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Al Gietzen wrote:
I’d hate to less than positive since obviously this thing is never going to dieJ; but I would deem the above info as irrelavent to our use. The “average” power level of automotive operation is about 30%, or in this case about 75 hp. And in a car, the output power level is not directly coupled to rpm as it is in a plane with a propeller.
Al, do you think BMW will sell this car with a disclaimer that it will overheat in extended mountain driving? Do you think the owners of those expensive luxury cars will appreciate the fact that they have improved fuel economy as they pull over halfway up the mountain to let the engine cool? Or how about when the other fast cars blow past them on the Autobahn, 'cause they can't sustain that high Hp output?
IBM has an image to maintain. It is the ONLY way they can keep charging such a ridiculous premium for their automobiles. I can't see them blowing that reputation on a water pump. That car will be expected to maintain 80MPH up a mountain grade while loaded with 5 or 6 people that expect a perfectly maintained climate for themselves and all their luggage. I'm sure the car weighs more than any of our airplanes to begin with, and will definitely have a higher useful load. The temps it'll be expected to work under will make our 90F look conservative as it has to suck its cooling air through a duct design as much for pleasant looks as it is for functionality and then through the airconditioner after has already been warmed by the sun-baked asphalt. Remember the image. The engine MUST NOT feel sluggish or allow the temperature inside to rise above 45F (if the passenger so chooses) or make any sound. And God forbid that a picture of stranded motorist ever crosses the mind of a showroom salesman.
I believe you are correct about the average, Al, but I also believe that the BMW engineers are no more at liberty to design for the 'average' condition than we are. There are situations where a car will be asked to strain as much as our airplanes, in worse situations, and for extended periods. If we were talking about a Neon or a Sprint, I'd just shut up and say you are 'dead on'. But we're talking BMW, so my money is on the EWP.
Al (Expecting to be banned from the list by the EWP fans any day now).
Shoot. If we voted you off the island, who'd watch the show? Ya' gotta have some 'controversy' to keep people watching.
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