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2015 BMW 1 Series facelift revealed [w/video]

While we don't get the BMW 1 Series at all in the US anymore, European buyers are getting a refresh of the luxury compact hatchback for the new year. Unlike the German brand's recent work on the 6 Series, the work is actually noticeable and improves things nicely. Up front, BMW keeps the changes subtle. The lower airdam is tweaked with larger air intakes and less chrome than before. The redesign and better sealing around the reshaped, narrower headlights also help optimize airflow and – in our eyes – improve aesthetics. LED running lights are standard now, and full LED units are optional. The more striking changes come at the back, where the 1 Series now wears the Bavarian brand's latest L-shaped taillights. The lights wrap around the sides and cut into the hatch to create a much more visually interesting look. The lower apron gets some small changes as well, and it all works together to create a more cohesive look. The BMW hatchback also gets some engine tweaks to go with its updated style. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder is offered in 150-, 190- and 224-horsepower tunes. For those who want the best fuel economy, the 116d EfficientDynamics Plus makes 116 hp from a 1.5-liter turbo diesel and features active air flaps and redesigned kidney grille bars for better aero. The top-spec M135i with its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six gets a six-hp boost to 326 hp, too. Updates to the eight-speed automatic give it longer gearing and predictive shifting based on the vehicle's navigation system data. All of the new models hit the market in Europe later this year, specifically in late March for the UK. Read below for BMW's full list of tweaks and changes and to see it in motion on video. The BMW 1 Series for 2015 16.01.2015 Nearly two million 1 Series models have been sold since the introduction of the first 1 Series generation ten years ago. This latest incarnation builds on the winning formula of these three- and five-door predecessors with new power units from the latest BMW engine family, additional EfficientDynamics technologies fitted as standard, and careful enhancements to the exterior and interior design. The level of standard equipment is now even higher, new options have been added and with new mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive, there are even more ways to increase the functionality and personalisation of the new 1 Series.

BMW's new i DC Fast Charger will give free juice to i3 drivers

From solar chargeports to the first SAE Combo Fast Charger, BMW is offering or promoting more charging options for the i3 than most people will know what to do with. This is not a bad thing. At the Plug-In 2014 conference happening in San Jose, CA this week, BMW announced a new i DC Fast Charging unit as well as the ChargeNow DC Fast program, which is similar in some ways to Nissan's No Charge To Charge. Let's start with the chargers. Smaller and much cheaper than other DC fast chargers, an i DC Fast Charger costs just $6,548 plus installation. Remember, it was a big deal in 2011 when Nissan's DC fast charger was less than $10,000. The i DC Fast Chargers use the SAE Combo connector, so will also work in EVs from Ford, VW and Chevy and other automakers, when available. They take 30 minutes to charge an empty i3 to 80 percent full. All a driver will need in order to use the charger is a ChargePoint (or ChargeNow) card. Most of the first units will likely end up at BMW i dealers across the US. In a separate announcement, the ChargeNow DC Fast program will allow BMW i3 drivers to get free charging until the end of 2015 at participating NRG eVgo Freedom Stations. The catch is that they need to use the ChargeNow card at least once by the end of 2014. eVgo is promising to install at least 100 compatible DC fast chargers in California by the end of next year, so this should be relatively easy in at least one of the 50 states. We will have more from San Jose soon. BMW Unveils BMW i DC Fast Chargers and ChargeNow DC Fast program at Plug-In 2014. BMW i DC Fast Chargers, developed in collaboration with Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, are half the size of current DC Combo fast chargers, compatible with multiple electric vehicles and significantly more affordable. BMW i DC Fast Chargers run on the ChargePoint network giving BMW i3 drivers access with a ChargePoint or ChargeNow card. ChargeNow DC Fast enables BMW i3 drivers to charge at no cost, at participating NRG eVgo Freedom Stations equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging, through 2015. San Jose, CA/Woodcliff Lake, NJ – July 28, 2014... At Plug-In 2014, a conference dedicated to discussing key issues for the long-term success of electric vehicles, BMW of North America launched its BMW i DC Fast Chargers which can charge the BMW i3 all-electric vehicle's battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

European car sales up 8% in February

Three weeks ago an analyst increased projections for European car sales this year, expecting them to climb three percent compared to last year instead of 2.7 percent. That number is a postive sign after years of hard times but it turns out February was especially good, overall European sales climbing eight percent on a wave of southern European recovery and discounts - and this comes after five months of gains including January's 7.2-percent jump over the year before.
The only country of Europe's five largest markets to post a decline was France, just as it did in January, Germany, the UK and Italy posting solid double-digit numbers, Spain rocking the charts with an 18-percent increase because of a government program to encourage trade-ins.
The only brand to miss the wave was Volkswagen, dropping 0.8 percent as it watched the double-digit growth at sister brands Audi, Seat and Skoda lift the Volkswagen Group sales up by seven-percent. Peugeot overcame flat sales at Citroën to improve the group by 3.5 percent, BMW and the Mercedes-Benz/Smart combo rose by four percent, the Fiat group jumped 5.8 percent, Ford was up 11 percent, the Renault Group 11.5 percent, General Motors 12 percent and the Toyota clan by 14 percent.