We Became Wrench Nation Citizens (And It’s Pretty Sweet)

• The Wrench Nation radio show covers a wide range of automotive topics.
• Airs Wednesdays at 4 pm MST on 88.7 FM “The Pulse” in Phoenix, Arizona. 
• Automoblog’s Tony Borroz was invited on recently to talk about his book, Bricks & Bones. 
• Bricks & Bones takes readers behind the scenes of Speedway, Indiana and the Indy 500 at large. 

Out of nowhere I got an email from a radio station in Arizona: Would you be willing to come on the air and talk about The Indy 500 and your book, Bricks & Bones? The email was too specific to be a joke from some gearhead friend I lost touch with, so I took it as serious.

And the next thing you know, I turned into a bona fide radio personality.

Visiting The Wrench Nation

Somehow, the host of the show, Frank Butkus-Leutz – more commonly referred to as simply “Frank” – had come across my book, bought it, actually read it, and then liked it. Via his producer, Sherry Butler, he reached out and asked to interview me . . . like to actually to be a guest on the show.

The show is called Wrench Nation, run out of 88.7 FM “The Pulse” in Phoenix, Arizona. The station is managed by the staff and students of East Valley Institute of Technology. Wrench Nation is a rather delightful, all over the place kind of car show. Maintenance and repair tips, advice on being a better driver, auto news, racing; think of it as a broadcast version of what a “normal” conversation is for gearheads.

They run contests, take calls and questions, talk about what happened over the weekend at various race tracks – you know, the usual.

Automoblog’s Tony Borroz talks racing at the Indy 500 with the Wrench Nation crew.

Wrench Nation hosts Frank Butkus-Leutz (left) and Susie Sockets pose for a photo with a listener.

---

Click To Tweet

---

Dynamic Duo

Co-hosting the show with Frank is Susie Sockets, the feminine foil to Frank. Sharp as a tack, she stops the show from being a complete sausage fest (honestly, a bit of a problem for car-related stuff). The point here being that both hosts are funny and engaging, and they know cars and racing.

Before interviewing me, they had a call come in. The first question asked by Frank and Susie: “How long is one lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?” The listener, Carolina, who had just called in, guesses “2.5 miles.” Frank asks me if she is correct.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is, indeed, 2.5 miles around Frank. Carolina wins!” I respond in my best stentorian, Rip Torn radio voice.

Carolina took home a $50.00 Visa gift card. Not bad, not bad at all.

The Wrench Nation crew poses with law enforcement officials during a show on the dangers of distracted driving.

Digging Into The Archives

Then the three of us jumped into an all-too-brief conversation about Indy, the track, the history, the drivers, and more. It was fun. Frank seems to be a bit of a drag racing fan, given how he tossed off some insider lingo for that genre of racing.

Luckily, Frank turns every Wrench Nation episode into podcasts. Past episodes include ways to avoid buying a lemon on Craigslist, how automotive skills can help at-risk youth, and the best family vehicles of 2018.

If you’re looking for a good car show on the radio, Wrench Nation is very much worth your time.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2zhpVL7

Maxx Headroom: Gunn Design’s BMW flat tracker

The world of custom motorcycles is full of beautiful machines, but many of them see little mileage. While that doesn’t stop us from admiring them, we’re suckers for bikes that are designed to be ridden in anger.

Right now, we’re hooked on this BMW R nineT flat track weapon, built by Dan Riley. Based in Burnsville, Minnesota, Dan’s a freelance graphic and product designer who operates as Gunn Design.

The project kicked off in April last year, when Ola Stenegärd himself (then BMW Motorrad’s Head of Vehicle Design, now at Indian) reached out to Dan about customizing an R nineT Pure. Dan’s been riding since age four, so building a show pony was never an option.

Since then, this hooligan racer-slash-street tracker—dubbed ‘Maxx Headroom’—has gone through multiple rounds of changes, and spent as much time on display as it has on the race track.

It’s been shown at Sturgis, Wheels & Waves California, The One Show, The Handbuilt Show and Glemseck 101, and raced at almost all of them.

Most of Dan’s changes have been focused on shedding weight, adding performance, and improving ergonomics: all critical elements of flat track racing. He’s done most of the work himself, all from an area in his design studio where he can “build bikes and get messy.”

The R nineT’s stock bodywork has been replaced, and the new fuel tank is from a 1990 Honda CB400. It was a tricky job: Dan had to cut the bottom section off the OEM tank, and weld it to the Honda tank to get it to fit.

He also fitted a Vortex fuel cap, and modded the fuel pump slightly.

Out back, there’s a carbon fiber flat track tail, modeled on a Ron Wood design, but altered to suit Dan’s taste.

It’s clear coated for a gloss finish and topped off with a custom leather seat pad from Saddlemen, complete with an embroidered Gunn logo. Dan tells us he didn’t need to tweak the subframe much, apart from some tab edits.

Lower down, the R nineT now rolls on a set of typical 19” flat track wheels. Woody’s Wheel Works built the set for Dan, using custom orange anodized hubs laced to custom-drilled Sun rims, and shod with Dunlop rubber.

At first, Dan couldn’t get the rear wheel to fit the space available—but then he switched to a 3.5” wide rim, which flattened the tire out just enough to make it work.

The front suspension is stock, but there’s a custom Race Tech G3-S shock doing duty at the rear. Dan’s upgraded the front brake rotor, and added Magura HC3 master cylinders for both the brake and clutch.

Rocket Exhaust helped Dan out on the custom pipework, which consists of twin stainless steel headers running up into MX-style, carbon-tipped mufflers. Dan also removed the airbox and installed a pair of K&N filters—and then realized the BMW didn’t run as great.

So he installed a RapidBike Tuner, in a bid to squeeze more (and smoother) power from the boxer. “I haven’t had it on a dyno with the new setup,” he tells us, but seat-of-the-pants feel from the tune is noticeable.”

“I had to do something, given the totally changed-up intake and exhaust system. BMW people told me at Glemseck that the stock air box makes the most power…and that’s what Nate Kern was running when he beat me.”

Dan’s new cockpit setup is all about maximum control. He’s fitted ProTaper handlebars on adjustable Rox risers, and removed all the switches he doesn’t need. He’s also deleted the stock bike’s ABS system, and uninstalled the heated grips.

The overall wiring changes are minimal though. The speedo’s still in play, and Dan’s fitted a small LED taillight at the back. He’s also got an LED headlight that he can plug in quickly if he wants to take to the streets.

Maxx Headroom is a stellar case study for form following function. There’s nothing precious or fussy about it—it’s a raw machine, built to be thrashed.

Plus we’re pretty sure that if we give Dan enough time, he’ll find more ways to make his R nineT lighter, faster and better.

Gunn Design | Facebook | Instagram | With thanks to Marc Holstein for the static images

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2P2svj4

Letter From The UK: Britain’s Brexit: The Long Last Leg

• Has the middle ground in Brexit been lost? 
• How do automotive manufacturers respond? 
• Geoff Maxted examines in his latest Letter From The UK. 

Whichever way a British individual voted – to leave or remain within the European Union – the sense of an ending is the same: Brexit is like waiting to die. You don’t know when and you don’t know how; all you know is that it will happen and that it probably won’t be a fairy tale ending.

It’s ‘The Fear’ you see, not unlike the Millennium Fear that gripped the world just prior to the start of this Century.

Y2K Paranoia

Remember that? Computers would cease to function and the global machine would stop. Aeroplanes would fall from the sky as the systems shut down. All the fast food fryers would stop for want of electricity. It didn’t happen and life went on, as did the fast food industry.

Brexit comes with the same fear, only worse. By and large it is made worse by a hyperactive ‘fake news’ press, inept politicians, unelected stuffed suits like the EU ‘President’ Jean Claude (“Just the one bottle of red with lunch”). Plus a plump German hausfrau and a truly odious little Frenchman who should not even be in charge of a cheese baguette.

Fear Runs Deep

The result is ‘The Brexit Fear’ and it has polarised opinion. There is no middle ground. Both sides of the battlefield are becoming increasingly strident, coarse and, frankly, ridiculous.

We are due to leave in March 2019 and some Brits are not booking their next Summer holidays ‘just in case.’ In case of what? Obviously nobody can possibly know just how much of a dog’s breakfast the negotiators will make of this whole charade (and it’s not looking good). Yet Project Fear dictates that the Eurostar train service that plies between the UK and Europe via the English Channel tunnel will stop running. Intrepid travellers to Europe will be subject to full body cavity searches and possibly even eaten by rabid foreigners.

The fact is this just won’t happen. It won’t happen because when all the shouting and wailing dies down, global business and industry won’t let it. That especially goes for the motor industry who are becoming increasingly alarmed and increasingly forthright in their demands for a resolution they can work with.

---

Both sides of the battlefield are becoming increasingly strident, coarse and, frankly, ridiculous.
Click To Tweet

---

Business Versus Politics

As a group of nations we have far too much invested in our economies to let a few noisy Eurocrats spoil things. Before the Common Market (the origins of the EU back in the 1970’s) was just a gleam in the eye of the creepy British Prime Minister of the time, Edward Heath, we all travelled to Europe without issue. No, it wasn’t quite so easy – what with passport controls and all – but we did it and we had a good time.

Why should that change?

French shopkeepers, Spanish hotel owners, and German restaurateurs want our money just like always and, importantly, the big cheeses at motor industry HQ want to continue selling us cars wherever we live. The UK is a huge import/export market for the global car industry; why in all that’s holy would anyone on either side of the English Channel truly jeopardise that?

This is what happens when you leave business matters to politicians.

In this September 2014 photo, recently manufactured Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles await shipping. A CNN Money report from April 2018 finds the company is cutting jobs in Birmingham due to Brexit. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

Pandora’s Box?

Some of the comments made by otherwise supposedly sentient beings are false and outrageous. And yet they are reported as fact by the press. This is a result of the entrenchment of positions on either side of the Brexit debate, exacerbated by inept leadership. There is no longer any middle way. It seems likely that even after the whole mess is resolved, one way or another, the ‘two tribes’ nastiness that has entered our society won’t be put back in its place.

This is no Pandora’s Box. By opening the lid of Brexit all the ills of the world have not in fact been released; just a lot of hot, fetid air.

When The Dust Settles

Of course, it will be difficult and have some effect on our lives, nobody assumes otherwise. The chances are though that in five years time we will be going on holiday in Europe just like always. We will not be living in wattle and daub huts grubbing for roots with the livestock. The sun will rise and the sky will not fall in.

Things will return to what we laughingly assume is normal.

Politicians will, as ever, come and go but the problems will be solved, not by them, but of necessity by commerce in which the British and European motor industry is such a big part. And of course by the common sense of ordinary folk.

Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2Q8pU3k

Automoblog In-Depth: Terrifying Realities of Halloween

The scariest things this Halloween season have nothing in common with the latest creature features on Netflix. While trick-or-treating is certinately enjoyable for children and families, things become far more risky once the porch lights dim, and the real costume parties begin.

“We don’t discourage having get-togethers during Halloween because it’s a fun time not only for children but also for adults,” explained Special First Lieutenant Jim Flegel, Traffic Safety Specialist, Michigan State Police. “What we encourage is designating a sober driver so you don’t get behind the wheel drunk and endanger your life or somebody else’s life.”

Hard Facts

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 10,479 people are killed in alcohol related crashes every year, equaling 29 deaths daily and one death every 50 minutes. These incidents often spike on holidays; for example, a recent Geotab study found July 4th is the most dangerous day on U.S. roads. That same study also found Labor Day, New Year’s Eve, and Halloween are also risky travel days. However, when compared to other holidays, Halloween is becoming more problematic.

“I have seen that change literally in front of my eyes over the past decade,” explained Doug Scoles, Great Lakes Regional Director, MADD. “We were always concerned about New Year’s Eve, July 4th, St. Patrick’s Day, and even the Super Bowl, but Halloween has become one of the most dangerous times of the year with impaired drivers on the road.”

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows fatal crashes involving drunk drivers occur three times more often on Halloween than New Year’s Eve. MADD refers to the aforementioned holidays, like Halloween, as “second-tier holidays” but advises caution anyway.

“They have been coming on strong for the last couple of decades because there is a lot of celebrating around these second-tier holidays now,” Scoles added. “Partying with alcohol on these days is the same core problem we have in virtually all impaired driving cases.”

According to NHTSA, about a quarter of teen car crashes involve underage drinking. 95 percent of the 14 million people who are alcohol dependent began drinking before 21.

Cold Realities

Data from the National Safety Council shows 107 fatalities occurred on October 31st 2016. Further analysis shows 66 were drivers, 17 were occupants, 23 were pedestrians, and one was a cyclist. Sadly, nine of the occupants were 20 or under, and two of the pedestrian fatalities were children between the ages of four and seven. When walking through our neighborhoods with little ones, it’s vital to consider the risk.

“Children are very excited and love going door-to-door getting candy, and they don’t always watch out for cars,” Flegel said. “Always make sure they are visible; have them carry some type of light, or wear some type of bright colored clothing.”

The Michigan State Police recommend parents talk to their children about watching for traffic. Flegel suggests going door-to-door with your children on Halloween to prevent them from inadvertently running into the street. MADD advises parents remain vigilant and understand the chances exist in every neighborhood for a motorist to be operating under the influence. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows adults drink and drive about 121 million times per year, creating more than 300,000 incidents of drinking and driving daily.

“The last thing we want is a tragedy to happen when it should be a fun time for kids dressing up and getting candy,” Scoles said. “We recommend taking extra precautions to safeguard children and for parents to always be very aware of their surroundings.”

When trick-or-treating with your children, always keep a close eye on them and be aware of your surroundings.

Awareness & Prevention

The real tragedy in the aforementioned statistics is how they represent a person; a person who was loved and cherished by someone else. Each number could just as easily represent a person in our own lives who we care for and love. And it is likely someone reading knows this pain all too well. If you are that person, we cannot imagine the void you must feel.

“It is not like some disease or act of terrorism where you are blindsided with it and have no choice,” Scoles said. “This is something that we can prevent because the decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence is made deliberately.”

In Michigan where I live, the story is a double-sided coin. On one hand, the Michigan State Police have seen a decrease in drunk driving and the department is optimistic that will continue. On the other side, the news is not as good as drugged driving continues to increase.

“We have done a pretty good job of educating the public about not getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired on alcohol,” Flegel said. “Unfortunately, over this last year, drugged driving has seen a drastic increase, so we want to get the word out to not get behind the wheel when you are impaired on other drugs, which can include prescription medication.”

“Our messaging, public awareness, and programs supporting law enforcement play a big part in taking the impaired driver off the road,” Scoles added. “We are in the fight against drunk and drugged driving to save lives and prevent that tragedy from happening.”

According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 180 million Americans will celebrate Halloween this year. Seven out of ten plan to hand out candy.

Tips & Advice

NHTSA provides these tips for drivers and pedestrians to consider on Halloween night. The CDC has published a list of general safety practices for parents and guardians to follow while trick-or-treating. We have tips below from the Michigan State Police, National Safety Council, and MADD. The advice is relevant not only for Halloween night, but overall in our daily lives.

“Nobody wakes up in the morning and says they are going to crash their car today,” Flegel said. “But as a driver, you still have to maintain control of your vehicle at all times.”

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Safety Tips From The National Safety Council

Enter and exit driveways carefully.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and candy bags.

Agree on a specific time children should return home.

Teach your children to never enter a stranger’s home or car.

Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.

At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.

Safety Tips From Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Designate a sober driver.

Use a taxi or ride share service.

Plan ahead if your night includes alcohol.

Buckle up: This is the best defense against an impaired driver.

MADD Victim Services Hotline: 1-877-MADD-HELP (24 hours / 7 days a week).

Safety Tips From The Michigan State Police

Abide by all traffic laws and posted signs.

Pay attention behind the wheel at all times.

Remove all distractions in the car, including cell phones.

Allow for plenty of time when crossing a street or intersection.

Use sidewalks whenever available and never cross the street mid-block.

Cross streets at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible.

Always stop at the edge of a parked car, curb, or vehicle before walking out into traffic.

Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking at night or during the early morning.

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2OZhkHL

Why Get the All-New Ford Mustang 2018

Many people want to get the all-new Ford Mustang 2018. The car has been a favorite for many car enthusiasts now. Its promise of a fun ride and great adventures can put a smile on anyone’s face. There are several features available for Mustang in2018. The base models are appealing to everyone. The safety is also top-notch so you will never go wrong in getting this car.

What are the Car’s Changes in 2018?

The all-new Ford car offers updated performance, enhanced 10-speed automatic transmission and a refreshing style.

Here are the other reasons why you need to get this car.

1. Affordability – The base model starts at around $26,000. This is not a bad deal for a car that offers keyless ignition, high-end Bluetooth technology, and standard dual ports. This can be a great choice for drivers who want to get a great car without emptying their bank balance. In fact, you can get great deals at Kijiji cars classifieds.

2. Efficient Engine – The Mustang has a 4-cylinder engine that promotes more power and mileage. The engine offers a nice torque of 350 lb. ft. The horsepower is 310 and the car can save gas. The estimated mpg is 30 when the car is running on a highway. Keep in mind that this is just only on the basic models.

3. 10-Speed Transmission – You can see a lot of Ford at Kijiji cars classifieds. The all-new automatic transmission makes acceleration very easy. There is no question about the performance as the engine will adjust to the driver’s preferred style of driving.

4. V8 Engines – Aside from the efficient engine mentioned above, you can get the V8 which is a great improvement from the previous model’s V6. The legendary 5.0 engine has an lb-ft. of 420 and a horsepower of 460. The numbers alone won’t be able to tell the whole story. You can see it on the performance.

5. Safe Sports Car – The new Mustang ranks excellent when it comes to test-crashes. Even the basic ones automatically stop when they are on emergency situations. There are helpful driving manuals for beginners as well. There are adaptive cruise controls that can be used to reduce the speed whenever the driver deems it necessary.

Buying Suggestions

In order to avoid overpayment, make sure to check with Kijiji cars classifieds first. Make smart choices and research carefully before buying your first car. There are a lot of free services on the market today that can guide you on how to choose the right car. If possible get cars that are low in prices. If the offer is too good to be true, beware. This can lead you into problems that you don’t want in the future.

Ford Mustang is an excellent choice for people who want to have a great-looking and reliable car. If you make a great purchase, rest assured that your car will become an asset in the near future.

The post Why Get the All-New Ford Mustang 2018 appeared first on Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles.

from Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles https://ift.tt/2CRA8kX

New Study Examines Top States For EV Owners (It’s Not California)

• A recent study by YourMechanic examines the top states for EV owners.
• The study measures how convenient ownership is for residents in each state.
• Would you consider driving an EV in your home state? Let us know on Twitter. 

It seems like a rather easy question to answer: which states love electric vehicles the most? You’d think it would be Cali – shoot, I’d think it would be Cali – but we’d all be wrong. At least that’s what a new study from YourMechanic points out. Their study analyzes the electric car’s integration into each U.S. state, and the state that digs EVs the most is . . .

Oklahoma. No, seriously, Oklahoma is one of the top states for EV owners.

Okay.

By The Numbers

YourMechanic gathered charging costs, number of charging stations, sales figures, EV market share, and other various statistics for the study. They then folded it all together to rank each state by their acceptance levels of the electric car, and how convenient it is for owners there. Like me, they thought it was going to be California, but it actually turns out to be Oklahoma!

EV sales in Oklahoma have ballooned more than 167 percent, one of the factors landing them at the top spot. My state, Washington, sits at 23 (!) on the list. Surprising given the number of Teslas and Leafs I see around here (and I live out in the sticks). Bottom of the list: Wisconsin. No, I have no idea either. California, in case you’re wondering, doesn’t even make the top 25. They live at 27.

YourMechanic tags the lowly placement of Cali down to saturation of the market. Which I can’t really disagree with. Last time I drove through there, about two weeks ago, there were a lot of EVs on the road. So if nearly everybody’s got one, who are you going to sell to?

Considering an EV? Read this simple but comprehensive guide first.

Top Models

YourMechanic also broke down brand popularity by state, and that was interesting too. No, it wasn’t Tesla across the board. Tesla is the king in only 12 states, leading the way in California naturally. Interestingly, in Oregon and Washington, the Kia Soul EV is number one. What’s interesting are the outlier states. The only place that likes the Ford Fusion Energi? Kansas. The only place that likes the Mitsubishi i-MiEV? Illinois. Strange.

Almost as strange as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV itself; they still make those?

Gas Versus Electric

The study also looks at the cost of juicing up your EV versus filling your tank. Louisiana is one of the top states for EV owners on this metric. There you save $1.70 per gallon over dino-juice. Washington comes in second (saving you a total of $2.40), but that has more to do with Washington’s amazingly cheap electricity (all that rain runs into a whole bunch of rivers that have a huge number of hydroelectric dams).

The bottom of the list – that is Hawaii – is there for the exact inverse of Washington: electricity is expensive in that tropical paradise. Of course, given the amount of sunlight that falls on Hawaii, you’d think a smart EV owner could get some solar panels on the roof of their hale and charge their Tesla for free.

California was also near the bottom, relative to other states, with regard to fuel costs. Average EV fueling cost per e-gallon is $1.72, which lands The Golden State at 44.

Despite range anxiety, Americans are warming up to EVs a recent study finds.

Infrastructure & Accessibility

The state with the best number of public charging stations per person? Vermont with 165. That works out to one station per 3,780 Vermonters (is that what you call them?). The worst is Alaska with nine. I mean nine charging stations total in the state. I’d bet you a loaf of sourdough all nine are in Anchorage.

Alaska has to be the worst case scenario for EVs too. The extreme cold draining batteries, the sparseness of the population, lack of infrastructure over the vast majority of the land; everything about it would make it the proving ground for EVs. If I were an EV builder, I’d be thinking, “Make it work in Alaska, and everything else will be a snap.”

---

I'd bet you a loaf of sourdough all nine of those chargers are in Anchorage.
Click To Tweet

---

Market Share

Looking at EV market share per state is where things make more sense. Cali is number one with over five percent of the vehicles on the road being EVs. Washington, number two, with 2.51%, Oregon at third with 2.36% The lowest? Mississippi with only 0.10% of the cars on the road being electric. Shoot, in ol’ Miss, they probably think EVs are some sort of Commie plot funded by George Soros. Woe unto the poor EV drivers in Mississippi.

Bottom line, somehow, is if you live in Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, look into an EV. It’s definitely one of the top states for EV owners.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

Cover Photo: Honda North America.

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2Q7Ah7y

Object of Desire: The new Magni MV Agusta 750S Tributo

Any list of the world’s most desirable motorcycles is likely to include the MV Agusta 750S. If you fall under the spell of the iconic inline four, you’ll need at least $60,000 to put a good example in your garage.

But now Magni, the storied Italian bike builder, offers an alternative: the MV Agusta 750S Tributo, a stunning homage crafted around the Brutale 800 drivetrain.

Produced in the first half of the 1970s, the 750S was tricky to ride, three times the price of a Honda CB750 and more at home on the track than the road. But it looked amazing, and it still looks good today.

The Tributo looks just as good, and it’s also much more than a pretty re-skin of a factory MV. Everything that surrounds the 109 hp, three-cylinder motor is custom—from the traditional-style frame to the suspension.

The tubular double-cradle frame looks old school, right down to the loop that extends over the rear fender. But it’s likely to be much stiffer than the 750S original: it’s fashioned out of 30 mm ChroMoly steel tubing, TIG-welded, and with a more modern geometry.

The forks look like Cerianis lifted from a 1970s GP bike, but despite the traditional construction, they’re a modern design by the German specialist Oram.

They’re CNC machined from aluminum alloy, fully adjustable, and measure 43 mm in diameter.

Rake is set to a sporty 25 degrees—just half a degree more relaxed than the latest Brutale 800 chassis geometry. Trail is a shorter 3.35 inches compared to the Brutale’s 4.05.

Oram supplied the shocks too, which are also adjustable. They’re hooked up to a box-section double-sided swingarm, built using the same 25CrMo4 steel as the frame. (The final drive is via chain, rather than shaft.)

The 18-inch wheels come from the Milan-based specialist JoNich. Measuring 2.50 at the front and 4.50 at the back, they’re built up from aluminum rims and stainless steel spokes. The rubber is surprisingly modern: Metzeler’s Racetec RR K1 compound, which is more commonly found on trackday bikes.

Drum brakes are not going to cut it with this level of performance, so the Tributo is anchored by 320 mm Brembo dual discs and four-piston calipers at the front.

The rear disc is a 230 mm Brembo, with a two-piston setup. Discacciati supplies the clutch and brake master cylinders.

The tricolore color scheme is all present and correct, including the iconic red leather seat and the gorgeous tank, which echoes the disco volante (‘flying saucer’) design of yore. Even the Monza-style filler cap looks period correct, and the tachometer (from race brand Scitsu) is timeless.

Performance, however, will be on a par with a middleweight 21st century sportbike. In other words, it’ll be more than adequate for 90% of riders and virtually all road conditions. Maintenance should be easy: Bosch fuel injection is much less hassle than four Dell’Orto carbs.

The Tributo is not the first time Magni has taken inspiration from the 750S, though. Five years ago, the Magni Storia [back left, above] was launched—essentially a kit that fits the Brutale 1090 and costs around €8,000 (US$9,100).

To our eyes, the Tributo is an even more successful concept. And it’s not vaporware: a quick chat with Giovanni Magni reveals that he’s taking orders already, and production is ready to start pronto.

The build cost depends on customer spec, but Giovanni puts the starting price at €36,000 excluding taxes—around $41,000. In other words, it’s a half to two-thirds of what you’d pay for a good original 750S.

That sounds like excellent value to us. Your money buys a high quality motorcycle, hand built in small numbers, with a reliable modern drivetrain. And the provenance is good too: Magni’s links to MV Agusta stretch back to 1950, when Giovanni’s father Arturo joined MV’s racing department.

The history of the two companies has been entwined ever since, and we’re delighted to see the relationship continuing.

The Tributo has just rocketed to the very top of our Want List.

Magni | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Alessandro Olgiati

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2AzoXM7

The King of Kings Is Here – McLaren Speedtail, Already Sold Out, Price Tag – £1.75M

McLaren supercar manufacturer has finally outdone itself once it introduced the Speedtail, which emphasizes the company`s efforts to create the perfect supercar ever built. And just by taking a quick look at it, we incline to believe so. It will become available starting with 2020.

The design and its aerodynamics exceed expectations; it is a car out of worldy dimension, with an engaging personality and impressive performance under the hood. It is also so rare, that only 106 will ever be built; in fact, they`re all sold out for at least £1,75 million a piece. However, add up SVO`s own personal customizations and we are looking at more than £2 million.

Everything about the supercar is special, from the aerodynamics to the tiniest mechanical bits that increase its drag and make it the fastest road car in the world, way too fast than the McLaren`s iconic F1. And it all starts at the exterior, where one can see the low-slung design with the long tail and “teardrop-style cabin area.”

About the car`s advanced aerodynamics, Rob Melville, Design Director at McLaren Automotive, better explains the whole deal:

“The McLaren Speedtail is a vehicle unlike any other, not simply because of the astonishing visual drama, extreme speed and aerodynamic excellence that distinguish it, but because it sets unprecedented standard in technical luxury and bespoke customization. The same boundless innovation and creativity that drives McLaren to push the limits of physical performance have challenged us to craft an exquisite interior defined by pioneering design and the absolute pinnacle of materials quality.”

Described as “breathtaking sophisticated,” the supercar`s modern design uses the latest digital technologies, which bring forward a series of modifications that make it the fastest in the world. This means maximized aerodynamic efficiency and reduced drag, utilizing at the same time Low-Temperature Radiators that sends the airflow over the bonnet and into the upper air intakes to increase power. Furthermore, the same airflow is then sent around the wheel arches and eventually in the lower door vents.

Power comes from a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, enabling a staggering 1050 PS; and for a supercar that weighs just 1,430 kg, this is really fantastic. From standstill to 300 km/h, the McLaren Speedtail in a mind-blowing 12.8 seconds, at a top speed of 403 km/h. This is way too impressive than the 16.5-second run that used to make the P1 the king of the roads, at a top speed of 391 km/h.

The post The King of Kings Is Here – McLaren Speedtail, Already Sold Out, Price Tag – £1.75M appeared first on Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles.

from Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles https://ift.tt/2CPPKp4

2019 VW T-Cross SUV Officially Launched

Volkswagen has officially released the brand-new 2019 Cross today, after many teaser campaigns, the model representing the company`s smallest SUV to receive a new platform and design cues from its bigger siblings.

The new 2019 will be mainly available in Europe, Asia and some countries in the South America. Unfortunately, the US customers won`t be able to enjoy the lovely and appealing model.

As we can depict from the media gallery below, the 2019 VW T-Cross is a combination of SUVs. At the front, for instance, it resembles the Touareg – only in miniature – with rather the same grille blending into the headlights, while the side`s character line looks like borrowed from the Tiguan. The taillights however are genuine and are linked by a light strip which enhances the car`s wider size.

Inside, the cabin doesn’t impress much, except for the new steering wheel and the some trims. Otherwise, the dashboard and the rest is inspired from the new VW Polo. From a high-tech perspective though, the new 2019 VW T-Cross brings forward the latest systems, like infotainment with inductive smartphone charging, four USB ports and a few more.

As aforementioned, the 2019 VW T-Cross is the smallest SUV in the Group`s lineup, however, it does offer generous space inside, and that is because of the MQB platform it stands on. Overall, it measures 4,11 meters long and has a 2.56-meter wheelbase. We have got plenty of room for all passengers, especially for the rear passengers if we slide down the rear seat. It thus gains around 140 mm of space and maximizes boot volume and legroom.

The trunk of the SUV also comes with a luggage capacity between 385 liters and 455 liters if we keep all seats in place. However, with the rear seats folded down, you expand the size to 1,281 liters, which is quite impressive.

From a safety perspective, the new T-Cross has also been fitted with the company`s most advanced systems. We are looking here at standard features like Blind Spot Detection with Integrated Rear Traffic Alert, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking System, Proactive Occupant Protection System, Hill Start Assist, and Lane Assist – all coming as standard. Optionally, you can also get the Driver Alert System, or Automatic Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist.

Under the hood, the 2019 VW T-Cross comes with three gasoline engines and one diesel burners with four turbochargers. Two of them are 1.0-liter TSI three-cylinder engines with 94 horsepower and 115 horsepower, while the top of the line refers to a 1.5-liter TSI flat-four with 148 horsepower. The diesel refers to a 1.6-liter TDI with 94 horsepower.

The post 2019 VW T-Cross SUV Officially Launched appeared first on Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles.

from Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles https://ift.tt/2P1Caq4