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Production BMW 5-Series GT previewed in video!

March 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Spyshots, Videos

BMW 5-Series GT

It started off as what seemed to be a fairly usual video that BMW would make about its concept cars. It revolves around an interview with the 5-Series GT’s project leader, Hans-Jurgen Branz. But there is something exciting about this latest video of the BMW 5-Series GT, previously known as the Progressive Activity Sedan.

Things start getting interesting beyond the 1 minute mark when a grey-coloured 5-Series GT appears. This one is missing some of the concept car’s details such as the chrome bits on the door handles and the funky door mirror mount. I believe this is the actual production version that is going to be released!

Watch the video with some screencaps after the jump. Unfortunately the video is in German only for the moment, so I have no clue what he’s talking!
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New footage of the 2010 BMW Z4 released!

March 21, 2009 at 11:55 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

New BMW Z4

BMW has released some new footage of the new BMW Z4, adding to the 5 videos that were released during the E89 Z4′s launch. This new one features lots of engine and exhaust sound bytes, so look after the jump to watch the video. It’s the first video from the top, and I’ve also added all the previous videos for your enjoyment. You can also browse the related links to read more about the new Z4.

Related Videos:
2010 BMW Z4 Roadster Details and Photos
BMW Z4 wins a Red Dot award for 2009
Free BMW Z4 game for the iPhone/iPod Touch
Adrian van Hooydonk on the new E89 BMW Z4
E89 BMW Z4 Roadster Photo Gallery
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BMW reveals plans to build compact hybrid cars

March 21, 2009 at 10:28 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

BMW LogoBavarian auto maker BMW has revealed its plans to produce a compact or small sized hybrid vehicle via BMW’s Chairman Norbert Reithofer at BMW Group’s Annual Accounts Press Conference. This project, which is called the Megacity Vehicle project, is part of BMW’s Project-i.

According to the chairman, “This vehicle will be the first of a range of near-zero emission vehicles. Customers will have the choice between a fully electric drive and a high-efficiency combustion engine. Large-scale production could start in the first half of the next decade. With the Megacity Vehicle project, we are also pursuing a radical approach toward establishing a truly sustainable value chain-from development to production and sales.”

We not sure if there would be two types of vehicles (fully electric or with a high-efficient combustion engine), or the chairman is actually referring to one particular hybrid that would offer both. Reithofer also went to mention that this vehicle will not carry another badge, meaning it should be sold either as a MINI or a BMW.

The first vehicle which is part of the Project-i is the MINI E, that is currently performing customer testing via public leasing trials. Can recent reports regarding BMW’s plans to co-produce platforms for small sized vehicles with Fiat have anything to do with this?

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Future BMW M3 to drop V8 for a turbo 6 pot

March 20, 2009 at 9:08 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Rumours

Words are being exchanged that BMW’s in-house performance tuner, M GmbH, will most probably let the 4.0 litre V8 from the current M3 lose, to make way for a turbocharged 6 cylinder engine to power next M3, although the cylinder arrangement of the new engine is unknown, meaning it can either be arranged to form an inline 6 or a V6. An inline 6 may prove to be lighter, but V6 is more space friendly.

The next powerplant would be completely new, and not just an updated version of the current 3.0 litre 6 cylinder engine found in the 335i and 135i. An executive from BMW also commented that new engine may not even produce as much horsepower as the current 4.0 litre V8, but the key is to achieve high a power to weight ratio, with lightweight design implemented into the construction of the engine and the body structure.

The usage of a V6 configuration is currently being debated internally as according to BMW M president Ludwig Willisch, a V configuration would allow a more compact installation compared to an inline-6. It looks like BMW is beginning to abandon all that it used to be famous for in favor for things that make more sense.

First went the pure normally aspirated line-up, then soon even the M models will go turbo, beginning with the X5 M and X6 M. If the new M3 ends up having a V6, you can expect the V6 to trickle down the product line replacing the I6 engines. What next, a switch to front wheel drive? Probably not until another competitor does so, but it would be a sad day for RWD purists!

The next high performance 1 Series, on the other hand, will most probably feature a twin-turbocharged 4 cylinder motor. This high performance 1-Series that will not feature the M designation will be positioned as a baby M3, and will offer what the classic E30 M3 offered during its time, which is a cracking motor in a small body.

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BMW Malaysia introduces BMW TeleServices!

March 20, 2009 at 2:15 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

BMW LogoBMW Malaysia is taking its customer ownership experience to the next level with the introduction of BMW TeleServices, now available with any BMW vehicle from BMW Malaysia that is equipped with Bluetooth and the BMW Navigation Professional System.

TeleServices is part of the BMW ConnectedDrive suite of services, and is related to the maintenance of your car. When a service is due as determined by BMW’s Condition Based Server on-board system, the car will communicate with the BMW TeleServices server via the mobile phone network and relay this service information. Your dealer/service center will then call you up to arrange an appointment for you to bring your car in for service at your convenience.

It’s not just oil changes – CBS sensors can detect worn parts such as brake discs and pads and etc. The service job – if not something complicated like some major part broken – should be quick and fast as the CBS system will also inform BMW of what parts needs to be ready at the service center, so everything will be ready for service work to begin with minimal diagnostic and logistics delay.

Other parts of ConnectedDrive including BMW Assist and BMW Online internet access are currently under discussion/development with some local partners in Malaysia and will be rolled out when the infrastructure is ready. These are just some of the perks of buying your BMW from BMW Malaysia instead of a grey importer.

As it is, only half of the BMWs registered in Malaysia every month are from official dealers, the rest are grey imports. So BMW Malaysia is quite aggressive in trying to convert these grey import lovers, even if they are converted to BMW approved used car customers instead of brand new car customers. Services such as this are one way, and their Service Inclusive packages and attractive BMW Credit and Leasing plans are another. My advice is don’t look at the initial car price when you are considering which is the better deal, look at the bigger picture.

Look after the jump for some videos about BMW TeleServices.
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BMW’s Quandt family is against the Daimler/BMW cross ownership plan

March 18, 2009 at 11:08 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

After reporting that top German auto makers BMW and Daimler are planning to perform a cross ownership a couple of days ago, and both companies may exchange up to 7% of shares among each other, German-based Der Spiegel magazine has now revealed the BMW’s single largest shareholder, the Quandt family which holds 46% of the Munich based auto maker is against such a deal.

As mentioned earlier, the Quandt family is worried that Daimler, which owns the Mercedes Benz brand might end up wanting to take over BMW, just like how it took over Chrysler in the later 1990’s. However, an interview with a BMW executive revealed that the 7% exchange in shares is just a speculation in the first place, and that both companies only have an agreement to share purchasing costs for certain parts.

This means that nothing is concrete, since one is saying a different thing, while the other is saying another. We will just have to play the waiting game. On the different note, BMW has a similar agreement with PSA Peugeot Citroen, where BMW develops the 1.6 litre petrol engine, which is mostly found in the MINI and in return, the PSA Group helps drive down production costs for both companies with its high purchasing power.

The deal is for 1 million engines where BMW keeps 200,000 for itself, while the PSA Peugeot Citroen keeps 800,000. This is why you can find the 1.6 litre engine from the MINI in the recently launched Peugeot 308. BMW is also planning to work together with Fiat to develop new platforms for small sized vehicles, which may spawn the production of the BMW Isetta and the Fiat Topolino.

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Alpina’s works its magic on the BMW 3 Series: D3 Bi-Turbo

March 18, 2009 at 10:38 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars

Alpina, which has been officially categorized as an automobile manufacturer since 1983, has revealed the BMW 3 Series-based D3 Bi-Turbo, after unveiling the 7 Series-based Alpina B7 and the 6 Series-based Alpina B6 GT3 race car at the Geneva Motor Show.

The auto maker has dropped in a 4 cylinder turbo diesel, derived from the BMW 1 Series (123d), which with Alpina’s touch, can now develop 214HP (from 204HP) that can propel the D3 to the 100 km/h mark in 6.9 seconds, all the way up to a top speed of 244 km/h.

Thanks to the diesel engine with twin turbos, torque figure is rated at an impressive 450Nm. Fuel consumption wise, the manual version of the D3 Bi-Turbo returns 52.3 miles to the gallon (overall EU) and produces 143 grams of emissions per kilometer. With the automatic transmission on board, it returns 50.4 miles to the gallon, while releasing 150 grams of emissions per kilometer.

This fuel efficient performance car is sold with the full specifications, leaving a potential buyer to choose between a manual or an automatic tranny as well as exterior colour and interior trim levels. The Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo with a manual transmission goes for GBP 29, 950 which is slightly cheaper than a less powerful 320d M Sport that costs GBP 30, 185. The D3 with the automatic option can be purchased for GBP 31, 585. Continue reading to view one more image.
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F01 exterior designer leaves for Mercedes-Benz

March 18, 2009 at 12:14 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

BMW F01

The exterior designer of the new F01 BMW 7-Series Karim Habib has left BMW for its rival Mercedes-Benz, where he will head an advanced design studio near Stuttgart. Habib will report to Mercedes-Benz design boss Gorden Wagener, who succeeded Peter Pfeiffer a few months ago. Another new member of the team who just joined in January this year is Joel Piaskowski, the main designer for the Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe who has been in Hyundai since 2003.

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BMW Z4 wins a Red Dot award for 2009

March 17, 2009 at 10:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

BMW Z4

Red Dot has released its 2009 design awards winners list, and BMW has quickly released a video in commemoration of the new Z4 winning a Red Dot design award. A few other BMWs received the Red Dot award – the K1300R, the K1300S, and the new F01 BMW 7-Series. Other car designs which managed a Red Dot include the Ford Fiesta, the new Golf, the Opel Insignia and the new Honda Insight, the only Japanese car on the winner list. The Volkswagen Passat CC managed a higher honour – the Red Dot Best of the Best award. SEAT’s 3-door Ibiza managed a Red Dot while the 5-door also won a Red Dot Best of the Best award. Other cars that didn’t quite make the cut but received honourable mentions include the Toyota iQ, the Kia Soul, the Alfa Romeo MiTo and the new W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Check out the video by BMW on the Z4′s design winning a Red Dot award after the jump.

Related Videos:
Adrian van Hooydonk on the new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show
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Drop-top Cuteness: MINI Cabriolet Video Collection

March 17, 2009 at 9:09 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

2009 MINI Cabriolet

MINI, being a somewhat quirky brand usually has advertising campaigns that live and breath on values such as youthfulness and fun, etc. After all you have to convince someone to pay a serious sum of money for such a small car, especially here in Malaysia. Even in Malaysia, the intro campaign for the R56 MINI was quite interesting, involving something to do with messsages from a “Russian spy on a plane”.

Anyway, here’s a whole load of new promo videos (edited into 1) that MINI created for the new MINI Cabriolet. I personally wasn’t too amused by the bunch of weirdos driving a drop top MINI through an automatic car wash machine, but these are a better watch, at the very least it’s not annoying. Most of them center around the Cabrio’s launch theme of keeping your roof down as often as possible.
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