That's just it.. English is not a phonetic language. That's what wrong with it.. I wish I could be a purist and learn the pronunciation symbols from the dictionary. I always say I'll do it, maybe I should just go ahead.
Ah the beauty of phonetics...
Volkswagen - फोक्सवागन
Mercedes - मर्सेदीस
Porsche - पोर्शे
Renault - रेनो
Chevrolet - शेवरोले
Ferrari - फर्रारी
Audi - आऊदी
Lamborghini - Lamb-urr-gee-nee... :P Very difficult to make the Hindi word. Tried and failed miserably.
Note to self - Study the symbols.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Change to green.
Gone are the days of surfing Formula 1 sites, and taking in the latest developments, forming dream teams, hoping for the entry of other manufacturers (specifically Porsche) and getting excited at the idea of new drivers joining the ranks. Hell, even watching the races on TV is not something I give priority to anymore. The 2010 Spanish GP was the only race I missed since the 2001 San Marino GP. I'm surprised at myself for not realising this sooner. But then, F1 was so goddamn interesting back then. The highlight was 2004, the streak of red across the racing seasons for the past 5 years. And then it collapsed. Full credit to Alonso, behind that cranky, cribby exterior, he's probably the only guy to take the fight to Schumi and hold back the multiple time F1 world champion, apart from being probably the only driver on the grid who grabs any car by the scruff of the neck and drags it 10 places ahead of his teammate (ala Renault 08 and 09). Right, I got carried away.
My point is, I've had enough of seeing fast cars and cutting-edge technology going around a closed circuit. I've also had enough of scouring he internet for more information of the said technologies, not just for the track, but for the road; though that hasn't past me by yet. I now am more keen on delving deep into technologies that can be used in automobiles - that actually make a difference in the real world. And I find myself fascinated even more than I imagined. Technologies like FIAT's MultiAir, VW's TSI and BMW adoption of twin-scroll turbos - single words I'm familiar with, but when put together, get my eyes and ears to open wide.
A group of German and Swiss scientists once stated that there isn't any such phenomenon as global warming - well, the globe is getting warmer without a doubt, but the term is quite misleading from the factors that have been put behind it. They say, and I strongly believe as well, that any source of heat and light will burn brightest and be at it's hottest, before actually dying. The sun, with it's multi-billion year lifespan too, is approaching it's end. True, it will be at least a few million years before it turns into a white dwarf, but the dying process has begun, and it is expected to only get hotter still. And no, choosing a Prius over a Range Rover won't help in any way, it will only make things worse, for you I mean - for having chosen a plastic battery car with two balloons up front, over a rigid home on wheels with it's own multi-camera security system.
Anyway, now I want to push for, create and spread the awareness of simple alternative fuels to anyone who is prepared to listen. It kills me inside to think that Europe's on E85 and we're happily accepting E10, NOW. Ethanol-blended petrol and biodiesel are fossil-fuel savers, while hydrogen fuel cells are only expensive now, because of unthinkably low volumes. Once economies-of-scale kick in, the ball will really start rolling. So all I'm saying is manufacturers need to step-up and kick the ball. There are so many possibilities in just combining simple existing technologies into one complex technology that works just as well, if not better, while at the same time reducing consumption, emissions and operating costs, and delivering a much better power output, and greater levels of refinement. Simple example - Mercedes-Benz. Their current Indian model range features the S350 CDI and the E250 CDI. The S features the 3.0L V6 CRDi diesel making 210bhp and 490Nm (detuned from the global standard of 228bhp/540Nm - which the E350 CDI in India has, surprisingly.) The E250 CDI is equipped with the BiTurbo 2.2L Inline 4, which though a tad too rough, makes 201bhp and 500Nm - more than the 3.0L. My point is this - if we replace massive 4.0L V8 petrols and 3.0L V6 diesels with a Twin-Turbo V4, or Inline 4 for that matter, it works out just fine. You want smoothness - adopt a few more cylinders. No capacity is too less - remember Ferrari's 2.9L V8 in the F40?? Was a hit, right? Audi, as always, has taken the initiative of replacing their big, trademark 4.2 V8 FSi motor with a new 3.0L V6 TFSI motor - that is available in two tunes - 270bhp (replacing the old 3.0 TFSI) and 333bhp - to replace the 345bhp 4.2L V8. Forward? I think so.
The Germans, however, are definitely leading the way for forced induction now, but I don't expect them to downsize their engines too much. Yes, 4.2L to 3.0L (Audi) or 5.0L/4.8L to 4.4L (BMW) is as much I will expect for now. The new M5 won't be a looker, but it will be a performer. However, I expect the Koreans or the Japanese to adopt that magical 1.2L 4-inline 4-turbo layout that redefines specific output. I have in my head an engine design, that isn't adopted as yet, but it is possible that some Jap or German has already thought up. Implementation - that's what I'm waiting for. A concept is only as good.
With a majority of delusional freak shows occupying our roads, I must agree with Volvo, and the Germans' views - let the car do the driving, unless you really like driving. That's why there's the "M" button, right Sir Jeremy?
My point is, I've had enough of seeing fast cars and cutting-edge technology going around a closed circuit. I've also had enough of scouring he internet for more information of the said technologies, not just for the track, but for the road; though that hasn't past me by yet. I now am more keen on delving deep into technologies that can be used in automobiles - that actually make a difference in the real world. And I find myself fascinated even more than I imagined. Technologies like FIAT's MultiAir, VW's TSI and BMW adoption of twin-scroll turbos - single words I'm familiar with, but when put together, get my eyes and ears to open wide.
A group of German and Swiss scientists once stated that there isn't any such phenomenon as global warming - well, the globe is getting warmer without a doubt, but the term is quite misleading from the factors that have been put behind it. They say, and I strongly believe as well, that any source of heat and light will burn brightest and be at it's hottest, before actually dying. The sun, with it's multi-billion year lifespan too, is approaching it's end. True, it will be at least a few million years before it turns into a white dwarf, but the dying process has begun, and it is expected to only get hotter still. And no, choosing a Prius over a Range Rover won't help in any way, it will only make things worse, for you I mean - for having chosen a plastic battery car with two balloons up front, over a rigid home on wheels with it's own multi-camera security system.
Anyway, now I want to push for, create and spread the awareness of simple alternative fuels to anyone who is prepared to listen. It kills me inside to think that Europe's on E85 and we're happily accepting E10, NOW. Ethanol-blended petrol and biodiesel are fossil-fuel savers, while hydrogen fuel cells are only expensive now, because of unthinkably low volumes. Once economies-of-scale kick in, the ball will really start rolling. So all I'm saying is manufacturers need to step-up and kick the ball. There are so many possibilities in just combining simple existing technologies into one complex technology that works just as well, if not better, while at the same time reducing consumption, emissions and operating costs, and delivering a much better power output, and greater levels of refinement. Simple example - Mercedes-Benz. Their current Indian model range features the S350 CDI and the E250 CDI. The S features the 3.0L V6 CRDi diesel making 210bhp and 490Nm (detuned from the global standard of 228bhp/540Nm - which the E350 CDI in India has, surprisingly.) The E250 CDI is equipped with the BiTurbo 2.2L Inline 4, which though a tad too rough, makes 201bhp and 500Nm - more than the 3.0L. My point is this - if we replace massive 4.0L V8 petrols and 3.0L V6 diesels with a Twin-Turbo V4, or Inline 4 for that matter, it works out just fine. You want smoothness - adopt a few more cylinders. No capacity is too less - remember Ferrari's 2.9L V8 in the F40?? Was a hit, right? Audi, as always, has taken the initiative of replacing their big, trademark 4.2 V8 FSi motor with a new 3.0L V6 TFSI motor - that is available in two tunes - 270bhp (replacing the old 3.0 TFSI) and 333bhp - to replace the 345bhp 4.2L V8. Forward? I think so.
The Germans, however, are definitely leading the way for forced induction now, but I don't expect them to downsize their engines too much. Yes, 4.2L to 3.0L (Audi) or 5.0L/4.8L to 4.4L (BMW) is as much I will expect for now. The new M5 won't be a looker, but it will be a performer. However, I expect the Koreans or the Japanese to adopt that magical 1.2L 4-inline 4-turbo layout that redefines specific output. I have in my head an engine design, that isn't adopted as yet, but it is possible that some Jap or German has already thought up. Implementation - that's what I'm waiting for. A concept is only as good.
With a majority of delusional freak shows occupying our roads, I must agree with Volvo, and the Germans' views - let the car do the driving, unless you really like driving. That's why there's the "M" button, right Sir Jeremy?
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