Tag: ConnectedDrive

  • 2015 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer officially launched

    People looking for a vehicle that combines both mobility and style can now take a look at the all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, freshly launched by the respected German auto maker. The new vehicle series offers users space, comfort, style, power and elegance and will surely be appreciated by customers who do not need a large car for every day needs yet they insist on having the BMW sign on their cars.

    We will not waste time so we’ll take you straight to the engines department as there is some interesting news – the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is the first front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout vehicle sold under the BMW brand. Designed to compete directly with Mercedes-Benz B-Class vehicles, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer comes with new turbocharged engines with three or four cylinders, BMW EfficientDynamics features and BMW ConnectedDrive technology. The total number of engines is three but they all come with transverse installation and BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology while at the same time they fully meet the latest EU6 emissions standard. There are two gasoline models installed in the BMW 218i Active Tourer and in the BMW 225i Active Tourer, and one diesel unit installed in the BMW 218d Active Tourer. The first gasoline engine comes with displacement of 1.5 liters and three cylinders that need 4.9-5.2 l/100 km (57.6-54.3 mpg UK) of fuel to deliver 100 kW (136 HP) of power under a six-speed gearbox. The BMW 225i comes with a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 170 kW (231 HP) of power with 5.8-6.0 l/100 km (48.7-47.1 mpg UK) of fuel consumption; this model comes with a standard eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. The four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 218d Active Tourer needs just 4.1-4.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (68.9-65.7 mpg UK) to deliver 110 kW (150 HP) of power to the wheels. This car has a standard six-speed transmission with an eight-speed gearbox available as an option.

    The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has another feature worth noting – the cars in this series feature compact dimensions of 4342 x 1800 x 1555 mm (171 x 71 x 61 inches) but despite this they come with impressive internal levels of space. The driver and the front passenger enjoy a far higher seating position than in a sedan, which affords a commanding all-round view at the same time as making it easier to get in and out. The wealth of storage facilities and the option of a fold-flat passenger seat backrest are just two examples of the interior’s impressive flexibility and cleverly devised layout. The cabin has a light and spacious feel to it, with all surfaces horizontally structured in a layered look. There is also the option of a large panoramic roof that lets light flood into the interior. Add a luggage compartment that can be enlarged from 468 to 1510 liters and you do have a really spacious vehicle.

    People buying these cars will be treated with ultimate BMW quality on the inside that includes Radio Professional, including a hands-free telephone facility with a Bluetooth interface, the BMW iDrive control system with a controller on the centre console and a 6.5-inch Control Display, a rain sensor and automatic headlight activation, a sports leather steering wheel, the Intelligent Emergency Call system and the Collision Warning with City Braking function and more.

    Later this year the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will also be available in the M Sport specification. This version will come with special M Sport suspension, 17-inch or 18-inch M light-alloy wheels, an M-leather steering wheel and sports seats. The M version will be available in Germany on September 27, 2014 starting from EUR 27 200.

    As to the other models there is no pricing information at the moment but given all the tech specs and the luxury that one will find inside, the new cars are not likely to be that cheap. Still you get what you pay for and this is also true for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

    Source: BMW

  • 2015 BMW i8 UK – Price £94,845

    BMW UK is going to offer the sensational 2015 i8 sports hybrid car from tomorrow. It is priced from “just” £94,845 OTR. The German manufacturer has finally developed something that looks like a supercar. Furthermore, it boasts extreme efficiency and a number of innovative technologies.

    2015 BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.   The overall power is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft), which is enough for acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited.

    The fuel consumption is impressive – 2.1 liters / 100 km (134.5 mpg UK or 112 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 49 g/km. The 2015 i8 can go up to 37 km (23 miles) only on electricity with zero emissions.

    The curb weight of the sports car is extremely low, considering the electric motor and the battery pack – 1,485 kg (3,274 lbs) and a drag coefficient (Cd) – 0.26. The dimensions measure – 4,689 mm in length; 1,942 mm in width and a height of just 1,298 mm. The wheelbase is 2,800 mm and the front/rear tracks – 1,644 mm/1,715 mm.

    Some of the standard equipment includes the Navigation system Professional with proactive drive system for all-electric driving, fully-digital instrument display, BMW iDrive with freestanding Control Display and leather sports seats; choice of four exterior paint finishes and four interior equipment variants There are also 20” alloy wheels, a rear view camera, high beam assistant, speed limit info, Surround View, Head-Up Display and Collision Warning with pedestrian recognition.

    There is also BMW 360° ELECTRIC providing a package of assistance and mobility solutions, while the ConnectedDrive features intrinsic part of car’s connectivity.

    Source: BMW

  • BMW Laser Headlights

    Laser light is the successor of the successful LED headlights. BMW is developing a new laser headlights, which will be more efficient and effective.

    In the field of exterior vehicle lights, BMW also leads the way for example with full LED headlamps for the BMW 6 Series and with new developments such as the “Anti-dazzle High- Beam Assistant”, as well as with “Dynamic Light Spot”.

    A further advantage of laser lighting technology, and one which the BMW engineers intend to use to full effect, is its high inherent efficiency. A single statistic will make this clear: whereas LED lighting generates only around 100 lumens per watt, laser lighting generates approximately 170 lumens.

    Safety is a key consideration in the development of laser lighting for use in passenger cars. For BMW, the complete eye safety of this technology for all road users and its complete reliability in day-to-day use have top priority.

    BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Headlight
    BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Headlight

    Source: BMW

  • BMW Vision ConnectedDrive. Jewellery spot.

    BMW has released a nice video of the amazing Vision ConnectedDrive.

    The vehicle concentrates on communication, infotainment and safety. It is a two-seater roadster with aggressive lines and a flat sporting and dynamic silhouette. There are some transparent surfaces providing a cool light show.

    Vision ConnectedDrive resembles a Vision EfficientDynamics roadster and features a wide grille, huge air intakes, a frameless windscreen and a transparent area in the hood.

    The interior is split into two main sections as the driver and passenger are separated by a flowing center console. The Passenger Information Display in the instrument panel can come to life with a single touch.

    The Emotional Browser gives you the ability to easily filter the information to meet your requirements, to organise it and change the layout of the display. You will see that in the video.

    Still, there is no official information about this beautiful car. We hope that it will go into production, because it deserves that.

    Enjoy the video!

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uXyE8T6zU

    BMW Vision ConnectedDrive FrontSide
    BMW Vision ConnectedDrive FrontSide

    Source: BMW via Youtube

  • BMW at the Plus X Award 2011

    BMW Group took four awards for ConnectedDrive in the annual, internationally renowned “Plus X Award”. The jury honoured the manufacturer with top awards in in the categories Innovation, Design, Operating Comfort and Best Technology of the Year 2011 with an additional “Plus X Award” seal of quality.

    To select these products, an international, industry-neutral jury of 134 specialised journalists and market experts from 32 countries evaluates extraordinary design, innovative technologies as well as intelligent and straightforward operating concepts. Ergonomic and ecological product attributes, the use of high-quality materials and their processing are other equally important factors that go into the decision of a “Plus X Award” honour.

    BMW ConnectedDrive assumes the role of a personal driving assistant and – by networking intelligently with the environment – gives the driver access to vehicle-specific information according to the situation and whenever it is required.

    The company is already demonstrating to what extent a vehicle can become an integral part of a networked world in the future on the concept vehicle BMW Vision ConnectedDrive. The two-seater roadster communicates with the driver and the passenger as well as with the environment and the Internet and integrates numerous future-oriented functions and thinking approaches. B

    Still, there is a lot of work for the engineers, who are already working on turning the range of functions demonstrated in the framework of BMW ConnectedDrive into reality.

    bmw ConnectedDrive

    Source: BMW

  • Car Key Of The Future With Integrated Credit Card

    BMW Group Research and Technology has developed a prototype for a multifunctional car key which enables cashless payment and personalised vehicle access. “As part of our research project we first integrated a security chip into the key casing, which communicates across short distances by radio with a card reader,” says Hans-Jörg Vögel, project manager at BMW Group Forschung und Technik. (more…)