The electric BMW
The BMW ActiveE Concept is an electric
BMW 1 Series Coupe built using the knowledge gained from the
year-long Mini E fleet trials. The 125 kW motor is located
in the rear axle/differential, the lithium ion batteries
recharge in three hours, offers a range of 160 km and with
regenerative braking can add as much as 20 percent to the
range.
BMW claims the ActiveE achieves acceleration figures of zero
to 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds, and the maximum speed is
electronically limited at around 145 km/h.
The battery pack(s) are spaced throughout the car, including
where the usual internal combustion engine, propshaft and
fuel tank would normally be located. Weight is always a
problem with battery powered vehicles, but by using
lightweight components and the lithium-ion battery cells,
the vehicle curb weight is limited to about 1800, and the
positioning of the battery packs makes the vehicle’s center
of gravity lower. A weight distribution of near 50-50 is
claimed.
Electric
motor in the rear
The new synchronous electric motor produces 125 kW, but it’s
the exceptionally broad torque of 250 Nm available over an
unusually broad load range that makes it particularly
effective. Maximum torque is available from a standstill as
is typical for electric motors, but unlike asynchronous
electric motors, the new power unit provides a high level of
torque at higher engine speeds and with increased load, the
torque only decreases gradually. The torque curve at higher
engine speeds is therefore not dissimilar to that of an
internal combustion engines.
The KERS operation works as soon as the driver’s foot is
removed from the accelerator, with the electric motor
performing the function of a generator, converting the
kinetic energy into electric power and storing it in the
battery pack.
The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE have
their own liquid cooling system and intelligent battery
management system, which are key elements in increasing both
the storage capacity and the durability of the battery
cells. These systems also ensure that the long range can be
maintained largely independent of external climatic
conditions. The high storage capacity is the decisive factor
in achieving as long a range as possible.
The lithium-ion battery pack of the ActiveE can be recharged
using a range of power sources. In addition to using a high
amperage wall box - a supply system installed in the user’s
home optimized to reduce charging times - it is also
possible to use conventional power outlets or publicly
accessible charging stations made available in co-operation
with energy suppliers.
As a next step, the BMW Concept ActiveE will now be used in
a trial fleet of electric vehicles. These vehicles are
likewise intended for everyday use by private and select
fleet customers as part of a large-scale field test. The
insights gathered in the process will be fed into the
development of an electrically powered serial production
vehicle which the BMW Group will put on the market under a
sub-brand of BMW in the first half of the next decade.
Want to give your Vios
some extra oomph?
There are a number of CK formula one engines
available for sale (5.3 million baht). Due to the nature of
these engines, the sellers will offer complete track/build
support. The CK engine is a 3 liter V10. Max revs 17,800.
Max power 840 bhp. Weight 92.5 kg. Lifetime 700 km, more at
reduced rpm. These engines were fitted to the late Stewart
Grand Prix chassis, and all Jaguar Racing chassis.
Approximate cost of rebuild per engine 530,000 baht.
F1
engines for sale
If you still have some change left over there is a BMW
Megatron engine available for only 854,000 baht, but the
advert says it does need a rebuild! This engine produced
around 900 bhp in the 1988 Arrows A10, but being a four
cylinder should be easier to squeeze into the Vios.
Either engine certainly beats dropping a 4AG twin cam engine
in the family shopping trolley.
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I asked why is Lt. Zebulon Pike
remembered in motor sport circles? He gave his name to
Pikes Peak, famous for the US hill climb. Incidentally,
he didn’t get to the top of it either!
So to this week. Since Michael Schumacher is the flavor
of the month, what year did Schumi stand on the podium
for every race?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first
correct answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
China buys Sweden
It is goodbye to the solid, dependable, safe
Swedish Volvo, to be replaced by the new bamboo and rice
paper model after Ford sold Volvo to Chinese car maker
Geely.
Ford has indicated the definitive accord would be signed
early in 2010 with Geely, a former refrigerator parts
supplier that has grown into one of China’s largest
automakers since launching its car business in 1997.
The official release from Ford states: “Ford Motor
Company confirmed today that all substantive commercial
terms relating to the potential sale of Volvo Car
Corporation have been settled between Ford and Zhejiang
Geely Holding Group.”
The ‘sleeping giant’ is no longer sleeping with Chinese
automakers having already eaten MG/Rover and heavy
machinery maker Tengzhong buying Hummer brand from
General Motors.
State-owned Beijing Automotive Industry Holding (BAIC)
failed in its bids for GM units Saab and Opel but will
purchase the intellectual property rights for some Saab
assets.
According to reports in Swedish media and the Financial
Times, the price of the transaction will be around
$US2.0 billion, less than a third of what Ford had paid
for Volvo in 1999. Not what you’d call a great decision
in retrospect.
Will he or won’t he?
And then he did!
The motor racing scene is certainly buzzing with
the return of seven times F1 champion Michael Schumacher.
With Mercedes now running a ‘factory’ team (which was once
Honda and then Brawn GP last year), the idea of having two
German drivers in Schumacher and Rosberg in the German car
against Brits Hamilton and Button in the British McLaren is
the publicist’s dream.
Michael
Schumacher
Much has been postulated as to whether Schumacher will still
have the ability, now that he is 41 years of age. Of course
he will still have “it”. How does Schumacher do in the
(so-called) Race of Champions? Right up there and beating
the new ‘young Schumi’ hot-shot Vettel. How old was Fangio
when he was winning world titles? He was 40 years old when
he won the first of his five world championships and his
final one in 1957 when he was 46. (By the way, never forget
that Fangio won 47 percent of all the races he started in, a
record that still stands today).
Schumacher still has the ability, but does he have the
“need”? That is the only factor which is open for debate. He
doesn’t need to race for money, he has more than he can
spend (though he can send some this way, if he likes).
Everything depended upon whether he really wanted to. He
did, and we are all now looking forward to a season which
should be electrifying. Only problem he will have is moving
all the Ferrari’s out of the garage at home, so he can fit
the AMG SLS in.
Fancy this in your
garage?
One of the regular correspondents, Kevin Maguire,
sent me an email about this German firm called ‘Style Your
Garage’ which creates posters for garage doors that make it
look as if it is actually showing the interior of your
garage, and what’s in it!
Prices range from $199 to $399 for the double-door! All but
guaranteed to make passersby take a second look!
I only fly it
on Sundays
Want a Mk 1 Escort?
Racing
Escorts 1975
Ford Motor Company stopped producing Mk 1 Escorts around
1980, but up till then they were one of the preferred cars
for race and rally. The record of these cars is almost
unsurpassed, and many a young driver has had an Mk 1 Escort
at the start of their careers.
Well, if you have a soft spot for these cars, take a look at
these photographs, taken outside a small workshop in Jomtien
(Thepprasit Soi 8) where there were three Mk 1’s and an Mk 2
Cortina.
Toyota
T/C fits nicely
Some were for sale at around 275,000 baht, and some were
more modified than others. There were no Lotus Twin Cams
evident, which quite frankly is a good thing. The more
modern Toyota T/C engines deliver more power and are
certainly more reliable. The favorite engine swap in
Australia was to put a Mazda rotary in the engine bay.
None of the cars was in concourse condition, but good value
at the price, considering the age of these cars now. You can
race these in the ‘classic’ category at the 3K meetings at
Bira circuit as well. If you want to know more, give them a
ring on 089 009 1730 or email
[email protected].
Escorts for
sale
Santa injured in
mid-air collision
Another from
Kevin Maguire and since it is that time of the year, I
thought you might find it as whimsical as I did. caption No
reindeer were injured in the making of this cartoon.
