Richard L. Shaver Blog

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Renault Zoe Debuts In Paris With Record 250-Mile NED Range

Normally, a car like the Renault Zoe doesn’t generate the same type of excitement in auto shows compared to those limited edition supercars that pop up every so often. But when said Renault Zoe promises something that no other car of its kind can do, that’s when it becomes a lot more interesting. Such is the case at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, where Renault unveiled the Z.E. 40 battery-powered Zoe EV that packs a record NED cycle-certified 250-mile range, or the equivalent of 186 miles in real-world traffic conditions.

The range figure may not be as high as the 315-mile range of the Tesla Model S P100D or the 238-mile range of the Bolt, but it completely laps the field against its more direct competitors, including the Fiat 500e (87 miles), Kia Soul EV (93 miles), and Volkswagen e-Golf (83 miles). That’s an impressive feat brought about by the automaker’s groundbreaking Z.E. 40 battery’s high-energy density lithium-ion technology that Renault developed in collaboration with LG Chem.

Together, the two companies were able to devise a method that resulted in the increase of energy density in the battery cells, all while retaining the battery’s physical characteristics, while also improving its overall safety and reliability. The result is a battery that has 41kWh of usable energy, close to double the capacity of the battery being used by the current model. It also allows for quick recharging. In fact, with a 30-minute charge, the battery can recoup an extra 50 miles of range, which if you do the math, already accounts for 60 percent of the Soul EV and e-Golf’s overall battery range.

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Hyundai Showcases Latest i20 WRC at Paris Motor Show

It’s been four years since Hyundai launched the first i20 WRC ar the 2012 Paris Motor Show, and the Korean automaker returned at the same event to showcase the fourth iteration of the rally-spec race car. Developed by the company’s Motorsport division located near the Nurburgring track, the new i20 WRC follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, but makes use of revised aerodynamics and the WRC’s updated regulations.

Set to make its debut in the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship, the new i20 WRC is not ready to hit the gravel just yet, but the prototype shown in Paris is almost ready for production and gives a good glimpse at the upcoming race car. Several new features are noticeable at first glance, starting with the redesigned grille, the larger front splitter, the new headlamps with red accents, and the significantly wider front wheel arches. Onto the side, the massive side skirts form a single piece with the rear wheel arches, while the rear end is highlighted by a large roof wing and a big diffuser under the bumper. The roof scoop, the lightweight wheels, and the aerodynamically enhanced side mirrors round of the exterior.

Needless to say, the 2017 i20 WRC is the most menacing rally car Hyundai has built since its Motorsport program set shop at the Nurburgring.

Under the lightweight shell lurks a revised version of the turbocharged, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine found in the previous model. Thanks to the new regulations, Hyundai was able to increase output from 300 to a whopping 380 horsepower. The race car also generates more downforce and uses an active central differential, which, according to the company, enables the i20 WRC to compete with longer and wider vehicles.

The final version of the 2017 i20 WRC will be unveiled in December, about a month before the new car makes its official debut at the Rallye Monte Carlo on January 20.

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Ferrari GTC4Lusso T Makes World Debut In Paris

Although not exactly new, having debuted earlier in 2016 as an upgraded version of the Ferrari FF, the GTC4Lusso arrived at the 2016 Paris Motor Show to showcase its new T version, which uses a turbocharged, 3.9-liter V-8 engine. Essentially identical to its V-12 sibling, the T stands out as Ferrari’s first full four-seat supercar with a turbocharged V-8 and makes the GTC4Lusso the first "Prancing Horse" to be available with a choice of two engines.

Under the hood is where the GTC4Lusso T is most different than the familiar V-12 model we already know. That’s because the massive 6.3-liter was replaced by the smaller, 3.9-liter V-8 that is already available in the California T and 488 GTB models. But although it’s smaller and lacks four cylinders compared to the V-12, this V-8 is by no means disappointing output-wise. The turbocharged mill cranks out no less than 601 horsepower and 561 pound-feet, which accounts for an 80-horsepower decrease, but a 47-pound-foot increase over the V-12 model. It’s also more powerful than the California T and matches the 488 GTB’s torque output down to the last pound-foot.

But differences from the V-12 model don’t stop here. The T is also a rear-wheel-drive car only, which makes it 176 pounds lighter, and has an increased weight bias toward the rear — 46:54 versus 47:53. As a result, it makes for a good enthusiasts car, while also returning enhanced fuel economy. How quick is it? Well, it needs only 3.5 seconds to hit 62 mph and hit a top speed in excess of 199 mph.

Do you still think that turbocharged Ferraris are a bad idea?

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Renault Trezor Concept Previews Future Design Language

The Paris Motor Show has always been a place for stunning concept cars, and this year’s edition is no exception. Among the futuristic design showcased in France, there’s the Renault Trezor, an all-electric grand tourer concept that preview trends likely to be seen in future production models.

Essentially an evolution of the styling cues seen on the DeZir a few years back, the Trezor is a long and sleek two-door that only 1,080 mm (42.5 inches) tall. This figure not only gives it a sporty stance, but also makes it one of the most aerodynamic designs with a drag co-efficient (Cd) of just 0.22. But the Trezor isn’t just about futuristic looks. It also has a carbon-fiber body, a clamshell roof that reminds of classic sports cars, and innovative fiber-optic lighting integrating a red laser into the taillights.

The concept also showcases an interesting take on interior design, featuring a red wood dashboard, deep-red leather upholstery, and red glazing on the windows. Under the hood, it hides an electric motor derived from the unit used by Renault e.dams in Formula E, as well as a brake-operated energy recovery system. The electric motor sends 350 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. Curb weight is of only 1,600 kg (3,527 pounds), which should make the Trezor pretty quick from 0 to 60 mph. Much like any modern concept car, it also features an autonomous driving mode.

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Hyundai Launches, Aggressive-Looking, Race-Ready RN30 Concept in Paris

Hyundai took this year’s Paris Motor Show by storm with two exciting production cars, including the redesigned i30, but none are as hot as the RN30 concept. And not because concept cars are usually more futuristic than production models. In this case, the exciting part has to do with the fact that the RN30 previews the company’s upcoming line of performance road cars, the first of which will be the i30 N.

As the name suggests, the show car is based on the new-generation i30. This is also evident in the styling cues, but the concept is obviously an extremely beefed-up version of the standard hatchback. Actually, it looks like a car that’s ready to hit the race track and to some extent it reminds me of the rally-spec i20 WRC.

Much like the race car that brought Hyundai back into rallying, the RN30 concept was developed by the company’s Motorsport division in Germany. Although based on the i30, the two share only a few styling features outside the general shape, the headlamps and the front grille. The hatchback sports a vented hood, beefed-up fenders and side skirts, and a comprehensive aerodynamic kit that includes a revised grille, winglets, a big splitter, and a roof wing that embraces the entire upper section of the tailgate.

Although the headlamps and taillights are also based on the standard model, they’ve been revised throughout, featuring square LED units integrated into blacked-out frames. The rear diffuser is out of this world, being a massive carbon piece with two big exhaust pipes at the center. Visually, the RN30 is one menacing concept. It aggressive design is backed by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine that cranks out an amazing 375 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque.

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This Is The Honda Civic Type R We've All Been Waiting For

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The long-awaited, U.S.-bound Honda Civic Type R has finally arrived. Okay, so this is a prototype version if we’re going to be technical about it. But by and large, we can at least expect the production Type R to look a lot like this prototype, albeit with some tweaks here and there and the fact that the production model will come in hot hatchback form.

There’s obviously plenty to pore through here but the Civic Type R prototype’s striking appearance takes precedence over anything else. It’s still largely based on the 2017 Honda Civic, which isn’t a surprise. But Honda also delivered on its promise in making the new Civic Type R the sportiest and most aggressive iteration of the Civic that it’s ever made to the point that it has a little bit of the Subaru WRX STI feel to it. The hood scoop is less pronounced, but it’s still noticeable on the Type R. The fenders are enormous, as are the air vents.

The smoked LED headlights are nice touches and the wheel arches are flared, which isn’t at all a surprise given Honda’s goal of driving the car’s sportiness to another level. And let’s not forget those carbon fiber skirts, the three exhaust outlets, and that massive fixed rear spoiler. All these elements combine to make a car that’s definitely going to get its share of attention when it arrives in the U.S. in the early part of 2017.

Is it safe to say that the hype and anticipation surrounding the Honda Civic Type R’s entry into the US market is going to be at a fever pitch after the prototype’s official debut at the Paris Motor Show? To that question, my answer is a resounding yes!.

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Here's How SpaceX Plans to Get us to Mars

Space; it really is the final frontier. So many aspire to travel into the great unknown, yet so few have ever even made it outside of earth’s atmosphere. And, only a handful of them has ever stepped foot onto another celestial body. 2012 marked 40 years since any human has stepped foot on the moon, but we’ve been talking about colonizing Mars ever since. SpaceX hopes to make that a reality with the first manned mission happening as soon as 2022. Elon Musk is obviously very ambitious to make it happen, which is why you’re about to watch a video that demonstrates just how we’ll make that first flight.

It takes a rocket or shuttle about 8.5 minutes to leave this floating rock and in that time it must reach an orbital speed of 17,500 mph. Now, if you have a need for speed, going to space will certainly quench your manly thirst. – After all, according to SpaceX, it takes 28,700,000 pounds of thrust. But, getting into space is just the beginning. The biggest hurdle is taking enough fuel with us to leave the earth and get to the big red planet. Being 33.9-million miles away when properly aligned (or as much as 249 million miles at their farthest points,) a full tank of gas just isn’t going to cut it.

So, how do we do it? Well, SpaceX will start out by sending up the shuttle full of the first people destined to land on the red rock and put it into orbit around the earth. The rocket that hauled them up there will land, refuel, and be fitted with a shuttle tanker. That tanker is then launched into space where it will meet up with the first shuttle and fill it up with the fuel it needs to make it all the way to Mars. Once the shuttle fills up (remember, there are no gas stations in space), it will take off toward our far away neighbor before the tanker shuttle even makes it back to earth.

Once the shuttle is on its way, massive solar arrays will deploy from the rear of the shuttle that will produce 200 kW of power from our life-giving star. On the way to Mars, the shuttle will coast along at 63,634 mph. If you do the math, at 63,634 mph, it will take approximately 532.73 hours or just over 22 days, assuming Mars and Earth are at their closest point. With that said, go ahead and click play to watch the video or keep reading to learn a little more.

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