Stories with Tag vehicles

• BMW Group Product Catalog–Historic Models

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-03-01 21:36:14

  Verbose tl;dr

  BMW Group Classic's "Historic Models" page provides a comprehensive overview of BMW's automotive history, showcasing the evolution of its vehicles from the pre-war era to the present day. Organized chronologically, the site features detailed profiles of each model series, highlighting key design features, technical innovations, and historical context. Users can explore the heritage of iconic models like the 328, Isetta, and M1, as well as lesser-known vehicles that contributed to BMW's legacy. The catalog allows enthusiasts and researchers to delve into the rich history of the brand, tracing its progression from aircraft engine manufacturer to a global leader in premium automobiles.

  This BMW Group Classic webpage presents a comprehensive, albeit visually concise, digital archive of historical BMW vehicle models, spanning the company's extensive automotive heritage. From the pre-war era to the dawn of the 21st century, the catalog meticulously categorizes each model by its production period, offering a chronological journey through BMW's evolving design philosophy and engineering advancements. The site's structure facilitates easy navigation through distinct eras, beginning with the nascent stages of BMW's automotive production in the 1920s and progressing decade by decade. Each period showcases a curated selection of representative models, highlighting key vehicles that contributed to BMW's brand identity and technological progress.

  For each featured model, the webpage provides a dedicated profile page containing a concise overview of its significance. These summaries typically touch upon the model's technical specifications, design characteristics, and historical context within the automotive landscape of its time. While not exhaustively detailed, these descriptions provide sufficient information for a preliminary understanding of each vehicle's place within BMW's lineage. Furthermore, the catalog incorporates high-quality images that showcase the exterior aesthetics of each featured model, offering a visual appreciation for the evolution of BMW's design language throughout the decades.

  The catalog's chronological organization allows users to trace the development of iconic BMW features, from the early pre-war designs to the emergence of signature elements like the kidney grille and Hofmeister kink. This historical perspective not only celebrates the company's rich automotive legacy but also provides valuable insight into the progression of automotive technology and design trends over the past century. The platform serves as an invaluable resource for automotive enthusiasts, historians, and researchers interested in delving into the intricate history of BMW's contribution to the automotive world. Although the depth of information for each model is intentionally kept relatively brief, serving primarily as an introductory overview, the comprehensive scope of the catalog, encompassing a wide range of models across multiple decades, offers a compelling and readily accessible entry point for exploring the evolution of the BMW brand.

  • BMW
  • BMW Group
  • Classic Cars
  • Vintage Cars
  • Automotive History
  • German Cars
  • Car Models
  • Product Catalog
  • History
  • vehicles
  • Automobiles
  • BMW Classic

  Summary of Comments ( 42 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43223930

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally expressed appreciation for the comprehensive and well-organized nature of BMW's historical model catalog. Several pointed out the usefulness of the chassis code search functionality. Some commenters reminisced about their personal experiences with specific BMW models, while others discussed the evolution of BMW design and engineering over time. A few users highlighted interesting details found within the catalog, such as the inclusion of motorcycles and aircraft engines. There was also discussion about BMW's branding and marketing, with some questioning the company's current direction.

  The Hacker News post titled "BMW Group Product Catalog–Historic Models" linking to BMW's historical model overview sparked a small but focused discussion, primarily revolving around the usability and completeness of the catalog itself.

  One commenter expressed disappointment with the catalog, noting its lack of comprehensive information and poor organization. They specifically wished for more details, lamenting that it was "just pictures" and desired more technical specifications, historical context, and production figures for each model. They felt the catalog fell short of their expectations for a resource purporting to be a historical overview.

  Another commenter echoed this sentiment, finding the catalog "disappointing" and "shallow." They specifically contrasted it unfavorably to Mercedes-Benz's equivalent offering, praising the latter's detailed engine information and downloadable brochures. They highlighted how the BMW catalog, in their view, provided a superficial overview with limited details.

  A third commenter focused on the user experience, criticizing the website's implementation as a single, long page. They expressed a preference for a more structured, multi-page approach, allowing for easier navigation and exploration of the different models. They specifically mentioned the difficulty of navigating such a long page and finding specific information within it.

  Beyond these criticisms of the catalog itself, one commenter shared an anecdote about encountering a rare BMW Isetta bubble car in their youth, triggered by seeing it listed in the catalog. While not directly related to the catalog's quality, this comment added a personal touch to the discussion, reflecting the nostalgic appeal of classic cars.

  In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post largely centered on the shortcomings of the BMW historical model catalog. Commenters consistently expressed their disappointment with its lack of depth, missing technical details, and cumbersome single-page design, particularly when compared to other manufacturers' offerings. A personal anecdote added a human element to the otherwise technical critique.

• Tesla recalls 380k vehicles in US over power steering assist issue

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-02-21 15:57:53

  Verbose tl;dr

  Tesla is recalling nearly 380,000 vehicles in the US due to a power steering assist fault. The recall affects Model S and X vehicles from 2017-2023, specifically those equipped with full self-driving (FSD) Beta software or pending installation. The issue can cause the power steering to intermittently fail, especially at low speeds or after hitting a bump, requiring increased steering effort and potentially increasing the risk of a crash. An over-the-air software update will address the problem.

  In a significant development impacting a substantial portion of its vehicle fleet, Tesla, Inc., the prominent electric vehicle manufacturer, has initiated a recall encompassing approximately 380,000 vehicles within the United States. This recall stems from a disconcerting issue pertaining to the power steering assist system, specifically affecting certain Model S and Model X vehicles manufactured between 2022 and 2025, as well as select Model 3 vehicles produced from 2024 onwards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been formally notified of this recall.

  The core of the problem lies in the potential for the electronic power steering assist system to malfunction, particularly during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or navigating tight corners. This malfunction can manifest as a sudden and unexpected loss of power steering assistance, necessitating increased steering effort from the driver. While the steering mechanism itself remains operable in a manual, unassisted mode, the abrupt transition to heavier steering can pose a heightened risk of accidents, particularly in situations requiring rapid steering adjustments. This increased steering effort, while not resulting in a complete loss of vehicle control, can catch drivers off guard and potentially compromise their ability to react swiftly to unforeseen circumstances on the road.

  Tesla attributes this issue to a firmware anomaly that affects the electronic power steering control unit. The company plans to address this problem by deploying an over-the-air (OTA) software update to the affected vehicles. This remote update will rectify the firmware flaw, thereby restoring the intended functionality of the power steering assist system and mitigating the risk of unexpected power steering reduction. Tesla has stated that it is not currently aware of any accidents or injuries directly attributable to this particular power steering issue. The recall, while substantial in terms of the number of vehicles involved, is being handled proactively by Tesla through a readily deployable software solution, minimizing the inconvenience to vehicle owners. This approach allows for a swift and efficient remedy without requiring physical visits to service centers.

  • Tesla
  • recall
  • automotive
  • Safety
  • power steering
  • vehicles
  • US
  • NHTSA
  • auto industry
  • electric vehicles
  • car safety
  • manufacturing defect
  • software issue
  • firmware update

  Summary of Comments ( 139 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43128987

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters discuss the vagueness of the recall notice, questioning whether it's a software or hardware issue, and how a software update could resolve a "loss of power steering assist." Some express skepticism about Tesla's reliance on over-the-air updates for safety-critical systems, noting the potential for unforeseen software bugs. Others point out the increasing frequency of Tesla recalls and question the robustness of their initial quality control. A few commenters share personal anecdotes of similar issues with their Teslas, highlighting concerns about safety and the inconvenience of these recurring problems. Some also mention the potential impact on Tesla's reputation and the broader implications for the autonomous driving industry.

  The Hacker News post discussing the Tesla recall of 380,000 vehicles due to a power steering issue generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a mix of skepticism, technical analysis, and comparisons to other automakers.

  Several commenters questioned the framing of the issue as a "recall," pointing out that it's an over-the-air software update rather than a physical repair. They argued this highlights the difference between Tesla's software-centric approach and traditional automakers, where such an issue might necessitate a trip to a dealership. This sparked a debate about the semantics of "recall" in the context of software updates, with some arguing that the term is still appropriate due to the safety implications, while others viewed it as unnecessarily alarmist.

  Some users delved into the technical aspects, speculating about the potential root cause of the problem. One commenter with apparent software engineering experience suggested that the issue might stem from Tesla prioritizing power efficiency in their steering assist algorithm, leading to premature wear on the electric motor. This theory tied into a broader discussion about Tesla's engineering choices, with some praising their innovative approach while others criticized a perceived focus on cost-cutting over robustness.

  Comparisons to other automakers were also prevalent. Some commenters pointed out that all manufacturers experience recalls, arguing that the Tesla situation isn't unique or particularly alarming. Others contrasted Tesla's over-the-air update solution with the more cumbersome processes required by traditional automakers, highlighting the potential benefits of Tesla's software-driven approach.

  A few comments focused on the user experience aspect. One commenter shared their personal experience with the issue, describing the steering as becoming progressively heavier, particularly at low speeds. This anecdotal evidence added a real-world perspective to the technical discussions.

  Finally, there was some discussion regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s involvement, with some speculation about the agency's potential influence on Tesla's decision to issue the update. However, this aspect of the conversation remained largely speculative.

  Overall, the comments reflect a nuanced perspective on the recall, acknowledging the seriousness of the safety issue while also considering the specific context of Tesla's software-centric approach and comparing it to traditional automotive practices. The discussion demonstrates a keen interest in the technical details of the issue, the broader implications for the automotive industry, and the real-world impact on Tesla owners.