2009 Mitsubishi Lancer tests for Dakar Rally
Dune Rallying looks fun, doesn’t it? Especially in this monster of a 4×4 from Mitsubishi. This 2009 Lancer is pictured here in testing with Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart.
Skoda has Superb Insurance Rating
The New Škoda Superb not only has a excellent reputation for built quality in the premium sector, it also is reasonable to purchase and fits in to group 6E when it comes to buying insurance.
Californians Take delivery of Honda FCX Clarity
The keys of Honda’s zero emissions hydrogen fuel cell have been handed over to their celebrity owners in California.
200mph Trident Iceni can achieve over 100mpg
A new Biodiesel Sports car is nearing production, it will target drivers who spend a lot of time on the motorway or who live in rural areas and want all the benefits of a high performance two-seater as well as great economy.
Nissan Qashqai Polish Team Stunt!
Here is another spectacular Nissan Qashqai viral featuring a Polish stuntman Joe Zakopane [macho-man in pajamas] performing a peculiar “mouth-driving” stunt! Don’t be surprised when you find the poor macho’s teeth resting on the steering wheel! More related Qashqai stunt videos can be found on http://blog.spannerleague.com/. Keep an eye out for further updates.
covercars.com competes in Mazda Triathlon
After the weekend it’s deep heat all round and an extensive training programme promised for next year! It was great to be part of the buzz though and we were pretty pleased to be ranked somewhere in the middle for our Sprint Relay which we swam and cycled. Read more »
2008 Audi RS6 Avant
If you’re jaw has not hit the deck yet then check your pulse as this has to be one of the most desirable saloons on the road today. Read more »
Schumacher and Loeb go head to head
The Race of Champions is back again this December and the line-up looks set to put more than a few bums on seats!
2009 Porsche Cayman S
Drug Money
Over at Stuttgart we suspect they can cure all the afflictions of our modern world…stress, greed, loneliness…even ‘not another special edition syndrome…’ but releasing one soul plugging Porsche-shaped Super pill all at once would never have made them the most profitable manufacturer in the galaxy.
Best at Both Promises New Jeep Cherokee
Despite being politically incorrect, it seems 4×4s are escaping the credit crunch – or at least the Jeep Cherokee is according to its recent sales figures. Read more »
New Ford Ka Launched
It’s been 12 years since the spirited little City Ka popped up; the styling was always going to cause a real divide of opinion, some loved it, some thought it ugly but the point was it got tongues wagging.
2008 Liberty Electric Range Rover
Liberty Electric Cars and ecuri25 Super car club has secured a partnership to offer members of the car share club the zero emissions Range Rover on loan.
2009 Bentley Flying Spur
2009 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR AND CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED TO MAKE DEBUTS AT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW
ANTONOV 2-SPEED SUPERCHARGER TECHNOLOGY
TORQUE TO ME
Research and Development specialists, Antonov has invested £28m since 1995 on engines and gearboxes – we now can prove testimony to their breakthrough products since driving one of their Ford Mustang demo cars equipped with a 2-Speed Supercharger.
The Antonov AR500 Mustang was unequivocally superior to its standard stablemate. Tireless, consistent, smooth in its delivery and agile to maneuver. Ford’s Racing Suspension and Baer brakes helped to endorse the whole experience and incase onlookers needed some further proof that this was a Muscle car with plenty to torque about the exterior gave them a bit of an appetizer. From the spoilers to the louvered C-pillars and crushed glass paintwork, it all has a unique input. However what we we’re dying to get to the bottom of is how this new supercharger works and why would we want one?
The big selling point of having a 2-speed charger as opposed to one speed is that you get savings in fuel. This is possible because the alternator, water and air-conditioning pumps don’t have to run faster than necessary. When required to work harder they are operated by a pulley system and driven twice as fast but once the engine has sped up enough the dual drive unit is closed off and the engine reverts to direct drive. Exactly how much fuel you save depends on the engine size of the car you are fitting it to but as an estimate it’s about 4-5%.
Up until recently the two main choices you had to maximize the potential of a more modest engine were a turbo or a Supercharger but you either had to grin and bare the lag or if you went down the charger route, the instant tug you got was good but there were issues with friction at high speeds which meant the results weren’t as good as they could have been. The solution then was to develop a device which could be equally efficient at low or high revs and one that would produce the least amount of wear and tear.
The Antonov unit therefore use two types of Rotrex superchargers which have been individually tuned, one to improve low-end torque and the other to allow the engine to keep pulling hard at the top end of its range. It can automatically switch between the two systems according to how fast the fly wheel is revolving. To avoid high costs and to allow outsiders to be able to work on it, Antonov has simplified the system as much as possible and kept most of the components contained in this single unit.
Initially Antonov hope to sell this performance accessory to Aftermarket stockists but we expect that certain manufacturers will be keen to use this technology as a standard feature on their flagship cars in the not too distant future. This comes at a crucial turning point in the Automotive world and whereas there is pressure to keep the displacement of engines small, everybody wants to see them used more efficiently.
Audi A5 2.0-litre TFSI 180PS
EXHAUSTIVE REVISION FOR ENTRY LEVEL AUDI A5
180PS version of all-new 2.0 TFSI engine brings improved performance and reduced emissions to lead-in Audi coupé
2008 Peugeot 4007 Sport Upgrade
PEUGEOT INTRODUCE SPORT PACK UPGRADE FOR 4007
- Sport Pack enhances distinctive 4007 SE
- Partnership with engineering and styling experts Irmscher
- Valuable items would save customers £2,350, if bought individually
2009 Honda Jazz
MORE SPACE, BETTER VERSATILITY, SMARTER LOOKS
Honda takes the all-new Jazz to the next level