Tag Archives | Hybrid

…McDonald’s makes a McGangBang?

McGangBang

In-N-Out’s Secret Menu is about as secret as Area 51, but if you think that fast food innovation has ceased as a result, then prepare to be amazed, because I introduce to you: The McGangBang.

Now I’m sure some of you are scratching your head and wondering why you haven’t seen the McGangBang on the menu at your local McDonald’s recently, but worry not, because the McGangBang isn’t a sanctioned menu item. (Yet.)

Instead, it’s the clever creation of a very hungry (and probably stoned) McDonald’s customer that needed a cheap meal with a lot of flavor.

To create a McGangBang, simply order a McChicken and a Double Cheeseburger (both are on the Dollar Menu) and then take the McChicken sandwich and shove it between the patties of the Double Cheeseburger. The result is a chicken/beef hybrid that has cheese, crunch, and enough calories to fill you for the day, and it only costs $2.16.

Unsurprisingly, you may need to explain exactly what you’re trying to order if you want the McDonald’s employees to do the assembly for you, but apparently it’s become popular enough that at some locations that workers won’t even bat an eyelash when you slowly pronounce “McGangBang” into the drive-through window.

If you’d like to learn a little more history about this sandwich of sandwiches, then head on over to Eat Me Daily, where they’ve done their best to document the entire history of the tasty treat, including the first mention of the creation, the first successful order of the McGangBang at the drive-through, the first YouTube video of a McGangBang order, and more.

Just don’t forget to use protection. (And ketchup.)

[Eat Me Daily - The McGangBang]

[Photo Via: Kashlen]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: Hot Rod Hybrid?

Hot Rod Hybrid

Hybrids don’t often bring to mind killer performance numbers (outside of MPGs of course) or awesome track times, but when Braille Batteries set out to show the world what its products could do, they created a Nissan Altima Hybrid that defies expectations.

Their “Hot Rod Hybrid” as it’s called is designed to race in the newly formed hybrid/electric class in the Red Line Time Attack series as well as the Cannonball Run and One Lap of America races in 2009.

Hot Rod Hybrid Detail

Featuring an E85-powered, 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that uses an electric supercharger combined with an electric motor to reach a total output of 440 horses, this car is no slouch, and according to Braille, it’ll do the quarter in 12.9 seconds at 109 MPH.

Additional details include a race-style interior with “no-waste” ECO racing seats from Sparco, carbon fiber goodies all around including the still in the concept stage carbon fiber Braille battery that powers the beast, a 6-point cage, BC Racing coil over suspension, Wilwood brakes, an eco-focused paint scheme, Power Film flexible solar panels, energy conserving Yokohama tires, a Stillen body kit, and most important of all, leaf shaped exhaust tips.

Who said hybrids couldn’t be horsepower machines?

[Via: Autopia]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: RENNtech Pikes Peak Rally Racer GLK?

RENNtech Pikes Peak Rally Racer

Every year, SEMA serves as the debut for some of the most outrageous cars and stunning concepts from tuners around the world, and this year, Mercedes-Benz decided to get in on the action with the debut of their new GLK.

One of those GLKs that stormed the SEMA show is this Pikes Peak Rally Racer from RENNtech, and with its inspiration coming from the winged, unlimited-class rally cars of the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb, it’s no surprise that the styling needed to be kicked up a few notches.

However, beneath the menacing exterior lies a powertrain that might surprise a few people: a hybrid, designed to make the GLK a formidable performer while at work and at play.

By combining an electric motor in parallel with the 3.5 liter V6 petrol engine, RENNtech has been able to capture the impressive torque that characterizes electric motor drives, adding 54 Nm to enhance the GLK’s performance off-the-line and out of corners.

In addition, internal combustion engines can start to wheeze as the ambient air thins at the higher altitudes that a hill climb takes place in, but with a hybrid drive, thrust is maintained at any altitude with help from the electric motor, allowing the GLK to remain strong during every part of the race.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine that comes stock in the GLK received a special intake manifold, cams and cylinder heads directly from MB, and then RENNtech added their own long-tube headers, composite air intake, and RENNtech ECU software to make the engine put out approximately 350 horsepower on gas power alone.

RENNtech Pikes Peak Rally Racer Detail

To help with speed, RENNtech cut weight by removing most of the sound insulation and replacing the Mercedes-Benz seats with lightweight carbon-fiber buckets. With the addition of a full roll cage and the movement of several components towards the rear of the GLK, weight distribution almost reached the perfect 50/50, which helps handling on tight, demanding rally stages.

Custom coil-over suspension was created by KW for RENNtech, allowing for adjustments in height, rake, damping rate, camber and toe-in, and 412mm, 2-piece rotors with 8-piston callipers from RENNtech handle stopping power in the front, while 4-pot callipers grab 356mm discs in the rear.

Not so subtle exterior modifications include a front splitter, rear diffuser, and lower side skirts all designed to help direct airflow underneath the GLK to reduce drag and produce added downforce, while improving high speed stability at the rear. The rear wing elements also serve an important aerodynamic purpose, and flared wheel arches and other bodyshell modifications “create a powerful side line that highlights the dynamic thrust of the Rally Racer”.

It’s definitely not the subtlest Mercedes-Benz on the road, but if you want cutting edge, rally ready technology that’s designed to get you where you want to go at a very high rate of speed, then look no further than the RENNtech Pikes Peak Rally Racer.

[RENNtech]

[Via: Serious Wheels]

…The Bridge and The King of Kong are fantastic documentaries?

I watched two fantastic (and fantastically different) documentaries this weekend, so I’ve decided to make this post a hybrid review of both.

The BridgeFirst, there was The Bridge, a morbid (and controversial) yet fascinating look at those that decide to end their lives by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge.

For a year, director Eric Steel aimed his cameras at the majestic and iconic bridge, capturing nearly two-dozen suicides and an equally high number of prevented or failed attempts. Switching between long, beautiful shots of the bridge and close, almost biographical shots of those teetering on the edge of life, it juxtaposes the two sides of the bridge perfectly, and you find yourself engulfed by a landmark with a personality all its own.

The Bridge also features interviews with the friends, family, and loved ones of each jumper, and attempts to explain the story and the history of those featured. You slowly begin to understand a little bit of what each person was going through, and you can see their affect on those around them.

And then they jump.

If the thought of watching someone end his or her life in front of an unknown eye disturbs you, then this film is definitely not for you; but if you’re interested in trying to understand what someone goes through at the lowest of lows, then I can’t think of a better way to do it.

King Of Kong: A Fistful Of QuartersSecond, there was King of King: A Fistful of Quarters, a humorous and touching look at those that have decided to dedicate a part of their lives to becoming the best in the world at their classic video game of choice.

The two “stars” are the perfect poster children for a hobby that only a select few find excitement in. Steve Wiebe, the family man who sits in his garage and games away while his family stands by and supports his quest, goes against Billy Mitchell, the long haired hot sauce salesman who has held the title for over twenty years, yet struggles to live up to the crown that he has placed upon his own head.

Though a film about video game records doesn’t exactly sound like an attention grabber, this film manages to capture the heart and soul of each gamer through interviews and over the shoulders in a way that draws you in and makes you a part of the action. You feel for the two men and their quest (along with the handful of supporting characters), and you begin to understand how these games can become a symbol of something more than just the record.

[The Bridge]

[King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters]

[Rotten Tomatoes - The Bridge]

[Rotten Tomatoes - King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: Fisker Karma?

Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive wants to bring the sexy back to green sport car design.

With Tesla taking a sad and slow turn towards the automotive afterlife, there’s now a gaping hole in the car world for people who want to drive green, but don’t want to drive slow to do so.

Enter: Fisker

The Karma (clever) will be a four-door plug-in hybrid sports sedan, and will start at just $80,000. (I say just because technology like this doesn’t come cheap when you’re trying to debut a whole new type of transportation.)

With initial delivery scheduled for late 2009, and an estimated production run of at least 15,000, there’s definitely some hope of this thing seeing the light of day.

And if it does, what will drivers see?

Fisker Karma Interior

A sexy exterior wrapped around an even sexier interior powered by a Q DRIVE powertrain. (Q DRIVE is Fisker’s name for their plug-in hybrid technology.) Basically, a small gas engine turns a generator which charges the lithium ion battery pack which then powers the electric motor.

With this configuration, the car can be driven for up to 50 miles per day, as long as the car is then plugged in each night. By following this routine, the car then also only needs one fuel fill-up. Per year.

Will this change the face of green automotive design?

As with the Tesla, only time will tell; though I do hope that this one at least makes it into production, since we’re at going to need baby steps if there’s ever going to be hope of running towards a cleaner type of automobile.

[Fisker Automotive]

[Via: Serious Wheels]

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