Tag Archives: Build

Motorsport

Mercedes Concept Pod Abandoned In a Junkyard Looks Like Something Out Of WALL-E

Automakers construct idea vehicles on a regular basis to indicate off know-how or preview future fashions. Once they’ve outlived their helpful life they’re sometimes saved by the corporate internally. Sometimes these initiatives simply get thrown out, although, which is what seems to have occurred to the Mercedes’ “S-Classic Digital ‘My MBUX'” idea, revealed in August of 2020. It’s not likely a automobile, however extra of a funny-looking pod meant to present individuals a style of the know-how going into automobiles just like the EQS. It was seemingly disabled and deserted in a scrapyard identical to another automobile, although, which has supplied us with some extraordinarily uncommon pictures.

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Images of the pod have been just lately posted to the r/justrolledintotheshop subreddit. The visuals of one thing that appears extra like Wall-E’s girlfriend EVE versus an precise automobile languishing subsequent to a bunch of discarded metallic tubes caught individuals’s consideration, to say the least. Noah Mansico, who took the pictures, says they have been taken exterior of Atlanta, the place Mercedes-Benz has its North American headquarters. It’s seemingly that it was saved there till it outlived its helpful goal, and was merely discarded. Automakers do not simply promote or donate their purposeful ideas as soon as they’re performed with them resulting from authorized considerations, which is why many get this form of remedy. 

 

The idea has been stripped of all its Mercedes branding—together with all the steering wheel—however as such a novel object it was moderately straightforward for web sleuths to determine. It options sculptural seats, an enormous touchscreen, and different elements similar to those who have been finally discovered on higher-end fashions from the German automaker just like the S-Class and EQS. A press launch from the time particulars the venture’s a whole lot of LEDs, heated and cooled therapeutic massage seats, and a strong air filtration system outfitted with a fragrance dispenser. Unfortunately, it is seemingly many of those options are not purposeful on the disposed pod.

It’s a disgrace that such an fascinating venture was merely disposed of in a area someplace exterior of Atlanta, however remember the fact that many totally purposeful Mercedes received just about the very same inside and know-how. So whereas seeing EVE in sleep mode with no rescue from a cube-shaped robotic with binoculars for eyes could seem a bit miserable, the know-how the idea previewed lives on. As time passes, individuals are going get an increasing number of confused by what this factor is, assuming it would not get crushed quickly.

Image Credit: Noah Manisco

Motorsport

Watch Porsches Get Hand-Made In This Homemade Factory Tour From 1986

Porsche, like each different large-scale producer, makes use of plenty of robots to construct its automobiles. But it did not at all times was that means. For the vast majority of its existence, Porsche hand-built its machines the old style means. Let this selfmade video from an American visiting Germany in 1986 offer you a glance inside how Porsche constructed the 911 and the 928 almost 40 years in the past.

This video, revealed to YouTube again in 2022, comes from person tasturbo86, who purchased a 911 Turbo new again within the day and selected the European supply possibility. That means they acquired to fly to Germany to see their automobile for the primary time, and take a complimentary tour of Porsche’s amenities. And we get to tag alongside.

The video is sort of 20 minutes of insider footage displaying the personnel-heavy manufacturing course of, from constructing flat-six and V8 engines to physique meeting, dyno testing, and extra. It’s an enchanting take a look at how Porsche put collectively its automobiles utilizing principally individuals, not machines.

This course of carried by way of to the 993-generation 911 within the late Nineties. While having a hand-made automobile made for a very good promoting level at dealerships, the excessive prices related to this manufacturing technique contributed to the corporate’s brush with chapter throughout that point. In the change to the 996-generation 911 and automobiles just like the Boxster and Cayenne, extra machines had been used, driving prices down.

News

iOS 17.3 Beta Brings Stolen Device Protection Feature To iPhones

In order to allow the brand new characteristic, be sure you are operating the most recent developer beta of the iOS 17.3 construct that was launched earlier in the present day. To activate it, comply with this path: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection. Once enabled, it makes Face ID obligatory for a variety of delicate processes, together with the ability to reset Apple ID credentials and entry passwords saved regionally. Doing so ensures that solely the cellphone’s authentic proprietor can entry the delicate Apple account credentials by verifying their id in individual utilizing a facial scan or Touch ID verification. Apple basically seeks to reduce the intensive injury {that a} unhealthy actor would in any other case inflict with simply an iPhone’s passcode and altered Apple ID credentials.

Next, the characteristic additionally allows a location-sensitive delay for altering Apple ID credentials. So, if somebody desires to vary your Apple ID password, they might want to wait it out. In that interval, the sufferer can select to trace their machine utilizing the FindMy community, remotely wipe their iCloud content material, and file a lost device insurance coverage declare with Apple. Furthermore, to keep away from being pulled into any legal conspiracy act tied to their iPhone, the theft sufferer can report the incident to legislation enforcement authorities and do the identical with their mobile service associate to disable the cellular SIM features. 

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RIDING KEN ROCZEN’S SUZUKI RMZ450

“The idea was to just build the infrastructure for a pro team first, then, in 2024, we were planning on hiring a good rider to go racing,” defined Larry Brooks. “It happened a little more quickly than we expected.”

On December 7, 2022, Ken Roczen introduced that he had joined the HEP Suzuki staff. Suddenly, the plans for Larry Brooks and the staff had been put into hyperdrive. The purpose was simply wanting unattainable. The staff needed to take a motorbike that hadn’t been within the winner’s circle for the higher a part of a decade and forge it into one thing worthy of one of many biggest riders within the historical past of motocross. And, they needed to do it in a couple of weeks.

We recruited Carson Brown to help with the check of Kenny’s RM-Z450.

Exactly 104 days after that announcement, Kenny Roczen gained the principle occasion on the Indy Supercross aboard the HEP Suzuki. The unattainable was achieved. They didn’t have to start out from scratch a minimum of. In 2016, Roczen gained the 450 National Motocross championship on a Suzuki RM-Z450 that wasn’t all that totally different. The greatest drawback was that 2016 was a totally totally different age in professional motocross. The digital side of engine tuning had utterly modified, the ante was larger and the competitors had develop into extra intense.

“Kyle Chisholm was my first test rider, and he spent days at the track coming up with the best settings,” stated Larry. “We went through all those pieces and tried to get the bike as good as we could. When Kenny came on board, we concentrated on suspension, but the bike itself is what Kyle came up with.”

Early within the course of, the bike ended up with KYB suspension, which is what Kenny used again in 2016. The electronics facet of the issue was dealt with by Jamie Ellis at Twisted Development, who had been a key a part of the digital revolution. The relaxation was simply laborious work; shaving down a motor mount right here, tweaking some valving there.

The season of miracles continued. In June, Roczen rode his one and solely outside nationwide of 2023, ending second and changing into the one rider in addition to Jett Lawrence to guide any laps in any respect. A month later he gained the FIM World Supercross opener in England, then he completed the 12 months with a last-round showdown towards Lawrence within the L.A. Coliseum. The mixed Supercross, motocross and playoff factors would have Roczen in second for the 12 months.

Two days after the Coliseum, Larry and the HEP Suzuki staff introduced Kenny’s bike to Fox Raceway and allowed choose members of the press to take it for a spin. We requested particular visitor check rider Carson Brown to take our flip, and he fell in love with the bike.

“The stock RM-Z has a reputation for being a bit rigid,” stated Carson. “When I acquired on Roczen’s bike, the very first thing I observed was that it tracked actually straight. It was arrange stiff—sort of Supercrossy—but it surely went straight and cornered tremendous properly. It didn’t do something out of the bizarre, which was good. It nonetheless had that inventory really feel; it didn’t have monster horsepower and wasn’t unrideable such as you would possibly count on.

“It’s no secret that Kyle Chisholm is a really good bike setup guy, so the rideability was really good. I’ve ridden factory bikes that kind of sucked to ride. You have to ride fast to make them work. This one was fun to ride. You could go really fast on it, and it wasn’t going to do anything stupid. It would be a good bike for the average guy. The motor didn’t have a huge hit, but it did have a lot of power. It was interesting to see how they made that work. They said they took different components from different years of RM-Zs to make what they have here. It really doesn’t have any special factory parts. Anyone can go out and get most of this stuff. They just found the right keys, put them all together and made it work.”

Carson began on Kyle Chisholm’s check bike, after which rode Roczen’s race bike till Suzuki waved him off the observe. It was one final good day of using for bike quantity 94 earlier than the tip of the 2023 season. What occurs to it subsequent? We wouldn’t be stunned if it makes its means again onto a Supercross observe in 2024. All the laborious work has already been carried out.

News

Detailing the Creation of “Big Dill,” a Harley-Powered BMW Isetta

In late September 2023, a man in Deputy, Indiana, completed an impressive project. Dubbed “Big Dill,” this pickle-themed, Harley-Davidson shovelhead-powered BMW Isetta show car took a whirlwind 37 days to finish.

Exhausted but excited, the builder, Mikey Brown, wasted no time and immediately prepared his four creations, collectively called the Pickle Pack, for showcasing in Phoenix, Arizona, at the September 2023 round of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.

The Pickle Pack includes the Big Dill, the Pickle Jar, the Pickle Packer tilt trailer, and a custom bicycle called the Pickle Slicer.

Despite the Big Dill alone taking 37 days to build, Brown managed to construct the entire Pickle Pack in under ten months, starting on January 1, 2023, and documenting his progress daily on Instagram.

Mikey Brown's Big Dill Isetta and the Pickle Jar Hauler

After winning at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour stop, Brown was invited to compete in the final. His journey embodies determination and creativity, showcasing his ability to envision potential in raw materials and his refusal to let financial constraints hinder his dreams.

While Brown received some engineering assistance, he performed the majority of the physical labor single-handedly, from fabrication to paint and upholstery. Throughout the project, he acknowledged the support and advice from friends and family as integral to its success.

Brown’s vision for the Big Dill as an uncompromising show car led him to meticulously craft its paint job, a story that serves as motivation for anyone facing budget limitations.

Mikey Brown's Big Dill Isetta

His resourcefulness and willingness to acquire new skills is commendable, demonstrating that determination and forward momentum are essential for achieving one’s goals.

Despite investing around $10,000 and nearly depleting his finances, Brown’s entry surpassed those of more resourceful competitors. While he didn’t clinch victory in the final, his tenacity and talent promise future noteworthy creations.

If you appreciate underdog tales, then Mikey Brown’s journey in creating the Pickle Pack is worth following.


Mikey Brown's Pickle Pack

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News

Report: Nissan to build electric Juke and Qashqai in Sunderland

Nissan is planning to manufacture electric versions of the Juke and Qashqai at its UK factory in Sunderland.

The decision, expected to be announced on Friday, comes after lengthy discussions with the government and is seen as a move to protect jobs at the facility, where approximately 6000 employees currently produce the petrol models of the two crossovers as well as the electric Leaf.

Sky News reported that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have been involved in the talks, and Nissan’s commitment is dependent on substantial government funding. Industry sources expect Nissan’s investment in the project to be over £1 billion.

The company is also constructing the EV360 battery factory at the site, with the potential to produce up to 35GWh of batteries annually – a substantial portion of the UK’s expected demand by 2030.

Nissan has recently announced its intention to only launch electric cars in Europe and to discontinue the sale of combustion engine vehicles in the region by 2030. However, it has not specified the timeline for introducing electric versions of the Qashqai and Juke, which have been on the market in their current forms for four and two years, respectively.

The Qashqai, which has been on sale since 2007, was the top-selling car in the UK in 2022, with nearly 43,000 units sold, constituting a fifth of all cars manufactured in the UK.

These reports come shortly after UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a £2 billion support package for zero-emission investments in the automotive industry, as part of a broader £4.5 billion initiative for strategic manufacturing sectors by 2030.

Hunt emphasized that the funding would attract private sector investment and contribute to job creation and economic growth.

The £2 billion for zero-emission investments in the automotive industry has been positively received by Nissan and Toyota.

Volkswagen

New European battery materials player IONWAY locates first production plant in Nysa, Poland

The newly-founded Brussels-based European EV battery materials producer IONWAY has decided to build its first CAM production plant in Nysa, Poland, next to Umicore’s existing CAM plant. With the support of Volkswagen Group-owned PowerCo SE and Umicore, the joint venture plans to increase its annual production capacity to 160 GWh by the end of the decade, which is equivalent to 2.2 million battery-electric vehicles. This move by IONWAY will contribute to the European Union’s Green Deal goals by promoting the establishment of regional, sustainable, and transparent battery value chains.

“We are excited with today’s announcement, as it marks the operational first step of IONWAY and an important step in the expansion of Umicore’s European local-for-local integrated battery materials value chain,” said Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore.

Jörg Teichmann, Chief Purchasing Officer of PowerCo, stated, “IONWAY gives both PowerCo and Umicore a significant first-mover advantage in the fast-growing e-mobility market in Europe. PowerCo has now co-created what it was looking for: a battery materials supplier to secure and build-up manufacturing capacity for reliable and cost-competitive precursor and cathode material production based on responsibly sourced raw materials.”

The investment in Nysa has received strong support from the Polish government, which is expected to create approximately 900 industry jobs in the area by the end of the decade. IONWAY will receive €350 million in cash grants under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) from the Polish government, with a total investment of up to €1.7 billion (€1.35 billion after grants). The TCTF aims to provide support for sectors crucial to the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

“We are thankful for the Polish government’s support in IONWAY’s choice for Nysa. The strategic location of the joint venture’s battery materials plant in Poland, right next to Umicore’s own battery materials plant, which is still unique in Europe, will further enable the transition to electric driving that is truly sustainable,” added Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore.

The preparation of the site, engineering, and permitting processes are currently underway, with construction scheduled to begin once the permitting is completed. The plant’s production is expected to start soon after the construction is finished, ensuring PowerCo’s CAM demand for the Salzgitter cell gigafactory is met by the existing production capacity of Umicore in Nysa by 2025.

The choice of Nysa and Poland for the plant is based on their strategic location with access to renewable energy sources, a skilled workforce, and the support from the Polish government. Additionally, the production facility will benefit from Umicore’s CAM knowledge in Nysa and easy access to raw materials from Umicore’s refining operations in Finland.

“Today’s launch of IONWAY signals PowerCo’s and Umicore’s commitment to sustainable progress that makes electric cars affordable for everybody, starting now,” said Thomas Jansseune, CEO of IONWAY.

IONWAY will produce tailored high-performance CAM and related precursor materials (pCAM), supplying them to PowerCo’s European battery cell gigafactories. The selection of the site for IONWAY’s pCAM plant is ongoing and will be announced at a later date.

pCAM and CAM are crucial components of rechargeable batteries, and their performance plays a key role in the powertrain transition to e-mobility. Producing ultra-pure CAM is particularly critical, as it is the most valuable component of the battery.

Press Release: PowerCo and Umicore set up pre-eminent new European battery materials player

Umicore and Volkswagen Group-backed battery company PowerCo have announced the name and branding of their joint venture for large-scale industrial production of CAM and pCAM in Europe. The joint venture, headquartered in Brussels and named IONWAY, aims to increase its annual production capacity to 160 GWh by the end of the decade, enabling the production of 2.2 million battery-electric vehicles.

About Ionway
Please refer to the website of the new company: www.ionway.com.

About PowerCo
PowerCo is a Volkswagen Group company that manages global battery activities. It oversees international factory operations, the development of cell technology, and the integration of the value chain. PowerCo plans to establish cell factories with a total capacity of 240 GWh/year by 2030.

About Umicore
Umicore is a leading circular materials technology group that focuses on areas where its expertise in materials science, chemistry, and metallurgy can make a difference. It operates in three business groups: Catalysis, Energy & Surface Technologies, and Recycling. Umicore generates the majority of its revenues from clean mobility materials and recycling, with the goal of sustainable value creation.

Motorsport

Ram ProMaster Stealth Camper: Discreet Exterior, Stunning Interior

The 12th van build by Scarlett and Seth Eskelund is a testament to their expertise in creating stealthy motorhomes. On the outside, the Ram ProMaster appears unremarkable, but stepping inside reveals a modern and stylish living space filled with hidden details.

Upon opening the sliding door, you’ll immediately notice the elegant bathroom. Complete with a skylight on the roof, it provides a source of natural sunlight while you freshen up. The walls are adorned with Roman clay, and a sliding door ensures privacy and prevents water from entering the rest of the cabin. The composting toilet is cleverly concealed behind a small door and can be conveniently pulled out on a drawer.

The rest of the living space features warm color tones with plenty of brown and beige hues. Wood veneer is extensively used throughout the interior, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall design.

The kitchen boasts a clean and minimalist aesthetic, cleverly hiding the appliances. The fridge is concealed behind a wood-paneled door, while a gas cooktop is conveniently placed in a drawer. There’s also a small toaster oven for additional food preparation needs. The drawers and cupboards offer ample storage space for food and utensils.

Two benches in the living area contain hidden surprises. One of them cleverly conceals the litter box for the couple’s two cats, while the other opens up to reveal a laundry bag for collecting dirty clothes.

The rear area features a U-shaped couch with a swiveling table in the middle. This space easily converts into a comfortable bed, with ample storage underneath the cushions.

To maintain the sleek and inconspicuous appearance, the couple has installed low-profile equipment on the roof. This includes 600 watts of marine-grade solar panels that can even be walked upon. A flat-mounted Starlink receiver is also discreetly placed. Furthermore, the air conditioning condenser is cleverly hidden underneath the van, remaining out of sight.

Although Motor1.com has reached out to Scarlet and Seth Eskelund for more details about their van build, there has been no response yet.

Stealth camper van builds are growing in popularity. Recently, we showcased a custom Isuzu box truck with an unassuming exterior and a luxurious cabin. A modified Mercedes Sprinter followed a similar design ethos, incorporating a kitchen and bathroom into a compact footprint.

News

Watch: Custom Honda SCL500 By Steady Garage

Steady Garage has released a video showcasing a custom build of the SCL500 that will make you want a new scrambler. This is one of the first custom makeovers of the SCL500 that we’ve seen in the States.

The SCL500, also known as the CL500 in other regions, was recently unveiled by Honda and made available. This scrambler from Big H is based on the Rebel 500, featuring a 471cc parallel-twin engine with a 180-degree crank, producing around 45.5 horsepowers and paired with a six-speed transmission.

While the Rebel 500 is an easy-to-ride beginner bike with a low ground clearance, it does have some design limitations due to its shared engine with other Honda models. That’s where Steady Garage comes in to give it a unique makeover.

Custom Honda SCL500 By Steady Garage

The video showcases the entire build process, from unboxing the SCL500 to the final customized version, without any commentary. Steady Garage starts with a teardown, uses computer-aided design (CAD) for planning, and then proceeds to metal fabrication. The end result is a set of quality parts specifically fitted for the SCL500, along with several upgrades.

Some notable upgrades include a skid plate that adds a rugged scrambler look to the bike, hand guards, engine crash guards, and luggage racks designed in the same style as the skid plate. The custom build also features a front Brembo brake caliper, wire-spoke wheels, new contact points such as a Pro-Taper handlebar and brake master cylinder, a Vance & Hines exhaust, and Shinko tires.

The before and after shots in the video highlight the transformation of the SCL500, particularly the change of the tank paint job from bright orange to green and yellow with a custom design. This custom build by Steady Garage promises to make the SCL500 a favorite in the custom scene.

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BMW R 18 Custom Nigel Mansell ‘Il Leone Edition’ Will Be Auctioned

Since its introduction in 2020, the BMW R 18 has become a popular base for custom builds. While many of these builds have been commissioned by BMW, it is rare to see one of these custom R 18s go up for sale. However, that is about to change with the upcoming RM Sotheby’s auction of Formula One champion Nigel Mansell’s Legacy Collection, which will take place from October 4 to 11, 2023.

The collection mainly consists of memorabilia from Mansell’s successful racing career on four wheels, but there are also a couple of motorcycle-related items up for bidding. One of these items is Mansell’s Honda ST 70 ‘Ferrari’ pit bike from his tenure with the Ferrari Formula One team. The other item is this 2020 BMW R 18 ‘Il Leone Edition’ custom build, which is named after Mansell’s nickname, “Il Leone,” given by Ferrari fans.

The 2020 BMW R 18 ‘Il Leone Edition’ is one of only 31 custom bikes announced by Mansell’s son, Greg, who manages the Mansell Collection on the Channel Island of Jersey. Greg Mansell and Steve “Custom Bike Steve” Burt crafted this machine as a tribute to Nigel Mansell, taking inspiration from BMW’s race bikes of the 1930s and ‘40s. They made ergonomic adjustments to capture the essence of those race bikes while also modifying the original solo seat to accommodate a passenger. The handlebars have been modified, and a custom hand-painted number plate with the Il Leone Red numeral “5” has been added.

This unique build features various other details, including custom finishes, real wood accents reminiscent of the wooden shift knob in Nigel Mansell’s Williams F1 car, a hand shifter, and a foot clutch. This particular BMW R 18 ‘Il Leone Edition’ will be auctioned with no reserve during the RM Sotheby’s Nigel Mansell’s Legacy Collection auction, with an estimated price range of £20,000 to £40,000 ($25,303 to $50,606).