Recent Comments:
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 12:16PM 5w-50 oil, that is a manly oil.
Nissan/Infiniti releases new business plan, confirms G37 convertible {Autoblog}
May 13th 2008 2:35PM http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2007/_STORY/070323-01-e.html
Over 38mpg & over 36mph overall average.
(they don't say how high the tire pressure was, or what the moving average was)
The 7 speed automatic should help for mileage/performance.
Audi and BMW to utilize 8-speed gearboxes to take on Lexus {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 10:03PM http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/autoshows/08naias/brands/saturn/vue2modefor080114/08_NAIAS_Saturn_Vue%202%20Mode%20Green%20Line.htm
In a 300hp direct injection Malibu 3.6 V6 dual mode hybrid, that 0.4 overdrive ratio would allow a top gear of over 60mph/1K.
Perfect.
Audi and BMW to utilize 8-speed gearboxes to take on Lexus {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 9:30PM HHR does not have such tall gearing-top gear 40mph / 1K revs
The HHR stick does about 80 KPH @ 2000.
(metric/english conversion problem)
The automatic (4 speed) is about 2900rpm@80mph.
The 5 speed stick is about 3150rpm
The LS460 is just a smidge shorter than 40mph / 1K revs, depending on tire size (235/50 18 or 245/45 19)
(the gearing is not 57mph/1K)
The gearing of the LS460 is actually slightly shorter than the 6 speed auto LS430.
Thank the direct injection for your superb mileage.
Audi and BMW to utilize 8-speed gearboxes to take on Lexus {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 8:44PM 'there is a LIMIT to how low an engine can spin and keep a vehicle moving at highway speed.'
Yes, but we are NO where near that limit
http://www.torotrak.com/automotive/cars/
You can actually have it so tall that you are cruising at 90mph @1500 rpm in something like the Malibu 3.6 V6 (with direct injection) 30mpg@90mph anyone?
Audi and BMW to utilize 8-speed gearboxes to take on Lexus {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 6:47PM Out and about.
Toyota launched their 8 speed auto in the '07 LS460. [it wasn't four years ago]
I want a FAST car (hell yeah!)
I need a car that gets GOOD mileage.(damn straight)
So how do I resolve this dichotomy? (have my cake and eat it too)-TRANSMISSION.
The Ford Model T had a planetary transmission. Two gear ratios; Reduction & Direct drive. 2.74 & 1
That is a huge jump from low to high range (36.5%)
3 speed automatics filled in that hole. Dodge Neon 3 speed auto. 2.69, 1.55, 1 [less ratio spread than the Model T] 57.6%, 64.5%
Chrysler was late adding a 4 speed automatic to the Neon (like 10 years) 2.842, 1.573, 1, 0.689
55.3%, 63.5%, 68.9%
Nissan please bring over the VQ25hr, and install that baby under the hood of the G-sedan (they don't even need to change the axle ratio)
Use the transmission from the new Infiniti FX35 (6.38:1 ratio spread)
4.9238, 3.1938, 2.0426, 1.4118, 1, 0.8622, 0.7715 R 3.972
It would be nice to have a 150mph car that can get 20 city/30 highway.
Details: Audi's new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 10:09AM Where is the Tri-Charger (Eaton TVS into twin turbos, with 350hp, 350ft-lbs) ?
282hp@4800 is 309ft-bs, so dead flat torque from 2500-4800?
Someone is holding out on AutoCar, because no one speculated that the 3.1 was getting twin turbos.
VW Rabbit gets a carrot from Consumer Reports {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 9:33AM Huzzah for the twincharger!
The 2.5 I5 sucks, no variable valve timing, no variable intake, nada. [big POS]
http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/100679/1306099/version/1/file/Little+Feet+-+Powertrain.pdf
If VW won't bring over a good engine, at least offer the DSG in the Rabbit. (make the best of a bad situation)
Offer two gear ratio sets:
1-Sporty 5,9,13,17,21,25 mph per 1K (and drop the 5 speed manual)
2-Economy 5,10,15,20,25,30 mph (and drop the 6 speed torque converter automatic)
VW Rabbit gets a carrot from Consumer Reports {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 9:17AM What is the deal? a VR5 is an approximation of an Inline5.
The 2.3 liter VR5 was better than this engine. With only 2 valves per cylinder (over ten years ago) it made the same 150ps, 151ft-lbs that this engine used to make.
When the VR5 got 4 valve heads/variable intake valve timing, it made 170ps & 166ft-lbs (over five years ago)
http://www.vw-club.ru/vw/gallery/engines/img/vr5.jpg
The last generation Golf / GTi would have been so much better with a VR5 for the Golf & VR6 for the GTi.
http://www.forum-auto.com/uploads/200403/pewillette_1080580565_vwp3.jpg
http://golfv5.co.uk/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=12&sid=1a8385c5019b1a4df31bcb74541ceab5
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans {Autoblog}
May 9th 2008 10:59PM Vans used to be WAY more aerodynamic, years ago. It is just that Chrysler gave up sleek aerodynamic styling, and SUVs have hit the wind tunnel (and improved)
and there is a gearing thing at work.
The Chrysler minivan is heavier than the Jeep so it can't maintain the speed/time trace for the fuel economy test in top gear (6th about 35 mph / 1K revs) and the '6 speed automatic' is still the 4 speed automatic compounded with an underdrive gearset.
So the jump from 6th to 5th in the Caravan is the same as the jump from 4th to 3rd (in the Jeep)
The Jeep, while being more of a brick [Cd X A], is lighter (the Grand Caravan is 10% heavier 4483lbs vs 4058lbs) and has shorter gearing in top gear (4th gear about 2K 65mph) and can maintain top gear for the fuel economy test.
So in the real world at a steadystate 70mph, the Grand Caravan should return better mileage than the Jeep Liberty 4x2.
