Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Dodge Viper ACR wing stronger than your average spoiler]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/dodge-viper-acr-wing-stronger-than-your-average-spoiler/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/dodge-viper-acr-wing-stronger-than-your-average-spoiler/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/dodge-viper-acr-wing-stronger-than-your-average-spoiler/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The elephantine rear airfoil bolted to the rear deck of the Dodge Viper ACR is not only highly functional, but it gets credit as being the first mass-produced carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) wing on a production car. Rear wings on high performance vehicles are designed to counter lift. Without aerodynamic aids, most vehicles become less stable and have reduced grip as velocities increase (worst case, the vehicle actually flies as did the Mercedes CLR at Le Mans in 1999).

Chrysler's SRT Performance Group was tasked with building a faster variant of the Dodge Viper with the ACR, yet cutting weight at the same time. The team did extensive studies of wing profiles before settling on a 72-inch wide wing manufactured out of CFRP. While most wings have a structural core or ribbing, the ACR's hollow wing is comprised of just four layers of epoxy/carbon fiber weave with an outer UV-resistant clearcoat.

The wing is amazingly strong (as evidenced by the picture at right), yet it weighs just 7.5 lbs, 50 to 80 percent less than an aluminum or thermoplastic counterpart. Working in conjunction with a variable-geometry front splitter and dive planes, the oversized rear wing helps the Viper ACR achieve its targeted 1,000 lbs of downforce at 150 mph. That's enough to help Dodge's supercar sustain a cornering load of 1.5 Gs at speed - superior to many GT racing cars.

[Source: Composites World]

Dodge Viper ACR wing stronger than your average spoiler originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerodynamic kitAerodynamicKitaerodynamicsCarbonCarbon FiberCarbonFiberCFRPdodgedodge viperDodge Viper ACRDodgeViperDodgeViperAcrDownforceLiftMercedes CLRMercedesClrRear WingRearWingviperviper acrViperAcrThu, 13 Aug 2009 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[How To: Measure your vehicle's Cd without a million-dollar wind tunnel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/how-to-measure-your-vehicles-cd-without-a-million-dollar-wind/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/how-to-measure-your-vehicles-cd-without-a-million-dollar-wind/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/how-to-measure-your-vehicles-cd-without-a-million-dollar-wind/#commentsFiled under: , ,

At highway speeds, your vehicle is fighting an invisible foe trying to hold it back. The nemesis is wind resistance, and it is an automobile's worst enemy. Overcoming the resistance of the air is the key to increasing acceleration, top speed, and improving fuel economy.

Wind resistance is often measured with sophisticated computers in multi-million dollar wind tunnels. The result is usually expressed as a number called the "drag coefficient" (Cd). While having a low drag coefficient is important, the size of the vehicle (expressed as "frontal area") is also important. In general, as drag coefficient and frontal areas decrease, a vehicle becomes easier to push through the wind. Automakers are well aware of this, so they go to great lengths to ensure a low Cd on vehicles designed for high efficiency. Some approximate Cd values for well-known vehicles.

There are a couple of ways to determine the Cd of your vehicle. If your vehicle is stock, simply look it up on the Internet. If you have modified your car with wider tires, spoilers, roof rack, or changed the ride height, then your Cd has changed. To determine whether your mods are hurting or helping you at the pump (or the track), why not calculate it yourself with a few household items and an Excel spreadsheet? Of course, this requires a bit more effort... but, if you have any geek in your bloodstream, this will really get your juices flowing. The process is too long to detail here, but check out the simple instructions, grab your household items, and let us know what your results are. Thanks for the tip, Farris!

[Source: Instructables]

How To: Measure your vehicle's Cd without a million-dollar wind tunnel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cddownforcedragdrag coefficientDragCoefficientfrontal areaFrontalArealiftMeasurespoilerwingTue, 22 Apr 2008 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Maserati Quattroporte facelift]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/spy-shots-maserati-quattroporte-facelift/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/spy-shots-maserati-quattroporte-facelift/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/15/spy-shots-maserati-quattroporte-facelift/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but it'd take something really spectacular to make a car like the Maserati Quattroporte look anything but elegant. The company's new GranTurismo, itself based on the sedan, managed to do a good job of making its four-door stable-mate pale by comparison, so it should come as no big surprise that the Trident marque is preparing a mid-cycle facelift.

According to these spy shots, the bulk of the visual updates will be on the front, where the grille, (all but non-existent) bumper and headlights are tipped to be reshaped. Also expect a few minor changes to the rear bumper, but that should about do it.

Don't mess too much with a beautiful thing, Maser.

[Source: EVO]

Spy Shots: Maserati Quattroporte facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>faceimageliftmaseratiphotoquattroporteshotspyupdateMon, 15 Oct 2007 09:36:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Preview: Nissan to introduce new variable valve timing tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/01/new-york-preview-nissan-to-introduce-new-variable-valve-timing/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/01/new-york-preview-nissan-to-introduce-new-variable-valve-timing/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/01/new-york-preview-nissan-to-introduce-new-variable-valve-timing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ever-tightening emissions requirements, teamed with consumers' lust for today's high horsepower numbers, have led to some creative valve timing and lift schemes. Infiniti's G37 will be pack some interesting tech underhood when it debuts at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. There are actually two new developments working in conjunction to give independent control over valve timing and lift. Nissan has dubbed the control technologies Variable Valve Event and Lift and Continuous Valve Timing control, or VVEL and C-VTC, respectively. VVEL uses a clever arrangement of links to actuate the valves, and moves the fulcrum for the links via a seperate shaft actuated by a DC motor. By moving the fulcrum, the valve lift is varied.

More after the jump, along with press release

[Source: Nissan via Gizmag]

Continue reading New York Preview: Nissan to introduce new variable valve timing tech

New York Preview: Nissan to introduce new variable valve timing tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoAuto ShowAutoShowcontrolemissionsengineengine managementEngineManagementG37greeninfinitiliftmanagementNew YorkNewYorknissanperformanceshowtechnologytimingvalvevalve liftvalve timingValveLiftValveTimingvariablevariable liftvariable valve timingVariableLiftVariableValveTimingSun, 01 Apr 2007 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: slightly used Lotus Elise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/needs-posting-ebay-find-of-the-day-lift-jumping-lotus-elise/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/needs-posting-ebay-find-of-the-day-lift-jumping-lotus-elise/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/needs-posting-ebay-find-of-the-day-lift-jumping-lotus-elise/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You may remember reading our original post on this Lotus Elise and feeling the abject horror that accompanies the site of such a car pointing towards the sky. Well, the owner has decided to salvage what he can from the debacle that saw his beloved Elise tumble from a mechanic's lift by selling it on eBay. Actually, he's really selling it because a bad motorcycle accident left his leg not strong enough to shift the car anymore. He does give pretty good disclosure of the accident on the auction page, saying that his buddy, a body repair man, could fix the damage done by the fall for $2,000. Hmm... no thanks. It sounds like the car is still in driveable condition, however, and at the moment the bidding has reached only $13,601 with a litle over 3.5 days to go. Somebody needs to give this car a good home and nurse it back to health.

Thanks for the tip, Thomas!

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: slightly used Lotus Elise originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentauctionebayeliseliftsellTue, 30 Jan 2007 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Maintenance/Project Garage: 2006 wrap-up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/autoblog-maintenance-project-garage-2006-wrap-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/autoblog-maintenance-project-garage-2006-wrap-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/autoblog-maintenance-project-garage-2006-wrap-up/#commentsFiled under: ,



In 2006, we spent a lot of time spinning wrenches here in the Autoblog Garage in the process of taking on common maintenance tasks and a few performance upgrades. For your convenience, we've compiled links to each of the posts after the jump.

We already have some things in the works for 2007, but we'd also love to get suggestions for additional posts from our readership. Keep in mind that we need projects that have a relatively broad appeal, and we're a bit limited in our selection of "test subjects"; beyond that, we're all ears, so please share your ideas.

Continue reading Autoblog Maintenance/Project Garage: 2006 wrap-up

Autoblog Maintenance/Project Garage: 2006 wrap-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>axlebrakesdifferentialfilterfluidgarageimpalaK2500liftlubemaintenance garageoil changeproject garageProjectGaragerepairroadmastertirestransmissionTue, 02 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[GM tacks on two extra years of OnStar for mobility-adapted vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/gm-tacks-on-two-extra-years-of-onstar-for-mobility-adapted-vehic/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/gm-tacks-on-two-extra-years-of-onstar-for-mobility-adapted-vehic/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/gm-tacks-on-two-extra-years-of-onstar-for-mobility-adapted-vehic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors announced today that in addition to the standard free year of service that comes with every vehicle equipped with OnStar, customers purchasing a GM vehicle with aftermarket equipment for the disabled will receive an extra two years of free OnStar service. The deal works through GM's Mobility Reimbursement Program that since 1991 has been reimbursing disabled customers an extra $1,000 when they buy or lease a GM vehicle and adapt it with one of 35 eligible aftermarket mobility modifications such as scooter hoists, wheelchair lifts and GM's own Sit-N-Lift Power Seat. GM sees OnStar as a service that provides additional benefits to the disabled and seniors with its ability to make hands-free calls, 24-hour emergency assistance and remote door unlocking capabilities, among others. After a person's three years of free service ends, the cost of continuing OnStar would be either $199/year for the Safe & Sound plan or $399/year for the Directions and Connections plan that includes turn-by-turn navigation.

[Source: GM]

GM tacks on two extra years of OnStar for mobility-adapted vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disabledGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsliftmobilityOnStarwheelchairFri, 13 Oct 2006 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Now you see it, Now you don't: The Phantom Park subterranean garage lift]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/now-you-see-it-now-you-dont-the-phantom-park-subterranean-gar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/now-you-see-it-now-you-dont-the-phantom-park-subterranean-gar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/now-you-see-it-now-you-dont-the-phantom-park-subterranean-gar/#commentsFiled under: , ,



David Copperfield ain't got nothing on this device. The Phantom Park lift from American Custom Lifts is a hydraulic scissor lift that when installed in your garage can lower a prized collector's vehicle or billion dollar supercar beneath the floor for safe keeping. The lift can raise and lower a vehicle as fast as 65 seconds and the company offers a catalogue of additional safety equipment and sensors to ensure your investment doesn't get its nose clipped off during the lowering or raising process. This is also a great device for people with garages that have ceilings too low for a traditional hydraulic lift, or for the mega rich that have a below-ground parking structure and need access that's less conspicuous than a ramp.

AC Lifts offers units that can handle the weight and size of anything up to a mid-size SUV, and you can even have the top of the canopy covered in any flooring material you'd like to make the lift completely transparent when it's below ground. You know, Christmas is coming up and we've been good all year long, so hopefully Santa will see fit to have his elves install a Phantom Park in the Autoblog Garage while we're asleep.

[Source: AC Lifts]

Continue reading Now you see it, Now you don't: The Phantom Park subterranean garage lift

Now you see it, Now you don't: The Phantom Park subterranean garage lift originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ac liftsAcLiftshydraulicliftphantom parkPhantomParkMon, 09 Oct 2006 14:02:00 EST