Monthly Archives June 2015

Note: We have a more comprehensive analysis of the BMW B58 engine, click and view it:

Detailed Analysis: The BMW B58 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

The upcoming 2016 BMW 340i will be equipped with a 3.0L turbocharged I6 engine (code name: B58). This is not the same N55 engine which is widely used in many BMW cars at this moment (like 235i/335i/435i/535i/740i etc.), instead the B58 engine is an completely-new design and has many fundamental differences than the N55.

Below are some analysis based on the engine structure images released by BMW.

1. The biggest change in the B58 engine is its block is a closed deck design (while the N54/N55 is an open deck)...

BMW has officially announced the all-new 2016 model year 7 series yesterday. If you have read our previous private preview report:

Exclusive Details: the All-New 2016 BMW 750i xDrive

You may find that the report has already covered almost all the features of the new 7 series. Below we will add more emphasis on the mechanical part.

1. Although the engine is still the 4.4L twin-turbo V8, however it is not exactly the same N63Tu V8 that are in the current 750i/Li. First, the compression ratio of the new V8 is raised to 10.5:1, compared to 10...

For car consumers, some are focusing on interior spaces/convenience/daily drive practicability; some may prefer the fun-to-drive factor; and some may gauge their preferences on other aspects. This article is for those who want to get the quickest acceleration performance with lower budget.

10 years ago it is impossible to buy a new car which can accelerate to 60mph from a standstill within 5 seconds, and costs you less than $40k. However because of big advancements in engine technologies, it is now possible for auto makers to produce high-output cars with much less costs.

The List

1. 2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (5.0L V8, 435hp and 400 lb-ft, $32,300)

2...

The next generation of the Lexus LS flagship sedan (chassis code XF50) is set to be unveiled as early as next year.

Above image: the current Lexus LS460 (2014 model year model shown)

Today we got some tips from our Toyota insider. The major news is the all-new designed LS will utilize a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber, in large percentage (as high as 80%) of its body structure.

Compared to the German competitors, the upcoming BMW 7-series (G11/G12) will use the similar approach, by incorporating the carbon fiber tube inside as the core of the aluminum structural parts; the current Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) is using aluminum and steel construction; while the A...

Today Lexus has confirmed the 2016 IS200t sports sedan will be coming starting this August or September.

Above photo: the current IS250 which is using the 2.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine

Indicated by its name, the IS200t will be powered by the 8AR-FTS turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which can also be found in the current Lexus NX200t CUV.

Lexus has not released the output specification of the IS200t, but our best bet is the numbers will be the same as NX200t, which means 235hp @ 4,800 RPM and 258 lb-ft @ 1,650 RPM. However, as we have mentioned in our previous article, given the 8AR-TFS is over-built and is capable of delivering a much higher output, also the spo...