a 1,000 MPH Ride

There are still projects that amaze me by trying to break physical limits and being out of the world context (economic crisis and global warming for example). The BloodHound SSC project is about design, build and run the faster “car” on Earth, a supersonic rocket car I should say,  to break away the land speed record  to 1,000 mph or 1,609.34 km/h or Mach 1.3487.

The World Land Speed record, meaning breaking the sound barrier on ground was established first in September 25th 1997 and then in  October 15th 1997 and hold by Andy Green, a former Royal Air Force wing Commander. The record of Andy Green is 763.035 mph or 1,227.99 km/h or Mach 1.016 with ThrustSCC. Andy is part of the BloodHound SCC project and for sure he will be the pilot of this ground rocket.

This project is very interesting, it will explore new areas of design and bring a lot of scientific and technological discoveries and new concepts we will retrieve one day in the common cars. As it was the case with one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed, Concorde, we retrieve today most of the developed technologies on the current and coming commercial airplanes .

However, instead of trying to design the fastest gas engine car, why not focusing capitals an smart people to design the most efficient gas free engine car and get a 1,000 mpg or 425 km/l record?

source: BloodHound SSC

Renault Virtual Showroom. SquareClock or SoBuzzy Techno or else?

When browsing the French car manufacturers websites looking for the new vehicles, Renault is proposing a 3D Virtual showroom for presenting all its vehicles.
The first question I had in mind was: is it based on SquareClock or SoBuzzy technology? or Both? or else?
So, Vincent, William, who is responsible for that 3D showroom? What is your opinion?

source: Renault

BMW X5 “Touch”

As agreed with a post I read on a blog, Apple has always redefined its industrial sector through its products and even beyond by influencing the other sectors such as automotive.

The “joint team” 3M-Visteon presented on a BMW X5 SUV its concept of central console: X-Wave. Only one “click wheel” in the middle and “touch” sensitive commands all around. However, there is still a vibration feedback system to validate the acquisition and activation of the order chosen by the driver.

source: Car Magazine