The BMW i8, first introduced as the BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, is a plug-in hybrid under development by BMW. The initial concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show,^[5] and the BMW i8 concept cardestined for production was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[6] The i8 has a 7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which delivers an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi).^[2]

In 2010 BMW announced the mass production of the Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics in Leipzig beginning in 2013 as the BMW i8.^[7] The i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and will be marketed as a new brand, BMW i, sold separately from BMW or Mini. The BMW i3 and the BMW i8 will be the first models available from 2013. Other i models will follow.^[8][9]

Contents   [hide]  1 Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics (diesel) 2 Pre-production (gasoline) version 3 Price 4 Awards and recognition 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit]Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics (diesel)

Vision Efficient Dynamics concept vehicle unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Vision Efficient Dynamics concept caris a plug-in hybrid with a three cylinderturbodiesel engine.^[5] Additionally, there are two electric motors with 139horsepower. It allows an acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (160 mph).^[7]

According to BMW , the average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) is 3.76 litres/100 kilometers, (75.1 mpg imp), and has a carbon dioxide emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer (1,3 l/100 km and 33g CO2/km ; EU-PHEV ECE-R101). The estimated all-electric range is 50 km (31 mi), and the 24-litre diesel tank extends the total vehicle range to up to 700 km (430 mi).^[7] The lightweight chassis is made mainly from aluminium. The windshield, top, doors and fenders are made from polycarbonate glass, with the body having a drag coefficient of 0.22.^[10]

[edit]Pre-production (gasoline) version

The BMW i8 concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show has a 7.2 kWh (26 MJ) lithium-ion batterypack that allows an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph) and is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Under normal driving conditions the i8 is expected to deliver 80 mpg_-US(2.9 L/100 km; 96 mpg_-imp) under the European cycle. A full charge of the battery will take less than 2 hours using 220V.^[2][6]

The i8 combines the electric drive system of the BMW i3, with a 96 kW (129 hp) electric motor located in the front axle powering the front wheels and at the rear is a turbocharged 1.5-litre 3-cylinder gasoline engine producing 164 kW (220 hp) and 300 N·m (220 lbf·ft) of torque. The result is a combined output of 260 kW (349 hp). All four wheels provide regenerative braking. The location of the battery pack in the energy tunnel gives the vehicle a low centre of gravity, enhancing its dynamics. Together with the positioning of the motor and engine over the axles, the result is an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.^[1][2]

[edit]Price

The BMW i8 is expected to cost more than €100,000 (GB£78,000 or US$122,800), according to BMW head of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson.^[11]

[edit]Awards and recognition

In July 2011 the BMW i8 won the 2012 North American Concept Vehicle of the Year

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Prepare Your Car For The Summer!!

Summer is officially here. No kidding, just look out your window. It's a great time to head out on a driving vacation, or just enjoy the great outdoors. But before you let the good times roll, and put your car through some extreme heat and long drives, you need to be sure that your car is in top shape. Cracked hoses, a leaking radiator, under-inflated tyres and clogged filters can significantly lower your fuel efficiency, or worse, lead to a total breakdown of your car. Here are some simple tips to check the health of your car before heading out for that driving holiday.

TYRES

A car’s tyres are the only part that come in direct contact with the road but easily the most neglected part. The summers can be really harsh on tyres hardening the rubber sidewalls and causing irreparable damage. A good way to check the health of your tyres is by a simple visual check to see if there are any cuts on the surface.   

The simplest check is getting the air pressure inflated to the level recommended in your owner's manual. Summer heat increases the pressure in tyres (by 5-6 psi), so make sure you check the pressure before driving far. Don't forget to check your spare as well. Over inflating the tyres might lead to tyre bursts.


Many owners make the mistake of checking the pressure after driving around. Since air pressure builds up due to friction with the road it’s advised to get them checked as soon as you head out, while they're still cold. Ideally, don't drive for more than 2-3 km before filling air and in the morning when the temperatures are relatively low.

An under-inflated tyre bulges outward and puts undo pressure on the sidewalls of the tyre. With enough heat and pressure, that tyre eventually will blow. Not an ideal situation when doing highway runs.

COOLING SYSTEM

Before checking the coolant levels you need to check the condition of hoses and belts.

Check the hoses for any cracks, minor leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm. Hoses suffer from a slow deterioration process, especially in the summer heat that eats away at rubber from the inside. Get them replaced if the need arises. Don’t go penny-pinching while getting them repaired. Remember, cheap rubber parts can fail again, when you are on the highway.

Also check if the fan belt is in good health. Belts can also be visually checked for cracks and damage. If the radiator fan fails, there will be no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool, which will overheat your car.

Check under the hood and make sure that your coolant levels are fine, not only the radiator but also the coolant reservoir. Add a bit of water if you don't have access to coolant. The general rule is to flush your radiator and add new coolant at least once every two years. Flushing the radiator is done with a special chemical that cleans debris and build-up on the inside of the radiator. Make sure your service centre is doing this for you. It's advisable to carry a bottle of engine coolant before you're off on a road trip.

It's a good idea to carry a couple of spare fuses, which come handy in case a fuse fails while you're in a remote place on your road trip.

FLUIDS

The ideal time to check the engine oil level is when the car hasn't been active for a while. At the same time, make sure that the car isn't completely cold, since that could give you a wrong reading. Confused? Let's clarify this a bit – To check your oil level, let your car run for a couple of minutes, then park it on a flat surface and shut off the engine.

You're looking for three things here — the level, the viscosity and the colour. The oil should look brownish yellow and clean on the stick. If the dip-stick indicated low, then add a bit of recommended oil. Also, check if the oil isn’t too sticky, which means it will need replacement. If the oil is a dark colour or there's a lot of dirt and grime in it, then you definitely need an oil change and oil filter replacement.

Most manufacturers now recommend oil changes around the 10,000km mark but if you’ve driven around 7,000km and are planning a road-trip we’d advise you to go for a change. The best time to pop the bonnet open for this is a day before you hit the road.

AC CHECKS

It goes without saying that you really need this one part of your car working flawlessly during the summer. The most common cause of a malfunctioning air conditioning unit is a low level of refrigerant. This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. Since modern air conditioning systems are complicated, it's best to have a professional check out the problem.

Another smart method to reduce your car from becoming an oven when parked in the heat, is by simply leaving half an inch of a window open. This will allow fresh air to enter the cabin ensuring the heat will escape. But do this only if you are in a secure parking area (that's relatively dust free as well), where the car isn't at the risk. Also, it's ideal to roll all windows down and turn on the ac blower at full blast just as you switch on the car. This will ensure that the hot air inside the car moves out rapidly. Leaving the windows open for a couple of minutes also helps the AC cool effectively otherwise it has to first negate the hot air trapped inside.

SEAT UPHOLSTERY

This may sound a bit gross, but unfortunately it's quite a valid point. Fabric seats are prone to stains in the summer, especially from excessively sweaty occupants. Summer months also bring extra dust with them, which tends to enter the car cabin along with passengers.

While we won't go as far as going the taxi way and covering your seats with towels, you can however maintain fabric upholstery with regular dusting, vacuuming and an occasional shampoo from a pro car wash.

THE OUTSIDE STORY

The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can remove the sheen from your car’s paintwork. Ideally you should try and park the car under a tree’s shade if you can or use the basement if your office has one. The best thing to do though is get a good wax/polish job done which provides a thin but very vital protective layer between your car’s paintwork and the harsh sun rays.

The sun’s harmful UV rays affect the rubber wipers, which tend to harden leading to scratches on the glass surface as well as that irritating screeching noise. Sand and dirt carried by the wind can get deposited on the blades, reducing their effectiveness. 

Thankfully, it's quite easy to maintain wiper blades; all you need to do is wipe the blade. Use a damp piece of cloth soaked in soap water to gently clean the blades. It would also be a good idea to get rid of the sludge on the windscreen glass by wiping with light soap solution. Use a shampoo at home if you do not want to buy an expensive windscreen cleaner, but don't use strong detergent..

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Rolls Considering SUV , Convertable?? news

Rumors abound of a Rolls-Royce product expansion. The auto marque whose lineup previously centered exclusively around the Phantom has since expanded to include the Ghost and the Wraith coupe based upon it, but rumors persist that the Goodwood marque is planning a few more. Two months ago we brought you a report that Rolls was planning a new V16 roadster to serve as a halo model and stick it to rivals Bentley and Bugatti, but now there are further reports of new Rolls-Royces under consideration



One rumor that persists is that of a Rolls-Royce SUV. Auto Bild, the car magazine that serves the same German market where RR parent company BMW is based, says the high-riding Roller could be based on the next BMW X5 and arrive by 2016 as the first all-wheel-drive Rolls-Royce in the company’s long history. But Auto Bild also reports that Rolls is considering a convertible version of the Wraith as well. Whether this emerges to be the same program as the aforementioned V16 roadster or another model entirely, however, remains to be seen.

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Rolls Roys Phantom Cou'pe news

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé is a British handmade (except chassis) luxury coupe manufactured by Rolls-Royce that debuted at the 2008 Geneva International Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland, on 6 March 2008.^[1] The platform is based on the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom and has styling heavily derived from the Rolls-Royce 100EX, a concept car unveiled to celebrate the company's centennial in 2004.^[2] Its interior includes leather and wood veneer. There is a button to close the "coach doors". The Phantom Coupe has the same 6.75 litre V12 as found in the other Phantom models, developing 338 kW (453 bhp) of power and 720 N·m(531 lb·ft) of torque. ^[3]

Contents   [hide]  1 Specification 2 Performance 3 Reception 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit]Specification

The Phantom Coupé is powered by a 6.75 L V12, producing 459 PS (338 kW; 453 hp), 531 pound-feet of torque -- with nearly 400 lb-ft, or 75 percent, available at just 1,000 rpm -- and has segment-leading fuel economy thanks to modern technology such as direct injection and variable valve and camshaft control.^[4] The car features reverse-opening power-closing doors, adaptive suspension with automatic four-corner leveling, 21-inch alloy wheels, a 15-speaker 420 watt sound system with navigation, and a handcrafted interior with flawless leather trim and a choice of wood veneers. The "picnic" trunk provides a seating platform for two and offers easy access to the luggage compartment. Optional equipment includes front and rear parking cameras and a wide array of paint colors and interior trim material choices. A unique option is a full-length "starlight" headliner, which incorporates hundreds of tiny fibre optics to give the impression of a star-filled night sky.^[5]

[edit]Performance

The Phantom Coupé is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph (249km/h), with a fuel consumption in combined cycle (ECE+EUDC) of 16 L/100 km (18 mpg_-imp; 15 mpg_-US) while producing 377g/km of CO2.^[6]

[edit]Reception

The Phantom Coupé has received most positive review from the critics. The British television show Top Gear rated the car 9/10 for performance, 10/10 for quality, 9/10 for design, but criticised its high cost.

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the New Range Rover Evouq news

In the latest episode of The Smoking Tire, Matt Farah discusses whether the Range Rover Evoque is simply a showpiece, akin to an accessory for the soccer mums of Beverly Hills, or a proper Range Rover worthy of the name. It may not be the most masculine car Land Roverhas ever built, there’s no doubting the luxury SUV is a good looking car. It also has requisite off-roading skills befitting of a Range Rover, which Farah discovers after taking a lime-green two-door Evoque to California’s Hungry Valley offroad area.

While it may only have a 4-cylinder engine, big flashy wheels and no air suspension, it still offers plenty of Range Rover quality both on and off-road. In short, Farah has plenty of love for the ultimate cougar car.

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Aston Reveals Hydrogen Rapide S

As we reported in the run-up to Geneva 2013, Aston Martin will be racing a hydrogen-powered Rapide S at the Nuburgring 24-hour race in May. And here it is. The pioneering car, called the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, will become the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international event and will put the Green into the Green Hell by becoming the first zero CO2 emissions sports car to complete a race pace lap at Ring. Working alongside hydrogen experts Alset Global, Aston’s engineers developed a prototype twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 to power the Nurburgring car.

Based on the latest Rapide S sports sedan, it’s capable of running on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen or a mixture of both, which is why “hybrid” has been used in the name even though no electricity is used. In pure hydrogen mode, the only emission the car will make is water as the ignited hydrogen combines with oxygen from the air. The Hybrid Hydrogen system is made up of a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system that controls the combustion process according to particular driving situations with the aim of ensuring optimum power, acceleration and CO2 reduction.

The idea is to generate sports car performance while leaving a supermini-sized carbon footprint. As you’d expect of a car travelling at speed while carrying hydrogen, safety is a concern. The system, approved by German motorsport’s governing body, includes four “ultra-high strength” carbon-fiber tanks, two next to the driver and two in the boot, carrying a total of 3.5kg of hydrogen. Aston Martin will line up at the 2013 Nurburgring 24 Hours on 19-20 May along with over 150 cars.

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Maseratii Reveals new Ghibli

With its debut fast approaching at the Shanghai Auto Show in a couple of weeks and images leaking all over the internet, Maserati has revealed the first photos and initial details on its new Ghibli. Slotting below the Quattroporte (which has grown to S-Class/7 Series size in its current iteration), the new Ghibli is set to take the fight to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. Maserati also says the Ghibli embodies a "sportier character compared to the larger Quattroporte"

The Modense automaker has also revealed what engines will power the sport sedan. While earlier speculation suggested that the Ghibli would get also get the QP's new turbo V8, Maserati has announced that power will be provided by two versions of the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 – ditching the larger twin-turbo V8 – driving through an eight-speed automatic to either the rear wheels or all four. That doesn't close the door, however, to a future V8 version. The Ghibli will also be the first Maserati to offer a diesel option, in this case a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel. Maserati hopes the new Ghibli will help it reach 50,000 sales annually to take it out of the fringe and into the mainstream

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