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Sports Cars 101: BMW shows a hybrid diesel hotrod for the future
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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car - BMW press
The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is a plug-in diesel\electric hybrid that races to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155mph. BMW says the car, “combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars.” See the slide show at the end of this story for more pictures.
Future fashionista
The first thing you notice about this car is the look! BMW says the design is based on the technologies obtained from their Formula One racing experience. "By layering one surface on top of the other smooth seams and joints are created that should reduce the number of components and the weight of the car." Extensive use of carbon fibre and polycarbonate glass result in just over 3000 lb weight for the four-seater. Considerable effort to reduce drag results in a coefficient of 0.22, this compares very favorably with other cars, such as the Tesla Roadster with a coefficient of 0.35.
A 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo-diesel and two electric motors, one on each axle, powers the BMW Vision. Combined power, the Vision develops 356 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque for short bursts, such as passing. The EU fuel efficiency testing results are 3.76 liters per 100 km; this translates to roughly 62.6 mpg, with CO2 emissions at 99 grams per kilometer. The aerodynamic work on the car, besides giving it a slick futuristic look, enables the power plant to work less to push the car down the road. The Vision is to be shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show September 15 - 17.
Depending on the energy recovered by the regenerative braking system, the Vision has about a 31-mile range, from a single charge of its lithium polymer cells in all-electric mode. The batteries take on a full charge in 2.5 hours from a 220 or 240v European outlet; recharge times from a US 110v outlet are significantly longer.
Lightness and passion
Anders Warming, Head of Exterior Design a BMW, says, "This car expresses lightness; we stretch the proportions of the car; we make them passionate. We show we are very passionate about dynamics and we make it look light."
Comparisons to Tron, the movie, are inevitable. Perhaps this car, as you see it here, will never make it to a BMW showroom, but it is the clearest possible evidence that BMW is thinking about the future, what engineering challenges they face, and what will motivate people to sign on the bottom line for a BMW in the future.
For more information on other future sports cars see stories on: the Italdesign Namir, Peugeot RC Hymotion4, Shelby SuperCars Aero EV, Ronn Motor Co. Scorpion, Dodge Curcuit, and the Tesla Roadster.
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