Jeremy Korzeniewski
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BMW Unleashes 2010 R 1200 GS with DOHC Boxer Engine
2010 BMW R 1200 GS - Click above for high-res image gallery
Anyone who follows motorcycling would likely tell you that BMW's R 1200 GS sets the standard when it comes to building a proper adventure touring motorcycle, and with good reason. As I found out when I last threw a leg over the 2009 edition, BMW's big air-cooled mule can pretty much go anywhere its rider points it, and it'll tackle gnarly off-road conditions with just as much aplomb as it attacks paved back roads and long stretches of superslab.
Still, nothing is perfect (I actually prefer the little brother F 800 GS off the road), and BMW saw fit to update its best-seller for the 2010 model year with a revised boxer engine that now sports dual-overhead cams. That's a major modification and it allowed BMW to locate five-percent more horsepower than the previous mill. Those 110 galloping ponies join 88 lb-ft of torque that BMW says is spread more evenly throughout the rev range than before. We'll take it, more power is always a good thing, right?As you'd expect, there's also an upgraded R 1200 GS Adventure model for those who truly need the most capable bike they can get their grubby mitts on. Updates over the standard model include spoked wheels in lieu of cast, more suspension travel and a monster 8.7-gallon fuel tank. See both new models in all their glory in our image galleries below.
[Source: BMW]
MV Agusta Teases New F4, Details Leak Out Ahead of EICMA
Shortly after showing off its new 2010 Brutale naked streetfighter, iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta will unveil its range-topping F4 sportbike at the EICMA motorcycle show. MV let loose one teaser image early last month, but details are just now starting to leak out about the 998cc inline-four screamer.
According to OmniMoto in Italy, MV Agusta has massaged its well-known powerplant with twin fuel injectors per cylinder and variable throttle bodies to put out 186 horsepower (still short of the class-leading 193-horsepower BMW S 1000 RR) at 12,900 RPM. Also on the menu are a slipper clutch and eight-way adjustable traction control.
We don't expect major chages to the bike's already attractive overall design, but a new bi-xenon take on the vertical headlight will join a longer and lighter single-sided swingarm to update things a bit. In any case, we'll get all the details soon enough when the F4 makes its official debut next week in Milan.
[Source: OmniMoto via Asphalt and Rubber]
Bargain Alert: Great Deals Reported on Buell Motorcycles
In the market for a new motorcycle? Now might be a good time to visit your local Harley Davidson dealership. Not necessarily for a new motorcycle wearing the classic orange and black Bar and Shield logo – not that there's anything wrong with that, if that's your thing – but for one of the last bikes from the recently discontinued Buell brand.
According to a report from the boys from Hell for Leather, Harley Davidson is sending a check to each dealership worth $5,000 for every new Buell sold. This knowledge ought to give customers a little extra negotiating power when it comes time to sign on the dotted line, no? Happy shopping!
[Source: Hell for Leather]
Jaguar Reportedly Hatching R-D6-Based Sports Fastback for 2014
2003 Jaguar R-D6 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
The on-again, off-again five-door "coupe" from Jaguar is reportedly, well, on again. According to AutoWeek, the British-born and Indian-owned automaker plans to release the sporty hatchback in 2014 with an estimated price of around $60,000. Jaguar first dipped a toe in the five-door coupe waters back in 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, though the R-D6 concept was quickly forgotten after its initial round of the show circuit.
Now, an unnamed source at Jaguar tells AW, "There's a growing feeling with the R-D6 that we really had something very innovative, fresh and different. Maybe we missed something back then, but the idea is even more applicable now." Might that newfound interest have anything to do with the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and Audi Sportback models?
The new car would be one size smaller than the current XF and would share its aluminum chassis architecture with the next XK and planned XE sportscars. After the five-door hits the market, there's a reasonable chance a sportier three-door could shortly follow. Power will reportedly come from a new line of V6 engines that will feature forced injection and share ancestry with Jag's latest 5.0-liter V8 engine.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Stylish Recycling: Vespa Chair by Bel & Bel
Vespa Chair by Bel & Bel - Click above for image gallery
As much as we appreciate the style of vintage Vespa scooters, there's no debate that the old Italian air-cooled, two-stroke, single cylinder engines are extremely damaging to the air we breathe. Even though it's environmentally responsible, it still seems like such a shame to let all those pretty Italian scooters go to waste, which is one reason why we like electric scooter conversions like this one.
Another option for older scooters, especially ones that have no real shot at becoming roadworthy again, is to turn them into office furniture, as seen above. Not interested in doing the work yourself? We don't blame you. Fortunately, there's at least one company that will do the job for you.
Design studio Bel & Bel is now turning out these Vespa chairs that convert the leg shields from older Vespas into fashionable and usable art. From the looks of it, color choices for both the external structure and the actual seating surfaces abound, so there shouldn't be any problem coordinating the tone for your specific office.
[Source: Bel & Bel via Motorcycle.com]
REPORT: BMW to Focus on Premium, Upmarket Electric Vehicles
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW is known for offering premium automobiles and motorcycles here in the United States, so it comes as little surprise that the German automaker would plan to produce premium electric vehicles as well. According to British motoring magazine Autocar, those electric vehicles, which are currently being developed under BMW's Project i initiative, will be available with two-, three- and four-wheeled platforms.
Marc Gerard, head of interior design at BMW, explains that the automaker has yet to decide whether these Project i vehicles will "fit below Mini, between Mini and BMW or above BMW." Another issue that needs to be sorted out is whether the electric machines will break new styling ground or if the automaker will instead choose a more conservative path so as not to alienate any potential buyers.
[Source: Autocar]
World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado
So, exactly how did this come about? Is the thin air up there distorting people's better judgment? Not exactly. The incentive actually applies to a slew of qualifying hybrid and electric vehicles and will be paid in the form of an income tax credit that's calculated by determining the difference in price of the alt-fuel car or truck as compared to a competitive gas-powered model. In the case of the Tesla Roadster, Colorado figures the EV costs a whopping $50K more than its competitive set... which we imagine might be the Lotus Elise.
Want to take advantage of the rebate but not interested in a fully-electric sportscar? Buyers can also get a $20K rebate on the 2009 Lexus LS 600h L or about three grand on either the new Honda Insight or Toyota Prius. See the complete list in PDF form here.
[Source: Green Car Reports]
Mercedes-Benz Releases SLS-Inspired C63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Package Plus - Click above for high-res image gallery
Question: What's hotter than a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG? Well, that would be the new C63 AMG with Performance Package Plus, of course. The new super sedan from Daimler gets a 30-horsepower injection over the standard AMG model, pushing the pony count all the way to 487 – just a baker's dozen shy of the race-spec C-Class DTM model. Watch out, Caddy.
Modifications to the 6.3-liter V8 engine include new forged alloy pistons borrowed from the SLS AMG supercar and a new set of crank rods coupled with a lightweight crankshaft. A titanium-colored intake manifold and recalibrated computer module complete the package. Performance? How about zero to 62 in just 4.4 seconds and naught to 125 in under 14? Yeah, that'll do nicely.
An upgraded brake package with composite rotors is included to help the driver reign in all that speed, and Mercedes says the new PPP will be available on both the sedan and – get this – wagon bodystyles. Exterior modifications are limited to a carbon fiber spoiler for the sedan, and the interior is upgraded with an AMG steering wheel in nappa leather and seats swathed in Alcantara. No word yet on whether this beast is headed Stateside, but sales are scheduled to start in Europe before the end of the year. Hit the jump for the official press release and check out the two high-res images in our gallery below.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
What Does Your New Car Say About You? Forbes Investigates
Ah, yes. Automotive stereotypes... always good for a laugh or two, right? For instance, just who do you expect to see exiting the driver's seat of a late-seventies Chevy Camaro Z/28? Mullet city, of course. And what of the blacked-out Cadillac Escalade rolling on two-sizes-too-large wheels and tires? A professional athlete or someone who wishes they were. Finally, who's that behind the wheel of the second-gen Toyota Prius with the anti-Hummer bumper sticker? Tree hugger, naturally.
So, these are all pretty obvious examples of automotive stereotypes, and they certainly don't always apply (there's nothing wrong with saving gas with a hybrid, we say). What about the less conspicuous vehicular choices? San Diego-based market research outfit Strategic Vision (via Forbes) has just released its New Vehicle Experience Study... and to be honest the results aren't terribly surprising.
Lexus owners are wealthy and well educated. Could have guess that one. The average Bentley owner has $5 million in investable assets and prefers understated luxury while Rolls Royce drivers range from rappers to royalty. Click here to read the rest of the story.
[Source: Forbes]
Harley-Davidson Drops Buell, Will Sell Stake in MV Agusta
Harley-Davidson has just announced its third-quarter results, and things aren't quite as bad as they could have been... but we'll get to that in a moment. The big bombshell is that the Buell brand will be discontinued and the American motorcycle manufacturer will sell off its share in MV Agusta.
Head on over to Buell's official website to watch a video of an obviously emotional Erik Buell, who explains that HD will continue to honor the full factory warranty on Buell motorcycles and thanks his dealership body and loyal customers for their support for over 20 years of producing offbeat American sportbikes. Roughly 180 jobs will be lost from the Buell organization. HD will immediately begin the work of selling its recently-acquired stake in MV Agusta.
So, back to Harley's third-quarter performance. Revenue from motorcycle sales came to $803.3 million, down 22.1 percent compared to the the third quarter of '08. A total of 54,236 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were shipped worldwide, down 27.4 percent. Another $300 or so million was made off apparel and merchandise sales. Full details can be found in the ridiculously long press release after the break.
Goodbye Buell, we'll miss you.
