Automotive thread.

[*Chernaudi]

All three Audi R18 e-tron quattros at Spa--spot the differences up front between the sprint race (#1 and #2) and Le Mans (#3) versions.

 

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/10338533_614492918635354_6936682020397802981_o.jpg

[*Chernaudi]

The OAK Racing/Onroak Automotive Ligier JS P2 LMP2 car.  Choice of 4.5 liter Nissan V8 (as shown) or Honda/HPD 2.8 liter twin turbo V6, torsion bar springs (those things sticking out of the car at :17, and just like F1 cars and the most factory LMP1 cars since 2006), a closed cockpit, a digital steering wheel, all for about $450,000 USD:

 

 

BTW, the steering wheel probably cost the best part of at least $30,000, if not more.  Factory LMP1 and F1 steering wheels cost over $50,000

[*Chernaudi]

Or the Rebellion R-One.  Only customer spec LMP1 available right now.  It's built by Oreca in France, has torsion bar suspension, a 3.4 liter Toyota V8, and it can be yours for (and I'm guessing here) about $1.5 million USD

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152318523147326.1073741852.204283907325&type=3

[Guest Jupiter]

Check out some of the top 20 dumbest cars ever.

 

http://autos.aol.com/gallery/dumbest-cars-all-time/

[*Chernaudi]

Now some cars that I don't/no longer care for:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Nissan_Deltawing_Highcroft_Racing_Le_Mans_2012.jpg

 

http://www.autoweek.com/galleryimage/CW/20130308/RACINGWRC/308009994/PH/0/2/DeltaWing-ALMS-sebring.jpg

 

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Nissan-ZEOD-RC-Main.jpg

 

http://bostonherald.com/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/media/ap/9d9cc72d1214487cafdef66b7b316cc3.jpg?c=610a34c181f379c964758c4e001128fc

 

http://johndagys.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/deroadcar.jpg

 

The DeltaWing was a good idea when hatched, but it can't race on street circuits, Audi and Toyota have done the whole run longer on fuel and tires things better with "normal" cars, as well as doing the hybrid things in the case of the Nissan Zeod, and now the vehicle has become a joke, and not just because of locker room/bathroom humor on account of the cars appearance.

[*Chernaudi]

Not to mention that the road car will probably be horrible if it ever gets made and would be on anyone's dumbest car list.

If I wanted something stupid and outlandish for road use, show me the ignition toggle switch (no keys on race cars, mind you ) to an Audi R18 e-tron quattro or a Toyota TS030/TS040.

[*Chernaudi]

Some more on the Rebellion/Oreca R-One (in French and small, but I'm posting it mostly because of the photos):

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Botr1xMCIAE-L2w.jpg

[Guest Jupiter]

Here's why no one should drive a Smart Car. Real Men, don't drive Smart Cars. This is the guy to listen to. ( Really Funny Video)

http://youtu.be/9rje8Lj23wE

[*Chernaudi]

Why have a Smart car when you can have an Audi RS 5 TDI?  It's currently a concept, but if it makes it to production, it'll be the second Audi S or RS car with a diesel engine (The EU only SQ 5 TDI is the other).

 

http://www.gtspirit.com/2014/05/29/official-audi-rs5-tdi-concept/

[*Chernaudi]

BTW, the SQ 5 we have for North America and some EU and Asian markets is powered by the same supercharged V6 used in the Audi S4 and S5.

[*Chernaudi]

Tons of photos from the set up for this weekend's Le Mans test:

 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117675622742228712026/albums/6019269978743891841

[*Chernaudi]

New curbing for the last corner at Le Mans this weekend:

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10415637_10202288447152124_2120133310859985552_n.jpg

[*Chernaudi]

In additon to the Le Mans test, which for Audi was successful:  https://www.audi-motorsport.info/v2/public/en/2014/press-release/single/id/8868

 

Photos of which are here:

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.628858763865436.1073741892.114682131949771&type=1

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154246953975192.1073741848.449526885191&type=3

 

Audi have released their upgrades to the Audi RS 7--similar to the mods for the A7 and S7 that came out recently:

 

http://fourtitude.com/news/Audi_News_1/revised-audi-rs-7-sportback-even-refined/

[*Chernaudi]

HQ LM test gallery:

 

http://fourtitude.com/galleries/?c=show_thumbs;p=Motorsport%2FSportscar%2F24%20Hours%20of%20Le%20Mans%2F2014%2F01%20-%20Le%20Mans%20Test%20Days

[*V Guyver]

favorite car type.

[*Chernaudi]

I have an old book on various car engines, there's a whole section on steam engines developed in the 1960s. 

 

Photo of the new curbs in action at Le Mans:

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10271196_10152436577083798_8479332261837724686_o.jpg

 

You might have to rewind this video, but here's a video of the test day:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ5IWU_q2lo#t=133

[*Chernaudi]

Photo of the R18's engine bay:

 

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10382035_724320920964883_6300320564353485920_o.jpg

 

And first 11 rows in the gallery have the OAK Ligiers from the LM test:

 

https://www.facebook.com/onroakautomotive/photos_stream

[*Chernaudi]

Here's some strange news from Le Mans concerning Audi--they possibly can run 6 stints of 13 laps each on one set of tires (which is about the length of the average NASCAR Sprint Cup race), and this was something that Audi and Michelin were working on since last year.

[*Chernaudi]

Audi RS 5 TDI gallery:

 

http://fourtitude.com/galleries/?c=show_thumbs;p=Marques%20%28Audi%20Brand%20Group%29%2FAudi%20%28Modern%20Era%29%2FRS%205%2Ffrom%202013%20%28B8%2C%20Type%208T%29%2FCoupe%2FConcept%20Cars%2C%20Design%20Studies%20and%20Prototypes%2FRS%205%20TDI%20%282014%29

 

Word to Audi:  please build this for the production market!

[*Chernaudi]

Random fact.  A quadruple stint at Le Mans for Audi this year was 52 laps around a 8.47 mile track.  That equals just over 440 miles.

 

The average NASCAR Sprint Cup points race, once all the math is done (adding race distance and dividing by 36, the number of points paying races a season), is about 365 miles.  Meaning that Audi ran more than an average NASCAR race's distance on one set of tires, and they did it almost the whole race until the end with how driver rotations played out and they did full service on the cars when they had their turbocharger issues.  But Audi did average more than a NASCAR races' average distance on one set of tires.

[*Chernaudi]

Video about a Citroen from someone who bought a DS as her first car and wanted one since she was a kid:

 

[*Chernaudi]

And now 25 years of Audi TDI:

 

[durendal]

Since you guys are so knowledgeable about cars, I thought that I might use that to my advantage.  Something that you guys can help me with.  I'm recently thinking about buying a new car, and I wanted something that is practical, comfortable and affordable.  I've been driving stick all my life so I thought that this time I might indulge myself by driving an automatic.  Although I've always wanted a Lamborgini Aventador, that car is not available here and I would have to sell my soul to get one.  I've narrowed down my choices to two models.  The Toyota Avanza 1.5 G A/T vs the Chevrolet Spin 1.5 Gas LTZ.

 

These are designed specifically for the asian market and I don't think they are available in the western market.  What do you guys think?  I'd like to know what you guys think about these two models.

[*Chernaudi]

That depends on what you want/need.  Both are very similar, about the same size, same basic specs.  Biggest difference is that the Toyota is cheaper and is rear wheel drive while the Chevy is more expensive and front wheel drive. 

 

Sadly, I couldn't really find any fuel economy specs on the several sites I visited.  Not even on Toyota's of Chevrolet's official sites.

[durendal]

Ah, but you see, that's the thing.  Despite having similarities, the Toyota Avanza costs roughly around $19,931, but the Chevrolet Spin is only around $19,500, which makes the Chevrolet cheaper.  The Avanza came out in the market first, and Chevrolet has dubbed the Spin as the Avanza killer.

 

I don't know anything about the inside of the cars so you might be able to give me some insights.  I have no idea what torque is for and all those things under the hood.  Based on the specifications you've gathered, what do you think about these 2 vehicles?