NASA’s Newest X-Plane Takes to the Skies
Photo: NASA
UPDATE 6:06 p.m. EST – Video and photo added.
NASA’s next-generation blended-wing-body aircraft completed its first flight today at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The X-48C is the latest in a series of designs from the Boeing/NASA partnership to explore the design, using a a large, delta-shaped fuselage rather than a traditional tube to boost efficiency. The new version, which, like the older version, is a scale model with a wingspan of about 20 feet, is designed to evaluate low-speed stability and a low-noise design.
The X-48C started life as the X-48B which made 92 flights between 2007 and 2010. The main changes were moving the winglets to the top of the fuselage next to the engines and extending the aft deck of the airplane. Both of these changes were part of the new design’s aim at reducing noise from the engines. And the number of engines on the X-48 has been reduced from three to two, each producing 89 pounds of thrust.
Report: Mazda wants to cut curb weight by 220lbs for every model redesign in future
AutomotiveNews reports that Mazda seeks to take their ideas of lightweight cars to the next level. Their current SkyActiv program is what brought about the CX-5 mid-sizer, which achieved an astonishing feat of just weighing in at 3,208 for the base model. But that’s not enough as Mazda reportedly seeks to eliminate at least 220lbs every time they redesign one of its models.
Though Mazda also noted that inhibiting their cause is the huge influx of stringent safety and emissions regulations while demand for in-car convenience and comfort features are on the rise.
“Obviously that’s going to get harder and harder,” Dave Coleman, vehicle development engineer for Mazda or North America. “We focused so much on the low-hanging fruit that we still have a lot of room.”
Essentially, Mazda seeks to design car frames in ways that use less steel while maintaining structural rigidity. That usually means an increase in the use of more exotic materials. Coleman was noted for saying that Mazda will have to employ more advanced materials in future generations of SkyActive models. Though Mazda is relying on time, which will hopefully drive down their cost as they inevitably become more accessible.
All in all, it seems Mazda is banking on the concepts of good ‘ol fashioned physics as its selling point. And it’s a great selling point, as lighter cars mean that they can be more efficient and better handling. Less weight in any case is beneficial in many ways. Now, only for the public to understand it…
Nitrous-Powered Ford Mustang Goes Down with a Big, Bright and Loud Bang
It’s not uncommon for street racers to use a nitrous oxide system (NOS) as an oxidizing agent to temporarily boost the power output of their internal combustion engines.
Amusingly, nitrous oxide (N2O) is also known as the laughing gas – yes, it’s the same anesthetic drug used by your dentist.
However, something tells us that the owner of this Fox-body Ford Mustang wasn’t in the mood for laughing when the NOS backfired blowing the top half of the intake manifold through the hood while he was getting ready to race against a fifth generation Mustang.
See how it happened in the videos that follow right past the jump.
VIDEO
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Video: BMW M3 Crash on a highway
A driver equipped with an onboard video camera captured a BMW M3 Coupe that crashes on a highway during heavy rain conditions. The M3 crashes and rolls over after losing control and according to the user that uploaded the video, no one was hurt in the incident.
Judging by the footage, the driver of the M3 slammed the brakes at a fairly high speed, and the rear traction coupled with high performance tires led to the imminent crash. Despite the severity of this crash, the BMW proves again that the high safety ratings are well deserved.
Back in April, a new F10 M5 crashed on the Autobahn at 300 km/h and after flipping several times, the driver and his passengers survived the accident.
If there is a lesson to be learned from the video below is that you should always adapt your driving to the road and weather conditions, no matter how experienced of a driver you are.
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Already On eBay!
The news of a 2014 Corvette appearing on eBay has caused quite a stir today in the auto news world. The new Corvette is yet to be revealed, heck, it’s yet to be fully developed. But someone is apparently in a position to sell a car that doesn’t exist yet. The interesting bit is, the seller is not GM, or even a company or anything like that. It’s some guy called Shawn, who has a 100 percent positive feedback.
Buying the 2014 Corvette this way is a bit complicated though, as the description reads: “You are bidding on a new 2014 Chevrolet corvette.You add the options you want. This is your chance to be one of the very first owners of a 2014 corvette. This is the deposit only. remaining balance is due when car arrives. There is a 10% nonrefundable deposit. deposit payment is due at end of auction.”
Go to eBay and check it out for yourself, but be careful because that ‘nonrefundable’ bit smells a bit fishy!
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Ferrari Enzo on HRE Wheels
Car News, Ferrari, Ferrari Enzo, HRE Wheels — By Lawrence on August 7, 2012 at 12:52 pm — No Comments
Ferrari are readying the new Ferrari F70 for its official launch. So to keep the outgoing Ferrari Enzo fresh, it seem owners are starting to turn to the aftermarket wheel manufacturers. HRE Wheels just released a set of photos that show a black Ferrari Enzo wearing a set of their HRE P43S monoblock wheels!
The Enzo gets HRE P43S finished in gloss black with a central locking hub. The P43S is one of the lightest wheels HRE offers. It’s constructed from aerospace-grade 6061-T6 forged aluminum. This particular wheel measures 19 inches in diameter wrapped in Bridgestone tyres.
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Report: BMW nearing decision on new plant in Mexico for 3 Series production
Your next BMW 3 Series could be built in Mexico. That’s right – BMW is reportedly looking at four locations in the country for a plant that will build the 3-Series and is currently negotiating with the government for incentives and tax breaks.
Production of the 3 Series would begin in Mexico in late 2016 or early 2017.
Click here for more news on the BMW 3-Series.
One source said that the state of Queretaro in north central Mexico is a leading contender. The Mexican plant will eventually have a capacity of 100,000 to 150,000 units.