2010 Triumph Rocket III
Despite the current trend in the automotive world to constantly do more with less, Triumph has apparently gone in the opposite direction with their newest cruiser, the Rocket III. Saddled with the distinction of being the worlds “largest capacity bike,” the Rocket III Roadster is powered by a 2.3liter inline three-cylinder engine that generates an astounding 165 lb-ft of twist. Simon Warburton, Triumph’s GM, promises a dynamic riding experience thanks to the engine’s ability to provide “instant drive at any point” coupled with a drastic change in riding position from the previous Rocket III. The footrests have been lowered and moved further back, and the seat has been raised and repositioned to give the rider a sportier experience. Despite the hefty 807 pound curb weight, a retuned suspension should keep the Rocket nimble on both straights and twisties. The use of Triumph’s familiar twin headlights (recognizable from the Speed Triple, a great touch) returns, but the instrument panel changes to improve functionality and encourage a better riding experience. Available only in black (at least you can choose matte or gloss), expect to see Triumph’s newest creation hit dealers early next year.
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Audi Car Configurator on Microsoft Surface
While Audi’s R8 electric turned heads at this year’s IAA, the tech-happy German brand also debuted its A4 Configurator. Using Microsoft Surface, the Configurator allows multiple users to create the A4 of their dreams in an immersive 3D environment. Simple hand gestures or motions allow the user to alter virtually anything on the A4, with instant results. Paint finish, wheel and tire packages, and interior color scheme are just some of the options that will be available for the user to manipulate. Whether or not Audi plans to take their tech partnership to local dealers remains unknown, but this will surely be a welcome change from the tired 100-page option booklets that luxury car manufacturers cling so fondly to.
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1932 Ford Track Nose Licorice Streak Special
The good news? This one-of-a-kind beauty was not sold on Ebay this week. The bad news? Even with bidding at $178,000, the reserve was not met. Commissioned by gearhead Tim Allen and put together by the renowned Moal Coachbuilders, this hot rod is unquestionably a fine piece of rolling art. Although the title lists it as a 1932 Ford, there’s not a lot about this vehicle that Henry and company would remember if they saw the Licorice Streak Special cruising through Dearborn on a sunny afternoon. Between the Art Deco inspired trim and moldings made by Takayuki “Kaki” Kakizaki and the Ford SVO 351 (with GT40 heads) lurking within, this is a truly unique and beautiful vehicle, as its 10 years worth of awards will attest to as well. With such an immaculate and spellbinding vehicle primed to go back on the auction block, it’s only a matter of time before it finds another home.
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Rolls Royce Ghost
Rolls Royce has pulled the sheets off of the Ghost, which was known as the 200EX during its concept phase. The mini-Phantom looks undoubtedly like a Rolls, but as a smaller vehicle it has incorporated a lot of new, modern design features. The familiar grille is flanked by slimmed xenon headlights, which are further augmented with contrasting satin silver paint that extends past the hood and seems to wrap around the car’s a-pillars. The car has a sleeker profile than its big brother, and is almost two feet shorter; it is said to share approximately 20% of its underpinnings with the current BMW 7-series. Inside is typical Rolls paradise: veneered picnic tables, lambswool floormats, and massaging seats are just some of the goodies that set the Ghost apart from its competition. Techies will be happy to hear that Goodwood has packed its newest car with all the latest gadgets. Night vision, adaptive cruise control, and a bevy of cameras assist various parking and lane-changing situations. Power comes from an all-new 6.6-liter turbocharged V12, which will produce 563bhp and 575lb/ft of torque and mates to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The Ghost debuts this week at the Frankfurt auto show.
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Honda EV-N Concept
Honda plans to show off a recent deisng study at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show, which they call the EV-N. An obvious homage to the quirky N360, the EV-N is a two-door electric-driven sedan that would most likely have similar power output to its much older brother (31bhp from a hearty 360cc engine). Sustainable ideas like replaceable seat fabrics and roof mounted solar panels (to recharge the lithium-ion battery) help keep the EV-N predictably green. The updated grille is a departure from the current Honda lineup, and actually houses the headlights behind the front fascia. Clearly, the EV-N will never be a production model, but it’s neat to see Honda pay tribute to one of its earliest models with such a tech-happy and eco-friendly concept.
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VELORBIS Bicycles
German-made, Danish-designed VELORBIS bicycles exude luxury and elegance but are strategically manufactured to resist the stinging snow, frost, and salt of Scandinavian winters through zinc plated mudguards, rust protected steel frames, and stainless steel bolts. Premium components including Brooks leather saddles, grips, and mud flaps signal clearly that with VELORBIS you’re rolling in ultimate style.
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Singer Porsche 911
The Singer 911 is just plain cool. The brand new company got started off on the right foot with this awesome take on a multigenerational 911. Evoking the spirit of the 60s original, the Singer 911 taps the best of each decade of Porsche engineering (the “race-bred chic” of the 70s, the bulletproof reliability of the 80s, and the “power and sophistication” of the 90s) and comes out a winner. The unique and very retro “Racing Orange” paint job looks terrific and is complimented by only slightly updated throwbacks like powercoated versions of Porsche’s trademark Fuchs wheels and OEM-like Hella bi-xenons up front. Under the paint, carbon fiber reigns supreme, replacing the steel body panels that wrapped the original; in fact, according to the engineers at Singer, their 911 weighs in at just 2,400 pounds. The interior is pure race car and is thankfully devoid of alcantara. With sexy Recaro seats, a Porsche racing three-spoke steering wheel, and VDO/Tag Heuer gauges highlighted by a color-matched Singer tachometer, the interior should obviously prove to any observer that this 911 is a driver’s car before all else. Speaking of driving, the Singer will hang with any GT3, thanks to its uniquely tuned 3.82 liter boxer-six, it is the proud owner of 425bhp, which enables the retro rocket to hit 60mph in a scant 3.9 seconds.
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Icon CJ3B ‘Dog’
Back in spring we told you about Icon’s range of Toyota FJ40-inspired retro minimalist off-roaders. Now news has reached us that they are planning a new, even more stripped down, model, the CJ3B or ‘Dog’ as it is affectionately being called.
Built on a custom coil-suspension chassis and powered by GM’s Ecotec 4-cyclinder (although Icon say they are also working on a full-electric version), the Dog will be sold in kit form, allowing customers to assemble it at home using only hand-tools. We like this nod to the back-page ads from Popular Mechanics in the sixties and the recession busting do-it-yourself ethos espoused by Icon. We’re sure it will win them a loyal following for their distinctive products.
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WHY – Wally-Hermes Yachts
WHY (Wally-Hermes Yachts), a collaboration between esteemed Monaco-based yacht maker Wally and the equally esteemed French fashion house, recently unveiled their first production, and it’s a beauty. While the yacht’s specs are top-notch (as expected), what really sets the this belle apart is its luxurious use of space. The interior features an open floorplan with a grand stairwell worthy of a cruise line, with multiple living spaces formed by particular arrangements of Hermes furniture. Perhaps the most stunning use of space is seen on the stern, arranged like a poolside, with interior cabanas facing the sea. Because of the quality and spaciousness of this vessel, Wally-Hermes’ claims that they were looking to create an island in the sea ring true.
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Ferrari Enzo FXX Evolution
It takes a lot of confidence to tweak one of the greatest production cars of the modern era. Luckily, it seems that edo competition has that in spades. The Ahlen, Germany-based tuners seem intent on modifying only the world’s most exclusive and powerful vehicles, with a stable of supercars that includes Lamborghini LPs, a Ferrari 430, and an Audi R8. Their latest conception might trump its brethren, however. Edo has somehow given rise to an 840bhp Enzo, which they call the FXX Evolution. Despite its 180bhp advantage over a stock Enzo, the FXX Evolution also tips the scales 220 pounds lighter, and a functional (and insane) aero kit completes the look. The end result of their work quickly becomes a numbers game: the car hits 60mph in 3.2 seconds, has a top speed of 242mph, and can shift gears in 60 milliseconds. Yes, in the grand scheme of things, the FXX Evolution is a little ridiculous, but isn’t that the point?
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