Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BMW experimenting with electronic noise canceling tech for diesels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/bmw-experimenting-with-electronic-noise-canceling-tech-for-diese/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/bmw-experimenting-with-electronic-noise-canceling-tech-for-diese/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/bmw-experimenting-with-electronic-noise-canceling-tech-for-diese/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BMW sound engineer Manuel Reichle and the 635d - Click above for high-res image gallery

When considering how to go about improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, we typically think of smaller engines, alternative fuels and electrification. One area that doesn't typically come to mind is that of sound design and acoustics. While the noises produced by a vehicle don't directly affect fuel efficiency, soundtracks are important because they are often a prime determinant in whether a given powertrain solution is acceptable to drivers and passengers.

Companies like BMW, General Motors, Honda and others have been actively pursuing mechanisms of controlling noise at the source in order to create more flexibility for modifying the powertrains. A key example is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with its 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. GM added active noise cancellation so it could allow the engine to spend more time running at lower speeds where the engine tends to make more of a low booming sound. Without the noise cancellation technology, the engine's sountrack would turn off drivers.

Similarly, BMW has been carefully studying the structures of engine blocks and engine bays. Careful application of ribs and tuning of the structural shapes have allowed these structures to be made lighter without risk of excessive vibration. Similarly, adding insulation materials closer to the engine also reduces the amount needed overall as well as facilitating the use of other types of engines that might be inherently noisier.

All of these factors play into making more efficient vehicles that are appealing to customers. After all, if consumers don't want to buy a vehicle for reasons that have nothing to do with function, all of the efficiency advantages they might offer will be left stuck in 'park.'


Gallery: BMW Acoustic development


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW experimenting with electronic noise canceling tech for diesels

BMW experimenting with electronic noise canceling tech for diesels originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 May 2010 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 chevrolet equinox2010 chevy equinox2010ChevroletEquinox2010ChevyEquinoxactive noise cancellationactive noise controlActive Soundactive sound controlactive sound designActiveNoiseCancellationActiveNoiseControlActiveSoundActiveSoundControlActiveSoundDesignbmwbmw efficiencybmw efficientBMW Efficient DynamicsBmwEfficiencyBmwEfficientBmwEfficientDynamicsMon, 31 May 2010 09:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19496746/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/31/bmw-experimenting-with-electronic-noise-canceling-tech-for-diese/19496746/article-detail.xml 19496746 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90059989-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90059989-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: 2013 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics supercar moving toward production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-2013-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-supercar-moving-toward/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-2013-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-supercar-moving-toward/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-2013-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-supercar-moving-toward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to an unnamed "senior BMW authority out of Munich" speaking with InsideLine, the German automaker will indeed build a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that debuted last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW is reportedly planning for a model run of between 5,000 and 10,000 units in 2013. We'll get to the details in a moment, but here's the best news: "That name that the marketing people forced on us [is] going to change for sure." Phew.

Apparently, BMW has no plans to ditch the radical plug-in hybrid powertrain, which put out 356 horsepower and a stonkin' 590 pound-feet of torque in the concept. That means we'll get something similar to the turbocharged three-cylinder diesel range extender and twin electric motors powered by a lithium polymer battery pack that was featured in Frankfurt. Sounds great so far, and BMW claims the performance will be even better than the 4.8-second 0 to 60 run quoted for the concept.

Naturally, some of the Vision's more outlandish exterior bits will go the way of the Dodo, but IL reports BMW's target of weight is still under 3,000 pounds, meaning that high-tech composites and construction techniques are a veritable lock. Price for this next-gen eco-friendly supercar? Nothing announced - but if you have to ask... well, you know the rest.


Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept


[Source: Inside Line]

Report: 2013 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics supercar moving toward production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013bmwbmw efficiencyBMW Efficient Dynamicsbmw efficient dynamics conceptbmw hybridbmw hybrid supercarbmw supercarbmw visionBMW Vision Efficient Dynamicsbmw vision efficient dynamics conceptBMW Vision EfficientDynamicsBMW Vision EfficientDynamics Conceptbmw vision hybridBmwEfficiencyBmwEfficientDynamicsBmwEfficientDynamicsConceptBmwHybridBmwHybridSupercarBmwSupercarBmwVisionBmwVisionEfficientDynamicsBmwVisionEfficientdynamicsConceptBmwVisionHybridefficient dynamicsEfficientDynamicshybrid supercarHybridSupercarFri, 29 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19337928/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/29/report-2013-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-supercar-moving-toward/19337928/article-detail.xml 19337928 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/p90047140_highres-1280_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/p90047140_highres-1280_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/29/frankfurt-preview-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-concept-turbodi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/29/frankfurt-preview-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-concept-turbodi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/29/frankfurt-preview-bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-concept-turbodi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

After several months of speculation and official teases for the past week, we now finally have all the details on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that BMW will show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks. The speculation about the concept's powertrain has gone in several directions, almost all of which were correct. The new concept is a plug-in hybrid with a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Conceived with the idea of melding the performance of a M3 with exceptionally low fuel consumption, BMW claims a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds while scoring 62.6 mpg (U.S.) on the E.U. combined test cycle.

There has been considerable speculation that future BMWs will go to smaller engines including a three-cylinder. The concept uses a 1.5-liter turbodiesel that is essentially half of the fabulous 3.0-liter found in the 335d. The triple is rated at a hefty 163 hp with peak torque of 214 lb-ft. The engine is paired with a six-speed DCT derived from the unit used in the M3 and Z4.

Adding fuel to recent reports that BMW would not continue developing the two-mode hybrid system that will debut soon in the X6, the concept uses a new strong hybrid system. The new system is a further development of the mild hybrid that is debuting in the ActiveHybrid 7. As in the 7, a more powerful 33-hp electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. A second 80-hp motor provides drive to the front axle. The total net output of the drive system is 356 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Continue reading more after the jump.


Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO]

Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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