2001 BMW X Coupé
3.0Lt Turbo Diesel Concept
The
X coupe is not just a show sculpture; it is driveable, and based on the chassis
of BMW's production Sports Activity Vehicle, the X5. Under the coupe's long,
one-piece hood is an advanced BMW turbo diesel engine: the 3.0-liter,
six-cylinder unit of the European 530d model, with state-of-the-art common-rail
direct fuel injection, developing 184 horsepower. Beyond the production engine,
the X coupe's power-plant has been modified to produce a brawny 332 lb-ft. of
torque; this speaks well for off-road ability, and top speed should be somewhere
around 125 mph.
A 5-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission takes the drive from the turbo
diesel
to the X coupe's four wheels; shifting is programmed for sporty performance and
driving pleasure. When he or she so desires, the driver can control shifts via
"paddles" on the steering wheel.
Innovative new lighting technology contributes to the X coupe's active safety.
The headlights, for example, steer with the wheels for effective illumination of
curves. In road driving, additional input from the GPS Navigation system
actually causes the headlights to anticipate curves ahead.
Another innovation is the brake lights, carried in the dual rear lighting
clusters under glass covers. They indicate to following drivers how hard the X
coupe's driver is braking: On the basis of an electronic signal of deceleration,
under light braking only the lights' outer rings illuminate; as deceleration
increases, the illumination spreads inward until, under full braking, their
entire area is illuminated.
German Supercars - BMW - Audi - Porsche -
©2002