Car Reviewing

And the review?

My car (the Caliente) runs the airfield track in 1:27.66 but the other cars in the comparison will probably have better fuel economy and service costs. I kind of regret putting a performance intake on it. And hopefully, the seats of the car are soft enough to make the ride comfort acceptable at least. I made the suspension quite stiff… :confused:

I do believe the reviews here penalise heavily on the bump test and rightly so.

[quote=“utopian201”]
I do believe the reviews here penalise heavily on the bump test and rightly so.[/quote]

I don’t fully agree. Though everything matters of course, so also the bump test it should really matter. However, what kind of car one will design should be taken into account as well to determine which parameters count more and which count less. The bump test is more important for a sedan, but less for a sportscar for instance. Not saying that it isn’t important, just that it is not the only factor. Also keeping the overall confort score in consideration is more important that just the bump test. At least that is how see it.

The way ride comfort is rated is pretty much the same for each class of car (it does depend on the person reviewing as well, as I can’t always keep an eye on everything that is being done). Yes, if I were to review a supercar, I would be a bit more generous than if I were to review a luxury car. Instead, when it comes to the overall verdict, ride comfort has less effect. Simples :slight_smile:

To tide us over till the next cover is finished; it has been a while since the last one and had this one almost completed, but I have something very special planned for the next one which has been in progress since early December. Keep your eyes peeled!

Gryphon Gear Nightfury: automationgame.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=34037#p34037
AMW Tiger: automationgame.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=48808#p48808
Necronia Agyros: automationgame.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=58113#p58113
Astana City Dweller: automationgame.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=58047#p58047
CJR Aspire 3.0T: automationgame.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=56915#p56915

Thanks go to titleguy1 for photoshopping the AMW Tiger twins.
A bit different in that this cover does not have a single car dominating the cover; it was originally going to be for the small hatch comparison, but there was already a cover for that so I changed this one. In the future I’ll probably only make covers retrospectively instead of in anticipation!

Hey guys, today i’d like to present you another review that i did, and it is the

[size=200]Energent Stallion ST[/size]

http://i59.tinypic.com/2dum2rl.png http://i57.tinypic.com/2ns120w.png


This big 4-door saloon attempts to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class. By looks alone, I’d much rather have the Mercedes. That being said, I’m here to give you a review as objectively as I can, so I’ll ignore the exterior and talk about the characteristics of this car instead.

[size=150]Performance (3 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
This car is limited to about 250km/h, just like most cars today. The acceleration, however, is far behind an S-Class or an A8. This car takes 7.6 seconds to get from 0-100km/h, same as the 2.2L I4 Turbodiesel version of the S-Class. But that Merc will only use about 4.5l/100km in return. Back to the Stallion ST, its engine is very smooth thanks to the Inline 6 configuration. It’s also highly responsive, maybe even a bit too responsive for a large cruiser like this? All in all, the biggest letdown is certainly the drivetrain. A 3.0L naturally aspirated I6 with 252hp is just not enough these days when you’re trying to move a 1.7 ton luxury saloon, especially when most of the torque comes after 4000RPM. On top of that, this car only has a 6-speed automatic. Now here’s the thing: when you don’t have much power, why not go for an 8-speed with short gearing so that you can use what little power it makes more effectively by allowing the engine to stay in its power band after every gearshift?

[size=150]Ride Comfort (4 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
The Stallion ST rides very well. The suspension is about as comfy as it gets, and the engine smoothness is remarkable. That being said, the tires could use more profile and the car rolls a little bit too much for me to give it the 5 star rating in this section.

[size=150]Handling (4 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
The Energent Stallion ST handles decently well. It is quite tame and the maximum cornering of over 1g make it fairly responsive, and so does the engine. But the body roll and the overall pretty poor sportiness due to the high weight (and low power) will remind you that this is not a sports car, despite the responsive steering.

[size=150]Refinement (4 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
With 76/100 sound insulation and a fairly quiet engine, the Stallion ST is nice to sit in and feels very refined. But then, that’s what you’d expect from a car in this class.

[size=150]Equipment (5 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
This is where this car really shines, on the inside. There’s pretty much every single toy and gadget you can imagine, but the safety equipment is “only” Premium, though that’s good enough for me.

[size=150]Quality (5 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
Again, this car is very impressive inside. You get all the best luxury interior and all the gadgets in the world, except for a device that pays out with money every time you press a button. And that could come in handy when you buy this car, as you’ll see a little bit later.

[size=150]Reliability (3 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
For a car with a price tag like this, one would expect it to start every time you need it. With this car, though, I wouldn’t bet my house on it. It’s fairly reliable but not convincing enough for a car in this category.

[size=150]Running Costs (2 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
The Achilles heel of the Stallion ST. Like I said before, the straight line performance is about on par with the weakest S-class currently on sale. But the Stallion ST will use 8.4l/100km which makes it just a tiny bit more economical than the S500, only that the S500 makes 455hp instead of 252. Plus, the annual service costs of this car are roughly 2400$ which is not too bad but still quite expensive.

[size=150]Safety (4 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
With Premium safety equipment and all driver aids known to man, one would expect this car to achieve 5 stars in this section easily, but the Aluminium body panels and corrosion resistant steel chassis are just not safe enough for a 5-star rating by today’s standards.

[size=150]Overall Score (4 stars)[/size] http://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/firmLlM.png
The Energent Stallion ST is a good car. But it could be much better if improved in the right areas, mainly the drivetrain. If the engine made like 150hp more while managing higher reliability (turbo + lower rev limit maybe?), people would overlook the high running costs and let’s be honest, what kind of person goes to their Mercedes dealer, buys let’s say an S500, and then complains about the running costs?

Pros:

  • Comfortable
  • Easy to drive
  • Safe
  • Well-equipped
  • High quality

Cons:

  • High running costs
  • Not enough power

Looking forward to when my car will be reviewed.

I thought any reliability score above 70 was quite good without quality sliders; I think it is difficult to get above 75 without quality sliders.
Aldo range rovers have steels chassis and aluminium panels and they get 5 star NCAP ratings

Yes, but AHS steel would be better to off set the aluminum panels. Or some quality points to chassis.

[quote=“utopian201”]I thought any reliability score above 70 was quite good without quality sliders; I think it is difficult to get above 75 without quality sliders.
Aldo range rovers have steels chassis and aluminium panels and they get 5 star NCAP ratings[/quote]

No, the new Range Rovers uses a aluminium frame and panels, without soldering, was fixed with special adhesives (more resistance than the soldering, and more lightweight).

How are the comparison (percent yet finished)?

Well it is hopefully coming on the first day of February, but we are quite a bit behind schedule. The winners and losers and all of that stuff has been sorted, just the majority of the writing needs doing. :frowning:

Alot of shit going down this sunday!

I am excited. Are we still able to submit cars for ‘regular’ reviews? and if so, who do we sent them to?

Send cheeseman the car file and a brief description and he redirects it to a reviewer. There is a waiting list though back on the OP. Also I think a fair few of the reviewers are also beta testers so there’s that. Quality product if you don’t mind the wait.

Ok then peeps, there is some bad news. The car comparison isn’t coming today due to reasons that will not be discussed. Do not panic however, the whole lot shall be done for the weekend.

Also, if anybody is interested in helping on the design part of the reviewing please let me know. Wizzy is a busy man and it would really be handy if we had someone else to

[size=150]3RD BIG MULTIPLE CAR COMPARISON TEST:[/size] [size=150]EXECUTIVE CARS[/size]

Anyway, I want to get the 3rd comparison test started. Yes, I know, the second one hasn’t been completed, but the quicker I have everything, the quicker the next one can get done and it will hopefully prevent the release of the comparison being postponed.

The typical rival is a 3-Series/5-Series Beemer, or an A4/A6 Audi.

Like as always, the cars must meet regulations
[ul]- Year: 2015

  • Maximum total production costs: $15,000
  • Maximum engine capacity: 3000cc (N/A or turbo)
  • Drivetrain: Front-engined
  • Maximum emissions: 120
  • Quality sliders: Allowed, no more than 4, positive or negative
  • Max. 95 RON fuel
  • No lips/wings on the front of the car (breaks most pedestrian safety regulations around the world)
  • Your car MUST be posted on AutomationHub[/ul]

It also has to be one of four bodies:



Get those entries in then! Also, there are a few people who CAN’T submit a car this time as they have had one in the previous two. These are:
[ul]- Leonardo9613

  • harizvet1
  • np1993
  • vmo[/ul]

That is all for now, thanks a bunch :slight_smile:

[quote]Accepted cars:
[ul]- 2015 Ardent Iroquois LS-T by VicVictory

  • 2015 Halfix D’Azur 2.8T Highline by willempjuh2000
  • 2015 Daiki Throne by Urbanliner
  • 2015 Znopresk Zephyr Limited by NormanVauxhall
  • 2015 Rennen Amethyst by titleguy1
  • 2015 Conan S Wagon Greenline by conan
  • 2015 Cottam Arabella IS
  • 2015 ManHell Takir P by Razyx[/ul][/quote]

As James May would say, oh COCK.

I suppose I could use some time away from the spot light :wink: or the people could do without seeing my 8th place cars :-p

I have send you the car :slight_smile: