Durung Bejo: BMW

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2013 BMW 1-Series GT : Latest Reviews

2013 BMW 1-Series GT : Latest Cars Reviews

While its MINI dealerships expand and BMW plans to double North American production, it's even busier behind the scenes working on the next generation of its most compact platform. A handful of new BMW 1-Series variants are rumored to be in the works for the next-gen model, known internally as the F20.

The new variants include a new version of both the Coupe and Cabrio, as well as the Hatchback, but this trio may also be joined by a compact roadster model and potentially a crossover-wagon built in the same vein as the larger 5-Series GT. We do know the automaker is working on a 3-Series GT, which BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has hinted at on several occasions in the past, but now it appears that there could be an even smaller 1-Series GT as well.

Designers will be stressing the car’s coupe characteristics just as they did with the 5-series GT. Expect to see extremely short overhangs, pumped fenders and sporty alloy wheels. This latest computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what the final car may look like.

The next-generation 1-Series platform is expected to include a range of powertrains. A 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine could replace the current 1.6-liter four-cylinder. If so, in Europe at least, five models should be available, ranging from about 136 horsepower and topping out at 326 horsepower.

The regular 1-Series Hatchback is expected to hit the market next year but other variants, including the 1-Series GT, won’t arrive until 2012 at the earliest.

2012 BMW 1 Series : Latest Reviews

2012 BMW 1 Series : Latest Cars Reviews

BMW released an updated version of the 1-Series Hatchback in late 2008 but ever since then suspicious prototypes of a new car with similar proportions and signature BMW styling have been captured running around the south of Germany, and now once again and this time with much of the finer details revealed.

The current 1-Series has often been criticized for having a back seat no full-sized adult would be comfortable in. However, the rear seat room in this new 2012 model is expected to be much improved. This may also see BMW finally release the Hatchback version of the 1-Series in the all-important U.S. market. A slightly longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model will almost certainly be present.

A few years back BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer revealed that the four-cylinder engines destined for the next-gen 1-Series will be the same compact units developed jointly by BMW and France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen for MINI and a number of French models. The engines will range from 1.4 to 2.0-liters in displacement and will be available in both turbocharged and naturally aspirated forms. Expect to see BMW’s award-winning straight six engines also appear in only range-topping models like the 135i and possibly even a new 1-Series M Hatchback.

Engines could be downsized somewhat to meet more stringent emissions and fuel economy rules, but with the aid of the direct injection and forced induction, power figures may not decrease substantially and could even increase in models like the 135i. We saw this recently with the new 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine that replaced the previous six-cylinder unit in the X1 xDrive28i.

Engine stop-start and electrical-regenerative systems should carry over into the new series, as well as possible new EfficientDynamics technologies such as heat-recovery systems and solar panels. BMW has also revealed that initial testing of thermoelectric generators and solar panels on its cars showed savings of up to 5 percent in fuel consumption.

Expect the new 1-Series Hatchback to be revealed late this year and be followed by new Coupe and Convertible variants, as well as a possible shooting brake model and a new high-performance M version further down the track.

Mini E UK trials reveal ease of EV use

Almost all of the 138 participants who took part in the Mini E trials, said they’d consider buying an electric car.

These are the findings, which were published today by Mini after a yearlong field test in which 62 members of the public and 76 pool users were given Mini E's and the results collated. The findings have also highlighted that the average cost per mile came in at under 2p, the equivalent of £60 per six months charge on average.

Four out of five people said that 80 per cent of their trips could be covered by the Mini E, rising to 90 per cent of trips with the addition of rear seats and a bigger boot.

Over the one-year period, over 250,000 miles were recorded on UK roads, with the average distance driven coming in at just under 30 miles per day. Interestingly, virtually all the car’s recharging took place at home at an average of 2.9 times per week.

The results also found that a full charge enabled the Mini E to travel a distance of 90 miles, although cold weather affected its range, according to 84 per cent of owners.

Driver enjoyment was a big factor noted by the results, too. With its 201bhp power figure, all participants agreed that “electric vehicles are fun to drive,” thanks in part to the car’s fast pick-up and quick accelaration”.

Finally, the findings have revealed that only one week was needed by people to adapt to the peculiarities of driving an EV, including charging, regenerative braking and near silence during driving.

The test results will be used to help develop the all-new BMW i3 - an electric city car due in 2013 – as well as the 2011 BMW ActiveE, a four-seater based on the current 1-series.