The Tesla Cybertruck has absolutely dominated discussions amongst the electric truck scene, but can it handle the electric truck's biggest hurdle - long range towing? We'll cover four major subjects in this video: 1) Why do electric pickup trucks struggle with long range towing? 2) How does a truck's shape influence it's towing range? 3) Why do some trucks lose more range while towing than others? 4) How do options like the Cybertruck and Silverado EV stack up in long range towing applications?
Can Tesla’s Cybertruck Finally Solve Towing? Not Yet...Engineering Explained2024-03-22 | Why Tesla's Cybertruck isn't quite ready for long range towing. Subscribe to Engineering Explained for more videos! - goo.gl/VZstk7 Recommended Books & Car Products - http://amzn.to/2BrekJm EE Shirts! - http://bit.ly/2BHsiuo
The Tesla Cybertruck has absolutely dominated discussions amongst the electric truck scene, but can it handle the electric truck's biggest hurdle - long range towing? We'll cover four major subjects in this video: 1) Why do electric pickup trucks struggle with long range towing? 2) How does a truck's shape influence it's towing range? 3) Why do some trucks lose more range while towing than others? 4) How do options like the Cybertruck and Silverado EV stack up in long range towing applications?
Hybrid vehicles are a great solution to improving fuel economy, but they have their own unique challenges. Because hybrid engines start & stop frequently, this often results in lower engine temperatures, which in turn can create issues with water and fuel dilution. Frequent start/stops, water, and fuel, can all create problems that exacerbate engine wear.
To combat this, Mobil 1 has developed Mobil 1 hybrid, a full synthetic motor oil that is designed to meet the challenges that hybrid vehicles place on engines. This video will focus on three main subjects: how hybrids work, why hybrids are hard on engines, and what solutions exist to combat these challenges.
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAGas vs Hybrid vs Plug-in vs Electric - Whats The Difference?Engineering Explained2024-10-11 | Gasoline, Hybrid, Plug-In, and Electric. There are a lot of options available when buying a new car, but what’s the difference? Gas and diesel vehicles rely solely on a combustion engine to move the vehicle. Hybrids add a small battery and at least one electric motor to the mix. Plug-ins have larger batteries than standard hybrids, meaning you can start the car and drive for short distances on electric power only - great for daily commutes. For further distances, or when extra power is needed, the gas engine kicks on, giving you plenty of range. Fully electric cars ditch the engine completely, just using a large battery and electric motors, for the most efficient form of automotive transportation.
Does fast charging your electric car ruin the battery? It’s obvious that for convenience, and for those that can’t charge at home, the ability to fast charge a battery is critical for electric cars to be widely viable. But, studies repeatedly show that the faster your charging rate, the more degradation a battery has, which naturally raises the following questions that we’ll break down: 1. Does a faster charging rate degrade a battery faster? 2. Why does faster charging degrade a battery faster? 3. What practical solutions exist to prevent battery degradation from fast charging? 4. Do you need to actually think about it, or is it fine to regularly use fast chargers?
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Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAWhat Killed The Flathead V8 Engine?Engineering Explained2024-09-27 | Flathead V8 engines were the first mass-produced V8 engines sold in production cars, with Ford’s first example dating back to 1932. The flathead design is very simple; as the name implies, the cylinder head is basically just a single flat piece of metal. All of the engine components are kept internal to the cylinder block, with a single camshaft operating the valves directly. The simplicity meant low cost, which brought the V8 to the masses. Unfortunately, airflow was terrible, because the air had to reverse directions as the valve opened to enter the cylinder, rather than flowing directly in like modern engines. The intake air also flows in the opposite direction from the exhaust, so any valve overlap meant combating airflow. All of this meant low power, so by 1954, the engine was no more. Bummer! Not really.
The instant a tire meets the road, it triggers one of the most complex interactions that occurs in the realm of automotive engineering. Not only how a tire generates grip, but even more so how it wears, is a wildly complicated and equally fascinating subject. This video will provide clarity on the subject of tire wear.
I spent time at multiple Continental proving grounds, on various test tracks, and had discussions with quite a few engineers, to help answer the following questions: 1. What is tire wear, and how does it work? 2. What are the main contributing factors to tire wear? 3. What is the ideal vehicle for minimizing tire wear? 4. How can you design a tire to last a long time? 5. What do you know how long a tire will last? 6. Could a tire last 100,000 miles?
The tire we’ll use to help answer these questions is the TrueContact Tour54, which is Continental’s longest lasting tire sold today, with up to an 80,000 mile warranty.
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAToyota Developed An All New Painting Process For CarsEngineering Explained2024-09-13 | Toyota developed a new painting process; it’s the first of its kind in the world for automotive use, and has the highest coating efficiency in the world. Typically paint is applied with air paint atomizers, which use air pressure, but plenty of paint ricochets off the surface and is wasted. The new process uses a spinning cylindrical head combined with centrifugal force to sling out. electrostatically charged paint droplets. The droplets are attracted to the grounded surface of the vehicle where the paint can attach and the static charge can be dissipated. This process achieves over 95% coating efficiency, versus just 60-70% coating efficiency from conventional car painting methods.
Toyota Press Release: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/31587468.html
Lamborghini has ditched their naturally aspirated V10 engine in favor of a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. But it’s not just any turbo V8, it’s one of the highest revving turbo V8 engines the production car world has ever seen, reaching 10,000 RPM. I spoke with Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, to learn all about the new Lamborghini Temerario and the potent power plant inside of it. In this video, we’ll discuss the following questions: 1. Why use a turbocharged V8 instead of a naturally aspirated V10? 2. How much power does the Temerario make? 3. What’s so special about this new V8 engine? 4. How can a turbocharged V8 rev to 10,000 RPM?
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Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iABugattis V16 Engine Fires 1,000 Times Per Second!Engineering Explained2024-08-30 | 1,000 pistons firing every single second. When Bugatti's V16 engine reaches 7,500 RPM, something very special happens. 16 cylinders at 7500 RPM, with each cylinder firing once per two crank rotations equals 60,000 power strokes per minute. So while it’s hard to believe, that means every millisecond, or 1000 times per second, a piston is firing. In the blink of an eye, the Bugatti engine has had over 100 individual explosions occur inside of it. The engine is so big, and revs so high, that it can produce 1,000 horsepower without even using turbochargers. That's 8.3 liters of naturally aspirated fury revving past 9,000 RPM.
Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, but a common concern remains for many owners - what about the battery? Most batteries used in electric cars today come with one of two major chemistries: Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). LFP batteries are rising in popularity as they're cheaper to manufacturer, and more sustainable since they use more common materials. Each chemistry has unique properties, and benefits from specific best practices, as it relates to making the battery last for a long time. This video will look at the latest research and discuss four major best practices for LFP batteries when it comes to capacity retention and longevity.
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Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAHow To Eliminate Turbo Lag - Volvos Easy Fix!Engineering Explained2024-08-16 | Turbochargers provides lots of horsepower, but they also have turbo lag, so it takes time for the turbo to spool up and provide boost, delaying that power delivery. To combat this, Volvo came up with a very clever solution. The process starts with an air compressor, which fills up a high pressure air tank. If you floor it, asking for full power, the air tank releases that high pressure air directly into the exhaust manifold, where it then rapidly spools up the turbo. This means you don’t have to wait for the exhaust gases to do the work, like you would with a traditional turbo engine. Once your engine starts making good power, the exhaust gases take over to maintain boost, so the air compressor can go back to work filling up the air tank, ready for the next full throttle deployment. So you have a compressor (air compressor), for a compressor (turbo), for a compressor (engine). Neat!
Red Bull has created a masterpiece of engineering: the RB17! From one of Formula 1's greatest minds, Adrian Newey, comes an all new track car with a 4.5L naturally aspirated V10 engine with a screaming high 15,000 RPM redline. Newey says the track-only hypercar will be capable of lap times as fast as a Formula 1 car, thanks to 1,200 horsepower and extraordinary levels of downforce. The downforce is no surprise, considering Adrian Newey is known for his aerodynamic marvels. In this case? Perhaps the largest diffuser the world has ever seen! The 1,200 horsepower is thanks to a combination of combustion (1,000 horsepower) and electric (200 horsepower). This video dives into the engineering details, including the engine, the hybrid system, the weight, and the aerodynamics.
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAWhats The Fastest Transmission? Dont Hate The CVT!Engineering Explained2024-08-02 | What’s the best transmission? A dual clutch transmission might come to mind due to their lightning quick shifts, but there's another transmission that can allow you to go even faster. As it turns out, a CVT, or continuously variable transmission, reigns king in terms of efficiency and performance. There's a reason the technology was banned after its use in Formula 1. What makes it so good? Well a CVT can choose any gear ratio within its range at any given time, and it can constantly change that gear ratio. That means it can simply hold the engine at peak power, meaning the quickest acceleration, and change the gear ratio as the vehicle’s speed changes, never taking the engine off peak power.
Why hold at peak power, and not peak torque? Learn more here: youtu.be/cb6rIZfCuHI
Chevrolet has absolutely delivered with the new 2025 Corvette ZR1, which features a 5.5L flatplane-crank twin-turbo V8 engine sending power to the rear wheels. The powerplant is good for 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 RPM - astounding numbers from a production car! How does it do it? We'll talk through the numbers in this video, including what features are shared with the Z06 "Gemini" LT6 engine, and what features are different for the ZR1's LT7 engine. We'll discuss mitigating turbo-lag, power & torque, 0-60 mph times, and mind-blowing torque stats. The new ZR1 has truly elevated the Corvette C8 platform!
Get 15% off your Carly purchase with code "Explained" (auto-applied) until September 10, 2024 when you click: bit.ly/Carly_EngineeringExplained
Carly's scanner and free version of the app with standard OBD features are compatible with cars that have an OBD2 port. To see if Carly's advanced features — like coding or manufacturer-level diagnostics — should work with your car, make sure to check out their website. To access these additional features, you'll need to get their yearly license.
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAWhy Dont Electric Cars Have Gears?Engineering Explained2024-07-19 | Electric cars are more popular than manual transmissions, as indicated by sales in the United States. How wild! Instead of lots of gears, EVs generally do away with shifting gearboxes. This doesn't mean they don't have gears, it’s just that most EVs have a single drive ratio, meaning there’s no shifting gears. Compared to combustion engines, electric motors can rev way higher, produce lots of torque at low RPM, and remain efficient across a wide RPM range. Adding multiple gears to an electric car means increased complexity, added weight, and efficiency losses. There are examples of geared electric vehicles: Porsche uses a two-speed gearbox in the back of the Taycan. Early Formula-E (electric racing) days, the cars were running as many as five gears!
Formula 1 teams are concerned that the cars are going to be too slow in 2026; this is because an all new ruleset goes into effect which has major changes. The cars will have less combustion power, and more power will come from the electric motor. This shift will create energy challenges, so the cars will have less aerodynamic drag and less downforce - that does save energy, but it also means slower cornering speeds. But, not to fear, the new cars have more horsepower, not less, so they'll definitely be quicker, right? Well, we'll have to do a little math to find out. Enjoy!
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAInfiniti Reinvents The Combustion Engine – VC-Turbo In 60 SecondsEngineering Explained2024-07-05 | The combustion engine reinvented - Infiniti designed a unique linkage to enable a variable compression ratio engine. Compression ratio is the ratio of the maximum to minimum cylinder volume. Infiniti’s engine, through the use of linkages, can choose any compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1 for any given scenario. To maximize horsepower, a lower compression ratio is used in combination with raised boost with the turbocharger. This lets the engine create power safely. For maximum efficiency, a high compression ratio is used, which increases thermal efficiency. This technology is used in the Nissan Altima, the pinnacle of driving joy.
The wraps are off the new Bugatti Tourbillon, and it's rather incredible. 1,800 horsepower is delivered through the combination of an 8.3L naturally aspirated V16 engine, as well as three electric motors. Two up front, with one in the back, and ability to run ICE-only, meaning a 1,000 HP naturally aspirated RWD experience. In this video we'll cover four main topics: 1) What are the specifications of the new Bugatti Tourbillon? 2) Why did Bugatti choose to go naturally aspirated? 3) Why did Bugatti choose a V16 over their W16 engine? 4) What is the Tourbillon's top speed?
While the Tourbillon is limited to 445 km/h, it's capable of more. But how much more? Is 500 km/h possible? We'll discuss!
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iACan You Charge A Tesla By Towing It?Engineering Explained2024-06-21 | What happens if you run out of charge in your electric car? The battery is dead and you’re stranded. Well what if there was an easy way to get energy back into that battery pack? If you spot a Ford Raptor nearby, you don’t need to be towed the full distance home, because electric cars can use regenerative braking to recharge the battery. That means as the Raptor is driving and towing the Tesla, the Tesla is braking with its electric motors, capturing energy from the Raptor’s fuel, and turning it into useful charge in the battery. And you might be surprised to learn what's actually more efficient - a Raptor towing a Tesla, or a Raptor all on its own.
The Porsche 911 GTS has a new hybrid powertrain, and it’ll convince you to go hybrid over the GTS’ previous 3.0L twin-turbo engine. The benefits are extraordinary, with more torque, a wider torque curve, more horsepower, and better response in all driving situations. Not only does electrification mean more immediate torque, but an electric turbocharger also means boost arrives much more quickly. We’ll compare the new 3.6L boxer six-cylinder engine to the previous 3.0L, and also discuss how Porsche achieved Lambda = 1 in a modern performance engine, an impressive achievement!
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAWhat Is Rev-Matching? Manual Shifting!Engineering Explained2024-06-07 | What is rev-matching in a manual transmission? The idea is if you want to shift to a lower gear in a manual transmission vehicle, rev-matching allows for a smooth shift. For a given vehicle speed, the higher the gear you’re in, the lower your engine’s speed. So to downshift from 4th to 3rd the engine speed is going to increase. To compensate for this, the shift is as follows: you push in the clutch, blip the throttle (raising the engine speed to match the next gear), shift from 4th to 3rd as your engine speed climbs, and then let out the clutch. It’s easier on your vehicle, and doesn’t upset the car’s balance while shifting.
The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota 4Runner are both highly capable off-road vehicles, but, which one has the better four-wheel-drive system? All Land Cruisers come with Full-Time 4WD, where as most 4Runners come with Part-Time 4WD. In this video we’ll explain exactly how both systems work, what the advantages are of each, and ultimately discuss which system is superior. The Toyota Tacoma has the same 4WD system as the 4Runner, so anything in this video that applies to the 4Runner also applies to the Tacoma.
Once we have a general understanding of how transfer cases work, we'll dive into the following questions: How does the low range gear selection work? How does the full-time system create a 40/60 torque split? How does the Torsen center differential work? How does the part-time system select 4WD?
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAWhat Killed The Rotary Engine?Engineering Explained2024-05-24 | What killed the rotary engine? Wankel engines have struggled to compete with piston cylinder engines, despite their many benefits and overall simplicity. Rotary engines have a long, growing combustion chamber as the rotor spins, making complete combustion difficult - not great for fuel economy. They’re also difficult to seal, and since you have multiple chambers at different stages of combustion, proper seals between chambers is critical. To help promote a good seal, oil is sprayed directly into the combustion chamber. All of this results in an inefficient engine with terrible emissions. You might think that because all of these negative factors exist, it's done for good, but Mazda actually brought back the rotary engine in the MX-30, acting as a single-rotor range extender!
At the Cybertruck delivery event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed the Cybertruck could tow a Porsche 911 down the 1/4 mile faster than a Porsche 911 could do it by itself. I did not believe it, so I made a video explaining why - but math is for nerds, let's do it for real! Thanks to MotorTrend, this test is now a reality, as we pitted the CyberBeast against a manual Porsche 911 T - the slowest current generation Porsche 911.
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAHow Steer-By-Wire Works - Tesla Cybertrucks Unique Steering!Engineering Explained2024-05-10 | Steer-by-wire on a car means there is no physical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels of the car. This is now a reality thanks to the Cybertruck, the first production vehicle in North America that uses this technology without a mechanical backup steering column. On a traditional car, when you rotate the steering wheel, this passes through the steering column to the steering rack, which moves the steering rack left or right, pulling on tie-rods, pivoting the front wheels based on your input. With steer-by-wire that mechanical connection is gone. When you turn the steering wheel, a sensor sees how much you turn the wheel, and a controller relays that message to the front steering rack, where an electric motor moves the steering rack based on your input, pivoting the front wheels.
I have purchased a 2024 Ford Maverick to replace my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. This is the AWD Lariat with a 2.0L Turbo I4 engine producing 250 HP and 277 lb-ft of torque. It features adaptive cruise control, an upgraded sound system, contrasting leather interior, and a 4.5' bed with a tri-fold hard top cover. There are many reasons this is better than my Crosstrek - power, practicality, interior quality, sound system, functionality, towing capability, cargo capacity - it's a long list! However, there is one major downside - no manual transmission! I will truly miss the Crosstrek (who am I kidding, I won't), but I am excited for the new ride that's entered my fleet (of two cars)!
Don't forget to check out my other pages below! Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engineeringexplained Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engineeringexplained Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jasonfenske13 EE Extra: youtube.com/channel/UCsrY4q8xGPJQbQ8HPQZn6iAHow V8 Engines Work (In 60 Seconds)Engineering Explained2024-04-26 | V8 engines are universally praised by car enthusiasts. The idea is simple: two banks of four cylinders join together in a "V" to form a V8. Each cylinder is working to pull in air & fuel and eventually ignite it to provide the power stroke. This process takes two revolutions of the crankshaft for each cylinder, or 720 degrees of rotation. Since you have eight cylinders, you have a power stroke every 90 degrees of crank rotation, resulting in very smooth power delivery. The engines are used in muscle cars, super cars, and trucks, for their performance advantages and glorious sound - it's why Mustang GT350s, Corvettes, and Ferraris all sound so lovely.
Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N is a fresh new approach to electric performance vehicles. The car is packed with customizable features so the driver can configure the vehicle to their exact preferences. We'll deep dive into ten of these features, summarized below: 1. N Pedal - Developed as a solution to overcome the inherent weight and size of EVs, N Pedal was designed for instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity, increasing the regenerative force to create a dynamic weight transfer that helps to sharpen corner entry. 2. N Torque Distribution - adjusts the front and rear drive ratio, providing fully variable torque distribution that can be adjusted for eleven levels. 3. N Drift Optimizer (w/ Torque Kick Drift) - helps to maintain the drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls. The integrated Torque Kick Drift function allows the driver to simulate the clutch kick action of rear-wheel-drive ICE vehicles for driving scenarios that require more immediate drift initiation. 4. N Grin Boost (NGB) - delivers an instant thrust from IONIQ 5 N’s dual motors by increasing the power output and torque for ten seconds 5. N Launch Control - provides maximum traction for the fastest possible start, allowing the driver to launch their vehicle like a professional race car 6. N Race - utilizes a motorsport-derived philosophy that optimizes resources for the best track experience. 7. N Battery Preconditioning - optimizes the temperature of the battery cells to be as efficient as possible. 8. N e-Shift simulates the behavior of the eight-speed dual-clutch N DCT of ICE N models by controlling the motor's torque output and power and simulating the jolt feeling between shifts. It provides the push feel of a DCT transmission and various levels of simulated engine braking using regeneration. The purpose is to increase driving fun, provide a more interactive driving experience, and deliver the same emotions of an ICE on a racetrack or a windy road. 9. N Active Sound+ - produces three sounds – ‘Ignition’, an ICE N engine and exhaust sound, and two futuristic EV sounds, including ‘Supersonic’, inspired by fighter jets – through eight internal speakers and two external speakers. Drivers can even rev the “engine” when N e-Shift is activated and transmission is in park or neutral. 10. N Road Sense - automatically recommends that the driver activate N Mode when double-curved road signs are detected. This lets the driver enjoy even more driving fun.
Honorable mention: e-LSD - The electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) controls the amount of torque sent to the rear wheels, enhances handling performance when turning at high speeds, and improves wheel-slip compensation. This is a real, mechanical differential with e-hydraulic locking action for the rear motor!
Can Toyota save the combustion engine? They’re one of few companies to develop a liquid-hydrogen engine. You get all the noise and excitement of a gas engine, without the carbon emissions. How does it work? Liquid hydrogen is stored in a tank at -253 degrees Celsius. That hydrogen is pumped into a vaporizer, turning into a gas, where it is eventually pumped all the way to the engine cylinders, operating much like a gasoline engine would.
Bad news for Porsche Taycan owners: their electric car technology is evolving fast. The latest generation of Taycan is here, and the lineup is better in nearly every single way. More battery, greater efficiency, less weight, more performance.
The peak of the EV performance sedan pyramid has three contenders, the Model S Plaid, the Lucid Air Sapphire, and Porsche’s latest addition to the mix - the Taycan Turbo GT, which seeks to be the track king. And with the newest generation of the Taycan, Porsche really has leveled up their EV game, with a concerted effort towards pushing the boundaries that’s refreshing to see from a legacy automaker.
We're going to deep dive into four key aspects of the new Taycan: 1. The battery. 2. The charging. 3. The powertrain. 4. The suspension.
Engine start-stop is a technology designed to reduce fuel consumption, by shutting off the engine at stop-lights. But does this tech actually do anything? Obviously, an idling engine uses fuel, while an engine that’s off does not. But restarting that engine does use fuel. So which one has more of an impact? Well a study published in SAE tested exactly this, as well as real world test drives to see the impact. The results are surprising!
What's the difference between 4WD and AWD? It comes down to choice. If the driver can choose to put the car in two-wheel drive, but can also select four-wheel drive as an option, that’s 4WD. This is common on trucks and large SUVs; a transfer case allows you to select where the power goes. If the driver doesn’t have a choice, but the vehicle still sends power to all four wheels, this is AWD. This system is always active, and is more commonly found on cars and crossovers. Both AWD & 4WD have pros and cons, to learn more, check out my related videos below!
Bugatti is bringing a V16 engine to their lineup, with more details to be released later in 2024. The Bugatti Chiron successor will sport a V16 hybrid powertrain, with rumors that it's a Cosworth 8.3L naturally aspirated V16, producing 1,000 horsepower and revving to 9,000 RPM. If the rumors are to be believed, it will also be paired with three 250kW electric motors, for a potent AWD system with blistering acceleration.
But, who cares about rumors, right? What are the facts? In this video, we'll dive into the images shared by Bugatti, to get a deeper understanding of the engineering behind this V16 combustion engine. We'll talk torque curves, firing intervals, firing order, V-angles, crossplane vs flatplane, balance, and see how the rumors hold up to a little math.
Elon Musk wouldn’t try to deceive you, would he? Well unfortunately Tesla 0-60 times are a bit misleading. For example, Tesla shows a 0-60 in 1.99 seconds on their website for the Model S Plaid, or 3.1 seconds if you opt for the dual motor AWD Model S. But if you click “feature details” a box pops up, informing you that the Plaid’s time is with the first foot of rollout subtracted. But the standard S doesn’t apply this practice. So in reality, the Plaid’s true 0-60 is greater than 1.99 seconds, and the gap in performance between the two Model S’s is not as wide as it seems. And this is true for Tesla’s other Performance models as well. They use different 0-60 methods for different models, altering your perception of the gap in performance.
If you limit yourself to fuel you can find at any gas pump, and the air we live and breathe, and the four-strokes engines that most vehicles operate on, there are really three fundamental ways to increase the amount of power an engine produces. - Displacement - RPM - Pressure (Forced Induction/Boost)
Arguably, there are many, many ways you can alter how much power an engine makes, but ultimately, it’s a matter of getting as much air as possible, and combining it with the right amount of fuel, and these are the big ways to make that happen. So the key metric we’re looking at: how much air do we have to work with? In this video we'll look at each of the three methods, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as examples of engines that use each method to their advantage.
All of this while driving the McLaren 750S, and absolute powerhouse of a supercar cranking out 740 horsepower from a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 revving to 8,500 RPM. I'll test drive the McLaren on some of Nevada's finest roads, as well as at a race track in Las Vegas.
"Granny-shifting, not double clutching like you should!" You've heard the line, but what the heck does it mean? If you want to be like Dominic Toretto, you'll need to watch this video. Double clutching is the practice of using two full clutch in/out cycles per shift, in order to match the engine speed to the transmission speed and allow for a smooth shift. But do you actually need to do it? Nope! Modern manual transmissions use synchronizers, so this practice hasn't been necessary for decades.
Elon Musk lit the internet on fire when he announced the Cybertruck, and now, after deliveries have been make, that fire continues to burn. The world is hyped on Cybertruck - it's the pickup reinvented! Or is it? We'll deep dive into the engineering behind this truck, peeling back the layers to understand what matters, and just as importantly, what doesn't. Without a doubt, the Cybertruck has reignited passion into the EV space, something the Hummer EV attempted to do, which landed without quite the splash as the Cybertruck. We'll discuss the following questions: 1) What impact does the shape of the Cybertruck have? 2) Should you care about 48V or 800V vehicle architectures? 3) What is steer-by-wire and what is it like to drive? 4) What is four-wheel-steering and why is it useful? 5) Does the Cybertruck do truck stuff well? 6) What is the Cybertruck like to drive? 7) Is the Cybertruck overhyped, or the pickup reinvented?
Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, but a common concern remains for many owners - what about the battery? An electric car's battery is by far the most expensive part, so replacing it means a huge bill. The good news, however, is that there are many practices you can put into place to ensure your electric car's battery lasts for hundreds of thousands of miles.
This video seeks to not only understand what the best practices are for keeping your electric car's battery in good health, but also, the scientific reasons *why* these best practices are useful. We'll look at different causes of battery degradation, helpful tips for extending the life of your battery, and what scientific research says about he effects of various harmful parameters on battery health.
The video will answer the following questions: 1) Why do batteries lose capacity over time? 2) What percentage should you store your battery at? 3) Is it okay to charge your electric car to 100%? 4) How often should you recharge your electric car?
During Tesla's Cybertruck delivery event, they showcased the Cybertruck performing stunts to show it's performance capabilities versus the competition. One of those stunts was a drag race against a Porsche 911, while *towing* a Porsche 911. Insane, yes! Elon Musk claimed “it can tow a Porsche 911 across the 1/4 mile faster than the Porsche 911 can go by itself" after showing a clip of it beating a Porsche 911 in an 1/8th mile drag race. Fair statement? Not exactly.
This video seeks to answer the question: which car is really faster in the 1/4 mile, a 2023 Porsche 911, or Tesla's Cybertruck towing a 911? We'll use real world data, along with some math to find the answer.
The Porsche 911 S/T is the best car I've ever driven, and I don't say that lightly. It's a pure driver's car through and through, with a very clear purpose executed perfectly. What makes it such an exceptional driver? The Porsche 911 GT3 is a solid staring point - 911 GT3 RS - even better. But the GT3 RS is the ultimate track going Porsche. Transform it into the ultimate road going Porsche, and you end up with the 911 S/T.
The 911 S/T is special - very special, and the video dives into all the cool technical changes that make it work. From the 6-speed manual only transmission, to the lightweight single-mass flywheel & clutch, to the 4.0L boxer engine lifted from the GT3 RS, to the magnesium wheels, it does everything to make the car lighter, more powerful, and as exciting of a road car as you can get. Bravo Porsche - now make more of them!
Snow covered roads tend to create a debate surrounding snow tires and all-wheel drive – is it all really necessary? In this video we’ll compare summer, all-season, and winter tires performance in the snow, and also discuss the purpose and merits of all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive combined with winter tires can provide confident driving in harsh winter conditions. But what about electric cars? Winter tires pose a unique challenge to electric cars, as they are generally louder, which is more noticeable in EVs. Winter tires also tend to have higher rolling resistance, which reduces your range in an EV. Finally, winter tires use softer compounds, meaning more wear when used by a heavy EV. To maximize winter performance, compromise is inevitable, but Hankook seeks to combat these challenges with their latest tire offering, the iON i*cept winter tire, designed specifically for EVs. Watch to learn all about it!
1,000 horsepower is nothing new in the world of Formula 1. In fact, back in the early 2000's, 3.0L naturally aspirated V10 engines were cranking out 1,000 horsepower at 20,000 RPM, without the assistance of electric motors or turbochargers like the 1.6L engines used today. This video seeks to pull back the curtain on the magic behind the glory days of F1 engines. We'll focus on numerous questions: 1. Are the V10 engines as impressive as they seem? 2. How do they hold up to modern standards? 3. What allows them to make so much power? 4. How do they differ versus production car engines? 5. Do the engines need to be relevant to road cars, with synthetic fuel coming?
Lithium-ion batteries are currently transforming the automotive space, so in this video we’ll deep dive into the technology answering the following questions: 1) What is a lithium-ion battery? 2) How does a lithium-ion battery work? 3) How is a lithium-ion battery made?
LG Energy Solution has been researching batteries since 1992, and with over 30 years of experience in the space, they have accumulated over 27,000 battery related patents. I visited LG Energy Solution Michigan in Holland, which has an annual output of 5GWh, though an expansion is being built, which is going to provide 25 GWh of output. There’s a lot in store for the future of batteries!
When MotorTrend tested the Model S Plaid in 2021, they broke all production car records. 0-60 in 1.98 seconds — with a long list of unique variables, including a prepared surface with VHT (glue), and deleting the first foot of rollout. Astonishingly, the Lucid can match that number, on a public road! The Lucid Air Sapphire's acceleration is certifiably bonkers.
Jason Fenske and Jason Cammisa will talk through the various systems that make this car possible, and how it achieves such insane results. Questions covered include: 1). Why is the 1,234 HP Lucid so much faster than the 1,111 HP Lucid? 2). Why is the Lucid's 0-60 time (acceleration) faster than its 60-0 time (braking)? 3). Why are the fastest EVs the heaviest EVs? 4). What is your favorite thing about the Lucid Air Sapphire? 5). What is your biggest complaint of the Lucid Air Sapphire? 6). Is the Lucid Air Sapphire worth $250k, especially considering the Tesla Model S Plaid is $90k?
My previously owned supercharged Mazda Miata is for sale on Cars & Bids! The ND MX-5 is genuinely one of the best drivers cars ever created, especially impressive considering the entry-level price point, and it teaches us so much about cars in a single, impressive package. In this video we'll discuss what makes it great, how it's able to stack up in a league of much more potent, more expensive competitors, and what lessons we can learn from such an unimposing ride.
Mods List for my MX-5: - MX-5 Club, Brembo & BBS, LSD - Edelbrock supercharger kit - Fab9 tune - XPEL Ultimate Plus 10 ppf - Black chrome emblems - Stubby antenna - Aluminum pedals
Nothing has ever braked shorter than the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, in the entirety of Motor Trend’s testing. The 5.0L V8 boasts 500 horsepower, meaning the car has both potency and heft, and yet it stops as well as a hypercar. In testing, the Mustang stopped from 60 mph in just 86 feet, nudging out the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which had the crown for best braking for over 5 years. Who could have guessed it’d be replaced by a muscle car?
In this video, we’ll digest the bonkers stats of such braking prowess, discuss whether it is cool or lame, challenge the notion that braking is limited to the best tires (hello McMurtry Speirling), and look at a deceleration trace of one of the best stopping vehicles that exists. Spoiler, the results aren’t at all what one might expect.
There are four fundamental elements of brake pad design that play a critical role in brake functionality and safety. Rust protection for the backing plate, how you attach the friction material to the backing plate, the flatness of the backing plate, and the tolerances of the abutment areas, ensuring the pads slide smoothly within the caliper.
In this video, we’re focusing on just one aspect, the attachment of the friction material to the backing plate. We'll inspect five different brake pads: one original equipment, one from NRS Brakes, and three other aftermarket companies. You'll very clearly see the original equipment pads use mechanical attachment, as does NRS, yet two of the aftermarket companies do not.
Mechanical attachment uses hooks to ensure a very secure bond between the friction material and the backing plate, which is especially important for applications that see high heat. Heat can break down adhesives, whereas the mechanical attachment will remain strong. Yes, you can buy brake pads designed for the exact same vehicle, without ever knowing that they don’t feature the technology that the original equipment pads specify.
The 2024 Acura Integra Type S brings back the performance Integra. With 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the 2.0L turbocharged inline four cylinder is potent and offers a wide spectrum of useable thrust. In this video, we'll dive into why it's so much fun to drive, how it compares to the BMW M2 - yes, I know - just watch, and also compare it to the A-Spec Integra, as well as the Honda Civic Type R. Honda remains the king of front wheel drive!
The BMW M2 is a car for true automotive enthusiasts. Twin-turbo straight-six engine, manual transmission offered, rear wheel drive, and 2-doors. But has the formula changed too much? The 2023 BMW M2 offers more of everything, and not all of it is necessarily wanted. More power, more performance, but also, a lot more weight. We'll discuss six aspects of the BMW M2, to determine whether the car is still exciting: the engine, the transmission, the aesthetics, the price, the weight, and the experience.
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Toyota surprised me once again, announcing they've raced with liquid nitrogen in the Fuji 24 Hour race, accomplishing what they claim is the first for any manufacturer. No one has raced with liquid hydrogen! The technology is awesome, as it allows for a lot more hydrogen storage versus gaseous hydrogen (stored at 700 bar). Here, the low pressure liquid must be kept at -253ºC, however, which is quite a challenge.
According to Toyota, this project had three main challenges: 1. Keeping the liquid hydrogen at a very low temperature. 2. Maintaining the efficiency and capacity of the fuel pump. 3. Controlling the pumped liquid hydrogen, as it converts to gas.
We'll also discuss another issue that exist with hydrogen, which is how much space it takes up, despite having a better energy density by mass than gasoline. Unfortunately, the energy density by volume is quite a different story. Check out the video to see if this technology is worth the hype!