The Vision EfficientDynamics is a plug-in hybrid with a three cylinder turbo diesel engine. Engineers from BMW tried to combine the incredible performances of the M3 with an incredibly low fuel consumption and this amazing concept is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds while scoring 62.6 mpg (US) on the EU combined test cycle.

The concept car uses a 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine with the output of 163 hp and a maximum torque of 214 Nm. The engine is paired with a six-speed DCT gearbox , used in the M3 and Z4.

The new system represents a further development of the hybrid technology, which will debut in ActiveHybrid 7. As in the ActiveHybrid 7, a one 33-hp electric motor is installed between the engine and the transmission, while the second 80 horsepower electric motor provides the torque to the front wheels. The total capacity of the gear system is 356 hp and 590 Nm of torque. But the use of electric motors requires the presence of an electric power system. BMW Vision disposes lithium-polymer batteries in the center of the car. Net power is 8,6 kW. Nevertheless, the total capacity of the concept vehicle is only 10.8 kW. The vehicle can use 80% of the capacity of batteries, which is much more than 50% more than can be used by Chevrolet Volt. The advantage is that the battery weighs only 187 pounds. When connected to a standard European outlet of 220V, the battery is recharged in just 2.5 hours.

In addition to the power unit, BMW also used a variety of technologies for the concept optimization. The entire aluminum chassis suspension, roof, and many elements are made of photosensitive polycarbonate, which translates into the stated mass of 1400 kg. Another interesting point is that polycarbonate windows are getting darker in the light. Moreover, the use of LED lighting has given more freedom to designers and has reduced energy consumption.

And perhaps, the most interesting feature of the vehicle is the so called “forward looking energy management” system. The idea is to use various systems of the car, to predict events and optimize the use of various elements of the transmission to reduce energy consumption in general.

]]> http://www.carsnext.com/featured-articles/bmw-introduced-vision-efficientdynamics-turbo-concept/feed/ 0 http://www.carsnext.com/featured-articles/kumho-represented-fortis-electric-suv/ http://www.carsnext.com/featured-articles/kumho-represented-fortis-electric-suv/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:10:45 +0000 InMyCar http://www.carsnext.com/?p=783 Korean tire manufacturer Kumho has released sketches of the electric SUV.

It is simply an advertising step, aimed to draw attention to the activities of the company and the main products…

However, the company along with thumbnails of distributed and some details about the electric concept.

The press release said that this three-door SUV is the result of the Fiat designer Rob Dolton, which has been working in the Korean tire company since 2005.

Concept electric car, called Kumho Fortis, works with the help of 4 electric engines, each of which has a capacity of 100 hp. Each engine actuates one of the 4-wheels of the vehicle.

”Thanks to this car it is easy to switch to all-wheel drive to front or back wheel drive”, – said Rob Dalton.

The electric engine runs a lithium-ion battery, which optionally can be either recharged or replaced by a new one.

This is not the first concept from Dalton. As with previous concepts, Fortis designer used a lot of recycled rubber in the electric car. It is not only used in making tires, but even in bumpers, doors, fenders, hatch and roof. This again suggests that the main purpose of the concept is to advertise rubber tires, which are manufactured by the company…

The car has a strange shape and the interior is made of rubber. It was assumed that the car will run on the same principle as the electromagnetic train. It was supposed to be a magnetic battery inserted in the hub of every wheel, which should help to rotate the wheels of the vehicle. Wheels themselves are made of rubber. In theory, the designer planned to fit tires with metal spikes, which are supposed to increase traction in off-road or on ice.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?), that concept car has remained a concept…

It was only a year ago when the audacious sport car was introduced and amazed the audience of the Paris motor show. Then the guests of the exhibition crowded around the concept and all were wondered – whether this thing can really go or not. It turns out, that it can. The vehicle has recently demonstrates its abilities on one of the game tracks of Gran Turismo 5 – “London Street Circuit”. Just imagine those lucky ones who could see GT, and even watch it in motion.

Very soon other citizens of Grait Britain can also look at this French “madness” again. Citroen GT will be present at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

While some lucky (and not necessarily the residents of the Misty Albion) can even buy this “toy” car. Indeed, Citroen intends to issue a limited number of GT. However, the company has not released any on formation about the dates of the mass production of the vehicle and its cost.

The supercar, named after the famous test pilot Valentino Balboni, is the rear wheel drive version of the full-drive Lamborghini LP 560-4. LP 550-2 promises impressive handling characteristics thanks to the new springs, shock absorbers, stabilizers and tires. Lamborghini installed in the car an improved transmission, a new rear axle with a differential of limited sliding and a modified system of ESP.

Car is set in motion by a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine with a power of 550 hp, which is 10 hp less of the power setting of LP 560-4, at the same time the Gallardo LP 550-2 with a total mass of 1380 kg accelerates to 100 km/hour in over 3.9 seconds, reaching up to 320 km/hr.

The carmaker will produce only 250 units of such vehicles, which will be featured with the unique front and rear bumpers, an aggressive diffuser and a white stripe on the body in the retro style. The model will be available in 8 different colors with a set of dark-grey disk Scorpius. Inside, the lucky owner of LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni will find leather seats with the same contrasting white stripe on the center, “Valentino Balboni” logos and a GPS navigation system with Bluetooth-connected to the base.

The cost of the special edition Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is estimated at €162 000 – in Europe, £137 900 – in the UK and $219 800 – in the United States.

There will be a jury of 50 journalists on automotive topics from all over the world to evaluate the cars.

Notably, in the list of applicants for the victory was the model Suzuki Kizashi, which had not even been officially presented as a serial car, as well as the updated Honda Crosstour, the production of which the Japanese have not yet confirmed.

It is also worth noting that in the list of applicants there is not a single sample of American car brands such as Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

The results will be announced in the traditional Detroit auto show in January 2010. Winners will be announced, as usual, in two categories – passenger car and SUV.

Candidates for the title of “2010 North American Car of the Year”:

• Audi S4
• BMW Z4
• BMW 335d
• BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
• Buick LaCrosse
• Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
• Chevrolet Camaro
• Ford Fusion/Fusion Hybrid
• Ford Mustang/GT500
• Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO
• Honda Insight
• Hyundai Genesis Coupe
• Kia Forte
• Kia Soul
• Lexus HS 250h
• Lotus Evora
• Mazda 3/Mazdaspeed 3
• Mercedes E-Class
• Nissan Cube
• Nissan 370Z
• Porsche Panamera
• Subaru Legacy
• Suzuki Kizashi
• Toyota Prius
• Volkswagen Golf/Golf TDI
• Candidates for the title of “2010 North American Truck of the Year”:
• Acura ZDX
• BMW X5 xDrive35d
• Cadillac SRX
• Chevrolet Equinox
• Ford Transit Connect
• GMC Terrain
• Honda Crosstour
• Land Rover LR4
• Lincoln MKT
• Subaru Outback
• Toyota 4Runner
• Volvo XC60

It is worth mentioning that last year’s winners were Hyundai Genesis sedan and pickup Ford F-150.

It should be noted that in this case not only the number of breakdowns per 100 vehicles were take into account. Drivers were asked to evaluate his car on 228 criteria. Including indicating problems with the ergonomics, deceived expectations of the owner and so on. In general, absolutely all the criticism and the whims of drivers were taken into account.

According to experts from J. D. Power and Associates, this year there was a serious leap forward in improving the quality of vehicles. Whereas in the past year for every 100 cars on the industry average was 118 criticism, it is already 108 this year. And ten points in just one year is a lot. With regard to the leaders, we can note the progress of Lexus. Even last year, the brand was assessed in 99 reprimands, and this year it is already 84. Due to this Lexus was able to get ahead of Porsche (90 problems per 100 vehicles). Moreover, Lexus LX model received the least amount of criticism among the models – only 52.

In addition, experts note the brand Suzuki – the company has committed a real jump from 32th to 9th place overall.

It’s worth noting the principal losers of the rating of J. D. Power and Associates. It is not strange, but in most of the claims the Americans had against the Mini – about 165 criticisms. Land Rover with 150 overall criticisms does not look too good as well. American drivers are not satisfied with such brands as Smart, Saab, Jeep, Hummer, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, and Dodge.

Earlier, in mid-summer, we will be informed about the official name of the new model – so far the new model has the code name Project Kimberly. No technical details about this car are reported. According to some foreign publications, the car will be built on the highly modern modular platform of Audi (the one that was used to create, for example, the new sedan Audi A8). The vehicle will be rear-wheel drive and will be equipped with a powerful V8engine, aggregated with eight automatic ZF. In addition, the new model will be larger than Arnage sedan and luxury, while its direct competitors are Rolls-Royce Phantom and Maybach.

In the future, eight – cylinder turbo diesel or a new gasoline engine that can operate on bio-ethanol can be installed to the new Bentley sedan. It is not yet specified weather a hybrid propulsion system, which has already been tested on a more compact Bentley Continental GT will be available for this new model.

It is anticipated that the new model for Bentley will be shown in fall at the Motor Show in Frankfurt, and the serial production of new products will be launched in 2010. The price of the car has not been reported yet.

This model was already shown by the German tuner at the Geneva Motor Show this year. Now the volume and the cost of Mirage GT Carbon Edition sports car is also available. Maintaining the traditions and requirements of exclusive cars the Carrera GT will have limited production and the prices will be very high. The new edition car from Gemballa will be released in 5 copies with starting price of 298 000 Euros each.
A carboxylic is used not for the whole body, but only for some elements of the car, which had a positive effect on the weight of the car and has enhanced its high-speed dynamics.

This exclusive sports car needs a good aerodynamic false weight. And Mirage GT Carbon Edition has received from its founder and great aerodynamic with the control system of Gurney, «skirt» with integrated diffuser, side-lining and lining on the front wings, as well as large quantities of air conditioners. All these and some other exterior parts are made of carbon.
Mirage GT Carbon Edition is equipped with electro-hydraulic suspension, which reduces the ground clearance of the vehicle by 45 mm. The car also includes a 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels drives GT SPORT Forged

Under the hood of their new car Gemballa tuner company has set 5.7 liter V10 engine with the power of 670 hp and torque of 630 Nm. Thus Mirage GT Carbon Edition accelerate from 0 to 100 km /h for 3.6 seconds, instead of from 0 to 200 km /h in 9.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 335 km/h. Carboxylic Mirage GT from Gemballa beats the acceleration of Carrera GT for 0,2 seconds (Porsche accelerates to 100 km /h in 3.9 seconds) and 5 km /h maximum speed (forthe Carrera GT, the figure is 330 km /h).

As was previously reported, the serial version of BMW X1 will be only slightly different from the concept Concept X1, shown at last year’s Paris motor show. Outside the new X1 is approximately in the same style as the X3. The difference in size between the X1 and X3 is not so great. If the BMW X3 has a length of 4569 mm, then the BMW Concept X1 – 4457 mm. But the X1 series promises to be not too expensive. According to preliminary information the vehicle in the base would be priced around 30-35 thousand Euro.

Volvo has been involved in the development of a hybrid car for already two years. The development of the car is done in cooperation with the Vattenfall company, which is also developing a system of high-speed home charging and fixed charging stations, where owners pay to fuel with electricity instead of petrol or diesel.

According to the auto manufacturer more details about the work of hybrids are expected to appear later. For now it is know that the prototype was built on the basis of universal V70 Diesel-Electric plug-in hybrid models which will emit into the atmosphere an average of no more than 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

It should be mentioned, that the first three prototypes of Volvo V70 electric diesel-hybrid will be introduced to the public this summer.

The first hybrid concept with the possibility of charging from 220 V network called ReCharge Volvo was first introduced in autumn 2007.