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Rolls-Royce has already provided all the details and the first photographs ‘whole body’ of its commitment power, the Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept or Phantom Experimental Electric. In principle, an experimental vehicle to collect data that will begin soon, but for its features seems a realistic and far-fetched. Here is why. On the basis of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, the 102EX Concept V12 biturbo engine replaces the latter by two electric motors that send their forces to the rear axle via a transmission from a single place. In combination, both engines develop about 395 hp (290 kW) instead of the original model’s 460 hp and a torque of 800 Nm nearby. Although the weight of the 102EX (2,720 kg) exceeds about 200 kilograms a normal Phantom, get an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in under 8 seconds and a top speed limited to 160 km / h.

The battery pack that powers the electric motors with a capacity of 71 kWh (kilowatt hour) and similar in size to occupy the V12 and the gearbox in the original model. The batteries have approximately 2.5 times the capacity of other electric models like the recent Porsche Boxster E and weighs about 640 kg, with probably the largest ever mounted on a street car. The estimated useful life of the batteries is more than three years under daily use. The 102EX is making recharge where would the fuel tank cap, replaced by other transparent. When the engine starts making is backlit in blue, and if we start charging, the light flashes. Once complete recharging, taking turns green, indicating that you can unplug it. Finally, a red light would indicate a failure in the electrical system. The battery allows for a normal load (20 hours) or three-phase load (8 hours), but Rolls is working on another type of battery recharge wirelessly, without cables. Inside the vehicle, on the central tunnel, there is a display that informs drivers of the state of charge using the same colors as discussed above. Read more »

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Not only are generalist brands carried by anti-pollution regulations to reduce consumption and emissions of their vehicles, and the Geneva Motor Show will be a good example of this. A few days ago and we had to mention the hybrid version of the Panamera, Porsche cleaner and more efficient in the history of the Germanic mark, and today we go even further with the Rolls-Royce EX102, a 100% electric prototype mounted on the base the Phantom.

All technical data and photographs of the model remain secret until March 1, because so far the British brand has been limited to express their intentions and show the first teasers. While much remains to see a production Rolls moving without noise and emissions, at least this is a statement of intent. According to the CEO of the brand, Torsten Muller-Ötvös, “We built the first electric battery car for the ultra-luxury segment. With this vehicle, we began an exploration of alternative propulsion systems, seeking clarity on which technologies are appropriate alternatives for the future operation of motor vehicles Rolls Royce.”

Currently there are more than one car to the laboratory, with which the British brand will demonstrate their progress in clean technologies, but the information does not go further. This does not preclude its use in a road car, but will not get something right away. Hopefully the March 1 Rolls-Royce offers a little more light on this.

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With the recent advancements in video conferencing technologysuch as HD capabilities and reduced bandwidth it has come a long way since its launch in 1964 at the New York world fair. The original video conference system simply consisted of two televisions connected by a closed circuit cable. Due to the current economic situation and the resulting rise in petrol prices, video conferencing has become an increasingly popular method of communication; especially for conducting meetings between businesses, government, military and educational establishments all over the globe.

After IBM introduced their special video conferencing in the 1980s that could be used by businesses internally for carrying out meetings, the commercial market began to appreciate the benefits of video conferencing systems. These advancements came at a cost though, with each system costing typically around $250,000 and these were not yet even at optimum picture quality; this lead to a lack of demand for these systems resulting in the cost being dropped. It wasn’t until the cost was lowered significantly to around $80,000 that anyone was really interested. The US Military decided to take advantage of this lower price but still video conferencing could not be deemed a success until the mass market of businesses and consumers made the decision to use this new video conferencing idea.

By the 1990s the internet was the new exciting development and due to these new advancements, the video conferencing systems also developed and became cheaper as now video could be sent via the internet. Further reductions came from IBM with the development of the video conferencing system that could be entirely based on a PC at a cost of around $2000, a snip compared to the original prices of these systems.

This was all possible due to advancements in technology allowing for more advanced video compression technologies which allowed for larger files to be transported in a compressed format therefore using less bandwidth.

The new compression technology helped to form the first socialising type programs such as MSN Messenger. Finally, a whole new market was realising the benefits of video conferencing.

High-speed internet became easily accessible at a very low cost by 2003 including the reduced costs of web cameras and display technology. Individuals are now able to do high definition video conferencing which was first introduced during 2005. A clearer and more crisp image quality is easily achievable as well as a synchronised audio to provide a higher quality experience for all involved.

HD video gives a wider presentation allowing more people to be involved in the conference and with the ability to transmit high resolution content such as charts and photographs, the conference has a new, more vibrant clarity that is enjoyed by all. For the hearing impaired, now the smooth image quality makes it easy to follow sign language over the video conferencing system. The whole overall quality and range of information that can now be communicated through these systems makes video conferencing a valuable tool for anyone.

Due to the quality of HD video conferencing, the experience is far more personal and life-like. It is the next best thing to actually being in the same room. It will be very interesting to see if video conferencing develops into 3D functionality in the future and what benefits that might bring to the user experience.

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A brake fluid leak has forced BMW to call for review in the United States 198,000 units manufactured between 2002 and 2010. The measure affects various BMW models with V8 or V12 … and all the Rolls Royce Phantom. Although the case has cared enough to BMW as to warn its users, the firm has ensured that the brake fluid leak that is intended to remedy not produce any serious failure in the vehicle, but the car just lost braking power. The discovery of this problem comes at a time when concerns about the brakes of the cars is highest in the American market, with the scandal of Toyota still fresh in his memory. Perhaps that explains why Europe has not named any unit to review.

The problem occurs only in V8 and V12 engines because in them the brake assist is powered by the car engine.

The models that are to be monitored are:

- BMW 5 Series (2004-10), 545i and 550i
- BMW 6 Series (2004-10), 645i and 650i
- BMW 7 Series (2002-08): 745i/Li, 750i/Li, and 760i/Li.
- BMW Alpina B7 (2007-08)
- Rolls Royce Phantom (2003-2010).

Although there have been no accidents caused by this brake failure in July, the crash of a BMW Z4, with 107 complaints from users, led the U.S. authorities to carry out tests on the direction of the model.

BMW’s announcement to its customers has been done by regular mail.