More motoring news in brief.
Ford shares rise as Kerkorian sets out to take more of carmaker
Ford shares rose to their highest level since November after billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian said he had amassed a 5 per cent stake and was seeking another 1 per cent of Detroit's second-largest carmaker.
The move comes amid signs of progress on a wrenching restructuring plan at Ford, which last week reported improved first-quarter earnings and said it was on track to return to profitability next year. Tracinda Corp, Kerkorians investment vehicle, revealed on Monday that it had about 4.7 per cent of Ford common stock and was bidding for more. Tracinda would be unable to undertake a full takeover without the consent of founder Henry Fords heirs, who own fewer than 4 per cent of the companys shares but control 40 per cent of voting rights.
Manual box not automatic choice
The launch of the M3 convertible heralds the arrival of BMW's new dual-clutch transmission.
Since 1996 BMW's M Division has been working on automated gearboxes. BMW has moved its game on further with the development of an all-new dual-clutch transmission it calls M-DCT.
BMW can't claim to have invented the dual-clutch concept, but the DCT system was developed specifically for the M3 with the help of Getrag. In principle, the seven-speed transmission operates just like VW's successful DSG system, where one clutch controls the even gears and the other the odd ratios (plus reverse).
In effect, there is no interruption in drive to the wheels, as, when changing gear, one clutch disengages at precisely the same time as the other engages the next gear.
BMW has incorporated its Drivelogic control into the new transmission too, so the driver may choose not only between automatic or manual mode, but also how fast and how smooth the changes should be. An M3 equipped with the DCT is faster accelerating than the manual version, yet it uses less fuel and emits less CO2. The M-DCT gearbox costs about €5,700 on top of the price of the €123,000 M3 convertible. It will also become available on the M3 saloon and coupé later this year.
Dutch call for external airbags to protect cyclists
Air bags in cars have helped cut traffic deaths in recent years and now cyclists want to benefit too.
The Dutch Cycling Federation said a study showed that 60 lives could be saved a year if air bags were installed on the bonnets of cars, where cyclists are typically hit in crashes. External air bags could also cut 1,500 serious injuries a year.
The organisation said 216 cyclists died in the Netherlands in 2006, including 106 in crashes with cars.
It said Sweden's Autoliv Inc, the world's biggest airbag and seatbelt maker, had already developed a bag that inflates from the bottom of the windscreen.