Why do we hate OEM traction control like Honda's VSA? It
closes the throttle when it senses wheel slip. This loss of power leaves us
kicking the gas pedal for more you know what we're talking about. But Hondata
is changing the game with its new traction control system, dubbed (wait for it)
Traction Control. It's a closed loop system that reads the slip rate and
monitors the friction through a car's ABS sensors. It's constantly monitoring
this let's just say around a 100 times a second! When it senses over slip, the
system will retard ignition timing first, then drop the cylinders if necessary
to maintain the ideal amount of slip. This allows you to stay on the throttle
through a turn, on a hard start or even in the wet. Still in a little
disbelief, we spent a full day on the track with Hondata testing the system. We
drove several high horsepower cars from a daily driven supercharged TSX to a
track spec S2000. In the TSX, you can just lay down the throttle the entire
time exiting a corner or leaving the starting line. The traction control works
instantaneously fast and lets you stay on the power longer keeping your
acceleration smooth and in control. The system also works in the wet, which
demonstrated a night and day difference to us. Hondata tells us the system can
be tuned for a street car, drag racer or road warrior and will retail for $795.
Well worth the cost if you consider we've already heard some of their sponsored
drivers shaving a couple seconds off their lap times. The system will also be
used on a few hardcore drag racers like Las Vegas' Team Adrenaline turbo EG
that showed up on our testing day.
In the TSX, you
can just lay down the throttle the entire time exiting a corner or leaving the
starting line
Mr. Gymkhana to build 3 ford focus STs
The most famous Internet driver is jumping into a few new
cars this year. Ken Block along with the help of California based tuner,
fifteen52 will be building three Ford Focus STs. The first car will be built
with an OEM style approach intended for Ken's daily driver. The other two will
be something wilder maybe the next Gymkhana car? Could be, but we know one will
be built for racing while the other's designed for stance.
Ken Block along
with the help of California-based tuner, fifteen52 will be building three Ford
Focus STs.
Tetsu’s Tales straight outta J Pan. Engrish from our man
in Japan. Read if you dare.
One of Japan's famous race tracks, Suzuka Circuit organized
FF Challenge race. The race included Honda Civic SiR (EG6/EI<4) and Civic
Type R (EK9). I think many people think EK9 is faster than EG6 but EG6 was the
winner at the last race. The regulation of FF Challenge race says engine is
stock. EG6's motor, B16A, can make 170ps; EI<9's B16B can make 185ps. Why
does the EG6 race with EK9? The answer: weight. The regulation says the
minimum weight for EG6 is 890kg (1,9621bs) and EI<9 is 920kg (2,0281bs) weight
is important for racing, tuning and fuel mileage. But lightweight isn't the
always the correct answer. Some people put steel rims for FF drag racing;
others put carbon hood for driving on closed race track. Good tuners and
mechanics think about car's performance, its situation and balance for
building/customizing cars. High powered cars aren't always the fastest cars.
Japan's famous tuners and racing engineers say a car needs total balance so
parts must be chosen carefully when they are building a race car. Some
Americans buy Japanese coilovers in Japan and ship to USA but Japan-spec
coilover setup is hard for US streets. Japanese streets are flat and mostly
perfect. Japanese coilover companies test coilovers in USA and build US spec
coilovers, that's why they are more expensive than they are in Japan. They
spend much money and time for developing coilovers for US market. If you would
build your car for time attack or racing, choosing rims is very important. One
Japanese race car engineer says Rims is just one part of a suspension system;
they absorb impact from the road along with tires, suspension and chassis. At
one race, a team wanted to go one second faster on time attack; even changing
tires, brakes, engine and making good time, they still could not do it. After
changing new rims and exact same setup, they made one second faster easily.
Racing teams with money change new wheels every race. I would recommend buying
tuning parts carefully, especially if you want to save your money.
One of Japan's famous
race tracks, Suzuka Circuit organized FF Challenge race.
Hyundai Re: Mix Sema Car Moves into Production
Hyundai proves that SEMA Show cars are not strictly posers
as it has approved the RE: MIX Veloster for full production. The special
edition production Veloster features an aggressive exterior appearance with a
unique body kit and gunmetal finish alloy wheels, while the interior is
enhanced with a premium audio system. This Veloster is a turn-key production
vehicle with a lifestyle focused look and feel. In addition to the exclusive
"Sprint Gray," a simplified color palate of five additional Veloster
colors will be available: Century White, 26.2 Yellow, Marathon Blue, Ultra
Black and Boston Red. The RE: MIX Lab is a national tour celebrating creativity
in music, art, fashion, technology, gaming, culture and design. Central to the
message of innovation are customized one-off Hyundai vehicles representing the
ultimate in style, design and performance. With custom audio, distinctive
materials and custom made components throughout, each RE: MIX vehicle speaks to
individual creativity, passion and connectivity. Building on the popularity of
these vehicles on tour, Hyundai is offering a new production model, the
Veloster RE: MIX, to Hyundai dealerships before the winter holidays. The
Veloster RE: MIX will be priced at $19,900 for manual transmission and $21,150
for dual clutch transmission versions.
Hyundai proves
that SEMA Show cars are not strictly posers as it has approved the RE: MIX
Veloster for full production.
