Hugo Becker

Hugo Becker is our resident curmudgeon and technology maven. Having had a driver’s license for over 40 years, he also has seat time in a large number of cars, from the silly to sublime. He brings a Sputnik era emphasis on science and technology to BMWBLOG, along with a passion for automotive history. Did we mention he’s old and crotchety?

Editorial: Tri Turbo and Electrical Assist

The triple turbo talk continues unabated, this time with a bit of a twist, electric turbo. Not so fast! Electric turbo? If a turbo was powered electrically (rather than with exhaust gases) it would be…

Tech Tidbit: How a Differential Works

Tech Tidbit: How a Differential Works

Every car (of recent vintage) has a differential and most people take them for granted without any idea of what they do, why they’re needed, or how they work. Going around a corner in a…

M3 CRT Sedan Highlights

Highlights of the new BMW M5 Press Release

Highlights of the new BMW M5 Press Release

The V-10 M5 is dead – long live the turbo V8. Or something to that effect. The glorious S85 5 liter V10, that rev’d to 8250 RPM is no more. The E60 M5 was the…

2012 BMW 1 Series F20 Press Release Highlights

2012 BMW 1 Series F20 Press Release Highlights

Disclaimer – What we are seeing is the meat and potatoes version of the new 2012 BMW 1 Series, the five series hatch. We haven’t seen the more sporting 3 door, nor the eventual coupe…

2012 BMW 1 Series – Styling Analysis

To open the proverbial can of worms, the styling of the new F20 is controversial (based on the volume of negative tweets seen after the embargo was broken on Friday). The flanks of the car…

BMWBLOG Test Drive: BMW X1 launches in Canada

Toronto, Canada – Canada is doing alright. Employment and the economy are good and the Canadian dollar is going from strength to strength against the US dollar. With good employment and a strong currency, Canadians…

Today's Tech Tip: Triple Turbos

Today’s Tech Tip: Triple Turbos

I swore off turbo-charged cars after the mid 1980s, I’d had enough of the lag until 3500 RPM and then the boost would come on with a rush (though it was fun), the nasty side…