Rides : Porsche has set sub-7 min Nurburgring goal for 918 Spyder

Porsche has set a sub-7 minutes Nurburgring goal for the 918 Spyder and this means a long way to go from the recently 7:14 time on its quickest lap yet.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is making its way into our news once again and it seems that until it will hit the market, there won’t be a day without it. The latest information of the new Porsche 918 Spyder is coming from GT Spirit, who are saying that the company has set a sub-7 minutes Nurburgring goal, but that will be very hard to achieve, considering the fact that in its fastest lap on the German track, the supercar did 7:14 minutes. The production car record on the Ring is set at 6:48 and it’s held by the Radical SR8 LM.
As a quick reminder, the Porsche 918 Spyder will be powered by a hybrid powertrain, which will use a 4.6 liter V8 engine producing 570 horsepower, two electric motors and a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The first electric motor will power the front wheels and the second one will be a part of the transmission assembly, sending its power to the rear axle. The combined output of hybrid powertrain will be 770 horsepower and the model will be able to travel for at least 25 km in a full electric mode at speeds up to 150 km/h.

Rides : Mercedes recalling 2013 SL-Class over air conditioning issue

Last week, Daimler announced that it would be sticking with R-134a refrigerant in its cars due to some tests it conducted that showed the newer, more environmentally friendly R-1234yf ignited in certain crash tests. Apparently, this R-134a replacement had already been installed in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so the automaker is electing to issue a recall for a small number of SLs to replace the refrigerant. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall, this worst-case scenario crash was only verified by Daimler, and the refrigerant recall is not yet affecting any other automakers.

Since the two refrigerants are interchangeable, all Mercedes-Benz dealerships will have to do is replace the R-1234yf with R-134a and swap out the A/C lines. Mercedes-Benz will be notifying owners this month whose cars were built between December 19, 2011 and May 31, 2012; NHTSA states that only 432 cars will be affected.

Currently, General Motors is the only other automaker in the U.S. using the R-1234yf (in the 2013 Cadillac XTS and 2013 Cadillac ATS in addition to the European-spec Chevrolet Malibu), and it has responded with a statement of its own regarding this matter:

"The safety of our vehicles and our customers is GM's highest priority. The new vehicle refrigerant, called R-1234yf, was evaluated and tested over many years through industry-wide cooperative research programs with organizations such as SAE and other independent engineering organizations and involved 10 major global automobile manufacturers including GM. We believe these tests demonstrate that R-1234yf is a safe, effective and environmentally beneficial motor vehicle air conditioner refrigerant for our future vehicles. However, we are trying to learn more about the Daimler test experience and will, of course, make any decisions and take any actions with our customers' safety in mind."

Press Release

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
MERCEDES BENZ / SL-CLASS 2013

Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Report Receipt Date: OCT 01, 2012

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V478000

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EQUIPMENT:AIR CONDITIONER

Potential Number of Units Affected: 432

Summary:
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2013 SL-Class vehicles manufactured from December 19, 2011, through May 31, 2012 originally equipped with R1234yf refrigerant. Daimler AG (DAG), the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, conducted product testing of a vehicle, not sold in the US, but equipped with the same refrigerant. According to Mercedes-Benz, the testing was designed to replicate worst-case conditions expected in a severe frontal crash that would cause a rupture of the air conditioner refrigerant line. A rupture of a refrigerant line will result in a gaseous mixture of refrigerant being released into the engine compartment.

Consequence:
The testing conducted by DAG determined that the escaping R1234yf refrigerant may ignite under specific conditions. The resulting fire could spread to additional combustible materials.

Remedy:
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the R1234yf refrigerant with R134a along with new refrigerant lines (hoses) designed specifically for R134a. The remedy will be provided free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during October 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Recalls for the 2013 BMW M5 and M6 Oil Pumps, 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Refrigerant

 

The NHTSA has issued recalls covering various issues on the 2013 BMW M5 and M6, 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL, and 2011-2012 VPG MV-1.

2013 BMW M5 and M6
The Problem: As we previously reported, BMW discovered a manufacturing issue related to the oil pump used on the S63Tu twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8, which is used in M5 and M6 models. Dealers were ordered in September to stop selling the models, but the automaker is now issuing a formal recall to replace the faulty oil pumps, which could cause the engine to lose oil pressure.
The Fix: Dealers will replace the oil pump free of charge. BMW expects to complete repairs by the end of October.
Number of Vehicles Affected: 696 vehicles, including M5, M6, and M6 convertible models.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL
The Problem: Daimler’s recent crusade against the new R1234yf air conditioning refrigerant has now culminated in a formal recall for all 2013 model year SL roadsters. According to the automaker, a severe frontal impact could rupture refrigerant lines, and if exposed to an ignition source, R1234yf could ignite.
The Fix: Dealers will replace the refrigerant with standard R134a refrigerant while backdating refrigerant lines and fittings designed specifically for R134a. Owners will be notified in early October.
Number of Vehicles Affected: 432 2013 SL models sold in the United States.

2011-2012 Vehicle Production Group MV1
The Problem: VPG’s accessible taxi vehicle is available with an optional compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system. On these models, the pressure relief plug for the CNG storage tank may not be assembled properly, and the gas could leak, potentially leading to combustion if in the presence of an ignition source.
The Fix: VPG dealers will install a secondary pressure relief device that should prevent CNG from leaking. The device will be installed free of charge.
Number of Vehicles Affected: 435 CNG-fueled MV1 vehicles.
Source: NHTSA ODI

Credit : Motor Trend