Car photos/discussion thread

[SparkleDJackson]

I knew about the cali emissions tests etc but i had always thought that american motors had large displacements with soft tuning for reliability. I mean in the uk you are usually less than 10 mins from the petrol station and supermarkets but in the states (at least in my experience you can drive an hour to the closest walmart then back again. So thats how I thought it works. My e350 has a 15k service interval but a gtr has a 5k service interval.

 

[JR23]

I knew about the cali emissions tests etc but i had always thought that american motors had large displacements with soft tuning for reliability. I mean in the uk you are usually less than 10 mins from the petrol station and supermarkets but in the states (at least in my experience you can drive an hour to the closest walmart then back again. So thats how I thought it works. My e350 has a 15k service interval but a gtr has a 5k service interval.

Thats the difference between something optimized for performance compared with longevity. Amongst comparable vehicles service intervals should be similar in the UK to the US, 10-15k is normal. Operating conditions in the US are far more diverse what with cold winters, hot summers and dusty environments, all of which present different challenges. The fuel is different and certainly less consistent across all of the US. Diesel engines are far less popular in passenger vehicles and persuading people to move to smaller turbocharged engines is no easy task. Lifespan as well alike service intervals will depend on the nature of the vehicle and it's likely more is expected of a vehicle in the US. There is also just the simple consideration of price and what is cheap and easy for the manufacturer to remain competitive.

JR

 

[NeverBackDown]

I'm aware that I quoted the torque value in SI units, that is just easier for me to relate to and generally the unit used throughout Europe. And yes i'm also aware that 295 is slightly less than 320, the power incidentally was higher but anyway I think it's safe to say they are of comparable output and application. Considering the Volvo engine has under half the displacement (2.0 compared to 4.6) I think you will agree that is an impressive achievement. Your correct they would probably be comparable to US engines had turbochargers not been implemented, but from an overall performance angle why would you not want a turbocharger (ignoring extreme applications).

While California certainly pioneered emissions standards they aren't particularly extreme. Euro 6 standards allow only 1.6 CO (g/mi) and 0.008 PM (g/mi), lower than California's ULEV50 standard of 1.7 and 0.01 (g/mi) respectively. And LEV160 which I believe is the current minimum requirement is 4.2 CO (g/mi). Not many US vehicles would meet Euro 6. Engine development has been driven by emissions for decades, they've just never been as tight in America. With far fewer taxes on fuels you are under less pressure to buy efficient vehicles and until recently the manufacturers really haven't delivered that at all which is understandable.

I never said electric motors weren't used in America, nor did I say you don't have transverse mounted engines. I've been studying for an Automotive Engineering Degree for coming up to 3 years and I can assure you that I have a balanced perspective on global developments. I think your reading into something I never said with that last paragraph. I was referring to Volvo's decision to drop the T5/T6/V8 engines and move forwards with only 2.0 engines on the XC90 and the design freedom that gives them from a safety perspective. It's much easier to keep a smaller lighter engine block from intruding on the passenger compartment during a head on collision. I would be very interested to see US vehicles taking part in EU safety tests.

I'm not slagging off the US in any way you have very different requirements and as such different products to suit them. I've always admired American engineering and i'd far sooner live in a country with NA V8's lurking beneath everyones hood. Ignoring efficiency is an efficient way to get the job done

JR

I know you quoted it in SI. I also know they are pretty close and close enough to design and other factors in the car would make the difference in performance. Many US cars are turbo'd. Just most are usually no bigger than 1.4l so it's really tiny and the fact they only have one turbo. If they were twin tubo'd like it seems more EU cars are, they would be more comparable.

I have a link regarding the emmision standards. To many numbers and depends on class of vehicle, so i'll leave it here for you to see. I just got home from my math course.. i don't wanna look at more numbers lol
http://transportpolicy.net/index.php?title=Category:United_States
I guess i read into it to much. Just sounded like you thought something different. So i corrected you. In fact, my father owns an electric car(Chevy Volt) and i'll be honest.. it's fast as hell with that electric torque off the line. But like any other electric engine it's top speed isn't that high. I know the US safety laws are pretty darn good. I've seen some horrible crap, as well as experiencing, and while the car was destroyed, person(s) was ok. Never seen an engine get into a the passenger area though.

Ya i don't understand why everyone in the world bags on American's because "We love our V8's"... what's wrong with a v8? I'd take a NA V8 over a tiny v6/i4 etc any day. Only v6/i6 i would get is a turbo diesel. American V8's due to the emission standards rising(which they will starting in 2017 if i read that link right earlier) are pretty efficient.

I knew about the cali emissions tests etc but i had always thought that american motors had large displacements with soft tuning for reliability. I mean in the uk you are usually less than 10 mins from the petrol station and supermarkets but in the states (at least in my experience you can drive an hour to the closest walmart then back again. So thats how I thought it works. My e350 has a 15k service interval but a gtr has a 5k service interval.

I guess that's a theory.. i'm not really sure. Our gas pumps are usually quite spread. But depends on where you live.

 

[barnsley]

l. American V8's due to the emission standards rising(which they will starting in 2017 if i read that link right earlier) are pretty efficient.

More efficient then they were. They're still pretty poor compared to europe/japan.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the choice of cars (I'd own more cars then fingers by now lol) you guys have too but efficiency isn't going to be your strong point for a long time. Especially when you guys seem to badmouth engines like the ecoboost stuff which can be fast and efficient because it just doesn't 'fit' under a mustang.


I'd get everything from a Ramrunner (excluding the raptor I'm more of a Ram guy) to Mustang.


-edit- best looking estate ever made?

 

[SavageCupcake]

-edit- best looking estate ever made?

Sorry but....

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/02/the-best-bmw-they-never-built/

I need to go have a man moment....

 

[MrKambo]

You're all wrong

 

[SavageCupcake]

You're all wrong

Too low. For me fast estates are all about being practical when you need them to be but can still blow the doors off most other cars on the road.

 

[MrKambo]

Too low. For me fast estates are all about being practical when you need them to be but can still blow the doors off most other cars on the road.

Thats aired out, it wouldn't be that low when driving, itll sit roughly 35-45mm higher, depends on tyre stretch and camber and the balls of the owner. Thats also 550hp, blow the shit out of 80% of things on the road

 

[SavageCupcake]

Thats aired out, it wouldn't be that low when driving, itll sit roughly 35-45mm higher, depends on tyre stretch and camber and the balls of the owner. Thats also 550hp, blow the shit out of 80% of things on the road

Mehhhhhhhhhhhhh function > form for me. Haven't got much time for cars running small tires on wide rims and silly camber. Each to their own but it just isn't my cup of tea.

 

[MrKambo]

Mehhhhhhhhhhhhh function > form for me. Haven't got much time for cars running small tires on wide rims and silly camber. Each to their own but it just isn't my cup of tea.

Thats fine i can respect likes and dislikes


FORM FTW :lol:

 

[JR23]

-edit- best looking estate ever made?

We need to define Estate first, there are a few examples that are f* beautiful but perhaps it would be using the term too loosely.

JR

 

[SPS]

JR pretty much nailed my choices.

 

[barnsley]

We need to define Estate first, there are a few examples that are f* beautiful but perhaps it would be using the term too loosely.


JR

To be honest the only one I like out of those is the merc. The other two (excluding the volvo, which is bonkers) are really boring IMO.



best BMW 5 series estate is the e34 if you ask me.

 

[JR23]

To be honest the only one I like out of those is the merc. The other two (excluding the volvo, which is bonkers) are really boring IMO.

best BMW 5 series estate is the e34 if you ask me.

There were actually 2 Merc's, CLA and the CLS AMG. I don't like the Audi either, just thought it should be up there with the 159 contemplation.

I mean I see your point with the E34, some of the earlier estates were fantastic, but damn not that one. wth was wrong with the original wing mirrors.


Can't believe I forgot the E-Class!

JR

 

[TPC]

the new mercs look so horrible, that big ass front grill is ridiculous

 

[NeverBackDown]

More efficient then they were. They're still pretty poor compared to europe/japan.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the choice of cars (I'd own more cars then fingers by now lol) you guys have too but efficiency isn't going to be your strong point for a long time. Especially when you guys seem to badmouth engines like the ecoboost stuff which can be fast and efficient because it just doesn't 'fit' under a mustang.


I'd get everything from a Ramrunner (excluding the raptor I'm more of a Ram guy) to Mustang.

From what I have seen, a v8 here(for example the 5.7l hemi in the challenger/charger) gets much better fuel economy than a 2015 audi s4 and that's a 3.0l v6 and puts out more power...

We aren't badmouthing ecoboost stuff? Ford has them all over the place and they are there best selling engine... they aren't that much more efficient than the other v8's on the road(most apparent in trucks)... and the mustangs do have ecoboost engines under the hood.. and why would they not fit? they are smaller than a v8. Besides Mustang's are ugly in my opinion. I'd never get one.

I'm a ram guy myself. I won't touch Ford. They always break down and that's from my experience. Others have different ones so it depends on who you ask. Although i'll admit the new "ramrunner" called the rebel is ugly as fuck.. Shame they stopped making the runner.

 

[barnsley]

From what I have seen, a v8 here(for example the 5.7l hemi in the challenger/charger) gets much better fuel economy than a 2015 audi s4 and that's a 3.0l v6 and puts out more power...

Much better meaning 2 MPG?

The audi apparently does 28 Highway 18 city whereas the most efficient Challenger (the base model SXT) I could find does 19 city/30 hwy.

My comment about the not fitting is the sheer BS that people have spouted about a 4cyl turbo engine being in a mustang that I've seen recently.

 

[TPC]

Looks like a normal rim, some scratches, a bit dirty not too bad.
But whats that on the left side?

:mellow:

 

[barnsley]

A good way to wake up a thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hy0oDAQ1tE

 

[SPS]

Lol nope! You've gotta have a death wish.