Mighty BIKES Nowadays 2-stroke engines technology is uncommonly used as a drive train for motorized vehicles especially motorcycles for several reasons like it's noisy, stinky and unreliable prone to overheating, and other compared to 4-stroke engines. Indeed, a number of shortcomings of the 2-stroke engine technology mentioned above have long been known by motorized vehicles practitioners, moreover some said that it was far from optimal result. Is it true?
This
is how the Scott racing motorcycle that is crowned to be the
fastest in the world of the early twentieth century looks like. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
Of course that's not entirely true, because there are also 2-stroke engines that are able to display optimal performance so that they can dominate the race for a long time. As We all knew that the two-stroke engine had been popular in many early motorcycle designs, it was more so in the early twentieth century when Alfred Angas Scott, an English gentleman who succeeded to bring the 2-stroke engine from a cheap, low-performance utility motor to a reliable high performance engine. Because the 2-stroke engine made of his company turned out to be better and faster than 4-stroke motorcycle engines from other companies in the era.
The first Scott motorcycle frame patent drawing in 1908 and powered by a liquid-cooled 450cc 2-stroke twin cylinder engine (is patented in 1904). (Picture from: MotorWorld)
The Alfred Scott's company mentioned above is called Scott Motorcyles Company, was founded by him in 1908, and at the same year, he has also patented his first motorcycle frame is powered by a liquid-cooled 450cc 2-stroke twin cylinder engine (is patented of 1904). The company is very well known for its uniqueness motorcycles of the era which have met a lot of margins due to most of them are attractive and much in demand by customers at that time.
One of the Scott racing motorcycles posed along with the rider Captain Tom Moore while is competed at the 1912 Isle of Man T.T. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
As it is known that the most existed motorcycles at that time featured with the transportation-mean concept because they were still a new thing, so the Alfred Scott's company didn't follow that pattern and started to build motorcycles based on his experience and knowledges at its plant in Bradford, England. So he chose to build it with a lighter triangulated frame with a lower center of gravity, powered by a water-cooled 2-stroke engine, coupled with sophisticated front suspension.
Alfred Angas Scott (1875-1923)
in pictured of 1914 while rode along with the Scott-Sociable, one of
his three-wheeled machine creations powered by a liquid-cooled 578 cc
2-stroke twin cylinder drivetrain. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
His liquid-cooled, parallel twin cylinder engine had a 180° crank and displaced 333 cc.
A three port intake system and large internal flywheel between the two
separate crankcases gave the Scott exceptional power and quelled the
vibration two strokes were known for.
The military version of Scott motorcycles served in the 1st World War
powered by a two-stroke single cylender engine. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
Besides that the Scott was considered as the first motorcycle
with a kickstarter instead of pedals to start the engine as well as
being the first production bike to have a foot gear shift. By 1911, the Scott became the first to use rotary disc intake valves. Other
manufacturers wouldn't catch up with Scott’s innovative design for two-stroke engines until the 1970s.
We didn't know why Alfred Scott left the company in 1919 and then founded a new one, named Scott Autocar while the Scott Motorcycles Company continued without its founding father. Through the new company, he continuing to develop the Scott Sociable, a pioneering weird three-wheeler although not as successful as the Scott motorcycle or could be said failed.
The Scott Squirrel (in pictured is the 1926 model) known as the first generation model as well as the first motorcycle ever made by the company presented in 1922 and powered by the 486 cc engine. (Picture from: Hemmings)
Initially the Scott Motorcycles Company made motorcycles specifically made for the Isle of Man T.T. racing purposes since 1908. The company first participating on the racing event by making several motors based on its Squirrels which went on to break the lap record in the second year after the bike was produced in 1910. There're no other motorcycle brands in the era managed to have many success raced on those events such the Scott was. Other victories followed, including victories at the T.T. in 1912 and 1913 and breaking the fastest lap record in 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914.
The Scott Super Squirrel known as the 2nd model (in pictured is the 1929 model) is powered by a further revision engine from 498 cc or 596 cc, which was then a mainstay of many people. (Picture from: Classic-Motorcycle)
And during the 1st World War (1914 - 1918), Scott Motorcyles Company had supplied for the single cylinder military-purposed motors to meet the company's contract agreement with the British War Departement, which of course it was the opposite of Scott's previous twin cylinder engine product which proved to be more successful. The military version of Scott motorcycles were supplied to France, Belgium, and Russia.
The Scott Flying Squirrel (in pictured is the 1930 model) is powered by a larger 600 ccengine. (Picture from: National Motorcycle Museum)
The first generation of Scott Motorcycles Companyproduction version motorcycle is launched in 1922 and powered by a 486cc engine. And the company's made motorcycle then given a such funny and unique name of the Squirrel, ranging of the Scott Squirrel, Super Squirrel and Flying Squirrel in which all of motorcycle models have a water-cooled,
two-cylinder, two-stroke engine. It also has the distinctive rigid
triangulated frame design that contributed to the machine’s excellent
handling. The Scott's motorcycles were noted for their acceleration, the two-stroke
engines developing more power at lower speeds than their four-stroke
rivals.
This
is a 596cc Scott and sidecar in action at the Ramsgate sprint in 1963. (Picture from: Real-Classic)
And the first production Scott's motorbikes featured not only the
distinctive water-cooled two-stroke engine and triangulated frame but
also a kick-starter and foot gear change, both advanced features for the
time. Over the years the Scott's motorcycles developed an almost cult
following among enthusiasts. The Scott Motorcycles Company publicity boasted of "silence,
performance, simplicity and smoothness".
Besides that the British motorcycle maker rightly used their famous and fortune on the Isle of Man T.T. racing event by advertising the
motorbikes using such a unique and funny names, in which in the end made his motorcycles become more famous and successful. Sadly, shortly after the 2nd World War ended, the Scott Motorcycles Company should ceased the motorcycle production due to the company went into voluntary liquidation in 1950.
But the Scott's motorcycle story did not end there either. In the late 1950s, the Scott's production license was bought by Matt Holder, who decided to restart production in Birmingham, England. The Birmingham Scott motorcycles were produced until the late 1960s and all the time retained the features of the original Scott models. This British classic motorcycle maker continued to live with a small amount of production to completely dead in 1978.😢
ForgottenONES If We talking about a Japanese supercar, maybe what you have in mind is only the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Acura NSX, and many other 'mainstream' ones. Are they exotic? Not exactly, maybe because of they were produced in mass large number of productions. And how's about the Lexus LFA? It could be, in addition to having an exotic design, the automaker made it in limited number.
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II was a promising Japanese supercar that never made into production. (Picture from: CarThrottle)
So, is the Lexus LFA, the only-one Japanese supercars? Apparently, there is also another Japanese-made supercar called the Tommy Kaira ZZ-II, which known also as one of the legendary JDM supercar, despite having an amazing design and capabilities, it unable to shine in the global's automotive market.
As an automotive company, originally Tommy Kaira founded as Tomita Yume Koujou is a Japanese automotive tuning and manufacturing company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Meanwhile the company's name after its two founders, Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira.
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II is designed by Tomita Yoshikazu and built by the Japanese automaker in 2 versions, namely the racing and street versions. (Picture from: AutoWeek.nl)
For those of you who often play racing simulator video games, surely know the cool cars made by this Japanese company. Well, the Tommy Kaira ZZ-II produced by the Japanese automaker in 2 versions, namely the racing and the street versions, and both of which are cool, unique and could be driven virtually in the famous racing simulation video games of Gran Turismo.
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II is designed by Tomita Yoshikazu and intended to be the successor to the company's previous popular product, the Tommy Kaira ZZ. This supercar built based on the ZZ's lightweight aluminum chassis with an aggressive and charming design.
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II's cabin is unique for the size of a Japanese-made left hand drive layout car with the position of the handbrake is really high. (Picture from: S2ki.com)
As it is known that since the ZZ sports car, Tommy Kaira has always used Nissan-made engines. So, for the ZZ-II, Tomita choose the mighty RB26DETT Skyline GT-R modified engine and mounted in the middle, to make it more powerful with a maximum power of 542 hp at 5,900 rpm.
Is that enough? We think those engine's power numbers are enough if combined with the the ZZ-II's
weight which is 1 ton only! It is conceivable to accelerate from rest
to 100 kph in just 3.3 seconds, as well as could reached a maximum speed
of up to 210 mph. That's certainly an impressive performance figure
considering the automaker is not a big company!
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II is powered by the mighty RB26DETT Nissan Skyline GT-R modified engine and mounted in the middle, to make it more powerful with a maximum power of 542 hp at 5,900 rpm. (Picture from: HotCars)
With such impressive performance numbers, normally good control is
needed. So Tommy Kaira cleverly installed four-wheel drive taken from
the Skyline GT-R as well as the ATTESA's
state-of-the-art traction control technology. As for the car's braking
system, as shown in the picture, it uses disc brakes with 6-piston
calipers at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear.
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II's
cabin is unique for the size of a Japanese-made left hand drive layout
car with the position of the handbrake really high. The plan, Tommy Kaira designed the ZZ-II on the basis of the Lotus Elise, and was intended for the European market for around $90,000, it was a proper numbers for a supercar at the time.
The Tommy Kaira ZZ-II is built on the ZZ'slightweight aluminum chassis with an aggressive and charming design. (Picture from: CarThrottle)
Supposedly with an aggressive and charming design, the ZZ-II
certainly attracts the attention of many parties. Unfortunately fate said otherwise!😓 Just because of a bad
marketing strategy, it makes sales figures flat and can be said to be
not sale well. Fortunately not everyone closes their eyes, apparently there are still some parties like Autobacs, the largest Japanese car accessories franchise whose still appreciated it.
Then the ZZ-II acquired by the ASL to be sold under its badge and used later as the basis for their new sportscar named the ASL RS-01 Garaiya. Nevertheless, from that We can took the lessons, at least it showed that there's an unfamous company was able also making great supercars, even without the support of major manufacturers. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBACS | CARTHROTTLE | AUTOWEEK.NL | HOTCARS ]
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Radical ONES Before we discuss about this unique motorcycle, maybe it's a good idea to know first what makes something look unique and said to be very radical. It's easy something to be unique and radical, just a matter to make it looks unusual and tends to be eccentric (out of the box) when compared to most of its kinds. Isn't that right?😄
The Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream' is the latest creation of Carlos Rodrigues and said to use a Honda 600 Shadow engine with a unique front-wheel drive system. (Picture from: LivingWithGravity)
Well, so are the two-wheeled vehicles that we will discuss this time. As quoted of Visordown, this unique bike named the Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream' is built to be a part of the fun of the Expo Moto 2022 motorcycle shows to see the weird things that creep between the lines of the motorcycle models attended there.
The unique motorbike is the work of Carlos Manuel Almeida Rodrigues which he did at a workshop based in Mortagua city in the north of Portugal. The creator was previously also known for his expertise in making such of a kind custom motorcycles. The first edition was built in 1995, and by now the looks have completely changed. This is truly one of the most aesthetically radical motorbikes you can find ever.
Even one of his past works, entitled the Mortagua Fighter 8 'Disturbed Cadaver' custom motorcycle powered by a Suzuki GSX R-1100 engine, won the title of 'Best of Streetfighter' at the grand event of the International Custombike Championship Germany (ICCG) in Bad Salzuflen, Germany back in the 2018.
Carlos Rodrigues posed along with his custom motorcycle creation back in the 2018 titled the Mortagua Fighter 8 'Disturbed Cadaver' powered by a Suzuki GSX R-1100 engine. (Picture from: UltimateMotorcycling)
Still quoted of the Visordown, the appearance of the Mortagua Fighter 10, which is the latest work of Carlos Rodrigues at first glance, seems to be inspired by one of the fictional fighter jets by the designer Project Aces (the developer of the Ace Combat video game), it's just a matter of pinning a wheel on either end.
It's seems the Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream' of Carlos
Rodrigues is inspired by this fictional fighter jets by the designer Project Aces (the developer of the Ace Combat video game), just pinning a wheel on either end. (Picture from: Visordown)
Carlos Rodrigues has faithfully created this unique and impeccable line of futuristic style motorcycles with such intricate details which are generally described in the drawing of sharp and tapered lines of the world's aviation design that are done with the polish of his hand skills as a glassmaker with 25 years of experience.
The
Mortagua Fighter 9 'Infernal Chaos' built by Carlos
Rodrigues back in the 2019 and powered by a Suzuki Bandit 600 engine back in the 2019. (Picture from: BikeNationMag)
Unfortunately, there is no information about technical matters such as the engine used and horsepower, torque it produces, as if it is not important. Maybe it could be said less prestige than the sensation presented by this motorcycle. However, that does not mean there is no information at all about it. As quoted of OtoPlus, the Mortagua Fighter 10 is said to use a Honda 600 Shadow engine with a front-wheel drive system.
Carlos Rodrigues posed along with his latest custom motorcycle creation in 2022 titled the Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream'. (Picture from: SoyMotero.net)
It is not surprising to say that there is not a single custom motorcycle creation made as radical as this, which the creator has made in such a way as the series ranging from the Fighter 1 to the Fighter 10 over a period of almost 30 years, shows his high and classy level of creativity that non-creative ordinary people like us could not understand.
This strange motorbike literally might be able to create a strange driving sensation too. But clearly, it's not a motorcycle for cruising down the track, or for pushing the edges of scenic mountain roads. It's specially to be driven slowly, through a city or coastal town, at night, under yellowed artificial light, while people would turn their heads instantly and scorn its obnoxiously extreme appearance.
Coolest EVER For a bit of nostalgia by featuring article about a row of great supercars that ever made in the 21st century. The world of supercars is dominated by the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren, and so many others – but these are not the only players in the game. You might be surprised to learn that Chrysler, an American automaker also tested the waters of the supercar market in the early of this 2nd millenium.
The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve unveiled by the American automaker Chrysler back in the 2004. (Picture from: TopCarRating)
Back in 2004, Chrysler unveiled the ME Four-Twelve supercar, which was not a concept car but a prototype of a car that was slated to be put into production. The car debuted at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, and the Arizona International Auto Show that same year.
Front view of Chrysler ME Four-Twelve. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve supercar concept is considered as the most advanced car ever produced by the American automaker. It has a perfect combination of high-power engine, to-die-for looks, and great performance. To begin with something to be said about the looks. To say that the supercar looks great would be just an understatement. If you are a supercar lover and has a fantasy for a supercar style, this one will surely make your jaw drop out of awe.
Interior view of Chrysler ME Four-Twelve. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
Amazingly, the ME Four-Twelvesupercar's body is made of carbon fiber, no wonder if it was very light. In fact, the carbon fiber and aluminum are the lightweight materials are widely used to build a supercar concept. It is said that it took less than one year for Chrysler to come up with this such beauty. The supercar's body also completed with chrome-moly sub frames and stylish aluminum crush structures which not only adds to the style quotient, but also resulted into compliance with U.S. federal regulations for crash or impact testing. Overall, a solid supercar, but at the same time looks very stylish thanks to the tons of work that went into the conceptualization.
Right side view of Chrysler ME Four-Twelve. (Picture from: KorrsKorner)
The interior is surprisingly spacious for a concept car that is only about 45 inches tall. There is a wide enough leg room and there is a large glass roof panels from the windshield to the rear header. The suspension consisting a group control of aluminum double wishbones, stainless steel push-rods, anti-roll bars, and assisted by a power-steering. All openings in the body of the supercar has been optimized to improve thermal performance. The spacious cockpit intelligently designed to accommodate comfortably even a taller people.
The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve is powered by a dynamic ME quad-turbo, V12 engine. (Picture from: TheSupercars.org)
Chrysler ME Four-Twelve supercar powered by a dynamic ME quad-turbo, V-12 engine that lives up to expectations. This kind of engine are taken care of by a high efficiency cooling system to ensures the engine stays cold all the time. The such engine capable produces an incredible 850 horsepower and 850 ft-lbs of torque, which allows it to accellerate from 0 to 60 mph (96.56 kph) in just 2.9 seconds and to 100 mph (160.93 kph) in just 6 seconds! Compare that with the Ferrari Enzo, which takes 3.1 seconds to hit the same speed-numbers!
Rear view of Chrysler ME Four-Twelve. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
All of that power is delivered to the wheels via a seven-speed Ricardo double-clutch transaxle with Formula One-style paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. Chrysler engineers calculated the top speed of the car to be approximately 399.12 kph or 248 mph (this has not been confirmed in the real-testing), enough to compete with other concept cars in its genre.
At this kind of speed, you would expect the system to double braking efficient. The braking system consists of a large 15-inch brake disc rotors and calipers six- piston mono-block. What this means is you can press the brake comfortably even at very high speed and sports cars will stop screeching. Disc brake rotors are carbon ceramic composite and the calipers are made of aluminum to improve performance.
Chrysler ME Four-Twelve supercar also features many active and passive aerodynamic equipment to give optimum performance at even very high speeds. There were only two ME Four-Twelves were ever built. Today, both cars is on display at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It’s a shame that this brilliant example of engineering and design was never put into production.😭 *** [EKA [16022014] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CHRYSLER | MOTOR TREND]
Hydrogen-Cells As We all have knew, if the gait from Pininfarina S.p.A. or Pininfarina, the famous Italian automotive design house is no longer in doubt. The long journey of the company founded by Battista 'Pinin' Farina in 1930 has been legendary by working on many projects commissioned by various renowned car brands in the world such as Ferrari, Maserati, Cadillac, Nash, Peugeot, Jaguar, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, MG, Cisitalia, Lancia, and many more.
NAMX
and Pininfarina unveil the HUV, a hydrogen powered suv partially fueled
by removable capsules, paving the way for a seamless and carbon-free
experience of mobility. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
It should be noted that of the many brands that have worked with the Italian design house, it turn out not all of them are well-known brands, there are also new brands that have not been known to the public before. And one example is the new French automotive brand of NAMX, and known to be owned by Paris-based automotive startup was founded by Thomas de Lussac, together with Faouzi Annajah.
The
NAMX HUV clearly seen the 'Italian' trait of Pininfarina and the
ambition to subvert the paradigms of the future green mobility. (Picture from: AutoDaily)
Well, although the electric car market is not as hot as the electric-powered car market, it turns out that the hydrogen fuel-cell car market is also starting to get crowded, so the new French brand is interested in trying its luck here, by introducing a hydrogen-powered vehicle called NAMX HUV (Hydrogen Utility Vehicles) which is also the result of the design collaboration between those French startup and Pininfarina.
The NAMX HUV looks quite striking with a super large pentagon front grille featured with the grille's outline clearly visible through the crossed LED strip implementation at the front. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
As quoted from the Pininfarina.it, the collaboration-result vehicle carries an SUV style and has an aggressive appearance. How not, the environmentally friendly SUV looks quite striking with a super large pentagon front grille. Moreover, Pininfarina gives the grille's outline clearly visible through the crossed LED strip implementation at the front.
The side view of the NAMX HUV made the car looks so big with an 'X' shape element meets in the center line of the door. (Picture from: MomoTrix)
It is also clearly seen the 'Italian' trait of Pininfarina and the ambition to subvert the paradigms of the future green mobility. It could be said, that the NAMX HUV (Hydrogen Utility Vehicle) has a strong line and looks to the future of the automotive industry thanks to its patented hydrogen fuel-cells system, consisting of one fixed tank and six removable capsules, which guarantees the car driving over a total distance of 800 kilometers.
The NAMX HUV featured with six small hydrogen capsules such like this. (Picture from: MomoTrix)
Meanwhile, when it viewed from the side, the car looks so big with an 'X' shape element meets in the center line of the door. Not to forget the bottom of the car and the fenders are also equipped with black plastic cladding and bumpers strengthened the SUV's feels.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the car is at the rear. As You can see, there're many design elements that are enough to make the bottom crowded and the 'X' shape design at first glance reminiscent to similar one attached on the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 and Terzo Millennio Concept.
The NAMX HUV has many design elements that are enough to make the bottom crowded and especially the 'X' shape design at first glance reminiscent to similar one attached on the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 and Terzo Millennio Concept. (Picture from: H2.live)
This car also has another interesting parts just above the rear bumper. It can be seen clearly that NAMX intentionally exposed 6 horizontally lined hydrogen capsules. That's not only for aesthetics, these six fuel-cells are indeed a kind of hydrogen plug-n-play tanks that can be removed and replaced, or even filled easily if needed.
NAMX did intentionally make their hydrogen technology a major attraction of the car, and reportedly has been patented. As mentioned above, this fuel-cells technology consisting a large fixed hydrogen tank attached on the car coupled with 6 small, easily removable capsules, that's makes the car's recharging process as easy as swapping batteries on an electric-powered scooter. But that's a big challenge for Pininfarina, due to NAMX desires the presence of those 6 removable capsules should be integrated into the overall design of the car.
The rear of the NAMX HUV featured with the ports for its hydrogen capsules. (Picture from: AutoDaily)
Unfortunately, NAMX did not reveal the capacity of the hydrogen tank yet.😥 But the French auto startup said that the HUV's drivetrain would produced power of 224 kW or 296 horsepower to drive the rear wheels and made it has an acceleration capability from still to 100 kph in 6.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 200 kph.
But for those of you who want a higher performance number, it turns out that NAMX has also prepared a more powerful version called GTH which will have a powerful drivetrain almost double than the standard version of 410 kw or 542 horsepower. Not only that, the configuration also turned into the All-Wheels Drive (AWD) system with acceleration performances to only 4.5 seconds and the top speed increased to 250 kph.
As mentioned earlier this fuel cell technology can guarantee the car driving range as far as 800 km with all its fuel-cells full. Unfortunately the French startup not explained how much capacity can be filled by the six removable capsules.😯
Furthermore, NAMX will launching the HUV for the first time at the 2022 Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'automobile) and targeting to be able send into the market soon in 2025 with the price tags ranging from € 65,000 or around Rp.990 million to the most expensive ones reaches € 95,000 or around Rp1.44 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PININFARINA | NAMX.TECH | BREAKINGLATEST.NEWS | HYDROGEN-CENTRAL | AUTODAILY | H2.LIVE ]
But the Scott's motorcycle story did not end there either. In the late 1950s, the Scott's production license was bought by Matt Holder, who decided to restart production in Birmingham, England. The Birmingham Scott motorcycles were produced until the late 1960s and all the time retained the features of the original Scott models. This British classic motorcycle maker continued to live with a small amount of production to completely dead in 1978.😢
