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BMW 320d dyno tested – does it make the full 177hp?

October 25, 2010 at 5:19 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

A few of us BMW Club Malaysia forumers (not all are members!) took our German rides out yesterday for a group dyno session at GT Auto. A dyno (short for dynamometer) is basically a machine that can measure your car’s horsepower and torque output at the wheels.

Horsepower and torque at the wheels is always less than what the manufacturer quotes for the engine as once the power passes through the gearbox, axle, wheels and tyres, there are some power lost there – this is usually 10 to 15% for a manual transmission and 20 to 25% for an automatic transmission.

The dyno results all revealed some pretty interesting results, but what’s post-worthy here is that there were a few Malaysian spec 177 rated horsepower BMW 320d that attended the dyno, and they’ve agreed for me to share the results.


Click the dyno chart for enlarged image

Click the dyno chart for enlarged image

docrayboy’s 320d did a peak horsepower of 163.15 PS and 373.37Nm of torque. 163.15 PS is actually quite comparable to some of the standard automatic 328i E36s that dynoed on that day – more than enough power for a brisk drive. zhul’s 320d did similiar numbers – 159.7 PS and 37.86 kg-m (around 371Nm).

I think it’s really interesting that even after transmission and other losses, peak torque figures exceed the BMW peak torque rating of 350Nm. Wheel horsepower of about 160+ PS also exceeds the 177 horsepower rating if you add another 15% to 20% (about 184 PS to 192 PS), assuming an auto transmission with lock up clutch engaged.

It looks like BMW has underrated the 320d engine and it actually makes more power than the specs sheets suggest. But what I was actually curious about is that whether our market’s 320d will have a drop in power output compared to the spec sheets because of Euro 2 diesel quality. Looks like we’re getting at least what we signed up for.

Thanks to zhul and docrayboy for sharing their dyno charts!

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Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition

October 25, 2010 at 5:12 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Jeep

Call of Duty fans, this is your Jeep, the limited run Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition. Available as a two-door or four-door, this limited-edition is based on the 2011 Rubicon model and inspired by the seventh and latest edition of the popular first person shooter. It sports dark Rubicon wheels in high-gloss Mineral Gray, Call of Duty: Black Ops graphics on the roof and front quarter panels, taillamp guards and a fuel-filler door from Mopar.

“It was important for us to make sure that the Jeep partnership would be authentic and enhance the setting we immerse our fans in with Black Ops. Our work with the Jeep team focused around using the Wrangler in our levels, and gameplay experiences, and translating the style and look of the vehicle in Black Ops to the Jeep on the showroom floor that our fans can own,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head of game developer Treyarch.

It’s a Wrangler, so you’ll get go anywhere ability backed by 32-inch off-road tyres, live axles with locking differentials in the front and rear, and a two-speed transfer case. 2011 Wranglers get redesigned instruments and new storage areas with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials. Heated power mirrors are now available, as are luxuries like steering-wheel controls and a “media centre” while the rear windows are now larger. Jeep says that cabin noise is significantly reduced.

Wallpaper sized images after the jump
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Shanghai GM starts exporting Chevrolet New Sail to Chile

October 25, 2010 at 3:27 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, General Motors, International News

chevy new sail

As mentioned earlier in the year, General Motors had export plans for its Chinese-made Chevrolet New Sail sedan. Now, the New Sail has set off for Chile, according to reports, though no details are available to the numbers being shipped or what the specification levels are for the vehicles bound for the Chilean market.

The previous Sail (essentially, an Opel Corsa B) had also been exported to Chile – the Chinese-made four-door sedan version of the car began selling there as the Chevrolet Corsa Plus in late 2006.

Shanghai GM, General Motors’ joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp (SAIC), said it had plans to expand the export of the vehicle to other markets in Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa. Domestically, it has sold around 90,000 units of the New Sail in China since its market introduction in January.

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Volkswagen Group profit more than triples to 4.8 bil euros

October 25, 2010 at 2:42 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has dreams to be the world’s top carmaker, and it’s not just the figures that are on the up, their coffers are pretty stuffed too. The VW Group has just issued an ad hoc release which reveals key figures for the first nine months of 2010, and they are doing very well.

The Group, which consists of nine brands, recorded an increase in operating profit by 3.3 billion euros compared to the January-September 2009 period to 4.8 billion euros this year. Profit before tax increased by 4.4 billion euros to 5.4 billion euros, which the company attributes to positive effects from equity-accounted investments and from measurement of put/call rights relating to Porsche GmbH at 863 million euros.

Strong demand for its cars were responsible for the profit jump. Group deliveries to customers went up 12.9% year-on-year to 5.4 million vehicles, or about 11.6% of global market share. The Group performed well in China, Western Europe, North and South America. Slower growth is expected for the final quarter of 2010, but all figures are on track to beat last year’s, while the exchange rate will continue to have a positive effect on earnings.

“In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Volkswagen Group’s nine brands will again unveil key new models, thus systematically extending our position in the global markets. We therefore continue to anticipate that our deliveries to customers will be significantly higher than in 2009, due among other factors to the positive business growth in China,” the statement read.

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New Fiesta RS WRC gets thumbs up from Ford drivers

October 25, 2010 at 1:20 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News, Motorsports

fiesta wrc 1

Following the vehicle’s first public appearance at the Paris Motor Show last month, specific set-up testing has begun for Ford’s new Fiesta RS WRC, with the two Finnish drivers who will be piloting the Ford next season being delighted by the new offering.

Ford’s WRC drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, accompanied by their respective co-drivers Jarmo Lehtinen and Miikka Anttila, took the 2011 world championship challenger out on gravel roads in Spain and France during the seven-day set-up test.

Both Finns will drive Fiesta RS WRCs in all 13 rounds next season, and both had lots of positives to say after the test run.

“I had looked forward so much to driving the Fiesta RS WRC and I was very satisfied with it,” enthused Hirvonen. “It was just as much fun as I hoped and I’m genuinely excited about what we can achieve with it. Of course, there is still a lot of development to do, but first impressions are very good. It has its own unique feel and it’s like driving an angry bee.”

fiesta wrc 2

“The biggest difference between the Fiesta RS WRC and the outgoing Focus RS WRC is the engine. There’s less torque from the Fiesta’s 1.6 litre engine than that available from the 2.0 litre unit in the Focus, so it requires a different driving style as a result.”

“The engine needs to be kept at high revs, and a slightly more aggressive approach is needed, especially in slower corners, where the driver needs to take command and attack harder, rather than letting the car do the work,” Hirvonen added.

Latvala tested on what he described as the ‘roughest rally road on which I’ve ever driven’. “The road is usually used for testing cars of the type that compete in the Dakar Rally and it was full of big rocks, holes and bumps. It asked a lot of the car, but I pushed hard because the team wanted to see how the Fiesta behaved in those conditions,” he said.

“I was impressed and I was pleased at how quickly I found a good feeling at the wheel. The balance felt very good and the engine was better than I expected,” the 25-year-old said.

fiesta wrc 3

The Fiesta RS WRC – having already successfully completed more than 2,500km of durability work, mainly in the hands of P-G Andersson and Matthew Wilson – tested last week was powered by an engine close to the specification in which the car will compete next year. Specialist engineers from Ford and M-Sport as well as Pipo Moteur have worked closely in the development of the 300 hp direct injection 1.6 litre turbocharged unit, which is based on Ford’s EcoBoost road vehicle powertrain.

In a parallel test near M-Sport’s base at Dovenby Hall in north-west England, the definitive 2011-specification engine was also run. This unit is scheduled to power the Fiesta RS WRC when the test programme continues with a three-day session on asphalt in Spain, following Rally de Espana.

The preview model in Paris was finished in a striking blue and grey livery specially developed for the show by Ford of Europe’s design team. The car’s final styling will continue to be worked on until its eventual debut.

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Fiat gears up for its return to the US in December

October 25, 2010 at 12:10 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Fiat, International News

fiat 500 prima

There’s certainly keen interest in Fiat over in the US as the company moves closer to its much-anticipated market return there in December. A limited-edition Fiat 500 model, called the Prima Edizione (First Edition, to give it its suffix in English) sold out in no time after the 500 unit run was announced in July.

Last week, one of these select Cinquecentos was auctioned off for US$69,000 at the National Italian American Foundation 35th Anniversary Gala, with the proceeds from the auction going to the NIAF’s education and scholarship program. It’s easily the most expensive Cinquecento around (costing more than something like a BMW 550i XDrive, mind you), but all for a good cause, in this case.

fiat 500 prima 2

The Fiat 500 Prima Edizione, which comes in three colours – Bianco (White), Rosso (Red) and Grigio (Gray) – are all manual transmission versions and will each feature a sequential VIN and Prima Edizione badge according to production order.

In related news, Chrysler last week began selecting its Fiat dealers, announcing that it wants dealers in 119 markets in the US and will name more by year’s end. The US dealers will be ready to take orders for the Fiat 500, which the company is hoping to move 50,000 units of in the first year. Alfa Romeo is expected to join this particular renaissance in 2012.

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Honda recalls 528,000 vehicles over brake fluid leak issue

October 25, 2010 at 12:06 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Last week, Toyota recalled 1.53 million Lexus and Toyota models to replace a brake master cylinder that can slowly leak out brake fluid. Turns out that fellow Japanese carmaker Honda uses the same supplier for the affected component – it has recalled 528,000 vehicles worldwide including 470,000 units in the US. Affected models are the 2005-07 Acura RL and 2005-07 Honda Odyssey. The latter is not the same MPV as the one sold here despite the same name.

The internal rubber seal of the brake master cylinder, which is supplied by Advics Co. Ltd. in Japan, can leak out brake fluid to the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp. This problem arises when non original brake fluid is used. The genuine brake fluid contains polymers that act as lubricant, something that non genuine brake fluid don’t have or have only in small amounts.

Honda says that there’s no safety issue here. “It will result in the brake fluid light illuminating before there is any loss of brake system performance. Although one brake circuit could gradually lose performance due to this cause, there would be no effect on the other brake circuit,” a company spokesperson said. Honda will replace the master cylinder seal in all affected cars, and if leaking has already started, the brake booster as well.

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Petronas Syntium Team wins 2010 Super Taikyu title!

October 25, 2010 at 11:27 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Motorsports

The Petronas Syntium Team is the undisputed team to beat in Japan’s Super Taikyu Endurance Series, and the recently held Round 6 of the 2010 season at Sendai Highland Raceway underlined that fact. Celebrating the team’s sixth win in a row was the trio of Masataka Yanagida, Nobuteru Taniguchi and rookie Imran Zaharias Shaharom in the No.1 BMW Z4M Coupe. Winning at the mountain circuit also meant that they wrapped up the 2010 overall title with one race to spare.

For extra joy, PST’s No.28 car driven by Tatsuya Kataoka, Fariqe Hairuman and Melvin Moh finished second at Sendai. With their six successive podium finishes, the No.28 Z4M Coupe is second in the championship standings. Since becoming the first Malaysian team to win a major endurance series title in 2008, this is PST’s third consecutive Super Taikyu title and third 1-2 championship finish in the Japanese series.

“This is yet another incredible weekend! I do not have the right words to describe the incredible emotions I am experiencing! To reach this point with six straight race wins is fantastic! All I can say is that I am really happy as everything went according to plan, the car felt really good and we could push for another win! My thanks to my senior teammates Yanagida and Taniguchi who have taught me so much over the course of the past two years! Although we already won the championship here at Sendai, I will give it my all for the final round at Motegi,” said an elated Imran Shaharom.

“It is a momentous occasion for the Petronas Syntium Team. I am extremely proud of what the team, drivers, mechanics and engineers have managed to achieve. On top of this, since 2009, our driver line-up has included the young drivers from Petronas’ driver development programme. This year, our development drivers Melvin and Imran have done a tremendous job, performing well beyond expectations and contributing towards taking the title again,” said PST Team Principal David Wong.

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Look, no wires – it’s wireless charging for your EV!

October 25, 2010 at 10:48 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

delphi charging 1

Imagine charging your EV at home without the need to plug it into anything. That’s precisely what Delphi Automotive and wireless energy transfer technology provider, WiTriCity, is seeking to offer – the two companies are working on developing a range of automatic wireless charging products for electric vehicles.

The wireless charging system would involve no plugs or charging cords. Drivers would simply park their electric vehicle over a wireless energy source that sits on the garage floor or embedded in a paved parking spot. The system will automatically transfer power to the battery charger that’s on the vehicle.

delphi charging 2

WiTricity’s patented wireless energy transfer technology, invented by a team of MIT physicists four years ago, makes use of highly resonant magnetic coupling, offering a transfer of over 3,300 watts – enough to fully charge an electric car at the same rate as most residential plug-in chargers. The system can efficiently transfer power over significantly larger distances and allow more parking-related vehicle misalignment than inductive systems.

Wireless charging technology will of course need to co-exist with plug-in charging solutions, the company states, so that electric vehicle drivers have the ability to charge their vehicle with something like Delphi’s portable electric charger – which fits into any standard AC outlet – when they’re away from their wireless charging source.

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Lotus Racing to build dedicated wind tunnel in Hingham

October 25, 2010 at 10:30 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Lotus, Motorsports

Lotus Racing has announced that the team will soon be starting work on the design and build of a dedicated wind-tunnel facility at its Hingham base in the UK. In addition, Lotus Racing and Team AirAsia (the latter will compete in the 2011 GP2 series) will take over a further two units at the existing factory site, giving Team AirAsia a permanent home alongside the F1 team.

“To compete at the highest level in Formula 1 it is important to have all of the key elements involved in the design, manufacturing, testing and development of our cars under our direct control and on the same site. Today’s announcement about the wind tunnel, which will be combined with additional production, office and administrative elements, gives us both the facility we need to lay the foundations for long-term success and is a clear sign that we are very serious about competing at the sharp end of the grid as quickly as we can,” said Mike Gascoyne, Chief Technical Officer.

“We have already achieved a phenomenal rate of growth for the team, and now have all the main functions in place to take the next step up, but I think it is important to also see that we are using our budget effectively, and focusing expenditure where it counts.

“Investing in our own wind-tunnel, to work alongside our substantial in-house CFD facility, is a key element in establishing complete control of one of the most important aspects of the design and manufacturing process in our sport, and it is clear to see that this sort of investment points towards a very bright future for the team,” he added.

Team Principal Tony Fernandes had this to say. “Just over a year ago there were four people in the factory in Hingham, a team working in Cologne on the design of this year’s car, and a third group working in Italy on our aero programme. Now it is about the future, and today’s announcement shows just how serious we are about taking the next crucial step in the continuing development of both Lotus Racing and Team AirAsia.

“One day very soon, we see our cars in Formula 1 and GP2 being designed, built and raced by teams of people from Malaysia, Europe, South East Asia and from around the world. This is a very exciting time for our teams, and the dream is growing bigger every single day.”

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