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Batmobile

Pereka kereta terkenal, Ash Thorp, yang terkenal dengan rekaan Batmobile dalam filem The Batman, bekerjasama dengan Carlos Pecino untuk mengubah rekaan maya Datsun 240Z menjadi kenderaan sebenar yang menakjubkan. Datsun hitam matte hasil kerjasama mereka menampilkan elemen rekaan unik seperti kamera sisi yang tersembunyi dengan bijak di depan pintu, diffuser belakang yang besar, dan penutup roda serat karbon pada rim BBS. Mengambil inspirasi dari Batmobile, kereta ini mempunyai side skirt yang tajam.

Di bawahnya, enjin asal 2.4 liter telah digantikan dengan sistem penggerak elektrik sepenuhnya dari Tesla. Datsun yang telah diubahsuai ini kini mempunyai kuasa mengagumkan sebanyak 401hp, tiga kali ganda lebih banyak daripada 240Z asal, berkat kepada motor elektrik Model S pada gandar belakang. Walaupun berat sedikit bertambah kepada kira-kira 1133kg, kereta ini mengekalkan ketangkasan pergerakan asalnya.

 

Di bahagian dalam, hanya beberapa komponen yang kekal dari 240Z asal, dengan susun atur dalaman yang menampilkan tiga dial pusat, stereng Chevy Equinox, kluster instrumen digital, dan konsole tengah yang besar. Transformasi ini mempamerkan kreativiti inovatif dan kerjasama dalam dunia reka bentuk automotif, membawa visi imaginatif menjadi kenyataan di jalan raya.

In a rare instance where a virtual car rendering transforms into a tangible reality, the Datsun 240Z has undergone an extraordinary metamorphosis into an actual vehicle, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

The concept originated in the mind of Ash Thorp, renowned for designing the Batmobile featured in The Batman movie (2022). Collaborating with Carlos Pecino from Make Haste Corp, the matte black Datsun emerged as the fruit of their partnership, marking their inaugural joint project.

Several design elements set this transformed Datsun apart. Notably, the side cameras, serving as mirrors, are ingeniously concealed within dedicated housings in front of the doors. The rear of the car boasts an immensely oversized diffuser, complemented by carbon fibre wheel caps adorning BBS multi-spoke alloys. The overall styling draws inspiration from the Batmobile, evident in the sharp side skirts.

Under the hood, the original 2.4-litre inline-six engine has made way for a Tesla-derived fully electric powertrain. Power is supplied by a Model S electric motor situated on the rear axle, providing the revamped Datsun with an impressive 401hp, nearly three times the output of the original 240Z. Despite a slight increase in weight to around 1133kg, the car maintains agility.

Inside the car, only a few components hail from the original 240Z, with a custom layout featuring three central dials, a steering column sourced from the Chevy Equinox, a digital instrument cluster, and a substantial centre console.

This real-life manifestation of a virtual concept showcases the boundary-pushing creativity and collaboration within the automotive design realm, bringing an imaginative vision to the streets.

BMW M has one last present for fans to celebrate its 50th anniversary – a modern version of the BMW 3.0 CSL which became one of the most successful racing cars of its era. The legendary sportscar both for the racetrack and the road was a puristic car that appeared in the founding year of BMW Motorsport GmbH.

The racing version won the European Touring Car Championship during its inaugural season in 1973 – and repeated this title win 5 more times. The road version of the racing car which was also known as 3.0 CSL (the initials for ‘Coupe, Sport, Lightweight) had aggressive bodywork with a rear wing that got it the nickname of ‘Batmobile’.

Now BMW M will build the 21st century 3.0 CSL which will be the most exclusive special model the company has ever produced. No more than 50 units will be available so it will have the status of rarity right away.

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Jay Leno, the former Tonight’s Show host, has one of the most comprehensive collection of the world’s most coveted vehicles from the infancy of the automotive era right up to the present day onwa. Name a vehicle that has left a mark on this world in any way or form, and there would probably be an example of it in Jay’s garage.

His Youtube channel titled Jay Leno’s Garage regularly publishes car reviews and other videos that showcases the various other vehicles that he has in his collection as well as those that his guests bring on his show.

This particular episode will be most intriguing to those who are fans of movie cars as well as those that border on the eccentric. Several of the ones featured on this episode, especially the replica of the first generation batmobile and an authentic one from the Batman Returns movie will resonate with DC Comics fanboys everywhere.

That said, their uniqueness, pale in comparison to the weird artistic contraption that was dreamed up by an Henry Chang, engineer turned artist. Realizing that the world of computer programming wasn’t as fulfilling as he would have liked, Henry Chang now a designer/musician, has built a one-of-a-kind automobile that looks more at home in a Mad Max movie than on regular city streets.

Watch the video of Jay Leno and fellow comedian Jeff Dunham ride on this giant handmade, monster truck. Let us know what you think of the vehicle in the comments below.

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