Starting July next year (2015), BMW will put the new designed 4 cylinder turbon engine (code name B48) in its 320i sedan, to replace the old N20 engine; Also the new B58 six-cylinder engine will appear in the 335i too.

Compared to the current N20 engine, the new B48 four-cylinder turbo engine has a smaller bore (B48: 82mm; N20: 84mm) and longer stroke (B48: 94.6mm; N20: 90.1mm). The smaller bore/stroke ratio means this new engine is more focus on low-end torque, rather than high revving power.

The B48 engine uses piezoelectric direct injection, valvetronic, Double VANOS...

If you possess a Discover credit card, you may want to check your email now.

Discover is running a promotion, which will give you a $25 Chevron & Texaco Promotional Card if you spend a total of $xxx dollars (the amount varies, mine is $300, but someone reports that his email says $200) at Chevron or Texaco gas stations by using the Discover card, before 06/30/2014.

From the email that Discover sent me:

Grab your shades, crank up the tunes and hit the road! Spend a total of $300 or more* with Discover® card at Chevron or Texaco by June 30, 2014 and we’ll send you a $25 Chevron & Texaco Promotional Card...

Because of the 0rpm instant maximum torque and the super low center of mass car body, the Tesla Model S provides unmatchable driving experiences.

However the enjoyment comes with cost: the electric car’s resale value cannot matched the tradiontional vehicles which is powered by the internal-combustion engine. Due to the cost its battery. Below is a breakdown of different component weights in the Tesla Model S.

Whole car curb weight: 4647lb

Battery Pack
1323 lb

Aluminum Space Frame
~ 800 lb

Motor / Drivetrain
~ 350 lb – electric motor + inverter
~ 175 lb – differential
~ 250 lb – wheels and tires
~ 120 lb – brakes calipers, discs, lines
~ 80 lb – air suspension
~...

There will be two heavyweight international auto shows within this month: the 2014 New York International Auto Show (04/18 – 04/27); and the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (04/20 – 04/29).

New cars will debut in the New York auto show:

1. 2015 Subaru Outback;
2. 2015 Kia Sedona;
3. 2015 Nissan Murano;
4. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe;
5. 2015 BMW M4 Convertible;
6. BMW X4;
7. 2015 Hyundai Sonata;
8. Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept;
9. 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe;

New cars will be revealed in the Beijing event:

1. Acura TLX (with 2.4L and 3.5L engine, 9 speed transmission);
2. Lexus NX (with 2.0T turbo engine; and hybrid powertrain option);
3...

Today IIHS released the latest testing result for 9 midsize SUV models.

Two GM SUVs earned a “Good” ratings. From the IIHS released vedio, during the crash test these two SUVs (Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain) use the strategy of “sliding pass” the crash object, prevent the direct impact to the occupant safety cage. In several past tests, Volvo also use the similar methods to earn a “Good” rating.

The Toyota Highlander, which earned an “Acceptable” rating, uses the strategy that the engine compartment absorbs part of the impact energy, and the occupant safety cage (especially the driver side A pillar) has direct impact with the crash object, and the A pillar withheld the ...