Check Out the New BMW M2!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MBPutK6n5sMgUsJiRw7zMr9ieXnML3XB3gd6vT8wLP-Pdh1SkwwQmXE8bFO4PGrYSE8yHj2EZ9Rsgd_rldOtgGs-yq5Adopdb-x6EMGkw1Sx1TM6y5rYP3Tds97BvuCFYd37n_B7lqH5/s1600/P90199685_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MBPutK6n5sMgUsJiRw7zMr9ieXnML3XB3gd6vT8wLP-Pdh1SkwwQmXE8bFO4PGrYSE8yHj2EZ9Rsgd_rldOtgGs-yq5Adopdb-x6EMGkw1Sx1TM6y5rYP3Tds97BvuCFYd37n_B7lqH5/s400/P90199685_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 BMW M2. Photos courtesy of BMW.</td></tr> </tbody></table> Lately a lot of people have been down on BMW, from weird designs to bloated and heavy cars and even the deletion of manual transmissions from certain models. Quite a few accusations have been flying around that The Ultimate Driving Machine is becoming a misnomer.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFY97ZKhpv_V5_Gid315QeOf9DurztMPSu-f64UKEq5lo3zyJ_WVYhl8q2GSsESvIEbpPrND9Y4fOTfx6RmA-cS-cMjPK9h2IF2WAMroALEzupF-mYWZbYYp8PKd3J4vHp4iJx2r9an6A/s1600/P90199660_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFY97ZKhpv_V5_Gid315QeOf9DurztMPSu-f64UKEq5lo3zyJ_WVYhl8q2GSsESvIEbpPrND9Y4fOTfx6RmA-cS-cMjPK9h2IF2WAMroALEzupF-mYWZbYYp8PKd3J4vHp4iJx2r9an6A/s400/P90199660_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <div> <br /></div> Instead of taking all of this lying down, BMW has been hitting back, and I couldn't be happier. Just yesterday, it revealed the all-new M2, which looks impressive, to say the least.<br /> <br /> If you read nothing else about this car and just drool over the pictures, know this: It produces more torque than any M3 in history, it comes with a manual transmission and rev-matching, there's a fully-variable Active M Differential and it has an aluminum suspension.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAJG42yFb_k6Mq4zuuhcRnHXhkaapzM6ZkhHfZVwuF8HUbAlZOjW9fNJOKnePB71ndWZuHmAQrGyd1_zTm-U66Fpe8daocOXQr2aQCn69Y9eL8__ne29L8NrEsnRygl2YZ6d8ek_uLP7S/s1600/P90199674_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAJG42yFb_k6Mq4zuuhcRnHXhkaapzM6ZkhHfZVwuF8HUbAlZOjW9fNJOKnePB71ndWZuHmAQrGyd1_zTm-U66Fpe8daocOXQr2aQCn69Y9eL8__ne29L8NrEsnRygl2YZ6d8ek_uLP7S/s400/P90199674_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Nestled under the hood is a potent 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (yay!). The thing pumps out 365 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, with a redline of 7,000 rpm. The big takeaway is it packs more of a punch than the 1 M Coupe, which was a great performance car. When it comes to torque, there's 343 lb.-ft. available, which is plenty of twisting force to snap you back in the seats, plus that peak amount is available from a low 1,400 rpm all the way to 5,560 rpm. As has been the practice lately with BMW and other automakers, there's an overboost function that will temporarily increase torque output to 369 lb.-ft. of torque, but it's only available 1,450 to 4,750 rpm.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9BT00G7EKQUWsYlU8Du8NBS2M79zk0wPsQ2Lc4w0TDX_1AgEV7Pvog55o6Bk6VVaxJoCT3tGDe5PN2lrSyR5A4PCFVQhzwzwiTsmPPyjO4qynAJUkUgmy_0pf17E3QRxGycOykVX54EI/s1600/P90199701_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9BT00G7EKQUWsYlU8Du8NBS2M79zk0wPsQ2Lc4w0TDX_1AgEV7Pvog55o6Bk6VVaxJoCT3tGDe5PN2lrSyR5A4PCFVQhzwzwiTsmPPyjO4qynAJUkUgmy_0pf17E3QRxGycOykVX54EI/s400/P90199701_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> For those who are really into engine design, they should know this is an all-new design. It's made entirely of aluminum, which lends itself to better performance and efficiency. Engineers worked to optimize its thermodynamics. The closed-deck design is highly rigid, which allows for higher cylinder pressure and obviously better horsepower/torque figures. The configuration also means the water jacket for the cylinders is closed up top.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa3YGymBKdNlaRnqySrJDOPUE5HiIjnn4tDUEG1zIBvFSkwm5SpNQ73hd6zETPvnuS5O9LwyFNPIfJepPcucUsw0PkhlnSST8dClQivhUz0SvYHgK5ya2OW6tXITCPJ_fAsLNO6WBnC_V/s1600/P90199702_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa3YGymBKdNlaRnqySrJDOPUE5HiIjnn4tDUEG1zIBvFSkwm5SpNQ73hd6zETPvnuS5O9LwyFNPIfJepPcucUsw0PkhlnSST8dClQivhUz0SvYHgK5ya2OW6tXITCPJ_fAsLNO6WBnC_V/s400/P90199702_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Some components were sourced from the M3 and M4, such as the crankshaft main bearing shells, the pistons, etc. You can find the turbo integrated into the exhaust manifold, all in the name of efficiency. Other efficient designs include the electric power steering drawing zero electricity when the car's traveling straight, brake energy regeneration, the oil pump being map-controlled and the coolant pump only running as needed.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOuwOQ4a-TbDWkjn3BMZgP57Uy_BBMM_7n81OmZJvxHpwE_ubsSHkvY2ls6rzXljTG4Go0rwyt_M7QuF7swko_lf_f6VN1kseFS4yqGHKe3a6ATOb1feg7mL0QzjAkcAn1Ugs7IS5iJy3/s1600/P90199697_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOuwOQ4a-TbDWkjn3BMZgP57Uy_BBMM_7n81OmZJvxHpwE_ubsSHkvY2ls6rzXljTG4Go0rwyt_M7QuF7swko_lf_f6VN1kseFS4yqGHKe3a6ATOb1feg7mL0QzjAkcAn1Ugs7IS5iJy3/s400/P90199697_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> BMW says that with the optional M Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) and launch control turned on, the 2016 M2 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. If you want to row the gears yourself with the manual transmission, that time increases to 4.4 seconds, which is still great. You can go up to 155 in the car, thanks to electronic limits. <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHJjOfxkJkcx_L5ZCi5TjJ0KgDSzCzTyx9DhZWS63vzzeVc4th_fH3yqelQwRitOV7hoMPyWw-Hh4mKKY1_SAldwY6qfY5nnuDpXg2fOAbRb7lU81NNR44aSFLjOf4n0nhXVvVsKjXPJ7/s1600/P90199680_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHJjOfxkJkcx_L5ZCi5TjJ0KgDSzCzTyx9DhZWS63vzzeVc4th_fH3yqelQwRitOV7hoMPyWw-Hh4mKKY1_SAldwY6qfY5nnuDpXg2fOAbRb7lU81NNR44aSFLjOf4n0nhXVvVsKjXPJ7/s400/P90199680_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The M2 is definitely made for track days. Engineers used a second oil sump cover, plus a special suction system to ensure no oil starvation happens during hard braking or the car whipping around turns. An electrically controlled flap in the exhaust system helps maintain optimal back-pressure.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjSX6JgD4cL9TWiO5BNnL9Y6nE1N3VaDbT-oNBGPDi-zW9YM_vBb5hytjcU8nbdADV08eA25i03AUQjoJw6p3SQ3m2ieswJXFhYLY-P39MibKUz3FiMjPVgcOIGu-8gxbSHR0NqDDIv7n/s1600/P90199698_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjSX6JgD4cL9TWiO5BNnL9Y6nE1N3VaDbT-oNBGPDi-zW9YM_vBb5hytjcU8nbdADV08eA25i03AUQjoJw6p3SQ3m2ieswJXFhYLY-P39MibKUz3FiMjPVgcOIGu-8gxbSHR0NqDDIv7n/s400/P90199698_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Another great piece of news is that the electronic helps don't take away all of the fun, when you want it. More specifically, the dynamic stability control works with M Dynamic Mode. Drivers can select Sport+ mode for track driving, which means electronic interventions come later and allow for more wheel slip, so you can drift it around corners on a track. At the same time, there are still the electronic helpers to prevent the car from careening out of control. You won't get monster drifts out of the M2, but you can do moderate drifts. This might not satisfy everyone, but it's better than the tech taking away all of the fun.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K-0YDV-znmHfMC0-2faQfVRppU0T8-nU6EvoaWQYOP_njvZ2JT_mhwPd89z1ijvVgIacMB9KlByio1tX1wYGLTBUPI6_JA7vMMXtUwSp-mBLpkuWS8jtqm1pNb7F_YahmeLt34UH7k4z/s1600/P90199682_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K-0YDV-znmHfMC0-2faQfVRppU0T8-nU6EvoaWQYOP_njvZ2JT_mhwPd89z1ijvVgIacMB9KlByio1tX1wYGLTBUPI6_JA7vMMXtUwSp-mBLpkuWS8jtqm1pNb7F_YahmeLt34UH7k4z/s400/P90199682_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> One of the best parts of the 2016 BMW M2 is that it looks great. This is a positive sign for BMW, and hopefully it's a taste of things to come.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qgC7iTt6HTPqLmTqxVY5zkHwOK1hxmhZ0cYgF_EhPNX4FQufwSaqz9VWVG06ibneqgGUlqGc36vEllodxRiGQEMcdiWRhCp9V40WlHe2uBYWSn67EXP5O-BNfNlBLAWF01OPbQjv6YeW/s1600/P90199692_highRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qgC7iTt6HTPqLmTqxVY5zkHwOK1hxmhZ0cYgF_EhPNX4FQufwSaqz9VWVG06ibneqgGUlqGc36vEllodxRiGQEMcdiWRhCp9V40WlHe2uBYWSn67EXP5O-BNfNlBLAWF01OPbQjv6YeW/s400/P90199692_highRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /></div>

Check Out the New BMW M2!

2016 BMW M2. Photos courtesy of BMW. Lately a lot of people have been down on BMW, from weird designs to bloated and heavy cars and ev...

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How Popular Will Autonomous Motorcycles Be?

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpt67pQkdNeX3-5OCWSrkQLOl5QdbmeHKSWuWgsWJwQifjo4MxjncQT1FeFV3LRt4W8KVLu8XIrk9r5MpRqp0JI63FaEY2VGgXSPybvTxrWQshk_eEWTDdYOBvoOHhDONIgX60l1wYfIf/s1600/13-hd-iron-883-bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpt67pQkdNeX3-5OCWSrkQLOl5QdbmeHKSWuWgsWJwQifjo4MxjncQT1FeFV3LRt4W8KVLu8XIrk9r5MpRqp0JI63FaEY2VGgXSPybvTxrWQshk_eEWTDdYOBvoOHhDONIgX60l1wYfIf/s400/13-hd-iron-883-bs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Harley Davidson</td></tr> </tbody></table> Most people likely aren't aware that Google and a handful of others are testing out using autonomous drive technology for motorcycles. While that might sound crazy, it would mean a whole host of innovations that bring up some exciting possibilities, as well as some drawbacks.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>First off, the technology would mean that a motorcycle could ride around without anyone on it. That might sound like a great trick, but it could have practical applications, like  sending a motorcycle to pick up a rider, or letting someone who isn't experienced enough on two wheels make it through city streets safely.<br /> <br /> I'm all for technology, but I'm skeptical about how well autonomous drive will really catch on with motorcycle owners. Think about it: while the safety technologies for cars have advanced in crazy ways during the past few decades, the same can't be said about motorcycles. Some might think that has to do with the relatively sparse layout of bikes, and while it's a factor that's only part of the story.<br /> <br /> Despite plenty of studies and common sense telling everyone that wearing a helmet saves lives, plenty of motorcycle owners don't wear them. In fact, they fight legislation that would require it in some areas.<br /> <br /> Since at least the 1940s, motorcycles have been associated with rebels, people who want to flout the law and live on the edge. That might sound like some cheesy motorcycle website copy, but it's true. The last thing a guy who wants to be a rebel wants to do is get a bike that's loaded with nanny software, that will keep him from popping wheelies.<br /> <br /> As an increasing number of cars are outfitted with autonomous drive technology, I predict that motorcycles will at least continue to be the choice of rebels, and might even become more popular as a result. Sure, some will purchase autonomous motorcycles, but they likely will be a minority.

How Popular Will Autonomous Motorcycles Be?

Image courtesy of Harley Davidson Most people likely aren't aware that Google and a handful of others are testing out using autonomo...

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The Real-Life Homer Faraday Future's Zero1 Concept

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8GZs2ZNi12Aq0VZ-ClDLKmq7AkiIAkJAJ23TgB6cttWonMHKajj1eGODK0lngd66m7AEc9LTOhFniclxJjZyLrmGAoIrxhqczT0Vc6L9u50qmT0CiDrnNTmpzALPvLrwDiXncVZfN1vS/s1600/Faraday+Future+The+Homer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8GZs2ZNi12Aq0VZ-ClDLKmq7AkiIAkJAJ23TgB6cttWonMHKajj1eGODK0lngd66m7AEc9LTOhFniclxJjZyLrmGAoIrxhqczT0Vc6L9u50qmT0CiDrnNTmpzALPvLrwDiXncVZfN1vS/s400/Faraday+Future+The+Homer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> If you didn't catch the Faraday Future reveal of its ultra-secretive Zero1 Concept vehicle last night, you didn't miss much. I watched it online and immediately wanted that 45 minutes of my life back. The really sad part was I was excited to see what the company had in store, because I'm all for shaking things up and getting more electric cars out there.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>When the sheet was pulled off  the car, the first thing I thought was that the whole thing was a joke. Like so many others, I saw the leaked photos of the FFZero1 concept online a little before the reveal, and dismissed them as pure rubbish. But there it was, plain as day, a car so zany-looking and impractical that it was shocking.<br /> <br /> It reminded me of something I couldn't quite zero in on. Later, I realized what it was: The Homer, that ill-fated car from the Simpsons that sunk a man's career.<br /> <br /> Instead of giving us a vehicle that is made for the everyman, Faraday Future decided to make something only billionaires could possibly afford. It's a bad foot to start off on, despite the company claiming it will quickly debut more practical models for production. Maybe it will, but right now things don't look so good.<br /> <br /> Tesla has been struggling to really pump up its sales numbers because most people can't afford the Model S or Model X. The Model 3 will be incredibly important simply for the fact it promises accessibility.<br /> <br /> One other thing about the Faraday Future reveal: the company's executives love the sound of their own voices. There was more talk than substance in the presentation, with the phrase "the future of mobility" thrown out at least 30 times. Topping it all off, the car on the stage was a shell, with no electric powertrain, no batteries and no fun. I won't go so far as to call Faraday Future vaporware, but I'm not defending it against people who are.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.androkomp.net/">www.androkomp.net</a>

The Real-Life Homer Faraday Future's Zero1 Concept

If you didn't catch the Faraday Future reveal of its ultra-secretive Zero1 Concept vehicle last night, you didn't miss much. I wa...

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