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robertkstone · 5 years

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Superbike vs. Supercar: Yamaha R1M vs. AMG GT R vs. Corvette Z06 vs. Miata

If there’s one major difference between motorcycles and cars—aside from the weather protection—it might be the mystique that swirls around actually piloting a bike. With a bit of dexterity training, a decent internal gyroscope, and a trip to the DMV, anyone can obtain a license to ride a motorbike. But few of us do. And fewer still learn the skills to ride one well, and at speed.

Still, every handful of years a car magazine asks the question that has been barstool fodder for more than a century: Car or bike—which one is faster?

Now, before you start penning a furious letter to MotorTrend, know that I’m a lifelong motorcyclist, here to tell you that … cars are faster.

There, I said it. Cars have more horsepower, more tire grip, and more technology. It’s time we two-wheelers admitted it.

If anything, cars might be too good—so immensely safe and capable that improving a lap time might simply be a function of dollars spent rather than hours trained. Certainly from the perspective of someone who has spent a lifetime wheelying, sliding, crashing, and otherwise “training” himself to extract the most performance out of a motorcycle, it seems awfully simple to drive a car quickly.

Even a car enthusiast like yourself might have wondered, can anyone do it? More to the point: Is it easy enough that good motorcycle racers who have never driven a fast car around a racetrack could get in and match their own motorcycle lap time? And if so, how expensive and fast would the car need to be? These are questions that only a juvenile mind can ask and mature adults can answer. That is to say, I had help.

The representative we chose for motorcycling was Yamaha’s YZF-R1M, a 998cc (1.0 liter in car speak) inline-four that cranks out about 200 horsepower. The up-spec “M” package rings in at $22,999, adding self-adjusting Öhlins suspension, carbon bodywork, and a GPS data tracker. Sure, there are bikes that make more power, weigh less, cost more, and have been updated more recently. We chose the R1M because it is the quintessential state-of-the-art superbike that’s well balanced and supremely easy to ride.

After zipping and buckling the customary motorcycle safety gear, it was time to wrap my brain around the East Track at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Just outside Phoenix, this track probably won’t be on the Formula 1 calendar anytime soon, to be honest. But it’s a fairly smooth 1.25-mile circuit with just enough variance in 10 turns to keep you working hard. The R1 was as potent and obedient as I remembered, and in a matter of a few sessions we had a benchmark lap time: 58.2 seconds.

For the sake of easing me into automotive waters and keeping Mr. Editor Loh’s stress headaches to a minimum, my four-wheeled track baptism began in Mazda’s venerable Miata. If you MX-5 owners felt your spidey-sense tingling when reading the R1M specs, that’s because the horsepower and price numbers are surprisingly close. Sure, it feels slow compared to a superbike, but pitching it around Wild Horse left me with the impression that there are two types of people in the world: those who want a Miata and those who have never driven one.

The classic six-speed worked well but was clunky compared to the R1’s sequential tranny and clutchless up-and-down shifting. A helpful colleague explained how to heel-toe, but it didn’t matter; I couldn’t do it, and I didn’t feel as connected to the machine or to the road as I had on the bike. That was especially true in the handful of sections where the track transitions from right to left and vice versa. Keeping the car’s chassis stable wasn’t as intuitive; it’s not like moving your butt to a different place in the seat will help the machine corner the way it does on a motorcycle. Luckily, when I screwed up, it just meant a spinout, and the car was ready for more.

The Miata was tire-squealing fun like I’ve never had. I could have lapped until the tank was empty, but I was parched from laughing, and my times had leveled off at 1:10.3. A cool 12 seconds is a lot of ground to make up, but then if any car was going to close the gap in power-to-weight ratio, Chevy’s Corvette Z06 was a good choice. Blazed across the dash, a not so subtle reminder of the horsepower and torque figures: 650 of each.

Folks who caught wind of this experiment warned me that the ’Vette would be unruly or otherwise difficult. And yes, if you leave a gas station with cold tires only to jump on the boost train willy-nilly, it’ll snap sideways and slosh dark roast out of the cupholder. But once the tires come up to temperature, the Z06 is seriously athletic. There’s nothing like carbon-ceramic brakes and contact patches the size of Utah. The feeling of pushing your foot down and spurring 650 horses is special, and the Z06 will forever be the machine that showed me the light.

Happily, my heel-toe incompetence was solved by the Corvette’s nifty “rev-match” tech, blipping automatically on downshifts. It may be a high-calorie acoustic snack on the street, and purists may hate it, but rev-match was genuinely useful to me on the track. As viciously fast as the Z06 proved to be, it didn’t get me to the promised land of the Yamaha’s 58-second lap times. A 59.7 was the best I could muster. That left only the Mercedes AMG GT R and the question of whether adding around $100,000 to the MSRP could gain me a second and a half.

The Mercedes being painted a matte-metallic shade of money is about as on point as any color scheme. There’s simply no backing away from the opulence. Similar to the Z06, the AMG GT R’s interior feels sunken and weaponized with buttons—like being in the imagined cockpit of the futuristic hovering fighter-tank I built with Lego when I was 7. But where the ’Vette feels like a charming, blue-collar version of performance, the Mercedes is stoic and businesslike. Lots of smooth, dark surfaces with shiny bezels that catch your attention.

For a motorcyclist, my transmission prayers were answered with the AMG’s paddle shifters. Not needing to take my hand off the wheel to shift gears boosted my confidence, and the dual-clutch action deep in the hull of the AMG meant less time spent off the throttle. The Benz’s smaller mill doesn’t have the sheetrock-hauling torque of the Chevy, but everything happens faster—it revs quicker, and it went from understeer to oversteer in the blink of an eye.

The problem with the car being so damned good at everything was my brain having to keep up. During a superbike lap, my synapses fire extra-fast during acceleration because that’s when things happen the most rapidly. Midcorner, however, is a serene place where I operate almost entirely on instinct. It’s graceful and relatively slow. The turn is dictated by the relationship of speed, lean angle, and the whispe from PerformanceJunk WP Feed 3 http://bit.ly/2Dx610Y via IFTTT

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sbknews · 5 years

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New Post has been published on Superbike News

New Post has been published on http://superbike-news.co.uk/wordpress/akrapovic-ready-for-the-future-today-at-eicma/

Akrapovic Ready for the Future Today at EICMA

Akrapovič has unveiled its exciting and informative stand at this year’s EICMA show at Milan, Italy, emphasizing that the company is Ready for the Future Today.

Akrapovič has always been the byword for the leaders in high-performance exhaust systems and a company that is not satisfied with just keeping up with trends, but setting them. This year’s booth at the prestigious EICMA show – which runs from Thursday, 8 November until Sunday, 11 November at the Milan Fairgrounds (Fiera Milano) – showcases everything that Akrapovič stands for: high-performance, high-quality, durable exhaust systems that deliver optimized performance and throttle response with a unique sound and innovative design.

Akrapovič is a leading and innovative producer of high-performance exhaust systems in the motorcycle segment. Through the pioneering use of titanium, super-alloys, and carbon composites, it has moved the industry standard to new heights. Due to these constant innovations – which are displayed for all to see at the stand – Akrapovič is constantly evolving and making sure it is Ready for the Future Today. The technological enhancements it ceaselessly strives to provide each and every product its unique quality, whether it is better sound, optimized performance, improved handling, or an enhanced and futuristic design. Every single product is thoroughly tested and crafted to the highest possible standards, and this is highlighted at this year’s EICMA.

Akrapovič’s unstinting desire to keep its position ahead of the competition is further demonstrated at the stand with its latest high-tech machine, the real durability dyno robot. Visitors have already had a chance to witness this robot first-hand and see how an Akrapovič exhaust is subjected to intense durability tests to make sure the company delivers the best products available to its customers. This investment is also highlighted by Akrapovič’s forward planning in EC/ECE type-approval regulations, and with future planning Akrapovič is already prepared for the upcoming Euro 5 standards, as well as having a large portfolio of Euro 4 products available, many of which are on display at the stand.

New products are always at the forefront of an Akrapovič show stand, and this year at EICMA it is no different because completely new exhaust systems for the Ducati Scrambler 1100, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, Kawasaki Versys 1000, Yamaha Niken, and Triumph Tiger 1200 are on display. There are also new offerings for the off-road market, with exhausts for the 2019 Yamaha YZ250F, Kawasaki KX450F, and Honda CRF450R, plus the latest designs for the scooter market. Combined with the unveiling of new Akrapovič exhaust shapes for the BMW S 1000 RR and BMW R 1250 GS, with special imprints on the titanium muffler outer sleeve and carbon-fibre endcap, this makes for a comprehensive line-up showcasing the technology and finish that Akrapovič is synonymous with.

Located in Hall 24 at Stand M56, Akrapovič has an exciting booth that has already attracted a lot of attention. The company’s many racing successes and strong ties with leading racing teams and manufacturers have led to an unprecedented and enviable amount of technical knowledge that Akrapovič translates to the end user. The stand also features a stunning array of 2018 MotoGP™ racing machinery, with bikes from Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Ducati Team, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and Team SUZUKI ECSTAR all on display, which is a unique collection and one that has already seen a huge amount of interest from visitors. Alongside these machines is the Experience Room, where the sounds of Akrapovič exhaust systems are being enjoyed by guests. There will also be many visits by racers from many disciplines throughout the show, including riders from MotoGP, WorldSBK, and MXGP, so come along and see who is visiting Akrapovič to witness that it is Ready for the Future Today.

Akrapovič at EICMA is one of the highlights in the company’s calendar. It offers the opportunity to meet and greet friends, racers, customers, and many others who will all be coming together at the stand, and Akrapovič hopes you too can join in to get Ready for the Future Today.

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rtgworldnews · 6 years

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Here’s a look at the PlayStation Classic next to its 1994 inspiration

Sony announced the PlayStation Classic early this morning. Given the success of the NES and SNES Classic Editions, a micro console for the first PlayStation is a smart decision that will give Sony a way to make big profits off of its older library. Plug-and-play machines are a growing business, with sales of micro consoles increasing 400 percent year-over-over in 2018, according to The NPD Group. See how the PlayStation Classic measures up to the original PlayStation The mini PS1 makes a cameo at Tokyo Game Show

The PlayStation Classic, the miniaturized console modeled after the original PlayStation that Sony Interactive Entertainment announced earlier this week, made an appearance at Tokyo Game Show this week. While the console isn’t playable on the show floor, Sony has it set up (behind glass) next to an original PlayStation so attendees can get a sense of how wee the PS Classic is. According to Sony’s official announcement, the PlayStation Classic is 45 percent smaller than the company’s original console. And like the mini consoles released by Nintendo, the console hardware itself is rivaled in size by the controllers (which look identical to the original PlayStation controllers). Here’s a look at the PlayStation Classic next to its 1994 inspiration:

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The PlayStation Classic will be released worldwide on Dec. 3. It will come with 20 pre-loaded games, including Final Fantasy 7, Jumping Flash, R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3 and Wild Arms. The retro console will retail for $99.99 in the U.S., £89.99 in the U.K., €99.99 in Europe and 9,980 yen in Japan. Here's where you can preorder the PlayStation Classic right now Have you been missing the original PlayStation, with its top-loading disk drive and pale grey exterior? You're in luck. This year's newest retro gaming comeback, the PlayStation Classic, is available to preorder now. The console will officially be released on December 3, just in time for the holidays. But if you're hoping to give one as a gift, you should start shopping now. Especially since they are already selling on eBay for well over the retail price of $99 (£90, AU$150). Pre-order your own at:

The PlayStation Classic looks just like the original 1994 PlayStation, except 45 percent smaller. The console includes two replica original controllers and comes preloaded with 20 classic games, including Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash and Ridge Racer Type 4, with more games to come, according to Sony. Sony says it'll provide more details about the console close to its launch, but if you're at all interested, it's probably worth putting your order in now before it sells out. PlayStation Classic follows Nintendo's two retro console releases -- the NES Classic and SNES Classic. Both of them were huge hits for Nintendo, and Sony is hoping to capture the same nostalgia with the PS Classic. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is finally coming to the PS4. At least, according to this leak.

PlayStation Classic Mini Console Coming in December It looks like Nintendo is about to have some competition in the nostalgic mini console market. Sony introduced the PlayStation Classic on the PlayStation Blog on Wednesday, a miniaturized version of the home system it first launched in 1995. Like Nintendo’s mini consoles, the PlayStation Classic comes with 20 pre-loaded games, including “Final Fantasy VII,” “Jumping Flash,” “Ridge Racer Type 4,” “Tekken 3,” and “Wild Arms.” All of the pre-loaded games will be playable in their original format. Sony said it will reveal the full lineup in coming months. The mini console is approximately 45% smaller than the original, Sony said, and it has similar controllers and packaging. Each unit comes with an HDMI cable, a USB cable, and two controllers. The AC adaptor is sold separately, though, which is a bit odd. The original PlayStation, along with competitors like the Nintendo 64 and the Sega Saturn, gave people the chance to play games with real-time 3D graphics in their homes for the first time. It was the biggest-selling console of its hardware generation. It reportedly sold over two million units in Japan in its first six months on the market. In the U.S., it sold around 800,000 in the first four months. It was also the first console in history to ship 100 million units worldwide. The PlayStation Classic comes out on Dec. 3 — the same day it launched in Japan almost 25 years ago. It’s available for pre-order now at select retailers in the U.S. and Canada and costs $100 USD/$130 CAN. The PlayStation Classic needs these 15 games

But these devices are only as good as their library of games. We already know that the PlayStation Classic will come with 20 titles, including Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms. That’s a good start, but that leaves space for 15 more games. What follows is a combination of predictions and a wish list. These are all games that I would love to have on the device, but they’re also ones that make sense because of their quality and variety. Also, the PlayStation Classic is coming with two controllers, but these are the original PlayStation controllers. They don’t have control sticks, so later PlayStation games that depended them are out (sorry, Ape Escape). I’m also going to avoid overloading the list with too many games of a single franchise or genre. I love Final Fantasy IX, but Final Fantasy VII is already taking up a valuable spot on the roster. And that role-playing game does a good job of representing the series on its own. Also, while I love Japanese RPGs (and the PlayStation had a ton of fantastic ones), I can’t just turn this micro console into some kind of JRPG machine. Even with just five announced games, it already has two. Lastly, I’m going to avoid most licensed games. These are harder and more expensive to get the rights to, so they’re less likely to show up. Metal Gear Solid My favorite game for the system. Metal Gear Solid was revolutionary for using extensive voice acting and cutscenes (and, sure, a lot of codec calls) to create a narrative experience that rivaled a Hollywood production. Its stealth-based action makes for tense and exciting moments, and it still has many of the most memorable boss battles ever. Jet Moto What the heck ever happened to Jet Moto? This hover bike racing series was a mainstay on the PlayStation, producing three installments. We may never get a new Jet Moto, but the PlayStation Classic gives the franchise a chance to make something of a return. Tomb Raider Now that we’re at the end of Tomb Raider’s reboot trilogy, this is a great time to go back to its beginning. The original Tomb Raider focuses more on platforming and puzzle-solving than combat. It was a huge hit that spawned a franchise that’s still going today. It needs a presence on the PlayStation Classic. Gran Turismo 2 Gran Turismo an important franchise for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. Instead of featuring arcade-like racing, it focuses on realism. Gran Turismo 2 has more cars than the original, so it makes sense to include it instead. Crash Bandicoot What would a PlayStation Classic be without Crash Bandicoot? During the original console’s life, Crash served as the brand’s mascot. He would eventually go multiplatform, but anyone who owned a PlayStation still associates Crash with the console.

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Resident Evil Resident Evil is another innovative game from the PlayStation’s early years. It helped popularize the survival horror genre. Although much of the game is now cheesy instead of scary, it’s still fun and fascinating to see the birth of this franchise. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night PlayStation wasn’t all 3D games. Symphony of the Night took inspiration from nonlinear 2D games like Super Metroid while also adding RPG mechanics. We now call these kinds of games Metroidvanias, and Symphony of the Night is still one of the best of them. The Legend of Dragoon We can use at least one more JRPG, and The Legend of Dragoon is a good fit. You can make arguments for a lot of other games, but most of them have had sequels or remasters. The Legend of Dragoon is a standalone game that isn’t easy to play unless you still have the original. Battle Arena Toshinden Tekken 3 is already on the PlayStation Classic, and it’s a better fighting game than Battle Arena Toshinden. But Battle Arena Toshinden is the more nostalgic choice. It was a launch game for the system, and it gave a lot of people their first taste of 3D fighting at home.

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PaRappa the Rapper PaRappa the Rapper helped popularize rhythm games, but the original still has a lot of charm. It even holds up well visually thanks to its paper cutout-inspired visuals. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater I remember how shocked I was when I found out I loved Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. While I have no interest in extreme sports, its combo and trick systems, along with creative levels and catchy soundtrack, make it one of the most entertaining PlayStation experiences. I’d be happy with either the first or second Pro Skater being on the PlayStation Classic, but the original is edging out just for nostalgia’s sake. Twisted Metal 2 Speaking of genres you don’t see much of anymore, car combat games became a thing thanks to Twisted Metal and its over-the-top (and extremely satisfying) violence. In this case, I’d much rather have the sequel, as it had more characters and better levels. Wipeout 2097 We’re getting close to having too many racing games, but Wipeout is such a staple from the original PlayStation that it feels wrong to exclude it. Besides, it’s neon-filled futuristic take on racing sets it apart from the others. Klonoa: Door to Phantomile Here’s one more side-scroller that should make the list. Unlike Symphony of the Night, Klonoa did not have a beloved brand to fall back on. But Door to Phantomile is a cute, colorful, and engaging platformer that deserves more recognition. Einhänder This is on here partially because my editor would kill me if I left it off. But Einhänder is a great side-scroller shooter (or shmup, if you speak the Queen’s English. It also fills a niche that no other game on the list serves. Read More: http://www.rtgworld.com/2018/09/sony-announced-playstation-classic.html

#RTGWorld

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lyngelynge26-blog · 6 years

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vrheadsets · 6 years

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Preview: V-Racer Hoverbike – Making the Superbike World Championships Look Slow

It’s difficult when talking about futuristic racers not to mention the Wipeout series, which has become synonymous with high octane, sci-fi racing across ludicrous tracks. Yet when it comes to bikes a far better comparison would be to a lesser known title that originated on the N64, and that was Extreme-G. VertexBreakers upcoming virtual reality (VR) experience V-Racer Hoverbike feels very much like a modern homage to Extreme-G, and that’s certainly no bad thing.

Tested on HTC Vive – it’ll also be compatible with Oculus Rift – V-Racer Hoverbike is very much a no frills type of videogame in its current form. There were four tracks to choose from across two gameplay modes, Time Trial and Combat Race. The options menu also featured three control configurations when racing, Head, Head and Controllers, and Head, left trigger and right controller. Having tested all three the second option was the easiest to get to grips with, using the triggers for acceleration and braking.

Combat Race is the meat of V-Racer Hoverbike, this is where several opponents can fight it out over a selectable amount of laps using an assortment of weaponry located around the track on coloured bumpers. Unlike the other aforementioned racing titles VertexBreakers courses are much more realistic in their presentation, with no vertical drops or climbs, no loops, or any other gravity bending designs. Actually, if it wasn’t for the fact that you can see the other racers hoverbikes and there are weapons available V-Racer Hoverbike wouldn’t be that far off a normal motorbike simulator.

As for the armaments these are your standard affair, speed boosts, triple missiles, lock-on missiles, mines and shields are all present, offering the usual array of offensive and defensive capabilities. Only one can be used at a time, so holding on to a shield in first is much better than the missiles for example.

Most important however is the feel and control of the actual bike. There are no bike options in terms of various designs or customisation, so every racer has the same making for an equal playing field. Much like an arcade racer where you’re actually sat on a bike, gauging the required amount of lean when entering corners is a fine art yet not too overly precise that the system becomes twitchy and frustrating. While the headset tracking gauges the lean, tilting your head really doesn’t cut it. The seated experience really gets you to move your entire upper body into each corner, making for far more immersive gameplay.

V-Racer Hoverbike is still in its early stages and has yet to feature a definite Steam Early Access release date. If that happens sooner rather than later players will find the makings of a highly competent racing experience. It certainly needs fleshing out – a local party mode is available – with an online multiplayer option as racing against bots is only fun for so long. For bike fans eager to get their hands on a decent VR racing title V-Racer Hoverbike is one to watch out for.

from VRFocus https://ift.tt/2IuryZ1

#VRFocus #vr #virtual reality #canada

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jesusvasser · 6 years

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2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Hits, Misses, & Revelations

LOS ANGELES, California—This year’s Automobility/L.A. Auto Show was much like the last couple of years, only more so. Which is to say that on paper, there were a number of significant reveals, led by Fiat Chrysler’s very important and very profitable JL Jeep Wrangler.

Still, at the end of the day, the 2017 L.A. Auto Show left us, at best, whelmed. Perhaps it’s because more and more, the auto show plays second-fiddle to the advanced technology that is the centerpiece of Automobility, which wraps discussion of autonomy and electric-powered vehicles around reveals of the shiny new cars and trucks.

If you attend the public Los Angeles Auto Show, December 1 to 10, you might see things a bit differently. Here’s what we saw this year…

HIT: JL Jeep Wrangler

It’s lighter by 200 pounds, it’s more easily convertible, and it is extremely Jeep. The all-new two-door and four-door 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL models will please the marque’s faithful and entice four-wheeling neophytes. The four-door has a power top that removes very quickly and easily, there’s an optional open-air pass-through in the middle of each front door, and the windshield folds down for the full open-air experience.

—Kara Snow

I’m no off-road outdoorsy type, but the latest iteration of this American classic makes me want to convert. As typical for Jeep, there are so many surprise-and-delight features that I can’t guarantee my introductory news story of the debut is comprehensive. Hardcore fans will love the new Wrangler’s interior spec plate, recalling the original Willys MB’s dash plate, the fold-down windshield and the door hinges stamped with the tool number needed to remove them. The masses who bought the first-generation Wrangler Unlimited will want to trade in for easy-to-lower tops and subtle refinement that doesn’t at all diminish its hard-core image.

—Todd Lassa

MISS: JL Jeep Wrangler pricing

Although Jeep promised to give us prices for the new JL models at the show, they weren’t ready to reveal just yet. Naturally, we’re fearing a big increase.

—K.S.

HIT: BMW i8 Roadster

There wasn’t a whole lot that BMW could do to make its i8 PHEV GT coupe cooler, but converting it into a roadster by ripping out the vestigial rear seats and dispensing with the fixed roof is a great way to do it.

—Kirill Ougarov

HIT: Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman GTS

Its 2.5-liter turbo H-4 makes 365 hp, and top speed is 180 mph.

—Robert Cumberford

HIT: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus

The name may be a bit too dramatic for a fancy Ford Edge, but not only does the arrival of the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus signal the end of the brand’s confusing MK_ naming scheme (it’s the artist formerly known as the MKX, in case you’re one of the five people out there that could keep track), the midsize crossover wears the best interpretation of Lincoln’s current design language to date, suffering none of the proportional indignities of the Continental, Navigator, and MKC.

—K.O.

MISS: 2019 Lincoln MKC

The looks for the facelifted 2019 Lincoln MKC are a bit wonky, but that’s not the miss here. The miss is the missed opportunity to do away with the MKC name, as was done with the Nautilus, née MKX. This likely means that the Ford Edge-based compact crossover will be the last Lincoln to get a proper name.

—K.O.

MISS: Volvo XC40

I just can’t warm up to the new compact Volvo SUV. It looks short, stubby, and inelegant compared with the longer, nicely proportioned XC90, which I think is still the best SUV in its class. Though the interior is appropriately premium and well-designed, with excellent fit and finish, from the outside, the Volvo looks no more upscale than the Nissan Kicks.

—T.L.

REVELATION: Subscription is the new lease

This week at the L.A. show, Volvo announced its new “Care By Volvo” plan, a “subscription” program that it is rolling out nationwide on its consumer Web site volvocars.com/us, starting with its new XC40 compact crossover. The concept is simple, you choose either a Momentum or R-Design trim XC40 that you can configure, and everything else is covered: insurance, maintenance, payment, down payment, etc., and they deliver the car to you—no dealer required. The term starts at 24 months, but you can switch cars in as little as 12 months if you like. Mileage is capped at 15,000 a year. All for $600 a month to start. There is some fine print, namely around insurance (Liberty Mutual is the partner) and it’s fun to hear Volvo Cars global CEO, Hakan Samuelsson, and newly minted Volvo Car USA CEO, Anders Gustafsson, use the word “lease” a couple of times as they did in describing the program to me.

—Mike Floyd

HIT: Reds a.k.a CHTC Redspace

Chris Bangle is thinking inside the box for a change. Reds is one of the most refreshing concepts to emerge in a long time. It’s not made for Americans and most folks will hate it, but I love its childish, Toontown looks and the idea of a car that’s designed from the inside out—definitely next level stuff. A woman at the show told Bangle it was beautiful and he was taken back—he doesn’t think it is but appreciated the comment. Beauty is obviously in the eye of the beholder.

—Ed Tahaney

MISS: CHTC Redspace

It lacks charm, beauty, grace… most of the attributes we tend to seek in cars, but the Redspace city vehicle is the most interesting device in the L.A. Auto Show, apparently all about maximizing interior volume to enhance comfort while its occupants are stuck in traffic, which is estimated to be about 90-percent of the time the thing is in operation, at least in such target-market cities as Beijing. Chris Bangle’s return to car design shows us why he should have foregone the opportunity. Dreadful object. Not a car, a street fixture. Most massive A-pillar ever.

—R.C.

REVELATION: CHTC Redspace is an appliance

It looks like a huge, rolling coffee grinder. That’s not necessarily a criticism; I love coffee.

—T.L.

HIT: Volkswagen I.D. Crozz EV Crossover Concept

Volkswagen’s autonomous I.D. concept looks like a cloud with wheels. And although it’s just a concept, it’s easy to believe a ride in this all-electric vehicle would be as silent as a fluffy altocumulus. Big points for the airy, spacious interior (although it’s 6 inches shorter than the Golf) with futuristic seats, a panoramic full-glass roof, and a steering wheel that folds forward into the dash when the driver isn’t needed. Look for it in 2020.

—K.S.

HIT: Jaguar’s show stand

Jaguar pointed its upcoming i-Pace electric SUV and related spec series electric racer, parked in parallel, straight at the Tesla Model 3 on its stand across the aisle. The Jaguar i-Pace is scheduled to go on sale late next year. Wonder, which EV will reach full production first.

—T.L.

MISS: 2018 Chrysler 300

Seems to have lost all the charm it once possessed. Too bad. This nth reskin of an ancient Mercedes chassis was costly.

—R.C.

REVELATION: The Multilink from Infiniti’s Variable Compression Engine

On the surface, Infiniti’s sculpted QX50 has been received as a design hit. But beneath the crossover’s wavy sheetmetal is a deeper story: the world’s first series production variable compression ratio engine. Christian Meunier, Infiniti’s VP Global Marketing and Sales, shared his thoughts with Automobile on the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine’s unique bits, which he compared to “parts of a Swiss watch” while flashing an elegant Jaeger-LeCoutre Reverso on his wrist. Case in point: the palm-sized multilink component, which serves as the lynchpin for altering piston clearance and varying the compression ratio from 8:1 to 14:1. “The manufacturing tolerance on it is greater than anything we’ve ever done,” he explains. “It’s one thing to produce it, and another to mass produce it.” While the QX50 on display drew the attention of onloookers, this small hunk of steel tells the arguably more intriguing story of the 20-year struggle to bring a variable compression ratio engine to market.

—Basem Wasef

HIT: Kia lineup

Kia is a surprise to me. Stinger is quite good looking, and Kia’s number-one rating in initial quality is excellent. Obviously European stylists have made a major contribution to the current status of the make.

—R.C.

MISS: Toyota FT-AC concept

I really wanted to like it and make it a “hit.” But I find it an overdrawn take on the new Subaru Crosstrek. Toyota’s Jack Hollis describes it as a crossover, though it has torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive with front and rear lockers. It’s a tweener, size-wise, bigger than a RAV4, but not quite a mid-size vehicle. One of its best features is a built-in rear-bumper bike rack that can accommodate just one bike, though it isn’t any different from this SUV-concept trope we’ve seen at auto shows for years. Plus, the rack is probably three-times the weight of the Specialized mountain bike attached to it. Meanwhile, there are huge, 20-inch tires mostly filling large Crosstrek-style black plastic overfenders, though these overfenders extend out from the bodywork, which doesn’t seem very aerodynamic. While Toyota hints the FT-AC is headed for production, the concept doesn’t have an interior. Toyota’s TJ Cruiser at October’s Tokyo Motor Show came with an innovative interior, and though bigger, boxier and more minivan-like, that concept was one of my hits.

—T.L.

REVELATION: Land Rover’s 1 Percenter Drafting

The likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Lamborghini are making it a lot less lonely at the top of the SUV pyramid, but you needn’t shed a tear for O.G. luxury offroad manufacturer Land Rover. “You wouldn’t have bought a Range Rover for more than £90,000 ten years ago; now, we sell quite a lot of £160,000, £170,000 Range Rovers,” Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicles Operations boss John Edwards told Automobile. “Customers are coming to us and spending another £30,000 on top of that bespoking them. We’ll do probably 250 bespoke cars this year.” Can we expect a new Super SUV from Land Rover to play with the (even bigger) boys? Edwards was mum on future product, but emphasized that competition has made business better than ever. “People always used to tell me, particularly when Bentley was going to be introducing an SUV, ‘You must be really nervous, this is terrible news.’ I’d say, ‘This is fantastic news because it’s going to grow the market; I’m very respectful of Bentley but what they’ve done is expanded the marketplace and provided us with an opportunity. Our business has benefitted massively from that marketplace growing. It is crowded and becoming more crowded, but it’s becoming stronger.”

—B.W.

HIT: Sonders electric three-wheeler

This is probably another pipe dream, but it’s really well styled, very professional, has a believable layout (unlike tandem two-seaters) and could work. But the $10,000 price? That’s a pipe dream.

—R.C.

MISS: Ampere 1 three-wheel electric sports car

A very crude prototype that should never have been presented in public. “With a range of up to 100 miles.” Yeah, sure.

—R.C.

HIT: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

With their overwrought side surfacing, the first- and second-generation Mercedes CLS-Classes looked especially awkward where the rear haunches met the rakish four-door “coupe” profile. The new CLS, like the E-Class on which is based, has a much cleaner profile, resolving the issue. And now there’s room for three, not two, in the back seat.

—T.L.

HIT: 2019 Subaru Ascent

The last time Subaru tried to make a three-row SUV, things didn’t work out too well—but the less said about the bygone Tribeca, the better. The automaker did a good job of scaling up its current design language for the Ascent, which looks like a meatier Outback. Now, Subaru owners with growing families will no longer be forced to look elsewhere, so Subaru’s absurd streak of increasing sales for 71 months in a row is nearly certain to continue.

—K.O.

Hit? More like a home run for Subaru.

—E.T.

REVELATION – Mercedes-Benz’s (Inscrutable) 48 Volt Inline-6 Engine

Mercedes-Benz’s arc-shaped CLS has long been considered the sleeker (and less functional) cousin to the workaday E-Class. But the CLS 450 unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show packs a secret weapon that should appeal to anyone with an appreciation for mechanical elegance: Daimler’s latest, greatest, 48-volt-equipped inline-6 powerplant. I was smitten by the mild hybrid engine’s smooth power and imperceptible start/stop action during our first drive of a Europe-only S-Class. Using an integrated starter/generator, the powerplant produces a baseline of 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, adding another 21 hp and 184 lb-ft when electric assistance (aka, EQ Boost) kicks in. But how will Benz pull in non-techy, design focused consumers towards the advanced powertrain? I posed the question to Dietmar Exler, Mercedes-Benz USA’s president and CEO, who answered, “We have to find a way to communicate what the technology really does. When you ask a non-gearhead ‘What’s a Hemi engine?’ I’ll bet you 90 percent of consumers don’t know about hemispheric combustion chambers. But they all know it means more power.” Until Mercedes comes up with a one-word answer to that marketing conundrum, I’ll say this: driving is believing.

—B.W.

HIT: Ram pickup and Chevrolet Silverado High Country backup cameras

If you’ve ever towed a trailer or had a payload in the back of your truck that necessitated leaving the tailgate down, you know how that ordinary backup cameras can be useless. That’s why it was good to see on display with Ram and Chevrolet some well-developed trailering camera systems. The Silverado High Country on the show floor featured a standard three-camera trailering system by EchoMaster. Cameras on each side mirror activate with the turn signals and display on the infotainment screen. There’s also a wireless backup camera to place on the back of your trailer. Options include a front camera kit, a second wireless camera, and a third brakelight camera kit.

—K.S.

HIT: Bollinger Motors B 1

Stupidly primitive as is its styling, it’s full of interesting ideas on storage in an electric 4X4. And like the original Land Rover, it should be easy to repair.

—R.C.

REVELATION: Reports of the death of the conventional car are greatly exaggerated

For the last few years, the Los Angeles auto show had largely focused on green cars, with some self-driving car chatter thrown in for good measure. That went out the window this year despite increasing proclamations about the looming deaths of the internal combustion engine and the human-driven automobile. Instead, we were treated to hot convertibles, brawny sedans, and gas-chugging SUVs, none of which have any plans on driving themselves. Maybe we should focus on improving driver training after all.

—K.O.

HIT: JL Jeep Wrangler press kit

For at least 20 years, Chrysler/DaimlerChrysler/Chrysler Group/Fiat Chrysler has created the best traditional press kits, even as everyone else migrated to thumb drives, then to special websites. A thick booklet describing all the myriad features of the new Jeep Wrangler comes in a wood-and-brass box, with a brass-colored thumb drive and a Jeep grille-theme mini-speaker. You can probably find them offered up on eBay, but not from me. I’m keeping mine.

—T.L.

REVELATION: Mitsubishi Mirage hatch is cute

…but not too impressive on fuel mileage.

—R.C.

HIT: Dodge Durango SRT

Dodge agrees with those of us who believe SUVs can be slow, boring blah-mobiles. Just because you need a seven-seater doesn’t mean you don’t want a little power. That’s why they stuck a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 in the new Durango SRT with 475 horsepower, 470 lb-ft of torque and—get this—a 0-60-mph time of 4.4 seconds. Pile all of your friends into the luxe interior of this beast and show them that bigger is indeed better. But where is our Durango Demon?

—K.S.

REVELATION: Car magazines can’t wait to write the first-drive headline, “Nissan Kicks Ass”

There. We’ve done it already.

—T.L.

The post 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Hits, Misses, & Revelations appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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jonathanbelloblog · 6 years

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2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Hits, Misses, & Revelations

If you attend the public Los Angeles Auto Show, December 1 to 10, you might see things a bit differently. Here’s what we saw this year…

HIT: JL Jeep Wrangler

—Kara Snow

—Todd Lassa

MISS: JL Jeep Wrangler pricing

Although Jeep promised to give us prices for the new JL models at the show, they weren’t ready to reveal just yet. Naturally, we’re fearing a big increase.

—K.S.

HIT: BMW i8 Roadster

—Kirill Ougarov

HIT: Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman GTS

Its 2.5-liter turbo H-4 makes 365 hp, and top speed is 180 mph.

—Robert Cumberford

HIT: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus

—K.O.

MISS: 2019 Lincoln MKC

—K.O.

MISS: Volvo XC40

—T.L.

REVELATION: Subscription is the new lease

—Mike Floyd

HIT: Reds a.k.a CHTC Redspace

—Ed Tahaney

MISS: CHTC Redspace

—R.C.

REVELATION: CHTC Redspace is an appliance

It looks like a huge, rolling coffee grinder. That’s not necessarily a criticism; I love coffee.

—T.L.

HIT: Volkswagen I.D. Crozz EV Crossover Concept

—K.S.

HIT: Jaguar’s show stand

—T.L.

MISS: 2018 Chrysler 300

Seems to have lost all the charm it once possessed. Too bad. This nth reskin of an ancient Mercedes chassis was costly.

—R.C.

REVELATION: The Multilink from Infiniti’s Variable Compression Engine

—Basem Wasef

HIT: Kia lineup

—R.C.

MISS: Toyota FT-AC concept

—T.L.

REVELATION: Land Rover’s 1 Percenter Drafting

—B.W.

HIT: Sonders electric three-wheeler

—R.C.

MISS: Ampere 1 three-wheel electric sports car

A very crude prototype that should never have been presented in public. “With a range of up to 100 miles.” Yeah, sure.

—R.C.

HIT: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

—T.L.

HIT: 2019 Subaru Ascent

—K.O.

Hit? More like a home run for Subaru.

—E.T.

REVELATION – Mercedes-Benz’s (Inscrutable) 48 Volt Inline-6 Engine

—B.W.

HIT: Ram pickup and Chevrolet Silverado High Country backup cameras

—K.S.

HIT: Bollinger Motors B 1

Stupidly primitive as is its styling, it’s full of interesting ideas on storage in an electric 4X4. And like the original Land Rover, it should be easy to repair.

—R.C.

REVELATION: Reports of the death of the conventional car are greatly exaggerated

—K.O.

HIT: JL Jeep Wrangler press kit

—T.L.

REVELATION: Mitsubishi Mirage hatch is cute

…but not too impressive on fuel mileage.

—R.C.

HIT: Dodge Durango SRT

—K.S.

REVELATION: Car magazines can’t wait to write the first-drive headline, “Nissan Kicks Ass”

There. We’ve done it already.

—T.L.

The post 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Hits, Misses, & Revelations appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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eddiejpoplar · 6 years

Text

2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Hits, Misses, & Revelations

If you attend the public Los Angeles Auto Show, December 1 to 10, you might see things a bit differently. Here’s what we saw this year…

HIT: JL Jeep Wrangler

—Kara Snow

—Todd Lassa

MISS: JL Jeep Wrangler pricing

Although Jeep promised to give us prices for the new JL models at the show, they weren’t ready to reveal just yet. Naturally, we’re fearing a big increase.

—K.S.

HIT: BMW i8 Roadster

—Kirill Ougarov

HIT: Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman GTS

Its 2.5-liter turbo H-4 makes 365 hp, and top speed is 180 mph.

—Robert Cumberford

HIT: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus

—K.O.

MISS: 2019 Lincoln MKC

—K.O.

MISS: Volvo XC40

—T.L.

REVELATION: Subscription is the new lease

—Mike Floyd

HIT: Reds a.k.a CHTC Redspace

—Ed Tahaney

MISS: CHTC Redspace

—R.C.

REVELATION: CHTC Redspace is an appliance

It looks like a huge, rolling coffee grinder. That’s not necessarily a criticism; I love coffee.

—T.L.

HIT: Volkswagen I.D. Crozz EV Crossover Concept

—K.S.

HIT: Jaguar’s show stand

—T.L.

MISS: 2018 Chrysler 300

Seems to have lost all the charm it once possessed. Too bad. This nth reskin of an ancient Mercedes chassis was costly.

—R.C.

REVELATION: The Multilink from Infiniti’s Variable Compression Engine

—Basem Wasef

HIT: Kia lineup

—R.C.

MISS: Toyota FT-AC concept

—T.L.

REVELATION: Land Rover’s 1 Percenter Drafting

—B.W.

HIT: Sonders electric three-wheeler

—R.C.

MISS: Ampere 1 three-wheel electric sports car

A very crude prototype that should never have been presented in public. “With a range of up to 100 miles.” Yeah, sure.

—R.C.

HIT: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

—T.L.

HIT: 2019 Subaru Ascent

—K.O.

Hit? More like a home run for Subaru.

—E.T.

REVELATION – Mercedes-Benz’s (Inscrutable) 48 Volt Inline-6 Engine

—B.W.

HIT: Ram pickup and Chevrolet Silverado High Country backup cameras

—K.S.

HIT: Bollinger Motors B 1

Stupidly primitive as is its styling, it’s full of interesting ideas on storage in an electric 4X4. And like the original Land Rover, it should be easy to repair.

—R.C.

REVELATION: Reports of the death of the conventional car are greatly exaggerated

—K.O.

HIT: JL Jeep Wrangler press kit

—T.L.

REVELATION: Mitsubishi Mirage hatch is cute

…but not too impressive on fuel mileage.

—R.C.

HIT: Dodge Durango SRT

—K.S.

REVELATION: Car magazines can’t wait to write the first-drive headline, “Nissan Kicks Ass”

There. We’ve done it already.

—T.L.

The post 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show Hits, Misses, & Revelations appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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olivereliott · 4 years

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Stingray: An otherworldly addition to the Haas Museum

There’s a term that was fashionable in MotoGP racing a few years ago: ‘Aliens.’ It referred to the small group of factory riders who seemed to operate at a higher level than everyone else, with astonishing speed and ability.

The custom world has its own Aliens, and we could probably all agree on the members of that group. But it looks like we have a new entrant: the Canadian builder Jay Donovan.

Jay is no grizzled veteran of the scene (sorry, Craig Rodsmith). He’s a young British Columbian in his mid-twenties, and the man behind Baresteel Design.

He’s based in the garden city of Victoria, and despite his tender years, has a quite remarkable ability to shape metal—a trait we noticed when we featured his Yamaha XS650 a couple of years ago.

Bobby Haas, the founder of the mindboggling Haas Moto Museum in Texas, noticed this ability too. And he gave Jay a commission to build a machine for the museum, with carte blanche on the direction.

“Jay and I cloistered ourselves in his shop and refined a life-sized sketch of what would ultimately become Stingray,” Bobby tells us. “We tossed ideas back and forth all day long, and then I just handed the baton over to Jay.”

The task was formidable, and Bobby knew it. “It is enormously challenging to infuse an e-bike with the aesthetics and romance of an internal combustion cycle,” he notes. “You are deprived of most of the iconic visual elements of a classic motorcycle—carburetors, pipes and so on—and handed a bunch of battery boxes in their place.”

Jay points out that electric motorcycles basically fall into three categories: “A futuristic abstract design, or something meant to look like a vintage cafe racer, or a typical sport bike.”

He started by examining these patterns: “They’re all concepts dealing with the same issues.” And the chief issue? How to incorporate “the design irritation of the ‘brick’.”

On his Yamaha XS650, Jay explored what he calls “fundamental design elements,” but this time he decided to experiment—to disregard standard proportion and geometry. “It meant abandoning the way I usually operate,” he says. “It made the process excruciating for me mentally, but also beneficial in the end.”

The core of Stingray is an ME1507 power unit from the Wisconsin company Motenergy. It’s a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with a continuous power output of 14.5 kW.

This compact 44-pound motor is now surrounded by chromoly steel, which Jay used to build the frame, forks, and swingarm. Virtually every component is curved on three axes, and uses as few pieces as possible. The looped downtube, for instance, is made from a single piece.

The tighter radii were created on rolling and bending machines, but the third dimension had to be bent by hand—using a torch and steel bucks specifically made for each part. The strength of the frame relies on the abstract triangulation of the curved tubes.

The motor is offset to one side, aligning the drive sprocket with the center of the bike. This allowed room on the other side for the battery management system, as well as a jackshaft located through the swingarm pivot.

The secondary shaft allowed Jay to manipulate the gearing, and decrease the rear sprocket diameter—“Something I thought would take away from the diameter and drama of the front hub.”

The rear hub is another piece designed from scratch, although Jay took inspiration from Max Hazan’s KTM boardtracker. “The rear wheel on that thing was too cool, and I loved the star lace pattern.”

Jay describes the front suspension as a “rather odd trailing-link-springer type setup,” which is supported by a FOX mountain bike shock. “I knew I needed to keep the forks as narrow as possible, to allow for steering clearance underneath the low hanging fairing.”

Jay’s designed the front hub with an internal rotor, dual Brembo calipers and two large discs: “They’re essentially wheel spacers, but act as a visual focal point for the forward leaning body … I used the discs as a pickup point for the front suspension linkage, so the entire linkage system could be contained between the fork legs.”

The wheels were custom made for this project by Stephen Hood at Vintage Rims in Australia. “They were designed to resemble the simplistic appearance of an old clincher rim,” says Jay, “but built wider—and with an edge bead designed to hold modern tires.”

The battery packs are concealed behind the sculptured aluminum. This is .080 gauge mostly, in 5052 rather than the 6000 series we usually see. “It’s a bit tougher than the usual .063 I have been using, but I thought I would have a bit more material to work with for filing and block sanding,” says Jay.

The seven battery packs are spread around the bike: three in separate boxes running down the center of the bike, and two contained in large single packs on either side. Each battery was hand assembled with the help of Chris Jones at Voltron in Australia and it’s a 100-volt system.

Each pack contains 56 individual lithium cells—four in series and 14 in parallel. “The batteries are installed in the packs so that heat can diffuse through the surface area of the sculptured shapes,” says Jay. It’s a good way to disrupt the problem of ‘brick’ aesthetics.

There’s a compact Sevcon Gen4 motor controller mounted underneath the ‘gas tank,’ and to cool it, there are two intakes at the front of the tank. The back half of the fairing also creates intakes, which direct airflow down into the hollow underbody and out via the tail section. There are further concealed tunnels inside the body of the bike to keep air flowing around anything that heats up.

The whole machine is essentially a play between form and function, executed by a builder with tremendous skills. “I gave the most thought to the relationship between those two elements,” says Jay. “It’s a conscious experiment to refine my design abilities—so form and function each complement the other.”

The jaw-dropping looks of Stingray and its clever packaging suggest that Jay has succeeded. It also oozes quality, with immaculate surface finishing and clever detailing.

“I was trying to understand what quality really means, in a physical and personal way—and how it correlates to advancements in technology,” says Jay. “That’s not exclusive to electric vehicles by any means, but it’s why I felt so strongly about using electric power.”

Jay obviously spends as much time thinking about his bikes as he does with a dead blow hammer in hand. “There is a sensitivity and a philosophical side to Jay that I’ve rarely seen in my seven decades of life,” says Bobby. “Often when we chat, it’s not about motorcycles, but rather about life—and where the world is headed and what our role is in this industry.”

We asked Jay what his next build will be, and it’s going to be a collaboration with vintage motorcycle expert Paul Brodie. They’re building a bike around a 1919 Excelsior motor, to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous racing marque. As a project, it’s a 180-degree opposite of Stingray.

If you’re keen to see Stingray, head over to the Haas Moto Museum in Dallas. But it won’t be in the main display area just yet. “We have a space just outside my office for one motorcycle,” says Bobby. “Museum director Stacey Mayfield and I can stare at it all day long.”

“And that’s where Stingray sits.”

Baresteel Facebook | Instagram | Haas Moto Museum | Images by Grant Schwingle

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amazondaughterofzeus-blog · 7 years

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Car Racing Online Games-introduction

A speeding action is actually sort of video games, possibly with the first-person and also third-person opinion, the location where the gamer partakes in the racing gameplay by means of any good get, environment, and ocean cars or trucks. They are often according to something because of real-world rushing leagues to fully fantastical adjustments. Generally, they could be distributed along your range which range from serious simulations, along with much less difficult arcade pounding video game titles.

Normal types

Racing simulators

Simulation form auto racing mmorpgs make an effort to convincingly replicate your taking care of on the automotive. They often times permission real cars or even speeding leagues, although definitely will in some cases employ imagination cars and trucks manufactured to mimic actual ones if incapable of get the permit for your kids. Car tendencies physics really are a main factor in the encounter. A rigors to be some proficient battle person are in general additionally covered (such since having to deal with some sort of car's wheel issue along with fuel level). Proper cornering tactic and exquisitely detailed racing maneuvers (such as trl braking) receive priority in the simulation auto racing games.

Even though those auto racing simulators can be precisely built for people with a healthy score with driving a motor vehicle power, it isn't uncommon to obtain helps which might be endowed with the sport food selection. The most frequent will help are traction force regulate (TC), anti-lock brakes, driving service, harm amount of resistance, clutch system guidance together with automatic apparel shifts. Rushing mmorpgs are usually piloted thoroughly with the insides sending view, as driving views from a viewpoint apart from this driver's are considered arcade.

Examples of these pounding simulators are customizable, when sport supporters have got decoded that records, vehicles and executable file types. The net communities have cultivated for the simulators regarded as quite possibly the most natural and many websites coordinator web competition.

Arcade racers

Arcade type auto racing video game titles get excitement as well as a fast-paced journey most importantly of all, as vehicles typically spar for customers within distinct means. Critical typical with arcade racers that will mainly distinguishes these out of simulation racers is usually your even more generous physics. Whereas in realistic speeding (and consequently, the simulation equivalents) your drivers have to tumble their particular tempo substantially to adopt a large number of moves, arcade racing video game titles usually inspire the ball player to \"power-slide\" your vehicle so that you can allow footballer to keep up their particular speed by way of traveling by having a turn. Collisions along with other racers, monitor limitations, and customers autos can often be even more expanded compared to simulation racers additionally. In most cases, arcade racers just take away the precision in addition to rigor requested from the simulation encounter in addition to place emphasis only to the rushing factor thoroughly. Sometimes they driver's license actual new or used cars along with leagues, nonetheless can be similarly designed to more sensational options along with vehicles. Backrounds take place with tracks, windy highways, or in spots, they are multiple-lap circuits or even point-to-point, with a or several paths (sometimes by using checkpoints), or even several types of competition, prefer demolition derby, running, and also examining driving skills.

Some arcade auto racing video game titles get considerably more level of competition relating to racers by depositing weaponry which is often implemented against opponents to help slow these individuals off you aren't obstruct their own improvement so as to get passed. This may be a essential characteristic with \"kart racing\" mmorpgs, for example Mario Kart line, nevertheless such a game-play also looks with usual, car-based racing games to boot. Weapons can vary because of projectile assaults to help you contains in addition to non-combative such things as tempo bolsters. Weapon-based pounding activities involve activities such as Full Car or truck, Rumble Racing, along with Blur.

Sub-genres

On-road-In a car racing performance, the primary game-play trend is normally driving a motor vehicle your vehicle. Still, they sometimes supply a supplementary possibility for tuning in the automotive. You can find completely different principles around receiving automotive racing video game titles, several of which often cover reality issues while most tend to be exclusive to your online game thoroughly. Simulation-style pounding games-Racing mmorpgs which might be much more concerned on realism. Semi-simulation-style speeding games-These matches are generally nor simulators none arcade racers; these people take in the course of that variety. Arcade-style speeding games-Racing activities that will be not necessarily centered on realism.

Lane racing games

Sports games

Occurrence racing-Game associated with athletic happenings.

Machine vehicle racing games-To day, Colossal Pickup Delirium is a simply monster pickup speeding gameplay that gives a lot of simulation elements, just like lug rushing. All of those other video game titles can be based possibly concerning auto smash racing and motor combat.

Off road bike auto racing games

Kart racing games-Kart racers, popularized as a result of (and usually attributed to) that Mario Kart set, usually are some sort of rushing gameplay this adds the chance to find solutions within the ethnic background, together with use them to further improve people's functioning within a ethnic background, or even attack many other players together with prevent ones own improvements. Just like arcade racers, kart racers feature effortless speeding physics in addition to innovative conditions to help race within. That vocab again ended up being taken from Go-Kart rushing. Normal water racing games-Racing occurring to the river, inside water and additionally with many other water-based domains. Off-road rushing games-Off-road pounding is often a arrangement of rushing in which quite a few instructional classes of especially quoted automobiles (including cars and trucks, vehicles, cycles and additionally buggies) be competitive with contests as a result of off-road regions. Futuristic pounding games-With scientific discipline fictional works options, these kind of games require a subjective view to be able to racing and may characteristic fuzy cars and trucks like hover-bikes and additionally ethnic background inside unknown zones. Without the need of having to stick to real legislation, a contests in addition to trucks can operate by using excessive rates. Pounding purpose having fun with games-Racing video game titles of which include a aspects of some sort of RPG, just like personality features in addition to grades.

Mission-based racing games-Racing games element that players' objective don't ethnic background within the tracks by a selection of laps, however , to add people to look at it to a place you have to proceed and to move things to somewhere. Motor oppose games-In these games, game-play is mostly centered on your oppose aspect of driving video game titles, getting cars and trucks equipped with pistols useful to infiltration attackers (or the vehicle by itself can be described as weapon).

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dianecurlewis17-blog · 7 years

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Seven New Games Added Onto The Ps3 Greatest Hits List

Car Games For Online

Electronic games are not new. In fact they have been on the scene for years, and all through that time car games have been the most popular games around. The popularity of motor games can be explained like this. Basically, driving in the real world is an activity that is exciting, provided you're not hemmed in by city traffic. Games start by replicating the basic excitement of the activity, but ramp it up ten levels. Unlike the dull driving you do every day, car games often focus on high speed racing. Racing other cars is guaranteed to get a gamester's adrenalin flowing. That's a given. Then it's down to the programmer or designer of the game spicing things up with a scenario that's not the usual. Age of Speed is a good example because it's set in some futuristic sci-fi world. 3D Rally Racing is another great game that gains from races being set in unusual spots like the desert or through a forest. If just racing is not enough for you, maybe you would prefer car games that are like suspense movies with danger from villains pursuing you in another vehicle. There's one game, called Triple X Mission, all about a terror plot and you are required to take out the bad guys, as well as driving as fast as you can to defuse the bomb before it explodes and kills everybody. But if that's too hectic then what about games to improve driving technique and test your ability to park the vehicle as it should be done? Driving Test is a game like that. It could even help you learn to drive, provided you take driving lessons as well. There's also a game called Parking Lot, which is similar, except it won't really teach you driving. It's more about parking cars without having an accident but not taking too long about it either. Another good game is Traffic Director in which you get to be a traffic cop. You must control the highways when they are full of traffic speeding along and it's not an easy task at all to avoid causing a smash. Sometimes you might get bored playing straight car game. One solution is to find games about other vehicles. These could be mad trucks or quad bikes and mini-moto bikes. 4 Wheel Fury 2 is all about racing on those types of mini-moto minibikes. And then there's Monster Truck Daredevil. This one has a lot of major stunts in it involving huge scary trucks on a race track. If you want to play some of these car games you only have to check out internet sites. Most of these sites will cost you nothing to play.

Car Games For Online

What anyone do have got are lonely? Watch a movie, read a book or watch some programs on Tv for computer? But for how long will 1 does this. A person have want perform board or card games you need friends. A person are have a money crunch or the weather conditions is inclement then even going out is difficult. So what is the next alternative? Concept: Most of the shoot-em-up games of the era were horizontal shote-em-ups. This game changed the playing field by as being a vertical shooting. Yet again aliens are intent of doing nasty things to earth - this time they are attempting kidnap 10 humans. You are in charge with the sole defender and must kill the aliens before they kidnap the human. You fly over a 'landscape' and can watch your humans mulling around on top. The aliens appear and drop to get the humans - you can kill them at this point, but should they grab an alien, generally caused by shoot the alien, and catch a person's before the alien reaches the the superior screen.

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Skip Away was trained well by "Sonny". The colt could possibly have made a novel win right out of the six starts he made as a 2 year old, he neatly placed a couple of them, one at the Cowdin Stakes and another at Remsen Stakes. This only after he qualified for a number of year olds that the colt's career began shaping up. Skip Away participated and won the Blue Grass Stakes by six lengths prior to a runner up Louis Quatorze. Following the opening event was Triple Crown where Skip Away faired pretty disappointingly though he managed for you to complete second previously second and third lower limb. Video gaming has made great strides since Mario Brothers. Games of all genres and kinds are presented to any your age. There is interactive, fun perform and informative games accessible for the youngest audiences, designed to be both educational and fun. Favorite cartoon characters, such as Nemo, Chicken Little, Sponge Bob and Mickey Mouse, come alive in film games continue to keep children supplier. Action heroes like Superman and Spiderman make appearances again with new missions to accomplish and more tricks up their masturbator sleeves. car racing games, action games, shooter games and arcade games keep appearing for audiences to enjoy. Game Play: Yet another simple concept that is very addictive. This game relies on timing; you find yourself dinking in and out of traffic, and in some cases going no place. The graphics are poor, the sound is terrible, but the adrenalin really pumps when try to stop that really quick car, also known as the snake in the area hunting you down! Today, car plays can be played on PC, consoles like Ps3 and play station or online for flash game. These are very preferred among people, people of all ages group enjoys to play getting this done. These are like motocross and speed racers are the popular games. With steady internet to register to sport portal start out. Car video games are very enjoyable that has been enhanced with new multimedia method. Car-game is very anxious and gives hurry on the player by making it more fascinating. Pc game is really stress busters. People like to play car video plays mainly on play station as provides the best feeling of completion while playing in conjunction with your friends. Girl spice up games recently been popular amongst online gamers in past few years. One really fun and addicting girl game I found is called Candy the Cheerleader. In this particular free online game, you're to score a date with Candy who will be the hottest cheerleader in schools. All Candy does is tease you continuous in training class. You must solve mini-puzzles as a way to get some alone time with the Candy showcase out the woman's! Try not to spend all night playing this activity as alternatives here . limitless fun free games to use!

Car Games For Online

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olivereliott · 5 years

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Type 18: Auto Fabrica builds a futuristic concept for BMW

The 21st century ‘alt moto’ custom scene was built on a love for classic style. But lately we’ve seen a trend towards futurism, and we’re digging it. Auto Fabrica have played on both sides of the fence, always with arresting results.

Their latest project, ‘Type 18,’ is a BMW R nineT that sits unapologetically at the futuristic of the spectrum. It was commissioned by BMW Motorrad to show off at the annual Wheels & Waves festival in Biarritz.

When brothers Bujar and Gazmend Muharremi got the brief to mod BMW’s modern classic boxer, they latched onto the fact that BMW originally manufactured aircraft engines. And as they gathered their thoughts, influences ranging from geometric architecture to aircraft design started converging.

“We had a stack of design work for this bike which showcased lots of different directions,” the brothers tell us, “but all very ‘concept bike’ feel.”

“When we originally flew to Munich to meet the team, they were not expecting to see any design work—it all happened in a short space of time. But we ended up taking the sketches as well as a rough 3D printed design model, which the BMW team loved.”

Auto Fabrica started out with a stock R nineT Scrambler, then chopped and changed a few parts from other nineT models. The triples and upside-down forks come from an R nineT Roadster, while the rear set mounts and wheels came from an R nineT Racer.

The Racer’s wheels look the same as the Scrambler’s, but come in 3.50 x 17” (front) and 5.50 x 17” (rear). “We thought the 5-spoke design was the cleanest and best looking out of any option out there,” the guys tell us.

Auto Fabrica shipped the forks off to British suspension company, Maxton, who sent them back blacked out, shortened and with new internals. The rear shock’s also from Maxton—it’s a custom unit, and even wears the Auto Fabrica logo.

According to Bujar and Gaz, the new suspension has made a huge difference in handling. “It’s an amazing upgrade, and not only in looks. The performance is out of this world.”

But most of the man-hours on this project went into the nineT’s intriguing new bodywork. And if you’re seeing faint hints of fighter jets in there, you’re spot-on; the boys list the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor among their references.

Despite the futuristic look, most of what you see has been hand-formed from aluminum using traditional techniques. That includes the monocoque tank and tail, the side panels that run over the cylinder heads, and the multiple sections that make up the front end.

Even though Auto Fabrica had already visualized the Type 18’s design, the final forms evolved further as they went from concept to metal. “The steering damper was an item which made us review the engine cowl,” they explain, “as it originally ran all the way to the front of the forks.”

“This actually worked out for the better, as the bike took a slightly different design approach.”

“The fragmentation of the fairing and the blades not only gives the bike a level of interest from a styling point of view, but also makes the bike’s stance lower and sleeker—which is what we were after. These added panels allowed us to really push our creative juices.”

As the project moved on, Auto Fabrica started conceptualizing ways in which the side sections could be interchangeable—an idea they plan to explore further.

“The idea of having a few options which clients can buy and change as they will really appealed to us” they say. “We want them to put these covers on the wall as artwork or sculptures, with battle scars gathered over the years.”

Finishing off the bodywork meant turning to more advanced sculpting techniques. Auto fabrica have used 3D printing for the headlight housing, the taillight enclosure, and the blades holding the front turn signals.

The taillight itself is made from a pair of acrylic blades, with powerful LEDs behind them (it doubles up as a pair of turn signals too). Auto Fabrica used the same concept for the front turn signals—choosing to turn them into a feature, rather than hide them away.

Those are the eye-catching features, but there are plenty of smaller details to take in too. Like the neatly recessed gas cap, the cutaway section where the tank flows to the tail, and the Alcantara seat with its chic ‘A’ badge.

Under the hood, the frame and subframe have been subtly de-tabbed and trimmed.

Type 18 also wears Renthal clip-ons and grips, and a host of BMW’s own Option 719 dress-up bits—including the valve covers, engine front plate, foot pegs and fluid reservoir caps. The speedo is stock, but it’s been given a new face by the crew at Gauge Instruments.

Auto Fabrica wrapped up the R nineT with a set of their signature swooping exhausts, ending in a pair of slim megaphones. The system’s been hand-made from stainless steel, and finished in matt black Cerakote.

Type 18 is menacing and fascinating all at the same time. Bujar and Gaz clearly have a vivid imagination—but they also have the skill to move from concept to reality.

As with all of their builds, Auto Fabrica will be taking limited Type 18 orders. With any luck, we’ll get to see a few more evolutions of this species.

Auto Fabrica | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Oli Tennent

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olivereliott · 6 years

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Custom Bikes Of The Week: 29 April, 2018

A two-wheel drive KTM, a super-caffeinated Harley Sportster, a Radical Ducati tribute from Taiwan, and an African dirtbike with an incredible 250 kilo payload capacity.

Harley-Davidson Sportster by Mainhatten Choppers If someone told you they built a cafe racer out of a Harley Sportster, would you picture this? Frankfurt-based Mainhatten Choppers were obviously looking to buck a trend when they tapped their mate Ian Alderton to help sketch out the beginnings of ‘Bar!sta’ here. The futuristic vibe of this twin hits like a quad-shot of espresso and, frankly, we’d like to order another.

The good news is that we can. Bar!sta was developed to be a limited edition kit bike, with parts fabricated so other H-D owners can make a statement. Working from collaborative sketches, three years of clay modeling, prototyping and refinements took place to nail down the swooping lines.

My favorite touch is by far the work around the headlight; Almost an anti-fairing, the way those strakes wrap around the cockpit and join the scalloped tank is a damned fresh approach.

The tail is equally impressive and combined with the routing of the custom exhaust, the six o’clock view is perfectly angry. Thanks to all of the development work that went into Bar!sta, prospective buyers will have some options when it comes to overall aesthetics—bars, exhaust, wheels and so on—but this one here gets my vote. [More]

2WD KTM 990 Adventure A couple of years back, I had the chance to feast eyes upon the two-wheel-drive KTM built for REV’IT! by Gregor Halenda, with the help of a Christini sourced front-drive mechanism. Needless to say, Gregor’s bike left me and my V-Strom in the Oregon dust with every twist of the throttle. But as radical as that bike was, this fresh take on an AWD KTM from mechanical engineer Guido Koch is next level crazy.

Starting with a highly capable KTM 990 Adventure, Guido took ten years to develop a home built kit that he calls the DT-A. My guess is DT-A stands for “Down To Adventure” since everything about the donor bike has been tweaked for optimal off-road prowess.

The frame is entirely bespoke, as is the front end—which now relies upon a hub-centered steering device and a one-off swingarm to allow maneuverability without derailing the front drive mechanism. There are three fuel tanks capable of holding 27 liters, and Guido even developed his own CV joints. Automotive units would be too heavy and clunky.

With over 11 inches of ground clearance and an all-wheel-drive system that begins power transfer after a mere 5% rear slippage, there is little that would stop this impressive beast. Oh, and it only weighs 375 pounds (170 kg). They often say there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, but when its reinvention is this cool, we say: have at it! [More]

Ducati MH900E by Igor Ou Pepo Rosell’s work in his previous life at Radical Ducati was nothing short of jaw-dropping. Not that what he’s doing now isn’t remarkable, but those early days cemented his following. So much so that Taiwanese builder Igor Ou decided to create this Ducati MH900E in tribute to Radical Ducati.

The build began life as a pleasant but pedestrian Ducati SS900ie, but it has received a bundle of upgrades in both the show and go categories. Since Igor is the manager at EU Racing Taiwan, a distributor of go-fast bits, sourcing parts wasn’t exactly an issue.

In fact, the ingredients list reads like a how-to in high-end modification: Marchesini forged wheels keep unsprung weight to a minimum, the IMS triple clamp looks both pretty and strong, the Daytona gauges provide some classic retro pop to the dash, and the fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension is, well, just proper.

Of course, having the best ingredients doesn’t mean you’ll bake a tasty cake. But we’d say Igor bolted up one delectable Ducati. The shaping of the carbon fiber bodywork delivers just enough Hailwood with a heavy sprinkling of modern, more radical Ducati. I’m sure even Pepo would blush at this one. [More]

Yamaha XS850 by Brick House Builds Just over a year ago, a Honda ATC250R-inspired CX500 headlined this very column. It was all kinds of playful, retro and radical. This time, builder BJ English of Brick House Builds has taken a more traditional route—but his Yamaha XS850 based cafe racer is no less impressive.

For ‘Triple Trouble,’ BJ was aiming for a textbook cafe silhouette, clean and understated. That mission was accomplished by taking the stock frame and treating it to a complete de-tabbing routine. The subframe was also binned, in favor of the new hoop that tapers neatly at the tank and curls slightly at the end to match the new seat. The front end from a FZR was fitted into the stock XS stem and with some help from the CNC machine, the hubs from that same FZR were mated to the XS’ original wheels.

On the performance end of the spectrum, the Yami triple is good for 80hp, so there wasn’t much need for further coaxing. Regardless, BJ still went to the trouble of creating a one-off set of headers that meet on the right hand side before exiting through a Cone Engineering muffler. With four builds on the go at any one time, it’s worth mentioning that Brick House Builds is a one-man show. And the shop is literally a brick house—BJ’s own. [More]

Kibo K150 dual sport On these pixelated pages, we typically celebrate the motorcycle for what it can become: how skilled hands can coax beauty and brawn out of steel and sweat. But every now and then a factory creation comes along that reminds us why bikes tugged our attentions in the first place: for what they can do.

The Kibo K150 is a purpose built dual-sport that was created to quite literally move Africa. Developed in Holland and assembled in Nairobi, the Kibo was designed to conquer Kenya’s harshest terrains while delivering an incredible payload of 250 kg (550 pounds)—to get crucial supplies where they’re needed, in the quickest overland manner possible.

The air-cooled 150cc SOHC thumper was chosen for its simplicity and reliability. It’s also been tuned to deliver most of its torque in the low end, to help crawl through all types of conditions. The front wheel is a 21-inch unit and there are almost eight inches of ground clearance, so obstacles shouldn’t pose much of a problem. And the tank holds 6.8 liters (1.8 gallons) of fuel.

The seat height is a relatively low 31 inches to accommodate all sizes of people, and Kibo is even offering rider training with purchase to help get riders going. [More]

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