Full Merino Leather, Heads Up, M Pckg, Chrome Wheels, Low Miles, Bmw Financing! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW i3 called 'most revolutionary car' since Ford Model T

The Ultimate Driving Machine, or at least one of them, may also be the Ultimate Engineering Success. Consultant Munro & Associates, which specializes in automotive tear-down analysis, pretty much said as much when taking an under-the-skin look at the BMW i3 plug-in. In short, the firm liked what it saw. Presenting at Detroit's Plastic's in Automotive conference this week, Munro CEO Sandy Munro called BMW's first mast-produced plug-in model the most revolutionary car "since Henry Ford's Model T." The car earned big points for its substantial uses of materials that are both lightweight (key for any plug-in's range) and recyclable. BMW has touted these advantages all along. In late 2013, the German automaker went as far as saying its use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) would reduce customer costs related to both repair and insurance. The i3 went on sale in the US last May and, by the end of the year, moved more than 6,000 units here. It sold almost 17,800 The i3 last November also was named the Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, beating out models such as the compressed-natural-gas-powered Chevrolet Impala B-Fuel and the Audi A3 TDI diesel. Munro made news earlier this week when it offered a free i3 for anyone who bought the master- or OEM-level version of the report, though the report isn't cheap and that offered disappeared once Munro made his presentation. Check out Munro & Associates' press release below. Munro Discusses Groundbreaking Technology Finds from BMW i3 Teardown at Plastics in Automotive Conference; Offers New BMW i3 for Purchasers of Master-level Report DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- During today's Plastics in Automotive Conference in Detroit, Sandy Munro, CEO of Munro & Associates, Inc., discussed – for the first time publicly – his consulting firm's findings from its extensive deep-dive teardown, costing and benchmark study of the BMW i3 urban electric car. During his presentation, "Deconstructing the BMW i3: Groundbreaking Technology and the Composite Car," Munro discussed the carbon fiber life module, polymer components, recyclability and safety of what he considers to be "the most revolutionary car in terms of creative engineering and manufacturing since Henry Ford's Model T." During the presentation, Munro focused on four crucial aspects of the BMW i3: the manufacturing of its carbon fiber life module; its polymer components; recyclability; and safety.

BMW M3 and M4 leak ahead of Detroit debut

Images of the overhauled BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe have leaked ahead of a debut at next month's Detroit Auto Show, along with option sheets and some specs.
Both wear the standard hallmarks of BMW's M division. There's a subtle power dome in the hood, along with the requisite M3/4-branded strakes on the front fenders. The front and rear fascia are more aggressive than what we've seen in the 3/4 Series M Sport package, as well. Split-five-spoke wheels mean the neither car will stand out in the family portrait and those gold calipers, meanwhile, signify what has been rumored for some time - the M3 and M4 will be getting carbon-ceramic brakes.
The cabin is home to the standard suite of M accoutrements, including a new steering wheel and more heavily bolstered seats. Special trim, including carbon fiber, will be available to further set these cars apart from the standard models.

Florida bikers threatened at gunpoint for beating motorist

A road rage incident in Pinellas County, FL spiraled out of control when a motorist confronted a trio of aggressive bikers at a stop light. According to The Sun, YouTube user known only as DankWheelie posted video on April 8 of a fistfight between a driver and a pack of sportbike riders on a busy Florida highway which ended abruptly when one of the participants pulled a pistol. There is precious little context for the video, which became a near instant viral sensation this week. Little is known about either the motorist or the bikers. The video starts with the bikers riding along an oceanside highway, when a red, older model BMW 5 Series gets into some confused lane changing shenanigans with them on a bridge. At a stop light after the bridge, the bikers and the driver of the BMW get into a fist fight in traffic, which does none of them credit. The bikers knock the driver to the ground and surround him, when a woman passenger in the BMW pops out with a pistol drawn and brandishes the weapon at the bikers. At this point the bikers all attempt to flee and the video ends. While there seems to be no police report filed, a local police official familiar with the incident made a statement to The Sun. "After the first incident, that's when you get on the phone," said Sergeant Mike Lynch, suggesting that all parties involved could have made better decisions. "That's when you call 9-1-1." "We're looking at a woman who looks terrified for either a friend that was in the vehicle or a spouse of some sort maybe," Lynch continued. "We encourage the public to call about that type of reckless driving. It endangers all of us on the road, not just their own lives but everybody else that's out there." Related Video News Source: YouTube, The Sun Weird Car News BMW Driving Safety Motorcycle Videos Sedan road rage biker