Munich (dpa) – Various BMW models can be configured for a new online racing game and PC car community developed jointly by the car maker and British game developer Eutechnyx.
Among the cars that can be configured are the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the BMW 135i, the BMW M3 Coupe, the BMW M5 and the BMW Z4 M Coupe.
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BERLIN (Xinhua) — BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) AG will recall some 9,200 cars worldwide due to possible cooling pump defect, the Munich-based German luxury car maker announced on Monday.
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Munich (dpa) – German carmaker BMW has chosen the upcoming Beijing show to display a concept version of its new petrol-electric supercar, the drophead i8 Spyder.
According to design chief Benoit Jacob, the car’s presence at the event is proof that BMW is pressing ahead with plans to start producing the frugal, high-tech sportster. The Beijing show runs from April 27 to May 2.
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SEOUL – German carmaker BMW planned to recall 2,231 passenger cars in South Korea for a defective cooling pumps, the transportation ministry said Thursday.
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Munich (dpa) – BMW is offering a full-colour, head-up display in the new 3-Series, projecting a virtual image onto the windscreen at the eye-level of the driver.
The virtual image is perceived as ”hovering” at eye level above the bonnet and is visible only to the driver, according to the manufacturer.
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Munich (dpa) – BMW has launched the sixth generation of its bestselling 3-Series with design modifications including a refreshed front grille, wider dimensions and a more wedge-shaped look with most of the big changes found beneath the bonnet.
Compared to its predecessor, the new 3 Series has a wider track, increased length and augmented wheelbase with noticeably more interior space. However, overall weight is down 40 kilogrammes compared to the previous model.
Customers will initially have the choice of four more economical engines, all fitted with new TwinPower Turbo technology. Two further optimised diesel power plants and a six-cylinder petrol unit will become available later.
Apart from Auto Start-Stop function that comes as standard, other fuel-saving measures include Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and need-based operation of ancillary components such as an air conditioning compressor that can be disengaged.
An ECO PRO mode helps the driver maximise fuel economy. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition with an output of 120 kW/163 hp is listed with an average fuel consumption of 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres which translates to an average carbon dioxide emission figure of 109 grammes per kilometre. An even more fuel-efficient BMW ActiveHybrid 3-Series is scheduled for later next year.
Optional extras include a Head-up-Display and Surround View with Side View and Top View, giving a bird’s-eye perspective of the vehicle and the area around it.
Enough with the car awards of the year, it’s time to look under the hood and check out which engines made it as the 10 Best for 2010. According to Ward’s 10 Best Engines, the winners are as follows:
This year’s winners and the applications tested:
2.0L TFSI Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A4)
3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (BMW 335d)
2.5L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid)
3.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Ford Taurus SHO)
2.4L Ecotec DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Equinox)
4.6L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
2.5L Turbocharged DOHC H-4 (Subaru Legacy 2.5GT)
1.8L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Toyota Prius)
2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI)
“This year’s list embodies how the industry is responding to demands for higher fuel economy and lower emissions without shortchanging performance,” Ward’s AutoWorld Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter said. “Auto makers are using innovative designs and advanced technology to boost horsepower and torque while downsizing engines and increasing efficiency.”
It’s a good thing that one of the criterias involved was the lower gas emissions. It just shows that engine makers do care about saving the environment. Now if they can only make engines this good that runs on ethanol. In the meantime, since the US economy’s going down the slippery slope, it’s great that they’ve also included the criteria regarding fuel economy. The last thing we need are engines that guzzle gas like there’s no tomorrow.
Here’s to hoping that next year’s best engine’s list will have engines that help save more on gas and produce lower (or better no) carbon emissions.
Where have all the quality and safety in American cars gone to? It seems that overseas manufactured cars and automotive vehicles seems to be the one that’s taking a look at quality and safety more than it is over here. No wonder our automotive industry is down in the gutters. This is further proven after Car and Driver Magazine just listed down the 10 best cars of 2010: and it’s no surprise that only two of the top ten belong to American car manufacturers.
Following are the 2010 Car and Driver 10Best winners (in alphabetical order), followed by the number of times each model has made the list:
The list is not in a ranked order. A panel of 18 Car and Driver editors determined the winners by rating them on a scale of 1-100 with a focus on functional performance, driving satisfaction and value. Vehicles considered for the award must be available in the United States by January 2009 and priced below the cap of $80,000, or 2.5 times the average transaction price as of summer 2009. Winners from the previous year are re-nominated if they are still available under the price cap.
Hopefully this is a wake up call to American car manufacturers to do their best to produce quality cars that will attract not only local buyers but foreign ones as well.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
The new Z4 is the first roadster in BMW history with a retractable hard top so it replaces both the Z4 roadster and the Z4 coupe. It’s also a slick package with more masculine exterior styling and improved head and elbow room than the predecessor Z4s. And there’s a first-for-the-Z4 dual-clutch automatic transmission with seven speeds, too.
For all this, there’s a price. Starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $46,575 for the non-turbocharged six cylinder and manual transmission. The lowest-priced 2009 Z4 with automatic starts at $47,900 and with leather seats and other options it easily jumps to more than $50,000.
In comparison, the starting MSRP, including destination charge, for a 2009 Audi TT is $42,895 with V-6 and standard all-wheel drive. The 2009 Porsche Boxster has a retail starting price of $47,550.
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