Section: In the Press
May 18th, 2011
We all know that the end of the naturally aspirated engine is history due to future emission regulations but what is the future? According to the WSJ it is at least for the short term, European luxury brands bringing some frugal powerplants that have been missing from US offerings. Audi and Mercedes Benz plan on offering more diesels, even in their flagship models the A8 and S Class. These diesels will boost each sedans fuel economy significantly and begs the question, Why has it taken so long?
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Apr 22nd, 2011
Brilliance Automotive, BMW’s Chinese partner has recently unveiled an all new mid-sized car but its name is not so new- the 530. The Brilliance 530 will debut in 2012 and will feature a four cylinder with a minuscule 136hp output- not competition for a real 530i. We find this idea utterly amusing, BMW’s own partner is now using the German’s naming convention…
BMW and Brilliance also recently unveiled a plugin hybrid 5 Series designed for the expansive Chinese market.
Photo:ChinaAutoWeb
Apr 13th, 2011
Our readers have commented over the years that BMW should have brought a 5 Series diesel to market when they re-introduced oil burners to the US.
The model that everyone has been clamoring for is the 535d and The Diesel Driver went to Europe to drive just that model.
It comes as no surprise to us that the editor drooled over the 535d’s balance of luxury, power and efficiency. We wouldn’t expect anything different from a turbo diesel powered BMW.
“On our 528 km (328 mile) drive from Munich to Bratislava to Vienna and back to Munich, the 535d delivered excellent real-world fuel economy, using only 7.1 l/100 km (34 mpg) at an average speed of 111 km/h (68.9 mph).”
For the full review head over to The Diesel Driver.
Apr 9th, 2011
In a surprise move, BMW M’s head of R&D, Albert Biermann told AutoCar a bit about future M offerings.
“Turbocharging provides more power and performance but with better fuel economy and emissions,” says Albert Biermann, BMW M’s head of R&D. The V8 is the same ‘S63’ unit used in the X5 M and X6 M, but with revised induction and exhausts for sharper throttle response and a more solid top end. Biermann also stated, “There will be some all-wheel-drive surprises on M cars in the future.”
Many have concluded that his comment about M going 4 wheeling was directed at only the ///M5, which is set to make its public debut in a few weeks at Sahnghai but we take that to mean that M is looking into offering more models (outside just the X5 and X6) in all wheel drive. The M5 being offered in all wheel drive is no surprise as many of the early spy videos showed the car getting power on the tarmac a little too even to be rear wheel drive. When Alpina created an xDrive version of their flagship B7 the writing was on the wall that M would likely follow suit. If you read between the lines this may also indicate that to the chagrin of many enthusiasts the X3 may be offered in an M version as well as the the next 3 series. These two platforms are intertwined and dollars spent on one can easily translate to the other for the most part so it just makes sense to build one thinking about the other.
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Mar 24th, 2011
It is about a year away from when the F-code 3 Series sedan hits the market and the speculation as to its looks has begun in full force. This time with Car and Driver taking their stab at it.
The F30 3 Series will build on BMW’s Efficient Dynamics program through the use of increasingly efficient engines, thanks to a full tilt technology overhaul. Gone will be the naturally aspirate powerplants, replaced by turbo offerings in both four and six cylinder varieties.
Rumors of increased use of lightweight materials continues but what is definite is that BMW has used the Munich wind tunnel to get the most efficient air movement and lowest drag coefficient they could to squeeze out the MPGs. Spy photos have been limited as this car is being heavily tested in BMWs new indoor environmental lab. The new lab allows the engineers to recreate any climate deluge they want at the press of a few buttons. That sure beats the heat of a desert!
Stay tuned for more news on the 2013 3er.
Source: Car and Driver
Mar 9th, 2011
Consistently the best fast saloon, the BMW M5 is now 25. David Vivian from EVO drives all four generations and gives us his impressions. It’s a great look back as we get ready to look forward.
But then not recognising the M5 for what it was quickly became part of the mystique. Essentially it was a Q-car, an ordinary-looking executive saloon powered by an extraordinary, race-derived engine. As the first true supersaloon, it sparked a power struggle that has lasted a quarter of a century and seen four generations take the fight to the opposition it created. Next year, the most powerful and advanced M5 yet looks set to push the bar higher still. For now, though, let’s rewind to the M5’s 25th birthday bash late last year. Based at the M division’s long-established Nürburgring test centre a five-minute walk from the Ring pit lane, it provided the perfect opportunity to chart the evolution of a modern motoring icon. Four generations of M5 are lined up in the pale autumnal sun. The Green Hell beckons.
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Dec 21st, 2010
As we have been reporting, BMW has green lighted the Vision Efficient Dynamics car which made its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. There is a road worthy prototype being tweaked and tested as you read this. It features the promised three cylinder diesel and two electric motor system as originally promised. This is cutting edge technology packaged in radically styled vehicle.
The slippery exterior features BMWs new and much talked about “air curtains” to decrease turbulence and drag but the real conversation piece is the aforementioned propulsion system which is capable of exerting 328 horses, has a 31 mile electric only range, an estimated fuel economy of around 63 mpg and a total range of 435 miles. BMW states it is as fast as the recently departed M6.
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Dec 15th, 2010
As no surprise to us, BMW has leaked more details on the upcoming FRONT WHEEL DRIVE platform. As we and others have reported, BMW is ditching their long held view that rear wheel drive will be the base of all models in hopes of making more profits.
According to Autocar, there will be two new FWD 1-Series variants. The first will be a 5-door hatchback followed by a GT like version. The new FWD 1-Series will have a larger cabin thanks to more upright A-pillars and windshield.
The FWD variants will be built on a modified version of the MINI Countryman platform and are to hit showrooms (in Europe) in September 2013.
Internally known as the UKL (acronym for Unter Klasse), the two FWD models will be accompanied by 4 rear wheel drive 1-Series versions which may be renamed 2 Series (at least in coupe form). RWD versions will include 3 & 5-door hatches along with a coupe and cabriolet.
FWD models will be powered by the much rumored with 1.5 liter, 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Codenamed the N37 and N38, respectively, the engines are halfed versions of BMW’s current 3.0 liter offerings and will feature all of the current Efficient Dynamics tricks as well as some we have yet to see.
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