2001 Bmw X5 3.0i Sport Utility 4-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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1972 BMW 1602e EV concept looks glorious

Pretty sweet. That's a first impression of one cherry-looking experimental electric vehicle from BMW from way back in the day. Or at least from someone who for a time drove a '74 2002. A gas-powered one, that is. BMW built two experimental vehicles in 1972 based off of the old 1600 (which evolved into the 2002) model and even showed them off during the Munich Olympic Games of that year. BMW strung together a dozen typical car batteries and linked them to an electric motor made by Bosch. The result was a battery pack that weighed about 770 pounds (A quick modern-day comparison: a Nissan Leaf battery pack weighs about 480 pounds). Bimmer recently posted a two-and-a-half minute video about the project. The clip doesn't say how far those cars could go on a single charge, but did use to the vehicles to "escort" long-distance running competitions at the Munich Games, since there was no exhaust to choke those athletes out. The timing is fortuitous, of course, as the German automaker looks to continue to gain more goodwill from the green-car set through its new "i" sub-brand of plug-in vehicles, including the i3 electric vehicle and the i8 plug-in hybrid. News Source: BMW/YouTube Green BMW Electric Videos munich

BMW, Mini recall nearly every PHEV model built in 2020 due to fire risk

BMW is recalling a majority of the plug-in hybrid models it built in 2020 because their battery pack poses a fire risk. That's 4,509 vehicles covered by the campaign in the United States, including some made by Mini. The list of cars affected by this voluntary recall includes 2020 and 2021 examples of the 530e, the X3 xDrive30e, and the Mini Countryman SE, coupe and convertible variants of the 2020 i8, as well as the 330e (pictured), the 745Le xDrive, and the X5 xDrive45e from the 2021 model year. All are equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack whose cells might have been contaminated by debris during the manufacturing process, according to a recall notice issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). BMW hasn't revealed what exactly found its way into the Samsung-built battery pack's cells, or how, but it pointed out the debris can cause a short-circuit, which increases the risk of fires and injuries. It added that it became aware of the problem after four gasoline-electric X5s experienced what it refers to as a thermal incident.  Engineers are currently developing a remedy to the problem. Until a solution is found, BMW is asking owners of affected cars not to charge the battery pack, not to drive in manual mode, not to engage sport mode, and not to use the shift paddles. It expects to begin fixing cars affected by the recall on November 23, 2020. 26,700 cars manufactured between January 20 and September 28, 2020, are part of the recall globally. Outside of the United States, BMW also sells plug-in variants of the X1, the X2, and the 2 Series Active Tourer. It has been a bad month for electrified cars. Ford delayed its Escape PHEV after a recall of its Kuga twin in Europe over fire risk. U.S. safety officials are reviewing reports of fires in the Chevy Bolt EV, and Hyundai has expanded a recall of the Kona EV. Featured Gallery 2021 BMW 330e View 14 Photos Green Recalls BMW MINI Hybrid

BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a minivan by any other name

The Ultimate Driving Mini Minivan? Too early to say, considering that we've not yet driven it and so we don't know if it's the ultimate anything. But the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer definitely slots into place as a small MPV in the European market, hence the mini minivan designation, though it doesn't have sliding doors. We don't have any indication that this 2 Series variant will come to the United States, in case you were wondering. With the option of a third row, this seven-passenger, front-wheel-drive (or optionally, all-wheel-drive) machine from BMW is sure to ruffle a few enthusiast feathers, but it also has the potential to be a big seller for the German brand. Available with a range of three- and four-cylinder engines offering between 116 and 192 horsepower, the 2 Series Gran Tourer packs a lot of space into a very small platform. It may not be the prettiest vehicle to wear the Roundel, but it may be the most practical. See it for yourself from every angle in our high-res gallery of live images above, and feel free to read more in the press release below. The new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. 11.02.2015 With the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, BMW has carved out yet another new vehicle segment. With its generous space, versatility and groundbreaking flexibility, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is the world's first premium compact model to offer up to seven seats and fully meet the mobility requirements of young families. Compact yet capacious. Despite its compact dimensions – measuring just 4,556 millimetres long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,608 mm high – the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer offers ample space and a generous luggage compartment that can be extended in capacity from 645 to 805 litres. With the rear-seat backrests folded down, this rises to an impressive 1,905 litres of load space. Ensuring maximum variability is the standard-fitted fore-aft sliding rear seat bench – with a 40:20:40-split backrest that folds down at the press of a button – which allows three child seats to be fitted. Extending the possibilities even further is an optional third row of seats which can be completely lowered into the loading floor. Maximising the vehicle's everyday practicality is a range of storage options for all three rows of seats, as well as rails on the front-seat backrests with fold-out tables attached.