Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BMW. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Acura MDX vs. Audi Q7 3.0T, BMW X5 xDrive35i, Land Rover LR4 HSE, Lexus GX460

BMW X5 xDrive35i
BMW X5 xDrive35i
The coasts visited on this tour do lie on vast bodies of water, but the water is fresh (so to speak) and defines the eastern and western boundaries of  Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

So, rather than the 2798-mile blitz from New York City to Redondo Beach, California, as in the original Cannonball Run, our coast-to-coast dash was a little more modest—135 miles, from Alpena on Lake Huron at the east to Traverse City, tucked into Grand Traverse Bay off Lake Michigan, on the west. With some dirt-road diversion, plus the trek from and to Ann Arbor, it added up to 650 miles. Which seemed like enough. More than enough, in at least one of  these vehicles.

There were five, and their classification isn’t quite as easy as their shapes might suggest. We’re tempted to call them crossovers, but for all its elasticity, that word can’t stretch quite far enough to cover the Lexus GX460. One of the guides we use in identifying crossovers is their construction—unibody  versus body-on-frame, usually based on front-wheel-drive passenger-car architecture. The 460’s body doesn’t catch up with its chassis until late in the assembly process. Which makes it a truck.

In the end, we settled for a classification based on one inarguable attribute: three-row seating. Not very snappy. But accurate. You could add the word “luxury” because that, too, is accurate. The ­amenity quotient is high across the board, and so are the prices. The as-tested ticket for each member of  this quintet is well above $50K, soaring to a max of  more than $67,000.

With snow in the forecast, we climbed into our three-rows and set out for Michigan’s northeast coast, right where the index finger would poke up through the mitten of the Lower Peninsula. Suffice it to say, Dom DeLuise won’t be starring in this movie, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t entertaining.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

BMW

The next generation 2012 BMW 3 Series is still a few years out, but this does not stop the curiosity of the true bimmer fans. Our friend Giom decided to show us some renderings of what the next generation BMW 3 Series might look like.

If you remember, Giom is the same designer that came up with the really cool 2012 BMW M6 renderings that were posted on here back in May. I agree with Giom when he says that the next generation 3-series will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, so the styling reflects the current cues, which includes the CS concept.

The headlights retain its basic shape and the intake openings move to the sides of the lower bumper. According to him, this is still an area where the renderings can be improved. There are also lots of detail in the surface folds and creases, creating interesting reflections and shapes. The line bending upwards on the side is a visual helper in creating the illusion of speed. This ‘upward’ line repeats in the rear Within the next 2-3 series, the final design will be approved by BMW and we will see which direction the will choose to go towards.

Well, I hope you will enjoy these renderings and feel free to leave your comments, suggestions or just a general opinion.

BMW Nice Colour CarRemember the BMW M1 from the late 70′s and early 80′s? Sure, we all do — how could someone forget the only BMW mid-engined homologated racer? Well, for you fans of that MotorWorken hotness, we’ve got an exciting bit of news out of the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, an Italian gathering hosting precious metal from all over the world. The Germans suprised everyone by bringing a piece of racing hotness hearkening back to those halcyon days of the late 70′s — kind of a thirtieth anniversary present to lovers of the old M1. It’s called the BMW M1 Homage concept, a modern-day interpretation of the mid-engined Bavarian exotic. So is this flame-surfaced M1 successor a future classic? Well, it’s hard to say.
BMW Red Colour Car
BMW Concept carDr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW India said, “The new BMW X1 is a modern vehicle that for the first time brings premium BMW characteristics into the compact vehicle segment. The new BMW X1 sets a benchmark by bringing together features of a Sports Activity Vehicle with spontaneous flexibility and outstanding fuel economy. The new BMW X1 is the perfect vehicle for customers focusing on areas such as leisure activities and lifestyle in their choice of car.”

The new BMW X1 will be CKD (completely knocked-down unit) produced in India and the all India ex-showroom prices are as follows -
BMW White Car
BMW Beautifull car
BMW Shine car
BMW Amazing carEx-showroom price excludes RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges; Octroi and entry tax (as applicable). The above ex-showroom prices are exclusive of sales tax / VAT applicable on sale to the customer. Prices and options are subject to change without prior notice.

The new BMW X1 will be available in a range of ten exciting colours to choose from including Alpine White as non-metallic paintwork and the following metallic colours: Black Sapphire, Cashmere Silver, Deep Sea Blue, Vermillion Red, Space Grey, Titanium Silver, Sparkling Bronze, Graphite Blue and Marrakesh Brown.

The new BMW X1 sDrive18i and the new BMW X1 sDrive20d will be available in the upholstery choices: Sensatec Black and Sensatec Beige. Leather Nevada is the standard upholstery for the new BMW X1 sDrive20d Exclusive and is available in the following colours: Beige, Black and Red Brown/Black.

The new BMW X1 expands and enhances the range of BMW X models by yet another innovative vehicle concept. Through its body design the BMW X1 demonstrates self-confident elegance, versatile and sporting character, as well as spontaneous agility. For the first time the features and characteristics of a BMW X model are carried over in modern style into a unique vehicle in the premium compact segment.

All versions of the new BMW X1 are equipped as standard with six-speed automatic transmission with short reaction and gearshift times. In India, the new BMW X1 comes with the dynamic rear-wheel drive system which means the driver enjoys typical BMW agility and driving pleasure – namely precise handling, flawless cornering ability and incomparable dynamics.(ANI)

BMW

The next generation 2012 BMW 3 Series is still a few years out, but this does not stop the curiosity of the true bimmer fans. Our friend Giom decided to show us some renderings of what the next generation BMW 3 Series might look like.

If you remember, Giom is the same designer that came up with the really cool 2012 BMW M6 renderings that were posted on here back in May. I agree with Giom when he says that the next generation 3-series will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, so the styling reflects the current cues, which includes the CS concept.

The headlights retain its basic shape and the intake openings move to the sides of the lower bumper. According to him, this is still an area where the renderings can be improved. There are also lots of detail in the surface folds and creases, creating interesting reflections and shapes. The line bending upwards on the side is a visual helper in creating the illusion of speed. This ‘upward’ line repeats in the rear Within the next 2-3 series, the final design will be approved by BMW and we will see which direction the will choose to go towards.

Well, I hope you will enjoy these renderings and feel free to leave your comments, suggestions or just a general opinion.

BMW Nice Colour CarRemember the BMW M1 from the late 70′s and early 80′s? Sure, we all do — how could someone forget the only BMW mid-engined homologated racer? Well, for you fans of that MotorWorken hotness, we’ve got an exciting bit of news out of the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, an Italian gathering hosting precious metal from all over the world. The Germans suprised everyone by bringing a piece of racing hotness hearkening back to those halcyon days of the late 70′s — kind of a thirtieth anniversary present to lovers of the old M1. It’s called the BMW M1 Homage concept, a modern-day interpretation of the mid-engined Bavarian exotic. So is this flame-surfaced M1 successor a future classic? Well, it’s hard to say.
BMW Red Colour Car
BMW Concept carDr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW India said, “The new BMW X1 is a modern vehicle that for the first time brings premium BMW characteristics into the compact vehicle segment. The new BMW X1 sets a benchmark by bringing together features of a Sports Activity Vehicle with spontaneous flexibility and outstanding fuel economy. The new BMW X1 is the perfect vehicle for customers focusing on areas such as leisure activities and lifestyle in their choice of car.”

The new BMW X1 will be CKD (completely knocked-down unit) produced in India and the all India ex-showroom prices are as follows -
BMW White Car
BMW Beautifull car
BMW Shine car
BMW Amazing carEx-showroom price excludes RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges; Octroi and entry tax (as applicable). The above ex-showroom prices are exclusive of sales tax / VAT applicable on sale to the customer. Prices and options are subject to change without prior notice.

The new BMW X1 will be available in a range of ten exciting colours to choose from including Alpine White as non-metallic paintwork and the following metallic colours: Black Sapphire, Cashmere Silver, Deep Sea Blue, Vermillion Red, Space Grey, Titanium Silver, Sparkling Bronze, Graphite Blue and Marrakesh Brown.

The new BMW X1 sDrive18i and the new BMW X1 sDrive20d will be available in the upholstery choices: Sensatec Black and Sensatec Beige. Leather Nevada is the standard upholstery for the new BMW X1 sDrive20d Exclusive and is available in the following colours: Beige, Black and Red Brown/Black.

The new BMW X1 expands and enhances the range of BMW X models by yet another innovative vehicle concept. Through its body design the BMW X1 demonstrates self-confident elegance, versatile and sporting character, as well as spontaneous agility. For the first time the features and characteristics of a BMW X model are carried over in modern style into a unique vehicle in the premium compact segment.

All versions of the new BMW X1 are equipped as standard with six-speed automatic transmission with short reaction and gearshift times. In India, the new BMW X1 comes with the dynamic rear-wheel drive system which means the driver enjoys typical BMW agility and driving pleasure – namely precise handling, flawless cornering ability and incomparable dynamics.(ANI)