13 Bmw X5d Sport Navigation 4x4 Leather Pano Roof Great Lease Cold Weather New on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW pitting self-drifting car against drift champion

The BMW M235i certainly makes a capable drift machine. Last year, the Bavarian brand had five of them with the tail out in unison in South Africa for the Driftmob. The coupe even proved that it could slide without a driver's intervention. For the latest sideways stunt, the company wanted to know which was the better drifter: an autonomous car or a human. This clip is just the trailer for BMW's entire drift challenge video, and it seemingly gives away the ending of the whole thing. We're sure, though, that there must be something more to the stunt than what's on display here. The driverless Audi TTS from Stanford University was reportedly slightly faster than an amateur racer around Thunderhill Raceway Park recently, and BMW has also been working at this problem for years with things like its Track Trainer. Regardless of how you feel about driverless cars, it's amazing how quickly autonomous tech is progressing – even on the track. Related Video: News Source: BMW via YouTube BMW Technology Emerging Technologies Coupe Autonomous Vehicles Performance Videos drifting bmw m235i bmw connecteddrive

2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe officially debuts, priced from $41,425*

Well, that didn't take long. Less than two hours after the first images of the 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe leaked onto the Internet, we've been given the go-ahead to publish the whole kit and caboodle. And while we won't say we told you so, it looks as though the car's official details are standing true to our earlier predictions.
In other words, BMW will offer the 4 Series in 428i and 435i models, both of which can be had with xDrive all-wheel drive. Just like in the 3 Series, the 428i is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, good for 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, and the 435i gets BMW's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. In three of the four models, both a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission are available; the 428i xDrive can only be had with the auto 'box. The 428i (with rear-wheel drive, we assume) can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds (though BMW doesn't specify with which transmission), and the 435i will do that same sprint in 5.3 seconds with the manual and five seconds flat with the eight-speed auto.
We've already dissected the 4 Series' visuals, but the numbers show just how different it is from the 3 Series sedan. The 4 Coupe is one-tenth of an inch longer overall, while riding on the same 110.6-inch wheelbase, is 0.6 inches wider, and has a roofline that's a full 2.7 inches closer to the ground. It looks sleek, incorporating BMW's new design language from the 3 Series with an overall profile that's similar to the larger 6 Series coupe.

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.