2010 BMW reveals specs details of its new Active Hybrid X6 Coupe

2010 BMW Active Hybrid X6 which made its debut in the Frankfurt motor show will now be available in North America in Los Angeles Motor Show. Active Hybrid Technology makes X6 Coupe a fun to drive. With its two motors, CO2 emissions are greatly reduced upto 20% with the same percentage of decrease in fuel consumption. That’s why we talk of improved driving dynamics and performance when we discuss BMW. The three power units (two motors and an engine) can deliver upto 480hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. This Coupe takes the electric drive upto 60 km/h.

The V-8 400 hp twin turbo charged engine has the volumetric capacity of 4.4 litres. Seven speed automatic transmission comprises planetary gears and four multi plate clutches which can be manually operated as desired. It is based on electric continuously variable transmission system (ECVT) which gives optimum performance at all speeds. The car accelerates upto 60 mph in 5.4 secs.

The single motor drives the car at low speeds while the other motor acts as a generator at high speeds. Any how, this coupe becomes an electric car at low speeds.

Sensotronic Brake Actuation (SBA) is a supreme feature that makes drive even more luxurious. This braking mechanism utilizes the regeneration energy to make the brake responses more effective from the conventional hydraulic braking systems. The pedal movements are electrically sensed which are controlled by the control unit. In case this system fails to work, the mechaical hydraulic system comes in play once again hence making the journey all safe and sound.

The new Active Hybrid X6 Coupe will be available in the American market for $89,725.

Los Angeles Motor Show 2009:Mazda2 will make its North American debut next month

Jim O'Sullivan, President of Mazda North American Operations."Bringing MAZDA2 to North America completes the bookends in our lineup".

Mazda2 which was seen in the European markets for the last two years now touches the American shores next month. Mazda 2 has expanded its market triumphantly and has been acknowledged as the car of the year in more than 20 countries and winning nearly 50 awards globally. The strength, design, performance and built of Mazda2 lineup cars signify them in the global market. Sub compact Mazda2 is a five door small passenger car with significant driving features inside. The company didn’t reveal any performance details but rumors say 1.6 litres four cylinder engine is expected. Subcompact Mazda2 provides enough room for the passengers to make a soothe and comfortable journey.

Front End View

Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, RX-8 and some other models will be on display in LA motor show. This show will continue from 4-13 December for public display while press conferences are scheduled from 2-3 December.

Mazda2 will be on for sale in early winters next year.

Cellphone telematics: a better option than Embedded Systems

What is the use of throwing money in embedded systems that add cost to a car when cellphones serve the purpose? Even a child chats in his own cell phone in this world of technology. Ford has a better approach in this regard which provides connectivity to its consumers via cell phone. Just plug in your cell and bring the data in your car. But some critics support the GM stances who believe in embedded systems. Embedded system is not an innovative thinking I believe. When you have other alternative options available, why to throw money.  The only benefit I see is that embedded system keeps you connected all the time. I believe that GM embedded cars may be a good option for an elite class but this technology does not attract a common person. GM should not go for such technologies when it is badly affected from recession.

Some auto makers think that it is better to have both the options available in your car, I say it is more than rubbish. What do you think?

New BMW Wind Tunnel marks out a remarkable difference

The new BMW Wind Tunnel with the Aerodynamics Test Center has really amazed the difference in the aerodynamics of its open top cars used now and a decade ago. The difference is appreciated by the celebrity, Sylvie van der Vaart.

Van der Vaart dressed up like the lady of late eighties with properly combed hairs. She was a little confused before the test but theBMW team made her relaxed that nothing is going to hurt her inside the tunnel. She sits in the open top BMW 3 series convertible. The BMW team gears up for the test that would shortly stun the crowd. BMW wind rotor breathes out and the moments later, van der Vaart gets off the car as if she returned from desert. The wind badly entangled her hairs.

Van der Vaart now dresses up like a 2009 young lady with beige clothes and combed hairs. The new BMW 3 series open top convertible gets the prestige to have the celebrity in her lap. The engine turns the rotor on, a couple of seconds pass but the new BMW didn’t raise even a single hair. She astonishes whether the rotor spun or not. The test brings out the hell of difference in the two models and the improved aerodynamics , BMW is dedicated to work on.

MOST dominates the auto market in electronics

Toyota is the first auto company who used MOST (Media Oriented System Transport) in Lexus RX and Prius models, thus dominating the auto market. MOST is currently used in more than 65 models thus leaving its rivals far behind in the race of network expansion. Fuel consumption is displayed using MOST with graphical analysis and tabulated data statistics but MOST lags behind in bandwidth especially when we talk of ETHERNET and 1394 spar. MOST has the bandwidth of 22 Mbits/s which is far less than 1 Gbits/s provided by Ethernet.

Auto Networks

High video quality displays for rear passengers   demand high bandwidths to maintain the video streaming. Low frequency CAN (controller area network) buses now need to be replaced with alternative efficient networks.

1394 is a better competitor who is widely expanding its electronics market in the auto sector. 1394 is bringing up new innovations in the market like the famous FireWire.

MOST needs to boost up its bandwidth and should bring up new concepts and technologies so that MOST remains the most dominating electronics supplier.

How traction makes your car slip?

Have you ever experienced to drive your car on wet roads (due to snow or rain) or on roads with low friction coefficient, you may have had a feel of wheel slip. This is where traction comes in play. Traction is actually the force imparted by the wheels on the road or vice versa. Traction is indeed very important in auto designing.

What happens is when you drive the car on a wet surface, traction reduces (the force applied by the wheels on road). In an engine design, traction is always kept higher than the engine torque at all speeds but when traction due to the poor surface contact lowers, torque may exceed and makes the car slip. In short, you may say that when the force provided by the engine to the wheels (longitudinal force) exceeds the force imparted by the wheels on the road, slip occurs. So the term “traction” has the real importance in automobile engineering.

Traction at cornering

You might have seen the racing cars slip at cornering even if the road is not wet. During cornering, lateral force comes in play. This is the force provided by the surface and the wheels to make the car turn. So if you speed up the car at cornering, you are increasing the longitudinal force and if these two forces (longitudinal and lateral) exceed the traction level, car slips.

Watch the video.



The car on the left is equipped with traction sway control system, the one in the middle is to see how the driver responds to slip without the sway system and the one on the right is the vehicle without the system and the result is the car slip.

2010 BMW Gran Turismo 550i review

Have you heard of a car that provides you with stunning features like iDrive, 8-speed transmission, driver adjustable engine, night vision, active traction control, brake energy regeneration and many other breathtaking features. If and certainly not, then 2010 Gran Turismo 550i provides you extreme luxury.

BMW is known for its luxury brands especially in America which has got the largest BMW market. The rear wheel drive 550i comes with 400bhp twin turbo charged V-8 direct injection engine, volumetric capacity being 4.4 liters and 450lb-ft of torque. The car sprints off to 60mph in 5.4 secs.

Adaptive cruise control and collision warning system makes your journey extremely safe and comfortable. The comfort goes far beyond with the blind spot detection system. The system is equipped with cameras and radar that makes you alert all the time especially in overtaking. Further safety features include Automatic locking retractors, airbag supplement restraint system and automatic pretension safety belts.

What more attractive about 550i is the large sunroof panel. The side view of the car has not a very pleasing look but front view is a typical BMW style. The interior is a blend of creme and black. The dashboard signifies the interior with so many controls. The armrest separates the rear passenger seats which are auto adjustable. High picture quality visual display screens entertain you on long journeys.

The way BMW is expanding and bringing new technologies in the market is a clear indication to its rivals that it will soon occupy the world market.