35i Low Miles 2 Dr Convertible Manual Gasoline 3.0l Straight 6 Cyl Alpine White on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW could have a fuel cell vehicle by 2020

The Ultimate Driving Machine may start emitting water vapor, which may not thrill gearheads but could be good for the environment. BMW may have a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle to sell as soon as the end of the decade, UK's Auto Express says, citing people familiar with the process that it didn't identify. And the model will likely be sold within the i sub-brand that includes the i3 electric vehicle and the i8 plug-in hybrid. "We are working on fuel cell development, but we are not able to comment on vehicle plans at this stage or timing at this point," BMW spokesman Dave Buchko wrote in an e-mail to AutoblogGreen on Thursday. Chatter about a potential BMW fuel-cell vehicle has been getting louder in recent months. Late last year, Autocar reported that BMW was mulling using Toyota's fuel-cell system for a version of what would be called the i5 (all the better to quietly cruise the interstate running up and down the West Coast, we guess). BMW and Toyota have been working together on accelerating the development of fuel-cell technology since 2013. Toyota has since made good on the effort of selling fuel-cell vehicles by introducing the Mirai in Japan last year and is preparing to start sales in California later this year. But BMW has been mum, so far. Featured Gallery 2014 BMW i3: First Drive View 33 Photos News Source: Auto Express via Hybrid CarsImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Sebastian Blanco / AOL Green BMW Toyota Hydrogen Cars i5

BMW i3 finding favor with fire, police departments

Of all the models that BMW makes, you might figure that the i3 would be the least likely to be used for a police car, ambulance, or fire truck. Yet the little EV is proving a popular choice among emergency services around the world. Drawing on its extensive experience in equipping emergency vehicles, BMW offers first responders i3 EVs with the tools they need, straight from the factory. That means special livery, roof bars, strobe lights, megaphones... the works. The Bavarian automaker even developed a ConnectedRescue system based on the Connected Drive technology to enable fluid, on-the-go communications between emergency dispatchers and the vehicles on the road to help responders get to the scene with the information they need. The system is being implemented initially in Germany, but we wouldn't be surprised to see it rolled out elsewhere as the i3 gains momentum among emergency services worldwide. With all that specific equipment and zero emissions to boot, it's little wonder that the i3 has already zipped its way into emergency motor pools in locations as varied as Milan, London, and Los Angeles. There's even one being used in Warsaw, Poland, to transport cash around the city with zero emissions. We're more used to seeing Brinks armored trucks carrying our deposits between branches, but if a carbon-fiber EV is capable of doing the job, who are we to argue? Emission-free cash transport with the BMW i3.The all-electric BMW i3 also proves its value as an emergency vehicle for police forces, rescue services and fire departments. 04.11.2015 Powerful, agile, interconnected and, above all, locally emission-free: Thanks to these qualities, the all-electric BMW i3 is now also increasingly proving its worth as an emergency vehicle for police forces, rescue services and fire departments. BMW is offering the world's first premium vehicle designed from the start for solely electric mobility, featuring a range of optional extras specifically aligned to the requirements of emergency forces, thereby opening up new fields of action for electric mobility within the urban environment. Authorities Bavaria, Milan, Los Angeles and London have meanwhile added the first BMW i3s to their emergency vehicle fleets. And another special version is in use for locally emission-free cash transport in the Polish capital of Warsaw. The BMW i3 features a vehicle architecture that was specifically developed for electric and plug-in models.

Mini Countryman PHEV caught at electric watering hole

Our spy photographers have once again found the next generation Mini Countryman out testing in the wild. This time, they caught it replenishing its thirst for electrons. Although we knew some sort of hybrid Countryman was coming, this confirms its existence and plug-in capabilities beyond any reasonable doubt. Like the rest of the Mini lineup, this new Countryman will be noticeably larger than its predecessor. It also appears to feature a larger, more aggressive grille and lower intake vents. Other than that, the car appears to be quite evolutionary in design. Our spy photographers expect the plug-in hybrid Countryman to debut in 2019 powered by a combination of the 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder and an electric motor. We have also predicted that the gasoline engine could power the front wheels while the electric motor (or motors) powers the rear wheels, which together could provide all-wheel-drive and 240 horsepower. Related video: