Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Dragon King Valkyrie by Whitehouse

Japanese custom shop Whitehouse has taken a stock Honda Valkyrie and turned it into the Ryuuzin, or Dragon King. Bordering on what looks like a classier take on the Judge Dredd Lawmaster motorcycle (crossed with a locomotive?), Whitehouse has taken careful attention to detail on this 700 lbs (curb weight) behemoth. Large and sinister, Ryuuzin is probably not suitable for the crowded urban streets of Japan, but the Valkyrie platform should provide a comfy touring platform for the Dragon King (and its passenger) on the open road.


There is no room for a pillion though, which makes you wonder if a Dragon Queen will be in the works as well (please dear God kill me). Consisting of a very Japanese style that’s not likely to catch on here in the United States (we will just have to suffice with our Honda Runes), you still have to appreciate the workmanship that went into this bike, and give points for not following the masses. Photos after the jump.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Sbay Flying 1800 Custom Cafe Racer

Here’s to starting Monday morning off right as we bring you the Spanish-made Sbay Flying 1800 custom café racer from Sbay Motor Company. If cruisers from a certain American manufacturer could look like this, we imagine that talks of an aging demographic would cease to exist as the Flying 1800 has ample doses of eye-candy, sportiness, and innovation.
Between the 3.7 gallon carbon fiber tank that is hangs below the oil-holding frame and above the motor, the rear taillight that integrates into the tail section like a Ducati GP9/GP10, and the tasteful use of copper pipes that we liked so much on the Confederate Fighter, there’s plenty to get you drooling on this bike as it borrows from some of the best ideas in motorcycle design.
Basing its name off the 1840cc Rev-Tech v-twin motor, the Flying 1800 puts out 115hp, and weighs a paltry 465 lbs. Using a Rev-Tech five-speed transmission, Sbay has also tapped Öhlins for the suspension, Galfer and Brembo for the brakes, and Marchesini for the wheels, which puts all the right names on the build spec sheet. Along with the café styling which seems to be all the rage right now, the Flying 1800 is a stylish and sporty motorcycle that makes us want to give up our sport bike ways.





Saturday, November 27, 2010

Serious Wheels Classic, Sports & Muscle Cars

November 26 - 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show  An overview of the offerings at the LA Auto Show, which continues through Sunday, November 28.
November 24 - 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid  The new Infiniti Hybrid stands to break new ground as the first true luxury performance “driver’s” hybrid – and the only vehicle to offer more than 350 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon fuel economy.
November 24 - 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid  The new Infiniti Hybrid stands to break new ground as the first true luxury performance “driver’s” hybrid – and the only vehicle to offer more than 350 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon fuel 
 economy.




 
November 24 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG  The top-of-the-range version of the four-door coupé is equipped with the newly developed AMG V8 biturbo engine, featuring a peak output of up to 557 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, as well as the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. On top of this, the vehicle's fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 km represents an improvement of 32 percent compared with the previous model.


November 18 - 2010 Ford Focus Race Car Concept  Ford Motor Company is putting racing on the map at the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show with the debut of the Focus race car concept, demonstrating future potential for the all-new 2012 Ford Focus to compete in road and touring car championships with teams around the world.

November 24 - 2011 Scion xB Release Series 8.0  The Voodoo Blue xB RS 8.0 comes fitted with a four-piece body kit designed by Kenstyle, including front and rear lower lips and side skirts.
November 21 - 2011 Classic Recreations Shelby GT500CR The Shelby G.T.500CR features 545 horsepower and the reliablity of a fuel injected car. Modern amenities include authentic Shelby Performance Parts, rack and pinion steering, race inspired suspension, oversized disc brakes, and more. Each authentic Shelby G.T.500CR will be listed in the Shelby Worlwide Registry.  
November 21 - 2010 Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept  Cadillac introduces this design study exploring a new type of vehicle that offers a luxury experience in a diminutive size.
November 21 - 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet  As the world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible, the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet breaks new ground in both the crossover SUV and convertible segments.
November 21 - 2010 Nissan Ellure Concept  From Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML), who supervised the global design effort: “As an expression of our long-term vision for the next generation of great Nissan sedans, Ellure allows us to introduce a new sedan concept – one that honors the sedan’s unmatched daytime functionality, yet has a more emotive, almost hidden ambience that comes to life after dark. It’s an ideal fit for the needs of its projected owners, women in their ‘30s and ‘40s with a sense of sophistication and rebellion.”
November 21 - 2012 Volkswagen Eos  Featuring an updated design with numerous new features, the 2012 Eos is the only hardtop convertible with a built-in sunroof.
November 20 - 2010 Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept This visionary futuristic design with its striking organic shape would be built from an ultralight material called BioFibre which tips the scales at just 875.5 lbs.
November 19 - 2012 Nissan GTR  The 2012 Nissan GT-R’s advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 now produces 530 horsepower (versus the previous 485 horsepower) and 488 lb-ft of torque (versus the previous 434 lb-ft) – a result of modifying the boost pressure of the turbocharger, valve timing and air mixture ratio, and through reducing intake air resistance by enlarging the inlet pipe diameter.  GT-R’s already impressive aerodynamics have been improved for 2012 with downforce increased by about 10% and the coefficient of drag reduced to 0.26 (from 0.27). Stability is improved by enlarged fascia and grille openings, which also help reduce air resistance inside the engine compartment.
November 19 - 2011 BMW 6 Series Convertible  The latest version of the 6-Series Convertible makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
November 19 - 2010 Rossin-Bertin Vorax Coupe & Convertible Renderings   Today we are able to showcase full renderings of the new Brazilian supercar in both its coupe & convertible form.
November 18 - 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante   Extensive use of carbon fiber has allowed Lamborghini to remove an additional 143 lbs from Performante over the 560-4 Spyder.  Power comes from a naturally aspirated 5.2 liter V10, with performance coming in at 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph.
November 18 - 1932 Talbot 14/65 Boat Tail Tourer  The unique 1932 Talbot 14/65 Boat Tail Tourer began its life as a saloon car, wheeled from the Clement Talbot factory in West London nearly 80 years ago. However, the car took on a whole new nautical flavour some thirty years later when a boat builder was commissioned to design and craft a new stem-to-stem wooden body that adorns the car today. It will be auctioned off on December 4 at the Historics at Brookland auction.

1932 Talbot 14/65 Boat Tail Tourer
November 17 - 2011 Porsche Cayman R  The new mid-engine coupé is powered by a tuned-up 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine developing 330 hp. In the standard configuration it transmits its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox that propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.0 seconds. Or there is the option of the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) that reduces its acceleration time to 4.9 seconds.
November 17 - 2011 Prior Design BMW E92 Widebody  The body kit comprises a new front bumper with large air intakes, and a completely new bonnet with numerous air vents similar to those on the BMW M3 GT2 from long-course motor racing. A set of side skirts make the car appear lower, while the rear receives a completely new bumper and diffuser.
November 17 - 2011 Kelleners Sport BMW 535i  Kelleners Sport's aerodynamics package consists of front apron extension with integrated LED daytime running lights, RS front spoiler lip, side mouldings, rear spoiler and rear apron extension with diffuser. Power from the 3 liter inline-6 has been raised to 367 hp.
November 17 - 2011 HS Motorsport Audi A1  HS Motorsport has given the rear of the vehicle a modified bumper, which appropriately houses the R32-look tailpipes developed and manufactured especially for this project by Fox Sport Exhaust Systems. This A1 also features a coilover suspension system lowered to 55 mm at the front and 60 mm at the back. The installation of an engine module generates 25 additional hp, and 37 additional lb-ft, making a total of 147 hp and 184 lb-ft available.
November 16 - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible  Chevrolet unveils its long-awaited convertible version of the successful new Camaro.
November 16 - 2011 G-Power BMW M6 Hurricane RR  The twin-supercharged Hurricane RR produces an enormous 800 hp from the M6 V10, and also a carbon fiber front spoiler, rear skirt, and a high performance braking system and coil-over suspension.
November 14 - 2011 LupiniPower Chevrolet SuperUte  South African tuning company LupiniPower introduces its wild 535bhp Chevrolet SuperUte pick-up.
November 14 - 2011 Mansory BMW X6 M  Mansory massages 670 hp and 701 lb-ft from the X6 V8, as well as offering a carbon fiber aerodynamic package and light alloy rims.
November 12 - 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 5-Door  The 5-Door Range Rover Evoque offers a new interpretation of the lightweight LRX concept car design, combining the dramatic stance and dynamic appeal of the original cross-coupé with the enhanced functionality offered by a 5-Door format.
November 12 - 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51  First offered on the Continental GT and GTC in 2009, Bentley’s colour and trim team has now created no fewer than14 unique Series 51 designs for theContinental Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed, enabling customers to tailor their cars to their individual tastes.
November 10 - 2011 Morgan Threewheeler  Morgan relaunches the Threewheel model built from 1909-1953, with the new vehicle offering a number of striking design cues taken from the model's earlier history.  Power for the 1100 lb car comes a Harley Davidson V twin producing 100 hp.  A 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds is expected, while also offering exceptional fuel economy.
November 10 - Lamborghini Murcielago LP640  Murcielago production has come to an end with the production of the 4099th car.  Today we showcase photos of the LP640 coupe.
 

Yamaha FZ1 to be launched in India



India Yamaha Motor is all set to launch its 1000cc street motorcycle, FZ1 in India in a few days from now.

Yamaha is looking to position FZ1, cheaper than the Honda CB1000RR, which at the moment is the cheapest Japanese litter class bike, one can buy in India and would be competing head on with FZ1.
While initially FZ1 would be imported as completely built unit from Australia or Japan, India Yamaha Motor is looking at the possibility of importing FZ1 in semi-knoecked down state to further reduce the price and lure more customers towards its brand.
Yamaha FZ1 Specifications
Engine
Type 998cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder; DOHC, 20 valves
Bore x Stroke 77 x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio 11.5:1
Fuel Delivery Fuel injection
Ignition Digital TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition with 32-bit ECU
Transmission 6-speed w/multiplate clutch
Final Drive O-ring chain
Chassis
Suspension / Front 43mm fork; fully adjustable, 5.1-in travel
Suspension / Rear Single shock; adjustable preload and rebound damping, 5.1-in travel
Brakes / Front Dual 320mm floating discs w/4-piston calipers
Brakes / Rear 245mm disc w/single-piston caliper
Tires / Front 120/70-ZR17
Tires / Rear 190/50-ZR17
Dimensions
Length 84.3 in
Width 30.3 in
Height 47.4 in
Seat Height 32.1 in
Wheelbase 57.5 in
Ground Clearance 5.3 in
Rake (Caster Angle) 25.0
Trail 4.3 in
Fuel Capacity 4.76 gal
Fuel Economy 35 mpg
Wet Weight 487 lb