BMW Announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicle
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrids/Alternative</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/03/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric.html"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/03/bmw_isetta_2.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br />BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer has reportedly confirmed a new eco-friendly machine called the Megacity Vehicle as part of the automaker's <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/12/28/bmw-may-show-two-different-electric-concepts-in-2009/">Project i</a>. Beyond the name, details are sketchy. According to Reithofer, "Customers will have the choice between a fully electric drive and a high-efficiency combustion engine. Large-scale production could start in the first half of the next decade."<br /><br />We're not entirely sure if that means the vehicle will be some sort of hybrid or if it will be offered with two separate powertrain options. We're also wondering if the Megacity has anything to do with the rumored <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/16/bmw-and-fiat-working-together-for-new-isetta-and-topolino-reviva/">small car development with Fiat</a>, which would supposedly spawn new city cars from both the German and the Italian automaker. BMW is also "pursuing a radical approach toward establishing a truly sustainable value chain-from development to production and sales," said Reithofer.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/03/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric.html">Carscoop</a> | Photo: <a title="Link to snapsi42's photostream" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapsi42/">snapsi42</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/">BMW Announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicle</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/03/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1494033/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-announces-megacity-hybrid-electric-vehicle/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW says no to new Z4 M
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertibles</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupes</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/1222146/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/2010_z4_hi_33_580.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><small>2010 BMW Z4 - Click above for a high-res gallery</small></span><br /></div>
<br />According to a report by iMotor, the financial downturn has claimed its latest victim: the BMW Z4 M. A BMW spokesperson told the pub that "Given the current economic crisis there is no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4." Although that's bad news for enthusiasts, there might be a silver lining. Coinciding <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/bmw-performance-to-offer-power-kit-for-twin-turbod-3-0-liter/">with an earlier story</a>, BMW may begin offering software upgrades for models fitted with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The remapped ECU would increase output by around 20 horsepower (for a net of 326 hp) and a slight bump in torque, and will almost certainly be offered on the new Z4.<br /><br />There's also talk of a M Sport package for the 135i that would include a new body kit, larger wheels, a retuned suspension and an M-branded steering wheel.<br /><br />While we're disappointed about the still-born Z4 M, the obvious question is why is BMW developing M models of the X5 and X6? According to the same source, both of the hotted-up CUVs were signed off before the auto market tanked.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/">2010 BMW Z4</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/1222098/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/2010_z4_hi_09_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/1222120/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/2010_z4_hi_10_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/1222143/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/2010_z4_hi_11_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/1222109/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/2010_z4_hi_14_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-bmw-z4-1/1222104/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/2010_z4_hi_15_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.imotormag.co.uk/news/222270/bmw_says_no_to_making_a_n ew_z4m.html">IMotorMag</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-says-no-to-new-z4-m/">BMW says no to new Z4 M</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.imotormag.co.uk/news/222270/bmw_says_no_to_making_a_n ew_z4m.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-says-no-to-new-z4-m/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1493987/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/bmw-says-no-to-new-z4-m/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupes</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453396/"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/bmw_1_tii.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em style="font-weight: bold;"><small>Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW Concept 1-Series tii</small></em><br /></div>
<br />BMW's little 1 Series has proven itself to be a credible performer that's able to hang with nearly anything else it likely to encounter on the road. But against an Australian V8 Supercar and BMW's own Formula 1 racer? Not a chance. Regardless, these three vehicles will indeed face off at the upcoming F1 season opener Down Under. To help level the playing field, each vehicle will start with a handicap, so the real excitement will begin near the end of the lap when the three cars close in on one another as they sprint to the finish line.<br /><br />The 1 Series that's taking part in the event will be equipped with the German automaker's potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline six and will wear 18" alloys bolted up to a tuned suspension set up with cross-drilled brakes. A set of tii decals and a full BMW Performance aerodynamic body kit top things off. The race will be repeated 5 times starting on Thursday, March 26th.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/">BMW Concept 1 Series tii</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453388/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii08_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453396/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii09_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453401/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii10_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453406/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii11_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453398/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii12_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: BMW]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/">BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1494053/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/21/bmw-135i-tii-up-against-v8-supercar-f1-racer-at-australian-gran/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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REPORT: German automakers could join others in skipping Tokyo Motor Show
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/trends/" rel="tag">Trends</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mercedes-benz/" rel="tag">Mercedes-Benz</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/volkswagen/" rel="tag">Volkswagen</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/volvo/" rel="tag">Volvo</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/earnings-financials/" rel="tag">Earnings/Financials</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tokyo-auto-salon/" rel="tag">Tokyo Auto Salon</a></p><img align="right" alt="2009 Tokyo Motor Show official graphic" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/toyko_show_250.jpg" />Although <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/volvo-joins-detroit-3-skips-out-of-tokyo-motor-show/">Volvo has already said that it would not participate</a> in this October's Tokyo Motor Show, the Swedish automaker's German contemporaries are reportedly dragging their feet on similar public announcements in an effort to not be the first from their country to do so. According to a brief <em>Automotive News</em> item, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are "unlikely to participate" as part of an effort to limit expenditures, and Volkswagen AG and supplier Bosch are among those said to be on the fence. <br /><br />Speaking about the pullout possibilities, an unnamed <em>Automobilwoche</em> (AN's Germanic sister publication) source has said that "No one wants to be in the unpopular position of being the first to announce their exit." Perhaps, but that didn't stop Volvo from letting some air out of Tokyo's balloons, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/detroit-automakers-pull-out-of-2009-tokyo-motor-show/">nor did it keep the Detroit 3 from doing the same before them</a>.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20090323/ANE02/303239961/1171">Automotive News </a>- subs. req'd]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/report-german-automakers-likely-to-skip-tokyo-motor-show/">REPORT: German automakers could join others in skipping Tokyo Motor Show</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/report-german-automakers-likely-to-skip-tokyo-motor-show/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1495513/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/report-german-automakers-likely-to-skip-tokyo-motor-show/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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REPORT: BMW Z2 gets green light, concept headed for Frankfurt
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupes</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrids/Alternative</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Sports/GTs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/bmw_z2_ffurt.jpg" /><br /><br />A little more information is out on the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/19/rumormill-bmw-z2-still-in-the-works/">BMW Z2</a> that looks to be shown at this year's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/Frankfurt-Auto-Show/">Frankfurt Auto Show</a>. According to <em>Auto Bild</em>, the roadster built on the next 1 Series platform will be joined by a coupe variant, just like the previous Z4 - but unlike that car, the Z2 will be a radical rethink. <br /><br />The car is the standard-bearer of BMW's Project i family, a front-engined, rear-drive car with a target weight of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and containing cost-effective green and weight-saving technologies. Powerplants are expected to be a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo with direct injection and anywhere from 150 to 200 horsepower, a range-extended hybrid, and an all-electric setup with lithium-ion batteries. <br /><br />According to one estimate, the base Z2 is expected to start at about &euro;30,000 (nearly $41,000 USD), with the electric version going for &euro;50,000 (almost $68,000 USD), largely because of the additional cost of the battery pack. (Note that all figures are based on Europe's comparatively inflated pricing structure).<br /><br />The car is due for sale in 2012 or 2013.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.autobild.de/artikel/sparer-von-bmw_870722.html">Auto Bild</a> (<a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&u =http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autobil d.de%2Fartikel%2Fsparer-von-bmw_870722.html&sl=de&tl= en&swap=1">translated</a>) via <a href="http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/03/25/bmw-z2-roadster-and-coupe-coming-in-2012/">BMW Blog</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/">REPORT: BMW Z2 gets green light, concept headed for Frankfurt</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autobild.de/artikel/sparer-von-bmw_870722.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1498811/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/report-bmw-z2-gets-green-light-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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