Bikes:STEVE MCQUEEN’S FIRST MOTORCYCLE

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

 

Steve McQueen is one of those men who are forever going to be synonymous with gasoline powered, two-wheeled transportation. During his life he raced motorcycles competitively, he rode them for fun and he rode them in films, perhaps most famously in the “The Great Escape”.

Of all the motorcycles he would go onto own, his first motorcycle would always occupy a special place in his heart. It was a simple, beat up old Indian Chief but McQueen bought it with his own money long before he was famous and he would talk about it in interviews with his biographer decades later.

McQueen’s biographer, William Nolan, told the story of how in the fall of 1951 Steve had “…saved enough money to buy a battered cycle with a sidecar (removed at an unstated time), which he proudly tooled around the Village. ‘It was my first bike and I loved it,’ admitted Steve. ‘But I was going with a girl who began to hate the cycle – just hated riding in the bumpy sidecar. She told me, “Either the cycle goes or I go!” ‘Well, there was no contest. She went.’” McQueen was working in New York City and that battered old cycle was the 1946 Indian Chief you see pictured here.

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The Chief was restored in the early 1990s though close attention was paid to keep as much of the original bike as possible, so this wasn’t a concours restoration, it was more of a respectful refurbishment. Today, the bike is in fantastic and rideable condition, it’s also coming up for sale at the Auctions America sale in Los Angeles on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of August 2013.

So far as pricing is concerned, there’s no reliable estimate due to the fact that authentic Steve McQueen owned vehicles only come up for sale rather intermittently, so if you’d like to bid on it you’ll need to bring your chequebook and keep your fingers crossed.

Visit Auctions America here to view this and the other lot listings.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Bikes:STEVE MCQUEEN’S FIRST MOTORCYCLE

Audi Urban Concept Car

Audi Urban Concept Car

 

It will be interesting to see what people at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show think of the Audi Urban Concept. Car manufacturers, and Audi is no exception, seem to think that, to drum up excitement at these shows, they must come up with designs that would never sell in the real world. There are some sound ideas at work here though, and even some design philosophies in the sketches that could iron out of if you modified a few things. Of course, the 21 inch wheels which don’t appear to wear tires, the sliding cockpit canopy roof, and other such real world impossibilities would have to go.

What is good, however, is the cycle fender wheel covers, and clean sheet, light weight design. I also like the ribbon over the car that is an apparent nod to the R8. Other things, like the seating positions are a little hokey. The passenger seat resides a few inches back from the drivers, á la the VW XL1 concept, presumably to allow for shoulder space in an otherwise cramped quarters, but like other manufacturers who are doing similar things including tandem seating, e.g. Renault Twizzy, they seem to forget that humans are social creatures, we like to talk, or at least see each other. On the other hand, these being urban roundabouts perhaps the drive is just short enough that we can do without each other for the time being.

The Urban Concept utilizes carbon fiber reinforced plastic for the chassis, with the bucket seats molded in, further evidence that carbon is not just for looks and supercars anymore. The drivetrain is all electric, as you have no doubt guessed, and incorporates two “e-tron” motors, whether these are the same motors as those from the high powered e-tron concept is unknown. In fact, any and all information regarding performance is still under wraps for now.

Audi is on a roll lately, releasing car after car, a small around town electric would make sense and a great addition to the stable. The Urban Concept in particular could fill that niche, and do so handsomely. There is a masculinity and quality to this car that many others seem to lack.

I for one am looking forward to the 2011 Frankfurt show in September. I’ll be paying attention when Audi pulls the sheet off of this one, as there are plenty of questions surrounding the car. It’ll be interesting to see Audi fill in the blanks.

Audi Urban Concept Car

Infiniti Boss De Nysschen: EVs 'absolutely' coming, just not right away

Infiniti Boss De Nysschen: EVs ‘absolutely’ coming, just not right away

Despite being closely connected to the electric vehicle pioneers at Nissan, Infiniti is taking the slow road to bringing an EV to market. Last month, the first Infiniti EV – to be based on the LE concept from the 2012 New York Auto Show – was delayed to add better tech. Infiniti president Johan De Nysschen wants to make it perfectly clear that this delay is both intentional and in no way a cancellation.

Speaking with AutoblogGreen at a media event in Newport Beach, California this week, de Nysschen was blunt: “First and foremost, I simply must state that there absolutely will be EVs in Infiniti’s future.” The first Infiniti EV was delayed, in part, to give the brand room to grow in all directions. De Nysschen, who took over Infiniti in June of 2012, told us:

We have a massive journey ahead of us. We have to diversify our product portfolio, we have to enter a bunch of new market segments, we have to enter new geographies, we have to invest in new production capacity. And all of these things together amount to a massive investment in the brand. When it comes to EVs, that is another area that would require very huge investments and it is simply, for us, balancing the investment amounts with the short-, medium- and long-term profitability requirements and the role that all these various cars will play as we shape and reposition the brand.

As Infiniti gets ready to become a global player, one thing company representatives made clear is that the big goal, a plug-in car, is not at the top of the “To do” list. It’s on there, sure, but not what’s driving the company in 2013. Plus, as de Nysschen said, when the Infiniti EV arrives, it must have the latest and greatest tech.

infiniti

Specifically, he said:

People speak of a delay to our EV plans, primarily this has been driven by the reality that we know that there is work being done on the evolution – it’s not a breakthrough, it’s an evolution – of battery technology which will yield higher performance and new technology will also bring cost advantages. It stands to reason to me that if we are planning a new Infiniti EV, that we should hold on until we can incorporate those improvements into the new product. It would make little sense to start production of the car just as these new technologies emerge.

Of course, technology will always be advancing, so an argument that says you need to have the absolute best tech in a new car effectively means that the vehicle will never arrive. De Nysschen said that’s not the goal here. “I don’t think that we’ve called for a delay for the car for five years, it is a relatively short delay and we will make a decision on the next step on this car in the next 12 months,” he said. What that decision will be is hinted at by one country: China.

De Nysschen said Infiniti knows that hybrids are important in the American market and diesels in Europe. “When we cast our eye now to China, this is where we see the likelihood that EVs will play a role. Since we intend to be a player there, that is yet another reason that it is logical that EVs will be a part of our line up in the future.” And it’s the future that de Nysschen is getting ready for. He sees the EV market evolving this way:

I think that the EV evolution will probably take place from two opposite poles. On the one end, you will find vehicles that use EV technology at a lower level of technology and a lower performance parameters, but a lower price point. These vehicles will primarily be for commuting. The opposite pole is where you will find the real technological advancements. People are going to embrace the high cost of these innovative new technologies and they are going to offset these high costs and recoup it by wrapping it in a very emotional body, which has intangible value, which customers are willing to pay for. Over time, we are talking 20-25 years, as you progress and you get the cost of the technologies down and you can begin to transfer them to the lower end, you get the convergence. If anybody thinks that EVs are going to dominate the market within the next three years, that’s wrong. It will take many years before they take a leading role and replace the internal combustion engine as the primary source of power.

Still, we were curious: will we see the first production Infiniti electric vehicle in the next three years? “I think that would be a logical time frame,” he replied.

Infiniti Boss De Nysschen: EVs 'absolutely' coming, just not right away

NHTSA rebuffs 'best ever' crash test claim by Tesla

NHTSA

In response to Tesla’s claim that the Model S is the safest car ever tested, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a statement clearing up how it rates cars. While not denying that the Model S is a very safe car, the agency said that its rating system is only between one and five stars – nothing higher and nothing lower.

This means that, unlike honors classes in college and high school, there is no way to score above the highest rating, and Tesla says that it received a 5.4-star rating (although there is no indication where it got this information). Also, NHTSA made no mention of any broken equipment it suffered while testing the Model S; another claim made by Tesla. Scroll down for the Model S crash video courtesy of ABC News as well as NHTSA’s brief statement.

NHTSA rebuffs 'best ever' crash test claim by Tesla

Concept cars:Lincoln MKT

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

The Lincoln MKT concept features Lincoln’s signature double-wing chrome grille, encapsulating LED headlamps that wrap around into the sculptured hood, lending the luxury utility a powerful presence.

Its elegant body side chamfer runs along the shoulder, with dynamic haunches over the rear wheel arches. Inset into each front fender and traveling through the door panels are chrome Lincoln stars with spears that add visual length to the car. Meanwhile, winged, curb-clearing doors give the car a dramatic sense of direction, agility and forward movement.

A substantial C-pillar creates an aura of privacy for the rear occupants. Like limousines, the MKT cuts an interesting profile – long, low and comfortably wide. The signature roofline runs the entire length of the greenhouse and remains uninterrupted.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Concept cars:Lincoln MKT

Porsche 911 GT3 dukes it out with MP4-12C on track and GT-R on spectacular roads

Porsche 911 GT3 dukes it out with MP4-12C on track and GT-R on spectacular roads

 

The Porsche 911 GT3 has always been a favorite among auto journalists and car enthusiasts alike, but with the introduction of the new 991-generation GT3, which is the first GT3 with electric power steering and no manual gearbox option, how does it stack up to the competition from McLaren and Nissan?

Evo’s Jethro Bovingdon attempts to answer that question by pitting the rear-engine Porsche against the mid-engine McLaren MP4-12C on a racetrack and the front-engine, all-wheel-drive Nissan GT-R on some amazing, twisty European back roads. We won’t give away the victor of either comparison, but we will say that, in Evo’s test, the McLaren’s 141-horsepower advantage doesn’t give it as much of an edge over the Porsche on a racetrack as one might think, and the lack of a manual gearbox and the inclusion of electric power steering on the GT3 isn’t detrimental to enjoying the car on a back road.

Watch the video below to find out which car Bovingdon prefers on road and track – we think you’ll be happy to see him drift around turns every chance he gets.

Porsche 911 GT3 dukes it out with MP4-12C on track and GT-R on spectacular roads

Concept cars:BMW i8 Concept Car

The BMW i8 Concept and the fascinating approach that underpins it embody the vision of a sustainable contemporary sports car brought to life.

BMW i8 sees the LifeDrive architecture concept adapted to suit the vehicle’s sports car character – i.e. primed to deliver leading performance and sharp dynamics. This interpretation of the LifeDrive concept takes its cues from the innovative hybrid concept of the BMW i8 Concept, which links up an electric drive system at the front axle wîth a combustion engine over the rear wheels to lay on an unparalleled driving experience.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

Its innovative plug-in hybrid concept combines the modified electric drive system from the BMW i3 Concept – fitted over its front axle – with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine producing 164 kW (220 hp)/300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear (comparable to a bmw 330ci). The electric motor in the BMW i8 Concept is a full-capability unit which can also power the car on its own, if required. However, working in tandem allows the two drive systems to display their respective talents to the full, delivering the performance of a sports car but the fuel consumption of a small car.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Concept cars:BMW i8 Concept Car

Bikes:1981 SUZUKI GN400

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When it comes to custom motorcycles we don’t often hear about the guys building sub-$1,000 machines in their garages – most of the builds that garner attention cost a minimum of $10,000 with some of the more labour intensive builds costing many tens of thousands more again.

So it was with great interest that I opened an email from a man called Adam Bendig a couple of weeks ago that contained a remarkably professional looking Suzuki GN400 custom that had been bought and rebuilt for under $1,000.

The bike belongs to Adam’s friend Chris and the two of them spent weeks working on it together, the finished bike uses a number of unique elements to keep costs down – the seat is made from 5 layers of Yoga mat and the frame has been painted with a hard-wearing bedliner, though both of these ideas strike me as being a good idea regardless of budget.

The engine was cleaned, tuned and tweaked, the stock air box was discarded and replaced with an air-filter pod and the forks were lowered 3.5 inches and raised up the triple-tree to allow the addition of a set of clip-on handlebars.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Bikes:1981 SUZUKI GN400

Sport cars:Ram debuts Rumble Bee redux at Woodward

 

Woodward

Ten years ago, when the Ram truck still wore a Dodge badge, a special yellow-and-black model called the Rumble Bee launched, paying homage to the Super Bee muscle car of the 1960s. Now, we have the Charger Super Bee, wearing the same buzzworthy paint job. But for the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise, Ram has created a modern version of that Rumble Bee pickup based on the current 2013 Ram 1500, though unlike the last go-around, this one is purely a concept. For now, anyway.

This concept truck uses the 1500′s lightest configuration – a single cab, two-wheel-drive model. From there, it has been painted in Drone Yellow with a matte finish, and a Mopar ground effects kit gives the truck a more aggressive stance on the road. The large, 24-inch wheels certainly help that, as well, painted in black to match the other dark accents found around the pickup’s body.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

Inside, to no one’s surprise, the black and yellow theme carries on, with leather upholstery and sport mesh seats. That Rumble Bee logo adorns the chairs and floor mats, but the coolest (or weirdest) touch is the actual amber-encased bee found within the rotary shift knob. Seriously.

Like the old Rumble Bee, this new concept uses Hemi power, coming from the Ram’s lovely 5.7-liter V8 that packs 395 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends that force to the rear wheels, and with a Mopar cold-air intake and a revised 4.10 final drive ratio, the Rumble Bee should be plenty quick off the line.

We’ll have more live photos and impressions of the rough and ready Rumbler live from Woodward Avenue later today, but for now, have a look below for a walkaround video from Ram along with the official press

 

Woodward

 

Woodward

 

Sport cars:Ram debuts Rumble Bee redux at Woodward

Bikes:YAMAHA XS360

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

 

 

This Yamaha XS360 is one of those bikes that was brought back from the dead – when it was found by Shamus Mathers it was in such poor condition that even the individual nuts and bolts had to be replaced.

Shamus picked the XS360 up after a 1970 Triumph Tiger that had been passed down to him from his father was destroyed along with the building it was in due to circumstances beyond his control. The fact that the old Yamaha was in terrible shape was more of an encouragement than a hindrance, so he bought the basket-case, took it home and set about pulling it to pieces.

He rebuilt the engine and refurbished the bike part by part till he got to the seat – the upholstery was the only element that he outsourced, choosing to call upon the talents of Ginger at New Church Moto. Shamus went so far as to mix his own high temperature header paint, unfortunately he miscalculated and they came out of the autoclave with a slightly pinkish hue, which is why you’ll note that they’re now covered with white pipe wrap.

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Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Cars and Bikes I want on Picseekers

Bikes:YAMAHA XS360

Luxury cars:Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Hits Auction Block for Hurricane Relief

Ferrari is stepping up to assist with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy in the best way they know how: they will auction a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and donate the proceeds to relief efforts! It will mark the first Berlinetta sale in the United States. The auction is slated for November 17th, 2012 at the Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

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Ferrari CEO Marco Mattiacci stated:

“Here at Ferrari, we have experienced and seen the devastation that Hurricane Sandy has caused in the affected area firsthand. We want to use our event next week at Formula One in Austin to give back to our local community by auctioning the F12 Berlinetta.” Ferrari North America’s headquarters are in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

In addition to the luxury car auction, Ferrari opened a special contribution page with the American Red Cross, where fans can easily donate to the cause.

Ferrari is much more than a supercar–it is one of the oldest and most generous companies operating today. When it is time to give, Ferrari doesn’t hesitate. During times of chaos, like the Ferrari 458 fires, the brand is quick to pull in and correct any and all issues with professionalism and a customer-oriented attitude.

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is the latest from the brand, set to hit the market in the second quarter of 2013. The supercar will start with a base price of $315,888, though the one teetering on the auction block will certainly nab more than that for the relief fund. Overall, the Berlinetta is already in high demand, and we fully expect an all-out war for the rights to the first one stateside!

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

Ferrari is not alone–other luxury automakers have stepped-up:

• BMW of North America shelled out $1 million to the American Red Cross

• Mercedes-Benz also donated $1 million to the Red Cross

• Toyota mirrored with another million

• Volkswagen came in last with a $500,000 donation. They did not get the million-dollar memo.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

The final bidding war for this aggressive car will certainly make headlines once the price is leaked!

Luxury cars:Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Hits Auction Block for Hurricane Relief

Spyker B6 Venator Spyder arrives November 2014 at $150,000

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We met up with the well travelled Viktor Muller at The Quail gathering at Monterey and talked turkey regarding the re-entry of Spyker production cars in the United States. He was showing off the running prototype of his new B6 Venator Spyder with 375-horsepower supercharged V6.

Although the definitive pricing for these “more accessible” Spykers has yet to be announced, Muller tells us that the target for the new spyder is $150,000, while the previously introduced Venator hardtop will shoot for $140,000. Production numbers for the Venator lineup per year are set currently at 500 for each bodystyle. The United States remains a huge market for Spyker’s future, roughly 25 percent of total production, while China will take 25 percent, and the Middle East 25 percent, the rest divied up between Germany, the UK and the rest.

Mr. Muller was less forthcoming on who provides the supercharged V6, though we’d have to think of Audi or Jaguar as likely candidates. (To which spokespeople tell us Audi would be a wrong guess.) Nearly all engineering R&D for the powertrain and chassis is provided by Lotus Engineering, so this could be one fine ride if they let it be.

More accessible? Yes. This significantly lower price versus previous overdone Spykers should work wonders, and the execution on the Venators is far simpler and more tasteful than the bejewelled predecessors the Dutch built.

And Muller did give us a scoop of sorts. The Venator family will apparently be built in Finland at the Uusikaupunki factory of Valmet Automotive, a company that knows how to build Porsches, Fiskers, and, dare we say, Saabs. So, there is a history there.

Let us all hope good hopes that the very likeable Viktor M. works all of this effort right. Because we finally like the cars on first glance. North American Venators arrive in November 2014 after starting European deliveries in August 2014.

Spyker B6 Venator Spyder arrives November 2014 at $150,000

Luxury cars:2013 Rolls Royce Ghost Updates

Recently, Rolls Royce added photos and details for the 2013 Ghost. The info disappeared in true ghost fashion–though the scary disappearing act was not a success! The Internet holds no secrets. The details still got out, leaked however briefly and are now being shared by the minions of gearheads fueling the auto net. See our fleet of Rolls Royce rentals here.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

The 2013 Ghost will likely be a crossover sedan with a few key upgrades.

The new Rolls Royce Ghost seems to have picked up some tricks from the Ghost Six Senses concept. That concept made its debut at the Beijing Motor Show this year with the goal of capturing each of the five senses: sight, sound, scent, taste and touch. Has anyone tasted this Ghost? Moving on, the natural grain new leather and cross-banded wood veneers are even more lavish than traditional Rolls Royce interiors. The 2013 Ghost will be the first to feature a hands-free trunk opener. Just wave a foot under the rear bumper it magically opens! So long as the key is on you, that is.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

The Rolls Royce Ghost Six Senses certainly dazzles

What to expect in the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost:

• A new alloy wheel option (Perhaps not the same alloys in the Six Senses car)

• Comfort Access. This is the ability to pop the trunk by simply waiving a foot under the rear bumper. Don’t worry–the key must be on your person! It will mark the first Rolls with this option and will certainly be handy when the hands are full. All cars should have this feature.

• The pricing is guessed to start at $260,750

• Fuel economy is nothing to brag about at 13 mpg city and 21 highway.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

Ghost Six senses beckons from the side

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Rolls Royce is always attentive to detail

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

Stay tuned for further details as they emerge on this fascinating addition to the 2013 Rolls Royce lineup!

Luxury cars:2013 Rolls Royce Ghost Updates

Bikes:WALT SIEGL’S LEGGERO

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

Walt Siegl is a highly influential motorcycle builder based in New Hampshire – he’s been based in the Granite State since 2007 and he’s been directly responsible for some of the most technologically advanced custom motorcycles anywhere in the USA, or anywhere else for that matter.

The bike pictured here is the Walt Siegl Ducati Leggero, he’s been working on producing a limited production run on the Leggero series of motorcycles and this particular model is his personal bike. Walt says that he’s looking forward to getting the bike out onto the track – he started racing motorcycles at the age of 18 and has been going strong ever since, so this new bike can expect to pick up some fairly significant miles on the odometer.

Each Leggero from the production run will be handmade to customer specifications but the essential elements like the frame, engine, tank, bodywork and suspension are all hand-made units built by Walt. This allows the costs to be brought down and makes owning a Siegl bike a realistic aspiration for people like you and me, who perhaps can’t afford a full-on, ground-up custom.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

 

The Ducati Leggero is built around an air-cooled Ducati 2 valve 900cc v-twin, with 39mm Keihin carburettors, the frame is a CAD designed chromium-molybendium unit that weighs in at just 19lbs and the tank/bodywork are made from hand-laid urethane. Suspension is provided by Showa up front and Öhlins at the rear giving the bike some serious track potential for those wanting to challenge Walt out on the asphalt.

If you’d like to order your own Leggero you can click the link here to visit Walt’s site and if you’d like to see more from Siegl you can view the first Leggero here, the Riviera Ducati SS here, the MotoBee here and the WS Sport Classic here.

I’ve decided to include Walt’s description of the technical details on this bike below, usually I’d rewrite this into bite sized chunks however there’s just so much technical data there that I don’t want to risk watering it down.

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Source: thethinkingcar.com via Luxury or Concept Cars on Picseekers

Bikes:WALT SIEGL’S LEGGERO