| |
BMW’s Progressive Activity Sedan (whatever that is?) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Illustrating, once again, that their designers are encouraged to think outside the box, BMW will unveil its latest creation at the Geneva Motor Show in March – the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo.
As they’ve done recently with the X6, BMW is continuing to carve out new niches in the market, and they’re referring to their latest concept as a ‘Progressive Activity Sedan.’ It’s neither sedan, station wagon nor SUV, but perhaps a combination of all three.
This new concept is styled very much like a sedan, and has large trademark kidney grilles up front, similar to the new 7 series. It also has a fastback-style sloping roofline for an aggressive and purposeful stance. The ride height is higher than a sedan, which gives it, what BMW refers to as, an elevated seating position. You don’t realize just how tall it is until you see it directly from the rear. It also has a two-piece double joined tail gate, which means the boot can be accessed like a sedan by opening just the boot lid if you’re carrying smaller items, or like an SUV by opening the entire tailgate if you’re loading larger objects. In terms of interior space, rear seat passengers apparently have legroom equal to a 7 Series, and headroom close to an X5. Plus, the seats can be moved forward by up to 4 inches to increase the already generous luggage space further if need be.
This concept is targeted to people who value style and comfort, but also require space and flexibility. BMW aims to appeal to both sedan and SUV buyers while carving out yet another niche with a car like this. The styling should also give us a sneak peek at the next generation 5 Series, which debuts sometime next year. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
BMW’s infamous design chief Chris Bangle resigns |
|
| |
|
|
| |
American designer, Chris Bangle, has handed over the reigns to his colleague of 17 years, Adrian Van Hooydonk, who now takes over the Chief of Design for the BMW Group.
Bangle has quit to pursue his own design related endevours outside the auto industry. He’s been responsible for completely changing the design ethos at BMW – from conventional to sometimes controversial, and has overseen new designs for the 3, 5 and 7 Series models, plus the introduction of the 1 and 6 Series, Z3, Z4, Z8, X5 and X6. He’s perhaps most well known for the 2002 7 Series, which featured the ‘Bangle butt’ – a design element at the rear that was criticized at the time but later adopted by many of BMW’s competitors. Another polarizing design was that of the BMW Z4 with, what Bangle referred to as, ‘flame surfacing.’
Chris Bangle may have tested the patience of purists, but whether you like his designs or not, what can’t be denied is that he’s been hugely influential at BMW, and in the world of automotive design as a whole. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Bentley proves that Green really does mean Go |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Bentley will unveil the Continental Supersports at the Geneva Motor show in March, which is not only the most powerful Bentley ever made but also the most ecologically friendly as well, since its E85 (85% ethanol, 15% petrol) compatible.
The familiar W12 powerplant, which now sips bio fuel, produces 621bhp and an almost equally mind bending 590lb/ft of torque. As a result, this green (white) machine can sprint to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. To save weight, the Bentley has no seats at the rear, and carbon fibre buckets at the front. In fact, combined with other light weight components such as carbon ceramic brakes, its total weight savings over the Continental GT is a fairly substantial 110kgs.
This is Bentley’s first Flex Fuel performance car – capable of running on both petrol and biofuel, or any combination of the two. The power delivery remains consistently brutal whatever the ratio thanks to a fuel quality sensor that detects the blending of fuel and communicates in real time with the car’s ECU. According to Bentley, running the car on E85 can offer up to a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions on, what they refer to as, a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis, which is a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, and not just tailpipe emissions.
With the Continental Supersports, Bentley well and truly proves that you can in fact go green without sacrificing performance or luxury. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
GM-owned Swedish automaker Saab files for bankruptcy |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Saab filed for bankruptcy protection in Swedish courts, as the government turned down GM’s request for a bailout. Saab is seeking $1 billion USD to reorganize itself into an independent carmaker, as GM seeks to relinquish its stake in keeping with its long term viability plan.
GM bought a 50% stake in the Swedish automaker in 1990, and took complete control a decade later. The company lost $3 billion USD last year, and has only made a profit once under GM ownership. When GM took control of Saab, the automaker was widely considered by car buyers as an alternative to German luxury brands, Mercedes Benz and BMW. Over the years, however, the brand lost its individuality – and consequently, buyers as well.
Under the reorganization, production, design and engineering of Saab will once again be based in Sweden. Saab will operate as normal while it looks for funding and/or possible suitors.
Another struggling Swedish automaker is Ford owned Volvo. However, in this instance, Ford is committed to taking full responsibility for Volvo till the company is sold. As a result, the Swedish government is likely to issue a loan guarantee for 90% of about $600 million USD for Volvo.
GM, meanwhile, has virtually stopped all marketing programs for its US-based Hummer brand. General Motors has been struggling to find a buyer for Hummer, and its future is set to be decided by 31st March. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
