Monthly Archives June 2015

Test Car Information

2015 Chrysler 200S AWD
3.6L naturally aspirated V6, 295 hp @ 6,350 RPM, 262 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive
Options: Comfort Group, Navigation and Sound Group I, Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof, Premium Lighting Group, 19×8-in Hyper Black Aluminum Wheels
MSRP as tested: $35,295 (including $995 S&H charge)

Platform and Chassis

The current Chrysler 200 is based on FIAT’s C-Evo platform. The C-Evo platform, which is firstly used on the 2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta, utilizes 84% high-strength steel and 4% aluminum. The front/rear suspension also extensively uses aluminum. Therefore, the C-Evo is an advanced platform.

Above ima...

Last month we have reported the existence of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Hellcat with the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8.

Recently, some other automobile medias claim that, they have heard from their “source” that the upcoming Grand Cherokee SRT Hellcat is able to reach a top speed of 200mph and run the 0-60 mph within 3 seconds (for example, this report).

While we cannot confirm whether the Grand Cherokee SRT Hellcat can reach 60mph in less than 3 seconds, we can definitely see in order to reach the speed of 200mph, how many horsepower the HEMI V8 engine need to make.

Using the same calculation procedure in our previous article (which calculates the output requirement for th...

If the name of “GLC” sounds unfamiliar to you: the new 2016 GLC-class is the redesigned GLK-class, closely related to the C-class.

The GLC class is larger than the current GLK class in every aspect, but weights 176 lbs lighter. This is achieved by using hybrid materials in the car body construction such as aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel.

Just like the C class, consumers can also get the optional air suspension on the GLC. Talking about the powertrain, Mercedes replaces the 7-speed automatic transmission with the latest 9G-TRONIC unit (by its name, it is a 9-speed transmission)...

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an automobile endurance racing event held in France each year, that participated racing cars need to run in a closed circuit of 13.629 km in length (Circuit de la Sarthe), for 24 hours continuously with brief stops for refueling/maintenance or change driver.

Above image: the Porsche 919 Hybrid (2015 winner)

There are multiple categories in the race (LMP1, LMP2, GT Endurance Pro, GT Endurance AM). In each race, every category has its corresponding own winner, and there is also an overall winner too...

Due to the zero-RPM instant maximum torque benefit, as has been proven in many existing examples (such as the Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari LaFerrari etc.), sports car with an electric motor constantly get extremely good performance when compared to cars only with internal combustion engines.

Since the cost of manufacturing hybrid powertrain is dropping, and its mechanical performance is raising within these years, now it is practically for auto makers to introduce hybrid powertrain in their sports-oriented models. This is exactly the case for the next-generation Porsche 911.

The next-gen 911 will be debuted  about 3 years later, the future 911 Carrera 4 will be the first...