Purpose

I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.
Showing posts with label high-performance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high-performance. Show all posts

Wednesday, 5 April 2017

Citroen launches a new Zero Emissions vehicle this time, the Berlingo Multispace.

As the benchmark leisure activity vehicle for over 20 years, the Citroën Berlingo has consistently exceeded the expectations of its customers. The new E-Berlingo Multispace keeps all of the original car’s practicality and modular design, and adds the efficiency and driving pleasure of an electric vehicle. 
With a range of up to 106 miles, the new model meets the needs of private customers and businesses alike, with easy charging and all the benefits of electric mobility. 
The Citroën Berlingo passenger car is now available with an electric drivetrain, in the form of the E-Berlingo Multispace. The new model offers a refined, zero-emission driving experience and sets new standards in the sector for peace-of-mind and ease of use. 

This new addition to the Berlingo Multispace range retains the versatile design, space, comfort and essential equipment that has made the conventionally-powered models such a benchmark in the leisure activity vehicle segment. The new E-Berlingo Multispace extends Citroën’s electric vehicle range, which already includes the C-Zero, E-Mehari* and Berlingo Electric LCV.
Powered by a compact and high-performance permanent magnet synchronous motor, the new vehicle accelerates swiftly and smoothly. The refined and comfortable ride of this versatile car is designed to meet the demands of active families, whilst adding all the advantages of an electric drivetrain. 
The new vehicle’s lithium-ion battery packs are positioned in the subframe either side of the rear axle, which means the cabin layout and boot volume are retained. The E-Berlingo Multispace is fully adaptable and boasts a modular design that can accommodate up to five people, or larger loads when the seats in row 2 are folded away. The boot volume is amongst the best in class at 675 litres with five people on-board, increasing to 3,000 litres with the row 2 seats folded away. The row 2 seats can also be removed completely to create a fully flat load area. 
Access to the vehicle couldn’t be simpler with two sliding side doors, plus a large rear tailgate. The tailgate has an window that opens independently, making loading the boot easier in confined spaces.
The E-Berlingo is perfect for urban and suburban use, and professional applications where there is easy access to charging points. The new model offers all the benefits associated with a 100% electric vehicle, including enviromental advantages, low runnning costs, plus taxation and parking benefits. The new E-Berlingo Multispace is equipped with the same proven electric drivetrain as the Berlingo Electric LCV, which is already in service with numerous fleet customers across Europe. 
With a range of 106 miles, measured on the NEDC cycle, the E-Berlingo Multispace is perfectly adapted to consumer use – the majority of European motorists drive less than 60 miles each day.
The E-Berlingo Multispace can be re-charged to 50% of its total range in 15 minutes or to 80% of capacity in 30 minutes from a dedicated rapid charge point. This uses the vehicle’s D/C rapid charging port (CHAdeMO). The standard charge time is 8 hours using the 16 A, Type 2 cable or as little as 10 hours from a domestic 3-pin socket. The motor also provides regenerative braking when the vehicle is slowing down, helping to re-charge the batteries and reduce brake wear.
The new E-Berlingo Multispace develops 67hp (49kW) and has 200Nm of torque immediately available. The two high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs, with a combined rating of 22.5kWh, lower the car’s centre of gravity for even more dynamic stability.
For an even more user-friendly experience, the new E-Berlingo Multispace comes with remote-controlled functions for use via a smartphone. These functions include a facility that allows the driver to pre-heat or cool the interior prior to accessing the vehicle. The driver can also remotely check their car’s battery charge level.
There is also an innovative eco-driving assistance programme, which helps the driver adopt the most economical driving style to optimise range. The navigation system displays speed limits and traffic information, as well as charging points that can be reached by the vehicle based on the remaining range.
The new Citroën E-Berlingo Multispace has significantly lower running costs than an equivalent petrol or diesel powered Berlingo Multispace. The traction battery is included in the purchase price of the vehicle and offers peace-of-mind with an 8-year/60,000 mile warranty. 
Available equipment includes air conditioning, parking sensors, speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control (ESC) combined with Hill-Start Assist and a 7-inch touchscreen. The E-Berlingo Multispace also features the Citroën brand’s highly-regarded in-car connectivity, with Bluetooth® and Mirror Screen technology.


The new E-Berlingo Multispace will be assembled at the Vigo production site and will go ‘on sale’ in the UK during the third quarter of 2017.

Friday, 16 September 2016

Jeep vs Aircraft, which do you think comes of best in a race, four wheels or two wings ?

  • Jeep’s high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT races aerobatic plane around course
  • Stunt inspired by HEMI engine’s ‘fighter plane’ heritage
  • Grand Cherokee SRT and plane hit speeds of 140mph
  • Race took place around Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire
  • Starting price for Grand Cherokee SRT: £66,865 OTR

Jeep has displayed the raw power and speed of its 6.4L V8 HEMI engined Grand Cherokee SRT by becoming the first 4x4 vehicle to race a plane around a track – and winning.
The Jeep vs plane challenge was inspired by the origins of the HEMI engine which was first developed for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, and is now, in its latest form, housed under the bonnet of the Grand Cherokee SRT.
Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire, hosted the head-to-head around its 1.8 mile circuit and saw both car and plane reach speeds in excess of 140 mph. While the Grand Cherokee SRT tackled the race track, the Silence SA1100 Twister plane navigated around seven-metre high pylons, as they both attempted to reach the chequered flag first.  
Capable of reaching 0-62mph in less the five seconds, the 6.4L V8 HEMI powered Grand Cherokee SRT delivers a massive 461hp, and is packed full of high-performance technologies including launch control, Selec-Trac transmission and air-cooled 6 piston Brembo brake callipers which have a stopping distance of 116ft from 60-0mph.
The Grand Cherokee SRT was driven by Ed Morris – the youngest ever British driver to compete at Le Mans 24 hour, while the Silence SA1100 Twister plane was flown by Peter Wells, a specialist aerobatic pilot with over 25 years of flying experience.
Vital statistics
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRTVsSilence SA1100 Twister
Price: £65,995Price: £110,000
Engine: 6.4 litre V8 HEMIEngine: UL260ISA
Power: 461 BHPPower: 110 BHP
0-62mph: Five seconds0-62mph: 4 seconds plus minus in the air
12 seconds standing start
Top Speed: 160 MPHTop Speed: 178 MPH
Number of seats: FiveNumber of seats: One
Luggage: Hatchback 35.1 cu ftLuggage: 9M cubic capacity
Special skills: High performance SUV with Launch ControlSpecial skills: Loop the loop and corkscrews

Monday, 8 August 2016

Williams and Nissan collaborate to produce a weird and futuristic prototype on display in Rio de Janeiro.

Prototype high-performance electric vehicle debuts in Rio de Janeiro
  • Advanced full-electric battery powertrain delivers stunning performance and dynamic handling
  • Zero-emission driving fun with central driving position and two passenger seats behind
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd today unveiled the working prototype of its futuristic BladeGlider vehicle, combining zero-emissions with high-performance in a revolutionary sports car design.
The vehicles, developed from concept cars first shown at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2013, have arrived in Brazil to symbolize future technologies that will combine Intelligent Mobility, environmentally-friendly impact and sports-car driving capabilities.

Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., said: “These prototypes epitomise Nissan’s drive to expand its Intelligent Mobility philosophy, where driving pleasure combines with environmental responsibility. Nissan believes that enthusiasts should look forward to a zero emission future and BladeGlider is a perfect demonstration of that. It’s the electric vehicle for car-lovers.”
The debut of the BladeGlider prototypes forms part of Nissan’s ongoing commitment to the development of zero-emission vehicles and new automotive technologies including autonomous drive systems and connectivity. Nissan already sells the world’s highest-volume zero-emission car, the LEAF, and is pioneering Intelligent Mobility systems that will be deployed in a range of vehicles over coming years.
With the BladeGlider, Nissan’s vision was for an agile, efficient EV that would provide new dimensions of driving fun and excitement - a car that would ‘glide’, thanks to the near-silent performance of its electric powertrain and aerodynamic shape.
After two years of work on design, engineering and development, Nissan BladeGlider has evolved further into an exciting, real-life study into the potential of advanced EV performance. BladeGlider epitomises Intelligent Mobility, a philosophy to make its cars more exciting by redefining how they are driven, powered and integrated into society.
The demonstration models feature an advanced chassis configuration with a narrow front track and wider rear track for optimum aerodynamic efficiency and handling stability.
High-waisted, rear-hinged dihedral doors provide a dramatic entry and exit to the cabin. The open roof of BladeGlider is reinforced with an integrated roll-over protection structure, providing the exhilaration of an open-topped race car with the safety of a coupé.
Wheel-mounted controls for BladeGlider’s systems feed into an advanced display showing speed, state of battery charge, regeneration mode and torque map. Flanking the central display are two screens, with the images of rear-view cameras mounted just behind the front wheels. 
An alternative to door-mounted mirrors, this dual screen design improves the aerodynamic efficiency of BladeGlider. The driver sits in arrowhead formation slightly in front of two passengers, who enjoy extended legroom. The view for all occupants is panoramic, thanks to the seamless cockpit windscreen.
Power is 100 percent electric, with exceptional powertrain performance delivered by Nissan’s technical partner for the BladeGlider project, UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering. Maximum speed of the demonstration models is in excess of 190km/h*, with 0-100km/h taking less than 5 seconds*. The rear wheels’ drive is provided by two 130kW electric motors – one for each wheel.
The system features torque vectoring, controlling the torque delivered to the driven wheels, improving the handling even further. With torque vectoring, if the car starts to understeer, it automatically sends more torque to the outside wheel to restore the handling balance.
Designed to add to the driving experience rather than govern it, the torque vectoring systems has three settings: off, agile and drift mode.
Power is supplied by a high performance five module lithium-ion 220kW battery. Bespoke cooling systems have been developed for both the battery and the motors.
The interior of the BladeGlider reflects the vehicles’ sporting intentions, with four point safety harnesses for each occupant. The seats offer exceptional support to sides and legs of the driver and passengers. The seats are trimmed in a highly tactile blend of fabric and epoxy resin coating, resulting in a tough and grippy material that has the effect of comfortably adhering occupants securely in place.
There are two colour trims – Cyber Green and Stealth Orange. These colours are used for the upper portions of the seat back, and framed with a silver reflective material to create an eye-catching, sporty look. The base of the seats are in black, patterned material, with a band of green and orange trim framing the cushion.
Two BladeGliders will be presented in Rio de Janeiro in August. One will be on static display in Rio while the second will be offering dynamic rides to media and VIPs.
Key specifications:
Top speed> 190 km/h (115 mph)*
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph)< 5 seconds
Power200 kW (268hp)
Torque707Nm
Weight1,300kg
Length4,300mm
Width1,850mm
Height1,300mm
Wheelbase2,800mm
*Figures recorded by Williams Advanced Engineering