By: Anthony Fontanelle
The Toyota Motor Corp. is intensifying its commitment in the
production of hybrids and environment-friendly auto technology.
The Japanese automaker's latest venture is the plug-in version
of its iconic Prius.
Under high-load situations such as high-speed roads, Prius PHEV,
the petrol engine will operate alike, leaving the car with the
same aptitude to go faster and use freeways. Current converted
Prius also operate in a high speed blended mode which can reduce
but not eliminate petrol consumption on the freeway.
When driving in slower conditions or other light loads, the
batteries will be used first in a charge-depleting mode,
allowing moderate commutes at low speeds to be driven entirely
on electricity. Once the batteries have been sufficiently
discharged the car will automatically revert back to the
charge-sustaining mode of the present Prius. Safe lithium-based
batteries will be available, slashing all risk of run-away
thermal conditions as seen in some laptop computer batteries.
Hybrids such as the present Prius use a conventional gasoline
engine as their primary source of power. A tiny, battery-powered
electric motor powers the car for very short distances at low
speeds and offers extra power at higher speeds. Toyota Prius is
the highest miles-per-gallon rating of any mass-produced car in
the United States.
One of the lucky auto journalists invited by the manufacturer of
Toyota 4x4 parts to test drive the
plug-in Prius is Martin Zimmerman of the Los Angeles Times.
Zimmerman writes: I had to go to Japan to do it, but I finally
got my hands on a plug-in hybrid. So with the automotive media
in town this week for the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota perhaps
decided it was opportune to demonstrate it has been spending
time and money finding ways to replace the environmental
disaster that is the internal combustion engine - and has the
sheet metal to prove it. Which is how I came to be at a Toyota
test track near the foot of Mt. Fuji, surrounded by engineers,
interpreters, PR types and about half a dozen plug-in Priuses -
cars that may have a lot to say about how we get around in the
future.
According to Zimmerman, the plug-in hybrids were equipped with
nickel-metal hydride battery packs about twice the size of the
ones in the current-generation Prius. The reason is to simulate
the extra power the automaker intends to get from lithium ion
batteries. At present, the latter are the leading choice among
automakers for providing the power needed to move plug-in
hybrids appreciable distances on electricity alone.
"A second test drive in a different test car resulted in the
kind of torque-y acceleration electric motors are known for,
speeding smoothly and quickly up to 50 mph or so, at which point
an extra dose of throttle caused the gas engine to kick in -- as
expected. And this time, almost as soon as the pressure was
eased on the gas pedal, the car went back into electric-only
operation as it was supposed to," Zimmerman narrated.
"Truth be told, I think I was a bit spoiled by the hydrogen
fuel-cell Toyota Highlander I tried out just before the Prius
test runs. The mid-size sport utility vehicle, powered solely by
an electric motor, displayed very un-SUV-like oomph as I pushed
it past 50 mph. It was smooth as silk and brimming with torque,"
he concluded.
About the author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up
in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive
magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Chrysler Introduces 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4
Street and Racing Technology (SRT), Chrysler's high performance
tuning division is adding up a new item on their product lineup
with the release of the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 equipped
with a powertrain unit that is capable of pumping out 285
horsepower. This model will be the most powerful entry in the
segment, according to Chrysler LLC.
Kipp Owen, Director of SRT Engineering for Chrysler commented:
"The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 achieves the SRT mission of
offering benchmark performance for the best price. With 285
horsepower under the hood, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 is a
world-class entry in the sport-compact market."
Under the hood of the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 comes a
2.4-liter DOHC I-4 Turbo World Engine that pumps out 285
horsepower and 265 lb. ft. of peak torque. This engine comes
with high-temperature Inconel exhaust valves, Dual VVT, and
high-flow pump feeding injectors. In addition, the engine is
mated with an electronically tuned Brake Lock Differential and
Getrag DMT-6 six-speed transmission to complete the powertrain
components.
"The all-new 2.4-liter turbocharged World Engine delivers a
level of power you'd expect from a V-8. With the engine in the
all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, we were able to take advantage
of tried-and-true performance improvements, such as increased
cylinder-head flow and higher compression ratio, as well as
newer technologies such as Variable Valve Timing (VVT)." said
Pete Gladysz, Senior Manager - SRT Powertrain.
The all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 also features a front
suspension lowered by 28 mm and independent MacPherson strut
setup with ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers tuned, along with 210
lbs./inch springs. Other technical features found on the 2008
Dodge Caliber SRT4 include unique rear 18 mm sway bar to reduces
understeer, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dodge spark plug wire,
rack-and-pinion power steering tuned by SRT, 340 x 28mm vented
front rotors with 57mm twin-piston aluminum front calipers, 302
x 10mm rear rotors with 35mm piston calipers, and Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS).
Like all other tuned up models from SRT, the 2008 Dodge Caliber
SRT4 also embodies aggressive and sporty characteristics. Some
exterior design cues include functional brake cooling ducts,
larger grille opening, unique hood with functional air scoop,
large integrated spoiler above the rear glass, Dodge crosshair
grille, fog lamps set into the fascia, lower side-sill moldings,
single 4-inch exhaust tip, Center High-mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL), and SRT-unique 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels that
wrapped with 225/45 R 19 W-rated Goodyear four-season tires.
Customers can also choose the optional 19-inch polished
cast-aluminum wheels covered with 225/45 R 19 W-rated Goodyear
F1 Supercar three-season tires.
Moreover, Chrysler offers four exterior colors for the all new
2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 including Brilliant Black, Sunburst
Orange, Bright Silver and Inferno Red.
Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President for Design commented: "From
the very first sketches of the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4,
we wanted an aggressive, SRT-signature look. For example,
because the intercooler is positioned so high behind the front
grille, we moved the fascia slightly forward and extended the
walls of the grille. The result is a much more aggressive look
than the standard Dodge Caliber. Exterior design that works as
well as it looks is a requirement for all SRT vehicles. The hood
design includes the functionality of bringing cool air in and
getting hot air out."
Inside, the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is equipped with a
wide range of interior features inspired by Dodge's motor sports
division. These including unique SRT touches like sport seating
with aggressive bolstering and performance fabric inserts,
leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique "alloy silver" finish on
the instrument panel and shift bezel, bright aluminum pedal
pads, leather boot with a carbon-fiber pattern, leather-finished
shifter knob and cap with a bright chrome finish, standard AM-FM
radio with a multi-disc CD changer control, and an available
SRT-engineered Kicker high-performance audio system with 13
speakers and 322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer. Only
Dark Slate Gray interior color is available for the all-new 2008
Dodge Caliber SRT4.
Creed added: "The Dodge Caliber interior is unique with
sophisticated and contemporary appointments. When we enhanced it
with SRT cues, we followed design themes that had been
successful with the previous Dodge SRT4, including the graphic
design of the instruments, separate boost gauge, and silver
finish on the center stack and interior trim. Overall, our
strategy was to infuse the interior with performance-oriented
enhancements to complement the Dodge Caliber SRT4's aggressive
exterior."
And finally, the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 offers a bunch
of active and passive safety systems to give its occupants the
best protection during car troubles. Safety and security
features include advanced, all-speed traction control,
auto-reverse sun roof, BeltAlert, Crumple Zones,
energy-absorbing steering column, Enhanced Accident Response
System (EARS), height-adjustable seat-belts, HomeLink Universal
Home Security System Transceiver, Inflatable Knee Blocker, Knee
Bolsters, multi-stage air bags, Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren (LATCH), Remote Keyless Entry, seat-belt pretensioners,
sentry key engine immobilizer, supplemental side-curtain air
bags, and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system.
Chrysler LLC did not announce the manufacturer's suggested
retail price (MSRP) in their official press release.
About the author:
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails
from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car
racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at
an advertising agency in Cleveland.
tuning division is adding up a new item on their product lineup
with the release of the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 equipped
with a powertrain unit that is capable of pumping out 285
horsepower. This model will be the most powerful entry in the
segment, according to Chrysler LLC.
Kipp Owen, Director of SRT Engineering for Chrysler commented:
"The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 achieves the SRT mission of
offering benchmark performance for the best price. With 285
horsepower under the hood, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 is a
world-class entry in the sport-compact market."
Under the hood of the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 comes a
2.4-liter DOHC I-4 Turbo World Engine that pumps out 285
horsepower and 265 lb. ft. of peak torque. This engine comes
with high-temperature Inconel exhaust valves, Dual VVT, and
high-flow pump feeding injectors. In addition, the engine is
mated with an electronically tuned Brake Lock Differential and
Getrag DMT-6 six-speed transmission to complete the powertrain
components.
"The all-new 2.4-liter turbocharged World Engine delivers a
level of power you'd expect from a V-8. With the engine in the
all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, we were able to take advantage
of tried-and-true performance improvements, such as increased
cylinder-head flow and higher compression ratio, as well as
newer technologies such as Variable Valve Timing (VVT)." said
Pete Gladysz, Senior Manager - SRT Powertrain.
The all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 also features a front
suspension lowered by 28 mm and independent MacPherson strut
setup with ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers tuned, along with 210
lbs./inch springs. Other technical features found on the 2008
Dodge Caliber SRT4 include unique rear 18 mm sway bar to reduces
understeer, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dodge spark plug wire,
rack-and-pinion power steering tuned by SRT, 340 x 28mm vented
front rotors with 57mm twin-piston aluminum front calipers, 302
x 10mm rear rotors with 35mm piston calipers, and Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS).
Like all other tuned up models from SRT, the 2008 Dodge Caliber
SRT4 also embodies aggressive and sporty characteristics. Some
exterior design cues include functional brake cooling ducts,
larger grille opening, unique hood with functional air scoop,
large integrated spoiler above the rear glass, Dodge crosshair
grille, fog lamps set into the fascia, lower side-sill moldings,
single 4-inch exhaust tip, Center High-mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL), and SRT-unique 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels that
wrapped with 225/45 R 19 W-rated Goodyear four-season tires.
Customers can also choose the optional 19-inch polished
cast-aluminum wheels covered with 225/45 R 19 W-rated Goodyear
F1 Supercar three-season tires.
Moreover, Chrysler offers four exterior colors for the all new
2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 including Brilliant Black, Sunburst
Orange, Bright Silver and Inferno Red.
Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President for Design commented: "From
the very first sketches of the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4,
we wanted an aggressive, SRT-signature look. For example,
because the intercooler is positioned so high behind the front
grille, we moved the fascia slightly forward and extended the
walls of the grille. The result is a much more aggressive look
than the standard Dodge Caliber. Exterior design that works as
well as it looks is a requirement for all SRT vehicles. The hood
design includes the functionality of bringing cool air in and
getting hot air out."
Inside, the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is equipped with a
wide range of interior features inspired by Dodge's motor sports
division. These including unique SRT touches like sport seating
with aggressive bolstering and performance fabric inserts,
leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique "alloy silver" finish on
the instrument panel and shift bezel, bright aluminum pedal
pads, leather boot with a carbon-fiber pattern, leather-finished
shifter knob and cap with a bright chrome finish, standard AM-FM
radio with a multi-disc CD changer control, and an available
SRT-engineered Kicker high-performance audio system with 13
speakers and 322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer. Only
Dark Slate Gray interior color is available for the all-new 2008
Dodge Caliber SRT4.
Creed added: "The Dodge Caliber interior is unique with
sophisticated and contemporary appointments. When we enhanced it
with SRT cues, we followed design themes that had been
successful with the previous Dodge SRT4, including the graphic
design of the instruments, separate boost gauge, and silver
finish on the center stack and interior trim. Overall, our
strategy was to infuse the interior with performance-oriented
enhancements to complement the Dodge Caliber SRT4's aggressive
exterior."
And finally, the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 offers a bunch
of active and passive safety systems to give its occupants the
best protection during car troubles. Safety and security
features include advanced, all-speed traction control,
auto-reverse sun roof, BeltAlert, Crumple Zones,
energy-absorbing steering column, Enhanced Accident Response
System (EARS), height-adjustable seat-belts, HomeLink Universal
Home Security System Transceiver, Inflatable Knee Blocker, Knee
Bolsters, multi-stage air bags, Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren (LATCH), Remote Keyless Entry, seat-belt pretensioners,
sentry key engine immobilizer, supplemental side-curtain air
bags, and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system.
Chrysler LLC did not announce the manufacturer's suggested
retail price (MSRP) in their official press release.
About the author:
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails
from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car
racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at
an advertising agency in Cleveland.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Car Audio
When people are talking about car stereo systems – or any stereo systems for that matter – they tend to miss out on the big picture. People focus on one particular aspect of car audio. Usually, it is the speakers. Most people who are getting expensive car audio systems are young people. They want big, loud, and low. The bigger, the louder, and the lower, the better. Although it is possible to get some really tremendous booming sound with car subwoofer speakers, just having the speakers doesn't give you a good car stereo system. If you want really good sound, you can't neglect any aspect of it. The receiver, the speakers, the wiring, and even the car design play some role in it.
I would say that the audio receiver is at least as important as the car speakers. The receiver, you see, is what feeds the signal to the speakers. A good receiver gets you a good clean signal at the right power, impedance, and dynamic levels. This guarantees the sound that you need. The best way to do it this to pick out a combo system incorporating both the speaker and the receivers that you like. Different speakers and receivers have different impedance levels. If the impedance doesn't match between the receiver and speakers, you won't get as high quality sound.
Of course, where you are getting the sound from matters a great deal. Nowadays, the most high fidelity sound comes from MP3 players, iPods, and other similar digital sources. Be aware, however, that not all digital recordings are of the same quality. If you're playing MP3s that you downloaded online, they may have degraded signal quality. This can make them sound lousy no matter how good the rest of your car audio system is.
Finally, we get to the part you've all been waiting for: the car audio speakers. It is not just a matter of getting the right speakers, but getting the right speakers for your particular car. If they don't fit right, they won't sound right. Getting speakers that are too big for the available space is a great way to guarantee lousy sound. Putting them in an area where they will be muffled by your feet, by luggage, or by the car upholstery is another way. Take into account the car design and get speakers that are suitable for it. After all, the car stereo system should work as a whole. Every aspect of the car design should be in tune.
I would say that the audio receiver is at least as important as the car speakers. The receiver, you see, is what feeds the signal to the speakers. A good receiver gets you a good clean signal at the right power, impedance, and dynamic levels. This guarantees the sound that you need. The best way to do it this to pick out a combo system incorporating both the speaker and the receivers that you like. Different speakers and receivers have different impedance levels. If the impedance doesn't match between the receiver and speakers, you won't get as high quality sound.
Of course, where you are getting the sound from matters a great deal. Nowadays, the most high fidelity sound comes from MP3 players, iPods, and other similar digital sources. Be aware, however, that not all digital recordings are of the same quality. If you're playing MP3s that you downloaded online, they may have degraded signal quality. This can make them sound lousy no matter how good the rest of your car audio system is.
Finally, we get to the part you've all been waiting for: the car audio speakers. It is not just a matter of getting the right speakers, but getting the right speakers for your particular car. If they don't fit right, they won't sound right. Getting speakers that are too big for the available space is a great way to guarantee lousy sound. Putting them in an area where they will be muffled by your feet, by luggage, or by the car upholstery is another way. Take into account the car design and get speakers that are suitable for it. After all, the car stereo system should work as a whole. Every aspect of the car design should be in tune.
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