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1972 BMW 1602e EV concept looks glorious

Pretty sweet. That's a first impression of one cherry-looking experimental electric vehicle from BMW from way back in the day. Or at least from someone who for a time drove a '74 2002. A gas-powered one, that is. BMW built two experimental vehicles in 1972 based off of the old 1600 (which evolved into the 2002) model and even showed them off during the Munich Olympic Games of that year. BMW strung together a dozen typical car batteries and linked them to an electric motor made by Bosch. The result was a battery pack that weighed about 770 pounds (A quick modern-day comparison: a Nissan Leaf battery pack weighs about 480 pounds). Bimmer recently posted a two-and-a-half minute video about the project. The clip doesn't say how far those cars could go on a single charge, but did use to the vehicles to "escort" long-distance running competitions at the Munich Games, since there was no exhaust to choke those athletes out. The timing is fortuitous, of course, as the German automaker looks to continue to gain more goodwill from the green-car set through its new "i" sub-brand of plug-in vehicles, including the i3 electric vehicle and the i8 plug-in hybrid. News Source: BMW/YouTube Green BMW Electric Videos munich

BMW preparing new M4 GTS with water injection

Last month, BMW revealed a new safety car for the MotoGP series. Only instead of just taking one of its production models and giving it some flashing lights, special livery and emergency equipment, the Bavarian automaker used the specially equipped M4 to showcase a new water injection system. And now word has it that the tech is being worked into a new M4 GTS. The system sprays water into the combustion chamber in order to lower the temperature of the air and increase the engine's efficiency, thus allowing it to produce more power without overheating, and relying less on ambient temperatures. It does require refilling a 1.3-gallon water tank in the trunk, though. According to Car and Driver, it's that same system that BMW will be installing in the new M4 GTS, taking the place of previous M3 GTS specials. If precedent is anything to go by, the M4 GTS will also be stripped of excess weight and feature a tighter suspension, stickier tires and more, in order to make BMW's muscle coupe even more hardcore and focused for the track. We could be looking at a debut as early as Pebble Beach in August.

2015 BMW X3 arrives with tweaked styling, diesel option

The luxury crossover market has been a huge success for BMW, having sold over a million X3 models worldwide since the CUV first went on sale in 2003, not to mention all of the momentum its had with the larger X5. At the Chicago Auto Show, BMW is unveiling the refreshed 2015 X3, featuring an improved design, a new diesel engine option, and a rear-wheel drive variant.
The X3 is getting some handsome upgrades to the exterior. The twin, circular headlights now extend to touch the slightly widened, chrome kidney grille, to bring the styling in line with the 3 Series and 4 Series. (LED headlights are now optional, as well.) The front bumper gets reshaped brake cooling ducts, and the rear bumper gets a touch of additional metal trim at the bottom. BMW has also added standard LED turn signals in the side mirrors.
BMW has enhanced the interior with added chrome trim, high-gloss black trim around the center console, sliding covers for the cup holders and new interior upholstery designs. The X3 is also getting a major boost in optional technology - there's a new Parking Assistant, as well as an Active Driving Assistant with adaptive cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, Frontal Collision Warning, Pedestrian Warning, and City Collision Mitigation.