Custom Yamaha XS650

Custom Yamaha XS650

If you follow Ze Last Chance Garage, you’ll know that Paris-based “Sonic Seb” has immaculate taste. This gorgeous Yamaha XS650 is his personal ride, beautifully captured by the photographer Dimitri Coste for Sideburn magazine.

Seb works for a major European motorcycle manufacturer, and he’s a pure gearhead. So he did much of the work on the XS650 himself, in a fantastic communal garage that he shares with friends—complete with paint booth and dyno room.

The bike is heavily modified, with the most visible change being a tank from a 1970s Yamaha DT360 enduro motorcycle. The two-into-one exhaust is from Gordon Scott Engineering, with a go-kart style spring bracket added by Seb.

The electric start has been removed to save weight and Mikuni VM34 Roundslide carbs fitted to add power. Keeping the motor cool are a large capacity external oil filter and high performance oil pump from Heiden Tuning.

Seb shaved the fork legs, and since these photos were taken, he’s fitted a front brake. The shocks are Harley-Davidson, and the alloy rear fender was found by chance on a shelf. Grips are from the magnificently named Hippy Killer Garage. To read more about this bike, grab yourself a copy of Sideburn 7.

Courtesy

Read more »

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta - the fastest Ferrari yet built

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

The Ferrari F12berlinetta will not only become the fastest Ferrari ever produced, but also the fastest naturally-aspirated road car ever produced, if it can back up its claim of a 340 km/h top speed.

The body of the Ferrari is a collaboration between the Ferrari Design Centre and Pininfarina,   with extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations comes with desirable aerodynamic qualities.

The F12 Berlinetta has a 6.3-liter V12 engine with 740 hp with 8.500 rpm which makes it capable of reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.5 seconds.
It further boasts an array of technologies such as Aero Bridge, Active Brake Cooling, a new generation of carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3), a further evolution of the magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E) plus the usual E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS control systems.

It also features an all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell using 12 different kinds of alloys produced in collaboration with Scaglietti

Read more »

smarSmart Brabus Electric Drive & ebike concept

Smart Brabus Electric Drive

In collaboration with Smart, German tuning company Brabus has announced the arrival of Smart Brabus Electric Drive and ebike concept

The latest reiteration of the fortwo ED features a range of upgrades including tridion safety cell and door mirror caps, a front spoiler, dark headlamp housings and a rear apron insert with double reflectors.Brabus have slightly increased the output of the magento-electric motor from 75 to 82hp with 100lb-ft of torque.

A new sports suspension lowers the vehicle by around 10mm, which sits on 16/17-inch Brabus Monoblock VII alloys.Inside, an assortment of upgrades include leather instrument panel and interior door trim, leather seas, stainless-steel sports pedals, Brabus handbrake handle and Brabus cockpit clock and rev counter.

As for the smart Brabus ebike concept, this features a 500 Watt electric motor and is capable of a 30mph top speed.Four power levels can be accessed via the throttle hand grip, with the fourth providing maximum pushing power.

Mirroring the fortwo ED, the ebike gets a blacked-out look, albeit with a matt finish. It also boasts a four-piston brake system on the front wheel, four-spoke carbon-fiber wheels, a carbon-fiber seatpost and green leather saddle and grips

A production version of the ebike and the electric drive will be available for purchase via smart centers in 12 countries by the end of the year.

Smart Brabus ebike concept

Read more »

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Revealed

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

The new GTI Cabrio, the most powerful production Golf Cabrio ever , is powered by 211hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 206lb-ft of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 147 mph.The Cabrio features a fully insulated automatic fabric roof which can be folded away in only 9.5 seconds while traveling at speeds up to 18 mph.

It comes with a standard 17-inch 'Monza' alloys and brushed aluminum stainless steel pedals. Its interior is equipped with a unique steering wheel, contrasting red stitching on the handbrake and gear lever gaiter, and a classic tartan cloth upholstery with leather remaining optional.

On the outside, it has a honeycomb radiator grille with red edging , a GTI badge,  front bumper incorporating a deep honeycomb air dam, distinctive fog lights, a bespoke rear diffuser and chrome tailpipes.

Read more »

Citroën C3 Red Block Special Edition (First Look)

Citroën C3

The  C3 Red Block Special Edition retains its 17-inch diamond-effect rims that are fitted with 205/40 tires and features a revised chassis with a 25mm lowered ride height and stiffer springs along with an uprated steering wheel system and in addition, ESP comes as standard.

Engine options include the VTi 120 petrol, e-HDi 90 diesel and e-HDi 100 diesel, all mated to manual gearboxes.

On the inside, the C3 Red Block gains a gloss black dashboard fascia, a smaller sports steering wheel and optional red leather upholstery, while the pedals and front door surrounds are finished in aluminum.

The car comes in five different colors including Shark Blue body paint that is combined with a bumper strip in the same finish, and the Banquise White, Aluminium Grey, Manitoba Grey and Obsidian Black paints with a gloss black bumper strip.

Read more »

New Volvo V40 (First Look)

Volvo officially revealed details of the 2013 Volvo V40 which will be available with a diverse engine range, from Volvo's very first diesel engine boasting CO2 emissions of 94g/km to the turbocharged T5 gasoline engine with 254hp and a 6.7-second 0-62mph time.

Volvo have revealed that all engine versions will feature start/stop and braking energy regeneration, regardless of whether customers opt for the manual or automatic transmission. 

Safety and driver support package  includes Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, a world-first pedestrian airbag, Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering and Park Assist Pilot.The acclaimed City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system also features but has been further developed to be operational at speeds up to 50kph. 

Inside there's a fully graphic instrument cluster with personalized layout and information and a 'super-comfortable cockpit with outstanding ergonomics and technology.'

Read more »

Hyundai's new generation i30

Hyundai's  new generation i30

The New Generation i30 wagon is the second member of the New Generation i30 family designed and engineered specifically for European customers at Hyundai's European R&D Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

The wagon's overall length is increased by 185 mm to 4485 mm, 10 mm longer than the original i30 wagon.  The wagon has an expanded trunk space from 378-litres to 528-litres – and an  increased cargo volume of 1,642-litres with rear passenger seats folded down.

The front is distinguished by Hyundai's hexagon-shaped grille and jewel-like headlamps,  and a roofline extending rearwards over the flexible passenger area. A pronounced swage line runs horizontally along the sides of the body and rises all the way to the rear lights. The rear windscreen wraps around the D-pillars, increasing interior luminosity and benefiting visibility. The deep tailgate gives the car a clean look and opens to bumper-level for easy loading.

The New Generation i30 wagon will be available  with the three petrol direct injection engines and three diesel engines , producing 95 to 135 ps. 

Buyers of the New Generation i30 wagon will benefit from Five Year Triple Care, comprising a five-year unlimited warranty, five years' roadside assistance, and five years of vehicle health checks.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Europe, said: "The New Generation i30 has been widely praised for its style, quality, and value. Our new wagon offers all of those attributes plus even greater load-carrying capacity. We expect it to appeal strongly to those looking for stylish and flexible practicality, especially active families."

News Source: Hyundai

Read more »

2012 McLaren MP4-12C by Wheelsandmore

McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren MP4-12C  , dubbed 'Toxique Evil,'  is the latest tuning kit from the makers of Ferrari 599 GTO, the popular Wheelsandmore.

The car runs a 3.8-liter V8 bi-turbo engine with optimized control electronics and added a handcrafted exhaust system with remote-able exhaust valves. As a result of which, its output increased from 600hp and 443lb-ft of torque to 666hp  and 472lb-ft of torque at present. However, the tuning experts are currently working on a turbo and intercooler upgrade inorder to increase the output to a staggering 800hp, one hell of tuning

The McLaren's steering and overall handling has been improved by lowering the supercar's PCC complex electronic hydraulic suspension system by 25mm. A Trim-Line-Design stripe styles the exterior running along the length of the car and it houses a new set of 20- and 21-inch ultralight-forged alloys wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 5P tires.

Read more »

THE MINI CLUBVAN CONCEPT.

THE MINI CLUBVAN CONCEPT

The MINI Clubman-based concept car, scheduled for its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show 2012, combines the driving fun for which MINI is renowned with increased load-carrying capability.

The load compartment of the MINI Clubvan Concept embodies the principle used in the classic Mini – of providing the maximum amount of interior space on the smallest possible footprint. The load area reaches from the split rear doors right up to the partition grille behind the two seats. Six attachment loops recessed into the load compartment floor use elasticized straps to hold items of varying lengths, heights and widths in place with a securely positioned partition grille keeping items stowed in the load compartment safe. The lower section of the partition is made from solid aluminum, while the upper section consists of a silver-colored stainless steel honeycomb grating. The side walls and floor of the load compartment are trimmed in high-quality cloth colored in anthracite, which also extends along the full length of the interior.

Like the MINI Clubman, the MINI Clubvan Concept is a five-door car with a twist. Two front doors for the driver and front passenger, two side-hinged doors at the rear and the rear-hinged Clubdoor on the right-hand side with comfortable access to the interior.  Tools and goods can be stored neatly in made-to-measure drawers or shelving units with 12-volt plug sockets in the rear area of the load compartment providing additional practicality.

The MINI Clubvan Concept comes with British Racing Green exterior paintwork, which extends to the roof, C-pillars and exterior mirror caps. It features an  opaque rear side windows with its outer Polycarbonate surfaces painted in the car's body color, and a heavily tinted glass for the rear doors.   The sealed side windows bear the logo of a sign design company based in the MINI's native Great Britain.  

Read more »