My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on January 26, 2006

Here’s a little video clip for BMW lovers and dreamers called “The Ultimate Test Drive.“ (encoded H.264 mp4 and is a 7.6 mb download – right click/save as) It’s a promo clip demostrating the BMW M5 performance sedan by a professional driver on a test track. The footage and comments from the driver regarding this finely tuned combination of power and handling are entertaining to watch … so much so that it makes me want to go down to The BMW Store again. (ask for Dave Lewis if you ‘really’ want to know more about this car. He also maintains a great ‘just’ BMW news site — BMWLivery.com) For those of us struggling to get out from behind our ‘goobermobile’ (code name for our minivan) and into a finely engineered ‘4000 lb -four door family car,’ a BMW might be just the ticket even if the M5 is more car than we really need.

About BMW and in particular the M5:
The BMW M5 is the super-sport sedan and is more sophisticated and more powerful than ever. It is powered by an incredibly advanced V-10 engine, with a five-liter capacity, 10 cylinders, 500-hp (SAE net) output, 383 lb-ft maximum torque, and engine speeds in excess of 8,000 rpm. The BMW M5 boasts the most innovative drive concept in its class, the best power-to-weight ratio, super-car handling, as well as luxurious appointments and outstanding everyday driving characteristics. For those who demand uncompromised performance and want to share the thrills, there’s only one vehicle: the inimitable BMW M5.

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Posted By RichC on January 25, 2006

The biodiesel industry and supporters are making ground in getting manufactures to support biodiesel in their engines. Although most already approve the use of B5 (5% biodiesel), DaimlerChrysler has issued a press release that will expand this to B20 (20% biodiesel) in their Cummins diesel powered Dodge Ram pickup truck. It is good to see a ‘domestic’ truck embracing clean, renewable and domestically produced fuels.

According to the press release, the initial approval was to the military, government and fleet users of the Dodge Ram diesel powered trucks. According to the CEO of the Chrysler Group, Tom LaSorda, “diesel technology alone can make big strides toward helping us meet our national energy, environment and security objectives” … but “when you add biodiesel and other biofuels, it gets really interesting. Biofuels represent a huge opportunity to reduce fuel consumption and our dependence on foreign oil.”

Also in the press release there seemed to be a strong support for more US diesels. They will be pushing a “campaign to re-introduce diesel-powered passenger vehicles to the U.S. consumers” through the use of biofuels and BlueTec –DaimlerChrysler’s trademark name for a urea catalyst for Diesel automobile engine emissions reductions.

As for the passenger side of DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes-Benz was at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit showing off its E320 and GL320 which should makes these vehicles 50-state legal in the United States. Sales for these vehicles will begin in autumn 2006 as a 2007 model. Interestingly through the grapevine I have heard that Jeep Grand Cherokee and possibly the new Commander willl have the same Bluetec engine. Rumors also allegethat a hybrid vehicle using the technology will follow … now that should be a pretty efficient vehicle.

In the U.S. biodiesel is made primarily from soybeans although it can be produced from many oil producing plants as well as recycling fryer grease as fuels. Plants to produce biodiesel are expanding throughout the country and projected growth in this industry is 5 fold. DaimlerChrysler is also participating in research programs in Germany and India that will produce high-quality biodiesel from non-food agricultural products. One of the most promising IMHO is using fast growing, oil producing algae. For a good read, download this well done PDF presentation.

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Posted By RichC on January 23, 2006

1/26/2006 UPDATE EDIT: Blackberry decision could come on February 24th.

Are you a ‘CrackBerry‘ addict? Thankfully I’m not but do used a computer and cell phone pretty regularly? I suspect we all know someone with a Blackberry device, I for one have a close friend who looks down at his every 5 minutes. 🙂
Its a good new bad news kind of thing as the Supreme Court chose not to intervene in the case between Research In Motion Ltd and the patent-holder NTP Inc., regarding “push” email technology being used by RIM. The case will fall back to the Richmond Virginia federal court and will be in the hands of U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer who once before imposed a settlement of approximately 200 million dollars.

For now, Blackberry service is still up and running and the judge could impose and injunction that would block service to customer devices. More than likely he will encourage RIM to strike a mutually acceptable deal with the patent holder. Some suspect that Research In Motion Ltd. is seeking time to develop another method that will allow its 3 million or so users to continue to stay connected … although many believe that is what they have been trying to do. Nevertheless, a solution is not yet at hand.

According recent comments, “Attorney Kevin Anderson, who represents NTP, said the firm is pleased with the court’s action.” He went on to say that NTP thinks “the Supreme Court’s rejection of RIM’s position makes it clear that RIM should stop defying the U.S. legal system.”

To add to the confusion, Research In Motion’s Vice President Mark Guibert said, “RIM has consistently acknowledged that Supreme Court review is granted in only a small percentage of cases and we were not banking on Supreme Court review. RIM’s legal arguments for the District Court remain strong and our software workaround designs remain a solid contingency.”

BlackBerry devices have been the handheld leader in ‘constant email contact’ devices since 1999. Until recently they had few comparibles … perhaps most notable the Palm Treo Communicators.

The legal actions began in 2001, when NTP sued RIM for infringing their patents. A jury in 2002 in Richmond then decided that RIM had indeed infringed on patents held by NTP and awarded them 5.7 percent of U.S. BlackBerry sales. Judge Spencer later decided to increase that rate to 8.55 percent. Estimates are that this would amount to nearly 200 million. In a sign that NTP might be concerned that RIM will find a work around or continue to slow the legal proceedings, they have indicated just this past week that they are willing to resolve the matter if RIM were to pay the original 5.7 percent royalty fee granted by the 2002 jury.

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Posted By RichC on January 22, 2006

Engineers and builders at Accelerated Composites LCC in San Diego, CA are well into their strange looking Aptera prototype designed to get up to 330 miles on a gallon according to their studies. The two seat hybrid car is a prototype built of lightweight composites that they intend to market for under $20,000.

The engineers designing this hypermiler believe that the car will drive similar to the Honda Insight and through the use of “cutting-edge materials, manufacturing methods, and the maverick design.” This aerodynamic design will give the Aptera the lowest drag form factor than any car in the world according to Accelerated Composites founder and CEO Steve Fambro. It has receive interesting comments ranging from it looks like a dolphin or “does it fly too?” One thing for sure Mr. Fambro says, “looks like nothing you’ve ever seen.” (click for a larger photo)

Although aerodynamics are important, reducing weight is important too. The composite using in this car will make it the lightest two seater on the road and still offer a “crash box” similar to Formula One race cars.

The composite company is using their company’s patent-pending “Panelized Automated Composite Construction.” Accelerated Composites, LLC refers to this as PAC2© and it lends itself to parallel assembly. They will use off the shelve engines and electric motors with patented hybrid circuitry. Composites make perfect sense in the automotive industry but very few are redesigning their factories and their huge investment.

It will be interesting to see if it actually can achieve 330MPG?

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Posted By RichC on January 20, 2006

I’ve noticed that the BMW Mini brand has some interesting advertising on its Canadian website. IMHO this is an ‘effective use of Flash‘ in web design, but perhaps its a bit ‘racy’ for the US markets? Actually, even though I’m considered a bit of a prude, I found this ad very effective. I’m not suggesting that I would rush out and buy a Mini Cooper (or dress my wife in leather), but I’m now a bit more interested in what Dave Lewis has upstairs? Click here for the Mini Cooper ad and here for “what Dave has upstairs.”
🙂
*** Note: Previous comments on the Mini Cooper.

Category: Automotive, Misc | 2 Comments »
Tags: BMW, dave lewis, mini cooper, taylor

Posted By RichC on January 19, 2006

Good news on the home front for all those who use and love Apple iTunes … the newest update let’s you decide if you want to receive Apple’s MiniStore recommendations. The update that originally contained a spyware feature has just been tweaked to the applause of customers. Facing an angry bunch of users and bloggers, Apple has decided it will now preloaded iTunes with its spyware feature ‘off,’ and let users choose to opt-in.

A little background: Last week Apple issued a new version (6.02) of iTunes that included a “MiniStore.” This feature recommends songs or videos based on items in the users iTunes library. When you clicked on an item in your library, the “store” would display a list of similar selections that you might consider purchasing. This is not an unusual site for those familiar with visiting websites such as Amazon, but many believed their trusted Apple brand was way out of line putting the feature on iTunes.

The good news is that Apple decided to modify the original ‘no choice’ setting and give the user the option to use on not use the ‘recommendation’ feature. The update is built into the newest download … the 6.02.23 version of iTunes. According to my install, a disclosure automatically pops up and you can choose to opt-in if you want to be ‘spied’ on.

My hat’s off to Apple for doing the right thing.

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Tags: apple, itunes, Music, online, store

Posted By RichC on January 17, 2006

The EPA is planning new fuel economy tests that will affect 2008 model year vehicles. Rating on the window stickers of hybrids like the successful Toyota Prius will most likely take the biggest hit. Hybrids will look far worse than they are currently being advertised … according to some automotive experts, up to 30% worse.

The familiar window sticker labels have long overstated vehicle mileage according to most research and is acknowledge by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The sticker tends to make most vehicles look more fuel efficient than they actually are. The new plan is to incorporate testing that will more accurately portray what a ‘real world’ drivers are most likely achieve.

In the case of hybrid vehicles like the top selling Toyota Prius it is going to be a significant change. They have often taken heat from buyers for what has seemed an overstatement of 60 mpg in the city. According to Toyota’s own David Hermance an executive engineer, most owners are getting between 42 and 48 miles per gallon. Athough unlike the lukewarm reception to this change by many hybrid advocates, Mr. Hermance believes that “any improvement in customer communication is a good thing.”

Some of the changes that seem to affect hybrids more than conventional vehicles are because the new numbers will include items that were not part of the original 1985 standards. The new 2008 EPA figures will now take into account the use of air conditioning and factor in acceleration. Other areas ignored by the vintage EPA numbers were the affect of cold weather which can take a toll on real-life mileage. Overall, vehicle stickers on conventional gas powered cars and trucks will also take a hit … about a 5% to 15% hit for highway driving numbers according to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. He commented that they are attempting to bridge the gap between what the sticker estimates and the fuel economy drivers are getting in the real world.

As with the Prius, other hybrids by Ford, Honda, etc will most likely reflect a 20% to 30% lower estimate for city driving and 5% to 15% lower for highway driving . Another contributing factor is that highway speed limits have changed since 1985; people on the average drive faster, use air conditionering which degrade fuel economy in all cars, but affect the most efficient hybrids in a big way.

The coming change is nothing new, as the EPA has been considering revisions to the calculations for several years. It has consider eliminating the separate city and highway numbers and at one time looked into replacing it with one combined figure. They polled consumers and the response was that they were use to the ‘city’ and ‘highway’ designations and didn’t want to see a change. What the responses did indicate though was consumers just wanted more accurate numbers. Four proposed new labels can be seen on the EPA’s website. The proposed regulation will remain open for public comment for about 50 more days … so now is your chance to be heard!

Although most automaker are uncomfortable with any change, they agree that some modification is long overdue. A concern for those who are environmentally focused and desire automaker and consumer to opt for more efficient and clean cars, is that these new reduced numbers on the most efficient hybrids will discourage the implementation of advanced hybrid technology.

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Posted By RichC on January 17, 2006

Don’t you just love that new car smell??? Well from the looks of it, Dick Gilpin’s best friend loves it too … let’s just hope the keys aren’t in it!

I know Dick’s been waiting a long time for his new car to arrive and from the looks of it … its a beauty. He ended up with a Red 2006 VW Beetle TDI … package 2. It has the DSG transmission (Direct Shift Gearbox) which offers the best of an automatic with the positive engagement of a ‘true Tiptronic’ transmission. (it shifts instantly with the flick of the shifter) I would find it hard-pressed to chose between this gearbox and a 5 speed … it is that ‘un-slush-like.’

Dick forwarded a few photos that he posted on his personal site that I’ll link to here. Congratulations … you’ve got a great little beetle … I only hope you can convince Alex to let you drive?

Category: Automotive, Volkswagen | 2 Comments »
Tags: beetle, dick gilpin, dog, volkswagen, vw

Posted By RichC on January 16, 2006

By accident, I picked up a great videocast link from a visitor to NAIAS. The Climb Dance WMV clip (right click/save as) is short at only 3 minutes 45 seconds and 11 megs. I thought it was worth sharing with the automotive types that might occasionally read my blog. The audio is nearly as good as the video so turn up the volume if you have speakers. Just wait until you near the top of the mountain kicking gravel over the guardrail … oh what guardrail!!!

This video clip is one for the RallyVW guys to emulate at Pike’s Peak in 2006.
 

Category: Automotive, Video | 2 Comments »
Tags: climb, mp4, pikes peak, racing, rally, video

Posted By RichC on January 15, 2006

How many of you adjust your headrest in your car or truck for safety? If you are like me, you probably rarely think about it unless your on a long trip and want a little support behind your head. Actually, I’ve never really given much thought to how to adjust it properly until recently.

The other day, the subject came up on an automotive forum when a member was rearended (also here). He is ok, but did suffer mild whiplash. This stimulated a conversation, some thinking and several suggestions as to the purpose and proper adjustment of the headrest. Is yours adjusted properly?

According to a study by the Canadian Safety Council, “drivers and passengers can reduce the risk of whiplash simply by raising their headrests to a safe position, where the headrest is level with the top of the head and 5 to 10 cm from the back of the head.” For those of us still struggling to ‘image’ metric in our heads … that’s about 2 to 4 inches. My suggestion is to sit in your seat when you think the headrest is adjusted properly, clench your fist and place it behind your head. If your fist doesn’t squarely touch both your head (not the neck) and the head rest then make some adjustments … oh and share this commonsense adjustment with those you care about. You could save yourself or someone injury to your spine.

Click to download a “Save Your Neck Checklist” PDF from save-your-neck.co.uk.

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