Tag Archives: decade

News

Watch The Rolls-Royce Spectre EV in Action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Rolls-Royce, known for its luxurious vehicles, has embraced the electric vehicle (EV) industry with its first-ever all-electric production model, the Spectre. After 155 million miles of testing and 400 million simulated years of use, the 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre was unveiled at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The performance demonstrated the impressive capabilities of the Spectre as an EV. It effortlessly and quietly maneuvered through the corners of the Goodwood hill, showcasing the brand’s transition towards electric vehicles. The CEO of Rolls-Royce, Torsten-Ötvös, has confirmed that the company will only produce electric vehicles by 2030. The Spectre is set to be launched in Q4 of 2023, offering consumers a glimpse into Rolls-Royce’s electric future.

According to Ötvös, the Spectre is the culmination of Rolls-Royce’s vision for electric powertrains, which was first conceived 123 years ago.

The Rolls-Royce Spectre boasts impressive specifications for an electric vehicle. It features a dual-motor setup, producing 557 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The estimated electric range is 260 miles, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.

Despite its luxurious features, the Rolls-Royce Spectre has a relatively low price of $440,000 compared to its gasoline-powered counterparts. The vehicle retains its traditional and chiseled appearance, with a notable Pantheon Grille adorned with 22 LED lights and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy Figurine. The Spectre is also the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever made, with a drag coefficient of 0.25. Its low center of gravity, achieved through the battery’s strategic placement, enhances the smooth driving experience.

Rolls-Royce has implemented strict conditions for the sale of the Spectre to deter car flipping, a practice where limited or highly sought-after vehicles are resold at inflated prices. The company has blacklisted individuals engaging in this practice, ensuring that they will be unable to purchase a Rolls-Royce in the future.

The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased a wide range of innovative EVs, including the MG Cyberster, MG4 XPower, Lamborghini SC63, Renault R5 Turbo 3E, and Kia EV9. These vehicles represent the industry’s commitment to electrification and innovation in the automotive market.

News, Science

Blue Origin Investigating Explosion Of Rocket Engine Made For ULA

Blue Origin is investigating an explosion of its BE-4 rocket engine, which is known as the “most powerful liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled rocket engine ever developed.” The engine is being developed for United Launch Alliance (ULA) and is also intended to power Blue Origin’s New Glenn reusable launch vehicle. Blue Origin has been working on the BE-4 engine since 2011, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the company signed a deal with ULA.

Since then, Blue Origin has faced setbacks, including multiple powerpack failures, which have delayed the development and deployment timelines. It was only in October 2022 that Blue Origin announced the delivery of two BE-4 engines to ULA for the first flight of the Vulcan rocket. The launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn, which competes with SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, has been repeatedly delayed to accommodate the BE-4 development delays.

The original schedule for New Glenn’s first flight was in 2021, but it was pushed to the fourth quarter of 2022. However, the launch did not happen during that time. Blue Origin’s senior commerce executive, Ariane Cornell, has stated that New Glenn will be ready for NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars in 2024.

Motorsport

Aston Martin Valour Revealed: A V12-Powered Manual Throwback

Aston Martin has unveiled a new V12-powered supercar called the Valour to celebrate its 110th anniversary. Limited to just 110 units worldwide, the Valour features a retro design and a manual gearbox, making it “the last of an era.”

Taking inspiration from the iconic V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 1980s, the Valour incorporates retro design cues such as a clamshell hood with a “horseshoe” vent and rounded headlights. The front fascia has a distinctive look that blends old and new elements.

Aston Martin Valour

The rear of the Valour features horizontal “light blade” taillights and a large embedded spoiler, further emphasizing the retro design. The car comes with 21-inch lightweight forged alloy honeycomb wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires. Buyers have the option to choose from 21 standard exterior colors or explore the Q by Aston Martin color palette for more unique finishes, such as exposed carbon fiber.

The interior of the Valour is equally extravagant. Aston Martin designers have combined classic woolen tweed, reminiscent of the 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1, with modern carbon fiber accents and lightweight seats. The rounded wooden shift knob adds to the retro charm.

Powering the Valour is a front-mounted, twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 engine that generates 705 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a bespoke six-speed manual transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential, much like the Aston Martin Victor.

Aston Martin Valour
Aston Martin Valour

However, the Valour is not just about power and a manual gearbox. It features a unique suspension system, different from other Aston Martins, that includes adaptive dampers and anti-roll bars specifically tuned to match the V12’s power output. Additionally, the Valour is equipped with extra bracing in the front and rear, improving torsional and lateral stiffness, as well as carbon ceramic brakes. The front brakes are six-piston, 16.0-inch carbon ceramic rotors, while the rear brakes are four-piston, 14.0-inch rotors. Switching to carbon ceramics reduces the car’s weight by 50.7 pounds compared to standard steel brakes.

Aston Martin has not disclosed the pricing details for the Valour, but given its limited production run, it is likely that all 110 units have already been spoken for. Production of the Valour will begin in the third quarter of 2023 at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters, with the first deliveries expected later this year.

Motorsport

Watch Abandoned Eagle Talon TSi Get First Wash In 12 Years

In the 1990s, there were some interesting automotive brands that are now defunct. One such brand was Eagle, which was introduced by Chrysler in 1988 as an enthusiast brand aimed at a younger customer base. The lineup mainly consisted of rebranded models from Mitsubishi, Plymouth, and Chrysler, but the brand had its own identity and charm. However, stock examples of Eagle cars are now hard to find.

Recently, the WD Detailing team discovered an original Eagle Talon TSi that had been abandoned for 12 years. The Talon TSi had a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. As seen in the video, the car is missing some parts, with the main issue being the lack of an engine under the hood. Finding the original turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the Talon is becoming increasingly difficult.

The specific engine in question is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with around 195 horsepower in the all-wheel drive configuration. The front-wheel drive Talon had a slightly lower rating of 190 horsepower due to its more restrictive exhaust system. Models equipped with a four-speed manual transmission had 180 horsepower due to a different turbo setup.

The Talon was essentially a rebadged and slightly redesigned version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was also sold under the Plymouth brand. While they were mechanically identical, the three coupes had their own design elements such as different bumpers, taillights, and wheels. All three cars were manufactured by DSM (a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi) at their plant in Normal, Illinois.

In its current condition, this black Eagle Talon TSi has potential, despite being far from its factory condition. Not only is it a rare turbocharged all-wheel drive model, but it also doesn’t have significant rust spots on its body. If you owned this vehicle, would you choose to restore it to its original condition or install a more powerful and modern engine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.