The electric-powered vehicles are currently being developed as an alternative to the increasingly limited fossilized fuels. While consumers are still less interested in electric vehicles, various carmakers from around the world continue to innovate so that electric vehicles are increasingly glimpsed by consumers.
A cool retro-styled three-wheeled electric vehicle, Nobe 100. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/387IUbH)
One of them is a three-wheeled electric car named the Nobe 100, which is produced by Nobe Cars, an Estonian company. This unique electric-powered microcar was created by Roman Muljar and was inspired by the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller, a 1950s classic German microcar, and VW Beetle.
After years in the development processes, and now the car available with two variants (Nobe 100 and 100 GT) and can be ordered online through the company's website on the price ranging of €31,000 for Nobe 100 and €40,000 for Nobe 100 GT.
This microcar is claimed by the maker as the most environmentally friendly car in the world. Because the Nobe 100 car is fully driven by electric power and its sleek and simple body design makes it easy to park and fit into urban life. This Nobe microcar is very different from any other three-wheeled vehicles we've seen before. This is not a motorcycle like Bombardier or a car like Uniti or Elio E1c. Despite sharing classic cues with Morgan's three-wheeled car, the Nobe 100 has a cutie 'neo-retro' design.
The Nobe electric-powered car has small dimensions give it a large turning circle and the ability to adjust to small parking spaces. It is classified as a three-wheeled motorcycle and has the same accessibility as a motorcycle. This vehicle is also semi-convertible with a removable hardtop, making it the first three-wheeled EV cabriolet.
This tiny cutie car is equipped with 2-batteries, one to drive its all three wheels and the other to power various car's supporting systems such as lights, heaters, and radios. The speed of this environmentally friendly car can reach 110 kph, and also has a suitcase-sized battery at the front of the cabin and can be removed without using any tools.
While inside of the cabin, it has a minimalist design, taking on classic styling such as analog gauges, chrome finished on the switches and door handles as well, and the wooden accents also look adorn the dashboard neatly accompanied a white-colored steering wheel that reminds us to a 1930s classic car. The Nobe's teardrop-shaped-designed microcars can accommodate 3 people in it with space for luggage behind the third passenger.
Despite the fact that it does not emit any exhaust gas, aka zero-emission, also the zero-emission car comes with a reusable part. It can also be upgraded to ensure its longevity. For exceptional handling, the car's battery can be fully charged in 2 hours, but if you are worried about running out of power while on a drive with this car, you even can carry an extra battery. No problem. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NOBE CARS | INDIEGOGO]
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Recently, a modified 1957 Nash Metropolitan was crowned as the winner of the 'Hot Wheels Legends Tour' at the SEMA Show 2019, which took place on November 5-8, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This unique car has a nicknamed 'The Nashole' is a modified car result of Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford. They built this iconic Nash Metropolitan with the aim to "look different from other custom cars," and they succeeded.
While most of the custom cars that took part in the contest looked neat, and 'The Nashole' had a 'fierce' look, with faded paint, dirty grille, rusty touches visible on several parts of his body and using steel wheels wrapped in the tires with white-colored trim.
Left side view of 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33RApOz)
The power that drives this car comes from a 5.0-liter V8 engine that has been equipped with a unique dice-shaped filter, an Edelbrock carburetor, and exhaust coming out from the side. The engine is capable of producing power up to 300 hp (224 kW), which is more than seven times the output of the original car which is only 40 hp (30 kW).
Dashboard view of 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33RApOz)
And Mattel said that the car won the Hot Wheels contest this year because of its "originality of design and custom spirit". This is not an easy task, because 'The Nashole' must defeat nearly 5,000 competitors from 20 cities across America. Then the car must also be rated by Hot Wheels designers and fans including Adam Carolla, Richard Rawlings, Jay Leno, and MotorTrend editor in chief Ed Loh.
Engine view of 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33RApOz)
According to Vice President of Design of Hot Wheels, Ted Wu, "We chose 'The Nashole' because it represented the true spirit of custom by uniting and creating impressive cars that were built, not bought." Wu added, "You saw it and immediately knew this car has the destiny to become a 'Hot Wheels' with that unique color, appearance and, of course, those dice."
Like the winners of the 'Hot Wheels Legends Tour' in previous years, 'The Nashole' will later be made a 1:64 scaled die-cast version, which will be available on the market starting in 2020. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS]
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When there is a convoy of big motorbikes on the highway, and it will be seen that the most prominent is the Harley-Davidson motorcycle which has a roaring sound coming out of its V-Twin engine that will be easily recognized and very distinctive even though it's far away from our hearing. So it is not excessive if many assume that the fierce look of Harley-Davidson motorcycle is partly derived from its machine.
An illustration of the classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rmpbEI)
Indeed, Harkey-Davidson motorbikes are very easy to recognize through its typical V-Twin 45-degree engine, but did you know that the V-Twin engine has several changes or revolutions according to the shape of the chassis and models. But, not all machines will be discussed here, only a few are said to be iconic and famous machines of their time. Let's check it out!
The first engine from Harley-Davidson was a V-twin designed by HD's Chief Engineer, Bill Harley in 1908, right after he was graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1908. This type of engine was produced in 1909, this was the beginning of Harley-Davidson coming into the world.
This engine with a capacity of 811 cc and capable of producing power of 7 horsepower is made for 27 units of motorcycles. And the motorcycle that was present at that time with a very simple construction that uses a separate gearbox and kick-starter. This engine is also known as the forerunner of the V-twin 45-degree engine lineage of Harley-Davidson.
After that came the Harley-Davidson engine is known as Knucklehead which was made from 1936 to 1947. The engine with a capacity of 990 cc and 1,200 cc called Knucklehead due to its cylinder head shape similar to the brassed knuckle that is usually worn on the hand to punch.
There are three types of Harley-Davidson motorcycles that use Knucklehead engines namely E, ES, and EL models.
Subsequently followed by the Panhead generation in 1948-1965 who began developing the "cranks" model. This type of engine also comes in two engine capacities, 990 cc, and 1,200 cc, but the power generated is bigger than the Knucklehead engine type.
The Panhead type engine is an advanced development of the Knucklehead engine type, and it uses aluminum cylinder heads, hydraulic valve, increased oil circulation and crankpin roller bearings for engine durability.
Then there is the Shovelhead type engine which was made between
1966 and 1984 and has a capacity of around 1,200 cc. This type of machine can be said to be the successor or a modern version of Panhead with several changes.
Starting from the use of a larger valve, ported better, then there is a piston that is made stronger. The name Shovelhead because the engine, when viewed from an upside-down position, looks like a coal shovel.
The next engine is Evolution, which was present in 1984-1999, which was the first largest engine with a cylinder capacity of 1,340 cc, which was made by Harley-Davidson. This engine is embedded in the Sportster models starting from 1986 but uses 883 cc and 1,200 cc.
Noted, this engine is the first time Harley-Davidson uses Computer-Aided Design in the manufacture of motorcycles that are more efficient and increasing the power and torque.
Next is the Twin Cam type, which was born between 1999 and 2017, there are two Twin Cam models. First, the engine with a capacity of 1,450 cc and still using a carburetor and refined by Twin Cam 1,584 cc injection technology starting in 2007.
From the beginning, Harley-Davidson never made the engine cooling system with a radiator model. But in 2001, they made a new engine with a radiator cooling system, so the engine was called as Revolution engine with a capacity of 1,340 cc, and this type of engine used by the V-Rod, and continued by the younger generation of Street 500 and Street 750.
The most recent generation of engines used by Harley-Davidson motorbikes is Milwaukee Eight 107 which was produced in 2017. This engine is a refinement of the 1999 Twin Cam-type engine. And the amount of power that can be spewed from this engine can reach 90 horsepower.
The Milwaukee name is derived from the location of the engine manufacturing plant and the term Eight, it means that in each cylinder there are 4 valves, while the engine has two cylinders making a total of 8 valves. And the 107 symbolizes the engine capacity that reaches 1.753 cc. This type of engine is mounted on the Road King, Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Road Glide Ultra models.
Well, for those of you who are curious and want to hear the sounds of the iconic machines from Harley-Davidson that have been briefly discussed above, please check the video below!
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops..... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
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Recently, an unnamed car collector made a surprise at a special auction event held in Saudi Arabia. It was known that he bought an unusual car for around the US $12 million (Rp.169.09 billion) at an auction held by Worldwide Auctioneer.
Thor 24, a unique monstrous-sized truck was the brainchild of Mike Harrah and built by the help of the automotive builder Tim Spinks, and Paul Abram. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34TjVqu)
Indeed the car he bought at the auction was not an ordinary vehicle. Apparently, he bought a truck that was named by the maker as Thor 24. As quoted from Autoblog, this unique monstrous-sized truck was the brainchild of Mike Harrah and built by the help of the automotive builder Tim Spinks, and Paul Abram. In its 7-years long developing process, the enormous-sized truck spends around the US $7 million or Rp.98.64 billion.
Dashboard view of Thor 24, a big-rig truck powered with 24-cylinder V12 12-cylinder supercharged engines. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Yki0Jh)
The exterior is visible with a striking accent in the form of a series of horns wrapped in a layer of chrome and polished aluminum and stainless steel. In a similar color nuance also applied to other components such as driveline, hubs, brakes, spoilers, sunroof.
At the rear side of the cabin, there's an illustration of Thor known as the god of thunder in Norse mythology, which later taken as the name of this monstrous-sized vehicle. Then, enter its interior, there's a classic impression due to the steering wheel that still uses a layer of wood. While on the panel meter on its dashboard uses aluminum materials.
At the rear side of the cabin, there's an illustration of Thor known as a Nordic thunder god, which later taken as the name of this monstrous-sized vehicle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34TjVqu)
Physically, Thor 24 has a length of 13.4 meters and weighs 14.5 tons. This giant truck is a long version of the 1979 Peterbilt 359 model. Almost all the details on it were remade, including its two V12 machines. Besides that, the Thor24 is also known as one of the most powerful semi trucks for now and dubbed the "Holy Mother of Metal."
This unique truck, which weighs around 1,451 kg is equipped with two 24-cylinder V12 12-cylinder supercharged Detroit engines that able to spew a maximum power of 3,794 horsepower at 2,500 rotations per minute.
With such engine power is able to make it speeding on the streets up to 209 kph. In addition, this monster truck is also equipped with a manual gearbox, independent suspension and also equipped with electric brake devices. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOTCARS | AUTOBLOG] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
The development of electrification vehicles does not only revolve around environmentally friendly power circuit technologies. One of the Chinese automotive manufacturers, the GAC have also begun to consider other factors such as passenger accommodation number up to exterior aerodynamic advantages as the appeal of their cars.
GAC ENO.146 electric-powered concept car unveiled at the 2019 Guangzhou Motor Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTGoFs)
Through its debut at the 2019 Guangzhou Motor Show some time ago, the GAC presented its newest EV concept named GAC ENO.146, which at first glance looked like a futuristic sedan. There's an interesting thing, that the Chinese manufacturer's claiming was related to the passenger capacity number and exterior aerodynamic advantages of the car.
The GAC said its EV concept was designed to be able to accommodate six passengers in its cabin. This seems to deviate from the concept of sedan-type which is generally only prepared to carry four to five people.
The seating layout of the GAC ENO.146 electric-powered concept car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTGoFs)
The seating layout of the GAC ENO.146 basically uses two lines similar to the sedan cabin layout in general. The difference, the basic concept of the GAC adds to its passenger capacity number done by utilizing its cabin spacious space. One passenger seat faces back behind the first row, while another one is located in the third row.
This concept is offered along with the claim that the EV concept's body design produces an air resistance coefficient of 0.146. By those numbers make the ENO.146 have better aerodynamic levels than the Bugatti Chiron hypercar, with a drag coefficient of 0.35.
Rear-left side view of the GAC ENO.146 electric-powered concept car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTGoFs)
The unique number of the car's drag coefficient lies in the exterior appearance, which makes the GAC ENO.146 able to appear aerodynamic. It can be seen from the flat wheel cover model, the gullwing door-type design up to the rear of the vehicle has an impressively long tail. In fact, the GAC also eliminates side glass components to accommodate those car's aerodynamic figures.
Unfortunately, the GAC did not mention the exact target of its EV concept mass-produced for the Chinese market. However, as a whole has a target of placing the electrification technology on all vehicles in the coming 2025. However, its aerodynamic design and large electric motors have the potential to make the GAC ENO.146 break the speed record of the Bugatti Chiron in the future. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CAR DESIGN NEWS]
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Small, unique, classic and classy. That's a little picture of the impression when talking about these British famous car brands. Let's re-trace its history, the beginning story of a car that is often identified with Mr. Bean, a fictional character in the comedy series that aired on television back in the 1990s.
1976 Morris Mini Cooper with Mr. Bean, a fictional character in the comedy TV-series aired back in the 1990s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2DDb93Y)
This car production cannot be separated from the Suez Crisis that occurred in the late 1950s. At that time, there's the fuel rationing were imposed for most European countries, including the United Kingdom. To overcome this problem, an automotive company as the merger result between Austin and Morris, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) group planned to make the small, compact and fuel-efficient cars.
Then, Sir Leonard Lord as the CEO of the BMC at the time gave an assignment to Sir Alec Issigonis, who also known as the Morris Minor designer to make the intended-car designs. He started to work in March 1957 and two years later, the car was ready to be produced. Physically, the car has a length, about 3 meters. And in August 1959, this small car was launched into the automotive market. In the early days, this car was called the Austin Mini Seven and Morris Mini-Minor.
1959 Morris Mini-Minor with registration number 621 AOK was the first Mini off the production line to be badged, Morris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2P2NGhV)
After 1969, the names of the Austin and Morris were no longer used, so the official name was the Mini. However, for the international market, the Austin or Morris brands are still used. In addition to the sedan model, there are also other variants, namely the Mini Van, Mini Pick-up, Mini Moke (shaped like a jeep) and Mini Clubman (with a square nose shape). But the most famous is the Mini Cooper.
In addition, this car has always been a winner at the Monte Carlo rally, in 1964, 1965 and 1967, and always entered the top three from 1964 to 1968. The winning key of the Mini Cooper lies in the transverse engine layout with the front-wheel-drive system. Even though at that time the concept had never been applied by any automotive manufacturers. With such a layout, the position of its four wheels allows the driving very agile and easy to control.
After being in production almost for 44 years, the company finally ceased its production in the early 2000s. Then the company's shares were acquired by BMW and then the Mini Cooper was replaced by the New Mini design of the BMW team. Since the beginning, the total number of Mini production was around 5.5 million units. This number makes Mini Morris as the best-selling British car in history. In fact, in 2001 the Autocar magazine awarded it the title of the most influential car of the 20th century, defeating the Ford model T and VW Beetle.
Over time, the Mini Cooper underwent design improvements. Such as, its sliding windows were replaced by the wind-up windows. The next change was the use of an 850cc engine which was replaced with 1,000cc, which was then replaced with a 1,275cc engine. Then the carburetor system is replaced with injection and the disc-brake standardization. But uniquely, the basic shape of the Mini barely not changed, there was almost no noticeable change if we compared between the 1959 Mini with the 2000 Mini. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA]
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Some time ago an automotive exhibition event was first held in Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh Motor Show 2019, just ended on Thursday, November 28th, 2019. The international exhibition for motor vehicles is the most influential automotive show in the region that displays the latest modern passenger and commercial cars and other motor vehicles from around the world.
GFG 2030 all-terrain sports car unveiled at the Riyadh Motor Show 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2DHimjH)
But there is something that makes this automotive expo even more interesting. At the event also launched an electric-powered car that has a blend of the appearance of an all-terrain supercar named '2030.' The car was unveiled by Turki Al-Asheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of Riyadh Season.
This 2,000 kg electric-powered futuristic sportscar built and designed by an Italian company named GFG Style. From its physical appearance, the car shape seems inspired by its latest car named GFG Kangaroo has debuted at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
This futuristic looks car is said to be the one-off car and made specifically for the Riyadh Motor Show 2019. The black and green colored electric supercar is claimed to be suitable for all kinds of roads, unlike other sports cars. Its roof and body are made of a mixture of aluminum, fiber, and carbon.
So far, the car able to spew power of 540 horsepower of its electric motors, and also from the video said the car capability traveled as far as 350 km (217.48 miles) on a single battery charges and has a top speed of 200 kph (124 mph) in all-terrains.
The unique sports car has been auctioned at the Riyadh Motor Show for the US $854,489 (approx Rp 12.07 billion) on Saturday, November 30, 2019. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SAUDI GAZETTE | ARAB NEWS]
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The 1950s became an era in which various automotive manufacturers, especially from the United States (US), wanted to move on to a bolder new future after the Second World War, where they then produced a variety of unique and fantastic concept cars.
One of the US automotive manufacturers including Chrysler, created a Plymouth Belmont dream concept car in 1954, with the body design and features that were classified as sophisticated in its time.
With fiberglass body and built on a standard Plymouth chassis, Belmont could actually be a Chrysler mainstay product to rival the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, if only this concept was approved for production.
Unfortunately, management did not allow the production of Plymouth Belmont, and eventually, this concept became the only unit - and a complete prototype - ever built. Fortunately, even though many previous Plymouth concept cars were destroyed, Belmont was 'rescued' by Virgil Exner (Chrysler's Vice President of Design in that era), who took him home and took care of it.
About 60 years later, the Plymouth Belmont Concept is still in very well maintained condition. The car has been auctioned by Barrett-Jackson in early 2018 and was sold at $1,320,000.
The car is equipped with its original 4.0-liter V8 engine, which can produce power of 157 horsepower and mated with a three-speed automatic transmission system.
The Plymouth Belmont Concept is one of around 1,000 classic the Belmont was highly publicized and well-received by the public at the various major automobile shows at which it was displayed – including the 1954 New York Auto Show. Wanna see another Plymouth's concept car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BARRET-JACKSON | DESIGNBOOM]
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It can be said if the car is not much different from humans when viewed in terms of size, there are those who have large sizes and some are even small and cute. There are types of vehicles known as microcar that are so small that they only can be used in tandem positition. Not only small in size, but also has a cute design but very adorable when you see it.
Well, have you ever heard or seen the figure of the French-made microcar named Reyonnah Microcar? If not, we will discuss it now. The microcar was originally made by Robert Hannoyer, the owner of an auto repair shop in Paris. Uniquely, the name of the car is taken from the car maker's last name reversed was Reyonnah (the reversed of 'Hannoyer').
The prototype was shown off for the first time at Paris Salon de l'Auto in 1950 (the blue-colored car) while the production version in 1951 (the white-colored one). This cute car shaped like a torpedo has a dimension of length of 2.9 meters and width of only 1.45 meters. Even so narrow, the car's cabin layout is made like a motorcycle, where its passenger sit directly behind the driver.
There is another unique thing, the blue-colored prototype car uses the tub with parallelogram hinges construction and can be folded downwards, so the vehicle can occupies a parking area only 75 cm wide. While the production version (white colored car) settled on, with a hinged convertible roof.
To be able to make it run, this cute car (both prototype and production version) uses a 4-stroke single-cylinder AMC's engine with a displacement of 175cc, and capable of spewing power around 8.5 horsepower. But don't expect to be speeding if you drive in this cute car, because the top speed is only 70 kph!
This cute car is very rare, due to were made in limited numbers. So do not be surprised if at this time, Reyonnah Microcar much sought after by the automotive collectors in the world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MICROCAR MUSEUM]
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If you hear the Morris name, as an automotive fan, automatically might be remember the British-made minicar figure that was so famous in the 1950s to 1960s. Word has recently spread that the brand has been revived, and has launched an electric-powered vehicle named Morris Commercial JE.
Morris Commercial JE is the newest electric-powered minivan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37OBbPM)
The Morris Commercial JE, a 1940s retro-styled electric-powered minivan was launched earlier than planned in 2021 and could be a competitor to the VW ID Buzz electric-powered van. The old-British automotive brand was revived thanks to the financial assistance from the unnamed source. Some parties believed that the financial source came from China.
Morris J-Type van is the inspiration source of the latest Morris Commercial JE electric-powered vehicle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2R2cnh5)
The first production model from Morris JE inspired by the Morris J-Type. Now, the car has a range of 320 km, a payload of 1,000 kg, and a gross weight of 2.5 tons. The minivan was designed at a facility in Worcestershire, England.
Morris Commercial JE said to carry a 1940 retro-styled design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L5BFHv)
It was also stated that this car uses a new modular platform with a 60kWh lithium-ion battery source that provides power efficiency to maximize vehicle range. Charging up to 80 percent of the battery only takes 30 minutes.
Morris Commercial JE is inspired by the Morris J-Type that was produced between 1948 and 1961. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37OBbPM)
The Morris JE will be a special brand of electricity that uses powertrain that is claimed to come from the United Kingdom. "We will never make vehicles with internal combustion engines," the company statement said.
Morris JE other variants like a pickup truck, and minibus. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2P3xxsS)
Morris said further variants, such as pick-up trucks, minibusses and camper vans could be divided into modular platforms. The JE bodywork is made of lightweight carbon fiber and has a pair of wide rear doors and sliding doors next to it. And retro features incorporated into the JE include a 'pear-shaped' grille, a split windscreen and distinctive bulging wheel arches.
They claim that JE is one of the lightest LCVs on the market. The main selling point for JE will be its retro style, originating from Morris J-Type, sold from 1949 to 1961 and reaching a total production of nearly 50,000 units.
The Morris Commercial JE places it next to Mini, Morris Minor, and Land Rover Defender as a truly iconic post-war British automotive design. The retro features carried by JE include pear-shaped grille, separate windshield, and protruding fenders. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MORRIS COMMERCIAL | DRIVING | AUTOCARINDIA]
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One of them is a three-wheeled electric car named the Nobe 100, which is produced by Nobe Cars, an Estonian company. This unique electric-powered microcar was created by Roman Muljar and was inspired by the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller, a 1950s classic German microcar, and VW Beetle. 
