BMW LayerON Concept: Personalized Rent Car

The BMW LayerON is a design study of a futuristic rental vehicle which can be customized in shape by means of electrically controlled outer panels. It was created by students at The European Institute of Design in Turin, Italy. The three designers are Aydar Nigmatullin(Russia), Patrick De Laet Moreno(Spain) and Rocco Sergio D’Argento (Italy).

Back in August, we wrote an article on a contest sponsored by BMW where students at the European Institute of Design were creating 2015 BMW concepts. The students’ job was to interpret the language, evolution and the trademark essence, in view of the company’s future perspectives.

The project BMW LayerOn was developed in two stages, first they focused on future world and society.

“We noticed that the world ‘goes virtual’ : people buy less and rent more. The post-industrial society is characterized by the vast use of services and, respectively, decreased purchase of goods.”

“We imagined that future generations will go further following this trend. And they would like to have a rental car when they need it rather than to buy one.”

Another trend taken into consideration was the need for personalization, the possibility of customizing your car to meet your needs.

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BMW M Sales Up This Year

In a press release issued a two days ago, BMW confirmed that the M sales were up this year compared to 2007. The 50 percent increase over last year and the 22, 340 vehicles sold worldwide is impressive, but in the same time deceiving. The new M E9x models were released as MY08 and as expected with the release of a new product, the sales were booming. Next year we will be able to make a fair comparison and see where BMW stands in terms of sales.

Also, the BMW dealerships are offering amazing deals on the M3s and associated with the low finance(0.9%) or lease rates(2%-4%), you get the full picture. In a conversation with a dealership, I was told that they are taking losses just to be able to clear the showrooms. 

The increase in M sales helps with BMW’s revenue for this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the profits made on the M car is directly proportional with the “amazing” ‘08 sales.

The press releases are fun to read, but they sometimes tend to sugarcoat or misguide the reader. So, I’ll let you read it and I look forward to seeing your comments.

Thanks for the tip Streetdrift.net

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BMW X5 Diesel arriving at US dealerships

I was just informed today that many of the US based dealerships are starting to receive the new, highly awaited BMW X5d.

Both the 335d Sedan and X5d SAV are equipped with BMW’s advanced 3.0L diesel and 50-state compliant Blue-Performance emissions system. The 3.0L inline-six diesel uses the latest Variable Vane - Twin Turbo technology, an aluminum crankcase and third-generation common-rail direct fuel injection with precision-quality piezo-injectors for improved performance, reduced NVH, lower emissions and improved fuel economy.

The BMW X5d’s advanced diesel is rated at 265hp and 425lb-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm and it has a base price of $52,025. The good news it that X5 xDrive35d will qualify for a maximum tax credit of $1,550.

So, if you’re looking to test drive one, please contact your local dealership.

Thanks for the tip Irv!

Formula One: Radical changes in the 2009 season

Despite the Honda’s plans to leave the Formula One championship, all the other racing teams are currently placing their monoposts under intensive testing sessions in order to comply with the new and more restrictive rules imposed by FIA. 

There are radical rule changes for the 2009 championship which include the return of slick tires. In the past decade, tires with four grooves have been used in order to slow down the F1 monoposts as they got progressively faster throughout the 90’s, as aerodynamics became more and more prevalent and the wind tunnels were standard in each time.

By 2004, the cars were at their fastest levels under the current engine regulations of the time which required a V10 configuration of now more than 3.5 liter. 2007 came and the rules have been altered one more time: V8 2.4 liters were becoming the norm.

Fast forward a couple of years, Max Mosley and his FIA board, decided to change the rules once again. In 2009 the aerodynamic rules have changed to ban the use of any winglets, flip ups, or air modifiers on the side pods of the car.

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New Spy Shots: 2010 BMW X6 M

The 2010 BMW X6 M seems to be in the final testing stages and it has been spotted once again near the BMW Plant in Spartanburg, SC. Our friend Palbay was there once again snapping photos of this controversial BMW //M model.

The X6 M has never been confirmed by BMW and all the hints that we received over the last months were about “the new performance twins”. The BMW X6 M rumors have been received with skepticism by the bimmer fans, majority of them disagreeing with BMW’s intention of adding more M performance models to the SAV/SAC market. The BMW X5 M is another model that was spotted several times near Spartanburg, but it is expected to make its debut after the X6 M.

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2009 BMW Z4 - Technical Specifications

BMW has just released their full press release of the 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster.Earlier, we published the first photos of the BMW Z4 E89 and now we are back with more information regarding engine options and performance.

The PDF will answer most of your questions about the type of engines offered and as expected, the top runner, sDrive35i, blows everything else away. The DCT with 7-Speed is standard on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i and runs from 0-60 in 5.0 seconds.

Btw, here are the designers of the 2009 BMW Z4:

Juliane Blasi - exterior design
Nadya Arnaout - interior design (the one who designed CS Concept interior as well)
Hilke Schaer - materials, trim & colors

2009 BMW Z4 Technical Details

Since the Press Release is very long, we decided to place it into PDF files just in case you want to take it with you offline.

Download:

2009 BMW Z4 Roadster Release

2009 BMW Z4 Roadster Highlights

 
THE NEW BMW Z4 ROADSTER
MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

• First BMW Roadster with a retractable hardtop. The new model is the successor to both the BMW Z4 Roadster and the BMW Z4 Coupe. Two-piece electrohydraulically retractable hardtop in lightweight aluminum shell construction. The hardtop opens and closes fully automatically in each case within 20 seconds; the roof elements coming to rest in the roof compartment to give the car a low-slung rear-end design reflecting the traditional proportions of a roadster as well as a large luggage compartment. The high-quality interior lining finished in an extra-light color as well as large windows including the heated glass window at the rear ensure an exclusive ambience and optimized all-round visibility.

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2009 BMW Z4 - The Ultimate Photo Gallery

2009 BMW Z4 Photo Gallery

If you haven’t been following the news in the past few hours, I am going to let you know again  that the all new 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster has been officially unveiled. As expected and as we have seen before, BMW has hit the jackpot with the new BMW Z4 E89. 

So, we decided to come back with our usual, regular, whatever you want to call it, “Ultimate Photo Gallery”, we believe the new Z4 deserves its own place on our blog, so we will collect all the photos from now on, into a single page. 

I am not sure about you, but I am duper super excited about the Z4, despite the fact that I have been fighting a severe cold for the past few days, I would jump out in the 20F Chicago weather and drive it RIGHT now. Yes, I know, it’s a summer car, but you get my point. 

I would like to end with a big thank you to Ms. Juliane Blasi, the great designer at BMW. I hope she will have her hands into future models as well.

Stay tuned, we’ll be back soon with more exclusive news on the Z4. If you would like us to keep you updated on all the BMW news, please take a moment and sign up for our email feed Get updates by email or grab the RSS Feed

Click on the photos within gallery for a higher resolution, we set them up at 1600×900

Gallery after the jump Read the rest of this entry »

E89 BMW Z4

Posted by RawAutos as BMW Z4

So, as you can see, the new E89 BMW Z4 takes a big step in its new styling. It features very similar designs from the updated 2009 3-Series and the new F-series 7. I love it! I think it’s a fantastic way for BMW to go in this department. The interior has an even nicer build quality look than the previous model.

I like how the interior deploys a different look and feel than the current models offered by BMW. One thing BMW does, similarly to mot automakers, they seem to use very similar interior styling. Not that it bothers me, it’s just always nice to get into a Z4 and see that it has nothing really in common with a 5-Series. Now, if you get into a 5er and a 3er and see that there are similar placements of the buttons, that’s fine, because they serve similar purposes. Whereas cars like the Z4, 6er and 7’s serve the purpose of being the BMW’s for different clients. The Z4 is the client that wants a traditional sports car. The 6-Series is the person that wants the upscale BMW in a coupe fashion. Basically a coupe 7. The 7, well, do I have to explain why people buy the 7? I didn’t really think so. Read the rest of this entry »

A Daring Departure From Bland Japanese Designs

I want design to move me, to play with my emotions in the manner of music, dance, sculpture or a painting. I want it to make me feel something -- love, lust, anger, joy or any combination thereof. I want it to become a part of my history, an evocative force, something that rekindles memories, be they good or bad.

American and European automotive design have long affected me in those ways. I become wistful at the thought of the 1957 Chevrolet BelAir, a beautifully tail-finned thing that was my first automotive love. I collapse in laughter if I think too long about the incredible ugliness of the 2001 Pontiac Aztekcrossover utility vehicle. And I've yet to share company with a car from Mercedes-Benz, including the somewhat amorphous Mercedes-Benz 190 sedan, that didn't make me feel good.

Japanese automotive design, by comparison, has often left me numb. It is either slavishly imitative of something European or it is desperately neutral, trying neither to please nor to offend, skirting a boundary between boredom and anonymity. The 1990s versions of the Toyota Camry come to mind.

But I've just spent a week in a Japanese automobile that shatters that perception. It is the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD (Super Handling-All-Wheel Drive) sedan. It is forceful, edgy, daring in its embrace of angularity front and rear. I'm sure that it will attract detractors. That's okay. It also will have its share of loyalists. It's that kind of car. It makes a statement, which is what a well-designed automobile should do.

There is a new book out, "Outliers," by formerWashington Post colleague Malcolm Gladwell. Outlier is a scientific term used to describe phenomena existing outside normal, expected experience. Think of a cold Arizona day in August. Or, in the subject context of this column, think of an arresting Japanese automobile design, one that refuses to let go of your psyche.

The styling of the new Acura TL SH-AWD is like that -- a magnet for unsolicited insult and praise.

"What did they do to that car?" detractors asked.

"They," in this case, would be Honda, maker of all things Acura. And what "they" did this time around was give the TL a definitive, sporting personality -- a persona that is a distinct TL persona in the way that the BMW 3-Seriesidentity fits the BMW 3-Series and nothing else.

For Acura, that is a design breakthrough. We no longer have a TL that is trying to figure out if it's little more than a Honda Accord with a slightly more sporting chassis or something less than a BMW-3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class with Acura badges. In its current iteration -- the fourth generation of the car -- the Acura TL finally makes its own statement. And it does so consistently, with its exterior angularity reflected and picked up in interior design in the bend of aluminum inserts in the door and instrument panels.

It is what those of us who have been pushing for a bolder TL have wanted all along. And it helps, of course, that Honda did not stop at styling in the remake of this one. The new TL offers more room for legs and heads than its predecessor. It is discernibly more comfortable. And, certainly in the top-line SH-AWD version, it deserves a nod for offering a more powerful yet relatively economical V-6 engine.

The new car comes with a 305-horsepower V-6 vs. a 286-horsepower V-6 in the predecessor TL Type-S. But the new car still delivers 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway -- not bad for an all-wheel-drive, high-performance sedan.

I like this one. It represents a welcome turn away from Japan's Vanilla School of Design. Here's hoping that it's the beginning of a trend.

Mercedes SplitView Tech is two Screens in One

SplitView uses a special screen to view two separate images on one screen.

(Credit: 2008 Daimler AG)

A dash-mounted LCD is the perfect spot for viewing a movie during a long road trip if you're a front-seat passenger, but a movie playing right there in the driver's periphery could prove too much of a distraction for the driver. Mercedes may have come up with a solution to this problem with its SplitView technology.

Essentially, the SplitView tech is a special screen in the dash that allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programs at the same time. While the driver is checking the navigation instructions, the front passenger can sit back and watch a film on the very same display. This new technology will be introduced in the S-Class in summer 2009.

Developed in partnership by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch, the SplitView technology will be integrated into the COMAND system, which is centrally located in the dashboard console. The system uses an 8-inch TFT display that creates two images in alternating rows of pixels. A masking lens, which we assume is similar to the lens used in transforming lenticular printing, is used to ensure that the driver sees one image and the passenger sees another.

This gives the driver access to the navigation and vehicle information, while the front passenger uses the remote control to choose DVDs, TV channels or music videos. To avoid distracting the driver, the passenger also has the option of using headphones.

Mitsuoka tries to ape Morgan, succeeds

Click above for a gallery of the Mitsuoka Himiko

It's ridiculous, but we love Mitsuoka. The company is best known fortransforming existing cars into wannabe classic British-style rides, as well as its Orochi sports car, which is what happens after a Camry gets drunk and has a torrid one-night stand with a sea monster. The latest Mitsuoka effort, however, is an instant classic. It's called the Himiko, and it wants desperately to be a Morgan. Appropriately, the source material for this fake British sports car is a Mazda MX-5, itself an homage to the classic British roadsters of old. Thus, how bad can it really be? And look, you can even get it with the retractable hardtop! It's as endearing as it is nutty. Like we said at the top. We love Mitsuoka. 

UPDATE: 20 more photos added to the gallery.

Gallery: Mitsuoka Himiko

[Source: Autofiends]

Lexus F range could expand to include LS F

Lexus may be throttling back its plans to attack the performance side of its German rivals, but that doesn't mean it won't expand its F-badged lineup in the future. Hirokazu Koga, general manager of the Lexus Development Center and one of the men behind the IS F, told Autoblog that if the automaker goes forward with plans to create a GS F, an LS F could be in the cards.

Renderings and rumors of the GS F have been circulating since last year, but word came down in August that Lexus planned to delay the introduction of the 500+ hp sedan due to the economic downturn and the (then) high price of fuel. Add that to the possible cancellation of the LF-A, and things aren't looking good for Lexus' foray into the world of high performance.

If an LS F model would come to market, only a few drivetrains could be fitted to the hulking sedan to give it the level of performance necessary to carry the F badge. If Toyota does decide to build the LF-A, its V10 powerplant would be a great candidate for the LS F to provide motivation and defer some of the costs of the supercar.

According to two Lexus execs we spoke to, the IS F outsold both the Mercedes-Benz C63 and BMW M3 Sedan last month (we can't confirm, since Lexus doesn't break down sales of the IS by model), but if consumers are accepting the idea of a high-performance Lexus, than other models will surely follow.

Pics Aplenty: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at Baja 1000 like a pig in mudPics Aplenty: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at Baja 1000 like a pig in mud

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in Baja

We recently told you how the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor fared competing in the Baja 1000. The Blue Oval's new super duper off-roader finished third in the Class 8 division, which is impressive considering it was built for the lower level Stock Full class in which it couldn't compete this time because the production version is not yet for sale. We've gone for a ride in the Raptor through the deserts of Nevada, but after looking through the gallery below, our experience probably wasn't as much fun as piloting the truck through 631 miles of the Baja Desert. Clearly the Raptor's first foray into competitive motorsports involved spending a lot of time with all four wheels either off the ground or in water up to its lug nuts. Check out the gallery below for more action shots of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor doing what it was designed for.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT R in Baja 1000

Ford names new head of SVT and TeamRS, performance models to be developed globally

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Focus RS

Ford's goal of designing products to be sold both Stateside and abroad could finally include some of its hottest European offerings with the appointment of Jost Capito to the newly-created position of director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development.

While we've had to adore models like the Focus RS from abroad, Capito's new gig overseeing and consolidating both the North American Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and the European TeamRS means that crosspollination between the two performance brands is assured.

Capito -- a Dakar Rally veteran and former engineer for BMW and Porsche -- has been with Ford of Europe since October of 2001, and managed Ford's European motorsport and performance vehicle programs from 2003 through 2007. During that time, he was instrumental in Ford's WRC campaign and helped to bring the Fiesta ST, Focus ST and Focus RS to market. Capito will be moving from the UK to Dearborn, Michigan before he takes the reigns in January next year, and we're hoping to secure some time with the new exec to hear his plans for the future of Ford's performance products.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS

Gallery: Ford Fiesta ST Mountune

Continue reading Ford names new head of SVT and TeamRS, performance models to be developed globally

More Spy Shots: Noble M600 caught in full view

Click above for a gallery of the Noble M600

Last month, shooters caught the new Noble M600 undergoing testing at the Firebird Raceway in Arizona. According to reports, the M600 was joined on the track by Noble's benchmark vehicle, a Porsche Carrera GT. The crew at RacersWeb.com found themselves at the same track at the same time as the M600, and unlike the previous pics shot from the grandstands, these newest images get us up close and personal with Noble's new 600+ hp, twin-turbo'd V8 supercar.

The exterior hasn't changed much since we brought you the first round of "official" and unofficial shots earlier this year, but the front bumpers vents and ducting are in clear view, as is a new Noble badge that drops the oblong yellow logo for a simple crown design. The engine bay reveals the M600's Volvo-sourced powerplant, but all the interesting tidbits are hidden deep inside. Compared to past models, Noble spent some serious coin on making the interior a nice place to toil away the hours around town and on the track, with acres of Alcantara, contrast stitching and beautifully crafted knobs, stalks and switchgear.

We're hoping to see the Noble M600 officially revealed early next year, but in the meantime, get an eyeful in the gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Noble M600

[Source: Racersweb.com]

Honda F1 team for sale, no buyer means no 2009 season

According to several reports, Honda has put its F1 team up for sale and if the automaker doesn't find a suitor before the start of the season in March, it won't be campaigning in 2009.

An unnamed source told Reuters that Honda team bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry said, "They have a month to find a buyer, otherwise they are closing the team." Autocar reports that a media lunch was cancelled this week and that a staff meeting at Honda Team HQ in Brackley was called this evening and an official statement will follow tomorrow morning from Japan.

The reason for the decision is due to the current economic climate and the cost of developing a competitive car that abides by the 2009 rules. Finding someone to back the team during these tumultuous times is going to prove difficult and there's already talk that Bernie Ecclestone may step in to attempt to work out a deal to keep Honda around.

More information should follow tomorrow. Thanks to all who tipped in.

[Sources: Reuters, Autocar, ITV | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Tesla Tangles With Tango EV on Dragstrip, Loses

Click above to watch the video

Quick! What's the hottest electric car currently on the market? Did you say the Tesla Roadster? You may in fact be right, but there's another contender that you should consider before making up your mind so quickly. The fish-shaped all-electric Tango by Commuter Cars Corporation might not be as much of a looker as the Roadster, but it may be a quicker in a straight line. Need proof? Take a look at the video after the break of a Tango going up head-to-head with a Tesla Roadster to see which green drag-racer came out the victor -- you may be surprised. It bears noting that this particular Roadster was equipped with drivetrain V.1, not the updated 1.5 that would improve performance considerably. For what it's worth, an official record was set by the Tesla Roadster on this pass, though we know the car can do even better. The Tesla's owner and driver, Jorg Brown, also knows that it's got more in it. For an accurate depiction of just how quick Silicon Valley's electric car can be, click here. 

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

2010 BMW Z4 moons the Camera

We're waiting with bated breath for the December 15 unveiling of the all-new BMW Z4, but as we inch closer to Z-day we're getting a clearer picture of how the redesigned roadster will look. On Wednesday wecaught a glimpse of the Z4 that revealed much smoother, very un-Bangle-looking side panels. Above is the newest Z4 teaser, and as you can see, its a booty shot. The first thing we noticed was the bulging rear wheel arch, which gives the Z4 a more sporting personality than its predecessor. BMW designers also added a strong character line that starts from the inside of the headlamp and continues back to the very BMW-looking tail lamps, complete with white LED accent lights. Two healthy-sized exhaust tips reside out back to keep the Z4's naturally aspirated or turbocharged 3.0L in-line six breathing freely.

If you see the hard top and assume that you're looking at the Z4 coupe, you're likely wrong. The new Z4 will come as a hard-top convertible for 2009, with a soft-top variant rumored to be arriving one year later. Future Zs could also include an M-inspired variant with the M3's 4.0L V8 and a smaller Z2 roadster. The new Z4 looks very promising, but we'll hold off on final judgment until we can check out the high-res photos on the 15th.

[Source: BMW Blog]