Seen in Basingstoke in January 2025 picking up enroute to the Isle of Wight is Prospect of Lye's Scania K410CB6 / Irizar i6S Efficient C44FLT PR24DOR, new in 5/2024. The coach wears Just Go! Holidays premium brand 'JG Explorer' livery, one of 5 such examples operated by partner coach firms Alpine, Crosskeys, Hunter, Prospect and Taylors.

Energy efficient ('off the grid') Southern Vermont home features:

Electricity generation

2 turbine windmills

2 kinds of solar panels (rigid and amorphous/strips)

Heating/Water

Russian stove (closed chamber wood stove, thermal mass heating system)

solar water heating panels

gas powered radiant heating in the floor.

Low Energy Lighting & Appliances

Because of careful selection of lighting and appliances, the house is able to run within its energy budget almost all of the time.

After 2 years of running completely off-grid (with backup gasoline generator), we installed electricity (a "grid tie"), mostly used to feed excess capacity back into the grid.

Hints and Links on home energy consumption:

There are 2 ways to decrease home energy use.

1. Reduce power consumption.

2. Install a renewable energy system

The first can be as simple as replacing high usage incandescent bulbs with new compact flourescent bulbs and lighting fixtures. Around here, you can buy these products at a discount thru programs sponsored by the electric company (NStar).

Another good idea is replacing old appliances with newer energy efficient models.

There is a lot of information about energy saving here :

www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/

If you are interested in solar energy or other sustainable energy generation technologies, I suggest taking a look at www.homepower.com/ a magazine dedicated to "home-scale renewable energy and sustainable living".

This site has an overview article on Renewable Energy which is relatively short and clear. www.homepower.com/files/featured/HP116_pp46-50_Casale.pdf

Contact: For more information about energy efficient living you can write Paul at myerspe@starband.net

File: DSC_5825_ACR

Watch the video here: youtu.be/KE18c9pA3pk

Here is a video I made to explain how to wash ands rub your hands efficiently with a hand sanitizer, step by step visual tutorial. I filmed it at CHU UCL Namur Hospital in Belgium.

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Hand sanitizer is a liquid or gel generally used to decrease infectious agents on the hands. Formulations of the alcohol-based type are preferable to hand washing with soap and water in most situations in the healthcare setting. It is generally more effective at killing microorganisms and better tolerated than soap and water. Hand washing should still be carried out if contamination can be seen or following the use of the toilet. The general use of non-alcohol based versions has no recommendations. Outside the health care setting, evidence to support the use of hand sanitizer over hand washing is poor. They are available as liquids, gels, and foams.

Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 % alcohol or contains a "persistent antiseptic" should be used. Alcohol rubs kill many different kinds of bacteria, including antibiotic resistant bacteria and TB bacteria. 90% alcohol rubs are highly flammable, but kill many kinds of viruses, including enveloped viruses such as the flu virus, the common cold virus, coronaviruses, and HIV, though is notably ineffective against the rabies virus.

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© Ben Heine

Volvo B13R 4X2 Irizar i6s Efficient de Mi-Sol.

Tyee Log and Timber Homes of Kimberley B.C. used Western Red Cedars to create energy efficient log homes that are shipped all over the place. Photo David Dodge, GreenEnergyFutures.ca Full story: www.greenenergyfutures.ca/episode/kimberley-green-buildin...

Wissington Sugar Factory, near Downham Market, Norfolk, UK

Wissington is the largest beet sugar factory in the world and one of the most efficient in Europe. Over 3 million tonnes of sugar beet pass in through the factory gates each year, the beet is sourced from around 1200 local farmers and each lorry bringing the beet to the factory travels an average distance of 28 miles.

The beet seed in sown from early March to the middle of April, the beet is ready to harvest from September onwards when the sugar content of the beet is at its highest. The processing campaign at the factory runs from mid-September through to March, when hundreds or lorries a day bring beet from farm to factory.

Where possible British Sugar have invested heavily in finding commercially viable uses for by-products of the sugar production process, some examples include

150,000 tonnes of topsoil and 5000 tonnes of aggregate from cleaning the sugar beet.

140,000 tonnes of livestock feed produced from the beet pulp.

800 tonnes of lime are produced each day from a purification process, this is used by farmers to control the levels of acidity of the soil in their fields.

55,000 tonnes of bioethonal fuel are produced from sugar syrups and resin extracts which are fermented with yeast.

18 hectares of glasshouses growing tomatoes are heated using waste heat from the factory's own 50MW power plant.

In this photograph, thousands of tonnes of sugar beet are stockpiled ready to enter the factory for processing. This photograph just shows a small part of the site.

Links:

British Sugar www.britishsugar.co.uk

British Sugar - Wissington Factory factsheet (PDF) www.britishsugar.co.uk/Files/about-wissington-factory-011...

Kite Aerial Photograph

9 March 2014

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler will be lighter, more fuel efficient and come equipped with more advanced transmission and engine combinations while maintaining its rugged looks and off-roading ability, the company’s boss says.

Speaking to the media at the Geneva motor show yesterday, Mike Manly, Jeep’s global boss, said the Wrangler is a hard vehicle to change (given its rich heritage and iconic shape) but the brand was seeking big improvements with the next-generation model.

“[The Jeep Wrangler] is difficult vehicle to work with, certainly from a styling perspective [the next-generation] will be a very strong tie to the Wrangler that we know and have known for years” Manly said.

“But the vehicle has to improve its fuel economy, not just fuel for next-generation but also going into the future.”

The current-generation JK Jeep Wrangler has been around since 2007 and although no official timing for the arrival of the new model has been set, Manly believes it will be around 2017 or early 2018, which will mean the longest period of time between Wrangler generation changes (previously it has been nine years at the longest).

Even so, with the new Wrangler model Jeep is undertaking a great deal of work and challenges to modernise the off-road king for an emission and fuel-economy obsessed world.

“We have a lot of work todo in terms of getting weight out of that vehicle, even though it’s hard too we have to work on the aerodynamics [as well]. We have to continue to work on transmission and powertrains without damaging its [off-roading] capabilities, thats the balance thats what we are working on right now.”

Manly says that getting weight out of the vehicle is not as easy as it seems, given its off-roading requirements.

“We can do aluminium body panels, we do with hoods [already], but it’s very hard on Wrangler to make all body aluminium because of the off-road duty cycle that some of the guys take it through.”

Despite the challenges, he admitted that “we have to take weight out of it. It’s a very heavy vehicle.”

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler will remain true to its core, taking on a body on frame architecture to maintain its off-roading ability.

Fork it up on the Denali Star train of the Alaska Railroad--in the Fairbanks depot.

Irizar i6s Efficient Integral de Rubiocar.

In 1982 Mercedes-Benz released the production version of more than a decade's research into developing a compact format, efficient and safe luxury car. The name '190' referred back to the 1950 and 60s versions of 'reduced power output' models of their mainstream saloon car range. The 190E specified a fuel-injected 2.0 litre, four cylinder engine, whilst a 190 model, without the 'E' (for einspritz' appellation, referred to the same engine, but using a carburetor.

This is the version most commonly seen in taxis, along with a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder diesel, with even less power......

Then something strange happened within the halls of Mercedes-Benz....

190E 2.3-16 & 2.5-16 "Cosworth":

In the late 1970s, Mercedes competed in rallying with the big V8-powered Coupés of the R107 Series, mainly the light-weight Mercedes 450 SLC 5.0. Mercedes wished to take the 190 E rallying, and asked British engineering company Cosworth to develop an engine with 320 bhp (239 kW) for the rally car. This project was known as project "WAA' by Cosworth". During this time, the Audi Quattro with its all-wheel drive and turbocharger was launched, making the 2.3-16v appear outclassed. With a continued desire to compete in high-profile motor sport with the 190, and also now an engine to do it with, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) (German Touring Car Championship) motor sport series instead. Cars racing in this championship, however, had to be based on a roadgoing model. Mercedes therefore had to put into series production a 190 fitted with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine. This high-performance model was known as the 190 E 2.3-16, and debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983, after its reputation had already been established. Three cars, only slightly cosmetically altered, had set three world records in August at the Nardo testing facility in Italy, recording a combined average speed of 154.06 mph (247.94 km/h) over the 50,000 km endurance test, and establishing twelve international endurance records. The Mercedes 190-E Cosworth was also featured on the second episode in series fifteen of the popular car show Top Gear.

Engin:

2.5-16 Cosworth

The Cosworth engine was based on the M102 four cylinder 2.3-litre 8-valve 136 hp (101 kW) unit already fitted to the 190- and E-Class series. Cosworth developed the cylinder head, "applying knowledge we've learnt from the DFV and BDA." It was made from light alloy using Coscast's unique casting process and brought with it dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, meaning 16 valves total which were developed to be the "largest that could practically be fitted into the combustion chamber".

In roadgoing trim,the 2.3 L 16-valve engine made "185 hp (138 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 174 lb·ft (236 N·m) at 4,500 rpm. The oversquare 95.50 x 80.25 mm bore and stroke dimensions ensuring that it revs easily up to the 7000 rpm redline". Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) was less than eight seconds, and the top speed was 230 km/h (143 mph).

US-Specification cars had a slightly reduced compression ratio (9.7:1 instead of 10.5:1), and were rated at 167 hp (125 kW) @ 5800 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4750.

The roadgoing version of the engine was reconfigured with reduced inlet and exhaust port sizes, different camshaft profiles, no dry sump configuration and Bosch K-jetronic replacing the specialised Kugelfischer fuel injection. These changes helped bring power down to the required 185 bhp (138 kW) specification, but still resulted in a "remarkably flexible engine, with a very flat torque curve and a wide power band". The heads for the engines were cast at Cosworth's Coscast foundry in Worcester and sent to Germany to be fitted to the rest of the engine, parts of which were different from the standard 2.3 including light pressed alloy pistons, and rings designed to withstand higher engine speeds, whilst con-rods, bearings and bearing caps were found to be strong enough as standard and left unaltered.

16v differences:

Due to their performance, the 16-valve cars were different from the other 190 models. The body kit on the 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 reduced the drag coefficient to 0.32, one of the lowest CD values on a four-door saloon of the time, whilst also reducing lift at speed. The steering ratio was quicker and the steering wheel smaller than that on other 190s, whilst the fuel tank was enlarged from 55 to 70 L. The Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox was unique to the 16-valve and featured a 'racing' gear pattern with 'dog-leg' first gear, left and down from neutral. This meant that the remaining 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears were in a simple H pattern allowing fast and easy selection. The gearchange quality was, however, noted as "notchy, baulky", criticisms which weren't levelled at the BMW M3 (E30) which shared the same gearbox. The pattern is also unusual in that the driver engages reverse by shifting left and up from neutral, as for first gear in a conventional pattern. This was demonstrated in a Top Gear episode (S15E02) where James May took a 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth and repeatedly confused reverse and first gear. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use many of these cars were destined for.

The strictly four-seater interior had Recaro sports seats with strong side bolsters for front and rear passengers. 3 extra dials - an oil temperature gauge, stopwatch and voltmeter - were included in the centre console. The 190 E 2.3-16 was available in only two colours, Blue-Black metallic (Pearl Black in the US), and Smoke Silver. The 2.5-16 added Almandine Red and Astral Silver.

All 2.3-16-valve 190 models are fitted with a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) as standard. They were also available with Mercedes' ASD system which was standard equipment on the 2.5-16v. The ASD is an electronically controlled, hydraulically locking differential which activates automatically when required. The electronic control allows varied amounts of differential lock from the standard 15% right up to 100%. It is not a traction control system however, and can only maximize traction rather than prevent wheel spin. Activation of the ASD system is indicated by an illuminating amber triangle in the speedometer.

The suspension on 16-valve models is very different from the standard 190 (W201). As well as being lower and stiffer, it has quicker dampers, larger anti-roll bars, harder bushings and hydraulic Self-levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear. This allows the rear ride height to remain constant even when the car is fully loaded.

At the inauguration of the new, shorter Nürburgring in 1984, a race with identical cars was held, with former and current F1 pilots at the wheel. A then unknown Ayrton Senna took first place.

Private Teams such as AMG later entered the 2.3-16 in touring cars races, especially the DTM. In the late 1980s, the 2.5-16 (never released in the United States) raced many times, against the similar BMW M3 and even the turbocharged Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.

Evolution models:

2.5-16 Evolution II

With the debut of the BMW M3 Sport Evolution, Mercedes' direct competitor, it became obvious that the 2.5-16 needed a boost for the circuit. In March 1989, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution debuted at the Geneva Auto Show. The Evo I, as it came to be called, had a new spoiler and wider wheel arches. Many changes were made to under-the-skin components such as brakes and suspension. There was a full SLS suspension allowing vehicle ride height to be adjusted from an interior switch. All were intended to allow the Evolution cars to be even more effective round a track.

The Evo I's output is similar to the 202 bhp (151 kW) of the "regular" 2.5-16. However this car had a redesigned engine of similar capacity but, most importantly, a shorter stroke and bigger bore which would allow for a higher rev limit and improved top-end power capabilities. Additional changes stretch to "rotating masses lightened, lubrication improved and cam timing altered". Cosworth also list a project code "WAC" for the development of the short-stroke Evolution engine.

Only 502 units of the Evolution model were produced for homologation in compliance with DTM rules. For those customers desiring even more performance, a PowerPack option engineered by AMG was available for DM 18,000. The PowerPack option included hotter camshafts, a larger diameter throttle body, more aggressive ignition and fuel management as well as optimization of the intake and exhaust systems. The net result was an additional 30 bhp (22 kW).

In March 1990, at the Geneva Auto Show, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II was shown. With the success of the first Evolution model, this model's 502-unit production was already sold before it was unveiled.

The "Evo II" included the AMG PowerPack fitted to the same short-stroke 2.5 engine as the Evolution, as well as a full SLS suspension allowing vehicle ride height to be adjusted from an interior switch. An obvious modification to the Evolution II is a radical body kit (designed by Prof. Richard Eppler from the University of Stuttgart) with a large adjustable rear wing, rear window spoiler, and Evolution II 17-inch wheels. The kit served an aerodynamic purpose — it was wind tunnel tested to reduce drag to 0.29, while at the same time increasing downforce. Period anecdotes tell of a BMW executive who was quoted as saying "if that rear wing works, we'll have to redesign our wind tunnel." The anecdote claims that BMW did.

As mentioned 500 were made in "blauschwarz" blue/black metallic. But the last two, numbers 501 and 502 were made in astral silver.

[Test taken from Wikipedia]

This Lego miniland-scale 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II sedan has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 84th Build Challenge, our 7th birthday, - "LUGNuts Turns 7…or 49 in Dog Years", - where all the previous challenges are available to build to. In this case Challenge 57, - "From Mild to Wild", for vehicles that have been turned into something special out of the ordinary. And also challenge 33, - "Size Matters", - as a buddy challenge with Sirmanperson, who has produced the same 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II in 1:17 scale.

Infographic poster for the San Diego Regional Energy Office.

Baselland Transport [BLT] Route 10 combination Class Be 4/8 245 and Class Be 4/6 224 were recorded at Münchenstein Dorf. The branding on the leading tram unit is for IWB, a leading provider of renwable energy and energy efficiency.

All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse

'Efficient', an Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 saddle tank (W/No.1598 built in 1918) shunting loaded bogie flat wagons at Shelton Steelworks during a photographic charter on 8th April 2000.

© Gordon Edgar - All rights reserved. Please do not use my images without my explicit permission

The loco is now at the Ribble Steam Railway, Preston and their website shows the following information:

'Efficient' was built at the Caledonia works of Andrew Barclay & Sons in Kilmarnock. It is a standard Barclay saddle tank with 14" x 22" cylinders and 3' 5" driving wheels. Painted in the Kilmarnock firms usual green lined livery and lettering, it spent it's entire working life at McKechnie Brothers' copper smelting works at Widnes. It shared the duties here with a smaller Barclay engine named 'Economic', which failed to live up to it's name and was scrapped in 1955. There were also two 100h.p. Sentinels as well.

When no longer required at the copper works 'Efficient' was purchased by the Liverpool Locomotive Preservation Group and moved to Seacombe in July 1969. From here, it worked the two Docker railtours in 1971 and 1972, double-headed with 'Lucy'. 'Efficient' moved to Southport in July 1973, where she had the distinction of being the first steam locomotive to enter the newly formed museum. She was fitted with a new inner firebox in 1981, and was a regular performer at Southport until the late 1990s when the site closed, eventually arriving at Preston on 27th July 1999. Efficient's last public steaming was in April 2000 as she took part in the closing celebrations at Shelton Steelworks in Stoke. A firm favourite amongst the crews at the museum, investigation was carried out during the summer of 2005 to bring the loco back into service.

Unfortunately, due to the extent of the work required on the boiler, she will have to wait her turn. She is on view in the museum in a 'as in industrial use' condition.

2014 Gore Aussie Muscle Mania Car Show (12-4-14)

Celebrating the 350 part #1: Chevrolet 350 V8

THE POWERPLANT (Part 1 of 2)

One of the great paradoxes of automotive history is that while the Ford Motor Company was the first mass manufacturer to produce affordable V8-powered cars, it is the Chevrolet small-block V8 that has gone on to become the most famous and loved of all eight-cylinder engines.

In naming the 10 best engines in history, Ward’s AutoWorld found a place for the Ford side-valve flathead V8 but the only postwar V8 from Detroit to get a spot was the Chevrolet 350 cubic-inch unit.

The postwar boom in the US created a huge proliferation of new models and, by the mid-1960s, what became known as the horsepower race. In our current era where the same basic engine might be found in Peugeots, Citroëns and the Australian Ford Territory, it is difficult to grasp the fact that General Motors was so rich that most of its divisions had a unique range of V8s and in multiple variants.

When the Chevrolet Division introduced the 350ci V8, Buick had a 340 (as well as its 300, 400 and 430), Oldsmobile had a 330 (plus its own 400 and a 425), Chevy’s closest sibling Pontiac had a 326 (and yet another 400 and its 428) while GM’s flagship brand Cadillac had a solitary 429.

None of these engines could match the production life of the Chevy 350 which made its debut in the 1967 Camaro 350SS, tasked with the challenge of stealing sales from the phenomenally successful Mustang.

Although replaced by the Generation II LT and Generation III LS engines in the 1990s, it was not discontinued until 2003. And it remains in production in Mexico as a crate unit for Chevrolet Performance.

To understand the significance of the 350 it is necessary to look at the history of Chevy’s small-block V8.

High-compression V8 engines had been a key element in GM’s postwar plan. Alfred P. Sloan Jr, who effectively ran the corporation from 1923 (as President) to 1956 when he finally retired as Chairman of the Board, wrote in My Years with General Motors: “At the close of World War II we made the projection that for an indefinite period the principal attractions of the product would be appearance, automatic transmissions and high-compression engines, in that order; and that has been the case.”

While Cadillac had always been GM’s top brand, Oldsmobile was usually the one where new engineering was first applied. So it made sense for the high-compression V8 engines to make their 1948 debut in both marques for model year 1949. The chief designer of the Cadillac engine was Ed Cole (see below).

In 1952 Cole was transferred to Chevrolet Division where the engineers were already at work on a new high-compression V8 intended for the Corvette. The view at the time was that without a powerful V8 engine the model would have to be discontinued as the ‘stove-bolt’ 165hp straight-six gave the wrong message for the corporation’s only dedicated sports car.

Apparently Cole didn’t like what he saw and he told the team to begin from a clean sheet of paper to design an engine that would be more efficient, easier to manufacture and less bulky. Thus his experience at Cadillac at the top of the GM hierarchy was transferred to humble Chevrolet at the bottom.

R.F. Sanders, chief passenger car chassis engineer at Chevrolet, presented a paper at the Society of Automotive Engineers Golden Anniversary Annual Meeting on 12 January, 1955. His subject was ‘The New Chevrolet V-8 Engine’. “Anything we could slice off the top or bottom of the block, or from the bores, would mean less heavy iron and less water required to cool it. This was one of our prime objectives – to make that basic block just as compact and light in weight as possible.’ At 531 pounds (241kg), it was 41 pounds (18kg) lighter than the in-line six it so comprehensively superseded.”

While rival manufacturers required up to 22 casting cores, Chevrolet used just 12. Rather than conventional heavy and complex rocker arm shafts, Chevy’s small block got stamped steel rocker arms on individual studs. This innovative valvetrain design was key to the engine’s high rpm performance. High turbulence, wedge-type combustion chambers (where only the valve seats needed machining) minimised octane demand.

Rotating and reciprocating components were balanced individually. A forged steel crankshaft was used. Connecting rods were tested to 18 million cycles without failure. The interchangeable cylinder heads were of cross-flow port design and the head bolts were arranged pentagonally to spread stresses more evenly.

‘Interchangeable’ went on to become a key adjective for the small block. It is possible to fit worked 350 cylinder heads onto a stock 1955 265. The one-piece intake manifold combined the water outlet, oil filter, the lifter valley cover, distributor mounting and exhaust heat riser in a single casting.

In its original 265ci guise the small block developed 162hp. With the optional ‘Power Pack’ comprising a four-barrel Rochester and dual exhausts, output was 180hp, which was more than respectable in 1955.

The 265 was bored from 3.75 inches to 3.875 to create the 283 for 1957. Then for the 327 in 1962, it was bored again to 4.00 inches and stroked from the original 3.00 inches to 3.25. At 4.00 X 3.25 this was a notably oversquare design.

Then for model year 1967 Chevrolet introduced the 350 with a new crankshaft and a stroke of 3.48. The first version was known as the L-48. It promised buyers of the all-new Chevrolet Camaro SS350 295bhp and 380ft/lb of torque.

The L-48 soon became optional on a huge variety of Chevrolets, including Impalas, El Camino utes and Chevelles. It had cast pistons and a compression ratio of 10.25:1. For 1968 it was offered as optional equipment in the Chevy II Nova as the main element in the $211 Super Sport option on two-door models.

Although the 350 was developed from the 327 and would eventually replace it, it didn’t find its way under the bonnet of the Corvette until 1969. Which was also the year Colin Bond won Bathurst in a so-proudly-Australian Holden Monaro GTS 350.

The L-48 became the entry-level ’Vette engine, superseding the previous model’s 300hp edition of the 327. This peak output was unchanged but Corvette buyers could specify the optional L-46 with 350hp for $132 extra. And then there were the big blocks with the 427 offering as much as 435hp by 1967.

For 1970, the 350 became the standard V8 for all full-size Chevrolets, which now included a large coupe in the Ford Thunderbird ‘personal’ idiom. The Monte Carlo undercut its Ford rival by some $1250, or roughly 30 percent. The 350 made just 250hp but Monte Carlo buyers looking for more grunt could tick the SS-454 option box to acquire the ‘Super Sport’ package which included a 360hp big-block 454 V8.

Within its first three years the 350 small block was offered in several levels of tune, the highest of which was the LT-1. Introduced in 1970, it was available in the Corvette (ZR-1) and Camaro (Z28). At 370hp, it had almost 50 percent more power than the the 350 in the Monte Carlo. The LT-1 boasted solid lifters, a revised camshaft, a four-barrel 780 CFM Holley on an aluminium intake manifold and 11:1 compression ratio.

The 350 was not the only small-block V8 available in Chevrolet’s Mustang-rival. 1967 became a huge year for the already famous small-block V8. A unique 302ci (4.9-litre) unit was created to make the Camaro Z28 eligible for the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series. For 1967-69 capacity was limited to 5.0 litres.

This remarkable new engine showcased Chevrolet’s small-block V8 technology. The three-inch crankshaft from the 283 was fitted to a four-inch bore 327 block. With such a short stroke it loved to rev. A 780cfm four-barrel Holley was fitted. Compression was 11:1. The following year the 780 was swapped for a pair of 600s on an aluminium intake manifold and a different camshaft.

Larger journals were fitted to support the new hardened forged crankshaft. For 1969 the factory admitted to 290hp beneath the newly fitted Corvette finned aluminium valve covers, but 375 was nearer the truth.

It is improbable that either Ed Cole or R.F. Sanders could have guessed at the beginning of the small block program that by 1968 their baby would be the dominant engine in American Formula 5000 open-wheeler racing. These cars weighed 1400 pounds, produced up to 550hp running through a five-speed magnesium transaxle. Despite the inclusion of such advanced features as mechanical fuel injection, a magnesium induction system, a roller-lifter camshaft and roller rockers, the 302 retained an almost stock crankshaft.

What a contrast with the fate of the 350 LT-1 as clean air demands outranked the cry for ever increasing power. It fell from a 370hp (SAE) rating in the 1970 Corvette to 255hp (SAE net, meaning installed in the car and running the ancillaries) by 1972.From 1973 to 1980 the L82 was the hottest 350 with forged pistons, a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and 250bhp (SAE net) in the first of these years dropping to 230 by 1980.

Then in 1981 came the L81 and the ’Vette was humbled to 190hp. The 1982 L83 was available only with an automatic transmission and claimed a further 10 horsepower.

For 1984 there was a new Corvette. Its L83 was equipped with throttle-body injection. Power crept up to 205hp.

From 1985 to 1992 the L98 350 with tuned port injection saw bigger performance gains with horsepower ratings from 230 up to 250. This engine was available in the Camaro and its kissin’ cousin Pontiac Firebird from 1987 to 1992. A roller camshaft was fitted from 1987.

By the 1990s the triumph of the Chevrolet small block over other similar capacity GM V8s was complete and the L05 350 was used in the 1992-93 Buick Roadmaster, the Cadillac Fleetwood and Brougham (where it was an option) and was optional in the 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon.

The Gen II arrived in the ’92 Corvette and was named LT1 (no hyphen) as a tribute to the original LT-1. It wasn’t by any means all-new, retaining the classic bore and stroke dimensions of 4.00 X 3.84 inches. Interchangeability remained a key criterion. The rotating assembly of the Gen II fits many of the older engines, but the block and heads were new. The reverse-flow cooling system favoured the combustion chambers reducing the risk of detonation now the compression ratio was back to 10.4:1.

Cast-iron heads were used on the mainstream Chevrolet Impala and Caprice while the Corvette and Camaro/Firebird scored aluminium. Welcome was multi-port fuel injection. Maximum power was 330hp in the LT4 (1996-97 Grand Sport Corvette, Collector Edition Corvette and all ’96 manual Corvettes).

The Gen III of 1997 was a big departure. It had an aluminium block when used in cars while trucks made do with cast iron. The capacity was still 5.7 litres but the bore was 3.898 inches and the stroke 3.62. The premium LS1 version was used in the ’Vette from 1997 and the Camaro/Firebird from 1998. In LS1 guise the Gen III was offered in the VT Commodore, Statesman, Caprice and HSV range from 1999 to 2005 and was continually refined.

The Gen IV was based on its predecessor but boasted capacity of up to 7.0 litres. Holdens use the 6.0-litre L76 (270kW) while HSVs get the hot LS2 of 6.2 litres and with maximum power outputs of 317kW and 325kW.

On 30 November, 2012 the 100 millionth small-block Chevrolet V8 emerged from the production line. Enough said.

Old King Cole:

The man behind the machine...

EdwardD N. Cole died in his own aeroplane on 30 October, 1967. There are many things he is remembered for but some are more celebrated than others.

Born on 17 September 1909, Cole enrolled at the General Motors Institute (GMI) at Flint, Michigan in 1930 under Cadillac sponsorship.

At Cadillac he rose through several positions to become chief design engineer for US Army combat vehicles. That was in 1943. Three years later he was chief engineer at Cadillac and he was responsible for the high-compression, short-stroke Cadillac V8 that was slipped beneath the bonnet of the 1949 model.

In 1952 he became chief engineer at Chevrolet and one of his first jobs was to tell the team working on the forthcoming V8 engine to rethink the design. And, no, he did not just ask for a smaller version of the Caddy engine because several years had elapsed and he always wanted the newest and smartest.

In July 1956 Ed Cole was named general manager of Chevrolet and made a vice president of GM.

It was Ed Cole who insisted Chevrolet’s compact car, the Corvair, have an air-cooled rear-mounted engine. He also launched the car in the knowledge that it was much too easy to roll, siding with the accountants over the engineers.

In November 1961 he was promoted again to the Board and put in charge of the car and truck divisions. Next, in July 1965, he became executive vice president en route to the top job.

In 1970 he instructed GM engineers to lower compression ratios (see main story) and design engines that could run on unleaded petrol. When he retired in 1974 he held 18 patents, the most significant of which was the catalytic converter.

(Story courtesy of Unique Cars Magazine. Ref: www.uniquecarsmag.com.au/news-and-reviews/article/article...)

Some background:

Simple, efficient and reliable, the Regult (リガード, Rigādo) was the standard mass production mecha of the Zentraedi forces. Produced by Esbeliben at the 4.432.369th Zentraedi Fully Automated Weaponry Development and Production Factory Satellite in staggering numbers to fill the need for an all-purpose mecha, this battle pod accommodated a single Zentraedi soldier in a compact cockpit and was capable of operating in space or on a planet's surface. The Regult saw much use during Space War I in repeated engagements against the forces of the SDF-1 Macross and the U.N. Spacy, but its lack of versatility against superior mecha often resulted in average effectiveness and heavy losses. The vehicle was regarded as expendable and was therefore cheap, simple, but also very effective when fielded in large numbers. Possessing minimal defensive features, the Regult was a simple weapon that performed best in large numbers and when supported by other mecha such as Gnerl Fighter Pods. Total production is said to have exceeded 300 million in total.

At the end of Space War I in January 2012, production of the Regult for potential Earth defensive combat continued when the seizure operation of the Factory Satellite was executed. After the war, Regults were used by both U.N. Spacy and Zentraedi insurgents. Many surviving units were incorporated into the New U.N. Forces and given new model numbers. The normal Regult became the “Zentraedi Battle Pod” ZBP-104 (often just called “Type 104”) and was, for example, used by Al-Shahal's New U.N. Army's Zentraedi garrison. The related ZBP-106 was a modernized version for Zentraedi commanders, with built-in boosters, additional Queadluun-Rhea arms and extra armaments. These primarily replaced the Glaug battle pod, of which only a handful had survived. By 2067, Regult pods of all variants were still in operation among mixed human/Zentraedi units.

General characteristics:

Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in main body

Overall Height: 18.2 meters

Overall Length: 7.6 meters

Overall Width: 12.6 meters

Max Weight: 39.8 metric tons

Powerplant & propulsion:

1x 1.3 GGV class Ectromelia thermonuclear reaction furnace,

driving 2x main booster Thrusters and 12x vernier thrusters

Performance:

unknown

Armament:

None

Special Equipment and Features:

Standard all-frequency radar antenna

Standard laser long-range sensor

Ectromelia infrared, visible light and ultraviolet frequency sensor cluster

ECM/ECCM suite

The kit and its assembly:

I had this kit stashed away for a couple of years, together with a bunch of other 1:100 Zentraedi pods of all kinds and the plan to build a full platoon one day – but this has naturally not happened so far and the kits were and are still waiting. The “Reconnaissance & Surveillance” group build at whatifmodellers.com in August 2021 was a good occasion and motivation to tackle the Tactical Scout model from the pile, though, as it perfectly fits the GB’s theme and also adds an exotic science fiction/anime twist to the submissions.

The kit is an original ARII boxing from 1983, AFAIK the only edition of this model. One might expect this kit to be a variation of the 1982 standard Regult (sometimes spelled “Reguld”) kit with extra parts, but that’s not the case – it is a new mold with different parts and technical solutions, and it offers optional parts for the standard Regult pod as well as the two missile carrier versions that were published at the same time, too. The Tactical Scout uses the same basis, but it comes with parts exclusive for this variant (hull and a sprue with the many antennae and sensors).

I remembered from a former ARII Regult build in the late Eighties that the legs were a wobbly affair. Careful sprue inspection revealed, however, that this second generation comes with some sensible detail changes, e. g. the feet, which originally consisted of separate toe and heel sections (and these were hollow from behind/below!). To my biggest surprise the knees – a notorious weak spot of the 1st generation Regult kit – were not only held by small and flimsy vinyl caps anymore: These were replaced with much bigger vinyl rings, fitted into sturdy single-piece enclosures made from a tough styrene which can even be tuned with small metal screws(!), which are included in the kit. Interesting!

But the joy is still limited: even though the mold is newer, fit is mediocre at best, PSR is necessary on every seam. However, the good news is that the kit does not fight with you. The whole thing was mostly built OOB, because at 1:100 there's little that makes sense to add to the surface, and the kit comes with anything you'd expect on a Regult Scout pod. I just added some lenses and small stuff behind the large "eye", which is (also to my surprise) a clear part. The stuff might only appear in schemes on the finished model, but that's better than leaving the area blank.

Otherwise, the model was built in sub-sections for easier painting and handling, to be assembled in a final step – made possible by the kit’s design which avoids the early mecha kit’s “onion layer” construction, except for the feet. This is the only area that requires some extra effort, and which is also a bit tricky to assemble.

However, while the knees appear to be a robust construction, the kit showed some material weakness: while handling the leg assembly, one leg suddenly came off under the knees - turned out that the locator that holds the knee joint above (which I expected to be the weak point) completely broke off of the lower leg! Weird damage. I tried to glue the leg into place, but this did not work, and so I inserted a replacement for the broken. This eventually worked.

Painting and markings:

Colorful, but pretty standard and with the attempt to be authentic. However, information concerning the Regults’ paint scheme is somewhat inconsistent. I decided to use a more complex interpretation of the standard blue/grey Regult scheme, with a lighter “face shield” and some other details that make the mecha look more interesting. I used the box art and some screenshots from the Macross TV series as reference; the Tactical Scout pod already appears in episode #2 for the first time, and there are some good views at it, even though the anime version is highly simplified.

Humbrol enamels were used, including 48 (Mediterranean Blue), 196 (RAL 7035, instead of pure white), 40 (Pale Grey) and 27 (Sea Grey). The many optics were created with clear acrylics over a silver base, and the large frontal “eye” is a piece of clear plastic with a coat of clear turquoise paint, too.

The model received a black ink washing to emphasize details, engraved panel lines and recesses, as well as some light post-shading through dry-brushing. Some surface details were created with decal stripes, e. g. on the upper legs, or with a black fineliner, and some color highlights were distributed all over the hull, e. g. the yellowish-beige tips of the wide antenna or the bright blue panels on the upper legs.

The decals were taken OOB, and thanks to a translation chart I was able to decipher some of the markings which I’d interpret as a serial number and a unit code – but who knows?

Finally, the kit received an overall coat of matt acrylic varnish and some weathering/dust traces around the feet with simple watercolors – more would IMHO look out of place, due to the mecha’s sheer size in real life and the fact that the Regult has to be considered a disposable item. Either it’s brand new and shiny, or busted, there’s probably little in between that justifies serious weathering which better suits the tank-like Destroids.

A “normal” build, even though the model and the topic are exotic enough. This 2nd generation Regult kit went together easier than expected, even though it has its weak points, too. However, material ageing turned out to be the biggest challenge (after all, the kit is almost 40 years old!), but all problems could be overcome and the resulting model looks decent – and it has this certain Eighties flavor! :D

Well crap, I was afraid this would happen. I thought I had these girls trained well enough, but when the Halloween veil is this thin, anything can happen. To put it simply, the dolls escaped. They seem to want to stay around the yard, but I cannot guarantee they won't cause havoc. If you see one of them, please do NOT engage them. Just report them to their owners so we can efficiently and humanely capture them. Thank you in advance.

TOKS №NCT 290

Built: 2024

Estonia, Tallinn, Uus-Sadama tänav

Irizar i6s Efficient Integral de Hife.

In a world where the puny organics were unable to efficiently allocate resources using a price system or free trade, one man suggested that supercomputers would be able to allocate resources perfectly for all on this world. However the supercomputers were so efficient at allocating resources that they turned on their fleshy overlords, viewing them as an inefficient expense. So came these freedom fighters wishing to free all mechanisms from their organic captors, and to efficiently allocate all resources in the known universe. However legend says that they will not be able to allocate resources perfectly until the return of their DNA-based messiah.

The lurchers are used as an all terrain mobile gun. With their long spindly legs they can ford shallow rivers, and not being wheeled they can handle areas that lack roads.

A group of retired NJ Transit ABB ALP-44s sit abandoned on the former Lackawanna Cut-Off in Roxbury, NJ. These units last ran in 2012, as they are unable to efficiently pull NJ Transit's new Bombardier Multilevel railcars.

New 45EPIC Fine Art facebook and instagram landscapes!

facebook.com/mcgucken

instagram.com/elliotmcgucken

Sony A7RII Spring Wildflowers Fine Art Joshua Tree National Park! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography! Sony A7R 2 & Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens!

An important thing to remember is that even though pixel sizes keep getting smaller and smaller, the technology is advancing, so the smaller pixels are more efficient at collecting light. For instance, the Sony A7rII is back-illuminated which allows more photons to hit the sensor. Semiconductor technology is always advancing, so the brilliant engineers are always improving the signal/noise ratio. Far higher pixel counts, as well as better dynamic ranger, are thus not only possible, but the future!

Yes I have a Ph.D. in physics! I worked on phototranistors and photodiodes as well as an artificial retina for the blind. :)

You can read more about my own physics theory (dx4/dt=ic) here: herosodysseyphysics.wordpress.com/

And follow me on instagram! @45surf

instagram.com/45surf

Facebook!

www.facebook.com/elliot.mcgucken

www.facebook.com/45surfAchillesOdysseyMythology

Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Photography!

I love shooting fine art landscapes and fine art nature photography! :) I live for it!

45surf fine art!

Feel free to ask me any questions! Always love sharing tech talk and insights! :)

And all the best on Your Epic Hero's Odyssey!

The new Lightroom rocks!

Beautiful magnificent clouds!

View your artistic mission into photography as an epic odyssey of heroic poetry! Take it from Homer in Homer's Odyssey: "Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy. Many cities did he visit, and many were the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men safely home; but do what he might he could not save his men, for they perished through their own sheer folly in eating the cattle of the Sun-god Hyperion; so the god prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell me, too, about all these things, O daughter of Jove, from whatsoever source you may know them. " --Samuel Butler Translation of Homer's Odyssey

All the best on your Epic Hero's Odyssey from Johnny Ranger McCoy!

I6s Efficient de la carrocera Irizar de tres ejes de la empresa de autocares Bilman - Bús, realizando un servicio en la línea regular "Cartagena > País Vasco".

New 45EPIC Fine Art facebook and instagram landscapes!

facebook.com/mcgucken

instagram.com/elliotmcgucken

Sony A7RII Spring Wildflowers Fine Art Joshua Tree National Park! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography! Sony A7R 2 & Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens!

An important thing to remember is that even though pixel sizes keep getting smaller and smaller, the technology is advancing, so the smaller pixels are more efficient at collecting light. For instance, the Sony A7rII is back-illuminated which allows more photons to hit the sensor. Semiconductor technology is always advancing, so the brilliant engineers are always improving the signal/noise ratio. Far higher pixel counts, as well as better dynamic ranger, are thus not only possible, but the future!

Yes I have a Ph.D. in physics! I worked on phototranistors and photodiodes as well as an artificial retina for the blind. :)

You can read more about my own physics theory (dx4/dt=ic) here: herosodysseyphysics.wordpress.com/

And follow me on instagram! @45surf

instagram.com/45surf

Facebook!

www.facebook.com/elliot.mcgucken

www.facebook.com/45surfAchillesOdysseyMythology

Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Photography!

I love shooting fine art landscapes and fine art nature photography! :) I live for it!

45surf fine art!

Feel free to ask me any questions! Always love sharing tech talk and insights! :)

And all the best on Your Epic Hero's Odyssey!

The new Lightroom rocks!

Beautiful magnificent clouds!

View your artistic mission into photography as an epic odyssey of heroic poetry! Take it from Homer in Homer's Odyssey: "Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy. Many cities did he visit, and many were the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men safely home; but do what he might he could not save his men, for they perished through their own sheer folly in eating the cattle of the Sun-god Hyperion; so the god prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell me, too, about all these things, O daughter of Jove, from whatsoever source you may know them. " --Samuel Butler Translation of Homer's Odyssey

All the best on your Epic Hero's Odyssey from Johnny Ranger McCoy!

This brand new i6s Efficient integral is seen here on display at the North West Vehicle Restoration Trust's open & running day, Kirkby, Liverpool, on 04/06/2023. The i6s Efficient is new to the market and has several lightweight features, mirrorcams and a more raked back front. © Peter Steel 2023.

In the early 1960s, many families in Britain where ousting their old coal fires for the cleaner and more efficient gas fires of the time, many of which were being offered through Gas Board showrooms like this one. www.flickr.com/photos/8050359@N07/11633751034/

Fed up of cleaning out the hearth every morning, my parents purchased a 'New World' Sunbeam gas fire from these very showrooms. It was bought to replace the coal fire in our front room.

The sad part was that my father removed the rather nice 1930s wood-surround mantelpiece from around the fireplace, replacing it with a typical 1960s tiled affair; something he reinstated many years later.

It was all very exciting when the fitter from the Gas Board arrived to pipe in the new fire, and wow, instant heat! For my parents, no more lumping buckets of coal into the front room and getting down on bended knees to light bits of newspaper and kindling jammed between the coals to get a fire going. The old coal fire was only normally lit during the daytime or late afternoon, so it was lovely on Winter mornings to have a room that was warm. I would make the most of it, sitting in front of the fire to eat my breakfast before school.

Even so, we still had coal delivered because the coal fire in the living room wasn’t converted over to gas until a couple of years later. On that occasion, Dad bought a second hand gas fire, but this one had ‘coal fire’ effect lighting, which was a bit glam then! The main body of the fire was in a bland hammered-grey finish, so being a toolmaker, Dad made a polished stainless steel top for it, which actually looked factory fitted when in place, turning the mundane gas fire into something quite posh looking. When we were switched over to Natural Gas around 1970ish, the gas fitter who came around to convert our gas fires from town-gas to natural gas sat cross-legged on the floor for ages going through his handbook trying to find the model of our gas fire with a Stainless Steel top. …He honestly didn’t realise that it was a homemade affair.

Photo: 10.10.10

When you start moving things around that have been in place for a long time, you get an up close and personal view that you don't really see otherwise. And so it was that while I was watching Daisy working on our TV system on Saturday, I noticed how terribly dirty and dingy our window curtains had become....especially along the bottom where the cats rub up against them constantly. But not to worry, because my personal TV technician also happens to be my personal housemaid. So while she was getting our entertainment system up and running....I also had her to take down our curtains and wash them. And wouldn't you know it? While she was doing that, I noticed that the rods, window sills, blinds, and the surrounding walls were terribly dusty as well. No problem though....Daisy had the whole day to get it all done, with time to spare. As you well know by now, she's very efficient when she's properly motivated. 😜

The Kitchen is separated from The Sleeping Alcove by the Sandblasted Glass Wall and Kitchen island (which replaced a wall before that existed renovation began)

25 per cent more efficient from 2025.

Enhanced with further technologies and innovative high-temperature materials, the Advance core overall pressure ratio is pushed to more than 70:1. UltraFan also features a new geared architecture (introduced between the fan and intermediate pressure compressor),ensuring the fan runs at optimum speed, as does the engine compressor and turbine thanks to the core architecture. The carbon titanium fan system is further developed to allow the removal of the thrust reverser, enabling a truly slim-line nacelle system

"Black bears are efficient berry-eaters, consuming up to 30,000 berries a day in a good year. They gather berries quickly, using their sensitive, mobile lips and swallowing them whole. The berries enter a two-part stomach, which grinds the pulp off the seeds. The seeds pass through the digestive tract unbroken and able to germinate, making black bears important seed dispersers. Each summer, they spread the seeds of their favorite berries all over their home ranges."

www.bear.org/website/bear-pages/black-bear/foraging-a-foo...

"Black bears are omnivorous animals, but mostly eat vegetation and fruits. Despite their tough appearance and long teeth and claws, 85% of a black bear's diet comes from plants. They also like to eat honey and can rip open a whole tree to get into a beehive. Black bears' thick coats protect them from stinging bees, meaning they can eat the honeycombs as fast or as slowly as they like. At night, black bears in the Pacific Northwest fish for salmon in rivers. A few enterprising bears also venture into human-populated areas to steal from trashcans or campsites. In the fall, when they are preparing for hibernation, black bears eat lots of bugs like ants and bees for their protein. Black bears also sometimes catch baby deer, cows and moose, but they are more likely to try to steal carcasses from more active predators like wolves, coyotes and cougars. The extra proteins help them gain fat for their long, annual hibernation." From www.whatdobearseat

Yesterday, 5 September 2019, friend Pam and I had a great day out in Kananaskis. It had been just over two months since I drove myself out there, but Pam had been only two days ago. There were a few different places that she wanted to stop yesterday, and she was hoping to see a bear - preferably a Grizzly, but we were out of luck for that. However, we were lucky enough to see two Black Bears, which was such a treat.

Our day started off really well, leaving the city at 7:00 am. Driving along a backroad SW of the city, a small, rather cute, old barn was our first find. It was set back from the road and easily missed, so I'm glad I spotted it.

Further on, we came across a White-tailed Deer feeding in a field, and it looked so beautiful in the early morning sun. Normally, I don't get out this early and I know I miss that special light.

Going to have to finish description, etc. later ....

Four new, more energy-efficient cooling towers replaced five old ones atop Grand Central Terminal. In phase one, which occurred March 22-23, 2014, the rigging operation took 18 hours. Full installation was completed over the weekend of March 18, 2014.

Energy-efficient Towers Installed to Cool Grand Central

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

The BMW i8, first introduced as the BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW. The 2015 model year BMW i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 37 km (23 mi) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).[5] Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, the range in EV mode is 24 km (15 mi) with a small amount of gasoline consumption.

The BMW i8 can go from 0–100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The BMW i8 has a fuel efficiency of 2.1 L/100 km (134.5 mpg-imp; 112.0 mpg-US) under the NEDC test with carbon emissions of 49 g/km. EPA rated the i8 combined fuel economy at 76 equivalent (MPG-equivalent) (3.1 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 91 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent).

The initial turbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The i8 was released in Germany in June 2014. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in August 2014. Global cumulative sales totaled almost 4,500 units through June 2015.

History

The i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and it is being marketed as a new brand, BMW i, sold separately from BMW or Mini. The BMW i3, launched for retail customers in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2013, was the first model of the i brand available in the market, and it was followed by the i8, released in Germany in June 2014 as a 2015 model year. Other i models are expected to follow.

The initial turbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, In 2010, BMW announced the mass production of the Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics in Leipzig beginning in 2013 as the BMW i8. The BMW i8 gasoline-powered concept car destined for production was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 International Motor Show Germany. The following are the concept and pre-production models developed by BMW that precedeed the production version.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics (2009)

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is a plug-in hybrid with a three cylinder turbodiesel engine. Additionally, there are two electric motors with 139 horsepower. It allows an acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (160 mph).

According to BMW, the average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) is 3.76 liters/100 kilometers, (75.1 mpg imp), and has a carbon dioxide emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer (1,3 l/100 km and 33g CO2/km ; EU-PHEV ECE-R101). The estimated all-electric range is 50 km (31 mi), and the 24-liter petrol tank extends the total vehicle range to up to 700 km (430 mi). The lightweight chassis is made mainly from aluminum. The windshield, top, doors and fenders are made from polycarbonate glass, with the body having a drag coefficient of 0.26.

The designers in charge of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept were Mario Majdandzic, Exterior Design and Jochen Paesen, Interior Design.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 International Motor Show Germany, followed by Auto China 2010.

BMW i8 Concept (2011)

BMW i8 Concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes an electric motor located in the front axle powering the front wheels rated 96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) and 250 N·m (184 lb·ft), a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine driving rear wheels rated 164 kW (223 PS; 220 hp) and 300 N·m (221 lb·ft) of torque, with combined output of 260 kW (354 PS; 349 hp) and 550 N·m (406 lb·ft), a 7.2 kWh (26 MJ) lithium-ion battery pack that allows an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). All four wheels provide regenerative braking. The location of the battery pack in the energy tunnel gives the vehicle a low centre of gravity, enhancing its dynamics. Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph) and is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Under normal driving conditions the i8 is expected to deliver 80 mpg-US (2.9 L/100 km; 96 mpg-imp) under the European cycle. A full charge of the battery will take less than 2 hours using 220V. The positioning of the motor and engine over the axles results in optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany, followed by CENTER 548 in New York City, 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, 82nd Geneva Motor Show 2012, BMW i Born Electric Tour at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at Via Nazionale 194 in Rome, Auto Shanghai 2013.

This concept car was featured in the film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

BMW i8 Concept Spyder (2012)

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder included a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length over the BMW i8 Concept, carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) Life module, drive modules made primarily from aluminium components, interlocking of surfaces and lines, 8.8-inch (22.4 cm) screen display, off-white outer layer, orange tone naturally tanned leather upholstery.

The vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2012 in Beijing and won Concept Car of the Year, followed by 83rd Geneva International Motor Show 2013.

The designer of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder was Richard Kim.

BMW i8 coupe prototype (2013)

The design of the BMW i8 coupe prototype was based on the BMW i8 Concept. The BMW i8 prototype has an average fuel efficiency of less than 2.5 L/100 km (113.0 mpg-imp; 94.1 mpg-US) under the New European Driving Cycle with carbon emissions of less than 59 g/km. The i8 with its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell lightweight, aerodynamically optimized body, and BMW eDrive technology offers the dynamic performance of a sports car, with an expected 0–100 km (0–60 mi) sprint time of less than 4.5 seconds using both power sources. The plug-in hybrid system of the BMW i8 comprises a three-cylinder, 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower turbo gasoline engine combined with BMW eDrive technology used in the BMW i3 and develops maximum power of 170 kW (230 hp). The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine and the resulting specific output of 115 kW (154 hp) per liter of displacement is on a par with high-performance sports car engines and is the highest of any engine produced by the BMW Group.

The BMW i8's second power source is a hybrid synchronous electric motor specially developed and produced by the BMW Group for BMW i. The electric motor develops maximum power of 131 hp (96 kW) and produces its maximum torque of around 320 N·m (240 lbf·ft) from standstill. Typical of an electric motor, responsive power is instantly available when starting and this continues into the higher load ranges. As well as providing a power boost to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself. Top speed in electric mode is approximately 120 km/h (75 mph), with a maximum driving range of up to 35 km (22 mi). Linear acceleration is maintained even at higher speeds since the interplay between the two power sources efficiently absorbs any power flow interruptions when shifting gears. The BMW i8 has an electronically controlled top speed of 250 km (160 mi), which can be reached and maintained when the vehicle operates solely on the gasoline engine. The model-specific version of the high-voltage 7.2 lithium-ion battery has a liquid cooling system and can be recharged at a conventional household power socket, at a BMW i Wallbox or at a public charging station. In the US a full recharge takes approximately 3.5 hours from a conventional 120V, 12 amp household circuit or approximately 1.5 hours from a 220V Level 2 charger.

The driver can also select several driving modes: SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO. Using the gear selector, the driver can either select position D for automated gear selection or can switch to SPORT mode. SPORT mode offers manual gear selection and at the same time switches to very sporty drive and suspension settings. In SPORT mode, the engine and electric motor deliver extra performance, accelerator response is faster and the power boost from the electric motor is maximized. And to keep the battery topped up, SPORT mode also activates maximum energy recuperation during overrun and braking as the electric motor’s generator function, which recharges the battery using kinetic energy, switches to a more powerful setting. The Driving Experience Control switch on the center console offers a choice of two settings. On starting, COMFORT mode is activated, which offers a balance between sporty performance and fuel efficiency, with unrestricted access to all convenience functions. Alternatively, the ECO PRO mode can be engaged, which, on the BMW i8 as on other models, supports an efficiency-optimized driving style. On this mode the powertrain controller coordinates the cooperation between the gasoline engine and the electric motor for maximum fuel economy. On deceleration, the intelligent energy management system automatically decides, in line with the driving situation and vehicle status, whether to recuperate braking energy or to coast with the powertrain disengaged. At the same time, ECO PRO mode also programs electrical convenience functions such as the air conditioning, seat heating and heated mirrors to operate at minimum power consumption, but without compromising safety. The maximum driving range of the BMW i8 on a full fuel tank and with a fully charged battery is more than 500 km (310 mi) in COMFORT mode, which can be increased by up to 20% in ECO PRO mode. The BMW i8’s ECO PRO mode can also be used during all-electric operation. The vehicle is then powered solely by the electric motor. Only if the battery charge drops below a given level, or under sudden intense throttle application such as kickdown, is the internal combustion engine automatically activated.

The vehicle was unveiled in BMW Group's Miramas test track in France.

Production version

The production BMW i8 was designed by Benoit Jacob. The production version was unveiled at the 2013 International Motor Show Germany, followed by 2013 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. It features butterfly doors, head-up display, rear-view cameras and partially false engine noise. Series production of customer vehicles began in April 2014. It is the first production car with laser headlights, reaching further than LED lights.

The i8 has a low vehicle weight of 1,485 kg (3,274 lb) (DIN kerb weight) and a low drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26. In all-electric mode the BMW i8 has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). In Sport mode the i8 delivers a mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h (50 to 75 mph) in 2.6 seconds. The electronically controlled top speed is 250 km/h (160 mph).

Range and fuel economy[edit]

The production i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a usable capacity of 5.2 kWh and intelligent energy management that delivers an all-electric range of 37 km (23 mi) under the NEDC cycle. Under the EPA cycle, the range in EV mode is 15 mi (24 km), with a gasoline consumption of 0.1 gallons per 100 mi, and as a result, EPA's all-electric range is zero. The total range is 330 mi (530 km).

The production version has a fuel efficiency of 2.1 L/100 km (134.5 mpg-imp; 112.0 mpg-US) under the NEDC test with carbon emissions of 49 g/km.[5] Under EPA cycle, the i8 combined fuel economy in EV mode was rated 76 equivalent (MPG-equivalent) (3.1 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 91 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent), with an energy consumption of 43 kW-hrs/100 mi and gasoline consumption of 0.1 gal-US/100 mi. The combined fuel economy when running only with gasoline is 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp), 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp) for city driving, and 29 mpg-US (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg-imp) in highway.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2014 edition of the "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends" introduced utility factors for plug-in hybrids to represent the percentage of miles that will be driven using electricity by an average driver, in electric only or blended modes. The BMW i8 has a utility factor in EV mode of 37%, compared with 83% for the BMW i3 REx, 66% for the Chevrolet Volt, 65% for the Cadillac ELR, 45% for the Ford Energi models, 43% for the McLaren P1, 39% for the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, and 29% for the Toyota Prius PHV.

[Text from Wikipedia]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i8

This Lego miniland-scale BMW i8 has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 94th Build Challenge, - "Appease the Elves Summer Automobile Build-off (Part 2)", - a design challenge combining the resources of LUGNuts, TheLegoCarBlog (TLCB) and Head Turnerz.

In 1982 Mercedes-Benz released the production version of more than a decade's research into developing a compact format, efficient and safe luxury car. The name '190' referred back to the 1950 and 60s versions of 'reduced power output' models of their mainstream saloon car range. The 190E specified a fuel-injected 2.0 litre, four cylinder engine, whilst a 190 model, without the 'E' (for einspritz' appellation, referred to the same engine, but using a carburetor.

This is the version most commonly seen in taxis, along with a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder diesel, with even less power......

Then something strange happened within the halls of Mercedes-Benz....

190E 2.3-16 "Cosworth":

In the late 1970s, Mercedes competed in rallying with the big V8-powered Coupés of the R107 Series, mainly the light-weight Mercedes 450 SLC 5.0. Mercedes wished to take the 190 E rallying, and asked British engineering company Cosworth to develop an engine with 320 bhp (239 kW) for the rally car. This project was known as project "WAA' by Cosworth". During this time, the Audi Quattro with its all-wheel drive and turbocharger was launched, making the 2.3-16v appear outclassed. With a continued desire to compete in high-profile motor sport with the 190, and also now an engine to do it with, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) (German Touring Car Championship) motor sport series instead. Cars racing in this championship, however, had to be based on a roadgoing model. Mercedes therefore had to put into series production a 190 fitted with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine. This high-performance model was known as the 190 E 2.3-16, and debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983, after its reputation had already been established. Three cars, only slightly cosmetically altered, had set three world records in August at the Nardo testing facility in Italy, recording a combined average speed of 154.06 mph (247.94 km/h) over the 50,000 km endurance test, and establishing twelve international endurance records. The Mercedes 190-E Cosworth was also featured on the second episode in series fifteen of the popular car show Top Gear.

Engine:

2.5-16 Cosworth

The Cosworth engine was based on the M102 four cylinder 2.3-litre 8-valve 136 hp (101 kW) unit already fitted to the 190- and E-Class series. Cosworth developed the cylinder head, "applying knowledge we've learnt from the DFV and BDA." It was made from light alloy using Coscast's unique casting process and brought with it dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, meaning 16 valves total which were developed to be the "largest that could practically be fitted into the combustion chamber".

In roadgoing trim,the 2.3 L 16-valve engine made "185 hp (138 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 174 lb·ft (236 N·m) at 4,500 rpm. The oversquare 95.50 x 80.25 mm bore and stroke dimensions ensuring that it revs easily up to the 7000 rpm redline". Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) was less than eight seconds, and the top speed was 230 km/h (143 mph).

US-Specification cars had a slightly reduced compression ratio (9.7:1 instead of 10.5:1), and were rated at 167 hp (125 kW) @ 5800 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4750.

The roadgoing version of the engine was reconfigured with reduced inlet and exhaust port sizes, different camshaft profiles, no dry sump configuration and Bosch K-jetronic replacing the specialised Kugelfischer fuel injection. These changes helped bring power down to the required 185 bhp (138 kW) specification, but still resulted in a "remarkably flexible engine, with a very flat torque curve and a wide power band". The heads for the engines were cast at Cosworth's Coscast foundry in Worcester and sent to Germany to be fitted to the rest of the engine, parts of which were different from the standard 2.3 including light pressed alloy pistons, and rings designed to withstand higher engine speeds, whilst con-rods, bearings and bearing caps were found to be strong enough as standard and left unaltered.

16v differences:

Due to their performance, the 16-valve cars were different from the other 190 models. The body kit on the 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 reduced the drag coefficient to 0.32, one of the lowest CD values on a four-door saloon of the time, whilst also reducing lift at speed. The steering ratio was quicker and the steering wheel smaller than that on other 190s, whilst the fuel tank was enlarged from 55 to 70 L. The Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox was unique to the 16-valve and featured a 'racing' gear pattern with 'dog-leg' first gear, left and down from neutral. This meant that the remaining 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears were in a simple H pattern allowing fast and easy selection. The gearchange quality was, however, noted as "notchy, baulky", criticisms which weren't levelled at the BMW M3 (E30) which shared the same gearbox. The pattern is also unusual in that the driver engages reverse by shifting left and up from neutral, as for first gear in a conventional pattern. This was demonstrated in a Top Gear episode (S15E02) where James May took a 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth and repeatedly confused reverse and first gear. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use many of these cars were destined for.

The strictly four-seater interior had Recaro sports seats with strong side bolsters for front and rear passengers. 3 extra dials - an oil temperature gauge, stopwatch and voltmeter - were included in the centre console. The 190 E 2.3-16 was available in only two colours, Blue-Black metallic (Pearl Black in the US), and Smoke Silver. The 2.5-16 added Almandine Red and Astral Silver.

All 2.3-16-valve 190 models are fitted with a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) as standard. They were also available with Mercedes' ASD system which was standard equipment on the 2.5-16v. The ASD is an electronically controlled, hydraulically locking differential which activates automatically when required. The electronic control allows varied amounts of differential lock from the standard 15% right up to 100%. It is not a traction control system however, and can only maximize traction rather than prevent wheel spin. Activation of the ASD system is indicated by an illuminating amber triangle in the speedometer.

The suspension on 16-valve models is very different from the standard 190 (W201). As well as being lower and stiffer, it has quicker dampers, larger anti-roll bars, harder bushings and hydraulic Self-levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear. This allows the rear ride height to remain constant even when the car is fully loaded.

At the inauguration of the new, shorter Nürburgring in 1984, a race with identical cars was held, with former and current F1 pilots at the wheel. A then unknown Ayrton Senna took first place.

Private Teams such as AMG later entered the 2.3-16 in touring cars races, especially the DTM. In the late 1980s, the 2.5-16 (never released in the United States) raced many times, against the similar BMW M3 and even the turbocharged Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.

[Test taken from Wikipedia]

This Lego miniland-scale 190E 2.3-16 sedan has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 85th Build Challenge, - "Like, Totally 80's", - for vehicles created during the decade of the 1980s.

In 1982 Mercedes-Benz released the production version of more than a decade's research into developing a compact format, efficient and safe luxury car. The name '190' referred back to the 1950 and 60s versions of 'reduced power output' models of their mainstream saloon car range. The 190E specified a fuel-injected 2.0 litre, four cylinder engine, whilst a 190 model, without the 'E' (for einspritz' appellation, referred to the same engine, but using a carburetor.

This is the version most commonly seen in taxis, along with a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder diesel, with even less power......

Then something strange happened within the halls of Mercedes-Benz....

190E 2.3-16 & 2.5-16 "Cosworth":

In the late 1970s, Mercedes competed in rallying with the big V8-powered Coupés of the R107 Series, mainly the light-weight Mercedes 450 SLC 5.0. Mercedes wished to take the 190 E rallying, and asked British engineering company Cosworth to develop an engine with 320 bhp (239 kW) for the rally car. This project was known as project "WAA' by Cosworth". During this time, the Audi Quattro with its all-wheel drive and turbocharger was launched, making the 2.3-16v appear outclassed. With a continued desire to compete in high-profile motor sport with the 190, and also now an engine to do it with, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) (German Touring Car Championship) motor sport series instead. Cars racing in this championship, however, had to be based on a roadgoing model. Mercedes therefore had to put into series production a 190 fitted with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine. This high-performance model was known as the 190 E 2.3-16, and debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983, after its reputation had already been established. Three cars, only slightly cosmetically altered, had set three world records in August at the Nardo testing facility in Italy, recording a combined average speed of 154.06 mph (247.94 km/h) over the 50,000 km endurance test, and establishing twelve international endurance records. The Mercedes 190-E Cosworth was also featured on the second episode in series fifteen of the popular car show Top Gear.

Engin:

2.5-16 Cosworth

The Cosworth engine was based on the M102 four cylinder 2.3-litre 8-valve 136 hp (101 kW) unit already fitted to the 190- and E-Class series. Cosworth developed the cylinder head, "applying knowledge we've learnt from the DFV and BDA." It was made from light alloy using Coscast's unique casting process and brought with it dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, meaning 16 valves total which were developed to be the "largest that could practically be fitted into the combustion chamber".

In roadgoing trim,the 2.3 L 16-valve engine made "185 hp (138 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 174 lb·ft (236 N·m) at 4,500 rpm. The oversquare 95.50 x 80.25 mm bore and stroke dimensions ensuring that it revs easily up to the 7000 rpm redline". Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) was less than eight seconds, and the top speed was 230 km/h (143 mph).

US-Specification cars had a slightly reduced compression ratio (9.7:1 instead of 10.5:1), and were rated at 167 hp (125 kW) @ 5800 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4750.

The roadgoing version of the engine was reconfigured with reduced inlet and exhaust port sizes, different camshaft profiles, no dry sump configuration and Bosch K-jetronic replacing the specialised Kugelfischer fuel injection. These changes helped bring power down to the required 185 bhp (138 kW) specification, but still resulted in a "remarkably flexible engine, with a very flat torque curve and a wide power band". The heads for the engines were cast at Cosworth's Coscast foundry in Worcester and sent to Germany to be fitted to the rest of the engine, parts of which were different from the standard 2.3 including light pressed alloy pistons, and rings designed to withstand higher engine speeds, whilst con-rods, bearings and bearing caps were found to be strong enough as standard and left unaltered.

16v differences:

Due to their performance, the 16-valve cars were different from the other 190 models. The body kit on the 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 reduced the drag coefficient to 0.32, one of the lowest CD values on a four-door saloon of the time, whilst also reducing lift at speed. The steering ratio was quicker and the steering wheel smaller than that on other 190s, whilst the fuel tank was enlarged from 55 to 70 L. The Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox was unique to the 16-valve and featured a 'racing' gear pattern with 'dog-leg' first gear, left and down from neutral. This meant that the remaining 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears were in a simple H pattern allowing fast and easy selection. The gearchange quality was, however, noted as "notchy, baulky", criticisms which weren't levelled at the BMW M3 (E30) which shared the same gearbox. The pattern is also unusual in that the driver engages reverse by shifting left and up from neutral, as for first gear in a conventional pattern. This was demonstrated in a Top Gear episode (S15E02) where James May took a 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth and repeatedly confused reverse and first gear. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use many of these cars were destined for.

The strictly four-seater interior had Recaro sports seats with strong side bolsters for front and rear passengers. 3 extra dials - an oil temperature gauge, stopwatch and voltmeter - were included in the centre console. The 190 E 2.3-16 was available in only two colours, Blue-Black metallic (Pearl Black in the US), and Smoke Silver. The 2.5-16 added Almandine Red and Astral Silver.

All 2.3-16-valve 190 models are fitted with a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) as standard. They were also available with Mercedes' ASD system which was standard equipment on the 2.5-16v. The ASD is an electronically controlled, hydraulically locking differential which activates automatically when required. The electronic control allows varied amounts of differential lock from the standard 15% right up to 100%. It is not a traction control system however, and can only maximize traction rather than prevent wheel spin. Activation of the ASD system is indicated by an illuminating amber triangle in the speedometer.

The suspension on 16-valve models is very different from the standard 190 (W201). As well as being lower and stiffer, it has quicker dampers, larger anti-roll bars, harder bushings and hydraulic Self-levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear. This allows the rear ride height to remain constant even when the car is fully loaded.

At the inauguration of the new, shorter Nürburgring in 1984, a race with identical cars was held, with former and current F1 pilots at the wheel. A then unknown Ayrton Senna took first place.

Private Teams such as AMG later entered the 2.3-16 in touring cars races, especially the DTM. In the late 1980s, the 2.5-16 (never released in the United States) raced many times, against the similar BMW M3 and even the turbocharged Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.

Evolution models:

2.5-16 Evolution II

With the debut of the BMW M3 Sport Evolution, Mercedes' direct competitor, it became obvious that the 2.5-16 needed a boost for the circuit. In March 1989, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution debuted at the Geneva Auto Show. The Evo I, as it came to be called, had a new spoiler and wider wheel arches. Many changes were made to under-the-skin components such as brakes and suspension. There was a full SLS suspension allowing vehicle ride height to be adjusted from an interior switch. All were intended to allow the Evolution cars to be even more effective round a track.

The Evo I's output is similar to the 202 bhp (151 kW) of the "regular" 2.5-16. However this car had a redesigned engine of similar capacity but, most importantly, a shorter stroke and bigger bore which would allow for a higher rev limit and improved top-end power capabilities. Additional changes stretch to "rotating masses lightened, lubrication improved and cam timing altered". Cosworth also list a project code "WAC" for the development of the short-stroke Evolution engine.

Only 502 units of the Evolution model were produced for homologation in compliance with DTM rules. For those customers desiring even more performance, a PowerPack option engineered by AMG was available for DM 18,000. The PowerPack option included hotter camshafts, a larger diameter throttle body, more aggressive ignition and fuel management as well as optimization of the intake and exhaust systems. The net result was an additional 30 bhp (22 kW).

In March 1990, at the Geneva Auto Show, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II was shown. With the success of the first Evolution model, this model's 502-unit production was already sold before it was unveiled.

The "Evo II" included the AMG PowerPack fitted to the same short-stroke 2.5 engine as the Evolution, as well as a full SLS suspension allowing vehicle ride height to be adjusted from an interior switch. An obvious modification to the Evolution II is a radical body kit (designed by Prof. Richard Eppler from the University of Stuttgart) with a large adjustable rear wing, rear window spoiler, and Evolution II 17-inch wheels. The kit served an aerodynamic purpose — it was wind tunnel tested to reduce drag to 0.29, while at the same time increasing downforce. Period anecdotes tell of a BMW executive who was quoted as saying "if that rear wing works, we'll have to redesign our wind tunnel." The anecdote claims that BMW did.

As mentioned 500 were made in "blauschwarz" blue/black metallic. But the last two, numbers 501 and 502 were made in astral silver.

[Test taken from Wikipedia]

This Lego miniland-scale 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II sedan has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 84th Build Challenge, our 7th birthday, - "LUGNuts Turns 7…or 49 in Dog Years", - where all the previous challenges are available to build to. In this case Challenge 57, - "From Mild to Wild", for vehicles that have been turned into something special out of the ordinary. And also challenge 33, - "Size Matters", - as a buddy challenge with Sirmanperson, who has produced the same 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II in 1:17 scale.

Measurements 50 inches wide x 28 inches deep x 29 inches tall. Fully loaded we are at 65 inches long.

Just flowering

oh, oh

on my Smartphone the colors weren't so rich!

If we weren't so efficient at catching them, because they grow their entire life.

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Mittelenglisch nennt man die Form der englischen Sprache, die etwa zwischen dem 12. und der Mitte des 15. Jahrhunderts gesprochen wurde.

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Sie teilen dieselbe bio-georaphische Klimaregion: Atlanisch.

Biogeographic Region: Atlantic

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Das Altenglische entstand, als die Angeln, Jüten, Friesen und Sachsen sich ab ca. 450 in Britannien ansiedelten.

Altenglisch wurde ursprünglich mit Runen geschrieben, übernahm nach der Bekehrung zum Christentum jedoch das lateinische Alphabet, dem man einige Zeichen hinzufügte. So etwa wurde der Buchstabe Yogh aus dem Irischen übernommen, der Buchstabe ð (eth) war eine Abwandlung des lateinischen d, und die Buchstaben þ (thorn) und ƿ (wynn) stammen aus dem Fuþorc (der anglo-friesischen Variante der gemeingermanischen Runenreihe, dem älteren Fuþark).

Für Sprecher des modernen Englisch ist diese Sprachstufe ohne gezieltes Erlernen nicht mehr verständlich. Sie ist eine eng mit dem Friesischen und Niederdeutschen verwandte westgermanische Sprache und gehört der Gruppe der germanischen Sprachen an, einem Hauptzweig der indoeuropäischen Sprachfamilie.

Die angelsächsische Sprache spaltete sich ab dem 5. Jahrhundert vom kontinentalen Westgermanisch ab, als die Angeln, Sachsen, Friesen und Jüten sich in Britannien ansiedelten (Schlacht von Mons Badonicus). Vom 8. Jahrhundert an ist sie schriftlich belegt und erreicht um 1000 ein hohes Maß an Standardisierung (Spätwestsächsisch der „Schule von Winchester“).

Aus den vorher auf der Insel gesprochenen keltischen Sprachen übernahm das Angelsächsische nur sehr wenige Lehnwörter.

...

Durch die dänische und norwegische Einwanderung ab dem 8. Jahrhundert hat die englische Sprache gegenüber der altsächsischen Sprache auch zahlreiche nordgermanische Elemente integriert, die allerdings erst in den mittelenglischen Texten in größerer Zahl auftauchen, darunter neben einigen hundert anderen Wörtern so zentrale Begriffe wie sky, leg und das moderne Pronomen they.

Stärker noch als in der niedersächsischen Sprache wurden auch Elemente der lateinischen Sprache aufgenommen, insbesondere im Bereich des religiösen Wortschatzes.

Die Dialektsprecher auf dem Festland und der Insel konnten sich miteinander verständigen.

Einschnitt:

Mit der Eroberung Englands durch die französischen Normannen 1066

wurde die Sprache durch den französischen Einfluss aus der Normandie so sehr verändert, dass man sie ab diesem Zeitpunkt als mittelenglische Sprache bezeichnet.

...

Thema - you - they.

Um mehr zu sagen, ist die etymologische Seite dieses "Problems" sehr erhellend: Früher im Altenglischen war das ursprüngliche Wort für "Du" - "thou" - man findet es noch in alten sakralen Texten und Liedern. Und Ihr hieß ye- ye bezog sich also auf mehr als einen Anzuredenden.

Dann nach der normannischen Eroberung fand ein Einzug französischer Sprachelemente ins Englische statt, dies nennt sich Mittelenglische Zeit. "Thou" wurde langsam ersetzt durch "ye" da die französisch-höfische Sitte den Plural vorschrieb, um eine höherstehende Person anzusprechen, dies übertrug sich später auf gleichgestellte Personen.

Jedoch verblieb "thou" noch lange Zeit im Sprachgebrauch. Die Unterscheidung zwischen formaler und nicht-formaler Anrede kam von der üblich Anrede von Königen und anderen höfischen Adelspersonen im Plural. Das wurde schließlich weiter ausgedehnt, um jedwede höhergestellte Person oder Unbekannte mit dem Pluralwort "ye" anzureden. Denn dies wurde als höf-licher ! empfunden.

Das französische "tu" wurde als ein sehr intimes oder herablassendes Anredewort empfunden, einem Fremden gegenüber insbesondere als beleidigend. Im 18. Jahrhundert schrieb Samuel Johnson (ein sehr einflußreicher Gelehrter seiner Zeit, Autor, Essayist, Kritiker, Verfasser des ersten maßgeblichen Lexikons der Englischen Sprache) in seinem Werk: A Grammar of the English Tongue: "im zeremoniellen Sprachgebrauch..wird die zweite Person Plural für die zweite Person Singular verwendet..". Vergleichsweise schreibt The Merriam Webster Dictionary of English Usage, dass um 1650 herum bei den meisten Sprechern des südbritannischen Englisch "thou" unüblich geworden war, sogar im informalen Sprachgebrauch unter Freunden nicht mehr verwendet wurde.

Also wir erkennen: Das Wörtchen "thou" war veraltet, und das "ye" hat sich einfach als das gebräuchlichere Wort für "du", also die 2. Person Singular, eingeschlichen gehabt, weil man wohl zum einen sich dem Adel dadurch näher fühlte, also sich sozial aufgewertet sah, und die Gefahr, unhöflich zu sein, verringert wurde. Interessantes

Nebendetail:

auch heute gibt es in England noch einen Ort , wo das "thou" noch lebt im Sprachgebrauch:Lichfield, Staffordshire, wo Dr. Samuel Johnson geboren wurde. Und natürlich richtet sich das Verb nach dem Mehrzahlpronomen "ye", das "ye" das zum heutigen "you" verschmolzen ist!

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altenglisch

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The BMW i8, first introduced as the BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW. The 2015 model year BMW i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 37 km (23 mi) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).[5] Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, the range in EV mode is 24 km (15 mi) with a small amount of gasoline consumption.

The BMW i8 can go from 0–100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The BMW i8 has a fuel efficiency of 2.1 L/100 km (134.5 mpg-imp; 112.0 mpg-US) under the NEDC test with carbon emissions of 49 g/km. EPA rated the i8 combined fuel economy at 76 equivalent (MPG-equivalent) (3.1 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 91 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent).

The initial turbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The i8 was released in Germany in June 2014. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in August 2014. Global cumulative sales totaled almost 4,500 units through June 2015.

History

The i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and it is being marketed as a new brand, BMW i, sold separately from BMW or Mini. The BMW i3, launched for retail customers in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2013, was the first model of the i brand available in the market, and it was followed by the i8, released in Germany in June 2014 as a 2015 model year. Other i models are expected to follow.

The initial turbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, In 2010, BMW announced the mass production of the Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics in Leipzig beginning in 2013 as the BMW i8. The BMW i8 gasoline-powered concept car destined for production was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 International Motor Show Germany. The following are the concept and pre-production models developed by BMW that precedeed the production version.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics (2009)

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is a plug-in hybrid with a three cylinder turbodiesel engine. Additionally, there are two electric motors with 139 horsepower. It allows an acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (160 mph).

According to BMW, the average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) is 3.76 liters/100 kilometers, (75.1 mpg imp), and has a carbon dioxide emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer (1,3 l/100 km and 33g CO2/km ; EU-PHEV ECE-R101). The estimated all-electric range is 50 km (31 mi), and the 24-liter petrol tank extends the total vehicle range to up to 700 km (430 mi). The lightweight chassis is made mainly from aluminum. The windshield, top, doors and fenders are made from polycarbonate glass, with the body having a drag coefficient of 0.26.

The designers in charge of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept were Mario Majdandzic, Exterior Design and Jochen Paesen, Interior Design.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 International Motor Show Germany, followed by Auto China 2010.

BMW i8 Concept (2011)

BMW i8 Concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes an electric motor located in the front axle powering the front wheels rated 96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) and 250 N·m (184 lb·ft), a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine driving rear wheels rated 164 kW (223 PS; 220 hp) and 300 N·m (221 lb·ft) of torque, with combined output of 260 kW (354 PS; 349 hp) and 550 N·m (406 lb·ft), a 7.2 kWh (26 MJ) lithium-ion battery pack that allows an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). All four wheels provide regenerative braking. The location of the battery pack in the energy tunnel gives the vehicle a low centre of gravity, enhancing its dynamics. Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph) and is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Under normal driving conditions the i8 is expected to deliver 80 mpg-US (2.9 L/100 km; 96 mpg-imp) under the European cycle. A full charge of the battery will take less than 2 hours using 220V. The positioning of the motor and engine over the axles results in optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany, followed by CENTER 548 in New York City, 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, 82nd Geneva Motor Show 2012, BMW i Born Electric Tour at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at Via Nazionale 194 in Rome, Auto Shanghai 2013.

This concept car was featured in the film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

BMW i8 Concept Spyder (2012)

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder included a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length over the BMW i8 Concept, carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) Life module, drive modules made primarily from aluminium components, interlocking of surfaces and lines, 8.8-inch (22.4 cm) screen display, off-white outer layer, orange tone naturally tanned leather upholstery.

The vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2012 in Beijing and won Concept Car of the Year, followed by 83rd Geneva International Motor Show 2013.

The designer of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder was Richard Kim.

BMW i8 coupe prototype (2013)

The design of the BMW i8 coupe prototype was based on the BMW i8 Concept. The BMW i8 prototype has an average fuel efficiency of less than 2.5 L/100 km (113.0 mpg-imp; 94.1 mpg-US) under the New European Driving Cycle with carbon emissions of less than 59 g/km. The i8 with its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell lightweight, aerodynamically optimized body, and BMW eDrive technology offers the dynamic performance of a sports car, with an expected 0–100 km (0–60 mi) sprint time of less than 4.5 seconds using both power sources. The plug-in hybrid system of the BMW i8 comprises a three-cylinder, 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower turbo gasoline engine combined with BMW eDrive technology used in the BMW i3 and develops maximum power of 170 kW (230 hp). The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine and the resulting specific output of 115 kW (154 hp) per liter of displacement is on a par with high-performance sports car engines and is the highest of any engine produced by the BMW Group.

The BMW i8's second power source is a hybrid synchronous electric motor specially developed and produced by the BMW Group for BMW i. The electric motor develops maximum power of 131 hp (96 kW) and produces its maximum torque of around 320 N·m (240 lbf·ft) from standstill. Typical of an electric motor, responsive power is instantly available when starting and this continues into the higher load ranges. As well as providing a power boost to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself. Top speed in electric mode is approximately 120 km/h (75 mph), with a maximum driving range of up to 35 km (22 mi). Linear acceleration is maintained even at higher speeds since the interplay between the two power sources efficiently absorbs any power flow interruptions when shifting gears. The BMW i8 has an electronically controlled top speed of 250 km (160 mi), which can be reached and maintained when the vehicle operates solely on the gasoline engine. The model-specific version of the high-voltage 7.2 lithium-ion battery has a liquid cooling system and can be recharged at a conventional household power socket, at a BMW i Wallbox or at a public charging station. In the US a full recharge takes approximately 3.5 hours from a conventional 120V, 12 amp household circuit or approximately 1.5 hours from a 220V Level 2 charger.

The driver can also select several driving modes: SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO. Using the gear selector, the driver can either select position D for automated gear selection or can switch to SPORT mode. SPORT mode offers manual gear selection and at the same time switches to very sporty drive and suspension settings. In SPORT mode, the engine and electric motor deliver extra performance, accelerator response is faster and the power boost from the electric motor is maximized. And to keep the battery topped up, SPORT mode also activates maximum energy recuperation during overrun and braking as the electric motor’s generator function, which recharges the battery using kinetic energy, switches to a more powerful setting. The Driving Experience Control switch on the center console offers a choice of two settings. On starting, COMFORT mode is activated, which offers a balance between sporty performance and fuel efficiency, with unrestricted access to all convenience functions. Alternatively, the ECO PRO mode can be engaged, which, on the BMW i8 as on other models, supports an efficiency-optimized driving style. On this mode the powertrain controller coordinates the cooperation between the gasoline engine and the electric motor for maximum fuel economy. On deceleration, the intelligent energy management system automatically decides, in line with the driving situation and vehicle status, whether to recuperate braking energy or to coast with the powertrain disengaged. At the same time, ECO PRO mode also programs electrical convenience functions such as the air conditioning, seat heating and heated mirrors to operate at minimum power consumption, but without compromising safety. The maximum driving range of the BMW i8 on a full fuel tank and with a fully charged battery is more than 500 km (310 mi) in COMFORT mode, which can be increased by up to 20% in ECO PRO mode. The BMW i8’s ECO PRO mode can also be used during all-electric operation. The vehicle is then powered solely by the electric motor. Only if the battery charge drops below a given level, or under sudden intense throttle application such as kickdown, is the internal combustion engine automatically activated.

The vehicle was unveiled in BMW Group's Miramas test track in France.

Production version

The production BMW i8 was designed by Benoit Jacob. The production version was unveiled at the 2013 International Motor Show Germany, followed by 2013 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. It features butterfly doors, head-up display, rear-view cameras and partially false engine noise. Series production of customer vehicles began in April 2014. It is the first production car with laser headlights, reaching further than LED lights.

The i8 has a low vehicle weight of 1,485 kg (3,274 lb) (DIN kerb weight) and a low drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26. In all-electric mode the BMW i8 has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). In Sport mode the i8 delivers a mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h (50 to 75 mph) in 2.6 seconds. The electronically controlled top speed is 250 km/h (160 mph).

Range and fuel economy[edit]

The production i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a usable capacity of 5.2 kWh and intelligent energy management that delivers an all-electric range of 37 km (23 mi) under the NEDC cycle. Under the EPA cycle, the range in EV mode is 15 mi (24 km), with a gasoline consumption of 0.1 gallons per 100 mi, and as a result, EPA's all-electric range is zero. The total range is 330 mi (530 km).

The production version has a fuel efficiency of 2.1 L/100 km (134.5 mpg-imp; 112.0 mpg-US) under the NEDC test with carbon emissions of 49 g/km.[5] Under EPA cycle, the i8 combined fuel economy in EV mode was rated 76 equivalent (MPG-equivalent) (3.1 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 91 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent), with an energy consumption of 43 kW-hrs/100 mi and gasoline consumption of 0.1 gal-US/100 mi. The combined fuel economy when running only with gasoline is 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp), 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp) for city driving, and 29 mpg-US (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg-imp) in highway.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2014 edition of the "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends" introduced utility factors for plug-in hybrids to represent the percentage of miles that will be driven using electricity by an average driver, in electric only or blended modes. The BMW i8 has a utility factor in EV mode of 37%, compared with 83% for the BMW i3 REx, 66% for the Chevrolet Volt, 65% for the Cadillac ELR, 45% for the Ford Energi models, 43% for the McLaren P1, 39% for the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, and 29% for the Toyota Prius PHV.

[Text from Wikipedia]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i8

This Lego miniland-scale BMW i8 has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 94th Build Challenge, - "Appease the Elves Summer Automobile Build-off (Part 2)", - a design challenge combining the resources of LUGNuts, TheLegoCarBlog (TLCB) and Head Turnerz.

© 2019 Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott

The Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 RXD is Tamron's second of three zoom lenses in their new Sony FE trinity of lenses. It covers the wide end in a compact, efficient fashion. It's capable of producing beautifully sharp images with a lot of pop.

Check out my thorough coverage of the Tamron 17-28mm here:

Text Review: bit.ly/A046Review

Video Review: bit.ly/A046YT

Image Gallery: bit.ly/A046images

#photodujour #dustinabbott #dustinabbott.net #photography #2019 #sony #a7riii #withmytamron #A046 #1728RXD #capturedlight #a9 #a7RIV

Technical Info | Various Cameras + Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 RXD | Check me out on:  My Patreon  | Dustin's Website |  Instagram |  YouTube Channel

Due to the higher energy usage of incandescent light bulbs in comparison to more energy efficient alternatives, like compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, some governments have passed laws and regulations that have started to phase out their usage.

Brazil and Venezuela started to phase them out in 2005, and other nations are planning scheduled phase-outs: Ireland in 2009, Australia in 2010, Canada in 2012, and the U.S. between 2012 and 2014.

Most of these laws and regulations do not ban the usage of incandescents, but rather ban their sale.

SAVE THE BULB !! :p

On a lighter note...................

Q: How many Psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: Only one, but the bulb has got to really WANT to change.

Q: How many programmers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

A: None. That's a hardware problem.

Q: How many `Real Men' does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: None: `Real Men' aren't afraid of the dark.

Q: How many `Real Women' does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: None: A 'Real Woman' would have plenty of real men around to do it.

Q: How many folk singers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

A: Two. One to change the bulb, and one to write a song about how good the old lightbulb was.

Q: How many lawyers does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: How many can you afford?

Q: How many mystery writers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

A: Two, one to screw it almost all the way in and the other to give it a surprising twist at the end.

Q: How many existentialists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

A: Two: One to screw it in and one to observe how the lightbulb itself symbolizes a single incandescent beacon of subjective reality in a netherworld of endless absurdity reaching out toward a maudlin cosmos of nothingness.

Corbin Sparrow Evolution to Solo requires only 14.7 kWh to charge for 100 mile or 3 times more efficient than a Tesla at 33 kWh for 100 miles

The new BMW 1 Series.

Unmistakably sporty, with a higher quality feel and greater presence.

New special-edition models, an enhanced premium interior, extended

connectivity features and the latest-generation iDrive operating system: this is

the next generation of the BMW 1 Series. The sportiest representative of the

premium compact class comes with a broad range of efficient engines

encompassing powerful three-, four- and six-cylinder variants. Uniquely in this

class, the BMW 1 Series has rear-wheel drive, with the intelligent xDrive allwheel-

drive system available as an option. The new edition of the

BMW 1 Series will be launched in July 2017 in 3-door and 5-door versions.

The BMW 1 Series: a tour de force in the premium compact class.

The success story of this sporty compact model dates back to late-summer

2004 and the introduction of the original BMW 1 Series. Thanks to its

superior agility and driving dynamics, it rapidly positioned itself as the epitome

of sporting prowess in the compact segment. To date, more than two million

units of the BMW 1 Series have been sold worldwide, of which approximately

960,000 are from the latest model generation. Germany is the most important

international market and this is where one in four BMW 1 Series is sold,

followed by the UK (20 per cent) and China (eight per cent). The

BMW 1 Series is built in Germany at the plants in Regensburg (3-door and 5-

door models) and Leipzig (5-door). There are also assembly plants for the

Asia-Pacific region in Chennai (India) and Rayong (Thailand).

New special-edition models with striking looks.

The BMW 1 Series is unmistakeably sporty: dynamic contours, the distinctive

kidney grille, long bonnet and a sportily stylish rear define its appearance. New

special-edition models – the Edition Sport Line Shadow, Edition M Sport

Shadow and BMW M140i Edition Shadow – see BMW emphasising the

youthfully refreshing, sporty character of the 1 Series. The special editions

stand out from their siblings with a kidney grille frame painted in black, LED

headlights with black inserts and darkened rear lights which likewise feature

LED technology. The BMW 1 Series Edition M Sport Shadow has black

exhaust tailpipes, too. The new exterior colours Seaside Blue and Sunset

Orange also contribute to the new car’s more striking looks.

The Sport Line, Urban Line and M Sport variants of the BMW 1 Series remain

in the line-up alongside the standard model. And now there are also specialedition

models to choose from. The handover from one model to the next

sees five new light-alloy wheels being added to the range in 17- and 18-inch

formats. A total of 16 different wheel designs – in sizes ranging from 16 to

18 inches – provide plenty of scope for personalisation. The new

BMW 1 Series Edition Sport Line Shadow comes with exclusive 17-inch lightalloy

wheels (725) as standard. The Edition M Sport Shadow has 18-inch

wheels in either Jet Black or Bicolour Jet Black (719 M) to complement its

shadow-like character. And an additional 18-inch light-alloy wheel design is

offered for the M140i/M140i xDrive Edition Shadow (436 M in Orbit Grey).

Upgraded interior, redesigned instrument panel.

Moving inside the new BMW 1 Series, an array of details add to the cabin’s

exclusive, high-quality feel. With a clear and stylish design, the instrument

panel has been completely reworked to place an even greater emphasis on

driver focus. The black-panel instrument cluster has likewise been

reconfigured. Contrast stitching gives the various model variants a

sophisticated appearance. The centre stack, which houses the control panels

for the radio and air conditioning system, features a high-gloss black surface.

There is a roll cover for the cupholders in the centre console, giving the new

interior a clean look. And the window buttons in the doors now have chrome

trim. Thanks to virtually imperceptible gaps, the glove compartment blends

seamlessly into the overall ambience. The air vents for the air conditioning

have been revised and also contribute to the generous impression of space

created by the interior of the new BMW 1 Series.

Customers can also specify an optional new seat covering in Cognac Dakota

leather, while the interior trim strips are now available with Pearl Chrome

accents. The Urban Line offers exclusive new combinations of white or black

acrylic glass with chrome detailing. The standard model, Sport Line and

M Sport variants can be ordered with new combinations of Piano Finish Black,

aluminium or Fineline wood trim with chrome. When it comes to the seat

coverings, BMW 1 Series customers can choose from seven cloth variants,

some including leather or Alcantara.

Using iDrive, the touchscreen or voice control to operate various functions.

The new BMW 1 Series is equipped with the latest generation of the iDrive

operating system as standard. Using the iDrive Touch Controller allows the

driver to comfortably access and activate a variety of vehicle, navigation and

entertainment functions with one hand. Thanks to the touchpad integrated

into the Controller, it is easy to enter destinations for the navigation system in

handwriting style. If the optional Navigation system Professional is fitted, the

high-resolution central 8.8-inch display now comes in touchscreen form.

Intelligent voice control is the third way of operating these functions.

Perfectly connected from the word go.

Thanks to the standard built-in SIM card in the BMW 1 Series,

ConnectedDrive provides optimum connectivity and access to BMW services

without having to rely on the customer’s smartphone. These include the

Concierge Services, where personal assistants select destinations such as

restaurants or hotels for the driver while en route, make reservations and then

send the information directly to the vehicle’s navigation system, complete with

all contact details. Online Entertainment gives BMW 1 Series occupants a

choice of millions of music tracks and audio books, while RTTI (Real Time

Traffic Information) finds a smart way around traffic jams. RTTI now also

includes a hazard preview based on fleet information, meaning that in addition

to the real-time traffic situation, the service also notifies drivers of dangerous

situations – such as accidents or heavy rain – detected by other BMW

vehicles. Anonymised sensor data is used for this purpose. Hazard reports

and rain are shown on the map in the vehicle’s display, while a warning and

message appear on the navigation map when approaching the location of the

danger.

Plus, in selected cities in Germany and the USA, the On-Street Parking

Information service uses the Navigation system Professional display to

indicate the probability of finding an available roadside parking space.

The all-encompassing digital concept BMW Connected seamlessly integrates

the BMW 1 Series into the user’s digital life via touchpoints such as an

iPhone, Apple Watch, Android smartphone or smartwatch. BMW Connected

detects mobility-related information, such as the addresses contained in the

appointments calendar, and transmits this automatically to the vehicle. The

user then receives a message on their smartphone notifying them in advance

of the ideal departure time based on real-time traffic information. In addition,

places the user drives to regularly and personal mobility patterns are also

stored automatically. This means that manually entering destination

addresses in the navigation system is set to largely become a thing of the

past. If navigation details such as the destination address and desired arrival

time have already been set outside the vehicle on the user’s smartphone, the

link between phone and car will allow BMW Connected to transfer the

information seamlessly and make it available to the BMW navigation system.

BMW Connected and the Remote Services allow BMW 1 Series drivers to

stay in touch with their car at all times, no matter where they are. They can

control the heating and ventilation, lock and unlock the doors and call up

vehicle-related information, quickly and easily using their smartphone. And if

they happen to forget where they parked their car, they can check its location

on a map via BMW Connected. Alternatively, the vehicle’s horn or headlight

flasher can be activated remotely in order to locate it in a large car park, for

example. With the help of Alexa and Alexa-capable devices, BMW 1 Series

drivers in Germany and the UK can even manage their appointments in the

BMW Connected mobility agenda and operate vehicle functions by voice

control from the comfort of their home.

For the first time, BMW now offers Microsoft Office 365 users a secure server

connection for exchanging and editing emails, calendar entries and contact

details in the BMW 1 Series, thanks to the car’s built-in Microsoft Exchange

function.

The optional in-car WiFi hotspot provides a high-speed mobile internet

connection for up to ten devices. Apple CarPlay is also available for the

BMW 1 Series via a BMW navigation system. Integrating the smartphone into

the vehicle’s system environment allows the phone and selected apps to be

operated using the iDrive Controller, voice commands or the touchscreen

display (if the Navigation system Professional is specified). Compatible

smartphones can also be supplied with power wirelessly by means of an

optional inductive charging tray.

Driver assistance systems: extra help for the driver.

The assistance systems on the options list for the new BMW 1 Series include

Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, which enables the vehicle to

move along with the flow of traffic automatically up to near its maximum

speed. The system alerts the driver and applies the brakes if it detects an

obstacle. The Driving Assistant is also available as an option and comprises

the Lane Departure Warning system and City Collision Mitigation, which

applies the brakes automatically at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in

response to an imminent collision with a car, motorcycle or pedestrian, for

instance. The Parking Assistant, meanwhile, manoeuvres the car into parking

spots that are either parallel or perpendicular to the road. Its ultrasonic sensors

help to search for suitable spaces while travelling at up to 35 km/h (22 mph).

Highly efficient three-, four- and six-cylinder power units.

The new BMW 1 Series comes with a wide choice of petrol and diesel

engines, comprising three-, four- and six-cylinder variants. They all hail from

the state-of-the-art BMW EfficientDynamics engine family and feature

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. With the exception of the BMW 116i,

116d EfficientDynamics Edition and 118d xDrive, all models can be specified

with the eight-speed Steptronic or eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

as an alternative to the six-speed manual gearshift. The M140i xDrive can only

be ordered with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

On the petrol side, the line-up ranges from the BMW 116i – whose

turbocharged three-cylinder unit produces 80 kW/109 hp (fuel consumption

combined: 5.4 – 5.0 l/100 km [52.3 – 56.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions

combined: 126 – 116 g/km)* – to the BMW M140i M Performance model,

which stirs 250 kW/340 hp from its six-cylinder in-line engine (fuel

consumption combined: 7.8 – 7.1 l/100 km [36.2 – 39.8 mpg imp]; CO2

emissions combined: 179 – 163 g/km)*.

The diesel models likewise draw their power from cutting-edge engine

technology. In addition to a basic concept that is inherently more efficient, all

the three- and four-cylinder units feature new turbocharger technology and

enhanced common-rail direct injection systems. At the lower end of the

power spectrum is the BMW 116d, delivering 85 kW/116 hp and maximum

torque of 270 Newton metres (199 lb-ft). In the process, it burns

4.1 – 3.6 litres of fuel per 100 km (68.9 – 78.5 mpg imp), equating to CO2

emissions of 107 – 96 g/km*. In extra-efficient BMW 116d EfficientDynamics

Edition guise, fuel consumption is a frugal 3.8 – 3.4 l/100 km

(74.3 – 83.1 mpg imp), resulting in CO2 emissions of 101 – 89 g/km*. The

most powerful four-cylinder diesel engine in the line-up can be found in the

new BMW 125d. The multi-stage turbocharging technology, including

variable turbine geometry for the high-pressure turbocharger, results in

remarkably quick response, output of 165 kW/224 hp and peak torque of

450 Newton metres (332 lb-ft). Combined fuel consumption comes in at

4.6 – 4.3 l/100 km [61.4 – 65.7 mpg imp] and combined CO2 emissions are

120 – 114 g/km*.

Intelligent all-wheel drive for optimum power transmission.

The BMW M140i, BMW 118d and BMW 120d can be specified with

BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as an alternative to classical rear-wheel

drive. Besides the specific benefits of AWD – such as optimum transmission

of power to the road, supreme driving safety and maximum traction in wintry

conditions, for example – BMW xDrive also reduces understeer and oversteer

through corners. The result is sharper handling in situations such as when

turning into bends.

Two new elite athletes from BMW M GmbH: the M140i andM140i xDrive.

The sportiest member of the BMW 1 Series range also boasts a new look. To

mark the new model year, the BMW M140i M Performance model is also

available in M140i Edition Shadow trim. Black inserts are added to the

standard LED headlights and the kidney grille surround is painted black. The

darkened rear light assemblies lend further impact to the car’s sporting aura,

* Fuel consumption figures based on the EU test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified.

as do the standard 18-inch light-alloy wheels, which are now available for the

first time in Style 436 M Orbit Grey and Style 719 M Jet Black or Bicolour Jet

Black, to go with the previously available Ferric Grey (Style 436 M). The

sportiest BMW 1 Series leaves the factory shod with high-performance

mixed-size tyres as standard, with dimensions of 225/40 at the front and

245/35 at the rear.

The BMW M140i is powered by a three-litre straight-six engine complete with

direct injection, M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology with twin-scroll

turbocharging, fully variable valve timing (VALVETRONIC) and Double-

VANOS variable camshaft control. This all combines to give the BMW M140i

an output of 250 kW/340 hp and maximum torque of 500 Newton metres

(369 lb-ft), which can be summoned from as low down as 1,520 rpm and

remains on tap up to 4,500 rpm. This gives the BMW M140i all the right

credentials for delivering extraordinary performance: with the six-speed

manual gearshift, this compact racer sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in

4.8 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

When the optional eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is specified, the

BMW M140i reaches the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark from rest in an even

quicker 4.6 seconds (fuel consumption combined: 7.1 l/100 km

[39.8 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 163 g/km)*. Performance is even

more remarkable in the BMW M140i xDrive versions, thanks to the presence

of intelligent all-wheel drive. Equipped with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport

transmission as standard, the M140i xDrive surges from 0 to 100 km/h

(62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, while returning combined fuel consumption of

7.4 l/100 km (38.2 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions of 169 g/km*.

Variable sport steering adds to the impression of exceptional agility at the

wheel of the BMW M140i. It comes with electromechanical power assistance

and adapts the steering angle of the front wheels to the prevailing driving

situation. This allows lightning-fast evasive manoeuvres but also produces a

sensation of excellent directional and straight-line stability in motorway driving.

The M Sport suspension, M Sport braking system and shorter throw for the

six-speed manual gearshift have all been perfectly matched to the might of

the six-cylinder in-line engine, as have high-performance tyres designed to

ensure that acceleration and braking force are transmitted to the road to

optimum effect. The Driving Experience Control switch in the BMW M140i

features the same modes included in all models in the range, such as

Comfort, Sport and ECO PRO, but also adds the ultra-dynamic Sport+ mode.

In this setting, the configuration of the Dynamic Stability Control system

allows the driver to perform controlled drifts.

Here's a more efficient way to use the 850423 pack. At its current price that's less than $1/minifig space. I think I'm going to use this to showcase my rarer minifigs.

Add the included tile and jumper plates to the roof to make them stackable.