According to source: Motor Authority: With 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque on tap, the smallish roadster packs plenty of punch. It even has some reserves, with an overboost function allowing brief stints at 369 pound-feet of torque under full load. The end result is a 60 mph sprint time of 4.7 seconds. Like all BMWs, the 2011 Z4 sDrive35is is electronically limited to 155 mph. Ultimately, though its performance is excellent, it’s not as hardcore as a true M model would be.

The Z4 sDrive35is’s rear wheels are driven by BMW’s seven-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission, while the full M Sport treatment is also standard equipment, including a more aggressive body kit, lower suspension setup and electronic shock absorbers.

Most “Hybrid” cars on the road today give its driver an average range of 40 – 45 miles per run. ActivE supplies 100 miles of everyday use to its occupants. Charging times required for this lithium-ion battery is very short: a European power grid can recharge a battery pack in just 3 hours at a wall box with a current of 50 ampere at 230/240 volts. In North America, the charge time is a little over 4 hours. BMW may have constructed the best example of zero-emissions driving to date.

Power is set at 170 HP with 184 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get the battery-laden coupe up to 60 MPH in about 8.5 seconds. Built into the 1-Series platform, this is all meant to produce an electric car experience more in line with BMW’s expressed value as a driver’s machine.

Looking for something that takes you around those Jersey Shore sand dunes, thus avoiding the t-shirt shores and any “Situation?” Mini’s Beachcomber concept may be the ride for you. Yes, Mini has created a beach cruiser for possible production. It’s a smaller take on the Jeep Wrangler, with one of the oddest door designs we’ve ever seen. It’s a two regular doors on the passenger side, a sliding rear driver-side door, a side-hinged rear hatch, and a sliding roof.

The purpose of this design is to, according to Mini PR: “limit the intensity of the occupants’ encounter with their surrounding world.” Don’t worry, there are seatbelts. It’s the most ‘American” can Mini has had to date – regular sized tires and enough room for more then 2 people. You’ve come a long way, little Mini.

BMW ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR THE 2011 BMW ACTIVEHYBRID 7
The most powerful hybrid luxury sedans will be priced from $103,125

2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 packages and optional equipment:
* Camera Package $350
o Side view cameras
* Cold Weather Package $800
o Heated steering wheel & rear seats
* Driver Assistance Package $1,350
o Automatic high beams, lane departure warning,
active blind spot detection
* Rear Seat Entertainment Package $2,200
o Multimedia player and two 8-inch screens
* Luxury Rear Seating Package (750Li only) $3,700
o Rear ventilated, massaging Comfort Seats
* BMW Night Vision $2,600
* 20-inch wheels $1,300
* Power Rear Sunshades $1,000
* Ceramic controls $650
* 6-disc DVD-changer $600
* iPod/USB-Adapter $400
* Satellite radio $350
* Smartphone integration $150

What’s the most adorable thing you can do with a BMW X1? Let a bunch of kids create one out of Lego bricks! A group of 800 kids, ages 5 to 13, got the chance to create a BMW X1 model, piece by piece, in Germany.

The model was built to scale – 4.5 meters long, 1.8m wide and 1.5m high. We would have gone with a separate color (colour) other then yellow, but it’s still cute!

A total of 165,000 LEGO bricks were used in creating the 2010 X1. BMW initiated the artwork fundraiser for socially disadvantaged children. For every built-up LEGO block the company will donate money to the Children’s World “Die Arche” in Munich. If you’re in Munich go check it out in person at BMW World.

via worldcarfans

Press Release | “Wash Me” Ten MINI cars. Ten artists. To mark its 50th anniversary, MINI launches the book “Wash Me”

Zurich. It’s always tempting to write “Wash Me” on a dirty car or to draw something on a fogged windscreen with your finger. Everyday situations like this were the inspiration for this publication, says Nico Ammann, art director and photographer of the works featured in the book to be published by MINI Switzerland in a limited edition of 2,000.

The upshot is a colourful volume depicting a wide range of subjects, and one that will appeal not only to MINI fans. The common thread is that none of the ten artists has ever before worked with the automobile as a medium, and each has transformed it into a transient work of art.

The following artists and authors contributed to the book project: Smash137, Fabian Bertschinger, Marisa Pichler and Gigi Burn, Tika, Euro, Aurèle Sack, Stefan Ege and Seak, August, Rémi Jaccard and, last but not least Dieter Meier, also famous as the singer in the band Yello.

Designer Alfredo Häberli provided two sketches and an article. The author and journalist Michèle Roten and Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Otten, director of the design department at Zurich University of the Arts, likewise made creative written contributions to the book, which will be out in early November.

Art always was, and remains, a key aspect of the MINI brand. MINI is, for example, the exclusive partner of the “Ludlow 38″ exhibition space at the Goethe-Institut in New York, located in the heart of the thriving gallery district in the Lower East Side, near Chinatown and not far from the New Museum of Contemporary Art. Since its inauguration in 2008, this gallery space has presented contemporary artistic projects in collaboration with various cultural partners in Germany. Through its partnership with brands such as Bisazza and its involvement with FIAC 2007 or the International Talent Support / MINI International Photo Award in Trieste, MINI also remains true to its traditional involvement with unconventional cultural projects. Reason enough to welcome the launch of a vibrant photo book that is bound to delight MINI fans as well as design, art and photographic enthusiasts.

According to WCF: Other performance modifications include a stainless steel sport exhaust system (with chromed ‘racing’ tailpipes) and a revised suspension. To enhance the Z4′s good looks, Schnitzer added an aerodynamic body kit with a new front spoiler, a chrome grille, aggressive front fenders (with integrated air vents), and a two-piece rear spoiler. The styling can be further accented by a wide variety of custom AC Schnitzer wheels available in 18, 19 or 20 inches. Inside, the company adds an aluminum cover for the iDrive controller and an aluminum pedal set.

The 2010 BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid, a much-anticipated diesel/electric hybrid auto, is pretty much set for it’s 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show revealing. ActiveHybrid models should start to appear at BMW dealerships by year’s end, but we’ve got “officially official” photos and videos for your viewing pleasure!
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BMW’s 7-Series Security Car has more buttons in the dash then KITT from Knight Rider. An intercom system with concealed microphones and speakers, “assault” alarm and fire-extinguishing system for cooling fires in the engine compartment, as well as below the vehicle. Gas (as in tear gas) sensors automatically close all windows, activate the central locking system, shut the fresh air valves and shut off ventilation systems, while internal fresh-air supply system pump breathable air. BMW offers up a center console gun case with compartments for two machine guns…NICE!

Outside, both driver and passengers are protected by bullet-resistant glass and special steel armor mounted in the doors, roof, pillars, front footwell and separation wall between passenger & trunk. And yes, the undercarriage is armored with special plating, “developed with a particular focus on maximum explosion protection.” But no, we have no clue how much the car weighs.

(Via: Wired)

BMW’s new F1.08 race car has undergone revolutionary improvements in order to push it to the limits on the Formula One track. This vehicle is expected to up the competition on the tracks though it has had some difficulty reaching its peak performance. Launched in early January the vehicle has been having multiple technical problems in testing despite all of its new high performance features. Technical director Willy Rampf said that “In order to make a step forward our engineers pushed it to the limit in many different areas like aerodynamics, suspension, cooling, brakes, steering feedback and others.” Rampf and his team have taken great risk to push the bar on the Formula One raceway.

The new F1.08 has proven to be much faster than the previous F1.07. Ramp feels that the his team needs to learn the ins and outs of the car in order to consistently take advantage of the high performance vehicle and states that “I have no doubt that we are getting there.”

Check out this Video of the all new F1.08