BMW ActiveE: Production Version of All-Electric 1-Series to Debut at Geneva Show

The ActiveE is the production version of BMW's 2010 Detroit Motor Show EV concept of the same name and it will share the limelight with the Vision CD Roadster study at the Bavarian firm's Geneva Salon stand. BMW plans to build a test fleet of more than 1,000 units of the fully electric version of the 1-Series Coupe, and lease them to select customers in the USA, Europe and China. The ActiveE will serve as a test bed for technologies that will be incorporated into the into BMW's future electric models such as the Megacity EV, due in 2013.

Power comes from an electric synchronous motor that produces 168HP (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque, good enough to propel the 1 Series Coupe from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h). The electric motor draws power from three lithium-ion batteries, which replace the engine, transmission and fuel tank.

To increase the driving range, the electric motor also acts as a generator every time the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal. The recuperated kinetic energy is fed back into the batteries and the system also creates torque to slow down the car. BMW estimates that this way the autonomy can be extended by up to 20%.

Additionally, the ActiveE also has a “gliding mode”, in which the car is moved just by its own kinetic energy, and an Eco Pro mode that lowers the energy consumption of the heating and air conditioning system, while the accelerator uses less power with the same travel.

The EV can be charged in five hours using a 32-ampere wall box or overnight from a conventional household socket.

From a design standpoint, the ActiveE is set apart from its conventional counterparts by the electric circuit-inspired livery, a bonnet scoop and lack of tail pipes. Inside, the seats are covered in grey leather with contrasting blue stitching, accompanied by a revised instrument cluster.

According to the manufacturer, the four-seater ActiveE offers the same cabin space as a standard 1-Series Coupe, but has a reduced luggage space of 200-liters.

BMW ActiveE: Production Version of All-Electric 1-Series to Debut at Geneva Show

The ActiveE is the production version of BMW's 2010 Detroit Motor Show EV concept of the same name and it will share the limelight with the Vision CD Roadster study at the Bavarian firm's Geneva Salon stand. BMW plans to build a test fleet of more than 1,000 units of the fully electric version of the 1-Series Coupe, and lease them to select customers in the USA, Europe and China. The ActiveE will serve as a test bed for technologies that will be incorporated into the into BMW's future electric models such as the Megacity EV, due in 2013.

Power comes from an electric synchronous motor that produces 168HP (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque, good enough to propel the 1 Series Coupe from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h). The electric motor draws power from three lithium-ion batteries, which replace the engine, transmission and fuel tank.

To increase the driving range, the electric motor also acts as a generator every time the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal. The recuperated kinetic energy is fed back into the batteries and the system also creates torque to slow down the car. BMW estimates that this way the autonomy can be extended by up to 20%.

Additionally, the ActiveE also has a “gliding mode”, in which the car is moved just by its own kinetic energy, and an Eco Pro mode that lowers the energy consumption of the heating and air conditioning system, while the accelerator uses less power with the same travel.

The EV can be charged in five hours using a 32-ampere wall box or overnight from a conventional household socket.

From a design standpoint, the ActiveE is set apart from its conventional counterparts by the electric circuit-inspired livery, a bonnet scoop and lack of tail pipes. Inside, the seats are covered in grey leather with contrasting blue stitching, accompanied by a revised instrument cluster.

According to the manufacturer, the four-seater ActiveE offers the same cabin space as a standard 1-Series Coupe, but has a reduced luggage space of 200-liters.

Official: BMW 2.0-liter Turbo Coming to the USA in 2011, Replaces 3.0-liter Straight-Six

We knew BMW's brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was coming to the States but now, the Bavarian automaker has made it official. The German company released a statement saying the first cars to be equipped with the force-fed four-banger will "arrive later this year" in the USA.

The 2.0-liter unit made its debut on the X1 compact crossover and will eventually replace BMW’s trademark normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. While BMW's US division has yet to announce which models will get the new engine, in Europe, the automaker has already confirmed the powerplant for the Z4 coupe-roadster and the 5-Series range.

In the U.S., the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six is currently available on these models:

-128i Coupe / Convertible 230HP

-328i Sedan / Coupe / Convertible / Sports Wagon / xDrive 230HP

-528i Sedan 240HP

-X3 xDrive28i 240HP

-Z4 sDrive30i 255HP

There's a strong possibility that BMW will offer the new 2.0-liter turbo on all of these models in the U.S. but this has yet to be confirmed.

BMW's more for less 2.0-liter unit combines twin-scroll turbocharging with high-pressure direct-injection and the firm's VALVETRONIC intake control. In the X1, the maximum output of 240 horsepower is achieved at 5,000 rpm, or 1,500 rpm lower than in the normally-aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. The peak torque of 260 lb-ft, comes on tap at just 1,250 rpm, which according to BMW, is not only 30% more torque than the aforementioned inline six, it also peaks 1,500 rpm earlier. On top of that, BMW says the four-pot also returns 16 per cent better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

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VIDEO: Two Chinese Guys Build a Remote Control BMW 1-Series

If this video is to be believed, An Jiaxuan is an inventor par excellence and an electronics genius to boot. We see him playing around with various (and presumably) self-developed Smartphone apps, including ones that switch the lights and air conditioning on and off and can take a picture from a tripod-mounted camera.

That’s not all, though. Jiaxuan’s next big project is equipping and controlling a full-sized car via remote control. What’s the timeframe for this endeavour? Just twenty days.

With little more than some software development knowhow, a borrowed BMW 1-series hatchback, a Nokia C7 Smartphone and a whole lot of electronic and mechanical components, Jiaxuan makes the impossible a reality. Sure, it could all be a hoax or a viral ad for the C7, but that’s not really the point; this video has some funny moments.

Like when Jiaxuan’s friend asks, “How’s the control? Is it just as good?”

And Jiaxuan replies, “Of course man, it’s gotta be otherwise we’re not gonna be able to get the car to drift.”

It’s that sort of balls-to-the-wall car lover insanity that we at Carscoop adore. Or the final scene in the video, where Jiaxuan’s friend points at an overflying aircraft and says:

“Think you can control that plane up there?”

Looking up at the sky, Jiaxuan answers, “We could try, yah...I think it’ll work.”

Click through for the full video and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Motofilm

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New Rumors Surface about 4-Cylinder Turbocharged BMW Engine, this time for Z4 Roadster

Last time we reported about BMW's long-rumored family of turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, it was in the summer of 2010. Meanwhile, the German manufacturer hasn't revealed anything on the matter, giving the whole affair an almost mythical status.

However, a new rumor has surfaced, with Automobile Magazine tweeting that the entry level BMW Z4 will soon get a new, 4-cylinder force inducted engine, as a replacement for the naturally aspirated inline-six.

The exact tweet was “BMW new 4-cyl coming this year in Z4 roadster. Replaces nat asp 6, so at least 200 hp” and, seeing that average fuel consumption regulations and emissions standards are getting stricter by the day, it sounds like a logical move for BMW.

The Bavarian company sure knows how to build a fine turbocharged engine and there are many models in its line-up that could benefit from a more frugal, and equally if not more powerful four-pots. The 1-Series and 3-Series are just two that come to mind right, although we’re pretty sure that X3 owners wouldn’t mind better fuel economy as well.

Clearly, the question here is not “why”, but rather “when”, and at the rate things are going, we’d say let's meet up again this summer and we’ll hopefully have some more official info for you.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Automobile via Bimmerpost

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BMW Prices U.S.-Spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible at NAIAS 2011

At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, BMW announced pricing information for the U.S.-spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe, face-lifted 2012 1-Series, and the all-new 2012 650i Convertible.

The revised entry-level 128i Coupe starts from $31,825, while the much anticipated 1-Series M Coupe with the 335HP turbocharged inline-six is priced at $47,010 and will be available in limited quantity. The new generation of 650i Convertible starts at $91,375. All prices include an $875 destination and handling fee.

For the 2012 model year, all 1-Series variants received a mild exterior makeover and come with iPod/USB integration. Furthermore, certain models feature an innovative Air Curtain system (128i), which reduces wind resistance, Xenon adaptive headlights and power seats with adjustable lumbar support as standard (135i).

The 128i Convertible models get larger, 17-inch alloys, while the 135i Convertible comes with 18-inch rims. By adding a through-loading system, engineers also managed to improve the storage capacity of all open-top versions.

The complete price list of the 2012 BMW 1-Series is as follows:

128i Coupe $31,825

135i Coupe $39,925

128i Convertible $37,475

135i Convertible $44,675

The 2012 BMW 650i Convertible is powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, rated at 400 hp and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, which can be mated either to a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says that the new model offers more passenger space, improved ergonomics and better materials. Just like the previous generation, the new 6-Series Convertible has a soft top that can retract in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h).

Sales of the 2012 1-Series, 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible will start this spring.

By Csaba Daradics

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