It was confirmed today by BMW North America boss, Ludwig Willisch: the V6 engine idea is being dropped by the Bavarian manufacturer, to the profit of an inline 6.
Sources also indicate that BMW has patented an innovative electric turbo. The definitive number and nature of units found on the said straight-six must still be confirmed, both it could be two or even up to three turbines that will be fitted on the new engine.
The Munich firm did say the next M3 should be a lighter and more powerful one, hence faster. Other details should filter through soon, such as whether the manual gearbox will be standard or optional.
This new version will be available either at the end of 2013 or early in 2014.
Source: BIMMERPOST
The Japanese brand has revealed it sold as of April 30th, four million hybrid vehicles around the world - 423,000 in Europe and 94,000 in the United Kingdom.
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| Photo: Toyota |
Toyota has become a leader in the hybrid technology industry. Its Prius was, after all, the first ever mass-produced hybrid vehicle - launched in December 1997. There was however another hybrid produced first, the Toyota Coaster hybrid EV, a bus which came out in July 1997.
But nevertheless, the Prius first went around in Europe, then ventured in North America and other markets with the new millennium. In 2003, a new generation was baptized and prompted engineers to use the technology elsewhere: minivans, SUV, sedans and family cars.
The third-generation Prius busted sell records.
In total, Toyota sold no fewer than 19 hybrid models in close to 80 countries, and estimates that this year's hybrid sales will represent 15% of the grand total. The aim now is to further develop the technology to enhance performance while reducing costs.
From GMM
Michael Schumacher is racing for retirement if his run of poor form continues.
That is the view of Nick Fry, the chief executive of Mercedes' Brackley based formula one team.
Despite looking more competitive in 2012 than in the first two seasons of his controversial return to F1, seven time world champion Schumacher has scored just 2 points so far, compared to Shanghai winner and teammate Nico Rosberg's 41.
So after a meteoric career spanning 91 grands prix, will he bow out on a low?
"I am sure if we get to the end of this year and it continues as it has done for the last few races I think he will probably be asking himself that question," Fry is quoted by the
Daily Mail.
Fry this week named Mercedes' former DTM protege Paul di Resta as an ideal successor for Schumacher, whose contract runs out late this year.
"There is time to go and we are not making any decisions yet," Briton Fry, who deputised for ill team boss Ross Brawn recently in Barcelona, insisted.
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| Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2) |
It is a similarly worrying time for Schumacher's 2006 Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, who - as his own contract runs out - is struggling notably against Fernando Alonso.
In an open motivational letter to Ferrari staff this week, team president Luca di Montezemolo insisted Brazilian Massa "must bring home the results we expect from him".
Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli, the official tire supplier to Formula 1, said
it would be ready to supply qualifying tires on short notice if needed.
In an interview given to
Autosprint, Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery said that the company is ready to supply Q3-only tires, but adds that the teams are reluctant to change the format of the qualifying session.
The main concern about the current format is that the cars must be shod on the same tires they qualify on in the race, something that has lead to drivers sitting out Q3 in order to limit their running and save sets of tires for the Grand Prix.
In order to change this, Pirelli could supply additional tires for the qualifying effort only.
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| Photo: Pirelli |
"We could do it immediately," Hembery told
Autosprint. "We could come up with a specific compound, or maintain the current ones. But the teams say that the format is fine as is, that the public enjoys tire strategies”.
Paul Hembery added: “But if a fan on the grandstands doesn't see much running in Q3, then that fan casts the blame on Pirelli thinking that we don't want to spend any more money in order to supply more tires."
Electric-motorcycle maker Zero Motorcycles has launched a line of 2012 Zero DS bikes designed specifically for police patrols and security agencies.
SRT Viper Cup driver David Pintaric got a little wide in his Viper ACR-X at Road America, and the result was the violent end-over-end tumble you see posted above.
The image above shows a frightening moment for the Ferrari P 4/5 Competizione team during the Nürburgring 24 Hours race last weekend.
In 1972, the Dow Jones closed above 1,000 for the first time, the Olympic Games in Munich were marred by the killings of 11 Israeli athletes, gasoline averaged 55 cents a gallon, Bobby Fischer became the world chess champion and the last U.S.
Big Willie Robinson was as much legend and myth as flesh and bone, and at six feet, six inches and weighing 300 pounds, with 21-inch biceps and a 58-inch chest, there was a lot of flesh and bone.
Last week we bench-raced the four-cylinder versions of the
La Mille Miglia, or the and#8220;1,000 Milesand#8221; is one of Italy's most famous road rallies.
Also in this episode: We take a closer look at the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco,
About 90,000 white-collar Ford retirees and the financial advisers who help them are facing a major decision: Continue to receive a monthly check from the defined-benefit pension plan, or leave the plan by taking a lump sum that the automaker will...
Last week we indulged the Hell Garage Demons' obsession with
South Africa's Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies believes that its so-called Variable Spark Ignition system can replace conventional spark plug technology. To find out how, Matthew Beecham talked with Deon Smit, CEO and James Mackenzie, vice president of development, Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies.
Premier, famous for the 1960s Fiat-based Indian Padmini taxi, has agreed a deal with Fiat to supply 1.3 litre multi-jet diesel engines for its compact Rio SUV.
Rapid response by US Tier 1 automotive suppliers and OEMs to the crisis in resin production has been hailed by a major vehicle association, with the car sector's action appearing to be contrast to other industry users of the critical component.
Sundaram Clayton has begun production at its new plant in the auto hub of Oragadam, 45km from Chennai.
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