Monday, December 14, 2009

Narrow track vehicles - the convergence of the car and the motorcycle

Nissan's LandGlider


Being fully enclosed and with impact absorption zones and a composite protection tub, the Land Glider’s pilot is a lot less vulnerable than a motorcycle rider, yet the Land Glider’s light weight and the punchy electric motors mean a motorcycle-like torque to weight ratio for quick acceleration and the steer-by-wire system leans the Land Glider up to 17 degrees – it may not be the 45 degree plus of a sports motorcycle, and the proof-of-concept will surely be in the driving experience as to how drive-by-wire feels in comparison to the mechanical systems we’re all accustomed to, but it’s more than enough to have safe, low-speed fun commuting to the office.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Brabus to debut 200mph SUV at Dubai Auto Show

Brabus to debut 200mph SUV at Dubai Auto Show

Dubai is the land of the mega-wealthy and purveyors of exceptional machinery often stage world debuts there for their latest uber-exclusive toys whenever there's a car, boat or air show. This week the Dubai International Motor Show gets underway and the pick of the toys-for-very-rich-boys will be the world's fastest street-legal SUV. The BRABUS GLK V12 is powered by a 740 bhp twin turbo twelve-cylinder engine, has a top speed of 200mph (322kmh) and the base model starts at US$580,000. Be careful with the options though, or you'll give the bank manager a heart attack.

Scubacraft convertible speedboat/submarine: at home over OR under the waves

The Scubacraft speedboat submarine

Screaming around on the surface of a lake or the ocean is great fun, but anyone who's had a crack at scuba diving will understand that it's a whole new world below the surface. Which is why the Scubacraft is such a sensational invention, even if you're not James Bond. It's a fully functional speedboat that'll scream along the surface at up to 50mph, but at the touch of a button it submerges and becomes an open-top electric submarine. Awesome.