2013 BMW i8 Concept

BMW are preparing supercar with the name i8, which wont be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid like the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept.  BMW i8 is expected to be introduced in 2013 and it will be powered by a petrol engine. The recently announced ‘i’ sub-brand from BMW will launch the i8 supercar in 2013 but it will come with a petrol engine instead.

Firsly, the idea was for a 1.5 liter three-cylinder diesel and an electric motor like the configuration in Vission Efficient Dynamics concept, but now BMW will stick to petrol variant.

The exterior design features a flat silhouette, with sweeping lines, taut surfaces and precise edges that form an extremely sculptural and organic surface structure. The individual vehicle components are clearly visible from the outside, the black and transparent Life module setting itself apart from the silver-colored body components around it.

The precise lines along its flanks and hallmark BMW i “stream flow” also give the BMW i8 Concept a strong sense of powering forward. A large, transparent greenhouse lends the exterior a feeling of lightness and highlights the efficiency of the vehicle.

The BMW i8 Concept’s doors swing upwards like wings: below them, the silver-colored layer moulds the car’s flanks into a powerful wedge shape, opening out from the door sills towards the rear.

BMW will offer both RWD and AWD versions, with the hybrid version is offered only as an AWD model. Engine will be mated with a new dual clutch transmission and supercar future will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4 seconds. The company has promised 58 MPG fuel economy and autonomy of 400 kilometers. The bad news, though, is that the top speed will be limited to only 155 mph, but we believe the tuner will have something to say about it.

A blue flourish accentuates the dynamic presence of the sills. Together, the bonnet and door sill sculpting emphasize the BMW i8 Concept’s forward- surging stance, and their smooth lines imbue the car with a touch of lightness. At the front, a number of different levels interact with one another, while the expressive surface treatment exudes dynamic verve and advertises the car’s sporting potential.

The full-LED headlights of the BMW i8 Concept are designed as two U-shaped configurations.

A black, semi-transparent “V” rises out of the hood just behind the kidney grille, opening out towards the windscreen and guiding the eye to the electric motor below.

The tail lights in horizontal design, are integrated into the upper layer of the rear and share the signature U-shape of the BMW i light concept. The transparent surfaces in the doors and roof give the exterior and interior design of the BMW i8 Concept the appearance of merging into one another. The colour concept and underlying structure of the BMW i8 Concept interior closely mimic those of the BMW i3 Concept.

The i8 Concept features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 96 kW / 250 Nm electric motor with a 164 kW/220 hp turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine developing up to 300 Nm and 300 Nm of torque driving the rear axle.  Together, the two drive units allow the i8 to reach a top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds while achieving a fuel consumption in the European cycle of under three litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 94 mpg imp).

The BMW i8 Concept can also run purely on electric power, with a driving range of approximately 35 kilometres (20 miles). The battery can be fully recharged in two hours at a standard power socket. http://www.carbodydesign.com/2011/08/bmw-i8-concept/

BMW i8 Concept front view

BMW i8 Concept Spy photo

BMW i8 Concept front-side view

BMW i8 Concept left-side

The 2013 BMW i3 and i8 concepts

The 2013 BMW unveils new i3 and revamped i8 concepts. BMW's been teasing us with its vision for electric motoroing for years, and today, folks, the trend continues. The German automaker has unveiled two concepts from its upcoming i sub-brand: the city-dwelling i3 and a rehashed version of its i8.

This is the first time we've officially seen the smaller of the two, as the car formerly known as the Megacity had only been spied in an official render and during routine testing at the arctic circle. 

It'll haul four peeps with its 150km range (around 100 miles) and accelerate from 0-60mph in around 8 seconds. As for those with range anxiety, the German company will soothe such fears with an optional range-extending motor dubbed "REx."

2013 BMW i3 and i8 concepts

Either variant could land in your garage in 2013, where you'll be able top them up in 6 hours with a standard socket, or up to eighty percent in an hour if you're rocking a spiffy high capacity charger.  The i8, which you'll recall for its radical aerodynamic design and hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain, has received a bevy of aerodynamic tweaks and junked its oil burner, opting for a gasoline one instead.

Engine swap aside, the sporty coupé apparently drinks only 2.7 liters per 100km -- 87 mpg (!) for yanks -- which is unreal in a car that'll accelerate to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. Sound too good to be true? We'll have to wait until 2014 to see if München can make good on those promises, but in the meantime feel free to peruse the galleries, videos, and PR after the break.

■ 2011 BMW Frozen Black Limited Edition

BMW of North America announces a new limited edition BMW M3. The 2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe will be launched on June 16th and will be limited to twenty (20) units due to high global demand.

The BMW Frozen Black Edition coupe black on black sports includes 19-in. GTS black wheels, red brake calipers and a black leather interior with red stitching Novillo. Based on the M3 Coupe 414-hp with a box M double-clutch (DCT M), frozen Black Edition accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

The car also features BMW competition package, which reduces the ride height of 10 mm and includes the slick GTS wheels (with a gap wider for better stability). Electronic Damping Control with “enhanced programming”, and raised the threshold for programming M Dynamic Mode are also included.

The price is a substantial amount of 79,650, about $ 10 000 over a M3 Coupe similarly equipped. And you will not find on dealer lots. If you are interested, you better be quick with a phone. Customers are invited to reserve one of the first nineteen 2011 Black Edition frozen chopped by calling 1-800-245-4269 M3 from 11:30 Eastern time (8:30 Pacific) Thursday, June 16, 2011.

2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe Individual Special Equipment:
• BMW Individual Frozen Black Exterior Paint
• Black Extended Novillo leather with Red Contrast Stitching on seats, headrests, door inserts,
armrests, middle console, and door pulls.
• Black M3 GTS wheels, 19” diameter with high-performance summer tires
• Red brake calipers
• Gloss black kidney grills
• Gloss black side-gill elements
• Gloss black exhaust pipe tips

Each identical 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe has M3 standard equipment plus:
• M-DCT Transmission with Drivelogic
• Competition Package
o Lowered suspension
o Sport mapping for EDC/DSC
• Premium Package 2
o Power folding auto-dimming mirrors
o Universal garage-door opener
o Power front seats
o Carbon Leather interior trim
o Interior mirror with compass
o BMW Assist with Bluetooth
• Convenience Package
o Anti-theft alarm system
o Comfort Access keyless entry system
o Park Distance Control (rear)
o Navigation System
o Voice-command
o iPod and USB adapter
o Real-time Traffic Information
• Heated Front Seats
• Satellite Radio with 1-year subscription
• BMW Individual Enhanced Premium Sound System

■ BMW M3 Dinan S3-R

BMW M3: Dinan S3-r Super Auto Cars

Under the domes the German V8 grew up in displacement, Dinan has indeed recovered 608 cc. and other polished solution can increase power to 527 horses. Significant is the work done on the suction cubicle with the installation of a high flow intake Carbon fiber, as has been radically customized the exhaust system. Through use of racing components the BMW M3 developed makes his strong voice.

Dinan Cars a well-known Californian tuner on our side and who boasts 30 years of experience, has formed a superlative development of the BMW M3; The Bavarian already sporty configuration of the series is supplied with a surprisingly pronounced aerodynamic, carbon fiber body parts and the many horses that can generate the 4.0-liter V8 engine.

With Dinan S3-R manages to build even the most assertive and strong German coupe, setting up a sports car that calls for merely a ribbon of asphalt to unleash a vast potential and a truly particular and unforgettable.

Preparer’s work overseas has affected mainly the mechanics of the BMW M3; the S3-R is distinguished by a series model for large forged alloy wheel sworn by 275/30 and 295/30 tires, and for attitude visibly depressed. 

Back in the 1970s, a student named Steve Dinan kiss from technical careers for his books bust pumping BMW. One, Ultimate Driving Machine Äâhis turbocharged first place the patch on these pages in 1988, and since then, we, Äôve tested eight BMW Dinan, melt more or less for all of them.

M3 S3-R is a symbol of the kind of tinkering we dared expect from Dinan Engineering, Äôs workshop in Morgan Hill, California, Äîand kind of price. Order from Dinan everything, including engines, suspension, brakes, wheels, fries and a Coke, and the bill came to $ 47,836. That is, after you, Äôve buy BMW M3 Coupe $ 60,575 and $ 1,806 in new tires.

Yes, it, Äôs just a wee bit spendy but it is not usual slap-on from fold-galloons carbon fiber and plastic. (Dinan offers at least four variations on this theme, from the very souped-up S3-R to the M3 only S. cosmetics) that, Äôs the stock 4.0-liter V-8, Aia Valjoux chronograph 25-jewel of a car engine, Äîis pulled right out, The main organs eviscerated. It ahem,, void BMW, Äôs warranty, but Dinan take over and make sure to work the same for four years or 50,000 miles. Dinan, which also builds the BMW, Äôs Daytona Prototype racing machine, then repacks block with a billet crank, forged pistons, connecting rods and lightweight. In the event, gave birth by two millimeters wide, to 94, and extends for 7.8 mm stroke, up to 83.

Thus, in the $ 31,234 machines from a makeover S3-R, Dinan add 609 cc displacement, rechambering engine into the car as a 4.6-liter. Dinan also bore out the throttle body (for greater air flow) and fit a smaller, lightweight crank pulleys to reduce parasitic power losses from the water pump, A / C compressor, and alternator.

Finally, for a particular car, Dinan bolts on the larger, low-restriction air intake and exhaust gas to replace the center with his own stainless steel company, “racing” exhaust pipe (that is, no catalytic converter), which spits thunderclaps and lightning.

With all the internal and external changes tchotchkes, power and fungi, especially in the middle. M3 S3-R peak at 527 horsepower at 7800 rpm, claims Dinan, up 113 and down 500 rpm from stocks. Perhaps more significantly, the stock torque numbers up from 295 pound-feet by 112, to 407, although peak torque is also increased, from 3900 to 5200 rpm.

By car tuner, the question always come down to numbers. Dinan power figures are based on gas-93 octane, which is virtually unobtainable in California only in 1991, where we give the M3 S3-R-licking test track. Nevertheless, should have enough extra power for the chisels ET breaks the stock M3.

Well, the results proved to be complicated.

Dinan think we will change the quarter-mile in the low range of 12-seconds, not 12.5 seconds we actually posted, at 118 mph. Stock lot, m3 manual transmission we have tested only slightly slower (12.6 to 12.9 seconds).

Perform pathology at the numbers, we realized that the cost S3-R M3 itself in the timeline, a rotating tire. Power is nothing without traction, and the car seemed to rise above their own permanent ice. In the dusty desert pavement, easily broken loose fat Michelins in the first and second gear, so there’s no easy car to get out of the hole.

■ 2011 BMW 3-series

There are cars we like, and then there are cars we love. Cars we like get good reviews. Cars we love win 10Best awards. After awarding 10 Best trophies to the BMW 3-series for the last 19 years in a row, it’s clear that we’re in love, even through multiple generations and model changes. 

Of course, every change made to the 3 could upset, or even destroy, its unique balance of attributes.

Fortunately, BMW has controlled the pace of 3-series evolution, and the regular but subtle styling updates and the phasing in of new technologies have never diluted the driving experience for which the model’s known.

The sedan and wagon models underwent mid-cycle refreshes for 2009, getting off easy with just a tasteful cosmetic nip/tuck and nearly no other changes. Now BMW has released images and info on the face-lifted 2011 3-series coupe and convertible, which involve not just new looks, but also the 335i swapping its awesome twin-turbo motor for one with just one turbo.

Carefully Honed Package

While all of today’s 3-series variants are clearly related, the low-slung coupe and convertible models do not share many exterior pieces with their more upright four-door siblings. And for 2011, the two- and four-door 3-series grow even further apart visually. Up front, the nose has been smoothed and appears lower and wider, thanks to larger apertures for the trademark kidney grille and bigger bi-xenon headlamps. Replacing the current trio of lower air intakes is a squared-off, full-width opening with outboard fog lamps and a pair of horizontal chrome blades that, frankly, might have been better left in the knife drawer. Considering how sharp the current coupe’s front end is, we’re not quite ready to embrace the 2011’s newfound bluntness as an improvement, although we do look forward to staring down some Audis with the Bimmers’ bright new LED “angel eyes.”

The rear end also adopts slick LED lighting, as well as a new bumper, although the bumper is more sculpted, not less. New rocker panels and side mirrors round out the exterior changes. The nose job and butt lift add roughly an inch and a half of overall length, rendering the 2011 coupe and convertible the longest 3-series models ever, measuring about three and a half inches longer than the sedan.

Inside, the 2011 models bear no changes of consequence, other than newly designed (and still-optional) steering-wheel shift paddles for models equipped with automatic transmissions. iDrive remains optional, not standard. Given how well-executed the intimate cabin of the 3-series is, no news is good news.

335i: Same Thrills, Less Guilt

Mechanically, the entry-level 328i coupes and convertibles are carry-overs, with their shared 3.0-liter inline-six continuing to serve up 230 hp at 6500 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 2750 rpm. Here again, no news is fine: there are few roads on which the 328i can’t put a smile on the driver’s face, and the willing engine is effortless in its power delivery. Fuel economy shouldn’t change from the 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway ratings (the heavier convertibles return slightly less) of the 2010 model, regardless of transmission choice.

Bigger changes, however, were made to the zesty 335i and its sweet, turbocharged BMW six. Introduced just over three years ago, the prodigious and velvety N54 still ranks among the engines we’d deem least in need of improvement. But with an eye on rising emissions and fuel-economy mandates around the world, BMW designed the new N55, dismissing the tag-team turbos in favor a single, twin-scroll turbocharger that BMW claims is even quicker to spool than the twin setup. The N55 also features BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing and lift system. Thus endowed and aided by direct injection, the all-aluminum N55 matches the N54’s 300-hp output at the same 5800 rpm. The N55 engine also serves up the same 300 lb-ft of torque, but starts doing so 200 revs lower, at 1200 rpm, and max torque is on tap all the way through 5000 rpm. Redline is 7000 rpm. The 335i sedan also will switch to the N55 as soon as production of the 2011 coupes begins.

More Choices than Ever

As with the 328i, the 2011 335i will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. (Sadly, BMW won’t offer the 3er with an N55/eight-speed automatic combo, as is planned for the upcoming 535i GT.) But BMW will continue to make xDrive all-wheel drive available on all 3-series coupes. No matter the transmission or to how many wheels the power is delivered, every 335i promises to be plenty quick: BMW estimates that the manual-equipped rear-wheel-drive 335i coupe can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, with the droptop requiring 5.5 seconds. Add another 0.2 second to each time for the automatics. Even quicker is the xDrive-equipped 335i coupe, which overcomes all-wheel drive’s inherent weight penalty and hustles to 60 in a claimed 5.2 seconds in manual form and 5.3 with the auto. Those stats seem conservative to us, as we’ve repeatedly seen high fours from 335i coupes in the past. We expect to squeeze similar numbers from the 2011 model.

So after all that re-engineering, how much fuel will be saved? Disappointingly, BMW had no specifics, saying only that the N55 indeed is both cleaner-burning and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor. And the N54 was no carbon bigfoot itself, with the 335i coupe’s competitive city/highway rating of 17/26 mpg placing it only 1 or 2 mpg down from the naturally aspirated 328i. A significant improvement in fuel economy for the 335i, then, could virtually erase any fuel-economy advantage currently held by the 328i. That’s right, now there’s one fewer reason not to get the fast one.

2011 335is: Another Promising 3

If it’s still hard to fathom how BMW can make so many changes to the 335i’s engine without finding even one additional horsepower, a second turbo with inline-six is planned for the upcoming 335is coupe and convertible, which share many of their performance-enhancing components with the new Z4 sDrive35is. Wrapped in the new body but powered by a pumped-up version of the N54 (twin-turbo) with about 320 hp, the 335is is rumored to get sporty body adornments, a choice of seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual or six-speed manual transmissions, and steering and chassis hardware mods. Complete details on this sportiest of all non-M 3-series are days away, so check back soon for details.

Another Happy Ending?

Pricing for the 2011 328i and 335i coupes and convertibles remains a secret, but given the subtlety of the changes, we don’t expect a huge increase when they hit U.S. roads this March. (Non-M 2010 coupes currently base from $37,075 to $45,425; convertibles from $45,875 to $52,075.) As we said, we’re always wary of any changes to the awesome 3-series, but if history is anything to go by, we probably know how the story is going to end: another 10Best award.