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Free BMW Z4 Game for the iPhone/iPod Touch

March 17, 2009 at 8:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

BMW Z4 Game
BMW Z4 Game

Now that the Apple iPhone 3G is in Malaysia officially from a certain telco that prefers to serve me my phone calls via missed call SMS notifications rather than actual phone calls for the past 3 weeks, fans of both the Apple iPhone 3G and the BMW Z4 can download this new game called the BMW Z4 Expression of Joy app from the iTunes App Store. It’s free and supports both the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch.

It essentially allows you to do the exact same thing as what the dude did in a previous video, create your own “abstract art” on what appears to be a virtual snow rink. Before you do that, you can customise your Z4 to a certain extent, such as colours, whether the roof is up or down (it’s got a convertible hard top now) and what wheel design you want. Definitely a very glorified MS Paint, but something to do when you’re bored at least.

I don’t have an iPhone 3G or an iPod Touch, but it should be easy to look for in the iTunes Store, just look for BMW Z4 or something. Let me know if you find it!

Check out a video of the game after the jump.
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VIDEO: BMW X5 M and X6 M undergoing testing in snowy conditions

March 17, 2009 at 12:45 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

With the expected launch of the BMW X5 M and X6 M to take place on April 4th, German-based RTL 2 Grip magazine has managed get a footage of both these latest M models performing tests under snowy conditions. Unfortunately, the video is in German, with no translation in English, but I am pretty sure you will enjoy it anyway. In the video, it was also revealed that both the X5 M and X6 M is able to churn out about 550HP and that 0 – 100 km/h sprint figure is rated at under 5 seconds. Please continue reading to watch the 5 minutes long video.
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Fiat and BMW to work together on new small vehicle platforms?

March 17, 2009 at 9:08 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Fiat, Rumours

Words are being exchanged that Italian-based Fiat and German-based BMW are working together to develop new platforms for small sized vehicles. With this, people in the industry are indicating that BMW is planing to revive the Isetta name, while Fiat would add another super mini along side its famous 500, the new Topolino, and that both these “upcoming” cars will share the same underpinnings.

Apparently, both cars will feature rear-mounted small displacement engines, 4 seats and light weight construction with the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for the chassis and possibly even plastic bodywork. Both cars are also expected to carry premium price tags. There is also word that both auto makers might add electric versions.

If there is truth under the speculation, expect to see a concept version by BMW under the MINI brand in Frankfurt later this year. Sources also revealed that production versions of these city cars can be expected by 2011. Lets just keep things as speculation for now, and play the waiting game.
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MINI Cooper S Clubman and Airstream Trailer Concept

March 16, 2009 at 10:35 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Concept Cars

Designed by Copenhagen-based premium furniture brand, Republic of Fritz Hansen, this concept is the product of a collaboration between Airstream Inc. and BMW-owned MINI. Inspired by the outdoor lifestyle of surfing, the 22ft Airstream trailer concept will have its interior furnished with Arne Jacobsen’s Egg and Swan chair and a table set up with four unique Series Seven chairs, allowing plenty of room for guests.

It will also feature sleek wood paneling that will help give it the ultimate “modern surfer” look. Other features expected to be offered with the Airstream include a waterproof interior and a sun bathing bed.

Pulling power is provided by a 175HP MINI Cooper S Clubman with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection that will also reflect the same design theme with a jet black finish with black “wetsuit” neoprene accents along with green trim. The MINI Cooper S Clubman and Airstream Trailer Concept will be presented at the Interni Design Energies exhibition at the Salone del Mobile show in Milan which takes place from April 21st till April 30th. Continue reading to view another image.
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Adrian van Hooydonk’s BMW Z10 EfficientDynamics

March 16, 2009 at 9:42 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Rumours

Adrian van Hooydonk, Chris Bangle’s successor as BMW design chief has released a design sketch of the BMW Z10 ED, which is a sports car that would be positioned to take on the Audi R8. Since the sketch was made by Adrian van Hooydonk, it is safe to expect an official word regarding this new project sometime this year.

The BMW Z10 ED will feature a very aggressive front end with large air intakes, a low roof line, dynamic sweptback headlights and a bold character line that offers a contrast to the coupe’s curvaceous body style. Since it is expected to carry the Efficient Dynamics (ED) designation, the BMW Z10 will feature technologies that will help improve fuel economy and reduce emissions output.

These technologies include direct injection, brake regeneration as well as an engine stop/start system, all coupled with a body/frame design that features generous use of carbon fiber and aluminium. You can expect the BMW Z10 to offer potential fuel consumption figures that can rival a mid-range 5 Series.

The BMW Z10 ED is also expected to feature an improved version of BMW’s 3.0 litre powerplant that should output a healthy 400HP and that would be mounted up front. The BMW Z10 is expected go to into production by 2012 and will carry a price tag that would hover over the region of 80,000 Euros.

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Diesel power for the MINI John Cooper Works

March 14, 2009 at 8:30 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars

A MINI engineer has revealed to AutoExpress via an interview that the auto maker is considering to produce a diesel-powered variant of the high performance MINI John Cooper Works and we can expect a launch date sometime in 2010. The engineer also revealed that the diesel powered version would actually be more powerful than the current petrol powered variant, and not only in terms of torque figures.

The hot hatch will most probably be called the Cooper D JCW and and will feature a 1.6L turbo-diesel. Recently, the BMW-owned brand revealed the drop-top version of the MINI John Cooper Works which is also powered by the same turbocharged 1.6 litre engine found in the hatchback that is good for 211HP and 290Nm of torque.

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BMW’s new product updates: BMW GT 6, BMW Z2 and BMW 3 Series Supersports

March 11, 2009 at 12:51 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, Rumours

BMW LogoA number of new products will soon roll off the assembly plants in Munich and we have some information regarding these new products. According to BMW Blog, at least three new products are in the works, including the BMW GT 6, BMW Z2 and the BMW 3 Series Supersports.

The BMW GT 6, or F14 as its code name, is basically a project to build a 4-door coupe, to rival Stuttgart’s Mercedes Benz CLS and the Porsche Panamera. This GT 6 would be based on the BMW 6 Series and is expected to be smaller than the CS Concept and to feature a rear-door opening like the Mazda RX8, with no B-pillar.

Another upcoming project is the BMW 3 Series Supersports which would be positioned as another “driver’s car” that will attract purists or enthusiasts, like the rumored BMW 1 Series Supersports which was supposed to revive the M1 sports car. Lastly, as previously reported, there would be a BMW Z2 baby roadster, which is expected to hit the market in 2011. This BMW Z2 would be based on the BMW Z4’s platform, and a concept version dubbed as the BMW Z Vision Concept is expected to be previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year.

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BMW and Daimler to cross-ownership?

March 10, 2009 at 9:32 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

According to published reports by German Der Spiegel magazine, Munich and Stuttgart-based premium car makers BMW and Daimler are planning to perform a cross-ownership by swapping shares among each other. Reports suggest that both companies may exchange as much as 7% of shares among each other.

This comes as a result of the world economic turmoil, and that both BMW and Daimler are working to combine their purchasing power to save a considerable amount of money. Der Spiegel also mentioned that the Quandt family who own 46% of BMW is not very pleased with the idea, fearing that a possible take-over might occur.

Lets just keep it as a speculation for now, but we will you bring the latest updates regarding this juicy matter. To think about, it would be weird that BMW has ownership of Daimler, and vice versa.

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BMW X5 M and X6 M details leaked in HTML code!

March 8, 2009 at 7:39 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

BMW M Teaser

BMW’s teaser site for the upcoming E70 X5 M and the E71 X6 M went online last week but with not much details on the cars other than a countdown, but the car-looking geeks (or geeky car lovers?) over at Jalopnik had an idea to peek into the page’s HTML source code and found these meta tags embedded by the web development team:

Meta Tags

So now we know a few more details about the car. The twin turbo V8 have already been revealed in some development videos released awhile ago, but what’s new are the 550 horsepower output figure, the Adaptive Drive system and the HUD display.

The twin turbo V8 is likely to be related to the N63B44 engine in the X6 xDrive50i and F01 BMW 750i, but in traditional M nomenclature be tuned up and called the S63B44 or something (the V8 in the M3 is the S65), if the displacement remains of course. The N63B44 makes 408 PS and 600Nm of torque so expect the 550hp figure quoted to be accompanied by maybe at least 650Nm to 700Nm of torque?

BMW Adaptive drive manages the pitch and roll of the X-series vehicles and is already available but optional on the X5. Its essentially an active anti-roll bar system. Watch how this works after the jump, but bear in mind it might get more advanced for the X5-M/X6-M.

Related Posts:
BMW releases official spy video of BMW X5 M
BMW M Product Development Video
X6 M teaser video confirms new V8 M Turbo engine
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Adrian van Hooydonk on the new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

March 7, 2009 at 12:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, BMW, Cars, International News, Videos

E89 BMW Z4 Roadster

The new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster made its European debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. BMW is solidly hammering it into our heads that the new Z4 is a piece of automotive art, and that it definitely is. All those lovely curves are a modern interpretation of the old BMW 507 and alot of Bangle cues have been toned down. The new Z4 also now gets a convertible hard top, replacing the first gen Z4′s cloth top. New BMW Group design director Adrian van Hooydonk talks to BMW Web TV at the Geneva show on the new Z4′s design. It’s quite interesting to hear stuff said from a designer’s perspective actually – apparently designers take delight in clamshell-style bonnets as they can then play around more with the design lines on the bonnet without having to deal with the bonnet shutlines. Look after the jump to catch the video as well as some previously published videos and a hi-res photo gallery.
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