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BMW and Toyota will jointly develop a sports car, extend technology ties

BMW CEO Reithofer, right, with Toyota President Toyoda, said today: “Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation.”

by Paul McVeigh
Automotive News | June 29, 2012 - 12:01 am EST
UPDATED: 6/29/12 7:17 am ET - announcement added

MUNICH -- BMW and Toyota Motor Corp. today said they will develop a sports car together and cooperate in fuel cell technology, powertrain electrification and lightweight technologies.

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer and Toyota President Akio Toyoda signed an agreement at BMW's Munich headquarters to expand long-term strategic collaboration between the two automakers.

In March, BMW and Toyota agreed to collaborate with BMW on lithium-ion battery research in exchange for a steady supply of BMW-made diesel engines starting in 2014.

The expanded deal signifies a second major transatlantic pact of a German premium carmaker after Mercedes parent Daimler collaborated with Renault-Nissan.

It could also serve to help ward off German rival Audi, which can enjoy bigger economies of scale thanks to its parent Volkswagen AG.

"Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation," Reithofer said in a statement.

Toyoda said in the same statement: "Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells. On the other hand, I believe BMW's strength is in developing sports cars. I am excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship."

Reuters contributed to this report.

PRESS RELEASE: BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation agree to further strengthen collaboration

Tokyo/Munich . Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), met today with Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at BMW Group headquarters in Munich to announce the planned expansion of their existing cooperation initiated in December last year. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at long-term strategic collaboration in four fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and development on lightweight technologies.

Also today, Norbert Reithofer and Akio Toyoda of TMC both signed a Joint Statement to reconfirm their companies' shared intention to strengthen the long-term, strategic collaboration between them.
Reithofer said: "We aim to further strengthen our competitive position in sustainable future technologies. We signed an MoU to this effect today. Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation."

Toyoda added: "BMW and Toyota both want to make ever-better cars. We respect each other. And I think this is shown by our taking the next step only six months since the signing of our initial agreement. Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells. On the other hand, I believe BMW's strength is in developing sports cars. I am excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship."

In March 2012, the BMW Group and TMC signed a binding agreement on collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells. In addition, the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Europe entered into a contract under which the BMW Group will supply highly-efficient 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe, starting in 2014.

Today's MoU represents the companies' agreement in December last year to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.

CLICK HERE for the press release.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120629/COPY01/306299999/1193/bmw-and-toyota-will-jointly-develop-a-sports-car-extend-technology

BMW Zagato Coupé - Only Car - BMW Group

Wow, is this ever nice....

You wouldn’t look at the BMW Zagato Coupe and say that it’s a car that was created on the “from follows function” principle, but you’d be wrong. The Italian coachbuilder’s designers used the “Vmax concept” when bringing the vehicle to life.

This meant that they had to draw a vehicle that came with aerodynamic characteristics which allowed for it to be driven at high speeds in an efficient manner. They used the BMW Z4 as a base and fitted it with a hand-built aluminum body, which comes with special features such as beefy fenders and a double bubble roof, as wee as a transparent area for the rear end.

Of course, since efficiency was mentioned, and we do know that BMW really knows how to cut fuel consumption, we’re expecting impressive figure, but the automotive producer hasn’t offer any specs until now - we don’t even know what engine is powering the car. Until the company does, we're inviting you to watch the Zagato Coupe's first promotional video above.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/bmw-z4-zagato-coupe-makes-video-debut-video-45431.html

BMW i8 - Production Version Sneak Peek

This is an absolute thing of beauty....

BMW is still putting the finishing touches on the i8 hybrid sportscar which will be launched in 2014. The mule has been tested in Northern Sweden and combined with the images of the i8 Spyder concept it is possible to create a sneak peek of the final production version of the i8. The renderings show the i8 with a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length to reduce weight and to emphasise its sporting & sustainability credentials.

The power output of the production version will be around 399 PS (293kW). The plug-in hybrid powertrain features a gasoline combustion engine driving the rear wheels and a front electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from any domestic power socket. The battery charge time is estimated at 1.45 hours.The electric motor will be responsible for 172 PS (127 kW) with the rest coming from the 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder unit. The combined peak torque is rated at 550 Nm(406 lb-ft).The i8 will offer three driving modes: electric, petrol and a combination of the two. The powertrain will be paired with a four-speed transmission which has been designed to extend the performance range of the sports car. This enables it to drive on 3 liter per 100 km (78 MPG) with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The kerb weight will supposedly come in at 1450 kg (3197 lbs) which represents a 30 kg weight loss from the original concept and suggests a performance boost when the i8 hits production form. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration figure is a respectable 4.9 seconds.The LifeDrive architecture is defined as a fusion of independent functional units: these include a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) Life module used for the passenger cell and the Drive modules – made primarily from aluminum components – that integrates the powertrain, chassis and safety structure.

Sustainability plays a paramount role in the BMW i concept. It is an issue that runs like a thread throughout the value chain – all the way from purchasing, through development and production to sales and marketing. And when it comes to the efficient manufacturing of its vehicles, BMW i goes a step further still.The Leipzig production plant will see an additional 70% reduction in water use and 50% drop in energy consumption per vehicle over the years ahead. And the energy that is used will be sourced 100% from renewable sources.

Source;

http://www.behance.net/gallery/BMW-i8-Production-Version-Sneak-Peek/3574857

BMW i8 Spyder Concept – topless i8 set for Beijing debut

Wow... Is this ever nice....

This is the BMW i8 Spyder Concept that will debut at the upcoming Beijing motor show. This topless i8 comes barely a year after BMW wheeled out the i3 and i8 concepts at Frankfurt. The i8 also famously starred in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, driven by Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt.

Described as an open top with genuine sports car performance, but with fuel consumption no higher than you would expect from a small car, the i8 Spyder has a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length compared to the fixed-top i8.

Highlights include the upward-swivelling windowless doors and a range of purpose-oriented on-board equipment such as electric kickboards stowed under a transparent tailgate.

Based on BMW’s LifeDrive architecture, the i8 Spyder Concept is a plug-in hybrid powered by an eDrive drivetrain combining an electric motor and a petrol combustion engine.

The 131 hp electric motor on the front axle works in tandem with a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine sending 223 hp through the rear wheels.

Both units are in-house BMW developments and generate an aggregate system output of 354 hp and 550 Nm. That is enough to accelerate the car from 0-100 km/h in five seconds flat. This performance is married to super low fuel consumption of just three litres of unleaded per 100 km!

The lithium-ion battery can be fully charged from a domestic power socket in less than two hours. The pack is located in the “energy tunnel” between the front and rear axle modules to keep the car’s centre of gravity as low as possible – the i8 Spyder also features BMW’s famous 50:50 weight distribution. Fully charged, the car can travel 30 km on electric power alone.

We’ve covered the i3/i8 launch extensively – click here for the full story, gallery and various videos explaining Munich’s i sub-brand.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2012/04/02/bmw-i8-spyder-concept-topless-i8-set-for-beijing-debut/

Honda And BMW Installing Solar Panels At Auto Facilities

Honda and BMW are among the latest auto manufacturers to begin incorporating on-site solar electricity generation at some of their facilities.

Honda has been installing solar power generation systems at its operations in various locations around Japan, so far reaching a combined capacity of 3.3 megawatts.

Among the installations is a recently commissioned 9 kilowatt- solar power system at a Honda Cars Tokyo Chuo dealership. The installation marks the beginning of an initiative that will see over a hundred dealerships have similar solar panel arrays installed by March of 2014. The solar panels used are the company's own product - Honda Soltec CIGS thin-film solar cells. Honda Soltec is the company's solar component production and sales subsidiary.

Additionally, Honda says it will install a 2.6-megawatt Honda Soltec system at its new Yorii Plant, which the company says will be the largest solar power generation system installed at an automobile production facility in Japan.

BMW has also seen the light, having recently completed installing 400 solar modules, each with a 240 watt capacity, at BMW's Manufacturing's heritage museum and visitor's center situated alongside its South Carolina plant. The $500,000 solar power system provides all the electricity required to run the Zentrum Museum and will also be powering three new electric vehicle charging stations throughout the main facility.

"Adding a new, alternative energy platform to our energy portfolio is another step in our commitment to sustainable methods of generating power at our factory," said Duncan Seaman, Department Manager, Market Operations USA & Canada.

Mr. Seaman says the array complements BMW Manufacturing's existing landfill gas-to-energy and hydrogen fuel cell program, which offsets the fossil fuel requirements otherwise needed to run its facility.

Other auto manufacturers to harness solar energy to power some of their operations include Volkswagen, Renault, Ford and Toyota.

Source;
http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3032