Why are all the new super cars spitting blue flames?

[Grant76]

I know some cars have been doing it for quite some time, 430 etc... But it now seems a must for all.

What makes them do this?

[ManaghGB]

I've noticed this too, started with the Aventador I think?

[Steffan]

Grant76 said:

I know some cars have been doing it for quite some time, 430 etc... But it now seems a must for all.

What makes them do this?

Marketing ploy? It sells well?? Other than that no idea. Seems most probable to me.

[DanielSan]

Something to do with the high temperatures and shorter exhaust routing I think.

[StottyZr]

I could be completely wrong but I was always under the impression flames changed colour based on heat. A blue flame is hotter than an orange one.

[lexusboy]

Because it looks fking awesome.

Nothing like shifting up at 9500rpm and seeing a big white/blue flash coming from behind

[J4CKO]

lexusboy said:

Because it looks fking awesome.

Nothing like shifting up at 9500rpm and seeing a big white/blue flash coming from behind

If that happens and you have a Lexus (as per your name) then that flash will contain Pistons, Conrods and the like

[BigBo]

probably wrong but the thought crossed my mind that it could be too lower nasty emmisions,
A flame at the tailpipe will help too burn off more Co2,Nox or what ever comes out, Its how you fool emission testing equipment, Maybe

Edited by BigBo on Monday 3rd March 20:31

[lexusboy]

J4CKO said:

If that happens and you have a Lexus (as per your name) then that flash will contain Pistons, Conrods and the like

Well my name is work related.

If I saw conrods and pistons flying from my exhaust I would be extremely dubious as to what engine I have in my RX8

[s m]

StottyZr said:

I could be completely wrong but I was always under the impression flames changed colour based on heat. A blue flame is hotter than an orange one.

Short exhaust runs on these type of cars mean the exhaust gases are hotter when they exit car rather than a typical front engined car. A friend's Sport 160 is the only car I've seen spit blue flame on the road - he was driving it pretty hard

[Grant76]

ManaghGB said:

I've noticed this too, started with the Aventador I think?

The recent (ish) remake of Miami Vice had a 430 spitting a lot of blue flames. According to IMDB that was 2006!

[Searider]

My crossflow Westfield made blue flames before I got it set up properly.

[S0 What]

DanielSan said:

Something to do with the high temperatures and shorter exhaust routing I think.

This/\

[John D.]

I don't know, but I like it.

[RizzoTheRat]

StottyZr said:

I could be completely wrong but I was always under the impression flames changed colour based on heat. A blue flame is hotter than an orange one.

Pretty much. Generally speaking it'll be running leaner and more efficiently to get the blue flame, the red/orange is soot particles glowing.

[McSam]

Just as I said they were over-using the blue flame shot on the 918 Top Gear piece to the point of absurdity, there it was again

I'm not sure whether any of the cars recently seen lighting up the pipes like that will actually do it under load? Most commonly it would only be on the overrun, and then only briefly unless deliberately set up to keep spitting some fuel down just to create the flame.

[s m]

Audi R8 ad

http://youtu.be/K0_GCuim9kY

[McSam]

s m said:

Audi R8 ad

http://youtu.be/K0_GCuim9kY

My favourite thing about that - apart from that gorgeous last crackle at the very end - is that it flames unevenly, and they were perfectly happy with that.

Good.

[LiamM45]

Not just newer cars, I've seen an Astra VXR do it, apparently my VXR also does it (both have aftermarket exhausts).

Couldn't tell you why or how it happens, but I've only seen it happen on turbo'd hot hatches in real life It looked rather spectacular on the Aventador and the 918 on TG.

[g3org3y]

Because racecar supercar hypercar.