9/24/2012

TopSpeed Daily Update

Tech Jargon: QNX CAR 2 is Secretly Revolutionizing the Automotive Technology World
Audi A1 Quattro by ABT Sportsline
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG "Project Cyphur" by SR Auto Group
Lamborghini Gallardo by Dallas Performance
MINI Mulling Over a Miata-Like Sports Car, Among Other Projects
Porsche Cayenne Coupe by Merdad Collection
Honda Confirms the Civic Type R for 2015 and Shooting for Fastest FWD on the Ring

Tech Jargon: QNX CAR 2 is Secretly Revolutionizing the Automotive Technology World

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 05:00 AM PDT

So you may have never heard of QNX, but you likely interface with it on a daily basis, given you have a car with a computer-based infotainment system (Toyota Entune, BMW ConnectedDrive, GM’s OnStar, etc.). QNX is essentially to a car what Windows is to a PC – it allows the software and hardware to do their delicate exchange of ones and zeros to turn them into what you see on the screen.

QNX is actually in development of its second-generation operating system, which it has dubbed QNX CAR 2. This may sound like just another small and meaningless software changeover, but CAR 2 will include something that may revolutionize automotive infotainment systems – an HTML 5-based interface.

As it sits now, QNX builds the OS, but the manufacturer works the front end of its software in its own way, leaving the customer out of the equation. The HTML 5 interface will allow the manufacturer to set up the basic functions of the infotainment systems, but ultimately allow you to customize it as you see fit.

Additionally, the usage of HTML 5 will also help lower the gap between consumer electronics and automotive electronics, which currently have a 7- to 10-year gap between product cycles. Heck, your laptop is obsolete before you ever walk out of the store, yet some cars run the same cruddy infotainment systems they did in 2005.

Another huge relief that HTML 5 would bring to the automotive world would be the development of apps. As it stands now, cars are much like the iPhone – you have to buy licensed apps from the app store, which cost loads of money over time. With the introduction of HTML 5, you get the option of more open-source apps, like you do with an Android-based smartphone or tablet. No, we're not trying to start a Mac vs. Android war; we're just stating the obvious.

In turn, all of this should – theoretically – make bringing more advanced infotainment systems to the consumer at a lower price.

QNX expects to see CAR 2 start being used sometime in 2013 or 2014. We'll keep an eye on this and bring you more information as it becomes available.

Check out the above video to see QNX CAR 2 in action, it’s pretty awesome.

Tech Jargon: QNX CAR 2 is Secretly Revolutionizing the Automotive Technology World originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 22 September 2012 12:00 EST.

Audi A1 Quattro by ABT Sportsline

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 11:00 PM PDT

General production Audi models aren’t the only cars that ABT Sportsline loves to tune. Turns out, they’ve set their eyes on limited edition models too, including the A1 Quattro.

As stunning as the car is to look at it, ABT Sportsline left any kind of improvements on the A1 Quattro’s looks alone. What they did was take the car’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and tweak it to give the sports hatchback an increased output without having to compromise on the car’s fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

After going under the ABT Sportsline knife, the A1 Quattro’s output has been spiked from the standard 256 horsepower and 258 lb/ft of torque figures all the way up to 307 horsepower and 295 lb/ft of torque. The improved output nets a faster 0-62 mph time of 5.4 seconds, as opposed to the standard model’s 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

Talk about giving more reason to fall in love with the A1 Quattro, ABT Sportsline has one for us.

gallery: 2012 Audi A1 Quattro

Audi A1 Quattro by ABT Sportsline originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 22 September 2012 06:00 EST.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG "Project Cyphur" by SR Auto Group

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:00 PM PDT

SR Auto Group is dropping it like its hot!

The Canadian aftermarket company has been releasing a number of new programs lately and as sure as the sun is hot, they’ve been smacking their programs straight out of the park. The latest program is called "Project Cyphur" and was built for the Mercedes E63 AMG. Considering the car already carries an AMG badge, SR Auto Group decided to give it a full aesthetic makeover instead.

The first order of business was enlisting new body components from Brabus, considered one of the best Mercedes tuners in the world. The kit includes a full carbon fiber font lip and a pair of carbon fiber air events. This is followed by the removal of the front fenders, which were then replaced with Brabus front fenders. LED side markers have also been added as well as a carbon fiber diffuser over at the rear.

The last order of business, as always, is fitting the car with a new set of shiny digs. For this one, SR Auto Group added a set of Design 6IX Depth in "Rose Gold" PUR Wheels.

gallery: 2009 - 2012 Mercedes W212 E63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG "Project Cyphur" by SR Auto Group originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 22 September 2012 03:00 EST.

Lamborghini Gallardo by Dallas Performance

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:00 PM PDT

From the land where bigger is always the norm, comes a tuning company that isn’t afraid to take one of their tuning packages and improve on it...again and again. Dallas Performance out of Texas began their quest with the Lamborghini Gallardo with one upgrade package that took the standard 520 HP to a whopping 650 HP. This was done with the addition of a twin turbo setup, but other items proceeded to be thrown into the mix for a total of four tuning packages and a whole lot of horsepower.

Stage One took the Gallardo to 650 whp with 93 Octane Fuel and 800+ whp with E85 or VP C16 Race Fuel with the added turbochargers. Stage Two brings back the turbochargers, but adds forged engine internals for a total of 800+ whp with 93 Octane Fuel or 1050+ whp with E85 or VP C16 Race Fuel. The highly modified engine of Stage Three brings the horsepower up to 1000 whp with 93 Octane or 1200+ whp with E85 or VP C16 Race Fuel, while Stage 3R replaces the standard V10 with a race-spec engine for a total of 1000 whp with 93 Octane or 1400+ whp with VP C16 Race Fuel.

Preparations for the vehicle are also made with the options provided by Dallas Performance. Aside from the cost of the engine upgrades, which start at $34,900 and go to $95,000 before settling at "inquire for pricing," the tuning firm will also provide accessories to help the vehicle run smoother with the added boost. The company offers a high flow sport exhaust system, cat delete pipes, a high flow air inlet system, ECU custom mapping/dyno tuning, and an E85 fuel conversion (includes mapping) which adds 40whp.

Hit the jump for a list of the packages, as well as detailed pricing.

Lamborghini Gallardo by Dallas Performance originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 21 September 2012 19:00 EST.

MINI Mulling Over a Miata-Like Sports Car, Among Other Projects

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT

Here MINI grows again – well, potentially grows – as in an interview with Inside Line, BMW announced the potential of three new MINI models. We'll start with the not-so-fun ones first, as Harald Kreuger let IL know that a larger SUV, to complement the Countryman, is in the works, as is a sedan model. The SUV would likely have some chances of making it to the U.S., but the sedan would likely head to developing markets, like China or Indonesia.

Okay, enough with the family-style stuff, let's see what we're really here to talk about. Kreuger also announced that MINI is considering a roadster model. Kreuger even went as far as to point to the master of said domain, the original MX-5 Miata, as the potential mold for this vehicle. This would mean that we would have a quick, fun-to-drive roadster bearing the traditional MINI look. We could live with that.

Additionally, we have to look into the distant possibility of BMW sharing its 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine lineup with said Miata-like sports car. Considering the rumors afloat about the upcoming MX-5 Miata boasting a far more powerful four-cylinder engine than ever before, this very well may be the time to take a swipe at the compact roadster crown by including the new 1.5-liter Bimmer engine.

If anyone can create a machine that rivals the fun-to-drive factor that the Miata has always afforded its owners, BMW can. And that 1.5-liter 3-pot has some serious potential.

In the same report, MINI also announced that it may open up a British-design office to help it maintain the "Britishness" that makes MINIs so attractive to the world. Additionally, MINI is midway through a $1.2 billion renovation of its Oxford plant to extend its manufacturing capacity to 250,000 units and it will be renting space from the Mitsubishi-Volvo Nedcar factory in the Netherlands starting in 2014.

We certainly hope that all of these upcoming models will feature a little bit of their own character, as opposed to being simply squashed up or stretched Coopers. Stay tuned for more!

gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman

MINI Mulling Over a Miata-Like Sports Car, Among Other Projects originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 21 September 2012 18:00 EST.

Porsche Cayenne Coupe by Merdad Collection

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Lovers of Porsche, but haters of the Cayenne may finally have a reason to see past the SUV features of the vehicle now that Merdad Collection has taken a chance on it. The English tuner has just revealed their newest package that consists of chopping off the two rear doors of the Cayenne and giving it a little more power to boot.

The new Porsche Cayenne Coupe was given its name after the company removed the rear doors and moved the B-pillars further back in order to accommodate the new, 20 mm longer front doors. These new doors were then equipped with safety glass to better protect the passengers inside. Other modifications to the exterior include a wide body package with a new mesh grille and spoiler, wheel arch extensions, side skirts and door moldings, a rear skirt with diffuser, and a carbon fiber hood with integrated vents. The car now sits on a new set of 22" wheels combined with an electronic suspension module which lowers the car by 40 mm. The interior also received some modifications in the way of four new sport seats with carbon fiber shells and electronic tilting. Other customizations can be had upon each customer’s request.

The power upgrade was provided with the addition of larger turbocharger units for the 4.8-liter V8 engine, new manifolds and exhaust, a sport air filter, a revised air intake system, and optimized ECU software. The result is an increase from the standard 500 HP up to 670 HP. The 0 to 60 mph is now made in 4.4 seconds and top speed goes up to more than 186 mph.

gallery: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Coupe by Merdad Collection originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 21 September 2012 17:00 EST.

Honda Confirms the Civic Type R for 2015 and Shooting for Fastest FWD on the Ring

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:00 AM PDT

The Honda Civic Type R is one of those cars that import tuners – regardless of their make preference – would give just about anything to get their hands on. We knew that Honda was working on an all-new Civic type R, thanks to a few savvy spy photographers, but the details were still rather sketchy on when and where it would be released.

Well, with a news release that Honda sent out today, we have found out that the Civic Type R is a certainty and that this beast will hit the market in 2015. Unfortunately, this model will remain a fabled unicorn for the U.S. market, as Honda also announced that the Type R will be developed specifically for the European market – what a bummer.

According to Honda, the Civic Type R will apply technologies developed while preparing for the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Given its WTCC roots, Honda has huge expectations of its 2015 or 2016 Civic Type R, as it also announced that it is aiming to make the Civic Type R the fastest front-wheel-drive car to ever lap the mighty Nürburgring.

That 2-year-old record is currently held by the Renault Megane RS Trophy and the time to beat would be 8:07.97, which is about 54 seconds slower than the Porsche 918 Spyder popped off the other day. Rather lofty goals indeed, Honda, as the Megane RS Trophy is no slouch, pumping out 256 horsepower, 360 Nm (265 pound-feet) of torque.

Reports are showing that the Civic Type R will arrive with between 220 and 230 horsepower, putting it far short of the Renault. Plus, if Honda is planning to use its aging i-VTEC technology, there is simply no way the Civic Type R can produce the torque required to navigate the `Ring fast enough to beat the Renault's time. The only way that Honda can expect to pull off this feat is to add a little boost to its VTEC engine to pump up the bottom-end torque and top-end horsepower, or simply create the most ridiculous power-to-weight ratio by deleting half of the body panels…

We'll keep an eye out for more.

gallery: 2013 Honda Civic Type-R

Honda Confirms the Civic Type R for 2015 and Shooting for Fastest FWD on the Ring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 21 September 2012 16:00 EST.

Posted by: CNDFX

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2012 Top Speed Daily Update