TMCC33 - The PM Lives On!

Previous round

Tokyo, Japan

The year is 2023. For decades, the country has been grappling with an ever-worsening demographic crisis. Fewer and fewer people are born each year, while more and more are getting old and dying. If this trend continues, bad things are bound to happen to the economy and the people that depend on it.

As such, the Japanese government has been finding ways to encourage its population to settle down a little and prevent a demographic meltdown from occuring. They have tried subsidized daycare programmes, generous paternal leave, and cash grants given for having children. While it may take some time for these efforts to bear any fruit, the Japanese government has yet another weapon up their sleeve. One that should hopefully open the eyes of the public to the joys of family life.

And that “weapon” is…










TMCC36 - The PM Lives On!


Go Go Drive! (Japanese: ゴ・ゴ・ドライブ!) is an automotive video magazine founded in 1984. The program is focused on car reviews and consumer advice, along with vehicle maintenance, coverage of automotive events, and the beloved races around Tsukuba Circuit which form a part of the car reviews. Go Go Drive! is produced by Open Media Corp. and is distributed solely on YouTube because nobody buys DVDs or tapes anymore.

This time, in partnership with the Japanese government, Go Go Drive! has decided to gather and review 7-seater luxury vehicles in order to show its viewers the joys and prestige of family life for a segment in their Children’s Day Special, which is due to be released in April 2024. Anything goes here, from SUVs to MPVs and even wagons, as long as it can acommodate 7 people in comfort. Cars will be judged based on its ability as a family car, as well as its abilities as a luxury vehicle. After all, a big, happy family needs a big, happy (and comfortable and reliable) car to move around in!


Inspirations


SUV

BMW X7

BMW X5

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Audi Q7

Toyota Land Cruiser

Mazda CX-90

Range Rover

Cadillac Escalade

Lincoln Navigator

Volvo XC90

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Infiniti QX60

Acura MDX


MPV

Toyota Alphard

Toyota Vellfire

Lexus LM

Nissan Elgrand

Kia Carnival

Buick GL8 Century

Volkswagen Viloran

Hongqi H9

Trumpchi E8

Denza D9

Wey Gaoshan


Discontinued/ineligible/slightly out of scope but worth looking at

Honda Odyssey

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Toyota Granvia

Lexus RX

Honda Elysion Prestige

Toyota Estima


Rules

Techpool

  • Minimum starting TP: +6 in all categories (0 in aspiration for naturally espirated engines)
  • Total TP cost: $180M

Main Rules

  • Model/Family year: ≤2020
  • Trim/Variant year: 2020
  • Body: MPV, SUV or wagon
  • Max price: $45,000
  • Interior: Must have 7 seats, with “+” sized third row seats
  • Tyre width must end in 5 (e.g. 195)
  • Minimum emissions requirement: WES11
  • Engine must have a catalytic converter and at least one muffler
  • Fuel: unleaded 95 RON
  • Interior: not required but highly encouraged (it will be showcased in the final reviews)
  • Advanced trim settings: Free, as long as the adjustments are reasonable.
  • An ad is required to be posted in this thread

Naming Convention

  • Model/family name: TMCC33 - (your forum username)
  • Trim name: name of your car
  • Variant name: name of your engine

Priorities

:star::star::star:

Design/Looks/Prestige

Luxury vehicle buyers want their vehicles to represent superior craftmanship, advanced technology, and unparalleled quality. They want their vehicles to project their presence onto the road and give them a driving/ownership experience that far surpasses that of inferior cars. Of course, those words mean different things to different and as the Children’s Day special is expected to be shown to a very wide audience, there is no single correct formula for the ultimate luxury, family-hauling 7-seater.

The exterior and interior (if applicable) design should therefore reflect the needs and desires of the expected target demographic.

The prestige stat won’t be judged heavily here, but having a cylinder or two more than your competitors could serve as a bragging right for potential owners.

Realism

If you are unsure about your engineering choices, do some research or ask around for some advice. Otherwise, unrealistic engineering choices will be binned or heavily penalized as usual.

Drivability and Performance

0-100km/h times are not important for these cars. Owners of these vehicles want a car than can not only keep up with traffic, but also take them up to highway speeds with relative ease and comfort.

The drivability stat will be important for this, as well as some performance metrics.

Comfort

Customers are paying top dollar for these cars so they expect the car to feel good inside and out. Interior volume will also be used to measure comfort in addition to the comfort stat.

Safety

Don’t pull a Daihatsu on us.

:star::star:

Reliability

As it will be used for as a family’s primary mode of transportation, the car needs to consistently start and run without any issues for as long as possible.

Practicality

Again, as a family’s primary mode of transport (especially in rural or suburban areas), the car needs to hold all the people the family expects to ferry and carry all the goods the family is expected to carry, with room for more for certain situations like road trips.

Fuel Economy

Fuel costs are quite high these days, so even families with deep pockets may be conscious about how much time and money they spend at the pump.

Value for Money

As with all products, there needs to be a balance between cost and features, especially since brand loyalty does not exist in the Automationverse and companies cannot get away with selling crap to consumers as easily.

:star:

Service costs

The lower the cost, the better

Offroad


Submissions

  • Submissions will open on Wednesday, 22nd February at 0.00 UTC+8. The rules will be open to deliberation and subject to change until then.

  • Submissions will close on Sunday, 20th March at 23.59 UTC+8.

  • Please submit your car file to me via DMs and post an ad in the thread, otherwise your entry will not be considered. Resubmissions will not be allowed.


Changelog

  • Reshuffled the priority list
14 Likes

Is this a typo or intentional? Since most of the inspiration SUVs have 2/3/+2 seating

Cars like the Alphard are 2/2/+3

Will anyone object to a 7-seat arrangement in which all seats are full-sized (either 2/3/2 or 2/2/3)? Especially since a full-sized seat row is always more comfortable than a reduced-size one.

Also, what about 8-seater (2/3/3) or even 9-seater (3/3/3) configurations? Are either of those allowed as well?

Yeah this is a typo, most of the inspiration SUVs do indeed have 2/3/+2 seating, while the MPVs have 2/2/+3 seating. I will still mandate 7 seats total, but the third row seats need to be “+” sized

what about aspiration techpool for naturally aspirated engines?

Aspiration techpool for NA engines should be 0, I’ll update the rules to reflect that

1 Like

i can’t guarantee it’ll be the best design but if anyone wants to engineer something then let me know as I’m not completely tied up with doing cool wall for a while yet

I would gladly try to engineer your design.

2 Likes

Aight so I’ve reshuffled the priorities a little and since there have been no further questions about the rules, the round will open in 24 hours. The rules and priorities will still be open to change until then.

If you have any questions, please ask me here or in the automation server or DM or whatever before it’s too late

2024 Menschen Sahara SV6



Once part of the original SUV boom, a proper off-roader, and Menschen’s first entry into the segment, the Sahara has now evolved into a luxurious family hauler, though it still retains the look and spirit of the original desert blaster. In SV6 trim, it sports a 3.4 litre naturally-aspirated V6, producing 290 horsepower. Said power is sent through a 7 speed automatic gearbox and a smart AWD system, ensuring grip, acceleration and stability in all conditions. For ultimate comfort and drivability, there is an air suspension system with variable springrates, dampers and active anti-roll bars. It’s no slouch either, as it does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds, going all the way to an electronically-limited 260 km/h. Where it now shines is the interior, which offers incredible comfort and versatility. It has heated and cooled seats shod in high-quality Napa leather, a sliding and reclining second row with a removeable middle seat and a third row which can be folded away or removed entirely. The interior is rounded off by two massive digital displays and a high-fidelity 3D audio system with 25 speakers.




15 Likes

Ello,

Are we allowed to have any negative quality sliders?

For example -1 traction aids?

Using negative quality is fine but don’t go overboard with it. With the current maximum price and techpool budget though, there should be a lot of room for you to use positive quality on your car

With over 400lb-ft of torque, you WILL be moved

Escapade, from Allure








1 Like

Shenhua Kukri




Updated for 2024
Completely redesigned inline 6 engine now offers an improved, wider power band producing 500 Nm at 1400-4800 rpm along with 357 ps. The new engine now paired with an updated 8-speed automatic transmission offers smoother ride and improved fuel economy. Interior has been updated with new leather seats, faster operating touch screen infotainment system and entertainment screens for all rear seats.


New-for-2024 active Glidair-suspension system ensures the car does what the driver wants, regardless of road surface. Standard all-season tires offer peace of mind on longer trips and variable weather conditions.
[if anyone wants to teach me or knows a good guide for how to do the drop down menus and cool posts and shi please tell me I’m all for it]

6 Likes

THIS FEELS LIKE A PICNIC

DUWANG KOMMANDO 3.0 AWD


Elegance

SEA OF STARS

The air was cold, and the electricity was out, and the staffs at Duwang Aulto Company (DAC) Shenzhen were locked in the building due to the biometrics recognition system being out. Nevertheless, they stayed warm and spirited by staying close to each other, staring at nothing but the stars. Eventually some start talking, bantering, laughing together. New bonds were made, old bonds strengthened. It was truly magical. They feel the need to carve the stars that brought them closer, and no place was better for it than a vehicle fitting for trips with family and friends. This design can be found throughout the Kommando, inside and out.

A FRIEND IN ME

Driving can be a chore sometimes. The Kommando is fitted with driving assists that helps the driver with daily struggles on the road. Among them are anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, hill-start assist, auto-headlamp and hi-beam, driver monitor system (DMS), adaptive cruise control, hands-free driving, lane keeping assist, collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. To help with this function, it’s equipped with cameras with 360 degrees coverage, radars, and LIDAR.

Comfort

A TASTE OF BEING KINGS

The seats inside the Kommando are all leather, heated and ventilated, and electronically adjustable, with manually-adjustable headrests. Paddings are lined with leather and soft cloth, with ambient lighting adopting the starry pattern like the outside of the car. Two electronically operated sunroofs are installed on top to add to the wonders of every journey. If privacy is preferred, however, the 2nd and 3rd row windows are equipped with blinders. A surround sound system is also present beneath ambient lights and on every corner, with a total of 10 speakers. A voice-activated assistant can help organize functions in the car, from opening windows, calling a relative, setting routes, to activating hands-free driving, and even just chatting and cracking jokes.

COMMANDING COCKPIT

The Kommando’s front row, though reserved for the driver, treats its occupants like royalty nonetheless. Both driver and front-row passenger gets massaging chairs with leg rests. The ambient-lit plastic surface in front can be used as a table to work or simply put your belongings on. The lower center storage is equipped with wireless charging, and so is the cupboard. Climate control can be controlled separately for each side. Parking brake is electronic, and completed with a brake hold assist. Two cup holders and a storage chamber sit in the center, both can be cooled and heated.

A rather large screen is mounted in the center, serving as the main interface for the vehicle’s entertainment and other functions, including AM/FM radio, satellite navigation, voice and video calls, movie streaming, video streaming, and, as displayed, karaoke mode. It also supports wireless phone connectivity and screen sharing, and with enough patience, support for gaming consoles. Another screen serves as a digital meter cluster to the driver. Behind the sunroof switches up top is another switch to dial a nearby technician on duty in case of emergency. Also present is a head-up display, just because.

THE MAIN THRONE ROOM

The Kommando’s second row is the main star of the show. Sat behind gates of electronic sliding doors are two pilot seats with massagers and leg rests, which also supports the fatigue-less “zero-gravity mode.” From these seats, you can also control the second row doors, windows, blinders, heater/cooler for the cup holders on each side and climate control for each side. The interface is the little touch screen on the center arm rests, however buttons also exist for some functions.

The second row also gets USB charging ports and a wireless charging pocket behind under the AC, as well as a folding table inside the center armrests. Above the second row is a wide LCD screen to extend the fun all the way to the third row. Also above the second row is a built-in Wi-Fi router, configurable via first and second row touch screens.

UTILITY, COMFORTABLY

The third row seats are still equipped with leg rests, though it doesn’t have massagers. There are, however, still USB charging ports. If not needed, the Kommando’s third row seats can be folded flat for a considerable cargo space.

Performance

REPRESENTING

As the top trim lever of the model, the Kommando 3.0 AWD is endowed with some of DAC’s mightiest weapons. The naturally aspirated 3L V6 produces 300 horsepowers, which isn’t all that impressive, but coupled with an 8-speed advanced automatic with manual mode, limited slip, and an all-wheel drive system, the Kommando zips through business meetings and family trips quite effortlessly. Its active suspensions are configured to prioritize comfort, though it can adapt if needed. Its mufflers help it stay quiet and respectful among respected individuals. Of course, these all depend on the selected drive modes and enabled driving assists.


Gallery


by Duwang Auto Company (DAC)


24 Likes
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum…

2020 Mara Rodyna 4.0 KE7 4Trak

The Mara Rodyna was a large MPV built on the fourth generation Kavaler platform (which was now transverse FWD by default with AWD options available).





The Komfort Extra trim was the top trim and the Rodyna could be ordered with five, six and seven seats. Thanks to the shared platform with the Kavaler, the Rodyna was also available with an AWD V8 option and thus the 4.0 KE version was the ultimate Rodyna with a mildly tuned but still quite powerful 4 litre V8.

4 Likes

ONE WEEK LEFT

I know the deadline on the original post says 17th March, but the countdown timer says 20th March so let’s just go with that deadline instead. I will edit the OP to reflect this change.

Countdown Timer

If you need more time, just lmk and I might consider an extension

3 Likes

2023 Voltari Spår Executive RS-Line 3.2T

Lore

First revealed in 2020, the third generation Spår sees a heavy mid-cycle refresh, bringing it line with other Voltari models across the lineup, and adding minor mechanical changes to improve drivability, performance and comfort. The model shown here is a global specification Executive trim with the RS-Line Exterior package, which adds larger 23-inch wheels, Piano Black cladding and trim, a different grille pattern, a sportier rear diffuser and quad exhausts. Executive trim Spårs come very well equipped, with 6-position cockpit-adjustable air springs and magnetorheological dampers, Active Matrix LED head and taillights, a power liftgate with gesture control, intrusion detection and the ability to hold its position, power folding third row seats (on 5 + 2 models, like the car shown here), 18-way adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, heated and ventilated second row outboard seats, 3 person memory and massage on the front seats, a heated steering wheel, four-zone automatic climate control, a cabin atomizer, a digital rearview mirror with Homelink integration and an integrated compass, a surround-view camera system with guidance lines, a 12.3 inch reconfigurable OLED digital gauge cluster, a 15-inch OLED center display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, front and rear automatic emergency braking, Voltari ActiveCruise LIDAR-based adaptive cruise control, front and rear ultrasonic parking sensors, blind spot monitoring with active lane drift warning and assist, automatic lane recentering, Intelligent Access with walk-away lock/unlock, phone-as-a-key with ultrawideband support, and more. The Spår is powered by a multitude of available powertrains, but the standard option on Executive trim models is our 3.2L direct-injected and turbocharged inline-6, producing 382 horsepower and 460lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic, routing power to all four wheels via our advanced torque-vectoring AWD and an active electronically controlled limited slip differential. As shown, this Spår Executive RS-Line is painted in Cacti Green Metallic, with our Ivory and Copper Ash Wood interior with the 5 + 2 seating package, and carries an MSRP of $44,500.


Gallery


Specifications

2023 Voltari Spår Executive RS-Line 3.2T

Base Price/Price As Tested;
$44,500/$44,500

Final Assembly;
Assembled at Voltari Uppsala Technical Plant, Uppsala, Sweden

Body Style;
Front engine, all-wheel drive, 7-passenger, 5-door SUV

Engine;

Voltari VM-series - VM32TiR1 High Output (Global Specification)

Longitudinally-mounted, single turbocharged 3.2L/3197cc inline-6
AlSi block and heads, forged internals
Direct and port fuel injection with Voltari VEMS 7.0 Engine Control Unit
Chain and belt-driven dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, single standard medium-allowance air intake
9.0:1 compression ratio
382 horsepower at 5,500 RPM
460lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM
6,000 RPM redline
Quad-exit exhaust with a 3-way catalytic converter, pre-catalyst and dual reverse flow mufflers
95 RON/91 AKI unleaded gasoline required

Drivetrain;
8-speed automatic with a manual shifting mode
3.82:1 final drive ratio
All-wheel drive with an electronically controlled limited slip differential

Dimensions;
2.85 meter wheelbase
4.93 meter overall length
2.12 meter overall width
345.8 millimeters of ground clearance
0.241 Cd drag coefficient
61% front, 39% rear weight distribution
4,632 pound curb weight

Chassis/Body;
Unitary high-strength steel monocoque with isolated subframes
Stamped aluminum and steel body panels

Suspension;
Front independent 4-link, 6-position cockpit-adjustable air springs, 6-positon cockpit-adjustable dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear independent 5-link, 6-position cockpit-adjustable air springs, 6-positon cockpit-adjustable dampers, anti-roll bar

Steering;
Electrically assisted variable ratio rack and pinion steering

Brakes;
Hydraulic with anti-lock control
400mm front ventilated disc brakes with 2 piston rotors
255mm rear ventilated disc brakes with 1 piston rotors

Wheels;
23-inch cast aluminum alloy wheels
P275/45R23 111Z front and rear tires
36psi front and rear

Performance;
0 to 62 MPH in 4.7 seconds
155 MPH top speed (electronically limited)
13.16 second standing 1/4 mile drag test
62-0 MPH in 44.9 meters
0.802g on a 20m cornering test, 0.777g on a 200m cornering test
Fully defeatable traction and stability control
22 MPG city/28 MPG highway/25 MPG combined

17 Likes
no

Kaizen%20logo%20for%20ad%20japanese

Always guiding you to a better future

2023 Kaizen Guide

27

Introduction and some specifications

The Guide has always served as Kaizen’s entry in the MPV segment and has always been oriented towards the Asian markets. It has a reputation for being one of the sportiest models in its segment.

The current generation, introduced in 2020, is built off the same platform as the Class SM mid-size luxury SUV, and thus inherits its longitudinal engine, rear-wheel drive architecture.

Current options include a 270hp 2.0L inline 4 and a 380hp 3.0L inline 6. Both are turbocharged and are exclusively paired with a ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Real-wheel drive is standard on all four cylinder models, and all-wheel drive is available with all powertrain combinations (and is standard on all six cylinder models).

VEHICLE TYPE
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door van
PRICE
$45,000
ENGINE TYPE
Typhoon 20B2R0
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve I4, ALSI block and head, direct fuel injection, 90 AKI
Displacement
2.0L, 1998cc
Power
268 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
290 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
PERFORMANCE
Zero to 62 mph: 6.8 sec
Top speed: 155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined: 32 US mpg

Additional photos

13 Likes