Monthly Archive for November, 2011

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

Published on November 30, 2011 in BMW World. 0 Comments Tags: 2012, 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5, BMW.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 29,2011… BMW today announced the introduction of its newest hybrid, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Based on the BMW 535i Sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5 brings together BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine, an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission for the first time. The latest generation of BMW ActiveHybrid technology also adds precisely controlled energy management to the mix. All of which gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for a benchmark performance/luxury sedan. Its drive system generates combined output of 335 hp (DIN), allows the car to be driven on electric power alone up to 37 mph (60 km/h), and accelerates the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (preliminary). The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will arrive in US showrooms in March 2012.

1969 Bertone BMW Spicup concept

Published on November 29, 2011 in BMW World. 0 Comments Tags: 1969 Bertone BMW Spicup concept, BMW.

1969 Bertone BMW Spicup concept

BMW and Toyota may build green cars together

Published on November 28, 2011 in BMW World. 0 Comments Tags: BMW.

BMW and Toyota have reportedly begun discussions on swapping their signature green technologies. The Japanese automaker would open up its hybrid tech to BMW, while the Germans would provide diesel engines for Toyotas. This is a little different than the recent memorandum of understanding signed between Ford and Toyota, since that partnership – if it comes to fruition – would see both companies jointly developing a hybrid system for trucks.

The BMW and Toyota talks are about swapping tech to save money on “core technologies.” BMW’s gain would be in the U.S., where hybrids are still much more in vogue than in Europe, while Toyota’s interest is in shoring up its diesel position in Europe, where hybrids aren’t yet the thing and the company posted a loss through the first half of the year. For instance, of the eight family cars that Toyota sells in the UK, only three can be had with a diesel.

Only talks have begun, so there’s no official deal in place while Toyota works to see if BMW diesels will fit in its cars. One also has to wonder how managers at Lexus would feel about seeing their hybrid tech behind a roundel badge.

BMW 135i hatch?

Published on November 25, 2011 in 1 Series and BMW World. 0 Comments Tags: 1 Series, BMW, BMW 135i hatch.

The new 2012 BMW 1 Series is making friends hither and yon, but an unsourced report from the Netherlands suggests it might soon be taking no prisoners with the rumored arrival next summer of a 320-horsepower, 135i hatch. Yes, grab your salt and put on your tinfoil hat, because this appears to be the most speculative sort of speculation.

The redesigned 2012 1 Series is being launched overseas with seven choices of four-cylinder engine, the top-of-the-line being the 2.0-liter, 245-hp 128is which replaces the six-cylinder in the formerly range-topping 130i. The claim in Dutch automotive blog Driving Fun asserts that the hot hatch will get the 3.0-liter turbocharged six and enough horses to put it just shy of the 335-hp 1 Series M. What’s more, it goes on further to claim a “four-wheel drive” (read: “all-wheel drive”) version will arrive in December 2012.

Even if we liked such an answer, there are probably too many open questions to bother enjoying it at this point. Not that it would matter to us, anyway: were BMW ever to make such a vehicle, it probably would be too expensive to bring to America.

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BMW M Tuned 5 Series?

Published on November 23, 2011 in 5 Series and BMW World. 0 Comments Tags: 5 Series, BMW.

A BMW dealer in the Netherlands has leaked what it says is a tasty bit of information on the upcoming diesel 5 Series. According to 5post.com, the vehicle will boast a tri-turbo inline six-cylinder oil burner good for around 381 horsepower. That number is a far cry from the 500-pony speculation that had been making the rounds until recently, but that doesn’t mean that the big 5 Series will be any slouch on the road. The dealer also let slip that the vehicle will arrive packing 516 pound-feet of torque, which should be more than enough for the big sedan’s all-wheel drive system to rip up massive handfuls of asphalt to throw at lesser machinery.

Speaking of all-wheel drive, word has it that the 550d will only be available with all four corners turning, at least initially. Production is set to kick off in March of next year, and true to form, there’s no telling whether or not the big, powerful diesel will be available to U.S. buyers. There’s also some indication that this potent engine will show up in hardware like the next-generation BMW X5 and X6, though there are no fuel economy estimates to be had at this time. Presumably, a Touring variant like the one shown above will be on offer overseas, as well, making it this Bimmer a covet-worthy alternative to a premium crossover.

BMW and Hyundai are working on in-vehicle networking

Published on November 22, 2011 in 2012, BMW and hyundai. 0 Comments Tags: BMW.

While BMW (and by relation, Mini) have been pioneering in-car connectivity for the last few years, Hyundai is still playing catch-up. The Korean automaker’s focus has been squarely set on bringing world-beating products to market, but consumer demand for infotainment systems isn’t abating. So Hyundai is joining BMW and a range of technology companies to work on the next generation of in-car networking solutions.

Broadcom, NXP, Freescale and Harman have banded together to create the OPEN (One-Pair Ether-Net) Alliance special interest group and BMW and Hyundai are the first two automakers to sign on.

The group will be working towards ethernet-based automotive connectivity, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be running a CAT5 cable out your house and into car.

The SIG is backing Broadcom’s BroadR-Reach cable – specifically developed for automotive applications – that’s able to transmit up to 100 Mbps over a single, unshieled wire. This should reduce internal networking costs and also shave a few pounds from production vehicles in the process.

1989 BMW Z1

Published on November 21, 2011 in BMW and BMW World. 0 Comments Tags: 1989 BMW Z1, BMW, BMW Z, Z1.

1989 BMW Z1

Video: Jeremy Clarkson pit 1908 v12 Brutus against BMW 1 series M cupe

Published on November 19, 2011 in 2011, 2011 bmw and 2011 M1. 0 Comments Tags: 1 Series, 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe, BMW, bmw videos, BMW World.

The Brutus is a relic from another time. A time when men approached automobile racing with reckless abandon by cramming the largest, most powerful engine available onto a chassis supported by the world’s skinniest tires. Suspension, brakes and cumbersome safety equipment were all scrapped for bullet-shaped bodywork and testicles the size of small planetary bodies. The Brutus boasts a 46-liter BMW V12 engine pulled from a post-World War II fighter plane and a chassis from a 1908 American LaFrance. The engine alone weighs 1,124 pounds and puts out a potent 500 horsepower. Now Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has decided that the creation needs to tango with the latest BMW hot rod; the 1 Series M Coupe in his new DVD, Powered Up.

This is not your typical drag race. The Brutus is a chain-driven, fire-breathing hulk that’s happier scaring school children than darting down the drag strip, while the 1 Series M Coupe is as civilized as a sports car gets. How does the competition shake out?

2012 BMW 3 Series

Published on November 17, 2011 in 2012, 2012 bmw 3 series and 3 Series. 0 Comments Tags: 2012 BMW 3 Series, 3 Series, BMW.

The ordering guide for the 2012 BMW 3 Series has made its way to the internet courtesy of eGMCarTech, giving us all a better idea of what to expect from the U.S.-spec car when it arrives on our shores next year.

For starters, both the 328i and 335i will boast forced-induction powerplants and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard driveline equipment, though opting for a six-speed manual won’t cost buyers anything extra. In addition, each 3 Series will come with automatic start/stop to conserve fuel. Larger 17-inch wheels are now standard across the line, as well.

Inside, a new 6.5-inch LCD screen is now standard equipment as is Bluetooth and an iPod interface. Three trim levels will be available at launch, but buyers looking to sink their teeth into the M Sport package will have to wait a spell. According to eGMCarTech, the M goodies won’t surface in U.S. dealers until July 2012. Remember, kids: patience is a virtue.