The LA Auto Show opens to the public this Friday, showcasing BMW’s new i3 – an electric vehicle that upholds the brand’s reputation for “fun-to-drive”.
Take a look at its sleek interior, composed of wood, leather, wool and other renewable materials.
Electric vehicles have been criticized because of their short driving span, but BMW promises the i3 will not just an in-town, get-me-to-the-next-charging-station cruiser ASAP. The i3 can drive up to 100 miles on one battery charge and its interior technology will alert the driver as to remaining battery power using a number of factors including driving style, route topography and the use of interior electrical devices. The Navigation can guide the driver to the closest charging station and can recommend more efficient driving routes as opposed to the fastest.
Slowly (or quickly?) BMWs are turning into savvy computers on wheels. A climatic addition to the Bimmer cockpit is a fancy M steering wheel that will actually measure the g-forces you attain as you whip through impossible corners. Not only that, it will tell you your lap times, fuel efficiency, and when to shift to the next gear. It’s like having a mini co-pilot/engineer on your wheel. Tap into its Race mode and you’ll access precise acceleration measures and extensive timing.
Priced at $1,600 and named the BMW M Performance Steering Wheel, it is wrapped thickly in Alcantara suede for that finite extra feel/grip that every driving enthusiast demands.
BMW has begun offering a much more personalized, intimate way to listen to radio for BMW drivers with BMW Apps and Mini Drivers with Mini Connected. This new update comes in the form of a fully-integrated Stitcher SmartRadio™ App experience for any compatible vehicles. More than just a simple radio app, the Stitcher SmartRadio™ App allows BMW and Mini Drivers to create their own personal talk radio stations by selecting content and programs that they enjoy to form a seamless radio listening experience that is expertly tailored to the driver’s interest. In addition to providing access to programs that the driver already enjoys, the App will make suggestions about possible programs that the driver might be interested in, based on the preferences that he or she has already expressed. This groundbreaking partnership between Stitcher and BMW is, in part, an attempt to allow BMW and Mini Drivers to have access to the same functionality in their cars that they possess in their smartphones.
Share on FacebookWhat does BMW envision the future will look like? How long will it take until the future of automotive design arrives? The answers to both of these questions beget some very exciting answers.
BMW is already envisioning a future where ultimate performance and environmental responsibility can be meshed into one gorgeously designed vehicle. Take a look at the BMW i8 Concept, for example. From 0 to 60 in less than five second, over 400 horsepower and, most impressively, 87 miles per gallon fuel efficiency.
The first question people often have when talking about cars like this is often how long it will take to move this design from concept to production. The answer to this question is much more exciting than people might think: “they’re here, they’re very close to production” say Manuel Sattig, BMW’s Communication Manager on the i8 project.
If it all sounds too good to be true, then take a look for yourself!
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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 21, 2012 10:00am EDT … The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today named the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan a “Top Safety Pick”, continuing the company’s long-standing commitment to offering class-leading safety with each new model. In order to earn “Top Safety Pick”, a car must receive a rating of “good”, the Institute’s highest rating, in all of four tests – 40 mph frontal offset impact, side impact, rear impact protection/head restraint and rollover protection – and must be equipped [with] an electronic stability control system like BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control.
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BMW today announced new BMW M Performance Parts specially designed for the new 2012 BWW 3 Series Sedan and 2011-2012 5 Series Sedan. Like the BMW M Performance Parts already available for the high-performance M3, 1 Series M Coupe, X5 M and X6 M, the components developed for 3 Series and 5 Series models ensure an authentic transfer of BMW M-specific motor racing technology to everyday driving.
This new line of accessories provides a distinctive, sporty character and further enhances driving dynamics. BMW M Performance Parts are the result of years of racing expertise and have been developed in close collaboration with BMW M GmbH. Each component goes through an intensive development and manufacturing process which results in uncompromised performance. Exclusive chassis, aerodynamic, cockpit and powertrain components are now available for the 3 Series and 5 Series Sedans.
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