BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon Coming to the U.S.

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Wagon fans, rejoice. BMW has revealed that the 2013 3 Series Sport Wagon will be brought to the U.S. next year. BMW will be redesigning the 3 Series for the 2013 model year, making the next wagon slightly larger than the current model.

The 2013 wagon is expected to offer the same engine and option packages as the outgoing model, but the redesign will make the car slightly lighter and more efficient.  It is likely that the new design will be powered by BMW’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that outputs 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, although the N55 3.0-liter turbo-six producing 300 horsepower should also be available.  The wagon will continue to offer transmission options of either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic.

The 2013 wagon will receive interior updates as well, although the majority of these remain to be seen.  The current model offers a 40:20:40 fold down arrangement to accommodate long cargo, such as skis, and a roof rack is also available.  When the roof rack is not in use, a panoramic roof option helps to open up the wagon.

BMW has not yet announced a date when we can expect the 3 Series Wagon, but it will likely not hit showrooms before 2013.

20-Minute EV Charger to Become Standard in US and Abroad

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Many people love the idea of an electric vehicle, but worry about its practicality when it comes to charging. To help combat this fear, several U.S. and German automakers have agreed to share a common EV charger, which will re-charge a car in just 20 minutes.

Ford, GM, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, and Volkswagen are all part of the conglomerate of automakers who are contributing to the research on the proposed charger.  Engineers from each company have developed this new technology, which combines one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging, and ultra-fast DC-charging to cut the charge time for most electric vehicles from hours down to as little as 20 minutes. The DC-fast charging with a Combined Charging System will be on display at the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) May 6-9.

The Society of International Engineers has chosen to make this new charging method its standard and the European association of vehicle manufacturers has endorsed the technology, meaning that it will be the charging interface for new EVs beginning in 2017.  According to Chrysler, “Industry-wide adoption of this system will only enhance the image of EVs and lead to greater consumer acceptance.”

The Combined Charging System is expected to be available by the end of the year, and vehicles compatible with the technology should start rolling out in 2013.

BMW X1 Will Hit Showrooms this Fall

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Following its debut at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year, BMW has announced that the X1 will hit U.S. showrooms in the fall of this year.  Already a popular model across the globe, the compact crossover’s original release was delayed due to demand in Europe.

The U.S.-bound BMW X1 will offer different features from its European predecessor, including a more refined interior, selective design modifications, state-of-the-art powertrain technology, and many innovative features.  The X1 may be the smallest BMW X model, but it still offers plenty of power, thanks to BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, while its EfficientDynamics technology, such as Brake Energy Regeneration and Auto Start/Stop, ensures that it is also fuel efficient.

The official release date has not yet been announced, but BMW has revealed that the crossover will start at under $32,000.

Build Your Own BMW

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Do you have a specific BMW in mind but worry that we won’t have your ideal vehicle on our lot? No need to fret, you can build your own BMW on the Valley BMW website, choosing all of the details from the trim level to the color to the options and accessories.

To start the process, you will first choose between the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6, Series, 7 Series, X3, X5, X6, Z4, and M models.  Next, you will select the body style and trim level you’re looking for.  In order to help you build your dream car, you can find the available models in several ways, including by series, horsepower, price, drivetrain, fuel efficiency, or body style.  After selecting a car, you will then have the opportunity to customize it.

The next step allows you to truly design your own BMW, starting with the exterior color.  All optional colors for each model are available. Following this, you will choose interior leather and trim colors, followed by any optional packages, such as the Luxury Seating Package or Cold Weather Package.  Then, you can choose among options, such as heated front seats or a rearview camera, and accessories like a BMW Touring Cycle and Mountain Bike Holder.

As you build your ideal BMW, the MSRP is calculated based on color choices, packages, options, and accessories.  Once the car has been built, you can request a quote, after which we will contact you regarding the new vehicle.  To build your new 2012 BMW, visit http://www.valley-bmw.com/Build-Your-Own.aspx and start customizing away. 

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and across the country, the Department of Transportation has one message for drivers: “One Text or Call could Wreck it All.” 

There are many distractions drivers can face behind the wheel. Visual distractions occur when you take your eyes off the road, manual distractions take a driver’s hands off the wheel and onto something else, such as food or drink, and cognitive distractions occur when the driver stops thinking about driving and starts thinking about something else. While there are many ways to get distracted, cell phone use is by far the most alarming, as it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention.

In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people were killed, and nearly half a million injured, in accidents caused by distracted driving.  Cell phone use was reported in 18% of these fatalities. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, meaning they are driving roughly the length of a football field, blind, at 55 mph. Drivers using a hand-held device are also 4 times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause an injury due to the lack of reaction time.

Now that you know the facts, you’re probably wondering what you can do to get involved and help make our roadways safer. First, you can take the pledge to drive phone-free, encourage your family and friends to drive phone-free, and speak out if the driver of your car is distracted.  You can also share a “Faces of Distracted Driving” video on social media to help raise awareness, download a poster to hang up, and make a company or family pledge to commit to distracted-free driving.

For more distracted driving facts and ways to get involved, visit http://www.distraction.gov.

First Olympics Edition BMW Arrives in London

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BMW has been named the official automotive partner of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by LOCOG (The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and will supply them with a full fleet of vehicles to facilitate the 2012 Summer Olympics taking place in London.

The fleet of BMW vehicles will consist of electric, hybrid, and diesel cars in order to meet the strict limit of carbon dioxide emissions LOCOG has put in place.  In fact, BMW will even be shipping bicycles to London, which will aid in transportation and clearly have no adverse effect on the environment.

The first batch of 40 BMWs has already arrived in London, but there are still many more to come; some of which will have modifications for handicapped drivers. “We will supply almost 4,000 vehicles, in addition to the 400 bicycles, from diesels to electric cars, hybrids to motorcycles, as well as innovative new products like the Pedelec. I am also personally delighted that we are able to adapt a number of our vehicles for disabled drivers so that volunteers of different physical abilities can drive our cars,” said Global Sales and Marketing Director for BMW Group, Ian Robertson.

Prepare to see plenty of BMWs driving around the streets of London this summer as you watch your favorite athletes compete; they’ll be pretty difficult to miss with eye-catching graphics as in the ones seen above.

BMW Releases i8 Concept Spyder

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Never has a plug-in hybrid car looked so good.  BMW’s concept car, the i8 Spyder, has been released and its sleek, sporty look is catching the eye of car enthusiasts everywhere, but that’s just the beginning.

The i8 Concept Spyder combines a 233 horsepower motor, which can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in five seconds, with an estimated fuel economy of 94 miles per gallon.  It’s the combined electric gasoline engine that provides such impressive fuel efficiency, but what’s more remarkable is that the i8 Spyder can be fully charged by a standard wall outlet in just two hours.  A full charge allows the Spyder to travel up to 19 miles in pure electric-mode.

There are several other factors the make the Concept i8 Spyder so aesthetically pleasing.  One of which is the windowless, upward-swivel doors.  The transparent hood makes the electric engine below visible to all, and the U-shaped headlights flaunt new laser light technology.  There is also a large 3D display, which can act as a navigation system or provide critical information such as the vehicle’s current charge, and the flow of energy within the hybrid system.

Unfortunately, the i8 Spyder remains only a concept for now, so we won’t get to test drive it anytime soon. To view a full gallery of the photos visit BMW’s photo gallery.

Gas-Saving Tips

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With gas prices continuing to rise, people are looking for more ways to save. While the price of gasoline may not be completely unavoidable, there are some things you can do to help lighten the load. Here are 5 tips to help your car drive a little more efficiently:

  • Have routine service completed. Taking care of your car increases its performance, longevity, and helps save fuel.
  • Avoid “revving” your engine. With today’s computerized systems, revving the engine is unnecessary and ends up overriding your car’s programmed start procedures.  And this action is a double whammy – not only does it burn a lot of fuel, it can also damage the engine.
  • Use smartphone apps. Many apps and websites provide a great resource for fuel savings. Not only can they help you find the lowest gas prices around, they can also provide the most fuel efficient routes and offer specific tips on how to improve your fuel economy based on the way you drive.
  • Take advantage of cruise control. On longer trips, cruise control is a great way to save fuel since the car maintains a constant speed.  Even better, with Volvo Adaptive Cruise Control/BMW Active Cruise Control, your car will also maintain a set distance between you and the car in front of you so that you don’t have to constantly turn the system off and on.
  • Make sure you are buying the right gasoline. While it may be tempting to save money by buying gas with a lower octane level, it is important to follow the fuel recommendation provided by your automaker. Fueling up with the wrong type of gas can cause the car’s performance to suffer.

While you may not be able to completely avoid the added expense of fuel, we hope these tips will help you drive more fuel efficiently and save a little at the pump.

The BMW X1 Coming to the New York Auto Show

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BMW fans may soon be getting an up-close-and-personal look at the long-awaited BMW X1.  The small crossover is expected to make its debut next month at the New York Auto Show, and will arrive in dealership showrooms by late 2012 as a 2013 model.

The X1, which was first introduced by BMW in 2009, will only receive minor updates for 2013.  Some updates that could be expected include side mirror-integrated turn signals, which have been seen on several other BMW models, and possibly the new turbocharged 2.0-liter N20 I-4, although the automaker did previously state that this engine would not appear on the U.S.-bound X1.

The small crossover was originally slated for a U.S. debut in early 2011, but the demand for the X1 in Europe took up the entire supply, delaying its U.S. release.  BMW then decided to continue the delay to give a little breathing room for the BMW X3, which was completely redesigned last year.  However, it appears that the X1 is now ready to make its official U.S. debut.

Professor Drives Coast to Coast on 2.15 Gallons of Gas

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Concerned about the rising cost of gasoline? One professor who is dedicated to alternative energy decided to take action against this seemingly ever-rising cost by driving coast-to-coast on less than 3 gallons of gas.

Cliff Ricketts, an agribusiness professor at Middle Tennessee State University, and a team of student technicians made the 2,532 mile journey from Tybee Island, GA, to Long Beach, CA, on just 2.15 gallons of gasoline.  They did so using 3 vehicles that had been refitted to run on compressed hydrogen, batteries, or E95. 

Ricketts original goal was to do so on just 10 gallons of fuel from a gas pump, but he secretly hoped to complete the journey on less than 5 gallons. Instead, the team crushed both of these goals by arriving at the Pacific Ocean having used just 2.15 gallons of gasoline on top of solar, electric, ethanol, and hydrogen fuel.

Prior to his journey, Ricketts said that the reason for the mission was to find an alternative for petroleum-based gasoline, whose prices can be volatile.  The professor stated, “In case there was a national emergency now, it wouldn’t be unrealistic for gas to go to $10 or $15 a gallon in the U.S. If that happens, people will go, ‘What do we do?’ Well, we’ve got a backup plan.”

Ricketts is planning another coast-to-coast trip in 2013, in which he plans to travel on just sun and water.