Tag: inspired

Video: High-speed bicycle inspired by land-speed-record cars

Filed under: Etc., Videos, UK

Land-speed-record bicycle

Inspired by the backyard engineering of land-speed racers who built 600+miles-per-hour rockets on wheels, bicycle frame builder Tom Donhou built a bike intended to exceed 100 mph under pedal power alone. As the mini-documentary video below attests, Donhou was able to reach about 80 mph behind his aerodynamically optimized Ford Zephyr 6 draft car (complete with column-mounted manual shifter), but he’ll need a draft car with a higher top speed if he wants to top 100 mph.

To pedal the bicycle to such a high speed, Donhou also needs the correct gearing to get him there. The huge 104-tooth chain ring connected to a 13-tooth sprocket should suffice, as he proved with a run to 102 mph on rollers. Don’t expect to see him riding up any hills, though you may soon spot him testing the bike on public roads behind his next draft car: a friend’s more capable Ford Capri Cosworth.

We hope the Capri’s much higher top speed will allow Donhou to go even faster on his next run, but until then, watch his first experiment in speed in the nicely produced video below.

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High-speed bicycle inspired by land-speed-record cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Aug 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ferrari Enzo successor inspired by Bugatti Veyron

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

Ferrari Enzo

We don’t know a whole lot about Ferrari’s successor to the iconic Enzo, but we can guess that the engineers in Maranello are working on something very powerful and extremely fast. After all, the Enzo packed a 6.0-liter V12 with 651 horsepower, so the next model has to carry a bit more bite, right?

If the folks at Autocar are correct, the Enzo may not be the bogey Ferrari has in mind. The UK scribes quote unnamed sources from Ferrari who say the Bugatti Veyron has helped shape what the next range-topping exotic will be.

The British site speculates that one option for powering the next top exotic to don the Prancing Horse could be powered by a twin-turbo V8. Would that be enough power to take on all comers? Consider that the 458 Italia manages 570 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8. Add a pair of turbochargers and squeezing out over 700 horsepower doesn’t sound all that difficult. Those aren’t Veyron numbers, but we’d assume that the Ferrari wouldn’t be nearly as big or heavy, either.

Ferrari is reportedly looking to unleash the Enzo successor in the next year or two, and we’re not likely to know much until that time. But at the same time, it’s never too early to start dreaming of the next super Ferrari.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Ferrari Enzo successor inspired by Bugatti Veyron originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gilles: Next Dodge Viper inspired by a “naked woman on the beach.” Aren’t we all?

2010 Dodge Viper Final Edition Roadster, ACR and Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Dodge Viper has always been an impressive looking vehicle, but its muscled lines haven’t ever been what we’d call feminine. That may change with the next-generation version of the Snake. Ralph Gilles, head of Chrysler design and the Dodge brand, says that the look of the next Dodge Viper will be inspired by “a naked woman on the beach.”

Sorry, but we’re having a hard time coming up with a witty quip after that one (well, other than the one in the headline).

Gilles made the announcement while speaking with reporters at the Automotive News World Conference, and while the revelation about the vehicle’s design inspiration was a big highlight, he also announced that the next Viper would take dead aim at stealing buyers away from both the Porsche brand and the Chevrolet Corvette. That’s especially true when it comes to the crowd of younger buyers – guys and girls under 45.

The next-generation Viper is set to debut in 2013, and while that gives Dodge plenty of time to get the car right, we don’t expect either Porsche or Chevrolet to sit back and allow the Viper to play catch up. Suddenly we’re very excited to see what the sports car world looks like in two years.

Gallery: 2010 Dodge Viper Final Edition

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Gilles: Next Dodge Viper inspired by a “naked woman on the beach.” Aren’t we all? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Scion commissions video game-inspired xB

Filed under: Aftermarket, Scion, Specialty, Design/Style

Giant Robot Scion xB

Giant Robot Scion xB – Click above to watch the video after the break

In late 2009, Scion turned over one of its xB box-wagons to Giant Robot magazine publisher Eric Nakamura, and the result is way cooler than any Release Series Scion xB the company has ever turned out. After all, how could you possibly not love a customized car that was inspired by Japan’s Nintendo Famicon Gaming System and its eight bits of raw processing power?

Awesome features abound, such as the doors that are operated by big red buttons reminiscent of the ones used on Nintendo’s 80’s-era game controllers, each of which is programmed to make its own period-correct sound. The whole shebang is powered by its own video game cartridge, and there are game controllers in each of the two front seats that allow the passengers to play video games projected from the left front headlight.

Rear-seat passengers needn’t worry, as they get their own separate lounge complete with controllers and a rear-mounted projector. Perhaps best of all, the car is completely operational – once the correct cartridge is inserted, naturally – and it was road tested once before going on display. Do yourself a favor and check out the video after the break.

[Source: YouTube via Kotaku]

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Video: Scion commissions video game-inspired xB originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruf drops the roof on 911 Targa-inspired Roadster

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Porsche

Ruf Roadster – Click above for image gallery

In the market for a 911? Lord knows Porsche has more than enough variants to choose from. And a fair few of them – like the Sport Classic and the Speedster – draw their inspiration from 911s of yore. But if those aren’t to your liking, venerable tuning house Ruf has a new option at your disposal.

Ruf calls it a Roadster, but it takes its cues (as well as its form) from the original 1967 Porsche 911 Targa. The Ruf Roadster features a solid roll bar that offers the structural rigidity of a coupe with a variety of configurations for open-air driving. Because the roof panels and rear window can be removed separately, the Roadster can be driven with the roof open and the rear closed, the rear open and the roof closed, or completely open or closed. You could even take one of the split roof panels off to let the sun shine in on the driver while keeping the front-seat passenger sheltered.

Buyers can choose from naturally aspirated (400-horsepower) or turbocharged (560hp) engines, with prices starting at €195,000 (approximately $275k at today’s conversion rates). Hey, nobody said flexibility came cheap.

Gallery: Ruf Roadster

[Source: PistonHeads]

Ruf drops the roof on 911 Targa-inspired Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Toyota Verso-S gets an iQ-inspired makeover

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Verso-S

Toyota Verso-S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Small MPVs might not be the hottest commodities here in the United States, but these little functional wonders sell like hotcakes in other markets, especially Europe. To keep up with the growing segment, Toyota has given its Verso hatch a rather substantial makeover, and we’ll see the all-new Verso-S debut at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks.

Upon its launch in the UK in early 2011, the Verso-S will be the shortest B-segment MPV in Europe – the car is less than four meters (157 inches) long. It’s a sharp little hatch, too, looking like the lovechild of a Honda Fit and a Toyota iQ, the latter of which supplies many of the visual cues seen here on the new Verso-S.

Toyota is still keeping quiet about the full specifications, but expect the floodgates to open at the end of September closer to the little MPV’s official debut. Read more in Toyota’s press release, after the jump.

Gallery: Toyota Verso-S

[Source: Toyota]

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Paris Preview: Toyota Verso-S gets an iQ-inspired makeover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford, Roush and Shelby team up for one-off charity Mustang inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang SR-71 Blackbird – Click above for high-res image gallery

For the last couple of years, Ford has played a big part of the EAA AirVenture, offering up one-off Mustangs at auction to benefit the association’s Young Eagles program. Two years ago the AV8R Mustang brought in half a million dollars, while last year the AV-X10 ‘Dearborn Doll’ earned $250,000 for charity.

This year’s aviation-themed Mustang is inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird, a project that brought together Jack Roush and Caroll Shelby for the very first time. The one-of-one pony car, based on the 2011 Mustang GT, features a black and gray matte exterior with an SR-71 design theme, custom SVT wheels, roll cage and various performance upgrades including a Ford Racing supercharger, sportier suspension and high-flow exhaust system. Both Roush’s and Shelby’s signature are embroidered into the custom Recaro seats.

The SR-71 Blackbird Mustang will be on display in the Ford Hangar at the EAA AirVenture beginning July 26th, and it will officially go to the highest bidder on July 29. Follow the jump for the press release from Ford and more details about the car.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang SR-71 Blackbird

[Source: Ford and Roush via MustangsDaily.com]

Continue reading Ford, Roush and Shelby team up for one-off charity Mustang inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird

Ford, Roush and Shelby team up for one-off charity Mustang inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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