Renault announces range-topping Initiale Paris trim

Clio and Espace to receive a more premium variant

Renault will be adding the Initiale Paris trim next year, with the Clio and Espace being the first to receive a more posh variant.

If these cars will be a hit for the French automaker, other models will receive a similar treatment in the future and Renault will probably decide to create a new sub-brand with this moniker, even though plans for a Mercedes-Benz E-Class-based flagship model have not been finalized yet.

Renault's head of design Laurens van den Acker mentioned the styling of the more premium Clio and Espace are almost complete. The new trim level will draw its inspiration from French luxury goods expertise which probably means pricing will be considerably higher than standard models.

Note: 1995 Renault Initiale Paris concept pictured.

Source: autocar.co.uk

via Worldcarfans

Custom Yamaha XS360 by The Hookie

After a 2 year hiatus Nico from The Hookie has emerged from hibernation with a Cafe Racer/off roader hybrid named simple Number 4. Designed to tackle everyday urban traffic assaults and the occasional weekend in the woods with ease Hookie #4 is now his everyday ride.

"Raw & Rough. I´ve always wanted a little Cafe Racer for the urban and offroad section. It's a kind of an cafe-tracker. Big knobby tires, clean lines, flat, raw and rough. I did this conversion in around 3 weeks because I wanted to ride this bastard as soon as possible!"

The Hookie #4 started out as a mechanically sound '77 Yamaha XS360. Nico retained the bikes original tank which he stripped bare to suit his "rough and raw" theme for this build. He designed and built a custom Cafe style seat cowl to match the clean lines of the tank and the saddle was covered in 16oz Japanese denim by the crew at Rutt Loff. 

The handlebars have been swapped for clip ons, set low on the lowered forks with a 4.5 inch headlight nestled between them. The engine and carbs remain stock but the exhaust was been swapped with a set of megaphone mufflers. The Hookie #4 rolls on a pair of 18 x 4.00 Heidenau K67 tires giving it plenty of grip for both sealed and unsealed roads.

The Cafe Racer/Off-roader recipe seems to be taking off in the custom scene, especially in towns where a bit of dirt track can be easily accessed. While I'm not convinced these bikes would deliver the most comfortable ride on unsealed surfaces, I'm sure they're a hoot to ride. The Hookie also sell a range of tshirts and some lovely custom painted tanks in their store that are worth checking out.

The Hookie     |     Photographs by David Ohl     |     Spotted on Moto Mucci

Looking for Cafe Racer parts and accessories? Head to 100MPH.com.au

from return of the caferacers

Subaru confirms AWD Twin-Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ

Will be hand produced at Subaru’s Brigadoon facility

Bowing to continued media and internet speculation, Subaru of America has confirmed that it will launch an AWD Twin-Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ for sale in 2015. The new model essentially takes all of the media and internet rumors surrounding the highly successful BRZ sports car and delivers them in one fell swoop.

A spokesman for the company said: “Having just launched the current model to widespread critical acclaim, we are tired of fighting off the constant speculation about what’s “next” and so we are just giving in and delivering all the speculation in one vehicle.”

The new model, which is expected to have a starting price, will however NOT come with a much anticipated rear back-up camera. The spokesman confirmed that after shoehorning two convertible switches (up and down) onto the fascia there just wasn’t room for any more instruments. The AWD Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ will come in a single color, noseeum black and will be hand produced at Subaru’s Brigadoon facility. Happy April 1.

Source: Subaru via Worldcarfans

NORTON MODEL 50 BY HEIWA

The Norton Model 50 was originally put into production in 1933, the bike was designed by Edgar Franks – the talented if not a little before his time engineer who would oversee the creation of the Manx Norton, the Norton Featherbed frame and the first telescopic forks for use on a production Norton motorcycle.

This custom Norton Model 50 by Heiwa Motorcycles has taken the creation of Edgar Franks and (dare I say it) made it even more beautiful. That 348cc single cylinder engine is a work of art by any measure and the custom frame developed by Heiwa seems to show it off even better than the original.

The single down-tube frame design coupled with the circular crankcase on the Model 50′s engine give the bike an almost board-tracker feel, with hefty doses brushed steel, brass fittings and a minimalist design aesthetic that’d impress even the likes of John Pawson.

Heiwa Motorcycles is based in the city of Hiroshima, they are one of the most fascinating custom motorcycle garages in Japan in my view, and I know that’s quite a statement. The team at Heiwa work on all the famous Japanese motorcycle brands but also work on Nortons, BSAs, AJSs and Triumphs. Their work is often denoted by a low seat height, very clean, minimalist structures and an almost pathological attention to detail.

This bike’s custom fuel tank is a standout feature along with that fitted oil tank under the seat, that custom single-pipe exhaust is a thing of beauty – the way it’s been shaped to flow along the side of the engine without covering up any of the nice shiny parts is a well thought out plus.

If you’d like to buy a Heiwa motorcycle, they do make customs to client’s personal specifications as well as offer many of their classic in-house designs for sale.

Click here to visit Heiwa Motorcycles.

from SILODROME