Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
BMW Introduces the New ActiveHybrid 5 with a Turbocharged Six, will it have the Same Fate as the X6 Hybrid?
For the most part, BMW has made some smart decisions over the years, but occasionally, even the all-knowing Bavarians make mistakes. The ActiveHybrid X6, which will reportedly soon be retired from BMW's American line-up due to poor sales, is one such example: a 480HP turbocharged V8 hybrid with mildly better fuel efficiency (19mpg highway) but with a similar price tag to the almighty X6 M.
Their counterparts at Audi seem to be doing a better job, as proved with the new A8 Hybrid that combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with an electric motor for a fuel economy of 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.8mpg US).
This brings us to the new ActiveHybrid 5 sedan that was introduced today, ahead of its sales launch in March 2012.
BMW decided to base the first hybrid version of the latest 5-Series on the 535i – not the wisest choice if you're targeting fuel efficiency and low emissions.
The new 5er, which is identified by the "ActiveHybrid" badges and the bespoke alloy wheels, combines BMW's 300HP 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder with an electric drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor delivers an output 55-horses and makes 155 lb-ft of torque available from rest.
BMW says the system generates a combined output of 335-horses and up to 330 lb-ft, allowing the sedan to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) in 5.7 seconds (preliminary). That's the same time needed by the standard 535i sedan with 300HP, which returns 30mpg highway and has an MRSP of $52,250.
BMW has not yet revealed pricing nor fuel economy figures for the hybrid version of the new 5-Series.
What the company did say about the ActiveHybrid 5 is that the lithium-ion battery can store enough energy to give the car an all-electric driving range of up to approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) at an average speed of 22 mph (35 km/h). BMW added that the sedan also features ECO PRO mode, which switches off the combustion engine while coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h) to further improve fuel economy.
More details are to be released at a later date. As for the question we posed in the title, obviously it will all depend on if it will offer any significant gains in fuel economy and at what price compared to the standard 535i.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
BMW Releases New Power Kits for 135i and 335i that Boost Output to 320HP
BMW's North American division has set its eyes on the lucrative aftermarket business with the releases of two performance packages for the 135i Coupe and 335i models.
The stage 1 and 2 Power Kits for the aforementioned models are fully covered under BMW of North America’s limited warranty and can be retrofitted at BMW centers or via the Port Installation Program.
The version 1 Power Kit, which is also available for X6 crossovers produced up to April of 2010, includes an engine software optimization that increases output by 20HP to 320-horses, and peak torque from 300 lb-ft to 332 lb-ft when equipped with an automatic transmission, and 317 lb-ft when fitted with a manual or DCT transmission.
According to BMW, with this kit, the 335i completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint 0.2 seconds faster than the standard model. It is also 0.5 seconds faster in the 50mph to 75mph acceleration and offers what the company describes as an "“Exhaust burble” sound during engine overrun conditions.
The version 2 Power Kit includes the ECU upgrade plus an auxiliary water cooler and an enhanced radiator fan to reduce the higher thermal stresses on the engine during extreme driving, according to the automaker. It is available only on the 135i and 335i.
BMW said it is offering a special introductory price on all Power Kits from now until the end of 2011, with the Version 1 Power Kit carrying an MSRP of $599, and the Version 2 Power Kit an MSRP of $1,199. Installation costs are not included in the above prices.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
New Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo with 507HP to Bow in Frankfurt
For more than four decades now, German tuning house Alpina has been modifying BMWs cars. The Bavarian luxury carmaker has a tight relationship with the tuner going as far distributing the high-performance models through its official network.
Alpina's newest creation is the B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio based on the latest 6-Series Convertible, which will make its world premiere at the rapidly approaching Frankfurt auto show on September 13.
At the heart of the Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio is specially modified 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine capable of delivering 507-horsepower and a monstrous 700Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of peak torque delivered between 3,000 and 4,750 rpm.
Power is channeled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic Switch Tronic transmission, with Alpina claiming 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 311km/h (193mph) with a combined fuel consumption of 10.9lt/100km (21.6mpg US) for the Convertible model.
In comparison, the factory 650i Convertible features a 4.4-liter turbo V8 producing 407HP and 600Nm / 443 lb-ft. It completes the standard sprint in 5.0 seconds while reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), and returning an average fuel consumption of 10.7lt/100km.
Along with the powertrain modifications, the Alpina flavored 6-Series Convertible gains the tuner's trademark multispoke alloy wheels plus carbon fibre trim bits, front apron and rear spoiler as well as bespoke interior parts.
The B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio model will soon be followed up by the coupe derivative.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Fisker Signs Deal to get BMW 2.0-liter Turbo Engines
The man behind the design of BMW's Z8 roadster and now the owner of the brand that bears his name, Henrik Fisker, has announced a new deal with BMW that covers the supply of engines and other components for future Fisker models.
Under the agreement, BMW will supply its new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine for the next generation of Fisker cars, code-named ‘Project Nina’, which are scheduled to enter production in the re-commissioned former GM plant in Wilmington, Delaware at the end of 2012 and be on sale the following year.
Fisker said that the agreement calls for up to 100,000 engine units per year at peak volume.
The first derivative of the ‘Project Nina’ series will be a mid-size premium sedan that utilizes Fisker’s EVe range-extending hybrid system.
Henrik Fisker commented on the deal: “The BMW engine was an obvious choice for us, as BMW is known for producing the best and most fuel efficient gasoline engines in the world. We are very pleased to have signed this agreement.”
It has been reported that Fisker will unveil a new model at this month's Frankfurt motor show, though it is still unclear if it will be the mid-size sedan or as some sources suggested, a new crossover model.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
APP Europe Turns up the Wick on BMW 1 M Coupe with 410HP Tune
The new BMW 1 M Coupe is by no means a slow car but for those looking to push themselves into new arenas of performance European tuning house APP has assembled a new package comprising of mechanical and styling mods.
To improve performance, APP Europe turned to MR Car Design that developed a new kit for the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six, which includes a larger intercooler, ECU upgrade and a lightweight, titanium sport exhaust system boosting output from 340-horses to 410-horses.
APP also fitted the car with a set of 6-piston brakes up front and 4-piston at the back with ceramic discs along with a new KW Variante 3+ adjustable suspension, the settings of which can be controlled via an Apple iPhone/iPod app.
The coupe rides on ATS alloy wheels finished in black and fitted with Pirelli P-Zero high-performance tires, while APP Europe pinstriped the exterior and changed the color of BMW's badges.
As for the interior, APP Europe opted to use a set of BMW Performance seats and a sport steering wheel, both trimmed in Alcantara.
The complete package is priced at €20,000 (~US$28,900), but falls to €14,000 (~US$20,200) if you ditch the ceramic brakes.
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