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BMW Car magazine, Kelsey Media, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AGBMW’S ENGINEERING PROWESS
I was interested to read the article about the design of the i3
in last month’s issue (Engineering genius, March 2019). As
a BMW enthusiast for many years, it’s good to see that the
company still has the engineering ability to think outside the
box and not simply follow the crowd.
While the i3 isn’t a car that I particularly like, I can certainly
appreciate the quality of its design and the innovation that
BMW put into its development and eventual production. The
clever, cost-saving use of waste carbon fibre is just one good
example of what can be achieved with a bit of common sense-
led free thinking.
We are certainly in for an interesting few years in the motor
industry, and I’m confident that BMW will be able to manage
the inevitable transition that’ll eventually be needed between
fossil fuels and an alternative form of energy.
I’m not so convinced by the whole autonomous driving
business, though. To be honest, I’m not sure that I understand
the point of it! I’m assuming that the fundamental idea is that
computers will be able to drive cars more predictably and with
less emotion than human beings and, as such, there will be
fewer accidents.
But I think we all have a few years to go behind the wheelI can appreciate the quality of the i3’s design,
and the innovation that BMW put into its
development and eventual production.THE FUTURE OF DIESEL?
How about the magazine including
an article about the future of diesel?
I’ve heard all sorts of nasty-sounding
rumours about what’s going to
happen down the line, but I can never
seem to get an authoritative view.
I have read that ‘dieselgate’ and
all the follow-up coverage that’s
been given to the story, has caused
customers to turn away from diesel-
powered cars buy the thousand.
Someone told me that sales of
diesels are down by 30%, which
must be disastrous for manufacturers
like Land Rover.
What’s the groundswell in public
opinion going to do for the resale
value of diesel cars, and is it even
wise to consider buying a used diesel
anymore?
Frank Mercer, Staplehurst, Kent
Frank Mercer wonders how much longer diesels
have, and when we should stop buying them?yet because it’s going to be ages before any sort of meaningful
transition takes place. After all, there are just so many variables,
and how will everyone be able to afford cars that drive
autonomously? I imagine that they’re going to cost a fortune
to buy.
Then what about rubbish collections, postal delivery, milk
collections and fuel deliveries; are they all going to be done
autonomously? And what about road ‘intelligence’? What
happens when two autonomous vehicles meet head-on,
between rows of parked cars where there’s no room to pass?
How will they decide which one will back up?
Brian Barnard, Wimbledon, SW London