A Semi-Authorized Guide to BMW Innovation
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrid</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/" rel="tag">Electric</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/diesel/" rel="tag">Diesel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a></p><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/bmw-innovation-lead-630.jpg" style="margin: 4px 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" /><br />
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Automakers are always hot to tout their latest advancements, and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> is no different. This past week in Munich, the automaker hosted Autoblog at its 2011 Innovation Day to give us a glimpse into what BMW's boffins are up to and what drivetrains, components and technologies it's planning to bring to market. BMW continues to champion its Efficient Dynamics mantra, comprised of lightweight materials, hybrid and turbocharged drivetrains and a new modular engine platform that takes the tried-and-true cylinder expansion idea to its logical extreme. So what did we learn? Plenty. And some of it wasn't exactly authorized.<br />
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Continue reading A Semi-Authorized Guide to BMW Innovation<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-innovation-days">2011 BMW Innovation Days</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-innovation-days/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/01-2011-bmw-innovation_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-innovation-days/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/02-2011-bmw-innovation_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-innovation-days/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/03-2011-bmw-innovation_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-innovation-days/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/04-2011-bmw-innovation_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-innovation-days/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/05-2011-bmw-innovation_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/a-semi-authorized-guide-to-bmw-innovation/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>A Semi-Authorized Guide to BMW Innovation</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/a-semi-authorized-guide-to-bmw-innovation/">A Semi-Authorized Guide to BMW Innovation</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/a-semi-authorized-guide-to-bmw-innovation/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19909667/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/a-semi-authorized-guide-to-bmw-innovation/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW ActiveE leasing priced at $499 a month, $2,250 down payment
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/" rel="tag">Electric</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/#3929145"><img alt="BMW Active E" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/01-bmw-active-e-1298983635-630op.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="iphone_hide" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
BMW Active E - Click above for high-res image gallery</div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> has released official pricing for its latest foray into the world of electric vehicles, and compared to the rest of the EV world, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ActiveE/">Active E</a> is a screaming deal.<br />
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Lease pricing for the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/1+series">1 Series</a>-based Active E is set at $499 a month for 24 months, with a downpayment of $2,250 due at signing. BMW isn't citing output figures yet, but it's quoting a 0-60 time of under nine seconds and a range of 100 miles with its specially developed, liquid-cooled lithium ion battery pack. Reservations will begin this summer and you can get in on the action at <a href="http://BMWActivateTheFuture.com" >BMWActivateTheFuture.com </a>. Full details in the press blast <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-activee-leasing/#continued">after the jump</a>.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/">BMW ActiveE: Geneva 2011</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/#3929145"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/01-bmw-active-e-1298983635_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/#3929146"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/02-bmw-active-e-1298983638_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/#3929147"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/03-bmw-active-e-1298983641_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/#3929149"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/04-bmw-active-e-1298983646_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-activee-geneva-2011/#3929151"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/05-bmw-active-e-1298983650_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-activee-leasing/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW ActiveE leasing priced at $499 a month, $2,250 down payment</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-activee-leasing/">BMW ActiveE leasing priced at $499 a month, $2,250 down payment</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-activee-leasing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19916580/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-activee-leasing/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW Z4 Roadster to be first four-cylinder offered on U.S. shores in decades
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertible</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i/#3773971" target="_blank"><img alt="2011 bmw z4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/05-2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 630px; height: 449px; " /></a><br />
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2011 BMW Z4 - Click above for high-res image gallery</div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/18/report-all-bmw-four-cylinders-will-be-turbocharged/">Forced-induction, four-cylinder engines</a> and small cars go together likes punch and pie. <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> understands this, and the automaker has officially announced that the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/z4">Z4</a> is <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/11/report-bmw-z4-to-get-four-cylinder-turbo-as-base-engine/">the first U.S. model to get its new turbocharged mill</a>. This marks the first time in decades that BMW is bringing a four-banger to U.S. shores. Fans of the 2002, rejoice.<br />
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The BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster will serve up its engine bay for the new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Output is rated at 240-horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque, which arrives at just 1,250 rpm. Using a combination of direct-injection, BMW's Valvetronic intake management and a twin-scroll turbo allows the engine to produce V6 power with I4 efficiency. BMW expects to see a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing motor. The eight-speed automatic transmission will also certainly help the Z4 in the fuel economy fight.<br />
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No word yet on pricing or a date when we can see the turbocharged Z4 sitting in dealer showrooms. Click <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-z4-roadster-to-be-first-four-cylinder-offered-on-u-s-shores/">past the jump</a> to read the full press release.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i">2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/01-2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" title="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/02-2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" title="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/03-2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" title="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/04-2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" title="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/05-2011-bmw-z4-sdrive30i_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" title="2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i" /></a></div><br />
[Source: BMW]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-z4-roadster-to-be-first-four-cylinder-offered-on-u-s-shores/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW Z4 Roadster to be first four-cylinder offered on U.S. shores in decades</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-z4-roadster-to-be-first-four-cylinder-offered-on-u-s-shores/">BMW Z4 Roadster to be first four-cylinder offered on U.S. shores in decades</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:26:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-z4-roadster-to-be-first-four-cylinder-offered-on-u-s-shores/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19916597/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/18/bmw-z4-roadster-to-be-first-four-cylinder-offered-on-u-s-shores/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Video: Exclusive hands-on with BMW Apps, new ConnectedDrive
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/new-york-auto-show/" rel="tag">New York Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/#continued"><img alt="BMW ConnectedDrive with BMW Apps" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/bmw-app-nyc-preview-630op.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="iphone_hide" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
BMW Connected Apps - Click above to <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/#continued">watch video tour</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> has big plans for next week's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/new-york-auto-show/">New York Auto Show</a>, including the debut of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/05/2012-bmw-6-series-coupe-gets-early-unveiling-ahead-of-shanghai/">2012 6 Series Coupe</a>, lease pricing for the all-electric <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ActiveE/">ActiveE</a> and the first application of its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/a-semi-authorized-guide-to-bmw-innovation/">new TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder</a> in the U.S. But that's not all.<br />
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BMW gave us an early preview of the next generation <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ConnectedDrive/">ConnectedDrive</a> system, complete with Apple Plugin integration (read: iPod out) for the iPhone and iPod Touch and it's latest foray into the integrated app game, which ports Twitter, Facebook, Pandora and web radio directly into iDrive for a seamless, connected experience.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/#continued">Follow the jump</a> for our full impressions and a video of the system in action.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Video: Exclusive hands-on with BMW Apps, new ConnectedDrive</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/">Video: Exclusive hands-on with BMW Apps, new ConnectedDrive</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19913845/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/video-exclusive-hands-on-with-bmw-apps-new-connecteddrive/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW DesignworksUSA to open new studio in Shanghai
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/china/" rel="tag">China</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/design-style/" rel="tag">Design/Style</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/bmw-designworksusa-to-open-new-studio-in-shanghai/#continued"><img alt="BMW logo" class="right border" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/bmw-250.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px; float: right;" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> is the latest manufacturer to acknowledge the growing influence of the Chinese automotive market on the industry as a whole. The company's California-based <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/designworksusa">Designwor ksUSA </a>has announced that it will open a new studio in Shanghai in the second half of this year. According to the automaker, the new facility will play a role in contributing to new designs for each of its brands, including BMW, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mini">Mini</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/rolls-royce">Rolls-Royce</a>, in the future as it collaborates with the other DesignworksUSA studios around the world. The design think tanks are based in Singapore, Munich and Los Angeles.<br />
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BMW says it expects China to become the third-largest market for its products in the near future, and that the People's Republic has been responsible for its single largest percent growth in sales over the past few months. Having a dedicated design studio in Shanghai will likely help the automaker custom tailor designs to Chinese buyers. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/bmw-designworksusa-to-open-new-studio-in-shanghai/#continued">Hit the jump</a> for the full press release.<br />
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[Source: BMW]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/21/bmw-designworksusa-to-open-new-studio-in-shanghai/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW DesignworksUSA to open new studio in Shanghai</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/21/bmw-designworksusa-to-open-new-studio-in-shanghai/">BMW DesignworksUSA to open new studio in Shanghai</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:01:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/21/bmw-designworksusa-to-open-new-studio-in-shanghai/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19917870/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/21/bmw-designworksusa-to-open-new-studio-in-shanghai/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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