Tag Archives: Amid

Motorsport

Volvo’s Sales Prove EVs Are Tanking While Hybrids Are Hot

Volvo is the most recent automaker to publish sturdy hybrid stats amid diminishing EV demand within the US by way of the primary quarter of 2024. The Swedish model is off to a optimistic begin with a year-over-year gross sales improve of 17 %, and hybrids are the explanation why.

Specifically, Volvo plug-in hybrids have been sizzling commodities by way of the tip of March. These fashions have been up 44 % for the interval, totaling 7,118 items. Mild hybrids have been up 5 %, main the general gross sales cost with 8,088 autos. EV gross sales, nonetheless, fell off a cliff. Just 970 absolutely electrical Volvos have been bought for the primary three months of 2024, in comparison with 2,782 final 12 months; a drop of 65 %.


Motorsport

Hyundai Performance Cars Could Go Hybrid Before Going Electric

Amid more and more stringent emissions rules and better taxes on automobiles with large-displacement engines, the longer term does not look good for combustion-powered efficiency automobiles. Hyundai just killed the i20 N and i30 N in Europe the place automakers face the hardest laws anyplace. However, not all hope is misplaced for a enjoyable automotive with an inside combustion engine.

Speaking with Australian journal Drive, Hyundai’s present Executive Technical Advisor and former R&D boss mentioned a hybrid powertrain is a chance value exploring. Albert Biermann—who was one of many driving forces behind the creation of the N division—confirmed stronger hybrid setups are being developed. Not only for the Hyundai model, but in addition for the luxury-oriented Genesis marque. As a reminder, the Hyundai Motor Group additionally owns a couple of third of Kia.

Biermann mentioned the Elantra N (aka i30 Sedan N) “could be an option—technically it’s in there.” He avoided confirming whether or not the efficiency sedan might be electrified however admitted it is technically potential. Let’s understand that Hyundai has already confirmed a next-generation mannequin with a gasoline engine, suggesting it would even get an even bigger ICE.  The turbocharged 2.5-liter unit can be a pleasant bump over the present 2.0-liter engine.

2024 Hyundai Elantra N

In its present type, the Elantra N has 276 horsepower whereas the bigger engine is rated at 290 hp within the Sonata N Line and as a lot as 300 hp within the Genesis G70. Of course, including an electrical motor would enhance the output much more. If authorised, it won’t be the one hybrid N automotive from Hyundai as Biermann says he’s making an attempt to persuade the higher-ups to green-light a smaller electrified N. However, the mission continues to be in its infancy.

Hyundai is already wanting forward, having simply launched the absolutely electrical Ioniq 5 N crossover. There are additionally experiences of an Ioniq 6 N sedan, probably with extra energy. Biermann defined the Korean automaker needs to cowl all of the bases by catering to totally different tastes whereas assembly ever-changing rules. The ex-BMW M boss argued {that a} hybrid powertrain would bridge the hole between efficiency automobiles with pure combustion engine automobiles and full EVs.

Toyota has one other thought of how sports activities automobiles with combustion engines could be saved. It’s toying round with the concept of making ICE run on hydrogen instead of gasoline. To that finish, it has already constructed and examined prototypes of GR Yaris and GR Corolla sizzling hatches on the observe.

On the identical be aware, Austrian firm AVL Racetech has engineered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that runs on hydrogen. It makes a wholesome 405 horsepower and 375 pound-feet (508 Newton-meters) of torque.

Porsche has a special method because it believes artificial gas may very well be an answer. It’s been producing nearly carbon-neutral e-fuel at its manufacturing facility in Chile since late 2022 when it celebrated the milestone by submitting up a 911. Although Porsche is a part of the Volkswagen Group, VW model boss Thomas Schäfer claims all this discuss prolonging the lifetime of combustion engines is thrashing a lifeless horse. He claims discussions about e-fuels are “unnecessary noise” since combustion engines symbolize “old technology.”

Cars

Everything To Know About Jaguar’s XK6 Inline-6 Engine

Sir William Lyons and his brainiac engineers began conceiving the all-new XK engine amid fire-watching duties throughout WWII. The firm had a operating four-cylinder prototype after the struggle, and it had the bottom elements of what would finally evolve into the Jaguar XK engine: Dual overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder, hemispherical combustion chambers, and polished cam covers.

Moreover, the XK inline-six has two units of three cylinders with wider spacing within the center to enhance the coolant movement. Each cylinder has a forged aluminum piston with twin compression rings, a single oil ring, and a full-floating wrist-pin design to attenuate friction. Each piston has a dome on prime to ship an 8.0:1 compression ratio in early fashions of the XK 120.

Sealing the deal are shiny aluminum parts like a forged aluminum head, entrance timing cowl, cam covers, and oil pan. The resolution to make use of an aluminum head saved 70 kilos, however the XK’s cast-iron engine block and transmission casing meant your complete powertrain tipped the scales at about 700 kilos.

News

New McLaren GTS brings uprated V8 and sheds weight

The McLaren GT has been renamed the GTS amid a facelift that brings larger efficiency and several other quality-of-life adjustments.

Chief among the many tweaks is the refinement of the non-obligatory nostril carry system, which raises the entrance finish of the automobile by 20mm to supply a saloon-like floor clearance of 130mm. The GTS takes 4.0sec to completely carry or drop the nostril – greater than twice as rapidly because the GT.

The hydraulic energy steering – a notable robust swimsuit of the GT – has been given a GTS-specific set-up, claimed to supply class-leading really feel. As earlier than, it ramps up help at low speeds, to ease difficult manoeuvres. 

McLaren has additionally liberated an additional 14bhp from the GT’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, which means it now outputs 626bhp in complete. Power supply is unchanged, peaking at 7500rpm, whereas most torque stays 465lb ft from 5500-6500rpm.

The GTS is 10kg lower than the GT, with a kerb weight of 1520kg.

McLaren GTS rear driving

The result’s what McLaren claims to be a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 412bhp per tonne. For reference, a Bentley Continental GT V8 packs 254bhp per tonne, whereas the Porsche 911 Turbo S delivers 396bhp per tonne.

In flip, the GTS has barely larger accelerative urge than the GT: its 0-62mph dash time is lower by 0.1sec to three.2sec.

The inside has been saved largely as earlier than. There are new trim and materials mixtures, however infotainment is supplied by the identical 7.0in infotainment touchscreen because the GT.

McLaren has but to disclose the pricing of the GTS, however it’s anticipated to be barely greater than the £167,560 requested for the outgoing GT.

Motorsport

Winnebago Access: The Brand’s Cheapest Travel Trailer

Winnebago, known for its luxurious camper vans and motorhomes, is now venturing into the lower-priced travel trailer market. Introducing the new Access, a budget-friendly option starting at $29,600. This model offers various lengths and layouts, accommodating up to eight people. When it hits the market in November 2023, it will become the most affordable trailer in Winnebago’s lineup.

So, what do you get for this price? Standard features include electric tongue and stabilization jacks, water tank pad heaters, a two-inch accessory receiver hitch, built-in WiFi, an enclosed underside with heating for pipes and wires, and an innovative aero-shaped front. Depending on the layout, there is a queen-size bed located either at the front or rear, along with a sofa and a dinette area that converts into a bed.

While specific details regarding options and upgrades are not yet available, Winnebago’s website showcases four floorplans. Two of them, the 25ML and 30BH, feature large slideouts on the left side, providing additional room for theater seating. The 28FK model also offers theater seating, but with a smaller slideout. The fourth model, the 26BH, omits slideouts in favor of an exterior kitchen equipped with a pull-out griddle, drawers, and a refrigerator. The 26BH and 30BH also include bunk beds. All layouts feature a full bathroom, a spacious dinette, and a kitchen with a three-burner stove.

While a comprehensive list of options is yet to be revealed, Winnebago has highlighted a few upgrades for the Access line. These include porcelain toilets, LED lights for the interior and exterior, and rectangular skylights for natural light. Thicker sidewalls are offered as an upgrade to enhance the trailer’s strength.

The Access is significantly more affordable than Winnebago’s other offerings, such as the Winnebago Hike 100 overlanding trailer, which starts at $46,135. The Access could appeal to new buyers looking for a cost-effective option.

Winnebago plans to announce full pricing closer to the Access’ on-sale date in November. However, interested individuals can catch a glimpse of the Access in September at the Hershey RV Show in Pennsylvania.

Motorsport

Hyundai RN22e Crashes Hard at Goodwood After Missing Turn

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Hyundai RN22e concept, a high-performance electric vehicle (EV) testbed, crashed after missing a turn. The incident occurred during one of the earlier runs on the first day of the event. Luckily, there were no injuries reported from the off-track excursion.



 Hyundai RN22e Crash at Goodwood

The Hyundai RN22e concept, which features Hyundai’s high-performance EV development, was driven up the hill when the driver failed to take a sharp left turn, crashing into bales of hay. The incident was captured by camera operators, showing the car coming to rest at the bottom of the frame. Fortunately, the occupants of the car, who wore helmets and racing suits, appeared unharmed.

The extent of the damage to the RN22e is not yet known, but there are visible debris on the ground, hinting at some cosmetic damage. Hyundai has been contacted for more information about the condition of the car and its occupants.

The Hyundai RN22e is a high-performance EV concept designed to test Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. It features dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration with 577 horsepower, similar to the Kia EV6 GT. The RN22e aims to explore torque vectoring and new power distribution methods.