Car Chat

[12,000 RPM]

This just in: CR-V has direct DOHC VTEC lineage.

[2o6]

I feel like the oil dillusion is overblown

[shp4man]

If it's VTEC, it's gotta be good!

[BimmerM3]

Finally put my snow tires on the Explorer (haven't been going into the mountains since I was injured).

I wish I hadn't gotten steelies for my AT tires. The car definitely rides better with the lighter alloy wheels that the snow tires are on.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I feel like the oil dillusion is overblown

kek?

[giant_mtb]

I wish I hadn't gotten steelies for my AT tires. The car definitely rides better with the lighter alloy wheels that the snow tires are on.

I have thought about this multiple times since I put my Grabbers on steelies.  Steelies are nice off road and they feel nice and planted, but they sure harshen the ride a bit.  My friend has a 2006 Tacoma, 4-door, same drivetrain, same tires, same shocks, but he has alloy wheels...it rides noticeably better.

[12,000 RPM]

Time to get BBSs

[BimmerM3]

Mario Kart on MBUX

https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/27/18243256/mario-kart-mercedes-benz-daimler-driving-game-mwc-2019

[12,000 RPM]

I love this guy's column. I can't quite say for sure, but I get the feeling he's not a fan of Ford's current CEO

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2019/2/23/hes-a-real-nowhere-man-sitting-in-his-nowhere-land-making-al.html

That said I heard him on the Autoline podcast with a former Ford head of design, and he was nowhere near as forceful or pointed. Internet tough guy? Still love the column

[BimmerM3]

I love this guy's column. I can't quite say for sure, but I get the feeling he's not a fan of Ford's current CEO

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2019/2/23/hes-a-real-nowhere-man-sitting-in-his-nowhere-land-making-al.html

That said I heard him on the Autoline podcast with a former Ford head of design, and he was nowhere near as forceful or pointed. Internet tough guy? Still love the column

Regardless of whether or not he's right, I cannot say that I share your enthusiasm for that column. I now want Ford's current direction to make them immensely successful solely so that this guy has to eat his own words.

[cawimmer430]

Saw one of these today in an orange metallic color. Holy shit, GORGEOUS. 

[12,000 RPM]

[CaminoRacer]

I think a electric VW Beetle would be dope. There are even kits for it. I think I'd like a slightly more powerful motor (>100 hp) but idk maybe the powerband of the electric motor makes 71 hp enough.

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=218&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

[MX793]

I think a electric VW Beetle would be dope. There are even kits for it. I think I'd like a slightly more powerful motor (>100 hp) but idk maybe the powerband of the electric motor makes 71 hp enough.

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=218&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

71 is more than they came from the factory with.

[Soup DeVille]

But less than many make now. Still, a 71 Hp electric could be favorably compared in most ways to a 100 hp gas engine.

[CaminoRacer]

71 is more than they came from the factory with.

Yeah but I've mostly driven stroker engined Bugs with ~100-110 hp. And a little more oomph on the highway would be good (which could be solved by the different powerband like I said. I'm not sure)

[cawimmer430]

There's so much traffic (and so many idiots) on the Autobahn these days, this was all I could manage yesterday. A friend from Malaysia took this shot. He loved it and commented on how at this speed the car still feels safe and well-planted.   

[12,000 RPM]

71 is more than they came from the factory with.

Yea but so is the curb weight with the batteries

[Soup DeVille]

They're listing the shipping weight at 250 lbs (if anybody finds a more detailed spec sheet on these, let me know). That's less than an original engine and a full fuel tank by almost 100 lbs.

[FoMoJo]

There's so much traffic (and so many idiots) on the Autobahn these days, this was all I could manage yesterday. A friend from Malaysia took this shot. He loved it and commented on how at this speed the car still feels safe and well-planted.   

Another 6.5 kph and you'll have made it.

[MX793]

They're listing the shipping weight at 250 lbs (if anybody finds a more detailed spec sheet on these, let me know). That's less than an original engine and a full fuel tank by almost 100 lbs.

Batteries not included... 

The 4.4 kWh battery from a Plug-in Prius is 180 lbs.  From what I can glean, the Nissan Leaf's 30 kWh battery is close to 450 lbs.

[Soup DeVille]

Batteries not included... 

The 4.4 kWh battery from a Plug-in Prius is 180 lbs.  From what I can glean, the Nissan Leaf's 30 kWh battery is close to 450 lbs.

No, that was from the batteries included kit;

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=217&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

You have to go back to the parent page to see the shipping weight;

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

But I'd really like a better technical paper.

[cawimmer430]

Another 6.5 kph and you'll have made it.

Actually I just took some friends visiting from Indianapolis for a joy drive on the Autobahn. I hit 245 km/h - and they filmed the whole thing. There should hopefully be a post on Facebook soon! 

Even at that speed the car was so well-planted and stable. My winter tires are limited to 240 km/h, so I quickly backed off after a few seconds of enjoying 245 km/h. Can't wait for the summer - I want to max my new car out with its summer tires! 

[Soup DeVille]

No, that was from the batteries included kit;

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=217&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

You have to go back to the parent page to see the shipping weight;

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

But I'd really like a better technical paper.

Bahh- they list the same weight with or without batteries. Bloody hell

[MX793]

No, that was from the batteries included kit;

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=217&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

You have to go back to the parent page to see the shipping weight;

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=jncvuok4s47b19tfqv6ko2mc90

But I'd really like a better technical paper.

Looking up the specs for the battery listed, the battery alone is 275 lbs.

[Soup DeVille]

Looking up the specs for the battery listed, the battery alone is 275 lbs.

That actually makes more sense- see my follow up post above.

Still, its a viable option for someone who wants a cruise around car that's not going to do any extended trips.

[giant_mtb]

8 years ago.  I miss that car sometimes, like when I'm driving long distances or on a fun curvy road.

[cawimmer430]

8 years ago.  I miss that car sometimes, like when I'm driving long distances or on a fun curvy road.

Gorgeous. I was at the Audi Museum on Saturday. They had a cool collection of non-Audi cars on display. Will post them ASAP.



Meanwhile, my buddies from Indianapolis who are currently in Munich sent me a photo of today's little joy drive. Still waiting for the video where I hit 245 km/h! 

[CaminoRacer]

2019 Riddler award winner:

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/2019-detroit-autorama-ridler-award-steve-bartons-1959-cadillac-wagon/

[FoMoJo]

2019 Riddler award winner:

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/2019-detroit-autorama-ridler-award-steve-bartons-1959-cadillac-wagon/

Pretty amazing.  Too bad the guy died before it was finished.