M
R ay
agazine I
166
e 10 ssu
Motoring The 19th century saw tremendous advances in engineering as mechanisation transformed production in factories. Inventors turned their attention to replacing the horse with something that could go faster and further. It was one amazing feat to build the first practical motor cars, it was another to start making more and selling them, and convincing people of their benefits. Only the extremely wealthy could afford a car. Owing your own car is more readily accessible today. “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.� Henry Ford
10 sue
zine aga Is
167 R ay M
BMW i3 & i8 Concept Text & Images BMW Group SA
World premiere
of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept. Reithofer says: “A milestone in the history of the company.” The BMW Group showcases its visions of future mobility in the shape of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept studies. Unveiled for the first time, these concept vehicles provide a glimpse of the first electrically powered production cars from the new BMW i sub-brand, due to be launched as the BMW i3 in 2013 and the BMW i8 in 2014. “We are marking another milestone in the history of the BMW Group. As Chairman of the Board and an
M
R ay
agazine I
168
engineer myself, I am very proud of this project,” declared Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at the premiere of the two vehicles in Frankfurt. “As the world’s leading premium car manufacturer, our aim is to offer customers purpose-built electric drive cars as well,” he added. With its zero-emission electric drive and a range of approximately 150 kilometres, the BMW i3 Concept has been specifically developed for use in an urban environment, its dynamic 125 kW electric motor and rear-wheel drive ensuring BMWstyle dynamic handling. Thanks to its innovative
e 10 ssu
BMW Group presents mobility of the future
LifeDrive architecture featuring a carbon passenger cell, the BMW i3 Concept combines an extremely low weight of 1,250 kilograms with optimal interior space and the highest crash safety levels. With four seats and a 200-litre luggage compartment, this vehicle is fully suited for everyday use. Draeger: “A revolution in car design.”
10 sue
zine aga Is
169 R ay M
“This vehicle will mark the launch of the first volume-produced car featuring bodywork largely made of carbon. It’s a revolution in automotive design,” stressed Klaus Draeger, Member of the
Board responsible for Development. The application of this new CFRP technology allows a weight reduction, compared to a conventional electric car, of between 250 and 350 kilos, and that means more dynamic handling coupled with a greater range. The BMW i3 does the 0 to 100km/h sprint in less than eight seconds, while a high-speed charger achieves an 80% battery charge in just an hour. Thanks to the emission-free drivetrain and a value added chain designed to be sustainable all along the line, life cycle emission figures for the BMW i3 are at least a third lower than for a highly efficient combustion-engine car. If the BMW i3 is run on electricity from renewable sources, the figures improve by well over 50%. BMW i8 Concept: new-generation sports car The BMW i8 Concept goes from 0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds and boasts fuel consumption of less than three litres per 100 km. Its plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 260 kW allows a range of up to 35 kilometres in electric mode – sufficient for most everyday journeys. For more dynamic driving or out-of-town routes, a high-performance three-cylinder petrol engine also comes into play. The sports car has an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h and space for up to four occupants. “The BMW i8 Concept is the sports car for a new generation – pure, emotional and sustainable,” Draeger underlined. With BMW i, the BMW Group is corroborating its position as the most innovative and sustainable auto manufacturer in the world, as reflected in the fact that it has been the super sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the sixth year running. With BMW i, the BMW Group is providing answers to the mobility challenges of the future while pursuing a holistic approach. In addition to purpose-built premium vehicles with electric drive, the company is also offering intelligent mobility services.
M
R ay
agazine I
170
The focus here is on solutions for improved use of parking space, intelligent navigation systems with location-based information, intermodal route planning and car-sharing schemes such as DriveNow.
e 10 ssu
Following MyCityWay, ParkatmyHouse marks the second investment by the recently launched venture capital company BMW i - Ventures in a company providing internet-based mobility services. Parkatmyhouse allows private individuals to use the internet or Smartphone app to rent out their private parking spaces on a short- or long-term basis. Both the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany. Some 400 million Euros are earmarked for investment in new buildings and facilities by 2013, while 800 new jobs are to be created. Vehicle production will be CO2 neutral and will draw on renewable resources. The company is currently investigating the possibility of erecting its own wind turbines on the plant site.
Interesting facts The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 25 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries. During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees. The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years.
For questions please contact: Corporate and Governmental Affairs Edward Makwana, Manager: Group Automotive Communications
Ralph Huber, Head of Technology Communications +49-89-382-68778, Fax: +49-89-382-28567
BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd, +27-12-522-2227 or edward.makwana@bmw.co.za
www.press.bmwgroup.com presse@bmwgroup.com www.bmw-i.com rm
Tobias Hahn, Technology Communications +49-89-382-60816, Fax: +49-89-382-60816 M
R ay
agazine I
172 e 10 ssu
XF 2.2
Text & Images Jaguar Land Rover South Africa
USES A SINGLE TANK OF DIESEL TO COMPLETE PRETORIA TO DURBAN ROUND TRIP
Jaguar’s XF 2.2 has used just 4,9 l/100km to get from Pretoria to the Durban Beachfront and back. Jaguar South Africa set out from the Union Buildings in Pretoria to attempt to do the round trip on a single tank of diesel. Two Jaguar XF 2.2–litre four-cylinder diesel models completed the journey with seasoned economy run expert Roger Rouessart and IGNITION GT presenter Marius Roberts doing driving duty under the watchful eye of Richard Carstens from Motorsport South Africa.
10 sue
zine aga Is
173 R ay M
The pair of XF’s arrived back in the capital city on Monday afternoon having each completed 1 265.8km on a single tank of diesel. The frugal luxury sedans used 64,461 litres (Marius Roberts) and
62,351 litres (Roger Roussaert) over the two-day journey. “Traditionally a Johannesburg to Cape Town run is attempted but we wanted to do something different to demonstrate the efficiency of our cars,” explains David Barns, Jaguar Brand Manager and organiser of the attempt. “Pretoria to Durban and back is far more challenging in that one has to contend with the numerous toll gate stops and high traffic volumes; however, the cars were up to the challenge and completed the task with little fuss.” The N3’s multiple toll gates – which increase fuel consumption due to accelerating back to speed -
special preparations ahead of the event and both cars managed to match Jaguar’s extra-urban cycle claimed fuel consumption figure. “Our aim was to demonstrate what Jaguar drivers would be able to achieve for themselves, it was therefore important that we didn’t try to optimise the vehicles or the conditions in anyway,” adds Barns. IGNITION’s Marius Roberts represented the ‘ordinary’ driver and demonstrated that even without specialist knowledge one is able to achieve exceptional fuel consumption figures.
as well as the city driving elements in and out of Pretoria and Durban, made it a realistic, real-world attempt the ‘ordinary’ driver would be able to replicate. This was proven by Roberts’ 5,1 l/100km accomplishment compared to Roussaert’s 4,9 l/100km. Jaguar’s acclaimed 2,2-litre diesel engine delivers 140kW and 450Nm of torque to allow 8,5-second acceleration to 100km/h and a top speed of 225km/h yet the luxury sedan remains frugal at the fuel pumps. The vehicles used received no Contact Lesley Sutton: Media Affairs Manager Jaguar Land Rover South Africa +27 12 450 4000 +27 83 233 4812 lsutton5@jaguarlandrover.com www.jaguar.co.za www.facebook.com/JaguarSA
M
R ay
agazine I
174 e 10 ssu
zine aga Is
175
10 sue
R ay M