Check out the ferocious Bimota Tesi H2 motorbike

Unique ONES The world's automotive enthusiasts, especially for those who like two-wheeled vehicles, aka motorbikes, are sure to know this Italian brand called Bimota. This is a brand owned by Bimota S.A. one of the premium motorcycle manufacturers headquartered in Rimini, Italy. This company founded by Massimo Tamburini, Giuseppe Morri, and Valerio Bianchi in 1973.

Bimota Tesi H2 built based on the Kawasaki Ninja H2 superbike, but still maintains the Bimota's steering-hub center system which is integrated with steering and suspension functions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rUCiHO)

During its journey, this company had ups and downs in its business activities before finally being declared bankrupt in 2017. However, it able to bounce back after Kawasaki acquired it with a share purchase of 49.9 percent in October 2019, and then changed the name to Bimota S.p.A.

In the past, if this Italian manufacturer wants to build the motorbikes always using machines from other manufacturers, ranging from Honda to Ducati. And now, in just a matter of weeks since the acquisition process ended, the joint venture is moving fast by showing its latest innovation called the Bimota Tesi H2, it's a new high-tech motorcycle in collaboration between both the Italian-Japs companies.

Bimota Tesi H2 had debuted at the 2019 EICMA in Milan and sold since June 2020 at a price tag of €64,000 (approx Rp.1.1 billion). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35dDigu)

The Bimota Tesi H2 built based on the Kawasaki Ninja H2 superbike, but still maintains the Bimota's styles. At a glance, the motorcycle body has a similar appearance to the Kawasaki H2 superbike with the sharp lines were drawn all over his body and visually, the most striking ones namely the use of wide winglets on both sides of its fairing.

And behind its aggressive appearance, there are analog and digital patterned instrument panels. The analog part is on the left side with a manually needle pointer to find out only engine speed. The rest is presented through a series of digital meter panels to display information such as speed, fuel, oil or a guide to adjusting the suspension.

Bimota Tesi H2 uses a 998 cc, DOHC, supercharged, 4 cylinder, liquid-cooled engine and is claimed to be capable of spraying power up to 231 hp at 11,500 rpm, or 242 hp at 11,500 rpm when coupled with Ram Air, and a maximum torque of 141 Nm at 11,000 rpm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XaO0zH)

Furthermore, the motorcycle has almost the same dimensions as the Kawasaki H2 supercharged motorcycle with the length of 2,074 mm, 770 mm width and 1,155 mm height. Then it has a wheelbase reaches 1,455 mm, ground clearance 140 mm and seat height 840 mm. 

The Bimota Tesi H2 itself has a dry weight of 207 kg or lighter than the Kawasaki Ninja H2, due to the Bimota sport motorcycle uses carbon fiber in the subframe. Meanwhile, the mainframe and swingarm use lightweight aluminum. This Bimota-built sports motorcycle was first exhibited at the 2019 EICMA event in Milan, Italy. At that time, the appearance of the advanced motorcycle had made those event visitors amazed.

Bimota Tesi H2 has a dry weight of 207 kg or lighter than the Kawasaki Ninja H2, due to the Bimota sport motorcycle uses carbon fiber in the subframe, while the mainframe and swingarm use lightweight aluminum. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rUCiHO)

How could be, the Bimota latest motorcycle displays various features with unique specifications, such an unusual front suspension called a steering-hub center system which is integrated with steering and suspension functions similar to those of the 1990s Bimota Tesi bikes. Besides that, a motorcycle Also equipped with an electronic damper, as well as a preload setting on the back. 

Meanwhile, the rear swingarm is the same as motorbikes in general, but with a stronger foundation, due to the combination of Ohlins-made double subtank. Even though it looks solid, those configurations are claimed to have an advantage when there is hard braking and also makes the motorbike more agile.

Bimota Tesi H2 is a motorcycle legally used on the road, due to everything needed to homologate for the public road use has been pinned on it, such as turn signals, rearview mirrors, and exhaust emissions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oijkbD)

Then for the drivetrain, this Italian manufacturer clearly reveals the mechanical heart of its latest motorcycle, which is a 998 cc, DOHC, supercharged, 4 cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. As for the bore and stroke sizes are the same as the Kawasaki H2, namely 76 x 55 mm, but the compression ratio is similar to the H2R ie 8.5 : 1.

The machine mentioned above is claimed to be capable of spraying power up to 231 hp at 11,500 rpm, or 242 hp at 11,500 rpm when coupled with Ram Air, and a maximum torque of 141 Nm at 11,000 rpm. Unlike the Kawasaki H2R which is not able to use on the public road, the Bimota Tesi H2 is the opposite, because everything needed to homologate for the public road use has been pinned on it, such as turn signals, rearview mirrors, and exhaust emissions.

And finally, after going through a year-long production period and being built in a limited number of only 250 units, finally the motorbike that was touted as the twin of the Kawasaki H2 began to be distributed to its enthusiasts since October 2020 at a price tag of €64,000 (approx Rp.1.1 billion). Wow....

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 | BIKEEXIF ]

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Bizzare Jet-engined VW Beetle

What the hell is this? The modification results of a Volkswagen 'New' Beetle below are guaranteed to have never seen before by You. Just imagine, there is a cutie Beetle, suddenly a jet engine pops out of its tail. Then who made the insane crazy vehicle like this?

A Bizzare jet-engined Volkswagen Beetle made by Ron Patrick. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3nYil02)

As quoted from RobbReport, He is Ron Patrick, A Californian engineer who has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford. What is the purpose of making this unique vehicle? Ron Patrick said that the car making was a manifestation of his desire to make the wildest vehicle that was feasible and legally used on the highway.

As for what inspired him to make it, it was a combination of sheer desire and ability. "It just seemed like an obvious thing to do at the time," he told Robb Report. "Who wouldn't want a jet-powered VW?  Hell, life’s short, if you have the time, skill, and money to do something—do it!"😮

In the process, Ron retained the original VW Beetle as it was. The modified VW Beetle uses 2 (two) engine units, where the VW's original engine unit is stored at the front to drive the front wheels and the other unit is a General Electric T58 8F jet engine mounted on the rear to drive the rear wheels. Now, the cutie VW Beetle transformed into an all-wheel drive (AWD) jet-engined VW Beetle!

A close-up of the General Electric T58-8F engine used by Volkswagen Beetle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3nYil02)

The jet engine provides an additional 1.350 horsepower (plus the burst of dramatic effect of flame) which can be directly activated through special control in the form of a throttle lever located next to the transmission lever.

The jet engine, which was originally used as a helicopter turboshaft motor. It can spin up to 26,000 rpm and idle at 13,000 rpm. So will the jet engine not destroy the body of the VW Beetle? The jet engine is positioned by means of sandwich plates bolted to contoured aluminum billets which are fed into the frame rails.

The Ron Patrick's 'Jet Beetle' in action with the flame-throwing out of its General Electric T58-8F engine of its tail. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3nYil02)

The machine has a solid stand with sliding rubber bushings at the front and rear. While in hot conditions, this engine stand will adjust itself to expand. There's a heat blanket should also be added to the front bumper so that it doesn't melt when the jet engine is started.

Of course this jet engine is very wasteful of fuel which is certainly not use ordinary fuel too. It needs attention before starting the jet engine, first make sure the safe distance in around the car, especially the rear.😊

The Ron Patrick's 'flamethrower' VW Beetle nicknamed 'Jet Beetle' apparently has been registered able to use legally on the streets. And reportedly the car is offered to those of you who are interested in owning it with a price tag of around the US. $500,000 (approx Rp. 700 millions).

Wow, it turns out to put a flamethrower on the tail of a car is expensive too! What if You're owned this VW, where will You go with the Jet Beetle? If We owned it, We will go to camping ground and makes some campfire to warm the atmosphere.😉 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROBB REPORT ]

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Born to be Collectible

Rare ONES It is not something extraordinary if there are cars produced for collection items. This can happen because of the limited amount of production or caused by other things such as the factory stopping production, and so on.

1958 Packard Hawk was distinguished in key ways by its designer, with a fiberglass front end and modified deck cover to look like a typical American 4-seater sports car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MuDcKE)

And at the end of the 1950s there were car models that were produced in a very short time and then instantly became collectibles. The car was a typical American sports car called the Packard Hawk born in 1958 which back then positioned as an alternative model to the market-favorite Ford Thunderbird, which offered a new version in 1958 as well.

Packard Hawk is appeared beautifully finished in Parchment white with gold trim on the tailfin. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Lcud02)

As we know Packard was no longer existed after 1958 and never before ventured into the realm of sports cars, so the Packard Hawk became a production car for just one year as well as one of the car models produced by the American car manufacturer Studebaker and rebadged as the Packard model with only 588 units ever came off the assembly line.

1958 Packard Hawk is the essence of the 1950’s beauty, with flashy trim, tailfins, a hardtop, and a powerful supercharged engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MuDcKE)

Well, it is known that this model was built on a Duncan McRae's design specifically made to be the personal sports car of Roy T. Hurley, president of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, who took over the Packard factory in 1953 due to doesn't want to see the Packard big-name corporate to collapse, and he continued the Packard production in Detroit for three years while acquiring the flagging Studebaker Corp. in South Bend, Indiana.

1958 Packard Hawk cabin covered by a beautiful genuine leather with full instrumentation in an engine-turned dash. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MuDcKE)

In 1957, Packard moved to the Studebaker facility. Actually, at the time Packard was left only the suck brand with the sale numbers continued to slump followed its bad reputation and was booed by the Packard lovers due to the cheaper cars built in the mid-1950s and called as "Packardbakers."

1958 Packard Hawk uses a Studebaker 289  V-8 engine coupled with McCulloch supercharger. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MuDcKE)

To restore Packard's reputation for quality, Hurley decided to use his custom-built two-door hardtop as a prototype of the 1958 Hawk and touted as the "Family Sports Car," the Hawk actually began production in January 1957.

1958 Packard Hawk has a wide and low opening just above the front bumper and covers the entire width of the car underneath and the top has a sloping nose and hood. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MuDcKE)

Although similar-looking to Studebaker's 1957 tail-finned Golden Hawk, the Packard Hawk was distinguished in key ways by its designer, with a fiberglass front end and modified deck cover to look like a typical American 4-seater sports car.

It powered by a 4,700cc supercharged V8 engine and equipped with the BorgWarner Flight-O-Matic automatic transmission, power brakes and power steering to ensure effortless high-speed cruising ability.

1958 Packard Hawk's rear end featured with dual antennas and dual exhausts. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MuDcKE)

Overall its appearance is indeed similar to the Studebaker Golden Hawk, with a slight difference, among others, that, if the Golden Hawk has a Mercedes-Benz-style front grille, the Packard Hawk has a wide and low opening just above the front bumper and covers the entire width of the car underneath and the top has a sloping nose and hood reminiscent of 1953 Studebakers, but with a Golden Hawk-like bulge.

1958 Packard Hawk has a unique fake spare tire protrusions adorning the rear deck cover. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Lcud02)

While on the back, the sides of the fins are covered with metallic PET film, which gives it a shiny metallic gold look. There are also fake spare tire protrusions adorning the deck cover of the 1953 Studebaker. Then there is a line of 'PACKARD' that appears on the front nose, with the Packard emblem accented in gold embellished along with the Eagle badge on the trunk lid and fins.

The Packard Hawk's interior is covered by genuine leather also featured with full instrumentation in an engine-turned dash. As on early aircraft and custom boats, padded armrests were mounted outside the windows, such a rare touch. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MYDREAMCARONLINE | VAULT CLASSIC CARS ]

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10 Classic Russian-built fast cars in Soviet Union era (Part-2)

Speed DEMON We will continue the discussion about fast cars made in Russia while under the regime of the Soviet Union.

1951 GAZ 'Torpedo' uses an four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine that delivers 105 hp of power at 4,000 rpm and could be make the machine run up to the top speed of 191 kph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MkEisr)

In the second part of articles, We invites You to take a look at the most unique interesting conceptual and experimental cars were aver developed by Soviet engineers and designers during the 1950s and early the 1960s.

6. 1954 GAZ TR 'Arrow'
And the Russian experimental car was constructed in 1954 which received designation of GAZ SG-3 and the nicknamed GAZ TR 'Arrow'. The car had a tear-shaped aerodynamic body, to be exact the bezramny single fuselage sheathed by thermoprocessed aluminum sheets.

1954 GAZ TR 'Arrow' had a tear-shaped aerodynamic body, to be exact the bezramny single fuselage sheathed by thermoprocessed aluminum sheets. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aTfcer)

It already had a turbojet that able to make the speed of the experimental car achieved about 500 kph, but due to the lack of specially purposed tracks and high speed tires, the maximum speed should not have exceeded 300 kph according to its test program results.

7.  1955 Zvezda-5 and 1957 Zvezda-6

There are many similarity technical features for the 1955 Zvezda-5 and 1957 Zvezda-6, such as the engine lied under the hood of both racing cars, there's a two-stroke 250 cc supercharged engine coupled with four speed manual gearbox plus independent suspensions for each of its legs.

1955 Zvezda-5 uses a two-stroke 250 cc supercharged engine with 50 hp, so it could be brought the top speed of 200 kph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rDpBkq)

The difference lies in the size of the body and the power capacity generated by the engine alone. The Zvezda-5 is shorter with 3.20 meters with the weight of 360 kg, and its machine able to spew power of 50 hp so it could be brought the top speed of 200 kph. 

1957 Zvezda-6 uses a two-stroke 250 cc supercharged engine with 54 horse power, so no wonder it was capable run up to the top speed of 220 kph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rynvlT)

While the Zvezda-6, instead, had a more powerful engine of 54 hp and, although the higher weight of 420 kg, so no wonder it was capable run up to the top speed of 220 kph.

 

8. 1955 Pomogaybo Avangard

The car made by Ivan Pomogaybo followed a similar path when he built his Avangard record car at the plant where he worked as a shop manager. The streamlined body and mid-engine layout were also combined with extensive use of parts from the Pobeda car. However, Pomogaybo used a 6-cylinder engine from a 2.5ton GAZ truck.

1951 Avangard had a mid-engine layout, instead of a front-mounted engine, a platform frame chassis and elongated, streamlined bodies. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/38M22NB)

Although the Avangard secured its status as the fastest car in the USSR in the 3-liter class, it was not as fast as the aforementioned cars. The design was a mid-engined layout with the power unit located behind the driver’s seat, in front of the rear axle, and connected to the main gear by a driveshaft. The body was made of sheet steel.

1955 Pomogaybo Avangard used a 6-cylinder engine taken from a 2.5 ton GAZ truck. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/38M22NB)

The car was constantly modernized: the wheelbase was lengthened, the body panels of a modified shape were made of thinner metal, a new completely overhead-valve cylinder head and a more advanced blade-type supercharger were installed on the engine, an additional gearbox was integrated into the main gear and so on. Engine power has been increased to 220 hp. The Avangard reached its zenith in 1955 with a top speed of 257.6 kph.

9. 1956 Moskvich-G2

This was a record-breaking racing car designed by I.A. Gladilin and I.I. Okunev, and built in 1956. The Moskvitch G2 set three Soviet speed records in long-distance racing.

1956 Moskvitch G2 set three Soviet speed records in long-distance racing of the 1950s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3pwURzG)

It competed in the 1959 USSR Championship and won in the under 2500cc class. The Moskvitch G2 was no longer used after 1960 and written off in late 1963. Only two were built , and both were dismantled for spare parts.

10. 1962 ZIL 112S and ZIL 112RG

One of the most successful Soviet racing cars was the ZIL 112 S which appeared in 1962. Like most sports cars in the Soviet era, the ZIL 112 S used parts from another Soviet-produced cars. For example, its front suspension is taken from the GAZ 21 Volga, although the rear suspension is completely original, as well as disc brakes on all wheels (rear brake is attached to main gear). Meanwhile, the engine and transmission are taken from the ZIL 110.

1962 ZIL 112 S racing cars can run around 260-270 kph in general depending on its engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oiCQ89)

Although only two cars ever built, and both cars developed from the ZIS 110, after had slightly redesigned as to be used lighter aluminum components. One unit has a 6 liter V8 engine capable of producing 230 hp, and the other uses a 6.95 liter V8 engine capable of producing 270 hp. The performance of this race car depends on the engine, in general the ZIL 112 S can run around 260-270 kph. And when compared to the previous modified version of the 112, the ZIL 112 S has a shorter wheelbase (2,190 mm) and is more lighter (1,300 kg).

1962 ZIL 112 RG racing car featured with a brand-new, more enclosed body and belly-pan fairing, covering all the mechanicals beneath the car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oiCQ89)

In a later development, one of the cars was given the name ZIL 112 RG after received a brand-new, more enclosed body and belly-pan fairing, covering all the mechanicals beneath the car. Those car making intended to try to break the Soviet land speed record. Then this car was taken to the Astrakhan region to run on the Baskunchak salt lake. But that year, Baskunchak had a lot of rain (which in fact is almost never seen there) and the ZIL 112 RG only hit 200-230 kph, because the tires couldn't run any faster on such surfaces.😞

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to these Ten Russian-made fastest racing, experimental and concept cars while under the Soviet Union regime, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. Or You wanna see previous part. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PROSPEEDPARTS.COM | OLDCONCEPTCARS.COM | DYLERS.COM | DESIGNYOUTRUST.COM | CAR-REVS-DAILY.COM | CEAUTOCLASSIC | AUTOPUZZLES.COM ]

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Ferruccio Lamborghini's favorite car

Rare ONES Some time ago we discussed a car that was used by Enzo Ferrari, but it is incomplete if we do not discuss the car used by his rival Ferrucio Lamborghini, who is known as the founder of another Italian premium car brand Lamborghini.

The Lamborghini Jarama was built based on the design of Marcello Gandini in between 1970 to 1976 only as many as 328 units. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aV68pf)

Alhough his name sticks forever to all the supercars made by the raging-bull logoed manufacturer. For Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the Italian premium car company that bears his name, the mid-engine legendary models at that time such the Miura, which started launching in 1966, and the Countach, which followed in 1973, were not his style.

Ferruccio Lamborghini posed along with his favorite's Jarama (left) and a Lamborghini built tractor (right). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JB2O7I)

In fact, the Ferrucio Lamborghini's favorite is probably the most obscure car to come from the Sant'Agata Bolognese and was the Lamborghini You forgot about as well. How can?

The Lamborghini Jarama's dashboard and interior view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSax1A)

As quoted from Road and Track, Ferrucio Lamborghini once said in an interview with Thoroughbred & Classic Car in 1991 that his favorite car was the Lamborghini Jarama, due to it was the perfect blend of Miura's slick performance and the comfort of the Espada.

The instrument panel and steering wheel of an early Lamborghini Jarama model. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSax1A)

There is no special reason that makes Ferrucio Lamborghini likes Jarama, it's just because he wants a high performance sports vehicle like the Miura and can comfortably accommodate four seats in the cabin like the Espada, and he thinks all of that is only in Jarama.

The Lamborghini Jarama's second row seats view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSax1A)

Then what is the Jarama's appearance, which is said the Ferrucio Lamborghini's favorite car? The Lamborghini Jarama is a sports car model made only as many as 328 units by the raging bull logoed auto factory, and was produced from 1970 to 1976 based on the design of Marcello Gandini, one of the famous Bertone designers. Besides, the Jarama is also intended as a replacement model for the Islero Grand Tourer.

Early Jarama model rear view, showing Miura-style knock off magnesium wheels. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JB2O7I)

The sports car with a front-mounted engine with a 2 + 2 composition inside its cabin was produced in 2 variants, namely the standard Jarama with 176 units and the Jarama S as many as 152 units. Early Jarama models featured center-locking magnesium alloy wheels, as used on the Miura and S1/S2 Espadas.

Lamborghini Jarama Rally and Lamborghini Miura P400 Jota. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JB2O7I)

Then what about the performance? The Jarama is powered by a Lamborghini's V12 3.929 cc engine coupled with six Weber 40 DCOE carburetors capable of producing 350 bhp (260 kW) of power in the standard Jarama (365 bhp in the next-model Jarama S) which is then channeled to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. So it is not an exaggeration to say that the Jarama might be the best front-engined Lamborghini ever.

It's funny to think that the Lamborghini models known for its raucous mid-engine supercar, turn out that's the opposite of the car that Ferruccio himself wanted. Anything can happen when it comes to taste, that's it.... So even though the Countach is Lamborghini defined, the Jarama was the one that had Ferruccio's heart. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK | THEEXTREMEXPERIENCE | MOTORTREND | WIKIPEDIA ]

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