And we are not even mad. We appreciate all wheeled transport here at The Exhaust Note, and it was interesting to drive around in this 2003 AHB G1-370 semi-truck - or so we heard from our two journalists that have the necessary driver qualifications to take it on the open road.
Powered by a small-angle 10731cc turbo-diesel V8 producing about 370 horsepower and well over 1000 Nm of torque, this AHB is the base model from 2003. Regardless, we found the truck running smoothly, greatly helped by its hydro-pneumatic suspension - which we found perfectly tuned - and the automatic gearbox (a six-speed, though with a low and high range for each). We can imagine the gearbox is standard for the AHBs from that period, as even cruising over the speed limit on the highway, we never used high sixth gear. Top speed is electronically limited - for everyoneās safety, especially othersā - to 120 km/h.
The cab alone weighs over 6.5 tons, so engine braking and anticipative driving are necessary. But we found the brakes more than capable. Pulling power is obviously good, though we heard from the owner than the real heavy work required the more powerful engine choices. Still, he continues to use this sixteen year old truck on a regular basis professionally. We are inclined to understand his enthousiasm and fidelity to the AHB. Weāve certainly driven cars that were harder to handle and drove less comfortably.
[note: Iām running behind in writing out my notes on a few fantastic cars that I received in the last weeks. Life has been busy in good ways recently. This article should have been part of three, but the other two didnāt get written out yet.]
This magnificently aggressive coupe is the 2019 Aria Suzuka V6 GT. And in a time where every smaller engine is turbo-charged, the small Japanese company Aria Auto decided to built their newest iteration of the Suzuka, a line going back to 1968, around a naturally aspirated small angle V6 engine. The 3206cc powerplant may āonlyā put out around 300 horsepower and equal Nm of torque, but the incredible responsiveness and magnificent sound - weāre not entirely sure that the version we got would pass noise limitation tests - it makes in high revs more than makes up for that.
We are on top of that a great fan of its looks. Finished in āDark Roseā Metallic paint, the colour underlines the flowing yet powerful lines that run along the bodywork. The front and rear both have that enticing mix of angular and flowing elements that define alluring styling. The 20 inch wheels give the Suzuka a forceful and attacking stance together with the large hood and side vents, as well as the bold large rectangular exhausts.
The all-wheel drive system is set up with a mild rear wheel bias. Not enough to make go so sideways, but enough to give you the impression the car might allow you if you really tried. It makes for a fun and lively yet stable drive. And a driverās car this, with only two seats, decently but not luxuriously equipped, and a gearbox that favours getting as close to that 8,4k red line even at normal traffic speeds.
That short gearing is the feature of the 7-speed automatic gearbox. It does have paddles on the steering wheel but itās no racing gearbox. That said, even in pure automatic drive with the sports mode on, the drive is both lively as well as suitable for daily traffic. Fuel consumption is not very low, but remains reasonable at 8.6 l/100km (27.4 mpg) claimed - though realistically closer to 11 l/100km (21.5 mpg).
Price is hefty with just over $90.000 for the top trim model with all the options. Maintenance costs are relatively low though, helped by sensible material choices and going for relatively standard base components, from the normal automatic gearbox to the all-around 215mm tires. We tested the Aria both in traffic as well as on the track, and it performed admirably as civil grand tourer as well as a sports coupe. The brakes are probably too standard for sustained track use as well, but the times it set around the track were in the range of much high powered turbo-charged competitors.
No, people send me there cars and ask if Iām interested in reviewing them. Or occasionally I reach out for a specific design. Car brand threads and lore are obviously great sources of information to make the articles interesting and a good read. But the reviews an sich are based on the .car file, with some flavour added via BeamNG tests. Though that last one is not conclusive and mainly meant to add flavour.
Yep catās outta the bag. I was more than happy to provide Miros with my thoughts on the Cellia Novia, but am keen to continue the broader idea of a periodic little ramble or blurb on a selected car or topic (related to performance or Automation or Beam etc.) Call it an op-ed or something. I will leave it to Miros to decide what arrangement suits him best.
As for personas I have a range of characters available for the job, all from my parent company of which (in-character) me is obviously a part of. Each driver has a slightly different emphasis and very different personality.
Considering the only tool I used to make this whole magazine was Open Office Text Editor, it could have been worse.
That said, open for suggestions.
Iām also curious about feedback on the rest of the format. Whether shorter versions of this could be a periodical thing, or whether I should stick with articles in this thread itself (which I presume is easier for people reading on mobile devices)?
So Iāve read the magazine and I can simply tell you how much I love the fact that this is the first time my car is being featured, despite the fact that itās lacking some visuals to make it even more interesting to read.
Either way, itās definitely worth to download and read and it is also a great christmas gift for me, and anyone else that got featured on the magazine. And I hope that everyone will eventually gets the chance to experience the same that the authors of this journal do with this beauty.
With that being said, Merry Christmas, XXX1X XX11, Forza Novia!
Canāt tell you in a specific, but Iād like to see some colors and interesting key visuals, with some kind of interesting layout. Say, adding any aesthetic value to the magazine would be pretty nice, but it will take some more time and work to make it look even better.
With that being said, Iāve been thinking about trying to redesign the magazine cover in Photoshop/Illustrator. Iāll see what I can do, and Iāll try to post it here as soon as Iām done with the cover.
Anyone interested just sends me the .car file and all relevant information and lore. If itās a quality design or interesting car and fits what I want to publish (a good balance of reviews, looks at oldtimers and special vehicles) it gets published.
There is no formalised submission process, and that also means I will not accept every car, and that it might take some time.
Join The Exhaust Note on a trip to Southern China, where weāll go on a road trip in two domestic market off-roaders: the 1996 Mei Ling QY-Series 6487QW and its younger cousin, the 2006 Mei Ling QY-Series 6508QW Premium.
The QY-Series are quite legendary around here, especially the 90s model, which is still produced up to this day. Based on existing SUV chassis, but built the stereotypical Chinese way - cheap, low quality, no eye for detail - the QY-Series are affordable, uncomfortable, loud, unreliable in terms of electronics. But the SUV has rugged underpinnings and is a capable offroader. Itās difficult to destroy the massive and old-fashioned four liter inline six engine and its running gear, especially coupled to a manual gearbox.
The older QY-series is still popular as an offroader and utility vehicle on the Chinese countryside. You can get one for the equivalent of $6000. Also exported to Pakistan and North-Korea, you wonāt be able to drive one of these in the West due to emission regulations. Mei Ling has informed us that new Chinese emission regulations, especially in the bigger cities, are a worry for continued production.
The newer 6508QW Premium that we drove has the same engine, but with a newer fuel injection system and better catalytic converter. This reduces emission to more acceptable levels, although still very high. The updated engine makes 180 horsepower, compared to the 162 of the first generation. With the newer SUV weighing a good 400kg more, this does not result in a spirited driving experience. Our āPremiumā trim was also equipped with a four-speed automatic of doubtful quality, which didnāt help either.
Call us purists, but we actually enjoyed the 1996 Mei Ling QY-Series 6487QW, despite its uncomfortable thin and worn fabric seats; the dinky radio that didnāt work; the rust that was eating away the chassis. It is a cheap mountain goat that will keep going.
The newer 6508QW attempts to be a Western SUV more, but itās old-fashioned engine and low production quality only accentuate its shortcomings. A capable off-roader still, this 2006 Mei Ling is a good example of that period in Chinese automotive industry where they mainly tried to copy Western design with old platforms and engines and doubtful quality.
Join us for an even more in-depth view on these two vehicles, this month in The Exhaust Note Magazine!
