BMW Talk

First BMW Project i Car Set for Release on 2012

BMW revealed in 2008 the plan of establishing the Project i Division which is assigned to develop technologies that can serve as solutions across its range of vehicles.

The Mini-E which was launched last year is the first baby of Project i. The electric car will be use by BMW to get the feedback of the market, especially the urban consumers, about their particular needs and wants when it comes to zero emission cars.

BMW is expected to come up with a range of zero emission units in the next few years under the bad of Megacity. The fleet will include highly efficient combustion powertrains and all electric variants.

The first unit due for release is a compact hatch which will be less expensive than the Mini and the 1 series. It appears that BMW is eyeing to produce more environment-friendly vehicles and veering away from luxury niches like the X7.

The first Project i car is aiming to meet the stricter standards set by the state of California. The three-door hatch is set to be released by 2012.

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You work for BMW, you SHOULD drive a BMW

If you work for Pepsi, will they kick your ass if the company caught you sipping Tropicana during lunch?

And here we think BMW might not be so luxurious after all as the headquarters in Germany have reportedly adapted a drastic marketing move—requesting its own employees, especially those who still don’t cruise in a smashing BMW model, to buy one. Over 7,000 cards were distributed among the employees in the German BMW factory.

The said cards bore the following lines: “What’s wrong here? You like working with us. You appreciate your job and income. But you drive a vehicle from a competitor.” The cards also carry three signatures from BMW’s men from the higher ups: Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief; Harald Krueger, the head of personnel; and Manfred Schoch, union representative.

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BMW M3 Edition Models Set for Sale in July

The BMW M3 has gone through a cycle evolution since it was launched with the E30 3 Series. When you see the new members of the line up, the BMW M3 had leaps in development compared to its older siblings. The new gen of M3 Edition Models presents new suspension packages and new appearances.

The power plant for this breed of road blazers from BMW still remains untouched. The design team focused on the enhancements of the car’s cosmetics and lowering the ride a bit. The obvious changes made are primarily on the interiors, paintwork, and the rims. The side gills and the kidney grille get a black and dark chrome treatment. The side mirror is also made elegant with a paint job in black.

The M3 Edition models offer classic choices to consumers with offerings of metallic Monte Carlo Blue body paint, non-metallic Black, non-metallic Dakar yellow and Alpine white in non-metallic finish. A high satin chrome trim provides a unique finish to them.

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BMW Cars of Art at Los Angeles Museum Exhibit

The world renowned art cars of BMW were the highlights at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Among the art cars that were featured consist of Frank Stella’s graph-paper 3.0 CSL and Roy Lichtenstein’s 1977 Group 5 320i with its amazing and rowdy wing and body works. Aside from that, the exhibit will also feature Robert Rauschenburg’s 1986 6-series BMW and the 1979 Group 4 M1 in which the famous Andy Warhol had flourished with his amazing paint job techniques.

These legends that marked automotive history raced with sophistication with their new looks courtesy of the Le Mans. The Robert Rauschenburg’s 1986 6-series was not really a sports car. It just carries a conventional style with a compressed work on its features.

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BMW F1 Team Reveals BMW Sauber F1.09

F1 racers can now use the electric KERS systems (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) as the new BMW Sauber F1 Team revealed its new BMW Sauber F1.09. This new technology stores up to 400 kJ of energy and can produce up to 60 KW in 6.5 seconds that is transmitted to the driven axle when speeding up during the race. This is controlled by the driver by pushing the Boost button and the stored energy can only be replenished under braking.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team developed a technology that combines an electric motor and generator, essential power electronics, and an energy storage device. The F1.09’s engine cover and sidepods add approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) to the car’s weight but are necessary to provide a reasonable space for the hybrid car mechanism. The team spent months in the production of the first prototype which was tested in March 2008.

Dr. Klaus Draeger, BMW’s Development Director, explained that BMW Sauber F1.09’s KERS module is a high power density version the brake energy regeneration technology. It is also physically comparable to the ActiveHybrid system that standard production BMW vehicles use. Read the rest of this entry »

Chris Bangle Leaves BMW

Chris Bangle, one of the most controversial automobile designers in recent history, is leaving BMW and will be succeeded by his protégé Adrian van Hooydonk. As successful as he is contentious, Bangle was the first American to spearhead BMW’s design department since 1992.

Bangle is known for the ill-mannered nickname “Bangle Butt”, a term that has become tantamount with the distinct rear ends of the BMW models designed and produced during Bangle’s reign. It was first seen on the 2002 7-series sedan and soon spread to its successors. Bangle defended his concept by stressing that this design is a step in modernizing a car company whose stance on sheet metal is very traditional. Just the same, BMW stood by Bangle’s side all throughout the criticisms and the Bangle’s mark appeared on almost every BMW model product ever since. Many of these models sold well in the market.

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2009 BMW 335d – Clean diesel goodness

Ours is a culture that emphasizes speed and efficiency, and one of the ways in which we can see this manifest is the demand for faster cars. And with the modern models of advanced diesel cars continuing to make their way into the market, consumers are now looking for cleaner diesel engines that can deliver peak torque at a low rpm. This is where BMW’s 2009 335d comes in.

The 2009 335d is one of the latest examples of diesel cars that show just how useful low-end torque can be. The 335d is the company’s first diesel model to hit North American shores in more than two decades, and can produce full torque at just 1,750 rpm. The 2009 335d also has 130 more lbs-ft (the 335d has 425 lbs-feet) compared to the BMW M3. And with a 265 horsepower, the 335d can go from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds.

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2009 BMW Z4 with new Folding Hardtop

The Detroit Car Show will witness the unveiling of the first BMW roadster to have a retractable hardtop. The contraption highlights a two-piece aluminum that can be retracted and reinstalled in 20 seconds.

The foldable top retreats into a compartment that was specifically designed to meet the low-slung form and proportion of the BMW architecture.

The top model of the Z4 release, the sDrive35i will have a 3L direct injection, twin turbo power plant in its engine bay. It is capable of giving out 300 horsepower and a torque of 300 lb-ft. The sDrive30i, on the other hand, will sport a 255 horsepower, naturally aspirated 3.0L engine.

The two Z4 versions will come equipped with manual gearboxes with 6 speeds. The sDrive35i will have a dual clutch automatic transmission option that offers gut wrenching, seven speed experience. The sDrive30i will be offered with a six-speed automatic.

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BMW M Cars: No More High Revving Naturally-Aspired Engines

Amid the tougher emission standards set by the international community and the stiffer budget constraints, BMW decides to drop the high revving power plant of its M cars and switch to direct injection turbocharged engines.

The move will make a big character difference in the M cars known for their high performance, dependability, functionality, and their high revving race car like engines.

The X6 xDrive M will be the first BMW car to have the transformation as it enters the market June 2009. The X6 is designed to test the waters with rivals Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and the Porsche Cayenne GTS. The X6 will sport the twin turbocharged V8 engine. This power plant will also be the heart and soul of the M5 set for release come 2010.

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BMW Releases Pricing Details for Diesel Versions of the 3-Series and X5

Automaker BMW released the pricing details for its forthcoming diesel versions of the 3-series and X5. These models will be displayed at the L.A. auto show next week prior to their launch in the United States.

The sedan costs $44,725, inclusive of destination charges, and rates at 36 mpg in highway driving and 23 mpg in city driving. It travels at 560 miles on one tank of fuel. While the X5 xDrive35d rates at 26 mpg in highway driving and 19 mpg in city driving and costs $52,025, including destination charges. It travels at 585 miles.

Called the BluePerformance, this new BMW diesel technology uses urea injection to cut back on CO2 emissions. Both models have twin-turbo, 3.0-liter I6 powerplant with 265 hp. It delivers plenty of torque, with an engine rated at 425 lb-ft, almost in par with BMW’s vaunted V12.

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