The Development of The Classic 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX 

From Buick One to Olds One
I was transferred from Buick One to Oldsmobile One Exterior Studio in late 1985. Olds One was a crazy studio even by Design Staff standards. One story comes to mind. Peggy Lee recorded a song called Is That All There Is? in the ’50s that was so depressing that it was pulled from many radio stations at the time because of an increase in the suicide rate.  Well, some unscrupulous sculptor recorded the song on both sides of a 90-minute cassette and played it continually for weeks every day in the studio. Needless to say my morale didn’t exactly soar being tortured by that song over and over again. The Gestapo couldn’t have used a more effective brainwashing tool. Looking back on it though it’s pretty funny.

We were working on some platform for a sporty 2+2 car of some sort. I did sketches of proposals for that car and the other projects in the studio and hung them with the other wallpaper I continuously produced. In that studio at the time it was difficult to get anything on the car unless you were, well, running the studio. But Dave Holls, one of the directors, came through and sometimes actually looked at sketches. He seemed to see something in a couple of sketches that I did and asked me to do a full-sized airbrush rendering of the design, which I did. 

Early Achieva Concepts

At the same time, Olds Two studio was struggling coming up with a new design as a replacement for the Cutlass Calais (which would eventually be renamed Achieva). Dave looked at my airbrush and asked me to try the design again on the Calais platform, and I came up with a red rendering of a revised proposal. When the rendering was finished, someone must have liked it, because they took it out of Olds One and hung it up in Olds Two. Dave North was the Studio Chief and Ed Welburn his assistant. I remember they started to model the car but were having some trouble capturing the feeling of the rendering. I was asked to help them by drawing a 3300 section to start the body side modeling. The front and rear profiles could be taken from the full sized rendering.

Achieva Sketch

Early Achieva full-size airbrush rendering

Hide the Model
Well, there were several very talented sculptors in Olds One, and the car was starting to come together. So much so that Dave Holls decided to hide the model in the basement and finish it down there before somebody higher up would see it and want to change something before the original design statement could be presented. The model was finished and a fiberglass styling model was made to freeze the design statement. What made the design unique was it was a shouldered design where the upper sat on the lower instead of a monocoque which was trendy at the time.

Achieva Fiberglass Model, The Red Car. It was a 2-door on one side and a 4-door on the other.

Because I suppose the rendering was red and the fiberglass model was red, it became known as the red car. It was designed in 1986, but didn’t come out until 1992. The design affected the Olds 98 and 88 that were designed after the Acheiva but came out sooner.

Studio photos showing the fiberglass model in the background, as development progresses productionizingthe design.

Dave North and Ed Welburn standing in front of my rendering.

From left to right: Dave North, Charlie Stewart, Chuck Jordan, and Dave Holls at a Design Staff styling model patio review.

Patio review of the Olds Achieva clay model in process. There would be many such reviews.

Side view of the car shows how closely the model profile resembles the original red rendering, except for the roofline.

Achieva Upper
The Achieva was built off of the same platform as the Buick Skylark and the Pontiac Grand Am. But the Achieva lost the upper wars, so the coupe has the Grand Am upper, and the sedan had the Buick upper. The sedan looks especially bad with the Buick roof.

Olds produced the Achieva SCX W41 in 1992–93. It had the Olds designed and built 2.3 liter Quad Four engine that made about 190 hp.

For more info, visit deansgarage.com

                The Fantastic 2014 Koenigsegg Agera

Excepts from leftlanenews.com

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The Koenigsegg Agera an exclusive hypercar born from the mind of Christian von Koenigsegg, a Swedish entrepreneur who turned a childhood dream into a reality when he formed his own car company over 15 years ago. Designed as a race car for the road, the Agera lends its lightweight carbon fiber platform to the more extreme S and R models.

Koenigsegg favors evolutionary design changes and the Agera shares its overall dimensions with the CCX it is tasked with replacing. It stretches 169 inches long, 78.6 inches wide and just 44.1 inches tall.

• Its low-slung design is accentuated by almond-shaped headlights with integrated LED daytime running lamps, a wraparound windshield with a single wiper, small side windows and large air vents in front of the rear wheels. Out back, the Agera boasts oval LED tail lamps, a mid-mounted exhaust and a functional air diffuser, while scissor doors that open at a 90-degree angle finish off the look.
  

The Agera features a removable roof panel that can be stowed away in a compartment located in the front of the car.

Agera
The Agera - a name that means "take action" in Swedish - is powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that churns out 960 horsepower and over 811 lb-ft. of torque when burning the 95-octane gasoline that is commonly found at gas stations throughout Europe. Fed by four return-less fuel pumps connected to a 21-gallon tank, the V8 returns 16 mpg in a mixed European cycle when driver conservatively.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and an electronic differential. The 2,932-pound Agera sprints from zero to 62 mph in 3 seconds flat and reaches a top speed of over 260 mph thanks in part to purpose-designed Michelin tires.

Agera S
The Agera S uses the same 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the regular Agera but it has been modified to produce 1,030 horsepower at 7,100 rpms and 811 lb-ft. of torque at 4,100 rpms. The sprint from zero to 62 mph takes 2.9 seconds.

Engine aside, the Agera S stands out from its less powerful sibling thanks to hollow carbon fiber wheels, a more aggressive body kit and a Triplex rear suspension that improves handling by using a spring and a shock absorber to connect the left right and rear wheels.

Agera R
The range-topping Agera R reaches 62 mph from a stop in 2.8 seconds thanks to a modified version of Koenigsegg’s V8 rated at 1,140 horsepower and a brutal 885 lb-ft. of torque. Upgraded brakes enable the supercar to accelerate from zero to 124 mph and come to a full stop in just 12.6 seconds. Top speed is reached at 273 mph.

Building upon the Agera S, it gains an aerodynamic exhaust pipe, carbon fiber front winglets that increase downforce at high speeds and a dynamic rear wing,

Life Aboard
The Agera offers a track-inspired interior with room for two passengers on leather-upholstered two-tone bucket seats with contrasting stitching. The center console, the multi-function steering wheel and parts of the dashboard are crafted out of carbon fiber in order to reduce weight.

The instrument cluster consists of several small digital gauges housed in three main pods. They can be configured by the driver to provide a full panoply of information including the car’s speed, fuel pressure, oil and the water temperature and even the approximate amount of horsepower generated by the engine at any given time.

A high-definition touch screen mounted on the center stack groups the Agera’s navigation, climate control, entertainment and connectivity functions into a single unit. Unlike many startup supercar manufacturers, Koenigsegg designs and builds all switches and stalks in-house.

While cargo capacity is not what most supercar buyers are after, Koenigsegg proudly states the Agera is the roomiest car in its class with 4.2 cubic feet of trunk space.

Standard and Optional Equipment
The Agera comes standard with power windows, adjustable pedals and seats, power steering, navigation, leather carpeting, a car cover, an alarm and a storage bag for the removable roof panel.

Buyers have access to a long list of options including different rear wings, stripes and decals, over ten exterior colors, three different wheel designs, miscellaneous upholstery colors, heated seats, a rear-view camera, four-point racing harnesses and, believe it or not, a pair of skis that matches the car.

Occupant Safety
All Ageras feature dual airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, an electronic stability control designed in-house and a Formula 1 traction control that provides five different handling modes.

Key competitors
At this price and performance level, the few vehicles that can be cross-shopped with the Agera include the Pagani Huayra, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Bugatti Veyron.

            The Futuristic Mercedes-Benz Formula

     Zero Car Concept

Taken from carbodydesign.com

Designed by Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America, the Formula Zero luxury racer combines elements from the Formula One and Yacht Racing worlds with the track dynamics of the bobsled.

Reminiscent of the Mercedes Benz racing heritage of the 1930’s, the Formula Zero Racer is loaded with technology designed to extract the maximum thrust from the electric hub motors, aero-efficient solar skin and high-tech rigid sail.

Each team is allocated the same amount of stored energy and it is left to the teams and drivers to manage the variables to win the race.

The winner is determined by total elapsed time combined with the energy efficiency factor.

Spectators at the Mercedes Benz Formula Zero racing Series are treated to a new dimension of racing as the transparent track is visible from all perspectives – even from below!

Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America – Design Team

• Alan Barrington
• George Yoo
• Kevin Verduyn

                     The 2001 Dodge Stratus Program 2014



Taken from autoweek.com

Mid-size family cars are not known for their high excitement factor. Bland, even boring, yet roomy and dependable, are the watch words to gaining attention in this “middle” class. But we’ve come to expect more from the brand whose motto is, “Dodge. Different”. So when Dodge announced a complete makeover for its already stylish Stratus sedan, our interest was piqued. But was that interest rewarded?

Well, judging by the numerous positive comments in the log book after two weeks of testing, we have to conclude the answer to that question is yes! Our interest was greatly rewarded! And that’s because the redesigned 2001 Dodge Stratus is vastly improved. And those improvements are seen and felt from bumper to bumper. And a major one is found behind the front bumper and this sleek, Dodge signature cross- hair grille with its Viper-inspired running lamps.

It’s the Intrepid’s all-aluminum, 2.7 liter, DOHC, 24-valve V-6. And with 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, our ES grade Stratus now has the muscle it needs to keep up with its import competitors. The Chrysler 2.7 also has 32 more horsepower and 22 more pound-feet of torque than last year’s Mitsubishi 2.5 liter V-6. And that results in a good-for-a-family-sedan sprint from 0 to 60 of 8.4 seconds. The quarter mile passes in 16.3 seconds at 87 MPH. An active intake manifold tuning valve gives this V-6 a strong mid-range punch, with torque reaching its peak at 4300 rpm.

The standard offering in the Stratus is a revised 2.4 liter, DOHC, 16-valve I-4. Output there is 150 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Both engines use the same front-drive 4-speed automatic transmission. And, we must say, this is one of the smoothest shifting Chrysler trannys we’ve ever experienced. As long as it was left in full auto. ES models come standard with the AutoStick shifter. But, in the manual-mode we found our tester hooked up each gear with a jerk. And self- shifting did little to enhance acceleration performance.

But, a stiffer, more solid body structure does improve performance. And a 13 percent reduction in twist and 33 percent reduction in bending makes the Stratus a noticeably more stable car. And the Stratus’ all-independent suspension system has been re-tuned to take advantage of that added stiffness. With the short long-arm front set up receiving a new cross-member and rebound springs for the shocks. The multi-link config at the rear gets new bushings to reduce bending and friction.

The results are a near neutral feel through the low speed slalom, with just a touch of understeer on turn in. Side to side transitions feel balanced and the car remained firmly planted throughout the exercise. And while the steering does feel precise and nicely weighted, our drivers found the large steering wheel a little unwieldy.

The Stratus is equally responsive and fun to drive in the real world as well. And its more refined ride keeps the Stratus on par with other members in its class. Although Stratus interior noise levels still seem higher than they should be. Too much tire and road rumble makes its way into the car through the suspension.

But we’ve got no complaints about the larger, standard 16 inch tires on alloy wheels that now come on our ES. Or about the way the new Stratus comes to a stop. As the larger discs at all four corners, backed up by the optional ABS system, brought us to a halt from 60 in just 114 feet. And while our track testers didn’t care for the soft pedal feel, they couldn’t fault the car’s stability during stops and the quiet operation of the new ABS system called ABS Plus. It adds yaw control to the software to help reduce the almost natural tendency of a front- wheel drive car to begin a tail slide when braking hard in corners and on icy patches.

Now, in addition to the many improvements made for those of us who place a premium on the driving experience, there’s also plenty here for those who appreciate the Stratus for no other reason than it’s a great looking piece of mid-size family transportation. And a comfortable one, too. As the new Stratus has received a considerable upgrade in the quality of materials used throughout the commodious, well laid out cabin.

The wonderfully plush yet supportive front buckets in our ES were trimmed with optional leather. ES drivers also get standard 8-way power adjustments and a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and shifter. The Intrepid-inspired analog gauge cluster is understandable at a glance, and to the right within easy reach is a trip computer that also allows some personalized programming. The large rotary climate controls operate smoothly, and the Infinity stereo on our ES came with the optional 4-disc, in-dash CD changer and Premium Gold speakers powered by a 120 watt amplifier. It’s all surrounded by some of the best looking faux wood trim in the car business.

The Stratus is also equipped with Next Generation, Multi-stage airbags in the dash, and front and rear side window curtain airbags are optional. But the 60/40 split folding seat back makes the rear quarters more versatile by opening up the way to the 16 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk.

And the Stratus’ pricing structure leaves plenty of room for versatility in your budget, too. Base price for the 2001 Dodge Stratus SE is just $18,425. Our ES tester carries a base price of $21,010. Factor in the optional equipment and our tester totals $23,515. That’s about the same as the base price on Mazda’s 626 ES V6, and almost $1,500 less than the Accord EX sedan.

When it comes to the new Stratus, the “Dodge. Different” theme is more than just a slogan. An attractive list of standard features and knock-out styling puts miles between the Stratus and its more generic competitors. Add in powerful and newly refined powertrains, and the 2001 Dodge Stratus is ready and willing to launch you into the mid-size “Stratusphere.” Now that’s interesting!

       Physical Battery Location For The 2001 Buick LeSabre

Excepts from justanswer.com

Customer Question

Where is the battery physically located in my 2001 Buick LeSabre and how do I get access to remove and replace it?

Submitted: 5 years ago.

Category: Chevy

Expert:  Carhelp4u replied 5 years ago.

The battery in your car is actually located under the rear seat. Here is how to access this area.

Push in and up on the front of the rear seat cushion.

Lift up and out on the seat cushion.

Remove the rear seat cushion from the vehicle.

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.

Disconnect the battery positive cable (1) from the battery.

Remove the battery vent tube (1) from the battery.

Remove the battery retainer bolt and battery retainer.

Remove the battery.

        The Effect of Oil Prices on Diesel Car Fuel                     Compared To Unleaded Gasoline

One of the concerns about diesel car fuel is that because of the rise in oil prices, diesel will always be more expensive than regular gas. The concern from this is that it will then cost too much to drive these diesel vehicles, and that it would be more better cost-wise to go back to a gasoline engine. The truth is that as oil prices fluctuate, there is a small percentage of the diesel powered population that is affected.

Diesel Costs vs. Gas

Oil prices have a direct bearing on both diesel fuel and gasoline. As oil prices rise, so does the cost of refining the oil into a usable product for burning in cars. What people should be looking at, however, is not the actual cost of the fuel, but the cost of running the vehicle. This is a big distinction, as a diesel engine does get better gas mileage than its gas powered counterpart. 

Diesel Engine Performance

A diesel engine operates in a little bit different way than a gas powered engine. The way that diesel is engineered, it doesn't need to have the same kind of combustion process as a gas powered car. Instead of mixing together with air at the top of the cylinder, a diesel engine does not mix the two until the point of igniting. Air in a diesel engine is compressed first and heated because of this process. Once the air has been compressed to the ignition point, the diesel is injected as a mist. This produces the small explosion in the cylinder which pushes the piston. This process is remarkably more efficient, as there is no worry about left over gas in the cylinder, or about the ratio of the mixture. 

Diesel Fuel Economy

Rising oil prices affected a great deal of people who had diesel engines when they rose sharply over a short period of time. Most of the people affected were in the transportation industry. Regular drivers of smaller sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs, while they did notice an impact, quickly realized that it was not as bad as the problem for gas powered drivers. It is a matter of simple match. If you use diesel car fuel, you are getting better gas mileage for your vehicle. As prices rise, you will be paying more, but will still be realizing a savings over cars that do not receive as good of gas mileage. Gas powered vehicles really felt the crunch of higher oil prices, because they were not saving anything over diesel engines to begin with. 

Better Engineered Fuel

Rising oil prices forced many people to change the way that they drive. It also made it clear to car manufacturers that they had to work harder to make their cars more energy efficient. Diesel car fuel is now in a place where it runs cleaner, more efficient and helps boost diesel miles per gallon to a higher range. With the invention of biodiesel, the gas mileage has been extended and the prices have remained stable. Rising oil prices do have an affect on the diesel and gas powered cars, but the built in benefits of diesel powered cars makes the rise bearable.

For more info, visit www.carsdirect.com

Oil companies should begin initiatives focusing on developing alternative fuels. This could be done by placing investment fund portfolios specifically for these clean energy projects. 

                      A QUICK LIST OF SWISS CAR BRANDS

Excepts from listofswisscars.com

Lest you think that the Swiss have no interest in automobiles and would rather content themselves with watches, cheese, finance and Toblerone then think again. Swiss cars - at least while they were being produced - were designed to be sleek, impressive and certainly unique. The fact is that the Swiss auto industry peaked in the early 1970's and pretty much disappeared without a trace. Although the "industry" has since devoted its efforts more to auto component parts and auto accessories like floor carpet than it does vehicle prototypes takes nothing away from the Swiss auto heyday.

Monteverdi anyone?

For almost 20 years, Switzerland was home to one of the world's most dynamic, exotic and free-spending car companies: Monteverdi. Monteverdi was a company which once aspired to become the Swiss Ferrari, but in actual Swiss auto production terms, the Monteverdi was embarrassingly small and poorly managed. The late founder Peter Monteverdi was arguably more impressed with substance and not quality.

For awhile though, the Monteverdi ranked right up there with Swiss watches in terms of image and target audience. The Monteverdi was an exotic luxury car in every sense of the word and as such geared for the super-rich. But was it a sport scar or a sedan? The gas and energy crisis of the mid-1970's put a hamper on sales and profits, so the company changed gears (no pun intended) and the Monteverdi Safari was the result (its template was the bulky Harvester Scout) but even this did not outlast the evolving taste of luxury cars. Although its Middle East customer-base of rich oil sheiks did sustain the line for some time.

The success of the Monteverdi and its brethren sputtered to a stop in the early 1990's. The Monteverdi wasn't even the only Swiss automobile. the Enzmann and Sbarro were also fighting for a small piece of the Swiss Auto supremacy anad they failed as well.

Past and Present

These days there really is no such thing as a Swiss car. Sure one could single out the Smart car, although technically the Smart is Swiss-owned, it's not manufactured in Switzerland.

Switzerland's auto-industrial segment produces a variety of auto components and auto-manufacturing machines to the entire European automotive industry and that is something to be proud of.

So in a sense, Swiss cars continue to exist, if only in the memories of car enthusiasts.

	Brand
	Beck
	Enzmann
	Leblanc
	Lizard
	Monteverdi
	Rinspeed
	Sbarro
	Weber Sportscars