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Motorcycle News, News

Brough tests $185k 180hp AMB 001

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Brough Superior has tested its $A185,000, 180 horsepower turbo AMB 001 track toy that comes with plenty of carbonfibre and Aston Martin wings.

The bike is not road registrable and only 100 will be made at their factory in Toulouse, France, with delivery late in 2020.Brough Superior AMB 001 track toy carbonfibre Aston Martin

Brough Superior Motorcycles Australia Sales and Network Development Dale Schmidtchen says they have one on order.

“We have been told they are expected in Q4 of this year and they are selling fast,” he says.

“I personally think they would look great sitting in a living room and admiring.”

The first Australian distributor for the venerable British-now-French marque in more than 80 years has opened a showroom in Brisbane.

Brough Superior Fred DrakeImporter Fred Drake with the Brough models

The model line-up is:

  • SS100, $105,000 (Euro 3);
  • SS100, $110,000 (Euro 4);
  • Pendine Sand Racer, $105,000;
  • Anniversary, $168,000;
  • AMB 001 (track only), $185,000.

Click here for a short test ride and more info on these models.

Tested on the track

The AMB 001 is a joint project by Aston Martin and Brough Superior.

Their project mule took to the track at Pau-Arnos in France recently to begin its comprehensive testing program in traditional Aston Martin Camo livery.

Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said:

Everybody involved has managed to make tremendous progress with the development of AMB 001, despite the challenges we have all been facing. This special motorcycle is, like our road cars, the result of beautiful design melding with modern technology to produce a bike that any collector will be proud of. We are delighted to see how much progress has been made, both on and off track and look forward to the moment when production starts for this stunning machine.Brough Superior AMB 001 track toy carbonfibre Aston Martin

Prototype testing is one of the most vital parts of the development process with a test motorcycle allowing the team to validate the chassis geometry, the ergonomics and dynamic behaviour. 

In the same way that Aston Martin’s vehicle dynamics engineers can ‘read’ a car, Brough Superior’s test rider feeds back on all areas of performance, from the overall dynamic feel of the bike to details regarding cornering, braking, acceleration and the like.Brough Superior AMB 001 track toy carbonfibre Aston Martin

Brough Superior CEO Thierry Henriette said:

One of the key design features of the AMB 001 is an aluminium fin that runs along the full length of a carbon fibre tank, passing under the saddle and out onto the rear. The body holding the fin and supporting the saddle is one of the areas where we called on the unique knowledge of Mecano ID, who joined the project to apply specialist aerospace-quality carbon fibre skills to the exclusive AMB 001.

While the focus of the track testing is directed at the chassis, engine bench testing takes place in parallel.

The AMB 001 is powered by a 180hp (134kW) turbo-charged engine. The turbo package includes an intercooler with an oversized/wide intake manifold.

Once this testing process is complete the AMB 001 will go into production this northern autumn at the Brough Superior factory in Toulouse, France.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Motorcycles for the super rich only

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It seems some motorcycle companies believe the only way out of the current sales slide is to make super-expensive motorcycles for the super rich and famous only.

The latest is the Ariel Iron Horse with high-end components such as Öhlins suspension and heaps of CNC-machined parts and carbon fibre.

Ariel Ace Iron Horse for super rich
Ariel Ace Iron Horse with Ohlins

The classic British manufacturer was revived in 2014 specifically to make expensive limited-edition motorcycles.

A bit rich

Ariel Ace Iron Horse for super rich
Ariel Ace Iron Horse

The 130kW Honda-V4-powered Iron Horse will cost more than $A55,700 and will only be available on order.

It is one of many recent limited-edition motorcycles that are only affordable by the super rich.

Two unveiled at last week’s EICMA motorcycle show in Milan are the Bimota Tesi H2 powered by a Kawasaki H2 supercharged engine and the Aston Martin Brough AMB001.

There is no price yet on the former, but the previous model was more than $55k, while the AMB 001 will cost more than $A140,000 yet it is not even road registrable. It’s a track-only machine!

What is the point?

While it’s great that these bikes will help motorcycle manufacturers stay in business and pay their workers, we don’t know that it will do a lot for motorcycling.

They don’t really push the envelope of development.

They are usually powered by borrowed engines and fettled with exotic parts and materials.

Italian manufacturer MV Agusta turned to making expensive limited-edition models to keep afloat during their recent financially troubled years.

Lewis Hamilton with the MV Agusta F4 LH44 super rich
Lewis Hamilton with the limited-edition MV Agusta F4 LH44 which costs about $A66,000

At the same time they didn’t produce any new models,

However, that now seems to be changing with an injection of Russian money. and the launch of several new and updated models at the EICMA show such as the Rush 1000 and Superveloce.

More riders?

Unfortunately, a lot of these bikes will never be ridden, at least on public roads.

They are more likely to be stored by collectors or ridden only at tracks, as is the intention for the AMB 001.

That won’t do anything for getting more people on motorcycles, especially the financially struggling millennials who are turning to public transport.

While the next generation of electric motorcycles are also fairly expensive, the prices are expected to come down in the next few years.

But right now, some of the most expensive productions bikes in the world are electric. Check out the prices of the top 10 most expensive electric motorcycles.

Detonator expensive electric
Detonator is the most expensive electric motorcycle in the world

The Detonator (above) may soon be challenged by South Africa carbonfibre wheels and parts manufacturer Blackstone Tek who have unveiled their first electric bike.

BST Hypertek super rich
BST Hypertek

There is no price yet for the BST Hypertek but with a carbon frame, wheels, etc, it is likely to be only for the super rich!

It is designed by Italian Pierre Terblanche who also designed some expensive and outrageous models such as the Ducati 999 and American Confederate Hellcat Speedster.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Aston Martin Brough strictly for super-rich

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Brough Superior has revealed an expensive turbo track toy called the AMB 001 which has plenty of carbonfibre and Aston Martin wings.

The collaboration between the two esoteric British brands is truly beautiful but it is only for the super-rich.

It could very well win the annual Milan EICMA motorcycle show best bike of the show, but it won’t win many riding fans.AMB 001 Aston Martin Brough

After all, the bike will cost $US97,000 which is more than $A140,000. And it is not even road registrable. It’s a track-only machine!

It is limited to 100 models and they will no doubt be snapped by the idle rich and probably never see the track, let alone the road.AMB 001 Aston Martin Brough

Brough will build the AMB 001 at their factory in Toulouse, France, with delivery late in 2020.

The striking bike looks very much like basic artist doodle that was sent out as a teaser a few days ago.Aston Martin Brough

The carbon AMB 001 weighs just 180kg and is powered by a turbocharged V-twin engine delivering 180 horsepower.

It is substantially different from their Super Sport 100 model which brought the company back to life in 2016. In fact, it looks much more like a “supersport” model than this does.

Brough Superior SS100
Brough Superior SS100

It’s not unusual for motorcycle and car companies to get together to build a motorcycle.

Apart from companies such as Honda and BMW that build both, we had the short-lived collaboration between MV Agusta and Mercedes AMG that spawned the “solarbeam” in 2015.

Mercedes-AMG solarbeam MV Agusta F3
Mercedes-AMG solarbeam MV Agusta F3

Like the “solarbeam”, this collaborative bike will be a limited-edition model and very expensive.

Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman the bike is “what we believe a cutting-edge motorcycle should be”.AMB 001 Aston Martin Brough

“In addition to applying the skills we have developed for cars such as the ground breaking Aston Martin Valkyrie, we have also been able to bring our special expertise in the traditional craft techniques to this project,” he said.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Brough to reveal Aston Martin motorcycle

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Aston Martin will spread its wings on a motorcycle for the first time when Brough Superior reveal a new motorcycle at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, next week.

So far all we have is the above basic artist doodle from the English auto makers.

However, we can see that it is substantially different from their Super Sport 100 model which brought the company back to life in 2016. In fact, it looks much more like a “supersport” model than this does.

Brough Superior SS100
Brough Superior SS100

It’s not unusual for motorcycle and car companies to get together to build a motorcycle.

Apart from companies such as Honda and BMW that build both, we had the short-lived collaboration between MV Agusta and Mercedes AMG that spawned the “solarbeam” in 2015.

Mercedes-AMG solarbeam MV Agusta F3
Mercedes-AMG solarbeam MV Agusta F3

Like the “solarbeam”, this collaborative bike will be a limited-edition model and should be quite expensive.

It will be unveiled on 5 November 2019.

Aston/Brought release

Here is he official joint release from Aston Martin and Brough:

Brough Superior, the eponymous performance motorcycle brand created by George Brough in 1919 and resurrected by enthusiasts long after his death is, like Aston Martin, a luxury brand with great heritage. Both Brough Superior and Aston Martin place huge importance on developing a brand that customers are proud to be part of and products that strike the perfect balance between performance and design.

Both masters of craftsmanship who use the finest materials to breathe life into their designs, as independent companies they also revel in their ability to offer bespoke design and engineering solutions so a collaboration between the two brands is virtually guaranteed to produce something very special.

The first new motorcycle is the combined vision of Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and Brough Superior CEO Thierry Henriette, who are both motorcycle enthusiasts.

Reichman said: “This is a fascinating and very popular project for myself and my team. The opportunity to collaborate with Brough Superior has given us the chance to bring our own unique views on how beauty and engineering can combine to create a highly emotive piece of vehicle design. We’re excited about the end result and can’t wait to see the reaction the motorcycle receives when it is revealed next year.”

Henriette commented: “Aston Martin and Brough Superior are two luxury automotive manufacturers sharing the same passion for exclusive design and performance, the idea of developing a motorcycle in a frame of a close partnership came naturally.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com