Just two weeks ago, in the beautiful Windy City, BMW setup shop to film the newest and latest commercial of the BMW i3 electric vehicle. Chicago’s famous Wacker Drive, a location used many times by movie franchises, including Batman, was chosen as one of the points of interest in the i3 commercial. BMW i3 and i8 made their world debut two weeks ago in Frankfurt, just weeks before the public debut at Frankfurt Auto Show. The i3, previously known as Megacity Vehicle, is based around a light CFRP body structure and rides on a predominantly aluminum chassis. The BMW i3 provides four adult occupants with excellent all-round visibility, as well as an impressive 200 liters of luggage space behind the rear seats. At 3845mm in length, 2011mm in width and 1537mm in height, the five-door i3 is 120mm longer, 326mm wider and 132mm higher than the Mini One. The plug-in system is a compact electric motor mounted over the rear axle. It draws energy from the battery to provide drive to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. As we announced a few months back, BMW says the i3 will be offered with an optional range extender powertrain (called REx) to satisfy those with longer commutes. The i3 produces 168 horsepower and 184lb ft of torque, and it has a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 s. Excerpt from: Video: BMW i3 spotted in Chicago

Maybe not the hottest comparison on the block, but InsideLine magazine takes the 2010 BMW 328i and places against the all-new, refreshed 2012 Volvo S60 T5. Under the hood, the T5 gets a turbocharged 5-cylinder that makes 250-hp and 266 lb-ft of torque to deliver a 7.2 second 0-60 mph time. The test car used by InsideLine was equipped with an automatic transmission. The 2010 BMW 328i is powered by the soon-to-be-retired 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that makes 230 hp. Engine-whipping is done by a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic. With less horsepower, but 200 pounds lighter and using a manual transmission, the 328i runs from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. Let’s have a look at some of the track numbers and see how the two vehicles stack up against each other. 2012 Volvo S60 T5 BMW 328i Sedan 0-30 (sec):                                 2.7                                2.3 0-45 (sec):                                 4.7                                4.2 0-60 (sec):                                 7.2                                6.4 0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec):        6.9                                6.0 0-75 (sec):                                 10.5                                9.5 1/4-mile (sec @ mph):           15.3 @ 92.5                   14.7 @ 94.8 30-0 (ft):                                     32                                 30 60-0 (ft):                                    128                               126 Skid pad lateral accel (g):         0.85                              0.84 Slalom                                       63.6                              65.0 Full review and stats at InsideLine More here: InsideLine: 2012 Volvo S60 T5...

German tuner Manhart Racing unveils their own version of the new, popular and highly wanted BMW 1 Series M Coupe. As any other BMW tuner, the German shop takes the aggressiveness of the BMW 1M to a new level, both through visual and power upgrades. The “Baby-M” now sits on 20 inch wheels with 295 tires in the rear. In the back, Manhart also provides a redesigned diffuser which fits the overall design. Even though not yet shown to the press, a new front spoiler lip in carbon fiber will be fitted to the 1M. The paint job now feature some sporty black decals, similar to some of the BMW Performance vehicles. Inside, the interior has been designed to match the sporty and raw character of the 1M. BMW Performance bucket seats are now holding tight the driver and passenger through sharp corners. To increase its performance, the six-cylinder twin-turbo engine receives 80 more horsepower through extensive modifications to the engine mappings and a new exhaust system. The total output is now measured at 420 horsepower which should take the BMW 1 Series M Coupe from 0 to 62 mph in less than 4.5 seconds. No pricing has been announced at the moment, but expect these significant upgrades to set you back a few thousand euros. [Source: BimmerToday ] Go here to read the rest:  Photos & Video: BMW 1 Series M Coupe with 420 hp by Manhart Racing

The Maybach Exelero combines the elegance of a high-end limousine with the silky-smooth power of a sports coupé Read the rest here: Maybach Exelero: A Look Back at the Sport Coupe Concept

Nissan’s first try at an EV might make a good second car. Fear. The Nissan Leaf thrives on it. Sure, it projects a friendly, green image—the cute chime at startup, the Zero Emissions badge on the back, the way it quietly breezes past gas stations—but the car’s main reason for existence, the “why” explaining this new “what,” is that we’re afraid we’ll soon run out of petroleum. (At least some of us are.) And Nissan was afraid it wouldn’t be seen as an innovator. Thus we have our first mass-market electric car, being rolled out in small doses across the country. Keep Reading: 2011 Nissan Leaf SL – Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up Read more: 2011 Nissan Leaf Long-Term Wrap: Three Months with an Electric Car See original here: 2011 Nissan Leaf Long-Term Wrap: Three Months with an Electric Car

Nissan’s first try at an EV might make a good second car. Fear. The Nissan Leaf thrives on it. Sure, it projects a friendly, green image—the cute chime at startup, the Zero Emissions badge on the back, the way it quietly breezes past gas stations—but the car’s main reason for existence, the “why” explaining this new “what,” is that we’re afraid we’ll soon run out of petroleum. (At least some of us are.) And Nissan was afraid it wouldn’t be seen as an innovator. Thus we have our first mass-market electric car, being rolled out in small doses across the country. Keep Reading: 2011 Nissan Leaf SL – Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up Read more: 2011 Nissan Leaf Long-Term Wrap: Three Months with an Electric Car Read the original post:  2011 Nissan Leaf Long-Term Wrap: Three Months with an Electric Car

This new mid-size Nissan should appear by the end of next year. Among the recent whirlwind of mid-size sedan updates—including the 2012 Toyota Camry and the forthcoming 2013 Chevrolet Malibu —you might have forgotten about one of the group’s elders, the Nissan Altima . Right on cue, then, arrives this heavily camo’d prototype of the next-generation model, which should go on sale for the 2013 model year. Keep Reading: 2013 Nissan Altima Spy Photos – Future Cars Read the original post: 2013 Nissan Altima Spy Photos: Nissan’s Next Family Sedan is On the Horizon Continued here: 2013 Nissan Altima Spy Photos: Nissan’s Next Family Sedan is On the Horizon

This new mid-size Nissan should appear by the end of next year. Among the recent whirlwind of mid-size sedan updates—including the 2012 Toyota Camry and the forthcoming 2013 Chevrolet Malibu —you might have forgotten about one of the group’s elders, the Nissan Altima . Right on cue, then, arrives this heavily camo’d prototype of the next-generation model, which should go on sale for the 2013 model year. Keep Reading: 2013 Nissan Altima Spy Photos – Future Cars Read the original post: 2013 Nissan Altima Spy Photos: Nissan’s Next Family Sedan is On the Horizon See the rest here:  2013 Nissan Altima Spy Photos: Nissan’s Next Family Sedan is On the Horizon

Just how much of a transformation is the redesigned-for- 2011 Dodge Durango ? I’ve been thinking about how I’d like one to support my itch to tow a larger Airstream travel trailer . Like a lot of other people, the old Durango would never, ever have been on my shopping list. We last tested the old-school Durango in 2008, just one year before the truck went on hiatus partly due to dwindling sales. With a softened suspension to improve the ride, that SUV bounded down the road like a Hemi-powered marshmallow. But now, Durango, you’ve come a long way. Back when Cerebus owned Chrysler, then-Vice Chairman and President Jim Press told us that the new Chrysler wasn’t going for volume anymore; instead they deigned to be the American BMW. While we collectively raised an eyebrow at this notion, maybe there was something to it after all. The new Durango has refined road manners and a well-finished interior. With a raftload of available high-tech features and impressive towing capability numbers, it can now be considered a rival for German three-row SUVs like the Audi Q7 , BMW X5 , and Mercedes-Benz GL . The new Jeep Grand Cherokee , which shares the Durango’s platform, had a similar successful makeover. The new Durango isn’t perfect. It’s heavy, and that weight blunts performance and fuel economy. The 3.6-liter V6 is pleasant, but it needs to rev to move this mass. Towing at its full 6,200-lb weight limit will take some patience. The Hemi V8 tows even more and adds a heaping dollop of torque, but the larger engine takes its toll in fuel economy. (A Durango with Ford’s EcoBoost V6 would be a lovely mash-up.) The upcoming eight-speed automatic can’t arrive soon enough. Check out how the new Durango does in our road test video. And read the Durango road test and Full Track Report . See more here:  Road test video: 2011 Dodge Durango

Just how much of a transformation is the redesigned-for- 2011 Dodge Durango ? I’ve been thinking about how I’d like one to support my itch to tow a larger Airstream travel trailer . Like a lot of other people, the old Durango would never, ever have been on my shopping list. We last tested the old-school Durango in 2008, just one year before the truck went on hiatus partly due to dwindling sales. With a softened suspension to improve the ride, that SUV bounded down the road like a Hemi-powered marshmallow. But now, Durango, you’ve come a long way. Back when Cerebus owned Chrysler, then-Vice Chairman and President Jim Press told us that the new Chrysler wasn’t going for volume anymore; instead they deigned to be the American BMW. While we collectively raised an eyebrow at this notion, maybe there was something to it after all. The new Durango has refined road manners and a well-finished interior. With a raftload of available high-tech features and impressive towing capability numbers, it can now be considered a rival for German three-row SUVs like the Audi Q7 , BMW X5 , and Mercedes-Benz GL . The new Jeep Grand Cherokee , which shares the Durango’s platform, had a similar successful makeover. The new Durango isn’t perfect. It’s heavy, and that weight blunts performance and fuel economy. The 3.6-liter V6 is pleasant, but it needs to rev to move this mass. Towing at its full 6,200-lb weight limit will take some patience. The Hemi V8 tows even more and adds a heaping dollop of torque, but the larger engine takes its toll in fuel economy. (A Durango with Ford’s EcoBoost V6 would be a lovely mash-up.) The upcoming eight-speed automatic can’t arrive soon enough. Check out how the new Durango does in our road test video. And read the Durango road test and Full Track Report . Originally posted here:  Road test video: 2011 Dodge Durango

If you can't get home without a charge, you should've bought a pure EV Should one have preferential treatment? Should there even be free public charging? Who has more rights to a public charging station, pure battery electric plug-ins, such as the Nissan Leaf that have limited range, or plug-in hybrids , such as the Chevy Volt, which can always just use gasoline power? That’s become the issue regarding California Assembly Bill 475 that is once again pitting GM against pure electric car advocates and owners. Range anxiety? It’s a non-issue with the Chevy Volt , right? That’s why the Volt was created in the first place, to overcome range anxiety. So, whom has more right to a public plug-in charging station, someone in a Volt that just wants free electricity, or someone in a Nissan Leaf that isn’t going to make it home without a charge? Seriously, should the Volt even have access to public charging stations? Of course it should, but let’s be honest, pure EVs need public chargers more than Volts do. Anyway, EV Charger Law Spawning New GM Image Woes? , an AutoObserver article, covers this very interesting debate going on in California, which is headed to the Governor’s office. Nevertheless, here’s my take. First, there should be no such thing as free public charging, except during non-peak hours, PERIOD. If a business wants to offer free charging, that’s fine, but a state like California that is many billions of dollars in debt should not. The federal government is already offering up a huge tax credit, as are many states, like California, to help subsidize the purchase of plug-in vehicles . If that’s not enough, then plug-ins are a joke upon the US energy independence movement, at least until a major battery breakthrough is achieved, and even worse, a clever distraction. But, take this idea and shove it The idea of giving away free electricity during peak hours is offensive, inefficient and even counter-productive to the point of plug-ins, especially to someone whom has survived numerous brownouts and blackouts. Sure, it might work to entice more early adopters, but it isn’t a model to be carried forward. It’s just another policy that kicks the can of real energy issues down the road. Ultimately,...

If you can't get home without a charge, you should've bought a pure EV Should one have preferential treatment? Should there even be free public charging? Who has more rights to a public charging station, pure battery electric plug-ins, such as the Nissan Leaf that have limited range, or plug-in hybrids , such as the Chevy Volt, which can always just use gasoline power? That’s become the issue regarding California Assembly Bill 475 that is once again pitting GM against pure electric car advocates and owners. Range anxiety? It’s a non-issue with the Chevy Volt , right? That’s why the Volt was created in the first place, to overcome range anxiety. So, whom has more right to a public plug-in charging station, someone in a Volt that just wants free electricity, or someone in a Nissan Leaf that isn’t going to make it home without a charge? Seriously, should the Volt even have access to public charging stations? Of course it should, but let’s be honest, pure EVs need public chargers more than Volts do. Anyway, EV Charger Law Spawning New GM Image Woes? , an AutoObserver article, covers this very interesting debate going on in California, which is headed to the Governor’s office. Nevertheless, here’s my take. First, there should be no such thing as free public charging, except during non-peak hours, PERIOD. If a business wants to offer free charging, that’s fine, but a state like California that is many billions of dollars in debt should not. The federal government is already offering up a huge tax credit, as are many states, like California, to help subsidize the purchase of plug-in vehicles . If that’s not enough, then plug-ins are a joke upon the US energy independence movement, at least until a major battery breakthrough is achieved, and even worse, a clever distraction. But, take this idea and shove it The idea of giving away free electricity during peak hours is offensive, inefficient and even counter-productive to the point of plug-ins, especially to someone whom has survived numerous brownouts and blackouts. Sure, it might work to entice more early adopters, but it isn’t a model to be carried forward. It’s just another policy that kicks the can of real energy issues down the road. Ultimately,...

Remember Dartz ? You don’t? Yes you do . That’s the Russian company that promised to line the interior of its armored SUV with leather derived from whale penises, but then backpedaled once Pam Anderson and PETA objected. Instead they worked up . . . whatever this Photoshop is . Today, Dartz front man Leonard Yankelovich e-mailed to remind us that his life still resembles that of a fictional character more than anyone else we know of. He mentioned something about Playboy Latvia’s September issue and included a link to this YouTube video . In case the previous sentence didn’t state this clearly enough, the video is not safe for work. (For language; that sentence might have mentioned Playboy , but it also said YouTube.) It would seem that either Dartz’s Prombron armored SUV, the RussoBaltique–branded vodka the Dartz crew is somehow connected to, or both are being featured in the aforementioned magazine, although even that might not be true. It could just be that Leonard had some time on his hands. The rest is here: Russian Automaker Dartz Continues to Do Nothing, Continues to Excel at Same Read the rest here: Russian Automaker Dartz Continues to Do Nothing, Continues to Excel at Same

Remember Dartz ? You don’t? Yes you do . That’s the Russian company that promised to line the interior of its armored SUV with leather derived from whale penises, but then backpedaled once Pam Anderson and PETA objected. Instead they worked up . . . whatever this Photoshop is . Today, Dartz front man Leonard Yankelovich e-mailed to remind us that his life still resembles that of a fictional character more than anyone else we know of. He mentioned something about Playboy Latvia’s September issue and included a link to this YouTube video . In case the previous sentence didn’t state this clearly enough, the video is not safe for work. (For language; that sentence might have mentioned Playboy , but it also said YouTube.) It would seem that either Dartz’s Prombron armored SUV, the RussoBaltique–branded vodka the Dartz crew is somehow connected to, or both are being featured in the aforementioned magazine, although even that might not be true. It could just be that Leonard had some time on his hands. The rest is here: Russian Automaker Dartz Continues to Do Nothing, Continues to Excel at Same Here is the original post:  Russian Automaker Dartz Continues to Do Nothing, Continues to Excel at Same

The automotive crew at Fifth Gear review BMW’s latest model, the new, redesigned and somewhat controversial 2012 BMW 1 Series. To make it even more interesting, Fifth Gear filmed the review with an….iPhone 4. As we wrote prior to the official press launch, Styling wise, the F20 1 Series follows the design language initiated by BMW back in 2009 when the new 7 Series came to market. The car features a bold front that aims to stand out with what we believe are a pair of oversized headlights surrounding a flat and smaller than expected kidney grille. In the back, the taillights are a bit too busy for our taste with an integrated LED L-shape. The car continues to feature a similar hatch-look as the previous generation with a lower positioned trunk and a a more emphasized trunk-lid. Inside is where the new F20 really shines. The interior upgrades are bringing back the premium feel and touch, along with the usual driver oriented position. The Sports line of the new 1er stands out even more, with beautiful red accents inserted and gorgeous dashboard and gauges. But how does it drive? Our test drive editor Shawn Molnar spent some time with the 1er Hatchback in Berlin and here are some his thoughts on the driving experience: One of the best character traits of the new 1 series is its overt turbocharging. The 1.6 liter was full of playful turbo humor, audibly whining as the turbo spooled under throttle, and hissing as the waste gate dropped the boost pressure. What fun! Why not embellish the cheerful character of this turbo engine instead of trying to mask its forced induction? BMW has done a great job allowing the new 118i’s engine to shine through and delight – not just in performance, but in the sound department too. The 1.6 liter inline-4 is equipped with Valvetronic, double VANOS and direct injection along with its turbo. The results are staggering from a 1.6 liter: 170 hp, at 4,800 rpm, 184 lb ft of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm, 0-60 in 7.4 seconds, and a blistering top speed approaching 230 km/hour (we believe it was good for more, but we had to get on the brakes for a slower car meandering into our lane). Pivotal to the new 4 cylinder’s performance was its balance and smoothness. Honestly, this was the smoothest 4 cylinder I’ve ever encountered...