The Hypermotard 1100 takes on urban canyons and attacks mountain curves with total abandon. Its purpose is single-minded: to thrill.

Its ‘motard’ styling and stance combine with Ducati’s ‘sportsbike’ smooth and powerful L-Twin engine to deliver the best of both these two motorcycling worlds. With a riding position to dominate, the exceptionally slim, compact and incredibly light Hypermotard is ready to take on every road with big-bore acceleration.

High performance starts with attitude and the Hypermotard packs the most aggressive attitude of the entire Ducati range. Reduced to its essentials, it’s an extreme performance, over-the-top motorcycle that’s just looking for action.

What this means to you: Whether you want Italian passion and engineering or one of the hottest bikes around, Ducati says it best, “Two wheels, one purpose, to thrill.”

Features:

• Speeds exceeding 200kph (125mph)
• < 95hp
• Wide, tapered section handlebars
• Rigidly triangulated Trellis frame
• 50mm Marzocchi forks
• Triple screw lower fork crown
• Fully adjustable Sachs shock
• Marchesini wheels
• Brembo Monobloc four piston callipers
• 305mm twin discs up front and a 245mm rear disc
• Racing-style dry clutch.
• Titanium Nitride (TiN) coating on the sliders
• Race-spec Öhlins fully adjustable rear shock
• Carbon fiber protectors

Cost: $11,495 @ Danbury BMW

A luxury SUV wrapped around a tough-as-nails truck frame. That’s the Tahoe in a nutshell. Best served black.

The 2007 Tahoe brings on a new look that we hear at Gear Patrol can’t get enough of. It’s 320 horsepower V-8 will never fall short for hauling you and your four compadres to the links, lake, slopes. Then take you and your ladies our for a night on the town (after you clean it up of course).

What this means to you: Throw a ski or bike rack on there and you’ve got yourself a bona-fide activity vehicle that’s sure to get you an invite to every excursion. Our recommendation is you make them pay for the gas and tolls even if it it does get 21mpg on the interstate - not shabby.

MSRP: $36,650 LT package, 4wd | As packaged by Gear Patrol: $38,445 @ Chevrolet.com

The Kawasaki Ultra 250X markes its place as the quickest and most powerful production PWC in history.

The supercharged Ultra 250X delivers 250 horsepower for astonishing acceleration that can be felt in the rider’s soul. Once up to speed, its precise handling and superb stability are equally impressive, thanks to a brand-new hull specifically designed to capitalize on the engine’s awesome performance.

The JET SKI Ultra 250X’s new engine, jet drive and hull incorporate racing technology refined through Kawasaki’s multiple IJSBA championships. This same technology allows it to deliver the awesome acceleration of a drag racer, and help ensure excellent hook-up – even in rough water.

Features:

• 1,498cc liquid cooled four-stroke DOHC 4-Cylinde Engine
• Roots type Supercharger
• 11.4psi boost
• 250hp @ 7.750 RPM
• 20.6 Gallon Fuel Capacity

What this means to you: Summer is rapidly approaching, bomb away the slow days in this supercharged monster personal watercraft. For $69 a month, we think you can probably afford it.

Cost: $11,499 @ Kawasaki.com

More Photos after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

What? This is a Mercedes?

The ridiculous fact that this is a Mercedes belies the abilities of this vehicle. Tuned by the mad scientists at Brabus, the Unimog Black Edition is a combination of day-to-day recreation and utility in addition to over the top “cost is no objective” satisfaction.

This “thing” features:

• COMAND DVD navigation with a 6.5″ LCD screen
• CD Changer
• Aluminum Brightwork inside and out
• Dual air conditioning
• Tinted Glass
• Sound system sourced from the S-Class
• 6.8 Liter 280 horsepower engine
• 12 Ton tow capacity (click thru the jump to see what we mean)
• and 455×70 R24 (24 inches folks…) tires.

What this means to you: Yeah, sure, it’s the same price as a home but the look you’ll get when pulling upside some guy’s yellow Hummer will be well worth the price of admission.

Cost: $275,000 @ Brabus
More photos after the jump (and one in Orange).

Read the rest of this entry »

The all new 2008 Land Rover LR2 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in one trim only, the i6. It’s a great one, even if pricey.

3.2-liter, inline 6 cylinder 230-horsepower engine
18-mpg and an oddly disproportionate 33-mpg on the highway
6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive
Available in Tambora Flame (the color shown)

What this means to you: The price might be tough to swallow, but it is a Land Rover… and an orange Land Rover at that.

MSRP: $34,700 | Price as configured: $39,950 Land Rover USA

Get out there and get dirty in the Polaris Predator 500 ATV. It will take you from lost to nowhere and back in mind-blowing acceleration and incomparable cornering abilities. Features:

• Maxxis® Razr tires on aluminum Douglas® rims with a rolled bead
• Chromoly axle, stronger than competitive steel axles, with a lifetime limited warranty
• Braided, stainless steel brake lines are stronger,and result in more consistent braking
• Thick, compression-molded UHMW polyethylene skid plate maximizes protection
• Comfortable ergonomics
• Reverse

Cost: $6199 @ Polaris Power Sports