Autoblog

Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Technology, BMW, Electric, Diesel

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

After several months of speculation and official teases for the past week, we now finally have all the details on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that BMW will show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks. The speculation about the concept's powertrain has gone in several directions, almost all of which were correct. The new concept is a plug-in hybrid with a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Conceived with the idea of melding the performance of a M3 with exceptionally low fuel consumption, BMW claims a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds while scoring 62.6 mpg (U.S.) on the E.U. combined test cycle.

There has been considerable speculation that future BMWs will go to smaller engines including a three-cylinder. The concept uses a 1.5-liter turbodiesel that is essentially half of the fabulous 3.0-liter found in the 335d. The triple is rated at a hefty 163 hp with peak torque of 214 lb-ft. The engine is paired with a six-speed DCT derived from the unit used in the M3 and Z4.

Adding fuel to recent reports that BMW would not continue developing the two-mode hybrid system that will debut soon in the X6, the concept uses a new strong hybrid system. The new system is a further development of the mild hybrid that is debuting in the ActiveHybrid 7. As in the 7, a more powerful 33-hp electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. A second 80-hp motor provides drive to the front axle. The total net output of the drive system is 356 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Continue reading more after the jump.

Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO]

Frankfurt Preview: BMW reveals Vision EfficientDynamics turbodiesel plug-in hybrid concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: BMW dropping a cylinder for next-gen 1- and 3-Series

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Green, Technology, Hatchback, BMW

The next 1- and 3-Series cars from BMW, as well as the Z2 roadster, are rumored to be getting a new range of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines as part of BMW's push to cut emissions and fuel consumption. Of the five powerplants reportedly in development, three are 1.35-liter three-cylinder motors developing between 163 hp and 241 hp, with the two 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engines putting out 273 hp and 321 hp, respectively. Sky Motoring says that the four-pots will be reserved for "more upmarket models."

While a 3-Series with a 3-cylinder engine has a certain poetry, it does give one pause. If Sky Motoring's numbers are correct, however, the top end 1.35-liter motor would put out 11 more horsepower than the current 3.0-liter in the 328i. That's a lot of power for such little displacement, and with brand perception issues in the U.S., who knows if we would even get the engines - after all, we don't get any of Mercedes' CGI mills. From where we sit, though, the smaller, lighter engine with its commensurately fewer moving parts could also help bring the sticker price of the 1-Series down - one of the major factors that has prevented it from gaining traction in stateside showrooms.

In any case, the new BMW engines are said to be at least two years away, so we look forward to getting more clarifying information in the meantime. Hat tip to Owen!

[Source: Sky Motoring]

REPORT: BMW dropping a cylinder for next-gen 1- and 3-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW Z2 concept to debut in Frankfurt featuring fuel-saving technology

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Green, BMW, Rumormill

Late last month, the internet rumormill went wild with speculation that BMW would introduce a new Z2 concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Separate sources are now confirming those reports, though the production version isn't likely to hit the market until 2013. Built atop BMW's next-generation 1 Series architecture, which will reportedly be configured to allow for front-, rear- or all-wheel drive, the Z2 is likely to feature all of the German automaker's latest fuel-saving Efficient Dynamics tweaks, including a possible plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Joining the eco-friendly model will be both gas and diesel engines with 2.0-liters or less displacement. Perhaps most interesting is a rumor that the Z2 may get a sequential transmission borrowed from BMW's line of high-end motorcycles. Weight will be kept low thanks to heavy use of composite materials, and adjustable aerodynamics should offer high downforce when tackling the bends and minimal drag when motoring on the expressway.

[Source: BimmerFile]

Rumormill: BMW Z2 concept to debut in Frankfurt featuring fuel-saving technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW working on regenerative exhaust system... with NASA?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Technology, BMW

Baby steps. That's how BMW expects to improve the efficiency of its vehicles - not by revolutionizing the automobile or replacing the internal-combustion engine, but by improving it. The Bavarian automaker's Efficient Dynamics program includes a roster of fuel-saving technologies like regenerative braking and start-stop engine management, but the second generation of the initiative looks to the heavens for inspiration. Specifically, to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA's satellites are powered by thermo-electric generators (TEDs) which derive electricity from the heat generated by radioactive materials. BMW has no intention of putting plutonium in your car, but is working with NASA to adapt the TEDs to hook up to the car's exhaust system and provide some 200 watts of what would otherwise be (and until now has been) wasted energy. Capturing the heat to power auxiliary systems like climate control, BMW says the system could improve fuel economy by 5%. Not a revolutionary figure, but more than the contribution of both regenerative braking and start-stop combined.

[Source: CAR]

BMW working on regenerative exhaust system... with NASA? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW preparing new Z10 ED green supercar for production?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, Supercars, BMW, Rendered Speculation

The only thing better than a major automaker rolling out a supercar concept is when they actually put it into production. Usually, if the green light is given, it happens after the show car's public debut. In this case, however, early word from Autocar indicates that things are working backwards. BMW reportedly originally envisioned this effort as a concept car, but instead it has decided to put it into limited production to showcase its high performance and green capabilities.

The car in question, according to AC's latest reports, is a new flagship supercar from BMW to be called the Z10 ED. With a two-seat, front-engine layout, the Z10 ED (for Efficient Dynamics - BMW's term for its green tech) is being prepared by the company's Technik skunkworks department. As you may recall, this is the very same crew that brought the Z1 and Z8 roadsters to showrooms.

As the story goes, after BMW canceled plans to revive the M1 with a mid-engine, R8-eating supercar, Munich's decision-makers apparently gave the go-ahead for another project to highlight the company's tree-hugghing and road-hugging technology. For starters, integrated door frames and extensive use of carbon fiber will be employed to keep curb weight down and rigidity up. Power is tipped to come from a high-output version of the company's 3.0-liter six, with all the bells and whistles: twin turbos, variable valve timing and compression, along with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, F1-derived regenerative braking, and start-stop engine management. All of which should yield an anticipated 400 horsepower out of a relatively compact engine.

No telling when we might see the Z10 hit the roads, but sources suggest a $110,000+ price tag when it arrives.

[Source: Autocar]

BMW preparing new Z10 ED green supercar for production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW decides not to build Concept CS

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Green, BMW, Earnings/Financials

Click above to view high-res gallery of the BMC CS concept

The current worldwide economic climate has claimed yet another automotive casualty: the BMW Concept CS. The German automaker cites a distinct lack of profitability as the main reason the CS project has been canceled. Last quarter, the boys and girls from Bavaria returned a profit of just 1.3% from its global automotive operations, and a low-volume halo sedan like the CS would only serve to drive that figure further downward. So, expect the brand-new 7 Series to remain at the top of BMW's model lineup for now.

If not the Concept CS, what current projects are keeping BMW engineers hard at work? Efficiency, fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. As part of the company's new Strategy Number ONE (outlined after the jump), the Munich-based automaker is pushing forward its EfficientDynamics project, which should add technologies such as stop/start and hybrid drivetrains to its mainstream models. After the all-electric MINI E makes its debut at the LA Auto Show, expect BMW to work in earnest on its next city car project that could be a revival of the iconic Isetta brand.

Gallery: BMW Concept CS

[Sources: Automotive News - sub. req'd, BMW]

Continue reading BMW decides not to build Concept CS

BMW decides not to build Concept CS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW learns buyers want to save money, not planet

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Green, BMW, UK

BMW carried out a survey of 2,068 motorists in Great Britain and found that no matter what motorists claim to want, what they really want is a BMW. While 20% of respondents said they look at CO2 levels when they research new cars, 75% said they'd only buy a car if they saved money. Which really means they'd only buy a car that slurped less gas than the one in the driveway. Another notable tidbit in the "Driving Change" survey revealed that only 13-percent of people believed that other folks were really buying environmentally friendly cars because of reduced emissions. That means that those Britons know why you really bought that Prius...

Fifty-four percent of the surveyed motorists also said that diesels are better on highway journeys than hybrids, and an unknown percentage of them "are demanding premium performance as well." It's a good thing then that BMW has a line of diesels mated to its EfficientDynamics technology that gets better gas mileage, emits fewer emissions, costs less in taxes, and has higher residual values. And in case you didn't know this about BMW, they're supposed to be a lot more fun to drive. If you have a massive amount of time on your hands, you can read the full report here. Otherwise, skip the words and do your duty: buy that BMW you've had your eye on, save the Earth and have fun doing it.

[Source: BMW]

BMW learns buyers want to save money, not planet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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