BMW resurrects the C1

BMW has resurrected the C1 as an electrically powered concept. It is part of a broad-based safety project conducted in cooperation with the European Union under the working title eSUM (European Safer Urban Motoring).

The roofed scooter, which originally went on sale across Europe with a gasoline engine in 2000, was once touted by BMW as the future of urban mobility. It has a sturdy steel frame and an integrated seat belt, which allowed the rider the freedom of going without a helmet under strict European Union road-safety regulations. But after early quality problems and a lackluster 12,614 sales, the C1 was pulled from production in 2002 just as scooter sales across Europe began to boom.

Although not planned for production in its current form, the C1 E--as BMW has christened its latest single-track concept--is among a group of new urban vehicles that BMW is considering for the showroom as part of its MegaCityVehicle project. That project aims to take on Daimler’s struggling Smart division with a range of affordable city-oriented vehicles in both two- and four-wheeled forms.

Powering the C1 E is a 27-hp brushless electric motor that uses energy supplied by a plug-in 125-volt lithium-ion battery pack capable of generating 3.67 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The system is supplied by U.S.-based company Vectrix and has been enhanced by various components from BMW’s EfficientDynamics program.

No performance claims for the C1 E have been made public. BMW officials contacted by AutoWeek suggest it will hit 50 mph in less than seven seconds and reach a top speed of 62 mph. Maximum range between recharging is estimated at about 55 miles.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091006/CARNEWS/910069996#ixzz0TmsOtpOR

Lean machine

If you've been wondering what Nissan has up its sleeve for the upcoming Tokyo show, your wait is over. All is revealed.

We've already seen the Leaf all-electric vehicle - the first electro-car for normal people who like normal cars with four doors and a hatchback. That will be there looking all glittery under the spotlights ahead of its launch next year.

Next to that is something called a Land Glider - an ultra-slim, electric, tilting thing that looks like cross between the VW L1 concept and that crazy Dutch Carver - designed to solve all our urban mobility problems. We find that ‘walking' is also pretty effective.

We're also expecting some more news on the new Micra that we showed you last week. Then there's the Qazana, which we saw at Geneva earlier this year. It's a jacked-up five-door hatch, designed to slot somewhere between the ‘B' and ‘C' segment, so that's in between a Mini and a Qashqai (it could steal sales from both). It will be made in Britain from early next year, at the firm's Sunderland plant, where the tea and biscuits are being restocked as we speak.

New Volvo C30 And C70 Prices Announced

MARLOW, UNITED KINGDOM – October 5, 2009: Volvo Car UK has announced prices for the new C30 SportCoupe and C70 coupe/convertible. The Volvo C30 starts from only £14,495 OTR for the 1.6 S, while customers can purchase a new Volvo C70 2.0D S for £25,995 OTR.

The new Volvo C30 and C70 were unveiled at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 showcasing extensive facelifts to give the cars distinct new styling. Both models will arrive in dealer showrooms and be available for customer test drives this December, with first customer deliveries in January 2010.

Volvo C30 specification and pricing
Starting at £14,495 OTR, the Volvo C30 will be available in four trim levels S, SE, SE Lux and R-DESIGN and will have the choice of six engines including the 99 g/km CO2-emitting 1.6D 109 PS DRIVe with Start/Stop right up to the turbocharged T5 producing 230 PS.
The S model offers a high level of specification with features such as ECC (Electronic Climate Control), Information Centre, power windows, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, floor mats, CD player and an Aux input and 16" Convector alloy wheels (Libra alloys on DRIVe S), as well as all the advanced safety systems you'd expect from a Volvo including DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control).

The SE trim level adds Cruise Control, steering wheel remote controls and Leksand Textile/T-Tec upholstery on the inside. Exterior additions include front fog lights, 17" Styx White alloy wheels and auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights.

The SE Lux enhances the SE specification with luxury features such as leather upholstery, power drivers seat with memory, 17" Spartacus alloy wheels and active bending lights with headlamp cleaning system.

Based on the S specification, R-DESIGN models benefit from steering wheel remote audio controls, embossed R-DESIGN leather/T-Tec upholstery available in two colour combinations, aluminium deco centre stack and door inserts, blue instrument dials and sports floor mats with contrast piping on the inside. External features include a bodykit with front and rear spoilers and colour matched side skirts, tailgate spoiler, front fog lights, chrome plated sports tailpipe, grille and door mirror housings in silver matt finish and five spoke 17" Cratus Alloy wheels. The new Sports Chassis has also been introduced as standard to R-DESIGN to give a dynamic driving experience to match its sporty appearance. The Sports Chassis is also available as an option on non-R-DESIGN models.

Volvo offers a range of options so customers can personalise their C30 including 18" alloy wheels (£500), rear park assist (£350), keyless drive (£350), Oyster burst trim (no cost option on SE and SE Lux and £250 on S), the new Sport Chassis (£400), a choice of exterior contrast colours (£175) and a range of interior and exterior accessory styling kits.

Volvo C70 specification and pricing
Along with a more refined appearance, the Volvo C70 also features a number of specification changes. Available in three trim levels – S, SE and SE Lux – and a choice four engines, including two diesels – 2.0D, D5 and two petrol derivatives – 2.4i, T5, the C70 range starts from £25,995 for the 2.0D S.

The S model comes complete with Volvo's familiar suite of safety features including WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) as well as comprehensive standard specification including ECC (Electronic Climate Control), 16" Castula alloy wheels, front fog lights, power windows, information centre, cruise control, floor mats and Performance Sound Audio System.

The SE builds on the S specification by adding 17" Sirona alloy wheels, auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights and rear park assist. Additions inside the car include Aluminium trim, Bluetooth® hands-free system, auto-dimming rear view mirror and High Performance Sound Audio System.

The luxurious SE Lux trim includes Leather-faced upholstery, power driver's seat and active bending lights with headlamp cleaning system.

For an additional touch of luxury, a Premium upgrade is available on the majority of trim levels by adding leather-faced upholstery and Satellite Navigation System (RTI) to the already high standard of specification.

Triple Success for the BMW Group

MUNICH – October 5, 2009: Triple success for the BMW Group in the 2009 Internet Auto Award competition. This year the new BMW Z4 Roadster, the Sports Activity Coupe BMW X6 and the MINI E received the CAROLINA trophy awarded by the online portal Autoscout24. The Internet Auto Award competition was held for the eighth time as a European-wide online voting. The award ceremony took place on 1 October 2009 during a gala event held at the Kesselhaus in Munich.

With its fascinating design, which is a modern interpretation of classic proportions authentically reflecting typical BMW Roadster driving pleasure, the new BMW Z4 has been enthusiastically received by experts and the public alike. Only a few weeks ago the Roadster seized the International Design Excellence Award 2009 in the USA, having already won the red dot award 2009 in Germany shortly before that. The new BMW Roadster now succeeded in the category “Convertibles” in the European Internet Auto Award competition conferred by AutoScout24. Just a few months after its market launch in May 2009, the new Z4 has taken a distinctive lead in its vehicle class, achieving a higher number of sales than both of its main premium segment competitors together
The BMW X6 has also already collected a number of renowned awards since its market launch last year. The CAROLINA trophy in the category “All-terrain Vehicles” is now being added to the series of successes. As a new vehicle concept within the competitive environment of the BMW X models, the Sports Activity Coupe is characterised by an elegant design and superior, sporty handling characteristics. Dynamic Performance Control, which in addition to the intelligent all-wheel drive technology xDrive ensures variable power distribution between the rear wheels and is featured by the BMW X6 for the first time, had already earned a CAROLINA statue last year for the “best innovation of the year”.

The prize for the “best environmental initiative of the year 2009” goes to the MINI E. The first purely electrically powered model of this brand is currently undergoing tests in everyday traffic conditions within the framework of a pilot project. The MINI E, which was produced as a small series of around 600 cars, is being driven by private users in the USA and can in the meantime also be seen on roads in Munich and Berlin. From these field tests the BMW Group expects to gain knowledge for the development of a purely electrically powered Megacity Vehicle. The MINI E is also scheduled to be tested in the UK, where it is produced, and in France. The MINI E is powered by a 150kW/204 bhp electric motor that guarantees brand-typical driving pleasure with zero CO2 emissions. Its high-performance lithium ion battery offers a cruising range of up to 250 kilometres. The field testing of the MINI E is currently the world’s largest pilot project for the research of electrical mobility. Only a few weeks ago the BMW Group was awarded the EcoGlobe environment prize of the University of Duisburg-Essen for its commitment in this field.