German Car Zone

The most interesting part of this article is that BMW is said to evaluate the feasibility of the Vision Efficient Dynamics. Possible launch in 2013.


Best regards,
south

^ They always do that, and disappoint us afterwards.....

If it's the 1.5 litre diesel with 2 electric motors then you won't be missing much. A very nice power train for most cars, but not for someone who drives his car for the sake of driving it.

The BMW board seems to disagree as the feasibility study was started after members of the board had driven this car.

You never know what you miss without having the experience. Don't dismiss this car just because of the Diesel engine. These electric motors are able to make a whole lot of a difference.


Best regards,
south

No, it will probably drive like hell, efficient and fast...

...what seems to be the big question is whether the thing will drive and feel in a way that speaks to driving enthusiasts. If it does, BMW will have a clear winner here!

I hope for a great engine for those of us who still enjoy that and some sort of "green" spin-off for image building.

That's exactly my point. IF it speaks to driving enthusiasts and is also economical then great. But what I'm trying to explain, mainly in the other thread, is that it's such a niche model (and a very expensive halo/supercar will be just that) then why the emphasis on economy? If BMW make 95% of their vehicles 60mpg+ then fantastic. Who cares if their 5% do 20mpg?

I don't doubt it will be fast. I don't doubt it will be a great handler. But an electric motor sounds like it will be akin to driving on the Playstation.

By all means, BMW can have a concept car like the VED, from which the technology can pass down to the production models like the 3 and 5 Series. Wow, what an amazing car the 540 ED would be. 1.5 litre diesel engine. Two electric motors. 70mpg. That sounds fantastic. And it works because you do not expect the same level of driving excitement from it as you would from say, a 911 rivalling BMW halo car. Stick that drive train in a Z10 (a possible future name maybe) and compare it with another car which is 50% less economical, but with a proper engine, then I'd take the petrol car every single time, as economy is completely irrelevant in cars like this. If petrol went up to silly levels cost wise, I would still buy the petrol engine but drive it less.

BMW needs a halo car, just like everyone else (contrary to what we have been lead to believe), BMW just chooses to make a different type of halo car.

I agree, it is not the special cars that needs to lower the consumption, that is just to please political forces. It is the car that the average person dirves that have to consume less fuel. The average Joe needs to drive a car that takes 20-30% less fuel in order for us to meet the expectations from the policicians. But. There is a big "but" here. As rich people is always targeted first, this type of cars, even if they make no impact to the environment (measurable, that is), will always get the most attention from the hypocrites.

I guess that is why BMW has taken this route. For the gain of the brand and for the loss of the enthusiasts.

I can't and don't want to argue about personal preferences. Usually, I prefer petrol engines either. Though, the idea of a series production VED is too enticing and hard to resist. I don't need to tell you the consumption figures of our cars. We're not talking about 50%, they're rather half as ecomical as the VED would be. Though, I'd still like to have the M3 for the occasional blast then.

Enough of the discussion on future cars, congrats on the 987 mate! Any details or pictures you'd like to share?


Best regards,
south

First the bad news. I couldn't get the orange GT3 RS that I had a deposit on. Having been out of the UK for 9 years nobody would touch me for finance.

So, I took back the deposit money and bought a 3 year old Boxster 3.4 S. I didn't need finance to get that. Midnight Blue. 19" wheels. I pick it up next tuesday. Pictures to come. It's a fun car that I will keep in the UK. My M3 is in Holland and staying put for at least 2 more years.

Then sometime around late 2011 I will do one of two things. Trade the M3 in for an F10 M5. Or, trade the M3 in for an F10 (some kind of diesel) and then trade the Boxster in for a GT3 RS (997 second gen).

Of course things change and I may do neither.....but it's good to always have a plan. If BMW mess up the M5 (and that for me is not differentiating enough from the standard 5 Series) then it will be the GT3 RS route.

You've got an M3?