Scion FR-S Coupe

Introduced last year, the Scion FR-S carries over into 2014 largely unchanged. A touchscreen audio system now comes standard, and Scion has added additional padding to the door panels and the sides of the center console. Just more than a decade after its brand debut, Scion delivers the car that embodies the company's original mission: to woo young buyers with stylish, fun and affordable cars. The 2014 Scion FR-S blends a generous features list, vast customization possibilities and parent company Toyota's reliability record with something Scion models have long lacked: performance. Co-developed with Subaru (which makes the FR-S's twin, the Subaru BRZ), the FR-S outpaces the Scion tC, the next sportiest car in the family. With a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder ("boxer") engine sending 200 horsepower to the rear wheels, the FR-S won't overwhelm with power or acceleration. But the compact coupe's light weight, ideal weight balance, low center of gravity and sublime steering make romps on back roads a consistent delight. 25,000 version of its Cayman sports car, we suspect it would feel a lot like the FR-S. The FR-S carries over into 2014 with minimal changes. Additional padding on the door panels and center console minimizes knee discomfort, while a new standard touchscreen display anchors the sound system interface. Beyond that, the FR-S cabin is all business. The driver faces gauges and instruments dominated by a large tachometer, while aggressively bolstered sport seats hold occupants tight. Just don't expect much multipurpose versatility from the FR-S, as the rear seat and trunk are pretty diminutive.

The lower engine rpms attained in this way have a positive effect on noise levels as well. If the engine speed required to reach top speed in 6th gear is considered 100 percent, this means that in 8th gear engine speed is reduced by 34 percent. An example: At 130 km/h cruising speed, the Volkswagen Touareg's V6 TSI only turns at about 2,200 rpm. To optimally isolate the drivetrain from vibration generated by engine torque, further improvements to the torsional damping provided by the torque converter have been made. In the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, the 8-speed automatic - which shifts faster than the gearbox on the previous model - is coupled to a transfer case with Torsen differential. This results in a 40:60 distribution of the propulsive force between the front and rear axles. The Torsen differential is already being used in a similar form within the Volkswagen Group, but it was further refined for the Touareg to improve its weight and efficiency.

To implement the VW Touareg's smoothly transitioning Stop-Start function in every driving phase, the transmission must be provided with sufficient oil pressure to ensure slip-free power transfer within the gear elements. Conventional gearboxes only accomplish this once the engine has attained a specific idling speed, so that the mechanically driven transmission oil pump can build up sufficient oil pressure and oil flow. This is different on the Volkswagen Touareg's 8-speed automatic: Here the system is supplemented by an electrically driven pump, which is able to maintain a stable oil pressure level within the hydraulic system during the engine's stopped phase. New generation Volkswagen Touaregs with the base version 4MOTION system have an all-wheel drive system with limited-slip Torsen differential (climbing gradient 31 degrees) and electronic differential locks (EDS) at all four wheels. Nonetheless, there is still a worldwide clientele that uses the SUV under the most extreme conditions. As before, these customers can obtain the 4XMOTION drive (climbing gradient 45 degrees) with the VW Touareg V6 TDI. This option is offered as a "Terrain Tech" package. The reduction gear level can be electrically engaged via the switch on the centre console.

It permits maximum utilisation of propulsive force at low speeds. This is how the Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI attains the noted climbing gradient of 45 degrees - a 100 percent grade. As an option, a rear differential with transverse lock and 100 percent locking effect can be ordered. The driver initiates activation of the differential lock (100 percent). To improve traction and dynamic performance, the transverse lock is automatically activated and metered according to the driving situation. On both the 4MOTION and 4XMOTION drive systems, it is possible to manually deactivate the Stop-Start system in off-road driving. With the 4XMOTION system, it is also possible to deactivate ESP. On vehicles with air suspension, the "Lock" switch can also prevent unwanted lowering of the vehicle from the Off-Road level to the Normal level by locking the system at 70 km/h. Volkswagen has further developed the Volkswagen Touareg's high-performance running gear with independent suspensions at all four wheels on the second generation of the successful SUV.