2009 Batpod makes a field trip

The San-Diego Comic Con is now in full swing, and amidst all the panels and personal appearances, there's no shortage of static displays to check out either. Our man Drew Phillips strolled through the halls to see what's what and sent back some photos of the wheeled attractions dotting the floor.


First up? The Batpod, natch. As you can see, The Dark Knight's ride is roped off to keep it protected from the rabble, but at the show's conclusion, we think its minder should put those cannons to good use by blasting a hole through the San Diego Convention Center's wall and riding out in style. And he ought to wear these, too.


More Photos

2009 Batpod makes a field trip

The San-Diego Comic Con is now in full swing, and amidst all the panels and personal appearances, there's no shortage of static displays to check out either. Our man Drew Phillips strolled through the halls to see what's what and sent back some photos of the wheeled attractions dotting the floor.


First up? The Batpod, natch. As you can see, The Dark Knight's ride is roped off to keep it protected from the rabble, but at the show's conclusion, we think its minder should put those cannons to good use by blasting a hole through the San Diego Convention Center's wall and riding out in style. And he ought to wear these, too.


More Photos

Video: Marotti concept reverse three-wheeler from Poland

When viewed from the front at a standstill the car/cycle looks cool and futuristic. But seen from the side, and in motion, it looks like an odd combination of a stubby-nosed sports car mated with a segway.





To call the Marotti three-wheeled concept car "unusual looking" is a massive understatement. A new video of the airplane-inspired machine has just been released, and show's the car from sketch, to production, to test driving.





In profile, it does not actually look like a fighter jet, as implied, but rather like an early space shuttle mockup. Although it accomplishes cool things, the space shuttle is commonly referred to as a "flying brick" because it is both heavy and lacking in supreme aerodynamics.





The prototype is fitted with a double rocker arm at the front, roller rocker arm at the back, and an adjustable shock system. Disk brakes are used, but we wouldn't mind seeing heavy duty calipers and disks on the machine.





Anyway, the vehicle does have a killer amount of power, considering its light 440 kg weight. It uses a 750 cc Honda V4 engine that produces 100 horsepower, and is controlled with a sequential six-speed gearbox.





The Marotti concept was shown off earlier this year in Poland at the Poznan Automotive Meetings Design Forum.





Unfortunately, Marotti will continue to push the car's appearance. That may not be such a good idea, as the car/cycle is clearly designed to appeal to the few, not the many.

More Photos

Video: Marotti concept reverse three-wheeler from Poland

When viewed from the front at a standstill the car/cycle looks cool and futuristic. But seen from the side, and in motion, it looks like an odd combination of a stubby-nosed sports car mated with a segway.





To call the Marotti three-wheeled concept car "unusual looking" is a massive understatement. A new video of the airplane-inspired machine has just been released, and show's the car from sketch, to production, to test driving.





In profile, it does not actually look like a fighter jet, as implied, but rather like an early space shuttle mockup. Although it accomplishes cool things, the space shuttle is commonly referred to as a "flying brick" because it is both heavy and lacking in supreme aerodynamics.





The prototype is fitted with a double rocker arm at the front, roller rocker arm at the back, and an adjustable shock system. Disk brakes are used, but we wouldn't mind seeing heavy duty calipers and disks on the machine.





Anyway, the vehicle does have a killer amount of power, considering its light 440 kg weight. It uses a 750 cc Honda V4 engine that produces 100 horsepower, and is controlled with a sequential six-speed gearbox.





The Marotti concept was shown off earlier this year in Poland at the Poznan Automotive Meetings Design Forum.





Unfortunately, Marotti will continue to push the car's appearance. That may not be such a good idea, as the car/cycle is clearly designed to appeal to the few, not the many.

More Photos

Sidecar Motorcycling: Laverada Supercar

Here's someone who has made from a Laverda motorcycle a sidecar. Not just any sidecar, but a supercar sidecar, including gulfwing doors. The sidecar part looks amazing, a true work of art. It's almost like it came straight out of the factory.work of art. It's almost like it came straight out of the factory.


Take François Knorreck of Italy. After some 10,000 hours of work over a ten-year period and at a cost of 15,000 euros, Knorreck created a unique sidecar motorcycle called the Snaefell – likely named after the tallest peak on the famed Isle of Man. Half the machine is based on the guts of a Laverda motorcycle, while the other half uses bits from a Volkswagen GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia.


Equally as interesting is this mashup that combines what appears to be an older British motorcycle with a cut-down Citroen 2CV sidecar. It seems both machines are in fully working order with the older 2CV still sporting what we assume is an inoperative a steering wheel.


Parts were used from other vehicles, like a Kawasaki 1000, VW Golf GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia car. Further gear was found on BMW and Renault cars.


Source:Bikes in the Fast Lane via:autoblog

Sidecar Motorcycling: Laverada Supercar

Here's someone who has made from a Laverda motorcycle a sidecar. Not just any sidecar, but a supercar sidecar, including gulfwing doors. The sidecar part looks amazing, a true work of art. It's almost like it came straight out of the factory.work of art. It's almost like it came straight out of the factory.


Take François Knorreck of Italy. After some 10,000 hours of work over a ten-year period and at a cost of 15,000 euros, Knorreck created a unique sidecar motorcycle called the Snaefell – likely named after the tallest peak on the famed Isle of Man. Half the machine is based on the guts of a Laverda motorcycle, while the other half uses bits from a Volkswagen GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia.


Equally as interesting is this mashup that combines what appears to be an older British motorcycle with a cut-down Citroen 2CV sidecar. It seems both machines are in fully working order with the older 2CV still sporting what we assume is an inoperative a steering wheel.


Parts were used from other vehicles, like a Kawasaki 1000, VW Golf GTI, Audi 80 and a Citroen Xantia car. Further gear was found on BMW and Renault cars.


Source:Bikes in the Fast Lane via:autoblog

FOTA looks to MotoGP for 2010 breakaway

Carmelo Ezpeleta could be the figure FOTA turns to if the major teams decide to quit Formula One at the end of the year, according to the Spanish sports newspaper Diario AS.

Ezpeleta is the CEO of Madrid-based Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of F1's two-wheeled equivalent MotoGP.

Dorna was bought by CVC, F1's current owner, in 1998 but is now controlled by its management.

It has been credited with transferring the rule-making power of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to the GP Manufacturers Association (MSMA).

The newspaper said the Formula One Teams Association has already had contact with Ezpeleta, who would be reportedly willing to take command of a breakaway series should the eight FOTA members decide to create their own.

A few F1 drivers, including double champion Fernando Alonso and current titleholder Lewis Hamilton, have indicated their readiness to follow their teams into a new series.
Source:GMM via World Car Fans

FOTA looks to MotoGP for 2010 breakaway

Carmelo Ezpeleta could be the figure FOTA turns to if the major teams decide to quit Formula One at the end of the year, according to the Spanish sports newspaper Diario AS.

Ezpeleta is the CEO of Madrid-based Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of F1's two-wheeled equivalent MotoGP.

Dorna was bought by CVC, F1's current owner, in 1998 but is now controlled by its management.

It has been credited with transferring the rule-making power of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to the GP Manufacturers Association (MSMA).

The newspaper said the Formula One Teams Association has already had contact with Ezpeleta, who would be reportedly willing to take command of a breakaway series should the eight FOTA members decide to create their own.

A few F1 drivers, including double champion Fernando Alonso and current titleholder Lewis Hamilton, have indicated their readiness to follow their teams into a new series.
Source:GMM via World Car Fans

Hayabusa Powered Smart Car Photos & Volvo

Eat this, Ken Block! In today’s podcast, Lieberman and I were talking about the forthcoming Brabus tuned Smart car, and I mentioned having seen some vids of insane Hayabusa powered Smart cars. I appreciate that Hayabusa is the “go to” engine for making a total monster out of your light car, motorbike, ATV, Ariel Atom, or whatever else. This ain’t exactly brand new, but it’s still wickedly cool. Check the vid after the jump, and look closely at around 0:57 of the video for a snazzy trick.
via:Autofiends

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Car News: Fiat Abarth co-brands with Intel PC and Yamaha FZ1

Abarth is sleeping with some rather unusual bedfellows in Intel and Yamaha. The way forward in the motor industry is an unknown one so who knows where these collaborations might lead. The Intel one has future ECU possibilities of course, but for now it’s confined to branding a high-performance desktop machine powered by Intel’s new Core i7 Extreme processor, which is the most powerful Intel processor ever built.
The Abarth Powerplay Extreme PC is being exhibited at the 0 - 100 show and features everything that a hardcore gamer needs from a PC. The machine is used in recognition of gamers’ wide and often limit-bending applications of PCs, making them a sort of test bed for extreme performance. It will be the protagonist to Intel Friday Night Game, a championship in which 30 countries compete.


Yamaha’s involvement with Abarth takes the form of a “naked” FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corso bike with 150hp, very light with generous use of aluminium, titanium and carbon fiber components. It features monobloc brake callipers, daisy discs and a very adjustable suspension system. Abarth livery adds to the sporting mystique of this new collaboration.

Press Release:



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Honda offers Michael Schumacher a ride

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has been offered a ride in the World Superbike Championship next year by Honda.

The German, who retired from Formula One racing at the end of the 2006 season, has been taking part in German superbike races during the year.

He also tested for the Ducati MotoGP team.

"Michael is convinced that the German championship is right for him at the moment," Honda Racing's Carlo Fiorani was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "For the moment he has not asked us to race in the 2009 world championship.

"But if he wants to, there is a way for him (to do it). All he has to do is ask us."

Schumacher has always maintained, however, that he had no intention to start a serious racing career on bikes.
Source: Autosport




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Italy Gets Civic Type S Fireblade Replica

Available in Black, Red and Silver, the Civic Type S Fireblade Replica comes with the 140hp 2.2-liter i-CTDi diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission at a price of €25,190 in Italy.


For those folks who like motorcycles but also cars, Honda, the Japanese manufacturer unveiled special edition of a 3-door Civic Type S inspired by CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle. Special built for the Italian market,


Distinguished externally by redesigned front and rear bumper fascias, losing their chicken wire mesh grille look in favor of air vents and diffuser like bottom, respectively.


Price of the car: €25,000 or approximately $40,000.

Source: OmniAuto.it


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