Report: A midcycle refresh of the Volkswagen Golf is around the corner
Volkswagen is hard at work to redo its entire future product strategy amid pressure from Dieselgate.
What’s going on?
A new report from AutoCar indicates that Volkswagen is on the verge of implementing a midcycle refresh of the current seventh generation Golf. Because of the recent diesel emission scandal, dubbed Dieselgate, many of us are wondering what Volkswagen has in store for US-bound Golfs. Our bets for any revised diesel models are completely off in our books.
What’s going to change?
This is obviously the most important question, but specifics are quite unknown. AutoCar’s report says that updates should be minimal and simple. This implies some subtle aesthetic changes to the exterior such as new front and rear bumpers, updated head- and taillights, and more.
You can also expect some minor packaging and pricing shifts, though Volkswagen plans to really up the ante on the Golf’s interior front. Word around the street suggests the new Golf’s interior could incorporate Volkswagen’s new Digital Cockpit concept. This means the updated Golf could receive a new 12.5-inch gauge cluster display versus the current analog setup. More luxurious models are slated to receive a new large 9.5-inch infotainment screen to mimic Tesla’s iPad-like center console screen.
Will the Golf still receive the same engines?
Europe is believed to continue receiving a mixture of small, but potent turbocharged and gasoline motors. The powertrain future for the US-specification Golf is a little bit more clouded, especially given the controversy surrounding Volkswagen’s current diesel models. Because of Dieselgate, we seriously doubt the updated Golf will retain its 2.0L TDI option. That said, anticipate gasoline engines to be the only options.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutoCar
The post Report: A midcycle refresh of the Volkswagen Golf is around the corner appeared first on egmCarTech.
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2ey36wi
The new and first all-aluminum 2017 BMW 5-Series is here
BMW unveils the next-generation 5-Series sedan.
What’s going on?
BMW just unveiled the all-new, 2017 5-Series sedan for the world to see. Internally dubbed the G30, it comes with a whole list of changes. Hopefully, those changes will address the outgoing 5-Series’ less than spectacular driving experience.
So what’s new?
Everything. The G30 2017 BMW 5-Series is pretty much new or improved in some significant way. Along with the all-new mechanics comes a new rendition of BMW’s infamous iDrive infotainment system, moving up to version 6.0.
Physically, the BMW 5-Series is bigger in every respect. It’s 1.2 inches longer, 0.3 inches wider, and 0.6 inches taller than the current model–as if the 5-Series isn’t already too big. Part of the increase in length comes from wheelbase by 0.2 inches. Despite the increase in size, BMW engineers were able to shave off 137 pounds from the current equivalent model’s figure. Torsional rigidity and overall body stiffness also increase thanks to reinforcements. And for the first time ever, the BMW 5-Series is entirely made of aluminum. All of these changes are apart of BMW’s latest EfficientLightweight concept campaign.
There’s lots of new tech too
The 5-Series comes with a whole bunch of new technology, thanks to the upgrade to iDrive 6.0. Lots of the tech comes from the latest G11 and G12 BMW 7-Series too. This includes the latest Gesture Control. That allows either of the front occupants to change certain functions by making certain hand gestures in the air by the center console.
The Active Steering is improved, working more in tandem with xDrive all-wheel drive when equipped. To improve body control, BMW also introduced a new electromechanical anti-roll stabilization feature with the suspension. That comes equipped if one opts for the Adaptive Drive and Dynamic Damper Control, basically adds adaptive and active suspension.
The 2017 BMW 5-Series will launch with a total of 13 colors, various wheel styles in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch sizes, and more. There’s also some new packaging, including a new “Sport design,” meaning all-5-Series sedans come equipped as “sport models.” There’s also a new M Sport Package for those wanting more…uhm…sport.
Other new tech includes semi-autonomous functions like radar guided cruise control and Active Lane Departure Warning. There’s a new steering assist function for evasive maneuvers, Active Lane Keeping Assistant & Traffic Jam Assistant, and BMW’s ConnectedDrive tech.
What powers it?
The 2017 BMW 5-Series gets a similar line of engines as the current model. Models for the US at launch include the base 530i with rear-wheel drive, the rear-wheel drive and more powerful 540i. Both can be equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive. The 530i gets the latest 2.0L TwinPower turbocharged four-banger with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of twist. The 540i gets the larger 3.0L TwinPower turbocharged inline-six with 335hp and 332 lb-ft of twist. All get the same ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
When will it go on sale?
The 2017 BMW 5-Series is scheduled to arrive in dealers by February 2017. Europe is likely to get its lot first. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
2017 BMW 5-Series Specifications – US Spec
| 530i | 530i xDrive | 540i | 540i xDrive | ||||
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic | automatic | automatic | |||
| Body | |||||||
| Seats | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Number of Doors | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Drive type | — | RWD | AWD | RWD | AWD | ||
| Vehicle length | inch | 194.6 | 194.6 | 194.6 | 194.6 | ||
| Vehicle width | inch | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 | ||
| Width including mirrors | inch | 83.7 | 83.7 | 83.7 | 83.7 | ||
| Vehicle height | inch | 58.2 | 58.2 | 58.2 | 58.2 | ||
| Wheelbase | inch | 117.1 | 117.1 | 117.1 | 117.1 | ||
| Overhang front | inch | 34.2 | 34.2 | 34.2 | 34.2 | ||
| Rear overhang | inch | 43.3 | 43.3 | 43.3 | 43.3 | ||
| Ground clearance | inch | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.5 | ||
| Turning circle | ft | 39.5 | 40.1 | 39.5 | 40.1 | ||
| Legroom front | inch | 41.4 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 41.4 | ||
| Legroom 2nd row | inch | 36.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 | ||
| Shoulder room front | inch | 58.7 | 58.7 | 58.7 | 58.7 | ||
| Shoulder room rear | inch | 55.9 | 55.9 | 55.9 | 55.9 | ||
| Headroom front with Moonroof | inch | 38.8 | 38.8 | 38.8 | 38.8 | ||
| Max headroom 2nd row w/moonroof | inch | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | ||
| Front Seat Volume | ft³ | 54.5 | 54.5 | 54.5 | 54.5 | ||
| Rear Seat Volume | ft³ | 44.3 | 44.3 | 44.3 | 44.3 | ||
| Press Trunk volume (SAE) | ft³ | 18,7 | 18,7 | 18,7 | 18,7 | ||
| Approach angle front | ° | 15.9 | 15.9 | 15.9 | 15.9 | ||
| Departure angle rear | ° | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 | ||
| Ramp angle | ° | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | ||
| US Fuel Tank capacity | gal | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | ||
| Weight distribution front / rear (empty car) | % | 51.5 / 48.5 | 52.5 / 47.5 | 52.2 / 47.8 | 53.8 / 46.2 | ||
| US Curb weight | lbs | 3746 | 3878 | 3847 | 4019 | ||
| Engine | |||||||
| Engine Technology | BMW TwinPower Turbo technology: Twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve lift control, Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing | ||||||
| Engine type | — | B46B20O0 | B46B20O0 | B58B30M0 | B58B30M0 | ||
| Cylinders | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | ||
| Valves per cylinder | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Stroke | mm | 94.6 | 94.6 | 94.6 | 94.6 | ||
| Bore | mm | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | ||
| Displacement | cm³ | 1998 | 1998 | 2998 | 2998 | ||
| Compression rate | :1 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 11 | 11 | ||
| Engine power | hp@rpm | 248@5200-6500 | 248@5200-6500 | 335@5500-6500 | 335@5500-6500 | ||
| Engine torque | lb-ft@rpm | 258@1450-4800 | 258@1450-4800 | 332@1380-5200 | 332@1380-5200 | ||
| Fuel type | — | gasoline | gasoline | gasoline | gasoline | ||
| 530i | 530i xDrive | 540i | 540i xDrive | ||||
| automatic | automatic | automatic | automatic | ||||
| Engine | |||||||
| Recommended Fuel quality | — | AKI 91 | AKI 91 | AKI 91 | AKI 91 | ||
| Engine oil (filling quantity) | liter | 5.25 | 5.25 | 6.5 | 6.5 | ||
| Transmission | |||||||
| Transmission designation | — | 8HP50 | 8HP50 | 8HP50 | 8HP50 | ||
| Transmission type | — | automatic transmission | automatic transmission | automatic transmission | automatic transmission | ||
| Gear ratios | |||||||
| 1st gear | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 2nd | — | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | ||
| 3rd | — | 2.143 | 2.143 | 2.143 | 2.143 | ||
| 4th | — | 1.72 | 1.72 | 1.72 | 1.72 | ||
| 5th | — | 1.314 | 1.314 | 1.314 | 1.314 | ||
| 6th | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 7th | — | 0.822 | 0.822 | 0.822 | 0.822 | ||
| 8th | — | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.64 | ||
| Reverse gear | — | 3.456 | 3.456 | 3.456 | 3.456 | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 2.929 | 2.929 | 2.929 | 2.929 | ||
| Power-steering | — | EPS | EPS | EPS | EPS | ||
| Steering transmission, overall | :1 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 16.3 | ||
| Chassis and Suspension | |||||||
| Front tires | — | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | ||
| Front rims | — | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | ||
| Rear tires | — | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | ||
| Rear rims | — | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | ||
| Track front | inch | 63 | 63 | 63 | 63 | ||
| Rear track | inch | 63.9 | 63.9 | 63.9 | 63.9 | ||
| Run flat tires | — | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Wheel offset front | mm | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| Wheel offset rear | mm | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| Driving Dynamics and Safety | |||||||
| Suspension, front | Aluminum double track control arm axle with separate lower track arm level, small steering roll radius, traverse force compensation, anti-dive | ||||||
| Suspension, rear | Five-link axle in aluminum lightweight construction | ||||||
| Brakes, front | Four-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes / vented | ||||||
| Brakes, rear | Single-piston floating-calliper disc brakes / vented | ||||||
| Driving stability systems | Standard: DSC incl. ABS and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), networked with xDrive all-wheel-drive system in Integrated Chassis Management (530i xDrive), DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant.
Optional: Dynamic Damper Control, Drive Performance Control |
||||||
| Safety equipment | Standard: airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front and rear seats, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats with belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter at the front seats, crash sensors, tire defect indicator | ||||||
| 530i | 530i xDrive | 540i | 540i xDrive | ||||
| automatic | automatic | automatic | automatic | ||||
| Performance | |||||||
| Top speed | mph | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | ||
| Top speed (Optional) | mph | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | ||
| 0-60 mph | s | 6 | 5.8 | 4.9 | 4.7 | ||
| Air resistance | m² | 0.61 | 0.63 | 0.61 | 0.63 | ||
| A | m² | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 | ||
| Cx | — | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.27 | ||
| Emission classification (type-certified) | — | SULEV30 | SULEV30 | ULEV70 | ULEV70 | ||
| Battery Capacity (low voltage) | Ah | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | ||
| System voltage (low voltage) | V | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | ||
| BMW EfficientDynamics standard features | Brake Energy Regeneration, electromechanical power steering,
Automatic Start/Stop function, ECO PRO mode, coasting function, intelligent lightweight construction, optimized aerodynamic attributes, on-demand operation of ancillary units, map-regulated oil pump, differential with optimized warm-up behavior, tires with reduced rolling resistance |
||||||
| Fuel Economy | |||||||
| Fuel cons. city (official EPA) | mpg | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
| Fuel cons. highway (official EPA) | mpg | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
| Fuel cons. combined (official EPA) | mpg | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
– By: Chris Chin
The post The new and first all-aluminum 2017 BMW 5-Series is here appeared first on egmCarTech.
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2dX5klC
The new and first all-aluminum 2017 BMW 5-Series is here
BMW unveils the next-generation 5-Series sedan.
What’s going on?
BMW just unveiled the all-new, 2017 5-Series sedan for the world to see. Internally dubbed the G30, it comes with a whole list of changes. Hopefully, those changes will address the outgoing 5-Series’ less than spectacular driving experience.
So what’s new?
Everything. The G30 2017 BMW 5-Series is pretty much new or improved in some significant way. Along with the all-new mechanics comes a new rendition of BMW’s infamous iDrive infotainment system, moving up to version 6.0.
Physically, the BMW 5-Series is bigger in every respect. It’s 1.2 inches longer, 0.3 inches wider, and 0.6 inches taller than the current model–as if the 5-Series isn’t already too big. Part of the increase in length comes from wheelbase by 0.2 inches. Despite the increase in size, BMW engineers were able to shave off 137 pounds from the current equivalent model’s figure. Torsional rigidity and overall body stiffness also increase thanks to reinforcements. And for the first time ever, the BMW 5-Series is entirely made of aluminum. All of these changes are apart of BMW’s latest EfficientLightweight concept campaign.
There’s lots of new tech too
The 5-Series comes with a whole bunch of new technology, thanks to the upgrade to iDrive 6.0. Lots of the tech comes from the latest G11 and G12 BMW 7-Series too. This includes the latest Gesture Control. That allows either of the front occupants to change certain functions by making certain hand gestures in the air by the center console.
The Active Steering is improved, working more in tandem with xDrive all-wheel drive when equipped. To improve body control, BMW also introduced a new electromechanical anti-roll stabilization feature with the suspension. That comes equipped if one opts for the Adaptive Drive and Dynamic Damper Control, basically adds adaptive and active suspension.
The 2017 BMW 5-Series will launch with a total of 13 colors, various wheel styles in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch sizes, and more. There’s also some new packaging, including a new “Sport design,” meaning all-5-Series sedans come equipped as “sport models.” There’s also a new M Sport Package for those wanting more…uhm…sport.
Other new tech includes semi-autonomous functions like radar guided cruise control and Active Lane Departure Warning. There’s a new steering assist function for evasive maneuvers, Active Lane Keeping Assistant & Traffic Jam Assistant, and BMW’s ConnectedDrive tech.
What powers it?
The 2017 BMW 5-Series gets a similar line of engines as the current model. Models for the US at launch include the base 530i with rear-wheel drive, the rear-wheel drive and more powerful 540i. Both can be equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive. The 530i gets the latest 2.0L TwinPower turbocharged four-banger with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of twist. The 540i gets the larger 3.0L TwinPower turbocharged inline-six with 335hp and 332 lb-ft of twist. All get the same ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
When will it go on sale?
The 2017 BMW 5-Series is scheduled to arrive in dealers by February 2017. Europe is likely to get its lot first. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
2017 BMW 5-Series Specifications – US Spec
| 530i | 530i xDrive | 540i | 540i xDrive | ||||
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic | automatic | automatic | |||
| Body | |||||||
| Seats | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Number of Doors | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Drive type | — | RWD | AWD | RWD | AWD | ||
| Vehicle length | inch | 194.6 | 194.6 | 194.6 | 194.6 | ||
| Vehicle width | inch | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 | ||
| Width including mirrors | inch | 83.7 | 83.7 | 83.7 | 83.7 | ||
| Vehicle height | inch | 58.2 | 58.2 | 58.2 | 58.2 | ||
| Wheelbase | inch | 117.1 | 117.1 | 117.1 | 117.1 | ||
| Overhang front | inch | 34.2 | 34.2 | 34.2 | 34.2 | ||
| Rear overhang | inch | 43.3 | 43.3 | 43.3 | 43.3 | ||
| Ground clearance | inch | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.5 | ||
| Turning circle | ft | 39.5 | 40.1 | 39.5 | 40.1 | ||
| Legroom front | inch | 41.4 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 41.4 | ||
| Legroom 2nd row | inch | 36.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 | ||
| Shoulder room front | inch | 58.7 | 58.7 | 58.7 | 58.7 | ||
| Shoulder room rear | inch | 55.9 | 55.9 | 55.9 | 55.9 | ||
| Headroom front with Moonroof | inch | 38.8 | 38.8 | 38.8 | 38.8 | ||
| Max headroom 2nd row w/moonroof | inch | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | ||
| Front Seat Volume | ft³ | 54.5 | 54.5 | 54.5 | 54.5 | ||
| Rear Seat Volume | ft³ | 44.3 | 44.3 | 44.3 | 44.3 | ||
| Press Trunk volume (SAE) | ft³ | 18,7 | 18,7 | 18,7 | 18,7 | ||
| Approach angle front | ° | 15.9 | 15.9 | 15.9 | 15.9 | ||
| Departure angle rear | ° | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.1 | ||
| Ramp angle | ° | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | ||
| US Fuel Tank capacity | gal | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | ||
| Weight distribution front / rear (empty car) | % | 51.5 / 48.5 | 52.5 / 47.5 | 52.2 / 47.8 | 53.8 / 46.2 | ||
| US Curb weight | lbs | 3746 | 3878 | 3847 | 4019 | ||
| Engine | |||||||
| Engine Technology | BMW TwinPower Turbo technology: Twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve lift control, Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing | ||||||
| Engine type | — | B46B20O0 | B46B20O0 | B58B30M0 | B58B30M0 | ||
| Cylinders | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | ||
| Valves per cylinder | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Stroke | mm | 94.6 | 94.6 | 94.6 | 94.6 | ||
| Bore | mm | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | ||
| Displacement | cm³ | 1998 | 1998 | 2998 | 2998 | ||
| Compression rate | :1 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 11 | 11 | ||
| Engine power | hp@rpm | 248@5200-6500 | 248@5200-6500 | 335@5500-6500 | 335@5500-6500 | ||
| Engine torque | lb-ft@rpm | 258@1450-4800 | 258@1450-4800 | 332@1380-5200 | 332@1380-5200 | ||
| Fuel type | — | gasoline | gasoline | gasoline | gasoline | ||
| 530i | 530i xDrive | 540i | 540i xDrive | ||||
| automatic | automatic | automatic | automatic | ||||
| Engine | |||||||
| Recommended Fuel quality | — | AKI 91 | AKI 91 | AKI 91 | AKI 91 | ||
| Engine oil (filling quantity) | liter | 5.25 | 5.25 | 6.5 | 6.5 | ||
| Transmission | |||||||
| Transmission designation | — | 8HP50 | 8HP50 | 8HP50 | 8HP50 | ||
| Transmission type | — | automatic transmission | automatic transmission | automatic transmission | automatic transmission | ||
| Gear ratios | |||||||
| 1st gear | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 2nd | — | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 | ||
| 3rd | — | 2.143 | 2.143 | 2.143 | 2.143 | ||
| 4th | — | 1.72 | 1.72 | 1.72 | 1.72 | ||
| 5th | — | 1.314 | 1.314 | 1.314 | 1.314 | ||
| 6th | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 7th | — | 0.822 | 0.822 | 0.822 | 0.822 | ||
| 8th | — | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.64 | ||
| Reverse gear | — | 3.456 | 3.456 | 3.456 | 3.456 | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 2.929 | 2.929 | 2.929 | 2.929 | ||
| Power-steering | — | EPS | EPS | EPS | EPS | ||
| Steering transmission, overall | :1 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 16.3 | ||
| Chassis and Suspension | |||||||
| Front tires | — | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | ||
| Front rims | — | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | ||
| Rear tires | — | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | 245/45 R18 100H XL AS | ||
| Rear rims | — | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | 8J x 18 LM | ||
| Track front | inch | 63 | 63 | 63 | 63 | ||
| Rear track | inch | 63.9 | 63.9 | 63.9 | 63.9 | ||
| Run flat tires | — | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Wheel offset front | mm | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| Wheel offset rear | mm | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| Driving Dynamics and Safety | |||||||
| Suspension, front | Aluminum double track control arm axle with separate lower track arm level, small steering roll radius, traverse force compensation, anti-dive | ||||||
| Suspension, rear | Five-link axle in aluminum lightweight construction | ||||||
| Brakes, front | Four-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes / vented | ||||||
| Brakes, rear | Single-piston floating-calliper disc brakes / vented | ||||||
| Driving stability systems | Standard: DSC incl. ABS and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), networked with xDrive all-wheel-drive system in Integrated Chassis Management (530i xDrive), DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant.
Optional: Dynamic Damper Control, Drive Performance Control |
||||||
| Safety equipment | Standard: airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front and rear seats, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats with belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter at the front seats, crash sensors, tire defect indicator | ||||||
| 530i | 530i xDrive | 540i | 540i xDrive | ||||
| automatic | automatic | automatic | automatic | ||||
| Performance | |||||||
| Top speed | mph | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | ||
| Top speed (Optional) | mph | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | ||
| 0-60 mph | s | 6 | 5.8 | 4.9 | 4.7 | ||
| Air resistance | m² | 0.61 | 0.63 | 0.61 | 0.63 | ||
| A | m² | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.35 | ||
| Cx | — | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.27 | ||
| Emission classification (type-certified) | — | SULEV30 | SULEV30 | ULEV70 | ULEV70 | ||
| Battery Capacity (low voltage) | Ah | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | ||
| System voltage (low voltage) | V | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | ||
| BMW EfficientDynamics standard features | Brake Energy Regeneration, electromechanical power steering,
Automatic Start/Stop function, ECO PRO mode, coasting function, intelligent lightweight construction, optimized aerodynamic attributes, on-demand operation of ancillary units, map-regulated oil pump, differential with optimized warm-up behavior, tires with reduced rolling resistance |
||||||
| Fuel Economy | |||||||
| Fuel cons. city (official EPA) | mpg | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
| Fuel cons. highway (official EPA) | mpg | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
| Fuel cons. combined (official EPA) | mpg | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
– By: Chris Chin
The post The new and first all-aluminum 2017 BMW 5-Series is here appeared first on egmCarTech.
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2dO00R8
Report: Ford produces last Falcon and last car in Australia, ever
Ford nailed its final coffin into its renowned Australian division by producing the last Falcon.
Who:
Ford’s division in Australia, along with General Motors’ Holden subsidiary ended their operations in Australia recently.
What:
Ford’s Australia division is closing up shop after 100 years in operation. This particular happening isn’t new as Ford announced the end of Ford Australia back in 2013.
Ford’s Australia sector is known for some memorable models such as the Ford Falcon. Their involvement with Australian motorsports, such as touring car racing, is also undeniable.
To commemorate this sad moment, Ford down yonder produce its last Falcon, and vehicle, ever. It is a blue, rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon XR6. And it’s the last car to roll off the company’s main assembly line in Broadmeadows, just outside of Melbourne.
Ford also concluded the production of the Falcon Ute in July. Ford’s global division will continue to send European Fords to the continent and engineers from the Australia division will help implement Australia-specific changes for its market.
Interestingly, we were never lucky to receive any cool Aussie Fords. But we have received General Motors-based cars from its Aussie division. They came in the form of the Holden Monaro-based Pontiac GTO and the Holden Commodore-based G8 sedan. We still receive the latter as the Chevrolet SS Sedan and as the law enforcement-only Chevrolet Caprice. The Caprice is based on the larger Holden Statesman.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: Ford Australia via DetroitNews
The post Report: Ford produces last Falcon and last car in Australia, ever appeared first on egmCarTech.
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2dXnTEL
Report: Germany’s calling for a ban on sales of internal combustion engine-powered cars by 2030
Germany sees an ICE-free new vehicle world by 2030.
This hits many car enthusiasts into the heart like daggers. But Germany recently pushed forward a ban against the sale of gasoline and diesel powered vehicles by 2020.
Who:
Yes, the country home to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen, among a few others in various aspects. But still, German federal council, Bundesrat, just passed a new resolution to ban the sale of new cars powered by internal combustion engines.
What:
The plan calls for a full effect status by 2030. After 2030, Germany would require you to buy a zero-emission vehicle, whether all-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell powered. Nothing official was signed, but the bill is up for proposal with the European Union.
This could mark an unprecedented move and a hugely radical change to the automobile industry as we know it. But so far, the outlook continues to look bleak for the good ‘ole internal combustion engine as governments and automakers push for an all-electric vehicle world.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: Der Spiegel via Engadget
The post Report: Germany’s calling for a ban on sales of internal combustion engine-powered cars by 2030 appeared first on egmCarTech.
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2e4AXIH
Total Recall: Analyzing the Sale of Used Cars With Recalls
When you’re ready to sign on the dotted line for that used car you’ve been eyeing, you might pause momentarily amid the excitement to ask yourself: Did the dealership really tell me everything?
With data processed by Recall Masters, we looked at all the used cars available for sale in the United States on a single day (955,368) and found that more than 36,000 had recalls. That’s a LOT of used cars that sellers are passing on to an unsuspecting consumer! In this environment, staying informed about the state of the industry is a great way to protect yourself from less-than-transparent dealers.
America’s Used Car Danger Zones
We found that southern hospitality didn’t extend to used car sales – Georgia leads in the number of dodgy cars sold, with more than 40 recalls per 100,000 residents. Georgia’s only mention of recalls on itsDepartment of Law, Consumer Protection Unit website is a link to a database where consumers can research recalls. In Georgia, there’s no law on the books against dealerships selling these cars to consumers, which puts buyers and sellers at odds rather than encouraging them to work together for their mutual benefit.
In 2014, New York City took a different approach, making it illegal to sell a car without fixing or addressing a recall first. This offered New York consumers additional peace of mind when purchasing a car. The State of Massachusetts is another place working to protect consumers from dealerships and “as-is” sales,transitioning ownership of repairs – even after the sale – to the dealer. AutoNation actually puts up to 15 percent of its used car inventory aside daily and makes those cars ineligible for sale until their recall issues have been addressed.
Risky Business
Given that Georgia leads in the number of recalled cars sold per 100,000 residents, it’s no surprise that it also is home to some of the highest concentrations of used cars with dangerous recalls. We ranked these recalls on a scale from 1 to 5 (with 5 being the most dangerous).
It seems Florida is earning its “Sunshine State” title. When the data is plotted with moderate and severe recalls that need to be addressed, it’s almost difficult to look at Florida because it’s so bright. We also see pockets radiating around the country – in California and Texas, for example – while the Northeast sees much fewer instances of these issues.
Danger Ahead
In 2015, 35,200 people tragically lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents – a 7.7 percent increase since 2014. And no doubt, some may have been related to recalls. When we looked at total traffic-related fatalities in the U.S. per 100,000 residents, we found that eight of the deadliest states also had the highest number of recalls: Texas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Wyoming. At the top of the list, Wyoming experienced 25.7 vehicle fatalities per 100,000 residents and had 6.3 recalls per 100,000 residents. Mississippi had the second highest deaths per 100,000 residents and was No. 14 for the highest number of recalls.
It’s often these fatalities that spur the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to research and mandatemanufacturers to recall vehicles for life-threatening problems.
Year of the Recall
Recalls aren’t just a concern for cars of a significant age; they also come into play for newer cars. In fact, 2015 models represent the largest number of used cars with recalls (almost 20 percent). Almost 75 percent of the recalled vehicles we examined were 2012 models or newer. This situation might be because newer cars could have had only two owners – one who never read the letter about the recall and a [seller] dealership that didn’t properly investigate and address it.
Sale First, Safety Second
Of the 36,105 used cars for sale with active recalls, almost 62 percent had an active safety recall that required attention. Dealers who sell these cars are putting their customers in jeopardy by not doing the necessary research to ensure their clients receive vehicles free of safety concerns. In 2015, one consumer died when an airbag improperly deployed, revealing that consumers who are unaware of their vehicles’ recall issue could pay the highest price possible.
Highway of Horrors
You might be speeding through paperwork to get the keys to your used car, but remember that your new-to-you car might have an active recall – most likely, a faulty hood latch. Such a problem might look small on paper, but having your hood fly up without warning while you’re driving down a busy highway would be downright dangerous. These types of recall issues represent just under 7 percent of the active recalls we found in used cars sitting on dealer lots across America. Without a trusted used-car partner investigating this inventory, you could end up with one of these lemons sitting in your driveway.
Hidden Costs of Recall Handoffs
Buying a used car should be a great experience – in the best-case scenario, you’re getting a dependable vehicle at a friendly price – but it can quickly become your worst nightmare if the dealer has passed on an undisclosed recall to you. The necessary repairs could cost you hundreds or thousands of extra dollars, and you’ll have to deal with the annoyance of car repair impacting your daily routine.
We found cars with frame corrosion recalls being actively sold at dealerships. This repair could saddle an unsuspecting buyer with $4,240 in hidden costs. We also found three other repair issues – fuel fill pipe anti-siphon grid out of position, transmission turbine shaft fracture, and rear suspension lower link brackets corrosion – that all had repair price tags of $1,000 or higher.
“Extravagant” Recalls
If you believe that these recalls are limited to lower-end models, you are mistaken. When examining all of the used cars for sale on dealership lots, we discovered several vehicles priced anywhere from $75,000 to $279,000 with recalls. These cars, if purchased, would bring undue risk to the buyer.
Of these top-20 luxury cars, almost half were located in California and Texas. While these numbers don’t serve as an indictment of used car quality in those states, they do serve as a reminder to consumers to work with reputable dealerships that take a fine-toothed comb approach to uncovering hidden issues.
Don’t Fall Victim to Recall Hand-Me-Downs
Your car is not just a means of transportation – it’s a vessel that carries you and your hopes and dreams, whether it’s taking you to your dream job every morning or bringing your family on a much-anticipated summer vacation.
Overlooked recalls in the used car market could potentially translate into large, unexpected repair costs that also rob you of your most precious resource: time. Buying from a trusted dealership with thorough checks can protect you from this outcome. AutoNation is one of the few car dealers with a recall-free policy for new and used-cars. The commitment not to sell vehicles with a recall is not without cost, as adequate parts are not always available, and AutoNation must hold the vehicles in inventory until repairs are completed. AutoNation insists that your protection is worth the added cost, letting you focus on enjoying your ride while they take care of the recall research.
Methodology
Using data from Recall Masters, we analyzed all of the used cars for sale in America on a single day (955,368 total cars). We then analyzed how many of these cars had recalls (36,105). There was no data available for the following states: New York, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.
Sources
- http://bit.ly/2e4AQNl
- http://bit.ly/2dEHAn7
- http://on.wsj.com/2e4A6Ia
- http://bit.ly/2e4z7aF
- http://nyti.ms/2dEIyjd
Fair Use
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Report: Korean automaker Ssangyong could send us a new compact SUV soon
Korea’s automobile market is growing so fast, that even smaller companies like Ssangyong could expand.
Who:
Ssangyong is a South Korean-based automaker owned and operated by parent company Mahindra. Mahindra is based in India and announced plans to enter the US market by 2019.
What:
AutomotiveNews reports that Ssangyong could enter the US market as well with a new compact crossover. It’s no doubt that crossovers are a popular thing these days and simply, Ssangyong wants a part of the action.
Ssangyong isn’t the only Korean based automaker benefitting from a booming auto market. Kia and Hyundai are gaining more success and traction in the mainstream market more than they ever have.
Ssangyong would likely send the US the incoming updated Tivoli crossover and later on, a revised version of the larger Korando. Both will have the option for all-paw traction.
Currently, the Tivoli and Korando are sold in Korea’s domestic market, Europe, and throughout Asia and South America. The Tivoli is sort of a Kia Soul competitor with a shape that even resembles one. The Korando is more reminiscent of an earlier Kia Sportage.
In the UK, the Tivoli gets the choice of front or four-wheel drive and a 1.6L naturally-aspirated four-pot or a 1.6L turbodiesel four. The larger Korando also comes with front or four-wheel drive and the choice of a 2.0L gas four-pot and two diesel four options.
Another contributing factor to Ssangyong’s decision is the recent changes in Russia’s economy, which is also Ssangyong’s biggest export market.
When:
AutomotiveNews reports Ssangyong could enter the US market in the next few years. But a timeline was not specified.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutomotiveNews
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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2e4ySMU