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BMW Concept K2 Powder Ride and 2013 X1 Powder Ride Edition are ready to hit the slopes

Zach Bowman — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Crossover, BMW, Design/Style, Luxury

BMW is celebrating the North American launch of its X1 compact crossover with a special edition and the new lifestyle-oriented concept shown above. The Concept K2 Powder Ride is the summation of a three-year partnership between BMW and sports-equipment manufacturer K2. The companies have slathered the exterior of an X1 with a special graphics package lifted from a limited-edition K2 ski and designers bolted on a custom roof rack to accommodate all sorts of gear. The rack also features a Harman Kardon speaker system for impromptu dance sessions. Or something.

More importantly, the Concept K2 Powder ride features a little extra ground clearance and 19-inch wheels. Indoors, BMW has graced the machine with a custom interior, complete with black Nappa leather held together by orange contrast stitching.

Back in the real world, the soon-to-be-at-dealers BMW X1 Powder Ride Edition is based on the X1 xLine, complete with aluminum-trim roof rails, a ski and snowboard bag, all-weather floor mats and a pair of special K2 LTD Powder Ride skis. The skis are only available on the X1 Powder Ride Edition. Look for the limited-edition model to show up on dealer lots starting next month. Check out the press release for more info.

Continue reading BMW Concept K2 Powder Ride and 2013 X1 Powder Ride Edition are ready to hit the slopes

BMW Concept K2 Powder Ride and 2013 X1 Powder Ride Edition are ready to hit the slopes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We can't show you the most impressive infotainment system at CES

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, CES, Technology, Infotainment

The only thing we can show you is the image above. No video, no additional pics, just that.

Tucked away in the way-way-back of the South Hall at CES is Garmin's private meeting room. One section holds the company's current automotive, nautical and aviation systems, while the other is an exhibition of the future.

We sampled Garmin's new "Everest" setup, which includes one-shot voice commands and the ability to buy tracks from Amazon while you're listening to them over FM radio. You'll see it in cars later this year. We also sampled their "In2it" eight-way rotary controller (think a tech'd-out iDrive, MMI or COMAND knob), complete with proximity sensors and configurable buttons. Garmin is pitching it to OEMs right now.

But the system that blew our mind is dubbed K2. And the only thing we can show you is the image above. No video, no additional pics, just that.

Continue reading We can't show you the most impressive infotainment system at CES

We can't show you the most impressive infotainment system at CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and K2 team up for promotional skis

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, BMW

Despite the arrival of performance crossovers like the X5 M and X6 M, the BMW M range is still one bound largely to the road. Racing circuits too, of course, but the ski hill? Maybe not, but that's where K2 comes in. The sporting goods manufacturer has teamed up the the Bavarian automaker's performance division to produce a special set of downhill skis.

Based on the K2 SideShow, the K2 LTD BMW M Design Editions skis are designed to perform on any of a variety of hill conditions. They'll also got a special paintjob to highlight the collaboration, and a tire-tread pattern on the underside.

So is this just another opportunity for an automaker to cash in on its brand recognition with a merchandising effort? Well, yes and no. You can't actually go out and buy these skis, but BMW is giving all 500 pairs of them away as part of a promotional campaign at European ski resorts that has enthusiasts collecting "badges" they can redeem for a chance to win a pair, so to speak.

Follow the jump to read more about 'em, but unless you're planning on spending your winter carving up the slopes of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, the images in the gallery we've put together are about as close as you're likely to get.

Continue reading BMW and K2 team up for promotional skis

BMW and K2 team up for promotional skis originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia unveils K2 sedan in Shanghai

Zach Bowman — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, China, Hatchback, Kia, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Kia K2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia has launched a new small-car assault on the Chinese market with the introduction of the 2012 K2 at this year's Shanghai Motor Show. Based on the company's Rio, the K2 will be offered in both four-door and five-door configurations and should compete with other premium small-car offerings in the market. Kia says the vehicle is the latest in the company's efforts to better match products with local market tastes, and that the K2 was specifically designed inside and out for Chinese buyers. That means that the vehicle wears a new set of headlights and a slightly-altered grille among a few other minor aesthetic adjustments outside.

Under the hood, the Chinese take on the Rio rocks a variety of drivetrain options, including a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 107 horsepower or a 1.6-liter four-pot with 123 ponies. Both a manual and an automatic transmission option are available for both lumps, though Kia hasn't said how many gears are on hand.

Kia says that the company will begin producing the four-door K2 this July at a new facility in Jiangsu province. Five-door production will get under way the following month. Hit the jump for the press release, and stay tuned for the official launch of the U.S.-market Rio that's coming in very short order.

Gallery: 2012 Kia K2

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia unveils K2 sedan in Shanghai

Kia unveils K2 sedan in Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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