The sleek shillouette of the BMW M-series is absolutely unmistakable everyfrom from the Autobahn to the slightly more speed restricted motorways of the US. The newest addition to the line, the 2012 M6 is no exception, complete with newly designed bumpers, a four tailpipe exhaust system and the option to boost the rims up to an impressive 20 inches. The convertible version offers a canvas top that folds down in 19 seconds flat, working at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. But the exterior isn’t the only impressive aspect of this German speed machine: Merino leather sport seats offer an excellent place to sit when behind the wheel. But perhaps the most interesting addition is BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, which sounds a little more military than civilian. Regardless, the M6 is the sports car of all sports cars, with enough incredible features to put it at the top of its class.
 

Source: MotorTrend

Looking to the beginnings of two-wheeled travel for inspiration, the Prga Velo bike from Jakub Vavra captures the handmade feel of the olden days while adding some technological innovations to boot. Sporting a lovely brown color scheme, the bike features a Brooks saddle with a matching leather shifter cover, all in addition to the beautiful wood-esque finish on the frame. Multiple gears and breaking in a rear hub bring this classic machine into the current century, but the look is still unmistakably vintage, which is certainly not a problem at all.

Source: CycleEXIF

It’s tough to mess with an American icon. The ramifications of these decisions have undoubtedly haunted engineers and board members alike for years. The Mustang? Watered down, courtesy of a rental-spec V6 base model that outsells the GT in droves. The Challenger? Redone in sheets of plastic and then left alone, and overtaken by not one but two Chevrolet muscle cars. Wherever the Corvette falls on your personal list, it’s an undeniable piece of automotive and American history. And, in the American spirit of fixing what isn’t broken, the third iteration of the Corvette Grand Sport is a terrific indication of how dedicated we are to making straightforward, badass sports cars.

The first generation of Grand Sports left an indelible mark on the landscape of automotive greatness. Limited to just five examples after corporate bigwigs at Chevy shut the program down, the original Grand Sport terrorized its competition from 1963 to 1967; it was aided by a 550bhp small block with a unique Weber carburetor setup, and was originally created to be the ultimate Corvette. The second Grand Sport did not come until years later, as the C4 was bowing out and Dave Hill (chief engineer of the C5 and C6) and John Heinricy (an outstanding driver and engineer whose accomplishments are too long to list) wanted to send it off in style. With a nod to the original, the C4 Grand Sport was graced with a high performance setup and a unique paint scheme; this time, one thousand units would be produced. Sixteen years later, we were lucky enough to be graced with the third iteration of the Grand Sport, this time uninhibited by production caps and limited runs. The Grand Sport, and the coupe especially, has come to represent what Corvette owners want out of their vehicles.

The current GS borrows quite a bit from the Z06 but still manages to retain its own identity. On the outside, the front splitter and rear spoiler are Z06-sourced, but reworked front and rear fenders with functional brake ducts make the Grand Sport stand out from its big brother. GS-specific wheels (18 in the front, 19 in the back) blanket the Chevy’s awesome brakes, also loaned from the Z06; but then again, with brakes this good, why change them? The options list on the GS is extensive, compared to the buy-as-it-is Z06; interested parties have the option of a removable roof coupe (which is brilliant) or a convertible, all factory colors are offered, and the 1,2,3, and 4LT trim packages are available to outfit the GS with. While it’s unlikely that any modern Corvette will ever take on the aesthetic persona of the godlike C2, the beauty is still there. Function has overtaken form, as is the style today, but there’s still a lot to like about the Grand Sport. The sweeping lines that rise and fall along each side of the coupe seem to juxtapose, almost not knowing whether to crease inwards or bend out, and yet it gives the design a real sense of purpose. There is so much going on with the Grand Sport that in a strange way, each bend and fold makes perfect sense, like a perfectly sculpted work of art.

The interior quality, while not on par with its European competitors, shows an attention to detail with a focus on an optimal driving experience. Visibility is perfect, and the ability to situate one’s self inside the cabin proved effortless. Every nook and cranny was in the perfect place to enhance the driver’s comfort (see:confidence), from the double-padded armrest to the well-bolstered seats. The now-common double-stitching was a nice but benign touch, the faux-carbon fiber was better than bland plastic, and the infotainment system could use a refresh, but once the dual-mode exhaust opened up, I would find time and again that these minute details ultimately didn’t matter.

How does it drive? Predictably, and trust me when I say this is a good thing. Over the years, we’ve come to expect quite a lot from Chevy’s prized thoroughbred, and the Grand Sport does not disappoint. Pushing the start button provides instant gratification, as the 436 horses under the hood come alive and declare themselves ready for use. The acceleration is brilliant and effortless, and the dual-mode exhaust (easily the best option on the vehicle) provides the perfect acoustic match to the 4.3 second jaunt to 60 miles per hour. The ‘Vette is far from twitchy, however; it is just at home cruising on the highway, and I can’t describe how many times I looked down at the tachometer and was appalled by the fact that the engine was holding steady under 2,000 revs while the car itself was well above the posted speed limit. The Grand Sport also benefits from Selective Drive, two different driving modes that can be switched on the fly at the driver’s behest. While Chevrolet refers to each mode as ‘Tour’ and ‘Sport’ respectively, I came to call them ‘Inferior’ and ‘Outstanding’ as time went on. The fantastic roadholding abilities and surefootedness of the Corvette were, in my opinion, compromised slightly in Touring mode. Confidence is everything when pushing a sports car even slightly near its limits, and in Sport mode the Corvette felt almost like it was thinking for me, predicting my future steering inputs and throttle blips and begging for more. The Goodyears did a terrific job of keeping the vehicle planted, and the Z06-sourced brakes were always up to the task of slowing the Grand Sport down.

I love the GS because it’s a great addition to Corvette’s own distinguished stable. It’s not quite a Z06, and it’s certainly not the base model. The appeal is there; in fact, it was practically demanded by Corvette owners, who modify their cars in every way imaginable. In this case, it’s a rare example of a car manufacturer that listened to its buyers and created a near-perfect vehicle.

British design firm Prindville Design firm has taken on the legendary Italian Lamborghini Aventador, bolstering the already super supercar with some impressive modifications. By introducing a variety of carbon fiber replacement body panels, Prindville was able to reduce the weight of the car by up to 65 percent, even adding a fresh aesthetic touch with a stark black and white contrast. Under the hood, a titanium high performance exhaust system is an astonishing 80 percent lighter than the standard part. Dissecting an excellent car to only make it better most certainly isn’t an easy task, but Prindville was able to handle it with a delicacy that is deeply appreciated.

Prindville Design is also working on tune-up packages for the Ferrari 458 and Range Rover Evoque. Check out more from Prindville Design here.

Source: World Car Fans

Long time cycle craftsman Chris King (three decades of experience in the industry certainly qualifies as a long time) has released quite the majestic frame, epically titled “There and Back.” Smothered in a kingly coat of gold flake paint, this frame offers an impressive range versatility, allowing for fender modifications and capable of a smooth ride thanks to the support of wide tires. White handlebar tape and seat only add to the ethereal nature of the bike, which expertly models the motto of Portland based Beloved Cycles, the shop where Chris dreamed up this incredible piece of machinery: “Let Us Chase the Sun.”

Check out more from Chris King and Beloved Cycles here.

Source: CycleEXIF

Boasting a design that is closer to science fiction than to today’s modern motorcycles, the Fleet Street Motorcycle Concept is a an interesting update on a vehicle that tends to prefer tradition over innovation. Instead of having a large body, the motorcycle opts for a sleeker and simpler look, removing some extraneous bells and whistles to create a captivating concept.

Despite the fact that the Fleet Street is only in the concept stages, should the motorcycle make it to market it would be a hard bargain for riders to ignore.

(...)
Read the rest of this post with more images at: Fleet Street Motorcycle Concept by Nejc Brezovšek

With the trend of electric cars continuing to grow, its now wonder that Volkswagen developed the concept for a possible electric powered automobile. Referred to as the “E-Bugster” the vehicle mixes the style of VW’s most prolific car with the easiness and comfort of an electric engine. Powered by lithium ion batteries, the vehicle charges quickly and reportedly has a horsepower of 115. Although the car is still only in the concept change, it’s an interesting alternative electric vehicle to possibly look forward to in the not so distant future

Visit: Volkswagen

(...)
Read the rest of this post with more images at: Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

Built for the biker who wants maximum comfort with all the grittiness of a mountain bike comes the Ortovox Mountainskyver. Designed for downhill enthusiast in particular, the bike provides riders with a balance of style, durability and comfort.

The bike also comes with a built in buffer to help mountain bikers maintain balance in dicey conditions.

More importantly, the bike is able to disassemble into a backpack to allow for quick and easy transport. This feature alone makes Ortovox’s latest bike an interesting option for bikers everywhere.

Visit: Ortovox

(...)
Read the rest of this post with more images at: Ortovox Mountainskyver

Playing off of the antique Volkswagens of days gone by comes the concept of the Facebook car, a playful riff on the social networking site that has all but defined the Internet for the past decade. Painted with the Facebook pallet of colors, a simple white and blue combination, the car is built around the idea that the automobile is its very own Facebook page, including having its own privacy settings (windows).

The cars are sure to please any antique collector with a hand in both the old and the new. For the rest of us however, the cars are simply something for us to laugh about and admire.

(...)
Read the rest of this post with more images at: Fanwagen – The Volkswagen Facebook Car

It’s not often that something of such high quality aligns itself with a great cause, but such is the case with the Scatto Fisso bicycle from Italian cycle shop Biascagne Cicli. Supported by a fresh from the grave Bottechia frame, the bike is fit with a slew of high-quality vintage parts that complement the over four decade old framework. But the best part about the cycle? All proceeds from the sale will go to Citta della Speranza, an association in Padua that supports research for children afflicted with one of the nastiest forms of cancer – leukemia. The eBay auction for the Scatto Fisso will run from Dec. 1 to Dec. 10, and with a starting bid of €222.22, every cent will take a step towards curing a dangerously fatal disease.

To help, just like the Biascagne Cicli Facebook page, where they will post information regarding the auction.

Source: CycleEXIF