In 2010 BMW va lansa noul model seria 5. Acesta va fi cu 2 cm mai lung decat actuala generatie, ajungand la 4840mm lungime, ampatamentul va fi marit cu 6 cm si va fi la fel de greu, sau de usor, depinde cum iti pui problema. BMW anunta scaderi ale consumului mediu de pana la 15% in conditiile introducerii sistemului Efficient Dynamics, inexistent pe actuala generatie de seria 5.

O alta noutate este introducerea functiei Start/Stop si pe versiunile cu transmisie automata. Interesant este ca in cursa pentru eficientizare si reducere a consumului, dieselul de baza (520d) va avea 163 de cp in loc de 177 realizand astfel un consum mediu de 5l/100 de km. Aceasi reducere de putere va fi operata si pt noua serie 3, unde se asteapta sa consume putin peste 4l/100 de km.

O alta noutate tehnica anuntata de bavarezi este introducerea cutiei de viteze automate cu 8 rapoarte produsa de ZF la indicatiile BMW.

Dupa cum se poate observa, designul este mai putin agresiv decat actuala generatie, insa motoarele de top vor fi mai puternice. Modelul 535i va avea 306cp si 530d – 245, cu 10 cp mai mult decat actualul motor. Desi nu au aparut inca poze cu interiorul, speculez ca va semana in mare masura cu cel al seriei 5 GT.

Haciendo reflexión  con lo que será el futuro de la industria automotriz me doy cuenta que hoy mas que nunca las armadoras tendrán que pensar mas el  desarrollo sustentable de los recursos naturales  y esto es pensar en desarrollar automóviles cada vez mas amigables con el medio  ambiente. Hay muchas marcas que apuestan por nuevas tecnologías como podría ser  el caso de los automóviles Diesel  Híbridos o a Hidrogeno.

Dentro de estas tecnologías el diesel es una respuesta a corto plazo pues los combustibles derivados del petróleo  se acabaran en no menos de 50 años. Dentro de este lapso las armadoras podrían desarrollar tecnologías como un diesel-hibrido del que se podría obtener una autonomía de 1800 Km.  o mas. Eficientar  mas  el control de emisiones diesel como seria el caso de la tecnología Bluetec y pensando mas en el desarrollo de automóviles completamente reciclables. Yo creo que este es el primer paso que hay que dar.

Después de unos años yo apunto mas al desarrollo de los automóviles  de combustible hidrogeno ya que estos utilizan una reacción química llamada (redox) oxido- reducción en la que solamente el producto de la combustión es agua esta tecnología esta actualmente siendo desarrollada por BMW y Mercedes Benz el primero empezó desarrollando alternativas mas ecológicas dentro de lo que se conoce como Efficient Dynamics después con el H2R que rompió un record de velocidad para el Hidrogeno y próximamente en 2010 con la entrada de la serie 7 a hidrogeno. El segundo pionero con el desarrollo de este combustible fue  Mercedes Benz con su clase” A”  F-CELL  y se espera la futura  implementación de esta tecnología  a próximos modelos de la casa.

Finalmente yo creo  este combustible a probado su efectividad lo único que haría falta es el desarrollo de plantas que suministren el combustible. Además de poder controlar este gas de una manera segura y eficiente.

(We apologize for the lateness of this posting. Unfortunately, it was a pretty hectic week here, as we were prepping for our move to a new space. However, we’re now settled into our new, better office, so we can bring you even more of the coverage you love! Or tolerate. Or hate. Just so long as you read it.)

For car enthusiasts, the Frankfurt Motor Show tends to be one of the more consequential events of the year. Not only does it segue nicely into Oktoberfest, but it’s usually home to dozens of palpitation-causing model revelations. (Though that might actually be caused by all that wurst.)

Blissfully, this year’s show was no exception, with quite a few exciting cars showing their front fascias (fasciae?) for the first time. Sadly, due to the sagging economy, we were unable to send any correspondents to Germany this year, but we’ve still prepared a recap of this year’s highlights for your viewing pleasure, divided up into appropriate categories.

SUPREME SEDANS:

2010 Aston Martin Rapide

After years of waiting and teasing, Aston Martin finally went public with all the details about its sleek sedan – or “four-door sports car,” as they prefer to call it. We don’t really care what they call it – so long as they let us stare at it. Thankfully, the sports car maker’s attempt at domestication hasn’t resulted in any loss of attractiveness; like a six-foot-three supermodel, all that extra length just means you have to look at it longer.

Motivation comes from the same 6.0 liter, 470-horsepower V12 motivating the DB9 on which it’s based, connected to a six-speed automatic. No word yet on whether Aston will see fit to bring out a more aggressive model based on the DBS at some point, but it wouldn’t be too surprising.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect something in the $200,000 range – about $60-$100K more than its direct “competitors,” the Porsche Panamera Turbo and Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG. But odds are if you’re in the market for a six-figure sedan that performs like a supercar and prefer the looks of the Aston Martin, you can swing the difference.

2011 Bentley Mulsanne

After taking the wraps off its new flagship at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance last month, Bentley officially unveiled the Mulsanne in all its glory at Frankfurt – and it’s pretty freakin’ glorious.

Power comes from a 6.75 liter turbocharged V8 (presumably the same basic one motivating Bentleys for half a century), putting out 505 horses and 725 lb-ft of torque. All that twist heads to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic – and no, there’s no good reason why a car with as much torque as a Mack truck needs eight forward speeds.

Bentley says the Mulsanne will also come with a variety of 21st century features, such as Bluetooth, sat-nav, MP3 player hookup, and a 6-disc CD changer. Of course, if all you wanted were those features and leather seats, you could save yourself in the range of $275,000 and buy a loaded Mazda3 – but where’s the fun in that?

2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost

If there’s a new Bentley, a new Rolls-Royce probably isn’t too far behind. (After all, Kanye and Fiddy can’t both be rolling in the same whips, can they?) However, the Ghost and the Mulsanne aren’t direct competitors – the big Bentley stacks up against the heftier Rolls-Royce Phantom, while the Ghost is a “discount” model aimed at the “cheap” Bentley Continental.

Of course, cheap is a relative term – the Rolls will retail for around $245,000 when it hits the States next year. Sure, that’s almost $75,000 more than the Conti, but that’s not too much to ask for a little brand loyalty, is it?

Like the Continental, the Ghost is also based on a less expensive vehicle from its corporate master’s stable. The Continental shares many of its unseen bits with the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury sedan (remember that car? Well, no one else does, either.); the Ghost, in turn, shares a platform with the new BMW 7-series. Motivation comes from a slightly uprated version of the BMW 760Li’s powertrain – the Roller pumps out 563 horsepower from a 6.0 liter turbocharged V12, through yet another eight-speed automatic. Prudent buyers will probably pick the far cheaper Bimmer…but Rolls-Royces have never been about prudence.

Bugatti 16 C Galibier

While the Galibier wasn’t actually featured at Frankfurt – it was unveiled at the company’s headquarters in Molsheim, France – it deserves inclusion in this list because of its mind-boggling magnificence.

The hatchback sedan concept looks more or less like the offspring of a Porsche Panamera and a Bugatti Veyron, and given its supercharged 8.0 liter W16 engine and all-wheel-drive, presumably performs that way as well.

While Bugatti officially has only said the Galibier is  one of several concepts for the next Bugatti road car;however, AutoExpress claims it has been approved for production, and should start rolling out in 2013.

Should the Galibier go into production, expect around 800 horsepower, an eight-speed dual clutch gearbox and a pricetag of about $1,400,000 – meaning the average Goldman Sachs employee will have to save up slightly more than two whole years’ worth of bonuses to buy one.

CLEAN LUXURY:

2010 BMW X6 Active Hybrid

BMW dropped the production version of its high-end hybrid SUV at Frankfurt this year, which should be going on sale here soon.

The 2010 X6 ActiveHybrid (as opposed to the PassiveHybrid line, which mostly sits around in the driveway eating potato chips and watching The Bonnie Hunt Show) is strapped for performance, with two electric motors added onto its already hearty 4.4 liter turbocharged V8. BMW quotes total combined output at 480 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque – not too far from the balls-to-the-wall X6 M. However, the X6 M can’t claim to travel at up to 37 mph without using a drop of gasoline, unless it’s being pushed by a T.rex.

BMW says the hybrid X6 does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds and tops out at 130 mph, while still using 20 percent less gas than the regular V8 model. If they deliver on these promises without hurting the X6’s playful performance characteristics or jacking the price up too much, I doubt anyone will want to buy the regular old X6 xDrive 50i.

Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In HYBRID concept

Equipped with the sort of obscenely long name currently in favor with German luxury automakers, the plug-in S500 remains merely a concept – for the moment. Mercedes-Benz engineers say the technology is being prepped for production sometime in the near future.

The S500 Plug-In doesn’t operate quite like the famous Chevy Volt; in the Benz, the gasoline engine still powers the wheels directly, instead of simply recharging the battery. Still, by plugging the battery into an outlet, it can store up enough juice to run the S-class for a whopping 19 miles before the 3.5 liter V6 kicks in.

Mercedes estimates combined fuel economy at 74 miles per gallon, though as with many hybrids today, eking that out could prove harder than squeezing sanity from Glenn Beck. Still, if a production model can achieve even 50 mpg while still cranking out a 5.5 second 0-60 time, Mercedes will have a winner on its hands. (But can we get at least 30 miles out of that battery, guys?)

LEAN, GREEN, FAST MACHINES:

Audi e-tron

Do you like the Audi R8, but want to take the metaphorical Beano and say goodbye to gas? Then feast your eyes on the electric-powered e-tron concept, based off Audi’s sweet supercar.

According to Audi, the concept packs four electric motors punching out 313 horsepower and an unfathomable 3,319 lb-ft of torque. Of course, you can’t use all that twist at once – it would probably send the wheels flying across the continent – but it sounds cool. Audi also claims a 4.8 second 0-60 time, a top speed of 124 mph and a range of 154 miles…but not if you’re going 124 mph.

Of course, those figures are pretty academic, as Audi hasn’t announced any definite production plans for the e-tron. Of course, if Mercedes-Benz’s electric-drive SLS proves successful, don’t be surprised to see an electric R8 sailing silently past the gas pumps within four years.

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept

Not content to just slap an electric motor in a pre-exising car, BMW instead toted out a brand-new concept designed to showcase what a fuel-efficient supercar of the near future could look like.

According to BMW, the ED (snicker) gets its power from the unification of a 163-hp, 1.5-liter turbodiesel and a pair of electric motors, creating a maximum output of 356 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Lightweight design (is that why there are no doors?) helps the ED scoot to 60 in 4.8 seconds, while achieving the usual Bimmer top speed of 155 mph.

Not sure who this image is supposed to appeal to...aliens?

Fuel economy is reportedly estimated at 63 mpg, with 31 miles of electric-only driving possible. While a  production version is pretty unlikely, some of the fuel-saving technology seen here will probably show up on the rumored “Z10″ supercar that’ll hopefully be coming our way in a couple of years; however, that car will reportedly run a twin-turbo 3.0 liter inline six making 450 horsepower (awesome).

SPEEDING BULLETS:

Ferrari 458 Italia

We’ve featured the Italia here on the site several times before, but since it was officially revealed at Frankfurt, it only seemed appropriate to look at it one more time.

Replacement for the F430 and heir to Ferrari’s long line of mid-engined V8 sports cars, the 458’s 4.5 liter V8 makes 570 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, and sends it to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 0-60 comes in 3.4 seconds (probably less – Ferrari tends to be conservative), top speed is 202 mph, and combined fuel economy on the European cycle comes to 18 mpg. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but if you go into your Ferrari dealership with $300,000 in cash, you’ll probably be able to buy a baseball cap or two as well.

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

Likewise, the Reventon is no stranger to this site (it’s the car in our headline banner), but it’s always worth taking another look at – especially when a new version comes out.

Mechanically and physically, the roadster is pretty much the same as the coupe – 6.5 liter V12, 660 horses, 487 lb-ft of torque, six-speed sequential manual transmission, outlandishly gorgeous styling. The only real difference is the lack of a top and the increased rarity – Lambo will be making a mere 15 roadsters, as opposed to a bountiful production run of 20 for the coupe. As Lamborghini itself proudly boasts, the odds of owning a Reventon Roadster are 1 in 700 million; however, at $1.6 million a pop, the odds of getting laid in the passenger’s seat are about 1 in 2.

Mercedes-Benz SLS

Again, we’ve already shown you the SLS here on CCO, but since it too received a public unveiling at Frankfurt, we thought we’d take another look at it (even though it hurts our eyes to do so).

Packing a 571-horsepower version of AMG’s 6.3 liter V8 running through a seven-speed transmission, the SLS blasts from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds and tops out at 197 mph. When it goes on sale sometime next year, expect to pay around $175,000 before any options – slotting it neatly between the Audi R8/Porsche 911 Turbo and the Lamborghini Gallardo/Ferrari 458 Italia.

Reportedly, the SLS is a blast to drive, capable of holding its own with any of the aforementioned competitors; hopefully the looks improve in person, as well, because it really doesn’t look too good in those pictures. But at the very least when you’re inside, you won’t have to look at the car’s ass…

GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME:

Mini Coupe/Roadster

Now, at first, you might wonder why Mini would be building these cars. After all, doesn’t the Mini already only have two doors…and isn’t there already a convertible?

However, you would be thinking rationally. If so, you’re not who Mini’s looking for for these two. Go buy a Clubman. No, these are for the drivers who take their Minis to the max.

[Ed: Really? Are you kidding me? That's the best you can do?]

Shut up, Ed. You try writing this on seven Red Bulls. Anyway, the Mini Coupe will reportedly hit the streets with the turbocharged 208-hp 1.6 liter inline-four from the John Cooper Works Mini, while the Roadster plays it a bit lighter with a 175-horsepower 1.6 liter turbo four. You should be able to buy them in early 2011.

2010 Porsche 911

Ah, 911. Tragic connotations aside, those numbers will always have a special meaning for car enthusiasts. For more than 40 years, the penultimate rear-engine sports car has been undergoing constant evolution, and this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show gave Porsche a chance to show off their latest subspecies. Both cost about the same, and both share an engine – but they’re aimed at different people, for sure.

For those who only feel alive on a racetrack, there’s the 911 GT3 RS, a 450-horsepower naturally aspirated race-ready RWD machine that’s so plugged into you, you’d swear it has one of those neck plugs from The Matrix. 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds, top speed 194 mph, and a price of $132,800.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, seen here being enjoyed by General Zod.

But if you need something you can drive to work every day, the new 911 Turbo offers a turbocharged 500 horsepower 3.8 liter flat six. All-wheel-drive means improved traction in all conditions, and there’s even a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for those too lazy to row the gears themselves. 60 mph comes in a stunning 3.2 seconds, and top speed is 194 mph as well. The coupe also starts at $132,800, while the convertible starts at $143,800.

And Porsche, if you’re reading this, we’d kill for a Turbo Coupe for a week…

BMW 5-series GT

Wrapping things up for our Frankfurt Show coverage is BMW’s wagonoid, the 5-series GT. Not as roomy as a station wagon…not as tall as an SUV…and not as svelte as a sedan, this hatchagon sacrifices the bitch seat in back to offer prime seating for four. In addition, the rear hatch can open in two ways – the trunk lid alone can open, or the whole hatch can go up, too.

The GT comes in 535 and 550 forms, offering a 306-hp twin turbo 3.0 liter I6 in the former and a 407-hp 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 in the latter. An eight-speed auto provides the motivation; rear wheel drive is standard, AWD optional. And while it may seem a bit odd in pictures, we’re willing to bet it’ll prove a surprisingly convenient all-weather all-task vehicle.

So, BMW, if you want to throw a 550 GT our way too, that’d be great.

Green seems to be everyone’s favorite color nowadays. People have been looking for greener, more efficient solutions to numerous parts of their lives, so when it came time for the “green” to hit the car industry, it wasn’t so much a surprise as it was an eventual solution. And really, in the ideal world, who wouldn’t support green technology making their way into our cars? For the environmentalists, that would mean lower emissions and better fuel economy. For the tech-heads, that would mean seeing revolutionary technology at your fingertips on the road. And for the car junkies, that would mean uncompromising performance, horsepower and road prowess. At this point, champagne would fall from the heavens, money would grow abundantly on trees and all would rejoice.

Unfortunately for all of us, though, it’s the REAL world instead of the ideal one. And the majority of “green” cars thusfar have been only able to satisfy the environmentalists, if that. Most of them are slow, ugly and poorly made…and there’s really no debate about it. The Toyota Prius, for whatever reason, has become the mainstay in this greendom we call home – undoubtedly attracting celebrity buyers with its suuuuper cool interior and aggressive exhaust note when the engine switches to battery power.

This is the fastest you will ever see a Toyota Prius move.

The thing is, you don’t have to buy or be boring to be green on today’s roads…no matter how many miles you drive. More than anything, it comes down to the way you drive your car. For many hybrid owners, you need to mash the gas just to get anywhere without getting rear-ended or to perform basic passing maneuver on the highway. Not so in a regular petrol-powered car. And that can have a profound effect on its environmental footprint. Want proof? Check this out:

It’s no coincidence that they use a BMW in the test – they have won numerous green awards while maintaining a sport pedigree. BMW calls this concept “efficient dynamics”. In regard to BMW powerplants, each new iteration strives to be lighter, more powerful and at the same time more fuel efficient than its respective predecessor. Maybe that “ideal world” isn’t so far away after all.

With this prototype, BMW makes a step in a relatively virgin area, the plug-in diesel hybrids. But as a BMW, this concept must be economic, environmental, and especially sporty.
And it is : BMW Vision Concept is able to reach 100 km / h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km / h, these values, spectacular for a hybrid, being achieved at the cost of just 3.76 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of 99 grams for one kilometers traveled.
How do they do it ? By combining a small diesel motor and two electric motors. Is a three-cylinder diesel of 1.5 liters, obtained by practically cutting in two the efficient 3.0-liter diesel from BMW 335d. This centrally mounted engine has an output of 163 hp and could even be a future solution for small class BMW models.
The diesel engine, however, is helped by two electric motors, one for each deck, raising the total power to 356 hp. The whole system is driven by a dual-clutch DCT box, similar to that dela M3 or Z4.
The Load duration is 2 hours and with a fuel tank of 25 liters full, BMW Vision Concept can travel almost 700 km.
As for the design, we let the pictures speak.

As the book ‘ Springtime for Germany: or How I learned to Love lederhosen’  discusses, I decided to spend my holidays in Germany. After hiring a car in Düsseldorf, we drove 1800 km around Deutschland, including Hambur, Celler, Braunsweig, Melzungen, and visiting the 2009 edition of the IAA in Frankfurt.

I have been present in the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles between nearly all the main automobile manufacturers and I would like to share the images that have shocked me more. I hope you enjoy them aswell, you have still time to visit the Messe until next weekend.

BMW Efficient Dynamics? Nice for the fair, but difficult to produce I guess

BMW bet for Mini's Electric engine

HAMANN Customization of Mercedes SLR. Good example of craft manufacturing

Zonda Roadster from Pagani Automobili. Can you die-press that shape from a metal sheet? Let me know

Very nice piece of Mechatronics

Melkus, what a baroque car, but no cash in my pocket for buying it in site

Hyunday Electri System is not bigger than a briefcase. Believe me

The concept car from Hyunday

Opel Ampera? I can not remember this one

Very sleek. My only complaint is the lack of trunk space for my junk. Click for more looks.

Front View

Rear View

Interior View

O novo protótipo da BMW, que será apresentado no Salão Automóvel de Frankfurt a 13 de Setembro de 2009, desenvolve 356 cavalos para um consumo médio de 3,76 l/100 km.
Este protótipo tem um propulsor turbodiesel (1,5 litros), de três cilindros auxiliado por dois motores eléctricos, que podem originar uma potência máxima combinada de 356 cavalos e o binário de 800 Nm.
Esta carro é hibrido, ou seja, consegue andar tanto a combustível como a energia electrica. Vai dos 0 aos 100km/h em 4,8s, e em modo exclusivamente eléctrico consegue percorrer 50Km.
A fibra de carbono é talvez a razão que o torna num veiculo com apenas apenas 1395 kg, apesar dos seus 4,60 metros de comprimento, 1,90 metros de largura e 1,24 metros de altura.

Der BMW VISION Efficient Dynamics ist ein Plugin Hybrid mit 50 km rein elektrischer Reichweite einem Li-Polymer-Batteriepack mit über 8kWh Energieinhalt.

Das Fahrzeug hat eine elektronisch beschränkte Spitzegeschwindigkeit von 250km/h, beschleunigt in 4,5 s von 0 auf 100 km/h und verbraucht dabei im Hybridmodus unter 4l Diesel auf 100km. Im elektrischen Modus verbraucht es natürlich überhaupt keinen Kraftstoff.

Leider nur ein Kozept, aber man kann hoffen das möglichlist viele Elemente dieses Fahrzeug eingang in Serienfahrzeuge finden.

Herzlichen Glückwünsch für ein gelungenes Conzeptcar an die BMW Designer un Ingenieure! Weiter so!

So BMW has pulled out of F1. I think for many people the first reaction was one of disappointment, and understandably so. However, my first reaction was different. I could not help but wish that I was within ear-shot of Robert Kubica, a man known for not mincing his words. I am sure the resultant explosion of expletives would have been hugely entertaining.

Seriously, the news of BMW’s pull-out is not all negative. I was in Munich at the time of the deciding meeting on Tuesday, and found something to be very happy about. You see, we visited the BMW Museum, and the first car I saw when stepping inside was the incredible M1 Hommage, in all its bright orange splendour.  I’ve seen it on photographs before, and was intrigued, but they can’t prepare you for the sheer visual aggression that this car possesses in real life. If this car was to drive down streets today, it would make an Audi R8 look shy and retiring…

But the official stance has been that BMW will not build it. Which is heart-breaking. However, that may not quite be the end of the story. According to a report on autoblog.com today, BMW will indeed showcase a supercar concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and it will be “inspired” by the M1 Hommage. More importantly, it will be a “green” supercar, with all of BMW’s clever EfficientDynamics technologies combined to make the ultimate expression of “Sheer Driving Pleasure”, also an environmentally friendly one. Not much is known about the specification of this car, but some reports suggest a six-cylinder engine with three turbos. It will have stop/start, brake energy regeneration etc. Other sources mention a car constructed out of eco-plastics… Whatever, I don’t care if it’s made of potato skins, I just want it to look like the M1 Hommage.

Hopefully, now that BMW is out of F1, it will have the cash to develop cars such as the M1 Hommage. During my time in Munich, the point was made repeatedly that BMW wanted to be number 1 brand for “sustainability”. I think the M1, or whatever it will be called, will be a very good halo product, showing that green need not be boring, or slow, or ugly. In fact, for BMW, a marque built on the promise of excellent dynamics and performance, I think its introduction is a no-brainer.

A Special Report on BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies appears in the September issue of CAR, on sale 24 August. Visit www.cartoday.com for more of my blogs and all the latest on the motoring scene in South Africa

De genomineerden voor de World Green Car of the Year 2009 zijn bekendgemaakt. Wie de opvolger wordt van de BMW 118d zal in April op het Internationaal autosalon van New York bekend gemaakt worden.

De World Green Car verkiezing bestaat sinds 2006 toen het werd toegevoegd aan de World Car of the Year verkiezing waarbij een jury samengesteld uit auto-journalisten van over de ganse wereld de beste wagen van het jaar uit een lijst genomineerden slecteren. De genomineerde wagens moeten voor 1 januari 2009 op de markt zijn en dit in minimaal vijf verschillende landen verspreid over tenminste 2 continenten. Dit jaar is Xavier Daffe van `Le Moniteur Automobile`, het Franstalige broertje van de Autogids als enige Belg lid van het internationaal jurypanel.

3 specialisten op het vlak van groene auto-technologie zullen uit de lijst van genomineerden voor de World Green Car vijf wagens selecteren die dan aan de 58 kopppige internationale jury voorgelegd zal worden en waaruit de uiteindelijke winnaar gekozen zal worden. Dean Slavinch, redacteur van oa `Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International ` zal Europa vertegenwoordigen. Daarnaast maken nog deel uit van deze specialistenjury, de Amerikaan Sam Abuelsmid, medeweker bij verschillende websites over groene autotechnologie waaronder. GreenFuelsForecast.com en Tadashi Tateuchi, een Japans ingenieur, ontwerper van een `Zero Emission Formula car` en auteur van verschillende boeken zoals “The day gasoline-powered cars disappear”.

De winnaar van 2008 was de BMW 118d Efficient Dynamics.De BMW scoorde vooral punten met z’n goede rijeigenschappen, in combinatie met z’n lage verbruik en CO2-uitstoot. Het gemiddeld verbruik van de 118d bedraagt 4,5 liter per 100 kilometer, de CO2-uitstoot is vastgesteld op 119 gram per kilometer.

BMW 118d, winnaar Green Car of the Year 2008

EfficientDynamics is verantwoordelijk voor dit lage verbruik. Deze strategie combineert de modernste motorentechnieken met diverse innovaties zoals Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop Functie, Schakelindicatie, banden met een lage rolweerstand en actieve aerodynamica. De 118d eindigde voor de Smart Fortwo CDI en de Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI. In België haalt hij een ecoscore van 71, waarmee hij zich plaatst naast oa. de VW Golf 1.9TDI77 DPF BlueMotion en de Mazda 2 1300 16V maar slechter scoort dan de Toyota Prius (ecosocre 75). Dit jaar wordt het vooral uitkijken naar wat de electrisch aangedreven wagens zullen doen. (KJ)

De lijst van genomineerden voor de World Green Car of the Year 2009:

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi iMiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)

Op de tunes van Sam Brown’s “Stop” glijdt de nieuwe Mercedes Benz met BlueEfficiency dynamics van rood licht tot rood licht. De groengetinte tegenhanger van BMW’s efficient dynamics zal nog wel eventjes door m’n hoofd blijven zoemen. Vooral door de track doet het, of is het haar guitige snoet?

BMW MINI

In Australia, the most economical MINI is the Cooper, which achieves 5.8l/100km when paired with the manual gearbox. That’s pretty good and once again, BMW’s Efficient Dynamics are to thank.

However, Austraia is denied the MINI One, and MINI Cooper Diesel which achieve 5.2 and 3.9l/100km respectively.

BMW 1 series (5 door)

BMW are doing something that no other manufacturer is. They are putting hybrid technology across the majority of their range. Whilst many manufacturers have (or are planning to have) hybrid models, BMW’s efficient dynamics technology is not just for halo models.

I like this approach. Whilst BMW’s models may not be as efficient as a full hybrid (such as the Toyota Prius), the fact that most models gain efficiency must give a greater benefit than a single halo model.

Now, Efficient Dynamics is available in Australian BMWs, but the most economical models are not. I’ve picked the 118d (with the manual gearbox) as my first example. There will be more.

Manual BMWs equipped with the manual gearbox turn off the engine when put into neutral. This delivers huge fuel saving potential in town. Too many Australian models come with the automatic gearbox only. As far as I know, the rest of the efficient dynamics package is the same.

So, here’s the figures. The 118d is not available in Oz, but the 120d is. The Australian 120d manages a combined economy of 6.1l/100km. This is pretty impressive for a car with this much power, but the European 118d manages 4.5l/100km.
You don’t need to know how long a kilometre is or how large a litre is to see that 4.5 is a far lower figure than 6.1. By my calculations, this makes the 118d 16% more efficient than the 120d, which is pretty significant.

Een tijdje geleden reed ik een weekje met een vervangwagen, een BMW uit de EfficientDynamics reeks. De slogan “More power,  less comsumption” klopt volledig, de wagen was namelijk verrassend snel en een kleine verbruiker. Bovendien nog milieu- en portefeuillevriendelijk op andere manieren: de boordcomputer geeft aan wanneer je het best schakelt om zo weinig mogelijk te verbruiken, de motor gaat in stand-by als je stilstaat en start in een fractie van een seconde weer van zodra je de ontkoppeling intrapt,..

Minder enthousiast ben ik over deze Finse print voor BMW’s EfficientDynamics . De kopregel zit wel goed en het concept is op zich ook niet slecht, maar de uitvoering vind ik verre van geweldig. Het potje doggy food vind ik iets te klein, het valt te weinig op. Maar vooral de blik van de hond en gekozen perspectief ontkracht de kopregel. De hond lijkt heel triest omdat hij zo weinig voer krijgt. De hond moet uiteraard de motor voorstellen en wie wil er een auto met een trieste motor?

Es war ein ruhiger März – auf asphaltfrage.de. Der Genfer Salon brachte kaum aufregende Neuerungen und die Umweltaktivitäten der Hersteller waren auch hinlänglich bekannt. Für die AMI sind das keine guten Voraussetzungen, steht sie doch immer etwas im Schatten der Schweizer Show. Dass das große Feuerwerk der Neuen in Leipzig ausblieb kann man aber auch durchaus positiv sehen: Ohne großes Spektakel präsentierten die Hersteller ihr Programm und boten die Gelegenheit eines direkten Dialoges. asphaltfrage.de hat diesen Umstand genutzt um erstmals in Full-HD-Videoform über Neuheiten zu informieren und die Pläne der Hersteller zu präsentieren.
Doch bevor wir Ihnen die Interviews präsentieren gibt es einen Messerundgang in gewohnter Form:

Audi macht den Anfang. In Halle eins gab es einige Deutschlandpremieren, so zum Beispiel die neuen Motorvarianten des Audi TT. Den Einstieg markiert der 1.8 TFSI mit 160 PS und einem Verbrauch von 6,7 Litern/100km. Wem das noch zuviel ist, der greift besser zum ersten Diesel TT, dem 2.0 TDI mit Common-Rail. Das 170 PS Aggregat soll nur 5,3 Liter Diesel verbrauchen und dank 350Nm Drehmoment dennoch für ansprechenden Fahrspaß sorgen. Doch in einen „semi“-Sportwagen wie den TT gehört doch eher ein großer Fremdzünder und so gesellt sich auch der TTS auf den Messestand. Mit seinen 272PS bildet er die Speerspitze des Programms.

Für größeres Aufsehen sorgte trotz geringerer Leistung die Premiere des Audi A4 Avant, mit dem die Ingolstädter nun zum Schlag gegen die Konkurrenz aus Stuttgart und München ausholen. Das dynamische Design der Limousine wird auch beim Kombi fortgeführt, wenngleich an der Heckpartie nicht ganz so glücklich wie erhofft. Dennoch macht der Avant eine bedeutend bessere Figur als die etwas plumpen Entwürfe von 3er und C-Klasse.

Zweifelsfrei die imposanteste Erscheinung bei Audi war die Präsentation des Q7 V12 TDI. Das LeMans Aggregat verleiht dem 2.5 Tonnen-Wal beinahe Fahrleistungen eines Sportwagens. Audi gibt den Standardsprint mit etwas über 5 Sekunden an und eine abgeregelte Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 250km/h. Das der 6 Liter V12 mit seinen atemberaubenden 500PS und 1000Nm dabei nur 11 Liter Diesel konsumieren soll erscheint uns dann doch etwas wenig, auf Nachfrage dann der nette Hinweis, dass der Verbrauch „deutlich unter dem des Cayenne Turbo“ liegen würde, in dessen Leistungsklasse der TDI-Hammer eindeutig mitspielt.
Am anderen Ende der TDI Skala spielt dagegen der VW Golf TDI Hybrid. Volkswagen springt mit ihm auf den populären Hybridzug auf, nutzt im Gegensatz zum Vorreiter Toyota nicht die Kombination aus Benziner und Elektromotor, sondern gibt dem 27 PS Stromer einen kleinen 1.2 Liter Dieselmotor mit 75 PS an die Hand. Die Wolfsburger versprechen sich davon den Nachteil des Hybridkonzepts bei Autobahn- und flotten Überlandfahrten etwas abzuschwächen. Den Gesamt-CO2-Ausstoß gibt VW mit 89g/km an. Zur Serienreife gab es keine Äußerung, es kann jedoch davon ausgegangen werden, dass die Einführung noch im Zyklus des Golf VI erfolgen wird.
Neben dem TDI Hybrid zeigte Volkswagen die bereits in Genf vorgestellten Modelle Scirocco und Passat CC.

Ganz ohne Umwelt- und Sparaktivitäten zeigte sich dagegen der Stand von Lancia. Die italienische Edelmarke möchte mit dem neuen Delta endlich aus dem Schattendasein ausbrechen. Auf der technischen Basis des gelungenen Fiat Bravo zeigt sich der Delta als extravagant gezeichnetes Automobil, das mit moderner Technik wie Einparkassistent, Spurhalteassistent und umfangreichen In-Car-Entertainment das Fahren so angenehm wie möglich gestalten soll. Auch auf der Motorenseite zeigt sich dies, denn der Delta wird mit einer Fülle von Aggregaten eingeführt: zwei 1.4 Liter Turbojet Benziner mit 120PS und 150PS, sowie einem 1.6 Liter Multijet Diesel mit 120PS, der bereits die EURO5 Abgasnorm erfüllt. Kurz nach dem Start werden die leistungsstärkeren Varianten in Form von zwei Dieseln mit 165PS (2.0 Liter Multijet), bzw. 190PS (1.9 Liter Multijet Twinturbo) und ein 200 PS Turbobenziner mit 1.8 Liter und Direkteinspritzung. Auch fahrwerksseitig möchte Lancia den Glanz alter Tage wieder zurückholen und bietet im Delta eine elektronische Dämpferkontrolle namens SDC an, sowie Assistenzsysteme wie einer elektronischen Differenzialsperre und einem „Linearization Torque Feedback“ genannten System, dass das Fahren bei hohen Querbeschleunigungen erleichtern soll. Wem das zu aufregend ist, der kann sich am gewohnt vielfältigen Farben- und Polstersortiment der Italiener beruhigen und den Delta in edlen Zweifarblackierungen und Wildlederpolsterungen bestellen.

Einen ganz anderen Zweck als nur gutes Aussehen erfüllt wenige Meter weiter der Nissan GT-R. In glänzendem Schwarz präsentiert Nissan die wohl schärfste Waffe im Kampf gegen die Übermacht des Porsche 911. Sein 3.8 Liter V6 Biturbo leistet 480PS und sorgt in Kombination mit Doppelkupplungsgetriebe und Allradantrieb für Fahrleistungen, die einem 911 turbo entsprechen. Das Nissan diesen Ausbund an Performance für einen Kaufpreis von 74.900 EUR an anbietet überrascht deshalb umso mehr. Im Innenraum fällt zudem angenehm auf, dass der Kaufpreis nicht nur für die komplexe Technik aufgewendet wurde, sondern auch für edles Leder im Innenraum und sorgfältige Verarbeitung. Bestellbar ist der GT-R ab sofort und er wird Anfang 2009 in Europa ausgeliefert.
Um diesem starken Gegner aus Fernost zu begegnen rüstet auch Porsche kräftig nach. Die bevorstehende Modellpflege des 911 war zwar noch nicht zu sehen, aber Porsche betonte seine sportlichen Erfolge mit den neuen Rennwagen Cayenne Transsyberia und dem RS Spyder. Auch über die frisch renovierten Breitensportler GT3 Cup und Cup S, sowie GT3 RSR gab es umfangreiche Informationen.

Ebenfalls dem Fahren auf der Rennstrecke ist die neue Performance-Linie von BMW gewidmet. Fahrer der aktuellen 1er und 3er Reihe können sich hier nach Lust, Laune und vor allem entsprechendem Kleingeld einen echten Racer heranzüchten. Es gibt umfangreiche Aerodynamikpakete mit Carbonspoilern, Rennbremsanlage und extra leichte und belastbare Alufelgen. Ein Sportfahrwerk gehört ebenso zum Portfolio wie eine spezielle Abgasanlage. Im Innenraum wird dann vielleicht sogar etwas zu dich aufgetragen: es gibt ein dickes Wildlederlenkrad, in dessen abgeflachten Kranz mehrere Displays eingelassen sind, die neben Geschwindigkeit, Rundenzeit, Öl- und Wassertemperatur auch in Formel-1 Manier den optimalen Schaltpunkt mittels Leuchtdioden anzeigt. Passend dazu gibt es rennsportliche Schalensitze von Recaro, die mit Klappmechanismus und Seitenairbag aufwarten.

Das neue Doppelkupplungsgetriebe des M3 bleibt indes den echtem M-Modellen vorbehalten und lässt sich (noch) nicht für die kleineren Varianten erwerben. BMW verspricht von der neuen Getriebevariante nicht nur bessere Fahrleistungen durch unterbrechungsfreie Zugkraft, schnelle Schaltzeiten und gesteigerte Fahrdynamik durch verringerte Lastwechsel, sondern der M3 verbraucht auch weniger dank der größeren Übersetzung des 7-Gang-Getriebes. Der Verbrauch ist bei BMW derzeit sowieso das zentrale Thema und so stehen neben dem EfficientDynamics Programm auch die Hybrid Studien von X6 und X5 auf der AMI im Mittelpunkt.

Aber nicht nur BMW, auch Mercedes-Benz bietet ein umfangreiches Konzept zur sparsamen Fortbewegung an und weitet sein BlueEfficiency Programm neben der C-Klasse auch auf die frisch renovierten Modelle A- und B-Klasse aus. Die kleinen Stuttgarter sind auch mit einem ECO Start und Stopp System ausgestattet, welches im Stadtverkehr bei der A-Klasse für Verbrauchsvorteile von bis zu 0.4 l/100km sorgen soll. Die BlueEfficiency Modelle A 150 und A160 CDI gibt Mercedes mit Verbräuchen von 5.8 Litern Super und 4.5 Litern Diesel auf 100 Kilometer an. Erstmals bieten die Stuttgarter mit dem B 170 NGT das Sparkonzept auch bei einem bivalenten Antrieb an. Der Erdgas-Benz soll nur 4.5kg/100kg verbrennen.
Die AMI zeigt in diesem Jahr den Trend für das Autojahr 2008, den schon die IAA vor einem guten halben Jahr einläutete: dem gestiegenen Umweltbewusstsein wird durch innovative Techniken und clevere Sparkonzepte Rechnung getragen und dennoch ist das Bemühen der Hersteller nicht zu übersehen, dass sie trotz geringerem Verbrauch dem Kunden immer noch bessere Fahrleistungen und mehr Komfort als bisher bieten können. Wir von asphaltfrage.de können diese Entwicklung nur begrüßen und freuen uns auf die ersten eigenen „Erfahrungen“ mit den Neuen.

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