Tag Archives: upgrade

Motorsport

Six-Wheeled Ford Ranger Hybrid Upgrade Increases Max Payload To 8,377 Pounds

If the new Ford Ranger isn’t capable enough, a new upgrade from Ricardo should fix that. The company’s new HEX system adds an extra axle to the pickup truck while increasing its hauling capability.

Ricardo designed the Ford Ranger HEX 6×6 to increase its payload capacity and off-road capability. The modified pickup can accommodate payloads of up to 8,377 pounds (3,800 kilograms). That’s a sizable increase over the truck’s standard 1,905-lb rating. It even trounces the F-150’s 3,325-lbs capacity.

The conversion uses a De Deion rear suspension setup that Ricardo says is weight-efficient and robust. The setup can decouple the suspension and drive systems, allowing flexibility. Different drive units could be used or deleted. A cheaper, 6×4 variant is possible without compromising the vehicle’s payload capacity that uses a “lazy” axle.

The Ranger HEX features regenerative braking, feeding energy into the battery pack during deceleration. Ricardo designed the hybrid system to mitigate performance loss when carrying heavy payloads. The electric drive unit provides additional torque. To simplify maintenance and repair, the company houses all high-voltage components in a single enclosure.

The Ford-sourced electric drive unit adds 282 horsepower (210 kilowatts). Under the hood is Blue Oval’s 249-hp (186-kilowatt) 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine.

Ricardo designed the HEX system as a bolt-on upgrade for the Ranger, and it doesn’t require any alterations to the base vehicle. Owners can remove the system and install it on a different vehicle without compromising the base vehicle’s original integrity.

Ricardo is an engineering consulting company that operates in various industries, including the public sector, mass transit, financial services, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and the automotive industry. It has projects in motorsports, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and high-performance vehicles.

McLaren announced in May that Ricardo would build the brand’s new hybrid V8 engine. The consulting company has been building powertrains for McLaren since the 12C in 2011. The company has made approximately 34,000 engines for the British automaker.

Ford electrified the Ranger this week in Europe. The automaker gave the popular pickup, the number-one commercial truck in Europe, says Ricardo, its first-ever plug. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle won’t begin deliveries until 2025, but the truck will arrive with a 2.3-liter PHEV system that is estimated to offer up to 28 miles of range on a single charge.

Motorsport

Watch 1,000-HP Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Drag Race Stock Corvette Z06

Hennessey Performance has released a new video showcasing its HPE1000 upgrade for the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. The video features drag races between the super sedan and a stock Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

The Corvette Z06 is equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 engine, producing 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This allows the mid-engine supercar to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.6 seconds. However, Hennessey’s HPE1000 upgrade package for the Cadillac diminishes the Corvette’s numbers.

The CT5-V Blackwing comes with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, generating 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. However, with Hennessey’s upgrade, the Cadillac’s output increases to 1,000 horsepower and 966 pound-feet of torque.

In the drag races, the Cadillac easily outperforms the Corvette despite the sedan’s heavier weight of 4,123 pounds compared to the Corvette’s 3,686 pounds.

Hennessey has made numerous upgrades to the Cadillac’s engine, including ported cylinder heads, an HPE camshaft, new valves, lifters, pushrods, and a larger supercharger. The upgrade kit also includes a high-flow air intake, larger heat exchangers, and long-tube stainless-steel headers. Hennessey’s engine management software ensures that all the upgrades work together seamlessly.

According to Hennessey, the upgrades enable the Cadillac to reach 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds, which is 0.1 seconds quicker than the Corvette and a full second faster than the stock CT5-V Blackwing. The tuned Cadillac can complete the quarter-mile in a claimed 10.1 seconds and has a top speed of 205 mph.

Cadillac recently updated the CT5 sedan for the 2025 model year, introducing subtle styling changes without modifying the powertrains. The updated CT5 offers a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower, or a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 335 horsepower. Details about the updated CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing models will be revealed later.

Hennessey has not disclosed the price of the HPE1000 upgrade package, but it is expected to exceed six figures. The CT5-V Blackwing has a starting price of $93,390, including the $1,395 destination charge. The HPE1000 kit comes with a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty.

Motorsport

Rare Gemballa Mirage GT Delivered To Private Jet Might Be The Epitome Of Cool

Gemballa is known for creating outrageously powerful and expensive upgrade kits for supercars. One of its most famous creations is the Porsche Carrera GT-based Mirage GT.

The Carrera GT, Porsche’s halo car in the 2000s, was beloved by car enthusiasts worldwide. It was equipped with a naturally-aspirated 5.7-liter V10 engine that produced 603 horsepower and 435 pound-feet (590 Newton-meters) of torque.

Unlike many supercars of its time, the Carrera GT featured a special six-speed manual transmission, sending power to the rear wheels through a twin-plate ceramic dry-clutch.

With only 1,270 units ever made, the Carrera GT is already a rare commodity. However, some people desire something even more special. That’s where the Gemballa Mirage GT comes in.

The Gemballa Mirage GT is a modified version of the Carrera GT with a widebody kit, a straight-piped exhaust system, an engine tune that boosts power to 661 hp and torque to 465 lb-ft (630 Nm), and a carbon fiber interior makeover. It’s an attention-grabbing supercar with unique customization.

According to Gemballa’s website, only 25 Carrera GTs were converted to Mirage GTs. The blue Mirage GT featured in the video is exceptionally unique because it retains the original Porsche steering wheel, albeit covered in different leather. The other 24 units have a Gemballa-designed steering wheel.

This particular Mirage GT, finished in Gentian Blue Metallic with a Cuoio Leather interior, belongs to the private Lee collection, based in Perth, Western Australia. The car was sent to London and delivered directly to the tarmac of London Stansted airport, where it awaited the arrival of a private jet.

The Gemballa Mirage GT and an Aston Martin V12 Speedster were then driven back to London, causing a spectacle in the capital city. Check out the embedded video to see the stunning German supercar in action.

News

Peugeot 208: Europe’s Best-Selling Car Gets Hybrid Powertrains and a Sportier Look

The popular Peugeot 208 has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, including the addition of two new hybrid powertrains, an enhanced exterior design, and various interior improvements.

The new hybrid options, which are also available in the facelifted Vauxhall Corsa, combine 99bhp and 134bhp petrol engines with a six-speed automatic gearbox that features an integrated 48V electric motor. This electrification results in a torque boost at low revs and a 15% increase in fuel efficiency. Peugeot claims that these hybrids operate in pure-electric mode for more than 50% of the time in urban environments.

The existing 74bhp and 99bhp petrol engines remain in the lineup, paired with a five-speed manual and a six-speed manual respectively. However, the 100bhp diesel engine has been discontinued.

The electric variant of the Peugeot 208, known as the e-208, now comes with a new 154bhp motor and a larger 51kWh battery, providing a range of 248 miles on a single charge. Peugeot asserts that the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in less than 25 minutes using a 100kW charger.

The exterior design of the Peugeot 208 has been updated to match the refreshed 508 and 2008 models. It features a more prominent tri-fang daytime running light signature, a wider front grille, and a rear light bar with three red ‘claws’ extending across the entire width of the boot.

Inside the car, a 10.0in touchscreen is now standard across all trim levels, although a high-definition panel is reserved for Allure and GT models. The distinctive i-Cockpit dashboard design remains, with a small, uniquely shaped steering wheel positioned below the instrument cluster.

A range of advanced driver assistance systems has been added to the Peugeot 208 to meet the new GSR2 safety standards set by the European Union. These include adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance, and an optional 360-degree parking camera.

The Peugeot 208 is available in three trim levels: Active, Allure, and GT. The price of each trim level is expected to increase slightly. Currently, the 208 starts at £20,610 for the 1.2 Puretech Active and goes up to £34,845 for the e-208 GT.

News, Technology

Apple May Be Developing New Features for AirPods to Enhance Hearing Health

Apple is rumored to be working on several upgrades for its AirPods, including a built-in hearing test feature. This test would help assess a person’s hearing capabilities and identify any difficulties they may have. Currently, Apple offers accessibility features that enhance audio output for individuals with hearing challenges. The AirPods can also be used with the Mimi app to assess hearing capacity. However, if this new feature becomes available in future AirPods, it would eliminate the need for the Mimi app.

Additionally, Apple is reportedly exploring the possibility of having its future AirPods models function as over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. OTC hearing aids have gained popularity recently, with the introduction of the first pair featuring the Sennheiser brand. A dual-purpose device like AirPods with hearing aid functionality could be more appealing to consumers than dedicated hearing aids. In addition to offering more capabilities, it would also eliminate any stigma associated with traditional hearing aids. Apple has collaborated with experts from the hearing aids industry to explore this possibility, but there is no information yet on when this functionality might be available, if at all.

Motorsport

Hennessey Launches Tuned Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Making 1,000 HP

Hennessey has unveiled a powerful upgrade for the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, boosting its engine output to a remarkable 1,000 horsepower and 966 pound-feet of torque. This is a significant improvement compared to the stock model, which produces 668 hp and 659 lb-ft.

To achieve this extra power, Hennessey made several modifications to the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. They added ported cylinder heads, an HPE camshaft, and new components for the valves, lifters, and pushrods. The stock supercharger was replaced with a larger one. Additional enhancements include oversized heat exchangers, a high-flow air intake, stainless steel headers, and revised engine management software.

Hennessey claims that their 1,000-hp Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.5 seconds, compared to around 3.5 seconds in its original configuration. The upgraded sedan can also cover a quarter-mile in just 10.1 seconds. While the tuner hasn’t provided a specific top speed figure, they state that it surpasses the standard model’s 205 mph limit.

Aside from the power upgrade, Hennessey has kept the rest of the CT5-V Blackwing unchanged. The vehicle still features the Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension system and offers carbon-ceramic brakes as an optional upgrade, which weigh 53 pounds less than the standard steel rotors.

Inside the Blackwing’s cabin, there is a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster with three display modes: Tour, Sport, and Track. The vehicle also includes features like launch control and a Performance Traction Management system.

The 2023 CT5-V Blackwing starts at $93,390 after the $1,395 destination charge. However, Hennessey is not currently accepting orders for the 1,000-hp upgrade. The company plans to offer the tune starting in August 2023.

Looking ahead, the 2024 CT5-V Blackwing will feature a few upgrades. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of Cadillac’s V Series models, it will have special badges on the grille and lower portion of the front door. Additionally, the driver info display will have a new wake-up animation. Several new colors will be available, including Velocity Red, Cyber Yellow Metallic, Coastal Blue Metallic, and Black Diamond Tricoat. Vehicles equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission will also have the option of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving assist.

Featured

Watch Hennessey Track Test The 700HP C8 Corvette H700 Stingray

The Hennessey H700 upgrade for the Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray takes its performance to a whole new level. With a supercharged upgrade that maintains the full functions of the factory vehicle, this mid-engined supercar delivers unmatched power and precision.

John “Heinrocket” Heinricy, Chief Engineer for Hennessey’s Venom F5 program, recently shared his insights after testing the H700 on the track at the Pennzoil Proving Ground. He was initially in awe of its extraordinary specifications, producing a roaring 708 bhp and 638 lb-ft of torque. The combination of this raw power and the C8’s exceptional control amazed him.

Alicia, an avid member of the Hennessey team, agreed with Heinricy’s observations, describing the H700 as a striking blend of brutal power and finesse, like strapping a rocket on a ballerina. The H700 package also comes with Hennessey’s 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, highlighting its reliability.

In conclusion, Heinricy’s verdict on the Hennessey H700 upgrade for the Corvette C8 Stingray is a masterful enhancement that takes the Stingray’s performance to a new level. To see the current inventory of Hennessey Performance vehicles for sale, you can visit the duPont REGISTRY website.

View All Hennessey Performance Inventory