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BMW reveals M4 safety car with innovating water injection system [w/video]

Racing series don't just pick their safety cars at random, or use just whatever car is lying around. These days the car that sets the pace at the front of the pack is typically provided through consideration by a sponsor. In the MotoGP series, that's BMW and its M division, which have served up the Official Car of MotoGP since 1999. What you're looking at is the latest, and it packs some innovative technology on board. Aside from the matte black wrap with BMW's iconic striped livery, upgraded aero kit, retrofitted interior and emergency equipment, this BMW M4 coupe packs a new injection system under the hood. Only instead of injecting fuel, it injects water into the combustion chamber – something that wouldn't usually be recommended, but BMW insists actually aids in the combustion process. The idea is that the temperature of the air being mixed with the fuel inside the engine is usually hotter than ideal, so the system injects a fine mist of water into the collector in order to reduce the air's temperature... sort of like one of those hydrating misters at an amusement park or outdoor mall, but in an even hotter environment. The system brings the temperature of the air down to a more optimal temperature, helping it combust better. The process is said to yield a number of positive effects. For one, it reduces knocking. For another, it can make more out of lower-octane fuel where higher octane isn't available. It also can control the adverse effects of higher ambient temperature on the combustion process. But most of all, it increases output and reduce fuel consumption by around eight percent. Whether that eight percent is worth the added weight of the system – particularly with water pump and a 1.3-gallon tank in the trunk – is up for debate. But we'd imagine that the Bavarian engineers have weighed very carefully. Of course there's also the matter of refilling the water tank, which BMW says would be carried out whenever the safety car is refueled, but in real-world conditions would only necessitate attention once every five top-ups at the gas station. By now you might have guessed that BMW probably didn't develop this system just for the MotoGP safety car, and isn't planning on keeping it confined to the racetrack. Instead it's being tested and demonstrated on the safety car before being rolled out on production models in the future.

2016 BMW X1 packs more into its little footprint

BMW is rolling out the second-generation of its X1 crossover, promising a roomier interior, greater efficiency and more technology in a compact form. The 2016 BMW X1 clearly embodies more dynamic styling than the model it replaces, with a more upright form punctuated by a higher seating position as compared to its low-slung predecessor. Inside you'll find a fully redesigned cabin space with more room for both people and cargo, and a long list of features. A 6.5-inch dashboard display comes standard along with a seven-speaker audio system and cloth seats, but buyers can upgrade to an 8.8-inch monitor, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system, and a number of leather upholstery options. Upgrade to the Premium Package and you get a larger panoramic moonroof than that offered on the outgoing model, along with adaptive LED headlights and a head-up display. The Drive Assistance Plus package throws in features like lane departure, automatic high-beams, frontal collision warning, pedestrian detection, active cruise control, and park assist. There'll be an M Sport package available later as well, offering sports seats, paddle shifters, and a retuned suspension. Though BMW will surely be offering an array of engine options in other markets, for the US it's offering the new X1 exclusively in xDrive28i spec. Its 2.0-liter turbo four drives 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels for a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. That ought to help the Bavarian automaker move even more than the nearly 62,000 units of the X1 it's sold since its introduction here in 2012. Pricing for the new version of BMW's littlest crossover will be released closer to its arrival in showrooms in the Fall, but you don't need to wait that long to delve into the full details in the press release below and the high-resolution images in the gallery above. The All-New BMW X1: - Greatest interior roominess and versatility in its class - Highest power with reduced emissions - Commanding presence, robust proportions, dynamic lines - Innovative connectivity and groundbreaking BMW EfficientDynamics technology unparalleled in the segment Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – EMBARGO: June 2, 2015 – 6:00pm EDT/3:00pm PDT... Today, BMW announced the all-new BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle.

BMW bringing special Horse Edition 7 Series to Beijing

The Beijing Motor Show is just a couple of weeks away, and BMW wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to show off its latest wares to one of its most vital markets. So when the doors open in Beijing, BMW will showcase the new 2 Series Active Tourer, 2 Series Coupe, M3 and M4, 4 Series Gran Coupe and X4. It will also introduce the i3 and i8 to China for the first time. But those are all models we've seen already. What's new is... wait for it... the 7 Series Horse Edition.
Not celebrating horses so much as the Year of the Horse, this special edition 7 Series is based on the long-wheelbase model and comes with all manner of M equipment packages, a special paint job from BMW Individual and unique touches inside and out. BMW isn't saying which engine it features, but it sells the series in China in 730Li, 740Li, 750Li, 760Li and ActiveHybrid forms, with rear- or all-wheel drive. Given that the one pictured is wearing an xDrive badge, it would have to be either the 740Li or 750Li, but buyers will presumably be able to order it in whichever spec they desire.
While it may not be as exciting as the 9 Series concept BMW is rumored to have lined up for the Beijing show as well, you can bet that the Bavarian automaker will find plenty of buyers for this extra-special, extra-Chinese, extra-equestrian luxury sedan, and command a healthy premium from each and every one of them.