Modern cars benefit from technology, which has been honed over decades of competition. Some innovations started with race teams looking for an advantage, others originated outside of racing but proved their effectiveness on track. All these tests and tweaks make cars better.

Here are some race technologies that migrated into our cars:

All-wheel drive

Although a few road vehicles and race cars existed with four wheel drive before it, the Audi Coupe Quattro was the first with an all-wheel drive system. The Quattro was built to dominate the World Rally Championship. Engineers bet the extra traction of all-wheel drive would be advantageous on the many unpaved, and sometimes snow-covered rally stages. The Quattro proved them right, winning the championship in 1983 and 1984.

Meanwhile, the WRC embraced all-wheel drive and never looked back, paving the way for cars like the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The biggest advantage of all-wheel drive systems is their superior traction but sports cars take advantage of the additional traction even on dry surfaces to achieve faster acceleration times.

Turbocharging

Turbocharging didn’t start in race cars, but Turbocharged cars didn’t make much of an impact until they went racing. This began in earnest in the 1970s, when Porsche launched its 917/10 and 917/30 Can-Am cars, and Renault brought turbo power to Formula One. It was that era of racing that paved the way for turbochargers to really go mainstream in road cars. Turbos are still used for performance, but automakers increasingly use them to downsize engines in the name of fuel economy. Turbochargers allow smaller engines to produce more power.

Semi-automatic gearboxes

Gearboxes used to be a simple choice between manual or automatic, that was before racing teams found a performance advantage in transmissions drivers which can shift themselves without a clutch pedal. Eliminating the clutch allows transmissions to shift faster, so it was only a matter of time before the technology became commonplace in both race cars and road-going sports cars.

Anti-lock brakes

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) were used more commonly in aircraft before cars. In 1961, a variation of the system was fitted to the Ferguson P99 Formula One car but this wasn’t very successful in F1. It only won a single race, and driver Stirling Moss didn’t even use the ABS, preferring to modulate the brakes the old-fashioned way.

The Ferguson P99 was ahead of its time. Its ABS was mechanical; it would take electronics to make ABS truly practical. Today, it’s illegal to sell a new car without ABS in the U.S. However, ABS is not allowed in Formula One. It’s one of many driver aids banned in the series.

Viper Performance bring you a ready made off the shelf fuel rail allowing you to make your very own custom made fuel rail. This product is ideal for car builders, tuners or race teams.

Our top grade 6061 aluminium extruded rail has a 16.1mm bore, and is 1 meter long ready for you to cut, drill and modify to suit your application. Available in three finishes, anodised black, natural and polished which one will you choose?

Find out more here

Engine bays are busy places, inevitably straight hoses are not going to always fit the bill. That’s why we stock such a large range of Silicone Hose elbows. Ranging from 15° right up to 180° you can build a system which will work.

Our silicone hoses are of the highest quality, lined and multi-layered with quality fabric reinforcements. We stock popular Water, Coolant & turbo sizes.

Available in black, red or blue prices start from just £11.48

Check out the range here 

There are great benefits to becoming a dealer of Viper Performance products. Excellent dealer margins are available as well as competitive retail prices. We discuss all trade discounts on an individual basis and these discounts will vary depending on order patterns and your account history with us here at Viper Performance.

Our product range offers exceptionally high quality, and reliability. This is proven with our lifetime warranty on our silicone hoses. 
We also offer the largest range of shapes, sizes, and diameters available immediately from stock. Bespoke hose manufacturing is also available with fast lead times which can be as low as 7-10 days.

Above all else, we are known for our excellent fast, responsive dealer service. Our friendly knowledgeable sales team are always on hand to help our trade customers. Confidentiality and integrity are always assured.

10 reasons to choose Viper Performance

1. Competitive Retail Prices
2. Excellent dealer margins
3. Exceptionally high quality
4. Reliable products (lifetime warranty on hoses),
5. Largest range of shapes, sizes, and diameters available immediately,
6. Fast lead times for items made to order, (lead times can be as low as 7-10 days)
7. Excellent fast responsive dealer service
8. Friendly knowledgeable sales team
9. Bespoke hose manufacturing service available
10. Confidentiality and integrity assured

You can find more information and a form for trade enquiries here.

Images from Autocar Photography : Nick Dungan

Aston Martin’s first all-electric production car the Rapide E will be a limited 155-unit special edition. The company have however now released technical details for the Rapide E.

Aston Martin has utilised Williams Advanced Engineering’s successful Electric Vehicle (EV) technology to kickstart a new era for their powertrain technology. The aim is to overcome the technical challenges associated with packaging the battery system and motors within the small space available.

A focus has been put on achieving effective cooling of the batteries and motor to ensure consistent performance. Strict weight targets have also been stringently observed. Rapide E will be powered by an 800V battery electrical architecture with 65 kWh installed capacity using over 5600 lithium ion 18650 format cylindrical cells. This battery system powers two rear mounted electric motors producing a combined target output of just over 610PS and a colossal 950Nm of torque.

Rapide Es Technical Details:

• Projected top speed for the Rapide E is 155 mph, with a sub-4.0sec 0-60 mph time and a 50-70 mph time of just 1.5sec.
• Range target is over 200 miles
• Charging at a rate of 185 miles of range per hour using a typical 400V 50 kW charger.
• The 800V high-voltage battery enables faster charging of 310 miles of range per hour, using an 800V outlet delivering 100kW or higher. 
• Shod with Pirelli P Zero, Rapide E’s bespoke tyres aim to deliver a lower rolling-resistance and reduced cavity noise.
• The rear-wheel drive twin electric motors will drive through a Limited-Slip Differential.

Though the Rapide E will be built in low volumes, it is being subjected to Aston Martin’s stringent and exhaustive testing protocols. The dedicated Williams Advanced Engineering team are working closely alongside Aston Martin to ensure every aspect of the prototype test programme follows the established procedures. Uniquely, customers will be an extended part of the ongoing Rapide E programme, with their comments and driving experiences providing an invaluable stream of feedback that will help shape and improve future Aston Martin EVs.

Engine bays encompass a myriad of different hoses, each carrying a different fluid with different requirements. Hoses in ageing vehicles should be inspected and replaced if necessary. It is however also important to inspect and replace the clamps that attach these vital hoses to a car’s components. They are just as important as the hose itself, and failure can result in catastrophe. We have detailed the two types of hose clamps that we currently sell to make your selection easier.

Stainless Steel Worm Drive Hose Clamp

These worm drive clamps are the more traditional selection for securing hoses. They are perfect for clamping silicone hoses and rubber hoses thanks to the “slot free” smooth band. Our MIKALOR W3 stainless steel worm drive hose clamps are of high quality stainless steel and unlike some other brands, these clamps will not tear and cut into the hose as you tighten.

Buy Here

Stainless Steel T Bolt clamp 

T Bolt clamps are commonly used for high pressure applications where other clamps simply pop off. They are also strong enough for clamping Exhausts and are ideal for use for turbos and Intercoolers. Thanks to their stainless steel wide band, and totally smooth inner band a high torque seal is achieved without ruining the hose.

Buy Here

We also sell:

304 Grade Stainless Steel Cable / ZIP ties. These are ideal for fastening Exhaust wrap, wires, or areas under high temperatures. These are a great alternative as high temperatures would normally melt traditional plastic ties. Buy them here.

The Met Office currently has an amber weather warning spanning across the Midlands and Wales. Thunderstorms accompanied by torrential rain, frequent lightning and some hail have been reported. Although thunderstorms are not prolific in the UK, as with all weather systems, it is a hot topic when they do occur. Some discuss Thunderstorms with exhilaration but many people also feel anxious or fearful of the dangers involved. The big question then is where are you safest whilst a thunderstorm is in progress?

Simply put, the safest place to be in a thunderstorm is indoors. If lightning does happen to directly strike a house or a building, it will tend to follow the available paths to ground, including the wiring, plumbing, antennas and/or steel framework. But if no structural shelter is available, hard-topped cars can offer sufficient lightning protection.

What happens when lightning strikes a car?

Many people believe that it is the rubber tyres on cars that keep you safe in the event of a lightning strike, this however is a bit of a myth. In actual fact a car (excluding soft tops) acts like a faraday cage with the lightning flowing around the car. The majority of the current flows from the car’s metal cage into the ground below. This is why cars are often referred to as being a safe place to be in a thunderstorm, if you cannot get indoors.

But if your car does get hit by lightning in a thunderstorm, you probably would see damage to the vehicle as a result. Most lightning incidents to cars result in external damage, as well as internal damage to electronic systems, but in most cases no injury to the people inside.

So in summary, if you are stuck outdoors in a thunderstorm then your car is a pretty safe place to go and take shelter. Just remember, try to avoid touching anything metal within the car and try not to use electrical components within the car such as radios or charging points for phones. But above all enjoy the beauty of a thunderstorm, they really don’t happen that often in the UK.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide safety advice. We take no responsibility for any outcomes of people who read and follow any of the above information.

So finally it looks like we are about to descend into summer. What better way to celebrate than to jump in the car and enjoy the beauty of the UK and some of its fine roads. To help you along the way we’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best driving roads for your enjoyment. So get your driving playlist ready, and lets hit play:

Image courtesy of dangerousroads.org

1. Hardknott Pass, the Lake District
As I can testify this is not a road for the faint-hearted. This one is for confident drivers, many drivers will agree that the contours of a map fail to capture the reality of the roads. Described by Alfred Wainwright as “a heart-stopping series of sharp and narrow hairpin bends.” This is has to be one of the UK’s most thrilling (or terrifying) roads to drive. Click here for route

Image courtesy of drivingforpleasure.co.uk

2. The Snake Pass, Peak District
Snake pass is the name of the A57 road where it crosses the Peak District, between Manchester and Sheffield. The name usually refers to the section between Glossop and Ladybower reservoir. The Snake Pass was listed as one of the best driving roads by Auto Trader magazine in 2009. Its apt name matches the winding nature of this route. Drivers will enjoy superb scenery, particularly at the start of the descent into Glossop. Click here for a route

Image courtesy of drivingforpleasure.co.uk

3. The Llanberis Pass, Wales
If its stunning scenery that you’re pining for then get behind the wheel and head to Wales. Llanberis Pass is the road, which takes you from the village of Capel Curig to Caernarfon. Mountains and crystal clear lakes will be your backdrop on this incredible drive. You and your passengers will find yourself escorted by the lake for over a mile until you meet miles of gentle gradients and easy corners. This isn’t a road for the speed demon but rather those looking to take a calmer pace and fully appreciate the beauty that nature has carved for your enjoyment. Click here for a route

4. Glasgow to Fort William
Running approximately 140 miles this is a run for those who love a long stint in the car. The A82 is the principal route from Lowland Scotland to the western Scottish Highlands. Passing along the shores of Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and in the shadow of Ben Nevis this is a picturesque drive. Click here for a route

5. St Ives to St Just
If you’re looking to enjoy some of the South West’s finest then take a look at the B3306 from St Ives to St Just. You can expect to enjoy 13 miles of sweeping bends, short straights and tight turns and the views aren’t too shabby either. This one does require full concentration from the beginning and a keen eye for walkers, bikers and livestock. But get it right and it will make you feel alive like few other roads in the UK. Click here for a route