Celebrated Italian bike manufacturer Ducati took to IAA in Frankfurt this week to unveil the most powerful version of its most popular naked bike: an “R” version of the Monster 1200. Utilizing the 1198cc Testastretta DS R (the latest take on Ducati’s classic V-twin), the new bike offers increased power and speed over its predecessor — improving on the 1200 S’s specs with 117.7kW of power at 9,250 rpm while torque tops out at 131 Nm at 7,750 rpm — thanks largely to a two-into-one-into-two exhaust of 58 mm pipes. Other improvements over the S include the likes of a wet clutch with slipper functionality, an adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires — all of which have been borrowed from Ducati’s top-of-the-line 1299 Panigale.
German luxury automobile manufacturer Porsche is setting its sights on Tesla’s target market with its Mission E Concept vehicle. The ultra-futuristic and sleek car boasts 590 horsepower, and a claimed 310.7 miles of range on a 90 kWh battery. Porsche’s engineers devised a magnet synchronous motor contraption to power the car, which can both accelerate and recover braking energy. Able to hit 124 mph in less than 12 seconds, the car’s charging capabilities is probably the biggest highlight. Touting an 800-volt system that can charge the car 80 percent in just 15 minutes.
source:hypebeast.com
Mansory has tapped a superpowered Lambo for customization once again, this time joining the Italian sports car manufacturer for a “Torofeo” edition of the Huracán. Marking the second timethe German customizer has taken on the Gallardo successor, the “Torofeo” follows in the footsteps of the “Carbonado” edition of the Aventador, covering the Huracán’s exterior in sleek carbon fiber. In typical Mansory fashion, however, the customization isn’t limited to the lightweight exterior construction. The newly designed body has been complemented with new designs for the headlights, air intakes, front apron, front lip, side skirts, mirror housing, wheel arches, finned safety glass bonnet, rear spoiler, diffuser and rear apron — all of which comes together to not only offer an enhanced aesthetic, but improved downforce. Under the hood sits a rebuilt 5.2-liter V10 alongside two bearing-mounted turbochargers, which — in conjunction with a newly aligned exhaust system — results in increased performance specs of 1,250 hp at 8,250 rpm and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds. Finally, the interior itself even receives a refined makeover, with leather and Alcantara covering the seats and dash along with a new sport airbag steering wheel, repositioned starter button, aluminum foot pedals and carbon fiber applications throughout.
The “Torofeo” Huracán is on display now at IAA in Frankfurt.
source:hypebeast.com
Alabama-based motorcycle builder Confederate has unveiled its latest automotive creation: the P51 G2 Combat Fighter. Powered by a big-block, air-cooled, push-rod V-twin engine, the new chopper boasts over 200 horsepower, 170 lb-ft of torque, a straight-cut transmission, five-speed overdrive and carbon fiber wheels and is built of 6061 aerospace billet aluminum — right down to the unitized engine block and heads. Designed by original P51 creator Jon Kasse, the new G2 will be limited to just 61 units: 31 will be designated “blonde” and presented as raw machined billet while the other 30 will come in anodized black. MSRP for the “blonde” is $113,900 USD while the black version of the bike goes for $119,500 USD.
source:hypebeast.com
Combining the stellar Mercedes-AMG C63 sedan and the recently unveiled Mercedes-Benz C-Class brings about an even more stunning vehicle: the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 coupe. Debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the new car is sleek but aggressive, with equally impressive performance. Its interior makings include the same twin turbo 4.0-liter V8 as the C63 sedan, offering two different states of tune. The standard C63 coupe offers 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while the C63 S offers 503 and 516 respectively. Additionally, the car runs to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds in the standard, and 3.8 in the S. Its interior boasts an equally impressive attention to detail, and sharp and strong aesthetics to match the beautiful car. While the AMG C63 will officially make its debut next month, American deliveries won’t begin until summer 2016.
source:hypebeast.com
Following up on the fashion-inspired version that made its debut in May, luxury car manufacturer Rolls Royce presents another limited edition rendering of the effortlessly gracious Wraith model. The St. James Edition is the fastest model to come out of the storied Goodwood factory, boasting a 632 horsepower V12 engine with 590 lb-ft of torque. A fiery red paint has been applied to the car’s sleek exterior with a complementing aluminum grille, chrome treatments along the door handle and window trim, and two-tone alloys to complete the elegant design. For more information head over to Rolls Royce’s website, and stay tuned for the upcoming release of the convertible version in 2016.
source:hypebeast.com
German automobile tuning company AC Schnitzer unveils its stunning BMW i8 styling package. Revolutionizing sports cars of the future to have the fuel consumption and emission of a small hybrid car, the latest BMW i8 by AC Schnitzer features a bevy of carbon elements along the front spoiler, side skirts, and rear wing as the lowered body channels the powerful dynamic between the powerful petrol engine and the electric motor. A lightweight 21-inch AC1 forged alloy wheelset accentuates the minimal, yet refined tuning package as the interior boasts an aluminium pedal set and velour floor mats, reinforcing the lightweight design while retaining the car’s aerodynamic, sporty and sophisticated look.
source/text:hypebeast.com
If you’ve ever wanted the Aston Martin DB5 but blanched at the thought of the maintenance and upkeep associated with classic cars, you’re in luck. Debuted by British coachmaker David Brown Automotive just over a year ago, the Speedback GT combines the graceful lines of cars of yesteryear, such as the DB5, with the insides of the thoroughly modern Jaguar XKR, and is set to finally break into the U.S. market. Designed by former Land Rover designer Alan Mobberley, the Speedback GT is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 making 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. Linked to a six-speed automatic, the car is capable of a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The interior is outfitted in plush wood trim and leather upholstery to match the elegant exterior styling. Going for £495,000 GBP (approximately $753,000 USD), the David Brown Automotive Speedback GT will debut at an exclusive event to be held during 2015 Monterrey Car Week this August.
source/text:hypebeast.com
Stretching both the terms “motorcycle” and “concept,” here we find a new design courtesy of Mehmet Doruk Erdem for Alfa Romeo – the Spirito. Looking a bit like a cross between a Star Wars landspeeder and a Formula 1 racer, the Alfa Romeo Spirito is actually meant to encapsulate the rich heritage of Italian style and customs. Accordingly, the bike features an oversized front portion to house a powerful engine, while the rear is crafted with transparent materials to reveal the bike’s inner workings. Executed in Alfa Romeo’s hallmark red, the motor-craft also houses a custom brown leather seat and exposed shocks. While it likely won’t hit the streets anytime soon, enjoy a look at Erdem’s imaginative work above.
source:designboom/hypebeast
Infiniti unveils the Vision Gran Turismo Concept. Although initially designed strictly for Sony’s racing video game Gran Turismo 6, the Infiniti Vision Gran Turismo concept car made a surprising appearance in an exclusive showcase at the Shanghai Motor Show event this past week. Boasting a sleek, wide-body chrome exterior fitted with aerodynamic curves along the side profile and rear, the latest concept car from Infiniti is powered by a 4.5-liter hybrid powertrain engine as black center-lock carbon fiber wheels accentuate the modern aesthetic.
source/text:hypebeast
Turkey-based industrial designer Mehmet Doruk Erdem has developed a futuristic motorcycle concept for BMW. Dubbed the “Apollo Streamliner,” the bike is a unique fusion of heritage and cutting edge characteristics, with a particular emphasis on speed. The two-wheeler’s classically-styled brown saddle, exposed engine and rear suspension serves as a contrast to the aerodynamic sloping front section that completely covers the front wheel. Probably more fitted to breaking landspeed records than for daily use, check out the BMW Apollo Streamliner above and head over to designboom to get a better look.
Source: DESIGNBOOM/HYPEBEAST
Land Rover has enlisted the sartorial acumen of Paul Smith to create a customized one-off of the Defender. Created with the assistance of the Land Rover special design team, the model has 27 different exterior colors, in addition to satin accents on the door handles, wheels and mirrors. The interior boasts leather and fabric seats with contrasted stitching, with a leather-wrapped dashboard and a Paul Smith-customized fascia. The roof also adorns a special illustration of a bee — signaling a reference to the countryside and the heritage of the car.
Source: WORLD CAR FANS/ Hypebeast
The Triumph Salt Racer is a refurbished 2008 Triupmh Thurxton, built with the aim of setting a new Dry Lake Racers (DRLA) record at Lake Gardiner in South Australia at the end of this month. Created by Triumph Australia and Ross Osborne of Supacustom, they included wire wheels, a 360-degree crank and a fuel injection system. The result was this carbon fiber Thruxton with more horsepower than the original. Check out the project’s site here.
Last week we got an advance look at the new Mercedes-AMG GT3, and today official images have hit the web in all their glory. Replacing the SLS AMG GT3 that won its class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2013, this new racing version of the Mercedes-AMG GT is built specifically to comply with the FIA GT3 class’s homologation and set to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. Under the hood the GT3 sports a 6.3-liter V8, sourced from the SLS AMG GT3. The exterior is simply stylish, featuring vertical grille slats, a circuit-hugging body kit, and huge wing at the rear. For now we can enjoy these photos, until we get to see this beauty in action in Geneva.
source:hypebeast
Ahead of the official public reveal set to take place next week in Geneva, Audi has released official images and specs for the overhauled R8. Under the hood the car features a V10 5.2-liter FSI naturally aspirated engine, in both 540 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque for the base model and 610 horsepower with 413 lb-ft for the V10 Plus model. Inside the cabin, drivers will find a new, streamlined design housed inside 12.3-inch virtual cockpit. Nappa leather upholsteries, clear coated carbon fiber accents, and a 500-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system are just a few of the luxurious upgrades available. This second generation Audi R8 will be on sale this summer with introductory pricing set around $186,000 USD for the standard model and from $212,000 USD for the R8 V10 Plus.
Source: WORLD CAR FANS/hypebeast
The Mercedes-Maybach relationship represents a progression for two names already synonymous with luxury, as parent company Daimler revives the Maybach legacy through Mercedes‘ already-elite S Class line. Although the 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 retains classic lines and, admittedly, isn’t aesthetically radical, it still represents the best of German engineering for the streets. This exclusive model features a V12 6.0-liter twin-turbo engine underneath the hood, a powerful motor that generates 523 bhp. Aside from its standout road performance, the S600 features MAGIC BODY CONTROL media center and a 3D surround system – courtesy with Burmester – embedded into the plush leather interior. Priced to the tune of $189,000 USD, deliveries of this exclusive vehicle will begin on February 7.
source/text:hypebeast.com
The mercedes-benz ‘GLE coupé’ combines a flamboyant nature with the striking robustness of a SUV to create a convincing and dynamic on-road/off-road vehicle. Its raised seating position and all-round view is reminiscent of a 4×4 but interlocks well with the styling features such as the flowing side contour, elongated and low greenhouse, radiator grille with a central chrome louvre, and rear end design, that are typical to the company’s sports models. The automobile demonstrates the bridge between intelligence and emotion, and the blend of tradition and modernity to combine sportiness and modern luxury. The mercedes-benz ‘GLE coupé’ which is available as a diesel or petrol V6 biturbo engined model, has the performance to match its external look by offering an output range between 258 and 367 hp. The car has the DYNAMIC SELECT handling control, the sports direct-steer and the driver assistance systems which are all standard with the company’s products, in order to aid the driver when controlling all this force. Likewise, the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive are also offered with the models.
source/texte:designboom
AUDI has presented the new Q7 ahead of the 2015 north american international auto show in detroit. The latest addition to the AUDI family is over 700 pounds lighter than its predecessor thanks to carbon fiber components, and is also offered as an e-tron quattro; the world’s first plug-in hybrid with a six-cylinder diesel engine and quattro all-wheel drive. Although the exterior dimensions have become significantly smaller, the SUV offers substantially more interior room for passengers and more power under the hood. The audi Q7 is powered by a 333 horsepower 3.0 liter turbocharged TFSI engine that can accelerate it from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 6.1 seconds, and the Q7 e-tron quattro, which will be launched mid-2015, boasts a system output of 373 hp and 516.3 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in diesel will consume just 1.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (138.4 mpg), and will go as far as 56 kilometers in all-electric mode with a fully charged battery.
source/texte:designboom
images: AUDI
To mark the tenth anniversary of the design miami/ 2014 show and AUDI’s partnership with the forum since 2006, the AUDI ‘prologue concept’ signature car dubbed ‘the force within’, launches the company’s new design era under recently-appointed design chief marc lichte, at the event. As one of the world’s leading stages for contemporary and modern design, and an emerging hotspot for the creative scene, the german automotive manufacturer realize that design miami/ is the scene in which to showcase their two-door coupé that gives expression and unity to technical innovations and uncompromising style.
Cadillac continues to stake its claim as a premiere all-American car brand with the release of its 2016 ATS-Vmodel. Having just debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the ATS-V provides 455 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, made possible by its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine. As such, the car boasts a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 185 mph. In addition, an extra-stiff chassis and a host of front and rear suspension upgrades, including third-generation Magnetic Ride Control dampers, translates to better cornering and a tighter ride. Available in the Carbon Fiber and Track performance packages, the ATS-V will release in spring of next year.
source/text:hypebeast