Top Automotive News & Stories: September 24-30.
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Every week we collect the best announcements and events from the world of cars. Here are the unmissable topics from September 24th to 30th.
Is the Prius going to be fully connected?
The Toyota Prius is world famous as one of the hybrids that started it all. Over the years, its technology has improved, helping to squeeze every mile out of a gallon of gasoline. However, Toyota engineers believe they may have gotten the most out of their current powertrain layout and could make big changes to further improve the next generation.
The Prius' standard hybrid system makes the most of electric power, but the gasoline engine still works to propel the car when needed. Alternatively, the plug-in hybrid system, which was an option on the Prius, uses all the electrical power, drawing energy primarily from a plug-in charger that is used when the car is parked, with the gasoline engine acting only as an on-board generator when powered by the battery. becomes too low. This plug-in system helps improve fuel economy per gallon, but is not always preferred by drivers who are concerned about their vehicle's range.
However, as consumer demand for hybrids continues to improve, Toyota may move to all replacement transmissions for the Prius. This will keep the Prius at the top of the hybrid game and make motorists feel even more comfortable with increasingly electrified vehicles.
Autoblog has more information straight from the Prius Engineer plug-in.
Debut Honda Civic Type R aggressive look
This year's Paris Motor Show has been full of stunning debuts, but even among the releases from Ferrari and Audi, the next-gen Honda Civic Type R has garnered a lot of attention. Based on the humble Civic Hatchback, Honda's engineers have gone to great lengths to make the Type R as performant as possible, and the crazy-looking body kit they've installed really does look good.
Covered in vents, air intakes and spoilers, the Type R should be the king of hot hatchbacks. Carbon fiber in abundance helps keep the Type R light and land on the pavement as speed increases. No official figures have been announced, but a turbocharged four-cylinder version of the Civic is expected to deliver over 300 horsepower. Massive perforated Brembo brakes help slow things down.
Sports car enthusiasts in the United States should rejoice that the new Civic Type R, previously only available in Europe and Asia, will make its way to American shores. It should make its official North American debut at the SEMA show in November.
In the meantime, check out Jalopnik for more information.
Infiniti introduces variable compression engine
The compression ratio refers to the ratio of the volume of a combustion chamber from its largest volume to its smallest volume. Depending on the application of the engine, sometimes a high compression ratio is preferable to a low one, and vice versa. But the fact of all engines is that the compression ratio is a fixed, unchanging value - until now.
Infiniti has introduced a variable compression ratio system for the new turbocharged engine that is said to deliver the best of both high and low compression ratios. The complex arrangement of lever mechanisms allows you to change the position of the pistons in the cylinder block depending on the load. The result is low compression power when you need it and high compression efficiency when you don't.
The variable compression system has been in development for over 20 years, and it's no surprise that it's extremely difficult to understand. While most drivers don't particularly care what's going on under the hood, this revolutionary technology delivers power and efficiency benefits that anyone can agree on.
For a full rundown, head over to Motor Trend.
Ferrari plans to produce 350 special edition cars
Perhaps the most famous car manufacturer in the world, Ferrari has produced dozens of legendary cars over its 70-year history. To celebrate its anniversary, the Italian brand has announced that it will produce 350 custom-designed special edition vehicles.
The cars will be based on the latest and greatest Ferrari models but pay homage to the historic cars they have built over the years. The red and white 488 GTB is the Formula 1 car that Michael Schumacher won the championship in 2003. McQueen's version of the California T has the same stylish brown paint job that Steve McQueen wore on his 1963 250 GT. The V12-powered F12 Berlinetta will serve as the basis for the Stirling version, a tribute to the legendary 250 GT driver Stirling Moss, who won three times in 1961.
As if Ferraris weren't special enough to begin with, these 350 unique cars are guaranteed to have a unique style that's as striking as their high performance. Ferrari Tifosi around the world should be looking forward to their introduction in the coming months.
Read car history at Ferrari.
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept showcases electric future
Mercedes-Benz is working hard to bring a wide range of electric vehicles to market, and the introduction of their Generation EQ concept at the Paris Motor Show gives us a better idea of what to expect.
The sleek SUV boasts a range of over 300 miles with over 500 lb-ft of torque. torque available under the accelerator pedal. It also features a fast charging system to make electric driving more convenient and all the autonomous safety technology that Mercedes continues to use.
All this is part of the Mercedes CASE philosophy, which stands for Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric. Generation EQ is a continuous representation of these four pillars and provides a glimpse of the upcoming electric vehicles we'll see from the German brand in the coming years.
Green Car Congress explains more features and technical details.
Review of the week
Audi is recalling about 95,000 vehicles to fix a software bug that could cause ambient lighting, including headlights, to stop working. The bug comes from an update that was meant to save battery by turning off the lights when the car is locked, but there seems to be an issue with turning the lights back on. Obviously, being able to see where you are going is an important part of driving safely. The recall will start shortly and dealers will fix it with a software update.
About 44,000 2016 2017 Volvo models are being recalled for repair of air conditioning drain hoses that can leak. Leaky hoses can cause the air conditioner to malfunction, but more importantly can cause problems with airbags and engine management systems. Water on the carpets is a sure sign that there is a problem with the hoses in the car. The recall is due to start in November and Volvo dealers will inspect and replace the hoses if necessary.
Subaru has announced a recall of 593,000 Legacy and Outback vehicles because wiper motors can melt and catch fire. Foreign contaminants can accumulate on the covers of the wiper motors, which can prevent their normal operation. In this case, the engines can overheat, melt and catch fire. There are a very limited number of places where a car fire is allowed, and windshield wipers are not one of them. Legacy and Outback drivers can expect notice from Subaru soon. This is the second time Subaru has been recalled due to problematic wiper motors.
For more information about these and other reviews, visit the Complaints about cars section.
