Koenigsegg Trevita CCXR
The Trevita CCXR is the latest limited edition of Koenigsegg’s CCXR supercar. Trevita, in Swedish, means “three whites,” a reference to the number of cars planned for production. The limited production is due to the method and material employed in the manufacturing of the car’s bodywork. In-house Koenigsegg engineers developed a special type of carbon fiber whose fibers have been coated with a diamond finish, creating a metallic white (as opposed to traditional black) color. Dubbed the Koenigsegg Proprietary Diamond Weave, the material retains the typical, interwoven carbon fiber pattern, but with a unique, sparkling finish. Other upgrades over the standard CCXR include a double carbon wing, paddle shifters, an upgraded exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes, and an infotainment system. The 1018 horsepower 4.7 liter engine is carried over from the standard car. Pricing has not been announced, but expect a considerable premium over the CCXR’s $1.2 million price tag.
2010 Vyrus 987 C3 4V Supercharged
Yes, you read the name correctly. Italian specialty tuners Vyrus have added another carbon-fiber laden superbike to their stable. The 987, their newest example, holds the distinction of being the most powerful production motorcycle in the world. The base model uses a Ducati 1198 engine that produces 170bhp; the bike itself weighs only 359lbs. Vyrus will also make available an ‘R’ model, boasting 14 more ponies and shedding 11 pounds (from where, we’re not sure). The cream of the crop, however, appears to be their supercharged version, which is clearly not for the faint of heart. This street-legal monster claims an output of 211 horsepower despite a curb weight of a mere 339lbs. Such numbers put the Vyrus in direct competition with Ducati’s heralded Desmosedici RR. Aesthetically, the Vyrus looks like a carboned and overengineered version of Bimota’s Tesi 3D, which speaks directly of the bike’s lineage. Both the Vyrus and the Bimota can be linked to the famed Massimo Tamburini; they were developed virtually side-by-side and share the ‘wasp’ look, minus the fairings for the Vyrus. Carbon fiber jokes aside, we love the look of the Vyrus; it is brutal and direct, and shows off all of the bike’s options without any pretense. It is a machine built purely for speed and is priced accordingly-the supercharged version tops out at lofy $112,000, nearly double the price of the base model.
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Veritas RS III
Veritas might be the oldest company no one has heard of. After a 50 year hiatus from successfully tuning prewar BMW 328s, the boutique firm has fully completed its comeback after debuting the ‘RS3 Concept’ in 2001. After years of testing and research, Veritas is poised to begin production on their RS III Roadster. The single-seater supercar will total 30 in number, and each vehicle will be assembled completely and painstakingly by hand over an 8 week period, courtesy of the company’s small 15-man staff. In the 40s, Veritas was reprimanded by BMW for unauthorized use of their prodcuts; ironically, a familiar 5-liter BMW V8 will power the RSIII over 60 years after first drawing the ire of the Munich-based marque. Weighing only 2,391 pounds and making great use of every one of its 507bhp, Veritas’ one-man racer promises to produce staggering acceleration numbers: the company claims a 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 219mph. Cosmetically, the roadster looks like a caricature of a sea creature, at least from ground level. From many perspectives, the car appears to be looking back at its observers, thanks to its unique headlights. An angular, sloping nose and the sharp headlights frame the whale shark-mouth grille. While the vertically lined grille might have some thinking Maserati, but it is actually a tribute to the older Veritas models, having incorporated an almost identical look. The no-nonsense rear end, highlighted by a sharp crease at the beltline, triggers thoughts of old 60s Stingray Corvettes, minus the chrome of course. We think it looks pretty cool…maybe some other car makers should try taking a few years off.
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Suzusho Supasse V
The international motor shows will always give us a lot to talk about, and Toyko’s is rife with funky homegrown creations. Japan’s own Suzusho will debut their Supasse V, a car that draws inspiration from, well…everything. The Lotus-sized two seater has a positively McLaren-esque windshield and cockpit, is positively Panoz-like from the side profile, and has unmistakable Ferrari taillights. Looking futher down the Supasse’s list of borrowed equipment, one finds Mazda’s new turbocharged 2.3 liter (sourced from the new Mazdaspeed 3) mounted amidships. Tipping the scales at a mere 850kg, this mini-supercar promises a terrific power-to-weight ratio. Look for it in the upcoming Tokyo show; Suzusho hopes it will hit showrooms by mid-2010.
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2010 Kawasaki Concours 14
Kawasaki has made some great changes to their top-shelf sport tourer, the Concours 14. Most notably, the Concours gains a complete traction control system, along with revamped fairings and a larger windscreen, and second-generation ABS. It appears that the engineers over at the Green Machine were working overtime to update their biggest bike for the upcoming model year; while most other manufacturers were content to leave their motorcycles virtually unchanged, the Kawasaki also boasts heated grips, a fuel-economy management system, and a neater fit and finish compared to the outgoing model. While the engine and power output remain unchanged, gas mileage improves significantly, as does the two-wheeler’s handling. Aesthetically, the Concours seems to suffer from side-vent overkill, but we are willing to make an exception due to the overwhelming number of high-tech options offered. All this technology comes at a price though-the Concours 14 with ABS starts at $15,299.
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Dahon los XL
A Eurobike IF Gold Award winner, the Dahon los XL is an urban folding bike which the jury described as the “perfect example of a stylish, functionally designed folding bike that meets the demands of urban mobility and flexibility.” Not only is the los XL have the geometry, riding position and handling characteristics of a full-sized bicycle, but it also comes equipped with an integrated phone/GPS charger, integrated air pump and Valo lighting. The perfect fit for urban riders who want a full-size bike but also need the convenience of a compact fold.
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Daihatsu Basket
The Basket, a unique concept car set to debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, is one of the few cars unveiled at the show that brings retro styling cues to mind. While most manufacturers are packing new cars with as much as they can find, the Basket is extremely minimalist. The no-nonsense interior is sparse, and covered with fabric throughout, save for an oversized speedometer and the radio. The theme continues outside, where Daihatsu’s boxy contraption gives it a “that’s easy to paraller park” look. The Basket has forsaken fuel-cell or even hybrid technology in favor of a 660cc three-cylinder, borrowed from the Mira. Although the Basket might not be for everyone, its cute, quirky, and retro feel will bring smiles to would-be owners.
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Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano China
Ferrari has collaborated with Chinese artist Lu Hao to create a one-off 599 GTB Fiorano. The 599, a very special car in its own right, has been given a very special exterior finish in addition to a few other unique tweaks. Drawing inspiration from Ge Kiln porcelain of the Song dynasty, Hao has given the Ferrari a similar “cracked glaze” pattern, with exquisite attention to detail; the color shading of the cracks varies throughout, giving the impression of varying degrees of depth. Hao, a Ferrari owner himself, has also added Chinese badging on the interior and exterior, adding a personal touch the the standard gauges and switches. This special-edition will be sold at a Gala on November 3rd, with the proceeds going to charity.
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1961 Ol Yaller VII
This limited edition race car will be sold to the highest bidder (no reserve!) in Las Vegas at the 2nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. As one of only nine race cars designed by famous gearhead Max Balchowsky, this E-Type based underdog made its name taking down racing’s best. Going up against Ferrari, Aston, and Maserati was no easy feat in the 50s and 60s, but this V8-powered beast was extremely well engineered, and is still spoken highly of by racing greats like Carrol Shelby and Dan Gurney. Ol Yaller’s success wasn’t only on the track, but also on the silver screen. This particular version also appeared in the Elvis Presley film ‘Viva Las Vegas,’ which only adds to its pedigree. Look for it on the auction block this week, complete with race log books.
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Mercedes SLS and its Ancestors
While no one will mistake the SLS AMG for the car it draws inspiration from, the lineage is obvious, and in this case, cause to celebrate. This week, Mercedes brought an SLS AMG to a Benz gathering in Sedona, California to celebrate the rebirth of its iconic gullwing design. The SLS looked right at home with its brethren, which included a bevy of classic sports cars, including the 300SL on which the SLS is based. The highlight of the get-together (other than the SLS, of course) was an ultra-rare 300SL alloy coupe; raced by motorsport greats Bruce Kessler and Lance Reventlow, it represents just 1 of 29 ever produced. All told, more than 30 historic Mercedes vehicles and hundreds of spectators attended the event.
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