SubscribeElsewhere on Autolust: BMW Z4 | BMW 1 Series | BMW X3 | Rolls-Royce | BMW X5 | BMW 3 Series | Mini | BMW 5 Series | BMW M3 | BMW X6 |
# 1 News Source
AutoblogGreen
AutoblogGreen (www.autobloggreen.com) has great BMW news, photos, videos and more
Wednesday, Aug 12
Officially, official: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, this one has lithium [W/VIDEO]
It's been a busy day for the PR troops at BMW as embargoes broke in Europe on two of its announcements for the Frankfurt Motor Show. We saw the ActiveHybrid X6 earlier today, and that was followed by the ActiveHybrid 7. The big sedan uses a different electric drive setup from the X6, this one bei...
Officially Official: BMW X6 Hybrid to be world's most powerful gas-electric vehicle
High performance hybrid - an oxymoron? Not according to BMW, which has two new hybrids scheduled for an unveiling at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. One of those two vehicles, the ActiveHybrid X6, promises to be the most powerful hybrid vehicle ever offered for sale at 480 horsepower a...
EV-TV perfects Porsche, now converting Clubman
Once it's completed, the extended MINI will be packing 54 kWh of lithium badness to power its AC motor. That should give it a real world 150-mile range, leaving the official MINI E from BMW crying for an extension cord. All that and a back seat too! You can find all kinds of great information abo...
VIDEO: Lazareth creates an E85-powered, 500-horsepower quad
French automobile and motorcycle builder Lazareth has managed to shoehorn an entire BMW V12 engine into one of his crazy Wazuma quad-like machines. Admittedly, there isn't much that's environmentally friendly about a 500-horsepower supercharged V12 engine from BMW that's powering...
Rumor: BMW and PSA partnership will go beyond engine sharing
BMW and PSA share a couple powertrains: The diesel Minis have the 1.6 HDi developed by PSA, while the 1.4- and 1.6-liter gasoline engines were co-developed with BMW. However, BMW chief exec Norbert Reithofer has confirmed in the Financial Times that the two European automakers could begin s...
Tuesday, Aug 11
GM announces that 2011 Chevrolet Volt will get 230 mpg city!
In case you missed it this morning, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson made some big news just one month after the "new" GM emerged from bankruptcy protection. Source: General Motors]GM announces that 2011 Chevrolet Volt will get 230 mpg city! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tu...
Thursday, Aug 6
Fisker nabs ex-Maserati North America chief for sales and marketing duties
Fisker has appointed Marti Eulberg to the position of vice president of global sales and marketing after being head of Maserati North America for less than one year. Eulberg's position means she will "develop global sales and marketing strategies and manage Fisker's worldwide retail n...
Wednesday, Aug 5
Tales of woe from the electric car frontier, MINI E edition
We've heard the stories about the charging problems with BMW's MINI E lease program and understand that paying $850 a month for one of these electric cars doesn't appeal to everyone. Still, the issues that some early adopters are dealing with with these EVs are pretty dramatic: the car goi...
Next-gen BMW 3 series to get turbo three, better aero, hybrid powertrain
The next generation of BMW's 3-series looks like it will get some major revisions when it arrives in about two years. The new model is expected to be the first in the range to get new turbocharged three cylinder engines in both gas and diesel variants. The three-cylinder engines will likely b...
BMW will create new electric vehicle sub-brand
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told Reuters this week that its future electric cars will be badged as BMWs. This contradicts some earlier rumors that the automaker would revive another brand such as Triumph or Isetta for its electric vehicles. The company will stick with its existing BMW, MINI...
Tuesday, Aug 4
SB LiMotive to supply batteries for BMW Megacity electric car
Our foremost objective is to supply BMW with the best battery technology available in terms of performance, range, and safety. At the same time, we want to establish SB LiMotive lithium-ion battery cells as a sustainable product which, after being used in the car, can be reused in other ar...
Plug In America's 2nd annual benefit features lots of vehicles, internet auction
For starters, a pre-production 2e from Aptera will be on hand as well as that company's CEO Paul Wilbur. Other electric cars onsite will include Tesla Roadsters, the tzero from AC Propulsion, the MINI E from BMW and Commuter Cars Tango. While we don't have a copy of the complete guest list, it...
Home charging: Renewable energy-powered MINI Es start testing in Münich
BMW has officially announced a partnership with the E.ON utility company to test drive 15 MINI Es in Münich, Germany. E.On will provide electricity for the cars in 13 special charging stations near the Museumislen area of town. The juice for these stations will be certified to come from renew...
Saturday, Aug 1
Lexus trademarks CT 200h, CT 300h and CT 400h for entry-level Euro hybrids?
There's reason to believe the new Lexus CT Series will be based on the underpinnings of the Toyota Auris, which is available in Europe in both three- and five-door hatchback forms and has recently been slated for a hybrid powertrain. Just like other Lexus offerings based on Toyota platfor...
Friday, Jul 31
German luxury car makers could get partial exemption from CO2 rules
The proposed rules would give the automakers less of a break than the California rules, which would have exempted their entire fleets for seven years. Nonetheless, these automakers would still have an advantage over a company like General Motors which competes with some of these cars wi...
Thursday, Jul 30
Frankfurt preview: BMW announces plans for MINIMALISM display, special MINI editions
The IAA Frankfurt Motor Show is still a month and a half away, but the BMW Group is gearing up to show the world that its three brands - BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce - include efficient and enjoyable driving machines. The BMW Groups vehicles will be displayed on a special circuit track that enclo...
Ducati "extremely interested" in electrics and hybrids
We are extremely interested in all these technologies, but the question is: Do motorcycle riders today feel really responsible to find a way to pollute less in the city? Fulfilling the current and future emission standards for motorcycles is still feasible with the refinement of exist...
Wednesday, Jul 29
BMW quits F1 to focus on alternative drivetrains and sustainability
The costs of competing in Formula One and trying to develop alternative power trains for its future production vehicles are proving to be too much for BMW. The German automaker has announced its intention to follow Honda and quit Formula One at the end of the current season. BMW has never sai...
Tuesday, Jul 28
Spy shots: BMW X6 hybrid spotted stateside
Although we've seen spy shots of BMW's new X6 hybrid in Bavaria, we're new getting images of the vehicle stateside, with South Carolina plates. BMW's powertrain approach for this model is more evolved than the relatively simple stop & start systems that populate most 4-cylinders in...
Thursday, Jul 23
Hyundai: CARS (cash for clunkers) will improve fuel economy by 60 percent
Automakers in the U.S. are scrambling to figure out how best to sell their vehicles under the new cash-for-clunkers Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). BMW is offering "Eco Credits" for some of its diesels and Chrysler is offering "Double CA$H For Your Old Car". Hyundai has been offering clu...
MINI E survives first fender bender
The first accident we've heard of that involved a MINI E resulted in a dent in the rear hatch and not much else. The fender bender - which took place at low speeds and was apparently the fault of a large white van behind the all-electric MINI in stop-and-go traffic - wasn't related to anything a...
Wednesday, Jul 22
General Motors 4.5L Duramax V8 could be revived when the conditions are right
Earlier this year, as General Motors was slashing spending on programs in a desperate and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to stave off bankruptcy, one of the victims was the new new 4.5-liter Duramax diesel V8. The engine, which was intended to start production in early 2010 for use in GM'...
Monday, Jul 20
Two-Mode hybrid may be a one hit wonder for Daimler, BMW
GM has applied it to many of its full size trucks and SUVs. However, the first Chrysler SUV application was short-lived and Chrysler's only other announced plan is the Ram pickups in 2010. Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Chrysler, GM, Daimler
Friday, Jul 17
Local Motors begins deposit-taking for Internet-designed diesel Rally Fighter [w/VIDEO]
In order to get the tube-framed, fiberglass-and-carbon bodied Rally Fighter to meet those goals, the off-roadster will feature the twin-turbo inline-six out of the BMW 335d, an engine that should get them the 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque without fiddling, though we can...
Thursday, Jul 16
BMW trademarks "ActiveE" name for future electric car?
Moving along, BMW has also trademarked what could possibly be the name of the upcoming and oft-spied Mini crossover: Countryman. If this is indeed the case, the badge would go hand-in-hand with BMW's current naming convention for its Mini line, which includes the extended-length Clubm...
Wednesday, Jul 15
Rumormill: BMW working on electric scooter?
According to Solo Scooter in Spain, unnamed sources inside BMW are reporting that the Bavarian brand is working up a new electric scooter that could be debuted at an upcoming motorcycle show sometime in late 2010 and put in production in 2011. If these rumors are to be believed, the upcomin...
Monday, Jul 13
MINI explains the drop in estimated range for MINI E
Those paying close attention might have noticed that as MINI USA has been delivering battery-powered MINI Es in recent weeks, the range estimate is being quoted as 100 miles. Last November, when we first saw and drove the MINI E, the range was estimated at 156 miles. When we actually drove th...
BMW unlikely to produce diesel M-cars until U.S. embraces oil-burners
In recent months, AMG, the high performance gurus at Mercedes-Benz, have hinted at some future plans for reducing CO2 emissions including hybrids and possible diesel engines. Similarly, Audi has built the high-performance Q7 V12 TDI and has been racing diesel sports cars since 2006. BM...
Saturday, Jul 11
Mercedes creates the perfect commuter vehicle: a folding bike
Mercedes' new folding bike was first announced in early June, but the manufacturer has now revealed a few new tidbits about what some might consider the perfect commuter vehicle. Annointed with the magic three-pointed star, Mercedes defines this folding bike as "the most compact, sust...
Thursday, Jul 9
2010 BMW 5-series Gran Turismo to debut BMW's brake energy regeneration system in U.S.
During a preview this week of the new 5-series Gran Turismo, BMW North America product planning manager Martin Birkmann revealed that the vehicle would include brake energy regeneration when it arrives in the U.S. this fall. BMW has been including its regenerative braking system on numer...
Monday, Jul 6
BMW celebrates 1.5 million "new" Minis made
2009 has been a big year for BMW's MINI brand. MINI launched a new convertible, turned 50 years old, and has now made 1.5 million new generation MINIs since production began in 2001. The new MINI has outpaced the demand of the first generation MINI, which sold over 5.3 million copies from 1959-2...
Friday, Jul 3
BMW building more MINI Es for European testing
The popularity of BMW's MINI E test program in the United States has evidently prompted the company to expand production beyond the original 500 cars and add a smaller test fleet in Europe. The original plan, as announced last fall, was for 500 of the battery-powered MINIs to be made availa...
Thursday, Jul 2
REPORT: Toyota hopes to boost profits by licensing hybrid technology
Indeed, both Ford and Nissan have licensed Toyota hybrid technology in the past. Both of those automakers, though, already have or are planning new hybrid systems and fully electric vehicles of their own design. Furthermore, alternatives like the Voltec powertrain from General Motors...
BMW X1 coming to America in 2011, diesel a possibility, up to 45.2 mpg (U.S.)
When the X1 hits the autobahn it will have four engines available, including a normally-aspirated 3.0-liter gasoline inline 6-cylinder and three variants of BMW's outstanding 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel. The X1 is available with both rear and all-wheel-drive. The U.S. will almost cert...
New 90 hp MINI One D debuts in Europe this fall with 60.3 mpg (U.S.) on EU test
In North America, the Cooper represents the entry point to the MINI lineup, but Europeans have always had the option of the MINI One. Until now however, the MINI One has used gasoline engines. That will be changing come September when the MINI One D goes on sale with a 90 hp version of the 1.6-lit...
Wednesday, Jul 1
Plug In America criticizes CARB loophole that could help BMW with its MINI E
BMW has gotten a lot of press (some bad) for their MINI E project. Even though the all-electric car comes with a plug, the plug-in advocacy group Plug In America (PIA) has a problem with the way that the Bavarians might be able to get a lot of legislative good will without really putting EVs on t...
Tuesday, Jun 30
McLaren looking for hybrid powertrain engineer
One possibility is that McLaren will attempt to adapt the KERS system from its Formula 1 race cars for street use. It's widely agreed that McLaren's KERS implementation is the best in F1 and both BMW and Ferrari are also thought to be working on KERS for future road cars.
Friday, Jun 26
BMW launches low-CO2 316d: 118 g/km
BMW has decided to engage futher the European low-CO2 market segment with the launch of the BMW 316d. The 316d uses the same powertrain as the 116d and gets remarkably low CO2 emissions of just 118 g/km. In both cars, BMW uses a detuned version of its 4-cylinder 2.0 liter diesel engine, found in...
BMW plans "most advanced small engine ever"
Earlier reports suggested that this new line would use engines as small as 1.35 liters and up to 1.8 liters. Power output would range from 163 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque up to a high-performance unit with as much as 321 horsepower. Source: Channel 4]Filed under: MPG, BMW
Thursday, Jun 25
Lights Out: Guerilla Drive-In uses BMW sidecar motorcycle to host secret movie screenings
As hardcore as they come, Che Guevarra's image has been transformed by the very capitalism he railed against into something non-threatening enough that the totem has been given a pair of 3-D spectacles and serves as a logo for a rebel band of film enthusiasts. In sharp contrast to what the r...
BMW adds upgraded diesels to 7-series, 730d rated at 34.6 mpg (U.S.)
This fall, BMW will be introducing two new upgraded diesel engines to the recently launched 7-series in the 730d and 740d. Both engines have a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder layout with common rail injection and turbochargers. The 740d gets the 306 hp twin turbo engine we reported on earlier t...
BMW likely to use KERS hybrid on next generation M5
In all likelihood, the 5.0-liter V10 in today's M5 will be replaced by a high output version of the new 4.4-liter V8 like the one in the X6 M. However, this 555 hp monster will probably be backed up by the mild hybrid system that will be installed in the 755iH late this year. Unlike other applicatio...
Wednesday, Jun 24
BMW gets approval for UK MINI E test fleet
Ford isn't the only automaker involved in a new EV test program being funded by the Technology Strategy Board in the UK. BMW will also be a part of the year-long, £25 million field test with its MINI E. Scottish and Southern Energy will be testing the cars along with the Focus EVs we reported on p...
Not so fast: Jesse James' hydrogen speed "record" challenged
Did Jesse James really pilot a hydrogen-fueled vehicle faster than anyone else ever has in history? Possibly. Did he set a world record as claimed in doing so? Not so fast (get it?), says noted world landspeed historian Louise Ann Noeth. It seems that Jesse's run wasn't quite up the the stand...
REPORT: GM persuing Chrysler for repayment of Two-Mode Hybrid development
In a case that's sure to light up our own comments section along with untold numbers of message boards across the web, our friends at PickupTrucks.com are reporting that General Motors has filed documents in court in an attempt to get New Chrysler to honor its full pre-bankruptcy debt of $5...
Tuesday, Jun 23
BMW to introduce more powerful and efficient version of twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel
BMW has just announced an upgraded version of its 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine. The new version retains the same displacement, yet output for the European spec version is increased from 286 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque to 306 hp and 442 lb-ft. At the same time, fuel cons...
Spy Shots: BMW 755ih spotted undisguised
BMW is expected to roll out the production version of its new 755ih hybrid luxury sedan later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. With little to differentiate the new gas-saving 7 Series from the rest of the German automaker's thirstier 7s, it's not surprising that the vehicle has been s...
Friday, Jun 19
REPORT: Three cylinder coming to next Mercedes-Benz C-Class, hybrids for all models
In addition to the three-cylinder engine, Thomas Weber, director of group research and car development at Mercedes-Benz, says the German automaker plans to offer a hybrid powertrain option on each of its models - from minicars like the smart to its line of large luxury sedans and commer...
Thursday, Jun 18
Jesse James successfully sets new hydrogen land-speed record
The previous mark for a hydrogen-burning car was set by BMW in Germany a few years back with its H2H race car. James seems pleased with his accomplishment, saying, "This, I honestly believe, is world-changing. We can't rely on gasoline forever. I'm paying it forward." Modest, isn't he?
VW 1.4-liter Twincharger wins 2009 International Engine of the Year
Best New Engine - Porsche's 3.8-liter 385bhp flat-sixBest Performance Engine - Mercedes-AMG 6.2-liter V8Sub 1-liter - Toyota 1-liter three-cylinder1.8-2.0L - Audi 2-liter TFSI2.0L-2.5L - Mercedes-Benz Diesel 2.1-litre BlueEfficiency2.5L-3.9L - BMW 3-liter DI Twin Turbo3.0L-4.0L - BMW 4-...
Wednesday, Jun 17
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept gets a steal of a deal on MINI E lease
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) is getting in on BMW's MINI E action in a big way. The LA County Board of Supervisors have given their approval to a deal that will see a squadron of 17 of the AC Propulsion-electrified retro-cutes join the force as part of the testing progra...
Monday, Apr 13
VW forecasts 30% of 2010 Golf sales in US will be for TDI
Volkswagen has a major success on its hands in the form of the latest Jetta TDI. Not only has the fuel efficient machine managed to take home nearly every green car award known to man, it's also been selling in numbers well over its initial sales goals. When the German automaker launched the di...
Monday, Mar 23
BMW on the lookout for battery partner
Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of R&D, said, "We are examining the products of Korean suppliers like LG Chem, and we are talking to Japanese suppliers as well as U.S.-based suppliers like A123 Systems Inc." These units are destined for the upcoming Megacity small car that the German automak...
Sunday, Dec 28
BMW may show two different electric concepts in 2009
Over at the BMW Blog, they have managed to get hold of a copy of what is believed to be BMW's 2009 product introduction roadmap. The Munich automaker will be introducing a wide array of new production vehicles next year including a new Z4 roadster and hybrid versions of both the new 7-series s...
Tuesday, Nov 11
BMW officially announces new 335d and X5 XDrive35d diesels
BMW just concluded a webcast press conference announcing details on the new 335d and X5 xDrive35d diesels that are going on sale shortly. These will be the first BMW diesels on the US market since the 524td of the mid-eighties. Like the new diesels from Mercedes-Benz and Audi and Volkswagen...
Wednesday, Aug 27
Illinois will get eco-friendly BMW-MINI dealership
Preparing for the next-generation of auto dealerships, the Bill Jacobs BMW/MINI shop will break ground September 12 in Naperville, IL. The dealer's website features a countdown timer and a whole heap of information about how Bill ...
