What I meant to say is show us the torque curve of the BMW ActiveE compared to today’s torque curve of a first edition BMW New Class that was used 15,000 miles a year on average. You know, the BMW New Class that went from 0 to 60 mph in 15 seconds when brand new. Add in the miles on the internal combustion engine and you’d be lucky to get from 0 to 60 in 20 seconds in a used original BMW New Class today. Why did I choose the New Class? That was the vehicle that financially rescued BMW during some tough times, through its popularity, and allowed BMW to ultimately export in bulk to the new world.

Do you think that 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, TWICE as quick as an original BMW New Class, AND multiple times more efficient than a Prius is good enough for today’s middle class driving slobs, by comparison?

On rear wheel drive, BMW has a history with this approach:

“How odd to launch a small car but still send the power hindmost. Front-wheel drive is certainly the future. With little effort the box could oversteer, requiring armfuls of opposite lock to point the nose onto the right course.”

That comment was about a coupe that cemented BMW’s original market share growth in the US.

Bring it!

/electric drive enthusiast rant off

Why anyone would want their vehicle to emulate the intrinsic deficiencies (er, characteristics) of being driven directly with a combustion engine is lost on me. That’s like trying to make a 21st century jet fighter aircraft such that it is “more closely simulating a combustion engine” propellor driven airmail biplane from the 19th century.

Oops, that was way too harsh, wasn’t it? I’m sure that BMW will get it just right for their typical customers’ desires:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1657686,00.html

Now a days GM is leading in this technology, It’s good to hear that BMW is also in this race.

Herm: These have 10 year warranties:

I think what you find is that the cheap inverters are sold by “Snoflake Enterprises”, meaning that when the warranty work piles up and the heat is on, the company just melts away. Basically the game is to sell cheap, using a long warranty to give a false sense of security. When the warranty claims start coming in, that company gets shut down, a new company selling the same stuff with the same long warranties shows up, and the rewind button is pressed.

The warranty issue is also present for the warranties on the installation of the system. I’m always surprised when people think a 20 year warranty from “ABC Local Roofing Co” means anything when the chances of that company being around for 20 years is remote.

DonC: As for cost, installed costs are generally around $7K/kW. Plus you will have wiring issues and potential panel failures and of course you will have to replace the inverter every few years. PV systems are not completely maintenance free.

DonC
Hi again,

your correct, it’s So Cal in Carlsbad Ca. Our first install 2 years ago (4.5kw) was net cost to us 7k per KWH.

Our last install 3 months ago was 3kw with a net cost to us of 4k per KW. this is pretty typical around here.

Sunpower 215 panels, 25 years W 10 years W on inverter.

Inverter is warranted for 10 years, MTBF is 20 years. It is the one part you will most likely need to repalce during the 50 year life of the system.

The solar radiation maps show that the majority of the country would be within 10% to 30% of our generation with some areas even better than us.

But for the northern most folks solar is only half the kwh, this is true and makes it imprctical for many.

But that’s my story and I’m sticking to it

Cheers
peder