BMW’s M Division Presents its First Ever Bicycle, the Carbon Racer

Initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, the Bavarian firm’s M Gmbh division gradually expanded its activities to include the development and manufacturing of the company’s sportiest production cars, and more recently, crossover and SUV models as well. Now, the M brand is entering new territory with the introduction of its first racing bicycle, the M Bike Carbon Racer.

The highlight of the bicycle is the lightweight carbon frame that has been developed in-house by BMW’s M division. The German company states that the frame is extremely light and stiff, absorbs shocks, and is absolutely corrosion-free. The bicycle also comes equipped with Shimano Ultegra gears and tips the scales at just 7.4 kg or 16.3 pounds.

The frame is finished in an anthracite carbon look, while the colored accents on the rims, handlebar grips, and saddle inlay are painted in the typical BMW M red color.

Prices have not yet been released, but BMW said that the M Bike Carbon Racer will be available from select dealers as well as online on the firm’s website from June 2011.

BMW M Bike Carbon Racer (anthracite)
Frame height: 52 cm, 54 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm, and 60 cm
Frame: Full carbon with BMW M logo
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra RD-6700
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra FD-6700
Cassette: Shimano CS6700, 11–28 sprockets, ten-speed
Weight: 7.4 kg

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French Hybrid Design Study Uses Wind Turbines To Recharge Batteries

Remember a few years ago when every wannabe gangsta was buying those awful “spinner” alloys for their beat up old Chevys and Oldsmobiles? Well, French artist and teacher Thierry Dumaine (who sounds like a character from a historical romance) has taken the concept of the spinner and applied it to an imaginary hydrid he calls the Ventile.

It’s all very simple. You know those bicycles that have pedal powered lights? Same principle, though in this case the fans are turned by the circular motion of the wheels and not by being affixed to the wheels themselves.

The fans power a generator that helps recharge the Ventile’s batteries. I don’t know how well this would work in the real world, mostly due to the Law of Conservation of Energy, but really who cares.

The Ventile is a sweet looking ride; sort of like the result of a 1930’s Ford being reinvented by MINI. There’s also a large underbody fan that is turned by air rushing over the vehicle’s underside; a far more realistic prospect for energy production. It’s not unlike that wind turbine car those two Germans used to cross Australia a few weeks back.

Dumaine’s creation was an entrant in the 2011 Michelin’s Challenge Design showcase, an annual exhibition of new automotive design talent on the web. You can check out our gallery below.

By Tristan Hankins

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VIDEO: This is How They Imagined Our Automobile Future in 1948

In the late 1940s, as the world started to recover from the wounds of war, people were trying to leave the past behind and focus on the future. In fact, some individuals were so fascinated with the future that they tried to tune in it and predict the outcome. In this nostalgic video, we see how some people imagined the future of automobiles in 1948. Watch the clip after the break.

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A Future of Smarter Cars as Automakers and Regulators Seek to Cure Driver Error

In 2010, “unintended acceleration”, a phrase that had been somewhat forgotten in the automotive lexicon returned to the hearts and minds of many Americans. After exhausting research by the NHTSA and other independent agencies, the culprit was found to be a combination of poorly designed floor mats, “sticky” accelerator pedals...and driver error.

As our roads become more congested and the traffic rules more and more complicated, incidents of driver error resulting in accidents are likely only to increase. The solution: smarter electronics that take the “driver” out of “driver error”.

Things like electronic systems that cut power to the car when drivers hit both the brake and gas pedals, rear vision cameras, electronic data recorders and even wireless monitoring of the vehicle’s performance are set to become increasingly commonplace in the coming decades.

There are other less sophisticated measures: such as driver training and a subtle reworking of driver ergonomics that could reduce the number of or even prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. It’s all well and good, but it does hint at the low opinion both regulators and automakers have of the average car driver.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Wall Street Journal

Ford Brings SYNC Technology to Europe Starting with the New Focus

Ford will offer the infotainment and connectivity system to its European models starting from 2012, the company announced today. The all-new Focus will be the first vehicle in Europe to feature the SYNC technology, with other models to follow. Ford said it wants to have 2 million SYNC-equipped cars on European roads by 2015.

The voice-control technology will be available in 19 languages: U.S., U.K. and Australian English, European and Canadian French, European and U.S. Spanish, European and Brazilian Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian and Turkish. Beyond Europe, languages such as Arabic, Korean and Japanese are also compatible with SYNC.

The system can recognize 10,000 commands in each of the 19 languages, giving drivers the power to control most of the vehicle's functions using their voice. “SYNC’s unique connection between the driver’s devices and the vehicle means that the user’s voice can control both the car and the device. It is being developed specifically for European customers with the ability to understand multiple languages and accents," said Jason Johnson, SYNC Product Development engineer.

SYNC is able to connect to mobile phones via Bluetooth, playback media acquired via USB-ports and even act as a mobile WiFi hotspot for the car's passengers. “It is a smarter, safer and simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives,” said Ford's CEO Allan Mulally, who will announce SYNC's expansion to Europe at the 2011 CeBIT technology show in Hannover, Germany.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chevy Launches MyLink Infotainment System in Response to Ford's SYNC

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox models will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink, an in-car infotainment equipment that integrates internet radio, hands-free, voice and touch-screen controls, all of which can be accessed via Bluetooth connectivity.

Three years ago, Ford introduced a similar system, called SYNC, whose aim was to reunite in a friendly and efficient way the various in-car controls that a driver can access while driving. Now Chevy is ready with its own technology, developed together with GM's subsidiary OnStar.

MyLink provides drivers with stereo audio streaming, wireless control of smartphones, voice-activated commands and a full-color 7-inch touch screen display that centralizes media sources. For example, the driver can initiate phone calls, select radio stations or stored media only by using his voice.

Other features are Pandora internet radio, which allows users to personalize their radio experience, or Gracenote, which identifies the user's music collection and presents information such as artist name, genres and album cover art on the MyLink screen.

Basically, MyLink does everything that SYNC does, plus the future integration of the Powermat wireless cell-phone charging system that eliminates cords. The MyLink infotainment system will expand to other Chevrolet models in the next 18 months.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Hit the Slopes in Style with Audi Carbon Ski

If you're looking to add some style to your winter-time outdoor activities, you may want to take a look at these cool skis from Audi. Initially designed and developed as a concept study at the Audi Concept Design Munich, the Carbon Ski is now heading for production with the Ingolstadt-based automaker estimating that it could be available for sale as early as this year.

As its name implies, the Audi Carbon Ski is made out of carbon fiber for reduced weight as well as optimal stiffness. More precisely, a cab of high-strength carbon fiber encloses layers of aluminum and titanium, as well as a wood core. The result is 170cm-long ski that tips the scales at 1,550 grams. According to Audi, the ski weighs 200 grams less than comparable models.

“As a long-time partner and sponsor of the German Ski Association, a ski produced by Audi is a logical consequence of this partnership. This is how the Audi Carbon Ski concept came about. And the ski’s brilliant handling characteristics have been confirmed by professionals from the sport,” said Wolfgang Egger, Head of Design for the Audi Group. “The serial-production ski was able to borrow from the concept study, and it features outstanding technical properties. At the same time, its minimalist design underscores the technical nature of the carbon.”

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VIDEO: Remote Control Cars Drifting on Realistic Looking Miniature Road is Pure Ecstasy

If you enjoyed Phil's video of the RC drifters from the recent Tokyo Auto Salo, then you're in for a really special treat with this 4 minute-long clip shot at the 2010 Korea RC Street Drift Challenge. By far this is the most amazing RC drift setup that we have ever seen. Just follow the jump and you'll see what we mean.

Kudos to Nick for the tip!

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Sandy Sanderson’s Can Cars Are Automotive Art Par Excellence

The automobile is such an integral part of so many people’s lives that it’s no wonder than artists and sculptors often use them for inspiration. Take Sandy Sanderson of Hamilton, New Zealand, for example. He takes beer and soft drink cans and crafts them into meticulous, highly detailed replicas of hot rods and other classic cars. And Mr. Sanderson really is a meticulous sculptor.

Check out the amount of detail he puts into the suspension, interior, engine and wheels of his cars. Even the gauges, gear shift and hand brake are replicated in detail. It boggles the mind. Each car takes as few as eight and as many as thirty soft drink / beer cans to construct, the whole process taking Sandy up to a month from start to finish.

Most of the cars are purchasable too, with prices ranging from NZ$800 to NZ$2,000 (US$472 to US$1,537). Pricey yes, but these things are gorgeous. My favorite is the “Coruba Climax”, a replica of the Cooper Climax race car of the 1960s made of Coruba Rum cans (don’t worry if you haven’t heard of Coruba Rum - I hadn’t until I read it on Sandy’s website).

You can check out the full gallery of images below. When you’ve had a look, tell us your favorite in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Cancars via Techblog

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