BMW: Development and Technology News
#321
Fahrvergnügen'd
Prices for 4-cylinder 5-series and Z-Roadster released
Oddly, they are going to be $2k more than the outgoing x28 models.
That takes some balls.
Oddly, they are going to be $2k more than the outgoing x28 models.
That takes some balls.
#323
BMW: Laser Headlamps Being Developed
BMW says the key advantage to lasers are their efficiency. Where LEDs generate 100 lumens per watt, lasers generate 170 lumens per watt. When used in an electric car, laser headlights would draw less energy from the battery.
The use of laser headlights also has implications for car design. Each laser diode is only 10 microns in width, substantially smaller than the 1-millimeter-square LEDs used in car headlights today. BMW said in its announcement that its designers have no plans to reduce the surface area of the headlights on its cars, because that is an important styling cue.
But the tiny size of the lasers open up a lot of possibilities. Instead of a large, round piece of glass, a laser headlight could shine through the cross pieces of the car's grille, and so remain hidden when not in use. The traditional dual-headlight configuration would also no longer be necessary, as a row of laser diodes could peek out from the front edge of the hood.
As laser light is a coherent beam, it can be precisely shaped, and also changed at will. Instead of a separate high-beam lamp, lasers can be computer controlled to form a low-beam or high-beam pattern.
BMW mentions a few existing active headlight technologies, such as adaptive headlights, which use the steering-wheel position to illuminate corners, and its High Beam Assistant, which senses oncoming cars and changes the light pattern so as not to blind other drivers. Laser headlights could easily be programmed to handle these features.
Although BMW's laser headlights are still a few years out, the company is developing them for its i8 hybrid.
#324
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
You.
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDt7RX_OWRw/ThUo-ta--xI/AAAAAAAAAH4/CtFM5PvZCk0/s1600/3stooges_face_palm.jpg" id="il_fi" height="370" width="492" style="padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; ">
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDt7RX_OWRw/ThUo-ta--xI/AAAAAAAAAH4/CtFM5PvZCk0/s1600/3stooges_face_palm.jpg" id="il_fi" height="370" width="492" style="padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; ">
#325
Team Owner
i dont know if i should be excited or laughing...
#326
Moderator
Okay, so I just had to go verify that this was actually true, but according to Edmunds: http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...eadlights.html
#328
Senior Moderator
Sounds dangerous.
What car utilizes LED headlights?
What car utilizes LED headlights?
#330
Team Owner
#331
Team Owner
#332
Senior Moderator
#333
Senior Moderator
Do you know which models? And not DRLs. Benz claims the CLS was first in this informative but gay video from Nov 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JWY0...e_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JWY0...e_gdata_player
#334
I'm Craig
iTrader: (2)
Do you know which models? And not DRLs. Benz claims the CLS was first in this informative but gay video from Nov 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JWY0...e_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JWY0...e_gdata_player
BMW 6 series.
A6/A7/A8/R8
Not sure who was first, but the Lexus LS 600h had LED headlights back when it was an 08 model.
Last edited by cjTL; 09-02-2011 at 10:52 PM.
#335
Safety Car
Interview
How BMW Aims to Outsell Other Lusury Makes
The president of BMW of North America talks with The Times about sales goals, diesel engines, front-wheel drive and the controversy over cup holders.
The president of BMW of North America talks with The Times about sales goals, diesel engines, front-wheel drive and the controversy over cup holders.
Ludwig Willisch took over as president of BMW of North America at a fortuitous time. The German native joined the company in July, just as it was beginning a run that has BMW on target to edge out Mercedes-Benz and topple Lexus from an 11-year reign as the top-selling luxury make in America.
Willisch visited the Los Angeles Auto Show to unveil the M5, a sports sedan he helped design, and several BMW electric and hybrid models. He talked with The Times about the importance of being No. 1 and BMW's place in the United States.
BMW looks to take the luxury sales crown this year. Is this important?
Success has always been important to us. Successful people like to buy from a successful company. For a long time we have not been the top luxury brand in the U.S. It is still more important for us to be the most successful premium manufacturer in the world, but since we have been leading in the U.S. for the last 10 months, we are going to go for it.
Bringing the new X3 [small SUV] and new 5 Series [sedan] into the country has added to our sales. They have been quite popular.
Will your drive to finish first translate into year-end deals for consumers?
We are not going to do silly things. We are also in this market to make money and that is a tough job, looking at the value of the dollar compared to the euro. No, we are not going to be giving cars away for free on New Year's Eve.
Where do you see the luxury auto market going?
We see a tendency to smaller luxury premium cars around the world. We see a tendency to smaller engines. So if you look five to 10 years out, we see smaller BMWs and smaller engines, and we are confident these cars will be very successful and be true BMWs.
I am really convinced that the X1 [small SUV available in Europe] would sell well in this country.
BMW is known for having popular models with diesel engines in Europe, but you have only a diesel 3 Series and an X5 here, both with the same engine. Why not have a larger range in the U.S.?
It's not a matter of just bringing the car into the market. It needs a lot of changes to meet U.S. standards, and in some cars, the packaging doesn't allow for it. You have to give up trunk space and all that. I believe in the long run that we will be able to bring diesels into this country and that people will enjoy them. But you just can't put the cars on the boat for New Jersey and then sell them off the dock.
You are coming out with a range of front-wheel-drive vehicles under the BMW brand. Does that risk changing the image of the company? And who do you think will be the buyers of these vehicles?
We went through that [question] with "Would BMW ever build a wagon, or ever build an SUV, or a diesel?" and we do all that now. So I think that if you really look at the question of [how] to build a small car, a spacious car and a production car, [it is about] what is the most efficient way, keeping in mind that you have to offer the consumer a true BMW.
As long as you aren't looking at top end power, I am convinced that it is necessary to offer cars to consumers that are different than what we have today … something that is more spacious and has good fuel economy. The powertrain to the back [in rear-wheel drive] always takes up a lot of space. We are convinced that we can do it right and will starting in 2014. It will enlarge the model lineup.… You won't see a front-wheel-drive 3 Series.
How do people shop for cars these days?
Customers used to come to our showrooms four or five times before they buy. Now they are coming once because they have done all their research on the Net, and you have to make sure that experience is good.
We have to be much more knowledgeable because customers are much more informed. They know all the details about our new car.
What's up with the cup holders in BMWs? They just don't match up with American and Asian brands, and it has become a real talker.
Cup holders have been a huge issue in the company. This has been a 20-year debate within the company. This is really about taking into account customer needs, and obviously at a certain point in time the engineers did not believe that this was an issue. But the new 3 Series has a solid cup holder in the center console. It is there where you need it.
#336
Race Director
http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEWS/111129934
Details have begun to emerge about a planned engine swap deal between BMW and Toyota.
Set to be made public at the Tokyo motor show this week, the cooperation is said to center on BMW supplying Toyota with four- and six-cylinder common-rail diesel engines for use in a wide range of models. In return, Toyota plans to provide BMW with technology used to combine combustion engines and electric motors in various hybrid applications.
A BMW spokesperson in Munich contacted by Autoweek acknowledged talks between the two companies had taken place but, contrary to information provided by internal BMW sources, would not confirm an announcement was imminent.
Newspapers in Germany and Japan have reported that the automakers are prepared to announce the powertrain plan this week. Toyota and BMW labeled the reports as speculation and declined to comment.
Set to be made public at the Tokyo motor show this week, the cooperation is said to center on BMW supplying Toyota with four- and six-cylinder common-rail diesel engines for use in a wide range of models. In return, Toyota plans to provide BMW with technology used to combine combustion engines and electric motors in various hybrid applications.
A BMW spokesperson in Munich contacted by Autoweek acknowledged talks between the two companies had taken place but, contrary to information provided by internal BMW sources, would not confirm an announcement was imminent.
Newspapers in Germany and Japan have reported that the automakers are prepared to announce the powertrain plan this week. Toyota and BMW labeled the reports as speculation and declined to comment.
#337
Moderator
BMW: M Badge news
BMW will offer a new product range starting this spring for customers who want the M Division look without all if the tradeoffs for comfort.
BMW M Performance Automobiles will offer engine variants, enhanced agility and more precision on the road, according to the company. BMW will present the M Performance Automobiles for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March.
"We are targeting our efforts at customers looking for more emotionality and more performance but who don't want to forgo everyday usability of their cars," said Frederick Nitschke, president of BMW M GmbH.
The range will include a variety of models, Nitschke said, as well as gasoline and diesel engines. BMW also says its xDrive all-wheel-drive system will play a role in the models.
This lightly tuned series of vehicles take inspiration from the 1980 BMW M535i. It impressed customers with extra power, tuned chassis technology and a subtly modified design. It wasn't until 1985 that the powered-up M5 hit the scene.
The BMW move is similar to Audi's S line strategy, which offers buyers the styling and interior upgrades of the R series of cars without all of the suspension and powertrain changes.
BMW M Performance Automobiles will offer engine variants, enhanced agility and more precision on the road, according to the company. BMW will present the M Performance Automobiles for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March.
"We are targeting our efforts at customers looking for more emotionality and more performance but who don't want to forgo everyday usability of their cars," said Frederick Nitschke, president of BMW M GmbH.
The range will include a variety of models, Nitschke said, as well as gasoline and diesel engines. BMW also says its xDrive all-wheel-drive system will play a role in the models.
This lightly tuned series of vehicles take inspiration from the 1980 BMW M535i. It impressed customers with extra power, tuned chassis technology and a subtly modified design. It wasn't until 1985 that the powered-up M5 hit the scene.
The BMW move is similar to Audi's S line strategy, which offers buyers the styling and interior upgrades of the R series of cars without all of the suspension and powertrain changes.
First Car Examples:
http://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2013-m550d_xdrive/
http://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2013-m...drive_touring/
http://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2013-x5_m50d/
http://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2013-x6_m50d/
#338
Moderator
Cheapens the "M" badge, IMO. But, I'll admit, I'm biased.
BTW, these car names are ridiculously unwieldy.
BTW, these car names are ridiculously unwieldy.
#339
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
BMW "M" cars are always WIN.
But I hate how BMW is getting too creative with its other badges.. those x drive blah 3.0 blah crap. That's not cool.
But I hate how BMW is getting too creative with its other badges.. those x drive blah 3.0 blah crap. That's not cool.
#341
The sizzle in the Steak
meh...it's like AMG or S-Line parts or add-ons.
I think it enhances the visibility of the M brand, and will make it even more popular.
I think it enhances the visibility of the M brand, and will make it even more popular.
#342
Moderator
That's why I don't like it.
At the expense of exclusivity. I, for one, am not thrilled with that trade-off. But, again, I am rather biased.
At the expense of exclusivity. I, for one, am not thrilled with that trade-off. But, again, I am rather biased.
#343
The sizzle in the Steak
BMW was already doing this with MINI in that buyers could purchase John Cooper Works parts & accessories.
The full M vehicle is still as exclusive as ever, in the same way and S5 or S6 is still as exclusive compared to its S-Line counterpart.
This is much ado about nothing.
#344
I'm the Firestarter
Their model names and all these extra designations are getting crazy. M550 xDrive sDrive. WTF. They should have just had an "M-package" with a couple of discreet little M-Logos somewhere. Like S-Line.
#345
Moderator
To be fair, BMW's been doing exactly that for years, minus the body panel badges. M-Sport Packages generally included wheels with "M" badging on them, "M" steering wheels, and "M" door sills, among other things.
The following users liked this post:
ttribe (01-26-2012)
#348
Team Owner
So the E60 528 with M-badge i saw yesterday is finally justified!!!
#349
Moderator
#350
Rich and Famous
"Marketing and Advertising are the art of selling products to those who do not need it and often should not afford it. "
Will Rogers '1929
Little has changed.
Will Rogers '1929
Little has changed.
#351
well thats fucking stupid, way to shit on the M brand.
BMW has had M-sport packages for a while but badging is another story : (
BMW has had M-sport packages for a while but badging is another story : (
#352
Eh, if Audi & Mercedes can get away with it, more power to BMW. They've had these packages for years anyway & we've had them on our cars (if available) as far as back as I can remember.
All they're doing now is adding a M badge.
All they're doing now is adding a M badge.
#353
Moderator
#354
An M logo place by the factory on the M535i despite there already being an E28 BMW M5 sedan.
Or this.
A from-the-factory M5 look-a-like called the 540i sport?
As said, BMW's been doing this for years. It's just a badge now next to the name. Doesn't mean a BMW 535i w/ M-Package will be the same as having a M5 badge on the back.
Last edited by Rick_TL-S; 01-26-2012 at 01:03 PM.
#356
BMW is "whoring" out the M-badge in the name of even fatter profits.
#357
///Meh
#358
The sizzle in the Steak
^^^ BMW wants $$$$$ Shocking!!!
#359
Moderator
[sigh] I'm not unaware of the fact that they've done this before. But, it's been a while since they did again and I rather hoped they'd given up on such things. I was wrong.
#360
The new Z4 has this option as well & there isn't even an M version of it anymore.
Last edited by Rick_TL-S; 01-26-2012 at 07:53 PM.