Showing posts with label bmw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bmw. Show all posts

Sunday 31 December 2017

BMW X3 2018: With a King Called X3 M40i

The third generation of the BMW X3 will debut in Frankfurt, but it has already been revealed The German SUV will be manufactured in the United States and promises to be a bestseller Its range part of a 2.0 diesel engine of 190 horses with a price of 51,000 euros

The BMW X3 M40i acts as top of the range thanks to its 360 horsepower

The 2017 edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show will witness the presentation of the new BMW X3. A premiere forced by the huge competition in the SUV segment and reinforced by the successes that are reaping the X1 and the X5. Like the latter, it is built on the CLAR platform. However, before its official debut the BMW X3 has been presented in California. The most German SUV is born in America and the BMW X3 M40i is its best example.

It will not be until the next Frankfurt Motor Show when the third generation of the BMW X3 arrives in Europe, but we already know all its details after its presentation at the factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where it will be manufactured. Based on the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that already uses the X5, the new SUV of the Bavarian firm will be 100 kilos lighter than its predecessor, a figure that should be taken into account if we look at its new measures. Apart from this, its design is more elaborate and complex than in the BMW X1, following the line of the BMW 5 Series or the BMW 7 Series.

To speak of a clean design is to do it of an SUV that will have a fluid design in spite of having a muscled frontal and that transmits power. Its bumper and its traditional kidney-shaped grille (larger) mark the front, although optical groups with LED technology also exude a great personality thanks to its sharper design. The anti-fog lights contribute to this sensation, for the first time with hexagonal shape in an X model. The alloy wheels in black finish give a very sporty touch to its side image, although they are reserved for the BMW X3 M40i variant. Its lines are more sculpted and marked.

In his rear, the BMW X3 marks differences with the X5. However, the third generation of the medium-sized SUV of the brand maintains the tailgate of a piece despite its widened pilots, which is associated with the opening of the moon individually and the opening without hands with sensor. This will allow a much easier access to a large boot that will have different load levels depending on the position of the seats. Its rear is completed by a small spoiler, LED optical groups and a double exhaust outlet. BMW will offer the X3 under three variants: 'xLine', 'Luxury Line' with chrome accents and 'M Sport'. The front or the rims are the main elements that change between each version.

On a mechanical level, the BMW X3 will arrive in the fall with a complete range of propellers that have been revised and that improve the features offered in the outgoing model. The range of the BMW X3 will start with the sDrive20i and xDrive20i versions. The first will not be available in Europe, while the second will be available, but none will arrive before the spring of 2018. In both cases, it would mount a four-cylinder engine associated with a Steptronic 8-speed gearbox.

This propeller offers 185 horses and 290 Newton / meter. Its acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour is set at 8.3 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 215 kilometers per hour. The combined consumption for the European variant is 7.2 liters per 100.

The BMW X3 xDrive30i will arrive at dealerships in December 2017 and will equip a four-cylinder petrol engine associated with a Steptronic 8-gear box. Its power is 252 horses and its torque of 350 Newton / meter.

Accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.3 seconds, while its maximum speed is set at 240 kilometers per hour. Top of the range is the BMW X3 M40i with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with the aforementioned 8-speed Steptronic box. Its power is 360 horses and its torque of 500 Newton / meter. Accelerates from 0 to 100 in 4.8 seconds and its maximum speed is 250 kilometers per hour.

For its part, the Diesel range is defined by two models. The first is the BMW X3 xDrive20d with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine associated with an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. Its power is 190 horses and its torque of 400 Newton / meter. Accelerates in 8.0 seconds from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour, while its top speed is 213 kilometers per hour. Its consumption is 5.4 liters at 100. For its part, the BMW X3 xDrive30d equipped a diesel engine with six cylinders in line with identical transmission that the range of the range. This 3.0-liter engine offers 265 horsepower and 620 Newton / meter of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 in 5.8 seconds, its maximum speed is 240 kilometers per hour and its combined consumption of 6.0 liters at 100.

As regards its interior, the BMW X3 presents a total renovation. It presents new and more modern finishes under the trademark of the brand, as well as a wide technological endowment that begins with the infotainment system already equipped with the Series 5 and Series 7. The dashboard is completely digital, it has three areas of air conditioning and a touch screen of 10.2 inches with Air-Touch technology that becomes the protagonist in the center console.

The new X3 will feature Head-up Display with integrated browser information. As in the exterior, there are optional packages and different versions to create personalized spaces and everything from the hand of the most complete technological equipment. The third generation of the German SUV equips Adapatito Cruise Control with Driving Assistant Plus.

It also has a lane guidance assistant and the assistant to change lanes as a result of the incorporation of the first semiautonomous driving technologies. All these semi-autonomous systems are included in the so-called BMW Connected Drive and in the BMW Co-Pilot system with complete integration of mobile devices. Some navigation or infotainment functions can be controlled by gestures or by voice commands.

Finally, with regard to its cost, BMW Group has already made public the official prices that will have in Spain the first three versions of the new SAV -Sports Activity Vehicle- of the Bavarian house, all of them with integral traction and two of the which will be Diesel: access to the range will be available with the X3 20d of 190 horses from 51,000 euros, the first six-cylinder engine will be defined by the 30d of 265 horses from 59,500 euros and, finally, the top of the range will be personified in the M40i of 360 horses from 70,500 euros.

Already on the X3 20d there is an exceptional standard equipment among which we find 18-inch alloy wheels, electric tailgate, distance control in front and rear parking, automatic three-zone climate control, LED lights, multifunctional sports leather steering wheel, light and rain sensor, adaptive cruise control with emergency braking function, hands-free, several USB sockets and intelligent emergency call, among others.

Are still pending to be included in the range the basic 20i petrol engine of 185 horses, whose cost is expected to be below its petrol-fueled counterpart, the intermediate power 30i petrol engine of 252 horses, also a few thousand euros more cheap that the 30d and, finally, a powerful X3 M of approximately 430 horses that recently captured one of our collaborators rolling down a Spanish highway with its due dose of camouflage.

Although we have talked about it throughout the article, special mention deserves the BMW X3 M40i as top of the range of the new X3. It is the first M Performance model of the series waiting for the X3 M and as such marks notable differences. It has a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a preparation that allows you to climb laps faster and have a great capacity for recovery. This propeller offers 360 horsepower and a torque of 500 Newton / meter. This propeller is associated with a 8-speed Steptronic gearbox with Launch Control. There is no lack of the xDrive all-wheel drive system.

The BMW X3 M40i is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.8 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour. Their combined consumption is 8.2 to 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers, while the CO2 emissions of this SUV are set at 188 to 193 grams per kilometer. Beyond these data, it should be noted that the X3 M40i additionally presents a special adjustment and several specific details that enhance and accentuate the performance and dynamic qualities of this SUV.

What do we mean? On the one hand is the specific M Performance kit that includes an aerodynamic kit 'M', an M sports exhaust system with outputs with dark chrome finish. This kit also includes specific brakes 'M' and an exclusive setting for the chassis (optionally adaptive), which is essential to take advantage of the variable sport steering. It also equips light tires of 20 inches, while technologically they emphasize the system 'Performance Control'. It should be remembered that the BMW X3 M40i arrives in autumn and has a price in Spain of 70,500 euros.

Saturday 11 June 2016

BMW Revamps 'i' Electric Car Division to Focus on Self-Driving Tech

BMW

BMW `i’ Division Transformed into Development Centre


A board member has informed Reuters, that the `i’ division of BMW has been transformed into a development centre for self-driving cars, a main considered shift for the unit had earlier aimed on making a family of lightweight electric vehicles. Though Model 3 of Tesla would hit showrooms in 2017 and as Porsche and Audi rivals would be working on all electric cars to be released by 2019, the German car manufacturer seems to have put these kinds of cars at the back and its next fully-electric car would not be due till 2021.

The company’s approach has been changed after it’s fully battery powered car, and the i3, was not successful in gaining traction with the public with only 25,000 sales done last year. Tesla in comparison has already received over 370,000 orders for its Model 3. Instead of looking to match Tesla and Porsche with new zero-emissions sports limousine for release in the next two years, its focus lies in manufacturing an electric car with the next generation of technology, the autonomous driving.

Project `i’ Next


BMW board member Klaus Froehlich, in charge of development, in an interview at the company’s headquarters in Munich had mentioned that in April he had re-launched the `i’ division, as a unit dedicated in producing cars which tend to drive themselves and it is now in ramp-up stage which is called `Project i Next’. The renovation also tends to follow four great profile staff defections, this year from the division. Manager of BMW’s `i’ powertrain group Dirk Abendroth, vice president product management BMW `i’ Henrik Wenders, and vice president engineering, head of the i8 vehicle programme, Carsten Breitfeld, had been robbed by a Chinese electric vehicle start-up.

As a measure of its autonomous driving push, BMW has been hiring experts in machine learning as well as artificial intelligence. It is also assimilating the tasks of prevailing computer driven support systems such as emergency braking, cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and automatic parking. Froehlich stated that `with a fully autonomous vehicle, BMW could launch a ride hailing business without the need to pay drivers, thus giving car manufacturers a competitive edge over new ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft that seem toeat away car sales by making part utilisation convenient as ownership.

BMW to Partner with Ride-Hailing Firm


Toyota Motor Corp had mentioned earlier in the month that it would invest in Uber and Volkswagen had announced a $300 million investment in Gett which was a smaller ride-sharing company. It is said that BMW may partner with a ride-hailing firm especially in markets such as China though the car manufacturer’ policy on probable partnerships with companies is yet being worked out in this space according to Froehlich. He further added that China which is the world’s largest car market would probablybe the market, where autonomous cars would first appear on a big scale.

He also mentioned that China is implementing technology extremely fast. Last year more electric cars were sold in China than in all the other global markets put together. BMW has also been considering in expanding the area of reserving parking areas as well as electric car charging stations over mobile phone, a market that is still uneven within countries. Car manufacturers have already invested in ParkNow as well as Parkmobile the two digital parking as well as payment services.

Friday 28 November 2014

BMW Decides To Manufacture the Takata Airbag Inflators in Germany


BMW
The Germany based BMW has announced its plans to help the Japanese counterpart company in delivering the replacement inflators quicker by assisting them in moving their production facilities from Mexico to Germany. BMW has explained that their decisions are in wake of the serious issues regarding the quality of the manufacturing at the Mexico plant raised by the U.S. safety regulators.

What Made BMW Take such Dramatic Steps? 

Automobile manufacturer who actively uses the Takata inflators also includes the Toyota Motor Corp. The Takata inflators seem to have the potential of blowing up with excessive force and spraying occupant with deadly sharp metals. It should also be noted that it isn’t feasible to switch to other suppliers in order to meet the demands for the replacement parts at this juncture.

Therefore the U.S. safety regulators are lending a helping hand by supporting BMW efforts in shifting the inflator production plant from Mexico to Takata plant in Freiberg, Germany. The Takata inflators are being currently investigated in at least five death cases in U.S.

German Facility Promises To Boost Production Capacity

Japanese company has the ability to produce 200 inflators per hour on its single production and at the moment it just has two of them in active use. This concludes that that it would be able only 1 million replacements in next five months at this snail pace. But the demand stands at 32 million for replacements parts. Therefore this shifting of production facility is taking place in order give a genuine boost to the production capacity of Takata.

Takata Runs into Serious Trouble

U.S. regulators have asked several questions relating to the Mexian plant production quality defects. The officials from Takata, Chrysler Group, Honda Motor Co and NHTSA would be testifying to a U.S. Senate panel in this regard on Thursday. Furthermore NHTSA has also ordered Takat and five other automobile manufactures to expand the U.S. recall of vehicles with the defective air bags.

Automobile Manufacturers Look For Alternatives

Companies like BMW, Toyota and Ford Motor Co are looking for quick solution to the problem of getting replacement parts. They are planning to buy replacement parts from the rival supplier but even such option is unviable as it would more than a year to get an alternate inflator production line in place.

Some of the automakers are looking to use completely new parts from other suppliers but they soon found that doing such a thing would require bringing in extensive changes in their cars. Companies like Honda, Toyota and Ford had considered this option. However problem would not cease to exist by implementing this as the suppliers would still fall short of keeping up with the demand. Even the companies go ahead with this proposition and build cars as per the exact specifications of the new inflators still it will take around a year to get it in the market.

Therefore the companies like Nissan, Mazda Motor and General Motors have dropped this idea and hope that Takata would be able to solve its supply problems in due time.

Monday 15 August 2011

i3, a concept electric BMW stamped soon?

i3 is an electric car approached to join the ranks of German giant BMW soon. This is a vehicle 5-door hatchback. The car displays a modern, urban and attractive. The side windows are large and occupy almost the entire surface of the four doors, revealing the interior of the car. It is the same for the glass roof. The interior is quite revolutionary with a touch panel and multifunction.