BMW 520Li China 3
BMW 520Li Introduced At Guangzhou Auto Show in China. Leader in luxury car market BMW introduced its the latest variant of its China 5-Series range – the 520Li. The new car looks more elegant and luxurious than previous 5-series models. Equipped with a new engine, 520Li offers more power than the old i.e. nearly 30 more horsepower. BMW is targeting much elite customers of all the age group for 520Li.
The “20? in the name lead this writer to think of the anemic four-cylinder in the 320i, but fortunately, a 2.5-litre inline-six resides in this entry level Five, paired to the usual 8-speed auto gearbox. The engine makes 177 hp and 230 Nm to lug 1.8 tonnes – 0-100 km/h is done in 9.7 seconds and top speed is 222 km/h. Other most popular BMW cars are: 3 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, M3 and M5. As comparison, CKD 523i with 204 hp/250 Nm does 8.5 seconds and 234 km/h. The car looks much promising and we are waiting for its India launch very soon.
BMW India To Set Up Used Car Business In January 2011
To strengthen its position as no. 1 luxury car maker in the country, BMW India will start a pre-owned car business in January in the country to capture the developing market for it. “It has been more than three years since we have been working in the Indian market and the cars have now started coming back,” said Andreas Schaaf, president, BMW India. The German major has plans to start this innovative used car business in January 2011, which is probably the best way to start the new year. BMW will initially have three showrooms in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai for selling used BMW cars. The move of entering in used automobile business has been take in the view of increasing demand for pre-owned BMW cars in the Indian market.
BMW’s arch rival Mercedes Benz had launched its pre-owned car business in the country in June 2010, and it has sold more than 600 units in the Indian market, so far. BMW, which sold more cars in India this year than Mercedes, will come up with new plans to retain the number one position in the luxury car maker, Schaaf said. “In the next two years, we will have a very aggressive market offensive in the Indian market,” he said. BMW will open its well-liked 6 series and the new X3 sport utility vehicle (SUV) by the middle of next year. BMW introduced the X1 SUV, its cheapest car till date in India, in New Delhi on December 23. The company expects the X1 to sell the most among its models in the country. “Till now our flagship 5 series was our highest-selling model, but this year the 3 series has also caught up,” said Schaaf. Currently, BMW has its 3 series, 5 series, 7 series, BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, Z4 Roadster, X1, X3 and X5 and X6 in its portfolio in India.
New BMW M5 spotted winter-testing in Europe
Germany based leading car maker BMW is testing its much anticipated luxury sports car M5 in Northern Europe, known for thorough winter testing of cars. The car is expected to be introduced in the market by the end of year 2011. The car has been shown as partially covered in camouflaging in recently leaked snow testing spy shots. As per these spy-shots posted on some of the leading automotive portals, the new BMW M5 carries a similar dynamic front bumper as available in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Moreover, a sharp chin along with air ducts at both corners has been provided that scoops air into the radiator area.
Sharp lines have been shown flowing on the front bumper, enhancing the aggressiveness of the front. At the rear, car has been shown as hosting a dynamic rear diffuser mated with traditional BMW 5-Series quad exhaust outlets. Blessed with a 4.4L, twin turbocharged V8 engine, the new BMW M5 would be capable of delivering a peak power of up to 560 bhp along with a peak torque of 530 lbs-ft. The new M5 will host a centrally-fitted supercomputer that will not only control its suspension and dynamics but will also offer a super luxury driving experience.
Much Awaited BMW X1 Launched
BMW 5-series hybrid spy pics
It's no secret that BMW is preparing a hybrid version of its latest generation [F10] 5-Series sedan as the Bavarian automaker teased the model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with the Concept BMW New 5 Series ActiveHybrid study. And even though the prototype model seen in our latest spy pictures ca
rries the 535i badge, the "Hybrid Test Vehicle" tag on the boot pretty much explains everything. Being a test mule, the prototype doesn't feature any of the (few) unique styling cues of the concept model, such as the LED strips, different front apron and special alloy wheels, but we suppose these details will make it into the production car.
Underneath the body work, we expect to see a similar system to the concept vehicle, which made use of BMW's straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology (same as the one found in the 535i), an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an electric drive capable of delivering up to 54HP (40kW). Given that the 3.0-liter turbo is rated in the U.S. at 300 hp, the combined scheme output should be around the 340 hp mark. According to BMW, the hybrid power train reduces both fuel consumption and emissions by more than 10 per cent over the conventional version, while it also allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring at low speeds. The production description of the 5-Series Hybrid could be introduced at a major international car show as early as next year with sales most likely to follow in 2012.
BMW K1600GT and BMW K1300 GT to be launched in India
BMW Motorrad after the announcement of its most popular bikes in India like BMW S 1000RR, BMW R 1200GS and BMW K1300s in series of S, R and K, is now going to adjoin two new bikes named BMW K1600GT and BMW K1300 GT in its portfolio. Both the bikes are upcoming from its K series stable. The approaching bikes might be launched in India very soon, as per some authentic media reports. BMW Motorrad which is the 100 per cent subsidiary of Germany based BMW Motors and the world's major super bikes manufacturer is,now, ready to spread its wings in Indian motorcycle market with the launch of these bikes. All the BMW bikes will be come through CBU route.
The BMW K 1600 GT is the tourer bike in that will have water cooled, four stroke, in-line six cylinder engine while displacement of the bike will be 1649cc. This powerful engine of the bike is to generate maximum power of 160 bhp at 7750 rpm and belt out top torque of 129 Lb at 5250 rpm. This powerful engine of the bike will make it superb performer bike in its segment. The another BMW K1300 GT also comes in tourer segment and will corporated with water cooled, 4 stroke, In-line four cylinder, two overheaded camshafts engine with displacement of 1293cc. This engine of the bike is sure to provide top power of 160 hp at 9000 rpm and crank out maximum toque of 135 Nm at 8000 rpm. The bike will have sporty look that charm everybody. The company has not announced probable price of the bike but will available with hefty price tag on account of CBU. All the future BMW bikes might be launched in the first quarter of 2011.
Karim Habib back to BMW as a exterior design Head
The man who was responsible for the design of the current F01 BMW 7 Series as well as the Concept CS from 2007, Karim Antoine Habib, has returned to BMW from Daimler, and will take up the place as Head of Exterior Design, BMW Automobiles from March 2011. Habib replaces Anders Warming, who has been named as the new design chief at Mini.
Habib had earlier spent 10 years of his occupation working for BMW, holding various posts in interior and exterior design, and was the chief designer in Advanced Design when he left for Daimler in 2009. The Lebanese-born designer’s return to the fold brings him back to working alongside BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk, who is looking forward to resuming the collaboration. Perhaps the design language at Mercedes wasn’t exactly Habib’s cup of tea? Speaking of BMW design, the F10 5-Series won the latest 2011 iF design awards recently. Other cars that won in the 2011 iF awards include the Kia Sportage and the Kia Optima.
BMW unveils 2012 1 Series Coupe
BMW has announced several modifications to the 2012 BMW 1 Series Coupe that will go on sale this coming spring. The new design of the front fascia on the 128i includes BMW’s innovative Air Curtain that counters turbulence near the wheel arches and so reduces the aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle. New exterior model accents have been incorporated into the headlight and tail light clusters. In the interior, new switches and controls have a more advanced look and feel. Two versions are available: the 128i Coupe and the 135i Coupe. Each has been enhanced to improve convenience and soothe for the 1 Series fourth model year. Powered by a 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline-6 engine that generates 200 lb-ft of torque, the 128i Coupe features BMW’s Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and aluminum/magnesium construction-core elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics.
The 2012 BMW 135i features BMW’s newest, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine. Equipped with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger and BMW’s revolutionary Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology, the engine produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Referred to inside as the “N55″, the engine reaches peak torque at 1,200 rpm and maintains peak torque all the way to 5,000 rpm. With extreme Precision direct gasoline injectors, finest performance and fuel efficiency are achieved with even faster engine response across the complete engine speed range. For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0-60 mph is accomplished with the standard 6-speed manual transmission in 5.1 seconds. The 135i can be equipped with BMW’s 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT), as featured on the BMW Z4 Roadster. Equipped with DCT, the 135i Coupe will accomplish the 0-60 mph sprint in a scorching 5.0 seconds. A 6-speed Steptronic automatic remains optional on the 128i. So equipped, the 128i Coupe runs 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, or 6.1 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual transmission.
BMW X1 xDrive20d and sDrive18i now CKD in Malaysia!
BMW Malaysia has now announced that the BMW X1 is now assembled in their Kulim plant in Kedah. As with the CBU models that were available from launch, the new CKD X1 models carry on to be available in a option of a torquey xDrive20d turbodiesel with all-wheel drive and a rear wheel drive sDrive18i model. There have been some changes to specs as well as price to the two cars. The BMW X1 sDrive18i adds ront and rear Park Distance Control (PDC), interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle purpose and a new sports leather steering wheel and all new interior neat finishers. The price ticket for the less-equipped BMW X1 sDrive18i CKD is now significantly lower than the CBU at RM238,800 versus RM263,800 before.
The X1 xDrive20d with 177 horsepower, 350Nm while outputting 170g/km of CO2 emissions gets new 18 inch double beam light alloy wheels, a new “Fineline wave” interior wood trim, and gets an iDrive screen with BMW Navigation Professional, Bluetooth connectivity and a better specced HiFi loudspeaker system. The xDrive20d has a RM1,000 cheaper price tag at RM298,800. The first close by assembled BMW actually rolled out in 1983 at their assembly facility in Kuching, Sarawak. Then Sime Darby took over assembly at their AMI Shah Alam plant in 1987. The Kulim plant in Kedah rolled out their first car – an E90 BMW 3-Series in 2008.
BMW India will launch its X1 compact SUV this month
BMW India will launch its X1 compact SUV on December 23, 2010. To be available in three trim levels - Corporate Edition, Highline and Cool Elegance - the SUV will be powered by 1800cc petrol and 2000cc diesel engines. BMW X1 will be available as a rear-wheel-drive vehicle to help BMW cost it on a par with its competitors. Like its saloon counterpart, 3-series Corporate Editions, the X1 CE too will not come with some features which will instead be made available in the Highline as well as the top-of-the-line Cool Elegance variant. The Corporate Edition will not be equipped with a sunroof, i-drive interface, and 6-CD changer, but will have only a single CD player. The Corporate Edition gets simple black trim and fabric seats instead of wood garnishing.
Apart from sunroof and i-drive system, the Highline variant gets goodies such as Xenon headlamps, parking sensors and leather seats. In addition, the top-of-the-line Cool Elegance variant gets an Anthracite Headliner as well as exclusive distinct piping on the leather seats. Based on the 3-Series saloon, the X1 will be shipped to BMW Chennai’s plant, where the 3 Series is built, in CKD form. With a wheelbase of 2760mm and at 4454mm long, the X1 will unlock up a new luxury segment in the compact SUV class. While the base 1.8i will retail at Rs 22 lakh, the 2.0-litre diesel base variant will cost Rs 23 lakh, the 2.0-liter Diesel Exclusive Variant is priced at Rs 29.90 lakh and the top-of-the-line Cool Elegance variant will retail at Rs 32.5 lakh.