(Porsche images)
Porsche is writing a new chapter for its iconic 911 sports car. A unique pair of experimental 911 sports cars is being tested where there are no roads, where the air is thin, where the temperature is far below freezing and even plant life can’t survive. A team, led by endurance racer and adventurer Romain Dumas, has set out to explore the limits of the 911 and have opted for one of the toughest places on earth in which to begin the adventure – on the sheer slopes of Ojos del Salado, Chile, the highest volcano in the world. Exploring up to 6,007 meters (19,708 feet), the 911, with Romain Dumas at the wheel, took on boulder-strewn gradients as well as ice fields that tested the abilities of both the car and the team in temperatures hovering 30 degrees Celsius below freezing and with half the available oxygen in the air compared to at sea level. Impassable walls of seasonal snow and ice high up near the summit provided the upper limits of the test, which provided a tantalizing glimpse of what the cars are capable of in the right conditions. “This was a truly memorable and special moment in a place that’s both beautiful and brutal at the same time – I guess the only machines anywhere in the world higher than us today were aircraft! For the team and the car it was about learning – and right out of the box, the car was tough and nimble. We were hard on ourselves and really put it in the deep end for its first test, yet it felt at home,” said Romain Dumas, driver of the 911 and leader of the team. “We have enormous respect for those who have gone higher. No one has seen so much ice and snow up towards the top of the volcano, but despite this we went over 6,000 meters up, to the point where the walls of ice and snow meant we could go no further. We’re really proud of what the car and the team are capable of first time out – hopefully we can count on many more adventures in the future.”
Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice-President, Complete Vehicle Architecture and Characteristics at Porsche AG, commissioned his chief engineer for the Porsche 911, Michael Rösler, with the project. “It’s been magical to build a 911 like the world has never seen before – made possible by a small team of engineering enthusiasts. The 911 has already been proven on the track and, of course, on the road. With this project, we‘re shifting the focus to where there are no roads," said Rösler, Director complete vehicle 911 Model line. “Testing our theories means finding the harshest possible environments to see if they work – and on the highest volcano in the world, we succeeded.”
At the core of each car is the 911 (Type 992) Carrera 4S equipped with a factory standard turbocharged flat-six engine developing 443HP under standard conditions and the original seven-speed manual transmission. From this starting point, the engineers at Porsche’s research and development base in Weissach, near Stuttgart, working closely with Romain Dumas Motorsport, then let their combined creativity run wild as they worked to prepare it for the specific demands of the mountain.
The two cars were first equipped with roll cages, carbon fiber seats and harnesses to meet the safety requirements such a project demands. Next, portal axles were added to increase ground clearance (now 350 mm). New, lower gear ratios allow for precise, gentle throttle inputs at low speed and work well with large, newly fitted off-road tires. In addition, the cars are equipped with special lightweight, but extremely tough, Aramid fiber underbody protection to allow sliding over rocks.
A device called the Porsche Warp-Connecter was added. Originally designed for motorsport applications, it forms a mechanical link between all four wheels to allow constant wheel load even when the chassis is enduring extreme articulation – contributing to maximum traction. Manual, switchable differential locks were used along with an advanced steer-by-wire system. Finally a winch was added at the front of the car along with revised bodywork to allow clearance for the 310 mm wide off-road wheels and tires. The cooling system also needed to move upward to allow the car to tackle more extreme off-road sections without fear of damage. As a finishing touch, the bodywork was finished in two distinctive liveries – one featuring the same Porsche Motorsport color scheme adorning the 963 LMDh racer and a second 911-themed livery designed by the styling team in Weissach.
“Over 30 years ago, a team of Porsche engineers fitted four wheel drive to a 911 to explore ‘what if?’ – and I’m proud that this natural curiosity and drive amongst engineers to explore the limits, to test new ideas and above all to inspire, is alive and well,” said Walliser. “Projects like this one are vital to who we are at Porsche. As they began their journey, the team literally aimed sky high. The first of what I hope will be many adventures.”
Porsche is writing a new chapter for its iconic 911 sports car. A unique pair of experimental 911 sports cars is being tested where there are no roads, where the air is thin, where the temperature is far below freezing and even plant life can’t survive. A team, led by endurance racer and adventurer Romain Dumas, has set out to explore the limits of the 911 and have opted for one of the toughest places on earth in which to begin the adventure – on the sheer slopes of Ojos del Salado, Chile, the highest volcano in the world. Exploring up to 6,007 meters (19,708 feet), the 911, with Romain Dumas at the wheel, took on boulder-strewn gradients as well as ice fields that tested the abilities of both the car and the team in temperatures hovering 30 degrees Celsius below freezing and with half the available oxygen in the air compared to at sea level. Impassable walls of seasonal snow and ice high up near the summit provided the upper limits of the test, which provided a tantalizing glimpse of what the cars are capable of in the right conditions. “This was a truly memorable and special moment in a place that’s both beautiful and brutal at the same time – I guess the only machines anywhere in the world higher than us today were aircraft! For the team and the car it was about learning – and right out of the box, the car was tough and nimble. We were hard on ourselves and really put it in the deep end for its first test, yet it felt at home,” said Romain Dumas, driver of the 911 and leader of the team. “We have enormous respect for those who have gone higher. No one has seen so much ice and snow up towards the top of the volcano, but despite this we went over 6,000 meters up, to the point where the walls of ice and snow meant we could go no further. We’re really proud of what the car and the team are capable of first time out – hopefully we can count on many more adventures in the future.”
Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice-President, Complete Vehicle Architecture and Characteristics at Porsche AG, commissioned his chief engineer for the Porsche 911, Michael Rösler, with the project. “It’s been magical to build a 911 like the world has never seen before – made possible by a small team of engineering enthusiasts. The 911 has already been proven on the track and, of course, on the road. With this project, we‘re shifting the focus to where there are no roads," said Rösler, Director complete vehicle 911 Model line. “Testing our theories means finding the harshest possible environments to see if they work – and on the highest volcano in the world, we succeeded.”At the core of each car is the 911 (Type 992) Carrera 4S equipped with a factory standard turbocharged flat-six engine developing 443HP under standard conditions and the original seven-speed manual transmission. From this starting point, the engineers at Porsche’s research and development base in Weissach, near Stuttgart, working closely with Romain Dumas Motorsport, then let their combined creativity run wild as they worked to prepare it for the specific demands of the mountain.The two cars were first equipped with roll cages, carbon fiber seats and harnesses to meet the safety requirements such a project demands. Next, portal axles were added to increase ground clearance (now 350 mm). New, lower gear ratios allow for precise, gentle throttle inputs at low speed and work well with large, newly fitted off-road tires. In addition, the cars are equipped with special lightweight, but extremely tough, Aramid fiber underbody protection to allow sliding over rocks.A device called the Porsche Warp-Connecter was added. Originally designed for motorsport applications, it forms a mechanical link between all four wheels to allow constant wheel load even when the chassis is enduring extreme articulation – contributing to maximum traction. Manual, switchable differential locks were used along with an advanced steer-by-wire system. Finally a winch was added at the front of the car along with revised bodywork to allow clearance for the 310 mm wide off-road wheels and tires. The cooling system also needed to move upward to allow the car to tackle more extreme off-road sections without fear of damage. As a finishing touch, the bodywork was finished in two distinctive liveries – one featuring the same Porsche Motorsport color scheme adorning the 963 LMDh racer and a second 911-themed livery designed by the styling team in Weissach.“Over 30 years ago, a team of Porsche engineers fitted four wheel drive to a 911 to explore ‘what if?’ – and I’m proud that this natural curiosity and drive amongst engineers to explore the limits, to test new ideas and above all to inspire, is alive and well,” said Walliser. “Projects like this one are vital to who we are at Porsche. As they began their journey, the team literally aimed sky high. The first of what I hope will be many adventures.”
(Honda images)
Honda is touting its 2023 Pilot as "The largest and most powerful SUV in Honda history." We don't think that's necessarily a good thing, but Honda is hell-bent on playing in the space, so... Working overtime, Honda PR minions are calling the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot "the ultimate family SUV with rugged new styling, more passenger and cargo space, and a class-leading combination of off-road capability and sporty on-road dynamics." In other words, all they were able to stuff in it, plus the kitchen sink. This fourth-generation Pilot goes on sale next month in five trim levels: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring and Elite.
Pilot's all-new interior offers sophisticated materials, premium touches and must-have tech features to create "the most upscale Pilot ever." The interior stresses flexibility with an available removable 2nd row seat that can be conveniently stowed under the rear cargo floor. Pilot also offers the most passenger and cargo space in Pilot history and a new, modern interior with front Body Stabilizing Seats designed to help reduce fatigue on long drives. Standard class-leading safety features include a new and improved suite of Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies, a next-generation front passenger airbag, improved front side airbags, and new driver and front-passenger knee airbags.
The Pilot has an available second-generation i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system designed to improve off-road capability.
Pilot is powered by Honda's most powerful V6 ever, an all-new, dual overhead cam 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 285HP.
And those same Honda PR minions are calling the new Pilot TrailSport "the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever, engineered to get weekend adventurers even further off the beaten path with special off-road features including a raised off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, steel skid plates and expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities." Alrighty then!
Honda is touting its 2023 Pilot as "The largest and most powerful SUV in Honda history." We don't think that's necessarily a good thing, but Honda is hell-bent on playing in the space, so... Working overtime, Honda PR minions are calling the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot "the ultimate family SUV with rugged new styling, more passenger and cargo space, and a class-leading combination of off-road capability and sporty on-road dynamics." In other words, all they were able to stuff in it, plus the kitchen sink. This fourth-generation Pilot goes on sale next month in five trim levels: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring and Elite.
Pilot's all-new interior offers sophisticated materials, premium touches and must-have tech features to create "the most upscale Pilot ever." The interior stresses flexibility with an available removable 2nd row seat that can be conveniently stowed under the rear cargo floor. Pilot also offers the most passenger and cargo space in Pilot history and a new, modern interior with front Body Stabilizing Seats designed to help reduce fatigue on long drives. Standard class-leading safety features include a new and improved suite of Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies, a next-generation front passenger airbag, improved front side airbags, and new driver and front-passenger knee airbags.The Pilot has an available second-generation i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system designed to improve off-road capability.Pilot is powered by Honda's most powerful V6 ever, an all-new, dual overhead cam 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 285HP.And those same Honda PR minions are calling the new Pilot TrailSport "the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever, engineered to get weekend adventurers even further off the beaten path with special off-road features including a raised off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, steel skid plates and expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities." Alrighty then!
(Mercedes-Benz images)
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the multipurpose variant of the EQE executive sedan: the EQE SUV. Like the latter, it is available "with the essential innovations found in the EQS and at the same time is more dynamic than the EQS SUV," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. The EQE SUV is more spacious yet more compact than the EQE Sedan, with a wheelbase of 119.3 inches (3.5 inches shorter). The external dimensions are: 191.5/76.4/66.4 inches (length/width/height). The fourth model after the two EQS and EQE Sedans, as well as the EQS SUV, the EQE SUV also uses the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz platform. The EQE SUV will offer a wide range of maximum total outputs. Subject to final certification, Mercedes-Benz expects these to be in a similar range to the data for the EQE sedans. Depending on the vehicle equipment and configuration, WLTP ranges of more than 550 kilometers (342 miles) can be expected for European vehicles (with the exception of AMG models). In the EQE SUV, the lithium-ion battery consists of ten modules. The innovative battery management software, which was developed in-house, allows updates over the air (OTA). In this way, the energy management of the EQE SUV remains up to date throughout its entire life cycle.
(Mercedes-Benz images)
AMG also unveiled its version of the EQE SUV, the 2024 AMG EQE SUV, calling it "the first all-electric SUV from the performance and sports car brand," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. It features two electric motors with up to 677HP in total output. Other stuff? You also get AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel-drive, AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, rear-axle steering and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL – an AMG-specific roll stabilization system - all standard. Like the AMG EQS Sedan and AMG EQE Sedan, the AMG EQE SUV is based on the electric platform from Mercedes-EQ. Two electric motors and fully variable all-wheel drive form the basis for the AMG dynamic driving experience. Added to this are the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE and exterior and interior design details. Editor-in-Chief's Note. These two vehicles leave me cold. I find them to be uninteresting, soulless appliances that are unfortunately representative of where this EV "thing" is going. How much? No prices were released, but frankly, we don't care. -PMD
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the multipurpose variant of the EQE executive sedan: the EQE SUV. Like the latter, it is available "with the essential innovations found in the EQS and at the same time is more dynamic than the EQS SUV," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. The EQE SUV is more spacious yet more compact than the EQE Sedan, with a wheelbase of 119.3 inches (3.5 inches shorter). The external dimensions are: 191.5/76.4/66.4 inches (length/width/height). The fourth model after the two EQS and EQE Sedans, as well as the EQS SUV, the EQE SUV also uses the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz platform. The EQE SUV will offer a wide range of maximum total outputs. Subject to final certification, Mercedes-Benz expects these to be in a similar range to the data for the EQE sedans. Depending on the vehicle equipment and configuration, WLTP ranges of more than 550 kilometers (342 miles) can be expected for European vehicles (with the exception of AMG models). In the EQE SUV, the lithium-ion battery consists of ten modules. The innovative battery management software, which was developed in-house, allows updates over the air (OTA). In this way, the energy management of the EQE SUV remains up to date throughout its entire life cycle.
(Mercedes-Benz images)AMG also unveiled its version of the EQE SUV, the 2024 AMG EQE SUV, calling it "the first all-electric SUV from the performance and sports car brand," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. It features two electric motors with up to 677HP in total output. Other stuff? You also get AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel-drive, AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, rear-axle steering and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL – an AMG-specific roll stabilization system - all standard. Like the AMG EQS Sedan and AMG EQE Sedan, the AMG EQE SUV is based on the electric platform from Mercedes-EQ. Two electric motors and fully variable all-wheel drive form the basis for the AMG dynamic driving experience. Added to this are the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE and exterior and interior design details. Editor-in-Chief's Note. These two vehicles leave me cold. I find them to be uninteresting, soulless appliances that are unfortunately representative of where this EV "thing" is going. How much? No prices were released, but frankly, we don't care. -PMD
The AE Song of the Week:
See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I'll wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait, without you
With or without you
With or without you
Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
Oh
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
With or without you"With Or Without You" by U2, from the album "The Joshua Tree" (1987).* Written by Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen and Paul David Hewson. Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.
*In this song, Bono describes a tortured relationship that he can't escape. The lyric can be interpreted many ways; Bono explained that he wanted to write a love song that dealt with real issues. In 1987 Bono explained that everybody in the group knows what the line "and you give yourself away" means: "It's about how I feel in U2 at times - exposed. I'm not going to do many interviews this year. Because there's a cost to my personal life, and a cost to the group as well." In 2005 Bono called the refrain most important part of the song because it signifies a release of mental tension, "which is when the 'Aah-aah' comes out. That is what giving yourself away is, musically." This was U2's breakout hit in America, where they had only modest success until The Joshua Tree album. They had long been stars in their native Ireland, and with their previous album, The Unforgettable Fire, they broke through in the UK, but until "With Or Without You" their biggest US hit was "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" at #33. When they did conquer America, they did so swiftly and thoroughly; "With Or Without You" went to #1, and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" followed to the top spot. The Edge used a distortion device called an "Infinite Guitar" to create the wail. It was invented by Michael Brook, whom The Edge worked with on the soundtrack for a 1986 film called The Captive. Brook created the Infinite Guitar by replacing the pickup on a guitar with a magnetic device that vibrates the strings. Daniel Lanois, who co-produced The Joshua Tree album with Brian Eno, told Songfacts: "We had a little secret weapon. It was called the 'infinite sustain guitar,' invented by my good friend Michael Brook, a Canadian associate. Michael had invented this instrument where you didn't have to use your right hand on the guitar. You just held a note with your left hand, and he had a little self-looping system built into the instrument. But as you went up higher on the guitar, the infinite sustain just kept going into the stratosphere. So, that sound that you hear, I was taking the infinite sustain guitar out of the box and plugging it in to see what it did, and it started making that sound. The Edge was really just testing the guitar to see what it could do. He did a take, and I said, 'That sounds pretty good. Can you try another one?' And then we did a second one, and that was it. We did a little 'best of the two performances,' and then it became that signature, high-frequency stratospheric sound on 'With Or Without You.'" (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG