 price tag, the company claims it actually ran the damn thing over with a racing car. Eat the rich!

Vertu launches "Motorsport Limited edition" [Phoneyworld]

Now Vertu's targeting the micro-market of luxury car racers, owners, and their admirers with its Ascent Motorsport Limited Edition cell phone to "celebrate" their participation in The Porsche Michelin Supercup and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. Crafted from Liquidmetal and petrol-resistant automotive leather (get it?) and featuring its usual needlessly elaborate, Swiss-watch grade innards, the phone's price isn't even announced stateside yet. But, of course, that's all part of their 'if you have to ask you can't afford it' cache. So hurry and pre-order, anyway: they're only making 997 of them.

Vertu Ascent Motorsport Limited Edition [Ployer]