Possible Futures: BMW in 2015

The above image is the Vela concept that came out of a partnership between BMW and the Transportation Design School IED in Turin, a city that continues to embody its position as a design epicenter. BMW asked students there to design what BMW’s might be like in 2015 consistent with BMW’s “language evolution and trademark essence.” This simple brief resulted in a very interesting and creative response by the students, like the Vela pictured above and the ZX-6 concept pictured here:
Pretty wild. 2015 is only seven short years away and while these concepts may be unrealistically radical BMW is smart to take advantage of the way the students at IED are thinking to look for innovative design opportunities. It’s hard to say what cars may look like in seven years. If you think back to seven years ago today cars are not really that different at all. Still, much can happen to change our expectations of what an automobile is in this short time.

New Exclusive BMW Concept Car GINA Light Visionary Model

BMW‑Hybrid‑Cars

BMW‑Hybrid‑Cars

.Mild Updates for 2012 BMW 1-Series Coupe and Convertible

The recent presentation of the range-topping BMW 1-Series M Coupe has been followed up by the unveiling of the regular 2012 model year 1-Series Coupe and Convertible models. There are no mechanical changes for the updated models (the 135i received the N55 twin-scroll turbo engine in Spring 2010), with BMW turning its attention on some subtle design modifications and improved aerodynamics, as well as on refinements to various controls plus new exterior paint colors, upholstery and interior trim.
New exterior design accents are limited to the reworked headlights and rear lights with LED strips, fresh styles for the 17-inch alloy and 18-inch alloy wheels and the addition of two new paint finishes, Vermilion Red and Marrakesh Brown.
BMW's designers also re-sized the vertical ventilation slits in the front apron to channel air into the wheel arches and create what they describe as an “air curtain” or aerodynamic screening effect across the face of the front wheels. The Bavarian firm claims that the change significantly reduces drag in this area.

Wald International Presents the F01 BMW 7-Series “Black Bison” Edition

After having unveiled numerous other Black Bison Edition-labeled cars in the past, including the Bentley Continetal Flying Spur and the W212 Mercedes E-Class, Japanese tuning firm Wald International has now applied the styling treatment to the latest F01 BMW 7-Series.
The Black Bison Edition aero-kit adds a new front bumper with a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights and a sportier but more complex-looking rear apron with a diffuser and an LED braking light. True, we would have preferred a matte finish for the 23-inch Wald Renovatio alloys and could do without the "muffler cutter" tailpipes, as they somehow remind us of those found on the Lexus IS-F, but, nevertheless, BMW's designers could learn a thing or two from the Japanese tuner's styling department.
Lowered side skirts along with a pair of spoilers on the roof and trunk lid, plus fake wing vents that cut into the doors complete the package. The Black Bison 7-Series is anything but black, though the white paintjob does makes it look a bit more imposing than the standard model.
Wald International didn't release any information on pricing and availability.

Where Eagles Dare: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs Audi RS 5 vs BMW

BMW reaches an agreement to sell the "Rover" brand name

According to a report from Automotive News, BMW has reached an agreement to sell the rights of the Rover brand name. Although there has been no leak concerning the company's name, it is speculated that the main candidates..

BMW - August News In Brief

BMW - August News In Brief

August News in Brief

* Two new BMW 1 Series Coupé models announced
* The new BMW 740d
* Revised BMW 6 Series for September
* BMW 730d and 730Ld enhanced as M Sport specification comes to 7 Series range

Two new BMW 1 Series Coupé models announced
BMW's most affordable coupé model is set to appeal to an even broader set of customers with the introduction of two new engines in September. The new BMW 118d Coupé and BMW 120i Coupé have been introduced to offer the stylish lines of a coupé in a package that blends performance and economy.

The BMW 118d Coupé uses the same engine that powered the 2008 World Green Car of the Year winning BMW. This four-cylinder diesel powerplant with third generation common rail diesel technology achieves an impressive 119g/km CO 2 emissions figure and a combined consumption of 62.8mpg, making it the cleanest and greenest diesel-powered sports coupé available. Performance is equally impressive with the 118d Coupé recording a zero to 62mph time of 9.0 seconds before going on to a top speed of 130mph.

The BMW 120i Coupé is powered by a Hams Hall built 1,995cc engine producing 170hp to hussle it from zero to 62mph in 7.8 seconds and on to a 139mph top speed. The four-cylinder engine is still capable of achieving 42.8mpg on the combined cycle and recording CO 2 emissions of 153g/km.

Model


Power
hp


Torque Nm


Zero – 62mph Seconds


Top Speed mph


Combined
mpg


CO 2 Emissions g/km

BMW 118d Coupé


143


300


9.0


130


62.8


119

BMW 120i Coupé


170


210


7.8


139


42.8


153

The BMW 118d Coupé's low CO 2 emissions figure means it sits within the lowest benefit-in-kind tier of 13 per cent and its annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate is just £35. No competitor vehicle can match the BMW 118d Coupé in terms of company car taxation and VED, while the 120i Coupé also enjoys a class-leading CO 2 emissions position.

Prices for the BMW 118d Coupé start at £20,500 OTR for an ES model rising to £23,375 OTR for an M Sport variant. The 120i Coupé starts at £21,115 OTR for an ES rising to £23,990 OTR for an M Sport. Both new engine derivatives go on sale 1 September.

Details of the new engines come as a Sport specification has been added to the line-up of the BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible models. Following on from the 1 Series three- and five-door models, Sport specification is available on all four-cylinder-engined cars. The standard specification includes 17-inch Star-spoke light alloy wheels, front foglights, heated exterior mirrors and windscreen washer jets, Network cloth upholstery, Sport multi-function leather steering wheel and Sport seats. All Sport models are priced at the equivalent ES price and offer customers £1,075 of added value.

2011 BMW Alpina B7 with 500HP to go on Sale in the U.S. this Spring

The Alpina-prepped B7 sedan will be returning to BMW's U.S. lineup this year offering American buyers an alternative to Mercedes-Benz's S-Class AMG models. Boasting a bevy of performance and styling upgrades over the standard...

Morgan unveils BMW Powered 2012 EvaGT

After the initial sketch, Morgan has finally released the images of its Eva GT Sports Coupe. The rear wheel drive coupe is powered by the BMW’s twin turbo N54 motor, mated to 6 speed auto or manual transmission. This model, though, has a sports car shape, yet, as per Morgan, the model is aimed at the ‘Young Families’. As a result, it features a four seat layout.

The design cues for the Morgan Eva GT Sports Coupe comes from the sports car classics such as the Bristol 400 series and the Frazer Nash BMW 328 from the 1950’s. Built on a modified version of the aluminum chassis featured on the Aero Supersports, EvaGT weighs 1250kg and gets a sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with the help of a BMW 3-liter straight six engine that produces 306 hp and a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft.

With its top speed at 170mph, Morgan Eva GT returns an impressive fuel economy of 40mpg UK, equals to 7.0lt/100km and 33.3mpg US, and has CO2 emissions of 200g/km. No price details for the car has yet been released by the Morgan, but those who are interested have to deposit a £5000 for one of the first 100 examples of the limited run to be delivered in mid 2012.

BMW drops another 1-Series M Coupe Teaser Video

Ask and yes shall receive! Apparently someone was listening, because just a day after putting up some spy shots of the new upcoming F20 1-Series, BMW has dropped a second teaser video of the 1-Series M Coupe.
While everyone is still waiting breathlessly for final specs and details, it's clear that the baby M is supposed to be something magical. People at Oktoberfest up Wisconsin way may be getting a sneak peak tonight (we told you about that earlier today), so get at us and let us know how that goes.
The only official details are what you've seen so far: quad exhaust tips, big cross-spoke rims, an M fascia, and beefed-up fenders. The car will likely get a tweaked version of the 135i's twin-turbo 6-cylinder, M goodies front to back, a locking diff, and the requisite suspension/steering/brake upgrades.

SCOOP: 2011 BMW 1-Series Hatchback Spied

Whatever happened to interest in the 1-Series M Coupe? Everyone was all jazzed about that situation like Daft Punk was coming to town, and then...nothing. Anyway, moving further forward into the future here are some spy...

Supercar Concepts from the Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show

Automotive design students from UK's Swansea Metropolitan University tapped into the deepest wells of their imagination to create their final year projects and exhibit them at the 2010 Degree Show, which was held in July...

BMW's Chinese Partner Brilliance Auto to Make U.S. Debut at 2009 NAIAS

The 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January will see Brilliance Auto, BMW's Chinese partner, making its first appearance on U.S. soil. The Chinese automaker has already spread its wings to Europe...

Got a Spare $250,000? 1980 BMW M1 with 27,000 Miles on the Odo

We came across what is quite possibly, one of the rarest and most sought after production BMWs, the iconic M1 mid-engined sports coupe of which only 451 examples were built between 1978 and 1981. This particular M1 is a...

New BMW Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo with 400 Ponies Available for Order in the UK

Following its recent world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the new BMW 335i-based Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo is now available for order in the UK with first deliveries to start in July.Offered in four-door saloon,...

Hamann's Tuning Program for the New BMW 5-Series Sedan

If you're unimpressed by BMW's own M-Sport styling packages for the new 5-Series saloon, Hamann Motorsport's has launched its new tuning program for the midsize luxury sedan with an assortment of aero parts, chassis upgrades...