btw probably could use a 5+speed automatic for a luxury car
spend some time to make one of my own, and i got double the hp with some simple tuning
edit:
i am not joking, i tripled the hp, yes, 3 times the horsepower. now it only have some turbo lag and bad fuel economy
1 Like
it’s not that hard to make one, i only spend like 14mins on the engine
you probably could do even better
btw, I don’t get why use only 91 ron when the rules said you could use 95 ron
so come on, I know you can do better than 128.3hp with this engine.
use low frction cast if u want some more fuel eco, use ball bearing too if u use turbo, vvt could help too, and use vvl, it could save your engine a lot, both in eco and hp, using a different fuel type wouldn’t affect the cost too, if u are using 4v per cylinder, use DOHC instead of SOHC
1 Like
As usual, I’m very much willing to help with the engineering if anyone needs it - I’ve spent probably the majority of the time with this game by playing with that, especially engine tuning. All it takes is asking by PM if you want 
@kalan
But, there’s a note to be made about CSR - it’s probably the most competitive challenge here, and thus hosts (and others) usually expect pretty high level of everything. If one enters anything short of the best you can find on the forum, then unfavourable judging is to be expected.
In short - CSR is “Automation Challenge: Prepare to Die Edition” 
7 Likes
I remember my first CSR.
smh…all bad lol.
3 Likes
These are mostly excerpts from the conversation Jason had with his mechanic, who also works for a TV show that reviews new cars.
CSR142 Part 2
Tier 3 Mechanic’s Rejection bins, part 1
“Anyways, moving on from that disaster scam…”
Deleu-Mathers 1610 V8
“The car cannot decide whether it wants to be a drag special or a luxury cruiser. However, for the latter, which we request, you have to be able to turn. Neither the numb steering nor its questionable dynamics give a good impression. It also lacks dual frontal airbags, and I think it’s reasonable to expect that a car of this price range would have them. Oh and I absolutely think they are a nightmare to work on”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Leighton Chronos aLX
“This car looks like a grandpa in reading glasses, and looks about that it has been designed by one. That’s not where the similarities end… take speed for example. Its outdated 3L V6 is woefully outgunned by the competition’s V8s and V12s. It also does not have dual frontal airbags. This is definitely not the car for you, as it’s way too soft. Also, I know you’re not cheap for the sake of it.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Altra XCv 3.6 Air-Ride
“You know, sometimes I wonder where you get your car advice from. Isn’t this a bit too mainstream for the segment? Regardless of that, I think it’s a reasonably competitive car if you can get above its sloppy handling and grabby brakes, neither of which you’ll like. At least it’s built reasonably well, with a reasonably punchy engine and good appointments, even if parts are a bit hard to come by. Still not sure if air suspension is really necessary.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Sovaine Athena LSE
“For something named after the goddess of wisdom, there are too many unwise choices. Namely, the poorly tuned turbocharged V6 engine that is unusually prone to failure, ineffective brakes, numb steering, and poorly matched tires. Also, it’s just plain overpriced for what you get, a smattering of parts that sound good by themselves but aren’t integrated together well. Wise to not buy this piece of junk.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
IP Icarus 3000 GLT
“Just like its namesake, this car has a tendency to fail under heat. In the myths, it was the wings, here it is the brakes. You gonna go crashing down either way, along with your wallet. Oh, and the turbo V6 engine spools longer than a crane winch, and still likes to throw faults quite often. No thanks. It had so much potential, but could never go the last mile. Also they’re prone to disintegrating, which is a bit unusual for a Swedish car.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Frogeye Scorpio 24V
“If, and only if, you can get past the styling, this is actually a solid contender. It’s reasonably comfortable, powerful, and composed, and they hold up well in the real world. That V8’s bank angle raised quite a few eyebrows here though when we first tested it, we thought they were trying to save costs by sharing it across several different cars. Though I think overall braking is poor and judging from your reaction, that’s enough to drag it out of your recommendation list. Well, that’s a shame… Still you should try it out.”
Verdict: Moves on
Deer And Hunt Tines Grand Baltimore MKII
“This car is well out of place here, and for all the bad reasons. While a reasonably stout body-on-frame construction and solid rear axle aren’t anything to scoff at by themselves, they put it at a major disadvantage compared to the competition, especially in the areas of performance and comfort. Despite its simple construction, its reliability isn’t mythical, and several more modern cars have proven to be superior in that regard. Fortunately, they’re reasonably well built. However…its safety record is among the worst of all new cars sold here, not having the latest suite of safety features hurts it heavily. Also, being a larger car does bring its own share of higher servicing costs too. One thing I heard about the Grand Baltimore was that Deer and Hunt were forced to severely detune the massive 6.5L V10 engine to meet emissions standards. Still, that doesn’t take away from its personality as a laid-back cruiser, after all, 290 hp isn’t the worst, especially when you got this much low-end torque. But then again, you’re not exactly looking for a cruiser this laid back right?”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Quezon Laguna VST
“The Filipinos really know how to make a pretty car, and there is no doubt that the Laguna will feel right at home among upscale cars. Unfortunately, it masks the fatal flaw of steel panels, which means that durability is going to be a major issue, even if quality compares favorably to the Japanese. Still, the idea of a watered-down sports sedan is very tantalizing indeed, and it comes with the latest technologies, such as a trick AWD system that can modulate power depending on the driving conditions and optional 4-wheel steering. But this might actually be a bit too sporty for your tastes, though I think it nails a good balance of performance and luxury. Hell, it comes with expensive performance rubber, an expense that you wouldn’t really appreciate anyways. Maybe a better expense would be a full suite of safety features. The 276hp twin-turbocharged V6 is about as good as you can get, but will always be at a major disadvantage when compared to a V8.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Kerberos D443
“Again, like the Quezon, this one attempts to inject a bit more fizz into your daily commute, though I reckon it injects way too much fuel into its 284hp 4.3L V8 engine. In all honestly, there isn’t anything inherently wrong with it, if you gloss over the lack of common safety features and the abysmal, barely road-legal brakes. On the plus side, servicing it won’t burn your wallet completely, even if it comes with pricey sports tires as standard, and build quality is pretty good. My personal opinion? It’s too compromised as a sports sedan and makes some mistakes as a luxury sedan. Pass.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Stilesi 6L
“These things are surprisingly pleasant to be in, though I question if you’d want to drive this thing for long. The setup chosen for the tires and brakes can only be described as…wack, grabby, and out of balance. Also, there’s a reason Michelin TRX tires have long gone out of fashion. I continue to believe that hydropneumatic suspensions and other similar systems are an unnecessary cost and that aluminum bodies will be hell to repair.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Alba SS7 3.2 T6
“This car has a few peculiarities, including a well-tuned 254hp 3.2L turbocharged inline 6, an unusual AWD system, and terrible brakes. Regarding that AWD system, I’m not even sure how Alba managed to get that power distribution, and my impression was that it gave it a sluggish, front-heavy feeling. Also, the ride is a bit jarring for a luxury car. Would not recommend.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Ecyor Sllor Sechs
“Honestly there’s a reason you never ever see these things. It looks like an RC car from Best Buy and is about as reliable as one. With a good array of modern technology (except the safety of course…), this is a good lesson on something that looks good on paper but is absolutely pathetic in real life. Just look at the “powerful” and poorly set up engine that will never be able to use its full 316hp ever, and the aluminum body panels that will be extraordinarily hard to repair.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
MAHG Sigma Prestige 4 GT
“Honestly quite incredible that MAHG found it fitting to get a literal truck engine, turbocharge it, and shoehorn it in the front of a passenger car. Sure, with 5 liters and 361 hp under your command, having a wide powerband is nice, and having AWD helps it consistently pull away from the line in a hurry. But its immense weight, combined with the haphazard tuning of the AWD system completely wrecks the handling dynamics and braking by completely overloading the front tires and brakes. They’re an absolute pain to work on, cause you can access nothing, and you can get better features for its high price, including a but not limited to a V8 engine and dual frontal airbags. Not even MAHG’s complicated suspension design can compensate for the sheer lack of composure. On the other hand, they’re among the best-built cars sold here.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
AT-Stellar
"Oh, these things. They just issued a recall for improperly manufactured pistons. But even if we get over that, it’s not a good value for money, even if it has a powerful 341hp 4L V10 that offers good all-around performance. It lacks features that one might expect for this kind of car, such as dual frontal airbags, yet it slathers on things I see as unnecessary, such as hydropneumatic suspension, Michelin TRX tires, and electric power steering. "
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Wells
“They must really be proud of this car to call it the Wells. Well, I think they need to reconsider that thought. First, the engine, while reasonably good, runs a bit too rich for its own good. Second, it’s not entirely the most pleasant car to be in. For example, the brakes are far too grabby yet offer terrible performance, I’m not a fan of its steering system, and it has a suspension that really likes to transmit small bumps to the interior. It’s a good effort, but I know there are much better cars out there.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Kaufmann Gestalt 380
“As always, you can count on the legendary Kaufmann brand to deliver almost the ideal car. The Gestalt 380 ranks among the most competitive cars in its class, featuring a bulletproof, well-engineered combination of sturdiness, performance, and luxury. Even the cost of buying and maintaining it is reasonable. The reason I said almost in the beginning, was that I don’t think the brakes will work at all under your pretty aggressive driving. But it’s still something that you should try for yourself. Also, I would be lying if I said that I was the biggest fan of their new styling.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Quadra Intruder SC2
“A well-engineered, expertly built, and traditional American car on fat tires. Everything, from its 261hp 4.5L V8, well-calibrated transmission and suspension, and good interior appointments is integrated well together to create a compelling package that, at below $40,000, is a cracking value for money.”
Verdict: Moves on.
22 Likes
I agree that the V6 is an unreliable unit but did the export screw up the brakes in some way? When looking at the car now, it has 0% driveability/utility brake fade and 0.9% sportiness, it doesn’t really feel like a disaster to me? 
3 Likes
So the brakes weren’t exactly the “big problem” with your car. But I thought it would be fun if we tied it with the name stuff and all, and they were problematic enough so.
Your engine was the much bigger problem
4 Likes
imo i guess it were more beneficial for me to use a v12? Only if I had hyperutetic? Pistons, it would be less mankier in emissions… tried getting it to the poor mans phantom even though it was barely competitive
2 Likes
Damn that was harder than i thought, didn’t expect getting binned that early
Ig i need more safety for the next time
Yeah, I think brakes are one of my consistent weak points. Back to the drawing board.
wait a min, only 3 cars makes it though the first round?
no, we’re only halfway through the first round
Huh, of all the things that I thought would get me binned, the brakes certainly weren’t one of them. Not entirely sure where the grabby brakes came from but maybe that’s down to me reading the pad type slider wrong 
Wack is certainly right though lmao, looking back at it I somehow managed to make the rear brakes a touch larger than the fronts. Also not totally sure what was wrong with the tyres but y’know, learning experience and all that.
Ah well fair cop, at least it wasn’t an instabin like I thought it’d be!
3 Likes
Even months later, the bin streak continues hell yeah.
Dope write up 
, I appreciate the feedback.
Damn right it’s not necessary, it’s cool, and you deserve it.
4 Likes
These are mostly excerpts from the conversation Jason had with his mechanic, who also works for a TV show that reviews new cars.
CSR142 Part 3
Tier 3 Mechanic’s Rejection bins, part 2
Durendal Verona
“As a more traditional, American take on the V8 luxury sedan question, this is proof that Durendal’s decades-old investments are paying big dividends. It is remarkably well-engineered in most areas, with a powerful 300hp 4.5L V8 engine, AWD, and active suspension giving it a sneakily fast yet easy-to-drive rocket. It features very solid build quality and a good reliability record, and they’re not that painful to keep running. In this segment, they are considered to be on the soft side, with a plush interior, high body roll, a somewhat floaty ride, and an older design of power steering. This might not work out in your favor. Finally, they are unusually prone to corrosion, despite Durendal adopting a galvanizing process for their cars. Maybe that’s one area they haven’t quite been able to master yet, alongside the brakes.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Avion Summit V8
“Meanwhile, on the extreme other end of that spectrum, lies the Avion Summit, which represented a major shift from a comfort oriented cruiser to a ballistic sports sedan much like European grand tourers. With a 4.5L V8 pumping out a best in class 340 hp, it largely mirrors the experience of a muscle car, only with more comfort. Many reviewers have clocked it from 0-62 mph in under 6 seconds, an amazing feat for a 4-door luxury sedan. Even more amazing is that it hides its nearly 4000 lb curb weight well, with tenacious grip, tossable handling, and superlative brakes. However, it takes quite a bit of sacrifices to maintin this level of speed. For example, the ride is very stiff, being outright intolerable for most drivers. It also utilizes the latest high-performance tires, and most people can’t really stomach the cost of replacing 4 of them at a regular interval. And for the price, you would expect dual frontal airbags.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Transitstar Centaur Royal
“Many of these get converted to stretch limos, due to their impressive levels of comfort, mostly from an active suspension and a luxurious, well built interior. A reputable company will also reinforce various components of the car to withstand the additional weight and stress, such as suspension, chassis, and brakes. As a daily commuter, besides being serene, it’s front wheel drive layout sacrifices handling dynamics for overall better security, a tradeoff most will not mind. A 4L 249hp V8 provides enough motivation to pull it through traffic. However, especially considering its weight, the braking system is underengineered for its task. Also parts are surprisingly expensive, even for this class of car.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Valens Emeresis
“Much like the Transit Star before, the Valens Emeresis aims to provide the most relaxing driving experience possible, though it takes a more traditional approach. At its core is a well built, well appointed interior, with hydropneumatic suspension that provides a very cushy ride. Unfortunately, all of these features don’t exactly hold up well in the real world, and they’re very difficult to work on, especially the suspension and the heinously complicated 4L V8 which features 4 cams and 5 valves per cylinder. Also they cheaped out heavily on the body and chassis construction, not bothering to even apply proper corrision protection. That is highly unacceptable for nearly any car, much less a car this pricey.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
IMP 633
“To be honest, I’m not quite sure how they’re positioning it in the market. The only trim that fits in our budget is the base 6 cylinder version with a 6 speed manual, which doesn’t really fit what we’re looking for. Even if you can overlook the price, the poor tuning of the 3.3L inline 6, more spartan appointments relative to the competition, and high service and repair costs, due in part to a hydropneumatic suspension system, aluminum body panels, and sports tires (courtesy of the manual), make it very uncompetitive.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Savatay Redwood
“The Savatay Redwood is an American luxury sedan that can bring the fight to the world’s best, and is surprisingly underrated. A 5.3L V8 provides a prodigious 307 hp, and helps it dart through traffic. Courtesy of very soft suspension tuning, not many bumps are transmitted through the ride, and the interior is a pleasant place to be. Though that floaty ride and terrible brakes are going to make you overlook this one…”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
RCM Regal V8
“This is interesting as it represents one of the largest mainstream manufacturers attempting to move upmarket. Sure, the profits are undeniable, but I can always count on these Canadians to deliver high-value, well equipped, and durable vehicles with good performance. This is no exception, though I feel like there’s much more work to do if they want to take on more established luxury brands. For example, despite a long list of standard features, many competitors surpass it in outright comfort. And the one major contradiction is the semi-trailing arm suspension, which is good on lowering costs and increasing interior space, but provides significantly inferior dynamics compared to an equivalent multilink system. Other vehicles can provide a better value.”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Kura G8
“The Kura G8 mostly delivers on its promise as a high-performance luxury sedan. Unfortunately, it seems as they forgot a ton of other goals, including getting the engine tune right, and developing a proper brake system. Other vehicles with a similarily high level of of build quality, equivalent performance, and higher comfort can do all that for less. Overall, this is one of many competitors that are simply overlooked by failing to stand out…”
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
Bellomont Vista 4.0
"The Bellomost Vista is remarkably similar to the Kura, starting from its high level of road holding (though quite a bit lower than the Kura). Unfortunately, that also means it inherits many of the same faults, including subpar engine tuning and poor brakes. While it is much cheaper than the Kura, that doesn’t make it any better of a value. For example, the unprotected chassis are highly corrosion-prone, which is just a fundamental error. In addition, I’m not exactly a fan of its steering, and the FWD impacts dynamics heavily. "
Verdict: Tier 3 bin.
KPS K10 V8 4.5
“The KPS K10 is a highly capable all-rounder, with a 276 hp 4.5 L V8, high level of interior appointments, and a expertly tuned suspension that balances comfort and drivability well. Unfortunately, this also serves as good proof that in the car market, design often wins the day.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Turból c400 4.3
“Much like RCM, Turbol knows that the higher profit margins of the premium market are irrestistable, and that they have the resources to pull it off. Fortunately for them, Turbol’s engineering team have delivered big time with the new c400, throwing the best of what they have to offer. A 269hp 4.3L V8 and AWD provide good all-weather abilities. The ride, while stiffer than some of the competition, still manages to provide a good level of driver confidence and comfort. Turbol’s penchant for reliability has not been compromised in the process. One major demeritis is that the fuel economy ratings are much worse than the competition.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Somervell Spear XPS
“The Somervell Spear represents a truly exemplaray first effort from a company not entirely known in this segment. Effortless power is provided by the time-tested 306hp 5.4L V8, which is backed up by secure driving behavior courtesy of 4-wheel independent suspension. The interior is the best parent company Arlington has produced ever. I think you will like it.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Vogel SE4
“Ah, the Vogel SE4, the darling of villains everywhere. I’m sure you’ve seen more than a fair share of them in the movies. It’s bold, assertive styling gives it proper presence, and a dash of class to go along with it. Backing it up is a velvety smooth 300 hp 6L V12 and AWD, providing more than enough means for you to assert dominance over the pesky motorists around you, especially considering the very secure handling. Meanwhile, you’ll be accomodated by a well built interior with all the features you could ask for. All at an uncanny low price. And much like the Shijiazhuang, servicing and repairs aren’t as expensive as you might think.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Voltari Halcyon Executive 2.9t AWD
“Swedes tend to be very forward looking, and this is no exception. In the future, where sustainability will be much more prioritized and consumer expectations remaining high, Voltari will be well positioned, Take for example, the expertly designed 2.9L turbocharged inline 6. It provides a healthy 273 hp and consistent torque throughout the who rev range. This means that even in low revs, you will scoot along just fine, helping to maintain efficiency, while still maintaining high RPM power. The rounded styling also offers a glimpse of our car market a few years ahead. Still, if you can get over these unfamiliraties, it’s still a comfortable, easy to drive tourer. The one thing, however, that tends to be impacted is reliability.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Shijiazhuang L1 Executive
“After many failed attempts are breaking into the US market, it seems as though Shijiazhuang has hit their first home run, with the L1 Executive. Offering a generous list of standard features, including an increadibly smooth 292hp 5.2L V12, a well built and accomodating interior, and handsome Japanese design, we can only see if they will win many converts. Helping them a lot is their extensive dealer and servicing network, which means that parts have not been very expensive to procure.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Authlen A780
“The standard of its class, the Authlen A780 doesn’t hesitate to compel you with its 4L 262hp V8, engaging yet secure handling, and a composed ride that smooths out bumps well. All of this while undercutting nearly all of its competitors price-wise, with style and class. I don’t think I need to say anything more about it.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Hakaru Saren Super Royale AD4
“This years update brings the Hakaru Saren into the modern world. First of all, a fully modern 4L 280 hp V8 replaces the previous unit, which was at least 25 years past its sell-by date, and AWD is now available. New gadgets have been added to the already well appointed interior, and the ride has been stiffined up very slightly to improve handling security. Even then, the price has not risen that much, and thus it remains an excellent value. Both quality and expected reliability remain high.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Marksman 95’ ETB - A [ G2 ]
“An interesting Japanese-Australian collab of a frankenstein car, the Marksman ETB - A, made in collaboration with Suisei, shows what the Australians can really make, an advanced, high quality, durable, and world-class executive sedan that will not break your budget (in both purchasing and running it). Straight from the parts bin is the long-serving 4.0L DOHC 24 valve inline 6, providing a competitive 271 hp, beating many of its competitors in both efficiency and performance. They are surprisingly easy to work on, partly due to the space in the engine bay. While the list of standard features isn’t as long as most competitors, they have managed to more than enough compensate with balanced, god-like suspension tuning, helped by that smooth engine. This is all backed up by muscular, if somewhat bloated styling that oozes class, all at a very affordable purchase price.”
Verdict: Moves on.
Hinode Lucent
“As one of the pioneers of modern Japanese luxury cars in the US market, the Hinode Lucent has left its mark in automotive history. This year brings its last update, as it is slated to be replaced next year. The all aluminum DOHC 32 valve 4.5L V8 has received a bump to 283 hp, and is now mated to a 5 speed automatic (like many of its competitors), This combination provides strong all around performance. An update I’m not sure about is the air suspension, which I feel is unnecesary, given the already high standard of comfort from its well tuned suspension and luxurious interior. Despite having phenominal build quality, overall reliability remains poor. Still, with its handsome, if slightly downmarket styling, and all encompassing engineering prowess, I think it is hard to resist.”
Verdict: Moves on.
The following have moved on to Tier 2: @abg7, @conan, @donutsnail, @ARM_Tune, @Texaslav, @Kyorg, @vero94773, @ldub0775, @Xepy, @EnCR, @Executive and @Ryan93, @Falling_Comet and @That-S-cop, and @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T
18 Likes
The following is an excerpt from a notebook Jason has written in after looking at the candidate cars.
(This may be somewhat OOC)
These bins will be classified into two classes: ugliness and suitability.
CSR142 Part 4
Tier 2 Personal Styling-Based Rejection bins
THE FOLLOWING CARS LISTED BELOW WILL NOT MOVE ON
KPS K10 V8 4.5
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Severe lack of design direction, even if there is some cohesion. Many fixtures, in particular the exhausts and front light/vent arrangement, are ill-proportioned.
Frogeye Scorpio 24V
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Lack of front vent to break up the seat of “smoothness” was very off-putting, and there is an overall lack of cohesion on the rear and between the front and rear, as circles and straight edges literally fight each other.
Turból c400 4.3
Class: Suitability
Issue: While very handsome, looks somewhat downmarket than intended and is overly sporty (not upright enough?). (Think Dodge Stealth, were we considering them?)
Quadra Intruder SC2
Class: Suitability
Issue: Far, far too aggressive, or muscular as a design, you could say that it’s too “blacked out” and not classy enough. Also front grill had this weird solid insert.
Somervell Spear XPS
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Very awkward, limo-like proportions, too “American,” too lardy. C pillar is incredibly upright/vertical.
Vogel SE4
Class: Ugliness
Issue: This was a major shame, as the rear was perhaps my favorite of this whole competition. However, the front completely ruins the general look of the car. First, I’m not quite sure what they were thinking when they were modeling the headlights. Second, the boxy front conflicts heavily with the rounded rear. (This is an issue the Marksman and Voltari manage to overcome)
Shijiazhuang L1 Executive
Class: Suitability
Issue: The use of plastic cladding really cheapened the feel of the car. Out-of-place spoiler also makes it less elegant of a design.
Kaufmann Gestalt 380
Class: Ugliness
Issue: Too bulbous, not “lean and mean” enough. Most obvious in the rear third of the side profile. Overall dimensions suggest that it is too “stubby.”
The following have moved on to Tier 1 finals: @vero94773, @EnCR, @Executive and @Ryan93, @Falling_Comet and @That-S-cop, and @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T
11 Likes
Ho damn, all that progression only to get killed for having a formal roof. In fact, I think all the best-looking cars were nixed in this aesthetics round - but that’s just personal opinion mixed with salt, so I’ll leave it there. Welp, good luck to the finalists!
2 Likes