Automotive Addicts |
- Mazda Builds Its Last Rotary Engine, For Now
- Bugatti Veyron Successor Confirmed – Could Be Hybrid
- 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Rips Nurburgring in 7:30
- Lotus Marks The Elan’s 50th Birthday
| Mazda Builds Its Last Rotary Engine, For Now Posted: 27 Jun 2012 12:30 PM PDT
 The 2011 Mazda RX-8 GT - Image: Mazda On Friday, June 22, Motor Authority notes that the last rotary engine powered car, an RX-8 Spirit R, rolled off of Mazda's assembly line in Japan. After a lifespan in production vehicles stretching some 45 years, poor fuel economy and high emissions killed what fans would argue is the smoothest engine ever built. On paper, it's easy to point out the advantages of a rotary engine. They're small and lightweight, and consist of far fewer internal components than a piston engine. When properly tuned, rotary engines are exceptionally smooth and produce a surprising amount of power for their size. On the downside, early rotary engines had problems with apex oil seals, and high oil consumption became an associated trademark of rotary power (although, by design, all rotary engines consume some oil). While theoretically simpler than piston engines, rotary engines proved difficult for some dealerships to master, leading to a hit or miss service experience. Finally, to make decent power, rotary engines need to be run to high RPMs, sucking down an impressive amount of fuel in the process. While the Renesis (short for "Rotary Genesis") engine introduced in the Mazda RX-8 was as step forward in engine design, the elemental problems still existed. Customers complained of poor fuel economy and high oil consumption, and even print magazines panned the car for being down on power unless revved to the sky. By 2010, all this proved to be a moot point when the Renesis engine failed to meet Euro 5 emission standards, and was dropped from Mazda's lineup in Europe. American sales ended in 2011, although there are still plenty of RX-8s to be had from dealer inventory. What happens next is the big question for Mazda. The rotary engine is elemental to Mazda's history, especially in relation to sports cars. Still, the company is struggling financially at the moment, and has placed all its chips on the SkyActiv marker. Ironically, for the rotary engine to be reborn, Mazda needs its SkyActiv fuel-sipping technology to be a commercial success. We've driven enough rotary-engined cars over the years to know this much: the automotive landscape is that much bleaker without a Wankel-engined sports car alternative from Mazda. We hope this is a temporary gap, not a permanent one.   |
| Bugatti Veyron Successor Confirmed – Could Be Hybrid Posted: 27 Jun 2012 08:16 AM PDT
 Current Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Recent reports have confirmed Bugatti working on a successor to the Veyron, which could end up being a hybrid. Chief engineer Jens Schulenburg, told Auto Express that "We are working on the next super-sports car."
Of course the Bugatti Galibier, appearing as stunning Luxury-Exotic concept a few years ago, will still be in the new lineup expected to debut in 2014 alongside of the Veyron successor. What tips us off as the Veyron successor potentially being a hybrid, is Schulenburg saying "The big challenge on the next car will be reducing weight – we are looking at some incredible technologies, such as wheels made entirely from carbon fibre. Hybrids are definitely something we're looking at, too." Could you imagine a new Veyron with over 1,000 horsepower sporting a hodgepodge of electric motors and a big petrol engine? I sure could, as long as it makes some cool noise and pushes the current top speed of 268 mph to the next few notches.
 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Rips Nurburgring in 7:30 Posted: 27 Jun 2012 07:40 AM PDT
Mercedes-Benz' new SLS AMG continues to get better with the introduction of a new more-powerful roadster version and now a new SLS AMG GT for the 2013 model year. The new SLS AMG GT is the now moniker for Benz' halo car and to show off its improvements, it rips the Nurburgring just under 7 minutes 30 seconds.
Powered by a retuned 6.3-liter V8 with 591 horsepower, the new Benz SLS AMG GT accelerates from 0-60mph in under 3.7 seconds. According to Autoblog, AMG chairman Ola Källenius uncovered the new lap time in recent talks. The new 2013 SLS AMG GT will go on sale in the U.S. November of this year with a price about $5,000 north of the outgoing model year coming in at $195,000 and $200,000 for the coupe and roadster respectfully.                                    
 |
| Lotus Marks The Elan’s 50th Birthday Posted: 27 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT
 The Lotus Elan roadster. Image: Lotus In October of 1962, Lotus launched an all-new roadster at the British Motor Show that would eventually go on to re-write the book on modern, lightweight sports cars. Dubbed the Lotus Elan, the car debuted the use of a backbone tube chassis on a production, road-going car, sported a lightweight fiberglass body and utilized a four wheel independent suspension. For the day, it was surprisingly well equipped, featuring amenities like wood veneer dash trim, power windows, full (but tissue-thin) carpeting and even a functioning heater. Later versions (namely, the Elan Sprint) could dash from 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, which was seriously impressive back in 1973. The Elan turned out to be a commercial success for Lotus, and quite possibly pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy despite modest production numbers. In total, just over 17,000 were built before production ended in 1973. The Elan served as inspiration (and a role model) for Mazda's original MX-5 Miata, a car that's now gone on to become the best selling sports car in history. Lotus says the Elan influenced today's Lotus Elise, too, although we have a hard time seeing the similarity between a front-engine, rear-drive roadster and a mid-engine, rear drive Targa, ourselves. Today, you can still see the occasional Elan on the road or in SCCA Solo competition, proving how good Ron Hickman's original design was. We tip our hats to Lotus on this occasion, and wish the Elan a very happy 50th birthday.  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Automotive Addicts To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
