Every new supercar is claiming to produce more power and torque with the aim of beating their rivals to the coveted title of being the best and the fastest. It seems that in the last decade there has been a massive paradigm shift with the supercar development. From the 500hp level supercar to now 900+hp. the jump in power figures has been tremendous. The new Mclaren P1 is pushing the technology envelope with electric power assist and Porsche's 918 is also using hybrid power. this has started to make the Bugatti Veyron look old when comparing technology.
The Americans have also jumped on the bandwagon and took fast cars and made then ridiculously fast. Hennessey took the GT-R and made is push out over 1400hp and also made the Venom (based on the Lotus) with more than 1000hp. Both of these are capable of making Lamborghinis look slow.
The question remains with where will this development taper off? at 1500hp? 1800hp? or 2000hp? Are the tyre companies able to make tyres to cope with such speed? And with the road getting more congested each day, will anyone really have a chance to push these cars to their limit outside of Germany?
The effort and technology is truly admirable but is it really useful?
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Toyota GT86 experience
There was a lot of hype about the Toyota GT86 as the car that was expected to re-introduce some excitement into Toyota's model line up. It was definitely a fresh look at something sporty rather than the typical bland old Toyota cars.
The promised a lot in terms of handling and it certainly performed well in this department.
Toyota kept the weight of the car low with the much preferred front engine rear drive layout. The only sad point about this car is the power or lack of it. At 200ps the car seemed flat and was not able to really perform like one would expect from the good exterior looks.
Handling alone will win it many fans but most of the owner yearned for much more power. The car had a flat spot at 4,000 rpm which can be annoying to drive especially if the driver needed to down shift the car to overtake.
A whole flurry of tuning parts have hit the market to boost performance and handling. Being an affordable sports car in many countries the Toyota 86 has sold reasonably well. It is the new toy car in Japan as can be seen in numerous car magazines from Japan.
Toyota should consider a more powerful version to cater to the demands of enthusiasts. It will definitely revive the Toyota brand in the right direction.
The promised a lot in terms of handling and it certainly performed well in this department.
Toyota kept the weight of the car low with the much preferred front engine rear drive layout. The only sad point about this car is the power or lack of it. At 200ps the car seemed flat and was not able to really perform like one would expect from the good exterior looks.
Handling alone will win it many fans but most of the owner yearned for much more power. The car had a flat spot at 4,000 rpm which can be annoying to drive especially if the driver needed to down shift the car to overtake.
A whole flurry of tuning parts have hit the market to boost performance and handling. Being an affordable sports car in many countries the Toyota 86 has sold reasonably well. It is the new toy car in Japan as can be seen in numerous car magazines from Japan.
Toyota should consider a more powerful version to cater to the demands of enthusiasts. It will definitely revive the Toyota brand in the right direction.
Friday, 23 August 2013
Proton Suprima S
Malaysian car company Proton recently launched their first turbo charged hatch back model. Hoping to shake off the image of poor quality the company has added a lot of functions to this model such as Day time driving lights, Traction control, 6 air bags, an Android powered in-car entertainment system and a turbo charged engine.
The engine is taken from the Exora model that was launched in 2012. Proton has been known to make poor quality cars from the start and they have not shaken off that image since then. Hoping that this model will be a hot hatch, judging from the performance on paper the car is nowhere near a hot hatch. The hot hatch benchmark by world standards have moved tremendously since 10 years ago with most European hot hatches pushing out 200hp while Proton only manages a 140ps performance. In comparison to the Peugeot 308 with the same 1.6 litre displacement and turbo charger the performance is 20hp higher and 35Nm more twist.
Performance may not necessarily be everything but with the way the Proton guys are marketing this car, it seems a little lost. It is not a hot hatch, it is not a warm hatch, it is in the middle of nowhere. It is still questionable about the quality of this model. The previously launched Preve promised a lot but when videos of angry customers smashing their cars at dealerships went viral, it was very obvious that Proton achieved nothing.
Now Proton is looking to launch their R3 version of he Suprima S in the hope of pushing their sporty appeal for the car. R3 is Proton's performance division similar to AMG of Mercedes or TRD of Toyota. Having a turbo charged engine means it is easy to crank out more performance but will it really live up to expectations?
It will really be interesting to see how well the car is received in the next 1 year. Being priced close to Toyota Vios and Honda City both of which are very popular in Malaysia, it will be a tough fight for Proton to wrestle customers from Toyota and Honda since Proton's reputation is not at its best at the moment.
The engine is taken from the Exora model that was launched in 2012. Proton has been known to make poor quality cars from the start and they have not shaken off that image since then. Hoping that this model will be a hot hatch, judging from the performance on paper the car is nowhere near a hot hatch. The hot hatch benchmark by world standards have moved tremendously since 10 years ago with most European hot hatches pushing out 200hp while Proton only manages a 140ps performance. In comparison to the Peugeot 308 with the same 1.6 litre displacement and turbo charger the performance is 20hp higher and 35Nm more twist.
Performance may not necessarily be everything but with the way the Proton guys are marketing this car, it seems a little lost. It is not a hot hatch, it is not a warm hatch, it is in the middle of nowhere. It is still questionable about the quality of this model. The previously launched Preve promised a lot but when videos of angry customers smashing their cars at dealerships went viral, it was very obvious that Proton achieved nothing.
Now Proton is looking to launch their R3 version of he Suprima S in the hope of pushing their sporty appeal for the car. R3 is Proton's performance division similar to AMG of Mercedes or TRD of Toyota. Having a turbo charged engine means it is easy to crank out more performance but will it really live up to expectations?
It will really be interesting to see how well the car is received in the next 1 year. Being priced close to Toyota Vios and Honda City both of which are very popular in Malaysia, it will be a tough fight for Proton to wrestle customers from Toyota and Honda since Proton's reputation is not at its best at the moment.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Has Japanese car makers lost the plot?
Over the years Japanese car manufacturers have been introducing new cars with new technology but it seems that of late (in the last 10 years) it appears that the Japanese car manufacturers are losing the plot with their development. They have spent a lot of time developing hybrid technology and pushing their hybrid technology to the rest of the world. The Koreans have caught them in terms of design and also has significantly closed the gap with the Japanese in their design and development of hybrids.
The mainland Chinese have also closed the gap (the gap is still quite big but closing at a very rapid rate) in terms of design (less ugly now) and engineering. The Europeans have moved in a different direction altogether with their alternative hybrid and diesel technology.
The Japanese seems to be stuck in a time warp with their development and they appear to want to hang on to old technology as long as possible to earn as much as possible. Their Prius hybrid is still using nickel metal hydride batteries while the Koreans have introduced Lithium Ions which are far more efficient, lighter and more powerful.
The Japanese hybrids only do well in America and some parts of Asia. The Europeans do not see any benefits in the hybrids as the turbo diesels are far more efficient and offer greater fuel savings than the hybrids and there is no requirement to change the expensive hybrid battery.
The case for Japanese car makers in South East Asia seems to display their lack of direction. For example, Toyota launched their new Vios model with no improvements in terms of engineering by using the same 4 speed automatic and same engine as the previous generation. Creating a new exterior does nothing in terms of product advancement. The direct competitors from Hyundai offer 6 speed automatic transmission and power output levels that are few percent better than the outgoing model.
Japanese car makers are also using the CVT transmission that was abandoned by the Europeans. They seem not keen to take the gamble and move their development further. Everything seems to be stuck in year 2005!
If Japanese car makers are not willing up the ante with their development they will gradually be over taken by Europeans, Koreans and the mainland Chinese.
The mainland Chinese have also closed the gap (the gap is still quite big but closing at a very rapid rate) in terms of design (less ugly now) and engineering. The Europeans have moved in a different direction altogether with their alternative hybrid and diesel technology.
The Japanese seems to be stuck in a time warp with their development and they appear to want to hang on to old technology as long as possible to earn as much as possible. Their Prius hybrid is still using nickel metal hydride batteries while the Koreans have introduced Lithium Ions which are far more efficient, lighter and more powerful.
The Japanese hybrids only do well in America and some parts of Asia. The Europeans do not see any benefits in the hybrids as the turbo diesels are far more efficient and offer greater fuel savings than the hybrids and there is no requirement to change the expensive hybrid battery.
The case for Japanese car makers in South East Asia seems to display their lack of direction. For example, Toyota launched their new Vios model with no improvements in terms of engineering by using the same 4 speed automatic and same engine as the previous generation. Creating a new exterior does nothing in terms of product advancement. The direct competitors from Hyundai offer 6 speed automatic transmission and power output levels that are few percent better than the outgoing model.
Japanese car makers are also using the CVT transmission that was abandoned by the Europeans. They seem not keen to take the gamble and move their development further. Everything seems to be stuck in year 2005!
If Japanese car makers are not willing up the ante with their development they will gradually be over taken by Europeans, Koreans and the mainland Chinese.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Air hybrid technology - is it better than electric?
Peugeot recently announced their air hybrid system for their cars. This is quite a shift from the conventional electric hybrid that most car manufacturers are pursuing. The fact remains that the electric hybrid is flawed to some degree as the biggest problem faced is weight and range. The electric hybrid is heavy because of the batteries and the batteries also have a limited use life which also means expensive replacement cost when the batteries are dead.
The electric hybrid also has a problem with the range. The added weight also takes a toll on the range. The more batteries the car has the more range it is suppose to provide but it also means more weight that the car needs to shift. It is quite a trade off.
Peugeot's air hybrid is not a new concept as the inventor in NZ came out with the idea of using compressed air to turn a turbine. The turbine is connected to the transmission which allows it to turn the wheels. The principle is simple in theory. The compressed air tanks are stored next to the transmission tunnel and the rear axle. During deceleration the valve opens to collect air and compress it. The whole process of recollecting the air is only 10 secs which is much shorter than the time taken for the electric hybrids to recharge the batteries.
The range provided by the air hybrids is still very short (approximately 5km) but it acts more like a range assist to the engine. With the fast recharge (air) time, the air hybrid system can cut in more frequently making the range extension function feasible. The compressed air tanks are not as heavy as batteries and also yield less potential pollution as the batteries need to be replaced and disposed off.
Peugeot claims a respectable 560km range for the air hybrid system coupled with a 1.2 Litre turbo gasoline engine.
This concept may challenge the electric hybrid's develop altogether.
The electric hybrid also has a problem with the range. The added weight also takes a toll on the range. The more batteries the car has the more range it is suppose to provide but it also means more weight that the car needs to shift. It is quite a trade off.
Peugeot's air hybrid is not a new concept as the inventor in NZ came out with the idea of using compressed air to turn a turbine. The turbine is connected to the transmission which allows it to turn the wheels. The principle is simple in theory. The compressed air tanks are stored next to the transmission tunnel and the rear axle. During deceleration the valve opens to collect air and compress it. The whole process of recollecting the air is only 10 secs which is much shorter than the time taken for the electric hybrids to recharge the batteries.
The range provided by the air hybrids is still very short (approximately 5km) but it acts more like a range assist to the engine. With the fast recharge (air) time, the air hybrid system can cut in more frequently making the range extension function feasible. The compressed air tanks are not as heavy as batteries and also yield less potential pollution as the batteries need to be replaced and disposed off.
Peugeot claims a respectable 560km range for the air hybrid system coupled with a 1.2 Litre turbo gasoline engine.
This concept may challenge the electric hybrid's develop altogether.
Monday, 25 February 2013
China made Sportscars?
China automotive industry is no doubt booming with nearly all the automotive giants clamouring for a piece of the pie. China's own car manufacturers are also growing by leaps and bounds. China car companies have focused their efforts on designing (a bit like copying for some models) and making mainstream cars such as compact cars, mid sized sedans, small MPVs and mid sized SUVs. The car companies have also started to move towards making large luxury sedans. In more recent years they have focused their efforts on EVs which seem to be the trend these days and especially fuel prices are high in China and combined with the fact that fuel rationing takes places almost every month is various parts of China.
The question remains if China car companies will deviate slightly and start making sportscars. They don't quite have the racing heritage nor any of them engaged in racing activities. making a sportscar may be a tall order for them since markets outside China will very likely shy away from a China made sportscar. Ownership of cars is still very new to many Chinese and embarking on making a sportcar for their domestic market is also not a very wise economic decision.
However saying this, at the rate China cars are improving it is not out of the question to see a China made sportscar hit the streets in China in the next 10 years. The amount of wealthy Chinese is staggering and the lifestyle sportscar can be a lucrative venture.
Korean car companies like Hyundai and Kia have yet to even make a real true sportscar. The Genesis coupe cannot really qualify as a sportscar as it is more like a Gran Tourer rather than a sportscar. In the last 15 years Kia and Hyundai have grown the fastest and they focused more on quality, design and technology rather than outright performance.
It will be interesting to see how the automotive industry will shape up in the next 10 years. The real companies to keep a look out for are:
- Volkswagen - their MQB platform is expected to be a real game changer for platform and component sharing
- Hyundai / Kia - further improvements in quality and bold steps in technology and design
- China car companies - big investments in luring top designers and engineers from Europe to improve car design, refinement and quality
Many of the Japanese car manufacturers are too conservative in their approach and this will be their Achilles heel. American car companies will continue to suffer as their quality standards have yet to see major improvements and being too US centric their cars are not sold in right hand drive countries which will limit their sales. In order for any car company to be strong it has to be a global player catering for both left and right hand drive markets.
The question remains if China car companies will deviate slightly and start making sportscars. They don't quite have the racing heritage nor any of them engaged in racing activities. making a sportscar may be a tall order for them since markets outside China will very likely shy away from a China made sportscar. Ownership of cars is still very new to many Chinese and embarking on making a sportcar for their domestic market is also not a very wise economic decision.
However saying this, at the rate China cars are improving it is not out of the question to see a China made sportscar hit the streets in China in the next 10 years. The amount of wealthy Chinese is staggering and the lifestyle sportscar can be a lucrative venture.
Korean car companies like Hyundai and Kia have yet to even make a real true sportscar. The Genesis coupe cannot really qualify as a sportscar as it is more like a Gran Tourer rather than a sportscar. In the last 15 years Kia and Hyundai have grown the fastest and they focused more on quality, design and technology rather than outright performance.
It will be interesting to see how the automotive industry will shape up in the next 10 years. The real companies to keep a look out for are:
- Volkswagen - their MQB platform is expected to be a real game changer for platform and component sharing
- Hyundai / Kia - further improvements in quality and bold steps in technology and design
- China car companies - big investments in luring top designers and engineers from Europe to improve car design, refinement and quality
Many of the Japanese car manufacturers are too conservative in their approach and this will be their Achilles heel. American car companies will continue to suffer as their quality standards have yet to see major improvements and being too US centric their cars are not sold in right hand drive countries which will limit their sales. In order for any car company to be strong it has to be a global player catering for both left and right hand drive markets.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Hypercars
These days we hear the new term hypercar as the supercar term is outdated. It all started with the sportscar which then became the supercar in the 1990s and then hypercar in the last 5 years. All these terms just signify the direction of the car development which sees the car manufacturers push the performance envelope.
The few car manufacturers that are consistently pushing the limit are Ferrari, Bugatti, Pagani, Mclaren, Mercedes Benz, Koenisegg, Lamborghini, Lexus, Porsche and more recently Hennessey which is a relatively new comer to this scene but has rocked this fraternity with its Venom!
Ferrari is about to release its new hypercar code named the F150 (actual name to be announced soon). This model is expected to push the power level beyond 700hp. The development was not centered around high horsepower only but also usable torque. This model is claimed to offer maximum torque from 1,000rpm which is incredible for an naturally aspirated engine. The engine's redline rev limit is 9200rpm making it one of the highest of any engine exceeding 6,000cc in capacity!
With Bugatti holding on to the 400km/h speed record, all the other car manufacturers are working hard at showing what they can do to beat the Veyron. It is about bragging rights rather than making money from selling these cars. In the case of Lexus with its LFA, they actually lose money on each money they produce as so much time and research went into the LFA but having only produced a limited quantity, Toyota knew it would never recover its investment for the LFA project.
In the case of Hennessey their development approach is somewhat different compared to the full fledged car manufacturers as its development was focused around efficiency in performance meaning keeping the weight low by using a light weight chassis and squeezing out as much power as possible from the engine to achieve the best possible power to weight ratio which will provide amazing performance. In the eyes of Hennessey the Bugatti Veyron can be called fat as the Veyron is a much heavier car than the Venom and the Veyron is far more complicated to build than the Venom.
It will be interesting to see where the hypercar development is headed with more new technologies are made available.
The few car manufacturers that are consistently pushing the limit are Ferrari, Bugatti, Pagani, Mclaren, Mercedes Benz, Koenisegg, Lamborghini, Lexus, Porsche and more recently Hennessey which is a relatively new comer to this scene but has rocked this fraternity with its Venom!
Ferrari is about to release its new hypercar code named the F150 (actual name to be announced soon). This model is expected to push the power level beyond 700hp. The development was not centered around high horsepower only but also usable torque. This model is claimed to offer maximum torque from 1,000rpm which is incredible for an naturally aspirated engine. The engine's redline rev limit is 9200rpm making it one of the highest of any engine exceeding 6,000cc in capacity!
With Bugatti holding on to the 400km/h speed record, all the other car manufacturers are working hard at showing what they can do to beat the Veyron. It is about bragging rights rather than making money from selling these cars. In the case of Lexus with its LFA, they actually lose money on each money they produce as so much time and research went into the LFA but having only produced a limited quantity, Toyota knew it would never recover its investment for the LFA project.
In the case of Hennessey their development approach is somewhat different compared to the full fledged car manufacturers as its development was focused around efficiency in performance meaning keeping the weight low by using a light weight chassis and squeezing out as much power as possible from the engine to achieve the best possible power to weight ratio which will provide amazing performance. In the eyes of Hennessey the Bugatti Veyron can be called fat as the Veyron is a much heavier car than the Venom and the Veyron is far more complicated to build than the Venom.
It will be interesting to see where the hypercar development is headed with more new technologies are made available.
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