Electric Mini Cooper – Is it the Real Deal?

Speculations have been made about BMW’s development of a full electric Mini to be produced but it has actually been confirmed and a spy shot of the new electric Mini was taken on the streets of Germany. Experts believe this is a test mule of the soon-to-come electric Mini.

Shown in the image on this post is a Hybrid tag that reads “HYBRID Erprobungsfahrzeug” which means “Hybrid vehicle testing”. Now, with knowing that you probably raise the issue of a “Hybrid” as we know it in America is not a full electric car. So what gives? Actually, this very well could mean it is a derivative of two technologies working together. But if you closely look at the image and talk with the photographer that snapped this photo, you will notice the lack of an exhaust pipe. The exhaust is non-existent on this Mini so that leaves us with the conclusion of this actually being a full electric vehicle.

(Click for full-size image)

Lets hear from you! What do you think? Think the exhaust is hidden somewhere? Do you think this is the real deal electric Mini Cooper?

BMW M3 vs. Lexus IS-F – Another Knock Down Drag Out Battle

Who will win when you have a new BMW M3 up against the New Lexus IS-F?

While I am on a roll writing about BMW stuff why not post up the videos of the new BMW M3 up against the Lexus IS F. Bang for your buck? Well that depends. It’s a fair fight this time because it is 2008 and we have two beasts ready to pounce on each other. One from Germany and one from Japan. Who is the better of the two when it comes to pure performance? We added a little bonus with some hot chicks and a little something to get their hearts racing! WOOT WOOT!

Stats on each of the beasts: (provided by lethistorylive.com)

BMW M3

BMW M3 with 4-litre V8 (based on the S85B50 5-litre V10 that powers the E60/E61 M5 and the E63/E64 M6 to date) delivers 420 DIN-hp (309 kW, 414 SAE-hp) at 8,300 rpm and peak torque is 400 N•m (295 ft•lbf) at 3,900 rpm. 0-60 mph: 4.8 Sec. Top Speed: 161 mph (259 km/h) indicated/155 mph (249 km/h) electronically limited, 203mph (308kmh) delimited with DKG (320kmh)

Lexus ISF

Lexus ISF features a 5.0 L direct-injected V8 producing 416 SAE hp (423 PS, 311 kW) at 6,600 rpm, while peak torque is 371 ft•lbf (503 N•m) at 5,200 rpm. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 4.6 seconds. Electronically limited top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h).

You be the judge! Enjoy the Fifth Gear videos!
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BMW ConnectedDrive Demo – A Nice Combo of iDrive and the Internet!

I found a video demonstration of BMW’s newest iDrive aka ConnectedDrive system which incorporates the internet with the accessed interface. Very neat but still looks a bit cumbersome. Still to this day, I don’t know anyone who can just jump into a fully loaded BMW with iDrive, or let alone the ConnectedDrive system, and just take off driving while having the ability to fully utilize 50% of the features on the car. Just give me a German engineered BMW drivetrain, three pedals, steering wheel, and shifter and I am fine.

Who will be the first one to get into an accident while searching Google for the nearest Startbucks?

What do you think about this “ConnectedDrive”???

Official BMW Connected Drive Videos:

A self demonstration of BMW’s ConnectedDrive done by “unknown”:

New 2009 BMW 7-Series Photos and Video – BMW 750Li and BMW 730d

New BMW 7-Series Photos and Video – BMW 750Li and BMW 730d

Some enthusiasts have been looking for real photos of the upcoming 2009 BMW 7-Serieis. Well, wait no more. Here are some photos of the new 2009 BMW 7-Series and Video of the New BMW 7-Series (750Li and 730d versions).

If you are really into cars and know about BMW’s newest releases such as the new 135i and new 3-Series you will find several design cues imbedded in the design of the new 7-Series. It is no doubt that the new BMW’s are all related and we think BMW has done this on purpose to stay in line with a tradition of automotive design. BMW was and still is known as a benchmark setter and they want to keep it that way.

2009 BMW 7-Series information:
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BMW RUN TO THE ISLAND MEET JUNE 28, 2008 – Jax, FL

Automotive Addicts helped set up yet another BMW Meet… this time it was a run to the island. It started off with lunch at Caddy Shack with about 40 people. We then headed up Interstate I95 on our journey to Amelia Island in sunny and HOT Florida. It was a great turnout and everyone had a great time. We want to thank Matt for helping put on a good meet and setting up the route. We also want to thank everyone for coming out to make this meet a success.

We will have a lot more events like this in the Jacksonville, FL area including all kinds of vehicles very soon.

Please check back for updates in the Events section.

Here are some images and video footage of the meet.

Enjoy!

You can view more images by checking the m3forum HERE!

2010 BMW M3 CSL Rendering

Here is a picture of an artists renderings of what it might look and I think it looks nice. No official images have been leaked of the CSL and no specs. The car is rumored to be released late 2009-late 2010. How many hp do you think the CSL will have and what features?

Article By CARversation.com 

BMW Mockumentary: Launch a BMW 135i From Germany to USA

BMW finally admitted to making this mockumentary of launching/catapulting a new BMW 135i from Germany to the USA. It can be a very funny video as many people over some time thought that this was a totally fake video. Well, it is fake, BUT, it is real also because it IS actually promoted by BMW. This is why BMW denied claiming this video until they got a “feel” for how people accepted the video. The town represented in the video is fake so everything else following the introduction is…. Well…. Fake also.

If you have 30-minutes to burn then read below or click on “read the rest of this entry”
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BMW GINA Light Visionary Model The Premiere – A Car With Skin

Talking about interesting and a big “question raiser”… why? To save gas, to look “cool” maybe to be just plain ol different. Sure, I dig this, it is pretty freakin neat if you ask me. BMW is known to do a few bold things and have several “things” in development such as a hydrogen powered 7-series, hybrids and other new innovative cars such as the GINA shown here. In the video below, Chris pretty much explains the whole concept idea and what is to come. Will we see something like this on the road one day soon? Probably not in our life-time unless we get rid of all knives and thieves… you thought slashing tires was bad enough… try slashing the skin of your car. No worries, you can just slip on a new skin just like you with iPods and iPhones right? BMW, the fabric of our lives… sure!

“With the development of the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model the BMW Group presents trendsetting solutions. Chris Bangle gives us a first impression of the ideas behind the process of sculpturing an experimental study. This is the story behind this innovation!”

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