Posted on 01/09/2008 9:50:29 AM PST by Incorrigible
Mazda uses the system in its Speed6. It gets 270 horsepower, 27 percent more than the V-6 Mazda 6 sedan and it costs nearly $7,000 more.
Very nice car but Mazda is discontinuing for 2008 due to lack of interest.
They did this in 1976; Jimmah Carter era.
I think we had a Chevy Impala with 4 or 6 that produced something like 95hp.
What a P.O.S.
I have a Sky Redline (at least for now).
The engine is amazing. 260HP and about the same torque out of a 2.0 liter four cylinder.
Its scary fast (of course it doesn’t weigh all that much either).
They can have my 400+ HP Z06 Corvette when they pry it from my cold, dead hands!
And the tree you wrap it around. :)
My contention with squeezing lots of HP out of little motors has always been durability. Let’s face it, the more stress you subject machines to, the quicker they wear out. The alternative is to use expensive alloys and polymers to resist the additional wear and tear. So far, to the best of my knowledge, the racing industry and high performance aftermarket autos are the only place these very pricy motors are used.
So, in 2010 when Ford wants me to by a 350 hp, F-150 with a V-6 in it, I will search around for the 300 hp V-8 and have confidence that I will still get 200,000+ miles out of it over 10 to 15 years.
Most “slashing” power is needed only in short bursts. Given the current state of the laws (yuck), the engine coupled with a fast response, “power bursting” technology will go a long way in the market. Currently there are not too many options:
turbo boost - usually a noticeable delay in the boost
battery assist - takes lots of batteries and adds considerable weight
ultra capacitor - new technology and still adds weight but not as much as battery assist
flywheel - old technology that could be improved but it too adds weight and can cause handling problems if not engineered properly.
Alternatively, you can reduce the mass of the vehicle. This will require expensive new materials and new designs that are not yet tested. These new designs may cause an increase in the number of highway deaths.
So, Congress either wants you to have less fun or is willing to sacrifice the lives of it’s citizens.
I have never been impressed with the Ford V8, having driven two vehicles with them. The third Ford I drove was a Mustang with a V6 that had better pick-up and responsiveness than both V8s. That’s more likely a weight issue. But then again, I drove the Lincoln LS with a 6 cylinder, also better than a V8.
Don’t you mean if they can catch you and pry your foot off the gas pedal? ;-)
BTW, I’m invoking the picture rule. Let’s see that bad boy!
Turbo and super-charging are the way to go. They should have been producing them for the last 30 years in all vehicles.
History repeating itself - it’s the 1980’s all over again. How will those things tow a boat through hilly northern Michigan?
(Not that there are too many people left here)
The Vette isn’t likely to face the axe, since it’s more of a halo car, plus it gets decent mpg. Chevy will just wring a couple more mpg out of the Aveo to make up for it.
SOLUTION: PUT DIESELS IN ‘EM!!
More bang per cylinder.
The white C4 is my wifes (by the way, I get over 30 MPH on the highway if I keep my foot out of it!)
http://www.ah6le.net/corvette
Unfortunately, Ford is confusing power with torque, and most V8 buyers buy V8s for the low-end grunt they deliver. It ain’t the same with a V6 or — heaven forbid — a four, even if it does produce 300 hp. Yet another reason not to buy a Ford...
....besides, you ever hear what those overjuiced squeaker motors sound like? Imagine pulling 4,000 lbs for 3 hours with the turbo whining to get every drop out of 3.3 litres of displacement.
A sedate-looking real-wheel-drive monster with a 4.0 liter, 290hp V8. It looks like you're obeying the speed limit when The Law is around, but it'll deliver 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds. And, it's built by Toyota, so it'll run forever.
Come to West Texas and join me in the open-road race we have out here.
They close like 150 miles of highway and let you at it (timed for some seperation, not in a group, so you don’t really have to worry about other drivers).
Only one of the Ferraris in the race ended up being carted away in pieces . . . . Several ZVettes and Porsches didn’t make it . . .
LOL, yeah, well, get ready to see your truck division go bust, pal.
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