This Mad Mansory Mower Celebrates Air Jordan Sneakers
There’s no shortage of tuners ready and willing to install off-the-wall modifications into some equally odd-ball vehicles. Brabus, for example, tunes electric Smart cars and makes 6-wheeled G-Wagon pickups. And fellow German tuner Mansory is just as unhinged. The company recently released a 199-mph Audi RS Q8. And now, it’s partnered with a sportswear firm to create a special themed mower.
The Mansory BSTN GT XI is a mower for promoting Air Jordans
No, that’s not a typing error. Mansory worked with a German apparel store, BSTN, on a modified mower, The Drive reports. It’s called the BSTN GT XI, and it’s inspired by Air Jordan sneakers.
It’s unclear which mower served as the base vehicle for Mansory’s latest project, Motor1 reports. However, the BSTN GT XI isn’t just a static display. It’s still a functioning lawnmower, albeit one with handmade carbon-fiber panels, a custom leather-carbon seat, and a new steering wheel, Uncrate reports. There’s also a rear wing and white-wall tires. Plus, it has several silver Mansory, BSTN, and Air Jordan logos sprinkled across it.
Interestingly, the idea of an Air Jordan-themed mower is actually strangely appropriate. The BSTN GT XI’s specific inspiration is the Air Jordan XI Jubilee, released in celebration of the original’s 25th anniversary. And the original shoe’s designer, Tinker Hatfield, drew inspiration for said sneaker from a lawnmower, DriveTribe reports. So, in a way, the story has come full circle.
As intriguing as a modified mower is, the BSTN GT XI isn’t the only example.
Mansory isn’t the only automotive company doing crazy things with mowers
There’s been a recent trend in modifying lawnmowers. Some mower owners use them for off-roading, for example. A few, though, have been modified for speed, instead. That’s something Honda knows quite a bit about.
Back in 2013, Honda UK created the original Mean Mower. It’s a modified HF260 ride-on lawnmower with a custom frame, 6-speed sequential transmission, suspension, exhaust, cooling system, and racing seat, Road & Track reports. And under the hood is a 109-hp 996cc V-twin from the VTR Firestorm superbike.
The Mean Mower clocked a 0-60 mph time of 4 seconds and a top speed of 116 mph. And it could still cut grass. However, its record was taken by a Viking/STIHL lawnmower powered by an LS V8, Cycle World reports. So, in response, Honda commissioned Team Dynamics, its British Touring Car Championship technical partner, to create the Mean Mower V2.
The Mean Mower V2 also has a motorcycle engine. Only instead of a Firestorm engine, it has the 200-odd hp 999cc four-cylinder from the Honda CBR1000RR, Roadshow reports. Plus, drag radials, a 6-speed sequential transmission, a titanium exhaust, a 3D-printed custom airbox, a Sparco steering wheel, and a carbon-fiber racing seat. And it lacks suspension, Motor1 reports.
With all that, Honda successfully took back the “world’s fastest lawnmower” record. The Mean Mower V2 is the current 0-100 mph record-holder, with a Guinness-verified time of 6.285 seconds, R&T reports. And it goes over 150 mph.
Can you get one?
Unfortunately, Mansory’s mower is a one-off project. That doesn’t mean the tuner couldn’t create another lawnmower, but you can’t buy the BSTN GT XI.
But you can buy the Honda Mean Mower V2—or at least, a Mean Mower V2. Officially, the record-breaking lawnmower isn’t for sale. But Team Dynamics can build you one if you ask. Though it won’t be cheap; the estimated price is about $120k, Cycle World reports.
However, there is a cheaper alternative. Porsche—yes, that Porsche—never made mowers, but it has made tractors. And back at the 2018 Rennsport Reunion, a celebration of air-cooled Porsches, several of them raced at Laguna Seca, Autoblog reports. But despite the high market values of air-cooled 911s, a Porsche tractor is a relative bargain. Even pristine examples have sold for less than $30,000 on Bring a Trailer.
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