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The most modern technology used in internal combustion engines currently is Variable compression ratio engine ( VCR ). As the name suggests, the motor may alter the compression ratio under operating circumstances. The technology had existed as a prototype for the previous few years. Currently, Infiniti (the luxury brand of Nissan) is prepared to display its VCR engine, the first ready-to-produce VCR engine, to be exhibited in the 2016 Paris Motor Show. 2016 Paris Motor Show by Maxime Joly, on Flickr Why need a VCR engine? Generally, a traditional petrol engine makes more power from a specified engine size using a turbocharger. In a Diesel engine, Turbocharging's approach looks excellent, as they operate heterogeneously injecting more fuel into denser air. On the other hand, petrol engines do not have the flexibility like diesel engines; a petrol engine's mixing power impacts engine efficiency. Detonation and knocking prevail when the turbocharger boosts over specific concentrations as the general compression ratio rises (piston compress + turbo-added pressure).The first solution to the issue may be to use a reduced engine compression ratio so that more dense air can deliver to the turbo. However, the downside is that lowering the percentage of compression can affect the economy of petrol. Hence the designer must trade-off some Compression ratio for power and rest for the economy. A variable compression ratio engine The main characteristic of the engine is to use a compression ratio of 14 at the lower throttle and low speeds while cruising. So you can achieve the highest fuel economy. The compression ratio of the cylinder falls to about 8:1 during acceleration or high-velocity acceleration, this is also the case when the turbo kicks in. Turbo, therefore, rams more air into the engine, making it more powerful. Infiniti patented such systems at the end of 2001. It is also possible to operate the VC-T (Variable Compression Turbo) motor on Atkinson cycles. Currently, the VC-Turbo engine is paired in INFINITI QX50, a luxury compact SUV that can rival the likes of Lexus NX, Volvo XC40 and Mercedes Benz GLC. "It's currently one of the most affordable premium mid-sized SUV in the market right now" - Julian Kho, Editor of sgCarMart. Join MCF HangOut with Infiniti and Stand a chance to win attractive prizes total worth $1,300! Join MCF HangOut and enjoy attractive savings and discount! Saturday 24th August, 10 am – 1 pm.

Wow....haven't seen a NSX on our roads for quite a while. In classic Senna red somemore. Nice way to start the day

2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport revealed with all-new twin-turbo V8 http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/03/26/2019-cadillac-ct6-v-sport-revealed-with-all-new-twin-turbo-v8.html Cadillac is turning its flagship sedan into a speedboat. The 2019 CT6 V-Sport debuting at the New York International Auto Show is a high-performance version of the full-size four-door, and introduces an all-new engine to the brand’s lineup. The 4.2-liter turbocharged V8 is Cadillac’s first of the type. The very modern motor features a “hot-V” design that sends the exhaust through twin turbochargers stuffed in-between the cylinder banks. This creates a compact package and helps reduce turbo-lag, courtesy of the shorter distance that the exhaust needs to travel before it hits the turbos. Cadillac says the engine produces 550 hp and 627 lb-ft, while a detuned version be offered in non-V-Sport models with 500 hp and 553 lb-ft. Both are matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy ratings have not been revealed, but the engine is equipped with a stop-start feature that turns it off when the vehicle isn’t in motion. The CT6 V-Sport also features a louder exhaust than other models, a performance-oriented suspension and all-wheel-drive system, summer tires, Brembo brakes and subtly aggressive bodywork. The entire CT6 range is getting a mild styling refresh and updated controls for the infotainment system, with more auxiliary buttons and a knob controller to go along with its touchscreen interface. One thing the V-Sport is not getting is Cadillac’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving aid, which allows for hands-free driving on the highway. The feature is offered on other CT6 models, but not currently destined for what's very much a human driver's version. The CT6 will continue to be built at GM’s Hamtramck, Mich., factory, but the origin of the new V8 is intriguing. It will be hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Center, which is located in the Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky where the Chevrolet Corvette is made.

https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/andrew-tai-/new-car-technology_b_8437666.html I came across this article and I kind of agreed with it. Recently I sat in a Subaru impreza and Iwas kind of impressed wwith it but I realised it was full of features and gadgets that I thought I will never use. so its like kind of wasted and will be distracting to me if I bought it. what do the Bros here think? Are there too many features in new modern cars of am I a dinosaur?

NOTE: I am required by MCF forum software to pick a "Related Car Brand" - and hence went with the one which I see the most regular occurrence of. This is by no means a flame or "axe-to-grind" post. Do you ever notice, ever so often, that a car's headlights are not turned on even though it is pitch black as coal in the sky? I certainly do, and I confirm this by looking at the most obvious tell-tale sign - their rear license plate lights. If you notice, when you do turn on your headlights meant for illuminating the road ahead of you, your rear license lights will turn on. They will not turn on if you are on DRL (or low light) mode. So why am I raising this topic? Because I am finding that more and more modern models from Honda, Toyota, etc. are traveling on the roads at night with no headlights on! And I attribute this to the fact that the instrument clusters of these vehicles are lit up regardless whether the headlights are on or not. Back in the not-so-long-ago times, the instrument cluster would only light up if you turned your headlights on. But with the new digital instrument clusters, or forever-light-up-like-Christmas analog clusters - careless drivers are driving around without any lights, and potentially might cause harm to themselves, and other unwary/unobservant road users. I keenly remember that my aunt's old Corolla Altis from 2004 already has auto-headlights as a default setting in the light stalk. Is it really that difficult to swivel it over to "A" for safety's sake? Also, no matter how cool or bright your DRLs are - they do not replace the headlights. What do YOU think? Let's talk about that.

For the oldies in this forum to walk down the memory lane.....where roller disco is the in thing......hehe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNVxv1iH71o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mERoSi_2Jg

This vehicle should be a good solution as a mini taxi for use within Singapore housing estates

Straight after the M-showroom meetup on sunday, and after dropping off my gf at suntec, i headed off to Kallang Macs for a mini meetup of classic/modern-classic car enthusiasts. Here are some of the cars which showed up the Golf Mk 1 Cabrio E34 with shiny engine 993 RS / Audi Quattro / E36 M3 Triumph GT6 Plymouth Valiant Barracuda Buick Series 90 Limited '1938 In addition there were a couple of Sunbeams and an MG, a Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet, an E46 Cabriolet, Porsche 964, a Euro-R, BMW bike and Koup also joined in. A Porsche 930 came in just as i was leaving, didn''t get any shots of that one. There will be a classic car showcase this sunday at the old Ford Factory. more info: http://www.msvcr.com/news.php

From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp...1153403/1/.html Malaysia to repeal tough security law Posted: 15 September 2011 2119 hrs

The top 10 percent of the population are the rich, who live in wealthy districts, while the bottom 20 percent are the languishers who have difficulty coping with a high cost structured life. The third is the large middle class. A SINGAPOREAN couple walked into a Lamborghini showroom and bought two units - his and hers - for US$650,000 (RM2.04mil) each. "It's amazing; young kids coming in and spending S$2mil (RM4.7mil)," the manager told a journalist. "I don't think they were even 30 years old." Last year, 29 of these creme de la creme models were sold countrywide, beating Ferrari (26 cars). In 2007 a total of 320 luxury cars including Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lotus, Aston Martin and Maserati, were sold to Singapore's new rich. As the nouveau riche basks in their newfound glory, more Singaporeans from the poorer quarters are approaching the government for food aid. A growing number of homeless can be seen sleeping in void decks of buildings and, pressed by high living costs, more elderly citizens are working as toilet cleaners or collecting used cans for recycling. Singapore remains largely a middle class society. The high number of shopping plazas attests to it. But the group may be decreasing as a result of globalisation and runaway prices. The city-state of 4.7 million people has two - perhaps three - faces. On the top 10 percent are the rich, who live in wealthy districts, own yachts and blow S$10,000 (RM23,209) on a single meal. At the bottom 20 percent of the population are the languishers who have difficulties coping with a high cost structured life in an international city. The third is the large middle class. Take the case of Carol John, 27. She doesn't own a bed, sleeps every night on thin mattresses with her three children. Hers is a one-bedroom flat that reeks of urine smell from the common corridor outside. "I can't save anything, it's so difficult for me," John, who is unemployed, told a reporter. She relies on her husband's S$600 (RM1392) monthly salary and S$100 (RM232) government handout. She is luckier than others who are homeless - elderly and even entire families - who sleep at void decks or the beach and bathe at public restrooms. In perspective, Singapore is the second richest country in Asia next to Japan, with a per capita GDP of US$48,900 (RM154,141). Homeless cases are few, nowhere comparable in number to Osaka's army of vagabonds or New York's bag ladies. In fact, nine out of 10 poor people in Singapore have their own home, and usually a phone and a refrigerator. But in the local context, it is a potential minefield of unrest. The proportion of Singaporeans earning less than S$1000 (RM2320) a month rose to 18 percent last year, from 16 percent in 2002, according to central bank data. The bad part is that life is often worse for the unemployed - compared to other countries - because Singapore has no safety net and no rural hinterland to cushion their suffering. Unlike in Malaysia or Thailand, a jobless person who cannot cope with the global market has no countryside to retreat to so that he can live off the land. The problem will get worse. In other words, the rich will get richer and the poor, poorer with the middle class remaining more or less stagnant. The state's Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, has worsened from 42.5 in 1998 to 47.2 in 2006, which makes it in league with the Philippines (46.1) and Guatemala (48.3), and worse than China (44.7) according to the World Bank. Other wealthy Asian nations such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan have more European-style Ginis of 24.9, 31.6 and 32.6 respectively. This is one of the worst failures of the modern People's Action Party, despite its democratic socialism principles. It was with these that its first generation leaders were able to turn a poor squalid society into a middle class success story. Economists attribute the major blame to globalisation, which benefits the skilled citizens and the rich but makes it hard for the unskilled, the aged and the sick. Even the highly educated are not spared. The use of new instruments like company restructuring, relocation or out-sourcing of workers - unheard of before - is widening the gap and creating more income inequality. For example, while the proportion of lower income rises, those who earn S$8000 (RM18,570) or more increased from 4.7 percent to 6 percent. This rising inequality could eventually undermine the bedrock of society - the broad middle class. Some economists say that the feared erosion of Japan's middle class, first enunciated by Japanese strategist Kenichi Ohmae, may already be happening here. His country was emerging into a 'M-shape' class distribution, in which a very few middle class people may climb up the ladder into the upper class, while the others gradually sank to the lower classes. These people suffered a deterioration in living standard, faced the threat of unemployment, or their average salary was dropping, he said. Gradually, they can only live a way the lower classes live: e.g. take buses instead of driving their own car, cut their budget for meals instead of dining at better restaurants, spend less in consumer goods. And, Kenichi said, all this might take place while the economy enjoyed remarkable growth and overall wages rose. However, the wealth increase may concentrate in the pockets of the very few rich people in the society. The masses cannot benefit from the growth, and their living standard goes into decline. The Singapore government, which relies on the middle class vote to remain in power, has vowed to make economic gap-levelling its top priority - for survival, even if nothing else. Star, Malaysia

The other day I was discussing with my colleague on what happen if battery dead, and need to push-start a car. My colleague from electrical training told me that modern car using ECU need electricity to function. In case battery dead, there will be no electricity to start a manual transmission car even if we attempt push start, because ECU does not function. Older generation car can be push-start because not so depended on electrical power. For those whom had the unlucky experience of successfully push-start a modern car, please share your experience on which model car you did it on. Thanks.

Just checking if anyone here is playing? Maybe we can form a MCF team to play Multi-Player online....

In the past people used to install turbo timers for their turbocharged engines, in the fear of the engine and turbos not cooling down sufficiently. Is this gadget still required for modern turbo cars? Not talking about the big turbos of the WRX and Evolution, but the smaller turbos of Saab, Audi, Volvo. Just ordered an A4 1.8 TFSI and am wondering if it is necessary to install a turbo timer... because I don't like to wait in the car for it to cool down... I know the A4 turbo is not like a performance rocket like an EVO so please don't laugh at me Also, is it necessary to warm a turbocharged engine up in the morning before driving off? I normally don't do that to my Merc V6 and it runs perfectly fine but dunno whether it is important to do that for the A4? Thanks!

A Modern Parable A Japanese company (Toyota) and an American company (Ford Motor) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile. The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing. Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing. Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters. The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment.. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses. The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India . Sadly, the End. Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages. TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US. The last quarter's results: TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses. Ford folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses... and now wants the Government to 'bail them out'.. IF THIS WEREN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY

Read in a 244 GL manual (1980 model) which calls for ATF Type F or G. In today's terms, what is this? Is it equivalent to Dexron IID? Or perhaps equivalent to Dexron IID's predecessor?