Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: BMW

BMW is launching a refreshed version of its mainstream 3-Series sedan this fall with tweaked front and rear styling. On the mechanical side, we already know about the coming 3.0L dual turbo diesel for the U.S. market. One other change that’s coming is the addition of a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The sports automatic transmissions, as BMW calls them, debuted on the M3 earlier this year and now join the 335i Coupe and Convertible models. The automated shifting of the DCT provides a slight 0.1 second improvement in 0-62 mph acceleration while also providing a five percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous 6-speed automatic. The convertible now has a combined rating of 25.8 mpg (U.S.) while the coupe is up to 26.7 mpg (U.S.). Now, if they would just offer up the DCT with the new diesel, we’d have a killer combination.

[Source: BMW]

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Filed under: Coupes, Videos, BMW

If we had a turbocharged BMW E46 M3 that kicked out 630 horsepower to the rear wheels, we’d be pretty damn proud of it. In fact, we’d likely head right over to our old man’s house and take him for a spin. Hopefully he wouldn’t react to our ass-kicking, super-tuned Bimmer like the dad in this video did. Watch and listen as the young man behind the wheel barely engages the accelerator and his old man freaks the hell out. The entire 1:28 is basically a profanity-laced tribute to the scared parent with no need for speed. Our favorite part is when Dad puts his hand on the dash and begs his offspring to slow down. Classic. Hit the jump to see for yourself, unless you’re easily offended by swearing, because every third word could be censored on broadcast television. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading NSFW VIDEO: Dad has bad reaction to son’s M3 Turbo

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Filed under: Emerging Technologies, BMW

BMW has won an ÖkoGlobe award for the second straight year. The award was presented to the Bavarian automaker for its work on a thermoelectric generator. Um, what’s that? Basically, using a process known as the Seebeck effect, electricity can be generated by a difference in temperatures. All right, fine… who cares? Under the hood of every car ever sold that has an internal combustion engine, a huge amount of heat is generated while the engine creates power to drive the vehicle. In fact, only about a quarter of all the energy released by the fuel’s combustion is utilized in even the most efficient engines. Therefore, there is a great source of untapped energy already in each car on the road. BMW’s researchers and engineers would love to tap into that unused energy with a thermoelectric generator, which could help capture some of that potential energy in the form of electricity that could then help power either the car directly or at least some of its peripheral systems. Very cool, and we hope something good comes from the research.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW wins ÖkoGlobe 2008 award for thermoelectric generator

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Filed under: Convertibles, BMW, Rumormill

BMW 1 Series cabrio: click above to view in high resolution

Ever since the Z4 went bigger, rumors have been circulating that BMW is considering building a smaller Z2 roadster. The time may be ripe now for the Bavarian automaker to introduce a compact sportscar based on the underpinnings from the 1 Series.

Reports suggest it would likely have a folding soft top instead of a collapsible tin roof like the upcoming Z4 replacement and a small trunk capable of swallowing just a weekend bag. Sources also hint that the Z2 would come exclusively with four-cylinder power, which could discourage BMW from bringing the vehicle to the United States where the assumption is that customers are not prepared to pay for premium cars with four-bangers. However, the development of new four-cylinder turbos potentially destined for American shores could make the Z2 a reality. Still, with the 1 Series cabrio available with the twin-turbo six, the Z2 could have its legs cut out from under it before it even materializes.

[Source: Autozeitung via Motor Authority]

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Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Tech, BMW, Lifestyle

BMW Assist — essentially the Bavarian’s version of GM’s OnStar — has made BMW Search using Google Maps available on the 1 and 3 Series. Previously, it was only available on BMW models from the 5 series up. If you subscribe to the BMW Assist Convenience Plan, you can use BMW Search to find businesses, then input the information directly into the navigation system, or call with your Bluetooth phone over the service’s AT&T Mobility Network (you don’t need to have AT&T, though).

BMW Search joins BMW’s MyInfo service, which allowed customers and businesses to send listings and street addresses directly to the car. BMW Assist is standard on 5, 6, and 7 Series, and included in the Premium Package or as a stand-alone option on all other models.

Continue reading Google Maps-powered BMW Search added to 1 and 3 Series

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Filed under: MPG, BMW, Legislation and Policy, European Union, UK, USA

BMW’s North American CEO, Jim O’Donnel has ended the rumors of a new BMW four-cylinder engine option. It’s true. And it sounds great. Not only will the new turbocharged engine outperform the current inline-six, it will get better fuel mileage and produce fewer emissions. Perfect! When is it coming? Could be soon for Europe. The United States, though, reportedly won’t learn its fate until the upcoming Presidential election is complete. Um, sorry… what?

You’re telling us all about this great new engine and how it’s going to outperform the current engines, and then tell us that you’ll only bring it here if the Feds force you to? That doesn’t sound so good, especially for an automaker that is so proud of its “Most Sustainable” title. If the automaker has a good engine, we want it. It really is just that simple, and this includes those great diesels we’ve been taunted with.

[Source: BimmerFile]

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The groundbreaking BMW Hydrogen 7, the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan will join other hydrogen-powered cars in the 2008 Hydrogen Road Tour. The tour will take the convoy of environment-friendly cars across the country from Portland, Maine to Santa Monica, California. The goal of the tour is to call on congressional leaders to support the creation […]

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Fast BMWBy Rebecka WhitlockBMW manufactures whatever type of vehicle you are looking for, and has been a long-standing, reputable, and reliable car make. You can find BMW motorcycles, sports utility vehicles, sedans, sports cars, and more.The birth of …

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Filed under: Etc., Euro, BMW

Don’t go getting too excited, it probably won’t mean a crate version of the S65 or N54 for Roundel fans. Running an automaker is expensive, especially a manufacturer that leans more toward niche status than casting a wide net. BMW is looking at all options for future revenue, and one of the thoughts that’s occured to the well-respected manufacturer of cars with chutzpah is to bank on its engineering chops and sell engines to other carmakers. Lotus has pimped themselves out for years to other automakers, and the Porsche name has ended up on things like hard drives, so BMW selling their award-winning engines to gain an extra stream of return on their investment is a far less radical move. Hey, if selling their more mundane powerplants to emerging markets like India and China keeps the coffers full and awesome performers rolling our way, we’re all for it.

[Source: Motor Authority]

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Autocar says BMW seriously considered taking Volvo off of Ford’s hands earlier this year, going so far as to request financial data about the company, which is surprising on several levels.
First, does this mean Volvo is for sale? Bill Ford has said nothing in Ford’s Premium Auto Group is sacred, but Volvo seems to be […]

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With its fourth-generation 3-series convertible, BMW joins the trend toward retractable hard tops–following the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL, the Volvo C70, and the Volkswagen Eos. The switch is a curious one for BMW, as it adds weight and loses what even BMW’s U.S. chief Tom Purves admits is the “romance” of a raised soft […]

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fter showing off their BlueTec-equipped diesel six-cylinder engine at the Detroit Auto Show, BMW indicated that they would be installing oil-burners in their US offerings in 2008. Yesterday, prior to the opening of the Geneva Motor Show BMW CEO Dr. Norbert Reithofer reaffirmed that diesels would be available in US-market BMWs beginning with the X5 […]

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The very first prototype engine that will help making hydrogen-powered engines more production ready has been developed by a European Commission consortium of car and truck makers, engine builders, and university researchers.

The prototype…

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Without a doubt, most of today’s new cars come loaded with sophisticated technologies that were the stuff of sci-fi a few decades ago. Technological equipments that were once provided only for high end luxury cars such as navigational systems are now available even in relatively more modest entry-level vehicles. With this abundance of desirable high […]

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Filed under: Emerging Technologies, BMW

Siemens VDO has announced that for the first time an engine equipped with piezo direct injection gasoline (DIG) technology has featured in Ward’s 10 Best Engine List of 2007. The 300 hp / 224 kW BMW 335i Twin Turbo 3-liter engine, which features Siemens VDO DIG technology, was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show last year.

The piezo technology, in conjunction with advanced engine management systems, is credited for delivering higher torque and improved vehicle fuel economy. Direct injection fuel delivery, which is widely used in diesel engines, injects gasoline directly into the engine’s combustion chamber, enabling the vehicle to start with less fuel, while simultaneously improving vehicle drivibility and emissions.

Related:

• Ward’s Auto releases annual 10 Best Engines list
• Ballard selling electric drive operations to Siemens VDO
• Suppliers pushing competing diesel injector types to clean up diesels

[Source: Siemens VDO]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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Environmentally conscious Europeans, hold on to your plan to buy a car till 2007! It will be witnessing the launch of 104 new car models. Along with featuring fresh color combinations, new technology, the car engines will be made eco-friendly to…

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Herbert Hartge has been producing his Bavarian specials for more than 30 years now. And as each new generation of BMWs gets better and better, these tuned versions have managed to keep pushing the envelope even further. The Beckingen Bimmers have grown into some of the fastest German tuner cars, model for model. Generally known […]

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The BMW Hydrogen 7 is world’s first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile, which we covered a couple of months back too. The car celebrated its world premiere at the Los Angeles International Auto Show with the Governor of California, Arnold…

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No, this isn’t the RFK Series, Mercedes R-Class-fighting people mover we’ve been awaiting. It’s a sportier version of the X5, known among spies as the X6. Read more about the BMW X6 from the automotive experts at Motor Trend.

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I came across an article about BMW’s Eco Luxury on Technology Review, which mentions that it is an amazing concept, but the process of hydrogen fuel generation is the biggest challenge, which may put an end to the entire concept of hydrogen powered…

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