Показаны сообщения с ярлыком bmw. Показать все сообщения
Показаны сообщения с ярлыком bmw. Показать все сообщения

2009 North American Car Of The Year Nominees

Dodge Challenger
2009 Car of the Year Nominee: Dodge Challenger

In January of next year the North American Car and Truck of the Year winners will be announced during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  The process that leads to that decision began last week with the release of the first round of 26 finalists.  Not suprisingly, vehicles from the crossover segment of the industry dominate this year’s list.

Since its inception in 1994, the winners of this prestigious award are chosen by a jury of 47 automotive journalists.  The path to the finals begins with a listing of all eligible vehicles, which in terms of this award means new or substantial modified existing models.  Earlier this month, jurors reviewed the entire list and picked the vehicles they thought deserved additional consideration on the next ballot. They were asked to limit their list to 10 cars and 10 trucks but are told to give the benefit of the doubt to vehicles they have not yet driven, which means their list may exceed 10 each.  Prior to the December 3rd deadline jurors send that ballot in to be tallied and the top three that emerge from that vote from each category are again voted on.  Finally, the winners are announced in January in Detroit.

In contrast to the long list of crossovers on both the truck and car lists, the only true pickups to make the cut this year are the Dodge Ram and Ford F-150.  A single SUV, the Kia Borrego is also a finalist.  Because the very nature of a “crossover” is a vehicle that has at least partial characteristics of both a car and a truck the process is a bit more complicated for this year.

A few of the more performance oriented front-runners for the award this year include the twin-turbo BMW 1-series, Nissan’s GT-R, the Dodge Challenger and the supercharged Cadillac CTS-V.  Whether the current economic and environmental climates have an impact on the voting will be interesting to see.  The full list of nominees is listed below.

2009 North American Car of the Year candidates

  • Audi A4
  • BMW 1-series
  • Cadillac CTS-V
  • Dodge Challenger
  • Ford Flex
  • Honda Fit
  • Hyundai Genesis
  • Jaguar XF
  • Lincoln MKS
  • Mazda6
  • Nissan GT-R
  • Pontiac G8
  • Toyota Venza
  • Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2009 North American Truck of the Year Candidates

  • BMW X6
  • Chevrolet Traverse
  • Dodge Ram
  • Ford F-150
  • Honda Pilot
  • Infiniti FX35/50
  • Kia Borrego
  • Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC
  • Nissan Murano
  • Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid
  • Subaru Forester
  • Volkswagen Tiguan

Last year’s winners of the Car and Truck of the year were the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2008 Mazda CX-9.



Related posts:



Related posts:



BMW to invest $1 billion in the U.S. by 2012

BMW announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in its U.S. operations. Including a $750 million investment at its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory, BMW today opened doors to the $100 million...



Related posts:



Related posts:



2009 BMW 7-Series, ActiveHybrid Hit LA Show Floor [BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid]

BMW rolled out the red carpet for the debut of the new 2009 BMW 7-Series and BMW Concept 7-Series ActiveHybrid, both driving across the carpet under power of BMW's twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. The difference is while the 2009 7-Series moved with the force of 400 HP and 450 lb-ft of torque, the 7-Series ActiveHybid had an additional 20 HP and 155 lb-ft of torque on tap thanks to the addition of an electric motor. The former will go on sale early next year while the latter is but a concept, though one we believe is close to the design of a future BMW hybrid. Press releases and live photos below.

Check out more on the BMW 7-Series from CarandDriver.com

BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid: The BMW of hybrids
As an integral part of the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid previews the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a luxury sedan. In typical BMW fashion, this new concept car combines a significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions with a level of driving dynamics never seen before even in this class of hybrid cars.

The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is an intelligent symbiosis of BMW's new twin-turbo V8 engine and electric drive as a mild hybrid concept. A compact electric motor, integrated into the transmission housing, replaces the conventional alternator as well as the starter. Power to run all electrics on-board the car is generated by means of Brake Energy Regeneration. The combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor take the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8's already potent 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque and supplies an additional 20 horsepower and up to 155 lb-ft of torque as needed. The drivetrain technology featured in the concept car allows enhanced driving dynamics together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by 15 percent in the EU test cycle compared to the same car running on a combustion engine alone. At the same time the use of BMW ActiveHybrid technology does not require any compromises in driving qualities and features of the BMW 7 Series.

Energy is stored in a compact lithium-ion battery housed in the luggage compartment. An Auto Start Stop function helps to ensure optimum efficiency in all driving situations.

The hybrid technology showcased in the BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is perfectly suited to the new benchmark in the full-sized performance luxury sedan segment just as the two-mode hybrid technology used in the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, also on display in Los Angeles, is well matched to the world's first Sports Activity Coupe.

BMW 7 Series again sets the benchmark
The all-new fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series radiates a natural presence, inherent sportiness and an elegance born of precision in concept and execution. A new V-8 engine with direct injection and twin turbochargers expresses BMW EfficientDynamics at the highest level of performance. The 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 delivers 400 hp and 450lb-ft of torque. New, exclusive BMW driver-assistance systems and comfort-related features further add to a truly exceptional driving and riding experience.

Inside the new 7, the ambiance is luxurious, of transcendent quality and - most important of all - inviting. The driver-oriented control center features Black Panel technology. More functions than ever are conveniently accessible to the driver from the multi-function steering wheel.

The new 7 is BMW's first passenger car with multi-link double-wishbone front suspension. The new Integral V rear suspension incorporates extensive use of aluminum. On the long wheelbase 750Li, self-leveling air suspension is standard. Also new, and a world premiere: Integral Active Steering, which adds speed-sensitive rear-wheel steering. With the standard Driving Dynamics Control, the driver can choose between four settings for shock-absorber firmness, transmission shift characteristics, engine-throttle response and power-steering assist.

An array of innovative driver-assistance options unique in the luxury segment includes Active Cruise Control with new stop-and-go capability, Lane Departure Warning, Active Blind Spot Detection, Head-up Display, High Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with new Pedestrian Detection, Side View and Back-up Cameras.

All of this will make the new 7 once again the benchmark for performance, luxury, efficiency and safety when it arrives in the US in early 2009.

[Source: BMW]

XXXXXXX

2009 BMW 7-Series, Now With 400 hp Twin-Turbo V8

The next generation 7-Series has officially arrived, though if you've been paying attention you've already seen the 2009 BMW 7-series and now that the design team has gone to great effort to correct the awkward-looking rear quarters of the car. A new twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 4.4-liter V8 manages 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, which should make the chauffeur happy. If you find yourself behind the wheel there's a plethora of technology to keep you from killing yourself including Active Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Detection, BMW Night Vision and cameras on the side and rear of the luxo-yacht. The new 7-series is also the first BMW with a multi-link double-wishbone front suspension. It's something to think about on the way to the appointment with your increasingly distressed stock broker.

Check out more on the BMW 7-Series from CarandDriver.com

BMW 7 Series again sets the benchmark
The all-new fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series radiates a natural presence, inherent sportiness and an elegance born of precision in concept and execution. A new V-8 engine with direct injection and twin turbochargers expresses BMW EfficientDynamics at the highest level of performance. The 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 delivers 400 hp and 450lb-ft of torque. New, exclusive BMW driver-assistance systems and comfort-related features further add to a truly exceptional driving and riding experience.

Inside the new 7, the ambiance is luxurious, of transcendent quality and - most important of all - inviting. The driver-oriented control center features Black Panel technology. More functions than ever are conveniently accessible to the driver from the multi-function steering wheel.

The new 7 is BMW's first passenger car with multi-link double-wishbone front suspension. The new Integral V rear suspension incorporates extensive use of aluminum. On the long wheelbase 750Li, self-leveling air suspension is standard. Also new, and a world premiere: Integral Active Steering, which adds speed-sensitive rear-wheel steering. With the standard Driving Dynamics Control, the driver can choose between four settings for shock-absorber firmness, transmission shift characteristics, engine-throttle response and power-steering assist.

An array of innovative driver-assistance options unique in the luxury segment includes Active Cruise Control with new stop-and-go capability, Lane Departure Warning, Active Blind Spot Detection, Head-up Display, High Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with new Pedestrian Detection, Side View and Back-up Cameras.

All of this will make the new 7 once again the benchmark for performance, luxury, efficiency and safety when it arrives in the US in early 2009.



Related posts:



Related posts:



Video: Adrian van Hooydonk shows off the BMW M1 Hommage Concept

Sadly enough, BMW has no plans to build anything close to the well-received BMW M1 Hommage Concept that was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza 2008 di Villa d’Este this past weekend.Nonetheless,...



Related posts:



Related posts:



Videos: BMW X6 xDrive35i and xDrive50i in action

The BMW X6 is slowly arriving in BMW dealerships across the nation this month and BMW has just released a very lengthy press release giving us a detailed look at its new Sports Activity...

Related posts: