Maxxd.com

Tag: Videos

  • Deep dive: Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar

    It’s hard to imagine a modern supercar competing in the Paris-Dakar Rally, but that’s exactly what the Porsche 959 did back in the 1980s. This video from Porsche’s “Top Five” YouTube series explains how the 959 morphed from supercar to rally car.

    The all-wheel-drive 959 was designed with an eye toward Group B rallying, but the category was eliminated before the car was ready. Instead, Porsche shifted focus to the grueling Dakar Rally.

    After some success with all-wheel-drive versions of the 911 in the Dakar Rally, Porsche entered three prototype 959s in the 1985 running. These cars had similar bodywork to the road car (which didn’t start production until 1986), and a simplified version of its all-wheel-drive system, but with 911-spec engines. All three failed to finish.

    In 1986, Porsche returned to the Dakar with upgraded 959 rally cars. They sported a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system with multiple modes, while a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 similar to the 959 road-car engine replaced the previous naturally aspirated 3.2-liter flat-6.

    1985 Paris-Dakar Porsche 959 to be sold at auction

    1985 Paris-Dakar Porsche 959 to be sold at auction

    The Dakar-spec engine made about 400 horsepower, down from the road car’s 444 hp. This was done to account for the unavailability of high-octane fuel along the desert race course, according to Porsche. The automaker also fitted larger fuel tanks, and reinforced suspension.

    Porsche once again entered three cars for the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally, which finished first, second and sixth. That was enough for the automaker which decided to then retire from desert rallying.

    With its emphasis on electronics and lightweight materials, the 959 road car helped set the template for the modern supercar. Meanwhile, the Paris-Dakar rally cars are now likely too valuable to ever see dirt and sand again. Even one of the unsuccessful 1985 cars sold for nearly $6 million at auction in 2018.

    If you want to delve further into Porsche history, check out the automaker’s “Top Five” videos for rally cars and secret prototypes.

    Source

  • Here’s how the ultimate car detailing garage was built

    Ammo NYC founder Larry Kosilla brings an obsessive attention to detail to everything he does, including the space where he works on cars. After outgrowing his home garage, Kosilla set out to build the ultimate detailing garage, a process that took about a year.

    Kosilla started with an existing building, working with an architect on an extensive remodeling. The building is divided into three areas, including garage bays on the ground level, an office, and an editing suite for videos shot in the garage.

    To convert the ground level from its previous function as an art studio to a garage, core samples were taken to ensure the concrete could support heavy vehicle lifts. The lift locations were then mocked up with cardboard, and cuts were made in the appropriate places. Pipes were also installed in the floor for the lifts’ hydraulics, and in the walls for a central vacuuming system that can be used for cars in the garage bays, or to clean upstairs spaces.

    Ammo NYC detailing garage

    Ammo NYC detailing garage

    Kosilla also outfitted the garage with custom-built Moduline cabinets and Prevost air lines, the latter featuring a snazzy blue enamel coating.

    The garage floor got an epoxy coating with a UV protectant and an additional layer to “knock down” the gloss finish, as powerful lights were also installed in the garage bays that could damage the finish, or produce excess glare that would be picked up by camera lenses. Walls, meanwhile, were painted gray to keep the focus on the cars.

    Watch the full video for complete details on this build. It’s part car video, part home-improvement how-to.

    Source

  • Rimac shows how electric cars are tested for electromagnetic emissions with C_Two hypercar

    The Rimac C_Two electric hypercar is undergoing homologation ahead of a planned start of deliveries in 2021. Part of that process involves testing for electromagnetic emissions, the Croatian company explained in a short video.

    All electronics—including those used in cars—produce some amount of electromagnetic emissions. Those emissions can also interfere with electronics.

    That means if a car’s emissions are too high, traffic lights, speed cameras, and cell communications could be disrupted, while if a car’s onboard systems aren’t properly shielded, outside emissions could interfere with things like air conditioning or the radio.

    To prevent either issue, the European Union requires electromagnetic-emissions testing in order for cars to be homologated for sale, Rimac said, adding that electric cars produce a much higher level of emissions than internal-combustion vehicles. That’s to be expected, as electric motors are a major potential source of electromagnetic emissions.

    Rimac C_Two electromagnetic-emissions testing

    Rimac C_Two electromagnetic-emissions testing

    Under the ECE R10 testing standard, cars are placed in a semi-anechoic chamber, which is sealed off from outside electromagnetic emissions to ensure accurate test results. Cars are then driven at specific speeds on a dynamometer, while subjected to radiation of between 20 MHz and 20 GHz.

    With the radiation bombardment underway, accessories like air conditioning, lights, and windshield wipers are turned on to ensure they work properly. In the case of the C_Two, different drive modes needed to be tested as well.

    Once the initial test is completed, Rimac completely disassembles its prototype cars, makes any necessary tweaks, reassembles the cars, and runs the test again. It’s all part of the process of putting a new car on sale—even a 1,914-horsepower electric hypercar with a very limited production run.

    When it unveiled the C_Two in concept form at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, Rimac said it would build just 150 cars. Rimac views itself more as a tech firm than a maker of cars, and has since attracted investments from Hyundai and Porsche that will likely see its technology incorporated into their cars.

    Source