Two additional gears mean threefold progress: quicker shifts, greater smoothness, enhanced efficiency.
The wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds, often in the "tallest" gear, 8th. Yet even with this wider spread, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; in turn this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration.
Faster shifts are a further benefit because only one clutch pack is disengaged to shift up or down by one or two gears. On the other hand, downshifting more than two gears is accomplished as a direct shift. For example, a downshift from 8th to 2nd gear is made with only one clutch pack disengagement, and thus occurs without stepping down through the intermediate gears. So, at one instant the driver can be enjoying the quiet, fuel-efficient low rpm of 8th gear, and in the next instant getting maximum acceleration.
See also:
2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan: First Look
Competes with: Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Infiniti G37, Audi A4
Looks like: A little bit bigger outside, just a teensy bit bigger inside
Drivetrain: 240-hp, 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-four cylin ...
Front active seat ventilation
The seat cushion and backrest surfaces are
cooled by means of integrated fans.
The ventilation rapidly cools the seat, e.g., if the
vehicle interior is overheated or for continuous
cooling at h ...
Starting destination
guidance
1. "Navigation"
2. Make a destination entry.
3. "Accept destination"
4. "Start guidance"
The route is shown on the Control Display.
The distance to the destination/i ...