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The 2007 X5 will feature FlexRay-powered AdaptiveDrive that will change handling characteristics with a press of a button

BMW Group today announced the inclusion of the FlexRay communications protocol in the newly redesigned X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, which the carmaker hopes to further advance its efforts in its active suspension technologies.

Freescale Semiconductor will be producing the 32-bit FlexRay microcontrollers to help enable 10Mbit/s bandwidth for communication between systems for such automotive applications as active and passive safety, collision avoidance, powertrain management and driver assistance.

BMW’s adoption of FlexRay technology is expected to give drivers improved access to handling and stability control capabilities. With the simple press of a button, drivers of the new BMW X5 can choose a sporting or comfortable ride on the fly. BMW has named its new feature AdaptiveDrive, which is a combination of Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control.

FlexRay technology is not exclusive to only BMW; DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and Volkswagen also belong to the FlexRay Consortium.

"The FlexRay communications standard is continuing to gain support with key OEMs in Europe, Japan and the United States and is expected to be used by vehicle makers to enable exciting new safety-critical and performance features, as well as making on-board networking of existing electronics systems more robust," said Chris Webber, vice president of the Automotive Practice at Strategy Analytics. "Bringing this technology to the market first clearly demonstrates BMW's dedication to cutting-edge technology in providing its customer with innovative product features and an enhanced driving experience."

The new BMW X5 will be launched in North America at the end of November 2006 and will be available in other markets worldwide in spring 2007.

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Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/06, Rating: 0
RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 1:36:01 PM , Rating: 2
I can't even stand our '06 Avalon sometimes.

What good is that almost 300 HP V6 when the traction control nerfs the acceleration?

And sometimes you wanna punch it when rolling and the auto transmission doesn’t want to down shift and peg the tach when you want it to.

On the other hand, while driving around in town, you barely touch it and you burn the tires? All because there are 20 computers that dynamically learn past driving conditions and tries to adjust?

Sorry, a computer will never replace a driver’s brain or experience, for those of us who can actually drive.


RE: Enough is enough.
By bnme on 11/20/2006 2:01:00 PM , Rating: 5
Except you're comparing one car to another. The systems on a BMW is not the same as the one on a Toyota, or another brand.

I'd take good traction control and an automatic transmission (with "tiptronic"), as would a Formula 1 team and their driver, if they had the choice to go with our without (and they do... traction control and semi-automatic transmissions).

Take the automatic transmission in the new Porsche 911... it's faster than the manual, and it'll know better than most humans when to shift gears, even in turns (read the countless reviews out there... it works very well, even on a race track).

The computers are there to help you, and worry about little things which you could be totally oblivious to, and if the system is good (which is probably true for most luxury and high-end sports cars), it will put the car where you want it to go. Then you can worry about where you want your car to be, and the computers (which have faster reflexes than you), can worry about how to get there, in the fastest and safest manner.

And without a doubt, a lot of drivers out there are not exceptionally good drivers.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 2:12:11 PM , Rating: 2
No offense, but I would not want an automatic(in the classic sense), no matter how much 'control' they give me - I hate torque converters.

Now, the 'automatic' transmissions you seem to be talking about are actually dual clutch manuals, with computers controlling the clutches(and paddles to let the human decide when to shift if it's in 'manual' mode).

Also like you, I would prefer good traction control(with a disable button!) over a car without it that was equal in all other ways.

So basically: The computers are not the problem. The way they're used is the problem(or the solution, depending on the car)


RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 2:37:52 PM , Rating: 2
Not convinced. I won't be getting rid of my Tremec T56 6 speed manual any time soon. I prefer more than 230 HP, WAY more, and those fancy transmissions are quite delicate. There is a reason the Z06, Viper, Cobra, etc. all use the T56.

All the traction control on the Cobra did was cause severe wheel hop, even with a beefed up braced and reinforced IRS. That much power is going to light up the wheels and cause spin, period, and a computer that is programmed to not allow spin, well you can see the obvious logic conflict here... I suppose it’s not a problem in a 4,000 lb BMW with only 200 HP.

Interestingly enough, I recall seeing several videos of the '03 Cobras pulling over 1g skid pad and hanging with and even passing C5s, C6s, and BMWs. No computer control and with a 30 yr old chassis design to boot.

I'm of the opinion all this technology in cars is to attract the yuppies that can't wait to get the next 1-up on the Jones’. Stuff like this is just something new to brag about because car phones, blue head lights, and TV screens with DVD players are soooo yesterday’s news. Computer controlled this and that, automatic power cup holders with blue LEDs, LCD on the keychain, etc. Just more useless stuff that only exists to fuel the “does your car have this? Mine does!” fodder. (I hear this on campus all the time, it’s disgusting). It’s also the reason all these new cars coming out are well over 4,000 lbs!!!

Call me old school; I just prefer simple things that work without the dress up to distract me from what counts.


RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 2:40:41 PM , Rating: 2
Interestingly enough, I recall seeing several videos of the '03 Cobras pulling over 1g skid pad and hanging with and even passing C5s, C6s, and BMWs. No computer control and with a 30 yr old chassis design to boot.

Oops, this was meant to be stated in the context of closed road courses with lots of twisties and turns, the kind that people say American cars can't perform well on.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 3:01:11 PM , Rating: 2
To be fair, the '03 cobra is very new technology even compared to the late-90s 'stangs.

It is a very nice car, but way out of my price range. ;P

(And no, not all american cars lack handling, but the american 'classic' muscle car focus was on straight line 1/4 mile acceleration, not high-Gs. There have always been exceptions to that rule though, some of which blew the doors off of almost all comers.)


RE: Enough is enough.
By Merry on 11/20/2006 3:29:24 PM , Rating: 2
some of which blew the doors off of almost all comers.


I'm at a loss as to which cars you're going on about. The new Viper maybe? The only other one I can think of is the Gt40, which was designed by Lola, in the UK, to the best of my knowledge. Its not an insult of any kind, it just happens that your roads are fundamentally different to ours, therefore your cars will have different priorities.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 3:40:21 PM , Rating: 2
Ok, I guess that's fair, all the cars I was thinking about were designed for the rally scene, which means heavy input from European tuner houses. :P


RE: Enough is enough.
By bnme on 11/20/2006 3:22:09 PM , Rating: 2
There's a difference between plasma screens, chrome wheels, and stuff like electronic stability control and "tiptronic" (stating the obvious). One is extra bling to pimp out your car and make it heavier and less drivable, and the other is trying to make your car more, well, drivable.

It's also not that fair to compare these electronic systems in a Chevy to a BMW to a Porsche. These systems perform entirely different depending on how they're implemented. Some of the higher end "semi-automatic" transmissions (no need to use clutch) can shift in a tenth of a second or less, while others take take 3 to 4 tenths of a second. It also isn't like the new 911 Turbo lacks horsepower (450 - 500), and can probably run circles around most cars out there, on full automatic.

Anyways, you're not alone... some people prefer to have a more "raw feeling" while they're driving. But these electronic helpers, if implemented well, don't slow a car down.


RE: Enough is enough.
By lemonadesoda on 11/20/2006 3:44:03 PM , Rating: 2
The Cobra's are beautiful beasts. And classics. But really, you can't compare an engine on wheels with a mass produced, luxury 4 wheel cruiser with 4 doors, 5 seats, a trunk and a ROOF.

Try comparing your Cobra with a European 2 seater sportscar like a McLaren, or Mosler, or Koenigsegg, or Pagani Zonda. Now you've got more equal terms. Or rather. Not equal. LOL


RE: Enough is enough.
By ToeCutter on 11/20/2006 3:50:34 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Except you're comparing one car to another. The systems on a BMW is not the same as the one on a Toyota, or another brand.

Simply not true.

The components might not be identical, but nor are they radically different or superior.

Most of the systems you've described are neither developed or manufactured by BMW. Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers develop and manufacture them. BMW simply integrates them into their products.

The automatic 5-speed in my (former) BMW 540i was manufactured right here the good 'ol US of A, by Allison Transmission, a subsidary of General Motors.

Most cars built in the past 10 years include parts from well over 300 different automotive suppliers.


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 4:00:54 PM , Rating: 2
All that is true, but the software settings and details of the implementation differ greatly from car to car, even within the same manufacturer(sometimes because the actual component suppliers change).

As I've said at least twice elsewhere in this thread: It is not the computer controls that are bad, it is how they are used/implemented that CAN be bad. It can also be very good. Many people who drive sports cars have complained about ABS systems kicking in when they aren't needed. This isn't a problem with ABS - this is a problem with their car having ABS that kicks in too early. My car's ABS doesn't kick in unless the wheels lock, simple as that. And in the couple situations they HAVE locked, I have been thankful I decided to buy the ABS option(Despite the two options forced on me as 'requirements' of the ABS system. How the ABS requires a sunroof and subwoofer I'll never know, but that's how they roll out of the factory ;) )


RE: Enough is enough.
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 2:06:40 PM , Rating: 2
You've got good points, but you also illustrate why I simply hate automatics. My car has a 'learning' ECU like most new cars, and I think it does a fine job, but I do drive a manual, so I don't have to worry about torque converters or computerized shifting. And I don't have traction control to cut the fuel when I'm trying to spin the tires... Toyota only offers a few cars where you can disable the traction control, most companies offer a button to turn it off so that you can do what you need to.


RE: Enough is enough.
By ceefka on 11/21/2006 5:21:14 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
but I do drive a manual, so I don't have to worry about torque converters or computerized shifting.


To each his own. Some people drive a computerized automatic to not worry about manual shifting.

You've watched Die Hard 3 too many times.


RE: Enough is enough.
By rushfan2006 on 11/20/2006 4:09:25 PM , Rating: 2
Very very sweet ride....also very VERY much to high priced for my blood.... ;)

But as my dad says about fast cars today (he used to build hot rods back in the '60s with his bud and they raced them of course too)...get all that power and speed to go what? 100 feet to the next red light?

Unless you live out in the sticks or like the Central part of the country....just not enough room to get up and go...especially up here in the North East....way too much congestion.


RE: Enough is enough.
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 4:40:56 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah its stop light to stop light around here. Its all about getting to the speed limit first and how much distance you've put on the person behind you when you do.

You can bet your ass that when I drive my '95 Camry that every Tom, Dick, and Harry who knows they have 10 more HP than I do will be starting it with me at every light. So I feel no remorse when I return the favor in spades of several orders of magnitude.

I live in new construction on the edge of civilization and I have a 20 mile commute to work at 6am. Lots of 55-75 mph divided highway with very few lights and cross roads for 90% of my trip. Added bonus of 25+ mpg :)

God help the ricers who think they can catch me. I also get my share of n00bs with 0 day old temp plates on their brand new Chargers, Eclipses, Magnums, Corvettes, BMWs, etc., who think they are invincible, and out to race everyone on the way home from the lot.

I'm more than happy to do my share in making them loose sleep at night questioning their purchase! roflcopterz


Ich Liebe der BMW
By slickr on 11/20/06, Rating: 0
RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 2:44:46 PM , Rating: 2
You should check out the videos of 3,700 LB American cars owning your BMWs on closed road courses; the kind that BMW lovers claim is their territory. *GRIN*


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By MightyAA on 11/20/2006 3:00:51 PM , Rating: 3
Regardless, the driver is the most important part of getting the most out of any car. I've (on the track) taken my Saab out and flat out turned in better times than Mustangs, Vette's and Porsches.. 230 hp in a flexy chassis vs much better cars. Anything that takes away my control isn't a good thing.

Like you too, I am not hampered by "lacking" these wonderful features.. I don't even have traction control.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By lemonadesoda on 11/20/2006 5:26:31 PM , Rating: 2
Taken your Saab and beaten a Porsche? LOL. I don't think so. Not unless the Porsche was driving backwards, or had a flat tire, or was a 1958 edition.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By MightyAA on 11/20/2006 6:44:02 PM , Rating: 2
Umm. Yes! Driver makes a huge difference.
http://www.rmsolo.org/results.html
go ahead and find my Saab competing 2001, 2002, 2003.. Time trials (track racing) and Solo II. Also look at some of the other car times and you'll see a VW Rabbit stomping a WRX, etc... Be real, the majority of folks out there have little to no idea where the performance boundary is for their car. Equal drivers, then it'd be a different story...


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By MightyAA on 11/20/2006 7:15:10 PM , Rating: 2
Cause you're probably too lazy to look at the results, I picked the latest April run and found an example:
'81 VW Scirocco.. best time 67.442 seconds <==the winner
'05 Ford Mustang GT ... best time 81.935 seconds
and for giggles, there was a shifter kart that could stomp almost anything on the tight solo II coarse:
'95 margay syncro blade... best time 76.021

Driver > Car




RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By Cullinaire on 11/22/2006 8:07:59 AM , Rating: 2
Ah yes, those sciroccos are a killer on the autoX. I've been on the receiving end of one myself. And a 510 4 door. Boy, that thing LOOKED like it was going around the track SO SLOWLY, but when the times came in, WOW. AutoX really is something else altogether. More people should get into it as it is more than what it looks like. And you can use your family neon.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By MightyAA on 11/22/2006 11:33:33 AM , Rating: 2
Exactly. It's always fun to some guy show up with a killer car and get absolutely trashed by a beater with a good driver. My favorite whipping post is the import tuner cars..

Autocross is one of those racing events that normal street cars show up and compete. They are also a great way to find the limits of your car. You'll quickly find out how intrusive some of those "features" can be... particularly stablility control, traction control, shift control (automatics) and active steering control. How well those features are done make a big difference in times.... Like computer accessories, not all are equal, and some you wish you didn't have.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By ToeCutter on 11/20/2006 3:42:08 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
BMW all the wayyyyyyy.
All the rest just follow but are too far behind to catch up!


Um, yeah. Right.

Let's see consider the wonderful experiences I've had with my '97 540i:

1. Broken radiator inlet at 60K. Dumped every drop of coolant without so much as a warning. BMW has decided to use PVC plastic for cooling system components. How cheap!

2. Water pump bearing failure at 82K. Needle bearings pass through coolant system several times before anyone can determine cause of failure.

3. Both cats crap out before 100K, BMW re-assembles the exhaust using CLAMPS (prescribed fix from BMW NA, again with the cheapness!). After several months of waiting for BMW to fix the problem (and driving around a 5 Series that sounds remarkably similar to a UPS truck), I pay the local muffler shop $40 to spot weld the new cats.

4. Go to the dealership considering a new 530i, only to lay eyes on Chris Bangle's Franken Bimmer styling. It doesn't take long to realize I'm simply not dumping 7 bills a month on something that looks like a cross between a FIAT and a Kia.

Leaving in disgust, I trade in my 540i for smoking hot, blistering fast, Starburst Yellow 350Z.

I've never looked back.

I've been driving BMWs since 1991. The BMW I once loved have whored themselves out in hopes of selling in volume. They've gone mass-market by their own admission and are doing just fine financially.

However, none of that means squat to me. I'm all about driving the car, not planning my trips around BMW Service Centers in case they break.

To the contrary, none of the Japanese marques I have owned has ever left me dead by the road side. Every BMW owner reading this should consider the possibility:

Expect no sympathy from anyone should your Bimmer leave you stranded. You'll only be met with honks of ridicule as you await the tow truck...



RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 4:15:21 PM , Rating: 3
Lol.

Once a car company goes down market there is no turning back. When anybody working at McDonalds can lease a 3 series BMW or a C class Mercedes and leather is an *OPTION*, its not a BMW any more or Mercedes anymore.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By exdeath on 11/20/2006 4:47:11 PM , Rating: 2
To be fair, I typically change out the water pump with the timing belt every 60k miles. Might as well while you're in there, only an extra $40 (unless it automatically cost $500 more for the same thing because it says BMW on the box lol). Those bearings don't last forever, and BMW is no exception.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By lemonadesoda on 11/20/2006 5:33:21 PM , Rating: 2
I have to agree with BMW sytling themselves down. Trying to hard to look like a stealth bomber and failing miserably.

I have the (mis)fortune of using hire cars often. The new BMW3 series sucks. Whether saloon or combi, it is a cheap piece of rubbish. In fact, you get a better car with a SKODA (new versions). BMW is surviving on their brand equity... but is spending it fast. They've already lost yours... and already lost mine.

Same is happening at Mercedes. Have you seen their AWEFUL new S and CL series? It's tragic compared to the engineering on their older series. It very obvious when you see them standing next to each other in the Dealer's showroom.


RE: Ich Liebe der BMW
By Xenoid on 11/20/2006 7:13:08 PM , Rating: 2
1. That's a known problem. If you knew about the car you would have fixed it beforehand at a grand total of $100.

2. See 1.

3. Again common problem. Learn about your car before you buy it and cry like a moron.

4. Nobody likes a Chris Bangle design. Buy an E36 maybe?


Amazing technology
By AppaYipYip on 11/20/2006 12:50:14 PM , Rating: 3
The technology in modern automobiles is astounding. Who would have thought that in 2006 we'd have cars that park themselves, adaptive steering, adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, 6+ airbags, navigation, etc.




RE: Amazing technology
By Chadder007 on 11/20/2006 12:54:07 PM , Rating: 1
But...we are just 1 step closer to not being able to drive our cars manually at all.


RE: Amazing technology
By MightyAA on 11/20/06, Rating: 0
RE: Amazing technology
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 2:16:05 PM , Rating: 2
Many cars do have disable buttons for many of the computer nannies. Certain companies have a habit of not allowing you to disable them though.


RE: Amazing technology
By DCstewieG on 11/20/2006 3:41:49 PM , Rating: 2
Actually planning ahead is one of the biggest strengths of AI. Take chess, the computer knows every single possible position of all the pieces x* moves from any given time. But the algorithm that figures out how good each of those positions is....that's what needs to be great.

* x = A number, the more memory available the higher x is


RE: Amazing technology
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 4:45:35 PM , Rating: 2
The reason computers are good at chess is that there are only a few thousand or million possibilities at any given time. A car has a few orders of magnitude more possibilities for any instant in time, and they are constantly changing at a rate far greater than any computer can come up with. The human brain fudges things to keep up, and for whatever reason, the way our brains fudge things works amazingly well with a bit of training.

Yes, you can design a computer that can handle a smartly-selected subset of the possibilities to make smart decisions. However, doing that for anything bigger than a softball will get you a large research grant, or a cushy job with an electronics firm, or a "nonexistent" job for DARPA.


RE: Amazing technology
By UNCjigga on 11/20/2006 3:01:34 PM , Rating: 2
Well driving purists should consider themselves lucky, then, because I heard BMW originally planned on using the Cell microprocessor which would have enabled CADDY (Computer Aided Driving DYnamics), allowing the car to drive itself.

But they gave up because Cell is just too difficult to program for, and they couldn't figure out how to get all 8 SPEs working together.


RE: Amazing technology
By Possessed Freak on 11/20/2006 12:55:49 PM , Rating: 1
You can keep all them fancy doo-dads. I want me a car that runs!


RE: Amazing technology
By Xenoid on 11/20/2006 12:58:22 PM , Rating: 2
My 93 325i has features that 2007 cars don't have :) I love BMW.


RE: Amazing technology
By encryptkeeper on 11/20/2006 1:52:40 PM , Rating: 2
Screw adaptive steering and self parking (I would be perfectly happy to accept a self parking car, but since I had to practice my ASS off to be able to parallel park on my own, no thank you)I want a car that flies.


RE: Amazing technology
By bnme on 11/20/2006 2:06:23 PM , Rating: 2
Happily for you, the parallel park system requires 3 feet of clearance in both the front and the rear, and dang it, good luck finding that in a city area.

And who's fault is it if the parallel park system screws up and hits the car behind you? Do they offer insurance for that?


RE: Amazing technology
By encryptkeeper on 11/20/2006 2:14:05 PM , Rating: 2
Ha, the insurance on expensive cars is already high enough, there's no way I'd pay MORE for something I'd probably never use. And yeah, there's no way you'd have 3 feet on either front or back of you even in a small city. Just go to somewhere like Pittsburgh, where they don't have parallel parking, just parking garages.


RE: Amazing technology
By bnme on 11/20/2006 3:39:42 PM , Rating: 2
Don't worry... I'm pretty sure they'll get automatic reverse and forward 90 parking soon enough.


RE: Amazing technology
By marvdmartian on 11/21/2006 9:38:34 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah, but wouldn't we still be better off if, instead of microcontrollers to alter handling......

....we had microcontrollers to alter the crappy driving habits of 85+% of the drivers on the roads today?? ;)


Already Exists??
By GreenEnvt on 11/20/2006 1:37:07 PM , Rating: 2
While I am sure this system is much more advanced, it's not exactly new.
My buddies early nineties maxima had 3 different modes for the suspension, and several other cars have this type of feature.




RE: Already Exists??
By amdsupport on 11/20/2006 2:14:26 PM , Rating: 2
I can name a few cars also that have similar suspension adjustments, but what they are talking about here though is a standardized protocol and chipset to execute these functions on.

now maybe they can make a cheaper diagnostic tool...would come in handy if it didn't cost a few thousand to purchase.


RE: Already Exists??
By Spivonious on 11/20/2006 3:24:47 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah my friend's 300ZX has a sport mode and a cruise mode that adjusts the ride on the fly. It's at least 10 years-old.


RE: Already Exists??
By TimberJon on 11/20/2006 4:32:31 PM , Rating: 2
Check on that one. Both my 1993 nissan maximas have the electronic shift speed control switch. Put it on power, and get longer pulls on RPMs in each gear. I dont have traction control. Dont even have ABS I dont think. It could be a little stiffer, but I have the sport edition, my fiance has the GXE.

SE = 190hp/190 tq. upgraded to 210hp/215 tq.
GXE = 160hp/225 tq.

Alot of bimmers, mitsu Evo's, mustangs, trucks, hondas and you name it Mazda RX8's... Just cant post up to a well taken-care of 3rd Gen Maxima 4 door sports car.

My car handles great, and if I want more power, upgraded suspension, brake controller kit, NOS, NOX, or whatever! I can probably do it for $10-15k in total, and get a car that performs better than a $40,000 one at about the price of a scion XB. Would I take the XB? hell no.. I saw one duck-n-roll.


By lemonadesoda on 11/20/2006 3:54:32 PM , Rating: 5
There are a lot of comments lambasting the use of auto-electronics and automatic transmissions. This is pretty unfair treatment of the new technology.

A./ I think anybody on the race track... or anyone driving their car hard round twisty hill roads, knows that manual and "raw" is the way to go.

B./ But anyone who is driving with the family, for hours on end, in the night, on unknown roads, in bad weather, know that these auto-electronics make a huge difference in keeping driving easy, safe and less tiring.

I do both. I go on the "track". (Sometimes the track is a country road... but don't tell the cops). And I also do long distance "commutes".

On the track, pushing the car to the limit is great fun. And when the car is on the edge, or "loses it", the adreneline pumps. And that's the rush. But thank goodness I am 101% alert and there is some room on the road to make corrective manoevers.

This type of extreme driving is where I want to be when I " drive ". But for the most miles and hours I'm in a car, this is not the kind of driving I do. It is irresponsible on busy roads and where other people are involved. It's also not safe when you are tired or the roads in bad condition.

Stay safe. Use your seat belt, observe the rules of the road, and dont put other people at risk. But when the road is open. Let it rip!




By isaacmacdonald on 11/20/2006 4:44:26 PM , Rating: 3
Excellent point. I would venture a guess that the vast majority of driving that's done in this world, is of the commute/"non-enthusiast" variety. Technology that compensates for unexpected conditions and driver error increases road safety in the vast majority of cases (something that is reflected in liability insurance rates). So any progress in this vein that increases safety should be viewed as a good thing. The caveat though is reliability -- high-technology wedded with poor build quality (eg: Audi) may create hazards based on component failure.



8xAA?
By brystmar on 11/20/2006 12:40:51 PM , Rating: 5
that preview pic needs to incorporate some serious anti-aliasing microcontrollers first ;)

fullsize pic is gorgeous though




simmilar
By neihrick1 on 11/20/2006 2:27:28 PM , Rating: 2
AdaptivDrive's components look similar to the Bose suspension from a few years ago, I'd like to see a comparison, but i think the Bose would be better.




RE: simmilar
By Araemo on 11/20/2006 3:12:21 PM , Rating: 2
Bose's suspension is interesting, but I'd bet this system is based on 'non-newtonian fluids', oils that can change their dynamics based on the shear from an applied magnetic field. So you can stiffen up the suspension by turning on some electromagnetic coils in the suspension. Bose's system (from what I understand) was based on linear induction electric motors instead of fluid filled suspension components.


crappy image?
By jmunjr on 11/20/2006 4:22:42 PM , Rating: 2
What's up with the crappy image above? Did you do a "pixel resize? Try a bilinear resize and the resized, smaller image won't look like crud..




RE: crappy image?
By Spoelie on 11/20/2006 6:19:23 PM , Rating: 2
bilinear??? what are you thinking, bicubic at least, or a lanczos4 will do better!


bmw my ass
By fxnick on 11/20/06, Rating: 0
RE: bmw my ass
By cunning plan on 11/21/2006 4:04:45 AM , Rating: 2
I also like 'proper' cars too but one thing that has improved with all modern cars which everyone likes is the galvanizing and rust-proofing process.. I have an 80s VW van and Rust sucks!!


“And I don't know why [Apple is] acting like it’s superior. I don't even get it. What are they trying to say?” -- Bill Gates on the Mac ads









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