Battalion Tuning Team (Refurbishment situation, part 2)

[Kampfzerstorer]

Hello, and welcome to Battalion. As you may be aware, the Black Prince's production has come to an end. Despite that, demand for the car is still strong, and all have the same opinion;
it did not feel right having a modern engine living under the bonnet. Here at Battalion, we do admit that we lacked the personnel that excels in making old-school engines. Which was why for the past 3 months,
Battalion has hosted a competition on designing such an engine for the Black Prince. Close to 40 entries were received, and all but one stood out. That singular engine, was designed using carburetors in mind,
compared to others who have opted for injection. We built the prototype engine, all according to specifications and requirements we have given out; able to run with octane 98, no turbocharging, be as old school
as you can get. Fuel consumption does not matter.





We were deeply impressed. So impressed what we offered the winner a job position here at Battalion, assigned as a carburetor engine developer, and overhaul personnel for Lean's Tuning Team.
We hereby introduce to you the newest addition to the Battalion team, Rikako Asakura. Thanks to her, production of the Black Prince has resumed, though now under 'built to order' basis.



In other news, it is unfortunate for us to announce that Raquel, one of our test drivers, will be on a month-long medical leave. Her loyalty and dedication to the company has unfortunately driven
her to exhaustion. We have reminded her time and again not to push herself, and rest up well when needed, but... Because of this, the Panzer project will be put on hold till she returns. Fiolina,
our 2nd test driver, will be overseeing the assignment for the time being, but it appears she has her own ideas to it.

------------------------------

Yes, the name Rikako Asakura is a reference to two characters of a specific manga/anime/game. It involves the Wangan highway...

[Kampfzerstorer]

The Black Prince sports sedan. It appears that its charming looks, as well as its old-fashioned carburetor engine has captured the niche market. Not many companies still produce
cars with such engines, but here at Battalion, we aim to entertain even such a market. We believe the love of cars come in various forms, even old vintage ones. And staying
true to the Battalion tradition, a much more sporty version of the Black Prince was developed, and the only one so far to not bear the Battalion name. Special cars like these need
not have our name to show where this car is produced. Just knowing the model name will immediately associate with us, as well as its distinctive Battalion styling and looks.

Developed by Bristol on the body, Rikako on the two new carburetor engines, and Fiolina as test driver, we hereby introduce the new Black Prince, now known as..

HMS Black Prince







It is now fitted with two types of engines; the quintessentially British styled 4000cc naturally aspirated Inline-6, and the brutish 4500cc naturally aspirated Crossplane V8.

4.0 Litre Carburetor Inline-6



4.5 Litre Carburetor V8



----------------------------


Rikako: Damn, making that carburetor V8 is hard. I'm very used to making inline engine variants...


Fiolina: Huh? Your expertise is only on a very particular type, eh? Thank God I dabbled on its V8 counterparts before, though they can get pretty lethal.


Rikako: What do you mean by that?


Fiolina: Girl, there's a reason why I often stay out of tuning engines, and concentrate on being a test driver. It either kills you with a lethal engine failure, or you get killed,
in a brutal manner. The last customer that had one of my engines back in Turin went too fast, and sped off the cliff, taking his family with him. The car didn't survive, but
the engine did. It was retrieved and locked away to be forgotten in Lancia's HQ. I can still remember that engine code I punched on the cover. 'Littorio 452368'. That was the
last engine I built before being transferred to be a test driver. Couple that with their withdrawal from WRC, made me a very bitter woman.

[Oskiinus]

I'm ordering one Black Prince. Deliver it to Warsaw Airport in Okecie district.

But seriously, great retro car!

[Nolli]

I really love the front of the car. Overall it´s quite cool, but the front is just stunning.

And somehow i like the Inline-6 more. I like the smoothness and i think it should fit more. Not so much revs, much more coolness

[Kampfzerstorer]

One day, in the office...


Erika: Lean! Will you stop annoying me with that rubber chicken? I can't concentrate!


Lean: Nope, I'm gonna piss off the crap out of everyone. I'm bored! Bored to the bone! *squeezes the rubber chicken firmly, right at Erika's left ear*


Erika: Last warning, Lean.


Lean: Bite me. *Chucks the toy right at Erika's face with force*


Erika:That's it! You die, I die, everybody dies!


Lean: Catch me then, soldier!

As both Lean and Erika took off at full speed out of the office, expletives of various languages reverberated down the hallway, a heavy sigh left Kampf's mouth. He was already
half expecting such a reaction from the Venezuelan. Being piled on with paper work along with the other colleagues within the room, and the utter silence just did not fit his style.
Turning on the radio, he tuned to the local radio news station, updating on the heavy, peak hour traffic that had been going on for the past half hour. He glanced at the other
colleagues that he only recognise by face. They too, needed a break. Sales of the Panzer sedan still soared, and the BT model was a hit for the lower income group customers. They loved
the simplicity of the car, and the ease of repairing should it break down.

A notification icon popped on his desktop monitor. An email.


Kampf: A mail, from Lancia? What could it be?

Greetings, Head of Battalion Tuning Team,

As the former employer of Fiolina Venturi, I would like to notify you on certain quirks about her. I am aware that she is currently
working as a test driver for your company, and I hope she stays as so. I do not recommend allowing her to develop any form of
engines for your company, especially V8 carburetor types. The engines she has done for us caused catastrophic episodes of cars
crashing in various ways, the most lethal being run over by a truck, flattening the vehicle, killing all of the passengers, and the
driver. We cannot understand on how any of the engines she has built has caused so much grief to the customers, yet attract
them to purchase more from her. I cannot emphasize more than what I can; do not allow her to build any engine, let alone tune
them. It is for the company's good, and I hope you heed to our advice.

Regards,
Fernando

Kampf: Hmm... that's interesting...


Kampf: Well, Rikako did develop the engines for the new Black Prince, and Fio simply test drove them. How bad can it get?

----------------------

Fiolina:...5 months... 5 months... I've pulled it off.

Nobody has seen it. Nobody has caught me doing it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it... How careless of them to simply leave
spare engine parts, and a Black Prince shell and chassis lying around forgotten, even though they're spare parts during the
prototype phase. How careless of them... It's done. The beloved engine that I could no longer get it back, it's back here in Battalion.
Littorio, time for you to live again, in this one off. No other Black Princes will dominate you. You stand alone in this path. You will
stand alone. Your screams will reverberate down highways, streets, the backroads once again.






Fiolina: People will start calling you a cursed car. The Cursed Prince. However, you will always be my Cursed Prince.


Fiolina: Oh how I missed feeling this sense of excitement, with a strong hint of dread, and fear. Oh how I miss it...

[Oskiinus]

Damn, what do you have with 666?
But seriously, at second travel to Singapore I must be afraid that I can't meet this one Prince ;-;

[Kampfzerstorer]

Welcome to Battalion. In today's update, we are said to announce that the Battleship and the Zerstorer series has ceased production. The release of the Hiei has eclipsed the Battleship with
its superior performance, looks, and overall fuel efficiency, and the combined introduction of the Tenryuu and Yudachi have made the Zerstorer obsolete. Despite that, we have yet to cater
for transporting work personnel to their workplaces. Enter the Kormoran, the multi-purpose vehicle which can either accommodate work personnel, or cargo with ease. Two edition have been
released, the Auxiliary, and the Liner editions.






Auxiliary Edition's Specs



Liner Edition's Specs



-----------------------------------------------------


Kampf: Seems I have feared for the worst. There have been rumours of a particular Black Prince running around Singapore, intimidating other sports car owners.
Not only that, outrunning some of the supercars as well? This is alarming. Granted, the most powerful rendition does 507hp, and it does go the distance in speed
and acceleration. But...

It is already past working hours, and Kampf have yet to pack up to end his shift. He walked the grounds, somewhat uneasy by the rumours he have been receiving
from the company's community forums on the internet. 8pm. The last of the overtime working personnel have left the site. With haste, he paced his way to the
hanger he had partitioned for his own use; this time round, locking the door behind him. A faint smile formed on his face.


Kampf: And yet, I'm doing it again. This time because of that rumour. Maybe it is time for me to have a car for myself. However, passing inspections from
the wretched Land Transport Authourity is going to be a pain in the butt. Those scumbags. Designs for the Kongo and Haruna will have to hold for now.
I'm bringing back the spirit from the Princess Royal into this personal build.

The Warspite.




----------------------------------------------------

Unknown to Kampf, someone else is still within the ground, in another secluded location...


Erika: Just thinking about what Lean had mentioned earlier today still boggles me. Sure, our Black Prince is fast, but that intimidating? That vintage looking
coupe? And yet, Lean's still so carefree about it, let alone Ukyo and Bristol. They seemed to match each other despite clashing behaviours. But no matter, what
am I even doing at this point of time? Sure, this spurred after Kampf' admitted making a car without anyone knowing, and here I am doing it.

And with such an ambitious plan to go with it either. No way this could go any faster, else it'll risk flipping over like a brick rolling down a flight of stairs... But
as much as technology allows, I really want to see how far I can go with this... thing... possibly my personal car after the Lancer Evolution I. We're still economically
sound despite such excess expenditure on such materials and tools for our... selfish reasons... Am I right?

Vanguard?

[Kampfzerstorer]

Toyota GT86, Mazda MX-5, some of the very few current survivors of the low cost sports cars. Great models like the RX-7, RX-8, Silvia, FTO, S2000 and many more, faded away as time goes on.
Here in Battalion, we address this issue with a new car. With the return of Raquel after her 3 month, extended absence from the company, she has been assisting in rigorous test driving, taking it
to its limits, and has remarked that despite the lack of all-wheel drive, it feels somewhat familiar to the Yudachi, yet grips like the Tenryuu. A forgivable car, with an attitude that reminds you by
controlled oversteering once you go over the edge.

This is the Tatsuta.
*Artwork belongs to hetza aka hellshock. Same goes to the previous images on the Yudachi and Tenryuu







Two specifications have been done for this new 4-seater coupe; the ES, and the Sport.

The ES packs a 1700cc, naturally aspirated inline-4 engine, outputting 190hp, making a top speed of 247kmh, and does 7.08 litres/100km.
The ES will debut at a price of $19'000, equipped with a sporty interior, standard infotainment like bluetooth connectivity, GPS, stereo system
by Sony, every driving aids, and standard 10s safety.




The Sport packs a formidable 2300cc variant of the engine, making 245hp, and topping out at 266kmh, and does 7.38 litres/100km.
The Sport will debut at $22'000, equipped with the same interior, infotainment, driving aids, and safety, with the exception of the sound system, provided
by Samsung instead.




------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Kampf: Better late than never, welcome back, Raquel. Fio has been overseeing your project while you were
absent, but seems that she hasn't dabbled anything on it.


Raquel: Heh, thanks. And I assumed so about Fiolina. She isn't the type to meddle into other people's works,
despite being told to cover me temporarily.


Kampf: Though... everyone's been acting somewhat defensively lately. Fio's been avoiding us whenever we mention
the Black Prince. Erika, Bristol, and Lean as well reacted similarly, but with different sensitive topics. I wonder if it
has to do about the rumoured Black Prince that is faster than our top spec variant. Ukyo couldn't give a damn though.


Raquel: A very fast vintage looking car, huh?


Kampf: I have yet to tell anyone else here, but I too, admit that I feel the same way as the others. I... have been building
yet another car, but this time for myself. It's like I'm building it, to defeat this... elusive Black Prince.


Raquel: I see...then I assume you're reluctant to show me what you have done, right? Something sure is different here now.
As if it's festering in all of us. The urge to build what we think is the best vehicle, I guess?


Kampf: I can't say that you're wrong or right. It's just that feeling that you have to do it somewhat. Damn, I'm rambling
on and on now, and tea break's over. I'll head back to the office for now.


Raquel: Yeah... Anyway, have you seen Fiolina today? Would want to have a word with her.


Kampf: She's last seen loitering around the test track. I'll see you around later.

... ... ... ... ...

At the test track pit stop, Raquel paced her way towards one of the Panzer sedan variants; the BT-Special. Fiolina appeared to be leaning against it by the driver's door, unaware by the
approaching German. Raquel then leaned on the Panzer next to the Italian, looking away.


Raquel: Gazing at the damn bright sky like someone who had one too many weed, huh? No wonder you're wearing spectacles.


Fiolina: Ah, so the overworked workaholic is back. Bought yourself a new crate of Red-Bull this time round? Do you need an undertaker
nearby the vicinity just in case you flop dead again?


Raquel: Still as sharp as ever, spaghetti woman. How was the progress on the Panzer?


Fiolina: I hadn't bothered. Why touch a car that has been poisoned with turbochargers? I'm surprised someone as daft as
you love that cringing sound of the whistling at every gear change. It's hideous.


Raquel: I thought so, which is better for me as well. I'll be able to continue as is than to figure out whatever bullshit
you have thrown into it if had you even dabbled a portion of my work.

With haste, Raquel turned, now face to face against Fiolina. Her right hand slammed on the roof of the car as Raquel's face drew closer to the
Italian's with an extremely intimidating expression; disgust, and controlled anger.


Raquel: But even so, I must thank you for maintaining my project. And here's one thing that you should be aware of if this kind of
stupid incident happens again.


Fiolina: Oh? The violent German has something amusing to say?


Raquel: I swing both ways.

Not another word, Raquel retreated, and paced her way back to the linked hangar to the left of the main building, where her partitioned project working space and Fiolina's were located.
Her thoughts ran wild, unsure on what she has to do with that monster she had built instead of the Panzer Evo I. She recalled about the rumour Kampf had said back during tea break. A faint
smile formed on her face. Excitement kicked in. Why not bring the monster to life? Now as a twin sister to her Quattro?


Raquel: Things just keep getting better and better, huh?

[Kampfzerstorer]

The sporty hatchbacks; Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Honda Civic (UK), Seat Leon Cupra, Renault Megane, Volkswagen Golf, Proton Satria Neo. These are some of the more familiar names
when sport hatchbacks come to mind. Fueled by this urge, here in Battalion, we have come up our 1st generation of sport hatchbacks, ever since our collaboration with Airborne's xY. This
time round, we went back to basics, and started once again from scratch. With Raquel, once again dabbled on the engine, and Lean, working on the chassis to make the car as nimble as
possible, and Ukyo designing the overall hatchback, this is what we have come up with.

We hereby present to you;

Yakaze






Two variations of the Yakaze will be sold; the Sport, and the RS (Rallysport)

The Sport version features a 2100cc Inline-4, Turbocharged, "Minekaze Class, Turbo Spec" engine, developing 325hp, powering the front wheels.
Outfitted with sporty interior like the outlandish red, black, and striking yellow HUD, and the aggressive looking short stick gear knob that can take
any beating from you. Infotainment comes in a form of the usual; bluetooth connectivity, GPS, built-in DVD and display for the fellow passengers, and
stereo system courtesy from Samsung, and features standard 10s safety regulations.

The Sport will be retailing at $19'000, the same to the Tatsuta ES.




The RS model features a similar looking 2100cc Inline-4 engine, but is the "Minekaze Class, Turbo Aggressor Spec", developing a violent 440hp,
powering all four wheels, utilising Raquel's take on the all-wheel-drive system. It's a simplified system compared to Erika's where power can be manually
adjusted from 70% rear-30% front, to 55% rear-45% front. Interior is similar to the Sport model, same goes for the infotainment, and the safety regulations.

The RS will be retailing at $28'000, so don't wait, and pre-order soon!

[Kampfzerstorer]

The Black Prince, its existence exudes an air of British-like magnificence of the 60s. Complete with its range of carburetor type engines, the Black Prince
seems to be a blast from the past with an interior tinkered with modern trinkets of technology, while retaining its retro glamour. However, it should not be
in that limelight alone. A project led by Rikako, the carburetor engine extraordinaire, developed, designed, and built a twin sister to the Black Prince, using the
Nissan S30Z Fairlady as the base of inspiration, and reference.

This is... the Black Prince's twin.

Amagiri






Two variations of the engines are being developed. However, only one will be revealed for the time being; the second is still in development, in attempt to fully
utiliise the carburetor's full potential.

The current Standard version features a 3200cc, Inline-6, Naturally Aspirated "Fubuki-Class Carburetor, Aluminum" engine, developing a healthy 310hp, enabling to
propel the Amagiri to a decent 250kmh. Compared to the posh Black Prince, the Amagiri receives a sporty interior of the 70s-80s, GPS cleverly disguised as a cassette
player which pops out of the console when activated, retro looking HUD, a short stick gear knob to promote quicker gear changes, and a sound system supplied by
Kenwood. All this while having standard 10s safety, and all available driving aids.

The Amagiri will be retailing at $30'000 for the standard model, and as for the upcoming, 2nd model, price has been fluctuating around the $45'000 to $60'000 range.
Which goes to show how much will be done on its 2nd take.




----------------------------------------------


Rikako: Whew, at least I was on time for the deadline on the standard edition.


Rikako: Right then, onto the main purpose of the Amagiri. Time to really flex out
on what I have on the inline carburetor engine. The Amagiri Kai

[Kampfzerstorer]

Pushing to the edge of old technology, in attempts to prove to the newer generation of cars of what the old can still do. The Amagiri is a classic
case of something that is old, brought new, yet still retaining a heart from the last generation. As... unreliable as it can be, carburetor types can
still flex some muscle should it want to be brought to the extremes.

The Amagiri was brought back to the workshop for a more... outrageous change. Now built up fresh with a new chassis, new 'old' carburetor engine.
It now sports a carbon fibre chassis, and panels, a larger engine; 3400cc compared to the 3200cc the usual Amagiri uses. Tyres are wider to further
grip the tarmac, and suspension tuning is now supported by the likes of Raquel, fascinated by how an old style car can still pull punches.

This is the Amagiri Kai






This redesign was done by Rikako herself, to which I quote straight from her words "Subtle changes can make a car look from clean, cheerful, and elegant,
into something that is aggressive, brutal, and mindlessly insane. Imagine one having a blood transfusion; the new blood from someone who could be a former
soldier in a war, or an individual from a syndicate, like the mafia for example. Or even, an organ transplant; you may still look the same, but you do not
feel the way you used to be. That was how I plan when making the Amagiri Kai. It may look the same, but behaves differently."

The engine is built from the ground up using the same concept as its 3200cc counterpart, but using AlSi, and a larger displacement of 3400cc. Aggressive
timings are used, mating with the brutish turbocharger, developing a crushing 670hp, air-cooled. Nothing is more to say about the Fubuki Class Carburetor, AlSi type
engine. Brutal is the only word to describe it.

Interior is based on the standard Amagiri, but streaked with red accents on the dashboard and seats that resemble the blood of the machine, and infotainment is
retained as well, keeping the balance between modern, and vintage. Price on the Amagiri Kai retails at $57'000.




-------------------------------------


Rikako: Well, I've done it. It's been good too. Play nice now, Amagiri Kai. You're not the Devil Z from that manga/anime.


Fiolina: Seems that my Cursed Prince is being challenged by the likes of such atrocity. My car will not lose to the likes
of turbocharging trash.


Rikako: Ah, Fiolina, what brings you here? I'm just about to conclude this Amagiri Kai project. I might be dropping by to
Lean's tuning garage. Heard that there's a vintage Ford Escort Mk.II with a custom inline-4 carb engine. Wonder what's that all
about.


Fiolina: An old Ford Escort eh? I'm intrigued myself. Hmph, nice way of turning my attention away from the Amagiri Kai,
Rikako. Real smooth.

[Kampfzerstorer]

The Panzer sedan; the company's best selling car ever since its launch, and by word about the VR-S model, it has been the car to modify, and push its performance further.
Here at Battalion, we decided to have our own take of the VR-S, but not only are we making an upgrade kit for the VR-S, an all new series of the Panzer will be released as well.
Starting from the development of the VR-S, the project branches off after the chassis; an all-new engine, and improved all-wheel drive system from Raquel. Seeking to replace
the recent death of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series, we hereby introduce to you...

Battalion's Panzer Evolution I






The engine, though sporting similarities to the VR-S variant, is a 2000cc Inline-4 Turbocharged "Kurashiki Tech, Type 1", developing 342hp.
The interior is designed to be rugged, as the Panzer Evo I was developed both on tarmac, gravel, and snow. Yes, I kid you not, it has traveled
all the way to Finland, being manhandled by retired rally drivers for further tweaking, as well as back here in Singapore, where our fellow Raquel
pushed its capabilities to its limit. Other than having 4 settings on the suspension (Cruise, Sport, Gravel, Snow), it is outfitted with GPS, bluetooth
connectivity, adjustable seat wings where you can make them hold you firmly in your seat when you're driving fast, and air conditioning vents for
rear seat passenger.




With all that, the Panzer Evolution I retails at $32'000, so don't miss it when it's released!

----------------------------------------


Raquel: It's finally out. Damn it took a longer time than I thought. Now I need to find out what I can do about that monster of a car I have done...


Raquel: Hmm... I think I know what to do about it, but now is not the right time. Meanwhile, maybe a sequel to the Evolution I?

[JasonPoland]

[Kampfzerstorer]

If you have installed the community pack mod, it should be in the Grille section, about in the 3rd page.



Inside that has two versions; the all black, or matching with the car's colour. Just be aware that using any exhaust pipes on the exhausts
section still has the colour around it, like in the screenshot above.

[UMGaming]

that mod is a diffuser, beacause of that it should be in the lips section as it creates downforce