Tag Archives: competition

News

A Unique A2 Bike Enters The Ring: The 2024 F.B Mondial Piega 452

A new challenger has entered the ring, and that ring is filled with a ton of competition. Even then, F.B Mondial is still powering through with its new model, the Piega 452, a naked streetfighter that’s A2 compliant and something of a head turner.

You could say that the Italian firm will be jumping into rather treacherous waters coming into the 2024 model year. CFMoto has its 450s all lined up and ready to go in multiple segments, Honda bumped a few updates into its lineup, KTM has their updated 390 range, Aprilia showed off its RS 457 for the first time, and Kawasaki has a new lineup of 500s as well. 

All those and more “sharks” have infested the segment, and with A2-compliance heavy on the minds of manufacturers right now, F.B Mondial’s decided to also throw their hat into the ring, do a cannonball, and swim with the Piega 452. A new bike for the 2024 model year, the sport-naked motorbike has a few things that are going for it that may just tip the scales in its favor. 

2024 FB Mondial Piega 452 Side

What the Piega 452 has going for it is its unique design just like its 125cc brother.  Everything on the bike is rather novel, from its dual exit exhaust system to its interesting headlight design, the fairings on its side and under chassis, and best of all, its single-sided swingarm. Even as an A2 motorcycle, the Piega exhibits a rather exotic look, making it a rather impressive motorcycle to look at in comparison to the “standard” stuff that the other big names are fielding. 

2024 FB Mondial Piega 452 Side
2024 FB Mondial Piega 452 Rear

Engine-wise, we’re looking at a 449.5cc parallel-twin motor that punches out 47 horsepower and 28.76 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a six-speed transmission, and the power unit sips from a fuel tank capacity set at 2.64 gallons. Full of oil, coolant, and fuel it weighs 388 pounds (dry weight is at 350 pounds). 

When it comes to handling hardware, F.B Mondial equips it with an upside-down 41-millimeter (1.6-inch) diameter fork setup with a monoshock in the rear. We can also find a four-piston Brembo caliper in the front which is quite impressive for the segment since other brands tend to go with either Bybre or J.Juan for their systems. 

2024 FB Mondial Piega 452 Rear Mono Shock
Motorsport

Manhart Gives the BMW M2 Competition an Impressive 715-HP Upgrade

The skilled team at Manhart Performance has once again worked their magic. At first glance, the BMW M2 Competition you see here may not appear too unusual, aside from the prominent rear wing and eye-catching graphics. However, a closer look through the windows reveals segments of a roll cage. And when a car has a cage, you know there’s a good reason for it.

In this case, there are 715 reasons. That’s the amount of horsepower you’ll find under the hood of this modified F87 BMW M2, known as the MH2 700. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve witnessed a previous creation from Manhart, the MH2, which featured their iconic black and gold livery. However, that version “only” generated 630 hp from its 3.0-liter I6 engine with added boost. The new MH2 700 is a whole different beast. The engine has received unspecified reinforcements, which the tuner claims are robust enough to handle an astonishing 1,200 horsepower.


Motorsport

Hyundai Santa Cruz Only Needed “Minimal” Off-Road Mods For Rebelle Rally

Hyundai is returning to the Rebelle Rally, and this time, they will be competing with a modified Santa Cruz pickup truck. The Santa Cruz has undergone some off-road upgrades and received a custom livery in preparation for the competition.

In order to get the Santa Cruz ready for the rally, Hyundai only had to make “minimal” modifications. The truck now features larger 17-inch Falken Wildpeak A/T3W off-road tires that not only enhance ground clearance but also a Truxxx lift kit. This lift kit raises the front of the truck by 1.5 inches and the rear by 1.0 inch.


BMW

The new BMW R 1300 GS.

“With the new BMW R 1300 GS we will once again take the competition by surprise. It is defined by an even broader spread of product substance, while the reduction in complexity and vehicle weight, combined with focused equipment, enable the essence of the boxer GS to be showcased even more strikingly. With a new engine, outstanding handling and impressive ride qualities, it will set the pace both on and off the road.”
Thilo Fuchs, Head of Water-cooled Boxer Models.

The new BMW R 1300 GS: “Next level GS” featuring new boxer engine and new suspension, with significantly reduced weight and increased GS competence all round.
BMW Motorrad established the new segment of touring enduros more than four decades ago with the R 80 G/S. The BMW GS with boxer engine has been the undisputed leader of the competitive field ever since. To ensure this remains the case in the future, BMW Motorrad has opted for an almost completely new design for the new R 1300 GS, with an impressive weight saving of 12 kg compared to the previous model.

The centrepiece is once again the legendary two-cylinder boxer engine. Its new design is more compact than ever before thanks to a gearbox located under the engine and a new camshaft drive arrangement. From exactly 1 300 cc it produces an output of 107 kW (145 hp) at 7 750 rpm, developing a maximum torque of 149 Nm at 6 500 rpm. This makes it by far the most powerful BMW boxer engine ever to be produced in series.

At the centre of the new suspension is the sheet metal shell main frame made of steel, which in addition to being significantly optimised in terms of installation space also offers higher levels of stiffness than the predecessor model. For the rear frame, the previous tubular steel structure has now been replaced with a die-cast aluminium construction. The new EVO Telelever front wheel guide with flex element and the revised EVO Paralever rear wheel guide also provide even greater steering precision and ride stability.

New electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as optional equipment ex works, with dynamic adaptation of the damping and spring rate, and also load compensation.
The previous Dynamic ESA Next Generation electronic suspension itself provided a high level of ride safety and riding fun on a wide variety of terrains with its dynamic adjustment of the damping and adjustable spring rest at the rear. The new electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) now goes one step further, combining the dynamic adjustment of the front and rear damping with a corresponding adjustment of the spring rate (“spring stiffness”) – depending on the selected riding mode, riding condition and manoeuvres. The automatic adjustment of the spring rest ensures load compensation. This makes for an even more thrilling riding experience on all surfaces. Whether solo, in pairs or with bulky luggage – DSA ensures an even higher level of ride safety, performance and comfort.

Adaptive vehicle height control and sports suspension as optional equipment ex works.
Exclusively in conjunction with DSA as optional equipment ex works, two further items of optional equipment are available for the suspension of the new R 1300 GS: the new adaptive vehicle height control and the sports suspension.

With adaptive vehicle height control, the new R 1300 GS offers fully automatic adjustment of the vehicle height depending on the operating condition, thereby ensuring the greatest possible comfort without having to compromise on riding dynamics and banking freedom.

With 20 mm more spring travel at the front and rear and an optional athletically firm sports suspension specially developed for the GS, off-road riders are well catered for here.

Four riding modes now standard. “Enduro” riding mode for an enhanced off-road riding experience.
Even in standard trim, the new R 1300 GS now has four rather than three riding modes for adaptation to individual rider preferences. The “Rain” and “Road” riding modes allow riding characteristics to be adapted to most road conditions. With the “Eco” riding mode it is possible to achieve the maximum range on a single tank of fuel, while the additional riding mode “Enduro” enables an enhanced riding experience off the beaten track with a specific set-up for off-road use.

Matrix LED headlamps with innovative design as standard, state-of-the-art LED light units all round with turn indicators integrated in the hand protectors and Headlight Pro as optional equipment ex works.
BMW Motorrad is regarded as the pioneer par excellence when it comes to motorcycling safety and related innovations. Accordingly, the new R 1300 GS offers a new, very small full LED headlamp with a novel, distinctive light icon as standard. This illuminates the road with a hitherto unrivalled clarity, thereby ensuring even better perception in traffic. The light unit consists of two LED units for low and high beam along with four additional LED units for the daytime running light and the side light. State-of-the-art LED light units with newly designed LED turn indicators – integrated in the hand protectors at the front, function-integrated at the rear – round off the lighting concept of the new R 1300 GS. With the optional equipment item “Headlight Pro”, the beam of the standard full LED headlamp turns into the bend according to the banking position. In this way, the bend is almost fully illuminated because the light moves to where the motorcycle is heading.

Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW) for safe and convenient motorcycling.
The new BMW R 1300 GS features the new Riding Assistant option, consisting of the components Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW). Active Cruise Control (ACC) with integrated distance control can be used to set the desired riding speed as well as the distance to the vehicle in front. Front Collision Warning (FCW) with brake intervention is designed to prevent collisions and help reduce the severity of accidents, while Lane Change Warning monitors the lanes to the left and right and can help ensure a safe lane change while supporting use of the rear mirror.

The new R 1300 GS: the very highest level of touring and off-road expertise in an attractive basic variant along with the variants Triple Black, GS Trophy and Option 719 Tramuntana.
The new R 1300 GS features an entirely new design which is based on the traditional GS flyline while at the same time reflecting extreme compactness and significant weight reduction.

With a new aluminium fuel tank that has a much flatter ramp than on the predecessor models, the flyline is largely responsible for the very dynamic, light and accessible appearance of the new R 1300 GS. Here it was also possible to add a very sporty and dynamic accentuation by means of the continuous texture in the fuel tank centre cover.

The basic variant of the new BMW R 1300 GS perfectly embodies what the BMW Motorrad development team has endowed the GS legend with: compact arrangement of the components, high functionality of the equipment – and everything focused on the essentials. In Lightwhite solid paint and in conjunction with its sharply drawn lines and very clean appearance, the new R 1300 GS has a muscular appearance and embodies the boxer GS theme in pristine style.

TripleBlack is a model variant of the boxer GS that has been popular for many years. In this colour scheme, the new BMW R 1300 GS has a masculine attitude combined with exclusive surfaces.

The basic finish Racingblue metallic sets the tone for the model variant GS Trophy. With red and white tapes and inscriptions combined with a rear frame coated in white metallic matt, the GS Trophy stands for the very highest level of performance and sporty off-road riding.

The new R 1300 GS shows its exclusive and technically sophisticated side in the model variant Option 719 Tramuntana. This combines cross-spoke wheels in gold with a high-quality paint finish in Aurelius Green metallic and sophisticated milled aluminium parts.

The highlights of the new BMW R 1300 GS:

  • Completely newly designed boxer engine with bottom-mounted gearbox and BMW ShiftCam technology for varying the valve timing and valve stroke on the intake side.
  • Most powerful BMW boxer engine ever.
  • Powerful response across the entire engine speed range, exemplary fuel consumption, emission levels, running smoothness and refinement.
  • Output and torque: 107 kW (145 hp) at 7 750 rpm and
    149 Nm at 6 500 rpm.
  • Knock sensor system for optimised travel suitability.
  • Completely redesigned suspension with sheet metal shell main frame and die-cast aluminium rear frame. Even greater steering precision and ride stability thanks to new EVO Telelever with flex element and revised rear wheel guide EVO Paralever.
  • Weight reduction of 12 kg compared to the previous model.
  • BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro as standard.
  • Four riding modes as standard.
  • Engine drag torque control (MSR), dynamic brake assist (DBC) and ride-off assistant (HSC) as standard.
  • Driving Modes Pro with additional riding modes as optional equipment ex works.
  • Dynamic Traction Control DTC as standard.
  • Electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as optional equipment ex works, with dynamic adjustment of the damping and spring rate, and also load compensation.
  • Adaptive vehicle height control and sports suspension as optional equipment ex works.
  • New matrix LED headlamp as standard.
  • Headlight Pro with adaptive turning light as optional equipment ex works.
  • Hand protectors with integrated turn indicators as standard.
  • Lithium-ion battery with Battery Guard (service function via BMW Motorrad APP) as standard.
  • Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with brake function as standard.
  • Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control (ACC),
    Front Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW) for safe and convenient motorcycling as optional equipment.
  • Smartphone charging compartment with integrated USB socket and additional 12 V on-board power socket as standard.
  • Seat heating for rider and passenger for enhanced touring suitability as optional equipment ex works.
  • Handlebar riser by up to 30 mm as optional equipment ex works.
  • Wide range of seat height variants as optional equipment ex works.
  • Connectivity: multifunctional instrument cluster with 6.5-inch full-colour TFT screen and numerous features as standard.
  • RDC, Keyless Ride, heated grips as standard.
  • Intelligent Emergency Call as optional equipment ex works.
  • Attractive basic variant along with the model variants
    Triple Black, GS Trophy and Option 719 Tramuntana.
  • Extensive range of optional equipment, Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

Increased range of standard equipment in the new BMW R 1300 GS compared to the previous model:

  • Heated grips.
  • Keyless Ride (steering, ignition and fuel tank lock).
  • RDC.
  • MSR.
  • BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro.
  • Cruise control DCC with brake function.
  • LiO starter battery.
  • Hand protectors with integrated turn indicators.
Smartphones

The Top 10 Android Phones of 2023

The Google Pixel Fold is a new contender in the world of folding phones, offering strong competition to Samsung’s dominance. With its impressive software customizations and design, the Pixel Fold holds its own in the market.

Compared to the Samsung Z Fold5, the Pixel Fold has a more compact and squat design, resembling the opening of a passport. Google and third-party developers have updated popular apps to make the most of the expanded screen space, allowing for multitasking and dragging and dropping content between apps.

Even when closed, the Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch outer display is wide enough for typing and taking one-handed photos. Opening the phone reveals a 7.6-inch FHD+ OLED display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. The phone features a triple rear camera array similar to the Pixel 7 Pro, as well as IPX8 water resistance and built-in VPN protection.

The Pixel Fold is available in two colors and two capacities: 256GB and 512GB. It can be purchased for $1799 on Amazon.

Cars

5 Of The Worst Custom Motorcycles From American Chopper

In 2011, the TV show “American Chopper” held a bike building competition with three designers competing for the audience’s vote. The contestants included Paul Teutul Sr. from Orange County Choppers, Paul Teutul Jr. representing his own company, and Jesse James from West Coast Choppers and “Monster Garage” fame.

Jesse James chose a classic chopper design with a frame made from stainless steel. Paul Jr. went for a design inspired by a World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane. And surprisingly, OCC (Orange County Choppers) selected an unconventional snowmobile-like all-terrain vehicle.

Why did OCC choose such an odd creation that didn’t match the competition’s theme and had no chance of winning? According to Paul Sr., he believed he was already unpopular due to the conflicts at OCC and thought he wouldn’t receive any votes, so they might as well build something outrageous.

And outrageous it was. The bike required the rider to lay down flat to drive it, had tank treads instead of front tires, and was powered by twin electric motors. As an extra touch, it even had flamethrowers on the front. After lots of trash talk and jokes between the teams, Paul Jr. and his P-51 Mustang-themed bike were declared the winners.

News, Science

Russia’s Luna-25 Moon Mission Ends With Crash Landing

The mission’s unfortunate end marks a significant setback for Russia. The country now faces fierce competition not only from NASA, China’s CNSA, and Japan’s JAXA but also from private space exploration companies interested in commercial and government-backed lunar missions. Despite this setback, Russia’s space ambitions continue, with numerous future missions planned.

The Russian space agency was collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the Luna-27 mission, which aimed to explore the moon’s south-polar region and collect surface samples. However, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ESA severed ties with Roscosmos and withdrew from the planned lunar missions in April 2022. In addition, Roscosmos had joined forces with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) in late 2021 for future lunar exploration missions, including moon-based observation and long-term unmanned operations with the potential for human presence. However, this partnership has yet to achieve significant success for Russia.

In contrast, China’s Chang’e 5 probe successfully returned lunar samples to Earth three years ago. China is also planning to establish an operational base on the moon using 3D printing technology and aims to send a human to the lunar surface by 2030. All eyes are now on India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is currently in lunar orbit and is expected to achieve a soft landing on the moon on August 23.

Motorsport

2024 Mitsubishi Triton: A Ready-to-Rally Pickup with Upgrades

Following the recent introduction of the new Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck, the brand has now unveiled its competition version. This souped-up Triton will be participating in the Asia Cross Country Rally, which takes place in Thailand and Laos in August.

The rally truck variant of the Triton features a 2.4-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower (150 kilowatts) and 347 pound-feet (470 Newton-meters) of torque. To deal with river crossings during the rally, the vehicle is equipped with a snorkel that allows the engine to breathe. Power is transmitted to Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system via a six-speed manual transmission, and both axles incorporate limited-slip differentials.


Motorsport

Watch the Dyno Test of a Classic Air-Cooled VW Beetle with a Supercharger

The original Volkswagen Beetle, although it came fourth in the 1999 Car of the Century competition, is considered one of the most influential cars in history. With over 21 million units produced between 1938 and 2003, it was incredibly popular. It’s no surprise that Beetle enthusiasts still exist today and find different ways to customize their cars.

In the United Kingdom, there’s a group of people who enjoy installing superchargers on the Beetle’s air-cooled engines. They have a dedicated YouTube channel called “Kompressor Haus / VW Aircooled Superchargers,” which explores the technical aspects of fitting a Beetle engine with a supercharger. Their latest video features a supercharged Beetle going on a dyno run to demonstrate its significant power gains.

Before we dive into the dyno test, let’s talk about the modifications made to this Beetle. The engine has been upgraded from the original 1,600cc to 1,641cc, a common modification among Beetle enthusiasts. The car also has an upgraded carburetor setup and other minor tweaks that result in an additional 50 horsepower.

Now, let’s discuss the supercharger kit used in this Beetle. The kit is called the “Kompressor Haus Ultimate kit” and includes an AMR500 supercharger connected to a genuine Weber DCOE 40 carburetor with an MST serpentine pulley system. To support this kit, the car is equipped with an electric fuel pump and a crankcase oil breather. The kit costs $2,250 (1,750 British pounds) and promises to almost double the factory power of the Beetle.

But does it really deliver on its promise? The video takes us to the dynamometer where the supercharged Beetle undergoes a test to measure its engine power. The final numbers are impressive – 100.1 horsepower and 126.9 pound-feet of torque at the crank.

News

Highlights, Gallery, and Report of the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased an impressive mix of road and competition cars, featured exciting new reveals, and dealt with the unpredictable British weather.

Keep reading for a detailed report of the show and a comprehensive roundup of all the new vehicles that made an appearance.

Report on the Goodwood Festival of Speed

It’s safe to say that there are no boring cars anymore.

Every new car, regardless of how ordinary, extravagant, uniquely styled, expensive, loud, heavy, or unconventional it may be, is of great interest to someone. While some cars capture the attention of a larger audience, the 30th running of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, affected by the weather, proved that all cars deserve to be celebrated, or at the very least, discussed.

When the shiny new “First Glance” cars hit the hill for the first time, a highlight of the festival every year and the busiest hour for the Autocar team, the sense of variety and fascination was undeniable. Not a single car failed to invite intrigue and conversation.

One car that mesmerized the crowds was McLaren’s roar-inducing Solus track car, powered by a screaming V10 engine. It topped a diverse collection of road and race cars and claimed bragging rights in Sunday’s Timed Shootout.

The cartoonish Bugatti Bolide also made an unforgettable impression as its thunderous W16 engine propelled it up the climb with incredible speed. However, spectators couldn’t help but be curiously intrigued by Kia’s new seven-seat EV9 SUV, the Ineos Grenadier fuel cell prototype, the Ford Explorer crossover, and the MG 4 XPower hatchback. These vehicles, while less exotic, made their mark with the screech of tires and the gentle hum of electric motors.

This wasn’t the first time that electric vehicles made an appearance at Goodwood, but their presence was welcomed rather than resented. Although the hillclimb event may have been quieter this year with an equal number of combustion-engined and electric entrants, any lingering resentment toward the electric vehicles was rare to find.

The prevailing themes of this year’s festival were the embrace of variety and experimentation as manufacturers warmly adopted emerging propulsion technologies and diversified their vehicle offerings.

However, there will always be staunch traditionalists who find solace in the incomparable blend of classic road, race, and rally cars that continue to captivate enthusiasts with their raw sensory appeal, be it the unburned four-star fuel or the unfiltered exhaust notes.

Porsche celebrated its 75th birthday at the Festival, showcasing legendary Le Mans cars, Dakar dominators, and streamlined mid-century sports cars that were shipped over from Stuttgart. These iconic vehicles, along with the vast range of vintage racers, ultra-exclusive supercars, Formula 1 stars, and Group B heroes, provided endless entertainment for fans of all ages throughout the festival.