Tag Archives: car
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Has The Stuff Speed Lovers Only Dream About
While Dodge has put an end to the insane Challenger SRT Demon that only had a limited production, it now has the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. It’s not as powerful as the 840 horses that the Demon had, but it received many of the same upgrades as its twin.
There are going to be two models for the car: the SRT Hellcat and the SRT Hellcat Redeye. Focusing a bit on the Redeye variant, it will have 797 horsepower (the regular Hellcat only has 717 horses) and 707 pound-feet of torque. It is an insanely powerful machine that is challenging the limits to what’s legal on the road.
The power of the Hellcat Redeye comes from a 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Now that the Demon has been laid to rest, the Redeye is the “most powerful production V-8,” Dodge said. The Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds. It can also reach 131 mph in just a quarter mile time of 10.8 seconds.
Other details include a larger 2.7-liter supercharger, up to 14.5 psi, a higher redline (up to 6,500 rpm), and dual-stage fuel pumps. There’s also going to be a new dual-snorkel hood and an Air Catcher headlamp on the driver’s side of the fascia.
There are other upgrades that separate the Hellcat Redeye from the Demon, though. There’s going to be a Widebody Package for Challenger R/T Scat Pack models. The package will give the muscle car an extra 3.5 inches of width, a plus-sized six-pot front brakes from Brembo, extra wide wheels and tires, and a new suspension.
Production of the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye will begin this fall and deliveries will start by the fourth quarter. There will be no limits to the production of the Redeye, unlike the Demon.
Is the Sunroof on Your Car Really Safe?
For some, the sunroof on the car can be considered as a luxury feature. Most premium models of different automakers offer them either as an optional add-on or as a standard fit in their top trim units. While the sunroof allows a breeze of fresh air into the cabin of the auto as well as a nice view of the sky, statistics indicates that these also pose hazards to the occupants of a vehicle.
According to Consumer Reports, there have been many documented cases in the U.S. of exploding sunroofs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recorded at least 859 complaints connected to shattering sunroofs from 1995 to 2017. Most incidents occurred within the first two years of the vehicle’s ownership.
Hyundai had the most number of exploding sunroofs over the last 22 years. The brand had 119 complaints over the course of the research. It was followed by Ford with 85, Nissan with 82, Kia with 78, Scion with 72, Toyota with 61, Honda with 53, Volkswagen with 38, Cadillac with 28, and BMW with 27 cases.
In terms of car model, the Scion TC topped the list with 71 complaints. The Hyundai Veloster came next with 54, Kia Sorento with 43, Nissan Murano with 28, Kia Optima with 25, Ford Explorer with 23, Honda Accord with 22, Cadillac SRX with 22, Nissan Maxima with 20 and Hyundai Santa Fe with 20 cases.
What was very alarming about the data was that most cases didn’t even involve rollovers. Complainants claimed that their sunroofs just exploded out of nowhere and without anything hitting them.
Consumer Reports said that safety standards with regard to sunroofs are currently not at pace with their longer and wider designs. Experts stated that the bigger the expanse of the glass in the sunroof, the higher is its likelihood to break.
Since Hyundai had the most recorded cases, its aftermarket parts subsidiary Hyundai Mobis unveiled its panorama sunroof airbag. The company told in a interview that it has a deployment time of only 0.08 second. However, the airbag only activates during rollovers. Therefore, it is not clear if it can solve the issue centered on sunroofs suddenly exploding even without anything hitting them.
Would You Buy This Biodegradable Car?
The world’s first biodegradable car was just unveiled. The auto was taken in public roads where it passed its driving test.
According to the video of the car released via video-sharing site YouTube, the vehicle is called “Lina”. The body of the auto is made from biodegradable materials. Although not mentioned in the clip, only the driving mechanisms and the wheels are made of metal. Of course, the other exceptions include the glass parts.
The panels of the car are created using sugar beet. The material is coated with natural flax combined with bio-plastic to make the armor of the auto rigid and probably to prevent quick deterioration caused by harsh environmental elements.
Click’s Dan Simmons was the first person outside the car’s team of developers to join the test drive. It was revealed that the auto could not run past the 55 km/h threshold.
The video claims that the biodegradable car is powered by an electric motor. Then it takes 20% of the energy utilized to produce carbon fiber-based cars.
The presentation reminds us though that the car is only fitted with just the basic elements of driving. The auto does not have the mechanism to wind down its windows, radio or air conditioning. One part of the video also shows a guy pushing the car backwards because of its “limited reverse gear”—as the video stated.
The fact that the biodegradable car is driveable makes it a success. After all, a vehicle’s purpose it to bring a person from point A to point B safely.
The auto gives us a preview of what biocomposite cars would look like—if ever automakers would venture in that territory. However, the video notes that the priority of car makers today is in circular economy wherein they take apart the materials of present vehicles and the future ones to make new ones based on the interview of Professor Maarten Steinbuch of Eindhoven University of Technology.
Video
Check out the testing of the world’s first biodegradable car in the video below:
Development of Apple Self-Driving Car Hinted
There have been tidbits of information pointing to the development of an Apple self-driving car. Details about the matter have always been closely guarded and the Cupertino-based tech giant firm has been mum about it. However, a new clue has been uncovered that suggests the autonomous vehicle program of the company is still alive.
In a document published by Apple enumerating its Supplier List for February 2017, it included Robert Bosch GmbH in it with office address at Tuebinger Strasse 123, Reutlingen, Germany. While the company is known for its production of sensors for electronic devices, power tools, security systems and home appliances, it should be noted that it is also responsible in supplying automotive parts.
According to a source, among the products produced by Bosch’s automotive division are vehicle sensors, electronic controls, power braking systems and steering. The collaboration of the two is in compliance to the guidelines of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in autonomous vehicles. A letter of Apple’s director of product integrity, Steve Kenner, to the NHTSA was uncovered too wherein he expressed the company’s interest in making automated systems in many areas, including the transport sector.
Other Clues to the Apple Self-Driving Car Project
Apple continues to play coy in the matter. But there have been many clues dropped by its company’s executives as well as their actions as of late pertaining to their involvement in an automotive program.
Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted before that they wanted to expand beyond the integration of their smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems. In addition, there have been a series of high-profile hirings that further fuel speculations about the subject.
In 2015, Apple hired former Mercedes-Benz Research & Development head Johann Jungwirth. Then last year, the firm took Sinisa Durekovic under its wing. He is known for his work in developing satellite navigation systems used by luxury car brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Top 15 Rumors About the Apple iCar
There have been rumors since early last year that Apple is developing its own car, which is either an electric vehicle or a self-driving unit. Although the Cupertino-based multinational company remains secretive about it, there have been hints from inside sources and sightings confirming that the giant tech firm is indeed working on its own vehicle. The mass media currently refers to the auto as the Apple iCar.
Here are the top 15 rumors about the iCar that Macworld gathered:
1. Codename
According to Wall Street Journal, the iCar project is codenamed as “Titan.” It also claimed that several hundred employees are working on it.
2. McLaren Negotiations
Financial Times stated that Apple is negotiating to buy McLaren. It is not clear though if Apple is only considering it as an investment, but it is most likely that Apple is looking to utilize the supercar technology available in McLaren for its iCar.
3. Issues
Apple is reconsidering its strategy in development of self-driving cars. It was reported that the company laid off a number of its staff working on the project.
4. Marketing Strategy
The tech firm is planning on an aggressive marketing strategy for its iCar. It is targeting sales of half a million units annually.
5. Battery
The iCar battery will be sourced from a major Sourth Korean battery developer according to Neil Cybart, founder of analyst firm Above Avalon. The source said the anonymous Korean company just signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Apple.
6. Unveiling
Appleinsider said the completion of the iCar is tentatively set in 2021 due to major setbacks.
7. Development Cost
Apple spent $10 billion in research and development as of late. Previously, the company only allotted $3 billion for that. The sudden bubble in R&D costs indicates that it is working on something more than smartphones, tablets or computing devices.
8. Commitment
Tim Cook appears to be committed to it. Despite not confirming the project, he left hints in his interviews that they are into something bigger outside the products they have now.
Wall Street Journal revealed too that Bob Mansfield is overseeing the electric vehicle division of the company. Mansfield is a former senior vice president of Technologies at Apple. He reportedly extended his tenure from a planned retirement from the company in 2012 to lead the special project.
9. Noise in Apple Facility
Residents in Sunnyvale, California said that engine noises could heard in an Apple campus at 11PM based on Appleinsider.
10. Domain Names
MacRumors found out that Apple bought domain names related to cars in December 2015. However, it is also possible that the domains will be used for the in-car system of Apple called CarPlay.
11. Apple Covering Its Tracks
Reports surfaced that the car manufacturer Faraday Future might be a front of Apple for the development of its iCar. This is to divert the attention of the public from the iCar and keep the project away from the prying eyes of the media.
12. Digital License Plates
Among the cool technologies equipped in the iCar will be digital license plates.
13. Big Car and Tech Firms Sense a New Player in the EV Scene
Elon Musk revealed Apple has been offering Tesla engineers to jumpship with $250,000 signing bonus and 60 percent increase in salary. Korea Times claimed Apple is luring Samsung tech experts into their yard too.
14. Apple is Testing Cars Rigged with Sensors
Cars registered with Apple were seen in the roads fitted with a lot of sensors. The tech firm ruled out the development of autonomous car though by saying that the cars are only being used to test their mapping technology.
15. Apple’s Acquisition of Johann Jungwirth
The best evidence pointing to the possible development of the iCar is the hiring of Johann Jungwirth in Apple. Jungwirth is the former head of R&D at Mercedes-Benz. He is rumored to be spearheading the development of the iCar.
Morgan Returns To US With Four-Wheel Models
British automaker Morgan recently announced that it will be bringing back its four-wheel models to the United States after 10 years of absence. It will be sold through Morgan’s official US distributor, Isis Imports, according to TopSpeed.
Morgan was previously only allowed to sell the three-wheeler model in the US, but Isis (thanks to a new law) now will be able to import the more traditional four-wheeled models.
The British carmaker did not reveal what particular models will be ushered along the US coastline, but they would probably bring cars from the Classic lineup such as the 4/4, Plus 4, Roadster and Plus 8.
In a statement, Isis Imports said details are still being finalized although it looks like Morgan will start receiving orders for the four-wheeled models this summer. The statement added that US spec cars would start to be produced before the year ends.
Isis is even already accepting deposits for four-wheeled Morgans. This is refundable “up until eight weeks prior to the build of your car after your specifications are finalized.”
Though pricing information is not yet available, the US-spec, four-wheeled Morgans will expectedly be a bit more expensive than their British-market counterparts.
The most likely model to first arrive is the Roadster, which uses a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 280 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Weighing only 2,094 pounds, the Roadster hits 62 mph from a standing start in only 5.5 seconds and tops out at 140 mph.
This is certainly a welcome news for US-based retro car lovers who keep on bugging the Morgan company to bring the cars back to US shores. The need for retro UK-made vehicles was high among Americans.
Morgan’s return to the US will mark the comeback of the only auto company that still based its models on the classic recipe. Although we won’t be seeing a full lineup of Morgan cars, one or two is more than what the US is expecting to have in its market.