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Home » No tricks: The spy pictures BMW won’t talk about

No tricks: The spy pictures BMW won’t talk about

April 7, 2014 by Alastair Sloane

BMW-3-Series
On-the-rear-bumper-are-the-words-works-test-wagen
BMW-3-Series-Rear
BMW-3-Series
BMW-3-Series
BMW-3-Series
BMW-3-Series

What you see here is not a trick, unlike BMW’s attempt on April 1 to hoodwink New Zealanders into thinking it had developed a special cot for babies called the ‘ZZZ Series Cot.’

The BMW people quickly ‘fessed up about the April Fools’ Day trick, tagged the ‘ultimate sleeping machine.’ It was lined in leather and came with an illuminated BMW badge that served as a night light. There was a smartphone app to work the moisture detection sensor, a remote Cot-Cam, and integrated climate control, they said.

But while the New Zealand office in Auckland enjoyed unveiling the ruse, it isn’t volunteering any information about these pictures from spy agency Automedia of the facelifted 3-Series. Said corporate affairs spokesman Ed Finn: “I am not prepared to comment about future product initiatives.”

Those ‘product initiatives’ include BMW using the updated 3-Series to introduce a new range of 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines – all with three-cylinders, says Automedia. In the future the three-piece units will be available in models ranging from the new Mini to the BMW 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-Series, even in the next 5?series and i8.

The current 3-Series has only been on the market since 2012, but it’s BMW’s most important model and the early makeover is seen as necessary in the face of rivals from Mercedes Benz, Audi and Volkswagen.

Although there will be a few visible changes to the exterior – like a new front bumper with modified air-intakes and optional full-LED headlights instead of Xenon lamps – the majority of modifications will be under the bonnet.

In addition to the new engine range, the 2015 3-Series will be given new or updated driver assistance systems and comfort features such as the traffic-jam assistant from the 5-Series.

BMW M4 convertible
BMW M4 convertible

What BMW is prepared to talk about is the new M4 convertible (pictured). It will be officially unveiled at the New York motor show this month before arriving in New Zealand either late this year or early next. The M4 coupe is expected here mid-year.

Both variants share the same engine: a straight-six, twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre generating delivering 317kW and 550Nm, or 8kW and 150Nm more than the 4.0-litre V8 it replaces.

Peak power in the new engine arrives at 5500-7300rpm, while maximum torque is delivered from 1850-5500rpm, a much wider rev range than the V8.

The M4 drop-top weighs in at 1750kg, around 60kg less than the model it replaces, and its extra power helps it sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds. Also to be unveiled in New York is the X4 SUV.

Filed Under: Industry news, Latest news Tagged With: BMW, BMW 3-Series, BMW M4 Convertible, latest news, spy

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The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

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Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

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