Now BMW has promoted Habib to design director, putting him in charge of all aspects of vehicle design – both inside and out – for the BMW brand specifically (discounting Mini and Rolls-Royce). In his new capacity, Habib will report to Adrian van Hooydonk, who continues to oversee all design for the entire BMW Group as senior vice-president. Find the official announcement below.
BMW names Karim Habib new design chief
With BMW putting its Chris Bangle days behind it, one name that has emerged as a dominant force in the design of German luxury sedans has been Karim Habib.
The Canadian-Lebanese designer and engineer rose up through the ranks
of the BMW Group design offices, styling among other vehicles, the
current 7 Series. A few years ago, Habib defected to arch-rival Mercedes-Benz, but was lured back to Munich to head up the brand's exterior design department.
Now BMW has promoted Habib to design director, putting him in charge of all aspects of vehicle design – both inside and out – for the BMW brand specifically (discounting Mini and Rolls-Royce). In his new capacity, Habib will report to Adrian van Hooydonk, who continues to oversee all design for the entire BMW Group as senior vice-president. Find the official announcement below.
Now BMW has promoted Habib to design director, putting him in charge of all aspects of vehicle design – both inside and out – for the BMW brand specifically (discounting Mini and Rolls-Royce). In his new capacity, Habib will report to Adrian van Hooydonk, who continues to oversee all design for the entire BMW Group as senior vice-president. Find the official announcement below.
Vehicle Profile: 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5
Green means go.
Add the liquid-cooled electric motor and the total drive system output reaches 335-hp and 330 lb/ft of torque.
The world’s benchmark sport sedan breaks new ground with the
introduction of the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5—a model that manages to
boost power and performance over its 535i Sedan stablemate, while
shifting into the green band of efficiency. For all of its eco-friendly
credentials, the ActiveHybrid 5 stays true to its BMW heritage,
surpassing the competition in driver engagement, build quality, and
interior refinement.
Like other hybrid models in the BMW family, the new 2012
ActiveHybrid 5 (MSRP $60,950) pairs a combustion engine with an electric
motor to deliver superior fuel mileage with all the driving pleasure
buyers expect. The ActiveHybrid 5, however, is the first BMW hybrid
model that can be driven solely on electric power, offering around-town
motoring with zero emissions.
The heart of the ActiveHybrid 5 is the same TwinPower turbo
3.0-liter inline six-cylinder that motivates the 535i. Boasting a
TwinScroll turbo, piezo direct fuel injection and Valvetronic variable
intake valve lift control, the 3.0-liter inline-six cranks out 300 hp
and 300 lb/ft of peak torque.
Also carried over from the 535i is the standard eight-speed
STEPTRONIC automatic transmission paddleshifters mounted on the steering
wheel are optional). Acceleration runs from 0-60 in just 5.7 seconds
while overall driving range increases (and carbon dioxide emissions
decrease) by up to 16 percent compared to the 535i. BMW has not
announced final fuel-economy ratings for the ActiveHybrid 5, but,
following an initial review, the editors of Car and Driver magazine estimate the vehicle achieving up to 34 mpg on the highway.
Storing power for the electric motor is a 96-cell lithium-ion
battery with a usable energy capacity of 675 watt-hours. Encased in a
collision-resistant housing set between the rear wheel arches, the
battery is so compact that the ActiveHybrid 5 can still offer 13.2 cubic
feet of storage space in the trunk. To further boost fuel efficiency,
the lithium-ion battery also powers the air conditioning, leaving the
passenger compartment cool and comfortable even when the Hybrid Auto
Start-Stop function switches off the inline-six-cylinder engine and runs
the car on electric power alone—at stoplights, for example, or when
coasting downhill.
The ActiveHybrid 5 can also run on emissions-free, all-electric
mode for distances up to 2.5 miles at speeds of up to 37 mph, which is
perfect for parking spot trawling or negotiating drive-time traffic. And
if you’d like to sustain maximum efficiency even when the road clears,
set the Driving Dynamics Control system to “ECO PRO” Mode. ECO PRO shuts
off the combustion engine and decouples it from the drive shaft when
the car is traveling on the highway at speeds up to 100 mph. Dip into
the throttle and the TwinPower turbo six instantly reengages for
seamless passing power.
Along with the aforementioned Auto Start-Stop function, the BMW
EfficientDynamics system includes Brake Energy Regeneration, which
charges the lithium-ion battery with up to 15,000 watts when the brakes
are applied.
According to the review in Car and Driver, “One of the
most interesting aspects of the ActiveHybrid 5 is the level to which its
powertrain management system makes decisions based on information from
outside the car.” Program a route using the standard navigation system,
and BMW’s power electronics analyze the driving conditions of that
route—including topography and speed limits—and prime all powertrain
systems for more efficient energy management throughout your trip.
Here’s an example of how this “Intelligent Energy Management”
system works: If your route includes a series of hills, the system
allows the battery to provide maximum energy to the electric motor for
supplemental-power delivery on the way up. Depleting the battery on the
ascent isn’t a concern, since the system knows it will recharge on the
way down.
The first full hybrid model in the history of BMW deserves to stand
out. To that end, the ActiveHybrid 5 receives a host of exclusive
design cues including “ActiveHybrid 5” lettering on the C-pillars and
doorsills, an aluminum plate on the center console bearing the same ID
and custom covers for the engine and the lithium-ion battery.
Model-exclusive options include Bluewater metallic exterior paint and
18-inch streamline light-alloy wheels designed for superior aerodynamic
efficiency.
Following their “First Drive” evaluation of the ActiveHybrid 5, the editors at Motor Trend
magazine declared, “Its driving experience [is] absolutely worthy of
the marque's performance heritage.” When you’re ready to experience the
Ultimate Driving Machine® of premium hybrid sedans, contact us to test drive the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5.
Vehicle Profile: The 2012 BMW Z4
Sculpture at speed.
As
noted, the big news for 2012 is the introduction of the new Z4
sDrive28i, the foundation of the Z4 family. In the Z4 sDrive28i, the
normally aspirated inline six-cylinder found in last year’s Z4 sDrive30i
is replaced by a new inline-four, displacing 2.0 liters and featuring
direct injection, Valvetronic turbo variable intake control and a
TwinScroll turbo.
Tracing its design heritage back to the storied BMW Z8 (itself an
evocation of the milestone BMW 507 of the 1950s), the new 2012 BMW Z4
two-seat Roadster fulfills the mandate of every premium roadster: To
surround you in absolute comfort while delivering the ride of your life.
This year, the Z4 lineup matches precise handling, robust power and
supreme luxury with exceptional efficiency, thanks to the addition of an
all-new TwinPower turbo inline four-cylinder base.
BMW offers the Z4 in three trim levels: the Z4 sDrive28i (MSRP
$48,650), Z4 sDrive35i (MSRP $55,150), and Z4 sDrive35is (MSRP $64,200).
In the Z4 model names, “s” stands for “sport,” and “i" indicates a
fuel-injected engine.
The new TwinPower turbo four cranks out 240 hp and 260 lb/ft of
torque—40 lb/ft more than last year’s six-cylinder. Best of all, that
abundance of torque reaches its peak at a low 1,250 rpm, good for
near-instantaneous acceleration. Power channels through either a
six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic
transmission. Sprints from 0-60 mph take 5.5 seconds (with the manual
transmission), and fuel economy, EPA-estimated at up to 34 mpg highway,
is improved by up to 20 percent over the Z4 sDrive30i.
The source of power for the Z4 sDrive35i continues to be the
renowned 3.0-liter TwinPower turbo inline six-cylinder, making 300 hp
and 300 lb/ft of torque in this application. The dynamic Z4 sDrive35is
model draws strength from a 335-hp version of the same powerplant. Drop
the hammer on the Z4 sDrive35is and an electronically controlled
overboost function temporarily raises torque from its usual 332 lb/ft
peak to 369 lb/ft. The result: Bolting from a standstill to 60 mph in
less than five seconds.
A six-speed manual transmission serves as the standard gearbox on
the Z4 sDrive35i while an advanced seven-speed, Double-Clutch automatic
transmission (optional on the Z4 sDrive35i) sourced from the BMW M3
heightens performance in the Z4 sDrive35is. Shifts with the seven-speed
automatic are breathtakingly swift, while manual control is available
through the gear selector lever on the center console, or via paddles
mounted on the steering wheel.
Straight-line propulsion may capture headlines, but a true Roadster
earns its stripes slicing through twisting tarmac. A fully independent
suspension, four-wheel anti-lock ventilated disc brakes, and
speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering help make the Z4 the perfect
implement for precise road carving—as do such standard aids such as
traction control, Cornering Brake Control, Driving Dynamics Control, and
Dynamic Stability Control.
For drivers looking to explore the razor’s edge of premium Roadster
performance, the Z4 offers the M Sport Package on the Z4 sDrive28i and
the Z4 sDrive35i. It’s a gathering of features designed to push the
level of driving excitement squarely into the red (most of these
features come standard on the sDrive35is). The package includes an
Aerodynamic Kit, sport seats, special interior trim, an anthracite
headliner, and 18-inch light-alloy wheels (19-inch light-alloys are also
available on the Z4 sDrive35i and Z4 sDrive35is). An M Sport
leather-trimmed steering wheel is also added, along with an Adaptive M
Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and an increased
top-speed limiter (up to 155 mph).
At the touch of a button, the Z4 hardtop roof completely retracts
in 20 seconds, unveiling the bounty of standard features you’ll find
inside. The Z4 sDrive28i brims with such must-haves as Xenon Adaptive
Headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers, Bluetooth® phone connectivity, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, HD Radio, an auxiliary jack, and an iPod®/USB adapter.
Choosing the Z4 sDrive35i nets you additional standards such as
eight-way power seats, Kansas Leather seating and Brushed Aluminum
interior trim, while the top-of-the-line Z4 sDrive35is boasts 10-way
power seats with adjustable side bolsters and the Aluminum Carbon Shadow
trim.
Buyers intending to personalize their Z4 models have a host of
available packages and stand-alone options to select from. Depending on
the model, the choices include a surround sound audio system, heated
front seats and steering wheel, satellite radio, BMW Assist™, and a
satellite-based navigation system with a pop-up 8.8-inch high-resolution
display.
Come experience the exhilaration of driving in its most liberating
form by scheduling a test drive of the new 2012 BMW Z4 Roadster.
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