X6 Active Hybrid Spotted Yet Again….
We’re getting used to the BMW X6, Hybrid version, popping all over the place in what it seems to be the final testing stages. The hideous hump on the hood that we have seen in the early testing phases has trimmed down a bit and the hood on this test mule looks promising and …I can’t believe I will say this, quite attractive. It somehow reminds me of the aggressive sexy look of the new M3 and I hope the final production model will not be far off.
This prototype has been spotted this time on German soil, compared to the multiple previous shots taken by our friend Palbay, near Spartanburg, SC. The BMW X6 Hybrid will utilize the previously outlined dual mode ActiveHybrid system, developed together GM and Daimler, which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises. It is expected to improve fuel efficiency by about 20% when compared to the xDrive50i V8 model.
The system uses a modular hybrid system which can be adapted to many different engine/vehicle combinations, as opposed to a design-specific petrol engine/hybrid combination, which sees wider use in the automotive industry.
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BMW 3-Series selected most reliable car in the UK
Another day, another award for BMW. This time, their highest seller, the 3 Series, has been voted the most reliable car in a survey of Britain’s vehicle leasing companies.Â
The survey compiled by Fleet News looked at multi-marque leasing companies. In all 881,000 cars were reviewed based on the number of breakdowns per 100 of each type of model on each leasing company’s fleet. Point awards were given depending on the number of times particular brands or models come out in the tables supplied by the leasing companies as well as the position in which they were found.
Besides the BMW 3 Series, the Mini Hatch and the 1 Series made the top ten, finishing on the fifth place, respectively seventh. A great win for BMW in one of their largest markets, especially since the Japanese car manufacturers are always at the top of reliability surveys.
BMW at SEMA
SEMA Show held usually in late October or early November in Las Vegas brings together aftermarket manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, car dealers, specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers and restoration specialists.Â
Every year, the show draws more and more members, along with a record number of visitors, Â and 2008 was no different. Below, I’m going to show you some photos of BMWs that were present there, but if any of you attended the show this year and snapped some photos, please feel free to contact me and I will feature them in this article.
Some of the cars below are quite beautiful, while others are….let’s just say overdone, but in the end, this is what the show is all about.
And let me start first to this car, underneath all of this Batman stuff, it is actually a BMW 6 Series.
[Sources: Bimmerforums, AustinGrade.com, Bimmerfest ]
Video: BMW picks up two awards
BMW 1-series picked up an award and so did the Night Vision commercial for BMW. I’ve never seen that night vision commercial b, but that is some good advertising and film-making.Â
Video: 2010 BMW PAV
The fellows a Edmunds Insideline have spotted the 2010 BMW PAS, but this time, on camera. We have seen the Progressive Activity Sedan being tested intensively for the past few weeks, with spy photos coming out almost weekly.Â
This time we have some footage of the BMW PAS and from what I can tell, the video has to be at least few weeks old, since the latest spy shots were definitely more revealing. But regardless, I still wanted to share this video with you and I need to make a few corrections between I will let you watch it.
According to Insideline, this is the BMW V Series due in 2010, so while the year is correct, the PAS will be actually part of the F series, more precisely F5. Also, the concept will definitely not going to compete against the Mercedes R-Class and it will be marketed as a model between the 2010 BMW 5 Series and the 7 Series.
[Source: Insideline via MyTopClip ]
More details on the 2009 Green Car Finalists
A few days ago, we posted the Top 5 Finalists in the 2009 Green Car Award. We didn’t get into many details regarding the vehicles listed on there, but Shrawan, the Editor at indianautosblog.com put together a short article on the Top 5 “green” finalists.
Car Journal, the leading resource for information about exciting and environmentally positive vehicles, has announced the finalists for its annual Green Car of the Year award for 2009. The award recognizes new model vehicles that provide real answers for new car buyers looking for a personal stake in lessening environmental impact and without any surprises, the 3-Series diesel (335d) has booked a birth in the finalist’s roll call.
So, without further ado, we bring to you – The Top 5 Green cars for 2009(in alphabetical order)
1) BMW 335d
BMW’S 335d showcases how well advanced, efficient, and clean diesel power can be incorporated into a performance-based sport sedan. With 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway fuel economy and gobs of torque, there’s no sacrifice for performance fans here. This car, as per reports, is definitely heading India’s way in the next year or so.
2) Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford’s first hybrid sedan uses a more advanced adaptation of the automaker’s full hybrid system to allow electric driving up to 47 mph, bringing the roomy five-passenger Fusion best-in-class fuel economy. An innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide helps drivers achieve maximum mpg.
BMW X6 Hybrid spied again
The upcoming BMW X6 Active Hybrid has been spotted one more time and by who else other than our dear friend Palbay and the friends at LeftLaneNews. We would be seeing his name a lot in the next months with more and more vehicles coming out of the Spartanburg Plant.
The newer, greener X6 seems to be almost production ready and my prediction is that we will be seeing this car within the next six months.  The BMW X6 Hybrid will utilize the previously outlined dual mode ActiveHybridsystem, developed together GM and Daimler,  which has discrete modes for high-torque, low speed driving as well as for high-speed cruises. Â
Here comes again the 2010 BMW PAS
Another week and more photos of a new BMW concept, the PAS, short for Progressive Activity Sedan, a car that we have talked about in the past and gave some full details on what BMW wants to achieve with this new model.
2010 BMW 6 Series Spy Shots
Finally we get to see some new prototypes being driven around. Moving away from all the Z4, PAS, 7 Series shots, today we have the next generation 2010 BMW 6 Series, codename F13. With the current car being already very successful, BMW will not drastically change the design.
What we know is that the front headlights will be similar to the ones on the CS Concept but will not have the circular cut out, just a straight across slit. Longer than today’s model, the 2010 6-Series will offer more legroom for rear passengers. At the same time, it will get a sportier cockpit with a more driver oriented console layout.
We also learned that the convertible will be offered with a folding hardtop, like the new 3-Series convertible.
The rumor going around is that there will be three engine options, 306, 408, and 507 horsepower and of course the new eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters.
That’s all we really know for now, but hopefully we will hear more soon.
Video review: BMW M3 vs Mercedes C63 vs Lexus IS-F
The friends at Drivers-Republic.com have been teasing me for weeks with a work-in-progress video review of the BMW M3 against the Mercedes C63 and Lexus IS-F. We have already been down this road once before, with another review on the previously mentioned cars, but this one is different. There are no race tracks involved, but rather some beautiful windy roads in the great Wales.
I love also how they managed to get the cars together in the same scenes and give you better images of the cars racing against each other. Anyway, enough said, I will let you watch it and of course, I won’t tell you who the winner was.
Budds’ BMW is Connected
