BMW’s Start/Stop; Focus-ing on Ford; some good works
Back before the “computerized vehicle,’’ in the days when cars had carburetors, distributors, and mechanical fuel pumps, there was a bit of an art to getting an engine to run smoothly. When it didn’t run smoothly, you worried.
If your car stalled in traffic, which happened far more frequently in the past, there was an anxious moment of wondering: “Will it start?’’ All sorts of gremlins were around—vapor lock, stuck chokes, burnt electrical components— to spoil one’s driving.
Those old concerns all came back with a rush when I was driving a new BMW 3-Series with Start/Stop fuel-saving technology. Start/Stop systems are common in hybrids; however, because those engines are relatively small and run almost silently, it’s hardly noticeable when they turn off and on.
The BMW is a different story. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder produces 300 horsepower and has a tuned exhaust note. The first time it shuts down, on purpose— which happens with the car at a complete stop with your foot on the brake—you definitely notice. Take your foot off the brake and the restart is like pushing the ignition button. You feel it start up again.
I found the feature disconcerting, likely because of the bad memories of too many breakdowns in my youth, and a few times I shut the feature off for peace of mind.
That was my only quibble with the redesigned 3-Series sedan. The ride, if possible, is more refined, with velvet smoothness until you push the car. Then it shows BMW’s corner-like-it’s-on-rails heritage.
Another feature was the best iteration of a “heads-up’’ display, showing mph as a hologram low on the windshield. It was the clearest I’ve seen with a visible white by day and a gauges-matching orange at night.
But the start-stop system gave me, well… pause.
Focus on Ford
Ford is offering you—Mr. or Ms. Driving Enthusiast—an opportunity to drive the new Focus ST on a course with professional instruction and timed autocross hot laps. The five-city program includes an all-day stop July 21 at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium. Participation is limited on a first-registered, first-served appointment basis at www.drivefocusst.com.
However, if you’re checking out Ford websites, there’s also one with a chance to win a Focus. Ford annually does a major fundraising event with the Henry Ford Health System. This year, the events include an afternoon drive-ride experience at Ford’s private test track that is limited to 200 people. Tickets are $1,000 for a single or $1,750 for a twoperson “team.’’ Events include driving, hot laps with a pro driver, drag races, highway driving simulations, a skid-pad experience, and off-road course rides.
In addition, 400 tickets ($250 each) are available for an evening “Pit Party’’ event with a customized Focus to be given away as the door prize. Details at getyourheartracing.org.
There’s also an auction for a 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 special edition car by Ford designer Melvin Betancourt, a former Henry Ford Hospital patient who channels his talents into this car as a thank you. Should you be feeling lucky, you can buy a $20 raffle ticket on the website for a chance to win a ticket to all the day’s events.
A Harley for Lynnfield
The Lynnfield Police Department has a new motorcycle, a department first, thanks to Kelly Auto Group. The group, which has both Nissan and Chrysler-Jeep dealerships in Lynnfield, donated $50 for every vehicle bought by a Lynnfield resident at any of the eight Kelly dealerships. The result was a payment towards the first year’s $4,000 lease on the department’s new Harley Electra Glide.
“The only way we could make this work was to establish a partnership with local business,’’ said Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen.
“I was surprised they didn’t have a motorcycle,’’ said CEO Brian Kelly, adding that he is a longtime motorcycle enthusiast who himself owns two Harleys and once owned a Harley-Davidson dealership. Breen said that, in addition to patrol work, the motorcycle will make visits to Lynnfield’s schools as an icebreaker to open a dialogue with students.
Down music’s memory lane
Here’s an automotive audio timeline courtesy of GM:
•1930: The first car radios are installed.
•1952: FM is introduced by Blaupunkt.
•1964: Tape players arrive.
•1985: The factory-installed in-dash CD player debuts.
•2001: Satellite radio makes an appearance.
•2007: Sync your Smartphone time arrives.
•2012: Chevy eliminates the CD player in favor of MyLink, integrating stored media and smartphone content, adding access to services such as Pandora and Stitcher.
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