Confederate Motors is full of news announcing a long term relationship with S&S as the engine supplier for their new C3, X132 Hellcat and they will begin deliveries October 31, 2010, Halloween night, from new facilities in the art district at 733 St. Joseph Street in New Orleans. The new Hellcat, priced at $39750, is much more affordable than previous Hellcats or any other Confederate offerings. The S&S engine provides great reliability and after sale support with a planned Confederate dealer network and S&S authorized service centers. Confederate seems to be adjusting their sights to reflect the evolving market, probably a smart move.
Press releases follow:
Confederate Motors, Inc. to Launch C3 X132 Hellcat in New Orleans
Confederate Motors, Inc., of Birmingham, AL., the American design company that created the prestigious F131 Hellcat, B120 Wraith, and P120 Fighter Combat, to announce today at the New York International Auto Show, the launch of the new C3, X132 Hellcat.
The C3 will be the lightest, fastest, toughest, smoothest, most exquisite Hellcat, ever. The design centers on a new, long-term strategic power plant alliance with S&S. Further, it will be priced within reach of the top 10% of Harley Davidson buyers.
We are targeting the American motoring purist and aficionado.
First deliveries will begin October 31, 2010, Halloween night, from our new facilities in the art district at 733 St. Joseph Street. This event will mark our first annual Halloween party as we celebrate production of the World’s finest road bike, and simultaneously, with humble gratitude, our return home, to our beloved New Orleans.
Confederate Motors, Inc. and S&S Cycle Announce Long-Term Strategic Plan
S&S Cycle and Confederate Motors, Inc., of Birmingham, AL., today announced a long-term strategic plan that will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies to penetrate the luxury motorcycle market segments. The alliance will include co-development of a motorcycle power plant mounting system in an effort to supply highly differentiated motorcycles and technology sharing, with a planned production launch in July of 2010.
“We are ecstatic about the long-term implications of this union,†said Matt Chambers, CEO and founder, Confederate Motors, Inc. “Confederate’s and S&S’ long traditions of innovation, product passion and analogous cultures complement each other very well.â€
He added, “Initially, Confederate will produce and sell highly differentiated motorcycles to the public through a factory direct plan, with additional plans to develop a dealer network and S&S authorized service network in the second half of 2010. The extensiveness of our collaborative efforts will expand thereafter to include new S&S powered vehicles for Confederate and additional technology-sharing between the two companies.â€
“We are combining the strengths of the number-one motorcycle power plant manufacturer with those of the premium motorcycle manufacturer to deliver heirloom product solutions for our customers,†Chambers said. “This alliance will permit both companies to extend our customer bases and provide profitable growth.â€
Link: Confederate
Link: S&S
Ted Nugent says
Sounds like a good idea. I’ve always liked the Confederate brand and even owned one for a while.
Swagger says
I too hope it works out for them, the bikes do speak to me.
Uncle Ted! Is that really you? Cooooooooool!
New York State Sucks says
“priced at $39750, is much more affordable than previous Hellcats or any other Confederate offerings”! Affordable?!?! WTF!
mike says
affordable and 40,000 dollars are basically synonymous in this case, right?
WS says
@ New York State Sucks: Not affordable, more affordable then previously. Context.
I would go as far as saying that it is affordable for a hand crafted piece of high performance art.
Thom says
Is that an X-Wedge?! Too slick! Finally- a higher volume use for the BEST American-made engine!
SteveD says
I always liked the Hellcat and nothing else Confederate made. $39K is pretty good for those guys. It was never meant to be a volume bike. The difference now is that upper middle class folks can get one if they really want.
Clawbrant says
I have to admit that X-wedge is starting to grow on
me. Didn’t like it much at first, but now I think it looks cool in a short, stubby kind of way. Like an old flathead Indian.
BoilerUp! says
The underslung exhaust is amazing. I can’t wait to see the finished bike. These past two post should be a heads up to the guys at Harley. I think America wants an American made sport bike. These cruiser based bikes might be the best way to parlay into that market.
AlwaysOnTwo says
Specs, and pictures, on the website all look very serious. I’m not to sure about the Terminator/Cyborg style headlamps, but I’m totally sure that rear cylinder pipe is gonna be a thigh scorcher even with the heat-wrap.
The frame, in true V-Twin heritage, nothing but solid steel to be favored over any pressed/boxed/CNC alloy that might shed a few pounds if properly applied.
$40K and all the pain you can endure. Hard core stuff.
Hellcat Boss says
If nothing else, Matt is a survivor and will keep at it…probably until he dies. S&S has come a long way.
Walt says
I just saw a blurb in Conde Nast Travel magazine about a trench coat priced at $16,000. For a freaking trench coat! By this standard, $40K is a bargain for such a machine. And the confederate will probably keep you warmer at the stop light.
Ed says
They have some interesting designs but nothing extremely revolutionary, I’d be interested to see what class they are running in at bonneville. In every one of their ads they mention that it is the fastest in its class but never mention the actual class. I mean I don’t know a lot about the company or the specific class but they make it sound like no one has ever made a custom bike that runs that fast at bonneville. I’m sure a purpose build bike could do the same thing, just hasn’t yet.
Walt says
As I understand Bonneville they have a class niche for just about every machine you can conceive, down to “Gasoline powered semi-streamliner 7.5 c.i. or less on Schwinn frame using modified Tecumseh flathead built by Walt.”
Well, that might be a slight exaggeration.
Domino Dave says
So glad to hear Confederate is still in New Orleans … and up and running. I’ve been lusting after a used (1998) Hellcat here. He wants 25k. Maybe I should wait and save my pennies… Oh, I mean hundreds ….
David/cigarrz says
I have always thought they have a fabulous engineering department in need of a designer. I think if the piece in the pictures could be purchased as is some great bikes could be built around it.
steve w says
Sure the price is a bit but for something exclusive with that kind of swagger it isn’t such a stretch. They have always had a style just a bit to funky though for most people. Hopefully they get past that. As for the X wedge, I saw that from the beginning to release and it isn’t a low dollar engine so that has to figure into the end product
Mule says
Walt, You take the Hellcat, I’d rather have the trenchcoat I think. Confederate builds confuse hell out of me and even if $40k is cheap for one, thats a mountain of money in my book.
They don’t outhandle any other bike made. They are not faster and to say they look very quirky is a kind understatement. I don’t know who the buyers would be or what they would actually do with one. I’m sure they spend a ton at the machine shop and put a gob of work into them, but it seems their entire existance is merely to be weird and different without merit.
The subassenbly pictured above is about the best thing I’ve ever seen them do, but I hope they go off to Weirds-ville with the rest of the bike. I would bet they do.
meatspin says
where are all the “Buy American!” posters? come on. This puts Americans to work!
Thom says
Confederates have always been the only “cruisers” I’ve ever been interested in. (I think of them more as “muscle bikes”.) Yes, the styling is quirky, but I like that. I am the kind of guy who does everything just because it’s not what is expected, and Confederates are right up my alley in that way. The only thing that has kept me from buying one, is I can’t afford it. I understand that a lot of people won’t get it, and that is kind of the point. And that is why the people who buy this kind of bike, will continue to do so. And, realistically, it’s cost just as much to build something like this yourself, or more, so 40 grand is not outside the realm of possibility for the true rebels out there. If you don’t like it, hey, you’re just not the target market.
The Ogre says
Um, er… it’s a beautiful chunk of machinery. But, as interesting as I find their bikes – they are very pretty – I don’t find them interesting enough to get terribly excited. Still, more viable bike manufacturers are always a good thing.
Chris | Bike EXIF says
A lot of fuss about a rehash of the old Hellcat and a price cut. The most significant part of this story is actually highlighted by Confederate itself: namely this line from the press release:
“The S&S engine provides great reliability and after sale support.”
kneeslider says
@Chris | Bike EXIF: “The S&S engine provides great reliability and after sale support.â€
Actually those words were my interpretation of the effects of the S&S and Confederate alliance. Some folks have had concerns in those areas before and I think it’s a plus.
NextVoiceUHear says
Thom said ‘…for the BEST American-made engine!’ Hummm-mmm – now that’s a back-handed compliment for sure (how many made-in-America bike engines ARE there, anyway??). If I had an extra $40,000 I’d buy a ‘Busa, AND a VFR 1200 AND a Royal Enfield (and keep the change) rather than spend it all on yettanuther V-Twin Kroozer. What’s that SMELL??? It’s the oil film in the crankcase getting carbonized by the sump-pump exhaust design. Thumbs down here.
NVUH
Emmet says
$40,000 for what is a hand built bike sounds reasonable. Yes, they won’t outhandle a japanese vtwin, but they’re an exercise in industrial design. I’ve never seen such a radical motorcycle like the wraith! Also, the underbelly exhaust is magnificent.
DWolvin says
Can anyone figure out the rear cylinder’s exhaust routing? Straight down does not seem to work, is it looping forward to join the front header? … I’m going to dig more at the site, but can’t find a decent shot in the zip file.
aaron says
I wonder how much engineering it will take for S&S to convert their conventional V-twin design into a radial twin for use in the hellcat? the x-wedge is pretty good, but confederate has established the radial twin as a trademark feature, similar to ducati and desmodromic valve control – maybe they will keep the v-twin layout to cut costs and allow confederate to build a more affordable bike…
XBrij says
I am also interested to see how they plan on routing the headers for the rear cylinder! From what i can gather from this article, Confedrate will be building their own tranny case using the S & S engine. Sounds like a great idea to collaborate to help cut down costs! As far as the $40K pricing.. depends on how you justify the price, all those machined part made out solid billets can get real pricey!! the question is, can the same thing be made a whole lot cheaper by simply casting them, definitely yes!! I guess people who buy them, buy them more for their exclusiveness and “out of the box” design! (the very same reason i own a buell) Me on the other hand will probably save my money and wait for them to get more realistic and start building bikes in the releam of $15K.
Bob says
I never really understood the attraction to the Hellcat. A flexible coupling to route the exhaust through the swing-arm? Doesn’t work for me for either form or function. The overall proportions and the mix of billet, carbon fiber, and bent tubing looks like a dog’s breakfast. The original Wraith and the Fighter have a more integrated look. With the Fighter especially it’s like sitting on a Rolex. How does the rider not look out of place on it?
WRXr says
I like their original thinking with regards to the frame, etc. But I’d like it more if they used an engine other than a V-Twin. To me this is not so original.
Jeff says
The rear exhaust will route to a second muffler under the tail.
Boog says
What could you build, or have built for 40 grand??? Probably a lot more than this THING with the cutesy engraving all over the place…
I guess these bikes will be popular with oil Sheiks and others who will build blacktops out in the Saudi desert so they can have a place to ride them. Or they will ride them on existing roads they built to drive their Lamborginis and Ferraris.
I DO like the styling of the fighter, though…cool drag bike look…
V-twins, well, you know…
Real Motorcycles have 1 cylinder or 4 in a row.
aaron says
*COUGH*
boog – you forgot triples and 6cyls…
Boog says
Here’s a lozenge….
Yeah, triples and sixes MIGHT qualify…
Richard Gozinya says
Boog, maybe you’re forgetting about Ducati, with its L-Twin, or the BMW boxer, or the infinitely cool Moto Guzzi engine. Inline 4s are nice, but they have advantages and disadvantages, just like every other configuration. Saying twins aren’t real bikes is as lame and ill-informed as when Harley riders say that about non-Harleys.
Boog says
Well, I may be ill-informed, but most V-twins I have had the dubious pleasure to ride for any length of time are usually enormously uncomfortable in engine vibration. I am not including L-twins like the Ducati or Laverda OR vertical twins. I cut my teeth on vertical twins and they were ok, if not the smoothest. Just call me prejudiced, as the first inline four I threw a leg over was like riding an electric-motor powered bike…there was not nearly enough O’s in smooth to describe the experience…but then again, this was way back in the sixties. Now, some will say “what about those jackhammer singles?” Well, they have a certain chutzpah of their own, regardless of the vibration!
Speaking of boxer twins, I have got my eye on a Ural sidecar rig…never owned a sidecar rig, and the price is right…but this is a topic for another thread. Sorry for the hijack!
todd says
the singles I have and had never vibrated as bad as my twins – except the boxers, those can be as bad as a single at some rpms. I’ve never ridden a new, rubber mounted harley but I’ve ridden isolastic twins (Nortons) and those are smooth.
To each his own. I do love the smooth, effortless power that an inline-4 makes but every “real” motorcycle I’ve ridden has any number of different engine configurations, all giving different (or the same) riding experience. Don’t limit yourself.
-todd