Abarth has revealed a retro two-seat sports activities coupé to have fun its seventy fifth anniversary.
Called the Abarth Classiche 1300 OT, it is based mostly on the Alfa Romeo 4C and is described as a ‘fashionable reinterpretation’ of the 1965 Fiat-Abarth OT 1300 race automobile, which claimed high-profile victories on the Nürburgring, Monza and Mugello in interval.
The 1300 OT follows the equally conceived 1000 SP particular version from 2021, additionally based mostly on the 4C.
As with that automobile, which “sold out in record time”, based on Abarth, simply 5 examples of the 1300 OT will probably be produced, with manufacturing set to start quickly following the revealing of a scale mannequin at father or mother firm Stellantis’s Heritage Hub in Turin this weekend.
Orders are open now, however Abarth has not given any indication of pricing.
Abarth says the brand new particular version “retains the essence of an authentic Abarth”, with its bespoke carbonfibre bodywork carrying a retro race livery and adorned with varied Nineteen Sixties-inspired cues, just like the roof-mounted ‘periscope’ consumption and louvred rear window.
One of essentially the most notable options is the full-width engine cooling vent on the rear, adorned with giant Abarth lettering, in a bid to “emphasise the bond with the historic design”.
The engine in query is the 240bhp 1.7-litre turbo-four which despatched the 4C from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a high pace of 160mph.
Abarth has not given any indication of the OT’s efficiency potential, nor has it detailed any revisions to the chassis.
The 75-year-old model lately revealed its second electrical automobile and first SUV, the Abarth 600e, and is because of give full technical specs within the coming weeks.
The inside is a intelligent and well-realised combine of contemporary minimalism and simply sufficient retro touches to maintain the Mini devoted glad. It’s vibrant and open and feels premium whereas nonetheless quirky and enjoyable.
As you’ll count on, there’s loads of area, too. It’s roomy up entrance and adults shouldn’t have any downside within the rear, significantly because the rear seats will be shifted forwards and backwards by as a lot as 13cm.
The boot is a good form and has a capability of 460 litres, which is more room than within the Nissan Qashqai. Fold the rear seats down and the storage will increase to a definitely-not-mini 1450 litres. There’s plentiful storage cubbies in the primary cabin too.
You sit in that traditional raised SUV place, so visibility is sweet and it’s straightforward to get snug. The dashboard makes use of a two-tone textile that’s made with recycled polyester, with completely different designs for the assorted specs and trims. In the John Cooper Works, it’s sporty JCW black and crimson (a color scheme that additionally extends to the sports activities seats).
It’s definitely minimalist, being dominated by a 9.4in infotainment display, proudly trumpeted by Mini as the primary spherical OLED touchscreen in a manufacturing automobile – though, effectively, you identify one other automobile with any sort of spherical display. Go on, I’ll wait.
It’s a pleasant change from a Tesla-aping large slab, although, and naturally it echoes the massive central speedo of the unique Mini. In truth, on first expertise, you’re so taken by it that it takes you a second to note that the instrument cluster and many of the different dash-sited controls have been eliminated.
As in a Tesla or the Volvo EX30, the speedo is displayed on the prime of the touchscreen. It really works fairly effectively, with the spherical form making it straightforward to search out at a look. And if that’s to not your style, your velocity can be proven on a pointy head-up show (customary on the JCW however optionally available on some decrease trims).
Beneath the display is a small variety of bodily controls that additionally echo the unique Mini, with a twist ignition, an audio quantity dial and toggles for the gear selector and the Experience modes (which we’ll come to in a second). Below these is a wi-fi smartphone charger, two cupholders and a small storage cubby.
The infotainment relies on the most recent BMW system however customised to suit the spherical display, and it really works effectively, with the native apps making full use of the weird area. The prime of the display is reserved for the small print you’ll normally discover within the instrument cluster, whereas key techniques such because the heating are nestled across the edge.
In our check automobile, the software program was a bit laggy. There was a notable loading time after I switched between apps, and if I modified the look, it will generally revert to the outdated show briefly.
Hopefully these had been simply early-days foibles. The usability might definitely be improved in locations, although. The temperature seems as a curved bar that appears like a slider, however tapping it launches a pop-up field.
Ultimately, I would like just a few additional bodily buttons, partially as a result of the minimal switchgear that’s there’s pleasingly tactile. There’s additionally voice management, which summons Spike, Mini’s dog-shaped private assistant. Your youngsters will love him.
Those Experience modes, then: there are eight in whole, which you scroll by way of utilizing a toggle swap. Each has its personal graphic set – so, for instance, Go Kart is all JCW black and crimson and tacho show, whereas Timeless is a sepia-tinged imitation of a traditional Mini speedo.
Each has its personal audio jingle when chosen, too, most of which sound like they had been sampled from a Super Nintendo.
Three of the experiences, Go Kart, Core and Green, additionally regulate the driving settings – assume Sport, Normal and Eco. So Go Kart alters the engine response, engine sound and suspension tuning to supply a sharper drive.
As you in all probability know by now, retro will all the time be in model. Both new and established producers have been leveraging heritage and old-school styling in relation to their bikes, and we will’t deny that it’s a great aesthetic. That being stated, practically all the so-called “retro” bikes out there at the moment aren’t actually retro, however moderately, fully trendy marvels of engineering cosplaying as their forefathers from a long time previous.
This is, after all, a great factor for many riders who simply need a bike that appears previous, however don’t need something to do with the complications related to restoring and sustaining an previous bike. That being stated, Kawasaki simply might need a brand new retro-inspired bare bike up its sleeve, that’s if we’re to consider what Japanese publication Young Machine is saying. For reference, Young Machine appears to have the flexibility to foretell the longer term, as plenty of the conceptual fashions it speculated prior to now have turn into a actuality. Could the identical be true for the Kawasaki Z400RS?
2024 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe – Metallic Diablo Black
Kawasaki’s Z sequence of bare sportbikes is among the many finest within the enterprise. Catering to riders of all backgrounds, the Z is available in quite a lot of flavors. Looking for a beginner-friendly bare bike for each spirited rides and commuting obligation? The Z400’s received you lined. What a couple of fire-breathing beast that packs forced-induction and near 200 ponies? The Z H2 lives to serve. That being stated, the Z-RS sequence, Kawasaki’s retro-themed vary of bare bikes, is among the many most dapper from the Japanese massive 4, and the addition of a Z400RS will definitely be a welcome one.
Interestingly, Young Machine speculates that the bottom of the Z400RS will, actually, not be the Z400, however moderately the ZX-4R. Wait, a small-displacement, retro-inspired, 4 banger? Sign me up.
The rumored “Z400RS” supposedly shares an engine with the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R.
Should this be the case, then we’d be a retro-style bare bike in a category of its personal. After all, the ZX-4R, with its 399cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, inline-four engine, is at present the one one in manufacturing at the moment, and with a peak energy of 77 ponies, is much more highly effective than its larger Ninja sibling, the Ninja 650. Should the Z400RS turn into a actuality, it’ll be the right throwback to UJMs of a long time previous. Nods to the likes of the Kawasaki Zephyr 400, Yamaha XJR 400, and Honda CB400 Super Four.
The revival of the small-displacement four-cylinder machine is at present owned solely by Kawasaki, no less than within the world market. Honda continues to supply the CB400 Super Four, though it’s marketed solely for the Japanese market. It goes with out saying that the Kawasaki Z400RS, ought to it turn into a actuality, and within the kind speculated by our buddies at Young Machine, will certainly ring a bell with the retro crowd, because it’s a motorcycle with all of the high-revving appeal of bikes of a long time previous, however with the facilities and reliability of modern-day machines.
Hyundai’s N Vision 74 is the good idea of current reminiscence. Its retro design, wonderful proportions, and tantalizing 671-horsepower drivetrain all come collectively to make one thing actually particular in a world the place most new vehicles are uninspiring. Ask any fanatic whether or not Hyundai ought to put it into manufacturing, and so they’d probably say sure. Hyundai’s been mum on the matter because the automotive’s debut practically two years in the past. But the rumor-mill is alive and effectively.
Korean-language information company ETNews.com is the newest outlet to report that Hyundai has reportedly greenlit a manufacturing N Vision 74. According to the article, Hyundai will allegedly constructed 100 items, 70 for street use and one other 30 for racing “in famous motorsports competitions held in North America and Europe.” The report additionally states the automotive will make 800 hp from its hydrogen-powered, twin e-motor drivetrain, roughly 130 extra horses over the unique idea, with manufacturing reportedly set to start in 2026.
This is not the primary time we have heard a rumor like this. Back to start with of May we heard from a different Korean-language site, Money Today, that Hyundai would put the N Vision 74 into manufacturing, with an official announcement to come back later that month. That was over seven months in the past, and Hyundai nonetheless hasn’t revealed a manufacturing N Vision 74.
Later in May Hyundai told Motor1 it had “no plan to put the N Vision 74 concept into commercial production at this time.” When reached for touch upon Monday, a Hyundai spokesperson informed Motor1 the corporate doesn’t communicate on future product.
So as a lot as we would like Hyundai to construct a billion copies of the N Vision 74, there’s nonetheless no concrete proof it is on the way in which. If something, we would hate to study that ETNews is true. Not as a result of we do not need the automotive to enter manufacturing, however as a result of we would like Hyundai to construct much more than 70 examples for the street.
French gear producer Helstons is finest recognized for its retro fashion jackets catering to fashionable riders not prepared to compromise on security. The French model has absolutely embraced the basic way of life, however does an excellent job of incorporating fashionable security know-how beneath the floor. Apart from jackets, Helstons additionally has a brand new lineup of helmets – not one, not two, however three new full-face lids for the true blue neo-retro aficionado.
Helston’s three full-face helmets revolve across the identical design ethos – retro in fashion, fashionable in safety. The three lids are geared up with a carbon fiber shell for a light-weight construct and really feel, however differentiate themselves when it comes to styling, offering riders with a number of decisions in the case of their aesthetic.
The first of the trio is the Naked Full Face Matte, because the title suggests, this full-face helmet has a matte end for an understated, barely rugged attraction. The slim profile provides it a basic aesthetic, whereas its barebones building makes it feel and appear like an genuine retro helmet. Beneath the floor, nevertheless, it makes use of recent know-how to make sure safety. A carbon fiber shell retains it mild, whereas a multi-density EPS absorbs and dissipates impacts. There’s additionally a double-D buckle, high and backside vents, and utterly detachable and washable liners.
Up subsequent is the Naked Full Face Brilliant, an identical in each method to the Matte model save for the end. The Brilliant, because the title suggests, will get a shiny end ideally suited fro riders searching for a extra elegant and complicated look. Perhaps your experience of alternative is a basic Triumph Bonneville, or a modern-day homage piece like a BMW R nineT.
Last however not least is the Full Face Racing. Here, Helstons leverages on the aesthetic of retro racers that includes an uncovered carbon weave and a refined but elegant checkered flag on the chin bar. At the again, the checkered flag continues on the base of the helmet, with a gradient from grey to white emphasizing the racing aesthetic. Just like the opposite two helmets, the Full Face Racing is provided with a carbon body, washable inside, and multi-density EPS liner for enhanced security.
Across the board, Helston’s new full face helmet vary is provided with a solar visor and clear visor as commonplace. There’s additionally a visor locking mechanism for added safety when touring at velocity. Upper and decrease vents promise sufficient air flow even in metropolis visitors, whereas washable interior liners assure good hygiene and longevity. All helmets include a normal double-D closure system, and are compliant with the newest ECE 22.06 security commonplace.
Are those some of the words that came to mind when you set eyes upon the Yamaha PG-1 for the first time? (We’re not counting the thoughts of the Honda CT125 Hunter Cub that you probably also had, although they’re almost certainly there.)
Regardless of your answer, one word that probably didn’t occur to you is “mean.” Yet that’s exactly what K-Speed, led by Tanadit, has done with the bike.
This is the K-Speed Yamaha PG-1 Rock Scrambler, and it’s so good. The entire bike is a symphony of black, but with a variety of shades and textures that keep the visual impression dynamic. Even the engine, which comes stock with a silver cylinder head, has been completely blacked out.
Pops of silver show up in the form of the wheels, rotors, a little silver side plate with round holes, and the silver mesh that shows up in the round holes of the exhaust cover. The Yamaha logos get a touch of silver as well, but the scarcity makes those little pops of contrast stand out.
There’s a wide handlebar, a single bar-end mirror on the left side, tiny turn signals, and front and rear fenders that have been both chopped and raised up. The aforementioned exhaust is now a high-mount unit, adding to the overall scrambler aesthetic. As you can hear in the extremely short video (too short, in our opinion; we would have loved to hear more of it), it also sounds very good.
The tail section has been tidied up, and the saddle is now a solo unit that echoes the knobby tires with its own block pattern contrast stitching. Diamond stitch? Who needs it when you can have block stitch instead? Incidentally, the wheels are now 17-inch units, up from the standard 16-inch ones found on the stock PG-1.
For those unfamiliar, K-Speed is pretty well known for two things: Custom full bike builds, and aftermarket accessories that it makes to fit a variety of bikes. It also sells some of the custom bikes that it makes, and the K-Speed Yamaha PG-1 Rock Scrambler is currently listed for preorder on its website at a cost of ¥1,280,000 (about $8,638) including shipping.
K-Speed ships internationally. However, please note that the listing includes a bunch of information about the differences between shipping K-Speed bikes (and parts) within Japan and shipping them to other countries around the world. Things like additional fees (such as customs fees), unavailability of certain accessories in other countries depending on local laws, and more.
Back in 2020, Honda India finally revealed its latest middleweight retro modern classic-look bike, the H’Ness CB350. At the time, onlookers from all over the globe took note of two things. One, it looked like Honda clearly wanted to challenge Royal Enfield on its own turf. Two, its design sense looked awfully good.
Because motorcycle manufacturers have a tendency to introduce new models in one place before going on to roll them out in other markets, the moto-Internet instantly began to wonder if the H’Ness CB350 would find its way overseas. Eventually, it made its way to Japan as the GB350.
Fast-forward to 2023, and the H’Ness CB350 has been popular enough in its home market to get new colors and aesthetic tweaks, as well as special versions like the Legacy Edition. Still, if Honda’s decades of making motorcycles has shown us anything, it’s that there’s more than one way to do retro styling with mass appeal.
16Photos
Enter the new Honda CB350, introduced by Honda Big Wing India (that’s Honda India’s premium motorcycle division) on November 17, 2023. Don’t worry, the H’Ness CB350 is very much still a thing. It’s just that the CB350, with a much different take on the classic middleweight thumper engine, is now ready to roll alongside it.
Big metal fenders? Check. Color-matched metal fork covers? Check. Long pipe? Check. Split saddle? Check and check. The retro styling elements are strong, and can be strengthened even further if you add optional accessories like windscreens and saddlebags.
The tagline for this bike, “Bold Alone Bolder Together,” is printed in a font that closely resembles the one used on posters for the James Bond movie No Time to Die. Interestingly, the style choices made on the original H’Ness CB350 more closely resemble the old-school British look the mind usually gravitates toward when contemplating the world’s most famous secret agent. But I digress.
The Specs
The 2023 Honda CB350 is powered by an air-cooled, 348.36cc single-cylinder engine. It makes a claimed 15.5 kilowatts (about 20.7 horsepower) at 5,500 rpm and 29.4 newton-meters (about 21.6 pound-feet) of torque at 3,000 rpm. This engine has a slip and assist clutch, and is mated to a five-speed gearbox.
It has a diamond-type frame, a nonadjustable telescopic front fork, and a hydraulic twin shock setup in the rear. The CB350 has single disc brakes and ABS at both ends. It gets a 310mm disc up front and a 240mm disc in the rear. Additionally, it rolls on a 19-inch front and an 18-inch rear wheel.
Dimensions
Wheelbase is 1,441mm (about 56.7 inches). Length is 2,207mm (about 86.9 inches), width is 788mm (about 31 inches), and height is 1,110mm (about 43.7 inches). Ground clearance is 165mm (about 6.5 inches). Seat height is 800mm (about 31.5 inches). Curb weight is 187 kilograms, or about 412 pounds. The fuel tank can hold 15.2 liters.
Other Features
Honda equipped the CB350 with LED lighting all around, as well as an emergency stop signal feature that flashes the taillight if a rider brakes hard. This should help to alert drivers around you that you have come to a sudden stop.
You’ll also find a digital-analogue instrument cluster up front, which offers smartphone connectivity using the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system on the CB350 DLX Pro model. Honda Selectable Torque Control also comes standard on both trim levels of CB350.
Notably, Honda India is also equipping the CB350 with its recently-introduced 10-year warranty. That’s three years standard, with the option to purchase a warranty extension for an additional seven years.
Colors, Price and Availability
At launch, the Honda CB350 will come in five colors: Precious Red Metallic, Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Crust Metallic, Matte Marshal Green Metallic, and Matte Dune Brown.
Honda India is accepting preorders for the new CB350 at its Big Wing dealerships across India as of November 17, 2023. According to the firm, it should be rolling into dealerships there soon.
The base Honda CB350 DLX starts at Rs. 199,900 (about $2,401) and the DLX Pro (which comes with Honda Smartphone Voice Control) starts at Rs. 217,800 (about $2,616).
Will the new Honda CB350 eventually find its way to other markets? That’s not clear at this point. Since the original H’Ness CB350 went on to become the GB350 in Japan, it certainly seems possible that the CB350 could follow in its wheel tracks in the future. That’s pure speculation on our part, however. Given the existence of bikes like the Suzuki SW1 as a Japan-only model, it certainly doesn’t seem impossible.
The Retro Cruiser Gets Freshened Up to Return to SEMA in Style…24 Years Later
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2023) – The Toyota Land Cruiser has a long history of over seven decades. It is a legendary SUV that has gained an international following and a large fan base around the world. The Land Cruiser is known for its ability to go anywhere and do anything.
To celebrate the Land Cruiser’s return to North America in 2024, Toyota is showcasing a famous custom Land Cruiser at SEMA: the Rod Millen Group’s 1967 FJ45 Land Cruiser Wagon, known as The Retro Cruiser.
The Retro Cruiser, which will be on display at Toyota’s booth at SEMA from Oct. 31–Nov. 3, is not just a show car concept. It was inspired by a conversation in 1999 between senior managers at Toyota Motor Sales and racing legend Rod Millen. The idea was to showcase the latest Land Cruiser technology while paying tribute to its rich heritage.
Marty Schwerter, Toyota Motorsports garage team manager, who led the team responsible for getting the Retro Cruiser ready for SEMA, said, “Not only is it a cool truck, but it’s also extremely well-built. They made this concept to be used in the dirt, with all the rugged looks of the old ’67 FJ style but with the luxury of the 100 Series, which was the ultimate Toyota comfort car in the early 2000s.”
The Retro Cruiser started as a $5,000 vehicle that needed some work. The team stretched the frame by 10 inches and made several modifications to the body to give it a more muscular appearance and enhance its performance. One of the most notable features of the Retro Cruiser is its suspension system.
The team wanted to incorporate as many production Land Cruiser components as possible, but they decided to improve the ride comfort by custom-building an independent rear suspension with coil-over spring/shock assemblies. They also widened the front track by 4 inches, resulting in a 30% increase in wheel travel. The team narrowed the stock differential, kept the original brakes and hubs, and created custom uprights, which allowed for an impressive 12 inches of rear-wheel travel. The Retro Cruiser rides on bespoke, 17-inch billet wheels with rugged, 35-inch General Tire Grabbers. Custom skid plates were added underneath for extra protection.
The Retro Cruiser received a power boost from a 100 Series Land Cruiser’s robust 230-horsepower, 4.7L, 32-valve DOHC V-8 engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, transfer case, and locking differentials. It also features a custom-designed Borla stainless steel exhaust for a more aggressive sound.
Despite its rugged exterior, the Retro Cruiser has a luxurious interior with contemporary Land Cruiser components and upgraded surfaces, including Connolly leather. In addition to the standard power accessories, it comes equipped with a satellite phone, navigation system, and a 15-gallon onboard water supply, highlighting its versatility and readiness for extended adventures. The vehicle also has a complete interior roll cage to increase its structural rigidity.
In preparation for this year’s SEMA Show, the Toyota team went through the FJ45 and replaced worn-out parts and aged components. They fixed leaking shocks, replaced rotted hoses, revived the fuel system, and addressed old fitment issues. The vehicle was then taken to Complete Customs, where the exterior was refreshed. It was stripped down to bare metal and repainted in the original color, restoring it to its 1999 appearance.
Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Marketing, said, “For 2024, Land Cruiser will honor its heritage of being able to go anywhere on the planet but will get back to its roots, offering accessibility to an even broader spectrum of customers eager to explore the backcountry. Vehicles like the Retro Cruiser are a testament to Land Cruiser’s iconic status as our longest-running nameplate. By showing it at SEMA, we hope to inspire an entirely new generation of Land Cruiser lovers.”
The Retro Cruiser, created by Rod Millen, is one of 19 accessorized vehicles, builds, and concepts featured by Toyota at SEMA this year. Toyota’s product display theme is “Track or Trail, Your Thrill Awaits,” showcasing some of the most exciting on- and off-road performance vehicles ever built. This is Toyota’s largest presence at SEMA to date.
Note: This vehicle is a special project prototype with modified parts and/or accessories not available from Toyota. These modifications may void the vehicle’s warranty, negatively impact performance and safety, and may not be street legal.
The Dodge Challenger is known for embracing its heritage with its distinctive retro looks. Originally designed during the early to mid-2000s retro renaissance, the Challenger now receives a new upgrade from Exomod that takes its vintage styling to a whole new level with the D69 Carbon Daytona. This innovative company specializes in transforming modern Challengers into bespoke recreations of the iconic 1968 Charger.
In order to create the D69 Carbon Daytona, Exomod starts by stripping down the Challenger Hellcat to its safety cage. They then add the all-carbon-fiber Aero Body, which includes a wing, front aero bumper, and fender scoops. These additions completely transform the appearance of the Challenger, giving it the unmistakable look of a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. The car features the iconic big nose and wing that the original Charger Daytona was famous for. Exomod finishes the exterior by painting it in Firenze Red Pearl and adding stainless steel finishes on the flip-top gas cap and taillight trim. The car is further enhanced with new sequential LED taillights that add a modern touch.
There’s a growing trend of converting classic vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs), and this trend includes retro Land Rovers, Porsches, and Mercedes-Benz models. And now, the Japanese firms Tonox and Flex are showcasing a restored Land Cruiser FJ60 with an electric motor at the Japan Mobility Show.
In the photo gallery, you can see that the companies started with a dilapidated FJ60. The vehicle had rust holes, bad paint, and missing parts. The team removed all the panels, and the frame was separated from the body. Interestingly, the SUV had a decal on the back featuring the message, “Art is long, life is short.”
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