BMW i8 Concept Spyder was officially revealed by the German automaker. The new BMW’s i8 hybrid powered coupe version looks really nice. It’s a plug-in hybrid powered by a 131 hp high-performance electric motor in the front, which drives the front axle, and a mid-mounted turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine producing 223 hp powering the rear wheels. Together, the duo is capable of producing an overall output of 354 hp and 550 Nm of torque.
On electricity alone, the i8 Spyder can travel about 30 Km, before the petrol engine has to intervene and recharge the batteries. They claim the system is good for achieving 3 litres/100 km consumption.
Another interesting feature is the car’s ability to switch between front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. But that very well depends on driver mood and more importantly, the existing electric juice. Like the coupe, the Spyder also features a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, which BMW claims to have achieved using lightweight materials like carbon-fibre and aluminium.
As you know pretty well till now Japan has been second largest automobile market in the world. An automotive and electronic industries are the most prominent industries, the base of the Japanese economy. Such autos as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi and Mazda have recommended themselves in the world as quality and trustworthy ones.
But now, in the light of Japan’s tragedy that is unfortunately still continuing it’s becoming also obviously that the earthquake has affected on all exports, including cars and probably customers will get the deficit of automotives and electronic components very soon. Japan’s top three auto makers, Toyota, Honda and Nissan, have closed already their plants in the quake-hit areas in Japan.
It’s pity becouse I’ve loved Nissan Micra which is both beautiful as economic auto. Nissan Micra comes in a single engine variant – 1.2 litre petrol with 3 in-line cylinders. The powerful engine can churn out a maximum power of 75 bhp @ 6000 RPM and will give you a maximum torque of 104 Nm @ 4000 RPM. Paired with the engine is a five speed manual transmission.
Micra boasts of optimum performance, ride and handling combined with agility and refinement.Mounted on the Nissan’s new signature V-platform, the suspension minimizes intrusion and takes on well to US or European roads. The suspension set up comprises of McPherson Strut at the front and torsion beam at the rear. The cute looking hatchback also offers a great fuel economy of 18.06 kmpl.
However, we have to hope and many analysts believe that the impact of Japan’s quake would not last long on the global market. A Moody’s economist even thinks that Japan’s reconstruction efforts after the earthquake could boost global trade.
No doubt future cars must be the next alternative to the internal combustion engine and oil. Potential future car technologies include a lot of aspects including new energy sources and materials, which are being developed in order to make automobiles more sustainable, safer, more energy efficient, or less polluting. With rising gas prices, the future of cars might be leaning towards fuel efficiency, energy savers, hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicle and the fuel cell vehicle (Xiang, Jia, Jianzhong, Zhibiao, Yuanzhang, & Qinglin 2008).
