Tag: Videos

  • VW GOLF GTI MK8 REVIEW

    The go-to hot hatch has long been the Golf GTI, but recent generations have lost a bit of the sparkle and rivals like the Focus ST and i30N have made it look dowdy. With the new VW Golf GTI Mk8, Volkswagen claims to have injected the fun back into the GTI, but has it? And could it possibly be worth that pricetag?

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    VW Golf GTI MK8: what you need to know

    It’s been much talked about, the new Mk8 VW Golf GTI. Depending on which side of the fence you sit on, there’s not a lot of change from the Mk7 to the 8, at least not visually anyway. The front end gets a nip and tuck with an optional full-width light bar across the grille, but that’s about it. Dare we say it’s all a bit facelift(y) rather than new model…

    While visually it might not be much different, underneath is where all the magic takes place. Despite still carrying over the EA888 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the previous generation, it now produces 242bhp in base form, equivalent to the Performance model in Mk7 guise. However, VW has implemented a new, higher-pressure fuel injection system and revised combustion and emissions controls for a smoother, punchier drive.

    The biggest changes come in the handling department with three key components. The first is an electronic limited-slip differential, which was previously an option on the Mk7. The second is a new Vehicle Dynamics Manager. Essentially what this Vehicle Dynamics Manager does is not only just control the XDS differential, but also the adaptive dampers, adjusting them up to 200 times every second. This then forces the components to work together harmoniously for greater traction, handling and overall driving dynamics in order to meet the car’s overarching target of being more fun.

    The third are stiffer spring rates. VW’s aim was to focus on better rotating the car’s chassis in tighter corners and in doing so has stiffened the front springs by 5%, and the rear springs by 15%. As a result, you can induce lift-off oversteer like never before in the previous generation and inject some fun into the driving experience.

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  • 2021 Ram 1500 TRX strapped to dyno, puts out 583 hp at the rear wheels

    The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX boasts a factory-quoted 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, but that’s as measured at the crank, not the wheels. Hennessey Performance Engineering tried to measure how much power the TRX makes at the wheels by strapping one to a dyno, but only ran numbers for the rear wheels.

    The dyno test showed 538 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels. That represents around 17% driveline loss, which isn’t unusal for a pickup truck. Hennessey previously recorded 20% driveline loss at the rear wheels when it tested a 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor.

    The TRX is full-time four-wheel drive, so you might be wondering how Hennessey got dyno results for the rear wheels only. Company founder John Hennessey told Motor Authority that four-wheel drive was temporarily disabled by disconnecting the front driveshaft.

    2021 Hennessey Mammoth 1000 1500 TRX

    2021 Hennessey Mammoth 1000 1500 TRX

    While the TRX was designed for off-roading, the amount of power produced by its 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V-8 makes this truck pretty quick on pavement. Ram says it will do 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

    Inevitably, that wasn’t enough for Hennessey. The company has developed more powerful versions of every Hellcat-powered vehicle, and it’s doing the same with the TRX. Dubbed the Mammoth 1000, Hennessey claims its take on the TRX will boast 1,000 hp, will do 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, and run the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds.

    To achieve those numbers, Hennessey plans to equip the Mammoth 1000 with an upgraded supercharger, pulley, and air intake, stainless-steel headers, high-flow exhaust piping (retaining the catalytic converter), and new engine mapping. The price for the complete truck is $135,350, and Hennessey only plans to build 200 this year.

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  • 450HP IMPREZA GC8 DRIFTS THROUGH “DANGERZONE”

    Inspired by Gymkhana, Tyler Witte puts his 450hp Impreza GC8 through its paces as he drifts and grinds it through an abandoned “Dangerzone”.

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    Many of us watch the Gymkhana videos from Ken Block, and more recently Travis Pastrana, and dream of having the space and funds to be able to do this but also to have that level of car control.

    Tyler Witte, however, is someone who realised his dream and achieved it. What started off with a “Dream it, build it, shred it” video three years ago has led the professional stuntman and driver to this, featuring all the Subaru goodness you could ever wish for. Anyway, sit back, hit play and enjoy.

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