Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car by RENNtech [w/video]

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Η RENNtech αποκάλυψε το αυτοκίνητο της που θα συμμετέχει στο Pikes Peak. Είναι η Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car, μια αναβαθμισμένη έκδοση από αυτή που είχε κερδίσει τον tuning διαγωνισμό της Mercedes-Benz στην έκθεση SEMA του 2008.

Διαθέτει αεροδυναμικό body kit, coilover ανάρτησης της KW, ζάντες 20″ με ελαστικά Nitto, big turbo kit ενώ όλο το σώμα του έχει επενδυθεί με το carbon αυτοκόλλητο βινυλίου της 3M, 1080 Scotchprint.

Κάτω από το καπό βρίσκεται ο V6 βενζινοκινητήρας 3.5 λίτρων που χάρη στη νέα πολλαπλή εισαγωγής, στους νέους εκκεντροφόρους, στην νέα κυλινδροκεφαλή, στη νέα εισαγωγή αέρα και στην επαναπρογραμματισμένη ECU αποδίδει 355 άλογα (272 εργοστασιακή τιμή). Παράλληλα ένας μικρός ηλεκτροκινητήρας συνεισφέρει και αυτός με 54 Nm ροπής. Το αυτοκίνητο μετά το Pikes Peak θα συμμετάσχει σε διάφορες επιδείξης αυτοκινήτων στην Αμερική προτού αποσυρθεί στο μουσείο της Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle, στο Irvine της Καλιφόρνια.

[Πηγή: RENNtech]

[learn_more caption=”Δελτίο Τύπου”]

RENNtech GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car

In 2008, RENNtech unveiled the GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car, a concept vehicle which won the 2008 SEMA Show Mercedes-Benz tuner build off competition. This vehicle was designed not only to turn heads as a show car, but to serve as a proof-of-concept and testament to our dedication to our core concept; performance without compromise. Fast forward nearly 3 years, countless automotive trade shows, numerous track events and extensive real world miles; the GLK Pikes Peak project has been completely revamped and restyled for a final tour in 2011 with Mercedes-Benz USA. Upon completion of the US tour schedule, the GLK will retire to a place of honor in the MercedesBenz Classic Vehicle Museum located in Irvine, CA as part of their permanent collection. This will be the second vehicle prepared by RENNtech that has found its way into the hallowed halls of the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection, the first of which was the E60 RS project car built for comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

When approached with the opportunity, RENNtech completely revamped the vehicles exterior and collaborated once again with 3M Commercial Graphics Division to complement the GLK’s aggressive exterior styling. This original body kit was entirely designed and engineered by RENNtech in-house, using the latest in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software and rapid prototype capabilities. The concept behind the restyling was to not only completely change the vehicles appearance, but utilize vinyl materials in finishes rarely seen in the automotive world. 3M chose the RENNtech GLK as the showpiece to revel their latest product line of 1080 Scotchprint ® textured automotive vinyl wrap. This preprinted, 3.5 mil dual cast film was applied to nearly every exterior surface of the vehicle in a stunning combination of brushed steel (1080-BR201) and black carbon fiber (1080 CF-12) with subtle red pin stripping to further accent the vehicles bold lines.

The GLK350 Pikes Peak Project will be unveiled to the public during Mercedes-Benz first leg of their tour schedule at the Pittsburgh International Automotive Show February 10-13th, 2011. Additional stops on the tour schedule include Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Denver. After
its time on the road, the vehicle can be seen at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Museum in Irvine, California.
RENNtech would like to thank the unwavering support of the following companies, with whom realizing both phases of such a large project would not have been possible.
? Mercedes-Benz
? 3M
? KW Suspensions
? Geoff’s Curtain Walls
? Nitto Tires
? Optima Batteries
? JRD
? Schroth Racing
? Technicar
? Seibon

RENNtech: The GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer is king of the hill

Inspired by the winged, unlimited-class rally cars of the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb, RENNtech set about creating a GLK that could master the pack and leave the rest chewing gravel. But, this wild GLK has a few surprises beneath its menacing exterior.
Hybrid powertrains are generally associated with fuel efficiency and lower emissions. However, RENNtech has taken one more benefit of the hybrid principle to turn the GLK into a formidable performer.

By combining an electric motor in parallel with the 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine, RENNtech has been able to capture the impressive torque that characterises electric motor drives, adding 54 Nm to enhance the GLK’s performance off-the-line and out of corners. Using a hybrid drive in a hill climb setting has the added advantage of maintaining thrust at higher altitudes, when internal combustion engines – which depend on ambient air – start to wheeze.

The specialist Mercedes tuning company has also worked its magic on the base 3.5 litre V6 unit, using components from the latest Mercedes-Benz high-performance 3.5 litre V6 Sport engine. These include a special intake manifold, cams and cylinder heads, to which RENNtech has added its own long-tube headers, composite air intake and RENNtech ECU software. Engine output is up to approximately 350 hp, augmented further by the electric motor from the hybrid drive.

The additional 72 volt drive is run by 12 volt plug-in batteries. RENNtech is currently working on a nickel-hydride solution with regenerative charging for additional range.

“The GLK Rally Racer Hybrid is a fully-functioning test bed,” explains Hartmut Feyhl, founder and President of RENNtech. “We will use this vehicle as a proof-of-concept, which we will develop and enhance throughout next year.”

“With the Rally Racer, we have really increased the car’s performance,” continues Feyhl. “Together with the more aggressive, sporting look, we have created a powerful and exciting package.”

It is also worth noting that, despite the performance enhancements, RENNtech has succeeded in improving the fuel economy of the Rally Racer compared with the original version, “proving that high performance and efficiency can coexist,” adds Feyhl.

Bearing in mind that the Rally Racer is built for speed on tough terrain, RENNtech opted to forego creature comforts, cutting the weight of the standard GLK by removing most of the sound insulation and replacing the Mercedes-Benz seats with lightweight carbon-fibre buckets. Engineers also fitted a full roll cage and moved several components towards the rear of the vehicle to create an almost perfect 50:50 front/rear weight distribution for improved handling on tight, demanding rally stages.

Another significant handling modification comes from the custom coil-over suspension. Made to RENNtech specifications by suspension supplier KW, the package allows for adjustments in height, rake, damping rate, camber and toe-in.

Extra stopping power is provided for the Rally Racer courtesy of an in-house RENNtech brake combo featuring massive 412mm, 2-piece rotors with 8-piston callipers at the front, and 356mm discs grabbed by 4-pot callipers at the rear.

Lightweight 20 inch 3-piece, 5-spoke RENNtech wheels in a “Sniper Gray” anthracite finish, clad in NT05 275/40 20 Nitto rubber at the front and NT05 315/35 20 at the rear, fill the prominent wheel flares that underscore this GLK’s performance potential.

Although extensive exterior revisions were made to accommodate the larger wheels and brakes and to widen the track, the focus of bodyshell modifications was enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. RENNtech used the latest in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to develop the package. The front splitter, rear diffuser and lower side skirts help direct airflow underneath the GLK Rally Racer to reduce drag and produce added downforce, while improving high speed stability at the rear. The rear wing elements also serve an important aerodynamic purpose and add emphasis to the aggressive edginess of the original GLK design. From a visual perspective, RENNtech engineers successfully melded their aerodynamic modifications with the flared wheel arches to create a powerful side line that highlights the dynamic thrust of the Rally Racer.

“The GLK was a great starting point for this project,” says Hartmut Feyhl, “It has excellent underpinnings for performance tuning and I think the overall look really suits it.”

“The GLK gave us a great deal of scope for bringing together form and function. For the RENNtech GLK, performance may have been the primary goal, but it also looks the part,” he adds.

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