Hyundai may have never been a brand synonymous with producing the driver’s car. Their models are often used as some sort of punchline to illustrate what we gearheads don’t want in our cars. There have been some contenders throughout the years to ward off the bad jokes, but the quirky, asymmetrical Veloster that followed the Genesis earns the most credit for injecting new energy into Hyundai’s image. Its release had us all thinking that the real spirited driving experience finally made its way to the well-known manufacturer.
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In the world of aftermarket modification, there are two directions to go in with any upgrade. Form or function. Some might not care if the part looks like a work of art just as long as it performs, and vice versa. That’s an owner’s prerogative, and maybe driving around a box that hits the 300 whp mark and sounds like a grizzly bear is all you need. Other enthusiasts prefer a flashy set of wheels and a few want the best of both worlds, … Continue Reading ››
Tradition is something that spills over into just about everything. For the most part, we as a species like to settle into a groove. We keep things the way they are because that’s just how they’ve always been done. While change is sometimes a good thing, it’s often nice to have that hint of familiarity in the air. Not to mention, putting your foot down and standing by your principles holds a certain kind of respect.
The muscle car scene is deeply rooted in tradition, especially when it comes to Mopars. While the … Continue Reading ››
It’s often an overlooked fact in the automotive world that every engine out there is affected by the by-product of its own combustion process, but it’s true. It doesn’t matter the size or the type of induction. Combustion gasses will still sneak past the piston rings, and those contaminated gasses will infiltrate the intake tract. The naturally aspirated V6 is an endangered species these days, and given the age of some of these VQ37 engines, the future for these power plants is starting to look bleak.
In this day and age, if you’re an enthusiast in search of a naturally aspirated, performance-oriented 6-cylinder, you’re almost out of luck. The last 8 years have been the age of forced induction with the 4-cylinder turbo layout edging the V6 closer toward extinction. Unless you have the money to spend on a Porsche, there just aren’t many options out there anymore for the fun 6-cylinder.
There is one manufacturer, though, who can deliver the “Fizz” (as James May would put it) without the fuss of a turbo or supercharger. That would be Nissan. I’m sure that most people would have … Continue Reading ››
An inside look at the engineering of Mishimoto products.
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