All posts in “Rides”

UK-based Viritech says the Apricale will be the world’s first hydrogen hypercar

With all the buzz surrounding all-electric supercars and hypercars eventually dominating the scene, some of us are forgetting about another source of clean energy for automobiles. Experts are quick to point out that hydrogen fuel cells were considered the next big thing. Still, with many renowned brands opting to go with batteries instead, it’s facing an uphill battle. Viritech wants to change that perception with the Apricale.

Doing our own research, sources indicate that hydrogen fuel cells are currently not as feasible as batteries. First off, there is the issue of safety due to its highly combustible nature. This means refilling stations are few as supply is likewise low.

Also, its mass production processes far from being eco-friendly. Viritech still hopes to introduce the Apricale as the world’s first hydrogen hypercar. The company clarifies that it plans to match the popularity of battery power in order to address climate change.

“With an F1-derived engineering culture, focussed on agile innovation and the creation of valuable, licensable IP, our business model is to design, prototype, test, and license our technologies to global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers,” the firm said in a press release.

Virtitech is targeting an output of 1,100 horsepower but is not sharing other specifications for now. Images show beautiful aerodynamic curves and a gullwing door configuration for the Apricale. In one of the photos, there’s also a truck trailer that’s possibly also running on hydrogen fuel cells.

The manufacturer plans to build only 25 units of the Apricale which will sell for $2 million each. Buyers can expect to receive their hydrogen hypercars before 2023 ends. On the other hand, with the rate that battery systems are innovating, alternative sources of energy are now playing catch up.

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Images courtesy of Viritech

Hermès and Rolls-Royce craft the bespoke Phantom Oribe for a Japanese billionaire

Rolls-Royce is already a notably exclusive label, but it will never stop those who want to take that distinction one or several notches higher. A Japanese entrepreneur and art collector, Yusaku Maezawa, is thinking along those lines when he expressed his desire to own a one-off automotive showpiece. The Luxury automaker gladly obliges the billionaire with the help of Hermès to craft the Phantom Oribe.

Roll-Royce Bespoke lead designer Michael Bryden shares his opinion regarding this extravagant project. He said: “Phantom Oribe is a fusion of East and West, ancient and modern, serenity and exhilaration. It is always a pleasure when a client brings us a bold, clear, and imaginative vision. There is a great thrill in seeing it realised so perfectly.”

For those who might be wondering about its namesake, Rolls-Royce is drawing upon a traditional Japanese style of pottery. It does so by way of the two-tone coat that mimics the visual profile one can see on the ceramics we indicated earlier. This adds a timeless aesthetic the owner will love since he also collects Oribe pieces.

They’re calling it MZ Oribe Green and cream which surprisingly looks stunning on the upscale sedan. Teams from Hermès and Rolls-Royce are sharing their talents to handcraft the sophisticated interior. Images of the cabin show a beautiful combination of Enea Green leather with the French fashion house’s “Toile H” canvas accents.

You will also see open-pore royal walnut wood panels with intricate cutouts for the speakers. Passengers can also admire the hand-painted gallery installation of Hermès’ iconic horse motif. According to Rolls-Royce, the theme of the Phantom Oribe matches Maezawa’s private aircraft. This reminds us that money can really make a man happy.

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Images courtesy of Rolls-Royce

Hookie Co. Triumph Bobber Orca Black Edition

Hookie’s muscular Bobber Orca gets a slightly different look thanks to a Black Edition with a black and grey fuel tank cover that matches the rest of the modded Triumph Bobber wonderfully. Of course, as…

The post Hookie Co. Triumph Bobber Orca Black Edition first appeared on Cool Material.

Penny Pelican: CW&T gives us a custom electric bike to help haul cargo

You might be wondering what type of machine a Penny Pelican is. Without images, we bet nobody could figure out the what’s behind the name. CW&T does not want to keep us in suspense as it supplies the images and details about this weird-yet-interesting concept. This pedal-powered contraption is apparently an electric bike with unique capabilities.

The problem with regular bicycles is the limited cargo space. Sure a backpack is a convenient solution, but it does not allow you to haul bigger items. Another option would be a bike trailer, but CW&T likes to think outside the box.

Therefore, they’ve come up with a mechanical chimera of sorts, which we now know as the Penny Pelican. Hey, it might look like someone just cobbled some spare parts and slapped them on one of the toughest equipment containers known to man.

It’s funny because a huge section of the electric bike is actually a Pelican Hardigg transport case. The size of the military-grade cargo box can fit up to two people (awkwardly we suppose). On the rear is a freewheel hub with pedals. This drops the need for a gear and chain assembly.

Meanwhile, the front wheel houses a 1,000W electric motor with enough power to push the Penny Pelican up to speeds of 23 miles per hour. Using muscle power alone when there’s something heavy aboard is not our idea of fun. Thankfully, we can let the batteries help out in these situations.

Please note that its odd configuration means pedal power can only take you up to 4 mph, which is embarrassing. As such, just take advantage of the electric motor and save your stamina for an emergency. When you need to park and take a breather, just deploy the double-leg kickstand to keep the Penny Pelican electric bike upright.

Order yours – $8,000

Images courtesy of CW&T

GTO Engineering “Squalo”

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a legend, and British specialty-car builder GTO Engineering has created its own modern interpretation that pays proper homage to the icon. They call it the Squalo or “shark” in Italian,…

The post GTO Engineering “Squalo” first appeared on Cool Material.

Kuckoo Bruno Camping Trailers

If the COVID times have taught us anything, it’s that we really don’t need to be around other people other that much. What we really want is the warmth, relaxation and respite that only the…

The post Kuckoo Bruno Camping Trailers first appeared on Cool Material.

The Futuristic Loop Bike Has an Entirely Unique Design

There have been plenty of modern bikes we love that have graced these pages over the last couple years, but few of them do things as differently as the futuristic Loop Bike from FRANCQ Design…

The post The Futuristic Loop Bike Has an Entirely Unique Design first appeared on Cool Material.

This Autonomous Electric Car Concept Actively Cleans the Air While It Drives

We’ve seen plenty of electric car concepts designed to push the boundaries of the way we think about what a car can do. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to the autonomous versions…

The post This Autonomous Electric Car Concept Actively Cleans the Air While It Drives first appeared on Cool Material.

Help Rescue Animals and Win a New Ride With This NHS Car Raffle

If there are two things we can all get behind, it’s helping out rescue animals and sweet, sweet rides. The National Humane Society (The NHS) is a 501 © (3) Charity dedicated to improving the…

The post Help Rescue Animals and Win a New Ride With This NHS Car Raffle first appeared on Cool Material.

This Modular Bike Storage Furniture Has Enough Space for All Your Gear

If you ride your bicycle even a couple days a week, you need a place to store it that’s accessible, display worthy and built for all your gear. That’s where Riders Gonna Ride and their…

The post This Modular Bike Storage Furniture Has Enough Space for All Your Gear first appeared on Cool Material.

2022 Maxlider Brothers Ford Bronco 6×6

The new stock Ford Bronco will be cool enough all on its own, but Maxlider Brothers Customs wants to make it six wheels good. That’s right, they’re building a Bronco 6×6 that looks like the…

The post 2022 Maxlider Brothers Ford Bronco 6×6 first appeared on Cool Material.

This compact 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup truck is not an April Fools’ joke

When you are purchasing a vehicle for hauling cargo, a pickup truck is the best way to go. The platform is quite versatile, which makes it a crowd favorite. You can hitch a trailer, turn the bed into a camper with the right equipment, and even throw a tailgate bash. Hyundai, on the other hand, is shaking up the scene with 2022 Santa Cruz.

With a segment dominated by the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, Ram, and others, it’s crucial to set yourself apart from the rest. Thus, the South Korean automotive group is marketing the 2022 Santa Cruz as a compact alternative. Many will call it crazy and counterintuitive to what a pickup truck stands for.

Still, its controversial profile is stirring up talk among potential buyers. This is exactly the type of publicity that can boost sales. On the flip side, if Hyundai does not approach this carefully, the 2022 Santa Cruz could end up in bargain lots as an oddity nobody wanted in the first place.

The way we see it, this pickup truck packs just the right amount of whimsical design to make it fun. Despite its smaller stature, Hyundai reveals that its range-topping trim boasts a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. This allows the 2022 Santa Cruz to muster 275 horsepower with 310 lb-ft of torque. Its paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

It’s definitely a sportier setup by way of the paddle shifters on the steering to give drivers full control. The top trim of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, while the basic configuration sets the limit at 3,500 lbs.

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Images courtesy of Hyundai

Organize your cycling gear with these storage solutions from Riders Gonna Ride

So, you finally gave in to the pressure from your peers and can now call yourself a cyclist. Don’t sweat it, because everything will gradually fall into place. Over time, you’ll build up more stamina and will match or even outpace some of your buddies. Perhaps, another point to consider is storage for your cycling gear and apparel. Riders Gonna Ride has you covered with its varied selection of products.

Before anything else, please note that there is no issue with your cycling equipment being kept inside your garage, house, or apartment. Still, some folks might want to keep their stuff organized. Not only does it look neat, but it’s also easier to grab all the necessary items in one go.

Let’s start with what Rider Gonna Ride has available for your pedal-powered steed. Now, unless you are using one of those detachable kickstands, simply leaning your bike against a wall is not really cool. Instead, why not grab the portable and lightweight Bike Stand Mobile.

It is made from Compact Density Fiberboards (CDF), which is resistant to moisture and fire. The manufacturer says it is virtually indestructible and can even support heavier e-bikes. Up next are the Bike Hanger and Bike Wall Suspension Cabinet.

The former is a simple wall-mounted device to keep your ride upright, while the latter boasts shelves for other items. Finally, the retailer is offering an all-in-one storage platform called the Bike Box. These CDF cabinets have two variants to choose from.

The first has fixed storage spaces, while the rest are modular with the help of wooden pegs and shelving. Cyclists who prefer a minimalist approach to bike storage will love these designs from Riders Gonna Ride.

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Images courtesy of Riders Gonna Ride

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

Elon Musk might want to start looking over his shoulder now that the mainstream premium brands are going after him with their own luxury EVs. The latest entrant is the Mercedes-Benz EQS, and it’s what…

The post 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan first appeared on Cool Material.

Maxlider Brothers Customs teases a 6×6 Midnite Edition Ford Bronco for 2022

After Ford gave in to the demands of its consumers, the automotive world geared up for the return of the Bronco. Since its announcement in 2020, there has been no shortage of hype surrounding the SUV. It seems we might need to wait a bit longer as its launch date moves from spring of 2021 to summer. Now, Maxlider Brothers Customs is teasing us with a 6×6 Midnite Edition conversion.

Of course, they will need to source a new Bronco first before any work begins. Hence, we won’t be seeing this beast on the trails or streets until 2022. After waiting this long for the regular model, what’s another year, right? After seeing what they’re capable of with the Midnite Edition, the 6×6 version should be in good hands.

Maxlider Brothers Customs are not the only joint that dabbles in 6×6 conversions. In fact, aftermarket shops and tuners like, Hennessey Performance have been building these machines regularly. Ford will only be offering multiple trims of the new Bronco in either two-door or four-door configurations.

From the images circulating online, it looks like this six-wheeler will also have a Midnite Edition. Now, this is what we are all about as it gives the already intimidating 6×6 Bronco even more style. The all-black theme receives a welcome contrast by the way of a gray stripe on the beltline. This starts from the rear and extends across the hood just below the windshield.

With the addition of another axle along with the pair of wheels, the 6×6 Bronco Midnite Edition will demand more power. As such, Maxlider Brothers Customs could choose to tune the powertrain or flat out go for an engine swap. Perhaps we will learn more after Ford ships the SUVs out to dealerships.

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Images courteys of Maxlider Brothers Customs

Hamyak ATV

Give a man some tools, parts, and a healthy dose of imagination, and you get something like the Hamyak ATV. Built by Russian engineer Eduard Luzyanin, the Hamyak (Russian for hamster) is a mono-track motorcycle…

The post Hamyak ATV first appeared on Cool Material.

Bentley is aiming for another record with the Continental GT3 Pikes Peak Race Car

Aside from looking classy from all angles, most luxury automobiles are actually powerhouses behind that elegant visage. You don’t even need to strip off any of the fancy exterior to unleash what the manufacturer has endowed it with. Still, we’re making a small exception here for the Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak.

For 2021, the British marque is hoping to establish another milestone. From what you can already glean from the name, it will be attempting another record at Pikes Peak in Colorado. This is one of the world’s most challenging and dangerous courses.

Therefore, Bentley is not taking any chances. It’s kitting out the Continental GT3 Pikes Peak race car specifically to dominate the event. Above all, the renowned luxe carmaker wants the public to know that its entry will be using renewable fuel for its record run.

Behind the wheel on race day will be Rhys Millen. He’s the man who has all the skills, experience, and courage to handle this beast of a machine. Pikes Peak presents a battle against time as drivers navigate an uphill course that boasts approximately 156 turns.

“We are delighted to be returning to Pikes Peak for the third time – now powered by renewable fuel, as the launch project for another new element of our Beyond100 programme,” according to Bentley’s Member of the Board for Engineering, Dr. Matthias Rabe.

Bentley did not provide any specifics about changes to the 4.0-liter V8 engine. However, but we can see that aerodynamics is on a whole new level. We will see the Continental GT3 Pikes Peak in action a few months from now.

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Images courtesy of Bentley Motors

2021 Triumph Scrambler Steve McQueen Edition

If we’re being completely honest, you could slap the “King of Cool” name on damn near anything and most of us would be interested in owning it because even more than four decades after his…

The post 2021 Triumph Scrambler Steve McQueen Edition first appeared on Cool Material.