Category Archives: BMW

BMW i3 Coupe, Model S, R8 E-Tron, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model X

EV sales predicted to surge as showrooms reopen and demand bounces back

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Google Trends data show that, since the PM’s launch of the COVID-19 recovery strategy (11 May), there has been a significant boom in demand across the automotive industry – so much so that the demand is now parallel with the numbers pre-lockdown, this surge in demand is especially evident in the electric vehicle industry.

The Road to Recovery Dashboard: Electric Vehicles is part of a tool built by LeaseFetcher, a car leasing comparison site based in Scotland. “The dashboard aims to observe long term and immediate changes in demand and will help inform predictions about the future for the electric vehicle and automotive industry,” says Will Craig, Founder of LeaseFetcher.

Pulling its raw data from Google Trends on a weekly basis, the tool provides an invaluable insight into consumer sentiment and behaviour.

In March, demand across the automotive industry nosedives. Now, following the announcement on the 11th of May, introducing step one of the recovery strategy, demand is once again on the rise.

While search volume for ‘electric car’ hasn’t yet returned to its pre-COVID levels, there’s every indication that it will do soon.

Specifically, the Tesla Model S and Model X have seen strong recoveries, matching and even exceeding interest this time last year.

Demand for the compact BMW i3 has recently returned to its pre-COVID levels, while the higher-end Audi e-Tron has already exceeded this. This is a strong recovery considering the demand fell by 70.1% and 63.5% respectively from the 8th of March to the 22nd of March.

With over 200 miles of range now the norm and 30 minute fast chargers popping up left, right and centre, electric car owners have less and less to grumble about and potential new owners fewer transition barriers. With demand bouncing back with such force, we are likely to see a surge in new electric vehicle registrations in the coming months.

If COVID-19 has shown us one thing, it is the very tangible impact of air pollution on our health. Around the world, people have had their first taste of truly fresh air for a very long time as roads were closed, cars left unused and heavy industry was brought to a standstill. Electric cars produce zero tailpipe emissions, which make them an invaluable part of any strategy to tackle inner-city emissions and to make the world a greener, better, place.

The Road to Recovery Dashboard for Electric Vehicles will continue to be updated on a weekly basis to track the progress of the industry-wide recovery from COVID-19.

BMW i3 Coupe, Tesla Model X, Uncategorized

The Complexes Of Putting Your Trust In A.I.

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It’s widely agreed that the future belongs to electricity. There is going to be a time when fossil fuels either run out, or become too ineffective for companies around the world who want to make a profit. However, no one is arguing that electric cars will be the future, it’s the technology that will be inside them that is the current talk of the town. Autonomous cars sound like a brilliant idea because they’re supposed to take out the human error or chance of one and make the roads safer. But there have been mishaps and even bad accidents when these types of cars are being tested. Indeed this technology is in its infancy, but these cars are still being developed. Other cars with a combustion engine, are in fact using radar systems to stop, start and drive the car for the driver. But putting your trust in the A.I. to drive for you leaves open some questions.

Image by TTTNIS

Cruise radar

Cars like the BMW i3 are one of the main leaders in adaptive radar cruising. Put simply the car will essentially drive itself while on the motorway. Using complex computer systems that communicate with each other hundreds of times a second, the car will evaluate how fast and how far from the car in front, you should be going. However, it’s advisable for drivers to not use this system when the weather is not very good. Fog is the number one factor that can decide to block the sensors making it difficult for the A.I. to judge the distance of the car in front. However, even so, the ability to cruise at a calm and orderly pace, ever consistent, is seen far more efficient than any human being could achieve.

Credit John Voo

Known accidents

As recently as 2016 and 2017 Tesla Model X cars have been having major accidents while in their ‘autopilot’ mode. For some reason, the technology used in them doesn’t seem to recognise abnormal shapes even in clear weather. A truck was driven into by a Model X, and the only thing that saved the driver was the sturdiness of the design. This is just one of the tales that adaptive cruise control users can tell you. One would think now, the car accident lawyer contacting has gone up because of this. This is relevant to people who have been driven into by an electric car. You’re entitled to file a lawsuit with a big chance of winning if you have been injured, need money to fix or even replace your car, lost wages due to staying home to recuperate and payment for medical bills. Suddenly this futuristic technology looks like it’s more hassle than it’s worth, in its current stage of development.

Trusting A.I. is something that we’d all like to do, not just because it’s cool and it excites us to see machines being accurate and working well but also because human error is taken out of the equation. However, those who want to buy an electric car may find that they should stick to driving it themselves and not rely on cruise control software just yet.

BMW, BMW i3 Coupe

BMW i3 REX Range Extender Explained

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What is a range extender? Is the BMW i3 a hybrid? In this video Alex on Autos tries to explain one of the least understood cars on sale in America.

The BMW i3 has two versions, the all electric battery version, and another, less well known, battery electric range extended hybrid. In a range extended hybrid, you get a cetrain amount of electric drive, let’s say 60 miles, and then at 60 miles, before the battery runs completely dry, a small ICE engine starts up and powers an alternator to resupply the battery with electricity. Therefore, the range extended hybrid has a gasoline engine and a plug, but the gasoline engine never directly powers the wheels.

The BMW i3 REX is a little different though because it was born from the California zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate. To simplify it, by 2025, 25% of all vehicles sold in California must be “zero emissions vehicles”. But to add flexibility, California allows manufacturers to sell hybrids that are not technically ZEVs as credits towards that goal. The BMW i3 REX is technically classified in California as a BEVx, and that gives it the full amount of ZEV credits even though it has a gasoline engine on board.

The BMW i3 REX is the first of its kind to be classified as a BEVx. It is different from a Prius Prime or Chevy Volt because it has at least a 75 mile range, a range comparable to some other affordable BEV options on the market. When the battery of the REX gets to 6.5% the BMW moped engine quietly turns on to maintain the battery at 6.5% but not replenish it more than that. This is a 2 cylinder 35 hp engine so it cannot do much more. Therefore, the i3 REX is an extremely low emissions vehicle, less than plug in hybrids with larger motors as much as 175 hp.

Sounds a little scary if you are on an ascending highway at 60 mph and the only hope you have of getting to your destination is a little 2 stroke, but Alex on Autos reviews what it actually feels like to be almost out of juice in the BMW i3 REX.

Features & Specs

Drive system
Type
AC Synchronous Electric Motor with integrated power electronics, charger and generator mode for recuperation
eDrive Motor Horsepower (hp @ rpm)
170 @ 4800
eDrive Motor Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
184 @ 0
Type
2-cylinder gasoline Range Extender
HV battery type
Lithium-ion
Total Battery Capacity / Cell Capacity
33 kWh / 94 Ah
Max AC Charging Power (kW)
7.4
Transmission
Type of transmission
single speed automatic
Automatic gear ratios (:1)
9.67
Coefficient drag
0.30
Performance
Acceleration 0–35 mph1
4.0
Acceleration 0-60 mph1
8.0
Top speed2
93 mph
Fuel Consumption
Total Range (mi)
Up to 205
Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons)
2.4
Charging Time – Level 2 – 0-100% (hr)
4.5
Charging Time – DC 50kW – 0-80% (hr)
0.75
Wheels and tires
Tire type
All-season3
Wheel Dimensions (in)
19 x 5.0 front, 19 x 5.5 rear
Tire Dimensions (mm)
155/70 front, 175/60 rear
Exterior Dimensions
Doors / Seats
5/4
Length / Width / Height (in)
157.4 / 69.9 / 62.9
Ground Clearance (in)
5.5
Curb Weight – Automatic transmission (lbs)
3234
Weight distribution, front/rear – Automatic transmission (%)
44.0 / 56.0
Interior Dimensions
Headroom (in)
39.6
Legroom, front/rear (in)
40.5 / 31.9
Shoulder room, front/rear (in)
53.6 / 49.2
Cargo Capacity (cu ft)
9.2 – 38.8
BMW, i8

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Drag Races a BMW i8

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Some say that the BMW i8 is the future of motoring, and have even favored it over an M3, but can it really stack up against the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde?

Before answering this question, we have to consider a number of facts, the most important being the German sports car’s age, as it’s getting ready to blow four candles this year.

Secondly, the i8 uses a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine, rated at 228 horses and 236 pound-feet (320 Nm) of torque, but it’s backed up by an electric motor providing an extra 129 HP and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.

The combined system output is 357 HP and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque, which allows it to sprint from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 4.4 seconds, and up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

On the other hand, the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, said to have been cooked up with Ferrari’s expertise, rated at 505 HP and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. Going from naught to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 3.9 seconds, but give it enough space and it will eventually reach 190 mph (305 km/h), always according to the manufacture.

So, ready to see how the two potent machines stand against each other in a half-mile drag race? Just hit play below.

SOURCE: Carscoops

BMW, i8

Is the BMW i8 Worth $150,000?

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If you are looking for a head turning serial electric hybrid, Doug DeMuro, says, “Yes!” The BMW i8 is not only a futuristic looking way to reduce your dependence on oil, but also a lot of fun to drive. Doug mentions how well the hybrid handles at speed, and it has a lot of pop, sporting a 0-60 in around 4 seconds. Another interesting thing about the video is how BMW simulates the sound of a V8 engine into the cabin when you punch the “gas”.

BMW i3 Coupe, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model X

Upcoming electric cars that will conquer the market this year

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In the past 5 years we’ve seen an increase in electric car manufacturing. Many international developers strongly believe that the future of the auto industry will depend on eco-friendly vehicles. Going green is no longer a luxury, and believe it or not, recent models of electric cars are no longer over-priced. In fact, some have pretty amazing built-ins and in-car technicals to surpass the efficiency and performance of conventional vehicles that run on gas. This year, the industry has spiked in eco-friendly cars; starting from the simplest all the way to the most groundbreaking. Here’s a quick guide with 5 “green” cars that will most like win you over.

ioniq

Hyundai IONIQ

Toyota Prius, it’s time for you to move over! IONIQ is here to take your spot. Even though it’s too early to tell whether or not Hyundai’s IONIQ model will be better than the Prius, rumor has it that it will be a fair competitor. The hybrid auto market is on the roll, and as new technologies emerge, it’s tough for manufacturers to stay on top. Hyundai has always been an ambitious car maker, and even though we can’t know for sure how advanced and powerful IONIQ will be, we can state that the plug-in hybrid will create some sort of hype. Rumor has it that the new model will deliver an incredible driving experience; apparently, some of the built-in features will provide a driving experience no other eco vehicle is currently offering.

Nissan Leaf

Nissan’s Leaf model is the most popular type of electric car in the world. Nearly 200,000 models have been sold since the release. The manufacturers are still making upgrades, and this year’s variant looks and feels better than ever. The latest Leaf comes with a 30 kWh battery, which is enough to drive for 155 miles. Why are casual driver so in love with this electric vehicle? First, because it is affordable – $18,000 on average – on average, and second because it looks nice both on the inside and on the outside. Nissan Leaf is comfortable, relaxing to drive and quiet. It is an electric pioneer that drivers are quite fond of!

Tesla Model X

There’s something about Tesla that keeps us interested. The company’s recent Model X is quite the beauty. It can easily get to 60 mph in roughly 3.2 seconds, not to mention that it looks pretty awesome too. Some say that Tesla’s Model X will be the best electric car of the year. It features enough room to fit up to 7 individuals, and it completely redefined in-car design. Sleek, modern and high-tech on the inside, Model X has certainly piqued our interest. The manufacturers argue that it is also the fastest electric car in the world, as well as the most capable utility vehicles created thus far. Safety is Model X’s biggest trump card. Considering it packs floor-mounted battery meant to lower its gravity center, the risk of rolling is extremely low.

tesla model x

Chevrolet Bolt

Chevy Bolt may not benefit from Tesla’s technology, but it’s still an electric vehicle with great potential. In fact, rumor has it that the most is the most anticipated of the year. The model will be hitting the market pretty soon, and many buyers are excited to test it out especially because it comes at an affordable cost – on average, $30,000. The fully electric hatchback offers seating for 5 people, thus making it ideal for small families. The engine can handle a mileage of 200, and the quick charging (30 minutes for 90 miles) will surely appeal to potential customers.

BMW i3

BMW’s i3 model is a remarkable electric hatchback. Featuring a rather unusual exterior built, we cannot help but wonder who thought of the design. The structure is made of carbon fiber, and as for the electric powertrain, the i3 packs legendary driving dynamics. Due to a low gravity center, the cars can easily go from 0 to 60mph in roughly 6.5 seconds. In terms of charging, this urban beauty doesn’t take longer than 3 hours to reach its full potential.

bmwi3

Numerous other electric cars are preparing to enter the market. Some see promising, whereas others are just pure science fiction. We still hope for Porsche’s Mission E to emerge so that Tesla can have some real competition.

By Christopher Austin and Design911.co.uk!