Motor Authority - blog Tag: Wheels

Ferrari has been working on a proprietary part-time 4WD system designed for both its mid and front-engined models for the past several years, which the carmaker has christened ‘Insertable 4x4’. Not much has been seen or heard about the system for some time but last month a search of the European Patent Office revealed that the Italian carmaker applied for a new patent back in February for a 4WD system with hybrid propulsion. This week Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa has revealed that a concept based on the system is in the works, and is likely headed to Los Angeles this December.

The patent filing, which you can view here, describes... Ferrari has been working on a proprietary part-time 4WD system designed for both its mid and front-engined models for the past several years, which the carmaker has christened ‘Insertable 4x4’. Not much has been seen or heard about the system for some time but last month a search of the European Patent Office revealed that the Italian carmaker applied for a new patent back in February for a 4WD system with hybrid propulsion. This week Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa has revealed that a concept based on the system is in the works, and is likely headed to Los Angeles this December. The patent filing, which you can view here, describes the system as being primarily intended to "improve the drivability of a sports car in conditions of poor grip," not necessarily to improve the vehicle's green status. Ferrari’s design eliminates the associated heavy weight of 4WD vehicles by using two powerplants in the car – each to drive a separate pair of wheels – which in turn eliminates the need for heavy and bulky transfer cases and driveshafts. In all the designs, however, the engine is matched to an axle via a locking differential. The design is similar to PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s hybrid system in that it separates the roles of the engine and electric motor. Furthermore, Ferrari has submitted six different layouts for the patent, with some of them calling for the electric motors to sit within the wheels instead of on a conventional axle. When applied to one of Ferrari’s cars, the system will likely feature an on-off switch that will allow the driver to decide whether or not they want standard RWD or the added safety of 4WD. The system will also allow for electric only propulsion at slow speeds, which will vastly improve Ferrari’s carbon footprint and position in the eyes of environmentalists. What wasn’t revealed was any possibly launch date for the system but given its advanced nature we don’t expect to see any production 4WD hybrids for some time to come. Speaking with Car and Driver, however, CEO Felisa said the concept would be coming soon. "Not at Frankfurt," he said, "but shortly thereafter, probably at an American show." That times it right for a Los Angeles Auto Show debut, which is the last major auto show of the year in the U.S.Ferrari 4WD Hybrid patent documents Read More

When it comes to saving fuel, no aspect of a car’s design can be overlooked and one of the easiest and most common methods for carmakers is reducing weight. Whether it’s designing seats with less padding, using more exotic materials such as carbon-fiber or magnesium, or even completely redesigning an engine to contain fewer parts, carmakers know that if a vehicle weighs less it’s going to consume less fuel.

Parts suppliers are equally focused on weight reduction as they know that a lighter product can be as valuable to a carmaker as a cheaper one. Take Alcoa Wheels, for example. The company is one of one of the biggest... When it comes to saving fuel, no aspect of a car’s design can be overlooked and one of the easiest and most common methods for carmakers is reducing weight. Whether it’s designing seats with less padding, using more exotic materials such as carbon-fiber or magnesium, or even completely redesigning an engine to contain fewer parts, carmakers know that if a vehicle weighs less it’s going to consume less fuel. Parts suppliers are equally focused on weight reduction as they know that a lighter product can be as valuable to a carmaker as a cheaper one. Take Alcoa Wheels, for example. The company is one of one of the biggest wheel suppliers in North America and it has just engineered a new wheel claimed to be lighter and stronger than any previous design. The new wheel is a 17in forged aluminum unit that’s 30% lighter than current designs and will be used for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid – a car where fuel-economy will essentially be the most important factor for consumers. But that’s just the beginning revealed Alcoa's marketing manager Joel Alent during a recent interview with Automotive News. Alent explained that the key to the new design is the use of aircraft-grade aluminum. Since the material is 20% lighter than regular aluminum but just as rigid, Alcoa can hollow out the spokes of a wheel while maintaining its strength. He went on to explain that removing 100 pounds from a vehicle can boost fuel-economy by about 1.5%. This might not seem like much but when carmakers are spending billions of dollars to develop vehicles that can meet 35mpg CAFE regulations every little bit counts. Read More

Back in September Chrysler showed its commitment to designing and marketing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of a trio of concept vehicles, one for each of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. Despite its current financial situation, Chrysler is keen to show its willingness to keep up with rivals, such as General Motors and its Chevrolet Volt plug-in, by unveiling updated designs of its electric vehicles at this month’s Detroit Auto Show.

The first of these is the new Jeep Patriot EV, an plug-in hybrid SUV with a 400-mile total driving range and a 40-mile all-electric range with zero fuel consumption and zero... Back in September Chrysler showed its commitment to designing and marketing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of a trio of concept vehicles, one for each of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. Despite its current financial situation, Chrysler is keen to show its willingness to keep up with rivals, such as General Motors and its Chevrolet Volt plug-in, by unveiling updated designs of its electric vehicles at this month’s Detroit Auto Show. The first of these is the new Jeep Patriot EV, an plug-in hybrid SUV with a 400-mile total driving range and a 40-mile all-electric range with zero fuel consumption and zero tailpipe emissions. As a range-extended electric vehicle, the Jeep Patriot EV combines the electric-drive components of an electric vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. Power for the five-passenger SUV comes from a V6 petrol engine and a 200hp (150kW) electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries. Performance numbers are impressive for a vehicle of this size, with the 0-60mph taking approximately eight seconds, and the standing quarter mile passing in 16 seconds. Top speed is in excess of 100mph. Chrysler is also expected to reveal a new all-electric four-seat Dodge sports car, which you can read about in our previous story by clicking here.2009 Jeep Patriot EV range-extended vehicle Read More

In commemoration of the Porsche Spyder RS sports prototype race car's success in the American Le Mans Series, Porsche is making available a special edition set of wheels with a unique central locking mechanism and high-tech materials and design.

The success of the RS Spyder in the ALMS series is undeniable, sweeping all titles in the category for the third season in a row. The car also won its class in its first run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year as well, and won the title in the European Le Mans Series - a very impressive season in all.

And the wheels that are built to celebrate are impressive as well. The alloy wheels with seven... In commemoration of the Porsche Spyder RS sports prototype race car's success in the American Le Mans Series, Porsche is making available a special edition set of wheels with a unique central locking mechanism and high-tech materials and design. The success of the RS Spyder in the ALMS series is undeniable, sweeping all titles in the category for the third season in a row. The car also won its class in its first run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year as well, and won the title in the European Le Mans Series - a very impressive season in all. And the wheels that are built to celebrate are impressive as well. The alloy wheels with seven U-shaped double-spoked arms feature a central locking unit that does away with the wheelnut system of race cars for a more secure locking-bolt system. The spring-loaded bolts are eloxy-plated in titanium color offering contrast to the aluminum of the 19" wheels themselves. The contrasting innards are hidden behind a Porsche-logo cap, however, ensuring a clean and sophisticated look for the 911 Turbo they're fitted to. Though the bulk of Porsche's lineup has already received its facelift for the 2009 model-year, the Turbo is among the handful still awaiting the update. Expected improvements include the addition of direct injection, which will yield more Nissan GT-R fighting horsepower and greater efficiency, an optional PDK dual-clutch gearbox, and minor visual and stylistic updates. For more on the 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo facelift, check out our previous coverage.Special-edition Porsche RS Spyder central-locking wheels Read More

Made famous by its role in the most recent incarnation of the classic film Gone in 60 Seconds, the 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang is a fearsomely attractive vehicle, projecting an aggressive, dominant stance - the perfect vehicle for showing off some unique custom wheels. And that's the primary job of the Wheels and More Shelby GT500, which sports a highly customized set of 20" alloys designed for light weight and optimum aesthetics.

The wheels, which are the heart of the car's modification list, are three piece forged units with titanium screws for even lighter construction. Lacquer finish gives them a high-gloss look, and the twin-spoke design... Made famous by its role in the most recent incarnation of the classic film Gone in 60 Seconds, the 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang is a fearsomely attractive vehicle, projecting an aggressive, dominant stance - the perfect vehicle for showing off some unique custom wheels. And that's the primary job of the Wheels and More Shelby GT500, which sports a highly customized set of 20" alloys designed for light weight and optimum aesthetics. The wheels, which are the heart of the car's modification list, are three piece forged units with titanium screws for even lighter construction. Lacquer finish gives them a high-gloss look, and the twin-spoke design evokes classic styling in a modern application. At 9" wide in the front and 10.5" wide in the rear, the wheels provide ample platforms for the 235/30 rubber up front and 275/30 rubber out back. A 5.7L engine delivers 350hp (261kW) to the rear wheels, giving the car some straight-line potential, though not nearly as much as its modern namesake. Suspension tuning is intended to keep the car adequately sporting while remaining comfortable. Inside, the car is a combination of modern materials and classic design, though as a one-off design it's somewhat more complex than might normally be seen even in a series custom car. Milled billet aluminum instrument panels, a double-stitched leather dash, Alcantara headliner and custom leather sport seats are the highlights. Earlier this year Classic Recreations released their interpretation of the GT500 Eleanor, and Obsidian unveiled the SG-One, a one-off ultra-Mustang that shares much in common with the styling of the Eleanor, though to be fair, it is a unique creation, mechanically speaking.The original Eleanor, from the first Gone in 60 Seconds movie, was a 1973 Mach 1 Mustang, but modern tastes have shown a clear preference for the late 1960s Mustangs, especially those touched by Carroll Shelby's legendary tuning outfit. The image and styling, though 'retro', are nonetheless timelessly classic in a way that the bulkier, somewhat awkward 1970s cars can't replicate.Wheels and More Shelby GT500 Read More

Showing its commitment to clean and efficient motoring both on and off the road, Chrysler has unveiled a prototype plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Jeep Wrangler SUV. Designed with the full capability of the legendary off-road vehicle, the new prototype still promises an electric-only driving range of up to 40 miles and a 400 mile range when using the internal combustion engine.

Chrysler’s plug-in vehicles feature a similar powertrain to General Motors’ E-Flex system, which underpins the upcoming Chevrolet Volt. Called a ‘Range-Extended’ vehicle by Chrysler, the design features a powerful electric motor running... Showing its commitment to clean and efficient motoring both on and off the road, Chrysler has unveiled a prototype plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Jeep Wrangler SUV. Designed with the full capability of the legendary off-road vehicle, the new prototype still promises an electric-only driving range of up to 40 miles and a 400 mile range when using the internal combustion engine. Chrysler’s plug-in vehicles feature a similar powertrain to General Motors’ E-Flex system, which underpins the upcoming Chevrolet Volt. Called a ‘Range-Extended’ vehicle by Chrysler, the design features a powerful electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries to spin the wheels plus a small petrol engine used as a generator to top up the batteries. Like the Dodge all-electric sports car, the motor in the Jeep plug-in is rated at 268hp (200kW) but its torque has been detuned to 295lb-ft (400Nm) for low-range applications. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a conventional 4WD set-up, but on-board computers can control the amount of torque sent to each wheel independently to aid traction in slippery conditions. Furthermore, engineers are also looking at more advanced applications with four separate in-wheel electric motors. Such a design would allow a vehicle to retain a 4WD configuration, but do away with heavy axles and driveshafts. Interestingly, GM could only get a 40 mile electric-only driving range from its Volt after months of intense aerodynamic testing and reshaping of the original concept. It will be surprising to see if Chrysler can meet its claims of a similar 40 mile electric-only range for a big and blocky vehicle like a Jeep.2008 Dodge EV Lotus-based electric sports car2008 Jeep EV electric SUV concept2008 Chrysler Town and Country EV concept Read More