Moto Morini 1200 Sport 2012

New models are always subject to more scrutiny than their veteran counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that these models shouldn’t be ignored completely. On the contrary, a fresh new mode offers plenty of new experiences, and that’s what Moto Morini Company wants to build with their new addition to the family, the Moto Morini 1200 Sport.

Moto Morini presented this new model at the Motormotorcycle Expo in Verona, with a new graphic style and a black and orange design on its white frame. Attractive looks notwithstanding, the Moto Morini 1200 Sport is a bike that’s been built to impress, thanks in large part to the company’s powerful 1187cc v-twin engine that produces a tidy 117 horsepower.

Apart from the engine, the bike’s chassis is another point of pride for Moto Morini, with its front forks derived from the company’s Marzocchi line and rounded out with a set of 17" Excel wheels fitted with sport-touring rubber tires. In terms of looks, the Moto Morini 1200 Sport’s classic naked styling is a perfect match to its attractive look. Add that to a slew of top quality components from the likes of Verlicchi, Brembo, Marzocchi, Paioli, and Zard, and you have a newbie bike that was built to impress and destined to become a customer favorite from here on out.

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Surprise, Surprise, AMG Ends Partnership with Ducati

The ink on the $1 billion deal that sent Ducati motoring over to Audi’s ownership is still not quite dry yet, and AMG, Mercedes-Benz’s performance group, has officially ended its “marketing relationship” with Ducati.

Ducati and Benz officially announced the shared marketing deal back at the 2010 LA Auto Show, but AMG just couldn’t keep the deal moving now that Audi, a direct competitor, owns the brand. First off is the awkward timing of the announcement, as the Diavel AMG – a Ducati and AMG collaboration bike – just hit showrooms. Audi hasn’t made an announcement regarding the AMG collaboration bike, but it’s likely to remain until all of the units are sold.

Honestly though, this looks almost like AMG is dropping the shared marketing plan out of spite by saying “The company takeover by a rival car manufacturer has understandably resulted in the end of any further collaboration.” Maybe we’re reading too much into it, but this is reminiscent of a teenage argument over whom is whose best friend and you can be friends with her because I don’t like her.

Honestly, with all of the mergers and collaborations that go on in the automotive and motorcycle realm, why would AMG really car if its rival car manufacturer bought a bike manufacturer that it shares advertising with. There has to be a little more to the story that will surely come out at some point.

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Audi officially buys Ducati

After months of rumors and speculation, Audi has officially confirmed the acquisition of the Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. The acquisition was approved today in Hamburg and will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities.

While it hasn’t been confirmed just yet, rumors say that Audi paid approximately €860 million, or $1.13 billion at the current rates, in order to buy Ducati. This is a fabulous deal considering Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some €480 million (about $631 million at the current rates), employing around 1,100 people.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: "Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi."

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Victory Judge 2012

"Judge" is a fitting name to give to a bike like the Victory Judge.

When Victory introduced the latest addition to its cruiser line of motorcycles at the New York Progressive International Motorcycle Show, they did so knowing that this was a bike that was going to redefine the market. With meaty tires, drag bars, and new bodywork, the Victory Judge represents an important addition to the cruiser lineup. One glance at the bike and you’ll know that it’s undeniably a Victory. The machine features unique elements and horsepower typical of the Victory brand, but with styling cues that pay homage to the muscle-car era, including the deeply cut lines, paint offerings - Gloss Black, Sunset Red, Suede Nuclear Sunset - and 16" five-spoke mag wheels. The 2013 Victory Judge also rolls on 16x3.5" rims with Dunlop Elite II tires with raised white lettering to further enhance the muscle-car styling.

Besides the sculpted bodywork, the Judge’s aggressive looks are enhanced with minimal badging, Victory’s signature headlight and side covers, and a host of blacked-out items, including the frame, dual exhaust, triple trees, cases, and cylinder heads.

At the heart of the Judge is Victory’s famed powerhouse: the Freedom 106/6 V-Twin that produces 113 ft. lbs. of torque. The engine features single-overhead camshafts with four-valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cams, and hydraulic lifters for ease of maintenance. The 106 also features Electronic Fuel Injection with a dual, 45mm throttle body for crisp throttle response.

The Judge delivers pleasing road performance on par with its cruiser rivals. In looks and pricing, however, it’s easy to see how Victory is gaining more and more loyal adherents to the brand.

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Moto Morini 9 1/2 2012

If a bike’s name is the sole purpose buyers make a purchase, then the Moto Morini 9 1/2 will cast curious looks from a lot of people. Derived from the legendary 3 ½ twin cylinder of the 1970s, the Moto Morini 9 ½ carries a name that belies all the outstanding qualities it offers. From the style to the design and all the way up to its technological innovation, the Morini 9 1/2 is a true ode to the spirit of that Morini machine.

When we look at the features on the Moto Morini 9 ½, it will be easy to be impressed. The first indication of the bike’s tremendous appeal is the power it gets from its 1187 cc Bialbero CorsaCorta twin-cylinder engine that develops an impressive 105 horsepower at 8000 rpm. The layout of the engine is compact, making for a sturdy and impressive ride.

Handling is also a big component to the entire 9 1/2 package. The rational approach to the technical solutions and the efficiency to which it handles comes as a result of the tremendous engineering done on the bike’s overall DNA.

All told, the Moto Morini 9 ½ combines a classic, reassuring style with the performance of a powerful and excellent motorcycle.

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Ferrari explains its HY-KERS system

One of the most impressive debut at Ferrari’s stand in Beijing was an evolution of the HY-KERS project adapted to a mid-rear engine layout. This new system combines a 12-cylinder engine and dual-clutch gearbox coupled to an electric motor. A second electric motor is dedicated to the auxiliary systems and is located in front of the V12. The two electric motors will take its power from batteries which can be positioned in the car in line with the available space and final configuration.

The KERS features new, smaller and lighter electronic components which come close to achieving the declared target of 1 KW per kg of extra weight added by the hybrid system.

The electric motor will deliver the power using one of the gearbox’s two clutches and is mated to one of the two main shafts. During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, using the kinetic energy from the negative torque to recharge the batteries. This crucial task is managed by a dedicated ECU, also F1-derived, which not only controls the electric motor, but also governs the power to the auxiliary systems.

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Pagani Zonda 760 LH 2013

It’s no secret that Formula 1 drivers are some of the most highly paid sportsmen in the world. With some contracts topping $10 million without taking into account individual sponsorships, F1 drivers could literally swim in money. One of the most interesting things about this is that many F1 drivers just drive regular, everyday cars, rather than sports cars as everything feels slow when compared to an F1 car.

However, if reports are to be believed, 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton may have just purchased a road-car as close to an F1 car as you can get, the Pagani Zonda. And, no not just any old Zonda, but a one-off car built specifically for him reportedly called the 760 LH, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out what the ‘LH’ stands for.

Hamilton’s car is said to be based upon the 760 RS which was recently commissioned and built for a very special Chilean owner. The 760 RS is the most powerful production car Pagani has built to date, even surpassing the Huayra by about 60BHP, pumping out an incredible 760 horsepower. The car ordered by Hamilton differs in one major way to the RS, as it will be built with a traditional manual transmission, leading the McLaren driver to state, “my company car has a paddle-change gearbox, so when I drive for fun, I want a manual.”

It’s unclear just how long Hamilton will have to wait for his brand new hypercar, but considering the Zonda is built completely by hand, he’ll be lucky to have it delivered in the next six months. It’s also worth noting that Horacio Pagani has previously stated that one-off Zonda’s will continued to be made if demand is there, despite the Huayra now being the company’s flagship supercar.

Please note that the car featured is the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport Final Edition.

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Audi A6 L e-Tron Concept 2012

Audi is further expanding its e-Tron line-up with a new A6 L e-Tron concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. This decision really shouldn’t surprise anyone considering people in the Chinese market love their large cars, but want efficiency in their models as well. The new A6 L e-Tron Concept serves up the perfect combination the luxury and the practicality of an A6, and a range of 49.71 miles on pure electric power.

Like all the other e-Tron models, the new A6 L e-Tron concept combines a 211 HP 2.0 TFSI engine with a 95 HP electric motor. The electric motor takes its power from a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery located in a collision-protected space at the rear of the vehicle.

The concept was built on an ultra lightweight principle that combines 10% aluminum with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The interior is almost similar to a standard A6, except that the power-meter replaces the tachometer that offers the driver the info he needs.

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Range Rover Evoque Victoria Beckham Edition 2012

We’ve heard rumors that Land Rover would be building a special edition Range Rover Evoque in collaboration with no less than Victoria Beckham, but now it looks like those rumors will come to life at the Beijing Auto Show.

Days leading up to its official debut, Land Rover did a little pre-emptive strike and pulled the covers off of the Evoque Victoria Beckham Edition.

Already known for being one of the best designed SUVs in the world - it recently won the 2012 World Design Car of the Year - the Range Rover Evoque was the perfect template to work on for two icons of style. And to their credit, Land Rover and Victoria Beckham succeeded in enhancing the Evoque with the finest quality materials and craftsmanship and ultra-premium interior ambience.

The exterior of the Evoque Victoria Beckham Edition was hand-finished in a high-quality matte grey paint finish. To complement the stealthy look of the SUV, Land Rover fitted the Evoque with a new set of 20" gloss black forged alloy wheels with ultra luxurious rose-gold details, a feature that’s limited to only this model.

The SUV’s interior also gets fresh new styling, highlighted by the sport design four-seats that are finished in a semi-aniline Vintage Tan leather, with a bold ’baseball’ stitch detail chosen by Victoria Beckham as a coy reference to her world-famous husband, David. The Vintage Tan leather is also present on the door inserts, the arm rests, and the central storage box lid.

Finally, the Evoque Victoria Beckham Edition comes with a bespoke, four-piece luggage set that’s made from high-quality internal structure and clothed in hand stitched black leather. Two wheeled suitcases and wash bags - "his" and "hers" - come with zip pulls finished in matte grey and linings made from microsuede.

Only 200 models of this special edition Evoque will go on sale. While the SUV is set to be available worldwide, China gets first dibs with deliveries set to begin in October 2012.

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Rolls Royce Ghost Six Senses Concept 2012

Rolls Royce has unveiled a very cool Ghost Concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show that is described as "a highly-bespoke luxury model that encapsulates the richness of experience that comes as standard with any Rolls-Royce and takes it to a new level of sensory indulgence."

The new Rolls Royce Ghost Six Senses Concept is painted in a very cool Carrara White finish - with a name like the Ghost Six Senses, white is the (super)natural choice - combined with new forged alloy wheels and diagonally-oriented, brown oak cross-banding. The interior adds supple natural soft grain leather in enveloping, hand-crafted seats and in the leather headlining.

However, one of the most impressive features of the concept is the audio system which fills the spacious rear cabin thanks to its upgraded amplifier and the inclusion of "exciter" speakers housed in the leather headlining. Since we are talking about a limousine, Rolls Royce has also included a coolbox that will help serve the most refreshing chilled drinks or vintage champagne.

"The Ghost Six Senses concept is a luxurious environment designed for the most discerning of individuals," commented Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. "It delights the senses and draws you into somewhere that transcends the interior of a car. Relax for a few moments and you will experience something that is hard to define, but which our customers understand so well."

Hey, as long as Bruce Willis doesn’t show up, we’ll take it!

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Alfa Romeo Return Nearing Reality as Trademark is Issued

Alfa Romeo made a brief return to the U.S. in 2008, in the form of only 50 of the $241,000 8C, but it then quickly vanished, just as it did back in 1995. Now there have been talks amongst Alfa Romeo and Fiat to bring the brand back to the U.S. when the Italian automaker releases its newest creation, the 4C.

Well, the speculation and talking are no more, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially awarded Fiat with an American trademark for the name “Alfa Romeo 4C.” It looks as if Fiat first filed for the trademark on March 25, 2011 and received the all-important approval on Aril 10th. This makes it a near certainty that this Maserati-built, Fiat-owned stunningly sexy sports car will make its way to the states.

Much like the 8C that predated it, the 4C will be a limited production model, as Maserati only plans to build about 2,500 models per year. Given we saw 90 of the 500 8Cs produced, we will again likely see about 18 percent of the total production, meaning we will have somewhere around 450 of the 4C available per year.

Fortunately, unlike the 8C, the Alfa Romeo 4C will be affordable for the upper middle-class American with a projected MSRP of $59,310. Fiat plans to pit the Romeo against the likes of the Porsche Boxster, the BMW Z4, and the more affordable MX-5 Miata, though its limited production will not make it easy to compete. This gives Alfa Romeo a car to build around in the U.S. and hopefully make a successful return.

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Porsche 911 RUF 35th Anniversary Edition by RUF 2012

There’s plenty to love about the RUF’s special program for the all-new Porsche 911. Not only does it commemorate the German tuner’s 35th anniversary, but it’s also actually the very first turbocharged2012 Porsche 911 in the world. A fact that’s made even more impressive considering that Porsche themselves haven’t released a turbocharged 911.

The showroom model of the RUF RT 35th Anniversary has been dressed in a fancy military green paint finish, which pulls out a ’wow’ reaction among all those that see the car up close. But for all of the likeability of the car’s exterior finish, the RUF RT 35th Anniversary distinguishes itself because of what RUF put under its hood. With a 3.8-liter flat-six engine in tow, RUF added turbochargers to the overall mechanical configuration, thus spiking the sports car’s output from the standard 400-horsepower output all the way up to an insane 630 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 608 lb/ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The whole set-up is also available with a PDK double-clutch transmission, ensuring superior performance and driver comfort, and allowing the car to hit a top speed of 205 mph.

Consider this special anniversary model a prime example of what a tuned up 2012 Porsche 911 is expected to be, proving that RUF is considered one of the best Porsche tuners in the world.

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