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Mercedes and VW battling Uber and Apple to spend billions on Nokia mapping division

Whether for autonomous driving or simply better navigation, digital mapping is closely linked with the future of motoring. The sale of a major player in that industry is spurring a showdown between automotive behemoths and tech giants, and it's a fascinating battle to watch unfold. Nokia is selling its Here mapping division, and while the company might not have the name recognition of Google, it controls about 70 percent of the auto market. The business is valued at $785 million, according to Reuters, but is likely to sell for significantly more. Case in point: Uber reportedly submitted a $3 billion bid. Apple has also been rumored to be among those interested in purchasing Here. A trio of German automotive heavyweights is mounting a challenge to Silicon Valley, though. According to Reuters speaking to two unnamed insiders, Daimler, BMW, and Audi are teaming up to submit a joint bid for an undisclosed sum. They're worried that if Here falls under the control of tech companies, then automakers might have limited availability to these vital maps in the future. Nokia bought Here for $8.1 billion in 2007, according to Reuters. The company operates a fleet of vehicles with cameras and LIDAR that drive around the world to create high-definition maps. It also generates even more information by using the GPS data from shipping and trucking companies.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage evokes classic 1970s Bimmer design

BMW enjoys taking advantage of the annual Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este as an opportunity to re-imagine some of company's vintage shapes in modern ways with concepts like the M1 Hommage, 328 Hommage, Concept 90 motorcycle, and even last year's Mini Superleggera. This year's event on the shores of Lake Como is no different, and the Bavarian brand is celebrating one of its great sports coupes from the 1970s with the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage. Bathed in a shade called Golf Yellow that perfectly evokes the era of the original, the Hommage's design seems to incorporate a few cues from the current 6 Series into the classic look of the 3.0 CSL. However, the front end is actually a little ungainly to our eyes due to the massive grille, and the fenders that fold up over the hood. The laser headlights are a great touch because their X-shaped centers are inspired by old racecars. The design improves significantly in profile and really starts to show the inspiration from the original 3.0 CSL. This concept has some beautiful rear haunches, and the big, creased fenders lead the eye to the massive rear wing. The back end also maintains much of the vintage design, including the roof spoiler, but the shape gets modern touches. So while the source of this inspiration was a bit angular, the lines have been gently curved for the Hommage. Of course, a CSL must be lightweight, as signified by the last letter in its name. Where the original uses aluminum and Plexiglas to shed pounds, the Hommage uses carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic parts throughout the body. The interior is also made from CFRP, and occupants sit in quilted racing buckets. An especially cool touch is the V-shaped cross-member at the back that evokes the look of a roll cage, while being a bit more artistic. The only indication that BMW is giving about the 3.0 CSL Hommage's powertrain is that it uses an inline six with eBoost, but as a concept the engine doesn't really matter, anyway. Get a good look at the whole design in the gallery above. BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage. Racing flair with a touch of class. Munich/Cernobbio. Amid the audacious design studies and automotive beauties from a bygone era gathered at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the BMW Group presents its new BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – and in the process makes a pretty formidable statement of its own. This model is the BMW Design Team's tribute to the 3.0 CSL, a timeless classic and iconic BMW Coupe from the 1970s.

BMW i8 will be first production car to use Gorilla Glass

What do smartphones and the BMW i8 have in common? Glass. Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, that is. The i8 will be the first production car to use the chemically hardened material, which is more durable, lighter and provides more sound deadening than conventional laminated automotive glass. We thought it would be a natural replacement for windshields, but, according to Autoweek, BMW said it will be used for the rear window for sound deadening purposes. The Gorilla Glass will still be laminated, with two 0.7mm thick layers of it sandwiching an acoustic sheet, reports Autoevolution.
BMW reportedly claims the i8 will weigh less than 3,285 pounds, and to offset the heavy hybrid powertrain to reach that goal the automaker has implemented lightweight materials normally not found in mass-production automobiles. With a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque used for both the (relatively) pedestrian i3 and the upscale i8, it's not surprising BMW was also the first to jump onto Gorilla Glass, especially given the timing of a report that a high-end automaker would introduce it within the year.
Be sure to check out our First Drive review of the i8 to see if BMW's newest sports car is living up to the hype.