The latest set of Euro NCAP crash test results brings an additional reward and more 5 stars, but not everyone is ready for tougher requirements in 201

This month’s top scorers with five star results are the Audi A6, the BMW X3, the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando, the Citroën DS5, the Hyundai i40, the Opel Ampera, the VW Golf Cabriolet and Jetta.



Only the Kia Picanto receives an overall rating of 4 stars, a result poorer than many of its city-car competitors. Surprisingly, the new Picanto is not fitted with Electronic Stability Control as standard across the model range. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, says: ‘Proven safety benefits of ESC resulted in new legislation requiring the technology to be fitted as standard on all new models in Europe as of next year. In 2011, consumers should expect this critical safety equipment to be part of any offering regardless of car size or price’.





Euro NCAP continues to test plug-in and electric vehicles and announces that the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera achieves an overall rating of 5 stars. The new range-extending EV reaches the maximum points in the side pole test as a result of a well optimized balance of structure, interior and restraint system.



Also released this month are the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando, which showed good whiplash and adult occupant protection scores. Euro NCAP recognises the major efforts made by the manufacturer since 2006, when the previous Aveo made headlines with a poor struck-through two star adult occupant result.



Some of the tested vehicles have obtained high scores for child occupant protection. The Hyundai i40 and both VW Jetta and Golf Cabriolet are scoring 86%. Michiel van Ratingen says: ‘Euro NCAP evaluates child safety for each model tested and encourages car manufacturers to provide equally good protection for adults and children. We consider child protection as a very important part of the overall star rating and have plans to step up our requirements even more in the coming years’. (Watch our video on Euro NCAP child safety assessment.)



While many cars released continue to impress in the areas of adult and child occupant protection, pedestrian protection scores are generally still lagging behind. The Opel Ampera, Audi A6 and Citroën DS5 only just meet Euro NCAP's 2011 pedestrian requirements for a 5 star rating but none of the cars in this release would meet the more stringent 5 star requirement of 60% coming into effect in 2012. A few car makers have already stepped up, showing much higher pedestrian scores such as the recently tested Ford Focus. Euro NCAP hopes that others will follow suit soon.



Euro NCAP is encouraged to see important advanced safety systems being offered to consumers on more and more models. The largest model yet for Citroën’s premium sub-brand, the Citroën DS5, also achieved 5 stars. The car is fitted with the Citroën Localized Emergency Call, a PSA Peugeot-Citroën technology recognised in 2010 under Euro NCAP Advanced. Likewise, the 5 star new medium-sized SUV BMW X3 comes with the awarded Advanced eCall, a system that is able to automatically notify emergency services providing critical details of the crash event.



Another example is the Mazda Rear Vehicle Monitoring System available on the Mazda 3 tested in 2009. Euro NCAP reviewed the safety benefits of this technology that detects and warns the driver of an approaching vehicle and helps to avoid common lane change related crashes involving two or more vehicles. Euro NCAP will be present at the Frankfurt Motor Show to hand out the privileged Euro NCAP Advanced reward on Mazda’s booth.



| Euro NCAP

BMW tests of BMW E-Scooter electric

Space is becoming increasingly scarce in the major conurbation centres and traffic density is growing continuously. Political and social conditions are changing. All these factors coalesce in increasing demands in terms of private transportation. The concept vehicle BMW E-Scooter with electric drive provides an innovative look at changing urban mobility needs.

While the currently available, purely electrically-powered scooters have been almost exclusively used inside towns and cities to date due to their performance and range, which makes them suitable for short distances only, the concept vehicle BMW E-Scooter offers a much broader spectrum of use.



High range and excellent performance figures.
Since it was conceived as a future-oriented vehicle for commuting between urban areas and the city centre, therefore attracting funding from the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, there were two main requirements for its development: dynamic figures comparable to those of a maxi scooter with a combustion engine and a high range in realistic conditions of use.

The concept vehicle BMW E-Scooter provides the necessary sustained output and maximum speed for safe and reliable overtaking on urban motorways and also when carrying two people. It is also easily capable of managing hill starts on steep slopes with a pillion passenger.

The development study also has the necessary maximum output to be able to achieve acceleration figures within the important 0 - 60 km/h range, which are at the level of current maxi scooters powered by a 600 cc combustion engine.

The high storage capacity of the battery allows a daily driving range of over 100 kilometres. In this way, the BMW E-Scooter concept vehicle provides a long-term, zero-emissions urban and suburban travel option which is suitable for everyday use.


Fast charging at conventional power sockets.
The E-Scooter concept vehicle's battery is charged at regular household power sockets as found in Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan, so no special charging station is required. When the battery is completely flat, the charging period is less than three hours. However, practical experience has shown that the battery rarely runs out completely, so charging times are generally shorter.

Frame.
Unlike existing maxi scooters with combustion engines, the concept vehicle does not have a main frame. Instead, the aluminium battery casing -- which also contains the electronic system required for battery cell monitoring -- takes over the function of the frame. The steering head support is connected to it, as is the rear frame and the left-hand mounted single swing arm with directly hinged, horizontally installed shock absorber.

Electric machine, power electronics and charging device.
Due to its high output, the BMW Motorrad development study has no hub motor with direct drive or planetary gearbox. Instead, the high-performance electric machine is mounted behind the battery casing. The secondary drive consists of a toothed belt from the electric machine to the belt pulley mounted coaxially on the swinging fork pivot with drive pinion. From here, power transmission occurs via roller chain to the rear wheel. When the E-Scooter is decelerated in trailing throttle or when braking, the energy released is recuperated, thereby increasing the vehicle's range by between 10 and 20 per cent depending on driving profile.

The electrical components required for the electric drive are installed on the top of the battery casing. The external battery electronics system permanently collects and monitors data such as the temperature and voltage of the battery cells, both during travel and while charging. The power electronics acts as a control system and controls the electric machine. The charging device includes a charge cable which allows the battery to be recharged at a conventional household power socket. In addition to the other components like an ISO insulation monitor, high-voltage indicator and a high-voltage distributor, a DC-DC converter is included. It is required to change high voltage to low voltage power to supply the 12 volt vehicle supply and especially for the control units.

Cooling system.
During travel, the electric machine and power electronics are liquid-cooled, as is the charging device during charging. An electric coolant pump ensures coolant circulation through the radiator. While a coolant is commonly used for the battery in electrically powered cars, the E-Scooter concept vehicle uses an air cooling system in order to save space.

Safety.
BMW Motorrad is one of the very few motorcycle manufacturers to be able to draw on its own experience and expertise in the automobile field in the development of electrically powered vehicles. Synergies are derived from the development of the BMW E-Scooter concept vehicle not just in the ready availability of technical components but also in the area of high voltage
engineering and the associated safety requirements. Here for the first time, standards established by the leading automobile manufacturers relating to high voltage safety (> 60 volt) and functional reliability are being applied to a two-wheel vehicle with electric drive.

| BMW

BMW completa los tests de competición en Las 24 Horas de Le Mans

Le Mans, 24th April 2011. Seven weeks ahead of this year’s 24-hour race in Le Mans (FR), BMW Motorsport made an important step forward in its intense preparation programme for this classic endurance race. Together with 52 other cars, the two BMW M3 GTs with car numbers 55 and 56 took to the “Circuit de la Sarthe” on Sunday, completing a total of 147 laps.

The team made full use of the only testing opportunity at the 13.629-kilometre track and collected a vast amount of valuable data that will be used in preparation before returning to Le Mans for the big race held on 11th/12th June 2011.



The no. 55 BMW M3 GT, with Augusto Farfus (BR), Jörg Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) at the wheel, came third in the GTE Pro class after two four-hour test sessions with a lap time of 4:01.631 minutes. Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk Müller (DE) and Joey Hand (US) shared driving duties in the second BMW M3 GT, finishing seventh after clocking a time of 4:03.856 minutes.

“This test ahead of the 24-hour race definitely was an important one for us,” said Team Manager Charly Lamm following the test day. “Le Mans is such a unique and mighty venue that every single lap of this track helps. The team used the occasion to reacquaint itself with the special demands and workings asked for by this classic circuit. The test was of particular importance for Joey Hand. He was a Le Mans rookie and successfully qualified for the race held in June. Conditions were excellent, all six drivers managed to put in many laps and collected a lot of data.”


BMW Motorsport will contest the Le Mans 24 Hours with the same driver line-up. The team will then, not only fight for a top result in one of the biggest races on the plant, but also for valuable points in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Following the GT one-two achieved by BMW Team RLL in the opening Sebring (US) round, BMW is currently holding the lead in both the GT team and manufacturer classifications in this championship.





| BMW