Daily Archives: September 30, 2017
2018 Techrules Ren: Diesel-Electric Hybrid with Over 1,000 HP
We couldn’t help but get impressed when the Mercedes-AMG Project One concept was finally unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Mainly, it was because of the hybrid hypercar’s more than 1,000 hp output. However, another hybrid supercar called the Techrules Ren seems to be poising to challenge it.
Actually the Ren was introduced ahead of the Project One. It came out during this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It was developed by the Chinese-based startup Techrules. It has a very wild design, unusual hybrid setup and more than a thousand horsepower output.
Design
The Techrules Ren follows the modern shape of the present hypercars like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder, but with a mix of a futuristic touch into it. According to TopSpeed, Fabrizio Giugario, the car’s designer, said that the auto is defined by its fighter jet-style canopy and unique modular three-cockpit design.
From the photos provided by the source, the driver’s seat of the car is flanked by the two passengers’ seats. Then, the upper enclosure of the car slides rearward similar to the canopy of a jet. Techrules describes it as a “one door body style”.
In front, the Ren’s nose is highlighted by its long hood and massive air intakes. Behind it is a fin in the center, wide diffuser, tail lip, and huge air exhausts that resemble an aircraft’s turbine.
Powertrain
Techrules revealed that the car runs on its innovative Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) powertrain. The turbines are powered by diesel fuel. It produces electricity that juices the battery pack of the auto, which then drives the power rear wheels.
The automaker plans to offer two-, four-, and six-motor configurations for the car. The range-topping model of the vehicle promises to deliver up to 1,287 hp and 1,725 lb-ft of torque. The figures are enough to propel the supercar from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Its top speed is about 200 mph.
Techrules said that the electric range of the Ren will be 124 miles. On the other hand, its fuel consumption is around 31 mpg.
Delivery
Techrules stated that the deliveries of the Ren will start next year. Orders for it are already open for interested buyers.
Tearing Down a Mazda MX-5 Miata Engine in a Timelapse Video
The engine truly works wonders in a car. After all, it is the heart of a vehicle. Despite its complex function, do you know how easy it is to dismantle it into pieces? The video above shows the teardown of a Mazda MX-5 Miata engine in a timelapse presentation.
A video released by the YouTube channel “How a Car Works” demonstrates how the Miata engine was disassembled down to the valves, crankshaft, cylinders, timing gears, rods and other major components. Looking at it, it appears that tearing down an engine is fairly easy, given the right tools and working space.
The video was made to promote the channel. As implied by its name, it features video courses explaining how a car works. So far, it has other videos showing the MX-5 Miata’s subframe and the operation of same car’s steering system. It looks like they either have a fondness for the MX-5 Miata or they are sponsored by a Mazda dealer. It is also likely that they are supported by the Mazda company itself.
Going back to the power unit, the visible markings state that it is a DOHC 16-valve engine. According to Motor Authority, it might have come from UK-spec right-hand drive MX-5.
The base model of the MX-5 Miata is powered by a 1.8-liter engine in the US. It is likely that the video shows the smaller 1.6-liter UK version of it. The output of the inline-four engine is estimated to be somewhere between 90 and 130 hp.
Based on Mazda’s UK website, the MX-5 Miata roadster has a starting price of £18,795. It embodies the KODO design, which combines sportiness with stylish appeal.
For two consecutive years, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has won the “Whatcar? Car of the Year” award under the “Best Convertible” category. The giver of the award is considered to be Britain’s top monthly car review magazine.
How Much is the Limited Classic Porsche 597 Jagdwagen Worth Now?
The Porsche 597 Jagdwagen was a limited edition vehicle. It was designed as a “hunting car.” It was light, thanks to its simplistic engineering, but the unit may cost more than a quarter of a million dollars nowadays.
According to Autoweek, the 2019 Cayenne traces its roots back to the Porsche 597 Jagdwagen. The name of the vehicle roughly means “hunting car”. The auto was made during a NATO competition to create a light army-transport vehicle similar to the American-made Jeep.
The Jagdwagen had a small design with a removable canvas roofing. It ran on a 4×4 drivetrain and powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled, four-cylinder Porsche 356 engine. There were two power units available for the auto. One was a 1.5-liter engine and the other was 1.6-liter engine.
The more powerful 1.6-liter engine model of the 597 that was introduced in its later production stage was capable of producing up to 50 hp. All that power was distributed via a five-speed manual gearbox, which was a lot during its time. The top speed of the hunting car was at 62 mph.
The source said that the Jagdwagen only weighed 2,182 pounds, which made it highly maneuverable. It could switch between a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive setup on the fly. It had a climb gradient of 65 percent and it can float on water, making it amphibious.
Unfortunately, after spending $1.8 million for the development of the 597, which was too much during the 50’s, Porsche lost the NATO contest to DKW Munga. However, the automaker wanted to capitalize on the project after their failed entry by rebranding the light vehicle as a hunting car.
The Jagdwagen was produced from 1955 to 1957. Only 71 examples of it were ever made. At present, only 15 of it survived the test of time.
The report claimed that the 1957 model of the 597 in the pictures below was sold at the Bonhams’ Goodwood auction last year for $235,331. Earlier that same year, the Jagdwagen sold as a 1958 year model previously owned by Jerry Seinfield fetched $330,000 at an Amelia Island auction.
3 Best Features of the Mercedes-AMG Project One
After much hype, the Mercedes-AMG Project One was introduced at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The hypercar concept aims to bring Formula One technology into our roads.
1. Design
The Mercedes-AMG Project One concept borrowed many design elements from the hypercars of our generation. Its styling is reminiscent of the Pagani Huayra, but with a few cosmetic updates and aerodynamic upgrades.
The mid-engined hypercar integrates the Sensual Purity design philosophy of Mercedes. Compared to the Huayra, the Project One has smoother surfaces that give it a luxurious appeal, which is the signature of Mercedes cars, while retaining its very strong sporty presence.
The interior design of the Project One is a notch up from the sporty cabin of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The hypercar has a two-seating capacity. Its seats were made to resemble the sloping styling of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Silver Arrow F1 car’s seat. It has two screen displays too. The most noticeable element inside the car though is its steering wheel, which is heavily inspired by the one installed in the current Mercedes F1 racecar.
2. Power
The Project One is defined by its overwhelming output. According to Mercedes-Benz, it produces more than 1,000 hp, thanks to its hybrid setup. It is powered by a petrol-fed 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine and four electric motors. The electric motors are located in the turbocharger, engine, and one each on the front wheels. An automated 8-speed manual transmission governs the power of the car.
The engine of the vehicle has a rev that can reach up to 11,000 rpm. On the other hand, its electric motors on the front axle give it an additional 50,000 rpm and the shaft is capable of 100,000 rpm.
3. Performance
Mercedes claims that the setup of the Project One completely eliminates the dreaded turbo lag in cars. The resulting acceleration of the auto from zero to 200 km/h is only six seconds. Its top speed can go up to a whopping 350 km/h.
