Tag Archives: BMW
3 Important Things Revealed About The 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce revealed its eighth-generation Phantom, the second generation under BMW, that features a full-aluminum spaceframe called the “Architecture of Luxury.” The reason why Rolls decided to go into such extreme is because the spaceframe will allow the Phantom to be quieter, lighter, stiffer, and more technologically advanced.
Air Suspension Features No Bumps And Ruts
The use of a double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear axle will allow for “air suspension,” which basically means the most luxurious passenger experience a sedan could provide. The new Phantom will use stereo cameras, much like Mercedes’ Magic Body Control, on the front to identify if there are bumps or ruts ahead. This will allow the car to adjust the suspension at speeds up to 62 mph.
Most Silent Motor In The World
Rolls-Royce said the Phantom will have the most silent motor in the world, thanks to 286 pounds of sound insulation, “silent seal” tires, double-skin alloy, felt layers between the floor and bulkhead, cast-aluminum joints, and one-quarter inch of two-layer glazing around the car. That means the Phantom VIII is 10 percent quieter at a speed of 62 mph compared to the Phantom VII.
Don’t make this silent motor fool you of the Phantom’s power. It has a new twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V-12 engine that can deliver 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive system.
Safety Features Are On Point
The new Phantom will have safety and tech features, of course. Included in the package are night vision, a surround-view camera system, forward collision warnings, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and cross-traffic alerts. As for what’s waiting for you in the cabin, you can expect a whole range of tech features such as the usual navigation and entertainment systems, a wi-fi hotspot, and a 7×3-inch head-up display.
BMW Electric Crossover To Feature Level 3 Autonomy
We don’t know what BMW’s upcoming electric crossover will be called, but what we do know is that it will arrive with a level 3 autonomy. So, whether or not it’s called the i5, iNext, or something else, the BMW electric crossover has the ability to bring the level 3 autonomy to fruition, which will revolutionize the auto industry.
The SAE International defines level 3 autonomy as “conditional automation.” Basically, it means the car can take over the whole driving mechanics and functions as long as the driver is in the car and ready to take command of the vehicle once required. Unlike level 1 or level 2 autonomy, the human driver can take his eyes off the road under level 3, as well as relax a bit because he doesn’t have to handle the steering wheel either.
The driver would be able to text, make a call, or even read a book under this level 3 autonomy. However, he will be alerted if he needs to intervene and take over the car. It will be the system’s responsibility to decide if it cannot function under the current conditions.
Kevin Marcotte, BMWi’s national manager in Canada, told InsideEVs that the German automaker’s use of level 3 autonomy in its electric crossover is the “next big thing for us in terms of leapfrogging the industry.” It will be a “major leap” for the autonomous driving technology.
For years, there have been rumors that the German automaker is working on a new electric vehicle—a crossover, some said. The reports about BMW’s use of level 3 autonomy means that any doubts can be put to rest. There is indeed an electric crossover from BMW and although we aren’t sure yet what it’s going to be called, we have a little tidbit in the form of level 3 autonomy.
BMW recently announced its shift to electronic vehicles, including that it’s calling the iNext that will introduce a number of new technologies. Apparently, that will be released in 2021 while the i8 roadster will debut next year. A Mini BEV is reportedly going to be launched in 2019 and the all-electric XBMW X3 will be unveiled in 2020.
4 Things To Remember About The 2018 BMW 6-Series
Did you know that the BMW 6-Series originally started out as a sporty coupe? The current generation includes a sedan called the Gran Coupe. For the 2018 model lineup, BMW is adding more and taking away some of those unloved cars under the 6-Series.
According to a report, the 2018 model-year will see BMW moving away from the coupe body style to introduce a five-door liftback called the 6-Series Gran Turismo. This is the replacement for the 5-Series Gran Turismo, which even BMW lovers are not a fan of. BMW hopes that the more premium aesthetics and feel of the liftback will attract enthusiasts back.
1. BMW 6-Series Wide Range of Vehicles
BMW’s 6-Series now has a “complete” range of vehicles: a convertible, a sedan, and a liftback. The convertible and sedan, which are both based on previous-generation design, will soon be phased out while the liftback is based on the German automaker’s latest platform.
2. Convertible and Coupe to be Phased Out
The 6-Series convertible and coupe will be replaced for the 2018 model year by the new 8-Series models. BMW hasn’t revealed yet if there are plans to make an 8-Series Gran Coupe, but both China and the United States are big fans of sedans, so that maybe bound to happen.
3. 2018 6-Series in Powertrains
The 6-Series GT is being offered exclusively in 640i xDrive guise for the 2018 model year. The trim will come packing a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that produces 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It also arrives with the standard 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system.
There would likely be more powertrain options once the launch was done, including a 630i option and the more powerful M650i option. The latter will most probably pack a 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 engine that will have an output of 455 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.
4. Tech Goodies in Surplus
Since the 6-Series will be based on the latest platform coming out of BMW’s plant, it’s safe to assume that the series will also receive all the tech goodies from the platform—LED headlights, self-leveling air suspension at the rear axle, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen display, voice activation, numerous electronic driver aids, and gesture control.
BMW Prepares to Challenge the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is set to be revealed this month. Looming in the scene is BMW with its plan to launch an all-electric sedan to take on the company led by Elon Musk.
According to Trusted Reviews, citing German publication Handelsblatt, BMW has set its sights on introducing a car that will rival the Tesla 3 and the company will reveal it at the Munich Auto Show in September.
The Tesla Model 3 challenger will come from the 3 Series range of BMW. The fully-electric sedan will be the company’s first in its bid to enter the electric vehicle segment of the market, which is dominated by Tesla.
The source claimed that the electric 3 Series will have a range of at least 400 kilometers. No other details have been revealed yet though. It should be noted too that BMW had not released an official statement about the matter so take this with a grain of salt.
At present the BMW 3 Series saloon car has a starting price of £25,740. An electric variant of the vehicle might cost more than that due to the cost of developing and manufacturing one. Add to that the expenses of sourcing parts like the battery and electric motor. On the other hand, the German luxury automaker might not jack up the value of the coming EV too much so that it will be competitive with the pricing of the Tesla Model 3.
The BMW 3 Series has been in production since 1975. The product is the entry-level luxury car of the German automaker. The vehicle is currently in its sixth generation model.
A plug-in hybrid model of the 3 Series was introduced last year. The car has gained good reviews so for its design and easy-to-use features. We think it is just right for BMW to follow up on its success by producing its new EV under the 3 Series platform.
Battle of Top Speed: BMW M6 Gran Coupe Vs. Mercedes-AMG E63 S
The 2017 models of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S surely scream “high-performance”. Being products of the top producers of luxury vehicles in the world, many car enthusiasts dream about having one of them in their garages.
In the video posted below, we will see how the two fare in terms of their top speeds. But before that, let us take a look at the engine specs of the two.
BMW M6 Gran Coupe
The Bimmer packs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The unit has an output of 600 hp and 700 Nm of torque. The numbers push the auto from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The top speed of the car is electronically-locked at 300 km/h but the Competition Package fitted in it increases it to 305 km/h.
Mercedes-AMG E63 S
The AMG E63 S has a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine. The power unit is capable of producing 12 hp more than the M6 Gran Coupe and its torque is 150 Nm more than its rival. The figures allow the Merc to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in mere 3.4 seconds. The maximum speed of the performance car is electronically-capped at 300 km/h.
Video
Watch the video below to see how each car fares when pushed to its limits:
And the Winner Is… (Spoiler Alert)
Both cars delivered their promise to deliver around 300 km/h. The dials of the two indicate that they even surpassed the limit.
The speedometer of the M6 Gran Coupe appears to have reached the 305 threshold. On the other hand, the AMG E63 S seems to have surpassed the competition, though the mounted indicator of the Mercedes shown in the video only read 302 km/h.
Furthermore, the Mercedes showed faster acceleration time than the BMW. The M6 looked shaky also after reaching the 300 km/h limit while the E63 S was more stable.
As an added note, the high-performance E-Class looked more stunning in terms of interior design than the M6.
2020 BMW 8-Series Convertible Caught in a Spy Video
A new video surfaced showing a new convertible from BMW. The source said it will be the 2020 BMW 8-Series Convertible. The auto will be the automaker’s response to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet.
According to Motor Authority, BMW is working on a replacement for the 6-Series coupe and convertible models. The cars will be positioned higher in the hierarchy of the automaker’s vehicles. The report claimed the vehicles will be under the 8-Series range.
Supporting the article is the earlier confirmation of BMW about the move. It was revealed last May during the launch of the 8-Series Concept at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
The source noted that BMW never released a convertible variant for its original 8-Series. However, it appears that the plan was just shelved because a prototype of the convertible version existed in the past.
The spy video shows the BMW 8-Series Convertible with a soft top. The report pointed out that it might only be a ruse to hide the retractable hard top of the car.
It seems that the vehicle rides on the carbon fiber CLAR platform of the brand. The unit was used in the 2016 BMW 7-Series.
The post said that BMW trademark documents suggest that the 8-Series will spawn 850, 860 and M850 models. The range will be carrying V8 and V12 engines.
The M Performance version of the 8-Series will most probably get the new 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which will be showcased this year in the upcoming BMW M5. The power of the auto will be distributed via an 8-speed automatic transmission and paired with the M division’s latest M xDrive all-wheel drive system.
It is not clear when the unveiling of the new BMW 8-Series Convertible will take place. The source discussed that it might be in 2018.
Spy Video of the BMW 8-Series Convertible
Due to the privacy settings of the uploader, the video cannot be played directly from this page. You can still click the box below though, which will take you directly to the spy video of the car.
Toyota Remains the Most Valuable Car Brand in the World
Toyota retains its status as the most valuable car brand in the world. The company toppled the likes of luxury car giants like Mercedes-Benz and BMW to keep its position.
According to Autoweek, the Japanese automaker’s value dropped by three percent to $28.7 billion. The decrease was attributed to the tough currency rates, in addition to the company’s investments and increase in labor costs. Despite the setbacks, Toyota topped the vehicle segment of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brand study made by market researcher Kantar Millward Brown.
Brown said Toyota is still viewed by customers as a reliable brand with quality value. Even with the recall issues going on, Toyota car owners gave positive reviews to their cars.
Based on the report, the study was first conducted 12 years ago. Since then, Toyota has landed in the number one rank 10 times.
In our earlier article, Toyota projected that further losses in revenue and net income are expected for the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2018. The company, through its CEO Akio Toyoda, defended that the slump is also in line with their vision to put more priority in stabilizing their future investments rather than focusing on short-term profit.
The Toyota CEO added that to safeguard the company’s future, they created an internal division called the Toyota Research Institute. The new division aims to work on futuristic technologies like the development of electric and hybrid vehicles as well as a potential autonomous car.
BMW and Mercedes landed on the second and third spots, respectively. BMW fell in value by eight percent to $24.6 billion while Mercedes rose by four percent to $23.5 billion.
On sidelines, Tesla seems to be catching up fast in the global car brand rankings. The company just jumped from number 10 last year to number 8 at the present, thanks to an increase of brand value by 32 percent to $5.9 billion. The car maker overtook Land Rover and Porsche to secure its new place in the hierarchy.
2018 BMW X2 Spied in Nurburgring
The BMW X2 was spied as it was being tested in Nurburgring. The sport utility vehicle is expected to make its way in the market by early 2018.
The X2 is BMW‘s answer to the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, Range Rover Evoque and Infiniti QX30. Its starting price is estimated to cost around $38,000.
So far, details about the 2018 BMW X2 are still scarce, but here are its key features based on sources and hints depicted in spy shots plus the video you are about to watch below:
Exterior
The X2 obviously sits between BMW’s X1 and X3 models. The crossover is expected to put more emphasis on its styling than its practicality.
Taking many of its coupe-like design elements from the BMW X2 Concept, the production model of the vehicle will have steeper windshield, higher beltline, as well as lower and more curvaceous roofing.
The X2 will share platform with the X1. Therefore, it will be carrying the UKL architecture of its maker, which features front-wheel drive system and transverse engine layout. Since the platform also supports an all-wheel drive system, the X2 might get it too.
Interior
For now, it is hard to make out the interior design of the X2. It will possibly get the same treatment as the X1 though. It seems the X2 has prioritized space over style so it will probably have less legroom than the X1.
Engine
The BMW X2 will likely take the same engine possessed by the X1. That is a 2.0-liter inline-four power unit. The engine is good for 228 hp. However, look forward to an increase in its output in the X2.
Look forward to the SUV’s “M Performance” model also. BMW might match the power of the auto with a six-stick or eight-speed automatic transmission gearbox like the X1.
Video
Check out the new spy video of the BMW X2 here:
4 Stuff You Should Know About the BMW 5-Series Li
The BMW 5-Series is in it is seventh generation for the 2017 model year. At this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, a new model of the car was just unveiled called the BMW 5-Series Li.
Here are 4 stuff you should know about the BMW 5 Series Li, which was manufactured under the Brilliance-BMW alliance:
1. Exterior
In a nutshell, the BMW 5-Series Li is the long wheelbase model of the 5-Series. It follows all the design cues of the car where it is based.
The 5-Series Li’s wheelbase is five inches longer than its standard version though. The extra space gives its rear passengers more legroom.
The target market of the series are the wealthy people who prefer to be chauffeured to their destinations. Thus, the extra room in its rear seats.
2. Interior
The long wheelbase car follows the interior elements of the 5-Series. It is adorned with Nappa leather and dark wood trims on the side panels.
However, its rear seats feature added soundproofing, electronically adjustable seats, two 10.5-inch touchscreens and Sky Lounge Panorama glass roof. In between the rear passenger seats of the luxury vehicle is another touchscreen display integrated with the center armrest.
3. Engine
The powertrains of the BMW 5-Series Li follows that of its standard version. Buyers of the long wheelbase models can choose among the two gasoline-fed 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engines and 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 engine versions of the luxury vehicle. The respective outputs of the units are 224 hp, 252 hp and 340 hp.
Sources in China claimed that there is also a BMW 5-Series Li M Sports. But do not get your hopes up too much on that one because it only offers a new set of bumpers and wheels.
4. Exclusivity
Unfortunately for most fans of BMW, the 5-Series Li will only be available in the Chinese market. As of writing this article, there is no official confirmation yet about the market release of the long wheelbase car.
Review of the Top 5 Features of the 2017 BMW M240i Coupe
The 2017 BMW M240i Coupe is the entry model of its brand’s 2 Series. The car comes packed with plenty of features for consumers.
Should you buy it?
Here is a look at the top 5 features of the 2017 BMW M240i that will help you decide if the auto is worth your money or not.
1. Engine
The M240i is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six power unit. The engine has an output of 335 bhp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The car can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds when equipped with its maker’s eight-speed automatic gearbox while its manual version can achieve that in 4.8 seconds.
2. Exterior
The exterior of the M240i takes many styling elements from its M235i predecessor. The outline and the design language of the two are almost too similar. Getting closer though would reveal that the new car has a sexier outline as well as smoother body lines. The headlamps are also updated to offer better illumination.
3. Interior
No significant changes are noticeable inside the M240i compared to its predecessor. The two are pretty much identical in that aspect. However, it should be noted that buyers can make the car’s cabin stand out by getting BMW’s optional add-ons that will imbue it with sports pedals, wood and carbon fiber trims on the dashboard, Alcantara materials for the seat covers and many more.
4. Tech
There are improvements in the tech of the auto, particularly its infotainment system. Some of the key enhancements include the crisp graphics of the iDrive, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility plus inductive mobile device charging.
5. Pricing
The 2017 BMW M240i Coupe has a starting price of $53,495 according to CarAndDriver.
Overall
In a nutshell, the M240i has a decent power, attractive design, and has better driving dynamics than the M235i. The only setback is that it retains almost all the design elements of its predecessor. The interior of the auto is a reminder that it is an entry-level model in its series.