Awesome Rides

This video of Lockheed Martin’s F-35B Lightning II shows it transforming into its vertical take off mode; the F-35B is the STOVL variant of the air force’s upcoming JSF (joint-strike fighter).

Power, handling and stability, bring it on: the 2009 BMW K1300S sportbike gets a modest bump from 1157 to 1293cc, good for 175 hp. Optional: a clutchless push-button quickshifter.

Released ahead of the LA Auto Show, these pics for the 2010 Mazda3 show a more expressive front end which brings it in line with the RX-8; it’ll be available as a 2.0L or 2.5L sedan.

Available at Neiman Marcus: the 2009 Confederate Fighter is a real motorcycle with sci-fi looks; made from titanium, carbon fiber and aluminum, it packs a 1966cc radial twin engine.

Still in its experimental stages, the Rocket Racing League is a futuristic dream come true, with rocket-propelled planes racing through a closed circuit racetrack in the sky.

In celebration of Honda’s 60th anniversary, this V4 sportbike concept is a peek into the near future and is based around a V4 motor; we’re most intrigued by those funky hubless wheels.

Alfa Romeo is back in the US, but the first batch of their 500 8C Competizione coupes have already sold out. Missed ’em? The second batch of Spider open air roadsters arrives in 2010.

From sporty to econo: Peugeot’s HYmotion3 concept is a far cry from yesterday’s HYmotion4, but with 118 mpg and 29bhp on tap, this hybrid scooter is a perfect fit for city dwellers.

While we were mildly disappointed by Lambo’s Estoque, Peugeot’s RC Hymotion4 concept is a stunner in terms of looks, mileage and speed: it gets 52.3 mpg and goes 0-60 in 4s.

The Germans are known for producing solid goods, and das Panzerbike is no exception: touted as the world’s heaviest bike at 4.7 tons it’s powered by a 12 cylinder tank engine.

Always eager to gobble up twisties, Mazda’s 2009 MX-5 receives a 500 rpm rev limit boost, a crisper, sportier engine note, a refreshed give-point grille and wider rear bumper.

Yet another crazy French bastard, above is a video of human bobsled Jean-Yves Blondeau (aka BuggyRollin) racing Japanese biker George Takahashi. Staged, but still fun.

Honda’s DN-01 is designed to rope-in riders looking for alternatives to gas guzzling cars. It gets an automatic transmission with manual shift mode, low seat height, and storage.

After weeks of teases, Lamborghini has dropped a slew of pics for its four-door Estoque concept; it’s basically a sedan coupe like Mercedes’ CLS, albeit with a V10 engine.

Limited to 200 cars and Europe, Jaguar’s XKR-S is their fastest ever, going 0-60 in 5.2s with a 420HP 4.2L V8. Curiously, it’s an auto although it’ll get Jag’s sequential shift system.

Kawasaki’s 2009 ZX-14 one-ups Aprilia’s RSV4 with four headlights; bugeyes aside, it stays at 193bhp with a 1352cc DOHC engine but will get bronze, green and black paint jobs.

Marrying two of its youngest franchises, Microsoft will be releasing a special edition Zune 120 for Gears of War 2 fans, with a laser-etched “Crimson Omen” and 244 bits of media.

As the name implies, GTbyCITROEN is a collab between Citroen and Gran Turismo’s Polyphony; the rendered pics look cool, but we’re having a hard time with those fish gills.

Combining “Toyota” and “station wagon” is a surefire way to induce coma, but this SEMA SportLux Venza by Street Image looks pretty tight with huge rims, and lowered bodykit.

Singapore’s historic F1 Night Race is over, and with it Jalopnik has posted a nice gallery of pics. The full results are here, but quickly: Renault’s Fernando Alonso won with 1:56:16.

We dare you not to drool: Mercedes’ McLaren SLR 722 S roadster gets a 650 HP 5.5L V8 that tops out at 220.6 mph. Its soft top can handle up to 200 mph and the body is all carbon fiber.

Maserati’s GranTurismo MC Corse concept is bred for the racetrack, with 450 HP 4.7L V8, a ground-hugging aero kit, supersized brake discs and monobloc racing calipers.

The slalom will be a cakewalk for Mitsubishi’s MMR25 concept: each wheel is composed of eight smaller wheels, allowing for omnidirectional steering and amazing cornering.

Delta 7 Sport’s Ascend mountain bike features an “IsoTruss” lattice that isn’t just for show; it’s made with carbon fiber and kevlar, allowing for a frame that weighs just 1.8 lbs.

The 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 is ugly especially with those dual exhaust cannons, but with an 1100cc air-cooled engine you may not care; the naked bike makes 95bhp and nearly 80 lb-ft.

It’s official: these pics reveal Volkswagen’s GTI MK VI, which will get a 2.0L TFSI four-banger with 210 HP and 207 lb-ft of torque. It should arrive Summer ’09, just ahead of the Golf VI.