Auto Almanac
Drawing Board
Vision Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 concept: This ultra-luxurious coupe points the way to future high-end models that stand apart from the crowd. Power comes from four electric motors — one for each wheel — that collectively produce 738 horsepower. Mercedes-Benz estimates the Vision 6 could run from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than four seconds and provide a range of up to 200 miles.
Auto Trivia
• Automotive designer and builder Ferdinand Porsche spent more than half a century in the industry, but the only vehicle to bear his name during that time — the 356 — was introduced two years before his death in 1951.
• In 2002, an Australian insurance company study of astrology claimed that Geminis were the most likely to be involved in car crashes. Careful Capricorns were the least likely.
What’s up, auto doc?
Which is better: a V8 that can be a four-cylinder when it has to be; or a four-cylinder that acts bigger when extra power is needed? Over the last decade, buyers have been bombarded with news about cylinder deactivation, whereby an engine can shut down some (up to half ) of its cylinders when they’re not needed. For example, Chrysler’s 5.7-litre V8 can shut down half its cylinders in idle and light cruise situations. However, it appears that starting with a smaller engine and bolting on a power adder such as a turbocharger makes more sense. Both ideas try to adapt the engine to provide fuel economy or power, but they come at it from completely different angles. One of the reasons that smaller engines with turbocharging are popular is because they’re physically smaller, which makes them easier to package. They’re also generally lighter, have fewer moving parts (less expensive) and less weight means better fuel economy.
Top Gear
The Easypuller; $50; www. lasvegastool.com: This awardwinning product is designed to remove virtually any stubborn fastener, especially those used on most vehicles. That includes rusted and seized-up bolts screws, nails, cotter pins, clips, seals and so on. It will even function as a dent remover. The Easypuller’s patented locking pliers clamp onto the fastener and work in tandem with a sliding two-pound hammer to create a powerful pulling force. Carrying case included.
Who am I?
To guess his secret identity, read the following clues!
1) He loved NASCAR and he loved to promote it. He was a driver for more than 20 years.
2) Born in 1941, he began racing cars in his early 20s and made 526 starts from 1964-’88.
3) During the 1980s, he began as a pit reporter for ESPN . . . while still racing a partial schedule. 4) He died in 2007 from lung cancer. Still stumped?