The F30 3 Series is progressing rapidly with high level design and engineer finalized. Now BMW is turning to the testing and evaluation process. And luckily for us that means the covers must come off from time to time. So with that we present you what could be our best look yet (courtesy of Carscoop) at the new F30 3 Series interior.
First lets start off with the central display unit. Shockingly it’s more inline with the current generation 1 Series than with the just released 5er. In fact it looks very close to the E8X 1er. It’s set back deep into the dash giving the cockpit a more sweptback feel. Sportier? We know BMW prides itself in keeping the 3er design language younger and sportier than the 5er so perhaps thats the look they’re going for. But suffice to say that, if this is the F30, it’s a strange step for BMW
BMW Design was tasked with creating a limited edition Z4 for the UK market. The goal was to create something unique and bold. The result is the Design Pure Impulse. (There are no plans for this to make it to the US market at this time)
Official Release: The new Design Pure Impulse equipment package has been put together by the BMW Z4’s designers, featuring exclusive colours and materials that show this charismatic and sporty roadster in its best light.
Officially Release: Both BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring models will be available in M Sport guise this September when the highly popular specification goes on sale.
The package, which is specified on the vast majority of BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring models ordered in the UK, has been developed by BMW M GmbH and comprises components that have been specifically adapted to match the suspension, aerodynamics, exterior and interior design of each model. The M Sports suspension, M aerodynamics package and 18-inch M light alloys featuring a double spoke design not only create an exceptionally powerful appearance but also contribute towards enhanced driving dynamics. continued →
Many enthusiasts have been complaining that BMW needs to make cars lighter, BMW needs to add a KERS system to performance cars, needs to build a high end sports car to compete with Audi’s R8- well BMW has just redefined mobility by taking a HUGE leap ahead of the competition. BMW has succeeded in building the first volume vehicle to use Carbon Fiber in the passenger cell, if that is not revolutionary we don’t know what is. For a detail by detail account of the MCV please see here. We have covered BMW’s supply chain for Carbon Fiber in relation the MCV here in May, it covers 3 continents and a variety of stops along the way before this amazing passenger cell is even produced.
Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany and does not cater to the US market.
Munich. The BMW Group is once again breaking new ground with the Megacity Vehicle (MCV), due to come onto the market in 2013: “The Megacity Vehicle is a revolutionary automobile. It will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. Our LifeDrive architecture is helping us to open a new chapter in automotive lightweight design. Indeed, this concept allows us to practically offset the extra 250 to 350 kilograms of weight typically found in electrically powered vehicles.” says Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management for Development.
“The drive system remains the heartbeat of a car, and that also applies to electric vehicles,” said Draeger. “Powertrains also remain a core area of expertise of Bayerische Motoren Werke. Electromobility and the hallmark BMW driving pleasure make an excellent match, if you go about things the right way. For this reason we are developing the powertrain for the Megacity Vehicle in-house – that includes the electric motor, the power electronics and the battery system.”
The electrification of a vehicle requires new concepts in vehicle architecture and body construction in order to exploit the potential of the new emission-free drive system to optimum effect. With the revolutionary LifeDrive concept, the BMW Group engineers are developing the car’s architecture from scratch and adapting it to the demands and conditions of future mobility. The goal: to offset the additional weight of an electric vehicle – typically 250 to 350 kilograms. To this end, the BMW Group is focusing on the innovative high-tech material carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).
Today BMW released the first official information on the forthcoming Megacity vehicle. The MCV will redefine BMW and the brand it’s carefully cultivated for the past 80 years. Yes it’s that big. The Megacity will be positioned as a sub-brand (unlike MINI) to BMW and will focus on efficiency and the future of mobility. The following is the official press release. We’ll have much more on the car shown and the forthcoming sub-brand.
Official Release: In this day and age we see our society, and with it the sphere of individual mobility, confronted by growing challenges. More and more factors are influencing the implications of individual and corporate action. The world, and with it the sphere of individual mobility, is in a state of environmental, economic and social upheaval. Global developments such as climate change and dwindling resources are encouraging many people to act with greater social responsibility and aspire to a more aware and sustainable lifestyle.
The basic premises for individual mobility are changing.
The advancing greenhouse effect and finite resources have made it a key priority to reduce CO2 emissions significantly and quickly, to drive forward the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and to increase the efficiency of all energy consumption. The governments of various countries have recognized this too and are responding with ambitious fleet legislation and the promotion of zero-emission vehicles.
In addition, growing urbanization can be observed across the globe. Half of the world’s population already lives in cities and the numbers are rising daily. Cities are drawing in urban inhabitants like a magnet, resulting in more and more people living together in increasingly confined spaces. Along with the cities, the challenges are growing too: altered infrastructures, lack of space and environmental pollution demand new solutions for mobility.
Challenges for the future.
Mobility for the future requires a new balance between global requirements and individual needs. What is needed are new solutions for personal, and above all sustainable, mobility in urban areas. The BMW Group has recognised these needs and is developing a vehicle that opens up new possibilities in this area and can adapt to evolving customer requirements.
BimmerCast 25 is all about comparisons. The 1M is discussed in relation to other $45K cars following our recent poll. We even have a little P-car talk (used 997 anyone?).
Other topics:
X3? Yes we have details on the X3. The soon to be released SAV has been teased in every way and we give you the details that we aren’t quite allowed to write yet.
What about the 5 Series being sold-out? Sounds true but don’t expect BMW to have trouble filling dealer lots within a month. Oh and the design? Yes the term “forgettable” is bandied about.
The Matte Grey limited edition M3 is sold out and we talk about why and why we’re not huge fans.
The X5 M; I expand on the recent review and why I both loved and loathed it.
M6 anyone? Yes the prototype is on German roads and getting ready for a 2012 debut. So far it actually looks good.
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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.
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Sections: F30 3 Series Jul 6th, 2010 10 Comments 
