Take note, with this release BMWi has officially begun acting as a stand alone entity under the BMW brand. Subtle yes. But an important moment. Now onto the surprisingly interesting press release.
Official Release: BMW i is about the development of visionary vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability. With BMW i the BMW Group is adopting an all-embracing approach, redefining the understanding of personal mobility with purpose- built vehicle concepts, a focus on sustainability throughout the value chain and a range of complementary mobility services. (photo gallery and full release after the break) continued →
Richard Kim, the lead exterior designer on both the i3 and i8 had the best job in the world; to re-imagine the automobile. In the i3 and i8 he’s done just that by celebrating the technology that has made them both possible. In this interview (courtesy of Drivestv.com) he goes into details as we see them on-screen. It’s perhaps one of the best presentations as to why these cars are truly different that we’ve seen. continued →
After years of avoiding it, BMW is making the Tokyo Motor Show all about alternative power plants for 2011. Making it’s official production debut will be the AciveHybrid 5 Series.
Official Release: The introduction of groundbreaking drive system innovations sees BMW taking driving pleasure to consistently greater heights, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions to ever lower levels. At the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 (3 – 11 December 2011) the German premium carmaker is underlining its pace-setting development expertise in this field with the presentation of next-generation BMW ActiveHybrid technology, new four-cylinder petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and – for the first time in the Japanese market – a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with BMW BluePerformance technology. This year’s Tokyo Show is hosting the world premiere of the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The full-hybrid Sedan brings together a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, an electric drive system, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a high-performance lithium-ion battery. This package of technology allows the brand’s third hybrid model to be driven on purely electric power around town, offers drivers a boost function delivering extremely dynamic acceleration, and enables the car to coast with the combustion engine switched off. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 also comes with a globally unique intelligent energy management system, which works in tandem with the navigation system to prepare the car’s drive functions in advance for upcoming road conditions. continued →
Official Release: Now in its second generation, the BMW 1 Series is once again the undisputed benchmark for driving dynamics in the compact vehicle segment. Just a few weeks after its market launch it has now been officially certified as a perfect role model in the area of safety. On the current Euro NCAP crash test, the new BMW 1 Series achieved the top score of 5 stars. After analysis of all the data collected in the course of extensive testing procedures, the testers officially confirmed that the new BMW compact model provides outstanding occupant protection over a range of different collision types. In addition, the car’s pedestrian protection and its numerous standard safety fittings also attracted a positive rating. Among other things, the new BMW 1 Series can be fitted with the extended emergency call including automatic position finding and accident severity identification – the BMW Assist Advanced eCall. BMW received the special Euro NCAP Advanced Award for this BMW ConnectedDrive service a year ago. continued →
Over the years I’ve driven countless BMWs. I’ve put mile after mile on new, used and just plainly old BMWs in every condition imaginable. And yet I’ve never been more excited about one as I am with the little white car parked in my garage.
There is nothing quite like the 1M in BMW’s product mix. Small, relatively light (by modern standards) and stuffed full of M3 components, it’s a 1 Series that looks like it’s been in the gym for the last three years. And in some ways it has with the M division having endowed it with heavy doses huge wheels, fat tires, wide fender flares and air intakes seemingly everywhere.
Then there’s the engine. However as much as the twin-turbo N54-B30TO makes for a great motivator under the hood, the experience is dominated by the M3 influenced chassis, suspension and brakes. Yet it’s so much more and less than an M3. take away 600 lbs and shorten the wheelbase and you’ll understand why, in our first review of the car, we called it likely the best small M car ever. And because of it all it’s easily one of the most endearing BMW’s in recent memory. But how would it hold up to 2,000 miles? Are there cracks in the armor or is the 1M as good as we initially believed?
Want to get a jump on ordering your new F30? Today is your lucky day as the internal ordering guide has made its way onto the interwebs. First up, the three lines that debuted at the European launch (as we predicted) will make it to the US. But there are a number of fascinating nuggets within this release that bear some highlights.
First up the wonderful 8 speed automatic is now standard across the range. But before you get the pitchforks out, the manual is still available on both the four cylinder 328i and six cylinder 335i as a no cost option. Also standard (as you likely read about on BF) is a 6.5″ TFT screen and the latest generation of iDrive. The full break-down on the standard equipment is after the break. continued →
Today we bring you two videos (via Insideline and Bimmerpost respectively) of the next generation M3 as it gets some late season testing in at the ‘Ring. We expect the four door M3 to be the first out of the gate in the spring of 2013 with the two door (still likely named the M3 and not the M4) a year later.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: BMWi | i3 | i8 | Official News Nov 15th, 2011 No Comments 
