BMW GINA Concept opens its trunk…..for the first time

We should all agree on one thing from the beginning: we have all fantasized over the beautiful GINA LightVision Concept, am I right? Even if you said NO, down deep in your heart you still love the GINA, one of the most intriguing and exciting concepts designed by BMW.

We had the first chance to see GINA last year when it was unveiled to the public and also learned more about it directly from the BMW Ex-Chief of Design, Chris Bangle, the mastermind behind the concept and a huge advocate of the possibilities that GINA brings.

Some other photos followed shortly and then things became more interesting. We have learned again from Chris Bangle about utilizing the GINA technology in developing low-cost housing solutions, but even more intriguing,we found out that certain design elements and ideas from the GINA Concept have been applied to the upcoming BMW Z Vision Concept which will be revealed in Frankfurt this fall.

But what we really haven’t seen so far are some photos of the same beautiful GINA showing us its trunk….As far as we know, there are no photos out there that reveal the inside of the trunk, so with the help of our friend Costin at TopGear, we can satisfy your curiosity. The photos were taken at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2009

Luxist drives the 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i

Sam Abuelsamid over at Luxist has just put up his own review of the all new 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i…..yes, we know, you gotta love the new BMW naming convention. So far, most of the Z4 reviews we have seen have been extremely positive and this one follows the same path.

Is the new Z4 everything we ever wanted from a roadster? We’ll soon find out on our own, but in the mean time, let’s see what Sam has to say.

Once you break free of the masses in town and head out into the countryside, the Z4 becomes a real driver’s car. The car we drove was equipped with the optional Sport package with the adaptive M suspension. In normal or comfort mode, the adaptive dampers give a comfortable ride. Switch over to sport mode and the dampers tighten up while the stability control loosens up a bit allowing the car to slide a bit more before it intervenes. When the stability control does come to the rescue it does so without jerking the car around.

With the seats set back to the rear axle you can readily feel the car drifting around corners as you approach the limits of adhesion. The Z4 may not be as hard edged as a sports car like the Porsche Boxster, but it is a lot of fun to drive and very forgiving at the limit. The paddle shifters allow the driver to select exactly the desired gear without ever worrying about a missed shift, so you can feel just like a BMW F1 driver.

Mercedes Benz and BMW expecting low sales for luxury hybrids?

You might wonder why I started the article with a question mark in the title, but since this is the first time we have heard about this statement coming from BMW, we weren’t able to verify it. That doesn’t really stop us from reporting what MotorTrend has published today.

According to Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes USA, the expectations of their company in regards to hybrid cars sales are fairly low. As you might have seen in the past years, Mercedes has also increased their efforts in the “clean technology” field and many of their volume seller vehicles are offered with a hybrid or diesel engine.

Obviously BMW has joined this game a while ago as well, we have seen the limited 7 Series Hydrogen edition  offered to a select group of people. More recently, we attended the launch of the first all-electric vehicle, MINI E, which made its debut together with the new 7 Series Hybrid and also the upcoming X6 Sports Activity Coupe powered by a hybrid engine as well.

More BMW hybrid vehicles are on the way, including some models from the 1 or 5 Series, but despite the increased efforts in the EfficientDynamics program, according to MotorTrend, the CEO of BMW USA, Jim O’Donnell, shares the same view as its Benz counterpart executive. Due to a decrease in the gas prices(which is debatable in our opinion), he doesn’t expect much in terms of volume sales, but the “green initiative” continues and if you ask us, it will not slow down. The future is definitely connected to clean technologies, more efficient cars and no auto manufacture will deviate from this path for many reasons, one of them ….the fear that the competition will position better for the future.

In the fall, BMW will launch the 755ih, a more efficient high-end luxury sedan, powered a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine that delivers 407 horsepower and 442lb ft, working in combination with an AC electric motor that can add another 20 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The X6 Hybrid will follow shortly.

To prove our point mentioned above, Mercedes will also offer hybrid options to their premium customers by bringing out  two hybrids this year, one based on the S-Class limo and another on the ML SUV.

As an ending point, if the gas prices continue to increase, which we believe they will, a shift in consumer’s perception of diesel or hybrid technology will change again, and these sales will increase.

[Source: MotorTrend ]

Report: Next BMW 1-Series, 3-Series to get turbocharged 3-cylinder engines

How low can you go? It seems like that those are the five words BMW lives by when planning future engine displacements. Recent reports suggest that BMW’s EfficientDynamics program is working on a new range of 3-cylinder gasoline engines for the next-generation 1-Series, 3-Series and the upcoming BMW Z2.

According to Sky Motoring, the new 3-cylinder engines will be turbocharged. Range-topping engines on the three mentioned models will be a 321-hp 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine.

The engines are currently under development and are about two years away from production.

Here’s a list of the new line-up:

x16i – 1.35L , 3-cylinder, 163-hp/140 lb-ft
x18i – 1.35L, 3-cylinder, 201-hp/162 lb-ft
x20i – 1.35L, 3-cylinder, 241-hp/192 lb-ft
x23i – 1.8L, 4-cylinder, 273-hp/220 lb-ft
x25i – 1.8L, 4-cylinder, 321-hp/258 lb-ft

The idea behind the new BMW 5 Series GT

Prior to the BMW 5 Series GT Concept launch, the general consensus among the BMW owners, fans or potential customers was fairly negative regarding the new Progressive Activity Sedan, as BMW likes to call their new model line.

After the official unveiling and the multiple photos and videos released, the negative current of opinions started to slightly shift towards a more positive note and many of us started to see the value in this new market created by BMW. From the beginning BMW was very transparent about the 5 GT and mentioned that it won’t be a high volume seller, but it would rather have its own place within their niche models - the X6 is included in here as well.

In a less formal approach and part of their latest marketing initiatives, one of the people involved with BMW, shared a few ideas that clarify even further the business process behind the 5 Series GT, the demographic of this car and potential customers. And without a surprise, it pretty much aligns with what we have said here for quite some time now and the 5 GT will be one of those cars equally loved and hated by bimmer fans. But we will also believe that it will open the road for more similar products who could become an important revenue factor in BMW’s overall sales schema.

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“The 5er GT will be an Individual choice for a specific customer and how we have marketed the car as a premium object with a great emphasis on premium comfort and premium style will either make or break the concept.

I think it is unfair to the point that the media especially in the US are proclaiming this car as the BMW aztec - a slight insult termed to the Pontiac Aztec, which only sums up the problems of the car market in North America. It is true the finished article of the Aztec was greatly flawed, but in concept the idea was very much the direction the U.S. markets have to adapt to smaller, more fuel efficient cars and crossovers .

We showed the 5er GT as a Concept because we wanted to get the message across of the flexibility and luxury for passengers, these are great features in this car. People may mock the car and mock BMW for doing so, but this is a fascinating car and it does not have just one purpose as many BMW enthusiasts expect of our cars.

In the run up to the launch we have showcased the car at special preview events and have created great interest in specific areas were clientele priority is essential , we have shown the car to hotel chains. They like the fact that there is more trunk space , a luxurious rear cabin for clients and that the car can be adapted through the BMW Individual program.

Art Galleries also like the car, as do fashion houses, even the German government has expressed interest. For public clients, we have shown it to a particular demographic, incorrectly and rudely stereotyped as “Geriatric”. For the features and specifics that appeal to the older group and as shown before, we have received excellent feedback on the comfort and features of the car attuned to this demographic.

The GT will not be specific about volume , we have been adamant about that from the beginning , nor is it entirely market specific.

Of course the big question: is the 5er Gran Turismo the preview of how the forthcoming 5er (F10) will drive?
Well yes and no, even though the two cars are similar, we know what customers want from the sedan and what specific customers expect from the Gran Turismo. So, there will be significant changes to key areas, although a car badged as “Gran Turismo” will still reward the keen driver.

Now that we have our E-Klasse test books filled with notes , diagrams and complete analysis and autospy on the W212, the 5er will be an admirable foe for every aspect of the E-Klasse.”

CarConnection drives the BMW Z4 sDrive30i

Most of the 2009 BMW Z4 reviews we have seen lately focused entirely on the high-end roadster model, the sDrive35i. Our friends and once almost partners over at TheCarConnection decided to give some love to the “step brother” as well, the 3.0 liter in-line six model. While we all love the twin-turbo 3.0 liter engine, the truth of the matter is that many of us might have to settle for the less powerful, but still amazing, sDrive30i.

Sporting the same bodystyle as the top Z4 roadster, the BMW Z4 sDrive30i outputs 255 horsepower, plenty for many BMW fans. But don’t worry, for those of you looking to hear more about the sDrive35i, the fellows at TheCarConnection decided to combine both test drives into a single article. Talk about spoiling you……

In most types of driving, there’s not a huge difference in performance between the 30i and the 35i, though they have very different character. The 35i has a nice, linear throttle response, yet it’s incredibly responsive; peak torque is achieved at just 1400 rpm and maintained all the way up to 5000 rpm. Peak torque for the naturally aspirated engine comes at 2600 rpm. With the manual transmission, we found ourselves driving the two models quite differently; you’re rewarded if you rev the 30i’s engine all the way up to redline, but revving the 35i’s turbo engine past 6000 rpm doesn’t make the thrust all that much more urgent.

In most types of driving, there’s not a huge difference in performance between the 30i and the 35i, though they have very different character. The 35i has a nice, linear throttle response, yet it’s incredibly responsive; peak torque is achieved at just 1400 rpm and maintained all the way up to 5000 rpm. Peak torque for the naturally aspirated engine comes at 2600 rpm. With the manual transmission, we found ourselves driving the two models quite differently; you’re rewarded if you rev the 30i’s engine all the way up to redline, but revving the 35i’s turbo engine past 6000 rpm doesn’t make the thrust all that much more urgent.

BMW Group 101,589 vehicles in April - 3,000 orders for the new Z4

In April the BMW Group’s sales performance was again impacted by weak automotive markets resulting from the global economic and financial crisis. In addition, many countries also had two fewer workdays this month than last April. Over the past month deliveries of the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands decreased by 23.8% to 101,589 (prev.yr. 133,287) vehicles. Sales of the BMW brand were 24.6% lower at 84,218 (prev.yr. 111,737) units. MINI sold 17,320 vehicles (prev.yr. 21,462 / -19.3%) in April. Rolls-Royce reported a decline of 42.0% to 51 automobiles (prev.yr. 88) for the month.

The BMW Group sold 378,859 (prev.yr. 485,232 / -21.9%) vehicles worldwide between January and April. BMW delivered 317,722 (prev.yr. 405,282) units: 21.6% less than in the same period last year. The MINI brand reported a 23.6% (60,912 units / prev.yr. 79,679) decline in sales volumes for the year to the end of April, while the Rolls-Royce brand experienced a decrease of 17.0% (225 units /prev.yr. 271).

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: “The situation on the global automotive markets remains very challenging – even though we did manage to gain market share in the premium segment over the first four months of 2009.” Robertson added: “BMW is still the world’s number one premium automotive brand in terms of sales. And in the United States no other European automobile brand sold more vehicles in April than BMW.
I remain confident we will be able to expand our market position in the premium segment further by the end of the year.”

With 15,705 (prev.yr. 26,735 / -41.3%) deliveries in the U.S. in April, BMW posted a substantial decrease in sales. However, last month BMW was not only able to defend its position as the best-selling premium automotive brand, but was also the top European automobile brand in the U.S. MINI also performed much better than the overall market (-34%) and its segment (-26 %) despite a decline of 22.4%. For the year to the end of April both brands increased their share of the world’s largest automotive market.

The new BMW Z4 has been extremely well received by customers and the media alike. The sporty roadster, which is manufactured at BMW’s Regensburg plant, will be in showrooms starting May 9th. More than 3,000 orders for the new model have already been placed. The BMW X6 is also in the fast lane – deliveries have more than tripled from last year’s level to reach 3,600 units (prev.yr. 885 / +306.8%). The brand’s flagship also made further gains: The new BMW 7 Series, which just unveiled its top-of-the-range 760 Li version at the Shanghai Auto Show, was delivered to 3,004 customers in April. With 19,712 units sold, sales of the BMW 1 Series matched the previous year’s level (prev.yr. 19,719 / +/-0%). Sales of the popular 5-door version climbed 9.9% to a total of 11,193 units (prev.yr. 10,189).

The Motorcycle Segment also felt the effects of the difficult market conditions in April. In the month under review the BMW Group sold 10,166 (prev.yr. 12,489) motorcycles – a decrease of 18.6%. For the year to the end of April 27,400 motorcycles were delivered to customers (prev.yr. 33,533 / -18.3%). The newly expanded BMW motorcycle range is expected to boost sales. The three K Series models presented last year (K1300 S/R/GT) have been available for delivery to customers since early February. The new F 800 R will also be launched later this month, as well as BMW’s first super sport motorcycle, the S 1000 RR, towards the end of the year.

BMW Group sales in/up to April 2009 at a glance

In April 2009 Comp. with previous year Up to and incl. April 2009 Comp. with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles 101,589 -23.8% 378,859 -21.9%
BMW 84,218 -24.6% 317,722 -21.6%
MINI 17,320 -19.3% 60,912 -23.6%
Rolls-Royce 51 -42.0% 225 -17.0%
BMW Motorcycles 10,166 -18.6% 27,400 -18.3%

[Source: BMW ]