BMW april fool..

[smallspeed]

Those crazy german pranksters!

BMW Magnetic towing system

[bjmullan]

That might be an April's fool but Porsche will introduce a new hybrid mode when the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera become available. Known as "Sailing" what will happen in certain condition on the motorway is that the petrol engine will switch off, allowing you maintain momentum (sail) at speeds upto 86mph using just the electric motor

[smallspeed]

if my experience with hybrids is anything to go by, the actual range on electric only is poor and total efficiency for cross town/commuting driving is worse than an efficient petrol engine, especially since the introduction of "efficient dynamics", "blue motion", etc.

sounds like a good idea in principal and will be interesting to see some realworld results. I guess the "sailing" mode will be low-load/high-speed driving hence range should be considerably better than stop-start sub 22mph town driving..

perhaps this is the way forward for hybrids and the most efficient use of their stored battery-power!..

[higs356]

Known as "Sailing" what will happen in certain condition on the motorway is that the petrol engine will switch off, allowing you maintain momentum (sail) at speeds upto 86mph using just the electric motor

So the early 911 equivalent is ...barrelling downhill on the Mwhatever at 80 you put the clutch down and switch off the engine ...then let the clutch back up in 3rd when you want to restart

[jwhillracer]

Known as "Sailing" what will happen in certain condition on the motorway is that the petrol engine will switch off, allowing you maintain momentum (sail) at speeds upto 86mph using just the electric motor

So the early 911 equivalent is ...barrelling downhill on the Mwhatever at 80 you put the clutch down and switch off the engine ...then let the clutch back up in 3rd when you want to restart

or the Saab 96 freewheel

Cheers!

JW

[Disco]

Head of Innovation, Dr Noitt All, a specialist in Kinetic Ride And Propulsion

nice.