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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

New BMW Alpina D3 BiTurbo – a great diesel

The BMW Alpina D3 BiTurbo - a brilliant, quick and economical everyday driveAlpina and tuned BMWs are synonymous. Alpina has turned out some stunning versions of the BMW range over the years (and some not so stunning – their 8 Series springs to mind) and they fill a gap that is either not profitable in small volume for BMW or, in some cases, a hole that BMW hasn’t plugged.

And this one is a good hole to fill with the BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo, a 3 Series diesel with the heart of a hot hatch. Alpina has taken the engine out of the 1 Series 123d and given it a boost to 240bhp, in the process dropping the 0-60 time to a very creditable 6.9 seconds

But it’s not the sprint that count, but the way this peppy diesel unit delivers it. With a big (relatively) lump of torque at it’s disposal it feels much quicker than the headline times. In fact, it’ up there with the 330D, but drinks like a miser. Fuel economy is stunning 52mpg, and just 143g/km Co2.

This is an updated version of last years car and a clever car it is. I can’t think of many cars off he top of my head that would be such a perfect daily drive. Great performance and good economy, in a well-built and classy looking car, with the added kudos of the Alpina badge.

No daft options list – just choose auto (£31,585) or manual (£29,950).

BMW Vision Connected Drive Concept

The BMW Vision Connected Drive is a two-seat roadster with an advanced in car technology focused on comfort, infotainment and safety expressed through a three-layer lighting system.
Making its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the BMW Vision Connected Drive Concept is a showcase of the current and future in car technology.
The main design element is the layering concept, which aims at demonstrating the bond between the driver, passenger, vehicle and the surrounding environment.
BMW Vision Connected Drive Concept This interaction is visualized through a complex light installation which shows the path of data exchange with the driver and passenger as the start and end point of each interaction

Interior Design

The interior is divided into three layers comfort, infotainment and safety each with a corresponding light installation.
Each layer is defined by a color, rhythm, motion and texture and, through the transparent surfaces the path taken by the information can be seen via fibre optic lighting.
The first layer focuses on safety, with a red light wrapping around the driver and coming together in a cone on the hood. This represents the flow of safety specific information and the driver’s focus on the road ahead.

Exterior Design

The exterior of the BMW Vision Connected Drive is characterized by the long wheelbase, set back seating position and long hood.
The taut surfaces and distinctive flowing lines create an interplay of light and shadow making the car appear as if it is accelerating even at a standstill.
The sliding doors, inspired by those on the BMW Z1, disappear into the body, allowing to drive the cars with the doors open, which emphasizes the link between the vehicle and its environment.
The headlights and rear lights integrate sensors that monitor the traffic and external environment.

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.

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.

Thursday, February 17, 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".

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

Link: BMW Facebook

Monday, February 14, 2011

New BMW Dealer Customizes 1-Series to Produce M3 GTS-Lookalike

Remember the BMW M3 GTS? We sure do. The car was produced by BMW as a special, extreme M3. Unfortunately, it was available only in European markets, where it sold out quickly.

The 1-Series is about to get an M performance variant of its own pretty soon, but up until now more performance has had to come from customization.

Parkview BMW, a BMW dealer in Ontario, liked the M3 GTS so much that they decided to create their own mini-model based on the 1-Series.

The most noticeable similarity would have to be the same stunning Fire Orange paint that really set the M3 GTS apart. It is also paired with similar black alloy rims.

Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without other modifications as well and Parkview BMW is happy to oblige. The car gets a a complement of BMW Performance Parts, including an body kit, carbon fiber rear diffuser, mirror caps, spoilers and roof.

Inside, the carbon fiber accents continue, along with an Alcantara steering wheel, M gear shift knob and aluminum pedals.

As far as performance modifications to the engine, whether or not the dealer did that has not been made certain. We do know it certainly looks the part though. You can check out more over at 1-Series fan site 1Addicts.

New BMW Releases Images,

The 1-Series M is coming, if you haven’t noticed. BMW is managing this campaign brilliantly, releasing just enough information and details to keep our interested piqued.

The car’s official launch is set to come at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The company has released some new details and teaser images of the car.

Let’s get down to the details. The 1 Series M Coupe has the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder from the X4 sDrive35is (don’t even get us started on that name).

It makes 340-horsepower and the car weighs 3,300 pounds, which should make for some nice performance figures. In reality, this car is a true successor to the original BMW M3 that enthusiasts loved so much.

As for pricing, it is expected to be slotted in the 135i and M3, coming in at around $45k mark. The car should be making the rounds at all the magazines soon enough, with coverage expected to be – what else – fawning.

What’s not to like? Below is some of the teaser images released by BMW, with the car covered in camouflage.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

BMW X6 Concept

The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover released for sale in the second quarter of 2008 by German automaker BMW. The X6 was marketed as a Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) by BMW. It combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all wheel drive and all-weather ability, large wheels and tires) with the stance of a coupé (bold styling, dramatic sloping roof).

It includes a twin scroll twin turbo version of BMW N63 engine with Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM). Engine is rated 555 PS (408 kW; 547 hp) at 6000 rpm and 680 N·m (500 lb·ft) at 1500-5650 rpm.

Other features include 6-speed M Sports Automatic transmission with aluminum pull-style paddles on steering wheel, M Dynamic Mode feature, 10 mm (0.4 in) lower Adaptive Drive suspension, 4-piston fixed calipers with 15.6" rotor at front and single piston floating calipers with 15.2" rotor at rear, 20-inch alloy wheels with 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 run flat tires, special gills in the front fenders, 20-inch light-alloy wheels.

Wallpapers BMW X6 Concept

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.