As if it weren’t exciting enough just to drive a BMW, soon exotic car fans will be able to drive a BMW and help save the planet. New technology by the German automaker is designed to make dramatic strides in producing more fuel-efficient vehicles without sacrificing performance.
UK Exotic Car Blog Autocar recently reported on some of the new green technological advances from BMW. Among these advances was the “thermoelectric generator,” designed to save gas and cut emissions from the German exotic vehicles.
The thermoelectric generator was first intended for use in satellites, but its technology is now being applied by BMW to recapture the heat-energy that a traditional automobile loses through its exhaust system.
An ordinary car wastes as much as 30 percent of its energy because of the heat it loses in the exhaust system. Those nuts at the Bavarian Motor Company cannot stand for that level of inefficiency.
Ya zay vill put an end to zat.
Seriously, the thermoelectric generator actually creates electricity from that reclaimed heat. BMW expects the technology to provide a fuel savings of approximately five percent.
“We will be ready for production in about five years,” says BMW’s head of development, Klaus Draeger.
Another important advance in energy-efficient technology at BMW is the “Auto Start Stop Function,” which saves energy by shutting off the engine when the car isn’t moving. Available on manual transmissions, the system automatically restarts the engine as soon as the driver steps on the clutch.
The Auto Stop Start technology is expected to save about three percent of the car’s energy, along with the “Brake Energy Regeneration” feature. Brake Energy Regeneration allows the car to feed kinetic energy to the car’s battery and reducing the amount of energy the battery draws from the engine.
You can count on Klaus and his other engineer buddies to keep BMWs exciting to drive. Although we may have to wait five years to see a BMW with these new green systems, anyone can drive a BMW this weekend.
DFW Elite Auto Rental.com owner Ron Sturgeon, a.k.a. Mr. Mission Possible, in a BMW Isetta with his famous Spoiled Cavaliers.
Exotic car rental allows car enthusiasts to drive the car of their dreams without tying up hundreds of thousands of dollars. Owning an exotic vehicle is expensive and just isn’t an option for all of us, but exotic car rental is a great alternative to ownership.
For some other great options that let you drive a BMW, check out joining an exotic car sharing club or participating in an automotive dream tour.
Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional website content writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.
