Tag Archives: performance
3 Things We Should Expect From The 2019 Volkswagen T-Roc GTI
Rendering of the Volkswagen T-Roc GTI by X-Tomi Design.
It’s rare to see an automaker come up with a performance version of a compact crossover SUV. It’s unusual in this certain segment, but Volkswagen may like the challenge of this idea. The T-Roc was launched in 2017, becoming the smallest crossover in VW’s lineup.
With the likes of the Nissan Juke, Toyota C-HR, and Renault Captur. A beefed-up version of the T-Roc was spotted testing on public roads, and it confirmed suspicions that VW is gearing to create a whole new market for performance-oriented compact crossovers.
1. Exterior
The T-Roc R-Line has a sporty appearance, so we think that the GTI will be loosely based on that exterior. It adds, among others, horizontal slats to the bumper grille, splitter-like elements up front, sports black wheel arch extensions, body-colored side skirts, new wheels, and the trademark red stripe across the grille.
The bumper will be taller and will give the GTI a more planted look. The sides will feature the usual black window trim, side skirt extensions, and a fancier set of wheels.
2. Interior
The T-Roc’s interior will be a little cramped, of course. This is a compact crossover, after all. It would have a premium feel all throughout the cabin, though—from the dashboard to the comfortable seats to the infotainment system. Some upgrades the GTI could bring are turning the colored inserts and the paddle shifters red since it’s the traditional GTI color.
The steering wheel is expected to have a more aggressive design with red accents. The standard seats will be replaced with sportier units with heavier bolstering and maybe even integrated headrests. The standard T-Roc comes with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen but the GTI will likely have the 8-inch version. This will come with a CD player, Discover Media, and a navigation system. The 11.7-inch instrument cluster will display a ton of information—drivetrain info, phone apps, and a media library.
3. Performance
The Golf GTI uses a turbocharged four-pot engine that produces 217 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. the T-Roc GTI could use the same engine with the same output. Currently, the range-topping T-Roc gets 187 horses and236 pound-feet of torque, so the increase of 30 ponies and 20 pound-feet makes sense.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Gets More Power, Now Has 181 HP
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the most popular sports car in the history of automotive. It is so successful that there have been clamors for a much-needed update. Thankfully, Mazda heard all those appeals and decided that 2019 is the time for the MX-5 Miata to get additional power and a higher red line.
Yes, the rumors are true. The MX-5 Miata is getting a significant bump in power. It now has 181 horsepower. That’s 26 horses more than the previous generation’s engine. This little details was courtesy of Japan’s Car Watch, which recently had an opportunity to give the test mule a try.
According to the report, the 2019 Miata will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. That’s an increase of 26 horsepower from the current output of just 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The Miata’s predecessor has an output also of 148 pound-feet of torque, but the 2019 version would have a bump to 151 pound-feet of torque.
There are significant changes in the powertrain, which accounts for the increase in power output. Specifically, Mazda added new pistons that are 27 grams lighter and new connecting rods that weigh 41 grams less than the ones fitted in the current generation.
The car’s redline increasing is due to the automaker’s installation of larger diameter throttle body, larger exhaust valves, and wider exhaust piping. The redline went up to 7,500 rpm from 6,800 rpm. Predictably, these updates would improve thermal efficiency and would lower emissions.
Moving inside the car, the Miata gets a telescoping steering wheel for the first time ever. The wheel has 1.2 inches adjustment and has a tilt function that will allow the wheel to move by as much as 1.7 inches.
Aesthetically speaking, the Miata will get a caramel brown top, full-tan leather interior, and bright finishes for the wheels.
Subaru WRX STI Will Get Minor Power Bump For 2019 Model
It is not much, but reports said that the Subaru WRX STI will get five more horsepower for its 2019 model. Subaru’s WRX and WRX STI offer a kind of free-driving experience that not many sedans currently in the market can boast of. Both models have aged in many aspects, but they are still as popular as ever, especially to their loyal fanbase.
According to a document submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by the North American, the 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer-four engine of the WRX STI will now produce 310 horsepower. That’s five more horses compared to the previous model. The 2019 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, will still get 268 horsepower.
The 310-horsepower output of the WRX STI for the 2019 model is familiar because it’s the same output as the limited edition STI Type RA. This is the quicker and “more nimble version” of the STI that was unveiled last year. This special edition model was limited to just 500 units in the United States.
Aside from 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, the STI Type RA will also have a suite of modern and exclusive components. The special edition model had a carbon fiber roof, Bilstein shocks, a high-flow exhaust, larger intakes, a retuned engine control unit, and a modified multi-mode vehicle dynamics control system.
The STI Type RA was seemingly produced for the STI fanboys, and there are plenty of them. These are the same people who will be excited to know that the 2019 WRX STI will get the same output as the STI Type RA.
The WRX STI may not have plenty of components fans can go gaga over, but they can tap through a large number of aftermarket channels to customize and give their WRX STI more personality.