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One of the most awesome death-traps we've seen in a while, this custom 6-wheel go-kart is powered by a 1000cc engine from a Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle. That means there's about 180 HP screaming directly behind you, sending power through all four rear wheels. This thing makes a 'Busa Kart look ordinary. We're somewhat surprised that it wasn't sold, even with its $6,000 starting bid. But then, the seller does say: "I DO NOT SUGGEST THAT ANYONE RIDE THIS KART." Never has going out in a blaze of glory been so simultaneously appealing and appalling.
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Lotus may not have a whole lot to worry about yet, but a bizarro Elise of sorts is in the offing for the UK — the Javan R1 roadster. Both are mid-engined sportsters, but where the Elise sports a modified Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine, the lighter Javan R1 will get power from its closest rival, Honda's 2.0-liter i-VTEC four. The Cornwall-based company — which plans to launch the car this year — says the 1433-lb R1 can hit 60mph in 3.6 seconds. It's built using an epoxy-bonded aluminium honeycomb monocoque and meets the road via a computer-designed, race-bred suspension. The plan is to give the Caterham Superlights, Ariel Atoms, and, of course, Elises, a go, though the company plans to build to suit — around 12 per year. Click through for specs. More »
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Japan is getting a tricked-out version of the Subaru keicar, the R1. By tricked out, we mean The R1i, as it'll be known, will actually be less trick than the base model. Yes, kids, it's another "value package," which substitutes a single overhead cam (SOHC) version for the R1's DOHC 0.66 liter motor. That would be like, say, using a rubber band from mom's 10,000-count "bag o' multicolored rubberbands" to power your balsa- plane, rather than the holding dad's shoebox of "old postcards" closed. Ok, not exactly — actually SOHCs are lighter and often get better torque at low engine speeds. Anyway, it comes with a set of 14" alloys. What? You got a problem with alloys? More »
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