Coupes have always had an important role in the history of BMW over the last 8 decades. It started with the 328 Karmann Coupe in pre-World War II Europe. The big coupe won the 1940 Mille Miglia and with its success would fall under the curtain of war spreading across Germany and the rest of Europe. About 3 decades on an the world would be lucky enough to meet the BMW E9 coupe – which would go on to be a huge success in the European touring car series’, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and solidify BMW’s position as a genuine maker of modern, high performance coupes. The success of the roadgoing 3.0CSi of the early 1970′s was followed up by the more expensive, more luxurious and higher performing original E24 6 Series which would receive only minor cosmetic changes and a handful of engine upgrades over its 13 year production life culminating in the ultimate iteration with the first M6 in the history of BMW – powered by the venerable straight-six M88 engine. The start of the 1990′s brought BMW’s biggest step forward in it’s big two door via the 8 Series. At its release in 1991, the 850i was the most expensive and most technically advanced vehicle in the history of the black, blue and white badge. In European spec, the 8 Series even came with an early version of the modern ASR system found on the F01 7 Series – allowing the driver to provide a few degrees of steering input to the rear wheels for improved handling at speed. Additionally, the variety of engines helped the 8 Series reach wider appeal with the M62 V8 engine of the 840i and the M70 V12 of the 850i. With the demise of the ultra BMW coupe in the late 1990′s – many would think that it would not be until 2004 when the next 6 Series was released before BMW had another true coupe in the line-up.  However, that would be an incorrect statement. During BMW’s absence from the big coupe market the role was supplanted by the tiny but quite wide E36 M Coupe based upon original Z3 Coupe. With a petite, lithe figure from head-on – the car swelled to a gigantic rear with blistered wheel arches and a fat, quad exhaust. Perhaps the Kim Kardashian of the late 90′s car market? Due to it’s proportions and roofline , the Z3-based...

Autoblog reports on a new technology that will be fitted in the facelifted 5 and 7 Series models. BMW is getting ready to offer a fully configurable LCD gauge cluster, similar to what Mercedes introduced in the S-Class or Jaguar in their XJ flagship. According to the publication, the development takes place as a mixed effort between the BMW Technology Office in Palo Alto, CA and the Munich development team. The new gauge cluster will display the standard dials for speed, revs, fuel and temp, but can be configured to show additional navigation, telematics and infotainment data depending on the driving mode. Essentially, more driver-centric information will be displayed as needed or configured, another step towards the ConnectedDrive technology featured in the recently unveiled Vision Concept. A BMW engineer said for Autoblog that BMW doesn’t want to rely on digital representations of analog gauges, but rather use a black canvas that can display information in a variety of ways. The customization process will be kept to a minimum though, a move that will allow the company to focus on usability. The BMW 7 Series is due for a refresh in 2013, followed a year later by the F10 5 Series. [Source: Autoblog ] See the original post: LCD gauges coming for refreshed BMW 5 and 7 Series models

A new photo BMW 1M gallery emerges from the UK press drives. For the respective market, BMW will offer 450 units of the 1M, each one of them carrying a plate to emphasize the “limited edition” of the baby-M. The US customers will receive anywhere from 600 to 1,000 units by the end of this year, and recent reports confirm that the production will end in 2011. For those of you that missed our comprehensive test drive of the 1M , here are some of our thoughts from the track: “The 1M on the track is addictive. It’s a combination of great sounds, great chassis, and a thoroughly well matched powerplant to the car. It’s shorter wheelbase makes it just that much more nimble than larger cars and all of that torque, available almost off idle this will make the 1M a killer on any track with a surfeit of slow speed corners. This thing is nasty quick, it just digs hard out of the corners. Go wide open throttle and you’ll get the additional torque from the overboost function for about five seconds, enough to propel you headlong into the next corner. The latest photo gallery showcases once again the Valencia Orange metallic paint with the 1M being driven both on and off the track. Here is the original post: Photo Gallery: BMW 1M in the UK

The lightweight M3 four-door moves closer to production . BMW added the orangalicious, bewinged, and stripped-out GTS to the M3 coupe lineup last summer; the next model in the special-edition pecking order, apparently, is the M3 sedan. Keep Reading: 2012 BMW M3 Evo / GTS Sedan Spy Photos – Future Cars Original post: Lightweight 2012 BMW M3 GTS Sedan Spied at the ’Ring Read more from the original source:  Lightweight 2012 BMW M3 GTS Sedan Spied at the ’Ring

Natural gas could power conventional cars, hybrids and even plug-in vehicles. Why isn't more being done? Working towards a perfect energy solution For years now Toyota has had a production ready natural gas hybrid car awaiting a US embrace of natural gas. Quantum Technologies can convert Ford Escape hybrids into natural gas hybrids. Numerous companies can convert hybrid vehicles into plug-in hybrid vehicles. Couldn’t all of these possibilities help drive the US towards greater energy security and a cleaner environment while strengthening the economy? Or, is natural gas a dangerous distraction? Natural gas isn’t a renewable resource and fracking shale is dangerous. Quite simply, natural gas isn’t a perfect energy solution. Even worse, if natural gas becomes too plentiful and too cheap, there will be less investment into more perfect solutions like solar powered electric cars. At least that’s what some say. According to Tim Yeo MP , Chair of a UK MP Committee regarding shale, however, fracking might not be that dangerous. “There has been a lot of hot air recently about the dangers of shale gas drilling, but our inquiry found no evidence to support the main concern—that UK water supplies would be put at risk. There appears to be nothing inherently dangerous about the process of “fracking” itself and as long as the integrity of the well is maintained shale gas extraction should be safe.” Even if true, natural gas still isn’t renewable, and it could reduce the focus on renewable alternatives. But, does it have to? For instance, natural gas can work with hybrid cars , including plug-in hybrids . It could also be used to develop a number of alternative fuels, including some with renewable potential, such as methanol via methanogensis. Moreover, natural gas could be just one piece of a comprehensive energy policy that includes renewables, perhaps like the natural gas and wind connection in the Pickens plan, for instance. In fact, any comprehensive energy plan that significantly embraces natural gas only makes sense if it also advances alternative, renewable energy sources, as natural gas is not a permanent solution. However, natural gas offers massive near term potential to reduce foreign oil dependence in a timely...

Mercedes-Benz’s three-row box is headed for a refresh in 2012. The arrival of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GL-class brute is drawing closer, and today our spies got their best look yet at the next three-row ute at, of all places, the Nürburgring. Keep Reading:  2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-class / GL450 / GL550 Spy Photos – Future Cars Original post: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-class Spied The rest is here: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-class Spied

At an event in Palo Alto this afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its highest mileage window sticker yet – for the Tesla Roadster. The sticker shows 111 miles per gallon equivalent: 116 MPGe on the highway and 105 MPGe in the city. In addition, it shows the Tesla Roadster will go 245 miles on an eight-hour charge. The EPA’s 245-mile figure is what Tesla uses for its own range claims. (We haven’t tested the $120,000 sports car, so can’t vouch for either the range or energy usage figures.) In the emissions section of the fuel economy label, the Roadster scores a perfect “10” in both greenhouse gas and smog ratings. However, those ratings don’t count emissions from the powerplants that produce electricity for the car. How clean the source energy is really depends on where you live. The event was a local, West Coast follow-up to the Agency’s announcement of its new fuel economy label. Related: EPA and DOT release new window stickers to aid in choosing fuel-efficient cars New 2013 model-year car window stickers explained Survey: Car buyers want better fuel economy and are willing to pay for it See more here:  Extreme window sticker: Tesla Roadster rated 111 MPGe

Cities throughout the nation are facing budget issues and left scrambling for ways of increasing revenue. For some, that means turning a focus toward making more money from publicly owned parking structures or repurposing them for the changing needs of commuters who are affected by higher gas prices—and in many cases, to use those parking… Read more:  Cash-Strapped Cities Hoping For More Income From Parking Buildings

So, according to Chuck Squatriglia over at Wired’s Autopia, a guy that owns a Tesla roadster has just rolled the odo. past 100-thousand. And that’s clicks (Kilometers), by the way. On the one hand, there’s a lot for your typical lunk-skulled gearhead to whine about, but there’s another, bigger level here: So what? Here’s what: We are going to have to deal with electric cars. Period. Let me say that one more time: We are going to have to deal with electric cars. No amount of droning and bitching and moaning, no amount of wishful thinking is going to let us (i.e. humans) keep producing cars of the “efficiency” of a built 1968 GTX by the tens of thousands. There are many, and on some days, I am one of them, that this is a terrible loss not just for the people who are in to cars, but also humanity in general. That might be the case. But it is also the undeniable fact that designing, building, manufacturing, owning, running, maintaining and disposing of vehicles like that (even their modern equivalents) is going to become so astronomically expensive (in terms of money, enviro impact, morality, etc.) that we are going to be driving alternatives. In other words: If you’re a gearhead, then you’re going to have to learn to live with electric cars. That is why it is important to note that this fellow, Hansjörg von Gemmingen has just rolled over the big 100 (yes, even if it is in 100-thousand of those diabolical, socialist metric system thingos (why next thing you know, they’ll start measuring Mustang engines using the metric system!)). “But, but … ” you’ll hear the knuckle-dragging stupes sputter before launching into some screed about how this is demeaning, not only to our societal system, but to us as free and thinking individuals. They’ll start losing it and will start mawkishly going on about “basic market principles” and “our God-given rights” to own something that weighs 5300 pounds at the curb (or should I say kerb?), ready to drive down to the track for the day, loaded with coolers and beer and your stash and 3 of your buddies and two new girls, burning about 5 gallons of dino-juice for every mile your lead right foot commands it to cover. But nothing,...

Chrysler has built a plug-in hybrid Ram pickup, but there’s one catch: the trucks aren’t for sale, and won’t be coming to a dealership near you any time soon. Instead, the hybrid Rams were built as part of a demonstration project to field-test hybrid systems under the worst possible conditions. The initial 10 hybrid Rams were… Read more: Chrysler Delivers Experimental Ram Plug-In Hybrid Pickups

The diversity of choices in the three-row SUV marketplace means that each comes with a different set of strengths and weaknesses. The Toyota Highlander , especially in hybrid form, is particularly well rounded. As expected from a car company that emphasizes quiet and serene driving, the Highlander has a plush ride and hushed interior. There’s generous space in the front and second rows, but many competitors have a bigger third-row seat. Still, the Highlander cabin is easy to live with, thanks to simple controls and good visibility. The Hybrid version that we recently tested-with its updated, larger engine for 2011-gets great fuel economy, too. But the Highlander isn’t perfect. It might seem contradictory to mention “sporty handling” and “three-row SUV” in the same breath, but as the video mentions, some rivals do a good job of feeling smaller to drive than their outside dimensions suggest. The Highlander just can’t do that. Our loaded Hybrid Limited version also cost over $47,000, limiting its appeal and eating into the money saved from using less gasoline. (By comparison, a non-hybrid Highlander Limited AWD, without navigation, rings in around $39,000.) For more insights, take a look at our video and visit the model overview page for the complete road test and ratings. Read the original: Test complete video: 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Hyundai and Kia are this month expected to pull ahead of Toyota and Honda, to be the third top-selling brands in the U.S. market after only GM and Ford. Even more to the point, Hyundai and Kia are expected to be the only major brands with sales up versus April. According to the pricing-intelligence firm TrueCar, Hyundai and Kia combined will sell… See original here: May Auto Sales: Hyundai And Kia Take Third Place, Ahead Of Toyota

New car window stickers will soon provide shoppers with more fuel economy data, empowering smarter decisions. The labels still list city, highway, and combined fuel economy and annual fuel costs, as well as air-quality ratings. But now the labels also include comparative information. Below the overall, city, and highway numbers is a small number labeled “ gallons per 100 miles .” The inverse of fuel economy, gallons per 100 miles provides a better comparison between large and small vehicles. That’s because a one-mpg difference for a gas guzzler is much more significant than a one-mpg difference among more efficient vehicles. In a box below the gallons per 100 miles figure (3.8 in our example) is the annual cost of fuel for the vehicle: $2,300. That cost is calculated by on multiplying the gallons per 100 miles by 15,000 miles a year of driving and $4 per gallon of gas for regular. When applicable, a higher cost per gallon is used for premium, diesel, and some other fuels. Another prominently displayed dollar figure ($3,500 in the example) shows how much you can save, or how much extra you’ll have to spend, to fuel the vehicle in question for five years compared with the average car. Again, this highlights the larger expenditures for big vehicles compared with savings for smaller ones. At the lower right is a box that shows a comparison of vehicle emissions. Two lines show where the vehicle falls, on a 1 to 10 scale, compared with all other cars and light trucks. In both cases, higher numbers are better. One line shows grams of carbon dioxide per mile. It is calculated directly from fuel economy, and put on a rating scale. The smog ratings is a longtime EPA measurement of pollution based on specific thresholds for nitrogen oxide, non-methane organic gas, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and formaldehyde. Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. Electric cars For electric cars, the sticker is more complicated. The largest number in the top box shows a miles per gallon equivalent, calculated from a measurement of how many kilowatt hours a vehicle consumes over 100 miles (also shown below the mpg equivalent), divided by 100 miles, and multiplied by the government’s conversion factor of 33.7 kilowatt hours per gallon. Energy...

When Hyundai first launched their Genesis sedan in the U.S. in 2008, a lot of critics scoffed. Common wisdom said that Hyundai built economy cars, and that no one would take a luxury sedan from the Korean manufacturer seriously. Fast-forward just three years, and it’s clear that Hyundai can compete in the luxury sedan segment. Sales of the… Originally posted here:  2012 Hyundai Genesis Lineup Gets A Pricetag

At first glance, the difference is obvious: a U.S. market 2012 Volkswagen Passat, now built in VW’s Tennessee plant, is quite a bit cheaper than its E.U. counterpart, which is built at VW’s Emden or Zwickau plants in Germany. An enterprising German buyer could, in theory, pay $25,995 for a U.S.-built Passat SE TDI , while the same car… Read the rest here: VW’s Math Shows U.S. Passat No Bargain For E.U. Buyers