2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Unveiled

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is here, and it’s beautiful.

We don’t know much else about the car, as it’s still in development, and Mazda hasn’t nailed down the final specs or performance figures for the car.

What we do know is that it’s a striking design, it’s about 220 pounds lighter than the current car (which weighs in around 2,400-2,600 lbs in its various trims), and that it is still a soft-top roadster, at least in this debut form.



When asked about the possibility of a hardtop roadster at the U.S. unveiling, Mazda declined comment about “any future top variants,” perhaps hinting that rumors of a true coupe version have some merit as well—or perhaps just toeing the corporate line regarding the telling of company secrets before they’re ready for public consumption.



The new roadster bears the hallmarks of the KODO design language, but, thankfully, without the large black plastic gill-like surround of the front grille—a point design director Derek Jenkins was keen to emphasize during the unveiling.



Key design elements include the low, sharply sloped hood, the muscular rear haunches, accented by a unique downward character line moving forward from the top of the rear fender, and the tapered rear end. The overall proportions are still classically Miata (cough…MX-5) while also pushing the look into new areas.

Morgan SP1 Is A Steampunk Dream

Morgan is getting into the car-personalization business with its new Special Projects Division, unveiling that group's first product at the Salon Prive show currently taking place in London. Called the SP1, it looks like the perfect car for fans of Steampunk.


Morgan's signature anachronistic styling is embellished with BMW i8-like doors and solid alloy wheels. Inspired by the 2009 LifeCar concept, the SP1 features aluminum bodywork hand formed over ash and African Bubinga wood, and a steel chassis.

The interior is even more fantastic, with a highly-stylized mix of wood and aniline leather that would look just as good lining the inside of an airship. There's even a row of roof-mounted toggle switches the driver must flick to "prepare for flight" before starting the engine. It's not all retro cosplay, though. The SP1 is also equipped with an infotainment system built around a dashboard-mounted iPad.

Power is provided by a 3.7-liter Ford V-6 of the type used in the Morgan V6 Roadster. For this bespoke car, it gets a tuned engine-management system and sports exhaust, and there's unique suspension tuning as well.

The SP1 was built for an individual customer and thus won't go into series production, but it shows the capabilities of Morgan's Special Projects Division. The group will likely take on similar projects from buyers who want a car that's literally like nothing else on the road.

Personalization programs are becoming popular now, as carmakers seek to attract wealthier buyers who don't want to get their next car off the rack. Aston Martin recently launched its Q personalization division, while Jaguar Land Rover's Special Operations unit will oversee everything from one-off builds to limited-production models like the F-Type Project 7.

Motobecane Moped Racer – Craig Dueck

It’s no secret we love mopeds. But having said that, it’s been a long time between drinks for us, ‘ped-wise. Nine months, to be precise. Are we embarrassed that we haven’t done more to support our be-pedalled brethren? A little, but where here tonight to set things right. And how. Here’s one of the best-looking mopeds we’ve seen since the Janus Paragon. Meet “Moby 5” and her proud maker, Craig Dueck.

“Hello! My name is Craig Dueck. I am from Winnipeg, Canada. I have been building and riding mopeds for the past 10 years. This is my first scratch build. I call it ‘moby 5′. The original concept was to be a typical moped build, until an ultra-rare Motobecane D75 5-speed gearbox was found. I paired the transmission with a Motobecane 50cc AV10 engine I originally had in mind, keeping the classic ‘belted primary’ look of a Mobylette moped.”

“I started things off by building the cradle frame to house the gearbox and engine. Using a slightly modified pipe bender and 20 feet of wasted tube, I finally got the bends I wanted. A simple image that had been drawn in Photoshop was blown up to life-size as a template, but many alterations were made and in the end I just kind of went with it. I got lucky when I mocked up the motor, transmission, and rear wheel; I ended up having justenough room for the exhaust header to sneak through the narrow down tubes.”

“The Puch Monza rear sprocket was flipped and bolted to a 60′s Sparta hub for a tighter chain clearance to the front sprocket. Having been my first scratch-build bike, I was more than happy with the geometry and function of all the components working together.”

“The bike’s style is definitely an ode to classic 50cc racing, in which Motobecane never actually had a 50cc GP racer. I wanted it to look like a factory racer that had been inspired by a D55, but with aesthetics of a moped. I tried using as many Motobecane moped parts as I could, starting with the swingarm. I needed a system to tension the belt and found a single engine torsion spring from a Moby that was perfect with a little tweaking. The primary pulley is off a 60’s Mobylette AV3 which was tapered and cut to size.

“Many prototyped parts were replaced as the right replacement was found. A set of NOS Tommaselli levers for a set of Indigan clip on bars. Some 18″ Zundapp aluminum rims to replace the 19″ set I originally had on. The slim Heidenau tires were sourced from Belgium, 18 x 2 up front and 2.25 in the rear. Some Loaded Gun Custom rear sets. And a pair of Tomos EBR forged aluminum spring forks to keep it nice and light up front.”

“I can’t thank the Briton Bees enough for supplying the D75 transmission. A single, crucial part goes a longway for a good start to a build. Cheers!”

 via PIPEBURN

TRIUMPH CASTROL ROCKET LAND SPEED ATTEMPT – BONNEVILLE

Triumph Motorcycles Press Release:

With over 100 years of motorcycling history and numerous land speed world record titles, TriumphMotorcycles America, in cooperation with Castrol, Hot Rod Conspiracy, and Carpenter Racing, returns to the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, September 12-16, for land speed runs during Mike Cook’s Bonneville Shootout.

Developed by Matt Markstaller (Hot Rod Conspiracy) and Bob Carpenter (Carpenter Racing), the Triumph Castrol Rocket is the newest streamliner of the group seeking to break the FIM world land speed record in the motorcycle class. Having been taken from proof of concept to reality in just over two years is an aggressive timeline in land speed racing and speaks to the high level of engineering and engine building expertise that set the foundation for this project.

“There are teams that have been out here attempting to break records for years. It’s very hard because there are so many variables to contend against, but we have an amazing team,” said Matt Markstaller, “We have confidence in the progress we’ve made in this project’s development since we were on the Salt a year ago.”

Introducing the Triumph Castrol Rocket:

“While our streamliner produces enough power from the two Rocket III engines to generate record setting speeds, our endeavor also becomes a battle with the elements,” said Bob Carpenter. “The Salt Flats are an ever-changing environment that can be quite forgiving or absolutely inhospitable, you never know what to expect.”

Piloted by AMA Pro Road Racer Jason DiSalvo, this will be an attempt to break the current 376.363 mph land speed record held by fellow Mike Cook’s Bonneville Shootout entry Ack Attack and piloted by Rocky Robinson. Operating the 1000-horsepower, twin turbocharged Rocket III engine streamliner requires adaptation, which DiSalvo is capable of accomplishing due to his seasoned racing background.

“Piloting the Triumph Castrol Rocket is a unique and thrilling challenge, but what really stands out is the unbelievable amount of power the machine produces,” said DiSalvo, “It simply defies explanation and belief. I find myself tapping into all the honed skill I have developed in my racing career and learning new ones as we continue to eclipse new speed levels.”

Triumph Motorcycles is no stranger to setting records. The naming of the Bonneville, Triumph’s best known bike, is in tribute to the company’s accomplishments on the Salt Flats. Triumph held the title of “World’s Fastest Motorcycle” from 1955 to 1970 with the exception of 33 days. Its rich heritage in land speed racing features four record-setting streamliners:  Devil’s Arrow (1955 at 193.72 mph), Texas Cee-gar (1956 at 214.17 mph), Dudek Johnson (1962 at 224.57 mph), and Gyronaut X-1 (1966 at 245.66 mph)

“It is all about the journey,” said Matt Sheahan, Chief Operating Officer for Triumph Motorcycles America. “To be back at Bonneville with Castrol and the rest of our team is like returning home. So much of Triumph’s legacy was established right here in Utah by passionate, driven and courageous motorcyclists and engineers that all believe in constantly pushing the envelope. Today we are able to continue that legacy, and it is something we are immensely proud to be a part of, not just for Triumph, but for the entire motorcycling industry.”

Entering Mike Cook’s Bonneville Shootout is by invitation only to an exclusive and list of participants. Land speed attempts on the Bonneville Salt Flats will occur along a 10 to 11-mile course subject to cancellation or delay based upon the weather conditions including rain and wind.

Triumph Castrol Rocket Specifications:

- Chassis: Carbon Kevlar monocoque
- Dimensions: 25’ x 2’ x 3’
- Engines: Two Triumph Rocket III engines with two liquid-cooled turbochargers
- Horsepower: 1,000-plus horsepower at 9,000 rpm
- Torque: 500-plus lbs. combined
- Suspension: Alloy aluminum swingarms custom made
- Shocks:  Ohlins TTX36 adjustable
—  Fuel: Methanol
- Tires: Goodyear Land Speed Special
- Engine Lubricant: Castrol Power RS™ 4T 10W-40 full synthetic oil

For more information: www.triumphmotorcycles.com