Tag Archives: Purists

Motorsport

BMW E30 M3 Receives a Manhart Makeover with a 405-HP Turbocharged Inline-6 Engine

Modifying an iconic vehicle like the E30 BMW M3 comes with its fair share of risks. Purists tend to dislike any alterations to the formula they love. However, Manhart Classic Cars has created a special build called the MH3 3.5 Turbo that is likely to attract respect from all corners of the enthusiast realm. The “3.5” in the name refers to the engine displacement.

Yes, E30 fans, this means the beloved high-revving four-cylinder engine has been replaced with a larger inline-six. However, the engine is not a new one. In keeping with the classic nature of the car, Manhart has opted for the 3.5-liter inline-six from the Alpina B7 S Turbo. This engine takes us back to the E12-era BMW 5 Series. But Manhart hasn’t stopped at just an engine swap. They have also made unspecified modifications to the turbo and intercooler, along with adding a Manhart exhaust system. These upgrades result in an impressive output of 405 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

News

Under the skin: Why cars will become more like smartphones

One of the latest buzz phrases in the car industry is ‘the software-defined car’. While some may not like the sound of it, there are already complaints on social media about buggy car software.

However, cars have been using specialised computers, known as electronic control units (ECUs), since the late 1970s. These ECUs are essentially boxes of hardware running computer code to control various functions in the car.

The first major use of ECUs in cars was to control engines, which greatly improved efficiency and power. Over time, ECUs found their way into other systems such as ABS, lighting, stability control, and transmission controls. Modern cars are filled with ECUs, with some vehicles having nearly 100 of them.

An advantage of using multiple ECUs was reducing the amount of wiring needed, which made cars more complex. Instead of individually wiring each electrical device and its associated components, the introduction of the controller area network (CAN) allowed each ECU to control its own group of equipment using only a few signal wires.

However, with the increasing complexity of cars, a more sophisticated solution is needed. This is where the concept of the software-defined car comes into play. For instance, Renault plans to update its cars throughout their lifetime using a centralised architecture, similar to how smartphones receive updates.

This shift involves going beyond using electronic components to operate car features and allowing them to evolve over time. Renault’s approach includes preventative maintenance, personalisation of interior features, battery charge management, infotainment, and more.

This transition also brings about a significant physical change. Instead of the 60-80 ECUs found in Renault’s cars today, there will be a central computer with excess power and flexibility. This way, it can accommodate future upgrades and handle vast amounts of data.

Renault is collaborating with Qualcomm and Google to develop the CAR OS for this software-defined approach.

Renault is just one example, as the rest of the industry is also moving in this direction. ZF Friedrichshafen, a major supplier and innovator, has created Cubix control software to coordinate and control all chassis actuators directly, including brakes, steer-by-wire, and suspension systems.