AutoCar Tests The Tesla Model S

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Will@FluxAuto

Tesla made history this past year by becoming the first manufacturer to win several Car of the Year awards with an electric car. The Model S impressed everybody with it’s ability to offer uncompromised performance, practicality and value when compared directly to its combustion powered competitors. Specifications no longer had to be qualified with “which is good for an electric car.” They were just very good. The Model S even superseded the auto industry in several areas thanks to Tesla’s Silicon Valley tech approach to connectivity, touchscreens and operating system configurability and updatability. Now Tesla is poised to begin selling the Model S in Europe. AutoCar UK spent a week with a US spec Model S and they have been equally as impressed with it as the US media. Expect Elon Musk to have some more trophies to hoist in the year to come.

Source: AutoCar on YouTube

Defined Autoworks 4-Rotor Engine

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Will@FluxAuto

As far as I know, Defined Autoworks is the first shop to build a 4-rotor Mazda rotary engine here in the US. They machine their own 4-piece eccentric shaft with 5 main bearings that allows the engine to spin up to 12,000 rpm. An Electromotive engine management computer controls four 2,200 cc injectors. Electromotive also supplies the two ignition computers that control the 12 coils of the triple spark plug ignition system. The video documents the assembly of the engine along with some shots of the sliding plate throttle bodies and variable length intake runners. Dyno tuning will come later with an eventual goal of 800 horsepower to the wheels.

Source: Defined Autoworks on YouTube via EngineLabs.com

Le Mans 2013 – Motorsport is Coming Home

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Will@FluxAuto

Audi Motorsport put together this tribute video honoring their victory in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a great insight into what makes this race special.

Source: Audi Deutschland on YouTube

Onboard with Mikko Hirvonen

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Will@FluxAuto

Ride along with Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen as he pilots his Citroen WRC car through Stage 10 of the 2013 Neste Oil Rally Finland. He is absolutely flying through the woods. This footage is a pretty nice insight into a world class driver piloting a world class rally car.

Source: WRC on YouTube

TCI Engineering’s 1935-1940 Ford Chassis

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Will@FluxAuto

The folks over at Rod Authority are starting up a 1936 Ford 5-window project car. This is footage that they took at Total Cost Involved Engineering as the artisans there assembled the performance chassis that will be the foundation of their new project. Who says quality craftsmanship in America is dead? Head over to the Project Flat Out page to keep up with the build.

Source: TCI Engineering on YouTube