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BMW recalling nearly 570,000 1 Series, 3 Series and Z4 models over electrical issue

BMW is recalling roughly 570,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada due to faulty battery cable connectors that can fail, causing the engines in these cars to stall. Of the nearly 570,000 affected vehicles, just over 504,000 are here in the US.
The affected vehicles include 1 Series coupes and convertibles (both 128i and 135i) from the 2008 to 2011 model years; 3 Series sedans, coupes, convertibles and sport wagons (both 328i and 335i) from the 2007 to 2011 model years; and Z4 roadsters from the 2009 to 2011 model years.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "the connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time," which can eventually lead to a break in the electrical connection and a loss of power in the vehicle. If the car loses power, the engine can stall, which could possibly lead to a crash. The Detroit News reports that BMW knows of one minor collision in Canada as a result of this problem, but no injuries.

BMW spotted testing new 5 Series Gran Turismo

As previously reported, BMW is going ahead with a second-generation 5 Series Gran Turismo, no matter how silly the first generation of the sedan-cum-hatchback-cum-wagon may be. These are our first spy photos of that new vehicle, which is still on track for a late 2016 debut. Perhaps the best thing we can say about the next 5GT is that it won't be quite so hunchbacked. The seven images provided by our spy photographer show a car with a profile that's far more svelte than the bulbous entry on offer today. The roofline, in particular, is more aggressively raked at the rear and there's a proper, distinguished rear deck, as well. Part of what makes today's 5 Series GT look so bizarre is the combination of an almost fastback tail with a very tall decklid height. While the updated model still features that high rear – you can actually see where the beltline kicks up at the rear quarter window – the fastback styling has been softened so that it doesn't look quite so bizarre. The new Gran Turismo should also be a much better steer than the 5GT currently on offer. Our spies report that this next-gen model will be significantly lighter, which is something we can always get behind. Engine options will consist of gas, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid, as is the trend, although specifics aren't quite available yet. Spitballing, though, it's almost a guarantee that the next 5GT will share the 5 Series sedan's engine lineup. Expect a number of carryover engines there – 2.0-liter turbo four, 3.0-liter turbo six, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, and 3.0-liter diesel, probably – along with a plug-in hybrid option, although nothing's been confirmed so far. With an official debut slated for late next year, either Paris or Los Angeles seem like a logical debut location.

Recharge Wrap-up: BMW i3 gets Super Bowl bump; CA funds EV readiness

Super Bowl ads sparked interest in the BMW i3 for car shoppers at Edmunds. Analysts at the automotive website reported that traffic increased for the BMW i3 by 583 percent by the end of Super Bowl XLIX, second only to the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT (up a whopping 2,189 percent). Having aired its ad in the first half of the game, the BMW i3's traffic increased 1,807 percent during halftime, while the BMW i8 saw a 501-percent spike during the same period. Read more in the press release below. Mahindra is making progress with the GenZe electric scooter and electric bicycles in Portland, Oregon. While no official launch date for the GenZe has been set for Portland, Mahindra is holding events and offering test drives. The GenZe 2.0 will start at $2,999, and offers over 30 miles of range per charge. Mahindra sees Portland as a good resource for technology and design partners as it pursues electric urban mobility. Read more in the interview with Mahindra's Yesim Erez at Portland Business Journal. The California Energy Commission will award nearly $1.3 million in Zero Emission Vehicle Readiness grants. The grants will go toward three categories: Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan Implementation, PEV Readiness Plan Development and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Readiness. The funds will go towards projects like installation of EV chargers, permitting and inspections, developing local codes, EV promotion and creating hydrogen infrastructure plans. Each grant awarded will be worth between $50,000 and $300,000. Read more at Green Car Congress. Super Bowl Advertisers Mercedes-Benz and BMW See Biggest Increases in Car Shopper Interest on Edmunds.com SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz and BMW saw the most significant spikes in traffic on Edmunds.com after their ads ran during Super Bowl XLIX, according to a real-time analysis by the car shopping website. By the end of the game, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT had the biggest cumulative spike in traffic, with a 2189% jump over previous Sunday averages on Edmunds.com. The BMW i3 captured the second most buzz on Edmunds.com; its cumulative traffic climbed 583%. "Even though these two advertised vehicles are likely to be sold in small volume to niche audiences, the BMW and Mercedes brands will enjoy the overall buzz they have generated, especially as both continue their efforts to grow their overall reach into new car shopper segments," said Edmunds.com Sr. Analyst Jessica Caldwell.