by Neil Johnston
The BMW F800R will launch with an MSRP of $9,990 and be available with a compliment of factory options, including ABS brakes, Tire Pressure Control, On-board computer, Sport windshield, White turn Indicators, and an integral Anti-Theft Alarm system. Both low and high seat options are available at no charge on factory orders.
Launched in Europe in late 2008, the F800R Sport Roadster emulates the mighty K1300R Power Roadster in design and is the fourth model in the evolution of the the F800 Series lineup.
Technical Highlights
The heart of the new F800R is the now familiar 798cc parallel twin shared within the F800 family, rated at 87 bhp @ 8,000 rpm while delivering 86 Nm of torque @ 6,000 rpm. The additional two horsepower, when compared to the other F800 family members, is due to a redesigned exhaust system. The robust powerplant also features intake manifold fuel injection, electronic engine management, oxygen sensor and separate closed-loop 3-way catalytic convertor and secondary air system, for low fuel consumption and optimized emissions. The F800R has a slightly longer swing double-sided arm (5 cm) cast in light alloy and shorter caster than its (now discontinued in Canada) F800S sibling and reduced spring clearance at both the front and rear, along with a fork stabiliser to provide even better stability and agility. In keeping with its pure Sport Roadster nature, and unlike its F800S and ST brethren, the F800R incorporates an O-ring chain secondary drive. With 320-millimetre brake discs and Brembo 4-piston fixed brake calipers at...08.07.10
Rather than displaying BMW or Mini's iPod interface, the connected vehicle would display Apple's own interface, which will be controllable with the vehicle's controls. Users will be able to control the iPod's music playback and browse their music catalog, playlists, podcasts, and Genius mixes.
The iPod Out interface should be immediately familiar to anyone who's used an older iPod Classic device and features simple text-based menus and album artwork on the Now Playing screen. Navigating the iPod interface has always been super simple using Apple's click wheel. We wonder how easily it will be navigated with BMW's iDrive controller.
The benefit of using the iPod Out connection is that it allows the interface to change and grow with the connected iPhone or iPod. If Apple adds, changes, or removes an iPod feature in the next revision, the connected BMW or Mini should immediately be able to reflect those changes. The move to iPod Out probably also makes life a bit easier for BMW's interface design engineers. Why go through the trouble of developing your own iPod interface when Apple has already done the work for you?
Source: CNET (blog)
Testing out the Freedom 650 alarm with RFID technology.
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