BMW Talk

The BMW Z4 — Zoom, Zoom, Zoooom!

Quite recently, BMW finally released a few details about the new BMW Z4, which made its big, global debut during the 2009 NAIAS.

As you can see, the car’s new design takes on a classic roadster feel, and it is now offered with a very lightweight, electrohydraulically retractable aluminum two piece hardtop. This is a first for the two seater car.

This design also serves to give the Z4 something in common with other BMW models. For example, check out the new headlamp and tail lamp, which are like those seen on larger scale BMWs. The car’s surface lines yearn towards an unseen but definitely felt target point.

The cockpit has all kinds of amenities on the offer, such as an instrument panel and a center console oriented towards the driver.

Dow Jones names BMW the greenest automaker – for the fifth year in a row

When you think about it – in this day and age, there is a constant competition for who is the greenest automaker in the world.  To be honest, I did not think that BMW would be it but it seems that Dow Jones has crowded BMW as a brand as one of the world’s greenest automakers.

Do you know the reason for that?  Well, it is not only because BMW the brand rocks, but it is because of the fact that BMW actually cars about the hybrid cars that they produce.

Not only does BMW produce some of the best cars in the world – but they also produce some of the sustainable cars and they are certainly one of the best companies out there for green and hybrid cars.  So pat yourself on the back BMW!

SB LiMotive To Supply Batteries: BMW Megacity Electric Car

BMW, as you know is one of my favorite brands of cars – they come up with some of the best cars on the market, come on … we all know that.  However, did you know that they are coming out with an electric car?  Well, I didn’t until I caught a glimpse of this car … that does not look luxurious or at all BMW-like in my mind.  However, the BMW Megacity Electric Car is actually supposed to be one of the coolest cars as soon as it hits the market.

The reason for the hold up?  Finding someone to supply the battery to get the BMW Megacity Electric Car running; that is what Bosch and Samsung SDI are for though, they are going to be the battery supplier for the BMW Megacity Electric Car.  Samsung, which was already in the market to switch gears form cell phones, was certainly in the lead for making a battery for the BMW Megacity Electric Car.

However, Bosch has come up with quite a few things and they are certainly going to make a hell of a lot of money on the BMW Megacity Electric Car – for it is going to rock!

Future BMW M5 cranks up to 600HP and a KERS system possible

photo thanks to motorauthority.

Anyone who has driven a BMW M5 model shouldn’t find too much to complain about when it comes to technology, aesthetics, and power. And yet, BMW is taking the M5 up another notch in both power and technology.

The luxury car company will give the M5 a twin-turbo V8, replacing the existing V10 engine. The V8 comes with about 600HP. There is also talk that the KERS system may also be added.

KERS, which stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System, is an F1-derived power system that converts unused thrust to energy but stores it for the time-being. The KERS system uses this stored energy for a blast of power that can be activated with a button.

Surely, an M5 with a KERS system will make any BMW fan salivate. However, the system is hugely expensive and complex. Even the F1 team is having a lot of trouble with the KERS technology. Therefore, its addition to the M5 model may take several more years before it sees production.

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BMW to Build a Car Live at Frankfurt

So, the big question: what in the world does the Wiesemann GT MF4 have to do with BMW? Well, first, a word about this particular, stunning automobile. It got its unveiling early in the year at the Geneva Auto Show. Wiesemann is, of course, a German manufacturer, founded by Martin anf Friedhelm Wiesemann — brothers — back in 1985. Manufactured in Dulmen, the cars are actually built by hand.

BMW comes in courtesy of the engines.

Specifically, BMW’s extremely powerful, purring 4.8 liter V8 — with a whopping 367 horsepower — can be found under the hood of the Wiesemann GT MF4.

Not only that, but BMW’s famed engine will get even more publicity during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Why? Because the Wiesemann company will be building a GT MF4 … live, right at the show.

BMW to unveil concept sports car in Frankfurt

BMW shocked the racing world as it disclosed last week its decision to quit the Formula 1 racing after the current season. The car manufacturer also revealed to the public that they are focusing on producing sports car which are more sustainable and earth friendly. This doesn’t mean that BMW will only make unexciting gas saver rides in the future. In fact, executives say that the public should wait for the concept sports car during the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Last year, an insider gave the auto world a hint that BMW is developing a green sports car that will be to the liking of the concept M1 Homage. The M1 Homage is like a back to the future to the BMW classic designs. The concept has the core design of the original M1 but a daring design fit for the future.

The car manufacturer aims to build a concept car that will be using the latest technologies of EfficientDynamics of BMW. Aside from the efficient engine, the car will also display sustainable design and innovative use of elements to produce the car.

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BMW 760Li High Security: It’s One Sweet BMW!

Let’s say that you are a very, very important person and you are looking for a car that is not only hot, sweet, sexy and fast but one that is full of security as well.  The BMW 760Li High Security is the car for you!  Now, this is a BMW blog and I have to say that BMW is one brand that I absolutely love however, the BMW 760Li High Security is one car that I have a deeply committed relationship to – it is definitely one car that is all armored up without looking like it.

This beautiful car has 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 good for 407 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and is actually one of the coolest looking cars as well.  It is very hard to truly find a car that is not only at the highest level of security, but also one that is going to look like a luxury car … that can go from 0 to 60 in 6.1 seconds.

If you really want a car that is bullet-proof, fast, can truly take a bruising … the BMW 760Li High Security is the car for you!

BMW X1 SUV: Full Details

Despite the crazy financial crisis that has crippled a handful of carmakers, BMW gets busy with new models and versions. In particular, the BMW X1 SUV falls is the carmaker’s pioneer in the compact SUV category, which at present time has the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 as the front liners.

The X1 will be made available in AWD and RWD configurations. It also comes with 4 engine choices—three diesels and one petrol engines. In terms of fuel-efficiency, the RWD sDrive18d has a maximum of 45.2mpg fuel economy and a maximum speed of 124mph. The X1 will make its debut entrance in Europe this coming fall and will go on sale in the US sometime in 2011 but with only the initial two petrol power trains.

Of course, the X1 models will all carry the EfficientDynamics to help lower emission rates and to maximize fuel efficiency. Along with this is the engine’s stop-start mechanism, gearshift indicator, and brake energy regeneration.

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BMW overtakes Lexus as #1 Luxury Vehicle in the U.S.

Lexus has been the best luxury car brand in terms of sales in the U.S. since 2000. It appeared a spot no one can take from the Toyota premium range. Despite being considered as the most satisfying and dependable brand, BMW is inching past Lexus for the top spot in terms of year-to-date sales.

The last time BMW held the throne in terms of sales as luxury brand was back in 1997. Based on the study of Autodata Corp., Lexus is going through a sales decline of about 37.2%. The figures of BMW also dropped but not as remarkably as that of the Lexus. BMW suffers a decline of 30.5% from January through May of 2009.

Now, if we translate the numbers into English, Lexus reports sales of about 73186 units while BMW is slightly ahead at 76,819 vehicles.

BWM attributes their success to the performance of their X5, 5-series, and 3-series range. Their fleet edge their Lexus competition this time when the market is very careful in purchasing luxury vehicles. Consumers go for quality, dependability, and the track record of the car manufacturer.

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2012 BMW Z2 – A Sneak Peak

Rumor has it that luxury carmaker BMW is brewing a small sports car model powered by a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine. According to recent reports, BMW’s board of directors will decide on the new model late this year. Upon approval, the newcomer may push through production just in time for its debut on 2012.

Recent guesses have led that a four-cylinder 120HP engine for the newcomer plus a 211HP turbo-charged version could be in the works for the BMW Z2 model. The estimated performance is 0 to 62mph in 7 seconds, with the top speed of approximately 150mph. Rumors of a turbo-charged version with a 3.0L six-cylinder engine and a hybrid model are said to be in the works as well.

Lightweight and fuel-efficient, the Z2 model would land compete with the likes of Lotus Elise and Mazda MX-5. We could only assume that the Z2 model is a two-seater type with a wide luggage area at the back.

Speculations about the price tag hit low at approximately €25,000, which is €5,000 cheaper compared to the Z4 model.

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