Archive for the ‘BMW’ Category

BMW recall affects 200,000 3 Series, 5 Series, X3

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

The NHTSA has announced that BMW have issued a recall of 200,000 of their vehicles. The recall covers both cars and SUVs, the models affected are the 2006 3 Series, 2004-06 5 Series and 2004-06 X3 SUVs.

The reason for the recall is a faulty airbag which does not deploy when the car is involved in an accident.

The problem is not down to the airbag itself but in the sensors that detect when there is someone sitting in the front passenger seat. When the system is working properly, the sensor will disengage the passenger airbag if there is no one sitting in the seat.

As the sensor is not working correctly, there could be a passenger in the car but the air bag will not deploy, this could lead to injury.

BMW has reported that there have not been any injuries, as there is a warning light that lets you know that the airbag is disengaged.

Owners of those BMW’s affected should contact their local BMW dealer.

Source

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BMW Gina Light Visionary Concept Model: metal replaced with stretchy fabric

Monday, June 16th, 2008


When it comes to the design of cars one thing has never changed, the skin has always been of a rigid design from metal to carbon fibre. However; BMW might have an alternative solution with their latest concept car. The name for this revolutionary design is called the GINA Light Visionary Model from the German automaker. Gina stands for Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions, which promotes thinking by allowing maximum freedom of creativity.

BMW have been very bold with the design of this car, but they needed to so that they could answer the question of how a car of the future would look like. The design of the Gina Light Visionary Model gave BMW the chance to explore their creative freedom, and I have to say “the results are remarkable.” BMW realised that the skin of a car did not need to be rigid, so come up with this flexible skin instead.

The outer skin of the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model is almost seamless; the skin is made from a flexible textile cover which stretches over the movable substructure. There are a number of individual functions on the substructure, but these will only be revealed when they are needed.

The BMW GINA Light Visionary Model is very unique compared to standard cars on our roads today, my car just like yours is made up of a number of body panels, like a bonnet, doors, side panels, roof, trunk etc. With this concept BMW have done away with all this, instead replaces it with a new structure with a minimum amount of components. The fabric used is both highly durable and extremely expansion-resistant fabric; as a result designers have a higher level of freedom of design and functionality.

For more on this visit: Full Boost

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Concept Cars
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Posted in German automakers, Future Cars, BMW, Concept Cars, Autos | No Comments »

Cool pictures of the 2009 BMW M3 Convertible: best ever

Monday, April 28th, 2008


My brother has been talking about getting a convertible BMW for a while now however; I have been trying to change his mind as he wants to get an older model which is a soft top. The problem is my brother lives in the UK and the weather is just not that great for this kind of car.

Now I have seen this 2009 BMW M3 Convertible I think that I might have to give him another call and let him know about this car. The thing is my brother thinks that convertible cars look so cool, but then when you put the soft top up man they look ugly. That is not the case with the 2009 BMW M3 Convertible; this car just looks so cool and has great styling.

The M3 is truly amazing with its 4.0-liter V8 which pushes out 420 hp and will redline at 8,400 RPM. This powerful engine is mounted to either a six-speed DCT or a six-speed manual gearbox.

The manual version will go from 0 to 62 in just 5.3 seconds and will cost £54,760.

The M DCT version of the M3 will go from 0 to 62 in only 5.1 seconds and will cost £57,350.

Both these model are now producing about twice the amount of power that the old 1988 M3 did.

Source - AutoBlog

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Convertibles
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Posted in BMW M3, Sports Car, BMW, Convertibles, uk, vehicles, Autos | No Comments »

BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR race bike on sale next year

Friday, April 18th, 2008


Many of us have been speculating as to when BMW Motorrad will be releasing their new and much anticipated 1000 RR race bike. Well we can now tell you that BMW are to launch the new motorcycle and will hit our streets next year and has committed to build 1,000 units.

When you look closely at the BMW S 1000 RR bike is a little conventional than other bikes in the BMW Motorrad range. The engine used to power this motorcycle is a 1000cc inline-four and has been transversely mounted between the frame rails and its upside-down front fork. As a result the bike is very compact, so should handle very well on the road and on a race track.

As yet we have no performance figures, but we do know a few things and one of those is that the new race bike will use traction control. The bike should also be light as the carbon fiber has been used extensively throughout the design of the bike.

Looking at these couple of pictures of the BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR race bike in action on the road, it looks so cool in black I am reminded of the old TV series StreetHawk, not sure if it will be as fast though.

Source – AutoBlog

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Motorcycles
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Posted in carbon fiber, race bike, BMW Motorrad, BMW, Motorcycles, Motorbike, Autos | No Comments »

Could this be the F01 BMW 7 Series?

Thursday, April 17th, 2008


We have known for some time now that BMW have been working hard to bring us a new 7 Series however, they have kept a lot of the information and pictures close to their chest. Well hopefully we have some news for you that I think you will like; this photo could in fact be the new F01 BMW 7 Series.

When you look closely at the design of this vehicle in the photo you will notice that it looks a lot like some of the spy shots of a concept car that was snapped. The design of this hopefully new 7 Series BMW looks a little like the BMW CS Concept, you will notice that the kidney-shaped grille is oversized compared to previous models which seems to dominate the front end of the new car. The front lights seems to ad a little flare to the front of the car, as they start near the grille and then wrap around to the side of the car.

The side of the new BMW has a nice thick line that starts halfway on the front wing and then draws you to the rear of the car, which has had some work on it. The rear end of the vehicle has lost a little weight, so does not bulge out as much as the old BMW 7 Series. I have also noticed that the glass area on the car is much less than the previous model, the glass seems to start a lot higher up than before.

Although it looks as though BMW have gone for a more conservative design, we will just wait until we see the final design of the new BMW 7 Series hit our streets.

Source - Bimmer File

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Luxury cars, Sedans & Saloons
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Posted in BMW, BMW 7 Series, vehciles, automobiles, concept, Sedans & Saloons, Luxury cars, Autos | No Comments »

Review of the 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid: Environmentally friendly SUV

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008


Ok so we know that when it comes to making traditional gas and diesel cars BMW are one of the best in the world, however it seems that when it comes to Hybrids the German automaker is a little behind their rivals Honda and Toyota. Well that is until now as BMW have been working on the 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid, and unlike their rivals does not use the traditional gasoline-electric hybrid power source.

The 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid uses high-performance capacitors or Super Caps as they are now calling it. This system stores the supply of electric and then sends it to the transmission. The Active Transmission uses BMW’s electric motor as well as a straight-six gasoline engine which is mounted to a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox.

The power that is produced from the BMW electric motor is 80HP, and when that is added to the gasoline engine things then get livelier. I do worry that BMW are still playing catch up to their rival and that they could end up going in the wrong direction. When it comes to Hybrid vehicles nothing comes close to the Toyota Pirus, and with the launch of a new one the 2008 BMW X3 Hybrid could be left behind. However, BMW have a huge following and it is that market that the German automaker will tap into that market.

Source – Auto Mobile Mag

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Hybrid Cars, SUV
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Mercedes and BMW interested in Magna MILA Alpin concept

Monday, April 14th, 2008


German carmakers Mercedes and BMW have registered their interest with Magna over their MILA Alpin concept car. This vehicle of the future is capable of using a variety of fuel sources and can also reach speed of up to 120mph.

The Magna MILA Alpin is able to climb 45-degree angles, which is superb for a car of this type. Mercedes is already working on a 4-wheel-drive A-Class sedan and BMW are in talks with MILA so that they can work on a sound platform for a BMW version of an electric car.

Source - AutoBlog

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, Concept Cars, Green
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Posted in a-class, hybrid, Magna, BMW, mercedes, Green, Concept Cars, Autos | No Comments »

BMW X6 SAV to start at $53,275: Sport Activity Vehicles at its best

Friday, April 11th, 2008


For those of you who were wondering how much it would cost for a new BMW X6 SAV, well the answer is $53,275. Well that is for the 300-hp X6 xDrive35i anyway, this model comes with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder twin-turbo engine.

However if you want a bit more power from your Sport Activity Vehicles, then BMW have the 400-hp xDrive50i version. This model is powered by a new 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine. However you will have to have deeper pockets, as the base price for this model is $63,775.

Source - AutoBlog

Written by Peter for Product Reviews
In Sections: Autos, SUV
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Posted in BMW, Sport Activity Vehicles, engines, Twin Turbo, SUV, vehicles, Autos | No Comments »