Eight Sleight: Standbike V8 concept

A 690-kilo motorcycle, powered by V8 from GM. And yes, you can paint it green if want to...

For those who just won’t ride a twin, triple, inline-four/V4 or inline-six/V6, Standbike are working on a V8-powered motorcycle. And they have, apparently, already built a fully functional, ready-to-ride prototype that’s fitted with a 305 cubic-inch (5,000cc) V8 from General Motors.

According to the company’s website, the Standbike V8 concept bike took eight years to develop and uses various unique technical solutions that allow the V8’s power and torque to be suitably harnessed for extreme traction.

The bike’s steering, clutch and lean-control systems are managed by high-tech hydraulics and electronics – probably necessary with a bike that weighs 690 kilos and which has a 2615mm wheelbase, total lenth being 3210mm. The gearbox is a four-speed unit, with one extra gear for reversing the bike, and single-sided suspension is used at both ends.

The Standbike V8 concept actually rides on four 16-inch wheels – two each at the front and back – shod with 205/45 rubber. Cornering? Er…, no, we don’t think so, though straight line stability at 300km/h should be just brilliant

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Husqvarna gets new manufacturing, R&D facility in Italy

Under BMW ownership, Husqvarna can look forward to bigger, better things in the near future...

According to a report on Dealer News, Husqvarna (which BMW bought from Claudio Castiglioni, back in 2007) will be shifting to its new headquarters in Italy, by May this year. BMW, which wants to bring various Husqvarna units – including engine, testing, development, styling and racing divisions – under one roof, is adding to Husqvarna’s existing facility at Cassinetta di Biandronno, in the Varese district of Italy.

BMW hope to sort out Husqvarna’s problems with quality control and spare parts supplies in the near future. While Husqvarna only sold 12,000 bikes in 2007, BMW hopes to increase sales in a big way over the next 2-3 years. In fact, the new manufacturing facility will have the capacity to produce up to 40,000 Husqvarna motorcycles every year.

BMW intend to keep Husqvarna as an off-road specialist brand and use R&D inputs from the company to improve/develop its own dual-purpose and off-road machines.

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Just how fast are those WSBK bikes?

For now, at just 300km/h, the BMW S1000RR is the slowest of the lot...!

From left: Max Neukirchner (GSX-R1000), Max Biaggi (RSV4) and Noriyuki Haga (1098 F09)

From left: Tommy Hill (CBR1000RR), Makoto Tamada (ZX-10R) and Ben Spies (YZF-R1)

Ever wonder just how fast those World Superbikes machines really are? During practice yesterday, at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, Max Neukirchner’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 hit a top speed of 314km/h, Max Biaggi’s Aprilia RSV4 did 313km/h, Noriyuki Haga’s Ducati 1098R F09 did 311km/h, Tommy Hill’s Honda CBR1000RR did 310km/h, Makoto Tamada’s Kawasaki ZX-10R also did 310km/h and Ben Spies Yamaha YZF-R1 did 309km/h. Troy Corser’s BMW S1000RR was way down the charts, at just 300km/h. But then, of course, the season has just begun

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Spy shots: Kia planning new compact MPV based on No 3 concept car

While Kia is presenting its new No 3 mini MPV concept at the Geneva Motor Show this week, the production version of this concept has been spotted testing in the colds of Northern Sweden. Prototypes for the vehicle were first sighted late last year and were thought to be a new MPV variant of the Kia Cee’d hatchback.

We can now confirm that the car will be based on the same platform as the Kia Soul, which means it will likely be available with a family of compact petrol and diesel powertrains ranging from 1.6 to 2.0L in size. Power outputs will range from about 126hp (94kW) to 142hp (106kW). There could even be a mild hybrid model added to the lineup further down the track.

Competition for the new Kia MPV will likely come primarily in the form of the Volkswagen Golf Plus, as well as the Opel Meriva and Renault Modus – the latter vehicle was even seen testing alongside the Kia prototype.

Some of the details include a glass panoramic roof, sporty alloy wheels, and Kia’s new H-pattern grille. First sales should start in Europe at the end of the year, which means the latest Kia MPV will be a 2010 model.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Cee'd Plus MPV spy shots

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2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA Concept

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2010 Audi TT-RS

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2008 Audi RS6 Sedan

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