The 202kW 4WD Passat W8!
With the unveiling of the 202kW Passat W8, Volkswagen has launched itself into a new segment: the premium range of the upper-mid-class. The Passat W8 will be available as a saloon or estate from the second half of 2001 and all models will be equipped with 4MOTION four-wheel drive.
Dr Karl-Heinz Neumann, head of engine development at Volkswagen explained the new drive system philosophy behind the "W8":
"Well before development of the Passat W8 models was underway, Volkswagen had made a clear decision that it would not only tackle this segment with exceptionally powerful and comfortable low-emission engines. A further declared aim was to bring out a new class of vehicle with a maximum level of active safety. It was therefore decided that our saloon end estate customers in the W8 power class would all have the benefit of permanent four-wheel drive. This uncompromising decision, with which the Passat W8 marks the start of a high-tech product offensive, will have a lasting impact on technology standards within the luxury class."
The engineering design of the Passat's new eight-cylinder engine is based on the V/W engine series. V stands for a V-shaped cylinder arrangement and W for a twin-V layout. This series includes engines up to a cubic capacity of 8.0 litres. Thanks to their technical layout, they offer excellent power delivery and refinement. In addition, they allow very compact construction. The Passat's 202kW W8 is only 42 centimetres long and its height and width are both roughly 70 centimetres. The cylinder banks of the highly versatile double-V engine have an offset angle of 72 degrees.
In addition to its four-valve layout, major technical features include two balancer shafts for smoother running, the use of roller-rocker fingers in the valvetrain, plus variable intake and exhaust valve timing for a better torque curve. The crankshaft has a high-performance construction with a crank pin offset of 180 degrees.
The drivetrain comprises a six-speed gearbox combined with 4MOTION. The four-wheel drive system features an automatic locking Torsen central differential and no less than four electronic differential locks (EDL) and is combined with the electronic stability programme (ESP) and traction control (TCS). It also comes with the option of a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox with manual shift mode.
The new top-of-the-line model can be recognised from the outside by two sets of twin chromed tailpipes, bi-xenon headlights as standard, additional chrome exterior trim, 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R 17 tyres and an extended programme of paint finishes.
The standard interior of the Passat W8 also differs from the configuration of the four, five and six-cylinder models by additional features such as front and rear curtain airbags, special luxurious trim on the roof pillars and headliner, chrome trim and wood panelling, its own very exclusive leather-material seat upholstery, an on-board computer and electronic climate control (Climatronic).
SPAX Fully Adjustable Competition Dampers and Race Springs
SPAX Performance Ltd are well known for their road use suspension components but they also now have a range of lightweight re-buildable racing dampers which they will custom build to suit individual requirements.
The dampers feature:
- 12 point adjustment settings with bump to rebound rates from 1:1 to 1:6.
- Triple valving ranges for spring rates of up to 500 lb/in
- Low viscosity damping fluid to minimise heat fade.
- Internal hygroscopic gas cell to permit inverted fitment
- Removable eye with bumpstop
- Hardened 0.5-inch spherical bearings with twin seals
- Electro plated body with anodised spring seat and top cone
Various sizes of Trakspax are available from a 7.5-inch closed length unit up to a 10.5-inch unit, making Trakspax suitable for all types, sizes and weights of race car.
Each and every unit is rig tested and calibrated before sale and a full re-building service (including re-valve) is available at the Spax Performance works situated in Oxfordshire, England.
SPAX also have new competition springs, cold wound from chrome silicon with precision ground ends. They are shot peened (stress relieved) and epoxy powder coated. They are available with 1.9-inch or 2.25-inch internal diameter and from 3 to 17 inches in length with rates from 50 lb per inch to 2,600 lb per inch.
www.spaxperformance.com
Honda Opens Hydrogen Fuel Station in Los Angeles
Honda has opened the first hydrogen production and fuelling station in the Los Angeles area at Honda's research and development centre in Torrance. The state-of-the-art station is part of Honda's ongoing research into renewable energy. It will support the company's fuel cell vehicle development program and will be used for hydrogen production, storage and fuelling.
The station uses solar power to extract hydrogen from water and also has back-up electrical power to increase the hydrogen production capacity. The available solar power can produce enough hydrogen to drive a single fuel cell vehicle for a year. Honda R&D Americas Vice President Ben Knight believes fuel cell vehicles and
hydrogen fuel have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable transportation systems and the use of renewable energy.
"The development of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure is as important as the development of the vehicles themselves," he said. "This is the first hydrogen station established by an automotive manufacturer to use solar energy to extract hydrogen from water and it will help verify more efficient hydrogen production methods as well as help us solve the challenges involved with hydrogen production and fuelling stations for the future."
Honda's hydrogen station is a unique concept, with features designed to provide safe, efficient, and convenient refuelling for fuel cell vehicles. Safety was a top priority in the development of the station. Honda engineers worked closely with City of Torrance representatives during planning and construction. The station was built to standards for hydrogen systems developed by the National Fire Protection Agency. An infrared camera monitors operations at all times and the system is designed to immediately shut down in the event of an earthquake.
The station's operation starts with the solar cells using the sun's energy to produce electricity. The electricity then is used to extract hydrogen from water. A compressor pressurizes the extracted hydrogen, which is stored in tanks at the station. Honda engineers developed the system that manages the solar-generated electricity using experience gained during the Honda Dream solar car development program.
Hydrogen-powered Honda fuel cell vehicles have been operational since 1999 and have been participating in the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) program near Sacramento since November 2000. Since last month, Honda's fuel cell vehicles have travelled more than 5,600 kilometres. The hydrogen-powered Honda FCX V3 was used as the pace vehicle for the Los Angeles Marathon earlier this year.
Audi Builds More Than 150,000 Aluminium Cars
Audi AG has reached another significant milestone in the company's successful history with lightweight aluminium production - manufacturing over 150,000 aluminium-bodied vehicles. Audi has now built more than 93,000 Audi A8 models and just under 57,000 Audi A2 models.
Audi has conducted intensive research and development work connected to aluminium technologies for more than 16 years and as a consequence, the company has achieved exceptional know-how in this field. This work has produced significant reductions in weight and a revolutionary new approach for vehicle design and production with the Audi Space Frame (ASF).
The Audi Space Frame is a high-strength aluminium frame structure into which the large aluminium panels are integrated where they have a load-bearing effect.
In 1994 this knowledge was applied to volume production with the Audi A8 becoming the first production saloon with an aluminium body. At the end of 1994 Audi concentrated its expertise in the field of lightweight construction at its Neckarsulm site, erecting an aluminium centre at a cost of around DM 15 million. Approximately 100 members of staff work at the aluminium centre on the development of aluminium production vehicles. The bulk of work is concerned with optimising components and processes for volume application in ASF technology.
This development work produced recent visible results when the Audi A2 with second-generation ASF was launched in mid-2000. This vehicle became the first volume-built aluminium car and required techniques, processes, tools and production methods to be developed from scratch or modified. The Audi A2 1.2 TDI followed in June 2001, becoming the first five-door "three-litre" car (meaning one that consumes just three litres of fuel per 100 km) that makes no compromises in terms of space, comfort and driveability.
Quickies
- Australian scientists have produced a new map of Australia to help battle the corrosion that attacks everything from motor vehicles, to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, garden sheds and even farmers' fences. "The cost of the battle against corrosion in Australia is significant. It is a battle that is wearing away the infrastructure of our economy," Stephen Pahos, Business Development Manager for CSIRO Infrastructure Systems Engineering (CISE) said. "The new Corrosion map of Australia can estimate the corrosion rate in every locality of the country, including all 14,700 towns and suburbs. The map incorporates a corrosion model based on climatic conditions such as moisture, prevailing winds, salinity and pollution developed though several years of research by CSIRO."
- Just received from the promoter, some facts on the 2001 Fast Fours Jamboree:
- 12,000 spectators through the gate. This is 2,400 up on last year. 25% growth.
- 288 vehicles racing.
- Over 220 Show'n'Shine entrants.
- 35 Trade Displays.
- 107 vehicles ran 12.99 sec and quicker. 30 up on last year
- There were 15 8-second passes and 41 9-second passes.
- Subaru Australia's bi-annual survey of car colours has placed silver as the most popular with car buyers, favoured well ahead of gold. The analysis of Subaru's Australian buyer trends shows silver was chosen by nearly 30 per cent of customers, compared with less than one per cent for gold. White was second choice, at 26 per cent, with red a distant third, at nearly 16 per cent.
- Mazda has added a distinctive, sporty touch to its 626 range with the introduction of Platinum Edition sedan and hatch models. Based on the Classic, the Platinum Edition, with its rear spoiler, mesh alloy wheels and coloured bodyside protection mouldings ensures it stands out from the rest of the mid-size 626 range. Inside, white-faced dials, carbon-look centre console and switch panels and special black trim add an upmarket touch. Other Platinum Edition features include a black, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, floor mats and a four-year unlimited kilometre warranty. The 626 Platinum Edition, which is based on the manual and automatic Classic sedan and automatic Classic hatchback, adds $1350 of additional equipment but will retail for only $330 more than the standard car. The Platinum Edition Classic sedan is priced at $29,900, the automatic is $31,820, while the automatic hatchback costs $33,320.
- Audi AG is establishing a fully-owned subsidiary "Audi Electronics Venture GmbH" to pursue innovative technologies in the electronics sector. "Audi Electronics Venture GmbH" will be established in the third quarter of 2001 and will be based in Ingolstadt. The company's share capital is EURO 500,000.
- Up to 150 cars, from Ferrari coupes to Falcon utes to Formula 3, are expected to compete in one of Queensland's biggest motor racing events of the year, the 2001 PROCAR Series, at Queensland Raceway on 20-22 July. The circuit near Ipswich will host rounds of six national motorsport championships, plus a wide variety of non-racing family entertainment.
- Nissan has no plans for an assembly line in Australia, but will pursue manufacturing in Indonesia and Thailand, chief executive Carlos Ghosn said in Melbourne last week. Nissan ceased production in Australia when it finalised the closure of its Melbourne assembly line in 1992, and Ghosn confirmed there were no immediate plans to re-enter the domestic manufacturing market. "For the moment, we have no project into becoming a manufacturer in Australia - there is no such plan," he said.
- BMW says it plans to install a Formula 1-inspired V10 engine in the next generation M5. The current M5 develops 294 kW from its 5-litre V8. However, the new car, codenamed E60, will get a five-litre, 10 cylinder engine able to rev to a spine-tingling 9000 rpm. It is expected that a six-speed sequential gearbox will be fitted to the four-valves per cylinder V10 engine.
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