Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: BMW to launch two cars below 1 Series by 2014]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/report-bmw-to-launch-two-cars-below-1-series-by-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/report-bmw-to-launch-two-cars-below-1-series-by-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/report-bmw-to-launch-two-cars-below-1-series-by-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

According to Auto Motor und Sport, BMW will add two new small cars to slot below the current 1 Series by 2014. One of those vehicles has already been publicly confirmed by the automaker, the Megacity, an urban commuter BMW is developing as a dedicated electric car. The powertrain technology will be an evolution of what was shown a few weeks ago in the ActiveE concept at the Detroit Auto Show.

The other vehicle is more speculative at this point, but will likely be powered by an internal combustion engine and is reportedly intended to compete with the new Audi A1 in the premium B segment. This car will probably use a range of new three cylinder engines and may even get a hybrid version. The platform is still up in the air, but BMW is reportedly developing a small front-wheel drive platform in-house or opt to purchase an existing platform from another company if the development proves too expensive.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Report: BMW to launch two cars below 1 Series by 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw megacitybmw megacity evbmw project ibmw small carsBmwMegacityBmwMegacityEvBmwProjectIBmwSmallCarsMon, 01 Feb 2010 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19340168/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/01/report-bmw-to-launch-two-cars-below-1-series-by-2014/19340168/article-detail.xml 19340168 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/bmw-megacity-r498x333-c-b6b5425e-302486_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/bmw-megacity-r498x333-c-b6b5425e-302486.jpg <![CDATA[BMW trademarks "Countryman" for Mini crossover name?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


MINI Crossover Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Thanks to a few eagle-eyed BMW fans with a handy penchant for tracking trademark filings, we may know the name of the upcoming and oft-spied Mini crossover: the Countryman. If this is indeed the case, the badge would go hand-in-hand with BMW's current naming convention for its Mini line, which includes the extended-length Clubman in addition to the standard Cooper and convertible. We're expecting the new CUV to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in production form as a 2011 model.

Interestingly, BMW also trademarked the name ActiveE, which some are speculating will be the moniker applied to the automaker's upcoming electric vehicles as it matches up quite nicely with BMW's present ActiveHybrid series. Last year, the German automaker reserved the name eDrive, and it seems the two labels could somehow be paired together as part of the company's Project I initiative.


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept


[Source: German Car Zone via BMW Blog]

BMW trademarks "Countryman" for Mini crossover name? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activeebmwbmw activeebmw edrivebmw project iBmwActiveeBmwEdriveBmwProjectIcountrymangreenminimini cooper countrymanmini countrymanmini crossoverMiniCooperCountrymanMiniCountrymanMiniCrossoverThu, 16 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19097994/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/16/bmw-trademarks-countryman-for-mini-crossover-name/19097994/article-detail.xml 19097994 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/mini_crossover_concept_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/mini_crossover_concept_580.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Is this the face of the next Mini Cooper? Probably not.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/spy-shots-is-this-the-face-of-the-next-mini-cooper/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/spy-shots-is-this-the-face-of-the-next-mini-cooper/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/spy-shots-is-this-the-face-of-the-next-mini-cooper/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Take a good look at the spy shot above. The car you see is obviously a MINI of some sort, though nobody seems quite sure what to make of it. There's a possibility that it's nothing more than a clay mock-up of a possible design direction that didn't make it into production, but it could also be some sort of early prototype for a future vehicle.

L'Automobile Magazine, the French site that the images originate from, seems to believe that this is a new version of the MINI Cooper that will be ready sometime in 2011. If so, it's clear that the car's basic shape will remain the same while details like the droopy front grille and oval-shaped head lamps will be borrowed from the MINI Crossover Concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2008.

According to World Car Fans and BMWBlog, there also exists the possibility that this is the upcoming Megacity electric vehicle, an eco-friendly offshoot of the MINI family that's part of parent company BMW's Project i initiative. So, just what is this thing exactly? Dunno. We're taking the wait-and-see approach.

[Source: L'Automobile Magazine - translated]

Spy Shots: Is this the face of the next Mini Cooper? Probably not. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw megacitybmw project iBmwMegacityBmwProjectIminimini coopermini megacityMiniCooperMiniMegacityThu, 14 May 2009 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1546045/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/14/spy-shots-is-this-the-face-of-the-next-mini-cooper/1546045/article-detail.xml 1546045 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/mini_unknown_spy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/mini_unknown_spy.jpg <![CDATA[BMW considering range of two-, three- and four-wheelers for Project i]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/08/bmw-considering-range-of-two-three-and-four-wheelers-for-proj/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/08/bmw-considering-range-of-two-three-and-four-wheelers-for-proj/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/08/bmw-considering-range-of-two-three-and-four-wheelers-for-proj/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


BMW Clever concept - Click above for an image gallery

Back in the summer of 2007, BMW and the University of Bath put their combined heads together and designed a vehicle called the Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transportation, or Clever for short. Using just three wheels and an engine that was designed to run on compressed natural gas, the Clever concept emitted half the carbon dioxide of normal economy cars.

BMW may revisit this design for a future production model under its Project i program, which has the goal of finding new ways to create sustainable models for our transportation needs. The Clever would be just one vehicle in a range consisting of multiple two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles.

As much as we'd love to see a completely electric line from the German automaker, we may be waiting a while. iMotor in the U.K. quotes an unnamed spokesperson for BMW as saying:
We are committed to producing a super economical or zero emission vehicle or range of vehicles. However, it's going to be at least five years until we have production models on the road.
In the meantime, BMW may be forced to fall back on its motorcycle division to locate a suitable set of powerplants for Project i.


Gallery: BMW Clever concept


[Source: iMotor]

BMW considering range of two-, three- and four-wheelers for Project i originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 May 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AutoblogGreenbmwbmw cleverbmw clever conceptbmw project iBmwCleverBmwCleverConceptBmwProjectIclever conceptCleverConceptFri, 08 May 2009 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1539684/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/08/bmw-considering-range-of-two-three-and-four-wheelers-for-proj/1539684/article-detail.xml 1539684 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/05/clever_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/05/clever_lead.jpg <![CDATA[BMW Announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , ,



BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer has reportedly confirmed a new eco-friendly machine called the Megacity Vehicle as part of the automaker's Project i. Beyond the name, details are sketchy. According to Reithofer, "Customers will have the choice between a fully electric drive and a high-efficiency combustion engine. Large-scale production could start in the first half of the next decade."

We're not entirely sure if that means the vehicle will be some sort of hybrid or if it will be offered with two separate powertrain options. We're also wondering if the Megacity has anything to do with the rumored small car development with Fiat, which would supposedly spawn new city cars from both the German and the Italian automaker. BMW is also "pursuing a radical approach toward establishing a truly sustainable value chain-from development to production and sales," said Reithofer.

[Source: Carscoop | Photo: snapsi42]

BMW Announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw electric carbmw isettabmw megacitybmw project iBmwElectricCarBmwIsettaBmwMegacityBmwProjectIFri, 20 Mar 2009 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1494033/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/1494033/article-detail.xml 1494033 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/bmw_isetta_2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/bmw_isetta_2.jpg <![CDATA[Bangle rumored to resign over Project i]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/bangle-rumored-to-resign-over-project-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/bangle-rumored-to-resign-over-project-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/bangle-rumored-to-resign-over-project-i/#commentsFiled under: ,

Earlier this week, the automobile world was shocked with news that BMW Design Chief Chris Bangle was not only retiring from his duties at BMW, but leaving the auto realm entirely. Say what you want about the direction that Bangle took BMW styling, but there's no evidence that the automaker wanted to see him go. In fact, all indications are that the German automaker wanted him to stay, even extending offers to take on other roles within the company.

So, this begs the question: What made him leave? According to BMWBlog, the designer and his minions - especially his successor Adrian Von Hooydonk - disagreed on what direction to take on the upcoming Project i, which could either be released as its own brand or under the existing BMW or MINI tents. At this point, we don't have any indication which way Bangle was leading, but we should find out soon enough as the automaker has already given the project the green light.

[Source: BMWBlog]

Bangle rumored to resign over Project i originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw project iBmwProjectIchris bangleChrisBangleproject iProjectIFri, 06 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1451455/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/06/bangle-rumored-to-resign-over-project-i/1451455/article-detail.xml 1451455 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/chris_bangle_250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/chris_bangle_250.jpg <![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: BMW iSetta]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/rendered-speculation-bmw-isetta/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/rendered-speculation-bmw-isetta/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/rendered-speculation-bmw-isetta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What you see above is a rendering of what a revived BMW Isetta could look like. While it may have been a shot in the dark a few months ago when it was rendered, following BMW's revelation that it is studying new options for urban vehicles, the idea is back on the table.

The design is certainly unusual compared to contemporary automobiles on the road today, but the same was probably said of the original Isetta when it debuted way back in the 1950s. The new design features the same stubby nose, although the front door seems to have been replaced or supplemented by more conventional side doors. which would likely be required by modern safety standards, while with the rear wheels are placed closer together than the front ones. Although this unofficial concept doesn't adopt the original nomenclature, the name iSetta (with the subtle but trendy use of upper- and lower-case letters) would seem to fit the old-is-new-again spirit of BMW's anticipated city car.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Rendered Speculation: BMW iSetta originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw isettabmw project iBmwIsettaBmwProjectIiSettarendering isettaRenderingIsettaMon, 31 Mar 2008 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1152714/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/31/rendered-speculation-bmw-isetta/1152714/article-detail.xml 1152714 http://www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/03/bmw-isetta-spaceball_thumbnail.png http://www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/03/bmw-isetta-spaceball.png <![CDATA[BMW launching Project i to develop city cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/bmw-launching-project-i-to-develop-city-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/bmw-launching-project-i-to-develop-city-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/bmw-launching-project-i-to-develop-city-cars/#commentsFiled under:

BMW is taking the prospect of building city cars seriously with the launch of Project i. The new research and development unit of the Bavarian automaker is being established to look at alternative solutions for urban vehicles for use in metropolitan cores where access and emissions pose growing difficulties for conventional automobiles to operate.

Although BMW is not ruling out the possibility of launching a fourth brand based on the project's conclusions, it's waiting to see what those findings will be - anticipated to arrive no sooner than the first half of the next decade (by which time things may not be labeled iEverything anymore) - before it makes any decisions. In speaking with Automotive New Europe, chief executive Norbert Reithofer said his company would first determine what form its city cars would take, and then figure out if it would fit in to the BMW line-up, make a new MINI model or justify its own sub-brand. One thing's for sure, though: it won't be a Rolls-Royce.

[Source: Automotive News Europe]

BMW launching Project i to develop city cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw city carbmw project ibmw smartbmw urban developmentbmw urban vehicleBmwCityCarBmwProjectIBmwSmartBmwUrbanDevelopmentBmwUrbanVehicleproject iProjectIWed, 19 Mar 2008 07:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1143027/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/19/bmw-launching-project-i-to-develop-city-cars/1143027/article-detail.xml 1143027 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/bmw_eye-blue_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/bmw_eye-blue.jpg -1 2