supra gt4

The News for November 1st, 2019

Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. This week, Toyota goes racing with the Supra in GT4, Formula 1 details sweeping changes to 2021 season that aim to make it watchable again, Fiat Chrysler and PSA Groupe are talking about a merger and it could be serious, Kia teases a dramatic redesign for Optima, and Porsche will #savethemanuals with the 992 Carrera S models.

Toyota GR Supra GT4

supra gt4

I’ve been looking forward to this announcement for quite some time. As Toyota was dragging out the reveal of the new Supra, one of the last concepts they showed off was a potential FIA GT4-spec race car. Some time later (too lazy to look), that GT4-spec Supra is becoming a reality. Toyota will be selling the GR (Gazoo Racing) Supra GT4 first to European teams next March, followed by American teams in August, and Asian teams in October. The slow rollout is intended to allow Toyota GR to strengthen their focus on their customer motorsport program.

Once it’s available worldwide, it will have some great company on track in one of the fastest-growing classes in sports car racing. Porsche, McLaren, Audi, Mercedes-AMG, Ford, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, and BMW (practically its stablemate) are the biggest players in this class. Toyota will slot in nicely with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a single twin-scroll turbocharger boosting power output to 430 horsepower (depending on BoP). If that sounds familiar, it is. If the road car can use a BMW engine of that same configuration, the race car can as well. I would assume BMW sold them motors from the M4 GT4, but we’ll know for sure if the exhaust sounds like bathtub farts.

supra gt4

Some kind of seven-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters is equipped. The M4 GT4 uses a race-hardened M DCT unit; no word on exactly what the Supra will use. It may use a ZF-based gearbox like the street car. Other race-spec goodness on the GR Supra GT4 is a set of Brembo racing brakes (six piston front, four piston rear), Akrapovič exhaust, adjustable KW dampers, and motorsport-spec driver assistance and data logging systems. As required by FIA GT4 rules, the bodywork is basically all factory but with added aero. A natural carbon fiber composite front splitter and rear wing provide the downforce required for competition use. Same goes for all the safety equipment. The GR Supra GT4 weighs in at 2,976 pounds.

Toyota GR plans for a €175,000 (~$195,000) price tag by the time it’s ready for the track. Toyota Motorsport GmbH will handle sales and customer support in Europe, TRD USA for America, and Toyota Customizing & Development for Japan/Asia.

Sweet dreams.

[Source: Toyota]

Formula 1 Confirms Sweeping Changes for 2021

As has been teased many times, Formula 1 is about to undergo major changes to the cars and series regulations for the 2021 season. It’s hard not to feel a bit optimistic about it.

The video above will explain all, but here are the major bullet points in a nutshell:

  • New aero package designed to reduce the amount of dirty air behind the car, allowing cars behind to stay closer for better racing.
  • Bigger wheels and thinner profile tires for reasons I guess.
  • More restrictions on car upgrades over a race weekend and how often certain components can be replaced. More standardized components as well.
  • The current hybrid V6 powertrain remains. Fewer engines, gearboxes, and exhausts per year.
  • New absolute limit of $175 million towards on track performance for all teams over the course of a season.
  • Changes to the race weekend format. 3 days instead of 4 is the biggest change.

With these changes and more, Formula 1 hopes to reign in out-of-control team spending and make things more fair and competitive for all teams, regardless of budget. Crucially, the racing will be closer if everything works out the way they hope. If you’re like me and are excited to start watching F1 again in 2021, I suggest checking out the video above as it demonstrates every big change clearly. Renault F1 also released a brilliant info graphic which you can find here. (I suggest clicking to expand each image and then right-click > open image in new tab).

[Source: Formula 1, Renault F1 Team]

Fiat Chrysler and PSA Announce Merger Plans

fca psa merger

Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group have announced talks are well under way to merge. Both companies just announced a 50-50 share merger to make themselves the world’s fourth largest automaker and hope to have a deal finalized in the coming weeks. If approved, PSA’s Carlos Tavares would be CEO and FCA’s John Elkann would be chairman.

Though it may seem an unlikely pairing at first, it could genuinely benefit both parties. PSA, which consists of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, and Vauxhall, announced nearly 2 years ago that they would return to the US market with an HQ in Atlanta. If they merged with FCA, they wouldn’t have to worry about building up a dealer and service network from scratch. FCA would also get to tap into PSA’s resources, like smaller and more efficient engines and a chassis made in this millennium. It could be a match made in heaven. Autoweek reports that savings could reach $4 billion for both companies and no plants would need to close.

We’re one step closer to having French cars back in the US. And Opel too I guess.

Oh, and when you guys eventually do merge, you can use my customized logo for free. I spent 30 actual minutes making that. I’m so lost in life.

[Source: Autoweek]

Kia Optima Redesign Teased

kia optima

Kia has released a few teaser images of what would be a dramatically redesigned Optima on Facebook. As captured by Autoweek, the blurry and dark images show a transition to a sleeker, lower, and wider sedan with eye-catching lighting. These two exterior drawings and an interior render is all we have so far, but it’s enough to know that big changes are coming. It was the same story for the Hyundai Sonata which typically shares a platform and engine with the Optima. We’ll follow this as more comes out.

[Source: Autoweek]

Porsche 911 is Keeping the Manual

porsche manual

In news that will excite internet car purists and the six people that will actually buy them, Porsche has confirmed that the newest-generation 911 will continue to carry the torch for manuals. The seven-speed manual that debuted in the last generation 911 will once again be an option for the 2020 911 Carrera S and 4S Coupe and Cabriolet models. It’s a no-cost option, and from the looks of it they even throw in the Sport Chrono Package for free (normally a $2,720 option). If you opt for a manual and leave Sport Chrono unchecked on the configurator, the price truly does not change and it adds the package. So it’s either an oversight that an accountant will find one day or it’s Porsche’s little gift for those keeping the art of driving with three pedals and a funny lever thing alive.

If you order a manual-equipped 911 Carrera S or 4S the earliest you’ll see it is Spring 2020.

What’s your automotive news?

hooniverse

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.

Have a good weekend.

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34 responses to “The News for November 1st, 2019”

  1. mdharrell Avatar

    Last weekend I solved many of the problems with my Zap Xebra. If the weather’s good this weekend I hope to solve its remaining problems.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c7d7445f6214ed8790aa47afb8d21ed5ce01a4f6302c2bc8d71c26cc052d0e05.jpg

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Tempting, but no, I live inside city limits. Last year when our neighbor tried to get rid of his lawnmower by setting it ablaze, the fire department very clearly and loudly expressed their displeasure with him, especially when they had to come back a second time about an hour later…

        I’ve already disposed of the fiberglass body, the interior, the batteries, and nearly every other flammable part of it anyway, except for the tires. It has occurred to me that the back half of the frame would make a pretty good basis for a pusher trailer, but I’m inclined just to make it go away instead.

        https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ac58c47aeefe5a62c6bf4f90ff312e2bea77efdd15aa327361e2b28839191b70.jpg

        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Pusher for the KV1? (If I’ve got that right). Would have to double the horsepower.

          In other news last weekend I got my car back from being on display (4 months has flown past) and brought a rolling bodyshell home from temporary storage, so I now have more than too many cars. Got to get cracking on them

          1. mdharrell Avatar

            I wasn’t thinking of an electric pusher for something like the KV Mini 1 but rather a gasoline-powered pusher for an EV, perhaps using a Hondamatic-equipped motorcycle engine to simplify the issue of control. I’m still leaning towards no, though, as I have an overabundance of other projects.

          2. mdharrell Avatar

            I wasn’t thinking of an electric pusher for something like the KV Mini 1 but rather a gasoline-powered pusher for an EV, perhaps using a Hondamatic-equipped motorcycle engine to simplify the issue of control. I’m still leaning towards no, though, as I have an overabundance of other projects.

          3. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            What if you turned it into a 3-wheeled docking cradle for the KV Mini 1? Remove the fenders so that the rear tires of the Zap are driven by the rear tires of the KV, spinning in the reverse rotation.

          4. Lokki Avatar
            Lokki

            I look at that frame and see the seed material for a great project. I’d bury that seed in the backyard and see what happens.

        2. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          “Solving problems” by discarding…almost everything? I would have never expected you to be a minimalist. Awesome opportunity to test fabrication skills though.

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      That’ll be a LOT of garbage bin loads… 😉

  2. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    So the MiSSus job at the greatest toy builder south of Santa’s workshop has many, many perks – one of which is getting to keep some toys at home. Last weekend we just picked up our new Ranger XP1000. Wow! I mean really, really WOW! Compared to our old 800 Ranger, it’s absolutely amazing the differences. It is sooooo incredibly smooth (there’s no CVT type of jerking at all, which is crazy since it is a CVT). And outrageously fast. And (insert favorite superlative here) smooth riding. Unfortunately, now it’s snowing out – guess we’ll have to wait for the new snowmobiles to show up.

  3. Kamil K Avatar

    I have a big package in my backyard. The 4Runner is getting a platform roof rack! :O

  4. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    M3 is sold, and was picked up this week (friend met the shipper). Looking forward to tackling some of the jobs on the wagon when I return.

  5. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    My wife took our soon to be off lease Mazda CX-5 to be serviced and whiled away her time looking at Ford Rangers. I have very mixed feelings, on the one hand having a pickup again after almost 18 years would be cool on the other hand a modestly equipped Ranger crew cab 4×4 is $38k. I am pushing hard for our original plan of buying the CX-5 and a mid 90s 1/2 ton.

  6. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    My wife took our soon to be off lease Mazda CX-5 to be serviced and whiled away her time looking at Ford Rangers. I have very mixed feelings, on the one hand having a pickup again after almost 18 years would be cool on the other hand a modestly equipped Ranger crew cab 4×4 is $38k. I am pushing hard for our original plan of buying the CX-5 and a mid 90s 1/2 ton.

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      CX-5 + sawzall = pickup

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Your approach sounds very reasonable. Do you have the space for 2 vehicles? What is the idea behind getting a Ranger, or a pickup in general – house projects coming up?

      I have mixed feelings for giving away our van. Firewood season is coming up and we have no adequate forest-to-house-transport. It used to be 6-8 drives with 500kg of wood each. Maybe the Leaf can take 300kg per trip…dunno. I’m also about to rebuild a room in our half-basement, on the light side, so I get a new study and the kids get each their own room upstairs, finally. No good vehicle for that in our household now.

    3. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Your approach sounds very reasonable. Do you have the space for 2 vehicles? What is the idea behind getting a Ranger, or a pickup in general – house projects coming up?

      I have mixed feelings for giving away our van. Firewood season is coming up and we have no adequate forest-to-house-transport. It used to be 6-8 drives with 500kg of wood each. Maybe the Leaf can take 300kg per trip…dunno. I’m also about to rebuild a room in our half-basement, on the light side, so I get a new study and the kids get each their own room upstairs, finally. No good vehicle for that in our household now.

      1. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
        SlowJoeCrow

        I live in the rural Pacific Northwest so pickups are the norm around here and we had a 1993 Ford Ranger until our second child was on the way. Our main reasons for a pickup are recreational, including towing trailers, and hauling motorcycles, with a side of home improvement. Also in the longer term we want to be further out of town with more land which creates more need for a truck. A 4×4 truck is also better than a crossover for exploring the extensive network of dirt roads and OHV trails in the region.

        It sounds like you should have kept your van but as I understand it some EU countries have punitive taxes that make second cars uneconomical. Could your Leaf tow a utility trailer to haul wood and building materials? Alternatively do you access to some sort of car share or rental? The last time I had to move something big I rented a pickup from U-Haul since that was cheaper than having it delivered.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Yes, the Camry has a trailer hitch and we can borrow our neighbour’s trailer. But that would mean even less wood-per-trip. Keeping an extra car around is pretty costly, taxes, insurance and other fixed cost are prohibitive. As is my wife’s attitude to owning 3 cars…cough.

          1. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
            SlowJoeCrow

            I wasn’t sure if you already had a second car. Since you presumably want the Leaf as your low cost daily driver, could you reasonably replace the Camry with a better load carrier?

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            That was the intention when we started selling off the van this spring. But then I had a good look at the Camry and figured it might have 2-3 years of low cost life in it still. This is the first time I am ever without a practical car…I am taking the Leaf in for a recall on thursday and will have a chat with those in the know as to how it would respond to a rear-heavy load of trees.

  7. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    Capping off the weekend, I promised Andrew I’d teach him how to drive a manual.
    We ended up at his high school.
    Explained the theory and process of driving.

    He put is right foot on the clutch. Goodness.

    Once we had all the feet on the right pedals he stalled, restart, chirp, stall, repeat.
    And repeat.
    He got going a few times but would forget to clutch in on a stop. Stall.

    He got the hang for a bit. Then lose the hang.
    On and on. I was getting nervous with all the banging going on. The drivetrain was taking a beating.

    We swapped seats and I showed what I meant with feathering the clutch and throttle.
    He seemed to understand what I was doing and we’ll try again next week.

    That was a long 5 minutes!

    1. salguod Avatar

      With my girls, the secret was to have them get the car moving with just the clutch, no throttle. Once they could start from a stop 10 times in a row without stalling, they had a good feel for feathering the clutch. Adding in the throttle was pretty straightforward from there. It took a couple of sessions to get there.

      My youngest has had one session, so in a pinch she could probably drive a stick, but she’s far from proficient.

      1. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        I only loosely had the hang of driving stick (since I had no formal training) until I took the motorcycle safety course. Your exercise is pretty close to how they taught us to work the clutch, and that’s pretty much what it took for it to click for me.

  8. kogashiwa Avatar
    kogashiwa

    Finally FCA finds a merger partner, huh.

    Hope we can get Peugeots and Citroens in Canada then soon because the automotive landscape is frankly pretty boring now.

    Presumably they would just bring All The CUVs anyway though so whatever.

    The Alpine would be amazing but who can afford that? Would be as rare as Alfa 4Cs. Truly the tasteful eccentric’s choice.

    Honda are making the best French cars now anyway (honestly, does the new Accord not look like it could be a Citroen?).

    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Alpine is Renault, not PSA, so no dice, sorry.

      Peugeot and Citroen finally seem to be finding their mojo again, the new Peugeot 208 looks great inside and out with shades of the old 205 about the styling and there’s full EV versions too which could catch on in the sub-Tesla market. They seem to have returned to giving the cars good ride quality again and the interior actually seems to be good quality for a small hatch. If they can sell North Americans on a premium feeling, but not premium badge hatchback, it could be a winner.

  9. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    Audi asks for 1 new glow plug, any ideas here if I should change all 6 as a precaution? Plugs (6) + job is from 100.- here which is quite cheap. Could be done as DIY but as there’s risk of stripping threads I think I go to my indy garage guy, as winter wheels can be done there too.

    1. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      Well, assuming there is nothing fundamentally wrong with your fuel system, your glow plugs should have a roughly equal life span. Six identical parts operating in identical conditions performing identical tasks, right?

      I’m not saying that’s automatically true, but as my race-horse gambler uncle says, “That’s the way to bet”.

  10. salguod Avatar

    This weekend I plan to add a vacuum line to the CCV valve on the BMW. It’s supposed to curb the notorious oil consumption on M54 engines, of which mine is excessive. If I get a significant reduction I’ll be happy.

  11. Manxman Avatar

    Did GM sell off Opel and Vauxhall? When did this happen? Did I sleep through it? I thought they were part of the world-wide General Motors family of cars. If Fiat-Chrysler buys ex-GM brands…oh, the humanity. Is Holden still a GM owned company? I need to keep up. Now you’re going to tell me DAF no longer makes cars.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      PSA buying Opel is only about two years ago. Them going to bed with FCA creates a global black hole of crapcanism. It’s terrifying to the extreme.

    2. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Only happened last year. Holden is stil GM. Easy to see why they got rid of it, Opel/Vauxhaull is reall nowhere territory these days and their traditional mid size saloon territory has been totally eroded by the fact that pretty much everyone can attain to a BMW/Mercedes/Audi instead of an Insiginia these days and that’s before you get into crossovers. The Ford Mondeo has similarly been threatened. Opel has some entirely forgettable small crossovers, but it’s a crowded market and there’s no compelling reason to buy one over say a Hyundai Kona. The brand had been totally devalued by just relying on discounting, it was just the stuff of repmobiles and hire cars that no-one actively bought with their own money, much like Citroen had become by the end of the 00s and had a bit of revival with the likes of the Cactus, so I think PSA is a good fit, they’ve been here before and probably know how to get Opel out of bargain bin territory better than anyone.

      Whether DAF still makes cars is a matter of perspective and whether you count VDL Nedcar. 😉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDL_Nedcar

    3. mdharrell Avatar

      Both of my DAFs carry Volvo badges and I still see Volvo car dealerships filled with what look to be current offerings, so from this I can only conclude that DAF still makes cars.