LATEST CARS: BMW

Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts

Friday, August 12, 2011

2013 BMW 1-Series GT : Latest Reviews

2013 BMW 1-Series GT : Latest Cars Reviews

While its MINI dealerships expand and BMW plans to double North American production, it's even busier behind the scenes working on the next generation of its most compact platform. A handful of new BMW 1-Series variants are rumored to be in the works for the next-gen model, known internally as the F20.

The new variants include a new version of both the Coupe and Cabrio, as well as the Hatchback, but this trio may also be joined by a compact roadster model and potentially a crossover-wagon built in the same vein as the larger 5-Series GT. We do know the automaker is working on a 3-Series GT, which BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has hinted at on several occasions in the past, but now it appears that there could be an even smaller 1-Series GT as well.

Designers will be stressing the car’s coupe characteristics just as they did with the 5-series GT. Expect to see extremely short overhangs, pumped fenders and sporty alloy wheels. This latest computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what the final car may look like.

The next-generation 1-Series platform is expected to include a range of powertrains. A 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine could replace the current 1.6-liter four-cylinder. If so, in Europe at least, five models should be available, ranging from about 136 horsepower and topping out at 326 horsepower.

The regular 1-Series Hatchback is expected to hit the market next year but other variants, including the 1-Series GT, won’t arrive until 2012 at the earliest.

2012 BMW 1 Series : Latest Reviews

2012 BMW 1 Series : Latest Cars Reviews

BMW released an updated version of the 1-Series Hatchback in late 2008 but ever since then suspicious prototypes of a new car with similar proportions and signature BMW styling have been captured running around the south of Germany, and now once again and this time with much of the finer details revealed.

The current 1-Series has often been criticized for having a back seat no full-sized adult would be comfortable in. However, the rear seat room in this new 2012 model is expected to be much improved. This may also see BMW finally release the Hatchback version of the 1-Series in the all-important U.S. market. A slightly longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model will almost certainly be present.

A few years back BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer revealed that the four-cylinder engines destined for the next-gen 1-Series will be the same compact units developed jointly by BMW and France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen for MINI and a number of French models. The engines will range from 1.4 to 2.0-liters in displacement and will be available in both turbocharged and naturally aspirated forms. Expect to see BMW’s award-winning straight six engines also appear in only range-topping models like the 135i and possibly even a new 1-Series M Hatchback.

Engines could be downsized somewhat to meet more stringent emissions and fuel economy rules, but with the aid of the direct injection and forced induction, power figures may not decrease substantially and could even increase in models like the 135i. We saw this recently with the new 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine that replaced the previous six-cylinder unit in the X1 xDrive28i.

Engine stop-start and electrical-regenerative systems should carry over into the new series, as well as possible new EfficientDynamics technologies such as heat-recovery systems and solar panels. BMW has also revealed that initial testing of thermoelectric generators and solar panels on its cars showed savings of up to 5 percent in fuel consumption.

Expect the new 1-Series Hatchback to be revealed late this year and be followed by new Coupe and Convertible variants, as well as a possible shooting brake model and a new high-performance M version further down the track.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Sharp looking 2012 BMW 1-series to herald a new design language for F30 3-series?

From the looks of it, BMW is on a roll again...after the sleek but understated F10...and now this...the all-new F20!
Bring on the 120d Sports soon BMW Malaysia!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

BMW M3 E30 M3 road car

The third car road-going version produced 195 bhp (145 kW; 198 PS) (catalyzed model). Evolution models (not sold in North America) continued with 2.3 liters but adopted revised exhaust-cam timing, increased compression along with the lack of a catalyst producing approximately 215 hp (160 kW). Later the Sport Evolution model production run of 600 (sometimes referred as Evolution III) increased engine displacement to 2.5 L and produced 238 hp (175 kW). 786 cabriolets were also produced, all by hand in BMW's Garching plant; at the time the 215 hp (160 kW) example was the world's fastest four-seat convertible.

BMW M3
BMW M3

BMW M3

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

2010 BMW X6 M

BMW 335IS Coupe

Sunday, August 1, 2010

BMW M3 Frozen Gray

Monday, July 12, 2010

BMW 320d Sports

If the BMW 320d that you see above epitomizes the dawn of the modern turbo-diesel passenger cars in Malaysia, it is very promising indeed. Promising because it sips a maximum of only 8.1l/100km even with my persistent ('DS' mode) and absolutely maniacal highway blasts - with a power delivery that is absolutely intoxicating albeit churned out from a narrower powerband than a petrol motor. Even more promising is that it will beat the petrol-powered 320i hands down and renders it irrelevant. Most promising when the newer 'facelift' 320d will boast even higher outputs come year end (?) versus the current stock state-of-tune's 177 bhp + 350 Nm combo.

Needless to say, the E90's handling dynamics and steering's ability to convey agility/confident feel/feedback are one of the best in business. However, this is one selfish car. It will make the driver very happy, but less so the other occupants. Okay, perhaps the babe (or as the case may be: guy) riding along side will still be quite alright. Unlike the Mercedes W204 C-Class the rear seats are quite useless. They are cramped - with high central transmission tunnel not helping things and awkward curving side bolsters at the lateral shoulder level - ouch!

On rough and bad road surfaces, it just gets too jarring for the rear occupants . This sports suspension equipped E90 will easily induce car-sickness for back passengers, especially on B-roads as attested by my young ones. The other turn-off - for me at least least - is the gruffy idling (read: loud) and the incessant idling vibrations transmitted through the steering column, seat bottom and door trim which makes the 320d rather unbecoming for a premium Conti junior executive.

So in conclusion, if you love the drive of say, a Mk6 Golf GTI but would like something with a proper boot, a 'classier' badge and something that returns way higher kilometers to the litre of fuel, this should be top in your list. There is no other diesel-powered saloon like this at this price point, with such engaging and sporting intent. Just make sure you are a single yuppie - and loving it - or if you are married (without kids) you have a mother-in-law whom you would like to shake off from following you on roadtrips!