Photo Comparison: 2010 BMW 7 Series vs. 2010 Audi A8
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009The moment has come, Audi has just revealed their latest A8 model and we’re ready to publish our photo comparison. When the new 7 Series launched in 2007, many people were suggesting that a comparison against the current A8 bodystyle might not be entirely fair and the new 7 Series would need to be put against the future A8. Fair enough and here we are today ready to compare them side-by-side. Sure, some of you might say that our readers are biased, after all, you are on a website that lives and breathes BMW, but it has been proven in the past that we’re able to maintain an objective point of view, along with you, our readers. We are going to show you both cars from different angles and we tried to choose similar shots, so a balance can be maintaned. We also stayed away from the beautiful M package on the 7 Series since there is no similar package released yet by Audi. Click on all the images below for full resolution. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
See original here:
Photo Comparison: 2010 BMW 7 Series vs. 2010 Audi A8
read comments (0)Rumor: 8-Speed AT to replace current 6-Speed AT transmission?
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009 The January issue of Car and Driver suggests that the 8-speed ZF transmission will highly likely going to replace the current 6 speed automatic transmission across the BMW line-up. While we don’t have an official confirmation on this, we reported in the past that BMW is considering replacing the six speed auto with the more power and fuel efficient eight speed ZF automatic transmission. The change will take over the course of the next two-three years and by 2012, the entire line-up will feature the new ZF transmission. Car and Driver goes ahead and gives a great review to the new 8-speed gearbox, confirming what we knew already: almost near perfection shifting, always in the right gear and higher fuel efficiency. The ZF 8-speed automatic made its debut on the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and 760Li, and will also appear on the Bentley Mulsanne and Rolls Royce Ghost models. It was named recently the 2010 Automotive News PACE Award Finalist. For a while, the ZF 6-speed was regarded as one of the best automatic transmissions featured in a production car, but the new ZF 8-speed takes it a bit further. It is not based on the 6-speed ‘box with two extra gears, but rather an all-new design, similar in size to a 6-speed automatic, with fewer parts. The modular design allows for integration into hybrid vehicles, simply by replacing the torque converter with an electric motor, resulting in a fuel economy improvement of approximately 25 percent when compared to the ZF 6-speed, and still weighing the same – 200 lbs. It also has an optional wet multiplate clutch pack like the new E63 AMG. According to the company, their goal was to develop a new transmission that improved fuel economy by at least 6 percent over the current-generation of 6-speed automatic, while also improving the power-to-weight ratio, shift speed and quality, while increasing torque load. It can handle up to 738 lbs-ft of torque. All the new 2011 BMW 5 Series models will feature the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and all the details can be seen in the excerpt below taken from the official press release: All new BMW 5 Series models will feature an 8-speed automatic transmission, which brings smooth shifting, sportiness and efficiency to new levels of perfection. Compared to the exemplary 6-speed automatic offered in past BMW models, the 8-speed’s “taller” cruising gears make a significant contribution to reduced fuel consumption and emissions, as well as quietness. And its wider spread of ratios from lowest to highest gear enhances acceleration and response across the range of driving speeds. Technically speaking, this new automatic’s attributes have been achieved via an innovative concept that provides the two additional ratios (7 and 
with no increase in bulk or weight. In an arrangement not heretofore employed in an 8-speed automatic, four planetary gearsets and five clutch packs are controlled in a way that no more than two of the five clutch packs are freewheeling at any given time. The modest increase in the number of mechanical elements allows the new transmission to achieve unusually high efficiency: the so-called “gearing efficiency” is higher than 98% in all eight gears. In 6th gear, it’s highest of all because that is direct drive, with no gearing reduction at all. Combine this with reduced friction and the ability to keep the torque converter “locked up” more of the total driving time, and the transmission becomes very much a part of the new 5 Series’ overall efficiency concept. Two additional gears mean threefold progress: quicker shifts, greater smoothness, enhanced efficiency. The wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds, mainly in the “tallest” gear, 8th. Yet even with this wider spread, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; in turn this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration. And for the same reason, faster shifts are a further benefit because only one clutch pack is disengaged to shift up or down by one or two gears. On the other hand, downshifting more than two gears is accomplished as a direct shift. For example, a downshift from 8th to 2nd gear is made with only one clutch pack disengagement, and thus occurs without stepping down through the intermediate gears. Thus at one instant the driver can be enjoying the quiet, fuel-efficient low rpm of 8th gear, and in the next instant getting maximum acceleration. It is interesting and at the same time, pleasing to see that BMW decided to go down this route with the new 5 Series since Mercedes-Benz offers the four-cylinder E-Class with the lower-end 5-speed transmission. As far as the next generation M5, there are several reports out there mentioning a similar 8-speed automatic replacing the current M-DCT, but we’ll keep this at a rumor level for now. As we enter 2010 and new models are being unveiled, we will learn more about BMW’s future plans.
Continue reading here:
Rumor: 8-Speed AT to replace current 6-Speed AT transmission?
BMW plans to offer four cylinder diesels for U.S.A.
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009There are coming BMW cars with four cylinder diesel engines under the hood of these vehicles. People are saying that these engines are as good as the six cylinders so there are few differences and probably also with big differences of money, if not is still worth to buy a six cylinder BMW instead of
See the original post:
BMW plans to offer four cylinder diesels for U.S.A.
BMW plans to offer four cylinder diesels for U.S.A.
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009There are coming BMW cars with four cylinder diesel engines under the hood of these vehicles. People are saying that these engines are as good as the six cylinders so there are few differences and probably also with big differences of money, if not is still worth to buy a six cylinder BMW instead of
See the original post here:
BMW plans to offer four cylinder diesels for U.S.A.
BMW plans Electric Car
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009Very few people rumored this car and with this post I want to make the other people to talk more about this prototype because like this we can find out much more details, photos and so on so if you have the ability to talk somewhere in a public place, please at last mention few
Original post:
BMW plans Electric Car
BMW plans Electric Car
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009Very few people rumored this car and with this post I want to make the other people to talk more about this prototype because like this we can find out much more details, photos and so on so if you have the ability to talk somewhere in a public place, please at last mention few
Read the rest here:
BMW plans Electric Car
BMW M1 with camouflage
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 30th, 2009Okay, we have here a 1978 BMW M1 surprised camouflaged in Munich, but this model appeared almost 30 years ago. Is it a new BMW Supercar that is tested in this clever camouflage? It may be. BMW M1 was introduced in 1978 and was produced until 1981, the first model produced by BMW Motorsport. Only 456
Read more here:
BMW M1 with camouflage
BMW 6-Series convertible spied …in snow this time
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 29th, 2009BMW test mules are moving up north for the winter testing sessions at Arctic Driving Center in Rovaniemi, Finland. AutoExpress and their team of spy photographers spotted the 2011 BMW 6 Series Convertible during some….snow drifting. It is worth mentioning that their report is a bit misleading in regards to the soft-top. Despite the several prototypes seen in the past with a soft top, BMW will offer the new 6 Series sportscar with a similar hardtop found in the 3 Series Cabrio. As we mentioned several times before, for now it has been confirmed that the 2011 BMW 6 Series will come in three flavors: Coupe, Convertible and M6. There are still some rumors around a Gran Turismo model based on the 6 Series , but prototypes have yet to be seen. The next 6-series coupe and convertible will be radically different from the current cars’ styling. Even people close to BMW said that the current 6-Series is very polarizing due to the “Bangle butt” it carries, but the redesigned 6er, will be a “super sleek” vehicle. The redesigned 6er is slightly longer and wider than the current generation. It will have shorter overhangs and a lower roofline which implicitly gives the car a more muscular look. The current engines line-up will be the base in the next generation 6 Series. The award winning twin-turbo 6-cylinder will power one of the entry levels models with its 326 horsepower, while the V8 twin-turbo 407 horsepower engine found in the new 5 and 7 Series will be found in the higher-end models. It has not been yet confirmed with multiple sources, but the rumor mill has it that BMW is developing a tri-turbo diesel engine based on the six-cylinder turbo existing in the BMW line-up and one of the top 6er models. The tri-turbo engine will output 354 horsepower and it will be initially used in a BMW X5 Performance Diesel. BMW’s Efficient Dynamics updates, including Stop/Start and regenerative braking will also be available on the 6-Series for the first time. The M6 will replace its powerful and large V10 engine with a turbocharged powerplant. The new 6-Series will make its online debut late next year and it will officially unveiled at 2011 Geneva Motor Show. [Source: AutoExpress UK ]
Read more:
BMW 6-Series convertible spied …in snow this time
BMW 6-Series convertible spied …in snow this time
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 29th, 2009BMW test mules are moving up north for the winter testing sessions at Arctic Driving Center in Rovaniemi, Finland. AutoExpress and their team of spy photographers spotted the 2011 BMW 6 Series Convertible during some….snow drifting. It is worth mentioning that their report is a bit misleading in regards to the soft-top. Despite the several prototypes seen in the past with a soft top, BMW will offer the new 6 Series sportscar with a similar hardtop found in the 3 Series Cabrio. As we mentioned several times before, for now it has been confirmed that the 2011 BMW 6 Series will come in three flavors: Coupe, Convertible and M6. There are still some rumors around a Gran Turismo model based on the 6 Series , but prototypes have yet to be seen. The next 6-series coupe and convertible will be radically different from the current cars’ styling. Even people close to BMW said that the current 6-Series is very polarizing due to the “Bangle butt” it carries, but the redesigned 6er, will be a “super sleek” vehicle. The redesigned 6er is slightly longer and wider than the current generation. It will have shorter overhangs and a lower roofline which implicitly gives the car a more muscular look. The current engines line-up will be the base in the next generation 6 Series. The award winning twin-turbo 6-cylinder will power one of the entry levels models with its 326 horsepower, while the V8 twin-turbo 407 horsepower engine found in the new 5 and 7 Series will be found in the higher-end models. It has not been yet confirmed with multiple sources, but the rumor mill has it that BMW is developing a tri-turbo diesel engine based on the six-cylinder turbo existing in the BMW line-up and one of the top 6er models. The tri-turbo engine will output 354 horsepower and it will be initially used in a BMW X5 Performance Diesel. BMW’s Efficient Dynamics updates, including Stop/Start and regenerative braking will also be available on the 6-Series for the first time. The M6 will replace its powerful and large V10 engine with a turbocharged powerplant. The new 6-Series will make its online debut late next year and it will officially unveiled at 2011 Geneva Motor Show. [Source: AutoExpress UK ]
Link:
BMW 6-Series convertible spied …in snow this time
Will BMW continue curtailing racing programs?
Posted by admin in BMW Cars on 11 29th, 2009Yesterday, Autoblog reported that BMW might be reducing the number of its cars in the next WTCC championship. Currently there are five teams competing in WTCC and the report says we might see only two left next year. That means eliminating the national teams system it had in place, consolidating and putting its WTCC-spec 320si in the hands of Team Schnitzer (BMW Team Germany), which gains triple champion Andy Priaulx from BMW Team UK to partner with multiple race winner Augusto Farfus. Two-time CART champion, Alex Zanardi, who was racing for BMW Team Italy-Spain, is moving to the Superstars Series. Could this be a cost cutting measure? A few months back, BMW announced its retirement from the Formula One championship, mostly due to the high costs associated with the competition. Of course, the unsatisfactory results in 2009 influenced the decision. At the same time, BMW announced that the savings resulted from this move will be used for further developments, mostly in the EfficientDynamics programme. There are no news on the Formula BMW, a series that helped launch a series of talents, from Michael Schumacher to Nico Rosenberg and Sebastian Vettel. The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team is still on track for 2010 and there are no reports of future cuts in the American LeMans Series. [Source: Autoblog ]
Originally posted here:
Will BMW continue curtailing racing programs?
