A roundup of this week's other motoring news
A supersonic reveal
A team of British aerospace engineers have revealed a model of the supersonic car it hopes will break the 1,000 mph barrier.
Work has begun on completing the car – and we use that term in its widest sense – which will feature a Eurofighter-Typhoon jet engine combined with a Falcon hybrid rocket to produce 133,000bhp.
The project team has calculated that the car will sprint from 0-1,000mph in 42 seconds. The record-breaking attempt will take place on the dried up lakebed called Hakskeen Pan, in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The car will be driven by Wing Commander Andy Green (above), the same man who drove Thrust SSC to the current land speed record of 763mph in 1997.
Second generation X3 unveiled
BMW has unveiled its second generation X3, due for launch here next year.
Along with styling changes the first version to be launched in Ireland will boast the firm’s two-litre 181bhp diesel engine which claims to achieve an emissions of 149g/km, giving it an annual road tax of €302.
Further good news will come with the price, due to be less than the current model despite the upgrades and improvements. Currently the xDrive20d SE starts at €52,693.
The car has grown in length but its width has been reduced slightly. BMW claims that work has also been done to improve rear entry, a complaint from current owners.
News on the new X3 comes as reports suggest it is completing work on a M version of the car, to go on sale in 2011.
Driverless cars begin journey
Engineers began the longest-ever test trip of driverless vehicles yesterday from Italy to China to examine the limits of future automotive technology.
Two bright orange vehicles will aim to cover 8,000 miles before the planned arrival in Shanghai at the end of October.
“What we are trying to do is stress our systems and see if they can work in a real environment, with real weather, real traffic and crazy people who cross the road in front of you and a vehicle that cuts you off,” said project leader Alberto Broggi.
The trip consists of two pairs of vehicles – each with a driven lead van followed by a driverless vehicle occupied by two technicians – whose job is to fix glitches and take over the wheel in case of an emergency.