1.
BMW X1
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The BMW X1 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed worldwide by BMW since 2009. The first generation model, based on the BMW 3-Series, was available with rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, the second generation, based on BMWs compact UKL platform, is available with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. X1 production followed the debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. With series manufacture beginning at the BMW Leipzig plant in October 2009 — followed by production in Chennai, India, Shenyang, China, the first crossover E84 used the E91 platform of the BMW3 Series Touring. The EPA classifies the vehicle under the Midsize Cars category, the X1 introduced BMWs N20 engine in its xDrive28i model. The X1 is slightly smaller and more affordable than the X3, early models included xDrive28i, sDrive18d, xDrive18d, sDrive20d, xDrive20d, xDrive23d. XDrive28i with 2. 0-litre petrol engine was added in spring 2011, the sDrive18i and xDrive25i were introduced to German market in March 2010. The X1 offers a 420-litre cargo volume, which can increase to 1350 litres of space with the seats folded. For comparison, the 3-Series Touring has 460 and the X3 has 480 litres, the backrest in the rear is adjustable in 11 steps and can be divided in the ratio 40,20,40. The vehicle offers adaptive cruise control, seating positions with modestly raised H-point seating, X1 sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition was unveiled in International Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicles went on sale in autumn of 2011, the vehicle was unveiled in New York International Auto Show 2012, followed by 21st Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012. Early models included sDrive18i, sDrive20i, xDrive20i, xDrive28i, sDrive16d, sDrive18d, xDrive18d, sDrive20d, sDrive20d EfficientDynamics Edition, xDrive20d, US models went on sale in September 2012. Early models included sDrive28i, xDrive28i, xDrive35i, the Indian market is currently getting the sdrive18i, sdrive20d and sdrive20d. The three variants have an 8-speed automatic transmission, no manual transmission option is available now. Also SDrive 1. 6i TwinScroll Turbo is available for some countries sensible against tax in Europa, in North America, the X1 is BMWs smallest SUV offering. The X1 was also BMWs first SUV to offer rear-wheel drive as an option, the vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. US models went on sale in November 2012, the vehicle went on sale in 2013 winter. German models went on sale for 3,450 Euros and it is a version of X1 sDrive16d for emergency services
2.
BMW X3
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The BMW X3 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by German automaker BMW since 2003. Based on the BMW3 Series platform, and now in its generation, BMW markets the crossover as a Sports Activity Vehicle. The first generation X3 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, BMW manufactures the second generation X3 at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States. The first generation BMW X3, internally designated as the E83, was produced from 2003 to 2010, the E83 was designed by BMW in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria—who also manufactured all first generation X3s under contract to BMW. The X3 premiered in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, sharing its rear suspension with the E46 330xi and using an automatic four-wheel drive system marketed as xDrive. All X3 models feature BMWs all wheel drive system, with a default 40,60 torque split between the front and rear axles and the ability to direct all torque to either axle. BMW markets the crossover as a Sports Activity Vehicle, the descriptor for its X-line of vehicles. The X3 was conceived to combine the agility of a model with the driving experience of the companys X5. The X3 featured an upright, high H-point seating configuration, marketed as command seating, styling exhibited interacting concave and convex surfacing, characteristic for the company at the time along with a reinterpreted Hofmeister kink. BMW upgraded the model in 2005 and facelifted the model in 2007, with revised body bumpers, engine, interior trim, the X33. 0i won the Canadian Car of the Year Best Sports Utility Vehicle award for 2005. The X3 was initially criticised for its harsh ride, austere interior, lack of off-road capability, bluetooth could actually be ordered straight from the factory and functioned without dealer intervention. The interior was upgraded with more consistent plastic panels, also instead of having grey carpeting which was present on all 2004 X3s, the 2005 X3 came with carpeting that matched the leather ordered. Front fenders are one piece, as opposed to the two found on 2004 models. A2. 0d engine became available in some markets – joining the 2. 5i and 3. 0i engines as well as the 3. 0d engine sold elsewhere in the world, an Open-Door indicator was added on the 2004 models. In September 2006, the E83 received a facelift with revised headlights, grille, front bumper, tail lights, rear bumper, for the 2007 model year, the US market X3 was powered by the N52 inline 6-cylinder engine that debuted on the 2006 E903 Series. Internationally, the X3 received smaller engines including the 4-cylinder petrol, in Europe, the range started with a 2. 0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, a 4cyl. Turbo diesel and continues with 6-cylinder turbo & bi-turbo diesels, the largest diesel offered was the sport diesel with 286 bhp. U. S. market 2006 X3s were equipped with a version of the M technik body kit with unpainted door sills, U. S. spec Sport Package 2006 X3s received the full M body kit available internationally as a factory accessory
3.
BMW X5
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The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by BMW. The first generation of the X5, with the chassis code E53 and it was BMWs first SUV and it also featured all-wheel drive and was available with either manual or automatic transmission. BMW branded the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle rather than an SUV, like the Lexus RX300, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s. While the Lexus RX is based on the Toyota Camry mass market sedan, x5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina at the Spartanburg BMW plant and modified for armoured, security versions in Mexico at the BMW de México Toluca plant. Since July 2009, some operations are also performed in Kaliningrad. Since February 2015, BMW India started local production of X5 in its Chennai plant, the BMW E53 X5 crossover vehicle was manufactured between 1999 and 2006. The E53 was developed at a time when BMW owned Land Rover, the entire in car entertainment system are identical. As a result, the earlier X5 models can be upgraded with newer BMW technologies, a range of petrol inline-6s, V8s and diesel engines were offered. A facelifted version was released for the 2004 model year, production started in late 2003, the BMW E70 is the second generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle. It replaced the BMW X5 in November 2006, the branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X53. 0si is now called the X5 xDrive30i, and the X54. 8i is called the X5 xDrive48i. In 2010 BMW added the new CIC hard drive iDrive system, in 2009, the xDrive35d diesel engine variant of the X5 was made available for sale in Canada and the United States, along with the BMW 335d sedan. The BMW X5 M high performance variant was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009 as a 2010 model. Sharing the same powertrain as the BMW X6 M, the X5 M features the first M Power V-8 Turbo,555 hp and 500 lb·ft of torque, and comes with M Dynamic Performance Control for impressive handling. The X5 received a refresh for the 2011 model year featuring new front bumper. The xDrive35d received the exterior changes as the rest of the lineup. For the 2011 model year, the BMW X5 was BMWs 3rd best-selling model after the first place BMW3 Series and BMW5 Series, the BMW F15 is the third generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, unveiled on 30 May 2013 and launched in November 2013. In December 2013, further engine options will become available, xDrive40d, xDrive35i and, for the first time on the X5 model, as with the previous model, it is assembled at BMWs Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States. The BMW X5 M is a derivative of the X5
4.
BMW X6
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The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover by German automaker BMW. The first generation was released for sale in April 2008 for the 2009 model year The X6 was marketed as a Sports Activity Coupé by BMW and it combines the attributes of an SUV with the stance of a coupé. It was based on the previous generation BMW5 and 6-series, e71 development began in 2003 under Peter Tuennermann, after start of E70 X5 development in 2001. Design work by E70 X5 designer Pierre Leclercq was frozen in 2005, with test mules being run from the summer of 2005, production began on December 3,2007. The second generation X6 was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2014, the concept model debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show and the production X6 officially debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and Montreal International Auto Show. While slightly longer and wider than the X5, it is lower and seated initially only four. It is built in BMWs North American plant in Greer, South Carolina alongside the BMW X5 and it is dubbed a Sports Activity Coupé by BMW. A hybrid version, the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, which is the first such vehicle from BMW, was also announced, in April 2009, the X6 M version was announced, with a 547 hp 4. 4-liter turbocharged V8. The X6 marks BMWs first use of its new Dynamic Performance Control system, DPC is a drivetrain and chassis control system that works to regulate traction and especially correct over- and understeer by actively spreading out drive forces across the rear axle. Torque is distributed not only between the front and rear wheels but also from side to side at the rear, for improved agility and this lateral distribution of torque is commonly known as torque vectoring. The DPC differential features clutch packs on both sides that are actuated by an electric motor. The clutch pack activates a planetary gearset which causes one wheel to be overdriven, a conventional control system will use the brakes to reduce the speed of the faster moving wheel and reduce engine power. This leads to increased wear and slower than optimal progress. The DPC system speeds up the moving wheel in order to maintain stability when needed. For example, while turning, the wheel is overdriven to provide greater acceleration using the traction advantage through the dynamic loading of the outboard wheel in cornering. In an oversteer situation, the wheel is overdriven to regain traction balance. The BMW X6 M and X5 M are the first vehicles from BMW M GmbH to have xDrive all-wheel-drive system and automatic transmissions, the X6 M was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show and first went on sale in the 2010 model year. The high-performance M derivative features a twin scroll twin turbo version of the 4. 4-liter V8 BMW N63 engine with the Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold
5.
BMW 1 Series (F20)
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The second generation BMW1 Series range comprises three-door hatchback and five-door hatchback models. Like its E87 predecessor, it uses an engine, aluminum multi-link suspension. Transmission options are a manual or an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic. The F20 five-door hatchback was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, early models included the 116i, 118i, 116d, 118d, 120d. In 2012, the 125i, 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition models were introduced, in July 2012, 114i and M135i were introduced, followed by 120d xDrive and M135i xDrive. The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Geneva International Motor Show, the vehicle was unveiled in Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012. Early models included 114i, 116i, 125i, M135i, 116d, 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, 118d, 125d, followed by 118i, M135i xDrive, trim variations include the Sport Line and Urban Line, which differ by alloy wheels, kidney grille and other appearance-related features. There is also the M-Sport line that is optional on the rest of the 1-Series range, in 2009, the BMW 135i was awarded the Best Sports Coupe under $150K at the 2009 Wheels Gold Star Car Awards for exceptional driving experience. Changes to 1-series hatchback included a front and rear by Australian-born car designer Calvin Luk who also designed the new F48 X1. The vehicle was unveiled in 85th Geneva International Motor Show 2015, 118i 3-door, 118i 5-door, 118d xDrive, 120d xDrive, M135i xDrive were introduced in summer of 2016. 120i 3-door, 125i 3-door, M140i 3-door, M140i xDrive 3-door, 120i 5-door, 125i 5-door, M140i 5-door, UK models went on sale in 2015-03-28. Early models included 118i, 120i, 125i, M135i, 116d, 116d EfficientDynamics Plus, 118d, 120d, 120d xDrive, China models went on sale in 2015-06-19. Early models included 118i, 120i, 125i M Sport, M135i, the vehicle was unveiled in BMW Group Innovation Days 2015 at Miramas proving grounds in southern France. 8-inch screen in the central information display. The vehicle was unveiled in Auto Guangzhou 2015, followed by 2016 Beijing Motor Show and it is a sedan version of BMW1 Series based on the BMW Concept Compact Sedan, for China market. The platform was reported to be based on the UKL platform used by MINI, BMW2 Series Active Tourer, a new, further optimised version of the optional Parking Assistant became available in November 2015. BMW1 Series 5-door was produced in Araquari, Santa Catarina State, BMW1 Series Sedan was produced in BMWs Shenyang plant in China
6.
BMW 2 Series
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The BMW2 Series is a compact car produced by BMW. The 2-Series has several different body styles and it is available as a compact coupé that replaced the 1 Series coupé, or as a convertible model that replaces the 1 Series convertible in the BMW lineup. There is also a new compact MPV body style, which BMW refers to as an Active Tourer, the 2-Series Active Tourer mechanicals are unrelated to the coupé and convertible models. While it shares the 2-series name, it is built on a different front wheel drive platform that is shared with the 3rd generation MINI Cooper dubbed UKL1. The 2-Series currently competes with new models from Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the A3 Sedan, in June 2015, BMW also released a seven-seater 2 Series Gran Tourer. The BMW2 Series Coupé and Cabrio are rear-wheel-drive coupés and convertibles related to the BMW1 Series, the BMW2 Series Active Tourer is a compact MPV, built on the front-wheel-drive BMW UKL platform
7.
BMW 3 Series
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The BMW3 Series is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has produced in six different generations. In 2013, the coupé and convertible models started to be badged as 4 Series, the 3 Series is BMWs best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the BMW brands annual total sales. The BMW3 Series has won awards throughout its history. The M version of the 3 series, M3, debuted with the E30 M3 in 1988, e93, 2007–2013 Convertible F30, 2012–present Sedan. F34, 2013–present Gran Turismo The E21 was released as 316,318 and 320 models, most E21s were sold as 2-door compact saloons, however a Baur cabriolet was also available. Initially, the E21 was powered by a 4-cylinder engine, with a straight-6 engine added to the line-up in 1977, the E30 was initially produced in the 2-door sedan body style. In following years, the 4-door sedan, convertible and estate body styles were added, the E30 models were powered by a range of 4-cylinder and straight-6 engines, and for the first time a diesel engine was used in the 3 Series. The BMW M3 was first introduced on the E30 platform, the E30 M3 was fitted with the high-revving S14 4-cylinder engine, which produced 175 kW in its final iteration. The 325iX model was the first 3 Series to use all-wheel drive, the saloon version of the E30 was replaced in late 1990, but the estate and cabriolet models werent replaced until 1993. The E36 was produced in sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, the hatchback body style, known as the BMW Compact, was introduced in 1994 starting with the 318ti, being very popular in Europe but largely unsuccessful in North America. The Touring estate was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not available in the United States, even though the BMW factory was producing its own E36 convertibles, the Baur Top Cabriolet conversion was also available. BMWs first sequential manual transmission debuted in the E36 M3, the E36 was a successful model which laid strong foundations for the E46s success in subsequent years. For every year of its production, the E36 was named in Car, additionally, the E36 M3 was named Car and Drivers best handling car for over $30k in 1997. The E46 was produced in sedan, coupé, convertible, wagon, all-wheel drive was re-introduced in the 3 Series, after a break of 18 years. The AWD system of the E46 was split with a 38/62 percent front/rear bias and it was available for the six-cylinder 325xi and 330xi sedan/wagon models. The E46 was considered the benchmark of its class and experienced success in many markets. The record selling year for the E46 chassis was 2002, when 561,249 vehicles were sold worldwide, the main competitors during the E46s production run were the Alfa Romeo 156, Audi A4, Lexus IS/Toyota Altezza, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Saab 9-3 and the Volvo S60
8.
BMW 5 Series
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The BMW5 Series is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by German automaker BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the 4-door sedan models of the BMW New Class and is currently in its seventh generation, initially, the 5 Series was only available in a sedan body style. The touring body style was added in 1991 and the 5-door hatchback was added in 2009 and it is BMWs second best-selling model after the 3-Series and in 2010 produced about 50% of the BMWs profits. On January 29,2008, the 5 millionth 5 Series was manufactured, the 5 Series got its name by being the fifth of the new series cars after the V-8 and Isetta era and was the replacement for the older four-door New Class sedans. The current BMW naming convention began with the first 5 Series, the E125 Series was produced from 1972–1981. The E12 is the first series to bear the 5 Series name, designed as a replacement for the BMW New Class mid-size sedan, the E125 Series models were smaller than the large BMW E3 sedan but larger than the two-door 2002 models. The first generations body was styled by Paul Bracq and Pietro Frua, the E12 was available only in the sedan body style with a manual transmission. There was an automatic transmission available for US and Japan-only versions, while there was no E12 BMW M5 produced, the E12 M535i is seen as the predecessor to the M5. BMW E28 is the second generation BMW5 Series, launched in 1981, styling changes to this model included revised headlights, thicker rubber bumper surrounds and large rectangular taillights. Mechanical changes included the addition of a diesel engine and an automatic transmission. The M5 model line began with the BMW E28 M5, which uses the BMW S38 six-cylinder engine, at its launch in 1984, the European specification E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world. The BMW E34 is the third generation 5 Series, launched in February 1988 and it had a stiffer body and was more streamlined than its predecessor. The E34 was among the most reliable luxury cars on the market, earning the best-in-class ratings from Intellichoice in 1991, and still considered one of the most reliable BMWs ever made. It was also one of the safest cars on the road during its production, providing airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, and it was also equipped with automatic stability control or traction control in later years on higher-specification variants. Mechanical changes over its predecessor included the availability of a V8 engine, all-wheel drive and, from 1991, the BMW E34 M5 uses upgraded versions of the BMW S38 six-cylinder engine. The BMW E39 is the fourth generation 5 Series, produced from 1996 until 2003, the design draws heavily from the E387 Series in body construction and electronic technology and the wheelbase grew by 2.7 in and overall length by 2.2 in over the E34. The E395 Series was introduced into the US market in late 1996 for the 1997 model year, models available were the 528i with the 2.8 L M52B28 I6 engine and the 540i with the 4.4 L M62B44 V8 engine. Transmission choices included a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic for the 528i, the on-board computer, called the Multi-Information System, was upgraded in mid 1997
9.
BMW 6 Series
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The BMW6 Series is a series of luxury grand tourers produced by the German automaker BMW. The first was the E24, being derived from the first generation 7 Series, the E24 was launched in 1976 to replace the 3. 0CS &3. 0CSi. In 2003,14 years after production ceased, BMW released the all new E63/E64, models were the 645Ci and the 630i, while the highest performance model is the BMW M6. The original 6 Series was launched in August 1976 as the successor to the E9 coupés, the new E24 chassis was safer than that of the E9, meeting new United States federal crash and rollover standards. This car had a 3210 cc engine with 197 PS, in 1978 BMW debuted the 635CSi, with a 3453 cc SOHC,218 PS engine and a top speed of 222 km/h. The 635CSi could reach 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, the early cars were offered with a 5-speed dog-leg Getrag gearbox. A four-speed automatic transmission became a common option. The series underwent a significant change with the model, this included a normal pattern 5-speed manual. A luxury version, known as the L6 arrived in the USA in 1987 with leather headliner and trim and it was available only as an automatic. In 1984 BMW took the M88/3, a version of the M88/1 from the BMW M1 and put it in the E24 chassis, creating the M635CSi. This had a DOHC 24-valve 3453 cc,286 PS engine, the M6 also had improved suspension, brakes, and a close-ratio manual transmission. The second-generation 6 Series was produced from 2003-2010, filling the hole in the left since the end of the 8 Series production. It is based on the underpinnings of the E605 Series, compared to the 5 Series saloon/touring, the 6 Series coupe/cabriolet has more emphasis on performance as opposed to practicality and it is priced close to the flagship 7 Series saloon. Car & Driver magazine commented that it defined the “Bangle Butt. The third generation BMW F12 and F13 was released as a 2012 model at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, the engine range consists of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. The folding top is still cloth, the 640i and the 650i are available with all-wheel drive. The BMW6 Series Gran Coupe was unveiled in 2012 Geneva Motor Show and it is a four-door saloon to provide a rival to the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS. Initially shown as the Gran Coupe Concept in 2010, which was based on the 2007 CS Concept, kable, G. BMW unleashes M6 supercoupe
10.
BMW 7 Series
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The BMW7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan produced by the German automaker BMW since 1977. It is the successor to the BMW E3 New Six sedan and is currently in its sixth generation, the 7 Series is BMWs flagship car and is only available as a sedan or extended-length limousine. It traditionally introduces technologies and exterior design themes before they trickle down to smaller sedans in BMWs lineup, the first generation 7 Series was powered by straight-6 petrol engines, and following generations have been powered by straight-6, V8 and V12 engines with both natural aspiration and turbocharging. Since 1995, diesel engines have been included in the 7 Series range and its main rivals include the Mercedes Benz S Class, Audi A8, Jaguar XJ, Maserati Quattroporte, and the Lexus LS. The E23 is the first generation of the 7 Series, produced, replacing the BMW E3 large sedan, the E23 was produced for ten years from 1977 to 1987 and was replaced by the BMW E327 Series in 1986. In July 1986, BMW introduced the second generation 7 Series, the top-line E32 750iL was the first car in the world to offer High-Intensity Discharge headlamps. Initially the engine choices were all six-cylinder petrol, as per the previous generation, in 1987 a V12 engine was introduced. In 1992, V8 engines were added to the lineup, the E32 was the first car adhering to BMWs self-imposed speed limit of 250 km/h. The E32 also introduced the extended version with extra rear leg room compared to the standard 7-series. The third generation E38 was produced between 1994–2001 and it was the first 7-series to be available with a diesel engine and the first to have the option of a five-speed automatic transmission. BMW was also the first European car manufacturer to offer an integrated satellite navigation screen which featured on the E387 Series, in the U. S. two engine options were available, a 4. 0l V8 and a V12 option. BMWs flagship sedan was the E38 750il Armored and it was featured in the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies as the car driven by James Bond. BMWs E38 735i was featured in the 2002 film The Transporter driven by Jason Statham, the fourth generation E657 Series was produced from 2001 to 2008. The Hydrogen 7 is the first production BMW to be powered by hydrogen, although previous generations of the 7 Series had long-wheelbase and protection variants, the E65 was the first iteration to use specific chassis codes for each version. E65 was the designation of the version, E66 was the long-wheelbase version, E67 of the high-security version. The BMW 745i/Li models featured a 4. 4L V8 engine outputting 325 hp, later on, the BMW 750i/Li models featured a slightly more powerful 4. 8L V8 engine outputting 360 hp. Moreover, the BMW 760i/Li and 760Li features a more powerful. The E65 generated more controversy, due to its radical styling, nonetheless, the E65 broke records to become the best-selling 7 Series iteration ever, especially after its 2006 facelift
11.
Drive shaft
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As torque carriers, drive shafts are subject to torsion and shear stress, equivalent to the difference between the input torque and the load. They must therefore be enough to bear the stress, whilst avoiding too much additional weight as that would in turn increase their inertia. The term drive shaft first appeared during the mid 19th century, in Stovers 1861 patent reissue for a planing and matching machine, the term is used to refer to the belt-driven shaft by which the machine is driven. The term is not used in his original patent, another early use of the term occurs in the 1861 patent reissue for the Watkins and Bryson horse-drawn mowing machine. Here, the term refers to the transmitting power from the machines wheels to the gear train that works the cutting mechanism. In the 1890s, the term began to be used in a closer to the modern sense. In 1899, Bukey used the term to describe the shaft transmitting power from the wheel to the machinery by a universal joint in his Horse-Power. In the same year, Clark described his Marine Velocipede using the term to refer to the shaft transmitting power through a universal joint to the propeller shaft. Crompton used the term to refer to the shaft between the transmission of his steam-powered Motor Vehicle of 1903 and the driven axle, an automobile may use a longitudinal shaft to deliver power from an engine/transmission to the other end of the vehicle before it goes to the wheels. A pair of short drive shafts is commonly used to power from a central differential, transmission. In front-engined, rear-drive vehicles, a drive shaft is also required to send power the length of the vehicle. Two forms dominate, The torque tube with a universal joint. This system became known as Système Panhard after the automobile company Panhard et Levassor patented it, most of these vehicles have a clutch and gearbox mounted directly on the engine, with a drive shaft leading to a final drive in the rear axle. When the vehicle is stationary, the drive shaft does not rotate, some vehicles, seeking improved weight balance between front and rear, use a rear-mounted transaxle. This places the clutch and transmission at the rear of the car, in this case the drive shaft rotates continuously with the engine, even when the car is stationary and out of gear. A drive shaft connecting a rear differential to a wheel may be called a half-shaft. The name derives from the fact that two such shafts are required to one rear axle. Early automobiles often used chain drive or belt drive mechanisms rather than a drive shaft, some used electrical generators and motors to transmit power to the wheels
12.
BMW 1 Series
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The BMW1 Series is a series of small luxury cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since 2004. Successor to the BMW Compact, it has produced in five different body styles. The 1 Series sedan is the first BMW model sold only in the Chinese market. As of May 2013, the 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback have been superseded by the F20 and F21 models, the 2-door coupe and it is the second vehicle after the Mini E to be developed under BMW Groups Project i. The electric drive system is the latest addition to BMWs EfficientDynamics program, the US Environmental Protection Agency official range is 151 kilometres, with an energy consumption of 33 kW·h/100 miles, and the agency rated the ActiveEs combined fuel economy at 2. 3L/100 km. Deliveries of the ActiveE for field testing in the U. S. began in January 2012, a total of 1,100 vehicles were produced participate in the program worldwide, with 700 allocated for the U. S. trial and 35 for a trial in China. The 2nd generation BMW1 Series range comprises 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback models, like its E87 predecessor, it uses a longitudinally-mounted engine, aluminum multi-link suspension and a rear-wheel drive chassis. The F20 5-door hatchback was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. the M135i was named The Sports Car of the Year 2012 by Top Gear Magazine. The coupé and convertible of the F20 will be called the 2 Series, F20, 2011–present five-door hatchback F21, 2012–present three-door hatchback The 4-door sedan is a front-wheel drive model produced only for the Chinese market. Media related to BMW1 Series at Wikimedia Commons
