Cars, Car Insurance, Auto Purchase

BMW EfficientDynamics Concept
World premiere of the concept car BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, showing a further stage in the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy. The first time a 4-cylinder diesel engine has been combined with BMW ActiveHybrid Technology in a large Sports Activity Vehicle.

The concept study based on a BMW X5 - even as a serial production model extremely efficient and dynamic - shows the unique potential of technology developed as part of the BMW EfficientDynamics program. It combines BMW’s superior diesel expertise with the innovative BMW ActiveHybrid Technology. A further increase in efficiency is achieved by means of BMW EfficientDynamics measures in the environment of the combustion engine by optimising energy flow and aerodynamics.

By intelligently combining a combustion engine and a generator as part of a Mild Hybrid concept, dynamic performance and efficiency are increased to an equal degree. With the extensive deployment of measures which are in some cases ready for serial production and were in some cases specially developed for this study, there is maximum utilisation of the potential of BMW EfficientDynamics for the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels up to the limits of what is feasible within the BMW X5 vehicle segment. At the same time, the study clearly shows that any additional increase in efficiency over and above the highly efficient BMW vehicles already available today can only be achieved by means of an exponential increase in effort and expense. Read the rest of this entry »

BMW X6
BMW will once again introduce a ground-breaking idea to the world and the creation of a new segment with the debut of its all-new X6 Sports Activity Coupe at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. The all-new vehicle redefines the very notion of a coupe — with five doors and four sculpted seats, a higher ride and loads of cargo space. It defies coupe conventions in one jaw-dropping look, combining coupe agility and SAV versatility, taking the coupe to a higher level.

As the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe, the BMW X6 will be available in two engine variants: the xDrive50i (4.4 V8 engine, 400 hp, 450lb.-ft torque) and the xDrive35i (3.0 inline six-cylinder engine, 300 hp, 300 lb.-ft torque), both with Twin Turbo and direct injection. The BMW X6 offers unique features and performance ability in a combination unmatched by any other vehicle. The new BMW X6’s design combines the sporting elegance of a large BMW Coupe with the powerful presence of a BMW X model. Read the rest of this entry »

AC Schnitzer ACS3 Sport BMW M3
When beads of perspiration form on the brow of experienced sports car drivers, it’s not necessarily down to a faulty air conditioning system. With the 420 V8-HP of the BMW M3, the ACS3 Sport catapults even its keenest challengers into the rear view mirror. The sporting coupé is ideal for anyone seeking to gain advantage on twisting tracks. A normal M3 would be a tough competitor here, because in comparison with the “civilised” 3-series Coupé it has a totally different axle construction. With racing suspension developed on the legendary Nürburgring, AC Schnitzer has succeeded in refining the handling potential of the chassis even further. And fitted with the Short Shift from Aachen, the ACS3 Sport becomes the automotive hero of the day: No-one is changing gears faster!

Best of all: The vehicle loses nothing of its qualities as a daily driver. Instead, AC Schnitzer magics even more M-otion into everyday life, for example when the Aachen exhaust system plays its bewitching baritone in a road tunnel. The left/right system with two tailpipes per side, linked into a horizontal figure of eight, is however a visual work of art. In a play on the mathematical symbol for “infinity”, at the same time it symbolises the powerful reserves of the vehicle which reaches 100 km/h from a standing start in an effortless 4.8 seconds. No less carefully arranged are the aerodynamic attachments, which for AC Schnitzer are always more than mere visual decoration. At the rear, a diffuser of visible carbon presses the car down onto the tarmac as if there were magnets below the road surface. The front spoiler is also made from this high quality material, and is supported against the front skirt with alloy struts as in motorsport. Further downforce is provided by a subtle rear roof spoiler and rear wing which also give the body exciting new contours. Side skirt extensions, in particular when combined with the white paint of the photo model, give the profile an aura of stature and dynamism. Finally the AC Schnitzer racing rims Type VI embody pure culture, on the ACS3 Sport in sizes 9.0J x 20″ on the front and 10.5J x 20″ on the rear. The combination of Y-spokes and contrasting five fork spokes superimposed in two planes, produces a design that is as exciting as it is elegant.

Further highlights of course include the forged wheel Type V in 20″. With its strikingly curved, interrupted spokes, it not only looks superb but thanks to the lightweight construction method, keeps the unsprung weight to a minimum. A no less attractive alternative is the Type IV racing wheel in silver - and with trendy black finish as “Magic Black”.

And naturally AC Schnitzer continues the theme of sports performance in the driver’s workplace, offering attractive and ergonomically perfect aluminium controls for the gearknob, handbrake handle, pedals and i-Drive controller. A carbon interior trim and sports airbag steering wheel are also available on request.

AC Schnitzer ACS1 BMW 1-Series Coupe
Not only in proportions is the new 1-series Coupé a worthy successor to the BMW 2002, but also technically: As in the 70s, the current most powerful standard version is powered by a “charged” engine. Daringly, the overtaking prestige was then enhanced further by the mirror-image Turbo logo on the front spoiler. In the 1-series Coupé, the possibilities are more refined, not least thanks to AC Schnitzer from Aachen. And naturally the company founded in Aachen in 1987 has made more than its logo available in its refinement package. Particularly impressive is the extensive AC Schnitzer bodykit including front grille, which is far more than mere decoration, but also effectively harmonised into the entire concept. The front spoiler elements and the rear skirt insert, together with the rear wing and rear roof spoiler, increase downforce and ensure better ground adhesion. For the front spoiler elements, AC Schnitzer supplies optional aluminium struts as used in motorsport - after all, the BMW 2002 was renowned for its track speed at the time. And it is on one particularly legendary circuit, the Nürburgring North Loop, that Manfred Wollgarten, Technical Director at AC Schnitzer, set up the sports suspension for the ACS1 3.5i. As a Touring Car driver, he knows what he’s doing. He also sent the Coupé on its way with another strut brace for the front, to further reduce the torsion of a body already very stiff as standard. So at every point on the course, the driver has total control over the vehicle to centimetre precision when he turns the neat AC Schnitzer 3-spoke sports airbag steering wheel. And that’s good, because finally the unrestrained power of the biturbo engine is applied on the right track. Especially since AC Schnitzer has not only improved the downforce of the vehicle, but also its thrust. Its heart now beats at 360 instead of 306 HP (265 instead of 225 kW) and accelerates the fiery 1-series Coupé to 100 km/h in less than five seconds. At the same time, the maximum torque rises from 400 to 450 Nm and the top speed from 250 to an impressive 300 km/h.

Values which you can not only see but also hear because the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer with its refined “Racing” tailpipe sounds its baritone. It goes almost without saying that AC Schnitzer also offers a range of sporting alloy wheels for the ACS1 3.5i. The perfect complement with their sleek and refined design are the Type IV “BiColor” rims in size 8.5Jx19″ and tyres 225/35R19. The stuff of dreams for drivers of the BMW 2002, just like the countless attractive interior components from AC Schnitzer in the form of controls and decor elements of aluminium and carbon.
 

Contrary to rampant speculation that BMW would unveil a mid-engine super car at the Shanghai Motor Show, the Bavarian automaker confounded observers by unveiling a 4-door executive class sedan with coupe styling, positioned upmarket from the midsize Mercedes-Benz CLS and Jaguar C-XF concept.

The CS, which would be properly viewed as more of a competitor for the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide, measures 200.8 in. in overall length and is a further refinement of chief designer Chris Bangle’s “flame” surfacing that features strong character lines and sculpted body panels. The most noticeable elements in the car’s profile are its long hood and generous dash-to-axle ratio, which contribute greatly to the car’s coupelike proportions. The car’s athletic looks are further enhanced by sweeping lines that form coved sides balanced by an upswept rear haunch, a line similar to that seen on Pininfarina-designed Ferraris. At the front, the concept sports BMW’s traditional twin kidney grille treatment, but has a much more aggressive sharklike nose flanked by hooded LED headlamps.

The low roofline is accentuated by a steeply raked rear window, and the tail treatment has an integrated ducktail spoiler. The Concept CS measures just 53.5 in. in height.

Inside, the cabin is closely coupled with seating for four. The interior is bisected by a large console, and the dash is canted toward the driver for a cockpit effect. Another design element is the layered leather-clad surfaces that overlap the cowl and console, which give the CS an air of opulence. And there is the use of folding leather “collars” atop the front bucket seats that can be left down or extended up to cosset the headrest, a simple touch that customize the look of the interior.

BMW was mum on the powerplant and production plans for the CS, insisting that the concept is primarily a styling exercise showcasing future design themes for the automaker. However, its likely that the CS will see production as a sporty alternative to the more stodgy 7 Series flagship.Its very cool car.