Archive for May, 2009
Bmws Choice Of Engine And Transmissions
Car companies such as the German BMW are always looking for ways to improve the performance of their engine and gear boxes.
It is a known fact that the auto industry is a dynamic one with car manufacturers coming up with more and more innovations as time goes by. It was not so long ago that vehicles produced are equipped with engines that are capable of producing only low power. But through constant developments and new innovations newer engines have been produced which give a better power output and better transmissions that are capable of even smoother gear changes. These innovations are an integral part of a car manufacturers dedication to provide better cars for their consumers.
For the German Bavarian Motor Works company their engines should be top of the line in order for their cars to be strong competitors on their class. One of the engines offered by BMW for their vehicles is the 3.0liter inline V6 engine. While the world of performance cars is dominated by the use of V6 or V8 engines BMW offers an inline engine that is capable of matching the performance of V engines.
BMWs inline sixcylinder engine can produce as much as 255 horsepower. The engine features a Double VANOS valve regulation system. This feature is electronically controlled and manipulates the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. This means that the engine can instantly increase its power output depending on the demand of the driver. And since it regulates the opening and closing of the exhaust valves emission is controlled too. This innovation also makes this engine a fuel efficient powerplant.
Aside from the 3.0liter inline sixcylinder engine BMW also offers a bigger 4.8liter V8 engine. This engine replaces the award wining BMW engine in BMWs engine lineup. This V8 unit is rated to produce 360 horsepower at 6300 revolutions per minute and 360 lbft of torque at around 3400 revs per minute. The said power is enhanced by the Valvetronic and Double VANOS features. According to BMW Valvetronic eliminates the need for a traditional throttle allowing the engine to breathe more easily via continuously variable valve lift control. This feature allows the engine to have a better fuel efficiency especially during lowload operations where most driving takes place.
The Double VANOS feature on the other hand allows the engine to steplessly choose the valve timings for both intake and exhaust camshafts explains BMW. The companys website explains how the Double VANOS works saying DoubleVANOS controls the four camshafts in this V8 to deliver more lowtomediumspeed torque for strong acceleration added flexibility for better highway performance and a quieter smoother engine at idle.
To get the best out of these engines BMW developed gear boxes that will facilitate the smooth transfer of power from the engine to the drive wheels of BMW vehicles. The newest innovation to come out of BMW is the STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. The gear box is available in a five or a sixspeed configuration. These automatic transmissions allow drivers to manually shift gears. This feature is aimed at the performance enthusiast who wants better control of the vehicles gear changes. While the transmission permits manual transmission it also prevents the driver from shifting into another gear if that action has the potential of damaging the engine and the transmission. The gear box also automatically changes gear even in manual mode if the gear ratio does not match with the speed of the engine.
These engines and transmissions make BMW one of the most sought after brands when it comes to performance vehicles. The performance of the engine can be enhanced further with the use of BMW aftermarket parts. Using these parts increases the performance of the engine while some aftermarket parts increases the aesthetic value of the already goodlooking BMW models.
About the writer: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35yearold automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
BMW M3 – A Look Inside Foreign Automobile Engineering
The BMW M3 is a high performance edition of the popular compact car BMW 3series automobile made by BMW. The first day operating a BMW M3 can be a bit challenging but hold on and adjust since the payoff is worth it.
By benefiting from the outstanding overall design of the chassis components a skilled driver in a BMW M3 can achieve an exceptionally high level of lateral acceleration. Featuring large compound disc brakes and electronic antilock stopping power for the new BMW M3 is strong precise and consistent.
The question is whether or not this handsome beast is most beneficial for your pocket? Well numerous individuals say yes if you have the experience on how to manage your finances the right way and purchase the correct car for your needs. There are numerous unique generations of the BMW M3 which of course translates into the price variations as well.
If you are have a smaller budget but still want an M3 then you should go for a used one. On the other hand if you have a higher budget range you can go for the newer models. One thing to be keep in mind is that in luxury vehicles older cars are in numerous respects as good as new.
There is a wide range and many styles of custom wheels to choose from so a BMW M3 can be made as individual as the person who drives it. Now let us go through the various generations of the BMW M3.
E30
This is the earliest version of the BMW M3. Essentially as we know the standard design of the M3 which is the sports version of the popular compact BMW 3 Series was introduced here. The M badge carried not only the nature of this automobile being powerful but also being stylish.
The power train was the 2.3 liters S14 engine derived from the M10′s inline4 block and the valve train and head architecture from BMWs notable but then historical M1 and later the singular M6′s inline6 cylinder. The first car resulted in 195 hp then further retooled to 215 hp and then to 238 hp.
The BMW M3 was initially fitted with a firmer and more aerodynamic body shell in addition to “box flared” fenders which only the M6 had. This was basically to accommodate a wider track with bigger wheels and tires which was typical of a muscle car.
People tend not to give much thought about the BMW M3 catalytic converter nevertheless when it comes to the environment it’s one of the vehicle’s most significant components. The BMW M3 is the most powerful M3 that BMW have produced this far and because of the environmental movement and recent down sizing movement possibly the most powerful that will be made until we have more environmental friendly choices to power our cars.
E36
After 6 years this version of the BMW M3 was ushered in. This E36 coupe model got the 3.0 liters straight6 engine which created 286 hp. Four years later this was increased to a higher power train of 321 hp which was derived from a new 3.2 liters. As an alternative a new SMG gearbox was integrated. Named as one of the best models manufactured this car is still available.
Drivers of the racebred BMW M3 can also orient the car’s manner and performance because of the Mdrive which is placed on the steering wheel for quick access to the vehicle setup kept in the Mdrive menu. The highly dynamic driving experience of the new BMW M3 is the outcome of the 50/50 frontrear weight distribution rear wheel drive recently designed chassis with specific weightoptimized components distinctive BMW M axle kinematics forged aluminum track control arms complex highperformance brake system and electronic damper control edc.
E46
This is the most recent version of the BMW M3. The principal batch of the E46 BMW M3 came in Laguna Seca Blue with a more current SMG Drivelogic or the SMG II producing a power of 343 hp. The M3 is also lower in gross weight than it past models. One of the reasons for this low weight is that the newer BMW M3 is the first production car in its industry segment to feature a roof constructed of carbonfibrereinforced plastic cfp.
About the writer: Listen to Corbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the automotive field. If you would like to learn more go to BMW Dealership Comparison advice and at BMW Richmond information.
Bmw Hydrogen 7 Invades The Streets
Following its launch at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth a fleet of three BMW Hydrogen 7s will take part in the Revolve Brighton to London rally for low and zeroemission cars. The rally which is scheduled today will start on Madeira Drive in Brighton; the fleet of Hydrogen 7s will follow a preplanned route ending at Trafalgar Square in London.
During the course of the event HRH The Prince of Wales a Government Minister the Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron and a number of other dignitaries will be introduced to the worlds first hydrogenpowered emissionsfree luxury saloon car. After the rally the BMW Hydrogen 7 will be displayed at the London Science Museum along with other historysignificant vehicles.
The use of the BMW Hydrogen 7 at the Revolve Brighton to London rally marks yet another step towards hydrogen powered cars becoming an everyday reality on the streets of this country. Zero emission motoring is no longer a dream and this car proves the technology isnt as far away as some sceptics may think said John Hollis the BMW Group Head of Government and Industrial Affairs.
He added We want to kickstart the debate about the future of personal mobility and the importance of hydrogen as the definitive fuel. The opinions of politicians and other influencers are important in driving this forward to ensure that hydrogenpower comes to fruition as soon as possible.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 which is based on the chassis of the standard 7series comes equipped with a bivalent internal combustion engine that is capable of running on hydrogen or gasoline. In hydrogen mode the Hydrogen 7 emits nothing more than water vapor. Powered by a 260hp 12cylinder engine the saloon car accelerates from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds before going on to an electronicallylimited 143mph top speed.
The driver can switch smoothly and quickly from hydrogen to conventional petrol power at the press of a steering wheelmounted button with its unique dual fuel engine. The dual power technology means the car has a cruising range in excess of 125 miles in the hydrogen mode with a further 300 miles under gasoline power. The Hydrogen 7 is equipped with a BMW heater core 74litregasoline tank and an extra hydrogen fuel tank holding up to eight kilograms of liquid hydrogen which is stored at 253 degrees Celsius. Such flexibility means the driver of a BMW Hydrogen 7 is able to use the vehicle at all times even when the nearest hydrogen filling station is out of range. In Wembley a bespoke filling station has been constructed to support the automakers plans.
Engine power and torque in the car saloon remain exactly the same notwithstanding the kind of fuel used. The driver can switch between the two without any effect on driving performance or behavior. The Hydrogen 7 always gives priority to the use of hydrogen but should this run out; the vehicle automatically switches to gasoline power.
Unlike previous hydrogen concept cars flaunted by rival manufacturers the Hydrogen 7 is deemed a milestone in the auto history. It is a full production ready vehicle which has met all the strict processes and final signoff criteria that each present BMW model undergoes.
A more efficient route for car makers would be to focus on highmileage gasolinepowered vehicles. They are far simpler and less sexy than hydrogen cars Mr. Talbot says but for now they stack up as the cleaner option the Wall Street Journal concluded.
About the writer: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35yearold automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.