2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R

By Amir Iliaifar October 15, 2011

The speed and motorcycle enthusiast over at Kawasaki have released a number of images of the 2012 ZX-14R — Kawasaki’s self proclaimed world’s fastest-accelerating production motorcycle.

The new ZX-14R comes with a slew of changes for next years model — including a redesigned engine and slightly restyled body. The engine block is even being reportedly tweaked to 1,441 cc and the cyclinder head ported and polished to increase flow. Kawasaki’s 2012 model will also make use of a higher compression ratio and new cam timing.

Outside the engine, the Kawasaki will incorporate two features never before seen on the ZX-14R, traction control and throttle-by-wire system. Riders will also be able to access three different KTRC traction control system settings from the handlebar and viewable from the gauge cluster.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Photo Galleries

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…

Cars

The R3 is Rivian’s surprise electric crossover

Rivian R3

Rivian didn't just announce the R2 platform at its latest launch event -- in a surprise twist, it also announced the R3 crossover. The R3 is Rivian's smallest car yet, offering a size much closer to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 than the SUVs that came before it.

Of course, not only is the Rivian R3 smaller, but presumably, it's also cheaper. Rivian didn't reveal actual pricing for the car, but it did say that it would be less than the R2's $45,000 price. Also, it may be some time before we start seeing the R3 on the road -- the car will follow the R2, which isn't set to be available until the first half of 2026.

Cars

The Rivian R2 SUV is up for preorder for only $45,000

Rivian R2

You can now get a Rivian without spending more than $70,000. After months of rumors and leaks, Rivian has finally taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, its newest SUV, and the first to be built on the new Rivian R2 platform. The R2 is built to be Rivian's "Model 3 moment," or its attempt to build a car that's more accessible to the general public and thus could be sold at a much higher volume than the R1S or R1T ever were.

The R2 certainly cuts some corners to achieve the lower price point, but it actually still has a lot going for it -- especially as an electric SUV in this price range. It goes up against the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Mustang Mach-E, and Kia EV6, but it's much more of an SUV than a crossover-sized car and should appeal to those who want something larger and with Rivian's design sensibility.

Cars

Rivian R2 compact SUV: rumored price, release date, design, and more

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck has been a hugely popular first release from the new automaker. Both it and its SUV brother, the R1S, are considered among the best in their class. But they're also both relatively expensive -- the entry-level R1 starts at $73,000, putting it out of reach for many would-be buyers. Rivian, however, wants to serve the masses, and to that end has been developing its next-gen, cheaper platform, called the Rivian R2.

If Rivian ends up following its current naming scheme, the company will launch multiple R2 models. For example, it could release an R2S SUV and R2T truck, both at lower price points than Rivian's current vehicles. For now, however, the only rumored model is an R2 compact SUV -- which is the vehicle we'll be discussing here.