Mike Hanlon

Yamaha's R1 will gain a six-mode MotoGP-developed Traction Control System (TCS) for the 2012 model year, along with a new ECU (Engine Control Unit) with new mapping. It's the only real change to the R1 for next year though, and Yamaha's premier sports bike will again be the heaviest of the liter bikes. Read More

The Climate Reality Project (formerly known as the Alliance for Climate Protection) has just kicked off its "24 Hours of Reality" live streamed event. The presentation runs 24 hours, is available live in 13 languages, and is the beginning of a worldwide campaign to present the latest information about the climate crisis and reject misinformation. Read More

Matthew Bailes is Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) of the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and was one of the scientists responsible for the discovery of the diamond planet which received widespread news coverage over the last few weeks. In a well-penned article, Bailes discusses the reaction to the discovery and raises some very interesting questions about the way the scientific method is used and abused by the media. Read More

BMW looks set to become the first of the recognized motorcycle brands to begin leveraging the unique advantages of the motorcycle in addressing the quickly changing landscape of urban mobility. The Flying Propeller brand is to create a specialist "Urban Mobility" group, launch two premium, high-performance twin-cylinder maxi scooters before the end of the year, and will unveil a concept electro-scooter later today. Using the large volume of enclosed body space of a maxi scooter to contain all the necessaries, the 60 volt Concept e has a 100 kilometer range, recharges from flat inside three hours at a domestic power point, and the performance of a maxi scooter (expected to be equivalent to a 400-500cc commuter motorcycle). The Concept e will be the first volume production two-wheeler without rear vision mirrors – twin rear-facing video cameras relay what's happening behind the vehicle to two LCD monitors in the cockpit. Very exciting! Read More

Quimera will show its long-awaited AEGT (All Electric GT) prototype at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) this week. The AEGT runs three UQM electric motors developing a total 700 bhp and delivering a top speed currently limited to 300 km/h. The AEGT's lightweight carbon fiber monocoque chassis enables a kerb weight of just 1500 kg despite carrying more than 600 kg of lithium-polymer EIG batteries. Read More

German TECHART has been remanufacturing Porsches for a quarter century, priding itself on always producing something special for the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) every second year. This year it has produced the most powerful Porsche ever to leave its Leonberg “manufactory”: the GTStreet RS is based on the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and delivers 530 kW (720 PS) and 900 Nm torque. From a standing start, the GTStreet RS hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.3 seconds, 124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.5 seconds and has a maximum speed of 218 mph (352 km/h). Read More

Two years ago, the U.S. Treasury helped to broker an arranged marriage between the Daimler-jilted Chrysler and an unlikely Italian suitor in the form of the Fiat Group of companies. Even before consummation it was clear that we would see all manner of cross-brand rebadging amongst the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Abarth, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari branches of the new extended family, and so it has come to pass. It's been known for some time that Fiat's highly-successful commercial range will be sold in the United States under the Dodge brand and now comes the news that Maserati will announce an SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show that is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Read More

The birth of a new British car company named Eterniti Motors has been on the horizon for some time, but it'd be fair to say that the world's motoring press hasn't taken a lot of notice until now - the first images of the new Eterniti Hemera "Super-SUV" prototype have surfaced along with the news that it will produce a remarkable 620 bhp and have a top speed of over 180 mph. When production begins in 2012, Eterniti aims to become a boutique luxury carmaker and the new Hemera has as much emphasis on a "limousine-like" rear cabin, with twin reclining rear seats, iPads and a drinks chiller, as it does on its dynamic 4x4 driving experience. Does it look familiar? Read More

We've already written quite a bit about the development of Husqvarna's new Nuda 900 and 900R and the promise of the Italian (formerly Swedish) brand under Teutonic (BMW) ownership to execute new thought, but we felt that the latest release of new info on the supermoto/naked-bike crossover to debut at Frankfurt warranted an update. We already knew the engine was derived from the BMW F 800 R motor with an increase in bore and stroke giving it 898cc, but what we didn't know previously is that the crankshaft has been altered from the F 800 R's 0-degree crank offset angle to 315-degrees, creating an engine with the feel and sound of a V-twin, but with the same excellent power delivery of the parallel-twin at small throttle openings, a characteristic not normally associated with v-twins. Details have also been released on the suspension and running gear packages of both models. Read More