Darren Quick
KTM has displayed the GT version of its X-Bow roadster for the first time at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show. While the previously released images revealed that the new X-Bow would get a practicality boost over the X-Bow R on which it is based with the addition of a windscreen, side windows and doors, we now have full technical details on the Austrian manufacturer's latest street-legal go-kart. Read More
You couldn’t accuse Volvo of ignoring those people at risk of encountering the exterior of its vehicles rather than sitting inside them. The Swedish automotive manufacturer has already introduced pedestrian airbags and an automated braking system designed to avoid hitting pedestrians. Now Volvo has enhanced the latter to develop the world’s first auto-braking cyclist detection system, which is being presented at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show. Read More
Given the popularity of CUVs (crossover utility vehicles) among consumers, it’s not surprising that this segment is popular ground for auto manufacturers developing concept vehicles. Subaru’s latest CUV concept, which it has dished up at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, is the Viziv. The company describes the Viziv – a name somehow derived from “Vision for Innovation” – as a crossover vehicle with a hybrid powertrain that gives a hint at Subaru’s future design direction and technologies. Read More
While it’s the sportier concepts that tend to get the lion’s share of attention at auto shows, there are usually some less sexy, yet still worthy, concepts on display. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle’s e-Co-Motion concept vehicle, which is making its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show, is one such beast. Designed as a zero-emission delivery van for transporting goods around a city, the e-Co-Motion concept is an exclusively electric-powered vehicle that would boast a range of up to 200 km (124 miles). Read More
After a couple of months of drip feeding silhouette images of its new model Wraith, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has finally turned the lighting up on the new fastback at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Powered by a V12 engine married to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Wraith produces a refined 624 hp (465 kW) and 800 Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm, which outdoes the Ghost's 563 hp (420 kW) and 780 Nm of torque, making the new coupe the most powerful Rolls ever. Read More
Since installing your own personal weigh station in the driveway isn’t really practical, drivers basically have to guess whether or not they’re exceeding the vehicle’s maximum payload weight. For many, this probably comes down to whether or not the wheels are scraping the arches, but international automotive supplier Continental is set to offer a more accurate approach by developing tires with the ability to detect a vehicle’s weight. Read More
Sikorsky’s coaxial X2 Demonstrator may have taken its last flight, but the rotorcraft’s design will serve as the basis for a new aircraft proposed by Sikorsky and Boeing. The companies will submit a joint proposal to build the new aircraft for Phase 1 of the U.S. Army’s Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) program that aims to deliver the next generation of vertical lift utility and attack aircraft. Read More
BMW-powered T-REX 16S joins Campagna’s line of three-wheelers
Campagna Motors’ family of side-by-side reverse trikes has a new addition. Joining the street legal T-REX 14 R, T-REX 14RR and V13R is the T-REX-16S. While the existing T-REX models are powered by a Kawasaki 1400 cc inline cylinder engine and the V13R gets its grunt from a Harley Davidson Liquid-cooled Revolution 60-degree V-Twin engine (the same used in the Harley Davidson V-Rod), the new 16S is powered by a BMW 1649 cc in-line 6-cylinder engine from BMW’s Motorrad division. Read More
Dennis Tito, the man who in 2001 became the first space tourist by shelling out a reported US$20 million to hitch a ride on the Russian Soyuz TM-32 spacecraft to the International Space Station, has now announced plans for a manned mission to Mars – and back. Tito won’t be going himself, but has established Inspiration Mars, a new nonprofit foundation that will oversee the mission in the hope of spurring “growth, national prosperity, knowledge and global leadership” through space exploration. Read More
Earlier this week, Boeing’s liquid hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye demonstrator successfully completed its second flight. While still well short of the four day flight time and 65,000 foot altitude Boeing says the aircraft is capable of, the second flight is a step in the right direction from the Phantom Eye's first flight that ended – not quite as successfully – on June 1, 2012. Read More
