BMW Top 5 Kidney Grilles

[hoffmeister_fan]

the 6er GC...sometimes I forget how much of a looker that car is.

 

[Rainer271]

Top Five best hybrid/electric BMWs

BMW, the Ultimate Driving Machine, is a brand that’s built its reputation on speed, noise and performance. It’s a brand that’s given us such undeniable classics like the E30 M3 and E39 M5, while also building absurdly fast monsters, like the X5 M. However, the brand has now started to shift focus to hybrid and electric power and much less so on horsepower and performance. That’s not to say that the Bavarians have gone soft, but that the brand’s focus is no longer singular.

In fairness, though, BMW has always been about pushing the technological envelope, trying to create the best possible driving machines using the latest cutting edge technology. So it’s no shock, really, that BMW is looking to use hybrid or electric power for its new vehicles because those are the current technological trends.

But BMW has actually been working on electric vehicles for some time now, with BMW EVs dating back to the 1970’s. So let’s take a look at the Bavarians’ top five best efforts at hybrid/electric propulsion.

5. 1972 BMW 1602e
We can’t make a list about the best EV BMWs without mentioning the 1602e. Built on the Neue Klasse 1602, the BMW 1602e was the brand’s first real attempt at a purely electric vehicle for the consumer. With a 32 kW electric motor, sourced from Bosche, the 1602e developed just 48 bhp. This made it incredibly slow, only being capable of 0-30 mph in around 8 seconds. Glacier is more like it. BMW claimed that at around 30 mph, the battery pack would only last 19 miles. That battery pack, by the way, consisted of 12 standard car batteries linked together, which weighed a whopping 350 kg (771 lbs). But 19 miles, for 1972, isn’t actually that bad. BMW first showed off the 1602e at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, where two of them were used as marathon support cars. So, despite having awful performance and range numbers, by modern standards, the BMW 1602e makes this list because it was the first real introduction of electric propulsion for the everyday consumer from BMW. Take that, Tesla.

4. BMW 1 Series ActiveE
Based on the first-gen BMW 1 Series coupe, the ActiveE was the prelude to modern BMW i cars, like the i3. Using the powertrain borrowed from the MiniE, the BMW ActiveE developed 168 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, which made it good for 0-60 mph in around 9 seconds. That’s pretty slow by 1 Series standards, but considering that most BMW 3 Series diesels of the time weren’t much faster, it was so bad. It also handled pretty well for tipping the scale at over 4,000 lbs in a tiny 1 Series body. The majority of that weight was batteries, something BMW learned from moving forward. BMW claimed that the ActiveE was where it learned a lot of its lessons from for the BMW i3, where lighter weight and less batteries make for a better EV. Without the ActiveE, we don’t have the i3. So it goes on the list.

3. BMW X5 xDrive40e
While the X5 xDrive40e might not be the sexiest of cars and putting a hybrid powertrain in such a heavy SUV might seem contradictory, it’s still a brilliantly executed car and it’s the sort of car that’s going to help BMW a lot moving forward. Emissions regulations are getting so extreme in Europe nowadays, with some of it trickling over to the US, so BMW needs to start developing more fuel efficient variants of its most gas-guzzling cars. That’s where the X5 xDrive40e comes in. It’s also just a fantastic car in its own right. With absolutely brilliant powertrain calibration that shifts between gasoline, hybrid and pure electric power so seamlessly that if there weren’t a tachometer, it’d be impossible to tell. Its ability to go 19 miles on pure electricity alone and up to 75 mph make it a superb around-town SUV. It’s also quick, getting from 0-60 mph in just over 6 seconds. It uses a 240 hp 2.0 liter turbo-four with a 111 hp electric motor paired to an eight-speed automatic and drives all four wheels. The xDrive40e blends all of the best features of an X5 with the efficiency of a hybrid. I personally loved the time I spent with it and it’s one of BMW’s best hybrids.

2. BMW i3
It’s no surprise that the BMW i3 is really high on this list. Not only is it one of the best EV BMWs ever made, it’s one of the best EVs ever made, period. People may argue that the i3 is pure hype and lacks the substance to rival cars like the Tesla Model S. This is mostly due to its range, now 114 miles, which is dwarfed by Tesla’s 200-plus mile ranges. However, the Model S doesn’t really change the game or move the bar forward, in terms of electric propulsion, as it’s just a big heavy car packed with a trillion batteries. The BMW i3 rethinks the electric car, making it incredibly light so that it doesn’t have to trade performance for range. The BMW i3 is made almost entirely from CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) and aluminum, so it weighs in at under 3,000 lbs. The Model S? Almost 5,000 lbs. The BMW i3 changes the game in terms of the way automakers will approach EVs. So it’s easily the second best EV/hybrid BMW has ever made. It would be number one if the next car wasn’t so brilliant.

1. BMW i8
Whenever a company offers a product that similar to really expensive, high-end products but at a fraction of the price, it’s never really any good. However, BMW’s i8 is a car that provides a driving experience and powertrain setup similar to the seven-figure Porsche 918, McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari for literally a tenth of the price and its brilliant. The BMW i8 packs a 1.5 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine and an electric motor that power the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox while another electric motor powers the front wheels independently. It can also drive up to 15 miles on pure electricity. Total system power is 357 hp and the i8 is capable of 0-60 mph in as low as 3.6 seconds. So despite only having three cylinders, it’s supercar fast. Why, you ask? Like the i3, the BMW i8 is very light, weighing less than 3,400 lbs because again, much like the i3, the i8 is made almost entirely from CFRP and aluminum.

But what makes the BMW i8 the best Bavarian hybrid/EV is its ability to bridge the gap between sports car and hybrid car. It blends the brilliant excitement and driving dynamics of a super car with the eco-friendly ways of a hybrid or EV. The BMW i8 shows us that we can live in a world without compromise and can have eco-friendly sports cars. It shows us that when the fuel runs out, the fun will not. And that concept alone makes the BMW i8 the best alternative powetrain BMW of all time.

Source: BMWBlog

 

[Rainer271]

Five reasons for buying a BMW X5

The current-gen BMW X5 is a bit of a conundrum. While, as a standalone vehicle, the X5 is superb at being a luxurious SUV, there are many who feel that it isn’t a proper BMW. Its steering is too light and too vague, its dynamics aren’t up to par and it’s far too heavy. However, as a luxury SUV, it really is quite excellent, so there are still plenty of reasons to buy one. Here are five.

5. Standard Equipment – BMW has always been know as a cheap brand. By cheap, I don’t mean that its cars are inexpensive, I mean that the company nickle and dimes its customers for every last little option. BMW claims that it gives the customer more options when buying. I’m sure you can imagine the face I’m making at that statement. However, the X5 does actually come with quite a bit of standard kit. In America, at least, the BMW X5 comes with xenon headlights, LED foglights, a panoramic moonroof and three-stage heated leather seats as standard, as well as much more. It’s probably the second most well-equipped base BMW in the range, being bested only by the 7 Series.

4. Design – Say what you want about the BMW X5, but it is a looker. It’s great looking on the outside, all big and brutish with a whiff of elegance and luxury. It’s something that stands out no matter where it goes. It’s also lovely on the inside. The cabin is beautifully laid out, the seats are superbly supple and the materials are spot on. Sure, it’s not he most exciting design anymore, with the Audi Q7 and Jaguar F-Pace beating it there, but it’s still a lovely place to spend some time. From either the outside or the inside, the BMW X5 looks and feels like a quality item, something worth the price premium it requires.

3. Practicality – The BMW X5 is one of the few SUVs in its class that actually offers seven seats. Admittedly, those two optional back seats are only good for small children, but it does help families with a lot of small children. But aside from that, its trunk is massive, with folding 60/40 folding rear seats and a ton of tie-hooks, nets and storage places, making it great for families with a ton of stuff to haul around. It also has tons of storage places up front, with big door bins and tons of little cubbies to put sunglasses or cell phones.

2. iDrive – BMW’s iDrive system is a luxury in itself. While every luxury manufacturer has their own multimedia infotainment system, BMW’s iDrive is head and shoulders above the competition. I’ve spent a lot of time with Audi’s new MMI and Mercedes’ new COMMAND and neither of them come close to BMW’s iDrive. It’s simply more intuitive and easier to use than any other system out there and it comes with excellent high-definition graphics. If you have a family and spend a lot of time driving them around or going on road trips, iDrive will seriously come in handy and make you happy about your X5 purchase on its own.

1. How it Drives – Before, I mentioned how the X5 has lost some of that intangible BMW quality that Bimmers of old used to have. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the X5 is still one of the best driving SUVs on the road. It’s a wonderful blend of comfort, luxury and performance. With any engine, it’s quick and enjoyable to use (although, I wouldn’t recommend the xDrive40e hybrid) and the eight-speed automatic is a sweetheart. The steering, while light and vague, is precise and the front end grips hard. It’s also far more athletic than you might think. It’s just really wonderful to drive and surprised me every time I got behind the wheel.

Source: BMWBlog

 

[hovabongZA]

They omitted probably the best facelift of all time IMO the E39 5 series which brought us the iconic corona rings which we now see on all BMW's. The best looking 5 series of all time.

 

[Rainer271]

Top 5 BMW Concept Cars

The automotive company known today as BMW has its roots in three different manufacturing companies that merged in the early 20th century. Although BMW spent its time during the two world wars producing motorcycles, aircraft engines and even pots and pans, the company refocused on the automotive industry in the 1940s. Today, the business is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and it is responsible for the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, BMW Motorsport and BMW Motorrad divisions in addition to its main vehicle production lines.

BMW often creates concept cars, vehicles made to showcase new styling or technology, prior to putting the design into production. Many of these concepts pay homage to old BMW designs, but they are created with a twist or a fresh interpretation of the favorite classic features.

5. 2006 BMW Mille Miglia Coupe Concept
Evoking the BMW 328 Touring Coupe that won the Mille Miglia in 1940, this 2006 reincarnation features a modern, aerodynamic aluminum body. Although this vehicle was only ever intended as a concept car, the traditional racing styling paired with the contemporary knowledge about materials and aerodynamic shapes make this vehicle impressive and nostalgic at the same time.

The surprisingly asymmetric shape of the body, along with the missing rear lamps and shifted LED headlights, make this coupe innovative. Perhaps most unique of all, the 2006 Mille Miglia interior designers shaped the inner structures from artificial connections inspired by the ancient art of Japanese Origami, a vision unlike other racecar designs.

4. 2008 BMW M1 Hommage
The mid-engine 2008 M1 Hommage is a sports car with a wide, aggressive stance mixed with some elements of both the original BMW Turbo concept and the first M1 design.

The classic M1 body shape and the lowered rear window are the clearest nods to this car’s predecessor, but the face is a noticeable departure. Gone is the typical BMW double-kidney grille. Instead, this car features a trapezoidal lower opening with its four round headlights tucked behind almost sinister-looking slits.

As a concept car, the M1 Hommage does not even feature a completed interior; it is merely a glimpse into what such a concept car would be.

3. 2011 BMW 328 Hommage
In another tribute to the classic 1940-race-winning BMW 328, this 2011 iteration strives to match the lightweight design with modern carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. Likewise, this updated version features the now-familiar kidney-shaped grille, and the taillights are widely set in the rear of the vehicle.

The concept car is to be powered by a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine, and it aims to reach speeds of 103 miles per hour, much like its predecessor. Built as a company celebration for the 75th anniversary of BMW, the 328 Hommage is impressive and dynamic.

2. 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage
The original BMW 3.0 CSL was more affectionately known as the Batmobile for its appearance and racing endurance between 1972 and 1975. With very few of the original models produced, this concept car looks to tap into the nostalgic feelings for that classic vehicle. This updated Hommage incorporates the retro wraparound front wings and the top aero blades that earned the Batmobile its name.

This aerodynamic form and lightweight skeleton ensure that the new 3.0 CSL would be fiery on the racetrack but with a futuristic form. BMW indicates that the interior cockpit is minimal with a central display on the steering column, a pair of crash helmets in the transmission tunnel, and a fire extinguisher tucked into the backseat area.

1. 2016 BMW 2002 Hommage
Designed specially for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW recently unveiled its 2002 Hommage concept car. This is a new take on one of the most iconic cars in BMW history with its low profile, short overhands and noticeable “shark nose” front features.

The large spoilers placed on both the front and rear ends optimize the airflow around this aerodynamic design. Although not a lot has been released about the interior of this vehicle, it is most likely a modified version of the BMW M2. Covered in Space Race Metal paint, this tribute to the 2002 Turbo looks like liquid metal as it zips along. This appearance is only fitting given that the original was the first vehicle produced anywhere in Europe with turbo technology.

Since BMW began its Hommage series in 2008 with the M1, this group of concept cars has caused excitement and anticipation every year as fans wait to see what the company will design and release next.

BMW is proud of its roots in car design, and it creates each of these vehicles to demonstrate its extraordinary innovations with historical reference points. Fans of these unique and impressive concept cars can look forward to many more options in the coming years as BMW continues to explore and to improve on its rich car-design tradition.

Source: BMWBlog

 

[Rainer271]

Top Five Best BMWs of 2016

The past few years have been a bit slow for BMW. It’s a cyclical thing, where some years, certain automakers are pretty silent. However, 2016 was not such a year. This past year, despite having killed off countless beloved celebrities, was a good year for car enthusiasts, specifically BMW enthusiasts. So let’s take a look at the five best BMWs from this past year.

5. BMW i3 (94 Ah)
Okay, so this isn’t the sexiest pick for one of the best BMWs of this past year. However, it’s a very important car to BMW and its newly updated battery completely changes the game for the little i3. The pre-refresh BMW i3 with its 60 Ah battery was only capable of 81 miles of range and that was in absolute best-case conditions while driving like a 103 year old grandmother. In reality, most people saw between 60-70 miles of range on average. That wasn’t good enough to impress most EV fans and caused the i3 to gain quite a bit of criticism.

Now, BMW has updated the i3’s battery pack, as it now sports a 94 Ah battery, so it boasts a much-improved 114 miles of range. While 114 miles is still far behind the 200-mile Chevy Bolt in the same class, it’s far more than enough for the average person. It’s also above that 100-mile mark that usually makes people comfortable enough to buy an electric car. BMW needs the i3 to be a success and the small changes made to the i3 will help it be just that and the make an already good car even better.

4. BMW G30 5 Series
While the new G30-generation BMW 5 Series hasn’t actually hit dealerships yet, and won’t until 2017, we saw it in 2o16. There are many fans who are a bit underwhelmed by the new 5 Series, as they claim its new design isn’t bold enough or enough of a departure from the previous generation. But make no mistake, the new 5er is extremely important to BMW and is going to be a big help for the Bavarian brand. The previous F10-gen 5 Series was a massive success, despite lukewarm enthusiast feedback, and the new car should only continue that.

Plus, it sparks some new life into one of the most famous nameplates in BMW history. The F10-generation had gotten a bit stale, lacking the sort of dynamics that BMWs are known for. However, this new car is said to breathe new life into the 5 Series, offering driving dynamics that are superior to the car it replaces. This new G30-gen 5 Series seems to be bringing the famous nameplate at least closer to its roots. So that makes it one of this year’s best Bimmers.

3. BMW M760Li xDrive
BMW answered Mercedes-AMG’s S65 left hook with a right hook, in the form of the BMW M760Li xDrive. The big bruiser 7 Series packs a 6.6 liter twin-turbocharged V12 that should simply pummel other cars into submission. With 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, the BMW M760Li xDrive is monstrous. It can get from 0-60 mph in a claimed 3.6 seconds, but expect it to be a touch quicker than that. Plus, it can do that with four passengers in supreme comfort and luxury.

While vehicles like the M760Li are completely ridiculous and superfluous, they’re fantastic and we love them. There’s a bit of madness in having a massive luxury car with a twin-turbo V12 that can do a pretty good bullet train impression. It really makes no sense, except for the upper echelon of wealthy people who can afford to be so superfluous, but that’s exactly why we love it. It’s one of the coolest cars BMW’s made in a while so it makes the list.

2. BMW M4 GTS
After the E92 BMW M3 GTS left, there was a void in BMW’s lineup. No longer was there a proper hardcore performance car in the Bavarian stable. Then the BMW M3 and M4 came, met with mixed reviews. Sure, they were faster, more efficient and more technically impressive than the cars they replaced. However, they lacked a bit of that connection and purity that made their predecessors so wonderful. To remedy that, BMW gave us the M4 GTS, a properly stripped out, hardcore track-day variant that seems like it should breathe fire.

BMW was able to take the BMW M4 Competition Package’s 444 hp 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged I6 engine and boost power up to 493 hp. To do this, BMW used water-injection, which is a system that sprays an ultra-fine mist of water into the intake plenum. This cools the combustion chamber significantly, allowing BMW to increase boost pressure without fear of engine knock, thus bumping power output. It’s all very impressive, but BMW didn’t just stop there. The M4 GTS also gets manually-adjustable suspension, carbon fiber aerodynamics and a roll cage instead of a back seat. Oh, and those gorgeous 20″ wheels. It’s one of the coolest cars BMW’s made in ages and it’s definitely one of the brand’s coolest cars in 2016. In fact, it’d probably be number one if it weren’t for this next car.

1. BMW M2
If you even somewhat like cars, you’ve heard of the BMW M2. It’s been stealing headlines everywhere, as it’s possibly the most popular sports car in the world right now, or at least one of them. Everyone seems to love the BMW M2, with it having very few detractors, if any at all. Jeremy Clarkson even claimed it to be the best BMW M car ever made, which is as bold as it gets.

Based on the standard, and already brilliant, 2 Series, the BMW M2 is leaner, faster and sharper. It pakcs a modified variant of the famous N55 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine and develops 365 hp. That might not sound like a lot in today’s world of 500-plus hp supercars, but it’s enough to get the M2 from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat (with the DCT, 4.2 seconds with a manual).

But outright speed isn’t what the BMW M2 is about. Instead, it’s about fun, handling and dynamics. The sort of principles that BMW M cars always embodied but seem to be veering away from. The BMW M2 is a throwback to BMW M cars of the past, cars that were more about the smile they put on their drivers’ faces, rather than the numbers they put down on paper. And, for that reason, the BMW M2 is the best car of 2016.

Source: BMWBlog

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

MHO, G30 5er ought to be bumped up to either 3rd or 2nd place.