First BMW Project i Car Set for Release on 2012

BMW revealed in 2008 the plan of establishing the Project i Division which is assigned to develop technologies that can serve as solutions across its range of vehicles.

The Mini-E which was launched last year is the first baby of Project i. The electric car will be use by BMW to get the feedback of the market, especially the urban consumers, about their particular needs and wants when it comes to zero emission cars.

BMW is expected to come up with a range of zero emission units in the next few years under the bad of Megacity. The fleet will include highly efficient combustion powertrains and all electric variants.

The first unit due for release is a compact hatch which will be less expensive than the Miniand the 1 series. It appears that BMW is eyeing to produce more environment-friendly vehicles and veering away from luxury niches like the X7.

The first Project i car is aiming to meet the stricter standards set by the state of California. The three-door hatch is set to be released by 2012.

The details about the zero-emission hatchback have not been revealed. BMW hinted though that the car can accommodate four adults and will have under its hood an electric engine running on Lithium Ion batteries.

The styling of course will be dominated by the BMW styling with wide track, short overhangs, and low roofline.

There are also clues that Project i might release a motorbike, a sibling of the C1 scooter, and the next generation of Z2 roadster.

Source: BMWTalk.org

BMW X1 SAV

BMW continues to tease new X1 SUV

BMW has dropped four new teaser photos of the new BMW X1. The four photos turned up on the Facebook page dedicated to the vehicle.

The decision to continue with the tease campaign is somewhat unusual since virtually uncovered photos of the BMW X1 have already turned up during Nurburgring testing. Further, BMW showed off X1 prototypes during a p.r. event in Mallorca, Spain, earlier this month. Still, it is nice to see uncovered shots of the rear light cluster and the engine start button.

Several petrol and diesel engine choices on the X1 guarantees the SAV will get up to 204 hp. The xDrive all-wheel drive system will be available from launch, while the rear-wheel drive unit -dubbed sDrive- should be up for purchase a little later.

After plenty of spy pictures and official teaser images and videos the X1 will finally make a splash into the European market this autumn. Power will come from petrol and turbo diesel engines with horsepower figures of up to 204.

You'll be able to see the full reveal of the BMW X1 when the SAV takes a bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Source: Worldcarfans.com

BMW 5 Series GT spotted in a black color

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After the recent 5 Series GT unveiling, BMW dropped their funky camouflage on the 5GT prototypes and these vehicles can be seen around several cities across Europe. Some of these GT models are used for exclusive presentations, while others are simply driven by BMW executives.
A daily reader of our BimmerToday blog, identified by the name Pousa13, has spotted the upcoming BMW 5 Series GT in Germany. We’re still a few weeks away until we might see the 5GT ourselves, but in the mean time, we have been keeping us entertained with the multiple spy photos posted on here.
And the general consensus lately is that the 5GT….doesn’t look as bad as many believed it will. We noticed that most our readers after seeing some of the most recent spy shots have started to believe in this project and actually embrace the idea of this non-conventional 5 Series model.

Source: BMWBlog

BMW Z4 Pricing to Start at $46,575

BMW North America has just released the U.S pricing for the new 2009 BMW Z4. As expected, there is a price increase over the previous Z4 generation, but still significantly lower than the German pricing.

The entry model, BMW Z4 sDrive30i has a base price of $46,575 and the twin-turbo powered sDrive35i jumps over the 50k mark, more specifically, $52, 475. Both prices include the Destination & Handling fee.

The Cold Weather package costs $1,000 for both models, while the Premium Package was set for the Z4 sDrive30i at $3,900 or $2,800 if you’re buying the Sport Package as well. The Premium Package for the high-end sDrive35i model costs $2,500.

The Sport Package has a more complicated pricing scheme. If you’re buying the sDrive30i or sDrive35i without the Premium options, then the Sport Package is priced at $2,300. Include the Premium and then you’re only paying $1,900.

For those of you looking for the ultimate performance on your new roadster, the 19: wheels with performance tires are priced at $1,200 (available only for the sDrive35i). The new 7-Speed double clutch transmission is available as well only for the twin-turbo engine and it will set you back $1,525.

For more information and pricing on the new 2009 BMW Z4, please download the PDF file below.

Source: BMWBlog               Additional Photos: Click

BMW 5 Series Touring Caught Testing Once Again

It appears the next-generation BMW 5 Series code named F10 will borrow quite heavily from the 7 Series. These new spy pictures of the Touring version show a little more skin at the rear. The taillamp lenses are more visible now. Tiny peeks of brake light shots as well as the light strip from the 7 Series that goes from one end to the other can be seen.

Up front things are less obvious. Only the halo rings around the four front headlights and indicators are visible but the shape of the headlight clusters cannot be made out although the configuration of all six front lights (including the indictors) seem to be arranged like those of the 5 Series GT Concept. It is assumed the bonnet and grille feature a look similar to the GT as well.

The 5 Series is expected to enter the market in Europe in 2010 to be followed shortly by the Touring range. Petrol engines such as the 3.0-litre twin turbo and the 4.4-litre V8 twin turbo will be part of the lineup. Diesel motors like the 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel will also power the 5, while a new hybrid system to be used in the 7 Series has been hinted.

Source: WorldCarFans         Additional Photos: Click

Hamann BMW 7 Series: First Images Released

Hamann announced that they now have a body kit to go with their tuning programme for the 2009 BMW 7 Series. Details are being kept under wraps for the moment except to say those tyres are running on 22-inch rims. Visually, components like a rear boot spoiler, a rear roof spoiler, four tailpipes and new side skirts can be spotted. The interior shows sporty pedals, and black leather seats and carpets stitched with the Hamann logo.

The previous-generation Hamann 7 (HM 7.1) was announced in 2005 and was based on the 760i/L. Hamman increased the factory V12 engine capacity from 6.0-litres to 7.1-litres and managed to release 510hp (375kW) and 728Nm of torque. The 0 - 100km/h time improved to 5 seconds while top speed went up to 312km/h (194mph).

Other models in the 7 Series range that were tuned are the 745i and the 745iL. These received a 5.2-litre V8 with increased power to 412hp (303kW).

Hamann is busy developing the next programme for the new 7 Series and we suspect the base car will be powered by the current 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 from the 750i/Li. After the release of the new 760i/Li we should see Hamann stepping up to it as well.

Source: WorldCarFans          Addtional Images: Click