Thursday, May 26, 2011

BMW News.

Exclusive: BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has had one for a few years, and Jaguar-Land Rover recently fitted units to its all-new XJ and updated Range Rover. Now BMW is getting ready to offer its own fully configurable LCD gauge cluster on the next-generation 5 Series and 7 Series models.
Co-developed in Munich and BMW's Technology Office in Mountain View, CA, 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. Comfort and Sport settings will tailor the display to suit conditions, possibly placing the tachometer front-and-center in Sport mode, along with providing shift lights and other more driver-centric information.
A BMW engineer we spoke with made it clear that BMW doesn't want to rely on digital representations of analog gauges. Instead, the automaker is looking at the display as a blank canvas with which it can display a variety of information in an innovative way. However, while consumer customization will be available, BMW believes that keeping the user-tweakability to a minimum is key for ease-of-use and general readability.
Expect the new dash to appear on the refreshed 5 and 7 Series within the next two years.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

2011 BMW 7-Series.

BMW's latest flagship sedan comes in a variety of flavors, ranging from the base 740i turbocharged V6 model rated at 315 horsepower, to the V8 750i, powered by BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo, which first appeared under the hood of the new X6. Rated at 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The twin-turbocharged V8 will be powering the 750i and 750Li models, in both traditional two wheel drive and BMW's new xDrive (AWD) versions.
The 760i will find its forward and reverse motion from an eight-speed automatic transmission.
For the latest model year onward, BMW is raising the stakes with a 535 hp, 6.0-liter, turbocharged V12 powering the 760Li. For the 760Li the sticker price will begin at $136,600. This makes the 760Li the only large luxury sedan in at this price point available with a V12 in the US market.
Compared with the outgoing model, the new 7-Series sedan grows by 5.5 inches at the wheelbase. The European market also has a choice of a 3.0-liter twin turbo diesel delivering 242 hp and 399 lb-ft and the familiar twin-turbo gasoline 3.0-liter inline-six upgraded to 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission will be mated to the V8 engine, with the shifter moved from the steering column back to the center console.
The new 7-Series will roll on 18-inch alloy wheels shod in all-season run-flat tires in a 245/50R18 size. Two styles of 19-inch wheels with performance-oriented rubber will be optional.
Weight-saving measures have shaved about 120 lbs thanks largely to increased use of aluminum in the body as compared to the previous generation car despite the new car carrying more standard equipment. Another detail change meant to improve fuel consumption by reducing drag is a flap in the grille that eliminates unneeded airflow.
Four-wheel steering will be included on the 7-Series option list, along with an all-wheel drive option known as xDrive. With the four-wheel steering system the rear wheels will turn in the opposite direction as the front ones at speeds below 35 mph, and will turn up to three degrees in the same direction as speeds climb above that.
A new active chassis management system BMW calls IMS will give users the choice of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings, changing settings such as shock settings, steering effort, gear change speed and smoothness, and the sensitivity of the stability control system.
A new active chassis management system BMW calls IMS will give users the choice of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings, changing settings such as shock settings, steering effort, gear change speed and smoothness, and the sensitivity of the stability control system.
A new night vision system promises to increase safety for pedestrians. The new system will be able to detect human presence in front of the vehicle and then flash a warning symbol on the display. Moreover, the system will be able to tell if a pedestrian is in the road or safely on the sidewalk, although it's not clear how the system can differentiate the two.
The new system is so advanced, it's also able to read speed limit signs and warn drivers when they are driving too fast. However, this feature will only be available in Europe for the time being. A lane departure warning system will notify drivers of cars in their blind spots via a vibrating steering wheel and a message on the dashboard-mounted screen, which now grows to 10.2 inches from 8.8.

The big BMW will also be keeping an eye on your speed during inclement weather. The camera can detect fog or rain, and will warn drivers when they are approaching an unsafe speed. Despite the warning, the system has no control over the speed of the vehicle so those with lead feet need not worry.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

2011 BMW 7 Series.

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is proving to be more eventful for BMW than the automaker had originally intended. As workers were preparing to load a
BMW 7 Series onto a transport truck near Detroit's Westin Book Cadillac hotel, a pair of thieves jumped in and drove off with the German luxury sedan. The car is said to be worth $140,000, and as of this writing, local police have had no luck tracking down the stolen vehicle. Thankfully, this 7 Series is equipped with BMW Assist, which locates a vehicle if it's stolen, so it's only a matter of time before cops close in on the BMW bandits.
If some brand-new 7 Series parts wind up on Craigslist's Detroit-area 'for sale' section, we're willing to bet the sale price is too-good-to-be-true for a reason.
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