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 Z2 gets green light, concept headed for Frankfurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



A little more information is out on the BMW Z2 that looks to be shown at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show. According to Auto Bild, the roadster built on the next 1 Series platform will be joined by a coupe variant, just like the previous Z4 - but unlike that car, the Z2 will be a radical rethink.

The car is the standard-bearer of BMW's Project i family, a front-engined, rear-drive car with a target weight of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and containing cost-effective green and weight-saving technologies. Powerplants are expected to be a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo with direct injection and anywhere from 150 to 200 horsepower, a range-extended hybrid, and an all-electric setup with lithium-ion batteries.

According to one estimate, the base Z2 is expected to start at about €30,000 (nearly $41,000 USD), with the electric version going for €50,000 (almost $68,000 USD), largely because of the additional cost of the battery pack. (Note that all figures are based on Europe's comparatively inflated pricing structure).

The car is due for sale in 2012 or 2013.

[Source: Auto Bild (translated) via BMW Blog]

REPORT: BMW Z2 gets green light, concept headed for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw z2BmwZ2concept carConceptCarcoupeelectric carElectricCarfrankfurt auto showfrankfurt motor showFrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowgreenhybridproject iProjectIsports carSportsCarz2Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1498811/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/1498811/article-detail.xml 1498811 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/bmw_z2_ffurt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/bmw_z2_ffurt.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[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