Automotive

How good does a bike have to look in order to make up for the fact it's functionally compromised? From futuristic customs to retro throwbacks, these five motorcycles make hefty practical sacrifices at the altar of vanity.

Although best known for its bikes, Yamaha is working on a rather gorgeous-looking electric sports coupe with Caterham EVo. The concept debuted last year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and promises 268 horses for its impressively low curb weight.

KTM’s all-new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) is rolling out on the upcoming 1390 Super Adventure, and the company says it'll change the way we ride motorcycles. It comes with a P–N–1–2–3–4–5–6 gear sequence – and of course, no clutch lever.

Pirelli and Bosch have signed a joint development agreement to create a software-driven "intelligent tire" system using advanced integrated sensors that connect to the car’s electronics, enabling the vehicle to adjust its setup based on the fitted tire.

Nissan has demonstrated a new automotive paint that can drastically cool a vehicle parked in direct sunshine. Tests have shown that treated cars stay up to 21.6 °F (12 °C) cooler than untreated cars parked side by side.

Volkswagen has announced the development of RooBadge, which emits species-specific sounds to drive away kangaroos and reduce the risk of animal collisions on Australian roads. There are plans to adapt the device to deter other wildlife worldwide.

New cars bought in the last few years have twice as many quality problems as they had in 2010. Some well-known brands are averaging more than five issues per car – and the stats show things will probably get a lot worse before they get better.

Mercedes has revived one of its greats, reinterpreting the gorgeously wedged C111 as a modern-day gullwing. Instead of exploring Wankels and turbos, the new Vision One-Eleven dives deeper into all-electric performance, autonomy and augmented reality.

Installing a sound system in a car can take up considerable space, particularly for multi-speaker setups like the one in the upcoming Volvo EX90. LG Display has developed an alternative that promises immersive listening from vibrating flat panels.

Add 200 hp to a high-performance 4x4, boost off-road capability with portal axles, and bolt on a pickup bed. Then paint the thing a white so pure it'll be filthy seconds after rolling out of the garage. That's the Brabus 800 Adventure XLP Superwhite.

COVID-19 has put the future of public transportation in question. Since Arrival is still in the early stages of fleshing out its electric transportation ecosystem, it previews a more flexible breed of electric bus to help answer the question.

CES 2020 is just around the corner, and LG Display is revealing OLED screens for airplanes, cars, hotels and living rooms – including a version of its rollable television that is hidden in the ceiling and pulled down like a projector screen.