Wheels

Stunning Honda Fireblade superbike races into Red Dot Design Museum

A remarkable fusion of art and science, Honda’s CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike has been inducted into the Red Dot Design Museum, world recognised home of contemporary design. 

The latest two-wheeled racer to carry the Fireblade handle, we’re told the vehicle was put through its paces over several days to test its performance, in addition to assessing its design. Bet that was fun!

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was developed under the clearly appropriate tagline ‘Born to Race’, with an engineering focus on circuit performance, hence the radical racing design.

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was developed to win races in any category, from club racing to international competition…

“We have really crazy judges that challenged the bike…”

Peter Zec, CEO and founder of the Red Dot Design Award, commented: “If I’m thinking about Honda, the first thing that comes to mind is motorbikes. The Fireblade deserves the Red Dot because the jury liked it very much – and we have really crazy judges that challenged the bike, including a professional racing bike rider. It’s not just good design – it has perfect performance too, which is the main reason why it received the Red Dot.”

The judging panel commended the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP for its racing-inspired design and aerodynamic styling. Its minimalist frontal area, aggressively angled side fairings and extended lower fairings (plus a variety of apertures, slits and air-channelling shapes) result in a class-leading drag coefficient. Aerodynamic winglets, as seen on Honda’s MotoGP RC213V racing bike, combine eye-catching form with increased downforce and stability. Just as well as this is the most powerful inline four-cylinder engine Honda has ever made.

The Fireblade borrows design elements from Honda’s Motor GP racing bike

“The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was developed to win races in any category, from club racing to international competition,” says Satoshi Kawawa, General Manager, in Honda’s Motorcycle Design Division. “Its design and styling are led by that philosophy, with every part and every detail designed with speed, performance and aerodynamic efficiency in mind. We’re honoured that it has been recognised with such a prestigious award.”

The Red Dot Design museum, in Essen, Germany, hosts the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary design, in the former boiler house of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein, which was once a coal mine complex.

In June, two new special exhibitions opened, Milestones in Contemporary Design and Design on Stage, hosting this year’s Red Dot Award: Product Design winners. In addition to the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, Honda also had a placing for its Honda e, the brand’s first production battery electric vehicle for European.

Ride on time: Bulgari and Ducati unveil stunning luxury sports watch collaboration

Italian style icons Ducati and Bulgari have partnered to produce a Special Edition sports watch that will wow fashionistas and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. The Bulgari Aluminium Ducati Special Edition chronograph is limited to 1,000 pieces and features a dramatic Ducati red dial and indices inspired by Ducati rev counter graphics. The watch features a 40mm…

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