Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BMW 123d hanging out in Michigan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/bmw-123d-hanging-out-in-michigan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/bmw-123d-hanging-out-in-michigan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/bmw-123d-hanging-out-in-michigan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Imagine, if you will, a compact rear-wheel-drive hatchback that runs from 0-62mph in a very respectable 6.9 seconds. Not too shabby. Now imagine that this same car could average 45 mpg (US)! Not possible, you say? Au contraire! In other parts of the world where they don't just use gasoline to power cars, this is not an unheard-of possibility. One shining example is the BMW 123d, which was launched in Europe last year. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder diesel cranking out 204hp and 295lb-ft of torque, the 123d scores 45mpg (US) on the EU combined test cycle. For now at least, BMW isn't offering American consumers any of its four cylinder engines, but fuel system supplier Bosch has a fleet of European diesel vehicles that they use for promotional purposes. AutoblogGreen has previously tested the Smart ForTwo, Chrysler 300, and BMW 535d from this fleet and will soon be getting its paws on the three newest additions to the fleet. One of those cars is the 123d that you see above. Reader Typhoon5000 spotted this one in Flint MI the other day and shared some photos with us. Stay tuned for full reviews of this 123d and two other really cool diesels that you (unfortunately) can't buy. Thanks to Typhoon5000 for the tip and photos.

Gallery: BMW 123d in Flint

BMW 123d hanging out in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw 123dbmw-123dBmw123dboscheuro dieselEuroDieselSun, 01 Jun 2008 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[New windscreen wipers, still boring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/new-windscreen-wipers-still-boring/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/new-windscreen-wipers-still-boring/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/new-windscreen-wipers-still-boring/#commentsFiled under:

Windscreen wiper blade designs have barely changed over the decades, but that doesn't mean they've reached the peak of their performance. One of the world's largest auto parts suppliers, Germany's Bosch, has developed a new wiper blade that can adjust itself to perfectly complement the shape of your car's windshield.

The wiper blade feature a spring-loaded rail that's connected to a steel bar whose job it is to force the rubber wiper onto your screen, forming an ideal curvature of the blade.

According to its designers, the new blade, or Aerotwin as it's called, applies pressure evenly along the length of the blade and in the long run reduces wear. A simple Quick-Clip Adaptor that comes with the Aerotwin means it can be retrofitted to most cars, but we suspect many new models will be featuring it or a similar system in the not too distant future. The wipers are now available in the UK but there's no word on a US release date.

[Source: Auto Express]

New windscreen wipers, still boring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boschwindscreenwindscreen wipersWindscreenWiperswipersTue, 31 Jul 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bosch produces 150 Millionth electronic brake control system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/bosch-produces-150-millionth-electronic-brake-control-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/bosch-produces-150-millionth-electronic-brake-control-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/bosch-produces-150-millionth-electronic-brake-control-system/#commentsFiled under:



Bosch has been a pioneer in many of the technologies that make modern cars as capable as they are today, and the company has just recently produced its 150 millionth electronic brake control system. In 1978, the very first electronically controlled anti-lock brake system developed by Bosch appeared on a Mercedes-Benz using wheel speed sensors and the brake switch as the inputs to the system. The speed sensors detected when wheels were decelerating faster than the vehicle and reduced the braking pressure to the individual wheels until they recovered. After that, the system continued to control each wheel's brake pressure to get optimum deceleration for the road surface.

The expensive three-way three-position solenoids used in the original system have given way to less expensive two-way solenoids that give even more precise control. The addition of throttle position and engine control as inputs to the system, along with more solenoids, allowed it to control acceleration as well as braking. In more recent years, steering angle, lateral acceleration and vehicle rotational sensors have allowed stability control to sense more of what the driver is trying to do and control the vehicle to match those demands. Electronic stability control is rapidly becoming ubiquitous on new vehicles and is definitely helping to quell the tendency of SUVs to go wheels up. A lot of that credit should go back to Bosch who began it all 150 million units ago.

[Source: Bosch]

Bosch produces 150 Millionth electronic brake control system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-lock brakesAnti-lockBrakesboschWed, 09 May 2007 18:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Bosch Stop-Start system available on new BMW 1-series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/26/bosch-stop-start-system-available-on-new-bmw-1-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/26/bosch-stop-start-system-available-on-new-bmw-1-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/26/bosch-stop-start-system-available-on-new-bmw-1-series/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



European shoppers interested in BMW's new 1-series will now be able to have the car with a stop-start system provided by Bosch. The new system is quite simple, and the only change required to the existing engine offerings (both gasoline and diesel) is a different starter motor. According to Bosch, whose press release is pasted after the jump, the system is good for an 8% bump in fuel economy plus an obvious reduction in tailpipe emissions when measured in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle's urban component.

Trips that require more and/or longer stops would naturally result in even better numbers. It would be really nice if stop-start systems were more prevalent in US-market automobiles, as the positives they offer represent an excellent middle-ground for buyers looking to improve fuel economy or simply go "greener" without taking on the extra expense associated with buying a new hybrid vehicle.

Let's face it, not everyone wants a hybrid car (there are a number of reasons for this, ranging from price, to brand loyalty, to simple personal preference), but everyone (or almost everyone) would certainly welcome optional ways to make new cars more fuel efficient (read: cheaper to run) without compromising on make, model, body style, etc. The Bosch system, as described in the press release, sounds like it's relatively unobtrusive. Combining something like this with currently-available features such as cylinder deactivation might be enough to meet the needs of a lot of people. The question is, would you be willing to give it a shot, or are you ready to just cede features of this type to the hybrid segment completely?

[Source: Bosch]

Continue reading Bosch Stop-Start system available on new BMW 1-series

Bosch Stop-Start system available on new BMW 1-series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-seriesboschdieselgasstop start systemstop=startStopStartSystemMon, 26 Mar 2007 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Vintage Tech: The Granddaddy of EFI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/vintage-tech-the-granddaddy-of-efi/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/vintage-tech-the-granddaddy-of-efi/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/vintage-tech-the-granddaddy-of-efi/#comments

Every car on the road now has fuel injection. There was no real battle royale between electronic systems and mechanical, though both flavors saw plenty of development. Rochester's Ramjet system was effective and quite slick, contained in a special intake manifold. Bosch had K-Jetronic which was a mechanically metered system that later gained some feedback electronics, becoming the very first FI system to utilize an exhaust gas oxygen sensor for fine mixture control. Fuel injection systems have now gone the way of all-encompassing powertrain management setups, controlling ignition and fuel; as well as talking to the transmission, anti-lock braking system and stability control. Electronic systems all owe something to the first successful electronic fuel injection rig to be mass-produced: Bosch D-Jetronic. DJet, in turn, has its own piper to pay.

More after the jump

Continue reading Vintage Tech: The Granddaddy of EFI

Vintage Tech: The Granddaddy of EFI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1600boschchryslerdd jetd jetronicde sotodesotoDJetDJetronicfuelfuel injectionFuelInjectioninjectionjetronicnostalgiatechtime warpTimeWarpvolkswagenTue, 06 Feb 2007 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Another parking nanny, this one by Bosch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/15/another-parking-nanny-this-one-by-bosch/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/15/another-parking-nanny-this-one-by-bosch/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/15/another-parking-nanny-this-one-by-bosch/#commentsFiled under:

As a woman, I find the various gadgets making it easier to operate your everyday automobile fascinating. A sensor to check your blind spot for you? Brilliant. Adaptive suspension? Perfect for more sophisticated drivers. But even more fascinating, however, is the subsequent impact upon the "guy things" about operating the automobile.

Manual transmission is a prime example of this. Even with new dual-clutch gearboxes, which have proven themselves to be more effective than manual transmissions, guys are still teaching their sons to drive stick. Why? Not because they envision valet service careers for thier sons, but rather because the guy who can't operate a vehicle with manual transmission will get called out by his peers later in life.

When high-performance automakers like Porsche signed on with dual-clutch gearboxes and the media gave more advanced versions of the technology a thumbs-up, guys seem to be slowly getting over needing to punch the clutch pedal and have something to shift. I have yet to see a guy (or most women, for that matter) who didn't smirk in satisfaction after a particularly impressive parallel parking job.

Bosch has come up with a system that will help us out, but still give us enough responsibility that we'll be smirking afterwards. Introduced on the Citroen C4 Picasso, Bosch's system makes the vehicle "the world's first car to feature integrated parking space measurement," according to the supplier. Drive by at up to 12.5 mph, press a button to initiate the system, and six sensors measure the parallel parking space, alerting the driver to whether the space is too small, "a tight squeeze," or will work just perfectly.

While it doesn't park the car itself like the Lexus LS 460 or the Toyota Prius, Bosch hopes to have that capability online by 2008.

[Source: Engadget]

Another parking nanny, this one by Bosch originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boschlexus ls460LexusLs460parallel parkingParallelParkingpark-assistsupplierFri, 15 Dec 2006 07:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda: high tech means low profits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/honda-high-tech-means-low-profits/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/honda-high-tech-means-low-profits/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/honda-high-tech-means-low-profits/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michiyoshi Hagino, a Senior Managing Director at Honda Motor, sees profit margins inevitably falling as vehicles incorporate more and more advanced technologies to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. More efficient gasoline engines, clean diesels and hybrid powertrains are all driving per-vehicle costs higher, while at the same time demanding massive, ongoing investment in research and development.

In a Reuters interview, Hagino predicts that automakers need to invest heavily in R&D today if they are to be competitive tomorrow, saying that automakers trying to preserve high margins today (by skimping on R&D) are risking decreased market share tomorrow. The breadth of the non-traditional development effort needed for tomorrow's powertrain products is demonstrated by Honda's ultracapacitor power unit (pictured), developed in-house for Honda's fuel cell vehicles.

High tech powertrains are also (at least today) more expensive to produce, with diesels and hybrids eating into profit margins even though they may command a higher sticker price. Even gasoline powered vehicles are seeing profit margins begin to drop overall, as small, cheap cars, like Honda's Fit, grow in popularity.

Automakers in the midst of costly restructuring efforts, or smaller companies without in-house resources, will be hard-pressed to mount massive powertrain development efforts. We're expecting a great deal more powertrain partnering to appear throughout the industry, and possibly an increased role for suppliers willing and able to make the investment in key powertrain subsystems, like the hybrid products announced last week by Bosch and Getrag.

[Source: Reuters]

Honda: high tech means low profits originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boschcarbon emissionsclean dieselCleanDieselco2 emissionsfuel economyGetragHaginoHonda FitHondaFithybridMichiyoshi HaginoMichiyoshiHaginoTue, 13 Jun 2006 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Bosch and Getrag team up for hybrid systems]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/07/bosch-and-getrag-team-up-for-hybrid-systems/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/07/bosch-and-getrag-team-up-for-hybrid-systems/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/07/bosch-and-getrag-team-up-for-hybrid-systems/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Bosch Group and the Getrag Group announced Tuesday that they will partner to develop and market parallel hybrid systems to provide a near-turnkey hybrid solution to automakers.

In a parallel hybrid solution, the electric motor is fitted directly into the power flow of the drivetrain. Under the terms of the partnership, Bosch will handle the electrical systems and power electronics, while Getrag will supply its dual-clutch transmission technology. The companies plan to jointly develop final-drive units with directly integrated electric motors. Bosch already has subsystems off the shelf for hybrid powertrains, and is well advanced in developing electric motors that can be directly integrated into a vehicle's powertrain (as shown in the cutaway model at right).

Once off the shelf hybrid systems are available, we can expect even small automakers to be able to offer hybrid models without prohibitively time-consuming and expensive product development. Bosch and Getrag estimate that their hybrid systems will allow automakers to realize fuel savings of up to 20 percent (using the European fuel economy test cycle) over gasoline-only drive systems.

The Getrag Group is the world's largest independent transmission manufacturer in the world, while Bosch is the world's largest auto parts supplier.

[Sources: Bosch, Getrag]

 

Bosch and Getrag team up for hybrid systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boschdual clutch transmissionfuel economygetraghybrid carhybrid powertrainhybrid systemhybrid transmissionWed, 07 Jun 2006 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Automakers, suppliers meet to discuss diesel plans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/automakers-suppliers-meet-to-discuss-diesel-plans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/automakers-suppliers-meet-to-discuss-diesel-plans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/automakers-suppliers-meet-to-discuss-diesel-plans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The aptly named Diesel Forecast is reporting on a diesel technology discussion involving BMW, Volvo, Audi, and Bosch, and the path that each may take to address the increasingly-stringent emission requirements in the U.S. and in Europe.

BMW, for its part, does not envision bringing over diesels to the US before calendar year 2008. The automaker wants to introduce a 50-state solution, and feels that selective catalyst reduction (SCR) will be the way to go to meet California's requirements - said to be the toughest diesel emissions standards in the world. Audi will also be exploring the use of SCR, and plans to use what it learns in developing a 50-state diesel to meet upcoming European requirements.  Volvo basically doesn't know when it'll offer diesel in the US, as it feels that it is not in a position to shape the market. Too bad, because many would say that a small OEM is in the best position to shake up this segment of the market right now.

Mega-supplier Bosch, for its part, sees clean diesel as facing serious competition from gasoline homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) in the long term. In the shorter term, SCR and urea injection will work together with increasingly complex combustion-management techniques in diesel, but the supplier seems to feel that the rate of diesel technology improvement may be approaching the point of diminishing returns after the last decade of significant advancements.

Automakers, suppliers meet to discuss diesel plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 May 2006 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AudibiodieselBoschBWMdieseldirect injectionHCCITDIVolvoMon, 08 May 2006 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[From Russia with love (by way of Germany): The Rousseau-Balt Impression!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/from-russia-with-love-by-way-of-germany-the-rousseau-balt-imp/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/from-russia-with-love-by-way-of-germany-the-rousseau-balt-imp/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/from-russia-with-love-by-way-of-germany-the-rousseau-balt-imp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Alright. So we're a little shaky on our Russian, but we know an eye-catching piece of road sculpture when we see one. Enter the Rousseau-Balt Impression, a German conceived custom teardrop throwback with a heart of gold Mercedes. To be revealed today at the Concorso d'.Eleganza Villa d'.Este in Italy, the retro-mobile is the handiwork of the GERG GROUP, a design and prototype haus that has worked with companies like Audi, Seat, Bosch, and Eurocopter.

Forgive us for getting a bit lost in the translation, but as far as we can ascertain, this is a carbon-fiber chassis four-seat coupe, with its motivation courtesy Mercedes-Benz's CL 65 AMG. Interestingly enough, the rear is said to be suitable for use as a sleeping compartment.

While built by a Deutsch concern, the Rousseau-Balt Impression appears to have been conceived by a team of Russian engineers and designers, thus its assertion as a Russian automobile.

The company plans to build around 10-15 copies based on the concept seen here.

Plenty of photographs and background at the link.

[Source: CarDesign.ru]

(Top tip, Greg!)

From Russia with love (by way of Germany): The Rousseau-Balt Impression! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BoschBugattiConcoursConcoursoEurocopterGERGItalyretro rodRetroRodRousseau-BaltRussiateardropSat, 22 Apr 2006 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/11/bosch-launches-tri-fuel-injection-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/11/bosch-launches-tri-fuel-injection-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/11/bosch-launches-tri-fuel-injection-system/#commentsFiled under: ,

With the future of automotive fuels a bit less certain, Bosch is hedging its bets and will offer a tri-fuel version of its NG-Motronic engine management system.

Operating on gasoline, natural gas, or ethanol, the system will allow on-the-fly switching between each of different fuel types. Natural gas appears to be an attractive alternative fuel in Europe and Asia, while the addition of the ethanol option is said to be driven primarily with a nod to Brazil's use of that fuel. Considering the United States' recent interest in ethanol, Bosch's timing on the introduction of this system looks to be quite fortunate.

[Source: AutoSpectator]

Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BoschEthanolFuel InjectionFuelInjectionGasolineNatural GasNaturalGasSat, 11 Mar 2006 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Union threatens strikes at DaimlerChrysler, Porsche, Bosch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/28/union-threatens-strikes-at-daimlerchrysler-porsche-bosch/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/28/union-threatens-strikes-at-daimlerchrysler-porsche-bosch/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/28/union-threatens-strikes-at-daimlerchrysler-porsche-bosch/#commentsFiled under:

German engineering union IG Metall will start "warning strikes" at DaimlerChrylser, Porsche and Bosch plants in southwestern Germany, beginning March 1. Such token job actions by German unions are often used as a bargaining lever with companies before launching full-blown strikes.

IG Metall is currently in negotiations with employers, calling for a 5-percent wage increase that has so far been rejected by the companies involved. IG Metall represents some 3.4 million workers.

Labor unrest is building in Germany, which is in the midst of a massive public sector strike in protest of a proposal by German states to increase the work week from 38.5 hours to 40 hours.

[Source: Automotive News]

Union threatens strikes at DaimlerChrysler, Porsche, Bosch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BoschDaimlerChryslerGerman UnionGermanUnionIG MetallIgMetallPorscheTue, 28 Feb 2006 16:00:00 EST