�� BMW �� 2011 - �� 4

�� · #16 18-01-2011, 10:20 PM

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill, Electric

BMW Megacity EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the rumors kicking around the interwebs, the upcoming BMW Megacity won't be bargain basement transportation. Autocar cites an unnamed source as saying that when the city-sized electric car hits dealers, it will carry a premium price tag. That likely means that the Megacity will cost more than the Nissan Leaf EV that it's designed to compete against.

That's no real shocker given the Megacity's complete carbon-fiber passenger cell and unique aluminum chassis. Throw in the extensive research and development that's gone into the vehicle so far, and it's not difficult to imagine a lofty price tag for the Megacity when the EV hatch goes on sale as a 2013 model.

There is some indication that as technology and manufacturing costs decrease, BMW will lower the vehicle's price tag, but that's not thought to happen until the Megacity has already been on the road for some time. So far, BMW has said official word one about how it plans to price its EV.

Gallery: BMW Megacity Vehicle

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: BMW Megacity is a premium product, will carry premium pricetag originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #17 19-01-2011, 10:40 PM

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW X1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

American buyers may have to wait a little bit longer before sinking their teeth into the upcoming BMW X1. According to Automotive News, the CUV has been more popular in Europe than the German automaker originally anticipated, and as such, BMW is experiencing a bit of a supply crunch. As a result, North American buyers won't be seeing the X1 at the end of this year as originally expected. Instead, it's beginning to look like the vehicle won't show up here until early 2012 at the soonest. Automotive News reports that the X1 went on sale in Europe in November of 2009.

Since then, the high-riding hatch has sold out in every market it's touched. BMW says that it fully expects the X1 to be a low-volume model here in the land of the free, with sales lodged somewhere in the same realm as what the current 1 Series Coupe and Convertible. Even so, the company says that it's shooting for around 8,000 units per year. With the larger, more popular X3 just now hitting dealerships, the X1 will likely serve to fill a slot for buyers looking for a compact luxury crossover.

Gallery: 2011 BMW X1

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: BMW X1 U.S. debut delayed due to high demand in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #18 19-01-2011, 11:50 PM

Filed under: Crossover, BMW, Luxury

BMW X1 2.0 Turbocharged Four Cylinder - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW X1 may not arrive in the U.S. on schedule, but when it does show up, it will come packing a turbocharged four-cylinder. The all-aluminum 2.0-liter mill cranks out 245 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque thanks to direct-injection and a single twin-scroll turbo. European buyers will be able to bolt the engine to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic and the company's xDrive all-wheel drive system. BMW claims the manual-equipped X1 will do the 0-62 mph in around 6.1 seconds. while opting for the auto will tack another .3 seconds onto its sprint time.

The German automaker has bolted on a heap of fuel-saving technologies, including start-stop and regenerative braking systems as well as a shift indicator. All told, BMW is shooting for 35.7 mpg on the imperial scale, or just under 30 mpg by U.S. measure - not too shabby for a full-time all-wheel drive machine. The fuel economy marks an improvement of 16 percent compared to the old lump. Click past the jump for the full details.

Gallery: BMW X1 2.0 Turbocharged Four Cylinder

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW X1 gets brand's first 245-hp turbocharged four-cylinder

BMW X1 gets brand's first 245-hp turbocharged four-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #19 20-01-2011, 04:40 AM

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW

BMW 1 Series spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW 1 Series may have undergone a very slight refresh for the 2012 model year, but it appears that engineers are already hard at work for the next-generation of BMW's current entry-level machine. Here, we see a five-door hatchback version out testing in the snow-laden cold, complete with a set of chains on its rear tires.

Though it appears that the size of the 1 Series hasn't changed much, we can see that the front fascia has been slightly redesigned, probably taking on a shape more akin to what's been done to the larger 5 Series sedan. This prototype is still pretty heavily camouflaged, so it's hard to tell exactly what design tweaks are in store.

As for what's under the hood, your guess is as good as ours. However, BMW's latest commitment to four-cylinder turbocharged engines leads us to believe that the base car will have four-pot power, while the top-end 135i will still likely use the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that we currently enjoy.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series frolics in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�� · #20 25-01-2011, 03:10 AM

Filed under: Technology, Videos, BMW

Wherever You Want to Go documentary - Click above to watch video after the jump

We've spent lifetimes obsessing over the next stage in the human transportation saga. Constantly unsatisfied with the humble car, we've looked ever onward toward rocket ships, jet packs and personal flying contraptions of varying design to take care of ferrying us to work in greater comfort and speed than ever before imagined. BMW seems to be willing to wade into that universe with its new four-part documentary on the future of mobility called Wherever You Want to Go. The film delves into the various forms of what we think of as futuristic transportation by speaking with everyone from Buzz Aldrin to Syd Meade, Robin Chase and Marissa Mayer.

If you're thinking this all sounds like an automaker rallying the troops against the internal combustion engine, don't be so sure. The short trailer for the film features a ride in a Superbird clone, so it can't be all bad. Hit the jump to soak up the trailer. BMW will release the films on February 1, 8, 15 and 22nd, so stay tuned.

[Sources: