Indian electric motorcycle startup Ultraviolette has captured the attention of enthusiasts all over the world with its F77 electric naked bike. Defying the convention of utilitarian electric scooters and commuter motorcycles, the F77 features sporty, futuristic styling complemented by impressive performance similar to that of a 300cc to 400cc gasoline-powered motorbike.
As of now, the bike is still only available in India, nevertheless, Ultraviolette continues to expand its model range, and has just introduced the F77 Space Edition. The limited-edition electric motorcycle sits at the top of the range in terms of features and performance, and understandably so, as only 10 of them will ever see the light of day.
In terms of overall styling and design, the F77 Space Edition is very much the same as the F77 Recon and Standard models. It retains the same sharp and edgy bodywork, angular LED headlight, and large front fairings that house the bike’s electronic inner workings. Nevertheless, the Space Edition stands out with its unique colorway of Cosmic White, featuring a two-tone finish of white and orange. Indeed, the otherworldly colorway makes the F77 Space Edition look like it came from a Star Wars set, matching in color with the lovable droid BB8.
Ultraviolette says that it used aerospace-grade materials for the F77 Space Edition’s construction. This includes 7075-grade aluminum for the motorcycle’s body, as well as special UV-resistant paint. Furthermore, the special-edition bike receives an aluminum key. On the technology side of the equation, the F77 is equipped with fast-charging capabilities, a five-inch TFT display, multiple ride modes, Wi-Fi connectivity, Smartphone pairing, and navigation as standard.
As for performance, the Ultraviolette F77 Space Edition features a slight bump in power versus the standard version, with a 30.2 kilowatt motor dishing out about 40 horsepower and 100 Newton-meters (about 70 foot-pounds) of torque. Spread evenly all across the rev range, expect the bike to rocket to a top speed of 152 kilometers per hour, or about 95 miles per hour. The F77 Space Edition’s batteries provide the bike with an impressive range of 307 kilometers (192 miles) on a single charge. It’s important to note, however, that real-world range will vary depending on your riding style, terrain, and road conditions.
In terms of pricing and availability, don’t expect to be able to get your hands on one of these, as only 10 of them will be produced. Furthermore, it’s priced at Rs 560,000, or about $6,742 USD – more than Rs 100,000 ($1,200 USD) more than the Recon version. For reference, the standard F77 starts at Rs 380,000, or about $4,575 USD – pretty good value, all things considered.
The compact truck segment is attracting more attention from automakers due to the rising demand for urban-friendly and rugged models capable of off-road exploration, towing, and modern features.
The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are two popular compact truck models that offer a combination of power, towing capacity, and modern creature comforts. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, in particular, boasts a higher towing capacity than the Ford Maverick.
The future of the compact truck segment is uncertain, but there has been speculation about the return of iconic models like the Toyota Stout and Dodge Rampage. The Toyota Tacoma and Tundra are currently among the most popular pickups on the road, while the Dodge Rampage could bring powerful engines and performance to the compact truck segment.
The compact truck segment is one whose history has long sat in the enormous shadow of mid-size and full-size pickups, with the Ford F-150 serving as the backdrop of American culture for the past two decades. But with off-road culture on the rise, many automakers are beginning to take a closer look at the segment, as the market for capable, and smaller, trucks and SUVs seems to be a largely untapped niche.
With plenty of speculation about manufacturers and compact pickup models, among those are Toyota and Dodge, it’s hard to say at this time who will dominate the market. Yet, it is safe to say that the need for urban-friendly and rugged compact models capable of off-road exploration, respectable towing rates, and modern features is on the rise, and there’s no doubt the top brands want in on the action.
The current market for pickups, off-road and on-road, is currently dominated by full-size models, with mid-size following close behind, but as observed with the Ford Maverick– a compact off-road-oriented truck, the public interest in the smaller model is stronger than it has been in the past few decades. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is also seeing a rise in sales, reminiscent of the mini-truck boom in the 1980s that saw compact trucks boasting smaller, more efficient engines, and respectable towing capacity.
Ford
The Ford Maverick has proven to be one of the segment’s go-to models when discussing compact trucks and for good reason. Boasting a 2.5-liter hybrid inline-four that makes 162 horsepower, the Maverick’s max tow rate is 4,000-pounds, a prime example of a small truck with a mighty heart. The classic compact pickups, like the Toyota Stout introduced in the 1960s, housed smaller engines with low horsepower, yet the rugged features and workhorse nature made them essential for many facets of life, including work and hobbies.
The 2023 Ford Maverick features many modern creature comforts that today’s buyer has come to expect, including an 8.0-inch infotainment interface with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as single-zone climate control.
The Maverick Tremor is the off-road variation of the compact truck, which adds a suspension lift, locking rear differentials, and trail control, among other upgrades. The addition of an off-road trim is nothing new to the pickup segment, across all classes, with off-roading and trucks often going hand-in-hand, as observed in the popular Toyota Tacoma and TRD Off-Road models.
Another name that gets brought up in the compact truck conversation is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, with the newest generation offering five trim levels, each with varying features including off-road and street-oriented functions alongside a turbocharged engine option.
The towing capacity for the 2024 Santa Cruz with the turbocharged option is 5,000 pounds, a full 1,000 pounds more than the Maverick. The Santa Cruz boasts comfortable ride quality and agile handling, with the XRT and Limited trim options featuring HTRAC all-wheel drive function, allowing deeper exploration and off-road capabilities.
The Future Of Compact Trucks Could Include The Dodge Rampage, Toyota Stout
The future of the compact pickup segment is unclear at this time, as we’re merely in the early stages of their rejuvenated popularity. That being said, many experts and insiders have weighed in with calculated speculation, artist renderings, and quantitative evidence regarding the future production and release of compact trucks.
Among the speculated models is the Toyota Stout, a modern revival of the first compact pickup to leave a lasting mark on the industry. Featuring the rugged and capable functions necessary to conquer tough terrain and carry more than its weight in tow, the Toyota Stout was introduced in 1954 to mixed reviews. Here are some exclusive artist renders of what a modern Toyota Stout could look like.
Though the initial response to the small truck wasn’t rave, the need for such a vehicle became apparent soon after the Stout went into full production, by the 1960s the redesigned Toyota Stout was a popular workhorse, and played an integral role in blending off-road and truck culture when the off-roading trend took off in the coming decades.
Toyota’s modern pickups, including the Tacoma and Tundra, are among the most popular on the road today. Boasting modern tech and aftermarket mechanics, the Tacoma and Tundra dominate the road and the trail thanks to Toyota’s state-of-the-art features and segment-first breakthroughs.
Another compact truck often speculated upon is the Dodge Rampage, a coupe utility vehicle that has modern iterations not yet available in the U.S. The original Rampage introduced in 1983 featured a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that made 84 horsepower and had a max tow rate of 1,145 pounds.
That may not seem like a lot, but at the time that rate of tow was reserved for the beefier, gas guzzlers of the 80s. The original Dodge Rampage weighed about as much as a Miata, proving once and for all that big things come in small packages.
The exclusive Rampage renders courtesy of YASID DESIGN depict a modern take on the classic compact truck, incorporating many familiar Dodge features including the bar-style taillights and flared fender contours.
The renders also pay homage to the original Rampage from the 80s with similar angles and design cues that bring the small pickup into the modern age with style, including the downward-angled bonnet and “underbite” front fascia and bumper.
Dodge currently offers a Ram 1200 in Brazil, which packs many of the modern features available in Dodge’s current line-up into a compact pickup. Although not yet available in the States, many speculate the Ram 1200 will serve as the canvas for the modern Rampage, when it finally makes its way to America.
Dodge currently offers a small SUV called the Hornet, that sits under its mid-size Durango. Speculation regarding the U.S. introduction of the compact Rampage pickup includes the use of the Hornet’s platform, a small wide platform by Stellantis.
The Hornet’s platform allows a 288-horsepower PHEV powertrain, along with all-wheel drive and nine-speed automatic transmission. Considering Dodge’s familiarity with powerful engines and performance, the Rampage could shake up the compact truck segment.
Whatever direction the compact truck evolves in, we’re sure to see some significant improvements and innovations. As automakers keep up with modern advancements and aftermarket inclusions, the possibility of a fully loaded compact truck that can outperform models twice their size becomes more realistic.
The 2008 Alpina B7 is a notable car that often grabs attention. It is known for being expensive to repair, maintain, and restore. This is why the recent video on the M539 Restorations YouTube channel feels like a significant event.
More than a year ago, Sreten purchased the 2008 Alpina B7 for $4,000. He affectionately refers to it as a “giant check engine light.” The car is based on the E65 BMW 7 Series and comes with striking features such as 21-inch wheels, a more aggressive body design with a deeper front air dam, side skirts, and a rear valence. However, the true upgrades are hidden beneath the surface. Along with the cosmetic changes, the car receives improvements to its suspension and brakes to handle the power of its 500-horsepower supercharged 4.4-liter V8 engine.
The demand for electric scooters in the Indian market is rapidly growing, as electric power replaces internal combustion engines for personal urban mobility. Popular electric scooters in India include the Ather 450X, Vida V1, and the Ola S1 from Ola Electric.
Ola Electric is a major player in the EV two-wheeler scene and has disrupted the market with its affordable yet technologically advanced models. Other manufacturers like Hero MotoCorp and Ather have responded with their own affordable electric scooters. Ola Electric continues to prioritize affordable electric mobility for Indian commuters and has announced the launch of the more accessible Ola S1 Air scooter on July 28, 2023.
The Ola S1 Air is a lite-version of the standard Ola S1, offering a more utilitarian and basic riding experience. However, it provides tech-savvy commuters with an enticing option at a lower price point. The scooter is powered by a rear hub motor with a peak power output of 4.5 kilowatts, making it accessible to riders of all backgrounds. Its top speed is limited to 55 miles per hour, making it suitable for urban settings rather than highways or open roads.
The Ola S1 Air is equipped with impressive features for urban commuting, including a spacious under-seat storage compartment with 34 liters of capacity. It also features a newly designed grab handle for easy access and extra safety for pillion riders. In terms of technology, the scooter comes with a digital key for remote unlocking, a fully digital instrument cluster, and even a music player with a speaker.
Ola Electric has extensively tested the S1 Air, covering over 500,000 kilometers to ensure its durability on India’s challenging road conditions. The company is dedicated to customer satisfaction and safety, addressing previous issues with the Ola S1’s front suspension.
Ford is turning its attention to the Puma, its crossover sibling, after recently ending production of the Fiesta. The subcompact model is set to undergo significant changes with a mid-cycle facelift scheduled for 2024, coinciding with the launch of a fully electric version. Unlike the Explorer, which is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture, the electric Puma will utilize the same platform as the internal combustion engine model.
Following the recent sighting of the spicy Puma ST by car paparazzi, new spy photos have surfaced, revealing the regular model. Despite being a mid-cycle facelift, the vehicle is heavily camouflaged. However, some notable design tweaks can still be observed. The Blue Oval logo now sits on a grille with a different pattern, while the lower intake appears to have a slightly modified design, integrated into a restyled bumper that has a cleaner look by eliminating separate fog lights.
If you’ve been wanting a Honda CB750 K0 Sandcast, there’s one for sale in San Bruno, California. This 1969 CB750 Sandcast was restored in 1998 and the current seller acquired it in 2022. The bike is nonoperational and registered as such in California. It has only 248 miles on the odometer, with the total mileage unknown. The bike is being offered at no reserve.
The standout feature of this bike is its 736cc single overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine, which has a uniquely textured engine case due to the sandcasting method used by Honda on approximately 7,400 bikes. Later versions of the CB750s used die casting instead of sandcasting.
17Photos
This 1969 CB750 has been refinished in red with gold and black details and hand-painted pinstripe work on the tank. The tank has also been replaced. Chrome accents complement the restoration and give the bike a complete and correct look. The seller mentions that all the parts used in the restoration are new old stock, with no reproduction parts used. The frame was treated and painted to match Honda’s original specifications.
Before the bike is sold, the front brake caliper and carburetors were rebuilt. Other work done includes an engine compression check, replacement of engine cover gaskets, points, points plate, and condensers. However, there are no videos available showing the bike running, only high-quality photos.
This listing is available on Bring a Trailer with no reserve. As of June 22, 2023, the current bid is $16,000. The auction will end on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 1:22 p.m. Eastern Time.
The spotlight is currently on the seventh-generation Ford Mustang, which has been completely revamped for the year 2024. However, the sixth-generation model is not going unnoticed, both literally and figuratively. Unleashing a monstrous 760 horsepower on the unrestricted German autobahn can cause quite a commotion. And that’s precisely what you get to witness in the amazing new video by AutoTopNL. You might want to turn up the volume and brace yourself for some ferocious American V8 thunder.
For those who are unaware, the outgoing Shelby GT500 sports a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces the aforementioned 760 ponies, along with 625 pound-feet of torque. The engine rotates at 7,500 rpm and channels power exclusively to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Ford, the GT500 can achieve a top speed of 180 mph. And this video puts all these figures to the test.
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