2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD-all wheel drive, V6, 8 speed auto

Rear wheel drive. The mainstay of American muscle cars for decades. Now Dodge decides to go against the grain with their latest Challenger model-2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD. Yep, it's all wheel drive now. Is Dodge proving a point with the snowy picture?

I heard you exclaiming 'What?! All wheel drive??'. No worries. In normal condition it's purely rear wheel drive. The active transfer case will engage the front axle only when traction-limited.

There's no V8 nor manual for this beast. Only a 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 is hiding under the bonnet, good for 305 hp and 363 Nm of torque. An 8 speed TorqueFlite automatic with paddle shifters is your only transmission option.

Mazda says no RX-9; rotary engine to be used as range extender

Source: J. Lyon via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

Wait a minute?? No RX-9? No rotary engine goodness?? This has to be a heartbreaking moment for rotary's diehard. Though I've never driven a Mazda-powered 'dorito' engine, I can see the appeal of its crisp, smooth, high-revving nature. 

With RX-9 out of the picture, don't expect rotary engine to solely power you down the highway. The good news is you don't have to give up on your dorito yet...but with a twist.  

Masamichi Kogai, Mazda CEO, told Automotive News in an interview that rotary engine will still be around, but as a range extender for their hybrid cars. To be blamed: emission and fuel efficiency.

"Considering regulations such as the zero-emissions vehicle mandate, electrification is a technology we need to introduce in the near future. The range extender would be the first." Kogai told Automotive News.

When asked by Automotive News if there's any plan for a future RX-8 successor with range extender, Kogai suggested that the MX-5 (Miata in the US) already offers an "exhilarating experience". I guess this means if you want the thrill of Mazda's sports car, the MX-5 should be in your shopping list.

So, with RX-9 not in the bucket list and you still crave for the rotary's screaming high rev to get you down the road, get a used RX-8, or if you still own one, cherish it till the end! 

Second-generation Toyota GT86 is on its way!

Source: http://pinthiscars.com/image-post/1281-toyota-gt86-2017-9.jpg.html#gal_post_1281_toyota-gt86-2016-5.jpg

Long live the hachiroku! If you're a fan of the GT86, then Toyota has a good piece of news: the second-generation GT86 is on its way! You may have to wait until 2018 or 2019 though.

What sort of engine will it get and will Subaru continue to be Toyota's partner in crime? Autocar spoke with Karl Schlicht, the boss of Toyota European division. Schlicht hasn't confirmed if Subaru will continue to co-develop the second-generation GT86, but is highly likely the partnership is still on the card to take advantage of the low-mounted boxer engine.

"I don't know. But for the concept to carry on, with the low engine, we'd have to do that. There are a lot of reasons to continue with Subaru." said Schlicht.

If you recall, the GT86 was given a mid-life makeover early this year, with revised suspension and for manual model, a slightly higher power (from 200 to 205) and torque (from 205 to 214) plus shorter gear ratio. 

To me personally, there's more to be desired. Though I've never driven the GT86, 200 hp is just too low personally. Toyota, we want more powahhh! Ferrari 458 engine swap anyone?

Audi Q2 deep learning - a step towards autonomous parking

Source: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/photos/album/audi-q2-deep-learning-concept-728

Parking can be such as a frustrating chore and make you pull your hair out. Automakers have addressed it with a suite of automatic parking technology. But, what if the car can learn the art of parking overtime that it becomes so smart you can leave the parking chore wholly to the car? Enter Audi's Q2 deep learning concept.  

How does the concept work? In a nutshell, a pair of mono cameras are fitted front and rear. 10 ultrasonic sensors are placed at points all around the concept. An on-board computer will receive the information and converts the information into signals to control the steering and electric motor.

Source: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/photos/album/audi-q2-deep-learning-concept-728

The concept will then scan for an available parking space by itself. For the purpose of this demo, the parking space is represented by a metal frame as shown in the image above.

After identifying where it is relative to the parking space, it will determine how it's going to navigate itself into the parking space and steer, drive forward and drive backward until it's perfectly parked inside the space. All this is done without human input.

How does deep learning algorithm enables full autonomous parking ability? Through good ol' trial and error. The algorithm will experiment with different number of manoeuvre until it identifies which manoeuvre will increase chances of success. Once it does, you may enjoy a hassle-free parking. The car will do it for you while you delightfully continue sipping your latte.

With the future seemingly heading towards an era of automation, this deep learning concept will, in my opinion, become a viable technological solution to create a more pleasant commuting experience.   

Ferrari 488 Challenge replaces Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO

Source: https://twitter.com/FerrariRaces/status/804846713454415872

Old cars will eventually be replaced by new cars. The same rule applies to race car. Meet the new Ferrari 488 Challenge, the successor to the outgoing 458 Challenge EVO in conjunction with the 25th anniversary since the inception of Ferrari's Challenge series in 1992. The new race car was presented during the Finali Mondiali which took place in Daytona, USA.

Unlike the 458 Challenge EVO, the 488 Challenge will introduce turbocharging for the first time in the brand's one-make race series. The engine is directly derived from the production car's 661 hp 3.9 litre twin turbo V8, which won the 2016 International Engine of the Year Award. Ferrari further enhanced the 488 Challenge's aero and chassis which, together with the engine's unique race-optimised engine mapping, smashed the 458 Challenge EVO's Fiorano lap record by a second, now standing at 1:15.5.

The gear ratio for the proprietary F1 dual clutch transmission has been shortened, which will see improvement in acceleration. Shorter gearing aside, the transmission also employs "racing shift strategy" which (whatever it means) enables a blistering 6 seconds acceleration from dead stop all the way to maximum rpm in 4th gear.  

The marque's Side Slip Angle Control system is making its debut in the Challenge series. The system works in conjunction with the traction control, electronic differential and adaptive damper to improve lateral acceleration. This should theoretically endow the 488 Challenge with competitive edge around bends.

Aerodynamic has also been given a good tweak. To improve air flow over the radiators and reduce drag during racing conditions, Ferrari revised the front radiator layout, inverting the rake so it's inclined towards the rear. The front bumper features more aggressive splitter and flicks for more downforce and equalise load between the front and rear. Hot air flow from the radiator is directed rearwards thanks to the triple vents and integrated flaps on the front bonnet. A large rear wing has been added to double the downforce generated.

Out goes the old car, in goes the new car with new goodies. Hope this will spice up the next season of the Ferrari's Challenge Series!

Information Source: http://races.ferrari.com/en/finalimondiali2016/news/ferrari-unveils-488-challenge-world-finals-daytona/

NextEV Nio EP9 smashed Nurburgring lap record; 1341 hp, 0-100 kph 2.7 seconds, 313 kph top speed, 24019 N downforce

Source: http://www.nio.io/ep9

The wave of electrification is stepping up a gear, and now looks like it's ready to zap the Nurburgring. Meet the NextEV Nio EP9. 

The Chinese electric car start-up,who currently competes in Formula E, revealed their new electric supercar a fortnight ago, but already proven to be a capable performer, as evidenced from its Nurburgring lap time. 

How fast is the Nio's lap time? Hold your breath: It's 7:05.12! That's faster than the Nissan GT-R Nismo (7:08.68) and Ferrari 488 GTB (7:21.63).

How does it achieve this feat? For starter, there are 4 inboard electric motors with a transmission for each individual motors, feeding a monstrous 1341 hp and 1480 Nm of torque to each 4 wheels. This remarkable output allows it to sprint from 0-100 kph in just 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 313 kph.

Another possible reason behind its impressive lap time: downforce. NextEV claims the Nio generates a whooping 24,019 N (2449 kg) downforce at 238 kph (149 mph).  That's twice the downforce generated by the stonking Dodge Viper ACR at its top speed of 283 kph (177 mph), where Dodge claimed close to a tonne (1000 kg) of downforce was produced.

Are we heading towards the day where supercars are all powered by electric motors? Sound off in the comment section below.

    

Artistic-looking Mercedes A200 AMG Line

Saw this baby at last month My Auto Fest car show which ran from 10-13 November 2016 at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC). This very artistic-looking Mercedes A200 AMG Line seems to have the element of an eye-catcher.

Is this car for sale? Nope, it's not I am afraid, though I kinda wish it was. The paintwork is just nothing short of bizarre.