Tag Archives: development

Technology

10 Of The Oldest Military Submarines Still In Service Today

The Type 091, also known as the Han class, was developed during China’s Chairman Mao’s rule in the late 1950s. However, it took over two decades for the first submarine to be launched. The goal was to create a nuclear attack submarine that could rival those of the Soviet Union and the West during the Cold War. However, at that time, there were doubts about its technological capabilities, particularly in terms of meeting thermal performance and sound reduction standards, which are crucial for a submarine’s security as sonar detection is a significant threat.

On paper, the Type 091 was impressive, measuring 98 meters in length, 10 meters in diameter, and capable of reaching a top speed of 25 knots. Its pressurized water reactor was a technological triumph for China during that era, and advanced sonar, reconnaissance, and sound detection equipment were developed without any assistance from the West. For Chairman Mao, it must have been a significant achievement and a demonstration of China’s emerging global power.

A total of five Type 091 submarines were built, with three still in active service. These submarines have the capability to launch various torpedoes, including NATO variants, as China adopted standard calibers. They are also equipped with surface-launched anti-ship cruise missiles, which have a range of 42 kilometers and can reach a top speed of Mach 0.9. Despite undergoing upgrades, these submarines have been reported to experience radiation leakage and continue to have significant noise levels, according to the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence.

[Featured image via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | Public domain]

Cars

5 Volkswagen Designs That Came Close to Replacing the Legendary Beetle

In the late 1950s, Volkswagen began working on a rear-engine prototype that was intended to replace the Beetle. It took three years of development before the prototype, known as the EA97, was completed in 1960. Unlike other experimental Beetle replacements, Volkswagen was so impressed with the design that they hand-built around 200 two-door sedans based on the EA97.

The EA97 featured an elongated, almost pontoon-shaped body and was powered by a 1.1-liter opposed 4-cylinder engine. It had a spacious trunk in the front, adding to its practicality. Volkswagen was so confident in the EA97 that they even started setting up a production line for it. However, as the project neared completion, Volkswagen reconsidered and ultimately decided that the EA97 was too similar to both the Beetle and the Type 3, which was also under development and was eventually released in 1961. Consequently, Volkswagen cancelled the project altogether.

Interestingly, traces of the EA97 can be found in a later Volkswagen model called the Brasilia. The Brasilia was a compact, rear-engine vehicle designed and built in Brazil, primarily for the South American market. Some automotive enthusiasts believe that the design of the Brasilia incorporates elements from the EA97, linking it back to the Beetle replacement concept.

[Image by Charles01 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0]

News

Volkswagen plans to release affordable electric ‘ID 1’ hatch for under £17,000

Volkswagen is moving forward with the development of an electric hatchback called the ‘ID 1’, which is expected to be priced at under £17,000. This is part of a larger effort by car manufacturers to produce affordable electric models.

The ID 1 will serve as a successor to the e-Up city car and will offer a combination of compact design and simple technology.

It will be built on a new electric platform that will also be used for similar models by Volkswagen’s sister brands Cupra and Skoda. The ID 1 will be positioned below the production version of the recently unveiled ID 2all concept, which is expected to be priced at around £22,500.

Volkswagen Group’s chief financial officer, Arno Antlitz, believes that the company can achieve this price point for electric cars, thanks to advancements in battery materials and production methods.

“We’re confident that we can achieve that price point,” he said. “There are many technological innovations on the horizon. This car will feature the first in-house battery cells from our Valencia plant. We’re expanding our production capacity, which will allow us to achieve better economies of scale.

“We’ve also seen a decrease in raw material costs. For example, the cost of lithium and nickel has come down. So we’re confident that we can reach our target of €25,000 [£22,500] and still maintain a decent profit margin.”

While Antlitz’s comments specifically refer to the production feasibility of the ID 2, these developments could also have significant implications for the rumored ID 1.

Specific details about the architecture of the ID 1 have not been revealed yet, but it will be a separate platform from the MEB Entry platform that will be shared by the ID 2, Cupra Raval, and Skoda’s compact crossover. These models will all be manufactured in Spain starting from 2025.

The Volkswagen Group will develop the new platform, with Skoda playing a key role, and it will be designed for vehicles with interior space similar to that of the VW Polo.

Motorsport

2024 Lincoln Aviator Spied Wearing No Camo On The Road

Lincoln is not worried about hiding the refreshed 2024 Aviator from the public, as the development team is driving the luxury SUV without any camouflage. This is the second time the vehicle has been spotted like this.

The 2024 Aviator has a sleeker design for the front end, departing from its current boxy look. The grille has a more rounded shape with vertically oriented ovals in a metallic finish. The running lights have been revised and now extend towards the center of the vehicle’s face. The lower fascia features a simple trapezoidal outline, while air curtains are positioned on the outer edges.


Motorsport

New Renault Master Spied With Less Camouflage And Combustion Engine

The next-generation Renault Master has been in development for several months and two prototypes have already been spotted during the early testing phase. Recent shots of the French company’s workhorse reveal that progress has been made. Additionally, the van has now been relocated to southern Europe for hot weather testing.

For those unfamiliar, the Master is Renault’s largest light commercial vehicle. It has been in production in its current form since 2010 and has also been available under the badges of Nissan, Opel, and Vauxhall. The brand-new successor is currently undergoing early evaluations on European roads. The vehicle appears to feature a production body, although the lights may still be placeholders. It’s worth noting that the Renault Master is not sold in the United States, but it has been available in South America with local production in Brazil.


Motorsport

Bentley Batur Completes Development, Gears Up For Production Start

The Bentley Batur, which made its debut in August 2022, has finished its on-road development phase. The British luxury brand can now begin production of 18 models for its customers.

Prior to the production phase, Bentley conducted extensive testing with two pre-production Baturs. These vehicles underwent real-world testing, covering a total of 18,641 miles, and were evaluated for a combined period of 58 weeks. Car Zero, one of the pre-production models, featured a lively Purple Sector body with a Gloss Dark Titanium grille adorned with Black Crystal elements. As for Car Zero-Zero, it sported a Marina Teal body and was specifically utilized for development in Europe and high-speed driving on closed circuits.


News

Royal Enfield Opens CKD Facility in Nepal

Royal Enfield has made an exciting announcement regarding the launch of its exclusive Local Assembly Unit and CKD facility in Nepal. This move, in partnership with the Triveni Group, signifies the company’s commitment to Nepal and its business in the SAARC region.

The new facility in Birgunj becomes Royal Enfield’s fifth CKD assembly unit worldwide, joining the ranks of Brazil, Thailand, Colombia, and Argentina. With these units, along with existing manufacturing facilities in India, Royal Enfield is expanding its operations globally and aiming to expand the middleweight motorcycle segment on an international scale.

The CEO of Royal Enfield, B Govindarajan, expressed the brand’s global aspirations and congratulated the team on the new CKD facility in Nepal. The company remains committed to bringing its internationally acclaimed motorcycles and motorcycling experiences to passionate riders in Nepal.

Royal Enfield has already established itself as a key player in the middleweight motorcycle segments in various territories around the world. With the strategic placement of CKD facilities, the company can position itself well for its ambitious goals and expansion plans in the global market. The Nepalese market, in particular, has seen significant growth and is expected to continue growing at a rate of 10 to 15 percent.

The new facility in Nepal will have an initial assembly capacity of 20,000 units per year. It will focus on the local assembly of the Classic 350 and the Scram 411 motorcycles, catering to the rising demand for high-quality motorcycles in Nepal. Royal Enfield aims to provide enthusiasts in Nepal with access to its renowned lineup and deliver exceptional motorcycling experiences.

With its Himalayan Scram 411 model being assembled in Nepal, Royal Enfield’s growth and development in the Nepalese market will be closely watched. The new facility will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the company’s global strategy.

NewsNew

CARSON BROWN’S YZ300

Jamie Ellis and his team at Twisted Development are known for their expertise in building high-performance motorcycles for various types of racing. Test rider Carson Brown is renowned for his ability to ride any two-wheeled vehicle with remarkable speed. It’s no surprise that we joined forces with Twisted Development to create a Yamaha motorcycle for Carson Brown to race at the Wiseco Two-Stroke World Championship presented by Fasthouse at Glen Helen Raceway.

![CBYZ300_Right_e.jpg](https://dirtbikemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CBYZ300_Right_e.jpg)

BIG BUILD
In order to win races, a fast machine is not enough. Reliability, handling, dedication, and a bit of luck are also crucial. When building a bike for the two-stroke Open class, where there are no restrictions on displacement size, finding the optimal cubic capacity is key.

Twisted Development’s solution was to build a YZ300 for Carson Brown. This involved starting with a mid-2000, aluminum-framed Yamaha YZ250 and adding an Athena YZ300 big-bore kit. The kit includes a cylinder, head, top-end gasket kit, piston kit, and power valves.

![CBYZ300_EngineRight_e.jpg](https://dirtbikemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CBYZ300_EngineRight_e.jpg)

However, Twisted Development went beyond simply installing the Athena kit. They conducted extensive research and development with top-level professional racers to modify the head and port the cylinder in-house. They also replaced the forged piston in the Athena kit with a cast piston of their own specifications. The bottom end received attention as well, with a balanced crank, atomized texture on the Yamaha YZ250 rod, polished transmission, and a Hinson billet-proof clutch system.

![CBYZ300_EngineLeft_e.jpg](https://dirtbikemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CBYZ300_EngineLeft_e.jpg)

The stock intake system was replaced with a Moto Tassinari VForce system, and the carburetor jetting was adjusted to accommodate the VP MXRO2 race gas and the engine modifications. The power production was finalized with the addition of a hand-built Pro Circuit works pipe and 304 factory sound silencer.

For the chassis setup, Carson Brown’s race bike used a wheelset from Dubya USA with Haan billet-aluminum hubs, oversized stainless steel spokes, and blacked-out Excel rims. The wheels were equipped with Dunlop MX33 tires.

![CBYZ300_RearWheelDubya_e.jpg](https://dirtbikemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CBYZ300_RearWheelDubya_e.jpg)

Enzo Racing handled the suspension needs, utilizing a performance shock linkage arm from Pro Circuit to enhance stability and provide a more controlled feel. The aesthetics of the YZ300 were customized with an all-black Acerbis plastic kit, a custom graphics kit from Fusion Graphix with purple accents and embedded glitter flakes, and a white Guts Racing gripper seat cover.

![CarsonBrown2_e.jpg](https://dirtbikemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CarsonBrown2_e.jpg)

BIG RESULTS
The results speak for themselves. Carson Brown emerged as the 2023 Wiseco Two-Stroke World Champion in the Open Pro class. This machine was specifically tailored for a professional-level rider like Carson, but Twisted Development has successfully used the same performance engine platform for skilled riders of different levels. The engine performance surpasses that of the stock YZ250 in every aspect.

The Twisted Development engine delivers usable power right off the bottom, eliminating the need for excessive clutch input that the stock YZ250 requires. The midrange of the powerband provides exceptional pull, comparable to other high-performance two-stroke builds. While the Vortex ignition might sign off slightly earlier on the top end compared to the stock YZ250, the acceleration is significantly faster. Twisted Development offers maps that allow for longer over-rev if desired.

During testing, Twisted Development proved their expertise in engine packages and understanding of engine characteristics. The overall chassis and suspension setup on Brown’s race bike leaned towards the stiffer side but worked exceptionally well, especially when the bike was ridden more aggressively. The combination of Enzo-valved internals and the Pro Circuit performance shock linkage proved effective. With some assistance from Dave Dye, the bike was dialed in perfectly for Carson Brown.

Motorsport

Next-Gen BMW M5 Looks Aggressive In Rendering Based On Recent Spy Shots

The next-generation BMW M5 is still under development, as the latest spy shots from a couple of days ago still show a heavily camouflaged sedan doing the rounds at the Nurburgring.

However, that hasn’t stopped internet-famous car designer X-Tomi from imagining what the next iteration of BMW’s performance sedan could look like, taking inspiration from the images we published as the work week drew to a close.

With styling cues borrowed from the X5 M and X6 M, X-Tomi’s rendering shows a bright red M5 sitting on signature black M wheels and wearing an X-shaped front end that incorporates a black grille with a red outline.

The hood looks very similar to that used on the M4 coupe and the sensor for the radar-guided cruise control sits in the lower part of the front bumper, which is a much better placement than BMW used on the regular 5 Series, where there was an attempt to integrate it in the double-kidney grille, but it’s hard not to notice it once you get a glimpse of it.

The front fenders are also wider than on the run-of-the-mill 5 Series, which is to be expected, considering the M5 will most certainly have wider wheels, as well as beefier brakes.

 

With this being a fan rendering, some unknowns remain, such as the powertrain that will motivate the seventh-generation BMW M5. Currently, the Bavarian performance sedan is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet (750 Newton-meters) of torque in Competition trim.

Rumors say that the next-generation M5 will use the hybrid setup of the XM SUV, so a twin-turbo V8 and a single electric motor that make a combined 644 hp and 590 lb-ft in the base variant and 738 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque in the XM Red Label.

This information hasn’t been confirmed, but we’re pretty sure that BMW will try to one-up the current-gen M5, as well as the electric i5 M60 which packs a dual-motor setup making 590 hp and 549 lb-ft.

As always, we’d like to know what you think about this, so head over to the comments section below to give us your thoughts.