The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide (68 page)

CARLISLE’S
M
ERCEDES
S55 AMG

“I
MIGHT BE THE FURTHEST THING FROM AN AUTOPHILE, BUT
I
COULD TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR CAR
. I
T WAS A
M
ERCEDES
S55 AMG…. I
T WAS
C
ARLISLE’S CAR
.”

—Bella (
New Moon
, Chapter 16)

Carlisle’s choice of car reveals his controlled and reserved personality. Most will recognize the S-class as the pinnacle of luxury cars, but only a few will understand the meaning of the AMG badging on the vehicle. Few differences are apparent from the outside, but the supercharged V8 under the hood produces enough power to shame most of the super exotics offered by legitimate sports-car brands. Mercedes engineers did not stop at the engine; they enhanced all elements of driving, including a stiffer suspension and larger brakes. Despite having sports-car capabilities, this S55 AMG travels mainly unnoticed, being recognized with its more obtainable S-class relatives. The S55 allows Carlisle to cover ground as quickly as any of his children do, and is certainly as expensive as his children’s impressive cars, but does not stand out like any of his children’s cars—with the notable exception of Edward’s S60R. Showcasing his uniquely strong personality, this car represents Carlisle’s extreme abilities hidden by his eloquent, yet humble, actions and words.

E
DWARD’S
V
OLVO
S60R

“T
HE SILVER CAR WAS ALREADY THERE, WAITING IN
C
HARLIE’S SPOT ON THE DRIVEWAY
. I
BOUNDED DOWN THE STAIRS AND OUT THE FRONT DOOR, WONDERING HOW LONG THIS BIZARRE ROUTINE WOULD CONTINUE
. I
NEVER WANTED IT TO END
.”

—Bella (
Twilight
, Chapter 11)

Most often overlooked, yet also one of the most illuminating of all the cars in the story, is the Silver Volvo S60R. The perfect car for Edward’s lifestyle and personality, an S60R is the ideal choice for him. Bearing almost no marks to set this simple Volvo apart from its more sedate siblings, the S60R brings no attention to its sports-sedan intent. With 300 horsepower
on tap from the doubled pressure of the turbocharger, and an advanced six-speed manual transmission providing power to all four wheels, the silver car is more capable than anyone would guess, assuming that anyone would notice the car in the first place. With a higher lateral acceleration than even Rosalie’s BMW M3, Edward views the Volvo S60R as capable of cutting through the narrow, winding Washington roads better than all but two of the vehicles in the books: Edward’s Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and Bella’s Ferrari F430, shown later. This vehicle was chosen by Edward as an extension of his personality—someone always desiring to blend in, while offering more under the skin than anyone could imagine.

E
DWARD’S
A
STON
M
ARTIN
V
12
V
ANQUISH

“I
T WAS ANOTHER CAR
—
A STANDOUT EVEN IN THE LONG LINE OF VEHICLES THAT WERE MOSTLY ALL DROOL
-
WORTHY IN THEIR OWN WAYS
.”

—Jacob (
Breaking Dawn
, Chapter 17)

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is the English company’s response to the world-renowned grand touring cars offered by Ferrari and Mercedes. Splitting those two dissimilar personalities down the middle is the Vanquish, a car that has the looks, performance, and competence of a true sports car, while offering enough luxury to call into question its sporting nature. While capable on a racetrack, this Aston is more comfortable in high-performance cruising, transporting its occupants in the utmost style and comfort.

While the Volvo S60R is the outward expression of Edward’s inner personality, the silver Aston Martin is more the automotive equivalent to the story’s hero. While technically a sports car, the British-made Aston is the proper gentleman of the group, just as the Ferrari F430 is the cocky hero. Made in true British style, every ounce of this car alludes to old-world money, power, and manners. The Vanquish stands as a supreme offering from the sports-car world for the reserved driver.

R
OSALIE
: BMW M3
CONVERTIBLE

“A
CROWD OF PEOPLE, ALL BOYS
…
WERE ACTUALLY CIRCLED AROUND
R
OSALIE’S RED CONVERTIBLE, UNMISTAKABLE LUST IN THEIR EYES
.”

—Bella (
Twilight
, Chapter 11)