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Showing results for tags 'all wheel drive'.
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Lancia returns to rallying with an electric Delta Integrale
enzoalec92 posted a topic in Motorsports
<A 670-HP Lancia Delta Integrale EV Will Tackle World Rallycross in 2022 With the FIA's WRX series going electric, now's the time to revive a true classic. Ahh, rallycross going electric. It feels like someone invents a new version of it every week, probably because rallycross sort of has the ideal format for cars with limited range. The races are just 6-9 minutes long, but it's also tough actually making electric cars you can rattle the absolute hell out of around a jump track while keeping the safety standards somewhere north of acceptable. And then there are the costs. The FIA World Rallycross championship is, after years of skirting the issue, finally taking the plunge next season. One of the entrants, French outfit GCK Motorsport, is bringing things back to the old school by using the 500-kilowatt, dual-motor electric powertrain and battery from Kreisel (the people who are also bringing you insane hydrofoil racing) and fitting it to a Lancia Delta Integrale. That car's a volatile legend of rallycross' past, as well as a six-time World Rally Championship title winner. GCK Although there's obviously gonna have to be a fair amount of screwing around with it, this really will have a Delta Integrale chassis, somewhere in its base. The Integrale wasn't the Group B Lancia–that was the completely haphazard Delta S4, a beast with, as you'd expect in rally, more horsepower than sense that could reportedly pull up to 800 hp in a final race. Instead, the Integrale was a Group A competitor that still won over everyone's hearts. But rallying and Lancia Deltas go together like me and standing by the side of the course getting a face full of gravel, so this is more than a welcome development in any case. GCK already made a restomod version of the Lancia Delta Integrale that looks mighty lovely zooming around a smooth circuit because it's a car that's shaped like the most satisfying box and it's got the handling of a modern EV. That's all nice and good and I definitely wouldn't be angry if someone offered to let me (or preferably Stef) hoon one round the Nordschleife. But it's not the roaring, angry, roughness of whatever makes people want to snout rallycross cars around dirt tracks like 670-horsepower truffle hunters. LANCIA The WRX series is very keen to make some, frankly, fairly wild claims about the cars accelerating faster than F1 (yes, for a short period and if the F1 car doesn't have ERS). To be honest, when you're as obscure as rallycross has ended up these days, you can pretty much say absolutely anything and it'll either please all 15 incredibly passionate Estonians following the championship or everyone will just ignore it, anyway. For sure, at least, WRX has a decent grid put together for next year with 14 entrants to the 2022 title. And y'know, 671 horsepower and 880 newton-meters of torque in cars this size is going to be rude and fun as hell whatever you do with it. It took less than that to impress Ken Block, after all. At the very least, this is a more dignified progression of the Delta into the future than what Lancia actually did with it, which was to take on a very 2021 process way back in 2009 and turn what used to be the symbol of manic, gutsy handling into a completely vile crossover it hurts to look at. Please don't bring this one back as electric, Stellantis—you're on watch. LANCIA>
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Toyota has updated the JDM Mark X sedan for the 2013 model year. One of the more popular parallel-imported Toyota model in Singapore, this is the second time the Mark X receives a facelift in its life cycle. For those who feel that the facelift back in 2009 could be better, the good news is that the 2013 model has a nicer looking front fascia with a new grille that sports a more pronounced "X" logo in the centre. Sporting an aggressive design, the headlights incorporate Bi-Xenon bulbs and daytime running LED lights. The tail lights and bumper have been redesigned as well. Along with the 2013 iteration of the Mark X, Toyota has collaborated with its racing partner, Gazoo Racing, to come up with the G
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Cadillac ATS wins 2013 'North American Car of the Year' title
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The 2013 Detroit Motor Show has started on a positive note for Cadillac as the ATS sedan has been named the North American Car of The Year by a jury of automotive writers. Finalists for the title include the 2013 Honda Accord and Ford Fusion sedans. "This is a very meaningful honor for the entire Cadillac team, especially the men and women who build the ATS in Lansing, Michigan, and our dedicated and talented designers and engineers," said Bob Ferguson, GM vice president, Cadillac Global. "A car like ATS is the result of incredible commitment and focus. That's the only method for creating a great performing luxury car." The Cadillac ATS is compact luxury sedan designed to take on the likes of the BMW 3-series and Audi A4. The ATS is offered with a choice of three engines, namely a 202bhp 2.5-litre, 272bhp 2.0-litre turbo and a 3.6-litre V6 with 321bhp. These engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. A diesel engine will be available in the future. The ATS is based upon General Motors' Alpha platform and is offered in either rear- or all-wheel drive configurations. -
In Japan, Honda is not so well known when it comes to hybrid cars. Over there, Toyota or Lexus is more popular for its hybrid offerings. Although Honda has been producing hybrid cars for quite a while, they are not popular as Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive vehicles. But things are about to change as Honda has announced three new hybrid systems that will be used in the near future. Let's start off with the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive system. This particular one is aimed specifically at small, compact cars. It is a single motor system and Honda promises the best fuel economy in its class and better acceleration than any existing Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) vehicles. This system features a 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle engine with a seven speed dual clutch transmission which contains an integrated high output electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. During heavy acceleration and high speeds, the system uses both engine and motor power. While in low and medium speed, the car functions as an electric vehicle; provided there are sufficient battery charge. Honda stated that this system will improve efficiency by thirty percent when compared to its previous IMA vehicles and at the same time it delivers a more linear acceleration. Next up is the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi Mode Drive which is for larger sized cars. This system features a two motor system which offers three different types of driving modes. Firstly is the EV Drive which allows the vehicle to function in pure electric mode. This will give a good range in planned plug-in versions. Next is the Engine Drive mode which is used for medium to high speeds. And lastly is the Hybrid Drive mode which mixes power from the engine and the two electric motors. This is particularly useful during heavy acceleration and stop-and-go traffic. Lastly, the hybrid system which might interest some performance enthusiasts; is the Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive system which utilises three motors. This system uses two electric motors to drive the rear wheels and an engine and a seven speed dual clutch gearbox with an integrated electric motor for the front wheels. This particular system is ideal for performance and fuel economy. It is said that torque could be precisely optimised for traction on the rear wheels across a wide range of road surfaces and conditions. A fitted 3.5-litre V6 engine will support the electric motor to give a V8 engine-like acceleration with a V6 engine fuel economy. Honda mentioned that this system can deliver the performance benefits of an all wheel drive performance vehicle while minimising the weight penalties of such conventional systems. These three new hybrid systems are expected to feature in Honda vehicles in the near future. Image credit: Honda and Net Car Show
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[extract] With the recent launch of the next generation Mercedes Benz A-Class (pictured above), Mercedes Benz is serious in getting into the luxury hatchback market segment and the German automaker
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Jaguar has announced it will introduce all-wheel drive system on the Jaguar XJ and XF equipped with the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine that delivers 335bhp and 450Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed ZF transmission. The AWD sedans have revised suspension and steering systems and Jaguar claims that they deliver the same involving handling as their rear-drive counterparts. In dry conditions, the all-wheel drive system operates a rear bias except during step off when torque is pre-loaded to the front for a smoother start. The front drives shafts run through the sump to lower the centre of gravity. The AWD system functions hand-in-hand with Jaguar Drive Control. This allows the driver to select
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Production of the last Opel Omega ended in 2003 without a direct replacement. However, there is news that the Omega might rise from the ashes. Former Opel CEO, Karl-Friedrich Stracke, revealed the company is working on a flagship model and according to AutoNews.de, Opel is developing a luxurious sedan which could revive the Omega moniker. The new model is rumored to be based on the Cadillac XTS luxury saloon (above) and could be launched in late 2013. Power would likely be provided by the existing 3.6-litre V6 engine that is current found under the hood of the XTS. It produces 304 hp and 358 Nm of torque. However, the magazine speculates that a turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 with 321bhp or a twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel with 192bhp could also be available. Like the XTS, all-wheel drive system will likely be optional regardless of engine option. In the 1990s, I used to see a few Omega sedans plying along the roads of Singapore. It has a sleek handsome profile and I would admire it for a moment when I see one passes by. These sedans would have probably end up in the scrap yard by now. I look forward to seeing the Omega sedans on our roads again in a few years
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Next Toyota sports car to go hybrid, AWD and mid-engine?
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Toyota Motor Corporation was once known for producing some of the best sports cars and during one moment, they fed consumers with beige, drab looking models. With the recent release of several sports-orientated models such as the Lexus LFA, Toyota 86 and Lexus IS-F (there are even plans to release a Lexus GS-F); it seems that the aspiration to produce stylish sports orientated cars has been renewed again at the Japanese firm. But Toyota -
Subaru to celebrate 40 years of Symmetrical All Wheel Drive
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Many would know about Subaru -
The Honda NSX is the only car from the Japanese firm that can be considered as a supercar. A lightweight all-aluminium body, rather healthy V6 engine and great looks that put some of its western rivals to shame. This model alone lasted for almost 15 years, although it received some minor changes along the way. Honda had to cease production of the car when the car could not pass stringent global emission regulations that were to take place in 2006. In 2008, Honda revived the idea of replacing the NSX with a new model which featured a V10 engine, but they had to scrap that idea soon after due to the global financial crisis. But it seems that Honda is keen on reviving the idea again as they have confirmed that a concept (known as the Super Sport) will be showcased at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2012. This time it will not use a V10 engine, instead it will feature a hybrid powertrain. One of the first clues to a NSX successor was spotted recently at a film shoot for the upcoming Avengers movie. Honda refused to comment about the car in the photo but many believe that this could be the car in question. Should this car go into production, then we might get to see it as early as late 2013. Honda recently showed a fleeting image of the model to journalists at their Motegi Twin Ring race track. According to Honda chief of research and design, the car will define the new image of Acura (Honda
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Audi stunned us at the recent Paris Motor Show when it unveiled the Quattro concept , which pays homage to the original Quattro that pioneered the automaker's now signature all-wheel-drive system. It shares its underpinnings with those found on the hot RS5 coupe, packing 408 horsepower and weighs less than 3,000 pounds. For those who dreamt of a production version, that dream may become a reality according to Autocar. Audi has reportedly been advancing plans for a limited production run of the Quattro, assembled on a dedicated line at parent company Volkswagen's newly acquired design firm, Italdesign. Stefan Reil, head of development at Audi's Quattro Gmbh division, told Autocar that the automaker is "rethinking standard processes to make it possible," and that Audi "know how to engineer it already." If the Quattro concept gets the green light, power would likely come from a tuned version of the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five found in the TT RS, producing somewhere around 350 horsepower. Although It's not the 408 hp unit that Audi originally quoted, if the sub-3,000-pound weight is kept in order, it should still make for one heck of an interesting performer.
