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Renault Seeks to Condense Auto Market

In 2019, Renault is currently seeking to obtain a merger with Nissan. This would allow Renault and Nissan to pursue Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) via bidding. Multiple manufacturers show interest in purchasing FCA amid its current decline to rebuild the brand under new leadership. The other companies include manufacturers such as Peugeot. Currently, Renault is involved in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. This alliance is a Franco-Japanese strategic partnership. In combination, these manufacturers sell 1 of every 9 vehicles worldwide. Wow! That’s over 10% of the market! This alliance was found by Louis Schweitzer on March 27, 1999. Now, Renault seeks more than a simple alliance – but a full merger.

A Short Background of Renault

For those that don’t know, Renault is an automobile manufacturer from France. This French company builds cars and vans with a primary market in Europe. The company’s HQ is currently in Boulogne-Billancourt, France led by CEO Thierry Bolloré for the last 2 months. The currently production output for Renault is over 3 million vehicles last recorded by Google in 2016. With this many sales, this company seeks to grow substantially. By merging with other companies, capital and investing opportunities increase. This would allow Renault to be competitive moving into the future. Moreover, this would allow Renault to build a basis of operations in the U.S..

The Fate of FCA, Nissan, & Renault

Renault looking to merge with Nissan and Fiat Chrysler, report says – WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7 – YouTube
So, this year, the outcome of the fate of FCA, Nissan, and Renault will most likely happen. Whether Renault and Nissan attempt to takeover FCA, or Peugeot wins the bet, time will only tell. Renault is a popular manufacturer in Europe. But it is not as well known in the states. By growing, this company can start to command more of the market. It could also offer some higher end vehicles to possibly compete with Audi and other companies. Overall, Renault’s merger is currently up in the air. Feel free to call the customer service line for more information… JUST KIDDING!

AMG A-Class is Coming to the U.S.

For the 2020 model year, Mercedes will bring the A35 sedan to the United States. The 2020 Mercedes-AMG A35 is an entry-level sedan. This vehicle is Mercedes’ cheapest and least powerful model. But, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car. Furthermore, this car is being considered the ultimate small performance car. So, it may be quite perfect for people in this price range. Expectations are that the A35 will be in the 40k price range. Obviously, this is without all whistles and buttons.

302 Horsepower Inline Four Engine

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG A35 entry-level sedan sports a 302-horsepower turbo inline 4-cylinder engine. On the torque side, this car isn’t shy with 295 lb.-ft. Furthermore, backing up the engine is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Now, to top it off, this car sports a variable version of AWD. This car has a 0-60 time of around 4.7 seconds. If this isn’t fast enough, there will be a more powerful A-class to be announced in later 2019. This will probably sport a six-cylinder engine, but that is only a guess.

Mercedes Sets Eyes on Entry Market

New Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloon (Sedan) 2020 – see why it’s the ultimate small posh performance car – carwow – YouTube
With the 2020 Mercedes-AMG A35 saloon, the company aims at profiting in the entry-level auto market. Many manufacturers are expanding their model availability to reach more customers. This includes the Audi A-Class, BMW 1-Series, and more. So, there’s a possibility that the A35 will be a top contender for a top entry-level sports vehicle. Who knows? Maybe the A35 will become the most respected vehicle of its class. Or, it’ll simply sit alongside its competitors with its own pros and cons… only time will tell!

“…Winning is Winning.”

“Ask any racer, and real racer, it doesn’t matter how much you win by, winning is winning.” – Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel’s Character in The Fast and the Furious series)

Recently, Porsche set the production car record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. To accomplish this, the manufacturer brought a stock Porsche 911 GT2 RS with driver Randy Pobst. Behind the wheel, this driver stole the record by multiple seconds. The initial record, 1:26.45, was set by a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. This shows that the Corvette is no match for the high tier Porsche models. If price is a concern, the Vette is definitely cheaper than a GT2 or GT3 models… by a lot. But, the quality of a Porsche is very worth it.

Furthermore, the Porsche GT3 RS was also brought to the track. It also beat the record. The GT3 RS is a bit faster than the Vette at a time of 1:26.29. But that still is a victory by 0.16 seconds! So, the GT2 RS and GT3 RS are the top two production cars of Road Atlanta. Congratulations to Porsche!

Porsche Road Atlanta Record of 1:24.88

Porsche 911 GT2 RS sets production car lap record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS is a beastly feat of engineering. Starting at a MSRP of $293,200 USD, this car boasts 700 horsepower. This is possible via a 3.8-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. From 0 to 60 mph, it takes only 2.7 seconds. Furthermore, with a top speed of 211 mph, this car is built for the track. Hence, beating the record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta wasn’t too difficult. Especially with Randy Pobst behind the wheel ready to tear up the track.

This car sports the optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R wheels. Furthermore, the car was fit with a Racelogic VBOX Data Recorder to capture the race. So, this is one heck of a 911 GT2 RS. This car is a track driver’s dream. From the stunning exterior to the roaring motor, this car is phenomenal. Porsche knows what they’re doing, and this shows in the GT2 RS!

How It Works 101

Driving a turbo car is a fun experience. The acceleration boost from the turbo is quite thrilling. Anyone who’s driven or owns a turbo car will understand. But, did you ever wonder why a turbo makes an air release sound when releasing the gas? That sound is usually a blow-off or diverter valve. Per this article, the focus will be solely on the diverter valve concept. So, how does a diverter valve work with a turbo?

Breakdown of Diverter Valve Functionality

A diverter valve is a manifold vacuum-actuated valve that releases pressure into the intake system on turbo engines. This valve is also known as a compressor bypass valve (CBV) or a pressure relief valve. Furthermore, the valve release occurs during the lifting or closing of the throttle. Hence, while accelerating and then releasing the throttle, the car makes an air sound. This sound is the air pressure releasing into the intake. Many turbo enthusiasts love this sound, just as a supercharger fans enjoys the high-rev whining. By sending the air back into the intake, it overall benefits the performance of the vehicle. Even if it is only a slight boost in power, every bit counts.

Vroom! Hiss! Vroom! Hiss!

Euro Diverter Valves and DV+ Explained [GO FAST BRETT] – MCM TV2 – YouTube
Well, hopefully this article helps the reader understand the purpose of a diverter valve. Any vehicle with a turbo has some form of a blow-off valve. And, each one functions differently. Manufacturers such as Audi and VW use diverter valves in their vehicles. Furthermore, Aftermarket diverter valves are a great addition to a turbo vehicle. But, first, always ensure the valve fits the specific model. Buying the wrong valve may lead to lost time and longer wait periods. In conclusion, the diverter valve is a piece of technology that offers a way to be energy efficient.

How Could This Happen!?

On March 12, 2019, the Italian cargo ship “Grande America” was carrying a shipment of over 2,000 European cars across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, the ship sank off of the French Atlantic coast. All of the 27 crew members are thankfully all ok. But the vehicles are lost at the bottom of the ocean. Furthermore, this shipment’s load includes four Porsche 911 GT2 RS models. With a value of $293,200.00 USD MSRP, that’s over 1 million worth of RS models! How could this happen!? Well, there was a fire that broke out on the ship, damaging the ship enough to sink it. So, even if the ship were to not have sunk, the vehicles were most likely a lost cause either way. In all honesty, as even Audi and Porsche would probably agree, the lives of the people outweigh saving any of the 2k cars. But the story doesn’t stop there!

Porsche Restarts Production of 911 GT2 RS

Due to the circumstances, Porsche will restart production of the 911 GT2 RS models to deliver the four units. Now, that’s how a top-notch company takes care of its customers. A Customer of Porsche Brazil sent a letter to Carscoops showing this information. As per the other Porsche vehicles on the ship, there are quite a few on the list. This includes the Boxter, Cayenne, and Cayman. But, the ship didn’t only have Porsche models. Audi was using the ship as well to deliver many vehicles. The non-confirmed list includes the Audi A3, A5, RS4, RS5, and Q7.

Now, to make it worse, the ship loss includes RS4 and RS5 models. Hopefully, the ship and the manufacturers were using insurance on this shipment. Imagine the disappointment after waiting 3 months for a vehicle order. Then, finding out its sitting at the bottom of the ocean. Wow. Hopefully, everyone receives the right car at some point within the next few months. It seems Porsche is hustling along with their orders, so Audi will probably do the same.

A Rare Occurrence on the Ocean Blue

HERE’S HOW THE $293,200 PORSCHE GT2RS IS SO FAST – Vehicle Virgins – YouTube
On the ocean blue, ships sinking are a rare occurrence. Especially, cargo ships and cruise liners that travel the world every day. Right now, there are ships arriving and departing mostly every continent. Maybe not as often from Antarctica, but people still live there at research facilities and so forth. So, deliveries are necessary for survival. Either way, this happening is definitely a shock to the manufacturers and customers alike. From experience, ordering a car from the manufacturer with a delivery date is an amazing adventure. So, it’s great news that the Porsche 911 GT2 RS will go back into production. In conclusion, Porsche deserves a tip of the hat for their willingness to satisfy customers.

Celebrating 10 Years of the 5.2 FSI V10

Recently, Audi made a major debut of the R8 V10 Decennium at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. This car is a celebration of 10 years with the 5.2 FSI V10 engine. The initial reveal of this motor was back on December 8 of 2008. Furthermore, the official debut was during the Detroit Auto Show, or North American International Auto Show, in January of 2009. Since then, the motor is seen in R8 models as well as even in Lamborghinis. Obviously, the R8 V10 Decennium is a collector vehicle. To back this up, this model has a limit of 222 units. If buying a Decennium is a goal, expect to pay over $250,000.

5.2-Liter V10 Engine with 620 Horsepower

Under the rear hood, the R8 V10 Decennium sports a 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine. This motor boats 620 horsepower and 428 lb.-ft. of torque. This allows the R8 Decennium to reach 62 mph in only 3.1 seconds. Furthermore, as per the top end, this car can reach 206 mph. And, for those that don’t know, FSI stands for “Fuel Stratified Injection”. As with most modern vehicles, this car will have the dual-clutch transmission. In combo, the engine and transmission perform phenomenally. This car is truly a dedication to an amazing Audi engine.

Amazing Design & Styling!

2020 Audi R8 Decennium – Interior And Exterior Walkaround – 2019 Geneva Motor Show
While the manufacturer pictures show the Daytona Gray paintjob, the Audi R8 Decennium has many color options. These include: Ascari Blue, Floret Silver, Kemora Gray, Mythos Black, and Suzuka Gray. To complement the exterior, the car sports a bronze intake manifold as well as bronze 20” alloy wheels. Moreover, the car has many gloss black accents including the front spoiler, rear diffuser, and side sills. All of these design elements create an amazing look for this car. As these cars reach the buyers, pictures of different color combos will debut. Then, a decision can be made on the best color scheme for this car! Overall, the Decennium is another amazing V10 vehicle by Audi.

Koenigsegg’s Major Geneva Debut

At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, quite a few phenomenal feats of engineering made their debut. Koenigsegg absolutely did not sit out on the sidelines. During the event, the Jesko was a shining star of the show. The Jesko is the successor to the Agera as the new ultimate performance vehicle. Koenigsegg declares this to be a “megacar”, taking auto engineering to the next level. As a megacar, this vehicle is capable of reaching around 300 mph. Obviously, this is dependent on the car’s abilities to handle these forces.

Traveling over 200 mph puts a ton of strain on the vehicle and its components. So, taking that a step further, will require even stronger parts. Hopefully, Koenigsegg will release a video of the Jesko accomplishing this goal. Furthermore, the Jesko was not the most powerful vehicle at the show. The Ferrari Pininfarina Battista boats a whopping 1,900 horsepower via an electrical motor setup. So, in the end, the Battista will most likely not be capable of reaching similar top speed. But, it does show where the future of automobiles are heading into the 2020s.

5.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V8 Engine

To no surprise, the Koenigsegg Jesko sports a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. This motor produces 1,280 horsepower on standard fuel. Furthermore, it can reach 1,600 horsepower on E85 biofuel. Wow! Working in combo with a 9-speed Koenigsegg Light Speed Transmission (LST), this car is fast as lightning. The 0 to 60 mph time with this much power should be under 3 seconds. From there, the car should steadily climb up to the 200 mph range. On the final stretch, if the parts allow, it could most likely reach 300 mph. Unfortunately, tires with these capabilities are yet to be seen – but will be available one day. Obviously, with time, engineering only improves – so reaching 300 mph may be a dream today, but a norm tomorrow.

The Upcoming Future of Megacars

Koenigsegg Jesko – Debuts at Geneva Motor Show 2019 – Koenigsegg – YouTube
During the next 5-10 years, hypercar manufacturers are going to move into the megacar realm. Just as beforehand, the supercar led to the megacar, and the sports car led to the supercar. And, before life knows it, megacars will be an expectation at auto shows worldwide. The Koenigsegg Jesko is one of the biggest leaps in design since the reveal of hypercars. Reaching 300 mph is no joke, nor something that shall be seen lightly. Obviously, trying to do this on the road is a terrible idea. But, under the right conditions, this car can “shine bright like a diamond”. Overall, the Jesko is a powerhouse ready to set auto records for the beginning of the megacar era.

The All-New Fully Electric Ferrari

At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari made a debut of its own. This reveal was equivalent to the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. The Ferrari Pininfarina Battista is a fully electric hypercar at $2.3 million USD. With the debut of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire at the same show, the Pininfarina is a jab at their unveiling. With over 400 more horsepower, this fully electric Ferrari is basically the company’s way of showing off. No offense to the competitors, but wow. Who would’ve expected such an amazing EV Ferrari? This was always a consideration but felt more like a rumor. Now, it’s as true as true could ever be.

Four Electric Motors with 1,873 Horsepower

The Ferrari Pininfarina Battista doesn’t sport the usual mid-engine Ferrari V8. This time, the company takes it a major step forward. Rather than a combustion engine, this car contains four electric motors. These motors are capable of producing 1,873 horsepower. Furthermore, with zero emissions! Wow, that is quite the accomplishment. Ferrari is shaping a pathway for the future. Although there’s nothing wrong with a Ferrari V8, it was time for the company to venture forward. With this setup, Ferrari is preparing well for the upcoming majority EV era. Combustion engines are amazing feats of engineering, but everything comes to an end.

Worth $2.3 Million USD? Yes!

Pininfarina Battista: 1900hp Hyper-EV | Carfection – YouTube
So, is the Ferrari Pininfarina Battista worth $2.3 million? Yes! While the MSRP says so, this car is probably worth it. This car has an amazingly stylish exterior with a powerhouse EV setup. How could one go wrong? Electric motors deliver instantaneous power, so there’s no more delays on the throttle! This car will surely hit 60 mph in most likely under 3 seconds. The plan for the company is to release the model in the 2020 year. Depending on the release period, it may be a 2020 or 2021 model. Pininfarina came through with another phenomenal design. Overall, the Battista is an amazing accomplishment and deserves the utmost respect.

Debut at 2019 Geneva Motor Show

At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Bugatti made one of its biggest debuts to date. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire stunned the crowd as a single model limited edition. At $18.9 million USD after taxes, this car is quite amazing. The Noire is one-off vehicle inspired by Jean Bugatti’s legendary 57SC Atlantic. Unfortunately, the 57SC Atlantic went missing during the pre-WWII era. Regardless, this Bugatti is an absolute masterpiece that remembers a historic model.

1,500 Horsepower W16 Engine

To no surprise, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire packs some major power. Under the “hood”, is a 1,500 horsepower W16 engine. More figures are yet to be known, but this engine is an absolute powerhouse. This has been quite the year at Geneva as the Noire isn’t the only 1,000+ horsepower reveal. But, this has also been seen as somewhat controversial. Why? Because many people wonder why these vehicles are not fully electric, or at least hybrid. But, to each their own!

Sometimes, a car needs to pay homage to its heritage and stick more traditional. The Noire is a great example of why. With only one model on the street, the emissions will probably be less than a cow produces. Especially, with the minimal time it’ll actually see the road. But, obviously, EVs are and will be the future. There is no exception to this rule. It’s better to start adapting now rather than when it’s too late…

Wow! $6.4 Million USD in Taxes!

€16.7m BUGATTI LA VOITURE NOIRE – World’s Most Expensive New Car! – Shmee150 – YouTube
As with every luxury good, there are taxes on Bugatti models. At these prices, obviously it’s not cheap. With a MSRP of $12.5 million USD, taxes alone skyrockets the price to $18.9 million USD. What? Why? How!? Yep, that is no joke. A whopping total of $6.4 million USD in taxes. With that money, the owner could buy a Divo, which comes in slightly under $6 million USD. Or, maybe two Chiron models at slightly under $3 million per unit. Either way, whomever buys this car is paying as much in taxes for this one vehicle as 610 average families in the U.S.. So, in the end, having money doesn’t really mean tax exemption. But, there’s no reason to dive into a dispute!

The Worldwide Upcoming EV Surge

Over the next decade, many manufacturers intend to increase EV production tenfold. Companies such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even supercar manufacturers are following the trend. Why? Because it leads to faster, more efficient vehicles. While being friendly to the environment, these cars perform better than the predecessors. This may not be something that motorheads want to hear, but it’s true. The electrical engine provides instantaneous power and a ton of torque. This is why Tesla has such fast vehicles, faster than many sports and supercars on the market for a margin the price. So, aiming towards Porsche – will the Taycan convert Porsche to design more EVs? Well, in all honesty… probably.

Basic Facts About the Stunning Taycan

Initially, the Porsche Taycan was known as the “Mission E” during the concept phase. To understand better, Taycan stands for “lively young horse” in the Eurasian language. On the other hand, this car is a fully electric 4-seater sports sedan. Between two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PSMs), this car produces over 600 horsepower. With a 800-Volt charging system, this car won’t take too long to fill up. From 0 to 60 mph, this car takes around 3.5 seconds. It may not be as fast as the best Tesla sedan, but close enough. Overall, the Taycan is an amazing leap forward in Porsche technology.

Demand for the Taycan is Insane!

Soul, electrified. – The Porsche Taycan is coming. – Porsche – YouTube
Due to the strong demand in the market, Porsche is moving up the Taycan production to over 20,000 units per year. Yes, that is read correctly. This car is taking the market by storm with tons and tons of reservations. Although it is quite expensive at $130,000, it is possible to obtain tax incentives due to buying or leasing an electric vehicle. This amounts for up to $7,500, but there’s no guarantee – so contact an accountant for more info! Due to the popularity of this model, don’t be surprised to see an electric Boxster, Cayenne, Cayman, Macan, or 911 at this point. Although the 911 breathes via an amazing 6-cylinder engine, an EV version would be a beast. Imagine this much power within a tinier sports car. It would probably reach 60 mph in closer to 3 seconds without a doubt. In conclusion, the Taycan is extremely popular and will lead Porsche to reconsider the EV pathway.