imported_ViZion
06-07-2007, 10:07
We Test The 2008 Tamuzin Automotive Works, International Cuixtli!
The Car That's Putting TAW On The Map
By: John Kyte
The Cuixtli - known outside the Aztec National League as the Spectre - is the car putting this little known company on the map world wide. A country not known for its automobiles, we were suprised to get a call from this company - one that isn't known by many outside the ANL - asking if we would take one of their cars for some testing and a review. And so it began.
Might we add, there's much in common between TAW and ourselves at Auto Monthly. This, too, is our first venture into international territory. While among the biggest automotive publications in ViZion, are a little known publication outside of our home nation. But, alas, that's about as far as our connections go. Well, aside from that little fact that we're reviewing their car.
So, onward to the testing field! This light, fairly small car - it's just 164 inches in length - is quite a blast to drive. We took delivery of both the twin turbo and hybrid system. While both handle very similary - the hybrid feeling the added 300 pounds of weight, regrettable - they are quite different in the way they dance with your right foot.
Looking for that immediate punch off the line or to power through a corner much like a V8? Hybrid would be your clear choice. However, if you live your life above 5K RPM, the twin turbo is your choice by-and-large. The rev-happy Wankel rotory is only more so with the twin turbo setup, pumping out 300 horsepower at a very high 7800 RPM, with 90% or more being put out between 5000 and 8000 RPM, nearing its 8200 RPM. And the sound of a screaming Wankel at 8000 RPM powering down the freeway at 140 MPH in 6th gear is simply amazing!
However, the hybrid is no slouch. While lacking in comparison to its turboed brether in the high-end power, this hybrid system does what the twin turbo only dreams about - immediate response off the line and out of the corners. Looking for a nice drag race? This is your baby all the way, putting out a tire-scotching 300 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 RPM, with 90% of that coming in as low as 2000 RPM!
Speaking of that, the hybrid system did run the quicker 0-60 and 1/4 mile - for the first three runs. However, after the first three runs, the hybrid battery was drained enough to the point it simply could not put out the power needed to beat out the turbo version. And on the road course, it took only one large course to wear it down to the point it just could not come close to the turbo in the second lap. The hybrid would benefit dearly from a more powerful battery and quicker regeneration. However, the hybrid does offer slightly improved economy around town - a great benefit in some countries where gas prices could feed a family of a bakers dozen for a week.
And for that 450 watt, 8 speaker sound system, we pitty it. We doubt it will get used often, as this car has its own amazing - and exotic sounding - sound system coming from underhood as well as two three-inch speakers outback. That is particularly true of the twin-turbo version.
Around town, the ride is firm, not jarring. And the seats, while very extremely supportive, are still comfortable for longer trips. However, engine noise is a bit on the excessive side for some people looking for a nice, quiet sunday cruise, particarly on the freeway, where the engine is revving at 3500 RPM at 80 MPH due to the gear ratios being oriented for performance over fuel economy.
This car, with its sleek design, does get plenty of looks, and cuts through the wind with a low .30 drag coefficient. That's better than a Ferrarri F430 and Lamborghini Murcielago's .33! It's like a hot butchers knife through butter!
All-in-all, including the hybrid fiasco that TAW must address if they wish to have much success with it, this is a completely satisfying vehicle that truly does put TAW on the map internationally. This vehicle, simply put, is the finest car we have seen come out of the ANL. [ED: That being... one car] And, among the best the world has seen. This is undoubtably the best Wankel powered vehicle to date, ANYWHERE. Congratulations, TAW, for you are now on the map.
Track Numbers:
0-60 MPH: 4.7 seconds (hybrid); 4.9 seconds (Twin Turbo)
1/4 mile: 13 seconds (hybrid); 13.1 seconds (Twin Turbo)
Top Speed: 146 MPH (hybrid); 149 MPH (Twin Turbo)
Slalom: 71.1 MPH (hybrid); 71.9 MPH (Twin Turbo)
Skid Pad: 1.00g (hybrid); 1.04g (Twin Turbo)
Technical:
Engine: 2-Rotor Wankel OR 2-Rotor Hybrid Wankel
Aspiration: Twin Turbo (Hybrid version is N/A)
Power: 300 horse power @ 7800 RPM - 90% available between 5000-8000 RPM, 250 ft. lb @ 5000 RPM (280 horse power % 7500 RPM, 300 ft. lb @ 4000 RPM - 90% available between 2000-5000 RPM for hybrid version)
Redline: 8200 RPM
Fuel System: Electronic Injection
Displacement: 2718 cc
Layout: Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive
Six speed Manual Transmission (5 speed automatic with overdrive optional)
Front and rear regenerative ventilated disc brakes with ABS
Front and rear struts with independent coil spring stabilizer bar
Wheelbase: 97.6 in
Length: 4168 mm
Height: 1358 mm
Width: 1760 mm
Curb Weight: 2600 lb (Hybrid version weights 2900 lbs)
Catalytic Converter Installed
20 US gallon fuel tank
Can use between 0-85% ethanol based fuel, remainder must be premium grade gasoline
Interior
2 leather bucket seats
6 CD changer, media player ready premium sound system + dual subwoofers
6 airbags (2 front, 4 side)
Leather trimmed dashboard equipped with digital clock
Power windows, locks, sunroof
Interior lighting scheme options: light blue, grey, orange, soft white
Tinted Rear Window
Optional GPS and computer system
Alarm/anti-theft device
Colors:
Super Red II
British Racing Green
Super Black
Gun Metal grey
White
Midnight blue
Electric yellow
(Custom color scheme possible)
Description by TAW:
Tamuzin Automotive Works (TAW), realizing that the demand for high end consumer grade automobiles is increasing both at home and abroad, decided to enter the high-end sports car market late last year. Beginning in November of 2007, TAW will put the Ciuxtli (an nahuatl word meaning “kite”) on sale both domestically and internationally. Despite being new to the market and having to comply with the strict regulations established by the Aztec government, TAW has successfully designed, built and readied for the 2008 year a sports car that is safe, luxurious, powerful and environmentally friendly. While typical wankel engine designs are known for having high fuel consumption, this two rotor engine’s fuel economy has been greatly improved over the previous generation’s fuel economy. Furthermore, a hybrid version of the engine is also available, only reducing torque and horsepower a small amount. In addition to rigorous safety testing, the suspension was engineered to provide the smoothest ride possible.
Designed to be aerodynamic, the car has a long, rounded front end and has large, horizontally-oriented oval shaped headlights. The driver/passenger compartment then jets up at a 42 degree angle and merges with the rear, which slopes down in a fashion similar to that of the designs of the mid-1940s.
The lightweight transmission is designed to shift as smooth as possible in both manual and automatic versions. The car also has a great amount of customizable options, a signature trait of Tamuzin Autoworks. Although a two-seater sports car, the car has a spacious interior, ergonomic seats and easy to access and use comfort control system. Finally, the audio system placed into this car is among the best car audio systems possible, utilizing onboard sound processor and a bi-amped speaker system.
Base Price: $54,230 USD
The Car That's Putting TAW On The Map
By: John Kyte
The Cuixtli - known outside the Aztec National League as the Spectre - is the car putting this little known company on the map world wide. A country not known for its automobiles, we were suprised to get a call from this company - one that isn't known by many outside the ANL - asking if we would take one of their cars for some testing and a review. And so it began.
Might we add, there's much in common between TAW and ourselves at Auto Monthly. This, too, is our first venture into international territory. While among the biggest automotive publications in ViZion, are a little known publication outside of our home nation. But, alas, that's about as far as our connections go. Well, aside from that little fact that we're reviewing their car.
So, onward to the testing field! This light, fairly small car - it's just 164 inches in length - is quite a blast to drive. We took delivery of both the twin turbo and hybrid system. While both handle very similary - the hybrid feeling the added 300 pounds of weight, regrettable - they are quite different in the way they dance with your right foot.
Looking for that immediate punch off the line or to power through a corner much like a V8? Hybrid would be your clear choice. However, if you live your life above 5K RPM, the twin turbo is your choice by-and-large. The rev-happy Wankel rotory is only more so with the twin turbo setup, pumping out 300 horsepower at a very high 7800 RPM, with 90% or more being put out between 5000 and 8000 RPM, nearing its 8200 RPM. And the sound of a screaming Wankel at 8000 RPM powering down the freeway at 140 MPH in 6th gear is simply amazing!
However, the hybrid is no slouch. While lacking in comparison to its turboed brether in the high-end power, this hybrid system does what the twin turbo only dreams about - immediate response off the line and out of the corners. Looking for a nice drag race? This is your baby all the way, putting out a tire-scotching 300 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 RPM, with 90% of that coming in as low as 2000 RPM!
Speaking of that, the hybrid system did run the quicker 0-60 and 1/4 mile - for the first three runs. However, after the first three runs, the hybrid battery was drained enough to the point it simply could not put out the power needed to beat out the turbo version. And on the road course, it took only one large course to wear it down to the point it just could not come close to the turbo in the second lap. The hybrid would benefit dearly from a more powerful battery and quicker regeneration. However, the hybrid does offer slightly improved economy around town - a great benefit in some countries where gas prices could feed a family of a bakers dozen for a week.
And for that 450 watt, 8 speaker sound system, we pitty it. We doubt it will get used often, as this car has its own amazing - and exotic sounding - sound system coming from underhood as well as two three-inch speakers outback. That is particularly true of the twin-turbo version.
Around town, the ride is firm, not jarring. And the seats, while very extremely supportive, are still comfortable for longer trips. However, engine noise is a bit on the excessive side for some people looking for a nice, quiet sunday cruise, particarly on the freeway, where the engine is revving at 3500 RPM at 80 MPH due to the gear ratios being oriented for performance over fuel economy.
This car, with its sleek design, does get plenty of looks, and cuts through the wind with a low .30 drag coefficient. That's better than a Ferrarri F430 and Lamborghini Murcielago's .33! It's like a hot butchers knife through butter!
All-in-all, including the hybrid fiasco that TAW must address if they wish to have much success with it, this is a completely satisfying vehicle that truly does put TAW on the map internationally. This vehicle, simply put, is the finest car we have seen come out of the ANL. [ED: That being... one car] And, among the best the world has seen. This is undoubtably the best Wankel powered vehicle to date, ANYWHERE. Congratulations, TAW, for you are now on the map.
Track Numbers:
0-60 MPH: 4.7 seconds (hybrid); 4.9 seconds (Twin Turbo)
1/4 mile: 13 seconds (hybrid); 13.1 seconds (Twin Turbo)
Top Speed: 146 MPH (hybrid); 149 MPH (Twin Turbo)
Slalom: 71.1 MPH (hybrid); 71.9 MPH (Twin Turbo)
Skid Pad: 1.00g (hybrid); 1.04g (Twin Turbo)
Technical:
Engine: 2-Rotor Wankel OR 2-Rotor Hybrid Wankel
Aspiration: Twin Turbo (Hybrid version is N/A)
Power: 300 horse power @ 7800 RPM - 90% available between 5000-8000 RPM, 250 ft. lb @ 5000 RPM (280 horse power % 7500 RPM, 300 ft. lb @ 4000 RPM - 90% available between 2000-5000 RPM for hybrid version)
Redline: 8200 RPM
Fuel System: Electronic Injection
Displacement: 2718 cc
Layout: Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive
Six speed Manual Transmission (5 speed automatic with overdrive optional)
Front and rear regenerative ventilated disc brakes with ABS
Front and rear struts with independent coil spring stabilizer bar
Wheelbase: 97.6 in
Length: 4168 mm
Height: 1358 mm
Width: 1760 mm
Curb Weight: 2600 lb (Hybrid version weights 2900 lbs)
Catalytic Converter Installed
20 US gallon fuel tank
Can use between 0-85% ethanol based fuel, remainder must be premium grade gasoline
Interior
2 leather bucket seats
6 CD changer, media player ready premium sound system + dual subwoofers
6 airbags (2 front, 4 side)
Leather trimmed dashboard equipped with digital clock
Power windows, locks, sunroof
Interior lighting scheme options: light blue, grey, orange, soft white
Tinted Rear Window
Optional GPS and computer system
Alarm/anti-theft device
Colors:
Super Red II
British Racing Green
Super Black
Gun Metal grey
White
Midnight blue
Electric yellow
(Custom color scheme possible)
Description by TAW:
Tamuzin Automotive Works (TAW), realizing that the demand for high end consumer grade automobiles is increasing both at home and abroad, decided to enter the high-end sports car market late last year. Beginning in November of 2007, TAW will put the Ciuxtli (an nahuatl word meaning “kite”) on sale both domestically and internationally. Despite being new to the market and having to comply with the strict regulations established by the Aztec government, TAW has successfully designed, built and readied for the 2008 year a sports car that is safe, luxurious, powerful and environmentally friendly. While typical wankel engine designs are known for having high fuel consumption, this two rotor engine’s fuel economy has been greatly improved over the previous generation’s fuel economy. Furthermore, a hybrid version of the engine is also available, only reducing torque and horsepower a small amount. In addition to rigorous safety testing, the suspension was engineered to provide the smoothest ride possible.
Designed to be aerodynamic, the car has a long, rounded front end and has large, horizontally-oriented oval shaped headlights. The driver/passenger compartment then jets up at a 42 degree angle and merges with the rear, which slopes down in a fashion similar to that of the designs of the mid-1940s.
The lightweight transmission is designed to shift as smooth as possible in both manual and automatic versions. The car also has a great amount of customizable options, a signature trait of Tamuzin Autoworks. Although a two-seater sports car, the car has a spacious interior, ergonomic seats and easy to access and use comfort control system. Finally, the audio system placed into this car is among the best car audio systems possible, utilizing onboard sound processor and a bi-amped speaker system.
Base Price: $54,230 USD