Honda UNI-CUB



Honda’s latest attempt at a personal mobility device has just hit the internet. Called the UNI-CUB this so-called vehicle is a development of the Honda UX-3 - itself highly unusual. But at least it didn’t look like a motorized chemical toilet.

The Honda UNI-CUB features the company’s proprietary balance control system and the world’s first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System) - inspired by robotic technologies developed for Asimo.

These technologies allow the rider to control speed, move in any direction, turn and stop, all simply by shifting his or her weight. Since the rider can freely move forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, Honda say the UNI-CUB can easily manoeuvre among and around other people. Continue




Porsche 918 Spyder Enters Next Stage of Development



The Porsche 918 Spyder is well on its way to production, which is scheduled to start in September 2013. Along the way Porsche have been honing the vehicle thanks to several prototypes. The prototypes signal the final stage to the 918 Spyder’s development, and at the moment the focus is on the integration of the sophisticated drivetrain components. As you can imagine the successful marriage of a 4.6 litre V8 engine and two independent electric motors - one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels is not something that can be figured out over a long weekend.

The 918 Spyder is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle which offers both astounding performance and fuel efficiency. The 770 hp machine delivers fuel consumption in the region of three litres per 100 km (78 MPG). It can bolt from 0-to-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, and it tops out at 199 mph. Zero-emission electric power is available all the way up to 94 mph. Continue




BMW M135i



BMW have just revealed the new 3-door 1 Series range, and sitting at the top of the pile is the M135i. The 1 Series has never been a looker, and with the 2012 model things haven’t improved. However drivers of the M135i probably don’t care as they're grinning from ear-to-ear thanks to the 320 horsepower turbocharged 3.0 litre straight-six engine mounted up front.

The M135i was developed by BMW M Performance, and as such it has M Performance suspension components and aerodynamically optimised body parts. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual, an 8-speed automatic is optional. With the manual it takes 5.1 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h), with the automatic it takes 4.9 seconds. Top speed is an electronically limited 155 mph. Continue




Wheelsandmore Lamborghini Aventador “Rabbioso” LP777-4



Wheelsandmore, the German tuning company based out of Baesweiler, have just revealed their first performance package for the Lamborghini Aventador. Called the Lamborghini Aventador "Rabbioso" LP777-4, the car has been given some extra oomph, some new wheels, and the company are working on a selection of carbon fiber aerodynamic components.

Wheelsandmore have managed to coax and extra 77 horsepower out of the Aventador’s 6.5 litre V12 engine - taking the total to 777 horsepower. Torque has also been increased and now stands at 553 lb-ft (750 Nm). Wheelsandmore have provided the extra power through a combination of new air filter, new exhaust, and recalibrated ECU to take advantage of the new pipework. Continue

1:5 Scale RC Mk1 Ford Escort Gets an Appropriate Sound Track RC vehicles are fun. Very fun. And scale RC vehicles can be even more fun. However the trademark whine of electric motors or buzzing of nitrous engines always take the edge off the realism. The dedicated hobbyists at Headquake decided to do something about that by synchronizing video footage of a 1:5 scale hand built Mk1 Ford Escort RC car with the soundtrack of the real car doing its thing around a rally stage. Continue Ten Cars That Got More Reliable With Age Just because something is newer doesn’t necessarily mean it's better. Vineyard owners and antiques dealers rely on the passage of time to make a living. But you'd assume something as important to everyday life, like the average family car, would, with each generation, get more reliable and less likely to require expensive maintenance. In an ideal world, you'd also hope that when the worst happens, newer vehicles would be easier and cheaper to fix thanks to more intelligent engineering solutions. But we all know that's not going to happen anytime soon! Continue Video: Russian Truck Driver Ejects Just Before Impact Ahh Putin-land - otherwise known as Russia - the land of ninja manhole covers and bonkers supercars. During the cold war both America and Russia developed high-tech military hardware at a frightening rate. One area it seems Russia was ahead, was in the fitting of ejector seats to commercial vehicles. Something which came in handy for this driver who was able to exit his vehicle milliseconds before impact. Continue Video: Riding the Boosters, Up and Down in 400 Seconds Have you ever wandered what the solid-fuel boosters of the space shuttle went through during their brief ascent into space? Well if you’re answer is yes then this video is for you. The clip is from the upcoming Special Edition Ascent: Commemorating Space Shuttle DVD/BluRay produced by NASA/Glenn. Continue