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Wednesday, 20 July 2011

BMW DesignworksUSA Designing New BART Trains

BMW DesignworksUSA Designing New BART Trains: "

If you happen to ride on a new Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) subway train in San Francisco sometime after 2017 you might be forgiven for thinking there’s something familiar — if you have owned or ridden in a BMW.

That’s because BMW DesignworksUSA, the design consultancy and subsidiary of BMW Group, has signed a contract to collaborate with BART to create the “Fleet of the Future”. The result will be all-new train cars for the famous transit system that first came into operation in 1973. At the time BART was regarded as one of the most advanced subway systems in the world. I remember being assigned to do a story on BART for a magazine in the UK, which kind of surprised me at the time considering that Europe has excellent train systems.

However now that the BART trains are coming up for their 40^th birthday they are reaching the end of their life. BART is currently encouraging riders to submit ideas for improving the new train cars, which will then be provided to BMW DesignworksUSA.

Of course, many of the engineering features are specified in advance for safety and reliability, with little room for input. For example, according to BART there is “jerk limiting” – “the maximum allowable jerk shall be 2.0 mphpsps”, or miles per hour per second per second. In the specification, a jerk is not someone who takes up two seats on a crowded train. It’s a technical term describing how much the acceleration of the train changes as the train moves.

Suggestions received so far include room for bicycles, wider aisles and more seats. Riders are also in favor of getting rid of the fabric-covered seats and carpeting – with the idea that comfortable yet easier-to-clean surfaces would result in cleaner train car interiors. I wonder if BMW will be able to make hard seats as comfortable as seats in a BMW 1-series or 3-series?

You’re probably wondering why BMW is getting involved in this sort of project? In case you’re not aware, forty-year old DesignworksUSA, based in Newbury Park, near Los Angeles that has been owned by BMW since 1995, has done a lot of creative work outside of the car industry including designing interiors for busses, trains and aircraft as well as consumer products.

Source: Google Reader

First Official VIDEO: 2012 Porsche 911

First Official VIDEO: 2012 Porsche 911: "

Here it is, the first official video of the 2012 Porsche 911 in action on a development drive in South Africa. The best part? You get to hear it in all it’s glory for a full 22 seconds starting at 0:59 in the video below.

R&T News Editor Carter Jung gave us a detailed report online when the first 2012 Porsche 911 photos dropped on July 12. Here are the highlights…

Look for a longer wheelbase (4 in.), shorter overhangs (1.3 in. front, 0.5 in. rear), and a lower roofline (0.5 in.). It’s also got a sharper windshield rake, due to the A-pillars coming forward 1.4 in. Better yet, even though it’s 2.2 in. longer than the outgoing 997, it’s expected to come in weighing around 55 lb less, thanks to the incorporation of high-strength steel.

The base engine is assumed to be a direct-injected 3.4-liter flat-6 cranking out 350 bhp. Look for a direct-injected 3.8-liter flat 6 producing 400 bhp in the Carrera S. There are also strong indications we will see the return of the 7-speed dual-clutch PDK in the 991.

Read the full 2012 Porsche 911 report >>

First Official Photos: 2012 Porsche 911 >>

Source: Google Reader

Record-Breaking Global Gathering of Citroën 2CVs

Record-Breaking Global Gathering of Citroën 2CVs: "

A record-breaking global gathering of Citroën 2CVs is set to take place from July 26-31 at the 19^th International ‘Amis de la 2CV’, an event expected to attract over 6000 examples of the iconic model.

Held every two years, the meeting attracts participants from all over the world who gather to celebrate one of Citroën’s longest-running success stories. The 2011 event, involving many of Europe’s 2CV owner’s clubs, promises to be the biggest yet.

In the setting of a 148-acre site near Salbris in central France, four pre-war prototype 2CVs will be on show alongside the contemporary Citroën REVOLTe concept – a city car combining luxury and technology, inspired by the 2CV’s distinctive silhouette.

Originally developed in the 1930s, most of the 250 prototype 2CVs were destroyed before war – with the exception of three, which were hidden to stop them falling into enemy hands. The fourth was stored by Michelin. The 2CV was finally unveiled at the 1948 Paris Motor Show, before going on to enjoy a fantastic career with 5,114,940 units sold between 1948 and 1990.

A wealth of activities will be taking place on and off site, including; a 2CV ‘disassemble-reassemble’ competition; a bring-and-buy sale; various children’s events; and driving simulators.

Source: Google Reader

2011 Pikes Peak Video Starring Monster Tajima and Rhys Millen

2011 Pikes Peak Video Starring Monster Tajima and Rhys Millen: "

Just when you thought you saw the last dramatic Pikes Peak video, HRE Wheels dropped another one. But before you pshaw your way to another blog post or video heaving its way to viral status, consider this: The footage is from the most recent Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where in which Tajima shattered (finally) the elusive 10 minute barrier with a 9:51.278 pass.

For our ADD readers, the film doesn’t recount the entire run in all of its sub 10 minute glory. Instead it’s cut with in- and on-car footage of Tajima and scenic shots of the Suzuki SX4 tearing up the 156 turns of road and dirt (more the former than latter). For some contrast, Rhys Millen, another HRE-sponsored driver, plays a supporting role in the video. Millen in his Hyundai prototype finished 2^nd overall with a 10:09.242 time.

Source: Google Reader

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Mitsubishi Goes Samurai with New Evo Video

Mitsubishi Goes Samurai with New Evo Video: "

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is one of our favorite cars around. And if there was ever a car to be compared to a samuari sword, this is it. GT Channel just released a cool samurai-themed video featuring the Evo. It’s worth a look.

"Source : Google Reader

Higgins Wins for Subaru

Higgins Wins for Subaru: "

davidhiggins

Although no rookie to rally racing, David Higgins had some big shoes to fill. Replacing Travis Pastrana for the 2011 rally season, Higgins had to come to grips with an unfamiliar co-driver, Craig Drew, car, a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and series, the Rally America National Championship. But this wasn’t his first championship victory. He’s also won the 2002 and 2003 SCCA ProRally Championship as well as the 2004 British Rally Championship.

Higgins chief rivalry came from 2010 championship holder Antoine L’Estage, but thanks to their consistent podium finishes, three outright victories and two second place finishes, the Higgins and Drew team were able to take the championship.

Said Higgins after the event, “It’s amazing and hasn’t really sunk in yet,” explained Higgins at the podium celebration. “The level of competition was really fierce all year, and it was a big challenge for me to come back to the USA after seven years away and adjust to new events, a co-driver I had never worked with before as well as new car. But everything meshed really well and our Subaru STI was a joy to drive fast. Driving for Subaru is every rally driver’s dream as the brand is so famous for rallying, so this is something really special for me.”

Source : Google Reader

Arkym, Purveyors of Custom Carbon Fiber Parts

Arkym, Purveyors of Custom Carbon Fiber Parts: "

My column, Countersteer, in this month’s issue of R&T was about Callaway Golf’s new technology called Carbon Composite, a revised form of carbon fiber that’s also featured in Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento show car. While doing background on this, I visited Arkym, an aftermarket firm that produces custom carbon fiber parts for BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Volkswagen, Porsche and soon Lexus.

While still a small operation, Arkym’s products are first rate. The company produces stylish and quality carbon-fiber pieces that range from the entire hood to a front spoiler lip. Arkym says it believes in a “perfect weave” philosophy which balances strength, complexity, style, weight and efficient production methods. Arkym uses what it calls Vacuum-Lock Infusion or Arkym VLI, which utilizes advanced composite infusion processes in combination of extremely high quality base materials, resins, topcoats and mold-forming techniques in development.

The company had a striking M3 on display at its warehouse in Irvine, California. Not only are Arkym’s pieces designed for weight saving, they improve the aerodynamics of your car. For more information on the company visit its website.

Source : Google Reader

Is the 2012 VW Beetle Masculine Enough?

Is the 2012 VW Beetle Masculine Enough?: "

vw-2012-beetle

Beyond the sporty looks, VW is hoping that improved driving dynamics of the 2012 VW Beetle will sway more men behind the wheel. For the U.S., the 2012 Beetle will be available with two engines: a 170-hp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic, or a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 coupled to a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Manual transmissions—a 5-speed for the 2.5L and a 6-speed for the 2.0 Turbo—will come later. A 140-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 direct-injection diesel is also in the works for next year. It will be offered with a 6-speed manual or the dual-clutch gearbox. VW estimates the fuel economy for the diesel to be 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg city.

Keep Reading: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle – Driving Impressions >>

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Sunday, 17 July 2011

Mopar’s JK-8 Kit Converts Your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a Pickup for $5499

Mopar’s JK-8 Kit Converts Your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a Pickup for $5499: "

Chrysler’s Mopar division previewed its Jeep JK-8 pickup bed conversion for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited a few months ago at the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, and now Jeep pickup enthusiasts can purchase the kit that converts their four-door Wrangler to a modern Scrambler for $5499, installation not included. With the least-expensive Wrangler Unlimited, the air-conditioning-free Sport trim, starting at $26,345, this means that it’ll run you nearly $32,000 for a Wrangler pickup—and that’s not counting the time or cost of the actual conversion.

The kit consists of new body panels that make up the pickup bed, a new bulkhead behind the front seats, new B-pillars, roll bar extensions, and a removable fiberglass roof. The installation is a bit more than a simple plug-and-play affair, and requires several spot welds in the body to be cut (along with the B-pillars and portions of the existing roll bar), and the kit’s new body panels to be welded in place and painted. At Mopar’s April unveiling of the JK-8 kit, the company said that it might offer a simpler, “backyard bolt-in” kit, and apparently that easier-to-install option has been shelved.

Despite the reasonably involved installation process, Mopar seems confident that a motivated do-it-yourselfer could feasibly execute the conversion. For the less daring conversion buyer, the kit can be installed at any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram dealership; with this much welding and bodywork, however, it might be wise to find a dealership with a decent body shop. Perhaps the kit’s best attribute—besides the fact that the conversion creates a Jeep with a pickup bed—is that the whole shebang is warranted for three years/36,000 miles, and it is available now through any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram dealership. If you want to see the JK-8 in action, head over here.

Source : Google Reader

Can Your Car Be Hacked? How Hackers and Carmakers Battle for Control

Can Your Car Be Hacked? How Hackers and Carmakers Battle for Control: "

Hack to the future.

Not too long ago, securing a car meant popping the faceplate off the CD player, slapping a Club over the steering wheel, and locking the doors. As vehicles’ electronic systems evolve, however, automobiles are starting to require the same protection as laptop computers and e-commerce servers.

Keep Reading: Can Your Car Be Hacked? – Feature

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