autos sport

Maybe I'm crazy, but aren't vintage electric conversions just so much more interesting than current electric cars? They're like old Mercedes diesels converted to biodiesel: vintage cool but using modern day tech to be efficient, clean, and (in the this case) very fast.

This green '86 BMW 3-Series E30, built by Croatia's VST Conversions, is the brainchild of Mate Rimac; he wanted to go fast in an electric car, and now he can.

After working through a few power setups, the current version of the VST "bi-moto EV" puts down 500 horsepower through the wheels and can run the quarter in 12.1. The word you're looking for is DAMN. As in "Damn, this thing is awesome."

It only helps that the car's coated in a juicy shade of green and its graphics pay homage to BMW's 1-Series ActiveE concept. Now, I can't make any sense of the parts and other jazz used, but if you can, enjoy more info and pics of the build at DIY Electric Car.

By Phil Alex

Source: DIY Electric , Via: Green.Autoblog

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BMW is considering adding a fourth model to its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in order to further compete with U.S. luxury market leaders Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

The Bavarian firm's chief, Frank-Peter Arndt believes an additional "volume model" could be added to Spartanburg's production line. The introduction of a fourth model would help reduce BMW's exposure to foreign currency, which presently tops US$14 billion. IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland believes the 3-Series is the most likely candidate for production at Spartanburg: "The 3-Series is a no-brainer." she said.

Of the 1.07 million vehicles BMW delivered last year, 397,103 of them were 3-series models. In spite of a 9.2% rise in U.S. sales from January to September 2010, BMW is still trailing behind Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

The Spartanburg factory - which makes BMW's X5 and X6 SUVs - recently underwent a US$750 million renovation to squeeze in the compact X3. The introduction of the latter model meant an increase in BMW's U.S. production capacity by a whopping 50%. Roughly 70% of the vehicles built in Spartanburg are exported, with more than 65% of the component parts sourced from North American suppliers.

Giving further credence to the 3-series at Spartanburg rumor is the December 2009 announcement by rival Mercedes-Benz that it would begin building the C-Class at its Alabama factory. It only figures that BMW would want to face this threat head on.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Bloomberg

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Here are some more spy shots of the upcoming next-gen BMW 3-Series with a closer look at the interior. Codenamed the F30, BMW is likely to play its next bread and butter 3-Series pretty safe with an evolutionary design. Even without looking at the pics, we all know it'll be the 3-Series version of the 5-Series.

As stated in our previous post (read here), power is likely to come from a series of inline-4 and -6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines that'll see some boost from turbochargers. Also, with BMW downsizing and boost-raising, the next M3 could see either a turbo V8 or possibly even revert to a lighter but high-output 6-cylinder.

Inside, you'll see the newest bit: the car's center information stack is turned slightly toward the driver, harking back to the good old days of BMW. Also, this F30 seAlso, this F30 sedan is just the beginning. After it and the coupe/convertible debut, we could see a hybrid and even a GT variant joining the ranks. As soon as we got some spy pics of those two nasties, we'll let you know.

By Phil Alex

Even though the 335i has been on the market for a while now, there seems to be no shortage of new tuning proposals for the BMW model. Today's faster 335i Coupe comes via German tuning firm MR Car Design. Thanks to a custom made sport exhaust system with sport catalysts, a larger intercooler and an optimized ECU for the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six, output is bumped from 306HP and 400Nm to 406HP and 530Nm.

MR Car Design's 335i comes fitted with deep dish 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber size 235/30 20 at the front axle and 285/25 20 at the rear. A sports suspension package from KW and an original M3 hood are also available from the German tuner.

Now here's a BMW owner with a joyfully vivid imagination. What you're looking at here could be Holland's answer the Japanese Civic/Lexus/Toyota thingamajig we showed you last month: a E36 (1990-2000) 3-Series Convertible with a removable hardtop that has been "facelifted" with the front end of the latest E90 3-Series and the buttocks of an E60 5-Series sedan. The best of all worlds... or the worst? It's up to you to make the call. More photos after the jump.

Via: Autoblog.nl / Autojunk.nl

If what they say about colors having a profound impact on a person's mood is true, we can't but wonder how a pinked out BMW 3-Series would influence its owner / driver. For the record, it certainly cheered us up... We're not sure if the pink shade on this BMW 3-Series sedan, which was spotted by a Carscoop reader in Bucharest, Romania, is a regular paint job or the result of the increasingly popular vinyl wrapping method, but either way, it certainly gives a new meaning to BMW's "Joy" ads...

"Multe mulţumiri" to Alecs for the photos - Blame the translator if that didn't come out right

A new, limited edition version of the BMW 3-Series Sedan called "Dynamic Edition" is being launched in South Africa. It will be available only in the four-cylinder 320i petrol and 320d turbo diesel, and the turbocharged straight-six 335i sedans, with production set at 300 units.

The Dynamic Edition models combine all the goods from the M-Sport package with several items from the BMW Performance program including carbon fiber front splitter, mirror caps and rear spoiler, along with dark chrome 18-inch alloy wheels, dark chrome tail pipes and Blue Shadow Cloth and alcantara upholstery with Royal Blue stitching.

The special edition models, which are available only in Alpine White, Blue Water Metallic and Space Grey Metallic exterior paint finishes, also get unique floor mats with Royal Blue piping and branded door entry sill strips.

Source: BMW SA , Via: BMWblog

Ever wonder why drivers are cautioned to avoid roads covered in water during a flood or flash flood, even if the water depth appears low, and find another way to reach their destination (even if that means traveling a longer distance)? Well, here's why... Watch what happens to the driver this BMW 3-Series saloon when he attempts to cross a flooded road in New Zealand in the video after the break.

Thanks for the tip Jason!

BMW is continuing the development of the new 3-series sedan, internally called the F30. Captured here by our spy photographers near the Nurburgring race track in Germany, the four-door prototype is still under heavy camouflage, thus revealing little about its exterior styling.

However, buyers should expect an evolution of the current design sprinkled with styling cues from all the latest BMWs, including a protruding kidney grill similar to that of the new 5-Series and 7-Series saloons.

Our man with the long lens managed to snag a few shots of the prototype's interior giving us a glimpse of the new dashboard design with the 1-Series-esque air-vents.

Munich's best-selling model will continue to be offered with a large variety of gasoline and diesel engines. However, the big news here is that BMW is working on a new generation of 4-cylinder gasoline engines with single- and twin-turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and stop/start systems.

It is believed that the four-pot turbos will be offered with a displacement of 1.6- and 2.0-liters producing up to 230HP in standard guise. More powerful versions could follow.

Of course, the Bavarian automaker will continue to offer its trademark inline-six powerplants, including new variants of the 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo unit that makes 306-horsepower and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) in the current 335i.

The diesel lineup will comprise of four- and six-cylinder turbocharged units, all equipped with start-stop technology.

There's also a strong possibility that BMW may introduce a mild-hybrid variant, but this has yet to be confirmed.

BMW's M division is preparing a successor to the M3, however, it is not clear whether it will keep the current model's naturally aspirated V8 unit or, as rumors suggest, be offered with a newly developed straight six twin-turbocharged unit with direct injection.

Once again, the new 3-Series will be offered in a number of body styles, including Touring, Convertible and Coupe models with a crossover-ish GT variant akin to the 5-Series Gran Turismo said to be under consideration.

Expect to see the new 3-Series in sedan form at BMW dealerships sometime in 2012 with the rest of the range to follow after.