All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News, Tuning

1992 Mercedes 600 SEL with RENNtech 7.6L V12 engine

There are many tuners of Mercedes cars, but one stands out in particular. It’s RENNtech that recently introduced the S76R model, based on the 1992 Mercedes 600 SEL with a V12 engine.

The car retained its exterior design, and the tuner equipped it with a new front splitter, rear lip spoiler, new side skirts, front 402 mm carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston calipers and rear 360 mm discs with four-piston calipers, adaptive shock absorbers generation, shorter coil-springs, a set of 19-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires.

Inside, the new seats are upholstered in black leather with diamond stitching. Black leather covers the dashboard, center console and door panels. There are carbon fiber inlays, Alcantara headliner, new shifter, and new carpeting, rear bench replaced with two individually adjustable seats, new lights and sound system replaced with a new smartphone compatible head-unit and re-conned speakers.

RENNtech S76R is powered by a 7.6L V12 engine with 615 hp (452 ​​kW) and 703 lb-ft (953 Nm) of torque. It is the most powerful N/A M120 -engine built by RENNtech, thanks to lightweight pistons, titanium connecting rods, beehive springs and titanium retainers for improved spring rate and lighter mass, AMG performance cams, ported heads, custom built airboxes, larger injectors and RENNtech ECU Performance Tune. The engine is mated to a RENNtech upgraded 722.6 electronic 5-speed transmission with an OS Giken Limited Slip differential. As a reminder, the 600 SEL is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 402 hp (296 kW) and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Source: RENNtech

News, Tuning

McLaren 720S with Prior Design Aerodynamic Kit

Many car owners and enthusiasts will say that supercars shouldn’t be modified. Some manufacturers like Ferrari forbid customers from modifying their cars in inappropriate ways, but there are always those who strive to make the cars better. One of them is the German tuner Prior Design, which prepared the PD720R Aerodynamic Kit for the McLaren 720S.

The Aerodynamic Kit, made of fiberglass, brings a new lip spoiler with intakes, fender vents, a new more aggressive front cover, wider sills, a new rear diffuser, a huge rear wing that fits perfectly following the natural curves of the car. All this makes the car more impressive.

Of course, the interior of the McLaren 720S has not been changed. Get behind the wheel of the 720S and feel like the car was made for you. That’s because everything about this stunning interior is focused on the driver. From the touch of the materials. To the ergonomic design of the driver interfaces. There’s supreme quality and comfort in every detail. Controls are carefully angled and positioned for easy reach with minimal distraction. It’s an interior created around you. Allowing full commitment to an exhilarating drive.

McLaren 720S is powered by a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 710 hp (530 kW) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque. The engine is positioned as low as possible between the front and rear axles – increasing the car’s handling prowess, and its luggage capacity. It reaches 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and 124 mph (200 km / h) in 7.8 seconds with a top speed of 212 mph (341 km / h). The engine is paired with a paddle-shifted seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Source: Prior Design

EV, News

Zero Emissions Vehicle can suck up CO2

Although strict CO2 regulations force car manufacturers to fully or partially electrify their vehicles, no car is completely emission-free. However, there is a car that practically sucks up CO2, the Zero Emissions Vehicle.

A group of Dutch students from the Eindhoven University of Technology has produced a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) that, thanks to a special filter, produces almost zero emissions. They claim that a car can collect up to 2 kg of CO2 every 20,000 kilometers, which is not a huge amount considering that a single tree collects ten times more. However, if more cars used this filter, the result would be far better.

“This car has been developed to minimize CO2 emissions during the production phase, the use phase and the end-of-life phase,” said team member Jens Lahaije.

In the future, filters could be easily cleaned at charging stations for electric car batteries. So far, the filter fills up very quickly and has to be cleaned every 200 miles, but the team is looking for help from the automotive industry to help achieve the goal.

“We are calling on the industry to pick up the gauntlet, and we are naturally happy to think along with them. We have not yet finished developing ourselves and want to take significant steps in the coming years. We cordially invite car manufacturers to come and take a look,” said Nikki Okkels, the external relations manager at the university.

Parts of the car are made of recycled plastic using a 3D printer, such as the chassis and body panels, so it can be said that there is practically no waste.

Source: TU Eindhoven via Facebook