Technically Speaking

British design engineer Glynne Bowsher and his team has nearly completed their technologically advance steam-powered automobile. Their hopes is to smash the land speed record in the British Steam Car Challenge (BSCC). Not only that, they are hoping hat the vehicle in turn will spur the general public’s interest in cleanly powered vehicles.

Fuels which do not “rot” the environment usually bring to mind images of gently humming electric cars, clean hydrogen, natural gas, or hithane - a concoction of hydrogen and methane.

The most promising, believes Mr Bowsher, is either nuclear or hydrogen fuel.

The public is reluctant to explore nuclear; but researchers and engineers across the world are exploring how best to generate and, more importantly, store hydrogen fuel, one of the main barriers to its widespread use.

Nine European cities are taking part in a pilot scheme to use hydrogen fuelled buses on certain routes, for instance.

But until a viable mass-scale way of storing and distributing hydrogen effectively is developed, it remains limited in use.

Mr Bowsher believes that until then, designers could look to Inspiration for a different take on good old steam.

The key to its potential is the difference between internal and external combustion technologies.

External combustion engines - like steam ones - hold several advantages over internal ones.

They have the potential to produce fewer harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) than conventional cars which use internal combustion engines.

Although steam engines still need to burn hydrocarbon-based fuels like petrol and diesel, which in turn release carbon dioxide, external combustion engines can control the release and the production of CO2 more efficiently.

And because such engines can work well at lower peak temperatures and pressures, the creation of NOx compounds can be almost negligible.

Quote Source

Current performance metrics are; Performance: Maximum speed 200+ mph (320km/h); Initial acceleration: 0.52G. The current record stands at 763 mph, or Mach 1.02, set by Andy Green in the Thrust SSC II, in 1997. Bowsher’s design will have to nearly quadruple its maximum speed in order to break the record. I suppose he is a good candidate to do it for he worked on the Thrust SSC II and designed the Thrust SSC that set the land speed record in 1983 at 633 mph. Bowsher has designed his vehicle from the ground up.
(more…)

On the way to work this morning I had the pleasure of trying to keep up with a BMW 645 CI Convertible. Don’t worry, it was bumper to bumper traffic so most of the time I was just sitting behind the vehicle admiring it. This is the first one I have seen off the pages of a magazine. It looks a lot meaner in person than it does in picture. So of course I had to look it up. First thing to notice is that the sticker price is $76,300(Base MSRP). After adding all the special packages and the gold or platinum markings, I sure the price will hover around $100,000. So of course I have to put this little luxury item on my “things to buy when I win the lottery” list. Here are a few words from some critics about this car.

•“Handling is precise, with a superb self-centering feel to the steering. It goes around high-speed turns like it’s on rails.”

— New Car Test Drive

•“Powered
by the same 4.4-liter V8 found in the flagship 7 Series, the 645i has
more than enough power to keep pace with its rivals.”

— Edmunds.com

•“BMW’s
much maligned iDrive system controls the car’s various functions while
classic analog gauges provide the more pertinent information.”

— Edmunds.com

•“The seats are comfortable and supportive, more comfortable than the ultra-firm seats found in some of BMW’s sports packages.”

— New Car Test Drive

Quote Source

I think I will have to take one of these for a test drive one day.

Checkout the specs. (more…)

This car is being billed as the first production electric sportscar. It has 245 horsepower and goes from 0-to-60 in 4.3 seconds. It will be debuted in January 2005 and it is estimated to cost roughly $500,000. It is energy efficient but down right expensive.

Source: Gizmodo

The new Corvette, introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2004 is now being seen on the streets. I like to post a few cars on this site from time to time just to add a little drool factor. I think this car will add maximum drool, so be prepared to wipe your chin.

The development of the C6 intends to not only replace the outgoing C5 Corvette (1997-2004), but also to create a 21st century Corvette that both thrills the legions of traditional loyalists and captures the imagination of a new generation of performance enthusiasts. The formula from the C5 era remains: extremely high performance capabilities in a car that offers great style, value and quality, with surprising comfort for daily driving. The C6 builds on that foundation and reaches beyond with dramatic increases in performance and refinement, wrapped in a passionate new design.

The sixth generation Corvette blends technical sophistication with expressive style. Five inches shorter than the current car, the 2005 Corvette cuts a tighter, more taut profile – with virtually no loss of usable space. More than just visual, the new dimensions make the car more agile and “tossable,” with upgrades in handling, acceleration and braking. At 0.28 coefficient of drag, the C6 is the most aerodynamically efficient Corvette ever and has improved anti-lift characteristics that enable improved high-speed stability and confidence.

“The C6 is more competition-influenced – given our championship experience with Corvette Racing – than any previous Corvette,” Hill said. “Our goal was a performance car at home in virtually any environment. That means more than just raw performance. It calls for improved ride comfort, a precisely-built and technically-sophisticated interior, and a sleek new body that is fresh and contemporary, while still instantly recognized as the new Corvette.”

With countless enhancements, ranging from major changes to minor adjustments, the sixth generation aims to perfect the Corvette formula of power, passion and precision delivered with great value.

Quote Source

As usual, this car comes in 2 body styles, the coupe and convertible. For those of you that would like to read more about this beast of a machine, a fine article detailing the marvels of the 2005 Corvette Convertible C6 can be read on the Road and Track site. Gizmodo also writes about the gadgetry associated with the new Corvette.

Click to see larger image.

I am showing this vehicle here as it may be the first we see of the future of offroading. This is the first fuel cell off-road vehicle. It comes with a few bells an whistles that won’t find in most street vehicles, such as a removable waterproof interactive display that shows fuel cell and traction system information, vehicle speed, and GPS navigation. It will also take you 60 miles on one charge.

Peugeot has unveiled a futuristic prototype open air, two-seater, four-wheel drive vehicle designed to showcase its fuel cell technology. The Quark comes with some interesting technologies most notably a removable interactive interface, which looks to be a PDA on steroids. The unit serves the same purpose as an ignition key and is used in conjunction with an instrument panel. Positioned in its housing, it provides information concerning the traction system and the fuel cell, vehicle speed, satellite navigation, etc… Protected by a small transparent and waterproof cover, it allows the vehicle to be started when in place and immobilises it after removal by the driver, as in the case of an ignition key.

Quote Source

Unfortunately, the article doesn’t state the top speed of the Quark, but it is definitely a good looking machine.

Ford unveiled its new Shelby Cobra today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. This car is packed with 6.4-liter, 10 cylinder engine, with 605 horsepower and 501 foot-pounds of torque. This muscle car is sure to be the running competition for the Corvette and the Viper. At the show, Ford unveiled a few other concept cars: Bronco, Mustang, and Five Hundred.

Source: Yahoo

2003 Honda HSC


Click images for larger view

I found this site through Lockergnome. If you like to keep current on the latest concept cars and cars coming to market, this is the site for you, ConceptCarz.com. I’m going to make it a point to check this site monthly.

Source: LockerGnome Technology

The all electric car is becoming more attractive in practicality and aesthetics. The TZero may be the mechanism that jump starts our society into the new age of the automobile. Roland Piquepaille’s Technology Trends talks about this latest breakthrough in engineering. Stop by and check it out. Here is a little fact about the TZero;

The TZero can only go 280 to 300 miles at 60 mph without recharging–even if it can recharge on any 120- or 240-V power socket. And if you accelerate it like an Italian exotic, or even take it on a hilly route, that range can decrease by up to about 20%.

This little beauty is the concept design of the future’s motorcycle. I don’t know what the top speed is but I hope that it is REALLY fast.

The Bombardier EMBRIO/2025 is a recreational vehicle similar to a motorcycle and requires no special training for the user. Future technology will have a large control over the laws of physics (i.e. the use of gyroscopes, sensors, high-performance braking system, active suspension, night vision, etc.). After starting and moving forward, the front wheels retract at 20 mph. Vehicle stands on one wheel (gyroscope) with two front wheels off the ground, but protracts when needed in case of gyro failure. Energy will be generated by fuel-cell technology.

“”Futuristic,’ ‘exciting,’ intriguing,’ ‘exuding the Fun Factor’ and ‘unexpected’ were the words that were in my mind when I saw the EMBRIO. The designer has not only overcome the problems associated with the unusual proportion derived from the product’s mechanical make-ups, but has created a very attractive recreational vehicle of the future.” -Tom Matano, IDSA, Director, Industrial Design Department, Academy of Art College.

I swear, if I am still able to ride one of these bad boys in 25 years, I’ll be all over it.

Source: Design Explorations

Gibbs Technologies debuted its new money maker. At a price tag of �150,000, you can have your very own aquatic automobile. 10 seconds after a touch of a button you are ready to cruise the high seas. This is not all the car can do! It can reach a speed of 100mph on land and 30mph on water. It has 175 hp supplied to its two wheel drive. It propulsion on the water is provided through a proprietary jet propulsion system. I’m sure that months from now, half the British population will be driving one.

Source : BBC News UK

Future vehicles

What you are looking at is the latest model of Maserati, the 2003 Cambiocorsa Spyder GT. Maserati is hoping that this model and the coupe can help bring its sales back to life in North America. The design is by Giugiaro, and built by Ferrari. If we are to extrapolate from last year’s sales, Maserati should expect 75% of the orders be for the Spyder. Since I am a Spyder man, I will put my order in and be part of the majority.

One of the key selling points of the car, focused toward people that like speed, is the Tiptronic-style shifters. The idea is borrowed from Formula-1 racing.

Cambiocorsa is similar-to-nearly-identical to the shifters used in Formula 1 racing. Paddles are located behind the steering wheel to shift up (right paddle) or down (left paddle). There is a learning curve to remember how to shift into neutral and first, for example, but once you’ve been in the car for a short while the shifting is effortless. The car even “double clutches” on downshifts - automatically. Cambiocorsa is also adaptive, so if you choose to drive the car hard, it will shift hard for you. If you just poke along, it will poke along with you.

There’s also an “auto” mode that can be actuated by a button on the center console. This puts it in automatic mode, although Maserati won’t admit to having an automatic transmission. Again, the transmission adapts to your driving style, and upshifts and downshifts at appropriate points. The indicator on the dash that tells you what gear you’re in with the paddles, also indicates which gear you’re in with the “auto” mode, something you don’t get with Tiptronic-style shifters. Maserati also claims that Cambiocorsa is faster than Tiptronic.

(more…)

On the PopSci.com site…

The GT skunk works, as it’s known inside Ford�an homage to the team of Lockheed engineers who in 1943 created a World War II P-80 Shooting Star prototype in an unheard-of 143 days�is more than a simple exercise in speed; it’s a much-needed attempt to bring new luster to the company by reviving the carmaker’s daredevil DNA. In 1901, Henry Ford brazenly took on auto pioneer Alexander Winton in a 10-mile motorized-buggy race. Against all odds, Ford won, and consequently drew investors to his budding automobile enterprise. Sixty-two years later, after a failed attempt to purchase Ferrari, the founder’s grandson, Henry Ford II, issued a blank check to conquer international endurance racing, a seemingly impossible task. That challenge spawned the original GT40�a teardrop-shaped, droop-nosed, 380-horsepower wondercar. After stumbling twice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in its first two years, the GT40 swept the first three finishing spots in 1966 to snap Ferrari’s streak of six straight wins. The car won at Le Mans three more times and, by 1970, had racked up 148 major sports car victories. By the time the last GT40 came out that year, the car had become the most revered vehicle that Ford had ever made.

(more…)

 

      

      

Front-mounted, 4.5 liters, twin turbocharged V8, all-wheel drive, sport utility vehicle MSRP: (USA) $88,900 MSRP: (CAN) $125,100 450 hp @ 6,000 rpm 460 lb-ft @ 2,250-4,750rpm 0-62 mph: 5.6 sec Top Track Speed: Approx. 160 mph Towing Capacity: 7,716 lbs Ground Clearance: 5.4-9.8 in Wading Depth: 21.85 in

Yes, Porsche makes a SUV. I was stopped behind one, the other day, its shape and “new car tags” made me curious. What is this thing? It didn’t have any markings on its backside to give it away. So I figured I would pull along-side and check it out. With a little bit of effort, I manage a side view, but to my dismay, no markings were to be found. After great effort, I was able to get in front of the machine and only then, in my rearview mirror did I see it. A small Porsche emblem on the hood. That made me raise a brow and then note the ease in which it moved. So I had to check it out. At the Porsche Site. Perhaps one day I will make a trip to the dealer for a test drive.

DaimlerChrysler is raving about their new product, a 500 horsepower V10 Viper engine mounted on a motorcycle frame. What is this thing you say? Well, they are trying to bill it as a motorcycle eventhough it has 4 wheels. The four wheels are close enough together that they act as 2 wheels. The new design enhances stability and dismisses the need for a kick-stand. The innovative suspension design keeps all four wheels of this beast on the ground even when cornering. The topper is that this revolutionary cycle carries a price tag of $200,000 USD. I for one, will take 2!!!!

Here are some stats…. Thanks to PopSci.com

BODY STYLE: Single-seat Viper-powered motorcycle
BODY CONSTRUCTION: Billet aluminum overall
LENGTH: 102 in.
WHEELBASE: 76 in.
CURB WEIGHT: 1,500 lbs.
ENGINE: 8.3-liter ohv 20-valve V10
TRANSMISSION: Manual, foot-shifted 2-speed
WHEELS: 20×4 (front), 20×5 (rear) billet aluminum disks
TRUE TOP SPEED: To be determined