Posts Tagged ‘BMW 320i Engines’

Auto Spy: 2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

The new 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe and Convertible is not ready to arrive in showrooms till the earliest of the next year as the current model was only given its mid-cycle facelift a little over two years ago.

However, the prototypes of the new car are already being tested in Europe and several shots have been captured by spy photographers on several occasions testing near BMW’s headquarters in Munich or around the Nurburgring circuit.

With the comparison between the spy shots of the Coupe and the latest shots of the Convertible, several clear differences can be noted out. The rear side windows are a different shape on the two cars, the roof profile is also slightly different and the rear window on the Coupe is slightly wider than the one on the Convertible as well.

According to this, BMW is preparing two separate 6-Series models unlike what it did for the latest Z4 Roadster, which now only comes with a folding hard-top roof. BMW will sell both a 6-Series Coupe and a 6-Series Convertible with a conventional soft-top roof.

And the current 6-Series has proven to be a sales success, with numbers averaging just on 20,000 units per year. The spy shots reveal a much sleeker look and a wider, more purposeful stance.

Interior, the new 6-Series will feature plenty of luxury appointments as well as an eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters. The current engine lineup is expected to carry over relatively unchanged, but there’s chance that the range-topping M6 model may not be replaced as BMW is planning a new standalone high-end sports car to fill that segment.

Auto Unveil: Renault reveals production versions of the Fluence and Kangoo Electric Vehicles

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Renault has revealed the production versions of their Fluence and Kangoo Zero Emissions Electric Vehicles, which will go on sale early 2011.

The Fluence Zero Emissions EV will be made at the OYAK-Renault factory in Bursa, Turkey, alongside the standard Fluence sedans. The Fluence EV is powered by an electric motor that produces 94bhp and 226Nm of torque, which are sent to the front wheels through a direct drive transmission.

A lithium-ion-battery powered electric motor with a capacity of 22KWh, and weighs 250kg- the battery pack is located behind the rear seats and can be charged in three ways. The first method is through a standard household socket, which takes six to eight hours for a full recharge. The second method is through a fast charge stations using a 32A 400V supply that recharges the car in 30 minutes, while owners can also choose the QuickDrop method, which allows them to swap the batteries for new ones in less than three minutes at bespoke battery exchange stations. In addition, an energy recovery system enables the battery to be charged when the car decelerates.

The Fluence EV when fully charged is able to provide a driving range of 160km; while the car’s top speed is electronically limited to 130km/h, according to Renault. The electric version is 130mm longer than the standard Fluence, at 4750mm long, in order to accommodate the battery behind the rear seats.

Among the cosmetic changes on the Fluence EV, it includes a blue-hued tint on the headlamps, tail lamps, fog lamps, logos and boot trim, gloss black exterior mirror housings, body-colour painted side protective mouldings and the battery charge flaps on both wing, while the rear bumper incorporates a black diffuser, and the wheels have been specially designed to minimize turbulence.

Inside, the Fluence EV features an instrument that replaces the rev counter, and displays data about the remaining range and battery charge.

Meanwhile, the Kangoo EV is a small van that is powered by a 59bhp electric motor with 226Nm of torque that is channelled to the front wheels. It features a lithium-ion battery that is located in a central position beneath the floor, which allows it to have the same carrying capacity as the standard Kangoo. The battery can be charged through a standard household socket in six to eight hours, and provide a range of 160km.

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