Transportation

Swedish designer Bo Zolland came up with this mock-up of a boat inspired by a 1963 Corvette Stingray. The boat features seating for 5, it could have 550hp, and would be expected to have a top speed of 55-70 Knots. Zolland is a designer for Strand-Craft, so if you really want one they can make you a one-off from this design. See more rendered pictures.

Derbi has a sweet little bike in the works. The DH 2.0 could be described as a motorized mountain bike. Its name Derbi means DERived from BIcycles, and the DH suggests the design is derived from Down Hill bike racing. The frame is completely minimalistic which keeps the weight down to only 88lbs! The DH 2.0 is powered by a 100cc air cooled 4 stroke engine. It features; underseat exhaust, inverted fork, and an air monoshock rear suspension. There is no word on pricing or availabiltiy yet. You can go to Derbi and take a survey about this bike. See full specs and more photos.

Ever since I saw the Icon A5 I have been advocating the need for a flying motorcycle. Apparently Samson Motorworks has something like that in the works. Their SkyBike is a three-wheel enclosed vehicle. Samson claims “you can drive in air conditioned comfort to a local airport where the wings are extended, fly to another airport to land, retract the wings and then continue to drive wherever you want to go.” The use of a motorcycle engine enables the plane to use regular gas. They expect the SkyBike to; get 55mpg economy on land, 25mpg in the air, have a 95mph maximum road velocity / 140mph+ while flying, do 0-60mph in six seconds and it should only need a 500′ runway to take off. Right not it is only a concept but Samson Motorworks says they are close to production. See more pictures.

The Norton M28 uses its 499cc single-cylinder engine as a stress point for its carbon fiber chassis. The designer, Aaron Rogers aimed at taking a minimalistic approach to performance. Much of the engine is used as the body. The M28 engine uses a desmodromic valve drive — a technology originally patented by Norton in 1924. When all is said and done this bike should pump out about 70 bhp. Another photo from the back.

The ICON A5 Sport Aircraft should be available in 2010 for $139,000. It seats two, has a max weight of 1430 lbs, a max speed of 120 mph, is powered by a Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp) engine, and has an optional safety parachute (for the whole plane). More details and full specs are on their website. See more pictures.

Ronn Motor Company’s Scorpion ($150,000) is a hydrogen hybrid supercar which gets 40 mpg, has a 3.5 second 0 to 60 time, and can top out at over 200mph. The car produces its own hydrogen through electrolysis of water using the power generated from the vehicles electrical system. The computer then adds about 30% - 40% hydrogen to the air/fuel ratio. All of this burns in an Acura dual overhead cam, aluminum/magnesium block, 3.5 liter, V-tech, V-6, Type S engine. Only 200 will be made in the first years production, so pre-order yours.

The XSR48 from XS Marine Group is dubbed the the world’s fastest production diesel powered boat. Powered by two bi-turbo diesel engines, the 2000hp monster is capable of speeds exceeding 100mph. The XSR48 features a ZF two-speed gearbox, a ZF Trimax surface-drive propulsion system, and STAB stabilization. The interior of the boat is very modern and is filled with luxuries like flat panel TVs. There is no word on the price, but you can charter it starting at €10,000 per day. Read the rest of this entry.

The Falen is the first product to be released by the Dowdeswell & Hardie design studio, and the first Supercar to be produced in Scotland. It is powered by a 5.5 liter Judd V10 engine pumping out 800 horsepower. Only four Falens will be made. A prototype is expected to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2009. Get a closer look.

One of Suzuki’s latest concepts is beginning to materialize. The Suzuki Crosscage Hydrogen Fuel Cell Motorcycle has no gears, no noise, no clutch, and no emissions. It is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell / electric hybrid engine. There is no information on weather Suzuki will continue on with production of this skinny motorcycle. See more pictures.

Yamaha might have outdone themselves (or at least Kawasaki) this time. The 2008 Yamaha FX Cruiser SHO is powered by an all new 1.8 liter, supercharged, super high output Marine Engine. This monster can accelerate 0 - 30 mph quicker than a Corvette Z06. The completely electronic throttle features a cruise control, and no wake mode. The best part is Yamaha’s new NanoXcel ultra-lightweight, high strength material that reduces the weight of the hull, deck, and liner by 25%. This nimble baby will set you back $12,799, but you know its worth the fun. Read more specs and see more photos.

Ercole Spada debuted this amazing concept about a year ago. Now Spada has teamed up with Castagna Milano to build 20 of these batmobile-looking cars. It will be powered by a Corvette-derived seven-liter V8 beefed up to over 600-bhp. We expect the car to cost around $400,000. Unfortunately we only have the concept photos from last year, but the final product shouldn’t be too different. Read the rest of this entry.

How would you like a fully electric Bentley? The Continental DC (not to be confused with DC Designs) is powered by a 24-volt direct current engine. That motor creates 0.5 horsepower and 5.1 pound-feet of torque. A carbon fiber chassis, low resistant tires, and a 265 lbs cockpit allow this miniature to travel 40-mph. More pictures.