Rintendo makes a series of bikes that feature some rather… unique forms of power assistance.
The four models include Jokee, a steam-powered bicycle, FIRE Trick BOB with a real jet engine, AQUA trick BOB which uses eight bottles of Diet Pepsi to power an onboard, high pressure water jet, and ELECTRIC BOB, which uses an electric powered propeller to get around.
They’re all custom made in Japan, so actually purchasing one and then shipping it may be a bit of a pain, but if you’ve got the skills to make one of your own, and just needed a bit of inspiration, then let this be it!
The Moon-Regan Trans Antarctic Expedition plans to cross the icy continent using state-of-the-art bio-fuelled vehicles and cutting-edge communications equipment to raise awareness of how Antarctica’s fate affects the whole environment.
One of those bio-fuelled vehicles is this Lotus Concept Ice Vehicle, or CIV, which will act as a pilot for the two heavier Science Support Vehicles that will also be making the journey.
With a bio-fueled, supercharged BMW 1150 engine driving the propeller to a top speed of 84 mph, trike skids that bring the overall size to a rather svelte 4.5 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, as well as independent suspension all around, it’s got plenty of go to get them there. Plus, with ice penetrating radar to detect any crevasses, a spiked foot for emergency stops on the edge of any detected crevasse, and weight so low (360kg) that a single person can pull it across the ice, it’s got plenty to get them back as well.
Now if only they rented this thing out at the local skating rink…
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is no newcomer, but the guys from Germany have recently created a few more options for their well-intentioned (and well-heeled) buyers.
If you’ve got the need for speed, the new 722 Edition takes out any of the street left in this supercar, and replaces it with pure race.
The supercharged, hand-built 5.5-liter AMG V8 now puts out 650 horsepower, the suspension, now 10 millimeters lower, features a stiffer damper configuration, and the brakes, now larger, ensure that you can bring everything back into reality just a little bit quicker. Visual changes include a new front spoiler with air splitter, a rear diffuser, and a collection of carbon fiber for that sporty look.
If the plans for your SLR don’t include daily trips to the track, but you still want something different, then drop the top on the new Roadster edition, and hit the highways in style. The roof, made of a newly developed material, is good to go at 206 mph, and lowers in just 10 seconds; perfect for an impromptu photo session with the paparazzi. Even with the top down though, Mercedes claims you can hold a conversation at 125 mph, which is great for complimenting your passenger on their newly styled, wind restyled hair.
Sidepipe exhaust, gills, propeller nose, and suave sophistication are all still standard.
