Tag: answer

BMW i3 tries to be the answer for a changing world [w/video]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, BMW, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

orange bmw i3

The production version of the BMW i3 was unveiled Monday at three simultaneous events in New York City, London and Beijing. Given that the i3 grew out a BMW electric vehicle project called Megacity, the urban debut locations make a lot of sense. Since BMW literally spent years researching urban trends in the Megacity project, years when the competition was building and selling EVs already, there is a lot of pressure on the German automaker to come out with an EV that is the right fit for today’s cities.

BMW’s message is that the i3 actually represents the beginning of electric mobility for the company.

BMW had help in this from the Mini E and Active E electric vehicle pilot programs. One way you can see the company’s EV history is in the location of the charge port on the rear passenger side. Most plug-in vehicles today put the charging connector in the front, but both the Mini E and Active E had a rear charge port and BMW didn’t get enough complaints to change it for the i3. If you opt to pay the roughly $4,000 extra for the gas-powered range extender, then your i3 will be built with a second fuel door, this one on the right front of the car. Putting the ports in these locations cuts down on the amount of fuel lines and wires required in the car, which in turn contributes to the i3’s light weight (official figures are not yet available, but BMW estimates the i3 weighs around 2,700 pounds). It’s all connected.

Despite BMW’s years of testing and driver feedback on earlier EV programs, the official message in New York was that the i3 actually represents the beginning of electric mobility for the company. As Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, said in New York, “The car has existed for nearly 130 years. Today marks a shift – a change – in the future of mobility.

Does it?

Continue reading BMW i3 tries to be the answer for a changing world [w/video]

BMW i3 tries to be the answer for a changing world [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Think you’re ready for an EV? The BMW EVolve app has the answer [w/video]

BMW EVolve App for iPhone

BMW EVolve App for iPhone – Click above for high-res image gallery

I want an EV. Call me an early adopting sucker, but I’ve been actively considering an electric vehicle after spending a week with the Tesla Roadster Sport. But the Tesla is way beyond my meager means and the Nissan Leaf is just too pedestrian for my gearhead tastes. So what’s left? Not much. The Focus Electric makes a strong case for itself, but it’s still a ways out, and while the Tesla Model S certainly has styling, size and geeky sex-appeal on its side, like the Roadster, it’s beyond my budget.

So there’s one option left. And it’s a good one. With rear-wheel drive, a reasonable range and a lease price that – while yet to be set $499 a month with a $2,250 downpayment – I’ve been assured should be within reach of a full-time blogger. I’m talking about the BMW 1 Series-based ActiveE. And if BMW’s latest app for the iPhone and Android is any indication, the ActiveE could be the perfect fit for me. But what about you?

Continue reading Think you’re ready for an EV? The BMW EVolve app has the answer…

Gallery: BMW EVolve iPhone App

Continue reading Think you’re ready for an EV? The BMW EVolve app has the answer [w/video]

Think you’re ready for an EV? The BMW EVolve app has the answer [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto execs answer our questions… and yours

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne answering questions – Click above to read more

We told Autoblog readers that we had a few questions for auto executives at the North American International Auto Show that we would be asking. We did get to ask most of our questions, but even better, we got to ask a bunch of questions that you, our readers had.

We didn’t get to all of them, but we are going to do our best via follow-up email, as well as the upcoming Washington DC and Chicago auto shows. Stay tuned for another column where we tackle even more of your questions. This is just Part One.

Q: Can we get a diesel Jeep Wrangler?
A: Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said a diesel is very desirable in the Wrangler and a distinct possibility. There is demand for it. Other Chrysler execs even told Autoblog there is a business case trying to be made. Stay tuned.

Q: How about a Focus SVT?
A: You got it. Except it’s called the Focus ST, like in Europe. Ford decided it should have one nomenclature worldwide.

Q: Ford Global rear-drive platform for a Lincoln luxury car?
A: Chief marketer James Farley says he doesn’t believe that Lincoln really needs an up-market luxury car to thrive. He says the heart of the luxury market going forward is $30,000-$50,000. More important than an up-market rear-wheel-drive sports car is the entry level Lincoln being developed off the Focus platform. That will be pieced under the new MKZ, which will have a design distinct from the next Fusion.

Continue reading for more answers.

[Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Continue reading Auto execs answer our questions… and yours

Auto execs answer our questions… and yours originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2011: Blue Link is Hyundai’s answer to OnStar

Filed under: CES, Safety, Technology, Hyundai

Hyundai Blue Link

Hyundai Blue Link – Click above for image gallery

As part of its quest to match the rest of the industry point-for-point, Hyundai has just announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that it’s entering the world of telematics with the introduction of Blue Link, its first foray into the safety and convenience sphere.

Similar to OnStar, Blue Link handles everything you’d expect, specifically directions with turn-by-turn navigation, point-of-interest searches, remote door-locking/unlocking, vehicle health reports, maintenance scheduling, crash notification, remote start and – according to Hyundai – 30 other features at launch. Included is a vehicle slowdown feature to aid police if the vehicle is stolen and a new “geofencing” system that sends a text message to the owner if the vehicle strays outside a prescribed area or route. Little Jimmy will not be pleased.

Hyundai is also touting a new voice-to-text feature that allows drivers to reply to a text message with custom commands rather than canned responses.

Blue Link is set to arrive this spring, initially on the Sonata sedan and a “youth-focused model” (*cough* Veloster *cough*) before the summer, with the system rolling out to every Hyundai by 2013. Hit the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Hyundai Blue Link

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading CES 2011: Blue Link is Hyundai’s answer to OnStar

CES 2011: Blue Link is Hyundai’s answer to OnStar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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