Awesome Rides

Brick Technology has a keen interest in testing LEGO cars in all kinds of driving environments. This time they take a look at what it takes to give LEGO vehicles enough traction, mass, and stability to be able to traverse a sand-filled pit reliably. As you’ll see, it’s not just as simple as going with four-wheel drive.

The guys from Grind Hard Plumbing Co. are known for their work turning Barbie Power Wheels and other kid’s vehicles into high-powered playthings for adults. A while back, they outfitted a Dream Camper with a 750cc Kawasaki UTV engine and 4-wheel drivetrain. Now they’ve upgraded it for wintertime with snow tracks.

The latest addition to the Defender family stretches the luxury off-roader by more than 13 inches to accommodate more passengers and cargo. Despite its increased length, the Defender 130 is still impressively capable off-road while offering the luxury and comfort we’ve come to expect from Land Rover.

Modern cars have some really useful tech, like adaptive cruise, backup cameras, and heated seats. But not every idea automakers come up with is good. Rhetty for History explores some of the weirdest ideas for car features that have popped up over the years, from a triple-lever shifter to an in-dash record player.

The Land Rover Defender Service Awards celebrate non-profit organizations that make a meaningful impact on the world. The first-place winners of the 2022 awards each won a 2023 Land Rover Defender 130, custom spec’d and ready to help serve their missions. The Awesomer was on hand for the reveal of their shiny new rides.

What could be more fun than a drift trike? A drift trike that’s pulled by the powerful motor of a OneWheel electric skateboard. Cody Hovland had the idea to build such a vehicle with a mechanism that steers and applies throttle with a single controller. Then he headed to a drift track and a corkscrew garage to get the most out of it.

If you’ve ever brought your car in for service, you might have had a hard time explaining the noises that it’s making. But if it sounds like a wounded animal, a locomotive, or a snare drum, it’s much easier to describe. Just Rolled In compiled this amusing video of cars and the spot-on descriptions of sounds they’re emitting.

After seeing the video by The Q in which he split the rear wheel of his bicycle in half, Sean Kerr of Bikes and Beards wanted to try the same with a motorcycle. So he and his buddy Craig got to work chopping up the rear wheel of a Honda CBR 250R to replicate the idea. It doesn’t exactly look like the smoothest ride, though.

This Stewart & Stevenson M1079 military truck is now a home on wheels to Michael Ladden. After buying the gently used army vehicle, he invested $80,000 to convert it into a dwelling and motorcycle carrier for his travels around the world. Tiny House Giant Journey takes us on a tour of this awe-inspiring overlander.

Switzerland’s Black Sheep Innovations make these unique drawers that pull out from a truck’s taillights providing storage space for cans, tools, and even guns. The modification retains the original taillight and is completely seamless when closed. They’re only available for the Volkswagen Amarok and the Toyota Hilux at this time.

Land Rover is working on electric versions of its vehicles. But this particular British SUV has driven in the opposite direction. Its builder Frank Rothwell explains how he replaced its internal combustion engine with a steam-powered one. It runs on coal, ignited with wood kindling soaked in diesel fuel, so it’s not exactly eco-friendly.

As Lamborghini moves towards hybrid drivetrains, it bids farewell to its incredible V12 engine with two one-off specials. Based on the carbon fiber Aventador monocoque, the dramatically angular Invencible Coupé and Auténtica Roadster are powered by a 6.5L rear-mounted V12 making 769 hp, with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.

Providing a glimpse at Nissan’s future, the Japanese automaker revealed a striking concept for a zero-emissions convertible. The electric two-seater is designed for dynamic and spirited driving and features a minimal cockpit with an ultrawide digital display. The video shows a rendering, but Nissan built a real-world model too.

Land Rover has updated its sleek Velar SUV for 2024 with an elegant new grille and jewel-like headlights. The smooth ride’s whisper-quiet cabin has an even more minimal look with an 11.4″ curved glass touchscreen running the latest Pivi Pro system for easy access to climate, seating, audio, and vehicle settings.

Designed to perform in thick mud, the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter features high-mounted air intakes and clutch ducting to keep clean air flowing. It has an 85 hp engine, on-demand AWD, and rolls on mud-happy 30″ Outlaw 2 tires for 13.5″ of ground clearance, and comes with a 3500 lb. factory-installed winch.

Making a parked car look like it’s driving can be as simple as projecting a moving background. But making it shake, dive, and roll produces a more realistic illusion. Insider visited NAC Effects to learn how they use motion control rigs to simulate movement and combine those with old-school effects like towing and airbags.