Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
VIDEO: Chris Bangle Butts Heads with Jason Castriota at SAAB's Geneva Motor Show Stand
You might think watching two world-renowned designers talking cars would be entertaining . . . and you'd be right on the money. Rising star and Saab's current hot shot design director Jason Castriota penned the PhoeniX concept. Chris Bangle, known for turning BMW on its head with his flame surfaces and unique rear ends, was hanging around Geneva and decided to chat with Castriota about his "aero" style.
Check out the video below for a minute and a half of a little (friendly?) banter between two polarizing designers as they discuss what makes the PhoeniX a Saab.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
BMW Sub-Brand, will Launch in 2013
It's been a long time in the making, but the BMW Group today confirmed its new sub-brand called "i", with which it will market a new lineup of eco-friendly vehicles including regular and plug-in hybrids, and pure electric models as well as an additional range of mobility services.
The first models to be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 are the BMW i3 and i8. The BMW i3 is an all-electric city car, which was previously known as the Megacity Vehicle, while the i8, is a plug-in hybrid sports car based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept study unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
BMW said both models are based on a new construction concept called LifeDrive that makes use of an aluminium chassis to house the powertrain, while the passenger cell consists of high-strength but extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). In addition, both the i3 and i8 will be manufactured at the firm's Leipzig plant and will share the same component sets for the electric motors, power electronics, and high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.
“Both cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems," explains Klaus Draeger, BMW Board member responsible for development. "We used the innovative architecture and CFRP to cancel out practically all of the extra weight added by the batteries. For our customers this means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power.”
While BMW did not disclose further details in today's announcement, the company recently revealed that the 1-Series ActiveE's electric synchronous motor with 168HP (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque will be incorporated in the i3.
As for the i8, it is likely to combine the Vision ED concept model's 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a variant of the i3's electric motor. We'll remind you that the 2+2 seatd design study featured a 1.5-liter diesel engine and two electric motors for a total system output of 328 horsepower and a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 4.8 seconds with a combined fuel economy of 62.6 mpg US.
The BMW Group will also make use of the 'i' sub-brand to expand its range of mobility services. In addition to services developed in-house, the company is pursuing collaborations with partner companies.
The Bavarian automaker said that New York-based My City Way is the first company in which BMW i Ventures has taken a stake. Regarding the partnership, BMW's Ian Robertson said, “I am thrilled to announce that we have just signed our first strategic partnership with My City Way. As a mobile app, My City Way provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment for over 40 cities in the US. Another 40 cities will be part of the global rollout, including Munich, of course.”
Monday, February 21, 2011
BMW Confirms New "i" Sub-Brand, will Launch with i3 EV City Car and i8 Plug-in Hybrid Sports Coupe in 2013
It's been a long time in the making, but the BMW Group today confirmed its new sub-brand called "i", with which it will market a new lineup of eco-friendly vehicles including regular and plug-in hybrids, and pure electric models as well as an additional range of mobility services.
The first models to be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 are the BMW i3 and i8. The BMW i3 is an all-electric city car, which was previously known as the Megacity Vehicle, while the i8, is a plug-in hybrid sports car based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept study unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]
Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.
BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound
The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.
The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.
BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]
Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering. Read more »
Friday, February 18, 2011
BMW to Turbocharge its Entire Lineup of 4-Cylinder Gasoline Engines
Citing inside sources from BMW, British magazine Autocar is reporting that all of the Bavarian automaker's future four-cylinder engines will benefit from turbocharging technology. This includes all four-pots with outputs up to 245 horsepower, with the new straight-six engines taking over from there.
All of BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder engines will be built upon the same 2.0-liter aluminium block, with the difference in performance being made by using two different types of turbochargers and different engine mapping (apparently, BMW learned its lesson well from the VW Group...).
The aluminium block gets a new and very thin cylinder lining of only 0.3 millimeters thanks to the use of sprayed iron technology. That's a massive improvement over the classic 1.5 mm thick cast iron lining and it translates into less weight and more durability.
The most powerful engine, which will be soon available to order in the small X1 SUV under the xDrive28i badging, is a complex unit, having a double-sided twin-scroll turbocharger which works at pressures of up to 200 bar, double-VANOS variable valve timing and direct fuel injection.
Following lower-powered units are expected to get a single conventional turbo instead of the twin-scroll technology. The new turbocharged four-cylinder units will make their debut on the next generation of the 3-Series, expected in 2012.
BMW to Turbocharge its Entire Lineup of 4-Cylinder Gasoline Engines
Citing inside sources from BMW, British magazine Autocar is reporting that all of the Bavarian automaker's future four-cylinder engines will benefit from turbocharging technology. This includes all four-pots with outputs up to 245 horsepower, with the new straight-six engines taking over from there.
All of BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder engines will be built upon the same 2.0-liter aluminium block, with the difference in performance being made by using two different types of turbochargers and different engine mapping (apparently, BMW learned its lesson well from the VW Group...).
Thursday, February 17, 2011
BMW to Release Details on New Sub-Brand on February 21st
The BMW Group will finally reveal full details on its new sub-brand in a press conference on Monday, February 21st, 2011. From what we know up until now, the Bavarian company’s yet-to-be-named sub-brand will be applied to a new family of radical electric vehicles, the first of which will be an advanced, electrically driven and lightweight hatchback currently known by its codename, Megacity.
Read more »BMW Calls Italian Facebook Users to Choose Paint Scheme for 1-Series Special Edition
A team of young designers at BMW have created 16 bespoke paint schemes for a special edition version of the 1-Series hatchback that will be sold exclusively in the Italian market. BMW has launched the project on its Italian Facebook page and is calling users to vote for their favorite design. The winning paint scheme will be produced in collaboration with 3M on a limited run of 1-Series models aptly called "EDITION".
Being that BMW is primarily targeting the younger audience in Italy, the German company said it will launch the car with a special payment plan called "Youth Formula", whereby the younger you are, the lower the rate you'll pay - for example, a 20-year old customer will pay a rate of 2.0%, a 21-year-old 2.1% and so on.
Link: BMW Facebook
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
BMW Calls Italian Facebook Users to Choose Paint Scheme for 1-Series Special Edition
A team of young designers at BMW have created 16 bespoke paint schemes for a special edition version of the 1-Series hatchback that will be sold exclusively in the Italian market. BMW has launched the project on its Italian Facebook page and is calling users to vote for their favorite design. The winning paint scheme will be produced in collaboration with 3M on a limited run of 1-Series models aptly called "EDITION". Read more »
Sunday, February 13, 2011
New BMW Performance Kit Boosts 2.0-liter Diesel's Output to up 200HP
As well setting the stage for the world premiere of the Vision CD roadster concept and the production version of the pure-electric 1-Series ActiveE, the Geneva Motor Show will also see the launch of BMW's new Performance Power Kit for the firm's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine found on numerous models including the 1-,3- and 5-Series range in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The upgrade is available for both the previous 177HP as well as the newer 184HP 2.0L engine.
Thanks to an engine software optimization plus a larger intercooler and a more-efficient fan for the main radiator, output is lifted from 177HP and 350Nm to 197HP and 390Nm, and from 184Hp and 380Nm to 200HP and 420Nm, for each engine respectively. According to BMW, the acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear is up to one second faster after the conversion.
Buyers can also add BMW's Performance Sports Silencer that comes with two round, chrome plated 74mm tail pipes, and which in addition to optimizing exhaust back pressure, also offers a sportier sound.
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