German Motorcycles Bmw

BMW reveals its shark-like electric car

German giant BMW will unveil its idea of the future of the electric car at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. To distinguish these cars from petrol and diesel, the prototypes are prefixed with the letter ‘i’, like the iPhone and iPad.

All have the latest lightweight, but super-strong, carbon-fibre bodies. Most exciting of the Project I cars is the shark-like top-of-the-range i8, a four-wheel- drive, plug-in electric hybrid sports with a three-cylinder 1.5 litre turbo-charged petrol engine and electric motor.

Top speed of the coupé is limited to 155 mph, with acceleration from rest to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds. BMW puts the combined fuel economy at 104 mpg, with CO2 emissions below 66g/km. Charging from the mains takes 105 minutes and its range is said to top 400 miles.

Powered by a 125 kW electric motor, it accelerates from rest to 62 mph in less than eight seconds, with a top speed limited to 93 mph and a range of up to 100 miles.

For those with ‘range anxiety’, BMW offers a small petrol engine as an onboard power station. Briton Ian Robertson, BMW’s global sales director, said while electric power will play an increasing role, the internal combustion engine will be around for many years yet.

‘In ten years, we might see 3 per cent to 6 per cent of our car sales being pure electric or plug-in hybrids,’ he says. ‘But more than half of our cars could have some form of hybridisation.’

SUPERCARS GO GREEN

Supercars will be among the vehicles at Britain’s most environmentally friendly motor show held in London next month — to prove you don’t have to be dull or a car-hater to be green.

The EcoVelocity festival of green motoring takes place outdoors at Battersea Power Station, South-West London, from September 8 to 11.

The History of BMW Motorcycles - A German Motorcycle Manufacturer

The BMW Motorcycle brand is one of sophistication and class throughout its history. It is surprising to discover that the history of the BMW name is rocky and full of financial close calls. It seems that more than a little luck was involved in BMW's ascendance to the prestigious name it has became today.

The history of the BMW Company started off the production of aircraft engines in Germany, until the Treaty of Versailles banned the German air force from existing. With a much smaller market for aircraft engines, BMW had to turn to producing other products, including parts for industrial equipment, and office furniture. BMW turned its attention to motorcycles in 1922, after noticing that many motorcycle manufacturers were using BMW motors originally intended as portable motors for industrial equipment.

In 1923, BMW released its first motorcycle, the R32. BMW motorcycles had an advantage: a (4 stroke) recirculating oil system. Other motorcycles at the time used full-loss (2 stroke) oil systems. A merger with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922 had given BMW two motorcycles models to work with, modify, and improve, and BMW wasted no time in doing so.

The BMW Motorcycle Company gained some attention in 1937, when a 500cc BMW bike broke a speed record by going 173.88 mph, or 279.83 km/h. This record stood for over 14 years.

World War II was a time of huge success for BMW Motorcycles. The German army commissioned many motorcycles for the war, and BMW was able to supply machines aptly suited for the North African Campaign. The design of BMW engines prevented overheating in the warmer climate, and using innovative shaft drives instead of chain drives eliminated the problem of sand getting in the chains. In fact, the BMW motorcycles were so successful that the American government ordered American companies to copy the designs.

After World War II, motorcycle manufacturing was banned in West Germany. The BMW plant in West Germany had also been destroyed by bombing and the company almost died. BMW adapted, however with some of its engineers working on aircraft parts once more.

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