AutoSpeed - Performance News - 12 September 2000

MX5 Power!

Australia's AVO TurboWorld has come to the rescue of the many Mazda owners searching for more performance from their MX5 (Miata). The turbo packages are available in three performance stages and are designed to fit all 1999-2000 model MX5's. They are priced from A$5115 for the Stage One (an 80% power increase) up to $7170 for Stage Three (a 140% increase over standard). The Mazda MX5 kits come complete with AVO's own design bar and plate intercooler and specially designed cast alloy intercooler tubing, ball bearing water-cooled turbocharger, stainless steel heat shielding, auxiliary fuel and ignition retard computer with plug-in loom, 92 site computer controlled extra injector, K&N air cleaner system, 2.5-inch stainless steel dump pipe, all fittings and hoses. Upgrades (stages) can include a full Link engine management system, larger turbocharger, high capacity injectors, high volume fuel pump, adjustable fuel regulator, water spray kit and other manifolding.

Phone: (03) 9584 4499
Fax: (03) 9584 4008

www.avoturbo.com

avo@bigpond.com

More Magna Performance

This issue's very fast Magna VR-X prompts the question - what else is happening performance-wise for the Magna? Our information tells us that the Ralliart Magna is a definite, with a unique body kit, bigger front and rear brakes and an engine whose initial dyno runs have yielded close to 200kW at 6000 rpm! An LSD will be an obligatory fitment - 4WD you ask? Despite rumours to the contrary, the likelihood of a 4WD Magna is small. Mitsubishi has a Japanese 4WD Diamante currently in Australia on test, but its suspension and floorpan are majorly different to the Aussie FWD version. An early proposal to cut and shut the Japanese floorpan with the local body (the marriage occurring on the production line) was axed for cost reasons. However, the recent loosening-up of management means that at least now the engineers can develop good versions of the Magna without having to hide absolutely everything from those upstairs..... Oh, yes, and AutoSpeed has driven a suspension mule version of the (next model) Magna Sports wagon, and can confirm that the handling is more biased to throttle-off oversteer than the current car... a welcome move.

Mazda Digital Innovation

Mazda Motor Corporation has begun Phase 3 of Mazda Digital Innovation (MDI), a revolutionary information technology system that will apparently dramatically improve the quality and efficiency of vehicle development and manufacturing. By introducing a wide range of virtual testing and upgrading Phase 1 and 2, Mazda aims to reduce vehicle development time after styling freeze from 18 months to 14 months for brand-new models. MDI also will help the company reduce development costs through increased efficiency. Mazda launched MDI in 1996. Phase 1 and Phase 2 initiatives included the installation of an integrated CAD/CAM system and the use of cutting-edge 3D information systems in the overall development process.

MDI Phase 3 has two major objectives:

To reduce vehicle development time and improve the quality of vehicle performance and durability by using 20 additional road simulators and advanced virtual testing simulation.

To improve the availability and sharing of information for joint vehicle development programmes.

With MDI Phase 3, Mazda plans to conduct virtual tests at the planning and designing stages of vehicle development before building prototype cars. Mazda will use virtual testing to cover all major areas, including durability, crashworthiness, handling stability, and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness).

In addition, Mazda will use virtual testing to prove quality of major components such as engines, transmissions and suspensions. Mazda expects to reduce the number of prototype cars by 30% and testing time by 50%. "Mazda considers MDI a core competency for our product development," said Phil Martens, managing director in charge of Product Planning, Design and Programs. "We will continue to strengthen MDI to increase our competitive strength." Mazda plans to invest an additional ¥17.5 billion in the MDI Phase 3, bringing total spending to ¥41.0 billion

Visteon Premieres Multimedia System

Ford-affiliated automotive electronics company Visteon, has released an innovative MultiMedia System. The system provides entertainment for back seat passengers and is available in three variations for installment as an upgrade unit. A high-resolution monitor is mounted either on the middle console, the back of the front seat headrests, or on the roof lining, upon which videos or computer games can be viewed. The MultiMedia System features a liquid crystal display screen, which even under the most difficult lighting circumstances is said to offer superior picture quality. The system also features a VHS video player, two earphones, and a remote control. Game consoles, such as the Nintendo 64 game system, and external DVD players can be connected to the Visteon unit through its auxiliary receptacle.

Another media system that has been released is Visteon's new MP3 player, which also is intended for installation as upgrade equipment. The system provides the driver and passengers with premium sound quality and long-lasting entertainment. The MP3 system enables passengers to listen to up to 70 hours of individually compiled, non-stop music. A distinguishing feature of the system is the fact that audio files saved in MP3 format take up considerably less memory capacity than conventional CD recordings, while delivering the same exceptional sound quality. Up to 600 music files, downloaded from a personal CD collection, can be stored in the system. The compact player is equipped with an anti-skip buffer feature, as well as the necessary software for downloading music files. While in play mode, the system allows the selection of individual titles, as well as fast forward and shuffle modes. The MP3 player has a total memory capacity of 4.3 gigabytes and is compatible with Visteon radio models 5000, 6000 and 7000.

The MultiMedia System can be ordered at www.eVisteon.com

Better Fuel Quality Needed?

The quality of today's petrol and diesel fuels is hampering the production start-up of new catalytic converters which are necessary to meet the future exhaust emission limits, say DaimlerChryser engineers. They are therefore arguing for the soonest possible introduction of better fuels with a sulphur content of less than ten ppm (parts per million), which are classed as "sulphur-free" for technical purposes. At present, petrol contains a maximum of 150 ppm and diesel fuel a maximum of 350 ppm of sulphur. The harmful emissions of all vehicles (petrol and diesel powered) can be reduced by up to 35 percent merely by dispensing with sulphur in fuels. In the case of diesels, the particulate emissions are reduced too, by approx 20 percent. In addition, sulphur-free fuel is a precondition for the so-called storage-type catalytic converter which Mercedes-Benz is currently testing. A catalytic converter of this kind is necessary not just for diesels, but also for direct-injection petrol engines. Sulphur is a natural constituent of crude oil; however, modern car engines do not need it and in the opinion of engineers it should be filtered out during the refining process. This is technically feasible, as examples from Sweden, Finland, Japan and California have shown, where fuels with a sulphur content of just 6 to 30 ppm have been available for years.

Quickies

Honda recently celebrated its 200th Formula One Grand Prix when the BAR Honda raced at Monza.

A self-confessed off-road petrol head, popular Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi stepped forward to follow up her long-held desire to get her motorcycle licence. She recently visited the Honda Australia Roadcraft Training (HART) centre in the Melbourne suburb of Tullamarine, completing and passing a 2-day course for learners.

While most students can only dream about getting their hands on the latest model from Holden Special Vehicles, TAFE automotive students now have the chance to do just that. Holden is donating a total of five HSV test cars worth a combined $300,000 to TAFE training programs in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South and Western Australia. Among the first to benefit were students from Melbourne's Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE, who were presented with a V8 Holden Special Vehicles GTS. The model now occupies pride of place in the Kangan Batman TAFE workshops, where it will be taken apart and put together again by students undertaking apprenticeship, post trade and Certificate modules in electronic fuel injection, advanced electronics, onboard computer technology and safety restraint systems.

German company Siemens is number one in worldwide research and development investment for electrical/electronic engineering. "Worldwide, we are number four in terms of total R&D spending. But in the electronics field, we are number one," said Siemens Automotive Vice President, John Sanderson. "And at Siemens, those investments add up to approximately $4.7 billion per year." As recent evidence of the company's R&D leadership, Siemens Automotive was presented with Automotive Industries Quest for Excellence Awards in five supplier categories. Bosch, look out!

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