The South Korean firm has no problem admitting that the car's tune-up is inspired by Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche models.
Forget about the Batmobile "Tumbler" depicted in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Night" films; if the caped crusader were to be Cartman - The Coon politically correct in these eco-conscious times we live in, this should have been his choice of wheels: a crime fighting, blacked-out and bat-winged Smart Fortwo. Okay but seriously now, this Smart Fortwo mini-Batmobile that was built by Harley Motorsports with a little help from the creator of the 1966 Batmobile, George Barris, is up for grabs on eBay.
The one-off BatSmart that made its world premiere at last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, is clearly inspired by the '66 Batmobile. Visual treats include the roof-mounted bat-wings, red-pin stripping and even a faux turbine and a parachute - just in case you overdo it and go over 60mph and want to come to a complete halt...
As we speak, the highest bid for the Bat Smart on eBay is US$16,100, however, that is below the seller's reserve price, so unless Harley Motorsports decides otherwise, it will sell for more. And no, as much as we would have liked, the Catwoman depicted in these photos is not included in the sale.
Via: RPMgo (formerly known as Auto Unleashed) , Link: eBay
The marketing folks over at Mercedes seem to have had their fill with the GLK’s femme fatal promo campaign that began with the compact SUV’s appearance at the “Sex and the City Movie” as they are now getting ready to target the male audience with the introduction of four customized versions of the GLK at the this year's SEMA show, taking place November 4-7 in Las Vegas. The customized GLKs are being prepared by RENNTech, Brabus, Boulevard Customs and Legendary Motor Cars. -ContinuedStarting off with RENNTech’s Rally Racer, the Florida-based tuning firm said that it has taken inspiration from the iconic Pikes Peak Hillclimb to create this special GLK concept that will be powered by a hybrid-powertrain.
Brabus on its behalf will present the GLK300 BLUETEC Widestar equipped with a wide body aero kit that includes flowing front and rear wheel arch flares and redesigned front and rear bumpers complemented with bespoke wheels and a matching interior.
Continuing with Boulevard Customs, the Florida-based firm’s GLK proposition is dubbed “The Urban Whip” and it features a wide body styling kit, massive 26-inch wheels and tires, redesigned interior and a seriously upgraded stereo system.
Finally, Legendary Motor Cars is readying the “Four Corners Rock Crawler” equipped with massive off-road wheels, roof lights and what the company describes as an “innovative winching system to propel skate and wakeboarders up to speed and actually ‘grind’ down the vehicle's specially integrated side rails” – whatever that means.
The 2007 SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) on October 30 will host the Among other things, the custom concept features a purple and orange two-tone paintjob, 20-inch alloy rims and a chromed grille with interlocking Hyundai logos. Inside, things get really ugly, as the Californian based tuner has complemented the two-tone brown leather surfaces with purple and orange colored accents. -Press release and image gallery after the jump
Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Hyundai
PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING "BEACH CRUISER" CONCEPT TO BOW AT SEMA SHOW
LAS VEGAS, Nev., October 25, 2007 – Hyundai Motor America will show a colourful glimpse of the future when it takes the wraps off the Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) on October 30. The custom concept is derived from the all-new five-door Elantra Touring, which arrives in the
K-Daddyz Kustoms Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept
K-Daddyz Kustomz is partnering with Hyundai for their fifth consecutive world premiere at SEMA. Kyle "K-Daddy" Gann took a prototype Elantra Touring five-door compact and created the ultimate
A two-tone "Amazing Grape and Tango Orange" paint scheme with Hyundai's "Flying H" tribal graphics highlights the flowing curves of the concept, while a green Polynesian Tiki idol graces the hood. True to the cruising culture, the vehicle features a front-to-rear panoramic sunroof. K-Daddyz' team also crafted a full line of interior and exterior billet accessories along with a custom race exhaust and ground effects kit. This approach is highlighted by a custom front grille with interlocking "Flying H" logos.
Performance enhancements include a prototype cold intake system, strut tower brace and painted motor cover and accessories. Twenty-inch Konig Rolf Blix 3 wheels matched with low profile Dunlap Sport Maxx tires complete the "Beach Cruiser's" aggressive and sporty look.
The purple and orange paint scheme is carried through to the interior and is complemented by two-tone brown leather surfaces and matching interior accents. No cruising car would be complete without state-of-the-art audio and video capabilities, and K-Daddy delivers with four rear-seat video screens, eight speakers, five amplifiers and eight Infinity subwoofers. In signature attention-to-detail fashion, K-Daddy created billet speaker grilles to match the exterior "Flying H" grilles, fabricated by Ryno Manufacturing. Gann also covered the five amplifiers in the trunk with an orange fiberglass "Flying H," which is hand-painted with a purple outline.
Exterior:
Two-tone paint (Amazing Grape and Tango Orange) Dupont Hot Hues
Airbrushing and pin striping by Sacred Air
Billet grilles by Ryno Manufacturing
20" Konig Rolf Blix 3 wheels
Dunlop Sport Maxx tires
MagnaFlow dual exhaust
Prototype ground effects by K-Daddyz Kustoms
Tinted windows
Interior:
Two-tone leather interior by Classic Soft Trim
Painted and airbrushed interior panels
Billet speaker grilles to match exterior grilles by Ryno Manufacturing
Infinity audio system
Titanium video system
Custom fiberglass speaker enclosure by Hard Core Audio
Mechanical:
Cold air intake
Painted motor cover and accessories
Strut tower brace
GM’s 2007 SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) offerings will include a wide range of vehicles many of which will use “eco-friendly” solutions running on alternative fuels, like E85 ethanol. Among GM’s 28 vehicles that will make their way to Las Vegas on Oct. 29 are a specially tuned version of the forthcoming Pontiac G8 GT (Holden Commodore based) built by rapper 50 Cent and Unique Autosports, a Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept (picture) which features a closed passenger compartment reminiscent of vintage racecars, and a tuned version of the upcoming 2008 Saturn Astra. -Details after the jumpPRESS RELEASE:
Many of the 28 vehicles GM will bring to the annual convention of the automotive aftermarket performance and appearance industry either run on alternative fuels, such as E85 ethanol, or feature fuel-efficient performance without compromise. The lineup is headlined by an E85-powered Corvette Z06 owned by Jay Leno. The “Tonight Show” host’s new supercar boasts a custom, 500-cubic-inch engine that generates approximately 600 horsepower and is fueled solely by E85.
Another mean, green Chevy at SEMA is FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod, built by GM Performance Division – a re-creation of the hot rods that competed at early drag strips and land-speed venues of the late 1940s and 1950s. With bodywork inspired by a 1934 Chevy and period styling touches, FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod mixes vintage style with contemporary technology; it’s powered by a 500-horse FlexFuel version of the turbocharged Ecotec engine. It runs on E85, gasoline or any combination of the two.
In addition to the alternative-fueled performers in the display, GM will also use the SEMA platform to introduce some influential concepts and production models, including the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept, which showcases a unique passenger compartment closeout evoking the spirit of vintage racecars, and a tuner-inspired version of the upcoming 2008 Saturn Astra. Chevy will make a couple of sport compact production announcements on Monday, Oct. 29, that will surely please the tuner crowd.
Celebrity endorsements will be in full force all over the SEMA show floor as three urban-inspired Enclaves customized by a trio of the industry’s most influential designers, including Rick Bottom, former NBA star Jerome Williams’ Automotive Street Style, and Mitek will be on display, along with a new Pontiac G8 GT built by rapper 50 Cent and Unique Autosports.
Additional concept and specialty vehicles in the display include:
Cadillac –Factory customized CTS Sport and Escalade Sport concepts show how sporty these new models can look with a few, carefully crafted styling and stance enhancements.
Chevrolet –In addition to the E85 ethanol-powered machines described above, Chevy is featuring a bevy of tricked-out trucks and custom cars, including:
GMC –The Yukon All-Terrain show vehicle follows in the tracks of last year’s Sierra All-Terrain concept and is designed to complement active lifestyles; and the Sierra HD Denali is a “what if” look at applying GMC’s most premium aesthetic to the Sierra 2500HD.
HUMMER –A pair of serious off-roaders is on hand, including the racing-inspired H3R and the adventure-seeking H2 Safari.
A collaboration between Pontiac, 50 Cent and Unique Autosports – the New York-based custom shop featured on the show “Unique Whips” – 50 Cent’s red-and-black performance sedan is equipped with a GM Performance Parts LSX 427 engine, custom paint, 22-inch chrome wheels and a custom-tailored interior boasting an 800-watt audio system.
Saturn –Marking the introduction of the all-new Astra sport-compact, Saturn shows off a tuner-inspired example that uses subtle exterior and chassis mods, as well as unique wheels, to give the car a street-wise stance.
GM Accessories and GM Performance Parts
In addition to the concept vehicles at the GM display, General Motors introduces products and initiatives that will surely influence enthusiast projects of the near future, including a collaboration with DUB to develop a variety of appearance and performance components.
GM Performance Parts (GMPP) teamed up with GM Performance Division to give the most famous 1957 Chevy magazine car of all time – Popular Hot Rodding’s Project X – its ultimate “rectification.”
GMPP also introduces a bevy of high-performance engines and engine support components, led by the Anniversary 427 crate engine – a limited-edition, all-aluminum big-block based on the legendary ZL-1 engine. It is completed by the ZZ427, a regular-production crate engine that features most of the same high-performance attributes of the Anniversary 427, but with an iron cylinder block.
Also new from GMPP is an LS3 crate engine, tall-deck LSX cylinder block and a trio of “LS” engine controller kits that make engine integration easy.
Ford Edge by MRT-Direct
MRT-Direct ups the “sport” in crossover sport utility with this extremely lowered and lavished Ford Edge. The 3D Carbon body kit is further accentuated with an MRT Leading Edge hood, rear fascia and black chrome exterior trim. The 3.5-liter turbocharged Duratec V-6 uses a Turbonetics air-to-air intercooler, MRT Aero turbine performance exhaust with calibration by Calibrated Success and Ford Racing Performance to drive all four 22-inch Boss Motorsports wheels and Dunlop tires. An H&R Street performance suspension keeps things under control. The performance theme is carried top the interior sporting Sparco Modena sport seats and Stewart Warner gauges. An ARC Audio system supplies the tunes while Ford’s exclusive SYNC hands-free communications system lets you keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
FMS Escape
Escape the everyday with this custom Ford Escape by ATS Design. The Escape is ready for its getaway with a custom grille and racing-inspired front fascia that houses PIAA driving lamps in the lower corners. Side skirts, rear valence and rear spoiler complete the body transformation. An Eibach suspension provides a 2-inch drop over a sharp set of 20-inch Estorils by TSW Wheels. A Gibson performance exhaust delivers a throaty exhaust note from the 3.0-liter
V-6 while rear seat passengers enjoy INVISON Industries Revolution 2 DVD screens mounted in the headrests.
This custom ride could easily be classified as ‘dessert.’ The delicious interior, bathed in supple Katzkin leather and suede, provides the perfect ambience to enjoy the INVISION Revolution 2 DVD screens in the headrests and Blaupunkt premium audio with 12-inch tube subwoofer. The
Ford F-150 by K Daddyz Kustoms
K Daddys Kustomz adds “In Your Face” to “Built Ford Tough.” This extreme machine sits 17 inches over stock on a Bullet Proof lift kit installed by Shocker Motor Sports, Fox Racing Shox and Atlas leaf springs. The 22-inch Weld wheels wear 40x15.5x22 Toyo Tires. The F-150’s 5.4-liter Triton V-8 mounts a ProCharger supercharger, Yukon gears, Kinetik power cell, and UPR billet dress up kit. K Daddys Kustomz applied the wild blue-on-blue flame paint scheme using Hot Hues by DuPont. Soft leather seats are surrounded by the sound of Titanium Power Audio and fiberglass speaker pods and plexiglass speaker box. Vizualogic supplied the headrest video and gaming system
Ford F-150 by ATS Design
Every trucker has an ultimate obsession. ATS Design partnered with an elite group of aftermarket manufacturers to bring their Ultimate Obsession to life. This radical custom F-150 features a who’s who list of brand names from the Volant exhaust and air intake system on the 5.4-liter Triton V-8 to the dual Optima batteries under the hood. ATS provided the front valance, fender flares and roll pan with billet accents along while T-Rex chipped in the billet grille insert. Ford’s Cargo Management System sits atop a Wise Industries bed rug and snuggles underneath the Snug Top tonneau cover. A McGaughy’s suspension drops the truck two-inches over 22-inch KMC Lorenzo wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber. The Katzkin leather interior will be rockin’ to the sound of a Sony premium sound system while the little truckers are entertained with the Sony DVD system and monitors.
Make-A-Wish 1951 F-Series
Justin Lilley had a wish. The young cancer patient asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help him restore his grandfather’s 1951 Ford pickup. Make-A-Wish tapped the talents of the students at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor Mich., with help from Ford Motor Company to perform a complete ground-up restoration. Justin’s wish truck sits on a Fat Man tube chassis with a supercharged 4.6-liter V-8 under the fiberglass hood. The ’51 Ford body is chopped and features suicide doors. The custom deep black paint is carried on to the Ford GT40 wheels. The interior is fitted with a custom dash, console, racing seats and a booming Alpine stereo system with custom speaker boxes.
2008 F-150 FX-2 Sport
The FX-2 takes trucking to a whole new level and the project FX-2 V2 ups the ante even further. The Vehicle Personalization branded windshield is just a hint of what’s in store. Each side of the truck shows off a different set of new 22-inch wheels while the pure white paint is set off with contrasting stripes that run down the hood and across the hard tonneau cover and down the tailgate. Ford Racing provides a supercharger, radiator, chrome valve covers and custom exhaust along with a lowering kit and tall 4:10 final gear for extra get-up-and-go. Red illuminated sill plates provide the invitation to an interior that features headrest DVDs, BaluPunkt audio and HD radio.
Urban Rider Expedition
Cruise the ‘hood in style in the Urban Rider from 3D Carbon. The 2008 Expedition is converted to a hip street custom with a new front fascia, side rockers, rear bumper lower valance and rear tailgate spoiler. An Eibach performance suspension sets the Urban Rider down over polished NC-forged, six-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber. A Katzkin two-tone leather interior and tinted windows add the finishing touches.
DeBerti Lincoln Navigator L
Who says you can’t take it with you? This gorgeous black-on-black cruiser is like a luxury getaway, complete with fully reclining back seats that massage you from head to toe. Best yet, this Navigator keeps you connected with a Trac-Vision system by KVH that provides satellite television and internet access. Just sit back in the supple Katzkin leather seats and watch a movie, the game or play a game of your own. The Black L floats on a custom air ride suspension and looks out-of-this-world with deep black PPG paint, 3D Carbon wing, Street Glow under lighting and 26-inch, forged aluminum wheels with polished rims and black spokes.
