Munro Electric SUV can wade through 3 feet of water with 376 HP

Boasting a unique four-wheel-drive system

The Munro Mark 1 is an electric SUV currently under development in Scotland. The company of the vehicle is planning on targeting the SUV to frequent off-road users such as farmers, forestry workers, and people in the mining industry. 

Munro has established an agreement with EV-leasing specialist Wyre to sell and distribute the SUV across the United States. The automaker plans to produce 50 vehicles with 25 of these for the US. The first deliveries of these to the UK is predicted to be in the first quarter of 2023. 

The box shaped vehicle is still in the prototype stage with a production-intent version being launched this November. A spokesman at Munro confirmed that there have been updates to both the interior and exterior to modernise the vehicle. 

The Munro has a single electric motor producing 376 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It has a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and locker central diffuser. 

The battery pack of the vehicle has an 80.1-killowatt-hour usable capacity. This provides an estimated 168-mile range which is equivalent to 16 hours of motorway driving. 

Munro is positioning the electric SUV as rugged and repairable, with a galvanised steel chassis and aluminium body panels. 

Click here to read more: https://www.motor1.com/news/607589/munro-vehicles-ev-off-roader/ 

CFD data shows Aston MartinsF1 rear wing does not hurt rules intent

New design proves its legality

Aston Martin claimed that simulation data given to the FIA proved that its radical rear wing idea did not affect the intent of Formula 1’s 2023 rules to improve racing. 

The Silverstone-based squad caused a stir when its AMR22 appeared fitted with a unique solution on the rear wing endplate. 

Thanks to an interesting interpretation of the F1 rules, Aston Martin had allowed the return of a more traditional endplate design that helped increase downforce. 

Whilst the concept had been given approval by the FIA, and competing teams not questioning legality, there were concerns that the new design could trigger an increase in airflow disturbance off the rear wing. 

This could result in the ability for cars to follow the vehicle as closely as the rules originally intended. 

Despite this, Tom McCullough, Aston Martin’s performance director, revealed that the FIA were happy with the regulatory aspect of the design. It was also satisfied that the concept did not scupper the intent of the rules to help racing. 

He continued to explain that Aston Martin went through several months of checking with the FIA to be certain that the wing idea was completely legal before it considered giving the green light for its production. 

Read more: https://uk.motor1.com/news/604351/aston-martin-rear-wing-legal/

BMW open their doors to M1 inspired electric supercar

New model could potentially see a return

In recent weeks BMW has hinted it could be bringing back a car in the vein of the iconic M1, which would form an electrified supercar. 

The company is currently preparing to embark on a rapid-fire electrification programme, with electrified models including future M5 and M3 variants. 

The firm’s bosses have not ruled out an electric supercar inspired by the M1, despite putting a hold on the project three years ago. 

In 2019 BMW presented the idea of a Vision M hybrid supercar concept which indicated what customers can expect in regards to their electrified sports cars. However, shortly after it was reported that the project had been cancelled over concerts regarding research and development costs and low sales potential. The division later revealed the BMW XM SUV as the actual next stand-alone M car.

Despite this BMW bosses remain receptive to the prospect of more bespoke M models, which potentially opens the doors for revisiting the supercar concept. 

Read more: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-opens-door-m1-inspired-electric-supercar 

Kia awarded Manufacturer of the year are 2022 AM Awards

Kia’s cars awarded as reliable and top performers

Kia UK is on route to break the 100,000 registrations mark in 2022 after defying disruptions to supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It delivered a 29% growth rate year-on-year with 90,817 new car registrations in 2021 and a record market share of 5.5%/ 

The remarkable achievements continue with Kia celebrating over three decades operating in the UK with more than 1.2 million cars sold since 1991. 

The brand has consistently performed as a top performer in the National Franchised Dealer Association’s Dealers Attitude Survey, with near perfect scores for the most recent results across areas including profitability, support, and training.

Kia’s popularity with its dealer partners speaks to its ability to walk the fine line between delivering volumes, profits, and brand desirability. The dealers representing Kia have not only gained access to a slick operating team but also a product line-up that has remained consistent for many years.

With popular vehicles launching including the Sportage which has continued to be a top performer for the company representing 50% of all its sales. Nearly 30,000 new Sportages hit the UK roads in the last year alone. 

An Electric Experience tour is already underway across Kia’s 191 showrooms. Dealers are well position to become local experts on EVs at a critical time when many consumers are considering the switch. 

Read more: https://www.am-online.com/news/car-manufacturer-news/2022/05/11/kia-wins-manufacturer-of-the-year-at-the-2022-am-awards 

Silicone and Aluminium Blanking

Strong, grippy reliable silicone and aluminium plugs

There are times when you need to blank off redundant connections. This could be breathers, Dump Valves, vacuum connections or carburettors. We offer two methods of blanking off pipes/hoses:

Billet aluminium Hose Blanking Plug

silicone tubingAll of our Aluminium blanking plugs are 30mm in length with Barbed finish,

CNC machined from solid 6063 billet aluminium designed to push inside a hose and provide a strong secure seal in any silicone hose, without slipping out.

Our aluminium plugs are CNC machined for perfect fit & grip, will fit perfectly and offer a very strong connection to all brands of silicone hoses and rubber hoses of suitable diameter. and polished for nice looks !

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Silicone Blanking CAP

fuel hose fittingOur specially designed Silicone CAPS are specially molded and designed to fit over metal / hard pipe outlets you wish to block off or protect from dust or debris. Simply push over this silicone cap colour coded to match all Viper Performance hoses, and most other UK hose brands

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Mercedes to become the first sports team to invest in sustainable aviation fuel

The decision comes after a target to hit Net Zero

Mercedes have officially announced that they will be investing into sustainable aviation (SAF), contributing to their commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030. 

The sustainable aviation fuels will help Mercedes to achieve a new 50% reduction in the team’s air travel footprint for their race personnel, with flights currently accounting for over a quarter of themes projected carbon footprint. 

The teams purchase comes after the Formula 1 cost cap, covering 3 scope emissions which are those resulting from business travel amongst many other things. 

Mercedes announcement is also inline with the Formula 1 reaffirming their dedication to become NetZero by 2030 which will be aided by the use of 100% sustainable fuels which are set to be introduced in 2026.

Team Principal Toto Wolff said: “Sustainable Aviation Fuel has the potential to transform the way we travel and the impact that we have on the environment.

“This is a topic that I think about a great deal personally as well as professionally. I fly a lot; the team flies a lot. If we must fly, then we need to find a better way to do so and SAF is the best solution available to the aviation industry right now. We aim to be on the cutting edge of change, using our global motorsport platform as a model for a more sustainable and diversified future.”

Click here to find out more: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.mercedes-become-first-global-sports-team-to-invest-in-sustainable-aviation.5uJDcr08Aob3qDOYRCKGmn.html

Triple Eight blocks van Gisbergen Trans Am deal

Supercar legend in talks with Trans Am

The supercars ace has been toying with an appearance in the popular Trans Am series for some time, following a test in Tim Shaw’s Camaro at Queensland Raceway. 

He was initially entered for the Bathurst round of the Trans Am series in April but at the last minute had to withdraw due to COVID-19. His debut was further delayed to the QR SpeedSeries event which was called off. 

However this time round his Supercars team have advised that he does not add TransAm to his busy schedule. Triple Eight has since confirmed that this was a decision made by the team and not Supercars itself. 

“It’s disappointing for us. We put a lot of effort into getting Shane in the car,” said Shaw.

“We had a successful test with him, it was a great day and we were looking forward to a very competitive outing at Queensland Raceway.

“Shane contracted COVID just before the Bathurst round, so that put paid to that, and now political pressures have put a complete end to it.

“It’s just very disappointing for motorsport, because the fans love to see Shane in the car. One of the reasons that he is the best is because he is the modern day Peter Brock – he drives everything.

“At the moment, my car is still entered for QR, so I’ll jump back in and I’ll drive instead of Shane.”

To read more visit: https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/triple-eight-blocks-van-gisbergen-trans-am-deal/10339626/ 

How the Automotive industry will get enough Cobalt for the EV Revolution

Following rapid demand for the material

As the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles the dilemma of resourcing raw materials required to make the batteries and motors is becoming more prominent. Cobalt is a vital material for EV batteries, however, the rapid acceleration of demand for the element has led to questions about availability and ethics of the necessary supply.

Whilst consumer electronic devices’ batteries only require a few grams of cobalt, EVs require kilograms of the material, in recent industry research it has been discovered that lithium-ion battery applications accounted for 63% of cobalt demand and so EV batteries have become the number one application for the material accounting to 34%. 

The cobalt industry is predicted to grow from $7.6 billion in 2020 to $17.4 billion by 2027. 

Eventually the increase in demand will result in having to recycle batteries to recover their cobalt for reuse in new cars. However at current, there aren’t enough retirement-age EVs on the road for this method to be a significant contribution to the supply chain. In addition to this, today’s electronic devices that have been using cobalt do not have suitable recycling systems to recover the cobalt. 

Cobalt has also been recovered as part of the process of mining copper and nickel, and until recently was disposed of meaning that old mine tailings are another potential source of cobalt. 

The European Union has plans in place to implement a “battery passport” meaning that carmakers will need to verify the provenance of all materials used to make batteries in their cars. The passport will also require a portion of recycled material to be included. 

There is also another potential source of cobalt, along wit many other metals, that is environmentally sensitive. Despite geological surveys suggesting that there is approximately 7 million tons of cobalt available worldwide, there is 120 million tons of the material lying on the sea floor in rocky globs called “multi-metallic sea nodules”. 

Click here to find out more: https://www.designnews.com/automotive-engineering/how-auto-industry-will-get-enough-cobalt-ev-revolution 

Hose Fittings

Available in both silicone and aluminium varieties

Here at Viper Performance, we grant and manufacture the absolute best great hose fittings to meet our customers’ needs. Our AN / JIC gas and oil hose fittings are manufactured to an excessive standard, with a desire of CRIMP STYLE, PUSH ON, or PTFE fittings.

The CRIMP STYLE swivel fittings are particularly designed for NBR (Nitrile) braided hoses. They work with most branded 200 collection hoses. They are handy to shape with our hose becoming a tool.

The PUSH ON swivel fittings are best for low stress fuel/water purposes and plug without delay into any appropriate nitrile gas hose, rubber or silicone hose.

The PTFE hose fittings additionally swivel and can be without difficulty outfitted to any appropriate PTFE lined metal braided hose.

Our hose connectors are anodised in normal red/blue and additionally hand polished in wonderful piano BLACK.

Viper hose fittings are on hand in AN -(dash) JIC thread sizes.

We inventory a variety of angles to swimsuit all applications.

In addition to our hose connectors, we additionally provide a huge variety of add-ons for your gasoline systems, such as line separators and HEX hose stop fittings and adapters.

If you would like to learn more, check out the hose fitting page. https://www.viperperformance.co.uk/45_fuel-hose-fittings-and-separators.html 

Honda HPD Civic Si FE1 Debuts As Factory-Built Race Car For $55,000

Boasting plenty of upgrades

This racer has an upgraded suspension, better brakes, and a track-ready interior.

Auto racing is usually an interest for the ultra-rich, however the 2022 HPD Civic Si FE1 gives song opposition to the simply rich with its rate of $55,000. Deliveries of the racer commence this November.

Civic Si FE1 is a purpose-built model of the mannequin that lacks the sunroof, sound-proofing, insulation, underbody coating, and seam sealer from the street car. It retains the production-spec 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that has 5 selectable strength ranges relying on the stability of overall performance in a given series. The mill has a Borla exhaust downpipe that exits out a pair of outlets. There are additional Hasport engine mounts.

The Civic Si race vehicle makes use of a close-ratio six-speed guide with a high-strength 4th gear. There’s a limited-slip differential. The flywheel and take hold are from the street car.

The suspension receives plenty of new parts. There are double-adjustable Bilstein dampers at all 4 corners. Two spring fee selections are available. The front camber and caster plates are adjustable. The rear has adjustable components for the camber, spring perches, and toe arms.

For brakes, the Civic Si FE1 has Wilwood six-piston callipers with Pagid RST3 pads and slotted rotors. Honda additionally provides bumper-mounted cooling ducts and stainless metal braided hoses. The rear makes use of the production-spec portions with Pagid RST4 pads and braided hoses.

Inside, there is an FIA-spec roll cage using TIG-welded metal tubing. The driver sits in an OMP halo seat with a six-point harness and grips a quick-disconnect steering wheel. There’s a Motec C127 multi-function instrument show and recorder with LED shift lights alongside the top.

Honda is constructing the Civic Si FE1 at its Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. This is the equal vicinity that makes the Acura NSX and Acura’s PMC vehicles.

The road-going 2022 Civic Si it is handy from sellers retails for $28,595 after the $1,095 vacation spot price or $28,795 with the reachable summer season tire package. It comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 200 horsepower (149 kilowatts) at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet (260 Newton-metres) of torque on hand from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm.

To learn more, check out https://www.motor1.com/news/592374/honda-civic-hpd-fe1-race-car-available-for-55k/