Another Homemade Batmobile, this time from Batman Forever -with Video

There's something about Batmobiles that captures the imagination of handy-craft people like sculptor Bob Causey who built a drivable replica of the model seen in the 1995 film Batman Forever with Val Kilmer as the caped crusader. Like many other Batmobile replicas from various eras, this one too was built in a home garage and it comes with a full working interior and a rectractable hardtop that you can check out in action in the short video after the jump.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Homemade McLaren F1 Replica with BMW V12 - with VIDEO

There seems to something about building replicas that turns people on. While this Polish chap has a long way to go to reach the accomplishments of Ken Imhoff who finished a Lamborghini Countach in the basement of his house, we'll keep an eye on this McLaren F1 replica project that is obviously still under development. Up until now, the Polish man has created a tube frame chassis outfitted with a fibreglass body that mimics the shape of the McLaren F1 while power comes from a BMW V12 engine of unknown origins.

The original three-seater McLaren F1 supercar featured a BMW M division built and designed 6.1-liter V12 engine with an aluminum alloy block and head that produced a hefty 627HP at 7,400 rpm and 480-lbs/ft of torque at 6,500 rpm.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Modern-Day Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Panamericana Concept

While in Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz is adding the final touches on the legit heir of the iconic 300SL Gullwing in the form of the all-new SLS AMG Gullwing, Arturo Alonso and his team that gained famed with the Bentley S3 Project - a car which we've only seen in computer generated images, has announced the creation of a modern-day 300SL that will blend the classic shape with contemporary technology and materials.

Once again, we only see renderings of the car but the company that will distribute the vehicle, "Gullwing America" has released initial details on the project that will be based on a reproduction model from Hoope'r, Gullwing-AG in Germany.

According to the release, the 300SL's body is made out of aluminum-reinforced fibreglass while the chassis is constructed from powder coated RHS steel. The vehicle will come with an independent suspension with adjustable coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, "old-school" 17-inch AMG alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 R17 Continental Sport Contact tires and most importantly, a 5.5 liter Mercedes-Benz V8 engine hooked up to a six speed transmission.

In the 300SL Panamericana, the V8 will produce around 370HP and 530Nm of torque. The company said that in 2010, it will also offer buyers the option of a Merc's new V6 engine that delivers 320HP and 360Nm torque and can be ordered with a six-speed manual transmission.

No word on prices, but the firm said that the basic models will be painted in silver with blue accents in the front fenders with the option of a white finish with red stripes and a blacked out version. Inside, the cabin will be dressed in a red leather and plaid cloth while the instrument panel will be identical to the original 300Sl.

If the project captured your attention, you can contact Arturo Alonso at info(at)gullwing-america.com.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Shanghai Clone Wars: Landwind X8 vs Mitsubishi Outlander

There are clones and there are clones. While some come pretty close such as Lifan Motors' effort to give birth to a five-door MINI Cooper, other like Jiangling Motors's Landwind X8 that made its debut at the Shanghai Show this week, is a dead ringer for Mitsubishi's Outlander. For those of you with a weak memory, China's Landwind became known for being the first Chinese automaker to enter the European market with the SUV that spectacularly failed a crash test carried out by the ADAC, Germany's largest auto club.

And it's not only the exterior design of the Outlander that has been copied, it's also the interior as the X8 gets the same exact dashboard styling with the deep set instrument panel featuring the two circular tube-like structures.

But you still haven't heard the best part of the story; according to the Landwind, the X8 will be offered with two engines: a common-rail turbo diesel from Italy's VM Motori that develops 140HP and 350Nm of torque and -get this- a Mitshubishi sourced, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with 150HP!

Sales of the Landwind X8 are to start in China during the second half of the year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Mitsubishi Outlander SUV

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Landwind X8 SUV