2009 BMW Z4 has 3 Series Convertible to thank

Our friend Richard Aucock is back with another interesting and detailed article on the new 2009 BMW Z4. Some of you might recall his previous article on the Z4 chassis and some of the secrets behind the development of it, but this time, Richard talks a little about the new hardtop available on the Z4.

As a quick introduction, the new BMW Z4 uses the same technology as the one found in the new 3 Series Convertible which introduced the hardtop.

The Z4 features an aluminum retractable hardtop (20 seconds to deploy or retract) and the vehicle concept has been made larger to feature a new level of comfort, better storage space.

LEARNING how to do folding hard-top roofs with the 3 Series Convertible served BMW well.

It meant it could launch a folding hard top Z4 relatively easily – simply because it had acquired so much knowledge.

What’s more, the shift over to the folding tin top is another reason for the car’s production relocation to Germany.

The Regensburg plant where it’s built has now become BMW’s official ‘centre of excellence’ for folding hard-top roofs.

It’s so well geared up, the supplier is even located there on site, an engineer insider told me.

‘This gives us the best possible means of achieving high quality levels.’

Engineering a folding hard top isn’t the work of a moment. Even one such as the Z4’s, whose lower 2-panel count reduces the number of joins and joints to worry about.

The problem come in areas you probably don’t even think about. Such as?

2009 BMW Z4 has 3 Series Convertible to thank - Continued

500 Horsepower BMW M3 Coupe from G-Power

The German tuner G-Power returns with a new super-tuned up version of the popular BMW M3 Coupe. Marketed under the Tornado name, the G-Power M3 Coupe is a beast. The regular 4.0 liter V8 420  horsepower was turned into a 500 horsepower and 354 lb-ft engine, thanks to a new intercooler and performance exhaust system.

The G-Power BMW M3 Coupe when operated through a 6-speed gearbox, can accelerate from 0 to 124 mph in only 13.5 seconds, at least 2 seconds faster than the “regular” M3. The M3 Tornado can reach a top speed of 199 mph.

G-Power M3 Tornado runs on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tires, 55/30 ZR20 in front, 295/25 ZR20 in the rear, mounted on lightweight 20-inch Silverstone alloy wheels. To reduce the weight while increasing the overall performance, a new four-pipe exhaust pipes package is offered, either made out of stainless steel or titanium which is 32 lbs lighter than the original part.

The new G-Power kit is mostly an engine performance upgrade, but the German tuner also included some new interior elements: carbon-fiber trim, new speedometer and new set of aluminum pedals.

[Source: Carscoop ]

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

The first all-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle ever developed by BMW is in the final testing stage. The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid made another appearance, but this time on U.S. soil near the Spartanburg plant, South Carolina.

The BMW X6 Hybrid is a two-mode hybrid based on an 8-cylinder gasoline engine which has been custom-made to meet the requirements of an SAV.

The newer, greener X6 will utilize the dual-mode ActiveHybrid system, which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises.

The two-mode hybrid uses about 20 percent less fuel than than a comparable vehicle with combustion engine. BMW is using a nickel metal hydride battery for the initial applications and unlike the other car manufacturers, the BMW hybrid engine will not be using cylinder deactivation. The system is also rumored to feature regenerative braking and start/stop technology.

X6 ActiveHybrid has a nearly identical body as the high-end X50i model, one of the only distinctive elements is the slightly larger M3-style bonnet found on the hood.

The model will go on sale at the end of this year together with the BMW 7 Series Hybrid.

[Source: LeftLaneNews | Photo Credit: Palbay & Brenda Priddy ]

2010 BMW 5-Series prototype gets pulled over by Polizei

A 2010 BMW 5-Series prototype was pulled over by the polizei (German police) on the Autobahn and according to German media on the scene, cops pulled over the 2010 5-Series since it seemed a little “suspicious.”

Of course, that’s hard to believe since many auto manufacturers test their prototypes on the famous German highway and we highly doubt this is the first time the German police have seen a camouflaged vehicle speeding down the Autobahn.

Either way, the whole incident was captured on camera by a woman from TVnews Hessen who just happened to be at the right place at the right time. She also managed to get a little look on the inside of the 2010 BMW 5-Series prototype.

 

Source: YouTube (via CarScoop)

BMW X1 xDrive23d first drive

Another BMW X1 test drive came out, this time, the UK based Autocar published their X1 review. As we mentioned earlier today, last week, several auto publications were invited for press preview of the X1 before the official launch in June.

So far, most of the X1 reviews we’ve seen were quite positive and Autocar gives the X1 a passing grade, even more, their last statement is quite powerful: “In simple terms, it takes all the likeable qualities of the 3-series and wraps them up in a higher-riding estate style body, also allowing you to head off-road when the need arises.”

Before we let you read the entire review, we would like to applaud BMW for offering this press preview test drive, which turned out to be an effective marketing method so far.

What is it?

BMW’s new junior off-roader – the X1. UK sales are slated to get underway around October, with local BMW officials hinting at a starting price of £25,000 for the entry-level xDrive18i and rising to around £35,000 for the range topping xDrive28i.

BMW is going for a broad reach with the X1, which will come with the option of three petrol and three diesel engines from the outset. The petrols include two 2.0-litre units with 141bhp and 168bhp, and a 254bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit. On the diesel side there is a trio of 2.0-litre common rail fours producing 141bhp, 175bhp and 201bhp. We’re testing a prototype of the 201bhp xDrive23d here.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on all but the xDrive30i and xDrive23d, both of which receive a six-speed automatic with remote shift buttons on the steering wheel.

BMW X1 xDrive23d Full Review

2011 BMW 6 Series

The 2011 BMW 6 Series was video spied by the folks at Edmunds Insideline.  A 6er prototype shows up at the Nurburgring track for more testing and for the first time, judging by the engine sound, we believe we’re looking at test mule powered by the powerful 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo engine.

As we learned in the past, several powerplants will be available for the new 6 Series, starting with the the twin-turbo 6-cylinder 326 horsepower  engine, followed by a 6-cylinder diesel as well and as a surprise, the newly developed, but not yet released, Tri-Turbo 6-cylinder diesel which produces 354 horsepower.

And since we’re moving towards more fuel efficient luxury sport cars, BMW will offer a model under the 655 naming convention which is powered by the hybrid powertrain from the X6 and 7 Series hybrids.

A 6 Series rendering created together with Promotor.ro

The 2011 BMW 6 Series will use the latest 8-speed transmission as well as the 7-speed DCT one. To make the new 6er appeal eve more to car enthusiasts, a new damping system will offer four different sport settings from Comfort right through to Performance , including an option for efficient performance.

As far as the overall design, sources close to BMW confirm that the 2011 6 Series is slightly longer and wider than the current generation and that overall appearance will carry over, based on the idea of an evolutionary design which keeps the premium sport car image. As signaled by BMW’s new CS concept, the automaker will be abandoning its awkward trunk design features in favor of a more streamlined design. It will have shorter overhangs and a lower roofline which implicitly gives the car a more muscular look.

The 2011 BMW 6 Series will launch in the first half of 2010, but more revealing test mules will be seen this summer.

And the Youtube version for those of you outside the U.S.

Hamann does its thing to the new BMW 7 Series

The arrival of the new F01 BMW 7 Series means that aftermarket companies have a new toy upon which to apply their talents. Enter Hamann, the German tuner with a penchant for Lambo-dooring, among other things. Thankfully, the firm's workup of the all-new 7 Series leaves the factory door hinges intact, but that's about it. A new aero kit makes the big sedan less vanilla-looking with updated fascias, skirts and spoilers on both the rear decklid and roof. Naturally, a lowered suspension is offered, which, when combined with a selection of new wheels and the aforementioned bodywork, gives the über-Bimmer a nastier stance. Inside, Hamann will fully customize the cabin appointments to your taste, or lack thereof. The Hamann 7 Series isn't necessarily all show, either -- an available sport exhaust upgrade for the 730d bumps power by 45 horses for a total of 290. Hamann's unlikely to stop with this batch of initial offerings, so more extreme modifications are probably inevitable. Just resist that primal urge on the butterfly doors, okay guys?