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BMW doubles i8 production to meet demand

They're not exactly Ford F-150 pickup truck numbers, but global sales of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid are spurring the German automaker to step up the supercar's pace of production. As rumored, Bimmer, which has been pretty happy with sales of its i3 electric vehicle, is going to double the production pace of the i8. BMW's Germany factory will now put out about 20 i8 vehicles a day, Automotive News Europe says. That should cut down the wait time for the model, which started sales in both Europe last June and in the US two months later. Right now, buyers have to wait about four months to get their i8 plug-in vehicles, Automotive News Europe says, citing German outlet Automobil Produktion. Given that the cars retail for $135,000, we suspect these are people who probably aren't accustomed to wait for much. In January, BMW said that it sold almost 18,000 i3 and i8 plug-in vehicles last year globally, with about a third of those going to the US. Specifically, BMW moved 555 units of the i8 last year (and the vehicle was really only available for about five months) and another 198 through February. Through February, Bimmer also moved 1,759 units of the i3. Related Videos: Featured Gallery 2015 BMW i8: First Drive View 62 Photos News Source: Automotive News Europe - sub.req. via Automobil Produktion Green Plants/Manufacturing BMW Electric PHEV ev sales

Recharge Wrap-up: electric taxis in Montreal, Sebastien Buemi leads Formula E testing

Sebastien Buemi leads the pack in the second session of Formula E pre-season testing. Buemi, driving for Renault e.dams, set a new lap record at Donington Park with a time of 1:31.050s. Buemi says that, with a little bit of work, he feels like he could shave off another second or more. "We could do quite a bit on the car and the car is a bit easier to drive, the stability is better, the brakes are better," he says. "I see some good potential, we just need to extract it from the car." Sam Bird was the second fastest during the testing session, followed by Daniel Abt. Read more in the press release below. A Montreal taxi company plans to create a fleet of 2,000 electric taxis by 2019. Taxi Hochelaga currently has the city's second largest fleet with 500 taxis currently in service. Owner Alexandre Taillefer believes this large fleet of green taxis will help the company compete with ride services like Uber and Lyft. "We want to be an alternative to the second car and even to the first," says Taillefer. "We will reduce traffic on the roads and pollution." The company's first electric cabs could be in service as early as November. Read more at Green Car Reports, or, if you speak French, at Le Journal de Montreal. DriveNow is open to franchising. The carsharing company, owned by BMW and rental company Sixt, will allow third parties to operate the DriveNow program in certain cities, according to a report. DriveNow is set to launch a fleet of 400 electric cars in Copenhagen, Denmark with the help of Arriva Plc. Read more from Automotive News Europe. Kandi Technologies Group Inc. on Monday reported second-quarter net income of $5.4 million. On a per-share basis, the Jinhua, China-based company said it had profit of 12 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, were 10 cents per share. The electric and all-terrain vehicle maker posted revenue of $48 million in the period. For the current quarter ending in October, Kandi Tech said it expects revenue in the range of $49 million to $51 million. Kandi Tech shares have dropped 45 percent since the beginning of the year. The stock has fallen 59 percent in the last 12 months. The AP contributed to this report. BUEMI STAYS ON TOP IN SECOND TEST Renault e.dams driver heads field for consecutive days at Donington Park DONINGTON PARK, UK (August 11 2015): Sebastien Buemi broke the Formula E lap record at Donington Park as he once again set the fastest time in pre-season testing.

BMW reveals X4 M40i performance crossover

The first details and images of the new BMW X4 M40i leaked out Tuesday, and now the Bavarian automaker has released all of the information on its new performance crossover. The latest model in BMW's M Performance line offers an array of upgrades over the existing X4, and they start under the hood. That's where Munich fitted a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six based on the one found in the X4 xDrive35i (whose place this model takes at the top of the X4 lineup). The engine is tuned to deliver 355 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. In addition to the twin-scroll turbocharger, the engine also boasts variable cams and valves, as well as a high-precision injection system. This translates to a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds – a figure which BMW cites as "best-in-class." Power is channeled to all four corners through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a re-calibrated xDrive system that's biased to the rear wheels. Naturally the suspension has been upgraded as well, with increased camber, stiffer springs, reinforced stabilizers front and rear, and active dampers. The steering rack has also been retuned. You'll be able to tell the M40i model from lesser X4s by its enhanced appearance. Though the aero kit looks largely the same as the stock version, BMW has fitted the M Performance model with metallic accents, 19- (or available 20-) inch alloys wearing Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber, and a variable sport exhaust. Inside, it's also upgraded with a unique steering wheel, shifter, sports seats, and specific badging. This adds up to a crossover that may not be a full-on M model, but promises up the performance quotient significantly over the rest of the X4 line. THE NEW BMW X4 M40i - World premiere of the new inline 6 cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine. - Intelligent BMW xDrive: four-wheel drive with rear-wheel-drive characteristics. - A sporty chassis specifically tuned to M Performance specifications. Woodcliff Lake, N.J.- September 30, 2015... Today, with the introduction of the new BMW X4 M40i, the successful BMW X4 has gained a new top model. In the Sports Activity Coupe segment (SAC), the BMW X4 M40i is setting new standards with enhanced driving dynamics and best-in-segment acceleration. The new BMW X4 M40i will be available at dealers starting February 2016. Design. The exterior of the new BMW X4 M40i makes it stand out as a clear member of the BMW M Performance family.