Fiat Panda Trekking, 2013

 

 

•  Fiat Panda Trekking, 2013

Fiat Panda Trekking is the link between the 4x2 and the 4x4 version, it combines off-road looks with smart front-wheel drive and "Traction+" technology. That's what makes this new car the perfect solution for those who mainly use their vehicles in the city, but want to travel safely on surfaces with poorer road grip during all their outdoor activities. All of this without compromising on the space and versatility so unique to an SUV which is compact on the outside but surprisingly large on the inside. This is how Panda Trekking became Fiat's first 5-door 'City Utility Vehicle' in the segment.

Design
From a stylistic point of view, the new Fiat Panda Trekking is perfectly in line with the 4x4 version: the only differences are the cosmetic treatment of the alloy rims (aluminium instead of burnished) and the absence of a silver skid plate. Like on the Panda 4x4, the new model is characterised by the marked geometric lines of the front and rear bumpers, while the tailpipes seamlessly follow the lines of the body. For those who choose the 4x4 look, two new body colours now complement the existing colour palette: Sicilia orange (pastel) and Toscana green (metallic).

The interiors pick up the solutions adopted on 4x2 versions with a few significant exceptions: a new green fascia variant frames the instruments and the large storage pocket, there are fabric seats with a special design in three colour options (green, beige, pumpkin) and eco-leather details, front and rear door panels also with eco-leather inserts and finally a high console over the central tunnel which adds a further storage compartment to the 14 already present on the 4x2 versions.

Engine versions
The Fiat Panda Trekking is available with the following engines: 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, 80 HP TwinAir Turbo Natural Power and 75 HP 1.3 MultiJet II. Along with their 5-speed manual gearboxes, these are all state-of-the-art power units, both in terms of performance and in terms of fuel consumption and emissions, reinforcing Fiat Automobile's constant focus on environmental issues, by researching and developing specific solutions that are accessible and ready-to-use.

"Traction+": increased safety on any road surface
A key feature of the 85 HP Trekking 0.9 TwinAir Turbo and the 75 HP Trekking 1.3 MultiJet II is their adoption of "Traction+" as standard, an innovative traction control system that improves handling on difficult and slippery terrain and also costs far less than conventional 4x4 drive. "Traction+," combined with the specially designed 175/65 R15 84T M+S tyres (standard) is therefore perfectly in tune with the Panda concept: a car for doing whatever you want.

The new "Traction +" system uses the advanced hardware present on cars equipped with ESC, but is far more than a simple extension of ESC. Thanks to special algorithms for controlling and managing the braking system, the control unit electronically simulates the behaviour of a self-locking electromechanical differential. Software optimisations and the fact that force is applied through the normal (hydraulic) braking circuit makes the system's action more progressive than that of conventional systems. Though performance is easily comparable, the system is much lighter. The system is activated using a button on the dashboard, and can be operated at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

This is how it works. Under conditions of low or zero grip from any drive wheel, the control unit detects slip and commands the hydraulic circuit to apply braking force to the slipping wheel, thus shifting drive to the wheel on the surface offering better grip. This makes it easy to drive, maintains directional stability and control, and ensures the best possible traction even over the roughest and most slippery surfaces.

The Fiat Panda Trekking is therefore at ease even on rough and challenging terrains, as demonstrated by its excellent "typical off-road angles": 20° (attack), 36° (exit) and 20° (elevation) in the version fitted with the 1.3 MultiJet II 75 HP engine, which become 20° - 36° - 16° for the Panda Trekking 0.9 TwinAir and for the Panda Trekking 0.9 TwinAir Natural Power.

Compact on the outside, spacious and flexible on the inside
Offered with five doors and with the passenger room of a higher segment, the new Fiat Panda Trekking is an authentic City SUV, in that it efficiently combines its smaller external size with a surprising internal volume. The passenger compartment also boasts great flexibility - thanks above all to the variety of seating adjustments available - and excellent visibility and command of the road due to the extensive glazed areas, the high driving position and the gear lever positioned at the centre of the dashboard.

In fact, even though it is just 368 centimetres long, 167 cm wide and 160 cm high with a wheelbase of 230 centimetres, the new vehicle can accommodate up to five people and boasts a boot amongst the most spacious in its segment: 225 litres which can be extended to 260 with the sliding rear seat pushed fully forward or 870 litres with the backrest of the rear seats folded.

As well as being spacious, the passenger compartment of the new Trekking is also functional and comfortable thanks to the variety of seating configurations. For example: the driver's seat is also available with adjustable height while the front passenger seat can be fitted with a fold-down table backrest. In this latter case, this means you can benefit from a handy support surface both for common objects, such as a handbag or a laptop, as well as for more unusual items: when the rear seats are also folded down, the customer can obtain a flat loading surface for the entire length of the passenger compartment (more than 2 metres), allowing maximum use of the interior space.

The rear seat ensures the same versatility. It is available in the standard 2-seater version with folding unsplit backrest or, on request, in the following configurations: 2 seats, sliding lengthwise, with 50/50 split folding backrest; 3 seats with folding backrest; and 3 seats with 60/40 split folding backrest. This can all be made even more functional if combined with the handy and useful "cargo box" container that when placed in the boot lets you both stow several objects inside of it or obtain an all but flat loading surface.

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Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept, 2012

 

 

 

•  Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept, 2012

Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept will be presented in turn at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2012 and at the Paris International, in October 2012, so as to illustrate the product of this reflection in a global perspective.

Elegant and cheeky, refined and charismatic, sporty and seductive, with Urban Crossover Concept, Peugeot offers a new vision of a compact Crossover that is modern and relaxed, dynamic and seductive.

At that start of the decade, 30 cities in the world had populations of more than 10 million. By 2050, 5.3 billion inhabitants of the planet will live in mega-conurbations. Peugeot, aware of changes in the world around it, led a reflection on a multi-role compact vehicle, equally at ease in the urban infrastructure, as on the open road.

Cities are changing, mobility as well
From Sao Paulo to Shanghai, from London to Kuala Lumpur, from Cape Town to Moscow, the city lives, changes, grows. Humanity becomes more and more urban, at a rate not seen before. A new generation of city dwellers is being born.

For them, with them, the international teams from Style Peugeot in Paris, in Shanghai and in Sao Paulo have created a new type of vehicle: the Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept. Urban by its contained dimensions (with a length of 4.14m and a width of 1.74m), adventurer by its athletic and sleek style, conferring on it an extraordinary and universal power of seduction. Crossover, it is the vehicle which marries the elegance and refinement of a saloon, the cheekiness, the mischievousness of an SUV, with the multi-role capability and unusual spaciousness for this market segment.

A reflection on the Crossover in the B segment, which draws on considerable expertise in production and concept cars

Peugeot, with its strong credibility in the field of compact cars (15 million units produced in the 200 series) and a legitimacy that is recent, but already remarkable in the Crossover field, with the success of 3008 (368 000 units have been sold in the world to date) and the presentation of the SXC concept at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2011, wanted to develop the reflections and marry these two areas of excellence in a concept car.

Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept wants to be the synthesis of Peugeot's know-how in creating a small vehicle combining agility, compactness, multi-role ability and confident styling at the service of young city dwellers that like the city, live the city, creating the city, while still loving to escape from it.

A unique Style unique, marrying elegance with robustness
Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept naturally embodies Peugeots new styling cues. With its athletic and classy lines, Urban Crossover Concept imposes its audacious posture which shakes up and reinvents the standards of large vehicles for the small vehicle segment.

Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept associates aspects that are normally different and separate:

•     the height and the robustness of a modern SUV, concerned to be light and aerodynamic
•     the finesse, the elegance and the dynamism of the new Peugeot saloons
•     but also, the multi-role ability of a large vehicle that knows how to remain compact

The front end is at the same time refined and full of power. Models that are sensual and with a highly sculpted bonnet or front wings give a reassuring impression of protection and robustness.

The smiling grille, always floating, offers a massive outline, shaped in metal. It is associated with a sophisticated dual-aspect treatment of the image of Peugeot's new badge.

This care in the treatment of details can of course be found in the precise and original design of the headlamps which further refreshes the Peugeot look. Its lower edge closely follows the technical functions showing a keen pupil of the feline, so giving it an even more expressive and singular character.

In profile, the smooth flow between the raked windscreen and the line of the roof continues to the spoiler, creating a profiled and very dynamic outline. The lines of the side, laid out in the direction of the road are evocative of a car that is lively, classy and very dynamic.

Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept presents a sculpturing of the wings and side that is very sensual and sophisticated evocative of natural athletic qualities. The rounded shape of the wheel arches symbolises the qualities of agility associated with all road vehicles.

The raised body and large wheels reveal the true multi-role qualities for family or working life, while also contributing to the reading of a car that is light, respectful of its environment.

Finally, the soft wave of the roof underlines the exclusive upper finishers, crafted in metal. It appears to be set in the body and directly inspired by the RCZ coupé. This refinement is found in the precise design of the roof bars, evocative of both speed and the leisure use of the vehicle.

At the rear, with the dynamic design with the lamps embedded with precision in the body, it presents a luminous Peugeot signature with 3 floating claws using LED technology.

The rear volume is monolithic, a symbol of controlled power and solidity. It is associated with lines that are dynamic in character and sculpted models.

Finally, the aluminium spoiler and roof double bubble are reminiscent of the sporty and elegant aspect of the RCZ.

In this way, Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept posses a pronounced personality, associating:

•     power and robustness by its posture and its contours
•     elegant, sensual and very dynamic lines
•     refinement and technology in the treatment of exclusive details

Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept transcends border. The borders of vehicle style and segmentation. The borders of the needs of future generations of customers. The borders between the city and nature. The borders between continents

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Audi RS3 Sportback, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Audi RS3 Sportback, 2012

Big performance in a small package - the Audi RS3 Sportback is the newest member of the dynamic Audi RS family. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine pumps out 250 kW (340 hp) and delivers 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque. The unit accelerates the Audi RS3 Sportback into the league of powerful sports cars while consuming just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km on average (25.85 US mpg).

Power from the 2.5 TFSI is transmitted to the road via a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. 19-inch wheels and fenders made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) underscore the Audi RS3 Sportback's position of distinction.

Mighty five-cylinder gasoline engines have a long legacy in the service of the four rings. In the 1980s, they gave many Audi cars an edge on the competition. The brand is now carrying on the classic line: The 2.5-liter with FSI direct gasoline injection and turbocharging technology gives the Audi RS3 Sportback its blazing performance.

Named "Engine of the Year" in 2010, the 2.5 TFSI delivers 250 kW (340 hp) from a displacement of 2,480 cc. Its specific output is 100.8 kW (137.1 hp) per liter. The peak torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) is continuously available over a broad rev range between 1,600 and 5,300 rpm.

The Audi RS3 Sportback accelerates from a standing stop to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds - a best-in-class performance figure. The limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is merely the official figure. Even so, the dynamic compact car uses on average just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (25.85 US mpg) and emits 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile). This efficiency is due in large part to a delivery-on-demand oil pump and a recuperation system that recovers energy as the car decelerates.

The powerful five-cylinder unit is extremely compact and lightweight. Its large turbocharger compresses the intake air at pressures of up to 1.2 bar, and an intercooler lowers its temperature at full load. When the driver pushes the standard Sport button on the center tunnel, a flap installed in the left exhaust tailpipe renders the characteristic growling of the exhaust even more intense while allowing the engine to respond with even more punch.

Dynamic par excellence: the drivetrain and suspension
A seven-speed S tronic comes standard in the Audi RS3 Sportback. The compact dual-clutch transmission shifts gears almost imperceptibly, with extreme speed and comfort. Seventh gear is very tall - a measure that reduces fuel consumption. In addition to two automatic programs, a manual mode is available, which can be controlled with optional paddles on the steering wheel. The launch control system manages maximum acceleration from a standing start.

quattro permanent all-wheel drive grants the Audi RS Sportback outstanding traction, fascinating dynamics, and superb stability. Its centerpiece is an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, mounted at the rear to achieve a favorable weight distribution. If the situation calls for it, the clutch diverts torque from the front axle to the rear axle within a few milliseconds.

The chassis of the powerful compact car has an extremely sophisticated design. A four-link suspension capable of handling longitudinal and lateral forces separately is used at the rear. With a gear ratio of 16.2:1 the electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering is extremely direct, combining fine precision with highly efficient operation. The stiff sports suspension lowers the body by 25 millimeters (0.98 in) compared with the A3.

The Audi RS3 Sportback has 19-inch wheels. The front tires are size 235/35, whereas the tires at the rear are 10 millimeters (0.39 in) narrower to further enhance handling. The internally ventilated brake disks measure 370 millimeters (14.57 in) in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters (12.20 in) at the rear. The front friction rings are perforated.

They are connected by hollow pins to the aluminum brake disk covers and gripped by four-piston fixed calipers painted in black. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) has a sport mode and can be switched off partially or entirely.

The Audi RS3 Sportback hints at its enormous potential from the very first glimpse. Its front and rear aprons have been prominently modified, and a large roof spoiler sits atop the rear end. The flared front fenders are made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) - an expression of Audi expertise in lightweight design.

The dynamic style is matched in the interior, entirely black and sporting a number of RS3 logos. Sport seats with Fine Nappa leather upholstery are standard; the inlays sport a Piano finish. A boost pressure indicator, an oil thermometer and the lap timer are all included in the driver information system. The instruments and the selector lever are specially designed.

A flat-bottomed leather multifunction sport steering wheel, a two-zone deluxe automatic air conditioner, the chorus radio system and xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights round out the array of standard equipment. Audi offers customers a range of optional features: black 19-inch alloy wheels with a red rim flange, bucket seats, inlays in the new Aluminum Race material and styling packages in black or matt aluminum.

Design and body
The new, dynamic top-of-the-line model in the A3 series reveals its potential from the very first glimpse. The single-frame grille, the defining element at the front of the car, features a high-gloss anthracite-colored insert with diamond-patterned styling. A frame in matt aluminum look encircles the grille, and an RS3 badge adorns it. Xenon plus lights are standard on the Audi RS3 Sportback, with integrated LED daytime running lights that form a striking contour.

The air intakes beneath the headlights have been significantly enlarged. Their boldly protruding edges direct air into the engine bay in a targeted manner - toward the seven-speed S tronic through the left intake, toward an additional radiator through the right intake. The turbocharger obtains its intake air through the upper part of the single-frame, and the intercooler sits behind the bottom segment of the grille. The fog lights are gone. The front apron also has a new look, with a horizontal splitter that raises the output shaft on the front suspension.

When viewed from the side, the broadly flared front fenders on the Audi RS3 Sportback immediately catch the eye. Made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), they provide a weight savings of 2.1 kilograms (4.63 lb) compared with standard steel-panel fenders. Chiseled side sills further accentuate the styling. The outside-mirror housings with integrated LED turn signals feature a matt aluminum look.

The redesigned rear bumpers on the RS3 Sportback include a high-gloss black diffuser insert that encircles the two large, elliptical exhaust tailpipes. Next to the license plate is an RS3 badge, and a long roof spoiler extends across the rear windshield. In perfect aerodynamic form, its middle segment is somewhat shorter than the two outside segments.

For customers who want even more ways to customize their car, Audi has put together two design packages. With the matt aluminum styling package, a number of parts - such as the rims around the air intakes and the upper edge of the diffuser insert - feature a matt aluminum look. With the black styling package from the Audi exclusive range, the Audi single-frame and the exhaust tailpipe trim come in high-gloss black.

The choice of finishes includes five exterior colors - Ibis White, Suzuka Gray metallic, Misano Red pearl effect, Daytona Gray pearl effect and Phantom Black pearl effect - in addition to an unlimited array of custom paints.

The Audi RS3 Sportback is 4.30 meters (14.11 ft) long, 1.79 meters (5.87 ft) wide, and 1.40 (4.59) meters high. It achieves a drag coefficient of cd 0.36 and has a frontal area of 2.16 sq m (23.25 sq ft). Its curb weight is 1,575 kilograms (3,472.28 lb). In its normal configuration, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 302 liters (10.67 cubic ft), but with the rear seatbacks folded down, it holds an impressive 1,032 liters (36.44 cubic ft). As options Audi also offers practical components, including a luggage compartment package and a load-through hatch with or without a ski bag.

Interior
A distinctive interior design with sporty circular air nozzles, perfect ergonomics and a no-holds-barred approach to quality in the selection and use of materials - these are all typical traits of the Audi A3 model line. In addition to these, the Audi RS3 Sportback comes with a host of special features.

The entire passenger compartment, including the roof lining, is a study in black. Inlays in Piano finish black are standard. Alternatively, the new Aluminium Race material and a selection of classy woods from the customization range are available as exclusive options. Silver piping borders the floor mats. The door sills, the tachometer, the seats, the steering wheel and the selector level for the seven-speed S tronic all feature RS3 badges. The pedals gleam with an aluminum finish.

The sport seats with prominent side bolsters provide excellent support for the body. They are upholstered in Fine Nappa leather with silver contrasting stitching. Featuring a heavily contoured rim, the triple-spoke leather multifunction sport steering wheel is flat-bottomed and wrapped in perforated leather complete with contrasting stitching. The shift paddles have a matt aluminum look.

The displays on the instrument cluster - black dials, white numbers and red needles - are designed with the RS styling. When the ignition starts, the needles on the speedometer and tachometer rise up briefly to their highest position, then fall back into place. The standard driver information system features an exclusive RS menu, with digital displays for the boost pressure and oil temperature, along with a lap timer for timing laps on the racetrack.

Engine
For decades, gasoline engines with turbocharging technology have been the domain of Audi - the five-cylinder TFSI in the Audi RS3 Sportback carries on the tradition of high-performance engines. From 2,480 cc of displacement, it draws 250 kW (340 hp) of power, which is available between 5,400 rpm and 6,500 rpm. Its specific output is 100.8 kW (137.1 hp) per liter of displacement. The maximum torque is 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) - it is readily available at the low end of the rev range, around 1,600 rpm, and remains constant up to 5,300 revolutions.

The strengths of the five-cylinder engine, which celebrated its debut in the TT RS in 2009, have impressed expert audiences. Last year, a jury of 71 international journalists named the 2.5 TFSI "Engine of the Year" in the 2.0 to 2.5-liter category, giving Audi its sixth consecutive category win in the competition. In the five previous years, the 2.0 TFSI had taken the award.

A five-cylinder unit is an exceptional engine from its very concept. It has a firing interval of 144 degrees and a firing order of 1-2-4-5-3, with widely spaced cylinders firing in alternation with adjacent cylinders. This, supported by the intake and exhaust system, creates the unique rhythm and sound of the engine - the guttural roar that is the legendary spine-tingling sound of an Audi.

Located at the front end of the crankshaft is a torsional-vibration damper containing a viscous fluid. It compensates the "free moments" produced by the unit.

The 2.5-liter engine is ultra-compact. Just 494 millimeters (19.45 in) in length, the long-stroke unit (bore x stroke 82.5 x 92.8 millimeters (3.25 x 3.65 in) is ideally suited for transverse installation. Its features an 88-millimeter (3.46-in) spacing between cylinders, and of the six crankshaft main bearings, the ones on the outside have been offset slightly toward the inside. The engine's weight of 183 kilograms (403.45 lb) also sets a record. It keeps the Audi RS3 Sportback's total weight in check and pays off big in terms of axle-load distribution and, ultimately, handling.

The crankcase in the five-cylinder engine is made of vermicular-graphite cast iron. Audi is the first carmaker in the world to use this high-tech material, which is otherwise used only in diesel units, in a standard gasoline engine. The graphite included in this material, known as GJV-450, forms wormlike (vermicular) structures that increase the tensile strength. This enables the walls to be made thinner than with conventional gray cast iron, resulting in a lower weight. Reinforcements on the main-bearing pedestal and main-bearing cap further enhance the block's loadability.

The pistons in the 2.5 TFSI are made of cast aluminum with a heat-resistant alloy. Each weighs only 492 grams (17.35 oz), including the rings and pins. The pistons are designed for maximum loading. Tiny, perfectly arranged asymmetries on the barrels and slightly sloped skirt walls further increase their strength. The connecting rods are forged components. Sodium-cooled exhaust valves and hardened valve seat inserts are located inside the cylinder head, which is cast from an aluminum alloy.

Blazing acceleration: 0 - 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds
The Audi RS3 Sportback accelerates from a standing stop to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds - faster than any competitor in the compact category. Its superb pulling power allows it to pass other cars without the slightest effort. Top speed electronically is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Underneath the hood lies the engine with its red cylinder-head cover exposed - a fascinating piece of technology and a treat for the eyes.

In terms of fuel consumption, the powerful five-cylinder engine is frugal, using on average just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (25.85 US mpg) and emitting 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile). This efficiency, which puts the Audi RS3 Sportback clearly ahead of its main competitors, can be attributed to the combination of FSI direct injection and turbocharging, two core competencies of the brand with the four rings. In motorsport, the toughest test laboratory in the world, TFSI technology has powered the Audi R8 to five final wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The injection system in the 2.5 TFSI is state-of-the-art. In a highly precise measuring method, the pressure sensor in the intake manifold performs load sensing for the control unit. Five individual flaps, which are actuated by negative pressure, mix the incoming air in a calculated configuration in the combustion chamber.

The common-rail system injects fuel into this tumble at pressures of up to 120 bar. The fuel swirls intensely in the combustion chamber, which in turn cools the walls. This solves an old problem with turbo technology - the tendency toward early spontaneous ignition of the mixture at hot spots in the combustion chamber. This "knocking" combustion is brought about by strong heat build-up at high compression. The cooling effect of the direct injection facilitates a high compression ratio of 10 : 1 along with a correspondingly high efficiency ratio.

The two camshafts in the head of the five-cylinder unit also enhance the efficiency of the filling. Each one is adjustable by 42 degrees of crankshaft rotation. They are driven by a two-stage chain drive consisting of an extremely quiet inverted tooth chain, a roller chain and an idler gear.

Turbo throughput: 335 liters (11.83 cubic ft) of air per second
The large turbocharger is generously sized, with a compressor wheel that measures 64 millimeters (2.52 in) in diameter at the outlet. At full load, the charger is able to compress up to 335 liters (11.83 cubic ft) of air and generates boost pressures of up to 1.2 bar. Its housing has a separate oil supply, and a dedicated water pump provides cooling. The intercooler lowers the temperature of the compressed air at full load, thereby achieving an efficiency of over 80 percent. Much effort has gone into optimizing the entire intake path to minimize pressure loss.

In the twin-scroll exhaust branch, development engineers focused on achieving low exhaust gas back pressure. The left tailpipe has a flap built into it. When closed, it forces the exhaust gas to take an alternate path, flowing over the rear muffler and exiting through the right tailpipe. It opens when the driver accelerates in higher load and rpm ranges. Now the exhaust takes a direct route to the outside, creating an even more robust, intense sound.

The driver can actuate the flap at any time by pressing the standard Sport button on the center console, thereby boosting or relaxing engine responsiveness.

The Audi RS3 Sportback is fitted as standard with a recuperation system that significantly lowers fuel consumption. During the coasting and braking phases, an intelligently regulated alternator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy by increasing its secondary voltage. Then, when the Audi RS3 Sportback accelerates again, current flows out of the battery and back into the onboard electrical system. This relieves the load on the alternator, which can now operate at a lower voltage, and the engine doesn't have to sacrifice as much power for it.

Another efficiency technology in the 2.5 TFSI is the regulated oil pump. Smaller in terms of delivery rate, the volumetric-flow-controlled oil pump operates only as needed, and no longer needs to circulate oil continuously.

Drivetrain
Audi delivers the Audi RS3 Sportback with the seven-speed S tronic as standard. The high-tech gearbox transmits power via three shafts: one drive shaft and two output shafts. This layout results in a short construction - a prerequisite for interaction with the transversely mounted engine.

Like all dual-clutch transmissions, the seven-speed S tronic in the Audi RS3 Sportback comprises two transmission structures. The shifting process takes place in hundredths of a second as the clutches switch. Shifts are fluid and extremely smooth, with no perceptible interruption of traction.

The S tronic operates with two multi-plate clutches. The large K1 clutch located on the outside conducts the torque from the engine via a solid shaft to the gear wheels for the odd gears 1, 3, 5 and 7. A hollow shaft rotates around the solid shaft. It is connected to the second, smaller K2 clutch, which is located inside its larger sibling, and which controls the gear wheels for the gears 2, 4 and 6, as well as reverse gear.

A carbon coating makes all of the synchronizer rings extremely durable. Gears one through three and reverse gear are switched via a triple-cone synchronizer. Housed on the outside of the transmission, the mechatronics module joins the control unit and the control and positioning valves into a compact, robust block. The mechatronics is capable of varying the shifting speed.

The seven-speed S tronic in the Audi RS3 Sportback has an oil volume that lubricates and cools - as well as drives - the wheel sets, clutches and components of the mechatronic system. A positioning valve regulates the oil flow to the clutches as needed, keeping it low in most situations. The transmission is designed for high efficiency in every range. Its seventh gear is very tall - a measure that lowers rotational speed, which in turn reduces consumption. The overall gear spread is 6.6 : 1.

The seven-speed S tronic can operate automatically in the two basic modes, D and S, or the driver can take control via a selector lever or with the paddles on the steering wheel. The launch control mode facilitates explosive sprints from a dead stop. By managing the interplay between the engines and clutches to perfection, it ensures ideal tire slip.

The added advantage: quattro permanent all-wheel drive
Like every RS model, the Audi RS3 Sportback has quattro permanent all-wheel drive as standard. Its characteristic strength is an extra measure of slip-free acceleration, vehicle dynamics, driving safety and directional stability. The powerful compact car delivers a dynamic, stable performance under any driving style, even in difficult winter conditions. When exiting corners, it transmits its power to the road even in situations where the competition is still struggling just to get a grip with its two driven wheels.

The central component of the quattro drive in the Audi RS3 Sportback is a multi-plate clutch that is controlled electronically and actuated hydraulically. In order to achieve a favorable axle load distribution, it is mounted at the end of the propeller shaft upstream of the rear differential. Located in the interior of the clutch is a plate package bathed in oil. The metal friction rings are arranged in sets of two, one behind the other. One ring in each set is permanently engaged with the housing that rotates with the propeller shaft, while the other is permanently engaged with the output shaft to the rear differential.

Under normal driving conditions, the clutch directs the majority of the engine power to the front wheels. If a loss of traction occurs there, the clutch is able to continuously redirect the torque input toward the rear by pressing the clutch plates together within a few milliseconds. A pressure accumulator helps the electric pump build up the oil pressure required for this process, which can exceed 100 bar. If a wheel on a given axle begins to spin, the electronic differential lock (EDL) brakes it as necessary.

Chassis
The Audi RS3 Sportback is a consummate driving machine. It takes to curves eagerly, almost voraciously, and moves through them with supreme agility. Its stability limit is extremely high. The responsive steering grants the driver precise control of the car.

The front suspension is a MacPherson strut construction with lower wishbones. The pivot bearings, axle support and transverse links are made of aluminum. The subframe, also made of aluminum, is bolted to the body at six points, providing added stiffness. The front suspension has a 1,564-millimeter (61.57 in) track.

The rack-and-pinion steering has an electromechanical drive. Its power assist is based on the driving speed, with reworked characteristics that underscore the dynamic character of the Audi RS3 Sportback. Because the system consumes no energy when driving straight ahead, it is extremely efficient, lowering fuel consumption by roughly 0.2 liters per 100 km. A steering ratio of 16.2 : 1 was chosen for sporty-direct handling.

Integrated with the sensors of the ESP stabilization program, the steering automatically makes slight corrections whenever the Audi RS3 Sportback deviates from a straight course, due to crosswinds, for instance. A second function intervenes when the car is on the verge of skidding: It stops the driver from making steering corrections that would make the situation worse by temporarily reducing the power assist, making it harder to steer in effect. Accurate corrections, on the other hand, are facilitated with increased servo power - a measure that significantly enhances safety.

The four-link rear suspension is capable of handling longitudinal and lateral forces separately. The longitudinal links absorb drive forces and braking forces. For the sake of ride comfort, they are relatively resilient. The three transverse links at each wheel - the spring control arm, the upper transverse link and the track rod - are stiffly joined to the axle support, however, in the interest of vehicle dynamics. Structurally separated coil springs and shock absorbers provide the vertical support.

The rear axle, whose control arms are made of high-strength steel, has a track measuring 1,528 millimeter (60.16 in). A subframe is used at the rear as well.

Compared with the A3 Sportback, the elastokinematics of the rear control arms has been modified slightly, and the shock absorbers have also been reengineered. The body of the new top-of-the-line model has been lowered by 25 millimeters (0.98 in).

Style writ large: standard 19-inch wheels
The Audi RS3 Sportback is fitted with series 8 J x 19 cast aluminum wheels in 5-arm "Rotor" design. The wheels come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but are optionally available in black with a red rim flange. The front tires are size 235/55, whereas the tires at the rear are 10 millimeters (0.39 in) narrower. This gives the handling an even more dynamic character when the driver accelerates out of corners. A repair kit comes standard. Audi also offers optional factory-installed 18 or 19-inch winter tires.

The large wheels have powerful brakes behind them. All four disks are internally ventilated and measure 310 millimeters (12.20 in) in diameter at the rear axle and 370 millimeters (14.57 in) at the front axle. The 32-millimeter (1.26 in) front friction rings are perforated to further increase heat dissipation. They are connected by hollow pins to the aluminum brake caps. Four-piston calipers, painted black and adorned with RS badges, grip the front disks. The calipers are also made of aluminum, a measure that reduces the unsprung masses.

The ESP stabilization program is configured for sporty driving and can be deactivated in two stages. In the first stage, Sport mode, engine interventions cease to occur, and brake interventions are deferred. In the second stage, ESP is fully deactivated - ideal for skilled drivers who want to put the Audi RS3 Sportback through all its paces on a racetrack.

Equipment and trim
Audi has given the RS3 Sportback an extensive array of equipment and trim. The standard-package highlights include quattro permanent all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, the RS3 leather multifunction sport steering wheel and sport seats in Fine Nappa leather. A two-zone deluxe automatic air conditioner, the Sport button, a hill-start assist feature, a rear parking system, an anti-theft system, the chorus radio system and a sun shield for the rear windshield round out the portfolio.

The dynamic compact car is equipped with front airbags that deploy in two stages, according to the severity of the crash. Belt tensioners and force limiters protect the driver and front passenger. Even the outboard rear seats are fitted with belt force limiters. During a rear impact, the integral head restraint system supports and protects the back of the head; front side airbags and the Audi head airbag system are at the ready in the event of a side impact.

Numerous extras have been designed especially for the Audi RS3 Sportback, including bucket seats with integrated headrests, for example. Their Fine Nappa leather covers are black, with silver stitching for a contrasting effect.

The Audi exclusive range includes a special design package for this seat version, in which the inside sections of the side bolsters and the upper part of the backrest are adorned with diamond stitching in crimson red. The steering wheel, selector lever gaiter, and parking brake lever have matching red contrasting stitching. A coordinated color is used for the piping on the floor mats.

For the standard sport seats, special upholstery is available in an Alcatara/leather combination or in Audi exclusive Fine Nappa leather. Audi also offers a coordinated, extended leather package for the armrests on the doors and the knee pads on the center console. The front seats can be made even more sophisticated with power-adjustment, lumbar support and heaters. A center armrest complete with a storage compartment and heaters for the outer rear seats complete the seating amenities.

Audi also offers a broad portfolio of additional equipment options. They include two radio systems and two navigation systems, a Bose sound system with ten speakers, cruise control, an automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror with a light/rain sensor, a lighting package for the interior, a high-beam assistant and the dynamic adaptive light curve illumination system. An acoustic windshield, tinted rear windows and sun blinds round out the range on offer.

Like its sibling model from the RS lineup, the Audi RS3 Sportback was developed by quattro GmbH. It is already the fourth model to be built at Audi Hungaria and is rolling off the assembly line at the Gyor plant alongside the TT Coupé, the TT Roadster and the A3 Cabriolet. Deliveries of the Audi RS3 Sportback are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2011. Prices in Germany will start at 49,900 euros.

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BMW M3 CRT, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• BMW M3 CRT, 2012

The BMW M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) embodies a concentrated blend of state-of-the-art development expertise - inspired directly by motor sport - in the areas of drive system and chassis technology and intelligent lightweight design. It also represents the worldwide debut of a new production process for carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components in the automotive industry. This process allows CFRP to be introduced widely in the construction of the high-performance BMW M3 Saloon-based sports car created by the BMW M GmbH factory. And that helps it achieve a weight-to-power ratio of 3.5 kilograms per horsepower. A V8 engine with customary M high-revving characteristics and maximum output of 331 kW/450 hp accelerates the BMW M3 CRT from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds.

The BMW M3 CRT will be produced by the BMW M GmbH factory in a limited run of 67 units. Following in the tyre tracks of the BMW M3 GTS - of which 135 examples were produced - this is the second small-series, high-performance M3 off-shoot to be bred for the race track but registered for the road. The exclusive character of the Saloon is emphasised by bespoke lightweight design components manufactured as part of an innovative production process. The bonnet of the BMW M3 CRT and the bucket seats for the driver and front passenger are made from a cellular carbon honeycomb, which is produced in a globally unique process pioneered for the manufacture of body components for the BMW i3 and BMW i8 models.

Innovative manufacturing process for lightweight CFRP components.
These new models - due to enter volume production in 2013 and equipped with innovative electric and BMW ActiveHybrid drive system technology - will feature a body consisting entirely of CFRP in the passenger cell area. In a new development, the production process introduced for this purpose enables the cuttings left behind in the construction of the body to be reprocessed. The basic material (made up of carbon fibre thread) can now be woven into CFRP mats of any size before being impregnated with synthetic resin and hardened in a similar way to the material used in the body of the BMW i3 and BMW i8. For the BMW M3 CRT this allows the creation of a bonnet made from two CFRP mouldings encasing an aramid honeycomb structure. This construction imbues the bonnet with the strength of a conventional steel equivalent, but at roughly a quarter of its weight. The weight saving over the aluminium bonnet of the standard BMW M3 Saloon is around 50 per cent.

The material produced through this innovative manufacturing technology is also used for the car's bucket seats. Here, the CFRP layers are wrapped around a recycled-paper honeycomb, with a carbon layer made using conventional production technology added to visible areas. CFRP is also used to make both the rear spoiler of the BMW M3 CRT and an air-channelling element integrated into its front apron.

The innovative manufacturing process opens up considerable potential for increased use of CFRP in series-produced cars as a means of lowering weight. The BMW Group is leading the way in this area of automotive construction, while BMW M GmbH can call on extensive racing expertise when it comes to intelligent lightweight design. The BMW M3 CRT is the latest in a fine tradition of highly exclusive high-performance sports cars optimised with the help of lightweight design. This lineage stretches back to the BMW 3.0 CSL of the 1970s and reached another high point in 2002 with the BMW M3 CSL. BMW M GmbH also broke new ground with the use of CFRP in series-produced vehicles; like the BMW M6 produced up to 2010, the current BMW M3 Coupé comes as standard with a roof made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.

Significant weight reduction despite generous standard equipment.
The low-weight construction of the BMW M3 CRT is enhanced by sound-proofing configured specially for the new variant and a sports exhaust system with an extremely lightweight titanium muffler. Also unique to the CRT are the two individual rear seats, which take their cues from the lateral support-enhancing contours of the front seats.

Included in the standard specification of the BMW M3 CRT are the M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, Navigation system Professional, BMW Individual High End audio system, a light, exterior mirror and luggage area package, an alarm system and Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear of the car. Despite this extremely generous selection of standard kit, its DIN unladen weight of 1,580 kg undercuts that of the standard BMW M3 Saloon by around 45 kg. When you take into account the equipment on board the weight saving is more like 70 kg. Added to which, cleverly reducing the load at the front of the car raises the proportion of the car's weight over the rear axle to 48.4 per cent, which has an extremely positive effect on agility.

High-revving V8 engine with extra power; M DCT Drivelogic.
Under the CFRP bonnet of the BMW M3 CRT lies a variant of the V8 engine developed exclusively for the BMW M3 with further increased displacement, output and maximum torque. The high-revving unit provides the linear power delivery you expect from an M car and a highly responsive performance profile honed by the demands of the race track. Tuned for the BMW M3 GTS, the eight-cylinder engine develops 331 kW/450 hp from its 4,360 cc displacement. Maximum output is reached at 8,300 rpm, and the driver will find peak torque of 440 Newton metres on tap at 3,750 rpm. Helping to give the engine its intoxicating performance is wizardry derived directly from motor sport, including a bedplate crankcase construction in a special aluminium-silicon alloy, individual throttle butterflies, a knock control system with ion current technology and a dynamically-optimised wet sump oil supply.

Transferring the engine's power to the rear wheels is the M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic developed for the BMW M3. The seven-speed M DCT Drivelogic unit also works according to a principle developed in motor sport, allowing an uninterrupted flow of power through gear changes to deliver extremely dynamic acceleration. Its shift characteristics have been tuned specially for the engine powering the BMW M3 CRT. Shift paddles on the steering wheel allow the driver to change gear manually with optimum ergonomics. And a Launch Control function is on hand to generate maximum acceleration off the start line.

Special chassis construction with race-bred technology.
Expertise from race competition also makes its presence felt in the chassis technology of the BMW M3 CRT. The BMW M3 Saloon's front and rear axle construction has been enhanced by a rigid rear axle subframe and coilover suspension whose dampers are individually adjustable in their compression and rebound. The six-piston, fixed-calliper high-performance brakes of the BMW M3 CRT boast a low-weight compound construction. The vented brake discs measure 378 x 32 millimetres at the front axle and 380 x 28 millimetres at the rear. The new M3 variant also uses Stahlflex brake lines and model-specific comfort brake pads.

The specially tuned DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system - including ABS and M Dynamic Mode (MDM) - responds to both the greater dynamic potential of the BMW M3 CRT and its optimised axle load distribution. Meanwhile, the 245/35 R 19 front tyres and 265/35 R 19 rears (fitted on 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in Y-spoke design) ensure the engine's acceleration and braking power is transferred to the road with maximum impact. The electronic engine management of the BMW M3 CRT caps its top speed at 290 km/h.

The exclusive Frozen Polar Silver metallic exterior paint shade in combination with Melbourne Red metallic applications and special treatment for the BMW kidney grille also help to set the BMW M3 CRT apart from the standard M3. Inside, the Saloon comes with likewise exclusive door sill strips, door panels and trim strips in aluminium grain structure. Completing the distinctive ambience inside the high-performance Saloon are the Alcantara-covered M steering wheel, which has an M Drive button allowing the driver to call up his preferred set-up instantly, and special Sakhir Orange and Black bi-colour covers for the front and individual rear seats.

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Toyota FT-Bh Concept, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

• Toyota FT-Bh Concept, 2012

Making its World Premiere at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Toyota FT-Bh concept is an ultra-light, sub-800 kg, full hybrid vehicle designed to lower fuel consumption and minimise emissions for an affordable B-segment family car.

Clearly expressing the Under Priority design language and Keen Look styling of Toyota's next generation vehicles, the FT-Bh has the dimensions of a B-segment vehicle. It is 3,985 mm long, 1,695 mm wide and 1,400 mm high, with a long wheelbase of 2,570 mm.

The new concept's design is driven by 5 key pillars targeting optimum fuel efficiency and minimised emissions: Mass Reduction; Driving Resistance in the form of aerodynamics and tyre rolling resistance; Powertrain Efficiency; Thermal Energy Management and Electricity Saving.

Combining a highly significant reduction in weight for a car of this class with painstaking aerodynamics, a rigorous reduction in driving resistance and a frugal yet highly efficient full hybrid powertrain, the Toyota FT-Bh concept is projected to deliver an average fuel consumption of just 2.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of only 49 g/km.

The FT-Bh targets CO2 emissions which are less than half those of the current 1.0 litre Yaris. But only through the mass-production of an affordable ultra-low emissions vehicle can sales volumes be large enough to make a genuine contribution to the real world reduction of total vehicle CO2 emissions on a global scale.

Aimed, therefore, at maximum affordability, the techniques and thought processes demonstrated in the concept's design do not involve the use of exotic, expensive materials or complex procedures, but only those already commonplace to the automotive industry.

Moreover, the goals of light vehicle weight, a low centre of gravity and maximum powertrain efficiency are beneficial not only in terms of low fuel consumption and emissions, but also in offering a more responsive, agile and engaging driving experience.

Design
Styled under the 'Ecomotion' theme, the Toyota FT-Bh concept's exterior design combines emotive shapes with an extremely high level of aerodynamic performance to achieve ultra-low fuel consumption.

Its form inspired almost entirely by the natural flow of air over the exterior surfaces, the concept represents a new approach to bodywork design. Key panels such as the roof are formed to represent fabric stretched taut between fastening points, reflecting their ultra-lightweight composition.

Inheriting elements of Toyota's Under Priority design language and Keen Look styling, the front of the vehicle is dominated by a large undergrille, a powerfully sculpted bonnet and vertical headlamps integrated into the front wings.

The stretched fabric styling of the roof panels adds a feeling of lightness to the vehicle. This is further emphasised by ultra-slim A- and C-pillars which maximise the glazed area of the cockpit for improved visibility and perceived cabin spaciousness.

The FT-Bh's arch-shaped rear creates a stable stance with low centre of gravity. With the cabin merging seamlessly into the rear of the vehicle, an uplifted rear bumper and crisp, chevron-shaped corner elements, the styling optimises aerodynamic performance, contributing to a low drag coefficient of only 0.235 Cd.

The stretched fabric panel design theme is continued throughout the car's interior styling, and is readily apparent in the form of the centre console, dashboard, seats and steering wheel. The concave form of the centre console creates a driver-focused cockpit whilst maintaining a feeling of both lightness and spaciousness.

Reduced Overall Mass
Fabricated in a combination of high-tensile steel, aluminium and magnesium, the Toyota FT-Bh concept targets an overall mass reduction of some 25% over the 1,030 kg 1.0 litre Yaris, bringing its total weight down to just 786 kg.

Because the hybrid powertrain is marginally heavier than a conventional 1.0 litre engine, the overall mass reduction required of the bodyshell, interior trim, chassis and electronics is actually some 340 kg, or 33% of the Yaris' weight.

Conversely, the FT-Bh's full hybrid powertrain adds some 60 kg in weight to the concept.

Toyota engineers have identified reduction targets of 33% for the body and chassis -with no detriment to safety performance- and 27% for the powertrain and electronics. With a body-in-white mass reduction of 20-25%, key to achieving a total mass reduction of over 30% is a reduction in the weight of interior parts and trim by approximately 50%.

This is reflected in the minimalist interior design of the Toyota FT-Bh concept, which features the minimum of structure and lightweight components of high torsional stiffness to combine superior ergonomics and functionality with the lowest possible weight.

Such a large saving in the weight of cabin parts has a highly significant 'ripple effect' in weight reduction throughout the rest of the vehicle. For instance, it reduces the applied load on both the body structure and the suspension, allowing for a commensurate downsizing of components. It also leads to a reduction in the required engine displacement, saving both weight and thermal energy losses.

Further benefits of such a substantial reduction in vehicle mass include a lower centre of gravity -just 541 mm- for more responsive, agile handling and powerful braking, and a reduction in production costs, making the vehicle more readily affordable to a larger cross-section of customers.

Lowered Driving Resistance
Measures to save fuel by reducing the road load of the Toyota FT-Bh concept are focused on aerodynamics and a tyre rolling resistance coefficient reduction. Minimisation of the aerodynamic coefficient of drag and the vehicle's particularly small frontal area target a resistance reduction of 25%. And the use of low rolling resistance tyres accounts for a significant improvement in fuel efficiency.

The concept is a comprehensive study in next generation aerodynamic techniques. It features air curtain intakes to the frontal extremities, air-stream alloy wheels, airflow-disrupting door mirrors replaced by cameras, handle-less electric latch doors, a pagoda roof with a dropped rear section, and a sharply cut rear end section incorporating an air outlet slit and an underfloor spoiler to smooth the flow of air away from the rear of the vehicle.

In combination, these measures lower the FT-Bh's coefficient of drag from a B-segment average of about 0.29 Cd to just 0.235.

The new Toyota concept highlights several cyclical 'efficiency benefit sequences' made possible by the synergy between aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

For example, if fuel efficiency is improved, then the powertrain generates less heat, and the cooling system can be downsized. This allows for a reduction in the amount of cooling air necessary, allowing the front of the vehicle to be changed. This change lowers the coefficient of drag, in turn leading to a further improvement in fuel efficiency.

The fuel tank provides a further example: if fuel efficiency improves, the fuel tank can be downsized. Downsizing the fuel tank allows the amount of air that flows under the rear of the car to increase, which decreases resistance. Aerodynamic drag is reduced, leading to an additional improvement in fuel efficiency.

The concept rides on narrow, large diameter, 145/55R18 low rolling resistance tyres, which make a further significant contribution to lowering the FT-Bh's road load and driving resistance with no loss of grip or traction.

High Efficiency Powertrain
The Toyota FT-Bh's full hybrid drive system is a masterpiece of powertrain downsizing. Almost 90 kg lighter than the Prius' HSD system, it features substantial weight savings to every component of the drive-line.

The petrol engine is 38 kg lighter than that of the Prius. And the lithium-ion battery pack weight is almost half that of the Prius' nickel-metalhydride battery.

The lightweight, 2-cylinder, 1.0 litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine combines high efficiency with a low thermal capacity. Combustion efficiency has been maximised through the adoption of a long stroke, a high, 13:1 compression ratio, a next generation D4 injection system with a high fuel-injection pressure, a larger Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system with cooling and a high tumble port design.

Ultra-low friction measures have been applied to the axis receivers, timing belt and electric water pump, and painstaking thermal energy management involves the use of a low heat capacity, reduced cold friction and the careful control of heat flow to regulate engine oil and water temperatures.

As a result, this remarkable powertrain achieves an average fuel consumption of only 2.1 l/100 km, and CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km.

A combination of light vehicle weight and hybrid power offers FT-Bh drivers a return to the fundamental pleasures of city driving. The concept's light, 786 kg kerb weight maximises responsiveness to both throttle and brake inputs, while the hybrid powertrain's electric motor produces maximum torque from a standstill to provide nimble drivability in traffic.

Reinforcing the adaptability of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology to alternative energy sources, the FT-Bh also serves as a study for even greater fuel efficiency in the mid-term future through the potential installation of two alternative powertrains: a compressed natural gas hybrid (CNG-HV) version with CO2 emissions of only 38 g/km, and a Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version emitting just 19 g/km of CO2.

Thermal Energy Management and 50% Electricity Saving
The Toyota FT-Bh targets improvements in the recovery of thermal energy and a 50% reduction in electricity consumption.

Using the twin strategies of a reduction in demand for heat and a reduction in heat loss, further stringent measures are applied within the interior. The FT-Bh uses lighter cabin components that have a smaller thermal capacity or a high degree of thermal insulation. Carefully zoned air-conditioning targets only occupied areas of the cabin, and any remaining waste heat -already minimised due to the ultra-high-efficiency hybrid powertrain- is effectively used.

The current draw from the FT-Bh's LED headlamps, interior lighting and other electrical components has been drastically reduced, lowering power consumption to 50% of that of conventional cars. The glazing construction has been designed for maximum thermal efficiency, and even the concept's pearl white, matte-finish heat-reflecting paint possesses excellent thermal insulation characteristics.

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