New Details On The BMW-Toyota Sports Car

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

In 2012, BMW and Toyota corporations announced a new partnership to expand their existing cooperation on EV battery R&D. The joint efforts will also include a future cooperation on fuel cells, powertrain electrification, CFRP production, and BMW-Toyota Sports Car.

First rumors mentioned a possible successor to the popular Supra model. But MotorTrend joins the rumormill today with new information around a stand-alone coupe that will be positioned differently than the Z4 or even the i8 hybrids sportscar. A source close to Toyota told MotorTrend that by the time of the official announcement in January, the two companies had already conducted feasibility studies and development was well underway.

Apparently the green-light came directly from Toyota boss Akio Toyoda, the same exec responsible for green-lighting the Lexus LFA and Toyota GT86. Tada is said to have already visited BMW multiple times in the past year or so.

“I am hoping for a synergy effect with BMW that will result in a product that none of us could have imagined; something more than anyone expects. I would like that to be something like a sports car,” Tada said in the interview. “I would even go so far as to say that for the collaboration to work we have to bring a product which exceeds all these expectations.”

So where is the hybrid’s power going to come from? The rumormill mentions that naturally aspirated, supercharged, and turbocharged versions are reportedly being considered paired with electric motors. A source tells the same magazine Toyota has been working on an all-wheel-drive GT86 equipped with front in-wheel motors and that this setup could make it into the new BMW-Toyota sports car. Additionally, the source says that BMW and Toyota products will have significantly different sheetmetal, unlike the 86/FR-S/BRZ.

The BMW-Toyota concept car is expected to be shown later this year at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

[Source: MotorTrend]

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BMW M235i Undisguised

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

With just weeks ahead of its web debut, the new BMW M235i was spied undisguised. The first 2 Series model was spotted during a video commercial and for the first time it gives us a clear look at its front-end design.

Moving away from the somewhat blend and bulky design of the 1 Series, the 2 Series Coupe shows off sportier lines and more visually pleasant headlights and kidney grille.

The front bumper is dominated by large air intakes with fins, a trend started by the new M6 models, and one we anticipate to see in the upcoming M3 and M4. The prototype also features blue M Performance brake calipers and M-specific wheels.

On the side, the BMW M235i has the M badge but no Air Breathers as seen on the latest M package models.

Even without having a 360 view of the car, the BMW M235i is without a doubt sleeker and sportier than the 1 Series, similar to how the current generation 1 Series Coupe differentiate itself from the former 1 Series hatch models.

The 2 Series vehicles will be driven by a rear-wheel drive architecture with the possibility of the coupe to be paired with the xDrive system.

Product of the BMW 2 Series kicks off in November and the U.S. market will get the M235i and 228i models.

More photos at 2addicts

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Will We See A 30 Years Limited Edition 2014 F10 BMW M5?

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

In 2009, BMW M celebrated a quarter century of BMW M5 so if our math is correct, the big next milestone would be in 2014 with a 30 year milestone. Martin, a reader of Bimmertoday, spotted an F10 BMW M5 near the M factory in Garching that featured a 30 Year Limited Edition badge on the dashboard.

The plaque seen on the dashboard also indicates that this is vehicle number 1 out of 300. If indeed BMW will build an anniversary M5 model, the super sporty sedan will come with a premium price, most likely a special paint and additional options not offered for the “regular” M5s.

The prototype caught by Bimmertoday doesn’t offer any visual clues, certainly no carbon fiber roof and it comes with standard brakes. One interesting exterior change is the eye-catching dark chrome gills.

Inside we see the U.S.-only manual option and judging by the orange markers on the front fenders, this could be the U.S. edition of that limited edition model.

Our information is limited at the moment and we don’t expect BMW to comment on those speculations, so expect to learn more as we get closer to the M5 facelift this summer.

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2014 BMW X5 – More Interior Photos

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

Just a few days ago we brought you some interior photos of the 2014 BMW X5 and today a new set of shots surface on the interwebs.

The new shots give us a closer look at the new iDrive Touch knob which adds various convenience-enhancing functions to the iDrive Controller, including handwriting recognition as well as navigating in maps. BMW iDrive Touch was initially made available for the Chinese market, but starting in July 2013, BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce vehicles will come equipped with the new gadget.

As seen in the new F30 3 Series, the dashboard design follows the layered design approach showcased back in 2009 with the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. The car gets a driver-focus design, a BMW trait seen across all recent models. The move from a flat dashboard to one that wraps around the driver, gives the car both a more personal feel and a sportier stance.

The interior is especially designed with the Chinese customers 2014 BMW X5 More Interior Photos in mind which implies an even more luxurious cabin and many options for customization. T

On top of the dashboard sits a free-standing LCD screen compared to the one built-in into the current generation.

Inside, the customers 2014 BMW X5 More Interior Photos will have a choice between Black Leatherette and Black Dakota Leather, Canberra Beige Dakota, Terra Dakota, Ivory White Dakota and Mocha Dakota with contrast stitching.

Back in January, the F15 was leaked on the Internet and the final design cues were revealed.

Under the hood we will see four and six-cylinder engines, turbocharged, in both petrol and diesel. For the first time, BMW will offer the X5 with a rear-wheel drive configuration and it will be dubbed sDrive35i.

Market launch will take place this summer.

More 2014 BMW X5 news

[Source: IndianAutosBlog]

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2014 BMW X5 shows off its interior design

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

The next generation 2014 BMW X5 was spotted with its interior design fully uncovered. The X5 is just weeks away from its official world debut and for the first time in a long time we have a chance to see both the final exterior and interior design way ahead of its premiere.

Back in January, the F15 was leaked through a web configurator most likely used by one of BMW’s branding and marketing agencies.

On top of the dashboard sits a free-standing LCD screen compared to the one built-in into the current generation. The new F15 X5 is also rumored to get BMW’s newest iTouch Drive knob which allows for gestures to input commands or text.

Inside, the customers will have a choice between Black Leatherette and Black Dakota Leather, Canberra Beige Dakota, Terra Dakota, Ivory White Dakota and Mocha Dakota with contrast stitching.

First introduced with the new 1 and 3 Series models, pre-configured packages / lines will be offered for the X5 as well, starting with the Luxury Line (ZLL), xLine (ZXD) and ending with the M Sport Package. The Luxury Line and xLine will also come with exclusive Line-specific 19″ wheel (optional upgrade to 20“ wheels) and a unique car key.

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