Few inventions have had as much influence on modern life and the world’s economy as the automobile. It has opened up work possibilities and allowed people to live in areas distant from one another. It has also helped people to connect with each other in ways never possible before.
There are about 1.4 billion cars in operation around the world today. Many of these are passenger cars, used by families to get to work and school and to socialize with family and friends. Some are utilitarian vehicles such as vans and pickup trucks. Others are specialty vehicles such as cranes on construction sites or forklifts in warehouses.
Automobiles are complex technical systems, with thousands of parts and subsystems arranged into semi-independent groups that perform similar design functions. Each group is designed to meet certain requirements of performance, comfort, convenience and safety. For example, the engine is the heart of an automobile and it includes a system to lubricate the moving parts, to provide air-fuel mixture, and to exhaust the combustion products. It also has a cooling system to remove heat, and a delivery system for fuel.
In addition to the basic design requirements of the engine and other major components, modern automobiles must satisfy stringent standards imposed by governments and by independent testing laboratories. These requirements affect everything from the size and weight of the vehicle to its braking, steering and suspension systems. They also govern the materials from which the body is constructed and the ways in which it reflects and absorbs road noise and vibrations.
The chassis is the base on which all of these systems are mounted. It must be rigid enough to support the weight of the car, yet flexible in order to handle shocks and tension from the driving experience. It also must be rigid enough to provide the structural integrity required for stability. A body is then attached to the chassis. This must be safe, comfortable, and provide protection from the elements for the passengers.
Wheels and tires are also essential. Tires are designed to allow the wheels to grip the road while providing a smooth ride. Many newer automobiles have independent front suspension, which means that each of the two wheels in the front is supported separately from the other. This provides more precise control and a better feeling of road contact, and helps to maintain the stability of the vehicle while turning or going over bumps.
The transmission system is a key element of the automobile. It consists of a series of gears, each designed to match the input power requirement of the engine with the output power capability of the axles and drive wheels. The transmission also has a clutch that allows the engine to engage and disengage from the drive wheels as needed.
Although SUVs and crossovers have dominated the market for some time, there are still some consumers who prefer a car-like ride and handling. Some of these drivers are willing to pay a premium to get that kind of car. BMW earned top honors in our 2022 rankings of luxury vehicles, thanks to excellent road-test scores and strong results from reliability and owner satisfaction surveys.
