Tag: BMW

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Will the M1 Return?

The presentation of the BWM concept M1 Hommage at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance in April 2008 had Beamer fans raising their eyebrows.

Now, after the German carmaker’s presentation of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept in Frankfurt, rumours are once again on the loose.

Efficiency and dynamism have been the key words for BMW lately, and the notion of a high-performance ecological supercar powered by a hybrid engine acts as an ideal starting point.

Thanks to its small diesel engine and electric motors, the M1 can crank out 350 horsepower and hit 100 km/h from 0 in less than 5 seconds.

Britain’s Auto Express reported that the car would be released in 2012 with a price tag of around $130 000 CAD.

With BMW’s absence from the niche of supercars following the Z8’s disappearance, the luxury brand and its 4-seater coupe could be making a smashing return.

 

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An Infiniti Art Car!

The Infiniti G37 Coupe was painted by a Montreal artist named Heidi Taillefer, and also recognises the 25th anniversary of the Cirque du Soleil.

The car is currently on display at the circus headquarters in Montreal, and will then travel with the Cirque du Soleil, before being auctioned for charity.

 

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Will Rolls Go Electric?

According to Auto Express, rumours are circulating that the undisputed world leader of luxury cars, Rolls-Royce, is considering an electric alternative for its Phantom.

The additional weight of the electric batteries doesn’t pose a problem for this car, which already weighs nearly 3 tonnes.  A small diesel engine could also be added for recharging.

Such a configuration is almost ready for the brand, since it is already part of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept introduced by BMW at the Frankfurt Auto Show. 

The greatest advantage of an electric Rolls would be its lack of pollution, unlike the current V12 model.

 

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BMW Gets Set for 4 Cylinders

The CEO of BMW North America, Jim O’Donnell, revealed today at the Frankfurt Auto Show that his company will be launching novel four-cylinder engines to meet new environmental standards.

These engines, which will be more economical than the current 6-cylinder, will be equipped with two turbos.  According to O’Donnell, the German brand will be able to offer the engines by 2015.

O’Donnell also announced that the next 3 Series, coming out in the spring of 2012, will feature a four-cylinder engine.  European versions of the 3 Series are rolling out now with either 4-cylinder or diesel engines.

BMW also is considering adding four-cylinder gasoline engines to its X1 and X3 crossovers and 1 Series models in the United States.

 

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A Wind-Powered BMW

Designer Stefan Radev was inspired by a previous wind-powered prototype vehicle called the Ecotricity Greenbird, which set speed records last April, reaching 202.9 kilometers per hour. 

The Blue Dynamics designer surely planned to beat that record when creating the new BMW concept car.  And simply beating the record doesn’t seem to capture the whole story, since the car’s meter displays a maximum speed of 420 km/h!

The Blue Dynamics Land Yacht is built for large, open spaces, such as deserts or sandy beaches.  For now, the car is simply a virtual concept, but if BMW gets serious about this vehicle, the Ecotricity’s record may one day be broken.

 

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BMW’s Green Supercar

Few details have been given concerning the green sports car that is destined to make BMW the star of Germany.

The propeller-logo brand claims that the concept car will demonstrate how a sports car can be efficient.

It is believed that the Vision EfficientDynamics is powered by a hybrid diesel/electric motor. The model can allegedly hit 0 to 100km/h in approximately 5 seconds, consumes 3.5 litres per 100 km, and resonates with the company’s "joy defines the future" slogan.

More details will soon be revealed from now until mid-September, when the car makes its debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

 

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The New BMW Z4 Gets Recalled

According to the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a faulty electrical safety belt system could lead to failure of the tensioner to deploy during an accident.

If the belt does not lock, it loses a great deal of its functionality.

The models affected by this defect are the BMW Z4 30i and 35i, produced between March 10 and March 19, 2009. Owners are welcome to contact BMW.

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Infiniti Chases After BMW

With an illusion worthy of David Copperfield’s approval, Infiniti announced its third generation of the M Series during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. At the show, an image flaunting the M-Series model was projected onto a 3D Styrofoam sculpture through the means of a state-of-the-art technology often used by auto designers.

The splendid redesign of the series strongly draws inspiration from Infiniti’s "Essence" concept car, which was presented in Geneva earlier this year.

In the hood of the M37, we will find a 3.7-litre V6 engine, which has already been seen as the driving force behind the G37, and the M56 will feature a 5.6-litre V8, boasting over 400 hp.

Infiniti also incorporates a climate control system with aromatherapy, as well as a detector that warns of vehicles in the blind spot.

The Infiniti M will make its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

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Lexus Attacks the Compacts

Currently, the Japanese brand is keeping discreet about its future model. However, we can safely assume that it will be powered by diesel fuel and hybrid technology.

We also know that Lexus will be sharing the Toyota Auris platform.

No descript picture has been revealed concerning Lexus’s forthcoming compact car, though the line is bound to be resolutely sporty and dynamic, which are key qualities that competing luxury brands thrive upon.

The new Lexus will be unveiled on September 15 during the Frankfurt Auto Show.

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BMW’s latest e-bike concept limits its speed based on where it’s being used

BMW recently showed off two new e-bike concepts with a unique system that limits how fast people can ride in places with lots of foot traffic.

The e-bikes are only in concept form right now, but they offer three different speed modes, including one for driving around in cities and on bike paths (25km/h), another for biking on roads (45km/h) and a final speed of 60km/h for faster roads. The bikes also include radars to warn riders when cars approach from the rear.

BMW plans to create this speed system through geofencing where the bikes can ride, which will take a lot of work before it can actually be pulled off.

That said, if BMW can find a way to make this happen, geofencing could help keep bike paths a little safer as e-bikes become more popular and increasingly faster.