BMW
1 Series Coupe-based BMW Concept ActiveE: 170hp EV
BMW has previewed the Concept ActiveE electric vehicle that is based on the automaker’s 1 Series Coupe model. The concept is part of BMW’s project i and will make its market debut at next month’s Detroit Motor Show. The ActiveE joins the MINI E as a vehicle that will be tested by a select few. BMW then plans to gather data and use it to develop production electric cars that will be positioned under a new sub brand. These cars are expected to appear in the first half of the next decade.
The Concept ActiveE features a new synchronous electric motor that can produce 170hp and 250Nm of torque that is available from standstill. The motor is integrated in the rear axle that helps reduce weight and is paired with a lithium-ion battery pack developed by BMW and SB LiMotive which is a joint venture company between Bosch and Samsung. The batteries are mounted on the floorpan and are liquid cooled.
The 1800 kg concept is able to accelerate to 100 km/h in under 9 seconds and has a governed top speed of 145 km/h. BMW claims that the ActiveE has a driving range of 160 kilometers over a single charge. A house hold power outlet can be used and it would take one in Europe three hours for a full charge or one in the US 4.5 hours.
This figure sound pretty good because usually, an electric vehicle would need about nine hours for a full charge. There is even a mobile software that gives you various functions such as battery charge status, charge station locatiosn and more. Look for an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
F10 BMW 5 Series pricing revealed!
BMW’s answer to the all new Mercedes E-Class was recently revealed to the world and it comes with several engine options including the 523i, 528i, 535i and the range topping 550i from the petrol family while the diesel front is made up by the 520d, 525d, and 530d. You can opt between a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic. The 184hp 520d goes for 39,950 Euros while the 204hp 525d and 245hp 530d are priced at 44,700 Euros and 49,300 Euros repectively.
The cheapest petrol version is the 204hp 523i that has a 41,900 Euros price tag. The 528i that outputs 258hp can be yours for 45,400 Euros while the 306hp 535i breaks the 50k barrier with a 50,300 Euros price tag. The top of the line 550i that can output 407hp and a massive 600Nm of torque from its 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 demands a massive 70,500 Euros. To learn more about the all new mid-sized sedan from BMW, please click here.
Renderings of the all new BMW 5 Series Touring
Now that the new BMW 5 Series sedan has been officially unveiled, it would just be a matter of time until the automaker rolls out the Touring variant and of course the mouth watering M5. Anyway, talented “Photoshoper” Theophilus Chin has whipped up this Touring variant and you can probably expect BMW to reveal something that looks very much like this. Continue reading to view another image.
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Adrian van Hooydonk on the latest BMW 5 Series
BMW has released a new video of the all new BMW 5 Series following this morning’s official launch in Munich. This time around, the 2 minute 45 second-long video features Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Design’s director talking about the new 5. The video also includes some footage of the car’s design stage as well as some driving shots towards the end. Look for the video after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
All new BMW 5 Series officially revealed in Munich!
BMW has officially launched the all new 5 Series premium mid-sized sedan in Munich just moments ago. After looking at the entire thing, I must admit that design wise, it looks as though it has hints of both the latest 3 and 7 Series, with the latter looking like it inspired more of the front end. The kidney grille looks larger now but luckily not as large as the 7 Series or the 5 Series Gran Turismo. The rear taillights look like a combination of the taillights found on both the 3 and 7 while the side profile still has the classic 5 look.
The new 5 that is also known as the F10 features a 2,968 mm long wheelbase that can be considered the longest in its class and most interestingly, it shares a common platform with the latest F01 7 Series. Not only that, even certain components like the seats have a common structure and what makes them different are things like the type of leather and stitching. Both the latest 7 and his brand new 5 was part of a joint development. Overall, this new model has a body stiffness that has been increased by 55% compared to the E60 model it replaces.
This new model also features an increased use of aluminium. The automaker has used the light weight material on areas such as the doors. As usual, the 5 Series has bags of technologies and making a debut for BMW is the familiar Parking Assistant system that is optional. The reason why I say its familiar is because this is the self-part function that is also found on certain Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz cars. It is used for parallel parking and the driver only needs to perform pedal work which includes accelerating and braking.
Other highlight features include an electric power steering and rear active steering. The former is a standard fit and hopefully it does not disrupt the almost perfect steering feel that BMWs are normally associated with. The optional rear active steering is cool. I have tested it out with the latest 7 and its a huge help especially when performing U-turns. The system basically turns the wheels the opposite way from the front wheels at low speeds and otherwise at higher speeds. At low speeds, it helps make driving a huge car a much easier affair.
There is also Brake Energy Regeneration, this time with a real time display on the instrument panel to notify the driver what the system is doing as well as a ’surround view’ that can show you a bird’s eye view of the car thanks to various cameras placed on the car. This helps you to maneuver around parking spots. Also on the list is an active engine lid that will pop out by 3 cm at the front and 5 cm at the rear of the lid in the event of a pedestrian collision at speeds between 20 km/h and 50 km/h.
There is also an optional Lane Change Warning system that can warn the driver via a triangular yellow light symbol in the wing mirror housing if it thinks that a lane change is dangerous as well as a Lane Departure Warning system that vibrates the steering wheel to alert the driver if he or she is accidentally drifting into another lane.
Now lets talk about the interior. My first impression: ‘Awesome!’. I may sound a little extra excited but that is because it is way ahead compared to the interior featured in the E60 version. The interior in the E60 looks mundane or boring. Nothing interesting about it, period. But the interior in the F10 is definitely speaking a different language. A language that sounds very similar with the latest 7 Series. Its inspired by the luxury sedan and that is a good thing. It looks classier and the centre console looks great. Just like the new 7, it also has the Black Panel instrumentation that displays a number of things on an LCD screen.
A few models have been announced by the automaker including the 523i, 528i, 535i, 550i, 520d, 525d, and 530d. Buyers of the 530d can also opt for the BluePerformance pack for compliance with Euro 6 emissions. The base 523i is powered by a 3.0 liter powerplant that can produce 204hp at 6,100 revs and 270Nm of torque between 1,500 revs and 4,250 revs. The 528i also uses the same engine, but with different output figures. Horsepower is 258 at 6,600 revs while torque is rated at 310Nm between 2,600 revs and 5,000 revs. So far so good and it gets better.
The 535i version has a TwinPower Turbo 3.0 liter engine. This unit can produce 306hp at 5,800 revs and an M3-rivalling 400Nm of torque achieved between 1,200 revs and 5,000 revs. These three petrol engines feature a 6-cylinder configuration. The top of the line 550i variant has a 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 that can crank out 407hp between 5,500 revs and 6,400 revs and a massive 600Nm of torque mostly available 1,750 revs and 4,500 revs. With that said, it would interesting to find out how much power the new M5 will have.
The 520d can output 184hp at 4,000 revs and 380Nm of torque between 1,900 revs and 2,750 revs from its 4-cylinder diesel while the 525d has a 6-cylinder 3.0 liter engine that is good for 204hp at 4,000 revs and a respectable 450Nm of pulling power mostly between 1,750 revs and 2,500 revs.
The above mentioned 520d has an average fuel consumption of 5.0 liters per 100 km (EU Standard) while the 535d consumes 6.2 liters per 100 km. The range topping 530d has a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder that can output 245hp at 4,000 revs and 540Nm of torque between 1,750 revs and 3,000 revs. Transmissions wise, there are two to choose from including a 6-speed manual and a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic. There are two versions of the manual. One has dry sump lubrication for the 535i, 525d and 530d while another has the conventional oil supply for the 530d, 528i and 523i models. Look for a high-res image gallery as well as a video of the new 5 Series after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Images of the all new BMW 5 Series leaked ahead of launch
UPDATE: There is also an image of the rear end after the jump. Overall I feel it looks better than the model it replaces.
This did not come as a surprise. Just about a day before the official unveiling of the all new BMW 5 Series, three low-res images have been leaked onto the Internet. Unfortunately, these images only reveal the front-left corner of the new 5.
Thus far, it looks decent, nothing much to complain about other than an extra large front grille that reminds me of the latest 7 Series. The headlights, in my honest opinion, looks better than the ones found on the outgoing 5. Can’t wait for the official unveiling to look at the whole thing. Stay tuned as we will bring you the latest from the launch! Look for two images after the jump.
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Performance Motors launches the BMW 7 Series Privileges Programme Plus
BMW’s Singapore distributor Performance Motors Ltd. has launched the BMW 7 Series Privileges Programme Plus for new 7 Series customers. It is a rewards programme that covers five premium experiences including golfing, driving, yachting, traveling and lifestyle. They include services like car spa, BMW Advanced Driver Training and chauffeur services. The programme also features an aviation experience where members will have access to the use of a private jet complete with a professional air crew at exclusive rates. The jet can be used to travel to destinations that may not be commonly available on the destination list of commercial airlines. Members can also enjoy a brand new concierge service with a dedicated hotline at 6877 1777.
Munich Automobiles Pte Ltd becomes world’s first dedicated distributor of BMW M cars
BMW Group Asia has announced that Munich Automobiles Pte Ltd has been selected to specifically market BMW’s M cars and M accessories in Singapore. Munich Automobiles is the first dedicated distributor in the world to market the automaker’s high performance cars. The company is jointly owned by Prestige Cars and Sime Darby, the parent company of Performance Motors Limited. Munich Automobiles will offer the full range of M cars including the M3, M5, M6, X5M, X6M as well as M accessories. The dealership will be launched in Teban Gardens by mid next year.
