Nobi laid out its mission and its merchandise in a press launch issued on January 9, in the beginning of CES 2024. The gist is that Nobi’s lights detect falls — the corporate claims a 100% accuracy charge — whereas asking the individual in the event that they’re okay and robotically notifying members of the family or caretakers if there is not any response. As Nobi explains it, it is a system that works even when the one that fell is unconscious, not like medical alert button programs.
The lights additionally activate robotically by way of their movement sensors, which Nobi claims assist forestall 4 out of 5 falls. The identical sensors additionally notify caregivers when the seniors stand up, permitting them to assist help these being cared for as they stroll round their properties. Cameras within the lights, in the meantime, present discreet imaging to assist the caregivers work out what induced the autumn and tips on how to forestall future incidents.
In addition to what’s within the press launch, Nobi’s web site explains that the lights shift relying on the time of day to allow wholesome circadian rhythms and supply two-way communication by way of a microphone and cameras within the lamps. Nobi additionally claims that it may be tied into your property’s locks to permit first responders entry and remotely unlock the doorways.
Harley-Davidson is the final phrase on cruisers to lots of people, however to others, its merchandise don’t all the time tick all of the packing containers. Sure, they’ve the character and the popularity, however typically one additionally desires the efficiency and reliability of a Japanese model, or the status and exclusivity of a European model. These individuals who need one thing completely different are in luck as a result of producers from throughout have checked out Harley-Davidson (and its income) and determined to take it on at its personal recreation, however with their very own twist.
Look carefully, and also you’ll discover a first rate various to just about any H-D mannequin that has been round, and no surprise; they have been the yardstick! We’ve acquired collectively ten metric cruisers to indicate you what you may get as a Harley various. By definition, a metric cruiser can’t be American Iron, so we’ve neglected different American manufacturers like Indian Motorcycles and Victory, however we’ve needed them to retain a minimum of a whiff of the customized construct, so the flexibility to customise or a “factory custom build” look was necessary to us whereas deciding on our H-D options. Without additional ado, listed here are ten metric cruiser choices for Harley-Davidson fashions.
Manufacturers desire a slice of the American cruiser market and intention to emulate the basic cruiser design
To guarantee accuracy, the data compiled on this article was sourced from the producers, in addition to different authoritative sources akin to Visordown.com, Motorcycle.com, Motorcyclenews.com, Cycleworld.com, and so forth.
10Royal Enfield Super Meteor
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield hasn’t been within the middleweight class for a lot of many years now, however they got here again with a bang on the inexpensive finish with the INT650 and Continental GT 650. As is the case with another platform, the third providing within the lineup is the Super Meteor 650, a cruiser-style motorbike primarily based on the identical platform. It runs the identical 650 cc engine in an identical state of tune as the opposite two bikes, and it has extra in widespread with the 883 than seems at first look.
Both fashions have been spawned on a brand new platform to cater to a brand new target market that may widen the attraction and attain of the model globally. They each stored cues from their heritage but seemed to the longer term with tech whereas maintaining issues easy. The Sportster made Harleys accessible with a decrease seat peak and a smaller engine. The Super Meteor 650 eschews liquid cooling to maintain prices down. Neither has a headlining energy output, however the best way the facility is delivered is certainly enjoyable, as are their chassis.
9Triumph Bonneville Bobber
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Triumph
If you favor your British motorbike to come back instantly from the Queen’s motherland, then there’s this, the Triumph Bonneville Bobber. It is massively interesting to these of a sure age as a result of it appears to be like similar to the motorbike a sure Steve McQueen rode in a film referred to as The Great Escape.
The Bonneville is a bike that has the hearts of many, together with ours, and the Bonneville Bobber was one of the first to execute the neo-retro look flawlessly. The value is rather a lot steeper, nonetheless, though you do get much more engine to your cash – to the tune of 1,200 cc. It can be liquid-cooled, regardless that it deliberately seems to be air-cooled. For a cool $14,500, you possibly can have British allure reasonably than American iron.
8Yamaha Bolt R-Spec
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster
Yamaha
If you don’t need your metric cruiser to be a parallel twin with British/Indian heritage, and you favor the V-Twin format, Yamaha has got your back. The Bolt is a bobber with a 942 cc V-twin engine and torque that maxes out at a diesel-like 3,000 RPM. It doesn’t appear to be a lot, to be trustworthy, and the value additionally displays that – at across the $9000 mark, it’s simply barely costlier than the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650.
What the Yamaha Bolt does supply is Japanese engineering and reliability, and it’s a clean canvas for personalization as effectively. Look on the Bolt R-Spec via this lens, and it all of a sudden turns into a viable various to the 883 Sportster and its plethora of factory customization options over the span of a number of many years and mannequin years. If you’re a newbie and would love a cruiser, or simply an intermediate-level rider who wants a metropolis runabout, the Bolt R-Spec will do you properly.
While the essential system is similar, Harley-Davidson and metric cruisers have very distinct traits
7Kawasaki Vulcan S
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Nightster
Kawasaki
We take a small step up right here from the Yamaha, with the Kawasaki Vulcan S and the Harley-Davidson Nightster. Both sport extra tech within the type of liquid-cooled engines. The Vulcan S prefers to cover it with faux air-cooling fins, whereas the Harley ironically prefers to show off its liquid cooling tech. The Vulcan relies on the identical platform that spawned the Ninja 650 and the Versys 650, each of that are actually satisfying.
The Nightster makes use of its engine as a harassed member of the chassis – bringing total weight down and growing chassis stiffness. The Vulcan appeals to a wider audience with its movable seat, handlebar, and footpeg positions, one thing we’ve normally seen in solely the most effective supersport bikes. The Nightster may need a bigger engine, however the Vulcan S has the extra comfy seating place and the safety of a confirmed platform. Plus, you gained’t discover many names cooler than ‘Vulcan’!
6Ducati XDiavel
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson V-Rod
Ducati
The Diavel wowed everybody when it was proven to the world in 2010 (and continues to do so)– we all know we have been gobsmacked by the concept of a muscle cruiser. However, we’re certain that the parents in Milwaukee have been laughing at themselves as a result of they gave the world the V-Rod a decade earlier than. The XDiavel took things even closer to the Harley with a last belt drive and feet-forward using place.
Even the engines had their very own distinctive spin to them: the V-Rod, as an illustration, had a liquid-cooled short-stroke V twin that was developed in a partnership with Porsche. The XDiavel presents Ducati’s conventional high-revving L-Twin with hydraulic valve actuation and extra electronics than you possibly can shake a stick at. The extra fashionable XDiavel is sixteen complete years youthful, so not solely will it profit from newer tech, however getting after-market assist can even be simpler. Not to say the becoming a member of of an elite membership of Ducatisti!
5Moto Guzzi California
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Road King Special
Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi is the ‘other’ Italian motorbike model, typically neglected due to the psychological house that Ducati occupies in fans’ heads. It stays part of the Piaggio group, which is why in current reminiscence there have been a slew of high quality fashions which have retained the Guzzi quirks. The California is a full-sized flagship cruiser that runs a 1,400 cc longitudinal V-twin engine. It was outfitted with radially mounted Brembo entrance brakes, and ABS was commonplace throughout the vary.
The Road King Special has Harley-Davidson’s 1,868 cc Milwaukee Eight 114 engine, and the choices listing is exceedingly lengthy – there’s ABS, cornering ABS, cornering traction management, and electronically linked brakes, simply to call a number of. The California additionally provided rider modes, traction management, and cruise management as commonplace, so regardless of which one you decide up, you’ll get a LOT of motorbike to your cash. We simply want the engine sounded somewhat extra evocative.
It’s not simply the Americans who know easy methods to make an awesome cruiser
4Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Suzuki
The V-Rod impressed a complete era of energy cruisers, and the Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. is one in every of them. However, Suzuki aimed squarely at the Fat Boy with this mannequin – it needed the presence of a number of the largest Harleys with ever higher efficiency. So it opted for superlatives. The 1,783 cc engine has a number of the largest pistons of an inner combustion engine within the trade; two wheels or 4. It is liquid-cooled, gasoline injected, and fires two spark plugs per cylinder and torque is shaped down low, to the tune of 118 pounds-feet at 3,200 RPM.
All the facility generated goes through shaft drive to a rear tire that was the widest within the two-wheeled world on the time of launch. Oh, and the entrance brakes have been lifted straight from the GSX-1000RR, so there is no such thing as a dearth of stopping energy. It won’t have the cool issue of being a featured member of a film that has grossed over $200 million, like the original Fat Boy, however there is no such thing as a denying that its brooding model has a real attraction to it.
3BMW R18
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
BMW
If you need your cruiser to be of the full-fat, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink sort, these are the fashions you’ll be . The BMW R18 is the Bavarian interpretation of what a flagship cruiser needs to be like, similar to the Boulevard is a Japanese one. It sticks to a cruiser format however brings in all of the BMW quirks like the biggest boxer twin they’ve ever made, with a displacement of 1802 cc. It is air/oil-cooled, and BMW has chosen to depart the driveshaft open to the weather in a nod to retro design.
The efficiency is greater than enough, because it almost matches the torque of the Boulevard at 116 pounds-feet at a decrease 3,000 RPM. The BMW R18 won’t be everybody’s cup of tea, but when the purpose is to show heads, contemplate it achieved, particularly within the tasty black/chrome coloration mixture with the Akrapovic exhausts.
2Honda Valkyrie
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
Honda
The Gold Wing may be very effectively referred to as a flagship cruiser, however its lesser-known sibling is the Valkyrie. It runs the identical 100 horsepower 1832 cc flat-six engine however is considerably lighter than the Gold Wing. It makes use of a twin spar body which is extra a sportbike signature reasonably than a cruiser trademark – just about all of the fashions on right here sport a cradle body. It has a single-sided swingarm, and an enormous 316 mm rear disc brake with a three-piston caliper.
The Valkyrie’s relaunch in 2014 additionally gave it a complete new darkish, brooding look very similar to the present Suzuki Boulevard coupled with a variety of styling cues from the limited-run Valkyrie Rune that was as a lot a design train because it was a bike. The flat-six engine provides the Valkyrie a very low middle of gravity and the smoothness, as anticipated from so many cylinders, is among the many finest within the trade.
With a plethora of nice metric cruisers exterior of the Harley-Davidson world, the grass may certainly be greener on the opposite facet
1Triumph Rocket lll
Alternative to: Harley-Davidson Fat Bob
Triumph
The Rocket lll is a motorcycle of superlatives. It has the world’s largest manufacturing engine for a bike at 2500 cc. Peak torque is an eye-widening 163 pounds-feet at a low 4,000 RPM. This gave it, regardless of its hefty curb weight, the acceleration document for bikes, attaining 60 mph from a standstill in 2.73 seconds in 2019. The Rocket lll isn’t for the faint-hearted, however it is going to additionally potter round city if you would like it to due to digital trickery that adjusts torque for every gear ratio.
It retains recognizable Triumph design cues like the dual headlamps, and it has added model now with components just like the single-sided swingarm. It has additionally added absolutely adjustable Showa suspension, and is able to going round a nook in a rush – the brakes are borrowed from the best sportbikes that Triumph makes to haul it to a cease rapidly. The Fat Bob is an excellent motorcycle, however once you desire a superlative product, the Triumph is the reply.
European bike gear and attire distributor Louis Moto has a wide array of merchandise from a number of the trade’s most trusted manufacturers. While branded merchandise from mainstream names like Arai, Shoei, and Shark certainly carry a premium, Louis additionally caters to newbie riders and people on tighter budgets with its personal in-house manufacturers. Built to trade requirements and conforming to security laws, these merchandise present reasonably priced alternate options, making motorcycling extra accessible to a wider viewers.
Nishua is one such model specializing in helmets, and it opened doorways to plenty of riders trying to avoid wasting cash on gear with out compromising safety. At current, all its helmets are ECE 22.06-certified, with its latest providing, the NTX-4 Evo, catering to road riders on the lookout for touring facilities. Its exterior design is sporty, streamlined, and pretty impartial. This signifies that it’s appropriate for all types of bikes – from sportbikes to bare streetfighters, and even tourers and ADVs. On high of that, it’s made out of fiberglass, which is thought to be higher at absorbing and dissipating impacts than an ordinary thermoplastic shell. In compliance with ECE standards, the shell is available in two sizes, unfold throughout a complete of six sizes.
On the within, the helmet affords a multi-density EPS foam liner, in addition to a very detachable and washable inside liner. Nishua incorporates cutouts for glasses wearers, in addition to a helpful drop-down visor to maintain the solar out of your eyes. The giant clear visor is supplied with a Pinlock anti-fog lens for all-weather visibility, whereas a quick-release mechanism facilitates fast and simple visor adjustments with out the necessity of any instruments.
On the consolation aspect of the equation, the NTX-4 Evo will get plenty of air intakes up entrance, with an air inlet on the chinbar, in addition to one other one on the highest of the pinnacle. Meanwhile, a warmth extractor on the rear ensures satisfactory airflow, and an anti-swirl bib retains issues quiet whereas shifting at velocity. The helmet is secured by way of a quick-release micrometric buckle for fast and simple sporting and elimination.
On Louis Moto’s web site, the Nishua NTX-4 Evo is obtainable in a single plain black colorway and three graphic choices. It is available in sizes starting from XS to 2XL, and carries a beginning worth of 229.99 euros, or about $250 USD – fairly good worth for cash contemplating the security options and handy facilities.
Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated, the guardian firm of Can-Am, is recalling sure 2019 by means of 2023 Ryker three-wheelers in accordance with a security recall report it filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on December 15, 2023.
A faulty excessive stress gasoline pump was equipped by a part maker, which might fail throughout regular use. Failure of the gasoline pump might result in the engine stalling, which might improve the chance of a crash.
According to BRP’s information, roughly 10,969 Rykers bought within the US might be affected. This represents roughly 95 p.c of the inhabitants.
Here’s a breakdown of the mannequin years and manufacturing dates affected. Please observe that BRP didn’t present VIN ranges for any of those bikes.
Model Year
Affected Production Dates
2019 Can-Am Ryker
October 9, 2018 by means of May 23, 2019
2020 Can-Am Ryker
August 8, 2019 by means of March 19, 2020
2021 Can-Am Ryker
September 9, 2020 by means of July 12, 2021
2022 Can-Am Ryker
March 25, 2021 by means of August 30, 2022
2023 Can-Am Ryker
June 15, 2023 by means of September 7, 2023
According to BRP’s chronology of this difficulty, in August 2023, Transport Canada (the Canadian equal of NHTSA, for these unfamiliar) notified BRP about experiences it had obtained relating to gasoline pump malfunctions on Rykers.
Upon BRP’s investigation into the matter, it discovered that one in every of its suppliers had modified uncooked supplies used within the impellers in its gasoline pumps over the course of their manufacture. It went from a primary supply to a brand new supply, then finally again to the primary supply. The new supply, they discovered, could cause the impeller to swell in use, which might trigger it to intrude with the gasoline pump housing, thus inflicting the gasoline pump to cease working correctly.
Over the course of BRP’s investigation, NHTSA additionally contacted the corporate relating to related experiences of gasoline pump failure. On December 11, 2023, BRP decided that it ought to provoke a security recall. The firm additionally notes that to this point, it has recorded no accidents associated to this difficulty worldwide.
Regarding the recall service, BRP will instruct its licensed supplier community to examine the gasoline pump to establish whether or not it’s within the recalled lot numbers. If it’s, BRP sellers will exchange the gasoline pump with a brand new unit that isn’t a part of the recalled batch, freed from cost.
According to BRP’s plans, supplier notifications started on December 21, 2023. Ryker house owners will likely be notified starting on January 22, 2024 by way of letters despatched by means of postal mail.
Owners could contact Bombardier customer support at 1-888-272-9222. The BRP quantity for this recall is Bulletin 2023-10. Owners might also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
This is the most recent in a string of recollects associated to numerous mannequin years of the Can-Am Ryker, together with brake light, electrical short, handlebar, front wheel, and wheel nut issues. Because a few of these recollects cowl a number of years, please examine in case your Ryker has had all mandatory recall service accomplished within the curiosity of security.
As carmakers level their merchandise in the direction of the longer term, one characteristic appears fixed: touchscreens. Virtually each new automotive has at the very least one, together with the brand new Lucid Gravity. The firm’s first-ever SUV has a large 34-inch OLED touchscreen in entrance of the driving force, and one other display screen mounted within the sprint. But not like some rivals, it has a handful of bodily buttons, too.
Underneath the centrally mounted “Pilot Panel” touchscreen of the Gravity sit seven bodily controls: two for fan pace, two for temperature, one scroll wheel for quantity, and two clean buttons that may be assigned to no matter operate you need.
Seven buttons may not seem to be a lot, however in a world the place even quantity controls are, for some producers, managed by infuriatingly unintuitive capacitive sliders, it is a massive win for individuals who respect logical design and ease-of-use.
“We’re going towards more hardware controls than away from them because of the feedback that we’re hearing,” Head of UX David Flynt informed Motor1 throughout an occasion held by the producer in New York on Friday.
The firm launched its first automobile, the Air sedan, in 2021. It comes with 4 buttons for local weather management and a scroll wheel for quantity, in addition to a handful of buttons on the steering wheel.
“In Air we don’t have a physical glove box button, and we’ve heard people say why don’t you have [this]?” Flynt provides.
Lucid took that criticism to coronary heart, resulting in the addition of these two sizzling key buttons talked about earlier. The right-side sizzling secret’s matched to the glove field opening mechanism as normal.
The Gravity’s steering wheel has additionally been reworked. In place of the buttons and scroll wheels on the Air, there are directional pads on both aspect. They’re used to navigate by means of the automotive’s touchscreens with out having to take your fingers off the wheel.
“For us, it’s [about] balance,” Flynt says.
Lucid is not the one producer including buttons somewhat than eradicating them. Volkswagen introduced final yr plans to bring physical buttons back to its steering wheels, admitting prospects did not just like the touch-capacitive controls. Ultra-exotic producers like Bugatti and Pagani have omitted the touchscreen development altogether, opting to give attention to high-quality bodily controls as an alternative.
For automakers that proceed to lean into touchscreens and touch-capacitive buttons, we advise following Lucid’s lead as an alternative. While contact controls may look cool and really feel technologically superior, they’re merely extra bothersome (and in some circumstances, extra harmful) to make use of whereas driving.
Editor Mark Tilley caught up with Mckenzie from Guts Racing Products and bought far more data than he bargained for. You is likely to be stunned with all the things that Guts Racing has to supply and the place most of their merchandise are made. For extra on Guts Racing merchandise head over to www.gutsracing.com
Munich. The BMW M Performance Parts program offers retrofit products that not only enhance various current BMW models but also bring a touch of motorsport feeling to the high-performance sports cars of the BMW M GmbH. One such example of technology directly transferred from the racetrack to the road is the centrelock wheels, which are available for selected high-performance automobiles. These lightweight forged wheels are outstanding highlights in the BMW M Performance Parts range, featuring a design and functionality optimized for performance.
The centrelock wheels, equipped with optimized weight and technology adapted from motorsport, emphasize the high-performance character of the vehicles they are fitted on. These wheels are particularly significant in the special edition BMW 3.0 CSL, which is part of the specifically tuned racetrack performance chassis technology and sold in a limited edition of 50 units to mark the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH. Currently, BMW M Performance centrelock wheels are available for the BMW M2, BMW M3 Touring Competition with M xDrive, BMW M3 Sedan, BMW M4 Coupe, and BMW M4 Convertible in the Original BMW Accessories program.
BMW M Performance centrelock wheel: Wheel change like the pros.
The centrelock wheels were initially developed for motorsport to enable fast wheel changes and short pit stops. Unlike conventional wheels, each wheel is attached to the wheel hub with only one central screw instead of the usual five. The installation of the central locks ensures an extremely solid connection by applying a torque of 930 Nm. This technology not only facilitates quick wheel changes but also reduces rotating masses and enhances the exclusive appearance through a distinctive design in the hub area.
The M Performance centrelock wheels are available as a combined set with 19-inch wheels for the front axle and 20-inch wheels for the rear axle. These lightweight forged wheels in Y-spoke design, finished in Jet Black matte color, are adorned with milled M Performance lettering and come equipped with tires in dimensions 275/35 ZR19 for the front and 285/30 ZR20 for the rear.
Individual motorsport characteristics for exterior and interior.
In addition to the centrelock wheels, the BMW M Performance Parts program offers other products designed based on the development expertise and over five decades of motorsport experience of the BMW M GmbH. This diverse range includes retrofit options in the areas of suspension, drivetrain, aerodynamics, and cockpit, allowing for a performance-oriented customization and delivering a racetrack feeling in everyday traffic. Options such as the M Performance suspension with height-adjustable spring perches and the M Performance sport brake system are available to enhance the dynamics and agility of BMW M cars.
Furthermore, the athletic appearance of BMW M cars can be further enhanced with model-specific carbon components made mostly of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and sealed with clear lacquer for a high-quality finish. Model-specific options such as the M Performance front attachment carbon, the M Performance rear diffuser, or the M Performance side sill insert carbon contribute to giving the vehicle a characterful racing style.
The BMW M Performance Parts also bring their uncompromising quality and special aesthetics into the interior of the vehicle. High-quality carbon and Alcantara elements convey the motorsport genes of BMW M into the cockpit. M Performance knee pads with an Alcantara surface offer improved grip during dynamic cornering. The M Performance steering wheel Pro and the M Performance armrest Alcantara provide optimal conditions for an intense driving experience.
Official fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, electric power consumption and electric range figures were determined based on the prescribed measurement procedure in accordance with European Regulation (EC) 2007/715 in the version applicable. Where a range is shown, the WLTP figures take into account the impact of any optional extras.
Only official figures based on the WLTP procedure are available for new models that have been type tested since 01.01.2021. In addition, according to EU Regulation 2022/195, the NEDC values will no longer be included in the EC certificates of conformity as of 01.01.2023. Further information on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures can also be found at www.bmw.de/wltp.
Further information on official fuel consumption figures and specific CO2 emission values of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: ‘Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen’ (Guide to the fuel economy, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained free of charge from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.
Please contact for any inquiries:
Press and Public Relations
Martin Schleypen, Product Communications BMW M Automobiles
The PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock is a popular option available at the Nintendo U.S. Online Store. This officially licensed product is presented in a recognizable red-topped box with the gold Nintendo badge displayed in the corner.
The product is straightforward and compact, consisting of a weighted base with four docking spaces that function similar to the Switch itself — simply slide the Joy-Cons into place. Each Joy-Con docking space features its own LED light that illuminates when the controller is securely connected. The lights turn red during charging and change to green when the controller is fully charged.
To power the dock, a USB charger is used, allowing you to connect the accessory directly to your main Switch dock or a wall using the Nintendo USB AC Adapter. While this offers flexibility, it’s important to note that the product does not include its own adapter, so a separate purchase is required if you don’t intend to connect it to your dock. Its design aligns with the Nintendo aesthetic, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with your main dock and other products. When combined with your main dock, you can charge three pairs of Joy-Cons simultaneously. The product comes with a two-year limited warranty and is also available for purchase on Amazon for around $25.
In an effort to introduce European vehicles as premium options in the United States, Ford launched the Merkur brand from 1985 to 1989. One of the standout models was the XR4Ti, a sports coupe based on the Sierra from Europe. This amazing restomod from JH Restorations reimagines how a modern version of the XR4Ti could look.
Jesse Henke, the owner of JH Restorations, has been familiar with this particular XR4Ti since high school. It originally belonged to a friend, and they used to work on cars together. After changing hands a few times, Henke eventually acquired the car and spent over three years building this stunning restomod, which recently made its debut at the SEMA Show.
The project started with the plan to replace the original turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder crate engine. However, the new powerplant was taller than the original, so the team had to add a large bulge in the hood to accommodate it. The exterior was also modified to match the more aggressive look.
JH Restorations meticulously scanned the entire car and created a custom body kit for the XR4Ti. The kit includes a front chin spoiler that protrudes below the nose and widened fenders that make the car 4.0 inches wider. At the rear, there’s a tall wing with a center-mounted support, reminiscent of the European-market Sierra RS Cosworth. The car is finished in Ford’s Area 51 blue color.
In terms of performance, the tuned EcoBoost four-cylinder engine produces around 475 to 500 horsepower, a significant improvement over the original engine’s 175 horsepower. The suspension comes from the SN95 Mustang from the 1990s, as there is much more aftermarket support available for that platform compared to the Merkur.
If you’re impressed by the exterior, you’ll be even more delighted with the interior. JH Restorations found a bolt of blue Recaro fabric from the 1980s and used it to upholster the center sections of the seats and door panels, adding a touch of retro charm. The Blaupunkt stereo appears period-correct but is actually a modern unit with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB plug. The custom gauge cluster, courtesy of Dakota Digital, fits into the original instrument panel’s spot, while the dashboard receives a light blue leather wrap to match the rest of the cabin.
One downside of this build is that JH Restorations finished the car just before SEMA, so they haven’t had the opportunity to take the Merkur on the road yet. We’re eagerly waiting for a video of the XR4Ti in action.
The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+ was unveiled in February 2022 as one of the fastest cars produced by the German automaker. However, even in its most powerful form, it falls short compared to the Porsche Taycan. It appears that Mercedes-AMG is now developing a new and more extreme electric sedan to rival the Taycan. According to initial reports, it will not be called the EQE and will instead be a completely new model.
The spy photos below show what is believed to be the Mercedes-AMG GT4 EV. The final name of the production vehicle is not yet confirmed, but the project is currently referred to as C295 internally. The test prototype still retains the EQE body, but the final design is expected to be significantly different.
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