McLaren P14 sighted, 650S successor

Source: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30726/heres-our-first-look-at-the-mclaren-p14/

It has been 2 years since the McLaren 650S hit the road, already a replacement model is in the offing, christened the McLaren P14.

Road & Track reported that the new P14 is set to take on Ferrari 488 GTB and according to their sister site, Car & Driver, it will be a junior to the company's hybrid P1. The engine sitting behind the driver remains the signature M838T 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 (though it would not be getting the P1's hybrid drivetrain as reported by Car & Driver) and the company's signature MonoCell carbon fibre tub continues to underpin the chassis.

Let's see what has changed from the exterior. It seems like the P14 has ditched the predecessor's 'McLaren-logo' style headlight for a more 'squinted' look. Interestingly, the side air intake is missing. Presumably, the air intake had been migrated underneath the headlight. The side mirror is door-mounted rather than being mounted at the base of the A-Pillar as on the 650S.

Source: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30726/heres-our-first-look-at-the-mclaren-p14/

Round the back, visible changes can be seen from the twin round tailpipe over the predecessor's more rhombus-shaped tailpipe. Also, twin fog light decks out the lower valance just above the diffuser.

P14 vs 488 GTB showdown. Same engine, but a shade smaller for the McLaren. This should be a recipe for a cliffhanger between Woking and Maranello.

Source: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30726/heres-our-first-look-at-the-mclaren-p14/

               http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2016-mclaren-p14-supercar-25-cars-worth-waiting-for-feature

Koenigsegg Agera RSR, the Japanese market Agera RS

Source: http://koenigsegg.com/koenigsegg-agera-rsr-debuts-in-japan/

The Agera nameplate, introduced by Koenigsegg in 2010 to replace the CCX and CCXR and winner of the TopGear 2010 Hypercar of the Year award, has produced memorable iteration spawning the likes of the Agera R (notably introduced the E85-powered iteration in 2013), Agera S (introduced in 2013 for non-E85 market), One:1 (named after its 1:1 power-to-weight ratio and the brand's 'megacar' as its 1341 hp is equivalent to 1 megawatt) and finally Agera RS (the progeny of Agera R, Agera S and One:1). Agera is a Swedish verb meaning 'to act'. The Agera RS made headline at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, limited to just 25 examples. 

Just recently, the supercar brand from Angelholm, Sweden has launched two special bespoke edition of the Agera RS: (1) the Agera XS, an American version of the Agera RS with bigger carbon fibre rear wing (both the bigger wing and name change were requested by the owner) making its debut at the Monterey Car Week and (2) the Agera RS 'Naraya', a European special named, according to Koenigsegg, after close association to the owner's family name, and made its appearance at Salon Prive Concours d'Elegance. 

Now, its the Japanese market who will be getting their bespoke edition, christened as Koenigsegg Agera RSR. The company founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg, spoke at the Agera RSR launch event: 

“Japan has been an important market for Koenigsegg since the earliest days of the company. It brought us great pleasure to work with our Japanese clients to bring the Agera RSR to life. The cars they have designed add a new dimension to the already exclusive Agera RS series.” 

Limited to just 3 examples for delivery to Japanese Koenigsegg enthusiasts, the Agera RSR was launched on the 5th September by Koenigsegg Japan in Tokyo. The car is based on the 1160 hp Agera RS, alluding to the company's bonkers 5.0 litre twin turbo V8 engine.

The Agera RSR shares close resemblance to the hallow One:1 design cue, particularly the rear wing and air intake scoop.

Source: http://koenigsegg.com/koenigsegg-agera-rsr-debuts-in-japan/

A closer look at the above picture reveals the One:1-style rear wing, which Koenigsegg claims "provides greater downforce and improved handling".

Source: http://koenigsegg.com/koenigsegg-agera-rsr-debuts-in-japan/

The One:1 design cue does not end at the rear wing. According to Koenigsegg, the air intake scoop looks similar to the One:1 'megacar', only shorter to enable "the roof to be stored in the car". The company also claimed that the scoop enhances breathing when you take the RSR up to higher speed, improving power output when you are pressing on.  

Source: http://koenigsegg.com/koenigsegg-agera-rsr-debuts-in-japan/

Video: How an internal combustion engine work

For centuries, internal combustion engine (henceforth will be called ICE) has been the staple source of motive power in mainstream transport, ranging from cars, motorcycles, aircraft and several more. Several different types of ICE in existence include piston engine, jet engine and rotary engine. 

I was at the recent BMW Innovation Day at Desa Park City and stumbled upon this working cutaway model. It was a sight to behold watching how the moving hardware interact with one another, that I could not help it but brandish my camera and record this video. 

The video above depicts how a 4-stroke motorcycle piston engine works. It is still the same principal as a 4-stroke piston engine found in cars (Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow). You can see from the video how the piston and valves interact with each other. 

I had a short chat with presumably a mechanic manning the booth. According to him, this is a new water-cooled engine with wet clutch system (old engine was an air-cooled system with dry clutch system). In case you are wondering what is that big round disc spinning in the crankcase, that is the wet clutch the mechanic was referring to. It is bathed in oil, hence 'wet' clutch. Before I bore you with more technical details, do enjoy the video!