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Saturday, 30 July 2011

New BMW X3 Review, Test Drive


We drive the soon-to-be launched BMW X3 and here are our first impressions. Despite being far more attractive than the earlier X3, this is not a design that makes you go ‘wow’ instantly. It’s a handsome looking car for sure, with attractive details and nicely designed sections but, it is also a bit of an acquired taste. You take a bit of time to ‘get’ the appeal of the tucked-in waistline, the pitched forward belt-line and that very upright bonnet.
As one would expect, there’s more than a bit of the X5 in the X3’s details. The kidney grille looks very similar, the heavy looking bumper is there on this car too and look at it from the rear and you’ll swear this is BMW’s full-sized SUV. The new X3’s footprint is actually almost the same as the original X5 – BMW’s iconic first SUV – which means this car is both longer and wider than the outgoing X3. But the increase in size hasn’t brought a corresponding increase in mass. This new car actually weighs 15kg less than the earlier car with the same specification.
The X3 is actually based on the estate or Touring version of the 3-series, and so what you get is a monocoque or ‘frame-in-body’ construction, a longitudinally placed engine in the nose and independent car-like suspension for all four wheels. X in BMW terminology stands for four-wheel drive, and this car uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to distribute torque between front and rear axles. To improve efficiency, this version comes with auto start-stop that switches the car off at signals, and this BMW, like recent examples, comes with an electric steering for greater efficiency too.
On the road, a heavy 1.8-tonne kerb weight, an upright SUV stance and a two-litre 181bhp diesel don’t exactly spell performance. But generous torque from the motor and the presence of the eight-speed gearbox improve things considerably. There is considerable grunt in the midrange, the gearbox is quick to downshift, and this allows it to keep up with traffic quite easily.
However, the X3 lacks the ability to suddenly up the pace at these speeds. The motor constantly has to work hard and performance is only really good in the midrange. Stability at speed is far more impressive. The X3 tracks faithfully even at very high speeds, there is absolutely no hint of nervousness and the BMW feels glued to the road even at speeds in excess of 180kph. A light but firm touch is all you need on the wheel, there is no sloppiness in the way the X3 changes lanes, and the brakes have plenty of bite and stopping power as well. The X3 is also well insulated and feels quite refined at speed. There is very little tyre roar, the car rides silently over expansion joints.
In fact so silent is the rest of the car, you sometimes hear wind swishing over the mirror and the ‘A’ pillar.
On smaller roads I decide to switch back to ‘Normal’ mode to soften the dampers. And the effect is immediate. Despite having large 18-inch wheels, the X3 simply glides over many of the rough patches and holding onto a particular line is no problem either. The X3 also feels easy to punt around and navigate through the centre of some small towns. The light, electric steering and compact dimensions of the car make it quite easy to thread through narrow cobblestone streets and parking with the electronic driver aids is quite easy too.
In ‘Sport’ mode, the dampers firm up nicely and body control is much tighter and the steering feels weightier too. Unfortunately, this feels a bit artificial and odd and I miss the light but very precise feel of the system in Normal.
On smaller roads, the X3 also feels substantially quicker than out on the open roads. Performance for these roads is more than adequate and using the strong mid-range delivers a decent kick. You do need to place the gearbox into S if you want to drive in a spirited manner though. This motor doesn’t have the strongest bottom end and looking for performance when the eight-speed ’box is shifting up as often as it can for greater efficiency does get a bit frustrating.
What’s vastly improved however are the interiors of the X3. This one feels as big and as airy as Audi’s Q5 on the inside. The width of the cabin is impressive, the wide dashboard makes this feel like a full-sized SUV and BMW has used first-rate materials too. The design of the soft-feel dash is full of attractive curves and swoops, a smart looking metallic strip has been used on the bottom of the central console and this and other metallic insets help lift the mood of the cabin.
The instrument panel is nearly identical to that of a 5-series, the air-con and audio system controls are like the 3-series, and the seats are identical to the 3-series as well. BMW has used sumptuous double-stitched leather to cloak the insides, door pads included, and you get the full bells and whistles iDrive too. Also on this car, is BMW’s Dynamic Drive Control that allows you to toggle between Normal, Sport and Sport + at the touch of a button.
At the rear, you sit a bit low but legroom is surprisingly good and the backrest is very supportive too. The seats can be folded and flipped for additional luggage space but with the standard 550 litres available, we doubt you’ll ever feel the need to make use of this feature.
The new X3 is on much more solid ground than the outgoing model. It is more spacious on the inside, is both beautifully crafted and built, and it looks larger on the outside too. It may not be as much fun to drive as the earlier car and performance from the 2.0 motor isn’t spectacular either. But the new X3 delivers almost everything Indian luxury SUV buyers seem to be looking for. This really does feel like a slightly scaled-down version of BMW’s bigger X5. All BMW needs to do now is deliver this SUV at a competitive price, from somewhere around Rs 40 lakh, and watch the order books fill up. 

World Amazing Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

PHI PHI ISLAND

Thailand Beaches AND SWIMING POOLS

Thailand Beaches corner

Thailand Beaches boats

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches and Islands

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches Boats

World Amazing Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

 Palm Trees Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches with Boats

Thailand Beaches and Palm trees

Thailand Beaches ,palm trees and boats

Thailand Beaches with Boats

Girl sitting on Thailand Beach

World Amazing Beaches

Thailand Beaches with boats

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beaches

Thailand Beach and a guy riding his horse at its corner

hazy sunset at Thailand Beach

Thailand Beaches with Boating

Boating on Thailand Beaches

Thailand Phi phi island

Phi phi island

Thailand Beaches

Friday, 29 July 2011

BMW PRESENTS MOBILITY OF THE FUTURE Pics :)

BMW presents mobility of the future

BMW presents mobility of the future


BMW presents mobility of the future

BMW Unveils Mobility Of The Future




The BMW Group has showcased its visions of future mobility in the shape of the i3 Concept and i8 Concept studies. These concept vehicles provide a glimpse of the first electrically powered production cars from the new BMW i sub-brand, due to be launched as the BMW i3 in 2013 and the BMW i8 in 2014.
“We are marking another milestone in the history of the BMW Group. As chairman of the Board and an engineer myself, I am very proud of this project,” declared Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at the premiere of the two vehicles in Frankfurt on July 29. “As the world’s leading premium car manufacturer, our aim is to offer customers purpose-built electric-drive cars as well,” he added.
With its zero-emission electric drive and a range of approximately 150km, the i3 Concept has been specifically developed for use in an urban environment; its dynamic 125 kW electric motor and rear-wheel drive ensuring BMW-style dynamic handling. Thanks to its innovative LifeDrive architecture featuring a carbon passenger cell, the i3 Concept combines an extremely low weight of 1250kg with optimal interior space and the highest crash safety levels. With four seats and a 200-litre luggage compartment, this vehicle is fully suited for everyday use.
BMW i3 Concept: A revolution in car design
“This vehicle will mark the launch of the first volume-produced car featuring bodywork largely made of carbon. It’s a revolution in automotive design,” stressed Klaus Draeger, member of the Board responsible for development.
The application of this new CFRP technology allows a weight reduction, compared to a conventional electric car, of between 250 and 350kg, and that means more dynamic handling coupled with a greater range. The BMW i3 does the 0 to 100kph sprint in less than eight seconds, while a high-speed charger achieves an 80 percent battery charge in just an hour.
Thanks to the emission-free drivetrain and a value added chain designed to be sustainable all along the line, lifecycle emission figures for the i3 are at least a third lower than for a highly efficient combustion-engine car. If the i3 is run on electricity from renewable sources, the figures improve by well over 50 percent.
BMW i8 Concept: New-generation sports car
The i8 Concept goes from 0 to 100kph in less than five seconds and boasts fuel consumption of under three litres per 100km. Its plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 260 kW allows a range of up to 35km in electric mode  sufficient for most everyday journeys. For more dynamic driving or out-of-town route, a high-performance three-cylinder petrol engine also comes into play. The sports car has an electronically governed top speed of 250kph and space for up to four occupants.
“The BMW i8 Concept is the sports car for a new generation - pure, emotional and sustainable,” ”Draeger underlined.
With BMW i, the BMW Group is corroborating its position as the most innovative and sustainable auto manufacturer in the world. With BMW i, it is providing answers to the mobility challenges of the future while pursuing a holistic approach. In addition to purpose-built premium vehicles with electric drive, the company is also offering intelligent mobility services.
Both the i3 and the i8 will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany. Some 400 million euros are earmarked for investment in new buildings and facilities by 2013, while 800 new jobs are to be created. Vehicle production will be CO2 neutral and will draw on renewable resources. The company is currently investigating the possibility of erecting its own wind turbines on the plant site

Interior Design Ideas

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Interior Design Ideas

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design

Wood themed Classical kitchen design