New AutoCars News: BMW

Honda HR-V Crossover

The all-new HR-V features a lower profile fuel tank mounted under the front seats in order to free up the underfloor space beneath the rear seats, enabling the use of their 60:40 split Magic Seats - which can adopt several configurations.

New BMW i3 Model

BMW will keep improving the two i vehicles it already sells, and we presume they too will feature an LCI (facelift) at some point which will also improve some of the technical aspects as well as update the styling, gadgets and interiors.

2016 Infiniti QX50

The updated 2016 Infiniti QX50 has a wheelbase increase of more than three inches, creating additional rear legroom and interior volume as well as new front and rear fascias, newly designed alloy wheels, side sills, and a slightly higher ride stance.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The All-New Tucson has a bold and athletic presence achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and most importantly, our newest generation hexagonal grille – our brand signature.

2016 Toyota Avalon

The fourth generation Toyota Avalon first saw the light of day back in 2012 when it became an overnight hit with mid-size car buyers across the continental United States.

All-New SuperB Skoda

The All-New Superb is a bigger, more elegant-looking and tad more luxurious car than Skoda's existing Octavia, with the two cars positioned slightly below and above the mid-size segment respectively.

Kia Sportspace Concept

The study is a stylish estate created for long distance driving, with Kia saying it has been designed "for fast and efficient travel with maximum comfort and minimal stress, in the best grand touring tradition of the weekend getaway."

New Alfa-Romeo Sedan

The sedan still hasn’t got a name, although it has constantly been referred to as the Giulia. Alfa Romeo will also offer a high-performance model.

2016 McLaren 570s Coupe

McLaren 570S Coupe McLaren says that its new coupe is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.5 seconds, while top speed is 328 km/h or 204 mph.

Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts

New BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid

6:23 PM

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An MPV like the 2-Series Active Tourer would previously been unthinkable – front-wheel drive, a heresy, a betrayal against the brand's core values. The powers that be in BMW, of course, know very well that the 3-Series is their bread-and-butter model and their best-seller, so they make sure they don't meddle much with its successful recipe.

Nevertheless, electrification has become inevitable in order to meet the stringent norms concerning fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This does not necessarily imply that driving pleasure has been compromised. According to BMW, the new 330e "adds to the 3-Series model range a plug-in hybrid variant that meets the highest standards of dynamics and efficiency".

The engineers might have used the know-how gained by the i-Series, but unlike the i3 and i8, as well as the 225xe Active Tourer that will also debut at the IAA, the 65kW/88 PS electric motor that's positioned in front of the eight-speed auto gearbox is mated not to the 1.5-liter three-cylinder, but the 184 PS, 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Thus, the 330e has a total combined output of 252 PS and a peak torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-feat), with 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) – and, for small bursts, up to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) - being available at all times by the eDrive system.

This enables the 330e to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in just 6.1 seconds and top out at 225 km/h (140 mph). Not bad for a premium compact saloon, especially when you factor in the 1.9-2.1 lt/100 km (148.7-134.5 mpg) average fuel consumption and its CO2 emissions that are just 44-49 g/km.

BMW claims that, in all-electric mode, the hybrid 3-Series has a range of 40 km (25 miles) at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) before the petrol engine kicks in and the total range in everyday driving can reach 600 km (373 miles).

The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is situated under the boot, reducing its 480 lt capacity by 90 lt, though the company says that it has managed to keep the 50/50 weight balance and, anyway, the 370 lt that's available is still more than enough – plus, one can always fold the 40/20/40 split rear seat.

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5:57 PM

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BMW is bringing the 225xe to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show for its world premiere on September 15 where it will be joined by another plug-in hybrid addition to the firm's range with the dedicated "e" moniker, the 330e sedan. While aimed at the masses, the new 225xe takes inspiration from the i8 sports car, since it uses the same 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit (though positioned on the front this time) and electric motor configuration.

In the Active Tourer, the 1.5L mill produces 136PS (134hp) and 220Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque, driving the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, while an 88PS (87hp) electric motor is integrated into the rear axle. Together, the two drive systems produce a combined 224PS (221hp) and 385Nm (284 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The cool thing about BMW's system is that it can power the front, rear or all four wheels, depending on the drive mode. When using both, the 225xe can accelerate to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds and top out at 202km/h (126mph).

There are three pure electric modes named "AUTO eDRIVE", "MAX eDRIVE" and SAVE BATTERY. The 225xe has a top speed of up to 125km/h (78mph) in MAX eDrive mode and 80km/h (50mph) in AUTO eDRIVE. BMW quotes an electric range of up to 41 kilometers (25 miles). Electric power comes from a lithium-ion battery positioned under the rear seat bench, with BMW claiming that "primary" boot capacity remains unchanged over the conventional 2-Series Active Tourer models at 400 liters.

The battery can be charged either by means of brake energy recuperation or by plugging into a domestic socket, which takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes from empty, or via the optional BMW iWallbox that cuts that time by an hour. According to the Germans, the 225xe's combined fuel economy that includes use of the battery, is 2.0l/100km or 117.6mpg US / 141.2mpg UK.

The 225xe will go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year with prices in Germany starting from €37,800 ($42,400), which is slightly less than the 192PS 2.0-liter turbo 225i that begins from €38,000. You probably already suspected this, but the 225xe will not be offered in the States.

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5:07 AM

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The BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe in BiColour sports a Frozen Brilliant White metallic paint, 10-spoke alloy wheels and matte chrome accents. Inside, the four-door coupe combines a BMW Individual Collection trim with a Piano Black finish which contrasts with Frozen Brilliant White metallic accents and the Opal White fine-grain merino leather.

The steering wheel has a BiColour design, as have the seats. Other details include the BMW Individual Manufaktur signet on the rear shelf inside the car and at the bottom of the center console covered in leather. No other details were offered about the car, which is most likely a one-off example commissioned by a customer.

9:33 AM

Admin

The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid concept is the automaker's first PHEV with a front/transverse-mounted combustion engine. The vehicle features an 136PS (134hp) 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels, a high-voltage generator mounted in the front structure and a 65kW (87hp) electric motor sending its power to the rear wheels. As a result, the car has an all-wheel drive system similar to that of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, but in this case arranged in a mirror image.

The high-voltage generator on the front axle fulfils three different tasks: it boosts the combustion engine for brief periods with extra output of up to 15kW (20hp) and some 150Nm (111lb-ft) from rest, generates electric power while on the move and feeds it directly to the high-voltage battery, and enables the engine to be started and turned off very smoothly thanks to its higher output compared to conventional starters.

The concept can cover up to 38 km (23.6 miles) on electric power alone, sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 6.5 seconds and average approximately 2 l/100 km (117.6 mpg US or 141.2 mpg UK), equating to CO2 emissions of under 50 g/km (according to the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles).

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8:47 AM

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As one of the pioneers of hydrogen-powered cars, BMW continues to research ways to make this alternative fuel viable for everyday use. Like other manufacturers, BMW is now focusing on hydrogen fuel cell technology rather than on vehicles that burn hydrogen inside the engine. The automaker plans to bring a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) to market by 2020 and is using the technology partnership with Toyota to speed up the process.

BMW has presented two concept fitted with the technology, one based on the i8 and another using the 5-Series GT as a starting point. While no details were offered about the i8 concept, BMW said the 5-Series GT fuel cell car is powered by an electric motor producing 180kW (245PS) which sources energy from a fuel cell stack developed together with Toyota. There's also a high-voltage battery for interim energy storage and power electronics.

Hydrogen is stored in a tunnel tank between the front and rear axle which features industry standard 700 bar CGH2 vessel technology and cryogenic pressure vessel technology (CCH2) patented by the BMW Group for storing gaseous hydrogen at low temperature and 350 bar pressure.

The vehicle has an operating range of over 500 km (more than 300 miles), with refueling taking under five minutes. BMW says fuel cell technology "makes an ideal addition to both the BMW i models and, in the future, the series-produced models from the BMW brand fitted with tried-and-tested eDrive technology."

Finally, BMW has also shown a 1-Series concept that uses direct water injection technology. Following the debut of water injection in the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car, direct water injection for turbocharged petrol engines is showcased on a three-cylinder petrol engine.

Direct water injection has a cooling effect that helps increase performance and efficiency, with fuel consumption being especially reduced when the driver adopts a sportier style. Furthermore, direct water injection reduces thermal stress on numerous engine components and minimizes emissions.

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4:35 PM

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There's not much really going on with the M3 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse or BMW's term for facelifts), so you can relax if you just ordered the 2015MY, especially if you took advantage of BMW's recent US lease offers with a 66 percent residual for 10k miles.

For the 2016MY, the M3 keeps the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six with 425hp (431PS) and 406 lb-ft (550Nm) of peak torque gaining newly designed full-LED rear lights, some better quality chrome highlights inside and BMW's latest-generation Navigation system Professional with LTE.

BMW has released pricing and details on a number of vehicles, including the facelifted M3 sedan and Alpina B6 xDrive Grand Coupe, plus the new plug-in hybrid X5 xDrive40e and the model year updates for the 2-Series, 3-Series GT, 5-Series, Z4, X4, X5, X5 xDrive40e, M4, M5, X5M and X6M. Besides the M3 sedan and the Alpina B6 that carry some modest cosmetic revisions, the other cars listed here mostly feature changes to their equipment packages (optional and standard) and color options.