Tag Archives: tests

ISDE 2023: U.S. ON TOP AT HALFWAY POINT

November 10, 2023 David

The U.S. Trophy Team continued its strong performance in Argentina as the ISDE introduced new trails and special tests on the third day of the event. The team expanded its lead over Great Britain to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, the U.S. Junior team slipped to third place as France had an impressive showing, and Sweden maintained its lead in that category. In the Women’s Trophy, the U.S. team remains ahead with Brandy Richards leading the pack and Rachel Gutish winning a special test early in the day.

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WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WT)
The challenging conditions, featuring rocky and technical terrain, presented a fresh challenge for Team USA’s World Trophy (WT) as they tackled Day 3. FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Taylor Robert led the charge, securing fourth place, while teammate Dante Oliveira claimed seventh overall. Johnny Girroir and Cole Martinez also contributed to the team’s success, helping to extend their lead to +8:15:17 with three days remaining.

Taylor Robert had a bad fall but remains in good form as the week reaches the halfway mark.

Taylor Robert expressed his pride in the team’s performance, highlighting another day with all four members ranking in the top 10. Despite encountering a setback with a significant fall during the second test, he managed to recover and improve his position to fourth overall for the day. He looks forward to the remaining challenges ahead.

Dante Oliveira acknowledged the day’s challenges and expressed his determination to push harder in the upcoming days to improve his performance.

Johnny Girroir shared his positive experience from the day and expressed his dedication to maintaining the team’s progress despite facing minor health issues.

Cole Martinez: On Day 3, Cole demonstrated a remarkable improvement, achieving the best time among the Americans in the final test. He currently holds the fifth position overall and fourth in the E2 class.

JUNIOR WORLD TROPHY TEAM (JWT)
Mateo Oliveira’s consistent performance earned him the fifth place on the third day, maintaining the fourth spot overall in the Junior World Trophy (JWT) classification. Grant Davis and Kai Aiello also made significant contributions, keeping the team’s podium prospects alive as they currently hold the third position at the halfway mark.

Mateo Oliveira: Acknowledging the challenging tracks and tests, Mateo expressed his determination to improve his performance in the upcoming days.

Grant Davis: Grant reflected on the day’s experience and emphasized the opportunity to learn from the challenges and make a stronger comeback in the subsequent days.

WOMEN’S WORLD TROPHY TEAM (WWT)
The U.S. Women’s World Trophy (WWT) Team continued to dominate the category, with KTM-supported Brandy Richards achieving victory on Day 3. The team extended its lead in the team classification with Korie Steede and Rachel Gutish securing the third and fourth positions, respectively, contributing to a considerable lead of +10:31.89.

Brandy Richards expressed satisfaction with the day’s performance and emphasized the team’s focus on consistency and enjoyment while gearing up for the upcoming challenges.

World Trophy Classification (After Day 3 of 6)
1. USA, 9:07:40.45
2. Great Britain, +8:15.17
3. France, +8:55.02
4. Spain, +10:33.86
5. Italy, +11:34.15

Junior World Trophy Classification (After Day 3 of 6)
1. Sweden, 6:56:33.20
2. France, +11:53.79
3. USA, +14:42.13
4. Argentina, +39:20.80
5. Czech Republic, +47:31.79

Women’s World Trophy Classification (After Day 3 of 6)
1. USA, 7:58:22.34
2. Australia, +10:31.89
3. FIM LA, +1:49:48.75
4. France, +4:50:18.76
5. Argentina, +7:12:07.28

Featured

Is It Worth Driving Without AC For More Fuel Efficiency? Find Out Here

October 3, 2023 Prafful Singh

We conducted 3 tests with the Toyota Glanza, the rebadged Maruti Baleno: AC on windows up, AC off windows down, and AC off windows up

Fuel efficiency is a top priority for Indian car buyers, especially when cruising on highways at normal speeds. However, some people believe that turning off the AC and rolling down the windows can further improve their car’s mileage. To test this, we conducted our own experiments.

Parameters

We used the Toyota Glanza, the cross-badged version of the popular Maruti Baleno hatchback, for these tests. It is equipped with a 1.2-litre petrol engine (90PS/113Nm) and a 5-speed manual transmission. We fueled the Glanza to the brim before conducting 3 tests, each covering a distance of 81km at an average speed of 100kmph. We refueled the car after each test.

Distance	81km (highway)
Average Speed	100kmph
AC temperature (Test 1)	24 Degrees
Fan/ Blower Speed	2

Here are the results:

AC ON & Windows Up

AC	ON
Distance Covered	81km
Fuel used	3.74 litres
Calculated fuel efficiency	21.66kmpl

In the first test, with the AC set at 24 degrees Celsius and the fan speed at two, the Toyota Glanza consumed 3.74 litres of petrol while covering 81km on the expressway. This resulted in a calculated fuel efficiency of 21.66kmpl. Next, we repeated the process with the AC turned off.

AC OFF & Windows Down

AC	OFF
Distance Covered	81km
Fuel used	3.8 litres
Calculated fuel efficiency	21.31kmpl

In the second test, we turned off the AC and rolled down both front windows, assuming that this would increase the car’s mileage. However, with the AC off and windows down, the Toyota Glanza actually achieved lower efficiency compared to the AC-on test.

Also Read: Upcoming Cars In October 2023: Nissan Magnite AMT, Lexus LM MPV, Force Gurkha 5-door And Others

Why did turning off the AC reduce the mileage? The answer lies in aerodynamic drag. When driving on the highway at high speeds, the car has to counter the air resistance. Opening the windows allows air to enter the cabin, creating drag and affecting the car’s performance. To maintain speed, the engine has to work harder and consume more fuel. Therefore, driving with the AC off and windows down actually reduces fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, at lower speeds within the city, the impact of aerodynamic drag is minimal, so turning off the AC and keeping the windows down can improve fuel efficiency. However, this is not the case during highway cruising. But what if we turn off the AC and keep the windows up?

AC OFF & Windows Up

AC	OFF
Distance Covered	81km
Fuel used	3.45 litres
Calculated fuel efficiency	23.47kmpl

In our third test, we turned off the AC, kept the windows up, and set the blower speed to two for occupant comfort. By eliminating the aerodynamic drag caused by open windows, the engine had to work less, resulting in the best fuel efficiency of 23.47kmpl.

Verdict

Based on our results, it is clear that driving with the AC off and windows down does not significantly save fuel during highway drives. In fact, it can even result in higher fuel consumption. Therefore, it is better to keep the AC on and windows up for a comfortable driving experience. However, in the city with lower speeds and less aerodynamic drag, turning off the AC and keeping the windows down can improve fuel efficiency. Keep in mind that this technique is most effective in cooler weather conditions and should not be used in high temperatures, as it may affect driver attentiveness during the journey.

Watch The Audi Q8 Receive its Five-Star NHTSA Side-Impact Safety Rating

August 14, 2023 Prafful Singh

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducts crash tests to assess the safety of vehicles during collisions. These tests are performed on all vehicles sold in the US, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. Based on their performance in these tests, vehicles are assigned star ratings. A five-star rating, like the one achieved by the Audi Q8, indicates the highest level of safety.

A video posted on CarPro1993’s YouTube channel shows the NHTSA preparing to crash test the Q8, which is Audi’s premium two-row SUV based on the seven-passenger Q7. The NHTSA tapes black and yellow strips along the roof and doors to measure the impact intrusion on the passenger compartment. They use dummies of various sizes wearing brightly colored shirts and paint to evaluate the severity of the impact and the likelihood of injury.

Side-impact tests involve crashing a barrier directly into the side of a vehicle at its midpoint. This simulates a collision with another vehicle. In the case of the Audi Q8, the barrier strikes the driver’s side at a speed of 38.5 miles per hour, causing the left-hand side wheels to lift off the ground. As a result of the impact, the side curtain airbags deploy and the doors are pushed inward. Inside the vehicle, the dummies are initially pushed against the airbags before rebounding to the right.

After the crash, the Audi Q8 displays moderate damage. The B-pillar absorbs most of the impact, and the doors are visibly deformed. However, the SUV still appears drivable. The wheels remain intact and the windshield is undamaged. Although the side windows pop out of their frames, they do not shatter. Inside the vehicle, the door panels are distorted, but the airbags have successfully redirected much of the force away from the dummies.

According to the NHTSA’s website, the Audi Q8 has received a five-star safety rating for side-impact protection and an overall five-star safety rating. Additionally, it has been awarded a five-star rating for frontal impact and a four-star rating for rollover safety. Apart from these categories, the NHTSA has proposed stricter pedestrian safety tests, including standards for automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Science

Everything We Know About NASA’s DRACO Nuclear-Powered Rocket

July 31, 2023 David

Nuclear-powered rocket tests will begin as early as 2027. According to NASA, a nuclear-powered spacecraft will be safer for crews than traditional rockets. This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s because it will reduce the time it takes for pilots to reach Mars, thus minimizing the risks to crew members during the journey. NASA aims for a round trip to the Red Planet to take about two years if everything goes according to plan.

In the 1960s, the Saturn V rocket used kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel to launch astronauts to the moon. However, NASA’s DRACO project will utilize nuclear thermal propulsion technology. This means that the heat generated from nuclear reactions will ignite the liquid fuel, propelling the spacecraft. This technology is expected to be up to three times more fuel efficient compared to previous launch vehicles.

Motorsport

Mini Aceman Spotted in Hot Weather Testing with Unique Camouflage

July 18, 2023 Prafful Singh

The Mini Aceman, an upcoming electric vehicle, is progressing with its development and undergoing hot weather tests in Europe. Our photographers captured images of a prototype of the electric car, which featured a new type of camouflage instead of the previous yellow-over-black disguise. Additionally, the Aceman showcased a fresh design for its wheels, featuring a five-twin-spoke layout.

At first glance, the Mini Aceman may resemble a larger Mini model, possibly the size of the Countryman. While this is partly true, there are reports suggesting that the British manufacturer will reposition the new Countryman as a slightly larger crossover that shares its platform with the BMW X1. This strategic move will create more space between the Mini hatchback and the Countryman, positioning the Aceman as the middle child within the Mini family.

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