We’ve see plenty of great green concept cars at this week’s Tokyo Motor Show, but Yamaha might take the prize for the best-looking two-wheeler with its new EC-f electric motorcycle. Designed to make motorcycling attractive to riders of all ages and experience levels, the vehicle features a lightweight aluminum frame, a long-lasting lithium ion battery, and a 0.6 kWh electric motor.
Perfect for commuting and short urban jaunts, the EC-f features a built-in charger that can be plugged in to any standard outlet. In order to make the EC-f even more enticing for potential riders, Yamaha has partnered with major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers to lobby for more free motorcycle parking spaces and easier access to licenses. Admirable goals for car congestion-plagued Japan, but just because a motorcycle looks like fun doesn’t mean it’s easy to ride!
"Good morning. Check out this killer wooden bike." Lance Armstrong on Twitter.
Berlin designer Arndt Menke-Zumbragel is the creator of this unique bicycle made using wood. the project began by investigating the use of wood as a construction material, paying close attention to its particular considerations. The result is a fully functional bike that weighs only 2.3 kg. with some special metal parts and carefully constructed wood pieces, Arndt has created a bike that blends new and old together into one unique package. Make sure to check out the bent wood detail on the rear support.
The SEA-DOO ® Sea Scooter EXPLORER, introduced in 2006, is the highest specification Sea-Doo ® water scooter available - ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, both in the SWIMMING POOL and the SEA. What's more, SEA-DOO® is part of Bombardier - one of the world's most respected engineering companies - so you know you are buying a quality product from a quality company.
The new Sea-Doo® Seascooter Explorer is designed and engineered to withstand the toughest environment. It was created for commercial and rental applications, making it ideal for both recreational and professional divers. This product is patented and patent pending worldwide.. The EXPLORER delivers THREE levels of thrust for a speed of up to 3.3mph/5.3km/h down to 160ft./50m. With the EXPLORER you save air, stay down longer and get more fun out of diving. The new Sea-Doo® Seascooter Explorer weighs just 32lbs/ 14.5kg including battery and includes new improved safety features such as water leakage protection, low battery voltage protection, over current protection, high temperature protection, safety lock, auto shut-off function and battery voltage indicator.
Mercedes-Benz James Cook Voted Camper Van Of The Year 2006
In a recent poll conducted by "promobil" magazine, the Mercedes-Benz James Cook was voted "Camper Van of the Year 2006" by the publication's readers.
Edging out 282 competitors, the James Cook took top honors in both the best camper van over EUR 40,000 and the overall categories, earning 56% of the approximately 20,000 votes tallied. Since its inception in 1995, the James Cook has been honored with the award twelve consecutive times.
Other Mercedes models who made promobil's camper van "best of" list included the Mercedes Sprinter-based La Strada Regent and the Mercedes Marco Polo, both of which earned the third spot in their respective categories.
For more info on the Camper Van of the Year polls, you can find the full details in the press release below.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
James Cook: the undisputed No. 1
Winner in its category twelve times in a row
Record number of votes from a field of 282 camper vans
Mercedes-Benz camper vans scoop other podium places
Stuttgart, Apr 06, 2006
The 2006 polls got off to a flying start for the Mercedes-Benz recreational vehicles. The James Cook camper van came away with an absolute majority in its category as part of the readers’ poll for the Camper Van of the Year 2006 organised by “promobil” magazine: bagging exactly 56 percent of the votes, the tried-and-trusted classic camper van is the undisputed No. 1 in the camper van over EUR 40,000 category. At the same time the James Cook comfortably notched up the best individual result of all the 282 camper vans in the poll that attracted 20,000 readers. And to top it all, the James Cook improved on the impressive 54.8 percent of votes it received last year. The timeless classic is accustomed to success: since its premiere in 1995 the James Cook has now consistently scooped top spot in 12 consecutive polls, continuing the winning streak of the previous model.
A handful of other top slots
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter once again proved its remarkable position as the basic platform for top-end camper vans, accounting for 11 out of the 18 camper vans registered in the same class as the James Cook. The third place awarded to the Sprinter-based La Strada Regent is also testimony to this magnificent achievement.
Further podium places add to the honours lavished on the Mercedes-Benz camper vans. Readers awarded third place to the compact Mercedes Benz Marco Polo in the camper van up to EUR 40,000 category. Runner-up and third place in the integrated camper van over EUR 100,000 category went to the Hymermobil S Class and the Carthago Opus, two luxury-class camper vans based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter aimed at high-end recreational vehicle owners.
“Advanced Technology That’s Simple to Use
Fusing human energy with the power of an electric motor is the essence of Giant’s Hybrid bicycles. What makes their function so unique is that Giant’s Hybrid bicycles engage the rider through a host of hidden technological features that work in unison with the body’s power output. The more human pedal power put in, the more supplemental electric power in response from the bicycle, all while being as simple to use as turning on a switch and pedaling.
There are several key technical elements to Giant’s Hybrid Cycling Technology, yet the advanced EnergyPak lithium ion battery technology and intelligence in Giant’s proprietary PedalPlus power sensor and I² driver technology are two crucial technological highlights that enable the unique Hybrid ride and offer a drastically increased range of use. At the heart of Giant’s Hybrid bicycles, rider input is read in real time through a highly receptive PedalPlus power sensor in the bicycle drivetrain that senses rider pedaling input and then interacts with the I² driver that intelligently and instantly reads pedaling motion, creating a smooth power transmission message to the SyncDrive motor in the front wheel.
Giant’s EnergyPak lithium ion batteries are lighter, smaller and provide more power and convenience than traditional batteries found in powered bicycles, ultimately creating a lighter, better performing, more agile feeling and drastically more stylish bicycle. EnergyPak lithium ion batteries also offer far greater range, allowing Hybrid bicycles to travel approximately 70 miles versus less than 20 miles utilizing previous battery power sources. The included SmartCharger charges the EnergyPak batteries in approximately four hours – half the time of older generation batteries. Riders utilize the RideControl command center, a handlebar interface that offers three power settings that enable a rider to travel farther or faster at their own command.
Quality, Dependability and Availability
Hybrid bicycle quality is second to none as every bicycle is made by Giant, the top producer of quality bicycles, in a dedicated Hybrid-only manufacturing facility. Consumers can depend on unparalleled service and support as every Giant Bicycle dealer will be a local resource for Hybrid consumers. For 2009, Hybrid Cycling Technology bicycle models include the Twist Freedom DX and Twist Freedom DX W for women, each available for $2,000 at authorized Giant Bicycle retail locations.”
In addition, our contact at Dispatch indicates that “[This] bike is a HUGE deal for Giant and will be for years to come as the company has a stand-alone factory ONLY making these bicycles…consumers can rest assured that it’s gone through arguably the most strict quality control process in the world and it’s backed by a global support team.”
At the end of the nineteenth century, the most distinguished scientists and engineers declared that no known combination of materials and locomotion could be assembled into a practical flying machine. Fifty years later another generation of distinguished scientists and engineers declared that it was technologically infeasible for a rocket ship to reach the moon. Nevertheless, men were getting off the ground and out into space even while these words were uttered.
In the last half of the twentieth century, when technology is advancing faster than reports can reach the public, it is fashionable to hold the pronouncements of yesterday's experts to ridicule. But there is something anomalous about the consistency with which eminent authorities fail to recognize technological advances even while they are being made. You must bear in mind that these men are not given to making public pronouncements in haste; their conclusions are reached after exhaustive calculations and proofs, and they are better informed about their subject than anyone else alive. But by and large, revolutionary advances in technology do not contribute to the advantage of established experts, so they tend to believe that the challenge cannot possibly be realized.
The Nissan Leaf is an electric car going into production in 2010.
Nissan released photos and details of the electric car it intends to put into production in 2010. The Nissan Leaf is a purpose-built, pure battery electric vehicle. The Nissan Leaf has its own distinct look; it’s a more conventional car than the Cube, with four doors and a hatchback. Although it hasn’t announced pricing, Nissan says the Leaf will be affordable, priced as a C-segment car. The company also notes that the Leaf will cost less to operate than a gasoline-powered car, both in energy and maintenance, as there are fewer moving parts. Also, many governments offer incentives in the form of tax credits or rebates to purchase an electric car.
The Leaf will originally be built in Japan, and sold in Japan, the United States, and Europe. As demand dictates, Nissan will build additional units in its Smyrna, Tennessee plant.
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