Renovo Hardwood Bicycles
More than just purely aesthetics, Renovo Bicycles are returning the bicycle to its original form with their all-wood frames. If you’re skeptical about an all-wood bicycle, you’d be pleased to know that Renovo’s heirloom quality frame’s fatigue life is substantially longer than aluminum or steel and rivals that of carbon.
The frames are made from hollow wood and laminated bamboo, which Renovo claims to have, “superior ride quality and durability compared to man-made materials, and when combined with an array of advanced technologies, it becomes a high performance [component],”
These bikes are also almost entirely handmade, from the sorting and matching of the wood, to bonding, machining and shaping. Future Renovo owners are also able to chose their desired wood, as opposed to most hand-built bike companies which have their parts sourced from other countries.
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BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle
Looking for one of the most accomplished dual-sports on the market? Look no further than BMWs best selling motorcycle of all time, the R1200 GS. This uber-versatile bike can handle just about anything that comes its way, and its tremendous capabilities were made well known after celebs Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman used them on a trek from Scotland to South Africa. The potent 105bhp 2-cylinder makes enough power to weave through traffic on the highway, and the newest feature, BMWs ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) allows you to adjust both front and rear suspensions between Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Off-road settings. Snag yours for around $15k.
Ferreti 560 Yacht
Renowned yacht manufacturer Ferretti collaborated with Studio Zuccon International Project to produce the Ferretti 560, the latest offering in the company’s lineup of luxury vessels. Powered by a pair of 900 horsepower V8 engines, the 560 is capable of cruising at 28 knots, and reaches its peak speed at 32 knots. The exterior design of the yacht reflects its performance capabilities- a steeply raked windshield and expansive glass flanking either side of the upper cabin engender a sleek and sporting appearance. The extensive use of windows also allows natural light to brighten living spaces and sleeping quarters. The 560 incorporates four separate sleeping quarters, with capacity for eight guests. The upper deck living space opens onto the lower exterior deck through a pair of sliding doors, where passengers enjoy ample seating and a full bar. Other exterior spaces include a sunning platform atop the bow and the obligatory fly bridge.
Rallyracing Fantastigraphics
Rally racing, perhaps the most underappreciated of all motorsport, can now be seen through the lenses of both amateurs and professionals. Even if your knowledge of the sport itself is minimal, any gearhead or photog is bound to find World Famous Design Junkies’ collection a terrific compilation. Whether you prefer Lancia to Lancer, or sideways to airborne, these pictures are a must.
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Elite Aston Martin LMV/R
It’s amazing how a few simple pieces can make a beautiful car like Aston Martin’s Vantage look so sinister. Florida-based tuner Elite will produce 30 versions of their Le Mans Vantage Racer, and they have spared no expense with their liberal use of carbon fiber. Their body kit consists of a new front bumper, visible carbon canards, a carbon front splitter, a menacing hood, wider fenders, side skirts, rear quarter panel extensions, a carbon trunk lid with visible carbon rear wing, and a rear bumper with carbon diffuser. Non-carbon fiber upgrades include a big brake kit, revised exhaust, lowering springs, terrific 20 inch matte black wheels, and the so-exclusive-every-supercar-has-it Alcantara interior (hey, at least you can pick the color). The cost of it all? A whopping $173,000 on top of whatever you might have shelled out for your Aston.
More images after the jump.
P800 911 Twin-Turbo by Switzer Performance
The first Switzer car we featured, an 800bhp GT2, was so popular among Porsche owners that regular (if you could call them that) 911 Turbo owners requested a similar package. Now aided not only by all-wheel-drive but also 800bhp, the P800 screams through the quarter mile in only 10.5 seconds, and hits 60 in less than 3 seconds. Familiar upgrades to the turbos and intercooler, as well as to the ECU, exhaust, and clutch help create and transfer all 800 ponies to all four wheels. Oh, and it looks good, too.
Head on over after the jump to see more images of the P800 911 Twin-Turbo.
Honda Insight by Exclusive Zeus
The one downside to a lot of hybrids is that they’re not, well…tunable. Obviously extracting more horsepower from a low or zero-emissions vehicle would hurt driveability and completely negate the high miles-per-gallon that hybrids or electric cars stand by. Japanese tuner Exclusive Zeus (the name alone is cool enough) has taken a step in the right direction, debuting their custom body kit for the Honda Insight this week. As part of the company’s so-called GMLRS Line, the kit boasts front and rear spoilers, a stealthy grille, and aluminum side skirts. Be the first one on your block without a weird looking hybrid!
Piaggio Ape Calessino
Evocative of Italy in the 50’s, and featured in Fellini’s Dolce Vita, the Piaggio Ape is a legendary four-seater leisure vehicle originally designed by aeronautical engineer Corradino d’Ascanio. In 2007 999 reissues were reproduced, and Piaggio now has released 100 copies with electric motors. Originally produced (in 1948) to transport goods with a single cylinder 422 cc engine, the new version features an electric motor powered by a Lithium-ion battery rechargeable in 4 hours, with speeds peaking at 50 KM / H (about 30mph). The new version also features wood paneling and a folding top, making it perfect for your own Talented Mr. Ripley moment.
More images after the jump.
Citroën Eco-Luxury Sedan
Coventry design student Ankit Prashar is looking for work, and we’re sure he’ll find it after completing his final project. His concept of a sustainable luxury car is one that, surprisingly, hasn’t really been touched on too much despite an influx of ideas about the future of eco-cars. What we absolutely love is his take on the Citroen logo by incorporating the double chevron into the front fascia. This zero-emissions luxo-cruiser would be powered by in-wheel hub motors, not a unique concept but certainly one whose day is drawing closer. The 1-2 seating layout is also familiar, having been used in both supercars and concept cars alike; Prashar likes the layout because it allows for extreme comfort for the rear passengers without elongating the vehicle. The Jean Nouvel-inspired glass roof is definitely the aesthetic centerpiece of the car; looks aside, it is designed to filter the sunlight entering the interior to form a unique pattern that gives the impression of the sunrays passing through trees. All you need to do is supply the chauffeur.
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2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 – “Dearborn Doll”
It’s a rare occasion that a major automobile manufacturer creates a one-off vehicle, especially one available to bid on by the general public. Ford’s AV-X10, nicknamed the Dearborn Doll, was created via a partnership with EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, hence the ‘AV’ part of the Mustang’s moniker. The ‘10′ designates the model year as well as the 10-millionth engine from Ford’s Romeo-based design plant, which is no small feat. Getting past the Mustang’s strange alphanumeric designation is easy enough, as this one-of-a-kind pony car is outfitted with a Ford Racing supercharger, handling pack, and exhaust, which squeeze a terrific 550bhp from the standard Mustang GT 4.6. The brilliant paint scheme continues the aviation theme, with a yellow “nose cone” and rear wing to compliment the Satin Silver that covers most of the car; also notice the yellow propeller tips that compliment the Shelby GT500 wheels. The aviation-inspired interior is really unique, and we love the intentionally worn Bader leather on the seats, as well as the “military khaki” suede accents throughout. The AV-X10s predecessor, the AV8R, raised over $500,000 for the Young Eagles organization, which gives children free opportunities to fly airplanes; Ford and those involved hope this year’s model will meet or exceed those figures.
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