opinion | IEDEI

June272011

automotive, business, cars, F1, iedei, racing, sports

F1 4-cylinder Turbo vs. V6 Turbo…and how Audi influenced the FIA.

(rendering below, via Speed Arena–not actual car!)

By now i’m sure you have heard the debates about Formula One switching to a V6 Turbos OR 4-cylinder Turbos by 2013/2014. The latest news being reported by ESPN is saying that Audi was one of the primary reasons why F1 had initially agreed to switch to 4 cylinder turbos. Apparently Audi had originally said they would join, and the FIA obliged by accepting the idea of the 4 cylinder turbo. After the decision was made, Audi then flipped and decided the finances weren’t working out for them to join F1—and changed their mind. Following Audi’s uncertainty about joining F1, the FIA has recently decided that it is going back to the original idea of V6 Turbos.

I, personally, am a big fan of 4 cylinder turbos and feel they would have enhanced development of road going 4 cylinder turbos in street cars—-and am dissappointed that Audi retracted their original idea of joining F1. I think it would have been great if they had joined—possibly filling the void that BMW had left when they retreated from F1 a few years ago. Here’s hoping they change their minds again and decide to enter!

http://en.espnf1.com/fia/motorsport/story/52832.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

(thanks to Stampchez for the tip!)

Tagged 2013, 2014, 4 cylinder turbo, audi, audi influence, auto union, change, engines, espn, f1, facts, formula one, interview, is audi coming to F1, opinion, photos, regulations, rules, v6 turbo, volkswagen, vw

April12011

7 Comments

automotive, business, cars, design, iedei

Panamera.

EDIT: THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE!

Yes I will take the bold step—-against all the opinions which say it is ‘ugly’ i will come out and say that I think the styling of the Porsche Panamera has grown on me significantly, to the point where I really am digging the looks of it now. When i first saw it in test mule form, I was deeply disturbed. When the production version was introduced last year—-i thought Porsche missed the boat a bit, however after seeing it in person I thought it was an ‘interesting’ design albeit not entirely convincing. After some time and many more instances of exposure, I’ve had an epiphany; I think this is one of the most unique, compelling, and bold car designs in recent years. I think Porsche really made a bold step in designing it, and I can honestly say I love the way the Panamera looks in real life. I think pictures don’t do the car justice—-it has much more presence than pretty much ANY 4-door sedan on the road today. The interior, additionally—is one of the nicest interiors I have ever sat in.

Here is a wonderful Sportec-tuned SP560 Panamera. I think it is all types of hotness—-yes I know some of you will laugh at me—but i’m glad many deride it, so the resale value will fall dramatically! plan in effect….