Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible V8 Dynamic Design 2012

The 2012 Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible come with an elegant and dynamic design as well as excellent aerodynamic properties and features the latest electronic suspension technologies and comes with Drive Performance Control “electronically adjustable dampers” and Dynamic Drive “active roll stabilisation” as standard. Featuring pronounced Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes, the Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible transitions effortlessly from cultivated luxury convertible to thorough-bred sports car. Specific springs, increased front wheel camber and a subtle adjustment of the toe-in in conjunction with a 20″ wheel-tyre combination all serve to produce a very agile chassis set-up. The lightweight 20″ ALPINA CLASSIC wheels, with MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORT tyres in the dimensions 255/35 ZR20 front and 285/30 ZR20 rear, contribute significantly to the direct handling and precise steering.


The high-performance brakes for Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible, with a diameter of 374mm front and 345mm rear, are additionally supplied with cooling air by a specially constructed NACA air intake on the front underbody. The double tailpipes, with a slightly elliptical shape in typical ALPINA style, are designed in titanium and carry small logos that make discreet reference to the origins of the ALPINA exhaust system made by Akrapovic.
Interior the new Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible come with features an extensive range of standard equipment, including leather upholstery, fully adjustable comfort seats with heating system, navigation system with preparation for Bluetooth mobile phone, USB audio interface, Xenon lights and LED fog lights. Blue ALPINA instruments with high resolution information display with black panel LCD technology. A sport steering wheel, hand-stitched in LAVALINA leather. Blue illuminated entry sills with logo. Or the classic ALPINA exotic wood equipment in myrtle – an exclusive burl wood of the laurel family, which grows only on the Pacific coast of the USA.
Engine the 2012 Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible powered by all-aluminium V8 power plant produces 507hp (373kW) at a moderate 5500rpm, with a maximum torque of 700Nm between 3000rpm – 4750rpm. Two turbo-chargers configured in parallel, each feeding one of the two cylinder banks, with specially developed large diameter exhaust-turbines allow this engine configuration to provide both exceptional power output and an abundance of torque over an especially broad rpm range while maintaining excellent throttle response at low rpm. The systems excellent thermodynamic efficiency is guaranteed by a large-volume low-temperature inter-cooler radiator, as well as two water-toair inter-coolers placed close to the engine. Altogether this results in an impressive specific output of 115.3 horsepower (85kW) per litre and a mean total compression of 20.1 bar. Direct injection and Double-VANOS contribute to the Alpina BMW B6 Bi-Turbo Convertible class-leading consumption and emission figures 10.9l/100km (25.9mpg) and 255g/km CO2 (Combined, measured according to ECE Norm).

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Review 2011 AC Schnitzer BMW Z4 320 Car

2011 AC Schnitzer BMW Z4 320d will make debut at 2011 Geneva auto show. AC Schnitzer BMW Z4 320d is capable of feeding its rear end 0 to 100 km / h (0-62 mph) in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 235 km / h. out to give more umpf, the German tuners, both in its portfolio. Therefore, the AC Schnitzer Z4 BMW 320d has an official fuel consumption of 3.8 liters of diesel per 100 km / h on the combined cycle and a whopping 99.18 g / km CO2 emissions level. The data of performance and efficiency provided by AC Schnitzer BMW Z4 partially 320D achieved by a very serious weight reduction of 230 kg!.

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BMW’s 2011 WTCC Review

The BMW 320 TC racer that will run up in the 2011 WTCC is quite the impressive machine but according to some rumors, the driver it’s going to have behind the wheel is more than that.
I’m somewhat skeptical about this whole Tom Coronel for BMW idea but the man does have his plus points as far as being a racer is concerned.

Tom Coronel has been selected as first driver for Roal Motorsport, the Italian team run by former racing drivers Roberto Ravaglia and Umberto Grano.
According to Ravaglia, the BMW 320 TC stands a very good chance at the 2011 WTCC title with Tom Coronel behind the wheel. The team leader sees a great mixture between the new performance of the car and the very large amount of experience of the 38 year old Dutchman.

While I don’t really have all the information they have about drivers and the 2011 season of the WTCC but I do know some stuff about the BMW 320 TC.

As far as the car is concerned, I agree with them, the 320 TC develops no less than 316 horsepower from a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine.
If you want to see more from this BMW – Coronel duo check out the video below:
Hopefully that car and the team support will see Tom Coronel gain another title this year apart from the Formula Nippon championship he took back in 1999.

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BMW’s Eco Car Family Develop ‘i’ 3" & ‘i’8

For some time now, BMW has been working hard to develop a set of eco cars, following the ongoing trend of the world. And we all know that. However, what most of us are unaware about is that the carmaker has decided that its family, or rather its sub-brand that will launch only eco cars would be named as “i”.

The existing cars, MegaCity and VED would be known as i3 and i8 respectively. The carmaker is not yet ready to reveal the destination of the manufacturing units of these two cars. However, we know that the latter model will be built in Leipzig.

Here is a bit of surprise element. It has not only christened the family as ‘i’ but has also set-up a new venture for the family, known as BMW i Ventures. The automaker says that this company would provide ‘vehicle-independent services’, similar to iTunes Store for iPod.

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BMW I8 with No Turbo Diesel Review

BMW supercar is being developed under the name i8, which is not powered by a diesel-electric hybrid like the concept of Vision EifficientDynamics.I8 BMW should be introduced in 2013 and is powered by a gasoline engine.The recently announced “i” sub-brand of BMW supercar i8 launch in 2013, but will come with a petrol engine instead.BMW introduced the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept with a 3-cylinder turbodiesel engine rear/mid-mounted. The diesel engine was said to be aided by a second electric motor residing between the turbodiesel engine and the 6-Speed DCT gearbox. The 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbodiesel engine outputs 163 horsepower and 214 lb-ft. of torque. The rear-mounted electric motor produces 33 horsepower continuously(51 hp peak) and maximum torque of 214 lb-ft. The synchronous electric motor placed at the front axle constantly outputs 80 horsepower. Extra power of 112 hp is available for 30 seconds and for 10 seconds, 139 horsepower. Total torque: 162 lb-ft.

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BMW works with Chinese for 5 Series EV

While BMW’s work and efforts on the Megacity range or on the hybrid front isn’t big news, a different sort of entry into the EV market is.

As it turns out, because of some recent issues with Chinese politics and EV technology, most manufacturers pulled out of the market for Chinese EVs.

BMW has now found a bit of a workaround. By teaming up with the Chinese at Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, the Bavarians plan to start work on a new EV destined for the Chinese market.

It’s a similar maneuver to what happened when the Japanese car industry flooded Europe. In making their own factories or partnerships with traditional, local manufacturers, they got round the legislation that was supposed to keep them out.
The new BMW & Brilliance EV will apparently be based on the latest generation (F10) of the BMW 5 Series. Since I reckon there’s no better mainstream solution for the job, this will be the first thing in favor of the new EV.
At the moment, no technical information is available on the matter, but we expect to see concept of the new 5 Series EV at the 2011 Beijing Auto Show.

BMW’s partnership with the Chinese also worked for their manufacturing efforts as last year saw the two companies shifting almost 170.000 units in the people’s republic.

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BMW M Car sales very much grew substantially in the year 2010

Lots of good news came in the beginning of the year from most of the automotive manufacturers, but the greatest of results came from low cost oriented manufacturers.

Among the important successes it made proper sense to enjoy how some of the elite manufacturers faired. While most of them are interesting I reserve a great interest for BMW’s M division.

The Bavarians already make some great handling cars but some of them suffer due to lack of power to match that attribute.
That has never happened with the BMW M cars and this year we’ve seen a lot of them being shifted out of dealerships.

Despite the new launch of the BMW X5M and X6M, 2010 wasn’t a particularly good year for M cars as they’ve killed off their V10 powered M5 and M6 models.
Even so, we got the BMW 1 Series M Coupe at the start of 2011, we’re promised a new BMW M5 soon and there’s a possible BMW M3 Touring version.
Given this situation, 2011 should see BMW selling more M cars than ever before. But our focus is on what already happened in 2010 right now.
Over last year BMW’s M division saw the selling of 16.967 units which made for a 14.2 percent increase.

The most popular of these was, predictably, the cheapest M car out there, the BMW M3 in all of its shapes (coupe, sedan and convertible).
As far as the biggest market for BMW’s M cars is concerned, the United States of America remains at the top with a 6 percent increase to 6.821 cars.

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BMW’s plan for the Megacity is not including to Selling it

Despite certain estimates on the future of the EV from the competition, BMW has somewhat different ideas for their highly anticipated Megacity.

Even though they know that the electric cars won’t make any money for the Bavarians, they don’t plan to actually sell the car either.

Not sure why but I’m certain some sort of math and financial wiz did some numbers on the situation and decided to give customers of the Megacity a chance to lease it only.
This could actually be related to how the BMW Megacity is expected to cost a lot of money. By leasing it, more people would afford to actually buy it.

The full side of the BMW Megacity is in how we’re promised lots of new technology, exotic materials and various revolutionary construction methods.
The thing is, even though it’s predicted to be very expensive, the fact that it’s crammed full of technology and development costs are so high means that BMW will have more trouble with it.
This is why BMW will have to make the Megacity EV platform more profitable by shifting its tech to most of its models.

Not even that will be enough as they are going to sell stuff like the BMW ActiveE and the its followers.

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2012 BMW M5

With the 2010 BMW 5 Series being a definite improvement over the previous generation on all fronts one could easily be forgiven for waiting for the 2012 BMW M5.

Unfortunately the 2012 BMW M5 does come with a bit of a problem. Well in tune with the current trend of performance cars, it will be exclusively an automatic.

Apparently, the Bavarians have some good news and some bad news for all motoring enthusiasts.
The good news come from how the future BMW M5 will be powered by a similar engine to what we saw in the BMW X5 M or the BMW X6 M.

In getting better, the 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 will be even more powerful than that.
The real problem here is to be found in how the engine now has so much power that the 2012 BMW M5 will have some trouble in getting a new gearbox.
Since BMW’s own 7 speed DCT sequential gearbox can’t take the torque and the Bavarians don’t really have a clutch ready to shift that much power around they are a bit stuck.
At the moment, reports are trickling in about how BMW decided to offer the 2012 M5 with the eight speed automatic gearbox only.

The offering from ZF which is capable and we’ve recently seen them enter the world of Chrysler.
The ZF automatic gearbox is quite a capable one but sadly it does mean that enthusiasts get further away from shifting cogs.
That’s a bit sad but I still can’t wait to get hold of one of these 2012 BMW M5s.

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2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i Review & Specification

The debut of BMW’s X6 Sports Activity Coupe was an immediate success. This addition to BMW’s very successful SAV line redefined the very notion of a coupe – with five doors and four sculpted seats, a higher ride and loads of cargo space.

The wide range of products from BMW Performance offers numerous options for this purpose, ensuring an even more intense experience of riving dynamics and the fascinating, aesthetic design of the BMW X6. The range of retrofittable options specially developed for BMW’s unique Sports Activity Coupé for the drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics and cockpit is included in the broad selection of BMW Original Accessories.

Just one look at the front end of BMW’s new Sports Activity Coupe reveals the powerful presence of this unique vehicle. It  is also demonstrated in the design of the hood and in the vertically positioned BMW kidney grille, with fins finished in a sophisticated titanium color on the xDrive50i and in black on the xDrive35i.

The BMW Performance Power Kit raises maximum output of the eightcylinder with BMW TwinPower Turbo and High Precision Injection in the BMW X6 xDrive50i by 30 kW/41 hp to 330 kW/448 hp. Peak torque, in turn, is up by 50 Newton-metres/37 lb-ft to 650 Nm/479 lb-ft.The six-cylinder power unit of the BMW X6 xDrive35i equipped with Twin Turbo technology and High Precision Injection shows an increase in maximum output by 15 kW/20 hp to 240 kW/326 hp, with peak torque increasing by 50 to 450 Newton-metres/332 lb-ft.
Benefiting from the BMW Performance Power Kit, both models accelerate 0.2 seconds faster from a standstill to 100 km/h, the BMW X6 xDrive50i with the BMW Performance Power Kit completing this sprint in 5.2 seconds, the BMW X6 xDrive35i in 6.5 seconds.

 

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2012 BMW 1 Series Cars Overview

The 2011 BMW 1 Series has been launched yesterday a couple of months ago sporting the 2012 model year.

What we have here however is the true 2012 BMW 1 Series, the version that will actually be made in 2012, and not just named like it was.

Since we’ve barely gotten to the point where the second generation of the BMW 1 Series is merely spyshot material don’t expect much in the way of technical specs.
What we can figure out so far is that the 2012 BMW 1 Series will look better proportioned and that the side-view mirrors will incorporate turn signals.

The interior of the 2012 BMW 1 Series has also been refreshed as it’s no longer very gray or black and now features nice colorful accents on the seats and dashboard.
The speculation in the engine department however is far more interesting as we’re hoping for the fabulous ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that may be the only one available with the 2012 BMW M5.
On a more down to earth speculation level, the hottest versions will most likely get a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine that can develop as much as 240 horsepower.

Given the circumstances of the testing with some xDrive models and an Audi A4 there’s also room for speculation of a four wheel drive system being available on the next generation of BMW’s smallest car.

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BMW Vision Concept Car Review

BMW introduces new aspects of their distinctive driving experience for motorists with the development of concepts for electric mobility. BMW has also widened its lead in conventional motor vehicles, production technology with the introduction of effective promotion. At the Geneva Motor Show 2011 the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Touring Edition will be presented to the public for the first time. The result meets the objectives of satisfaction of BMW EfficientDynamics – more driving pleasure with a much lower consumption and CO2 emissions.

The concept study BMW ConnectedDrive Vision extrapolates the principle of intelligent networking driver, the vehicle and the outside world in the future. BMW ConnectedDrive Vision The most impressive shows the potential of BMW ConnectedDrive technology in the future.Lengthening the concept even more is a long wheelbase and a passenger compartment that sits well back. From this straight-on view, we can see the BMW kidney grilles, dual round headlights, and two large air vents.

The cottage is divided into two main dimensions – a pilot and a passenger – a center of a long console. These parts will be completely separated from each other and give attention to the road. Other areas were three levels of technology – comfort, pleasure and safety – are characterized by optical fibers in different colors. These three parts are combined with a proper functionality, control panels, and displays the vehicle.

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Hamann tuning for the BMW 5 Series

That’s right folks, the German tuner has finally decided to take a chomp at the new BMW 5 Series’ tuning market. The only thing is they aren’t really interested.

I’m only saying this because, in their infinite wisdom, they decided to only offer the following tuning package to BMW 5 Series owners that opted for the M Sports package on their original purchase.

Perhaps it’s just me, but for a company that’s supposed to tailor its activities to customer demands, they seem to be awfully rigid about this new tuning package.
Even as it is, it’s quite the offering. Tuning that is just exquisite, as Hamman’s engineers have come up with a set of aerodynamic components that works together with the factory made setup.

The Hamman tuning kit for the BMW 5 Series includes a front and rear apron, new sideskirts and a boot lid that’s teamed to a roof spoiler.
But hey, that’s not the end of the list because if you want your brand new BMW 5 series to have a ride and handling level of atrocity, Hamman will fit it with 21 inch wheels for no more than $6.500.
Just in case you think that doesn’t kill your back hard enough, Hamann will also offer some bone shaking modifications to the suspension. The highlight of which is a 35 mm drop in ride height to further improve the new stance of the vehicle.

To top it all off, Hamman offer a lot of eye candy bits for the interior, mostly made of carbon fiber and aluminium.

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BMW 650i Convertible 2012 Review

 

To start with, we hope our readers do not sue us as we are about to discuss convertibles, when people are finding safe havens to escape from the snowstorms. If it is disgusting, blame BMW for the launch of its brand new BMW 650i Convertible 2012.

Actually, it is well thought plan. None would think about going for a convertible in such extreme weather. However, BMW will launch this at a time, when people will love to bask under the sun. So, a little information about it beforehand makes sense.

BMW 650i Convertible with open top is set to launch this April. Usually the car maker launches the coupe first, and then the convertible. But this time, it is set to change.

The 6 series convertible, which will hit the showrooms this spring, has a 4.4L, V8 engine. Yes, it’s the same that is being used by 5 and 7 series models. But with increased power. It has 40 hp more than its predecessor, and is now equipped with 400 hp at 5,500 rpm.

The car seems to be an ideal machine to cruise along the coast on a vacation. It offers a relaxed drive. Efforts are reduced by the 450 pound feet torque at mere 1,750 rpm. You simple have to apply a light pressure on the throttle and the super V8 will do the rest. The transmission of power to rear wheels is simply an arrangement to appreciate. There is no hint of induction on acceleration, nor there is any humming sound of the machine.

It’s simply you, the power under, and the sky above.

The 8-speed auto gearbox is another element to be added in the ‘smoothening’ list, apart from the throttle and the drive at large. However, you can simply select to operate it manually through a paddle behind the steering wheel. In spite of the missing automatic start-stop mechanism, a feat commonly found in 640i, this convertible actually consumes lesser fuel. BMW says it’s 22 mpg.

The new BMW 650i Convertible 2012 is a real performer on a highway. While we drove it on the national highway, the effect, or rather impact, of the new engine could be easily felt. It reaches 0 to 62 mph in just 5 seconds, which is about 10 percent faster than the older 650i convertible. However, the top speed, as it was always the case, does not exceed 155 mph.

With most of its parts made from steel, claims BMW, except for the hood and the doors, there is an improvement of over 50 percent in the stiffness of the car.

However, one of the things that BMW is good at is the performance of its Dynamic Drive system that changes the springs, antiroll bars, gearbox shift-points, weight of steering, shock absorbers, throttle tracking, etc in just a push of a button. You also have the option to choose from buttons of Sports, Normal, Sports Plus, and Comfort, which adjusts the above things automatically.

For an open-top car with weight of 4,200 pounds, the stable chassis, on which the powerful engine rests, proves to be awesome. It reacts to every tiny act behind the wheel, which makes the drive all the more pleasurable.

Twisting the car through the mountainous region too was as easy as driving though the highway. All this, thanks to the rear-wheel steering and the hydraulic engine, which responds equally impressively. Besides, the length of the car does not seem to have any impact on the agility. However, not as strong as it initially looked, hard corrugations can bring shudders through the chassis.

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BMW Vision ConnectedDrive set to make Geneva soon News

BMW is coming to the Geneva Motor Show tech-loaded for bear and the Vision ConnectedDrive concept is the sleek, roadster-shaped weapon. The topless study is based on the production-bound BMWEfficientDynamics and serves as a platform to showcase the Bavarian automaker’s advanced driver assistance and mobility networking systems, demonstrating what is possible both now and in the future.
 
 

The drivetrain beneath the concept is purely electric. No specifications have been revealed yet, though it really only needs enough get-up-and-go to get up on the stage and get gone after what’s sure to be its enthusiastic presentation. The sexy package is just meant to grab your attention long enough for BMW to subliminally inform you how it will swath you in a safe and entertaining environment through technology that’s just a mind-meld short of miraculous. Check out our high-res gallery below and the press release after the jump detailing the VCD concept and BMW’s other Geneva activities.

 

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Latest BMW X6 to get five-seat option among other changes

 
Have you always wanted to drive a BMW X6, but felt that leaving one of your four friends waiting on the curb was a drawback? Tell that friend to buck up and head over to your local BMW dealer, because the X6 is getting an optional third rear seat.
The additional seat is available on all version of the X6 with the exception of the ActiveHybrid variant. Along with the extra (and from the looks of the pic above, tiny) middle squab, the Spartanburg, South Carolina-built BMW X6 is getting new 20-inch alloy wheels, interior leather options, and vicinity lighting.



In addition, there will be available enhanced content for Apple iPhone users. Through the BMW Apps system and ConnectedDrive, iPhone users will be granted access to Facebook and Twitter. The BMW Apps system also allows iPhone users to listen to radio stations from around the world regardless of where they’re located. Learn more in the official press release after the jump, which also details changes to the X6′s kissing cousin, the more capacious X5.

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