As part of the buildup to this weekend's Pebble Beach Concours weekend, Autoblog senior editor Damon Lavrinc is in Monterey with BMW, where he has been able to confirm that the 5 Series will receive a diesel model tuned by the automaker's M performance division.

Interestingly, the much-rumored high-performance model will probably not be badged as an M5 variant. Instead, it will likely adopt a nomenclature similar to that of the 1 Series M Coupe. Further, because of the diesel's expected high torque output, the M-tuned diesel 5 Series is likely to be offered exclusively with all-wheel drive. Following traditional BMW naming guidelines, that means the vehicle is likely to get an ungainly moniker like BMW 550d xDrive M or something similar (TheDetroitBureau.com suggests 550dM or 550dXM as other possibilities).

The 3.0-liter tri-turbo's torque output is likely to be prodigious – perhaps in the neighborhood of 650 pound-feet (the conventional gas M5 makes 500 lb-ft), a figure more commonly associated with heavy duty pickups. Even if you've managed to wrap your gray matter around that torque surplus, you're probably still pondering the idea of a triple-turbo engine. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the new powerplant will be based on the current 3.0-liter diesel we've come to know and love, albeit significantly modified, including a unique cylinder head. The engine will make use of a single, small turbo to help avoid lag at launch, coupled with a pair of larger twin-scroll units to augment power at speed. We hear that peak ponies will be down from the M5's 560-horsepower output, though it is still likely to stay about 500.

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Automakers Test In-Car Brain Sensors

Several leading carmakers are exploring whether sensors built into the driver's headrest can tell if he or she is too drowsy to drive safely, based on the pattern of electrical activity in the brain. Manufacturers are testing a system that sounds an alarm when the sensors pick up patterns associated with sleepiness.
Many automakers are already exploring other methods of sensing driver drowsiness, as part of a wider push to introduce more sophisticated safety technologies. Fatigue causes more than 100,000 crashes and 40,000 injuries, and around 1,550 deaths, per year in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some studies suggest drowsiness is involved in 20 to 25 percent of all crashes on monotonous stretches of road.
The brain-sensing hardware comes from NeuroSky, a company based in San Jose, California, which makes basic electroencephalography (EEG) headsets and chips for various applications including computer gaming, interactive films, sports training, and market research. Whereas current EEG headset sensors must touch the scalp or skin to pick up the brain's weak electrical signals, NeuroSky say its latest sensors can operate through fabric, such as the outer layer of a vehicle's headrest. Some consumer EEG headsets, such as the Zeo, are already being used to track sleep patterns.
"We know we can distinguish between the brain waves of someone who is wide awake and alert and someone who is drowsy and at risk of falling asleep at the wheel," says Tansy Brook, a spokeswoman for NeuroSky. "Further testing is required. However, we are far enough along to say this is absolutely viable."
Brook says NeuroSky had been in discussions with three large automakers, which have expressed interest in adopting the fatigue-detection system and have provided seats and headrests for tests.
As well as the new noncontact sensors, the company's researchers have developed new software to filter out interference. Brook refused to name the manufacturers involved in the research; however, General Motors representatives have had recent meetings with NeuroSky.
Although various existing technologies are intended to combat the problem of driver drowsiness, these represent only partial solutions. Some high-end cars from Ford, Volvo, and VW include systems that identify erratic driving using front-facing cameras to observe the position of the vehicle in relation to lane markings.
Volvo admits that its system, which kicks in above 40 miles per hour, does not work on roads without clear lane markings, and that snow and fog can keep it from working.
A few add-on devices use cameras to look for droopy eyelids or signs of distraction in drivers, and a number of similar systems are in the research pipeline. The add-ons have had mixed results, with the detection algorithms not working for all users or under certain lighting conditions.
"Existing technologies solve the problem to some extent but not completely, because when drivers get tired they exhibit different behavior," says Daniel Levin, project manager of Driver Alert Control, a system included in several car models sold in Europe since late 2007 in Europe and in the U.S. since 2008.
"EEG produces a tiny signal; however, the electronics are advancing, and researchers are getting better at working out how to filter out interference, so at some point [making use of] it should be possible," says Louise Reyner of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, in the U.K. "What remains to be seen is whether NeuroSky have reached that point yet."

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Say goodbye to loud compressors, leaky hoses and inaccurate tire gauges. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, one of the world's largest tire maufacturers, has developed a system which will allow tires to self-inflate automatically. Goodyear's so-called Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) is completely self-contained, without any need for external pumps or electronics, says the tire maker. "While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tire itself as it rolls down the road," said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer.

Tires kept at optimal operating pressure deliver lower emissions, longer tire life, enhanced safety and improved vehicle performance, says Goodyear. Government research indicates that underinflated tires result in a 2.5 percent to 3.3 percent decrease in fuel mileage - that's about 12 cents per gallon at the pump.

Goodyear has not provided any costs or an estimate when the technology will become available to the public, but it has received grants from the United States Department of Energy's Office of Vehicle Technology to help further development.

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Luxgen EV puts Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf on notice

Whether flashing down the highway or wending my way through Taipei's notoriously chaotic rush-hour traffic, I was duly impressed by Luxgen's battery-electric MPV. Quick, luxurious, and bristling with electronic technology, I was astonished at how well this car has been developed.

Acceleration from this seven-passenger minivan can only be described as brisk. Though I wasn't able to do any kind of timed runs, my seat-of-the-pants reaction is that it sure feels faster than a Chevy Volt or Nissan Leaf. And with its aggressive re-gen, I was pretty much able to drive in stop and go traffic without using the brakes. That sure makes traffic jams a whole lot easier to take.

The only thing that detracted from my test drive was an annoying whine in the drivetrain, which my Luxgen hosts said was due to an issue that they're working on with the transmission. They assured me that noise would be gone before the vehicle goes on sale. I have no reason to doubt them.

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David Higgins' record-breaking run up Mt. Washington

For the first time in ten years, the Mt. Washington Auto Road played host to the Climb to the Clouds. Travis Pastrana had helped drum up interest by recording a time of 6:20.47 towards the end of 2010, which was quicker than the official record run of 6:41.99. That time was laid down by Frank Sprongl back in 1998, and was still the official fastest time despite Pastrana's fast dash up the hill.

David Higgins of the Subaru Rally Team USA arrived in New Hampshire intent on beating both Sprongl's official record and Pastrana's time. He did just that by throwing down a 6:11.54, beating Pastrana's run by nine seconds in the process.

We've been waiting for high-definition video of the run ever since Higgins set the record back on June 26th, 2011. Now we have it... and it's excellent. The clip, posted after the jump, shows just how treacherous the road can be, and how dramatically visibility can change. Higgins, however, believes he can go faster. His new goal? An absolutely bonkers sub-six-minute time. .

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Fear not, rotaryphiles. According to a report from The Detroit News, Mazda isn't giving up on the rotary engine anytime soon. Though the RX-8 is headed for the production guillotine, Mazda execs have apparently confirmed that engineers are working on a more efficient and more powerful version of the Wankel. While the project was technically back-burnered during the economic downturn, the research wasn't canned outright. That means that there's a chance that the rotary could make a comeback. What would it go into? That's a little less certain.

We know that the MX-5 Miata isn't a likely candidate, as Mazda has sworn to keep that vehicle true to its inline roots. A rotary does pair well with an extended-range electric vehicle platform, however, as the high-revving nature is perfect for turning a generator. While that may be a far cry from the low-slung RX-8, it's at least reassuring to know that the engine design could have a future.

source :http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/06/mazda-still-pursuing-rotary-development-could-incorporate-skyac/

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