A unique 1950s phony jet-engined scooter from Germany

Walba was one of the first German scooters from the post-war period. As quoted from Wikipedia, the motorcycle company based in Reutlingen, Germany was founded by a father and son in 1949. The Walba name derived from the abbreviation of the company founder names, ie Waldemar and Alexander BAlbaschewski. The official company name was Walba Fahrzeugbau Reutlingen.

1949 Walba 98 prototype scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rkutA6)

It is known that Alexander Balbaschewski was an engineer who had worked in several well-known automotive companies, such as Ford, BMW and MAN up to senior engineer level. The first scooter made by this company is Walba 98 in 1949.

The most notable scooter ever made by the company was Walba DeLuxe which is presented in 1950 and powered by a two-stroke ILO engine with a capacity of 100 cc, then 118 cc. As quoted by CyberMotorcycle, its unique body design comes from a French serviceman, Louis Lucien Lepoix, doing his bit to help with the reconstruction. He later achieved some success with BMW and as a designer in France.

1952 Walba DeLuxe scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Nv3eM1)

What makes this scooter is very unique, it is clearly seen that the Walba scooter has a different appearance from the other scooters at that time. Yes, when you ride this scooter, it's as if you were riding some kind of jet-engined vehicle from outer space. That's because under the seat and behind the rider's legs there's a unique body structure resembled a jet engine (a phony jet engine).

1952 Walba DeLuxe scooter at Automuseum Schramberg in May 2012. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Co17Dp)

Besides that the scooter had identical front and rear wheel suspension and an engine-transmission unit which was installed in a similar way to the Imme - as the rear wheel went up due to a bump on the road, the engine went down. This reduced un-sprung weight to a minimum giving the machine superior handling characteristics. It was fitted with a hydraulic brake.

Walba DeLuxe scooter on the 1950s poster. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Nv3eM1)

It turns out that the Walba unique scooter is not very successful in the market, because it is expensive, complicated and heavy, so the sales figures run at the turtle speed. The Walba scooters were built until 1952, when Fahrzeugfabrik Kannenberg KG, a vehicle construction and workshop company in Kannenberg bought the company. Manufacture continued under new ownership known as the Faka scooter, and it was marketed with minor changes.

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 | WIKIPEDIA | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | ROLLERWELT.ORG]
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KIA Futuron concept car inspired by an UFO?

KIA Motor has revealed its newest sport utility vehicle (SUV) concept, named the KIA All-Electric Futuron Concept at the 2019 China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai, China. This car is mentioned as the South Korean automotive manufacturer's hope, as well as its vision translation of future mobility.

KIA Futuron Concept unveiled at the 2019 China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai. (Picture from http://bit.ly/2KblQyt)

By combining the design power of KIA Motor with the electric-battery powertrain which they claim is very efficient, this new concept represents the existence of the Korean car manufacturer to move forward. They even asserted they were ready to enter the electrification era in the global automotive world.

As reported by Carscoops, the Futuron concept car comes as a progressive electric-powered SUV coupe, with an exterior design that is clearly the most striking thing about this concept. It combining elegant proportions with clean shapes and surfaces, the Futuron concept introduces a new interpretation of the far wider "tiger nose" grille, where the grille now integrates the "Star Cloud" design feature headlights on the surface of dragon skin scales inspired by Chinese mythology.

KIA Futuron Concept coupe's body adopting a low profile that contrasts with elevated ground clearance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NBj73D)

By taking inspiration from the nebula star, the headlights consisting of LED matrix geometric patches are echoed to the rear lights with similar LEDs, so that when viewed at a glance it will resemble the Hyundai Grandeur facelift teaser.

KIA Futuron Concept is reflected in spacious and flexible interior design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NBj73D)

The vehicle proportion is equally striking, with the SUV coupe's body adopting a low profile that contrasts with elevated ground clearance. This Futuron concept car has dimensions of the length of 4,850 mm (190.9 in), the height of 1,550 mm (61 in) and has a wheelbase of 3,000 mm (118.1 in).

Furthermore, the Futuron concept car also has an unusual roof shape, which is a diamond-shaped panoramic greenhouse that is above the 360-degree core was mentioned inspired by the "UFOs and flying saucer designs." There is a LiDAR sensor (light and range detection) that supports the car's capability of Level 4 autonomous driving.

KIA Futuron Concept supported by a fully-electric powertrain and high capacity battery. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NBj73D)

The dramatic shape of the Futuron concept vehicle is also supported by a fully-electric powertrain. Then a high capacity battery is also installed under its cabin floor, which is able to provide energy for its four powerful in-wheel electric motors. As the results in a low center of gravity and an e-AWD system which is said to provide a quick response to the driver's input.

Then the KIA Futuron Concept' autonomous capability is reflected in the spacious and flexible interior design. Its two front seats are made of flexible material and can offer a straight driving position, or a leaning rest position. When the self-driving mode is activated, the front seats on the rest position while the steering wheel enters/pulls.

The 'Star Cloud' lighting system and dragon skin scale motifs on the door create a connection to the exterior, with a ventilation system placed behind the dragon skin scales as well. Another striking interior element is the cockpit area surrounding the driver which is also equipped with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) system, which flows out of the driver's side door and winds the steering wheel in a smooth curve. This effectively combines the instrument cluster directly with an audio-visual display in the center of the dashboard. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS]

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The unique, revolutionary pioneering scooter

For those of you, the automotive lover especially motorcycle and scooter fans, You might know the Horex, one of the famous German motorcycle brands in the era before and after the 2nd World War. As quoted from Wikipedia, the company was founded in 1920 by Friedrich Kleemann, a Finance Manager at Rex Konservenglas Gesellschaft (REX glass manufacturer) in Bad Homburg (Germany). At that time he bought a small motor factory named Columbus Motorenbau AG, in Oberursel (Taunus).

1956 Horex Rebell 250 prototype scooter, the forgotten pioneer of the modern scooters. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WRXteo)

And in 1923, Fritz Kleeman (son of Friederich Kleeman) who later founded a motorcycle factory called HOREX-FAHRZEUGBAU AG. He derived the name from his city, HOmburg and the company where his father worked, REX. Initially, Horex built motorcycles with Columbus four-stroke engines from Oberursel until in 1925 Horex and Columbus merged.

Fritz Kleeman is also known as a motorcycle racer and often rides a motorcycle with the Horex-owned engine. He built the first Horex "real" motorcycle, by using a 248 cc OHV GNOM engine, delivered from the Columbus-Engine factory, which then tested by himself during the race. So, it can be said that Horex was built for motorcycle riders by motorcycle riders.

The German company manufactured a range of remarkable motorcycles from 250 to 800 cubic meters with single-cylinder and two-cylinder engines. Among its best-known models are the Regina 350 single-cylinder, first introduced in 1948, the beautiful, emblematic, two-cylinder Horex Imperator 500 in 1951 and the 400 in 1954.

This Horex Rebell 250 scooter model has never been produced by the company due to financial problems. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NVaqA3)

Over time, it turns out that the German brand also ever developed a sophisticated scooter prototype called the Horex Rebell 250 start from 1954 to 1956. Even though this scooter was never been produced by this German manufacturer, but the figure of this scooter could be said to become a source of inspiration from the development of modern scooters today which are dominated by many brands from Japan such as Yamaha and Honda.

Horex Rebell 250 has a cleverly and well-designed frame, with one large transverse backbone that passes between the rider's feet. Its engine lubricating oil is also carried in it, and underneath hangs its engine, which, if you notice, it looks very much like a modern moped construction.

The four-stroke engine is positioned horizontally by following the crankshaft and gearbox, thus lowering the center of gravity, bringing it closer to the front wheels, ideally positioned from a spatial perspective. With the overall Rebell layout like that which modern motorbike and scooter designers later paid attention to apply to the current two-wheeled vehicles.

1956 Horex Rebell 250 scooter can be said as the source of inspiration from the modern scooters. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WRXteo)

Yes, you can imagine how the Horex's visionary idea was when it designing the Rebell 250 prototype scooter and making it a source of inspiration for the development of modern scooters more than 6 decades later, so it deserves to be called a 'unique, revolutionary pioneering scooter.'

Then if you pay close attention, the Horex Rebell 250 has a long saddle for two people, large wide and long sidewalks for both passengers, the exhaust passes under the passenger compartment, with the tunnel running low between the rider's feet. And the apron in the front that protects his feet was wide and bent aerodynamically, to reflect the air. The same aerodynamics look like the headlamps, which are locked inside the hood, large front wings, but not too long, leaving a very beautiful rim to appear.

Then the Rebell 250 scooter uses a pair of wheels made of exotic magnesium with a diameter of 16 inches. But the interest was not only in the use of lightweight, expensive metal for the rims but also in the tires, which due to wheel size were motorcyclists (another "plus" of the model) and even tubeless.

1956 Horex Rebell 250 scooter frame looks very much like a modern moped construction. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WRXteo)

In the front of the Horex scooter was mounted with brackets and shock absorbers, while the brakes were front and rear uses the drum brakes with hydraulic actuation! For better weight distribution and to charge the front wheel more, thereby assisting grip, right and left of the fork neck and behind the headlamp, there were 2 batteries to power the system.

The scooter prototype uses a Horex four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, two valves horizontal 250 cubic feet engine with the weighs just 135 kg, and the engine can be burst power up to 18 hp which is remarkable even with today's data. Unfortunately, there is no information about the existence of the prototype Horex Rebell 250 scooter until now.😭

Interestingly, the Horex Rebell 250, was created by the French designer Louis L. Lepoix of the FTI design company. Lepoix's work will be presented in the future, as he has designed other very interesting 50s and 60s German scooters such as Walba and Bastert, Contessa (TWN), and Maïcoletta, a Champion buggy built in Sweden, etc.

In addition to having made a scooter prototype, Horex turns out also ever made a 50cc moped. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2wBDzeS)

Due to financial problems, Horex has never been able to take its Rebel 250 scooter into production lines, while the company already losing its market share in Europe. In 1960, the company was bought by Daimler Benz (for which it manufactured parts since '56) and the production of motorcycles was ceased.

The company filed for bankruptcy in September 2014, and in late 2014 announced that all employees had been let go and the factory was closed. And 3C-Carbon Group AG is going to be the new owner of the motorcycle brand Horex. Under the direction of the insolvency administrator, Rainer U. Müller from the law firm Anchor Rechtsanwälte, the 3C-Carbon Group AG came out on top in the quest to purchase Horex on February 6, 2015.

Today the rights to the legendary German company are owned by a new company (3C-Carbon Group AG) - promising a lot of it - that has a six-cylinder Horex VR6 series, which was supposed to be on the market since 2013.

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 | HOREX | MOTO-COLLECTION.ORG | SCOOTERNET.GR | WIKIPEDIA]

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This autonomous vehicle is Your future motorhome

Autonomous technology or vehicles without a driver is one of the features that began to be developed in the automotive world. Although it is still hampered by safety problems, traffic conditions, and rudimentary systems, this technology is predicted to be able to improve driver comfort in the future.

Hymer's self driving motorhome concept Galileo takes travel and leisure to new heights. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2X1nEQ0)

One company that seeks to develop this technology is the Erwin Hymer Group, a German company which is engaged in motorhome. The company is making a concept vehicle of the future in the form of a car without a driver that can be used as a motorhome as reported by Motor1.

Hymer's self driving motorhome concept Galileo serves as an on-demand modular camping pod service. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32thTLL)

Given the name Galileo, this car has two separate parts. The first part is the chassis that is pinned on an electric drive engine. Second is the body that can be removable. According to the company, this design will give the possibility of more diverse customizations to the interior.

Full wraparound kitchen, complete with digital recipe/shopping list display. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2X1nEQ0)

With autonomous technology that does not need a place for motorists, this car has more space as a place to live.

Hymer's self driving motorhome concept Galileo is just a loose, forward-looking vision, and no physical concept vehicle or spec sheet accompanied the rendered video and pictures at its debut. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2X1nEQ0)

In the video from the Gizmag's YouTube channel, it looks like an autonomous Galileo car has a futuristic and box-shaped design. Inside there are beds, bathrooms, kitchens, sofas, and various home needs.
Hymer will also use this concept car to develop the motorhome business. Consumers can rent this car for travel and adjust to their individual needs. When the trip is finished, the car is then returned and the body parts can be removed and replaced with a body that is adjusted to the wishes of the next consumer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | NEW ATLAS]
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The Krauser Domani unique sidecars

You all have heard of the sidecar, but have you ever heard and known about The Krauser Domani? Maybe for some of you, the Krauser Domani name sounds weird and not familiar, because actually this unique-shaped sidecar motorcycle was born and existed in the 1990s with its major population in Japan and Europe.

Michael Krauser and his sidecar mate Franz Preisl were a works BMW sidecar racer on a sandy track. He won at the & National German Championships in '55, '56, '57, and '58 attest. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34clsao)

The story itself began with Michael Krauser, a sidecar racer who had worked for the German automotive manufacturer, BMW in the 1950s. When he became a racer under the BMW flag, Michael Krauser can be said a great racer because he recorded several times winning the German national championship series, namely in 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1958. After that, he moved to another team, and soon he retired.

The Krauser Domani, a unique-shaped sidecar motorcycle was born and existed in the 1990s with its major population in Japan and Europe. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WulvvV)

Then he reappeared in the 1970s as someone who designed and made motorcycle parts. Michael Krauser made his debut in the motorcycle industry by making motorcycle accessories such as extra luggage and other motorcycle additional parts.

The Krauser Domani is made on the basis of the BMW K1200 motorcycles with power up to 150 horsepower. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WulvvV)

After then he accepted the challenge to go further by making motorcycle designs. But The Krauser Domani was not the first motorcycle he made, the first work of his was a BMW R100RS customized motorcycle.

Until someday he made a unique sidecar motorcycle concept design and turned out to make many like it. The Krauser Domani, a motorcycle with a fancy science-fiction design concept, which can be likened as a DeLorean car in the famous film of the 1980s titled 'Back to The Future'.

The Krauser Domani, a motorcycle with a fancy science-fiction design concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WulvvV)

But it is not only the design that makes The Krauser Domani special, but also the motorcycle which is the basis of the design as well. Because The Krauser Domani is made on the basis of the BMW K1200 motorcycles with power up to 150 horsepower.

The result is The Krauser Domani sidecar motorbike with the 1980s science-fiction movie-like rides appearance that has a 5-speed and can be driven up to a maximum speed of more than 200 kph.

This unique sidecar motorcycle uses a custom steel chassis linked permanently to the sidecar chassis. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WulvvV)

When discussing how The Krauser Domani was made, then we need to see how the chassis of the BMW K1200 was changed. This unique sidecar motorcycle uses a custom steel chassis linked permanently to the sidecar chassis.

For the front section of this motorbike, it has also completely changed, by applying the front suspension system which is placed in the middle because the front tire is supported by the side swing arm. Although seen as a sidecar, The Krauser Domani can also be called a trike or also a three-wheeled car. That's because of the suspension and drivetrain of The Krauser Domani like a car.

In the 1990s, this sidecar motorcycle was estimated to only be produced and sold to no more than 1,000 units, with marketing areas limited in Europe and Japan only. So it's no wonder why these sidecar motorbikes populations are seen dominant in Japan.

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 | RIDEAPART | MOTORIDERSUNIVERSE | WIKIPEDIA]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.