Performance Parts Zone

Say what you will about the styling of the Mazda Taiki concept that’s currently on display in Tokyo. It’s quite possible that what’s underneath is more interesting, anyway. Under the hood of the Taiki is a new gen rotary engine from Mazda called the 16X Renesis. Of course, the Rotary engine has its share of detractors, but Mazda’s sticking with it anyway.

Further refining Felix Wankel’s trochoid wonder, the Renesis (known internally as the 13B-MSP) has been massaged and enlarged for the first time in a very long time. Capacity is now 800cc per rotor, bringing total size up to 1.6 liters. Direct injection allows the 16X Renesis to put out more power and torque while running cleaner than a port injection setup would have allowed. Attention was also paid to reducing the oil consumption that Wankels are known for. The size of the engine is still pony-keg compact, and the rotor housing is now aluminum, which should save a little weight. While the new larger chamber design and direct injection offer more efficiency, it still remains to be seen whether or not the Rotary is capable of modern horsepower numbers without turbochargers (difficult with the side-port design) or swilling fuel like a sailor on shore leave. The 16X may show up in a special version of the current RX-8, or Mazda may hold off until a new RX-8 bows in 2011.

[Source: AutoWeek, Photo: Winding Road]

When Chevy introduced the HHR SS during the Woodward Dream Cruise, a few commenters weighed in with the desire for an SS version of the HHR Panel, a variant with windowless sides meant for the commercial sector. Well, the General has granted that wish and will offer the Chevy HHR Panel SS as an ‘09 limited-production model (shown at right). In advance of that, however, an HHR Panel SS show car 9above) has been prepared for SEMA. It’s based on the production vehicle, but because this is SEMA, it’s been modified, of course.

The bar-less grille sets the tone up front, polished metal accents dress up the sides, and it’s finished in a custom “suede” paint scheme with a panel graphic. 20″ wheels fill the openings thanks to the modified FE5 suspension, and the car boasts interior modifications such as billet aluminum tie downs and rails inside the cargo area. Power comes from the same 2.0L DI turbo found in the HHR SS, and the show car has an automatic transmission. Hopefully, buyers of the production machine will be able to select the same five-speed manual available in the standard HHR SS, as well. In any case, if you have a small business that needs to deliver stuff quickly, your dream ride’s on the way. Or, if you’re one of the customizers GM has also targeted with the standard HHR Panel, you’ve just been provided a more exciting blank canvas upon which to work. Follow the jump for GM’s official press release, and check out galleries of the HHR Panel SS production and show cars below.

[Source: GM]

The new Nissan GT-R is an engineering playground. We hope to get our chance to play with it soon, but until then, we get pictures. Luckily, Nissan has released detailed images of the GT-R drivetrain and suspension. These reveal some of the alterations made in the GT-R design from prior models. One of the more significant changes is the placement of the transmission. The dual-clutch transmission and combination transfer case sit at the back of the car, coupled to the rear differential (that makes it a transfermissiondiffcase). It makes for more balanced weight distribution with the transmission, rear differential and transfer case counterbalancing the weight of the engine and front differential.

The turbochargers have also changed from Garrett units used in past GT-R models to IHI, a Japanese-owned company. The turbine housings (aka hot side) of the turbochargers are a combined casting with the engine exhaust manifolds. Most likely this is done to save space and for emissions reasons to ensure the catalytic converters are as close to the turbocharger outlets as possible. Each turbocharger is followed by two catalytic converters, making for a total of four. Two intercoolers are also installed, as opposed to one with two inlets, keeping the charged air for each bank of cylinders constantly separated. This is most likely done to ensure precise metering of air.

[Source: Nissan]

During a sit down with Volvo’s senior veep of R&D, Magnus Jonsson told Automotive News that a five-door version of the C30 might be in the cards. “The five-door would be less exciting from a design perspective, but we’re looking to expand.” That seems like an accurate statement considering that stretching the three-door model could have a few negative aesthetic implications. But if sales of the C30 in the U.S. and Japan go through the roof, a five-door model could be a competitive product for buyers looking to move up market from the C30’s platform sibling, the Mazda3.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Nissan is finally releasing the GT-R fun to the US market next summer, and the Franco-Japanese automaker has no intentions of sticking with only one model. We’ve heard rumors about a lightweight V-Spec GT-R for a while, and Nissan officials aren’t even denying it. Carbon fiber and light-weight aluminum will take a vehicle that has posted a 911 Turbo-beating 7:38 lap at the ‘Ring and kick it up a notch. Save 200 lbs. on a 480 HP ball of hell-fire, and an already explosive sports car can turn in some of the best clock times of its day.

While $68,000 will net you a super Nissan that challenges the likes of Porsche, a V-Spec edition will surely cost you quite a bit more. Something tells us there will be plenty of buyers waiting in line with their check books in hand, so Mr. Ghosn and company shouldn’t spend much time worrying if they’ll attracting enough customers.