Ai Design Fashions "Post-Apocalyptic Road Rider"

TUCKAHOE, N.Y. — Think of it as a Mad Max-style ride for the new millennium.

Ai Design has given a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban some "biodiesel tweaks," a Brembo brake upgrade and Rolls-Royce inspired Wilton wool carpeting, and lavished other custom touches on the interior to create what it calls a "post-apocalyptic road rider."

The Ai team also gave the Suburban a 12-inch lift, on-/off-road suspension package and increased fuel capacity. Since Suburbans from that time frame were not offered from the factory with Chevy's Duramax diesel engine, Ai turned to Colorado-based Duramax Suburban for the conversion.

The engine was modified to handle the increased corrosive properties of biodiesel fuel. One the conversion was complete, Ai added what it calls "more traditional performance modifications, such as upgrading the transmission, turbochargers, exhaust system, fuel injection and electronic engine-control systems."

The Suburban got an updated version of the elaborate center console unit Ai designed for its Cigarette-branded Suburbans. The eco-cruiser also gets a CB radio, Edge engine-management controller, emergency lighting, PA controllers and nickel-plated carbon-fiber trim pieces. An Alpine F-1 audio system rounds out the package.

The price tag on the Ai biodiesel Suburban is $200,000.

© Source: original article on insideline