Activity Stream

The Porsche Macan should make its debut relatively soon likely later this year at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Some details have leaked out although they can not be confirmed. The interior spy photo clearly shows design elements from the Panamera and new 991 generation 911. The center console also shows a PDK style shift lever so the entry level SUV will have a dual clutch transmission. Lack of a traditional automatic will likely affect tow capacity. A six speed manual though might be available although it can not be confirmed. A manual Macan Turbo sure sounds like a lot of fun to drive. So what are the engine choices? How about six of them: Diesels: • 2.0 TDI 4-cyl, 187bhp/258lb ft • 3.0 TDI V6, 261bhp/369lb ft Gasoline: • 2.0 TFSI 4-cyl, 237bhp/258lb ft • 2.0 TFSI 4-cyl hybrid ? • 3.0 TFSI V6, 288bhp/295lb ft • 3.0 Turbo V6 345 hp Only one of the diesel motors will make it to the USA likely. The 3.0 V6 Turbo is borrowed from the Panamera S facelift although it is detuned from 420 horsepower. It should be relatively easy to tune that right back up to 420 horsepower and then some. Not to mention the 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 borrowed from Audi will be just as tunable as it is in the Q5 currently. Expect official confirmation in the next few months. Source

Dyno numbers. Oh how we all love dyno numbers. Used for bragging rights on automotive forums around the world and everyone wants those big numbers. Those big numbers should come with hard work, sweat, and, well, a bit of money. But some people mess up using dynographs as a comparison tool for the rest of us by inflating their numbers. That can't happen you say? Well, recently a '1300+' wheel horsepower M6 was a prime example of dyno manipulation and AMS essentially shows how it is done to perfection on their Mustang dyno in the video below. For comedic value AMS decided to use a Nissan Sentra. They set a weak baseline on the Mustang. Then a set of "upgrades" is claimed and some audio is changed and suddenly the Mustang reads out 410 at the wheels and 360 pound-feet of torque at the wheels. For the next run AMS states the motor is built, more boost, and they use an F1 or Indy soundtrack (nice touch guys!) while filming the stock engine bay. The result? 660 wheel horsepower. The exact same car set very different results simply by manipulating the software. From 160 wheel to 660 wheel by pressing a few buttons? Yep. The drag strip can not lie like this. It can be leveraged with good weather in certain locations, sure, but it won't blatantly lie. For those who say Mustang dynos always read low, that is not always the case depending on how the dyno is setup. Take those dyno numbers with a grain of salt.

Now this is a nice development if accurate. The recently officially revealed F32 4-Series seems to be the start of a new trend at BMW regarding weight loss for its cars. About time really as the new F10 M5 is definitely a porker at over 4300 pounds. The F12 6-Series is no better coming in at an astounding 4555 pounds. BMW has not used lighweight aluminum or plastics as the competition has instead relying on steel to keep costs down at the expense of weight. As well as their famed 50/50 weight distribution with their new turbo motors. And those turbo motors are necessary to move these exceptionally heavy cars. The current 7-Series in rear wheel drive Alpina trim (let alone the all wheel drive version) is up to 4712 pounds. This is SUV territory. BMW seems to be aware of its weight problem as it is aiming for weight close to 4 cylinder F10 5-Series territory. That means 3681 pounds or 507 pounds lighter than the current base F10 740i. That would be absolutely monumental but we are talking a very ambitious goal. A 500 pound diet? That means the next generation 5-Series will need to go on one as well along with the rest of the lineup that follows. Definitely a good thing. The competition has been beating BMW in this area. The new Mercedes SL is much lighter than the previous model. Porsche managed to lighten the 911, Cayenne, Boxster, and Cayman. Even Audi is getting in on the extreme weight loss aiming for 800 pounds with the next generation Q7. Will BMW meet this ambitious goal? Who knows, but at least they are aware they let the cars waistlines go. Making more money can do that. Source