That’s how much...
That’s how much dealers knock off the value of a typical three-year-old motor if it doesn’t have an MoT, according to research carried out by second-hand price guide CAP Black Book.
BMW has tested a new...
BMW has tested a new kind of hybrid which uses boiling water to boost power and improve fuel consumption. Called Turbosteamer, it works via a heat exchanger which extracts most of the energy from the 800 degree Centigrade emissions gases before they leave the exhaust pipe.
A steam generator uses the energy to convert a fluid into high-pressure gas, which is then "superheated" by harnessing even more heat taken from the engine"s standard cooling system. The pressurised vapour is piped to chambers attached to the motor, where it expands and helps turn the crankshaft.
Economy improved by 15 per cent when the steam generator was fitted to a 1.8-litre motor on a test rig at BMW"s research labs. The firm says there is plenty of room inside the 3-Series" engine bay for the extra kit, but wants to reduce the size of the system to fit all models.
Development chief Professor Burkhard Göschel explained: "This project resolves the apparent contradiction between consumption and emissions reductions, and performance and agility."