Porsche’s 918 Hybrid ready for the road

Bruce Mbingeleli

There are only three words to describe this car, “Oh my word” what have the German’s done this time around? Most people would feel the same way I’m feeling right now; shocked, amazed and having that weird look on your face. This car has a unique appeal.

The Porsche 918 Spyder was unveiled in September 19^th at  its present form; Porsche’s upcoming hybrid supercar looks more like something out of Doctor Brown’s imagination than the flashy concept that stunned the crowds at the 2010 Geneva auto show.

The 918 Spyder is a mid-engined two-seater sports car designed by Micheal Mauer.  According to the brochure, this car is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, which is a development of the engine used in the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype racing car. The engine delivers 430kW and a maximum of 500Nm of torque. This supplemented by two electric motors delivering an additional 180 kW. One 85 kW electric motor drives the rear wheels in parallel with the engine and also serves as the main generator. The spyder’s engine delivers power to the rear axle via a 7-speed gearbox coupled to Porsche’s own PDK double-clutch system.

The front serves a mere 95 kW of electric motor directly drives the front axle; an electric clutch decouples the motor when not in use, the total system delivers 614 kW and 780Nm of torque we talking serious power right here. Its performance figures of 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h, but Minister of Transport Mr Benedict Martins will mind to keep the speed at a governed rate of 250km/h. Its energy storage system is a 6kW/h liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. With an additional to plugging in to recharge, the batteries are also charged by regenerative braking and by excess output from the engine when the car is coasting. CO2 emissions are 70g/km and fuel consumption is 3 L/100km.

The 918 spyder offers four different running models: E-Drive allows the car to run under battery power alone, using the rear electric motor, giving a range of 40 km; the car can reach 160km/h in this mode according to the brochure.  The three hybrid modes (Hybrid, Sport and Race) use both engines and electric motors to provide the desired levels of economy and performance. In Race mode a push-to-pass button is available to deliver additional electric power. The chassis is a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic monocoque. Magnesium and aluminium are extensively used in the construction of the car which helps the 918 Spyder’s weight down to 1,700 kilograms.

The 918 Spyder will be produced in a limited series and it will be developed in Weissach and assembled in Zuffenhausen. Porsche intends to manufacture 918 units as a 2014 model year starting on September 18 2013 and deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2013.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG facelift

Bruce Mbingeleli

The upcoming facelift 2013 E63 AMG is now available as a powerful S-model with serious output of 430kW ad a maximum of 800Nm of torque and featuring for the very first time, a non-SUV vehicle a newly developed performed-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The E-class will have the quickest 0-100km/h cover in the history of AMG I just 3.5 seconds. It will also have new headlights with a single lamp on each side slightly different rear side fenders.

I look forward in seeing this model in South Africa as soon as it makes its debut. 

Memories of 2012, incredible year at SoshSpinPalace

Living life on the road is such a pleasure, when your @ SoshSpinPalace.

This is a preview of all the moments captured @ Soshanguve Block F.

Enjoy #loveofmotoring...

Audi Releases Crosslane Concept Coupe

 The Audi Crosslane Coupe Concept is a coupe, convertible and crossover to the Q2.

Bruce Mbingeleli

The Paris Motor Show has unveiled Audi’s Crosslane Concept Coupe, the Ingolstadt-based luxury carmaker looks set to exploit a new niche in its already vast model line-up with a Q2 crossover that will have its sights set to the next-generation Mini Countryman.

The Crosslane’s styling shows elegance to Audi’s design features as the single-frame grille and tornado line on the flanks meet a more angular and purpose canvas. Three-door concept is smaller than the current Q3, and features a colourful cabin with bright trim inserts as well as removable roof.

Power is provided by a 3-cylinder 1,5-litre TSFI engine augmented by two electric motors which delivers  maximum power output of 130kW, is excellent for a sprint from 0-100km/h time of 8, 6 seconds and a top speed  of 182km/h. According to the brochure, the Crosslane can cover 86km solely on electric power. Fuel consumption is impressive with an average of 1.1l/100km and C02 emissions of just 29 g/km.

The production of the Crosslane is expected to dispense with much of the lightweight componentry, as well the removable roof, and will be underpinned by Volkswagen’s versatile MQB platform. A five-door body shape, petrol and diesel powerplants and a choice of front-and all-wheel drivetrains are expected to find their way onto the production car when it hits the market in 2015.

Range Rover RS300 Cosworth Edition by Kahn Design in Bali Blue

GTspirit

A.Kahn Design’s latest creation, the Range Rover RS300 Cosworth Edition finish in Bali Blue improves upon an already extremely impressive platform and boasts a multitude of upgrades the hood, as well as in the cabin on the exterior of the car.

Starting on the outside, the RS300 Cosworth features a complete ten-piece wide body kit, increasing the already impressive stance of the Range Rover. It also includes an extended front lower lip spoiler, exhaust side vents, RS front grille with 3Dmesh, quad stainless steel exhaust system, custom door handles, LED lights strips on the front wheel arches, tinted glass and a selection of Cosworth logos throughout. On the side, the Cosworth 300 Edition features a selection of bespoke components which can be modified by customers. These include perforated leather décor with silver stitching, a clock bezel with Swartovski diamonds, custom Cosworth instruments cluster, vented aluminium foot pedals and quilted centre glovebox

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Significant upgrades can found in the engine bay, as Cosworth was able to extract an extra 300hp from the Range Rover’sV8, through alterations to the supercharger and ECU programming. The car then sits on Kahn Cosworth RS wheels measuring 9.5x22 on the front and 10x22 at the rear.

Images courtesy of GTspirit site.

Audi RS & S goes for wagon choice

Bruce Mbingeleli

If you’re a family who’s in love with performance cars, that looks fierce and kicks out mighty power and the need to place your pets, groceries and children in the vehicle, then this car will show a sense of relief. Thanks to Audi who have revealed the hot and super hot S4 and RS4 to South African buyers. The RS4 gives your family a dinner outing of 331kW kick while the S4 is much appreciated with 245kW. Both vehicles will be available in local dealerships in February 2013

Images courtesy of Audi site.

M-Performance package adorns BMW M135i

Bruce Mbingeleli

BMW is set to give its second-generation 1- Series a performance-based shot in the engine, albeit in concept form, unveiling its M135i concept ahead of this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

According to BMW M performance figures of this apex 1 series comes with a twin-turbo 3.0 liter inline-six developing in a maximum of 240kW and maximum kick of 440Nm of torque.  The weight is around 1500kg; the M135i could potentially crack the 0-110km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Reports suggested that the M135i will not only be offered in rear-wheel-drive coupe guise, but also a five-door hatchback with all-wheel-drive, now that’s something you don’t see everyday from automotive manufactures.The M135i will roll on a set of lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels framing uprated brakes with discs measuring 360mm up front and 350mm in the rear according to the brochure. An aggressive body kit with a deeper chin spoiler, wider sills and a revised rear valance with twin exhaust pipes will feature on the concept along with LED-supplemented headlamps and body decals finished in traditional M division colours which emphasizes quality, reliability of relevance in the mini-supercar segment of 2013

According to Carmag, a production version is said to be in the wings with a tentative late-2012 release date and will meet the likes of the Audi RS3 head-on as part of BMW’s recently announced M Performance line-up (M550d xDrive saloon and touring X5 M50d and X6 M50d).

Images of courtesy of BMW site.