Cute e-Scooter with KERS technology

These days we often hear some motorcycle manufacturer issued an electric scooter. The latest is a producer from Munich, Germany which has just launched an electric scooter that has a cute look.

100 km range UNU electric scooter features portable battery unit. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/XZkrRj)

As quoted of the Designboom on Saturday, August 16, 2014 which reported that a German motorcycle manufacturer, UNU GmbH launched the cute electric scooter named Unu. The design of Unu electric scooter evokes the design of iconic Italian scooters, such as Vespa and Lambretta. Because UNU is an electric scooter, so the power generated by the electric motor channeled to its rear wheel and powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged.

The UNU weighs just 58 kilograms and has a range of up-to 100 km. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/XZkrRj)

This electric scooter speed is limited only 28 mph (45 kph) and can travel up to 31 miles (49.89 km) on a full battery condition. But if the first battery runs out, then available battery backup can be used.

The lightweight panasonic battery cell is hidden underneath the 2-person seat. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/XZkrRj)

The electric scooter frame designed strong enough by using an aluminum casing, as well as a portable battery supplied with a weight of only 17.4 pounds (7.89 kg). Provided also cable strap for ease when going to recharge. The battery can be recharged with 230V and can be full capacity within 5 hours.

The rear wheel hub is outfitted with a kinetic energy recovery system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/XZkrRj)

Interestingly, this electric scooter using the Kinetic-Energy Recovery System (KERS) that is the same used in the Formula 1. So when the scooter rider presses the brake pedal, automaticaly the battery will recharging. This electric scooter is not too heavy, just 128 pounds (58.06 kg) lighter than the Piaggio's is weighing up to 130 pounds (58.97 kg).

Currently in Germany, these electric scooters can be ordered online at a price of around €1,699 or US $ 2,300, equivalent to Rp. 26.8 million. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | UNU | DESIGNBOOM]

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India's first green sports car

A 'green sports car' prototype whch claimed to be able to cover a distance of 1,000 km on a single charge, has been exhibited for the first time at the first event of Gujarat Auto Show 2014 held on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Gandhinagar, India.

The sports EV prototype which is awaiting the approval of Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), grabbed the maximum eyeballs after it’s Ahmedabad-based maker Golden Arrow Wireless Pvt Ltd showcased with a “Made in Gujarat” tag alongside foreign and Indian automobile manufacturers like Honda, BMW, Rolls Royce, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, M&M, and Hyundai.

The Super Nova (left) is India’s first indigenously developed electric sports car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tLlyMn)

“There are three different versions of this car which can attain a maximum of 150 kilometers per hour. The ones that run on the conventional lead acid batteries, lithium ion batteries and the third one on super capacitors. Our car can clock 1000 kilometers in a single charge,” said Shashi Vyas, who claimed to have developed the car at the company’s facility at Aslali in Ahmedabad.

The car has already received 250 bookings & sales to commence once ARAI approves. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tLlyMn)

“The lead acid batteries that weigh about 300 kilograms (120 volt) can take about eight hours for a single recharge, the lithium ion weighing about 120 kgs takes about two hours and 20 kilogram supercapacitors can do the job in five minutes,” said Vyas who described himself as an aerospace engineer. And reportedly the 'Super Nova EV' will be priced at range around US. $24,000 to $40,200 (or approx Rp. 294 million to Rp. 492 million). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORBEAM | INDIAN EXPRESS]

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Sightings of Black Seadevil fish

In the dark waters of the California Coast, There are live the fish with a terrible appearance. Creatures that have not been understood where throughout history it caught by the camera only six times. More recently, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) managed to record the species of anglerfish.

Anglerfish uses luminescent tip at the end of its “fishing pole” to entice prey. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1uL6vWB)

According to MBARI, the angler fish is very rarely observed in their natural habitat which is attached at a depth of 2,000 feet or 609 meters below sea level in Monterey Canyon. And this is the first image and video footage that shows the female 'Black seadevil' fish.

Dr. Bruce Robinson of MBARI describe that the anglerfish is "one of the most rarely seen fish in the sea." Thus quoted from CNN, on Monday, November 24, 2014. Although the appearance looks threatening, with pointy teeth and terrible fangs, fish in the video only has a length of 3.5 inches or less than 9 cm. Small but terrible fish is called 'Black seadevil' as a way of eating. It uses the tip protruding fangs and put out light to attract prey.

The mysterious anglerfish was featured in a scene in “Finding Nemo”. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1uL6vWB)

Then they grabbed the prey - small fish or squid, with a long, sharp teeth. The fish was ever shown in the 'Finding Nemo' cartoon movie, in which cartoon characters of Nemo and Dory attracted by the flickering light and almost be its prey. To capture the picture of this creatures, MBARI team uses the Doc Ricketts, the robotic sub which operated using the remote.

"This means we 'run' the robot through the water on a series of different depths (10 minutes duration at each depth) and calculate all kinds of animals that we see," said Kim Fulton-Bennett, MBARI spokesman.

The findings of 'Black seadevil', according to scientists, suggesting that the sea which still holds many mysteries. There are still a lot of fish and other creatures that we do not know. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GRINDTV]

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Officialy, Mr. Bond drove an Aston Martin

Aston Martin collaborated with EON Productions, the James Bond films producer, launched Aston Martin DB10, a stunning new car on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, southern England December 4, 2014.

Officialy James Bond drove an Aston Martin DB10. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FXvIQy)

The British sport car manufacturer confirmed that James Bond will drove an Aston Martin in his latest movie with the title 'SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion)' which will be aired in November 2015.

Aston Martin DB10 will be a model that was developed specifically for the film. Only 10 units will made. Led by Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, the design team worked closely with the film's director, Sam Mendes, in order to create a car for the most famous spy agent in the world.

Right side view of Aston Martin DB10. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1G2qbdn)

"In the same year, we celebrate our 50 years with 007, it seems appropriate that we launched a beautiful new sports car was created specifically for James Bond," said CEO of Aston Martin, Andy Palmer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EXTRAVAGANZI | PETER PLACE]

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Waiting for Husqvarna street race motorcycle model

Swedish motorcycle manufacturer, Husqvarna Motorcycles that has been separated from BMW Motorrad and has a binding agreement with KTM, an Austrian motorcycle maker in 2013, reportedly in the near future will create a street race motorcycle model.

The rendering image of Husqvarna street race motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1y38mYW)

Husqvarna Motorcycles decisions that will make a street race motorcycle continued their success in the motocross products that already have legendary riders like Torsten Hallman at once in order to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the company.

Husqvarna Street Race design looks sleek, while the seats perfomed in the cafe racer model. The rear suspension uses a single shock. While the framework uses terallis frame. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORSPORTS NEWSWIRE]

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Back to 70s with the five Bertone works

Bertone is one of the famous Italian coachbuilders who work around the premium sports cars that have exotic designs, but unfortunately has been declared bankrupt in June 2014. As already known that Bertone has worked with a variety of renowned automotive manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and others.

Ready-made bodies on trollies; in 1962 approximately 20 cars was transported like this every day at the Bertone plant. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SdYhrU)

They cooperate in the creation of many sports cars that have a unique and futuristic design in accordance with the trends in that time. On this occasion we tried to present an article that tries get you to know the Bertone best sports car in 1970s, here they are:

1. 1967 Lamborghini P200 Marzal

Lamborghini P200 Marzal is a sports car that is done jointly by Lamborghini and Bertone and first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1967.

This sports car uses a V12 engine in-line six-cylinder that has a capacity of 1,964 cc, which is derived from a 3,929 cc engine is an engine concept that will not be seen again in another Lamborghini car. The machine was then mated to a 5-speed transmission system and capable of producing power up to 175 hp.

1967 Lamborghini P200 Marzal. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1trkkXe)

The P200 Marzal has four seats with gullwing doors. And for the car's interior was designed by Marcello Gandini also displays a futuristic feel, with a hexagonal honeycomb theme on the dashboard and center console. This theme is also carried over even in a general form as in the seat cushions and backrests.

Rear side view of 1967 Lamborghini P200 Marzal. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/15M2VDD)

In 2011, a unit of 1967 Lamborghini P200 Marzal has successfully auctioned at an amazing price, which is €1.5 million or equivalent to 6 units of Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.

2. 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo

The 1968 Alfa Carabo concept marked a revolutionary stage in supercar design, with its hydropneumatic-powered scissors doors – later adopted on the Lamborghini Countach – and multi-coloured one way glass windows.

Penned by Marcello Gandini, from Bertone, the Carabo (which means beetle) was unveiled in October 1968, at Porte de Versailles in Paris.

1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rJbaoy)

It was based on the Chassis of the mid-engined V8 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 and was an experimental design aimed at solving aerodynamic issues first appeared on the Lamborghini Miura, which suffered from front-end lifts at high speed.

Rear side view of 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/15M30aC)

The Carabo engine made 230 hp of power at 8,800 rpm, which made it possible to achieve a top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).

3. 1971 Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo

Only 3 years after Bertone released the first wedge-shaped Alfa Romeo Carabo concept, Lamborghini got their turn with the Countach in 1971. Among all the prototypes with this universal shape, Lamborghini became the most prolific when the car was put into production in 1976. The car was named after it's 5000-litre V12 which stood for Longitudinale Posteriore 5000.

Marcello Gandini, who had shaped both the Miura and Espada was responsible for the Countach design. The low profile wasn't too far off his Lancia Stratos 0 from just a year earlier, and Lamborghini remained much more true to the Bertone concept than Lancia ever did.

1971 Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1vxh696)

Unique traits of the concept included forward-swinging doors from the Carabo and a periscope rear view mirror, both which were retained for production.

Rear side view of 1971 Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1y0S5jW)

Paolo Stanzani had the task of making a usable supercar underneath Marcello Gandini's impossibly low design. He elected to run the gearbox forward of the engine to provide direct gear changes. This raised the height of the engine for the driveline, but made the Countach look even more purposeful with its muscular rear stance.

4.  1973  NSU Trapeze

The NSU Trapeze was designed by Bertone and first displayed at the Paris Motor Show in October 1973. The car featured a mid-mounted NSU RO80 engine, positioned length-ways with rotating piston. The engine was mounted length-ways, to optimise weight distribution, and to get round the problem of engine-bulk in the cockpit.

The seats were laid out in a trapezium formation. The rear passenger seats were out of line with the front seats, which enhanced Driver's visibility. The design resembles the Lancia Stratos, with its wrap-around windscreen and small side windows.

1973 NSU Trapeze. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FGC8U8)

And the fact that the rear passenger seats were out of line with the front seats, also made for enhanced visibility. The two front seats, set very close together, allowed the passengers in the back to stretch out their legs fully in the space created between the front seats and the door. The work on vehicle comfort was later teamed with a passive passenger safety project: the space between the front passenger and the door represented an element of safety in the case of side impact.

Rear side view of 1973 NSU Trapeze. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tsBoMD)

This was Bertone’s contribution to the safety debate, in a market where the manufacturers, restricted by the strict American DOT legislation, often opted for original solutions at the cost of flexibility and aesthetic quality. In design terms the Trapeze recalls the Stratos, with its compact proportions, enormous wrap-around windscreen and small side windows. The prominent bumper running round the entire vehicle was a solution taken up successively on some vehicles destined for mass production..

5. 1978 Lancia Sibilo

Bertone presented the Lancia Sibilo concept based Stratos concept car in 1978 were exhibited at the Turin Motor Show. As with any other coachbuilder concept during the 1970s. Sibilio developed with the intention that future sports car will come, it is expected as this concept car.

Visually this Sibilo car-shaped wedge-shaped silhouette and sharing models with Stratos. Fitted with gold-colored wheels that contrasts with the color of dark brown-colored car, it does look futuristic model coupled with a model window.

1978 Lancia Sibilo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1xYVdwJ)

Sibilo used an engine taken from the Stratos stradale namely 2.4-liter V6 engine that produces power of 192 hp at 7,000 rpm and torque of 167 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The concept is to make it more functional but the Lancia cars never published performance specifications.

Rear side view of 1978 Lancia Sibilo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FIL65b)

This suggests that the design of this Sibilo Lancia not be seriously considered for production. However, an interesting note that some features of the car are some of the existing instrument cluster are approximately the same that is used in cars today's high-end.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WORLDCARFANS | CAR STYLING]

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The largest and oldest living creatures on Earth

What creature which deserves to be called the largest on Earth? Some people may answered the blue whales, a marine mammals which can reach the size of 30 meters and weighs 180 tons.

If You or someone answers the blue whale, the answer was wrong. The largest creature on Earth turns are the 'honey fungus'. The fungus has a color like honey. This creatures that covers all types of fungi of the genus Armillaria.

Honey fungus, the largest and oldest creatures on Earth. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Cts8RZ)

Largest honey fungus found in the Blue Mountains, Oregon. Its size reaches 965 hectares, covers an area of 1,665 times the soccer field. Class of fungi that have similar root section (rhizomorphs) and threads (mycelium) are useful for finding the food. With its flagship weapon, the honey fungus creeping, attacking the plants over a wide area. The honey fungus attacks was a nightmare for the planters.

As reported by the IFLScience site on Monday, November 24, 2014, scientists began to realize the large-size of honey fungus after two specimens found in 1992.

The first specimen of the Armillaria Gallica species which is alleged to have around 1,500 years old, has a size of 15 hectares, and found at Crystal Falls, Michigan. While the second specimen is A. Solidipes species found in Washington, with the size of the covers an area of 600 hectares.

Scientists found the honey fungus when they investigating mass death of the trees in the national forest region of Oregon. At that time, scientists took 112 samples of live and dead trees in the area. Revealed, only four trees were not infected by A. solidipes.

Further analysis revealed that 61 trees are attacked by honey fungus that are genetically identical, that meaning they were attacked by a single organism. Organisms that attack has aged was around 2,400-year-old, and has a coverage area of 9.6 square kilometers.

Discovery of honey fungus makes scientists think back about the concept of an organism that has been defined as a union of cells that communicate with each other for a particular purpose. Meanwhile, at the age of 2,400 years, A solidipes also became the oldest living creatures on Earth. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IFLSCIENCE]

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