By Michael Russell
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR design. Co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars, this sports car/super car hybrid can go from 0 to 62 in 3.6 seconds with a bas price tag of $455,500.00 (this includes the $ 3000.00 gas-guzzler tax and $ 2500.00 freight). It is often assumed that “SLR” stands for Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport (translated as Sport; Light; Racing), but it really means Super-leicht, Rennsport (Super-light, Racing). A new version was presented in 2006 called “Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 edition”. The “722″ commemorates the 1955 Mille Miglia victory of Stirling Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkinson with their Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (722 refers to 7:22 am which happens to be their start time)
AMG technicians optimized the capacities of the original SL-55 engine by enlarging the fuel pump and cylinders and placed a larger cooling system for the engine. This modification produced a 5.5 liter dry sumped V8 and an unusual 3 valves per cylinder with SOHC. This is contrary to the prevalent design of super cars that uses DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine is also uniquely mounted in the front-mid section of the vehicle, which is 1 meter behind the front bumper and 50 cm from the front axle. Because of the great engine power of this car, fade resistant, carbon-ceramic based brake plates are used with calipers that would automatically skim the surface of the brake plates to keep them dry when driving in a wet situation. Spoilers are also mounted on the rear and pops up when breaking at high speeds. The SLR has a five-speed automatic transmission that comes with three separate modes: Sport, Comfort and Manual. Sport is mainly for everyday use while Comfort is for bumpy roads and lastly, Manual that allows the driver to shift gears with the touchpad or the levers on the steering wheel. The transmission used in the SLR is the same with other performance models such as the SL65. However, the SLK-55 engine cannot handle the torque and power output of the SLR therefore a five-speed transmission is used.
The SLR has a top speed of 208 mph making it the fastest automatic car in the world until 2005, when the Bugatti Veyron came into the picture. The SLR makes use of carbon fiber for its body, which supposed to make it lighter but the car still weighs at 3898 pounds after adding all the luxury items included. In 2004, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. And reported that the car’s quarter-mile time is 11.5 seconds. Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson, notably praised the SLR for how easy it is to drive even at top speed. On the same episode of Top Gear, Jeremy was able to out run a 25000 bhp cruise liner in a race with co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May from London to Oslo (1320 miles). The SLR is often categorized as a “grand touring car” rather than a “super car” because it is extremely fast yet does not sacrifice comfort.
Michael Russell Your Independent Sports Car guide.
At kanetix, our interest is in insurance, so we keep our eyes open for any new developments that may affect the auto insurance industry. Recently, rumors of a breakthrough by a little known company called EEStor caught our attention because of the far reaching implications of the technology they may have developed.
Every so often, a technology comes along that promises to revolutionize the world. More often than not, these claims eventually fizzle, and we’re left disappointed and more skeptical of the next claim that comes around. Sometimes, new technology appears and at first, it’s seen as quaint and amusing, and dismissed by the prognosticators of the day, only to go on to revolutionize the way we do things and make fortunes for those with the foresight to jump on board early.
This was true of many technologies in their infancy. Take the automobile for instance. When it first began making an appearance in the late 19th century, many folks clung to the belief that it could never truly replace the trusty, reliable horse. Same thing with aircraft - too flakey and dangerous to be of any real use. More recently, the personal computer made its first appearance in the late seventies, and even some of the most technologically astute among us, failed to grasp the full implications of its arrival, until there was a machine popping up on every second desktop.
Recently, rumblings of an astonishing breakthrough in “electrical energy storage technology” from a practically unheard of company called EEStor, out of Cedar Park, Texas, have some claiming that we are on the verge of a complete revolution in electric powered vehicles.
With EEStor, you can forget about Hybrids, ethanol or hydrogen powered vehicles and even fuel cell technology.
If the rumors are true then EEStor have developed the next “really big thing”.
Imagine an “electrical energy storage device” that can charge up in minutes, power a vehicle for hundreds and hundreds of miles on less than ten dollars worth of electricity (at today’s prices) and allow for performance characteristics that rival those of today’s super cars. Not only that, but the device is claimed to weigh one-tenth the weight of conventional lead-acid batteries, with practically unlimited re-charging cycles and be only slightly more expensive than today’s mid range conventional gasoline power sources. Sounds too good to be true – right?
Unfortunately, EEStor is being pretty secretive about the whole thing, and who can blame them. If the rumors are true, EEStor could be in possession of technology that will literally change our world, and they will no doubt be a household name in fairly short order.
As we said earlier, at kanetix, our interest is in insurance, and we wondered how such a revolution in automotive technology (if true) might affect the auto insurance rates of those who drive such a vehicle. Well, EEStor is unlikely to be thinking about such things, but we sure are.
Now, it wouldn’t be the first time that so called “revolutionary technology” failed to materialize as envisioned, but it does seem that we’re overdue for some kind of technological breakthrough in battery or “electric energy storage” technology, with not a huge amount of progress over the last hundred years or so. So, out of interest, kanetix took a look at some data that we were able to gather through our sister site: http://www.kanetix.ca, regarding the insurance rates in Canada for some of today’s advanced hybrid vehicles. We wanted to see if we could discern a trend in auto insurance rates for cars of this nature.
While hybrid vehicles have only been around since around 2000, we were able to compare insurance quotes for the Toyota Prius Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid. What we found was not especially encouraging, nor especially discouraging, with a bright spot along the way.
If you remove a driver’s “personal insurance and driving experience,” there was basically no real difference in premiums quoted. But, it does seem that some auto insurance providers are trying to encourage the trend to “greener” auto technology, with small discounts of around 10% for such cleaner fuel vehicles.
What our survey basically tells us is that regardless of technology, car insurance will always be based on the same basic things, namely, how often they are stolen, how much they cost to repair after an accident, their propensity to be in an accident and the frequency and severity of injuries if in an accident. And, of course, an individual driver’s “personal insurance and driving experience.”
EEStor may indeed have found the holy grail of “electrical energy storage technology”, but unless auto makers are able to incorporate this new power source into safer, more crash resistant and cheaper-to-repair vehicles, we are unlikely to see insurance rates for electrically powered vehicles decline significantly over regular gasoline powered cars.
Disclaimer - The above description/explanation is intended as a guideline only, and is not to be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance products, or to provide legal or financial advice of any kind. Also, Kanetix Ltd. does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed.
The BMW M3 model family is being upgraded by yet another fascinating player. The new BMW M3 Convertible, the third body version of BMW’s high-performance sports car following the Coupe and Saloon, offers new possibilities to experience uncompromising driving dynamics.
Outstanding performance and thrilling dynamics of this kind create the first impression conveyed by the BMW M3 Convertible right from the start: This very special two-door performer not only comes with the same drive technology as the BMW M3 Coupe and the BMW M3 Saloon, but is also a brand-new development from the ground up, again boasting all the features so typical of a BMW M model.
The BMW M3 Convertible thus transfers motorsport technology to everyday motoring, meeting even the greatest demands made of such a high-performance car. In its character, therefore, it is first and foremost a BMW M3, while nevertheless betraying its unique identity side-by-side with the Coupe and Saloon.
An Eight-Cylinder in a BMW M3 Convertible
The BMW M3 Convertible draws its exceptional dynamic driving potential from its new eight-cylinder power unit developing 414 bhp from 244 cubic inches. Maximum torque of 295 lb-ft is just as impressive as maximum engine speed of 8,400 rpm. This high engine speed concept so typical of BMW M engines comes straight from the latest Formula 1 power unit raced by the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Clearly, this outstanding principle of engine power ensures unique torque and muscle also in the BMW M3 Convertible in transmitting engine power through the variable M Differential Lock to the rear wheels.
Acceleration to 60 mph comes in just 5.1 seconds and the car continues to surge ahead with increasing power and performance as the driver keeps his foot on the gas pedal, all the way to the car’s top speed of 155 mph, where the engine’s electronic control unit sets a limit to the ongoing speed and performance of this open-air athlete.
The new BMW M3 Convertible comes as standard with a manual six-speed gearbox. With short gear lever travel like in motorsport and crisp, precise movement of the shift lever, the driver is able at all times to transmit the superior power and thrust of the V8 to the rear wheels with the ideal gear ratio. The Interior: Four Seats, if You Wish with the Roof Down
Creating the interior, the designers and other specialists at BMW M have successfully reached their objective to offer the occupants maximum driving pleasure in an ambience perfectly tailored to their requirements. This applies particularly to the driver’s seat, with all elements required for active motoring being modified accordingly and, through their enhanced functions, reflecting the exceptional power and performance of the BMW M3 Convertible.
As soon as the retractable hardtop folds up into the rear compartment, the driver and front passenger enjoy a truly incomparable open-air atmosphere further promoted by the low-slung shoulder line, the seating position moved far to the back, and the short windscreen. The result of this concept, obviously, is an optimum experience of open-air motoring.
The frame round the windscreen keeps a generous distance from the heads of the front passengers, allowing the sun and, to a pleasant degree, the wind to flow smoothly into and around the interior.
A further highlight is that the occupants now enjoy an even more direct, undiluted experience of the V8 power unit with its unmistakable acoustics.
Supreme Performance is the Objective, Sheer Driving Pleasure is the Result
Even though the full power and performance of the BMW M3 can only be used on the race track, the car’s impressive supremacy also in city traffic and on country roads ensures sheer driving pleasure in a particularly fascinating rendition. And even that is not all, for there are countless roads and routes the world over which, while being thoroughly enjoyable in the BMW M3 Convertible with the roof closed, offer an even higher level of enjoyment and satisfaction with the roof open in perfect convertible weather. So whoever demands top performance and knows how to enjoy supreme pleasure in life will be thrilled time and again by the new BMW M3 Convertible.
by Donald Willson
A lot of things have changed since I was a youngster. I remember the day when I worked on the corner gas station pumping gas, cleaning windows and checking oil, the last two of which you find very few stations doing anymore. The whole idea of “full-service” is pretty much a thing of the past, however this is a subject for a different article. During those days I had the part-time job at the gas station, the ozone layer was something that astronomers and astronauts worried about and not something that he had to worry about breaking down thereby burning a hole in this beloved planet we live on.
The cost of gas was $.16 a gallon - yes you heard me - $.16 a GALLON! We drove cars that got on a good day 18 miles per gallon and it didn’t break the bank or increase the interest rate on your credit card just to fill up the tank. We would ask mom and dad for a five spot to go cruising up and down the main drag, not the credit card charge of $30 or more that it takes now. It’s no wonder that the old folks (like myself) who are now the parents of children cruisin’ the drag came up with the idea of alternative fuels to try and save ourselves a few bucks at the pump as well as save the planet that we so dearly love and yet manage to almost destroyed the last 30 years or so.
One solution to this has been to make engines smaller, cars smaller and sometimes I even wonder if they’ve made people smaller - because I sure can’t fit in these boxes. I actually saw a car that couldn’t have been more than a lawnmower engine with wheels, which were no larger than the ones I used to make my go carts out of when I was (once again) a kid! The car itself was boxy and it did sound a lot like a lawnmower going down the street but hey - I am sure it got great gas mileage!
Another solution is to change the gasoline we run our cars on. What does this mean? Well, we remove the lead, an anti-knock agent which was needed in the old days because we didn’t have super computers tuning our cars for us as we drive. We eliminated High octane fuel which to tell the truth pretty much killed a lot of the old muscle cars (Ahh.. the sound of a big V8 in the morning!). and then, we added ethanol (grain alcohol) to the gas to try to thin it out and help it run cleaner. A step in the right direction but personally, I always like my grain alcohol with a twist and just a plash of gin!
The other solution we have come up with alternative fuels. So far these consist of been added it to the fuels we’ve reduced or eliminated lead in the fuel which was an anti-knock agent but it did so pollute our atmosphere in which since replaced it with grain alcohol (funny I used to look at that as a kid to drink not to run my car on). The grain alcohol is supposed to reduce emissions while at the same time converting some of the emissions to water vapor that goes into the doesn’t do any good but it doesn’t do as much harm. But this is not the solution.
They did have come out with hybrid cars now which run on electricity the last word a combination of gasoline and electricity switching back and forth between the two is the load on the engine dictates. You have to admit this is a pretty smart idea however and makes for a maintenance nightmare because of the weight of the batteries carried in the car cancel out any real advantage of having a hybrid car in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, it does some good just not enough to make a difference.
You also have the companies and entrepreneurs that are working on pure electric cars. Unfortunately these haven’t made a big impact on the road right now because it requires so many batteries at the car is incredibly heavy and the batteries and the batteries don’t have a long life in the car so they have to be replaced sooner than any engine overhaul would take place. This is a very expensive ordeal as well as you have to find a specialty shop to that would be able to do it for you. They do have one battery that does show some promise -it’s called the “sulfur battery”. The only problem with this battery is it needs a key element in it out in the field to keep sulfur in its liquid state about 300 plus degrees. Not a good thing to have rumbling around in your trunk! Let’s face it batteries just have not made it to a level or place where they can take to the road as well as a gasoline engine.
One of the more exciting things that I’ve seen is called the hydrogen fuel-cell. This unique little device takes water and converts it to electricity by using special layers of chemicals and minerals to separate the hydrogen in the action from each other and causing his chemical reaction that generates electricity between the plates and thereby supplying electricity to whatever needs to be run-in this case the motor in the car. This is probably one of the more exciting developments as come along however it doesn’t create a lot of electricity only creating a few milliamps or a few amps here and there where running cars can take hundreds of amps, especially during hard acceleration. So until they develop this little bit further its out as well.
Honestly I believe that at this point in time since we don’t have anything else to run our cars are than gasoline, I believe the hybrid engine is the way to go. But electricity doesn’t really seem the way to go to me and additives to the fuel make it inefficient or simply don’t exist at this time. There has been one promising area that I believe should be pursued…
The idea of hydrogen being injected into an engine is a good idea-they actually came up with this some time ago running an engine completely on hydrogen. Do have to admit it was pretty much a rolling firetrap if it ever got into an accident the hydrogen itself is very explosive in very small quantities so great care has to be taken in its care and handling.
Now comes the idea I read about. What if one were able to use water as a fuel? It’s plentiful it’s everywhere and it’s a renewable resource. “How is a renewable” you ask? Well it’s car word to runoff water were some component thereof it’s only product coming out of the exhaust pipe would be any guess? Water! The water goes up in the air, and comes down as rain. It’s renewed! It’s a wonderful idea and a few people are working on exactly that idea. Personally, I’m hoping some big corporation picks up on the idea and runs with it. It would be the best possible thing for a planet and face it possible thing for us as a race!
