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Filed under: LA Auto Show , Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , BMW Click above for a high-res gallery of the new 7 Series BMW is launching its latest 7 Series flagship in the United States here at the LA Auto Show and has decided to whet our appetites a bit before the official unveiling by releasing an early press release about its latest offerings. As expected, the new 7 is equipped with a direct-injected twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 as its sole engine option here in the States. That's not really a bad thing, though, as the force-fed mill pumps out 400 horses and an impressive 450 lb-ft of torque. We've driven the X6 with this powerplant in the past, and are confident it'll have no problem whatsoever getting the big sedan moving at a very brisk clip. Also new for 2009 is BMW's first ever use of a multi-link double wishbone front suspension, which breaks from the German automaker's usual habit of front struts. As you'd expect, there is a long-wheelbase model of the...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Green , Paris Motor Show , BMW Click above for high-res shots of the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid With the arrival of the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid, which will make its initial debut at the Paris Motor Show , both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are set to enter the luxury hybrid market that has so far only seen action in the form of the Lexus LS600h . Although BMW was one of the brands that helped develop the sophisticated Two-Mode hybrid system that's currently being used in the full-size 'utes from both GM and Chrysler, the Bavarian automaker has chosen instead to equip its 7 Series with the same mild hybrid architecture that it helped to develop and is used by cross-country rival Daimler. Like the S400 BlueHYBRID , a 120-volt lithium ion battery will be kept underhood along with a small helper motor that's hooked up to the engine, in the case of the BMW, a twin-turbocharged, direct injected 4.4-liter V8. Expect well over 400-horsepower...
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Filed under: Economy , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , BMW Fuel-efficient city cars are being created at automaker R&D departments the world over, and even BMW plans on getting in on the action. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the German automaker was working on a 'mega city car' that will carry an all-new look, and two powertrains. One micro car will receive motivation with the aid of standard combustion, but the other will be pure electric. The electric vehicle will also comply with a California mandate that by 2012 there must be a fuel cell or battery-powered car that can travel 200 on a single charge. For comparison sake, GM promises at least 40 miles for the Chevy Volt , and Mitsubishi is looking at 100 mpg for the iMiEV . It's also worth mentioning that the BMW CEO specifically pointed out that it meets California regulations, signaling that the vehicle would be available Stateside. There is still no word regarding which of BMW's three brands would be...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sports/GTs , Green , Supercars , BMW Click for a hi-res gallery of the BMW M1 Hommage It's a sign of the times. After having rolled out the delectable M1 Hommage concept (pictured above), one BMW board member says that the Bavarian automaker has no intention of producing a supercar to compete with the likes of the Audi R8. Instead, BMW will focus on green technologies. The news comes straight from Klaus Draeger, the board member at the helm of the EfficientDymanics initiative. While Audi continues to produce more powerful and more desirable versions of the R8, Mercedes prepares entirely new supercars and Porsche continues to do what Porsche has always done, the company that once hailed itself as the producers of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is more concerned with hybrids than sportscars. Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage [Source: AutoTelegraaf via AutoblogGreen ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Government/Legal , Green , Safety , BMW Note to all you celebs and journos driving around in BMW Hydrogen 7s: be careful where you go in New York and New Jersey. While taking the uber-clean car for a joyride, The New York Times was informed it was not to drive through either the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels or on the lower level of the George Washington Bridge. It seems that the Port Authority of the two states isn't thrilled with the idea of 17.5 pounds of liquid hydrogen moving about its crowded thoroughfares, fearing a disaster of Hindenburg-like proportions. It so happens that our own Alex Núñez also just had the Hydrogen7 recently, and he's provided us with a copy of the relevant bit of paperwork which the Times refers to. You can read about the Hydrogen7's visit to the AutoblogGreen Garage at our sister site on August 1. Seriously though, BMW has done an excellent job of ensuring safety on the Hydrogen 7 ...
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Filed under: Coupes , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Hatchbacks , BMW , MINI BMW's MINI brand already produces some of the most efficient vehicles for sale in the US, and sources say the pint-sized cars will soon go emissions free, at least in California. BMW is planning to lease 490 Minis in California, with an additional 10 vehicles planned for show car duty. The emissions-free MINIs will be silver with a yellow roof, which should stand out nicely in the land of fruits and nuts. There are no details at this point pertaining to EV range or date of availability, but BMW claims it will make an announcement regarding electric vehicles later in the year. With all the talk of game-changing vehicles coming in the near future, we're getting the feeling that the upcoming auto show season could be one of the more memorable on record. [Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Green , BMW Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW 335d. KPG's crack team has caught the U.S.-spec BMW 335d undergoing testing ahead of its official launch in the States later this year, and according to the shooters, the introduction of the 335d will coincide with the launch of the revised 3-series. Don't expect much from the facelift, as the new 3 will only receive a new front bumper and some tweaks to the headlamps. However, the interior will benefit from the new iDrive interface recently revealed on the 2009 7-series . The 335d is expected to lose a few ponies when it makes the trek across the Atlantic, so power figures are estimated at 265 hp and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. That kind of twist is nothing to sneeze at, allowing the 335d to hit 60 in around 6.2 seconds and could make a compelling case for gasoline purists to make the transition to oil burning efficiency. Fuel consumption is expected to be...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Hybrids/Alternative , Geneva Motor Show , Green , BMW , Mercedes Benz The Magna MILA Alpin concept car shown in Geneva has gotten the attention of both Mercedes and BMW. The button-cute 4-wheeler rode on a flexible platform, could utilize a variety of fuel sources, climb 45-degree angles, and get up to 120 mph. Those capabilities, and the ability to be easily rebodied and cost-effectively manufactured, have the two premium brands looking at ways to bolster their lineups and enviro-credentials. Mercedes is known to be working on developing a 4-wheel-drive A-Class sedan . While the sandwich floors in the A-Class and B-Class cars were specifically created to allow flexible drivetrains, it is open to exploring options with BMW. Those other Bavarians in blue and white appear to be even more serious, having engaged Magna to discuss strategy and market demand. The MILA could provide a sound platform for BMW's electric car rumblings , as well as cost-effective, outsourced...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Green , Tech , BMW Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW Hydrogen 7 The BMW Hydrogen 7 arrived in late 2006 boasting the unique ability to run its V12 powerplant on both hydrogen and gasoline. This was a smart idea, as the on-board 30-gallon tank of -253° Centigrade liquid hydrogen was only good for a range of about 125 miles. The other fuel tank, filled with 19.5 gallons of good old-fashioned gasoline, extended the range another 310 miles. It didn't offer any environmental advantage, but it did allow you to get home. BMW is following up the original Hydrogen 7 with a new version - this time minus the gasoline tank. While official performance specifications, including emissions data, have not been released, BMW is claiming both performance and range have been increased. It will debut at the 2008 National Hydrogen Association Conference and the 2008 SAE World Congress in mid-April, when BMW is expected to release emissions...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Green , BMW BMW's U.S. success means that come 2012, it will be considered a large vehicle manufacturer here in the States. In preparation for that, BMW will decide this year on whether to make "an ecologically-compatible car for the U.S. market," most likely to help the automaker meet more stringent CAFE standards that are forthcoming. Incredibly, for a company known for its engines, this newest car venture would probably run on batteries according to CEO Norbert Reithofer. We mentioned that BMW is considering the return of the Isetta brand as its green leader, but small gas and diesel engines were proposed for that car, and it's already been signed off on. Which means that if BMW were to come out with a U.S.-only all-electric vehicle, it could be something all new. Of course, a battery-powered M5 doesn't sound so bad, either. [Source: Automotive News , sub req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Geneva Motor Show , Green , BMW Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of the BMW X5 Vision EfficientDynamics A man might not be a camel, but BMW's X5 Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid is. The vehicle, with its twin-turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to a li-ion battery pack that doesn't need to be refueled until after the Apocalypse. by then, fuel will probably be the last of your worries. Special aero rims, a solar roof panel to heat up engine fluids before you start the vehicle, an 8-speed transmission, and X5 room and ride only make it all the sweeter. Check out the hi-res gallery of shots below to get as close as we did to it. Gallery: BMW X5 Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Tech , BMW With Cameron Diaz now officially set to ride in the BMW Hydrogen 7 to the 2008 Oscar Awards, more unofficial details are coming out that BMW is planning to launch a Hybrid 7 Series in the next 2-3 years. We have blogged about hybrid BMW models before. In fact, just last April, we spoke about a Hybrid 5 Series model possibly in the works. Now, rumor has it that the flagship 7 Series will get the eco-friendly powerplant first. Likely a joint venture between BMW, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz, the new powerplant will be a "mild" hybrid system. This type of hybrid recovers energy from braking (aka "regenerative braking") to be stored and used to supplement the internal combustion engine. The Hybrid 7 Series will have to ultimately rely on gasoline for propulsion, as this type of hybrid is not able to run in pure electric mode like the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid . With the news of BMW's twin-turbo diesel...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Geneva Motor Show , Green , BMW Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics X5. Every auto show nowadays has to have its fair share of "green" concepts, and Geneva won't be any different. Over at the BMW stand, the automaker will be showing off its Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that's packing a twin-turbo, 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel that's mated to a hybrid motor. The diesel mill alone is making 204 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, but the addition of a compact generator increases power by another 20 hp and 154 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is sent through an eight-speed gearbox developed by ZF that features longer ratios to make the most of the miserly mill. BMW cites mpg figures in the 43.5-range, with 172 g/km of CO2 being shot on the tailpipe. Additionally, BMW has fitted a regenerative braking system to the X5, along with roof-mounted solar panels and aerodynamically enhanced 19...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , BMW Click above to see a video of the BMW PAV in action. While a lot of attention will be paid to BMW's M3 convertible fitted with the automaker's new dual-clutch gearbox, another vehicle set to debut in Geneva has the potential of being as important, if not more so. BMW plans to show off a new concept utilizing its Efficient Dynamics powertrain and it could be our first glimpse of the recently spied Progressive Activity Sedan . At this point, the details about the concept are minimal, but considering BMW's penchant for unveiling near-production ready concepts with next generation drivetrains (ala X6 ), it's a distinct possibility. And with sales of the PAV expected to begin sometime next year, Geneva might be the first place BMW shows off its plans to assault the people-mover segment. [Source: InsideLine] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Coupes , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , BMW Click the image above for more shots of the GP3.10 hammering around Nardo. You might recall the AC Schnitzer crew trotting out a particularly gaudy BMW 3-series coupe in Frankfurt called the GP3.10 , powered by a V10 engine pulled from the M5/M6 running off liquefied petroleum. While the styling of the Bimmer caused a few of us to inadvertently gag while patrolling the floor in Germany, it's performance potential - 552 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque - showed promise. Fast forward a few months later, and according to the Schnitzer folks, the GP3.10 set the world record for the fastest gas-powered car in the world. The coupe was brought out to the 13-mile Nardo test track in Southern Italy where it laid down a terminal velocity of 318.1 km/h, or 197 mph. While that's a feat unto itself, even more surprising is AC Schnitzer's claim that some of the technology will filter down to the tuner's products...
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