BMW has just announced a few changes to the line-up, starting as of Autumn 2012. The changes include new engine variants for the 3dr 1 series and 3 series Touring, as well as a new entry level model for the 1 and 3 series. Also, an new generation of Professional Navigation system is offered in the 3 series and a number of the available engines, now comply with the EU6 exhaust emission requirements.

More precisely, xDrive is now available for the first time in the 1 series. As of next month, the AWD option is available with the 120d and M135i in either 3 or 5 door configuration. The power distribution between the front and rear axle is controlled electronically to guarantee precise handling characteristics for a great variety of weather and road conditions. The 1 series will receive a new entry level version, the 114d, with a 1.6l four cylinder diesel engine with BMW Twin Power Turbo technology. According to BMW, the 14d features variable turbine technology and Common Rail direct fuel injection with solenoid valves operating with a maximum pressure of 1,600 bar and delivers its maximum power output of 70 kW/95 hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 235 Nm between 1,500 and 2,750 rpm. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 12.2 seconds with a the top speed of 185 km/h. Average fuel consumption is between 4.1 and 4.3 litres/100 km, with respective CO2 emissions being between 109 and 112 grams per km. Also, alongside the 114d, the 1 series will be offered with another two new engines as 118d and 120d. The total number of engine variants is now five petrol and six diesel power units.

In the 3 series range, a new entry level engine is also added in the form of the 316i Sedan. Under the hood sits the familiar 1.6l N13 four cylinder gas engine that produces 136hp and 220Nm. A six-speed manual transmission is featured as standard, with an eight-speed automatic transmission being offered as an option. As far as the Touring form is concerned, there are also new engine variants available: The F31 3 series Touring can now be had in 320i form, with the N20 2.0l gas engine to complement the already available 328i. In the diesel powered engines line-up, the 316d and 318d are added to the 320d and 330d variants. Also new to the 3 series, is the new generation of Professional Navigation system, that features improved, three-dimensional graphics in brilliant resolution for all menu displays. This system is also available for the 5 and 7 series.

For more details, please check the full press release, available after the jump.

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Posted in: BMW

PRESS RELEASE

• A new dimension for petrol engines:
  140 PS Polo BlueGT consumes just 4.6* l/100 km
• Polo BlueGT is the first Volkswagen with cylinder deactivation
  Active cylinder management (ACT) reduces fuel consumption by
  up to 1.0 l/100 km

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Posted in: Volkswagen

Are you a fashion conscious professional who is interested in delivering your products in retro style? Then MINI has a solution for you, called the MINI Clubman. What MINI essentially did, was take the successful Clubman model, remove the rear seats and block the rear windows, thus being able to register it as a commercial vehicle. Access to the rear section comes either from the two rear doors or from the right side suicide door.

Posted in: MINI

MINI has announced the introduction of a new engine for the John Cooper Works family. Even though the new twin-scroll turbo engine develops much the same power and torque output levels as the engine it replaces, its cylinder block and bearing mounts are now made from aluminium which, join forces with reinforced pistons, a particularly high-strength cylinder head and low-weight crankshaft. The exhaust valves are sodium-filled to help with the heat dissipation requirements of a turbocharged engine and the intake camshaft features infinite phase adjustment. This new engine is coupled with a 6 speed manual transmission as standard although a six-speed automatic gearbox can now be fitted as an option to all models in the JCW line-up.

The new engine is installed in the MINI Cooper, Clubman, Convertible, Coupé and Roadster versions of the John Cooper Works range and is based on the unit in the standard MINI Cooper S which employs a twin-scroll turbocharger, petrol direct injection and variable valve control – based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC system – in the pursuit of the best balance between throttle responsiveness and efficiency. The  maximum output of the engine is 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm, while peak torque of 260 Newton metres (192 lb-ft) is on tap between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm. The overboost function allows this figure to be raised to 280 Newton metres (207 lb-ft) for a short time between 2,000 and 5,200 rpm.

The same engine with a slightly higher output can be found in the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. Its 160 kW/218 hp is channelled through an all-wheel-drive system with peak torque of 280 Newton metres (207 lb-ft) being available between 1,900 and 5,600 rpm.

Check our photo gallery and BMW’s press release after the jump!

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Posted in: MINI

Some say it’s actually good looking. Some say it’s controversial and polarising. Some say it’s odd and ugly. No, it’s not the Stig, but the BMW 1 Series 5-door’s 3-door brother. Codenamed F21, the new 1 Series 3-door version was just announced by BMW, alongside the new M135i halo version – in both 3 and 5-door BMW hatchback guises – and the new entry level engine, the 14i. Equally surprising is the announcement of the xDrive all-wheel drive system that will be offered with certain engines as of November 2012.

Featuring a sporty and elegant design due to the brand-typical proportions, the dynamically stretched side line, the wide doors with frameless windows and the long bonnet, the new 3-door 1 Series allows for precise individualisation thanks to the Sport Line, Urban Line and M Sport packages that are available as design and equipment enhancements, as an alternative to the basic variant. The M135i features a model-specific exterior and interior design and there is also the choice of two or three seats at the rear.

Dimensions have increased, compared to the first generation of 3-door 1 Series, and so has the range of gasoline and diesel engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. At the bottom of the range is the newly introduced 114i with 75 kW/102 hp. Also available upon market launch are the BMW 116i (100 kW/136 hp), the BMW 125i (160 kW/218 hp), the BMW 116d (85 kW/116 hp), the BMW 118d (105 kW/143 hp), the BMW 125d (160 kW/218 hp) and the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition with 85 kW/116 hp, additional fuel efficiency measures and a CO2 emissions level of 99 g/km in the EU test cycle. As of November 2012, the BMW 118i (125 kW/170 hp) and the BMW 120d (135 kW/184 hp) will be available, too, as will the intelligent four-wheel drive BMW xDrive system on the BMW M135i xDrive and BMW 120d xDrive models.

Moreover, with the introduction of the new 1 Series 3-door comes the first of the BMW M Performance automobiles to feature a petrol engine – the BMW M135i – with a 3-litre, straight six-cylinder engine delivering 235 kW/320 hp together with M-characteristic suspension components and aerodynamically optimised body features.

Check out our extensive photo gallery and the press release after the break.

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Posted in: BMW

After the Concept version a couple of months ago, BMW has now officially unveiled the M135i. Available both as 5-door F20 and 3-door F21 version, the M135i will be powered by an 320hp N55 inline-6, making it the first M Performance model powered by a petrol engine. The M Sport Package and the M Sport Brakes are standard. There also a choice between a newly developed 6-speed manual transmission and an 8-speed auto. Depending on that choice, the M135i is able to perform 0-100 kph in 5.1 or 4.9 seconds, respectively.

Optical cues include unique wheels and mirror colors, both executed in ferric grey which is bound to become a M Performance trademark color. xDrive will be available as of November 2012. Speaking of availability, the M135i won’t hit US shores so the wait for the first M performance model bound to the US continues… Full press release and photos after the break.

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Posted in: BMW