RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed) |
- RPMGO Answers: Turbocharger or Supercharger – Which is better?
- World Car of the Year shortlists revealed
- Facelifted 2010 BMW X5 photos leaked ahead of release
- Scion models won’t go hybrid, might receive all-wheel drive instead
- Video: Ferrari 599XX is unleashed in Valencia
- GM starts Company Vehicle Ambassador Program, lets employees take cars home
- US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says you should drive recalled Toyotas, retracts statement
- Video: See how the Chevrolet Volt hybrid works
- Ford planning 350 HP Focus RS Clubsport, next-gen RS will go hybrid
- Toyota forced to investigate braking system on 2010 Prius in Japan and US
| RPMGO Answers: Turbocharger or Supercharger – Which is better? Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:20 AM PST  Welcome to another edition of RPMGO Answers, our bi-weekly feature (hey, we even got a logo now!) in which we try to explain some of the most common auto-related debates in the industry. We’ve talked a bit about the various types of traction systems up until now, pitching front and rear wheel drive against each other, or four-wheel drive against all-wheel drive. Now though, we’re taking a route into a more performance-oriented segment of the industry, and will talk about forced induction methods, more specifically about turbochargers and superchargers, in order to find out which is better. So say goodbye to naturally-aspirated engines and hit the jump so we can reveal a few things about these relatively easy ways of getting more power from regular engines. The latter solution is called forced induction, and these days it is done by two very different, but in the end very similar systems: a turbocharger or a supercharger.  First, let’s talk about the most popular and most used type of forced induction: the turbocharger. As I’ve said above, the turbocharger’s main role is to force more air into an engine in order to get a bigger bang and thus more power. How does it do that you ask? It uses a turbine that pushes air into the cylinders, which is powered by the exhaust gases that are being eliminated by that same engine. This is one of the most common types of forced induction, due to the low cost of the assembly, the small space it occupies and the reliability of the components. Sadly though, as I’m sure most auto fans will know, turbochargers do suffer from one drawback, the so-called turbo lag, which actually isn’t lag per se. In order to properly push air to the engine, the turbocharger needs to build up pressure in its assembly, thanks to a wastegate, that is closed until that boost threshold is achieved. Until that point is reached, the turbocharger is largely useless. This phenomenon is a big problem on older cars, which have a high boost threshold, and you’ll observe such a thing by the sudden increase in acceleration, like someone just bolted on another engine. Luckily, on newer cars, the boost threshold has been extremely lowered, even reaching the engine idle point, meaning that the turbine is already feeding air into the engine when you are pulling away from a standstill for example. Another solution is the use of a small electric engine in order to spin up the turbine by itself until the pressure inside is enough to keep it spinning, a technique called e-boosting. Turbochargers are commonly used in diesel engines, but are also popular in gasoline ones. For units which have their cylinders in a V-shape, you will most likely see two turbochargers (twin-turbo) setups, and for supercars like the Bugatti Veyron, which has a W16 engine, you’ll see four of them (quad-turbo).  But for those carmakers which don’t want to stress their heads with the prevention of turbo lag, the supercharger is the simpler solution. Basically the same setup from a turbo is used, but instead of relying on the exhaust gases to spin the turbine inside, it is connected directly to the engine via a belt, pulley or chain. This means that as soon as the engine is started, the turbine is spinning and pushes air into the cylinders, resulting in an increase in power. But even though that sounds pretty good, the fact that it uses the engine’s power does mean that it takes a toll on its stock output before increasing it through its performance. Such a fact, coupled with the increased size of a supercharger assembly (a setup like this sometimes requires a hole to be chopped in the hood), makes the supercharger a rarer sight these days, but it doesn’t negate its proof-of-concept. Don’t think that these two technologies cancel out each other, as some engines were made to support both of them at the same time, a setup which is called twincharging. Well, at the same time is a stretch, as the supercharger is used before the boost threshold is reached in the turbo, after which it is turned off and the turbo starts doing its thing. Sadly though, such a setup is expensive, not to mention a bit on the fuel hungry side, so you won’t be seeing it often. In the end, both setups have their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to modify your engine, it only depends on what type of performance you want from it. Do you have your own preferred type of forced induction or is naturally-aspirated how you, I mean your engine, rolls? Pic Sources: Wikipedia, Sprintex Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| World Car of the Year shortlists revealed Posted: 04 Feb 2010 04:56 AM PST  Car of the Year awards aren’t really of much importance to consumers as they are to manufacturers which can boast these titles more easily in the face of their rivals. We’ve already seen the 2010 European Car of the Year, which is the Volkswagen Polo, and even the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the year, the Ford Fusion and the Ford Transit Connect. Now, we’re going global, as the World Car of the Year awards revealed the shortlist of models eligible for such an honor. The shortlist is composed out of 10 cars, from which a final three will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show this March, and the winner will then be revealed at the New York Auto Show, a month later. Curios to see which models made it, plus the shortlists for World Performance Car, World Car Design and World Green Car of the Year? Well you’re going to have to hit the jump to find out. The shortlist of candidates for the World Performance Car of the Year is composed out of: Awards will also be given in two other categories. The World Car Design of the Year, which can go to the Chevrolet Camaro, the Citroen C3 Picasso, the Kia Soul, or the Toyota Prius. The other category is the World Green Car of the Year, which can go to the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Honda Insight, the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, the Toyota Prius and the Volkswagen BlueMotion (Golf, Passat, Polo). What are you pics from the cars featured in each of the shortlists? Reveal them to us by leaving a comment below. Source: WCOTY Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Facelifted 2010 BMW X5 photos leaked ahead of release Posted: 04 Feb 2010 04:07 AM PST  BMW just keeps on planning more and more facelifts to its vehicle range, be it just engine-wise or cosmetic ones. After the 3 Series Coupe and Cabriolet models received new looks, engines and a high performance 335is edition, it’s time for the X5 SUV to be restyled by the Bavarian company. But while the official announcement of the facelift is still a month away, at the Geneva Motor Show, it seems that two pictures were leaked onto the web yesterday, showing the model rendered in a mountain setting. While we can’t say for sure if these pics actually contain the facelifted X5, many of the rumored visual changes are present. First off, new bumpers were fitted to the front and rear, and LED technology was added to the headlamps, much in the vein of the X6. It is also expected that LED will grace the taillamps as well, like the facelifted 3 Series.  Changes will also be made in terms of engines, with two units coming from the X6, the 300 HP 3.0-liter twin-turbo for the X5 xDrive35i and the 407 HP 4.4-liter V8 for the xDrive50i. European customers will also be able to see the new xDrive40d versions of both the X5 and X6 in Geneva next month. You should take these photos with a grain of salt, until the official ones arrive straight from BMW soon enough. Source: Motor-talk.de via BMWBlog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Scion models won’t go hybrid, might receive all-wheel drive instead Posted: 04 Feb 2010 03:12 AM PST  In between issuing recalls, attending government hearings or going to court over lawsuits, Toyota found time to talk about its youth-oriented brand, Scion. Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, recently talked about the brand and just where it will go in the near future. Many voices are claiming that if it wants to keep its “young” image, new models should use hybrid powertrains, especially considering the popularity of such Toyota models. But putting technology like the company’s hybrid synergy drive into a Scion would drastically jack up its price over Toyota’s self-imposed $20,000 limit, which will put off many young people from buying it. As such, according to Hollis, future cars might adopt all-wheel drive, most likely borrowed from Toyota’s Japanese partner, Subaru.
How this might attract young people or even get the brand to lower its fleet-wide emissions is still a mystery, though. Should Toyota implement AWD in Scion models or should it push to lower the price of a hybrid drivetrain and put it one of those cars? Leave your comment below. Source: Wards Automotive via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Ferrari 599XX is unleashed in Valencia Posted: 04 Feb 2010 01:51 AM PST  As we’ve mentioned in previous articles this week, Monday marked the beginning of the first organized practice sessions ahead of the start of the 2010 Formula 1 season, on the track of the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. But before the F1 cars were unleashed on the track, Ferrari organized a special gathering with its top F1 driver Felipe Massa and several of its famous clients, in order to take the 599XX race car on the track and show what the performance machine can do.  This is just the beginning it seems, as Ferrari plans to take the 599XX around the world, including North America and Asia, in order to showcase its track-built race car, which, according to quite a few rumors, might receive a road-legal iteration, in the form of a Ferrari 599 GTO. Until then though, you can hit the jump and see the 599XX on the track in Valencia. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| GM starts Company Vehicle Ambassador Program, lets employees take cars home Posted: 04 Feb 2010 01:22 AM PST  It seems General Motors’ marketing department going in a whole new direction these days, as not only did it release a video which actually promotes the Chevrolet Volt, not like the dreaded Chevy Volt and Me song, but now it has started the Company Vehicle Ambassador Program. What does that mean? It allows regular employees, not just upper management executives, to use vehicles made by any brand from under GM for their personal use. The aim, of course, is the enhance the way GM’s vehicles are perceived and to increase their numbers on the road. It also makes the employees much happier, as they really get to know the vehicles that they assemble everyday. Frankly, I think GM should be congratulated for such an initiative, and perhaps other companies would follow its example. It would certainly make working for them much more exciting. Source: Detroit Free Press via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says you should drive recalled Toyotas, retracts statement Posted: 04 Feb 2010 12:52 AM PST  Appearing yesterday at a House of Appropriations committee hearing, the US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood revealed that it might be better for existing Toyota owners to refrain from driving any model affecting by the recent unintended acceleration recalls, and wait until they can get it fixed at the dealership.
Realizing that his statement might lead to panic, LaHood quickly retracted what he said and revealed that he was misquoted. Toyota quickly followed with an official statement highlighting that the unintended acceleration problems are rarely occurring (although two accidents days apart might bed to differ), and that slow and repeated braking will slow the car down (although that system isn’t so certain in the 2010 Prius). The Japanese company does add that if you have experienced acceleration issues, you should call your dealership immediately, if not, then you can trust your car until you can have it fixed, like the company revealed a few days ago. Although this may seems like a huge quote misunderstanding, what do you Toyota owners think? Are you still using the cars affected by the recall or standing by until the dealership contacts you? Share your thoughts with us. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: See how the Chevrolet Volt hybrid works Posted: 04 Feb 2010 12:27 AM PST  General Motors is betting big on the upcoming Chevrolet Volt hybrid model, which it hopes will fuel its revival process and help it get rid of debts. The model is set to be released at the end of this year in specific territories where the infrastructure to drive an electric vehicle exists, like California, and will certainly be marketed quite aggressively. We’ve already seen some unfortunate attempts, like the Chevy Volt song or the dance that goes along with it, but it seems GM has learned its lesson. As such, the company released a special video explaining in the most basic terms how the Volt will work so that everyone will understand its advantages. Hit the jump to see it. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Ford planning 350 HP Focus RS Clubsport, next-gen RS will go hybrid Posted: 04 Feb 2010 12:01 AM PST  If you love hot hatches, then you’ll be extremely pleased to hear the two latest tidbits of information coming out of Ford and concerning its RS models. It seems that not only will the current RS receive an even more powerful Clubsport version, but the next generation one, based on the 2012 Focus revealed at the Detroit Auto Show last month, will be a hybrid, pairing an electric motor with a powerful EcoBoost engine. First thing’s first, it seems Ford has acknowledged the great job it did with the current RS, which sports a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged unit capable of around 300 HP, and wants to give it a proper send-off by the ultimate edition, the RS Clubsport. It will take the output to a whopping 350 HP (in a front-wheel drive car), and also add hardcore racing options like lightweight seats, lowered and stiffened suspension, a set of sticky tires and an even more dramatic paint job. The projected 0 to 62 mph time will be just 5 seconds, largely due to a few lost pounds in its curb weight. But while that’s all fine an dandy, it seems that the next generation Focus will receive a different type of RS treatment, as not only will it see the replacement of the 2.5-liter turbo with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, but, like I’ve said above, will see the addition of an electric motor, which will power the rear wheels, thus making it an all-wheel drive model, and clearly enhance the handling of the very hot hatch. Now if that setup reminds you of something, you’re onto something, as it seems that it will be the same technology Peugeot previewed on its SR1 hybrid roadster, which according to the French company was developed in partnership with Ford. Sadly though, the hybrid RS will arrive around late 2012 at least, but until then, according to AutoExpress, we can expect a powerful ST version of the new Focus, which will use a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine but won’t see any electric motor included. Overall, hot hatch fans should rejoice, especially North American customers, which might finally get a taste of such models, given the fact that the 2012 Focus will be a global model. Source: AutoExpress Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota forced to investigate braking system on 2010 Prius in Japan and US Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:33 PM PST  As Toyota seemingly didn’t have enough problems these days, with two huge recalls, suspended sales, angry customers and the loss of popularity, a new issue will now join the unintended acceleration ones, this time concerning the braking system on the 2010 Prius hybrid. It seems that the Japanese Ministry of Transport, more specifically its recall division (think NHTSA), has advised Toyota to look into 14 cases out of a total of 77, in which owners of the third generation Prius experienced unresponsive brakes for a short period of time, most often at low speeds or in conditions like on a bumpy or slippery road. The NHTSA has also logged 136 complaints about the brakes on the 2010 Prius, claiming momentarily losses in stopping power. What’s worse, four of them involved crashing and two of those resulted in injuries. While Toyota says it is currently investigating the problem, many voices are pointing to the new regenerative braking system that the company installed on the third generation Prius hybrid, which is electronically controlled so that the battery pack for the electric motor would receive every tiny amount of power generated when the brakes are engaged. Other rumors are claiming that there might a defect with the actual mechanical underpinnings, specifically the brake pads. Either way, it seems that no Toyota car is seemingly safe these days. If you own one and have experienced any such problems like unintended acceleration or unresponsive brakes, you’d better go to your dealership in order to have the model checked out. Source: New York Times Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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