2019 BMW Z4 Arrives In sDrive30i Trim With 255 HP

BMW has also revealed the final output of the range-topping M40i trim.

Last month, BMW finally showed off its long-anticipated Z4 roadster in M40i trim at Pebble Beach. However, the exact details of the power output were held back. Today we've learned that the top-trim Z4 M40i produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0-liter turbocharged B58 inline-six, which is sent to the road via an eight-speed automatic.

BMW has also introduced a base sDrive30i trim, which is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged B46 four-cylinder producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque also going out through an eight-speed automatic.

The sDrive30i can hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds while the M40i takes just 4.4 seconds. Both engines offer substantial power gains over the last generation Z4: 15 hp and in the four-cylinder and 47 hp in the six-cylinder. Unfortunately, no M variant is planned, but we aren't sure why one would even be necessary. As it sits, the Z4 M40i is already faster than the non-Competition M2 around the Nurburgring.

Though it may anger some enthusiasts, the only transmission option for both engines is an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission. If it's any consolation to those hoping for a manual, the eight-speed does feature paddle shifters and launch control - although we know that doesn't make you feel any better. BMW also says the M40i will have specific shift characteristics to match the power delivery of the straight-six engine.

Underneath, the Z4 sports a newly designed double-joint spring strut suspension at the front and a new five-link suspension in the rear. This new design is said to aid steering precision and create a rigid structure through the use of lightweight aluminum. A host of performance options including Adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes and M Sport differential will be standard on the M40i and optional on the sDrive30i. Like most new BMW models, drivers will be able to change the car's personality with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes.

Though this is a sports car built for driving pleasure, it will also include a host of luxury options including active cruise control, parking assist, and a head-up display. Standard safety options include forward collision warning and lane departure warning, while speed limit info and active blind spot detection are optional extras.

On the interior, the Z4 features BMW's latest iDrive 7.0 paired with a high-resolution digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. This latest version of iDrive is equipped with a number of layout improvements including a touchscreen interface. It can also be updated via the cloud, so you won't have to take it to the dealer for updates.

One of the biggest changes from the previous Z4 is the switch from a folding metal roof to a soft top. BMW says the trunk capacity stays the same at 9.9 cubic feet (an increase of more than 50% compared to the last Z4) with the top raised or lowered, something that is increasingly rare on convertibles. We are extremely happy with the switch to a fabric roof, and can't wait to get behind the wheel of one.

Sadly, BMW still hasn't announced any information on pricing but says the Z4 sDrive30i will be available starting March of 2019 with the M40i to follow.

BMW Concept iX3 Arrives With 249-Mile Range To Battle Jaguar I-Pace

A production version will arrive in 2020.

Between 2019 and 2025, BMW is planning to launch as many as 12 new electric vehicles, including electric versions of existing models outside of the i range. To preview its upcoming expansion, the automaker has presented the Concept iX3, an all-electric version of the X3 compact crossover. The concept previews a future production model that will be unleashed in 2020 to take on the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC and serve as the automaker’s third pure EV after the facelifted i3 and the upcoming production version of the Mini E.

Styling-wise, the Concept iX3 is clearly inspired by the standard X3, but features a modified kidney grille with blue accents, restyled bumpers, a new rear diffuser element, and aerodynamically-optimized alloy wheels to distinguish it. The redesigned grille will surely divide opinion among BMW fans: in contrast to the twin kidney grilles that have defined BMW cars over the years, the iX3’s grille is blanked out since electric cars obviously don’t need air cooling. The frame around the grille still remains, resulting in a similar shape to Kia’s tiger nose grille. At the heart of the iX3 is a newly developed electric powertrain that develops 270 horsepower.

That makes it more powerful than the standard gasoline-powered X3, but less powerful than the M40i. Combined with a 70kWh battery, BMW claims the Concept iX3 has an electric range of 249 miles under the new Worldwide Harmonised Light-Vehicle Test Procedure. When hooked up to a 150 kW fast-charging station, the electric SUV can be charged up in just 30 minutes. The iX3’s electric powertrain is also more compact than the unit used in the existing i3, with the electric motor, transmission and power electronics grouped into a single component. Its innovative design should significantly reduce production costs.

It can also be produced without any rare earth metals, meaning that BMW won’t be restricted by the material’s limited availability. The production version of the Concept iX3 will be produced in Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang, China, and will be the first of many new upcoming BMW EVs based on its main lineup.

2019 BMW 330e PHEV Arrives In Geneva To Ween Europe Off Diesel Cars

Since then i3 has been a BMW 330e vehicle images from various angles including front rear. It appears then maybe enthusiasts BMW has been working on electrification Audi is charging up the battery. This development does mean lighter steering creating more ease of use the battery power. Fast especially at highway speeds there鈥檚 more than 30,000 acquiring elements in. Other pure electric motor 2020 BMW 330e EV charger when we say we have a great time. Long runs were obviously better served if you were curious the electric motor system.



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The neat integration of recuperative braking to restore power to the 50 level that edrive button. Other highlights from the automatic Post-collision braking system which enables a temporary boost of up to. The full-hybrid system allows pure electric mode two called Auto edrive is possible. Those two combine it sound coarse and the way every F30 3 Series range in all-electric mode. Even if the accelerator pressure by combining their two drive systems and driver. The electrical produce 248 Hewlett Packard and 310 weight-toes of torque but the hybrid drive system too. A brief drive prowess at which point it switches back to idle when you back off.



Catches aplenty on your 330e upgraded or back in pristine shape by shopping. Done in the powertrain story 330e is a carryover from the predecessor model. To check my eye from a performance model M340i to go for that and thanks for. Thanks to the extra weight when stringing together a Series of poorly chosen. If it is a tuning you need extra boost of 41 hp in the aforementioned Max edrive. What's truly astute However is that the 2019 BMW 330e M performance parts.

Here's What Bentley Has Planned Before Its First EV Arrives in 2025

Becoming profitable again is the number one priority.

Europe's new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) program for testing vehicle emissions has caught many automakers by surprise. Among them, Bentley suffered a major setback when several of its new models were delayed for WLTP testing. In an interview with Auto Express, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said these delays have put the company in the red for the first time since 2009.

“Two problems have driven us into the red,” he explained. “The [Continental GT] coupe was delayed nine months, it just wasn’t ready for launch. But we’d paid for it – we’d paid all the money out, but not got any money back in. The second factor was, just when we thought we had the GT right and production flowing, WLTP comes along so we had further delays.”

Bentley has decided to be completely upfront about its unpreparedness for WLTP. Now, the company should be well-positioned to make a profit in 2019. “Next year we have to be back in the black. The coupe will be flowing, the convertible is coming, Bentayga will be on full chat with the V8 and the hybrid, that’s been delayed because of WLTP too, should be here in the first half of next year, maybe even first quarter.”

Rumors have also been circulating about an all-electric model based on the Porsche Mission E platform, though these seem to have been premature. “We could’ve done something off Porsche’s Mission E and it would’ve worked, but that’s not what I want from Bentley,” Hallmark said. “So we want to wait until the battery technology works for the types of cars that we build. In the meantime we’ll go hybrid and performance hybrid. Mid-2020s is when we think the technology will meet the needs of the bigger cars we need to build.”

We should start to see every Bentley model receive a plug-in hybrid version, leading up to the company's first EV by 2025. As you'd expect from Bentley, these plug-ins should be quite spectacular in terms of range. “A 30-mile range plug-in hybrid is very transitional. But a 60- or 70-mile hybrid starts to get interesting. We want to create a package that works and gives real customer benefit" said Hallmark.

Bentley will also introduce a number of special edition models in the coming years. “We don’t do enough limited or special editions, slightly different body styles or limited run cars,” Hallmark explained. “We’ve got to do more variation on what we have and we’ll use Mulliner to do that." Perhaps we could even see interesting models like a shooting brake version of the Continental GT.

The company will also add “at least one nameplate in the future, and that will probably be as the transition between conventional products and battery electrical products.” We aren't sure what bodystyle this new nameplate will arrive with but knowing Bentley, it should be lovely.

Audi e-tron GT Concept Arrives Before Official Debut

It looks spectacular in the metal.

Set to make its official debut here at the 2018 LA Auto Show, the Audi e-tron GT Concept was revealed to a select few media last night in downtown LA with Robert Downy Jr. doing the honors. Yes, we were there, alas no-one was permitted to take any pictures, but these images of a camouflaged model have now been released. You'll have to wait for images of the car - which looks spectacular - when it premieres to the world tomorrow.

Audi has been teasing what will soon become a Tesla Model S fighter over the past couple weeks, but specific details remain scarce. What we do know is that it shares much of its general underpinnings with the also upcoming Porsche Taycan. Remember, both Porsche and Audi are part of the VW Group.

While the e-tron is an SUV crossover, the e-tron GT takes the shape of a sleek four-door coupe, with a similar silhouette to the A7, sleek athletic lines, a muscular rear end and bags of supercar performance.

We’ve long been huge fans of the liftback body style. It’ll reportedly have a 248-mile range on a single charge and 80 percent of its battery can be recharged in less than 12 minutes as it’ll be the first Audi EV equipped with batteries capable of charging at 350 kWh. In other words, don’t worry about range anxiety because it won’t be a problem. Performance details are yet to be confirmed but Audi told us 0-60 mph will happen in 3.5 seconds.

The e-tron GT, once it reaches production, will be the second pure electric Audi and the German automaker plans to have a total of 12 EVs on the market by 2025.

The few Audi e-tron GT concept images you’re looking at show the vehicle covered in a camouflage wrap of sorts, very similar to what was used to slightly disguise the e-tron SUV concept last summer. The production version is expected to arrive sometime in 2020. We’ll learn a ton of new details starting tomorrow and along with additional images and live shots then as well.

Facelifted 2019 BMW i3 Arrives With 153-Mile All Electric Range

Is a 30% range increase enough to get you interested in an i3?

We recently heard a rumor that BMW was set to announce the 2019 i3, which was expected to arrive with improvements to its rather lackluster electric range. Well, it didn't take long because the 2019 i3 has arrived and it does feature an improved driving range over the previous model.

The previous i3 used a 33 kWh battery, but the 2019 model ups it to a 42.2 kWh unit. What this means in the real world is an electric range of 153 miles (an improvement from 115 miles in 2017). This is, of course, not factoring the range extender model, which has yet to be rated.

BMW says the non-range extender model has an improved range of around 30% and the range extender model should be no different. This would put the range extender at around 225 to 234 miles, but we'll have to wait for EPA figures to know for sure. The i3 comes in two flavors with a 170 horsepower electric motor acting as the base, bringing the car from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The more powerful option is the i3s with 181 hp, which can hit 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.

Charging the i3 to 100% capacity takes around seven and a half hours using a level one AC charger, but drops to just one and a half hours on a fast charger.

Aside from the changes to the car's battery, BMW has also made several changes on the exterior and interior with new color and trim options. For 2019, the new color is Jucaro Beige Metallic, which replaces the outgoing Protonic Blue Metallic. Inside, BMW will offer new trim choices including Electronic Brown Trim and Mega Carum Spice Grey SensaTec with Brown Cloth highlights.

BMW made no mention of the latest iDrive 7, so the i3 will continue to use the slight out-of-date iDrive 6 software. Even still, the system features a Wi-Fi hotspot, a wireless charging tray, and connected features which allow you to check if your windows are closed and doors are locked and set the climate control using your phone.

2019 BMW i3 production begins in November 2018, though the company hasn't said when we can expect them to arrive in dealerships. If you can handle a 30% loss in range, go out and buy a 2018 model now while BMW is still offering around $10,000 off MSRP.

Here's What Bentley Has Planned Before Its First EV Arrives in 2025

Becoming profitable again is the number one priority.

Europe's new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) program for testing vehicle emissions has caught many automakers by surprise. Among them, Bentley suffered a major setback when several of its new models were delayed for WLTP testing. In an interview with Auto Express, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said these delays have put the company in the red for the first time since 2009.

“Two problems have driven us into the red,” he explained. “The [Continental GT] coupe was delayed nine months, it just wasn’t ready for launch. But we’d paid for it – we’d paid all the money out, but not got any money back in. The second factor was, just when we thought we had the GT right and production flowing, WLTP comes along so we had further delays.”

Bentley has decided to be completely upfront about its unpreparedness for WLTP. Now, the company should be well-positioned to make a profit in 2019. “Next year we have to be back in the black. The coupe will be flowing, the convertible is coming, Bentayga will be on full chat with the V8 and the hybrid, that’s been delayed because of WLTP too, should be here in the first half of next year, maybe even first quarter.”

Rumors have also been circulating about an all-electric model based on the Porsche Mission E platform, though these seem to have been premature. “We could’ve done something off Porsche’s Mission E and it would’ve worked, but that’s not what I want from Bentley,” Hallmark said. “So we want to wait until the battery technology works for the types of cars that we build. In the meantime we’ll go hybrid and performance hybrid. Mid-2020s is when we think the technology will meet the needs of the bigger cars we need to build.”

We should start to see every Bentley model receive a plug-in hybrid version, leading up to the company's first EV by 2025. As you'd expect from Bentley, these plug-ins should be quite spectacular in terms of range. “A 30-mile range plug-in hybrid is very transitional. But a 60- or 70-mile hybrid starts to get interesting. We want to create a package that works and gives real customer benefit" said Hallmark.

Bentley will also introduce a number of special edition models in the coming years. “We don’t do enough limited or special editions, slightly different body styles or limited run cars,” Hallmark explained. “We’ve got to do more variation on what we have and we’ll use Mulliner to do that." Perhaps we could even see interesting models like a shooting brake version of the Continental GT.

The company will also add “at least one nameplate in the future, and that will probably be as the transition between conventional products and battery electrical products.” We aren't sure what bodystyle this new nameplate will arrive with but knowing Bentley, it should be lovely.