So far, photos of the limited edition BMW M340i Touring First Edition have been quite rare, but thanks to BMW Spain, we can break that spell today. The Spaniards are introducing the M340i Touring First Edition through an extensive and beautiful photo gallery which highlights the undisputed qualities of the car.
The Frozen Dark Grey paint not only comes into its own in the photo studio, but it also creates exciting images as a dark contrast to red lighting. Incidentally, we also get a good visual impression of the optional laser headlights and the standard LED rear lights of the BMW 3 Series Touring.
In addition to the BMW Individual Frozen Dark Grey color, the BMW M340i Touring First Edition is limited to 340 units worldwide. It also comes with an extended shadow line, which means that the mesh kidney grille on the front and some other details are kept in high-gloss black.
The 19-inch light alloy wheels with double spoke 792 M Bicolor and the red brake calipers of the M sports brake are further eye-catchers. The sporty appearance is rounded off by the carbon rear diffuser from the BMW M Performance accessories range.
Thanks to its 374 hp six-cylinder in-line engine, the BMW M340i Touring sprints from 0 to 100 in just 4.5 seconds. The 500 Newton meters of torque arrive early, ensuring easy overtakes and a spirited driving. The xDrive all-wheel drive, which is also standard, changes its characteristics and power distribution under load offering a rear-wheel drive bias when needed.
Inside, the 3 Series Touring First Edition makes use of BMW Individual’s full leather trim in a striking bi-color – Silverstone and Fjord Blue. The leather is paired with contrasting stitching in Kyalami Orange.
The leather-covered dashboard, the seat belts with M stripes and the First Edition lettering integrated into the carbon interior trim round off the exclusive appearance.
In the olden days, premium SUVs were not even a concept. Anything that rode as high as a modern SUV does today was deemed from the get go as a ‘utility vehicle’. Therefore, there was no need of such “luxuries” as leather upholstery or double-zone climate control.
Cars back then were used in completely different ways. SUVs, in the meantime, became the norm and people just can’t seem to get enough of them these days. Since that’s the case, manufacturers have to adapt and offer different drivetrains to the customers, who are now seemingly hellbent on buying only high-riding cars.
That’s probably what led to the introduction of the BMW X5 xDrive40e a few years back. Nobody specifically asked for a hybrid X5 and yet, BMW offered it.
Care to guess why?
Because the X5 is one of the best-selling cars it has on sale today and keeping the fleet’s CO2 emissions in check is a tricky ordeal. A hybrid will definitely help out with that, especially considering the tax systems in various countries around the world.
In some places, the less your car pollutes, the less you have to pay to run it.
The opposite applies too. That’s why the 2-liter diesel engine is the workhorse of Western Europe.
The BMW X5 xDrive40e wasn’t too successful though, no matter how many tax incentives you’d throw at it. The reason? It wasn’t a polished product. It was a first attempt from BMW to try and get customers used to a PHEV SUV.
An exercise that worked. Customers learned about the possibility of having a hybrid X5 but they weren’t sold on that particular model. Then, the new X5 came around and BMW said, from the get go, that a hybrid will still be on the table.
Meet the Refreshed and Improved BMW X5 xDrive45e
The new BMW X5 xDrive45e came with a host of improvements compared to its predecessor. Some engineering bits stayed while others were drastically changed. Among the first category you’ll find the same unchanged exterior appearance.
Just like the xDrive40e before it, the xDrive45e is pretty hard to tell from a “regular” X5. They look exactly the same and, if you remove the rear badge from the tailgate, there’s literally only one giveaway that this is a plug-in hybrid model: the charging port on the left side front fender.
Other than that, everything’s exactly the same.
Our tester came in a beautiful Tanzanite Blue II color, with stunning 21 inch wheels, the M Sport package and blacked out window trims. It was damn near perfect in my book, as these are my favorite wheels in the range right now. Furthermore, that color has been embedded deep inside my head ever since I first saw it on an M4.
It was also almost impossible to spot it as a PHEV as the dark color hid the black contour around the “extra” gas cap on the front fender rather nicely.
Unfortunately, since this was an M Sport model, it did have the M badges on the front fenders and the one on the left side was right on that little door. Naturally, it did attract some attention. It also made things look weird when the car was plugged it, with an M emblem sticking out.
Of course, people hearing the car driving down the street might’ve also noticed something was afoot, as it was completely quiet. At low speeds it does emit a hum to warn pedestrians, but it would still cause a couple of frowns from people as they probably had no idea BMW has an X5 hybrid.
Classy and Premium Inside
The same overall theme applies to the inside of the cabin as well. Compared to a non-electrified X5, there isn’t really much to talk about. Our tester was wearing Vernasca Coffee leather on the inside and there were only a couple of things letting you know something was off.
The center console has a couple of different buttons on it, right next to the start button. They allow you to switch between different driving modes and they are labeled “Hybrid” or “Electric.”
Once you start it up, that feeling becomes certainty as the instrument cluster has a different look compared to what you would find on a gas-burning alternative.
The Driving Experience
The car starts up in the Hybrid mode which is basically run by the on-board computer. In this default driving mode, the car will choose which power source it is using. As is the case with all plug-in hybrid cars, their main goal is to be used as much as possible in electric mode, to cut down emissions and fuel consumption.
Therefore, whether you drive in Electric mode or Hybrid mode doesn’t make a huge difference, as the car will run almost exclusively on electrons in the latter. The differences are subtle but they are there.
For example, in Electric mode the car will not start the engine when you press the gas pedal a bit harder, unlike on the Hybrid mode. Furthermore, in Hybrid mode, once you reach 110 km/h the internal combustion engine will start automatically.
In the Electric mode that won’t be triggered until you reach 140 km/h while the regeneration braking is a bit more powerful. That’s about it when it comes to the driving differences between these two. Even the instrument cluster looks the same when you’re using one of them.
Then there’s Sport mode and this is where your X5 will start feeling a bit more familiar. In Sport mode you even get a rev counter on the right side of the infotainment screen. It still goes counter-clockwise but it does offer a familiar feeling. The fact that the internal combustion engine also starts up and offers a familiar growl contributes as well to that feeling.
So how is it to drive? Well, the technical side of things is where the BMW xDrive45e model truly sets itself apart from its predecessor.
Whereas the old X5 xDrive40e used a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, the new model uses a better powerplant as an alternative – the B58 3-liter straight six. The extra 2 cylinder don’t only balance the engine a lot better than before, they also bring more power to the table, with a total system output of 394 PS and up to 600 Nm of torque.
Those numbers are made up by the 286 PS of the internal combustion engine and the 113 HP of the electric motor which replaces the torque converter in the grand scheme of things, being located right between the engine and the gearbox. This way, the electric motor can be used to start up the ICE and for other functions.
Therefore, we’re looking a car with two more cylinders and more power and yet, the emissions are lower while the performance went up.
How is that possible? Well, it’s all doable thanks to BMW’s fourth-generation batteries and this is an even bigger jump compared to the old PHEV X5 than it’s the case under the hood.
Whereas the old hybrid X5 had a 9.2 kWh battery, the new one can store more than 2.5 times that, being rated for 24 kWh out of which you can use 21 kWh. So that’s a big hike, even though the physical size of the battery didn’t change that much.
It all goes down to the energy density. The battery is actually located in the exact same place as it was before, over the rear axle, to keep things balanced. It does cut into the boot though and the PHEV model offers 150 liters of luggage space less than the conventional models, at 500 liters.
That’s the same reason why you can’t get the X5 xDrive45e in a 7-seat configuration.
As for the driving, it’s a typical BMW X5 experience with a twist. If you have enough juice in the battery, most of your driving around town will be eerily silent. You’ll spend most of your trip in the EV mode which means the only sounds protruding into the cabin will be coming from the tires and the wind. The xDrive45e also comes with air suspension as standard, so you’ll basically be feeling like you’re gliding around instead of driving.
If you run out of power or enter Sport mode, you’ll instantly notice the differences compared to its predecessor or any other X5 in the range right now, as a matter of fact. That’s because the two motors are working brilliantly in tandem and offer quite a unique feeling.
The one that comes close is probably the BMW X5 M50i but any other X5 model offered on sale today (with the exception of the X5 M as I didn’t have the chance to drive that one yet) falls short in terms of handling and feeling. And yes, I’m including the otherwise brilliant M50d model here too.
The reason for that is because the moment you step on the accelerator, the car responds. The pedal response is instantaneous and that’s to be expected, as the electric motor doesn’t have to rev up or spool up boost to get going.
Sure, the full might of the 600 Nm of torque available doesn’t hit you all at once, it takes a half a second to get the internal combustion engine up to speed. But the initial reaction is right there. And the two power sources are intertwined perfectly and you barely feel it when the petrol unit kicks in.
Keep the pedal glued to the floor and speed just keeps ticking up. This car picks up speed at an alarming rate. It may be a hybrid, 2.5-ton monster but it can move. 0-62 takes just 5.6 seconds and you’ll go all the way up to 250 km/h (155 mph) if you dare.
It all feels muscular and smooth overall, something you don’t get in other models. The diesels are simply too noisy and too… diesel-like if you will, while the petrol, excepting the 4.4-liter V8, just don’t bring the same muscular feeling about when it comes to driving all out.
As for the corners, if straight line performance can’t really be matched by the other models in the range, it’s in the bends where the X5 xDrive45e starts to run out of breath. The suspension works great when it comes to keep you comfortable. The adaptive dampers we had along with the air ride kept everything nice and kosher as long as you didn’t try to push the X5 way beyond its comfort zone.
However, once you start trying to find its limits, you’ll learn that the added weight does have an impact on handling. It’s not a terrible experience, mind you, and up to about 8/10 the car feels rather neutral. Yet, it’s that last 20 percent that reminds you this car is carrying batteries in the back after all. Then again, 99 pecent of the customers will never take it past 5/10 so they probably won’t ever say this thing doesn’t handle like it should.
Consumption and Range
But what about the fuel consumption and battery range? After all, this is a PHEV and those numbers matter. The truth is that the numbers I got during my time with the car might not be accurate. The review was carried out on rather empty streets as everyone was staying inside.
Therefore, the 70 kilometers (43.7 miles) of range I got out of a full battery might not be easily replicated once traffic goes back to normal. Once the juice in the cells ran out, the car showed an average fuel consumption of about 10 l/100 km (23.5 mpg).
That’s actually really good but, once again, the city was rather empty, a fact confirmed by my average speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) which would never be possible in normal, non-COVID-19 traffic.
That low fuel consumption figure was capable because the car will often shut off its engine, even if the battery shows 0 percent. Whenever it can muster up some electrons from the battery, the car will use them to move around. It will switch off the engine as you’re approaching a red light, will use the electric motor to cruise or start off and so on.
What I will mention is that over the course of my time with the car I burned about 2 gallons of petrol and I covered some 220 miles just to put things into perspective. And yes, I did charge it as often as possible.
Should I Buy One?
That said, I think the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e should be on your list if you have a charger available and your daily commute is around 40 miles. If you can charge this car, you’ll be spending most of your time driving electric, without having to stop at a gas station unless you’re going for a longer trip.
It will do all the things an X5 is expected to do and deals with all the shortcomings the previous model had, including the short electric range.
Couple that with the advantages certain countries offer for plug-in hybrids and I think this is the best model you could buy in the current X5 range today, if you don’t need a V8 under the hood.
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e
Exterior Appeal
Interior Quality
Steering Feedback
Performance
Handling
BMWness/Ultimate Driving Machine
Price Point
The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e should be on your list if you have a charger available and your daily commute is around 40 miles. If you can charge this car, you’ll be spending most of your time driving electric, without having to stop at a gas station unless you’re going for a longer trip.
Looks like: A stylish premium small sedan with a few more hints of the 2020 Kia Forte than of the 2020 CLA’s drama
Drivetrains: 228-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (228i xDrive) or 301-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four (M235i xDrive); eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: March 2020
BMW has rolled out a new entry-level sedan that will compete head-to-head with the redone 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan. The 2020 2 Series Gran Coupe, also a sedan with the Euro-trendy “four-door coupe” silhouette, slides into the BMW lineup below the 3 Series sedans and joins the 2 Series rear-wheel-drive coupe and convertible in name, though it is based on a BMW front-wheel drive platform like the X1 and X2 crossovers. The new model will be displayed in November at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show and will go on sale here in March.
Related: 2019 BMW 330i Review: Now More Machine Than Man
2020 BMW X2 Specs & Reviews Find a 2020 BMW X2 Near You
There will be two versions at launch in the U.S., both with turbocharged four-cylinder power and standard all-wheel drive: the entry 228i xDrive and higher-performance M235i xDrive. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
Exterior
Some recent BMW designs have generated controversy, and this one might, too. While clearly aimed to rival the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is less dramatic and more mainstream in design. It gets the latest big BMW kidney grille, frameless windows, standard full LED headlights and daytime running lights. A panoramic moonroof is optional.
The M235i gets its own version of the grille and more aggressive bumpers. It also has a dark gray finish for the grille, front air inlet surrounds, lower side molding, mirror caps and trapezoidal (rather than the 228i’s round) exhaust tips.
interior Design and Tech
Both models include sport front seats. The M235i gets standard leather upholstery, an M Sport steering wheel and other upgrades. Ambient lighting also is standard on the M235i.
BMW says the rear seat has legroom “almost equaling” the 3 Series, which means it’s not huge. Trunk space is 12 cubic feet and a 40/20/40-split, folding rear seatback is standard.
2020 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe
Manufacturer image
The center display is 8.8 inches and has BMW’s iDrive controller. The optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes a 10.25-inch center display and a 10.25-inch configurable instrument display; a 9.2-inch head-up display also is available. Navigation is standard. There are two USB ports in front (one of them USB-C) and two in the rear (both USB-C), and wireless charging is available — but Android Auto is not and Apple CarPlay is by subscription after a one-year free trial.
Two Flavors Under the Hood
The powertrains are familiar from the X2 models. The 228i xDrive features a 228-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 258 pounds-feet of torque. The M235i xDrive gets a 301-hp, turbocharged four putting out 332 pounds-feet of torque. Both use an eight-speed automatic and come with standard all-wheel drive. BMW says the torque-splitting AWD system includes a traction system that uses selective braking to limit wheel slip.
BMW says the 228i will run zero-to-60 mph in 6.0 seconds and is limited to top speeds of 130 mph with all-season tires and 151 mph with performance tires. The M235i cuts the zero-to-60 sprint to 4.7 seconds (4.6 with an optional performance package) and tops out at 155 mph with performance tires.
The M235i additions also include extra bracing, a limited-slip front differential, 18-inch wheels (up from the standard 17-inch rims) and M Sport brakes, different steering tuning and a sportier suspension. An adaptive suspension is optional for both models, as are 19-inch wheels.
Safety and Driver Assistance Tech
Blind spot detection and a low-speed front collision system with automatic braking are standard, as are blind spot and lane departure warning systems, lane keep assist and a rear cross-traffic alert system. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is optional; the system uses navigation and other sensor data to limit gear changes and anticipate upcoming road conditions. Also optional is a parking assist system.
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Greensboro BMW in Greensboro, NC by Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi treats the needs of each customer with supreme Greensboro BMW Service. GREENSBORO’S BMW GREENSBORO IN GREENSBORO, NC visit Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi serving Greensboro, Highpoint, Jamestown, Randleman, Summerfield, Oakridge, Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Brown Summit, McLeansville, Burlington, NC.
One of the best innovations in car buying in recent years is the rise of no-cost scheduled maintenance programs. Many people feel really anxious about taking their car in for service, and these deals help mitigate that somewhat. Obviously, it’s not free for automakers to implement the offers, and now BMW is altering the way its four-year, 50,000-mile Maintenance Program works for some owners. “To keep such an offer sustainable we had to make a change,” said Kenn Sparks, Manager of Business Communications at BMW North America, to Autoblog via email.
The original person to buy or lease the model isn’t going to see any difference, but the program is no longer transferable to a second owner, unless that person is in the owners household. Those people include includes parents, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, in addition to someone like a spouse or children. The original owner just has to advise BMW of new user. “The program change will affect 2nd owners and for them BMW is introducing an optional full-maintenance product that covers the vehicle up to 100,000 miles,” said Sparks. Scroll down to read the entire announcement.
UPDATE: We have confirmed with BMW of Canada that this only applies to the United States. “This does not apply to Canadian BMW maintenance coverage. The U.S. program is specific to the vehicle owner, whereas the Canadian program follows the vehicle and is transferrable.”
For model year 2015 or later vehicles sold or leased by an authorized BMW center on or after July 1, 2014, BMW Maintenance Program coverage is provided for the exclusive benefit of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a new vehicle, sales demonstrator vehicle, Aftersales Mobility Program (AMP) vehicle, or BMW Group company vehicle from an authorized BMW center in the United States (including Puerto Rico). Accordingly, BMW Maintenance Program coverage, with one exception, is not transferable to subsequent purchasers, owners, or lessees. The sole exception to the non-transferability of BMW Maintenance Program coverage is that household transfers – transfers within the United States (including Puerto Rico) to members of the household of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a BMW vehicle from an authorized BMW center – will not terminate BMW Maintenance Program coverage. Household transfers are limited solely to transfers to a current or former spouse or spousal equivalent, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or grandchild from the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a vehicle. In the event of a household transfer, purchasers, owners, or lessees of a BMW vehicle should promptly advise their authorized BMW center to document and confirm the household transfer for purposes of BMW Maintenance Program coverage. The payoff of a loan on a vehicle by the initial purchaser and the purchase of a leased vehicle by the initial lessee are not considered transfers for purposes of BMW Maintenance Program coverage.
The BMW Maintenance Program covers all factory recommended maintenance as determined by the Condition Based Service (CBS) system. Additional specific items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear, and that are not covered by the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty – such as brake pads, brake rotors, and wiper blade inserts – are included, provided wear and tear exceeds BMW wear limits. Any applicable adjustments required due to normal operating conditions are also included.
Exclusions from coverage include the following:
Items reimbursable under your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Gasoline and diesel fuel
Gasoline and diesel fuel additive
Diesel glow plugs
Diesel particulate filter
Windshield washer additive (except when in conjunction with scheduled maintenance)
Tires, wheel alignment, tire balance and rotation
Parking brake shoes/linings
Reset Tire Pressure Monitor
Wear and tear of soft trim items, such as: seats, carpets, moldings, headliner, door panels and all chrome trim
Damage, including consequential, which results from negligence, improper operation of the vehicle, wear and tear or deterioration due to driving habits or conditions, improper repair, environmental influences, flood, accident or fire damage, road salt corrosion, alteration, installation of non-genuine BMW accessories, or use of improper, poor quality or contaminated fuel
Altered or unreadable Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or odometer irregularities or vehicles where the true mileage cannot be determined
Maintenance or repairs performed by other than an authorized BMW center within the United States or Puerto Rico
‘Topping off’ low fluids (e.g., engine oil, antifreeze, washer fluid, etc.) except when done in conjunction with a scheduled maintenance or other required maintenance work (as outlined in the customized maintenance checklist printout) that is performed during an applicable Maintenance Program period
Vehicles used in competitive events
Oil changes performed outside the recommended maintenance intervals as indicated by the Condition Based Service
Any other vehicle-specific exclusions described in the Service and Warranty Booklet included with the vehicle
CHRIS BRUCE.
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F.Y.I…there are parts that will come w/ the armrest that won’t be needed (..i.e…extra rods, some spring contraption, etc.). You can reuse the rods that were on the stock armrest.
Remove the rear climate controls by grabbing it along the top and the sides, and pulling gently. Be careful not to break the clips.
Using a pair of pliers, grip the small metal rods and push toward the outside. The outside tip of each rod is grooved to help it stay in place. That is the reason that it must be pushed to the outside. Remove the stock armrest by lifting out and up.
A side-by-side comparison of the stock armrest vs. the split euro armrest.
Put the euro armrest in place, and install the metal rods in the reverse fashion in which you removed them. Use the pliers to pull the rod towards the inside so that the grooved ends will mate with the housing of the center console.
A completed picture of the install pre-climate control reassembly.
Climate control reassembled.
A photo of the armrest, e-brake handle, and shift knob installed.
if you can’t perform this yourself please Visit Eurobahn BMW Greensboro
There is no denying that the BMW M3 models are extremely well made vehicles. That said, like all cars, the M3 has its quirks. After 27 years on the road there are very few complaints with this sport coupe.
The issues most commonly reported include:
Leaks in the Power Steering Hose – The M series vehicles have been known to experience power steering hose leaks. In some cases multiple hoses will leak at once. All leaky hoses will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Noisy Differential – If you hear a rubbing noise during tight turns the most likely cause is the limited slip differential. Replacing the fluids with a specialty BMW oil may fix the problem, but in older vehicles the differential may need to be replaced.
Failure Of The Blower Final Stage Fan Resistor – When the heater fan begins acting up it’s a sign that the blower final stage fan resistor has failed and needs to be replaced.
Failures in the Fuel Pump – Owners of 2006 and older M3s have noted that fuel pump failure is a problem. This can be a hard failure where no fuel gets to the engine or a soft failure where fuel volume is low. When either occurs the fuel pump will need to be replaced.
Another factor to keep in mind is that drivers tend to have fun pushing this sporty coupe hard. Many owners also modify the M3 for added performance and speed. When buying used, it may be best to have a qualified BMW technician in Greensboro inspect the vehicle to better assess its condition. First generation M3s also have a specialized 4-cylinder engine that can require professional maintenance.
If you need top-quality BMW service in Greensboro, NC Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-BenzAudi of Greensboro is the place to come. We have been the front-runner in Greensboro BMW repair for more than 35 years. As a Bosch-authorized BMW maintenance and repair shop, our clients can expect nothing but the best service that rivals any dealership’s auto center.
Give us a call today to schedule a time to come by our service center.
Driving is quickly becoming a connected experience. Although the first “carphone” was invented nearly 100 years ago, it didn’t have much range and was rather experimental. Today, mobile communication and connectivity is considered essential to most people.
We take our smart phones and mobile devices with us everywhere, but while we’re traveling there are a few technological gaps that can leave us hanging. But automakers are coming up with new ways to make cars fit our connected lifestyle. The latest BMW 6 Series lineup comes equipped with several features that make it even easier to use mobile devices while you’re on the move.
Personal WiFi Hotspot
From coast to coast you never have to worry about losing your Internet connection when you’re driving in a new BMW 6 Series model. The German automaker is now equipping vehicles in the 6 Series and 7 Series with a WiFi hotspot via a built-in SIM card. When you buy a vehicle new it comes with 3 GB of free data, but beyond that you’ll need to have a paid hotspot plan.
BMW’s WiFi uses the LTE network, but will automatically switch to another standard if LTE isn’t available. The hotspot is also compatible with virtually all mobile devices. When your car is full everyone is covered since the WiFi hotspot can support up to 10 devices at once.
The Wireless Charging Pocket
BMW 6 Series drivers also never have to worry about losing the charge on their phone. A wireless charging pocket now comes standard in all models – no outlet or cords needed. The pocket is hidden in the center console against the side closest to the driver.
The pocket uses inductive charging, which eliminates the need for actually plugging into a power source. It’s based off of Qi wireless charging technology. That means the wireless charging pocket is compatible with newer Android devices, however you can still use the feature if you have an older Android or an iPhone. BMW makes an accessory that allows almost any phone to be charged in the pocket.
A special hinge allows phones of all sizes to fit snugly in the charging pocket with or without a case. If you have a phablet or large smart phone, simply push the pocket outward to expand the size. Once the phone is inside and charging a blue light will come on letting you know the charger is working.
One problem that drivers ran into in the past was forgetting their phone was charging in the center console. There’s a solution for that as well now. You can adjust the settings in your car so that you receive an alert if you leave your phone in the pocket after turning the ignition off.
New iDrive 5.0 System Connectivity
The new iDrive 5.0 system now comes with BMW ConnectedDrive. This allows the system to wireless integrate with a variety of apps. While it isn’t as noteworthy as having a wireless charging pocket and WiFi hotspot, it does indicate that more connectivity is to come with future updates.
With these latest standard features BMW is solidifying its reputation as an innovator in the automobile industry. It also indicates that connectivity is a top priority that will likely be expanded on in coming years.
The i3 Hatch, BMW’s first electric car, has been revealed with another technology update in 2018. After a battery pack upgrade in late 2016, the i3 will improve its electric range in 2018. The upgraded version of 2017 bears a 94 Ah battery pack which has considerably improved the operation, under the official NEDC test cycle, by more than 50 percent, from 118 miles to 186 miles, while real-world driving range is increased to a maximum 124 miles on a single battery charge, even in extreme weather conditions with comparable air conditioning or heating requirements.
According to BMW Greensboro NC experts, the new update has brought the capacity of the battery expressed in ampere hour to 120 or the equivalent of approximately 42.5 kWh. The previous version had a 33 kWh capacity. An increase in capacity from 96 to 120 Ah would mean an increase in range of 25 percent, keeping the weight and voltage of the battery in tact. The new battery pack is capable of more high loads than its previous version, ensuring better discharging curve, therefore, leading to a higher than 25 percent range increase.
The first ever i3 is a sporty version of the electric car which aims at delivering better driving performance. The facelifted BMW i3 still runs on a 94 Ah battery, which powers an electric motor that delivers 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.
With a pure electric range of about 100 miles, it gives or takes a few depending on weather and driving conditions. With the optional gasoline range extender, BMW i3 Hatch is quite helpful for the right customers.
With its gorgeous style and modest makeover, the new i3’s is sure to starstruck your heart. It’s an incredible upgrade on the last car, with just a few changes to refurbish the vehicle.
The sculpted bumper and forward bonnet are kept in more of an alignment than the previous generation. Inside the car, you can find a new 10.3-inch infotainment screen featuring the same BMW iDrive system as seen on the new 5 Series.
To prolong the life and performance of the vehicle, bring it in for service and maintenance at your nearest BMW service Greensboro center.
There is no denying that the BMW M3 models are extremely well made vehicles. That said, like all cars, the M3 has its quirks. After 27 years on the road there are very few complaints with this sport coupe.
Driving is quickly becoming a connected experience. Although the first “carphone” was invented nearly 100 years ago, it didn’t have much range and was rather experimental. Today, mobile communication and connectivity is considered essential to most people.
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