2014 Mercedes Unimog & Econic

 

Will be introduced this fall

Mercedes has released official spy photos of the 2014 Unimog and Econic undergoing cold weather testing in Finland.
Set to be introduced this fall, the revamped models promise to have "extensive design innovations to the interior and exterior." The prototypes are heavily camouflaged but we can see the Unimog will have a prominent single bar grille, while the Econic adopts an upright front fascia.
 
Mercedes also confirmed the trucks will be equipped with new BlueTec-6 diesel engines that meet Euro VI emissions standards. They will feature a particulate filter as well as an AdBlue system.
According to Mercedes, the Unimog and Econic have been put through weeks of testing that included driving on icy roads, tackling mountains of snow and temperatures as low as -30° Celsius (-22° F). The models have already undergone hot weather testing in Granada, Spain where they were subjected to temperatures in excess 45° Celsius (113° F) and attitudes of 2500 meters (8202 feet) in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Source: Mercedes-Benz
via Worldcarfans

KAWASAKI W650 SCRAMBLER

Occasionally a bike comes along that stops me dead in my tracks. It’s usually a motorcycle that’s a little ‘different’: perhaps not 100% perfect, but with charm and style. And with that indefinable quality of begging to be ridden.

This Kawasaki W650 is one of those bikes, built by French graphic artist Nicolas Barthelemy of Skuddesign. And he’s got the blend of drop-dead gorgeous looks and practicality just right. “I wanted to mix aesthetic codes—bobber, brat style and street tracker—to create a motorcycle that corresponds to my world,” he says.

This W650 looks clean. To keep the front end as uncluttered as possible, Nicolas replaced the stock headlight with a smaller, satin-black finished Bates light, and removed the instrumentation. A compact ‘Motoscope Tiny’ digital/analog speedo from Motogadgetis now mounted in front of the fuel tank. The bars are from a 1976 Kawasaki KZ400, cut by 25 mm, and fitted with vintage-style black Amal grips.

The motor breathes easier via K&N filters and a custom-fabricated exhaust system built by Mecatig-Vattier of Autreche. The seat has been reshaped and re-covered in Ash Black imitation leather by Jean-Philippe Duval of Automobile Sellerie. Sitting in front of it is the tank from a 1976 Honda CBS125, resprayed in a gray color that Ateliers Ruby uses for its helmets.

Helping the retro look are Hagon shocks, made to order and 295 mm long, flanking a custom rear fender. The tires are equally timeless in appearance, but modern in construction: they’re Mitas ET-01, an effective enduro/trial hybrid.

I’d rank this W650 as one of the custom bikes of the year so far. What say you?

Images by Götz Göppert.

from 

Silverstone

London Calling ! L'affiche des 6 Heures de Silverstone met bien en avant l'Union Jack avec Big Ben en arrière plan, tout comme les installations du circuit de Silverstone. Le Tourist Trophy est lui aussi bien au milieu avec d'un côté une Audi R18 e-tron quattro, et de l'autre une Toyota TS030 HYBRID. Que le meilleur gagne ! Une Aston Martin Vantage GTE est également à son avantage sur l'affiche, la #97 étant prête à s'imposer sur ce premier round du Championnat du Monde d'Endurance même si elle devra pour cela faire face aux Ferrari et Porsche. Le tracé du Northamptonshire recevra également l'European Le Mans Series dont ce sera le coup d'envoi de la saison. De quoi faire un super endurance week-end du 12 au 14 avril...

Laurent Mercier (Endurance-Info)

SUZUKI GSX-750R ’94

 

:

• Body Custom by STUDIO MOTOR Custom Bike
• Painting & Airbrush by Komet Studio