3-d Printing Makes the Leap From Hobbyist Simulacrums to Carmaker Reproductions.
THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO IN restoring a classic isn’t that a rare part might be hugely expensive. It’s when the part is out of production, there’s no aftermarket equal, and junkyards come up empty. Advancements in 3-D-printing technology mean that you might find someone who will knock out a replacement part for a minuscule customer base, but the variety of printers, design software, and operator motivations make it hard to be sure that the part you’re commissioning will measure up to the original. Now, though, car manufacturers are waking up to the technology’s potential. Brands such as Porsche and Mercedes are employing it to reproduce hard-to-find parts—such as window regulator stops, oil-pump covers, and mirror stands [see “Mirror Mirror”]—to the same rigorous standards that applied to the originals. Here’s a look at the process:
GRAB THE BLUEPRINTS
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2019 de Car and Driver.
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Drivelines - Refreshed but Not Revitalized. The Forester has long begged for more driver interaction, anything to differentiate it.
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Selective Evolution
Now hybrid only, the Toyota Camry features careful tweaks for its ninth generation.
Stress Reliever
IN THE LINCOLN NAUTILUS, the loudest sound you hear at highway speeds is the rhythmic respiration of the massaging seats. With just 66 decibels of interior noise at 70 mph, this slick-looking new Lincoln is on a mission of zen.
Mega Bus
A three-row mid-size SUV trying to look and feel bigger, the latest has size on its side but still lacks charisma.
Going to Extremes
The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT pulls out all the stops in its quest for EV supremacy.
What the Tech?
IT’S NO COMPLAINT TO SAY that given the slow visual evolution of the Mercedes-Benz E-class, many wouldn’t notice that the stately three-box sedan has entered a new generation this year.
The Full Monty Carlo
EVERYONE IS NAKED. Just putting that out in the open.
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
THE MAZDA MX-5 MIATA RF CLUB AND THE SUBARU BRZ IS MAY BE SMALL IN STATURE, BUT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE LARGER THAN MOST.
Sterrato > Dirt Road
Nothing lost in translation here. Might as well call it what it is: the best Lamborghini Huracán ever.
DEAD OR ALIVE?
Is the new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser the real deal? We venture into the wilds of Utah to find out.
