New Bmw Cars

New Class

The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of compact sedans and coupes starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Powered by BMW's celebrated four-cylinder M10 engine, the New Class models featured a fully independent suspension, MacPherson struts in front, and front disc brakes. Initially a family of four-door sedans and two-door coupes, the New Class line was broadened to two-door sports sedans with the addition of the 02 Series 1600 and 2002 in 1966.
Sharing little in common with the rest of the line beyond power train, the sporty siblings caught auto enthusiasts' attention and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the famed BMW 3 Series, the two-doors' success cemented the firm's future as an upper tier performance car maker. New Class four-doors with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the larger BMW 5 Series in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the six-cylinder BMW E9, introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. The 1600 two-door was discontinued in 1975, the 2002 replaced by the 320i in 1975.

Current models

BMW 3-Series (E90)

The 1 Series, launched in 2004, is BMW's smallest car, and is available in coupe/convertible (E82/E88) and hatchback (E81/E87) forms. The 3 Series, a compact executive car manufactured since model year 1975, is currently in its fifth generation (E90); models include the sport sedan (E90), station wagon (E91), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93). The 5 Series is a mid-size executive car, available in sedan (E60) and station wagon (E61) forms. The 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07), beginning in 2010, will create a segment between station wagons and crossover SUV.

BMW 7-Series (F01)

BMW's full-size flagship executive sedan is the 7 Series. Typically, BMW introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series, such as the somewhat controversial iDrive system. The 7 Series Hydrogen, featuring one of the world's first hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines, is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only clean water vapor. The latest generation (F01) debuted in 2009. Based on the 5 Series' platform, the 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury sport coupe/convertible (E63/E64). A 2-seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3, the Z4 (E85) has been sold since 2002.

BMW X3 SUV (E83)

The X3 (E83), BMW's first crossover SUV (called SAV or "Sports Activity Vehicle" by BMW) debuted in 2003 and is based on the E46/16 3 Series platform. Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive X5 (E70) is a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. A 4-seat crossover SUV released by BMW in December 2007, the X6 is marketed as a "Sports Activity Coupe" (SAC) by BMW. The upcoming X1 extends the BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup.

Read More

Cars 2 gets British and Italian flavor

Pixar’s sequel to the hit movie, Cars, is taking place on a global platform so as you can expect, Cars 2 will be introducing new characters from all over the globe. Among these new lands are two countries that have storied histories of producing some of the most iconic cars in history: Italy and the United Kingdom.

For Cars 2, Lightning McQueen and his trusty yet rusty wingman, Mater, head far away from Radiator Springs to compete in the very first installment of the World Grand Prix. In the middle of their adventure, theiy are thrust into a situation where they end up trying to save the world from a bevy of evil four-wheeled villains. In between trying to upend the bad guys and winning the World Grand Prix, McQueen and Mater end up meeting a slew of international characters, five of which you can check out after the jump.

Read More

2011 Project 599 GTB Eligos & 612 Adonai by SR Auto Group

We’ve just recently discovered the fabulous tuning projects from American tuner, SR Auto Group, whose packages transform any ordinary car into a beautiful work of killer art. Anyone that remembers their Project Pur R8 ’Phantom’ knows exactly what we are talking about. But now, the tuner has moved on to two more sports cars that need little to no tuning to be awesome in their own right: the Ferrari 599 GTB and the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

The tuning packages for the 599 GTB and the 612 are called Eligos (Great Duke of Hell) and Adonai (Hebrew name for God), respectively. The Eligos combines a matte black exterior paint with a dark metallic color, and a new set of ADV.1 wheels. The Adonai package comes in white exterior paint or a matte white wrap. It is combined with a black roof and a new set of ADV.1 wheels. Both cars feature a red trim for that extra little splash of devilish charm.

Read More

Volt Testing 40 Mile Range

GM says testing of the pre-production Chevy Volt is going well. The Volt batteries are averaging about 40 miles of all electric driving, but of course, your mileage will vary. After the initial all electric range, drivers can expect very high fuel efficiency from the small gas motor.

In the call this morning Andrew Farah, Volt Chief Engineer, had some interesting things to say.

Farah did explain that consumers will experience about a 20% variability in electric range depending on four variables in the following order of importance:

“Driving aggressiveness is number one, terrain is number two, weather and terrain is number three,” he said. Bly noted in cold weather a car consumes as much energy to keep its occupants warm as it does to travel down the road.

Farah also said that he uses 50 mpg as his 'bogey' when driving in charge sustaining mode (when the gas engine is recharging the battery pack). And that "So far I haven’t been disappointed.” But don't expect the EPA numbers to reflect that.

Also, GM is hoping battery costs will drop drastically as each successive generation enters production. Given the overall cost, it's the battery pack that is putting early estimates into the $40K range. So, if each successive generation can halve the cost, that's going to make the Volt into a contender against even the Prius.

But then, GM may just end up relying on smaller battery packs, with less electric range.  That would certainly cut costs, but it would also make the Volt less attractive to buyers, who may just opt for the Prius.

GM has recently completed a round of cold weather testing in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada, and will undergo additional hot weather testing in Yuma, AZ, in June and July.

The Volt is set to launch in November, with little chance the date will move either way at this point. As the date gets closer, GM says it is beginning to ramp up its production capabilities, with an additional $8 million to double the size of its automotive battery lab in Warren.

Read More

UCS Praises, Condemns New Hybrids

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) have both praised and condemned two of the latest hybrid offerings. The UCS auto engineers feel the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, a 'muscle hybrid', squanders its hybrid drivetrain by boosting power.

At the same time, the Mercedes-Benz S400 is seen as partially successful. It lowers cost, but uses a 'relatively weak' hybrid drivetrain along with a downsized conventional gasoline engine, to increase fuel efficiency.

The UCS updated their Hybrid Scorecard to reflect their findings.

BMW ActiveHybrid X6

The ActiveHybrid X6
UCS points out BMW has added on to an already powerful eight cylinder engine to boost the X6 to the highest horsepower and torque of any hybrid on the market. And so the hybrid X6 has become the worst performer, from an environmental perspective, than the Lexus RX 450h. The RX450h has a 7.4 rating on the UCS Scorecard, while the X6 was given a 4.4.

The UCS also notes the X6 ActiveHybrid comes with $10,000 of 'forced features', including a deluxe sound system and other features not included in the base model. The UCS feels that unnecessary features drive up the cost of hybrid cars.

S400 Hybrid from Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
The first hybrid from Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, took and eight cylinder engine and replaced it with a six-cylinder hybrid. That improved the costs and made for higher fuel economy. And for the first time for a hybrid, the S400 hybrid actually costs less than the base mode S550.

The S400 Hybrid is a mild hybrid, incapable of driving on electric power alone. But it does come with start-stop technology and regenerative braking. It's also the first production hybrid to use lithium-ion batteries. The S400 comes with no forced features.

The UCS engineers gave the S400 a score of 5.3 on their scorecard, but not the hybrid value is 'very high.'  In other words, the environmental 'bang for your buck' or cost effectiveness of the S400 Hybrid is very high in achieving its environmental performance.

Read More

Ford Will Build Batteries in Michigan

Ford is continuing to expand on their ability to build hybrid and electric cars. In January, Ford announced they would be building and assembling hybrid battery packs in the state of Michigan, but hadn't said where. Ford has just sent a letter to the Rawsonville plant (Source: freep.com | Detroit Free Press) letting them know they are in line for the assembly.

Ford has taken a cautious route to building up their hybrid and electric car line-up. Despite being the first to develop and sell a modern-day hybrid SUV (Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrid), Ford has only expanded their hybrid line-up by two cars since then.

But, with the initial investment in, and the costs coming down, it looks like Ford is beginning the process of truly expanding on their hybrid and electric car expertise.

Read More

Honda CR-Z May Add More Power

Honda CR-Z Hybrid

Maybe it's because the CR-Z has been so popular in Japan (it hasn't even launched yet), but rumors are out there Honda is working on a revamped, more powerful CR-Z Hybrid.

Motortrend is reporting the next generation hybrid sports coupe may come with a "2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine attached to Honda's well-known IMA hybrid system, which would lift this coupe's engine capacity by one full liter over the CR-Z."

Honda could add in a switch, making it possible for the driver to opt for a more fuel efficient configuration, or go sporty instead.

Honda is also looking at turning the CR-V into an E-REV like the Chevy Volt. Now that would be intriguing, although we'll have to wait and see how the Volt does. Will the extra cost of the battery outweigh people's desire to not use gasoline, while still having the security blanket the gasoline gives you? Or will people opt for the lower price of the Nissan Leaf, and go all electric.

Read More