Autoblog

BMW releases slew of 2013 X1 photos, details fuel mileage and pricing

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

It's hard to believe that BMW has been selling SUV's for 13 years now. When the BMW X5 launched to great controversy in 1999, "crossover" had yet to be coined and not a soul on this planet would have predicted that one day BMW would be offering the two-sizes-smaller X1. Yet it hits dealer lots this fall, in multiple models with a long line of options and trim packages.

The most basic choice when it comes to the X1 is whether you want a four- or six-cylinder engine. The two-liter, turbocharged four delivers 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque and is available exclusively with an eight-speed automatic, though both rear-drive (X1 sDrive28i) and all-wheel-drive (xDrive28i) versions are available. BMW says rear-drive four-cylinder X1 models can do 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive model is a tenth slower. Projected EPA fuel economy numbers are 24 mpg city, 33 highway, and 27 combined for the rear-drive model and 22 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined with all-wheel-drive.

Then there's the six. With three liters of displacement and a single turbocharger, the N55 inline-six makes 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Available exclusively with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive, the X1 xDrive35i does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, but you'll pay for that power at the pump. EPA ratings are just 18 mpg city, 27 highway, and 21 combined. The real world fuel economy difference between the four- and six-cylinder X1 models could prove to be even greater than what's reflected in the EPA numbers, as the four-cylinder models include start-stop technology and eco modes, which are not part of the xDrive35i package.

And before we move on to trim packages, note that there is no manual transmission available in any X1. Keep reading for more ruminations on the 2013 X1.

Continue reading BMW releases slew of 2013 X1 photos, details fuel mileage and pricing

BMW releases slew of 2013 X1 photos, details fuel mileage and pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dyno Tested: BMW's past and present turbo sixes

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2010 BMW 335i Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has always had a gem of an inline-six on its hands, regardless of which particular powerplant you're referring to. But over the last couple of years, it's the German automaker's turbocharged 3.0-liter N54 engines that have been lighting enthusiasts hearts afire, and steering more than a few buyers away from the M3 and into the seat of a 335i. And when the N54 proliferated across the rest of the automaker's lineup, it was well-received in nearly every application.

For 2011, though, there's a new engine in town, and the big question is whether or not the single-turbo N55 is better than the previous twin-turbo N54 or, at the very least, not worse. Helping shed some light on the matter is the crew from Automobile Magazine, who managed to snag a trio of various N54-powered 3-Series' - one of which was the hotted-up 2011 335is, which uses a high-output version of the old N54 - along with one new model powered by an N55.

And the results? Well, it's pretty much more of the same: good peak horsepower (266 horses) and a nicely flat mid-heavy torque curve, cresting at a stout 302 pound-feet. But we'd be remiss if we didn't point out that the new N55, while seemingly offering less turbo lag than its predecessor, appears to be a wee bit less powerful overall than the N54. Progress?

Gallery: Review: 2010 BMW 335i Sedan

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Dyno Tested: BMW's past and present turbo sixes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2011 BMW X5 goes all turbo

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, BMW

2011 BMW X5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The original BMW X5 marked Bimmer's first entry into the then-burgeoning SUV segment, and it remains a strong seller for the company, trailing only the 3 and 5 Series. The time has now rolled around for the X5's mid-cycle refresh, which brings two new gas engines and some mild visual updates. The lower front fascia has been reshaped with the larger outboard air intakes inspired by the X5 M. Similarly, the rear bumper is re-sculpted and both ends get more of their bodywork painted the car's main color instead of black.

The more important changes are underhood, however, where both gasoline engines have been replaced. The base engine for the xDrive35i is now the same single turbo, 300-horsepower N55 3.0-liter inline-six finding its way into most other 2011 BMWs. Similarly, the xDrive50i gets the sweet 400-horse twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 found in the X6, 7 and 5 Series Gran Turismo. Both gas engines are paired with the new eight-speed automatic also making its way to other BMW models. The gas versions also adopt brake energy regeneration to reduce parasitic losses.

The diesel-powered xDrive35d, which only debuted just a year ago but is already accounting for about one-third of X5 sales, carries over its powertrain unchanged for 2011.

Official EPA numbers for the gas X5s won't be available until closer to their on-sale date, which follows shortly after the X5 makes its public debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

Gallery: 2011 BMW X5

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 BMW X5 goes all turbo

Officially Official: 2011 BMW X5 goes all turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2011 BMW X6 getting single turbo N55, eight-speed automatic

Chris Shunk — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, BMW, Rumormill

2009 BMW X6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has officially announced changes for its 2011 BMW X6, and the big news is that the German automaker will swap out its twin-turbo N54 inline-six in this sport utility for the new twin-scroll single turbo N55 mill, just like it did in the new 5 Series. The move continues BMW's drive toward simplifying its engine options while at the same time providing X6 owners with stronger acceleration and increased efficiency. BMW claims the N55 matches the twin-scroll N54's power numbers while also cutting weight from the engine bay. And since this bubbly crossover weighs in at a rotund 4,900 pounds, we're thinking every pound lost is a good thing.

The twin-scroll inline-six will produce 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the X6, six more ponies and five fewer lb-ft than the outgoing twin turbo model. Both the X6 35i and X6 50i will also receive ZF's eight speed automatic transmission for the 2011 model year. The eight forward gears will even further improve efficiency while also deliver smoother shifts.

Gallery: Review: BMW X6 XDrive 35i

[Source: BMW]

Report: 2011 BMW X6 getting single turbo N55, eight-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible get refreshed, 335i gets single turbo

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 3 Series - Click above for high-res image gallery

The next-generation BMW 3 Series isn't that far off, with the sedan expected to debut sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model. Yet the Munich brand isn't sitting on its hands in the meantime - the current 3 Series coupe and convertible are getting a mild refresh and updated powerplants this spring for the 2011 model year. The most immediately noticeable change are headlamp clusters that get a subtle reshaping to go along with a wider grille and reworked lower front fascia. At the rear, the taillamps retain the same shape, but the reflectors are redesigned with some of the light-pipe styling found in other recent Bimmers.

The 3 Series coupe will now be offered with xDrive all-wheel drive, while the 3 Series convertible gets a new solar reflective leather upholstery that BMW claims helps keep seat temperatures down when the lid is open.

The most significant updates come underhood, where the much lauded twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is being replaced by a new single turbo version. The revised engine, dubbed N55, has recently been launched in the 740i and the 535i Gran Turismo. The twin scroll turbo has dual exhaust inlets that allow the engineers to better balance the pulses coming in to spin up the turbine faster. This is expected to reduce the turbo lag that some drivers complained about with the outgoing twin turbo setup.

BMW also claims it has reduced cold-start emissions by routing all the exhaust gases through a single, larger catalytic converter that heats up faster. On the intake side, the throttle is eliminated thanks to the addition of BMW's Valvetronic variable valve control system. The N55 also gets direct fuel injection. The end result is the same 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque as before, but with a fatter torque curve that maintains its peak from 1,200-5,000 rpm.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2011 BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible get refreshed, 335i gets single turbo

2011 BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible get refreshed, 335i gets single turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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