BMW i3 Rendering Review

I have heard from various sources that BMW is going to publicly unveil their pre-production version of the 2013 i3 at a press gathering on July 28th. I have had a few journalists that have been invited reach out to me and ask if I would be attending also. I will not, but I'm sure it won't be long after that I get the details of what whs announced and even some nice photo's of the i3.

Since we'll finally get to see what the BMW designers have come up with, I thought I'd post some of the artist renderings we have has to look at since the i3 was first announced last year. Back then, BMW would only refer to it as the MegaCity vehicle. I'll start it off with the spy photograph that was taken of the car during cold weather testing is Sweden earlier this year.  You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

As you can see there are common themes that hold up through most of the renderings. In less than a month I think we'll know who was closest to the mark. Stay tuned...

Solar Today Magizine Highlights EV's: Uses Me as an Example

Solar Today, a magazine dedicated to the solar electric industry, highlighted electric vehicles in this months issue. Unknown to me though, they used a picture of me and my EV+PV story in the issue. I wouldn't have even know about it if a friend didn't send me a link to it. Then, a few days later I got a call from the owner of the company that installed my solar pool heater a few years ago and he even sent me a copy of the magazine. I figure my solar electric installer, Geogenix, must have sent the magazine the picture and information because I recognize the picture as one I took to send to Geogenix a few months back.

They asked me for the photo because they wanted to enter me in the New Jersey Garden State Green Awards, and as it turned out I was one of the winners and was recently recognized at an awards luncheon at Kean University.

Here's a link to the story in Solar Today:
http://www.solartoday-digital.org/solartoday/201106/?pg=32#pg32

Lexus Calls UK Buyers to Enjoy the Summer with IS 250C

While Britain may not be the ideal place to enjoy an open top model, Lexus is calling UK buyers to take a look at its new limited edition version of the IS 250C coupe-convertible. Exclusivity for the IS 250C Limited Edition comes in the form of a distinctive black and red semi-aniline leather interior along with a numbered badge fixed inside the glove-box.
The special edition model is based on the regular SE-L and as such comes fitted as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, electric one-touch easy access to the rear seats, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with built-in ventilation and heating plus climate control that automatically adjusts temperature settings when the roof is down.
Available for order now, the IS 250C Limited Edition is priced in the UK at £39,990 on the road.

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VIDEO: Subaru in the Midst of Saudi Women Driving

Last month, a 32-year old woman named Manal al-Sharif was arrested in Saudi Arabia for committing the crimes of… driving and posting a video on Youtube urging other women to drive too.
This is strictly forbidden by the Wahhabi sect of Suni Islam which is Saudi Arabia’s religion, as women are not allowed to apply for a driver’s license or mix with men (e.g. in service or gas stations) or even leave the home without male company.
Even though al-Sharif was released 10 days later, her arrest resulted in a group of women named "Saudi women for Driving" to campaign in favor of lifting the ban on women’s driving in the Kingdom.
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has publicly supported the group who defied the royal family’s regime by driving in Saudi Arabian streets on June 17.
Now the group is putting pressure on Subaru and its parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, to leave the country until the prohibition is lifted. The Japanese company was selected because it is considered progressive and has marketed its products to women. It is also quite possible that the group’s next targets will be Cadillac and Hyundai, the two brands of cars driven by al-Sharif.
Fuji Industries and Subaru spokesman, Kenta Matsumoto, commented that the company’s Saudi Arabia dealer’s “haven’t received information of any campaigns. We only have dealers, not factories, in the country and our annual sales are limited to 300-400 units”.

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VIDEO: Nissan Announces New Midterm Business Plan, will Introduce a New Vehicle Every Six Weeks

Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co. revealed on Monday its new midterm business plan dubbed “Power 88”, with which it aims to boost both its global market share and profit margin to 8 percent within six years – hence the “88” reference in the name. Last year, Nissan, which is 44.3 percent owned by French partner Renault, had a 5.8 percent global market share.
The new plan calls for the introduction of 52 new cars for fiscal years 2011 to 2016, or about one new vehicle every six weeks.
Japan’s second biggest automaker in terms of sales said it will also try to capture 10% of the premium segment or about 500,000 cars today with its Infiniti brand that will be available in more than 70 markets with a range of at least 10 vehicles.
"Nissan Power 88 is the roadmap for our company's profitable growth," said Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. "We will accelerate our growth, bringing more innovation and excitement to our products and services as well as cleaner, more affordable cars for everyone around the world, in line with the energy and environmental challenges of the 21st century."
Nissan will also focus on the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The highlights of Nissan’s “Power 88” plan are:

· Nissan's extended new product plan will deliver, on average, an all-new vehicle every six weeks for six years. The company's global portfolio will have 66 vehicles and will cover 92% of all markets and segments.


· The emphasis on sustainable mobility will continue, encompassing zero-emission vehicles and low-emission technologies that support PURE DRIVE. Cumulative electric vehicle sales for the Renault-Nissan Alliance will reach 1.5 million units.


· "Mobility for all" will expand with dedicated new cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) developed for entry-level segments and emerging markets.


· Nissan will introduce more than 90 new, advanced technologies, averaging 15 per year.


· In 2012, Nissan will have a production capacity of 1.2 million units in China. China has become - and will continue to be - Nissan's largest single global market. Nissan aims for a 10% share of the Chinese market. Nissan will also increase its presence in Brazil, Russia and India, as well as in the next wave of emerging markets.


· In Brazil, Nissan will build a new plant, with a capacity of 200,000 units as a first step.


· Nissan NV200's selection as New York City's "Taxi of Tomorrow" illustrates the company's momentum in the LCV field. By 2016, Nissan will be the world's leading light commercial vehicle manufacturer.


· The Infiniti premium brand will grow from its 2010 sales level of 150,000 vehicles to 10% of global market share among luxury brand segments, a level today that would represent 500,000 vehicles. Infiniti will be present in more than 70 markets with a product range of at least 10 vehicles.

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VIDEO: Chrysler’s Super Bowl ad Wins 5 Awards at French Festival

Chrysler’s TV commercial “Born of Fire”, which aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, won five awards at the 58th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where over 24,000 entries from all over the world were competing.
The commercial for the 2011 200 sedan was created by Chrysler together with advertising company Wideden+Kennedy of Portland, Oregon, and took home four “Gold Lions”, for Best Direction, Best Script, Best Use of Music, Best Automotive Commercial and Best Editing, as well as a “Bronze Lion” awarded to the brand for Best Editing.
The two-minute commercial features the Motor City, emphasizing its values, and Detroit-native Eminem with his song “Lose Yourself”. It was also used to introduce the “Imported from Detroit” campaign that will be at the core of the brand’s promotional material and its message that you don't have to buy imported cars to enjoy luxury.
Chrysler has additionally created an “Imported from Detroit” merchandise line that can be found at the company's website, with a portion of the proceeds going to the following four Detroit-based charities:
• The Marshall Mathers Foundation
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
• Habitat for Humanity Detroit
• Think Detroit PAL

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New Transformers Movie Spawns Chevrolet Camaro 2012 Special Edition

General Motors is trying to squeeze every ounce of publicity out its association with the makers of the third Transformers movie, called Dark of the Moon, which opens exclusively in 3D Tuesday and worldwide Wednesday.
Aside from having an army of cars featured in the film, the Detroit automaker is also launching yet another limited edition Camaromodel based on theAutobot “Bumblebee” character.
The 2012 Camaro Transformers Special Edition will be offered as a $3,000 package on 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupes with Rally Yellow paint. Along with the content provided in the RS package, the Transformers edition adds bespoke black rally stripes that cover the hood, roof, decklid and the unique rear spoiler.
A set of 20-inch alloy wheels finished in black and wrapped in high-performance summer tires along with some cheesy Autobot Shield logos on the center caps and front quarter panels, complete the exterior changes.
As an option, GM will offer 21-inch, black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects package.
Inside, the Transformers edition Camaro’s interior is trimmed in black leather with yellow stitching on the instrument panel, center console, armrests and seats, while Autobot Shield logos are embroidered on the front headrests, as well as the center console lid.
GM believes the linkage with Transformers has helped boost sales and build the Camaro brand, especially with young buyers.
“The Transformers franchise has helped introduce Camaro – and Chevrolet – to a whole new generation of fans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its role in the films helped make the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America, and one of the best-known cars of any kind around the world.”
GM will open the order books on the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro in July, with vehicles arriving at U.S. and Canadian showrooms in September.

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New Chinese Order Saab with a Temporary Lifeline

Maybe the future of Saab isn’t as dark as it looks, and the voluntary bankruptcy proposed by suppliers isn’t the only solution. Well, at least for now. That’s because the Swedish automaker announced today that an unnamed Chinese company place an order to buy 582 cars, with a total value of € 13 million.
The pre-payment is to be received this week, giving Saab a much needed funding to pay its workers and suppliers. This, however, is only a short-term lifeline for the ailing company and the efforts to secure funds that will guarantee the brand’s future and restart production, which has been halted again since June 8, are ongoing.

Victor Muller, CEO of Saab Automobile, said:

"I am pleased to announce this agreement, as it secures part of the necessary short-term funding for Saab Automobile and allows us to pay our employees' wages before the end of this month. The management of Saab Automobile is deeply committed to the company and its employees. I respect the decision of the union members to resign from the board of Saab Automobile. We very much regret the current cash shortage, which is causing undeserved hardship to all, and we are working relentlessly to resolve the current situation. We hope to secure additional short-term funding, necessary to reach agreement with all of our suppliers to restart production, soon.”
“Mr. Vladimir Antonov's interest in participating as an investor/financier in Swedish Automobile remains unwavering, but he is still awaiting a decision on his clearance from parties at interest following the Swedish National Debt Office (NDO) recommendation to clear him over 8 weeks ago. Once clearance has been obtained, Mr. Antonov can provide much needed financing and/or capital to Swedish Automobile/Saab Automobile at this critical time. We are pushing hard to obtain this vital clearance as soon as practically possible.”

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Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette

BMW M3 CRT`S Lightweight Carbon Fiber

In this case, thοse letters dο not mean cathode ray tube. Accοrding tο BMW, CRT is short fοr Carbon Racing Technolοgies, and that is the kind οf thing we can really get behind. That's especially true when the car being CRT-ized is the M3. The BMW M3 CRT differs quite a bit from last year's M3 GTS, thοugh both were cοnceived as lightweight versions οf the E90-series car with mοre power, better brakes and upgraded suspensiοn bits.

Fοr instance, unlike the GTS, the CRT comes fully lοaded with navigation, a premium stereο system and is based on the four-dοοr sedan with high-tech front and rear seats.

BMW is using the M3 CRT tο debut its new carbon fiber prοductiοn technique, which is used tο good effect οn both the frοnt seats and a new hood that is as strοng as a conventional steel unit with just οne quarter the weight. Mοre weight reduction cοmes frοm the titanium muffler, 19-inch Y-spoke allοy wheels and less sound deadening material. Even the brake calipers are made frοm a new lightweight cοmpound.

A fresh set οf adjustable coilovers wοrk with a mοre rigid rear subframe and wide tires tο up the handling quotient. Pοwer cοmes from a 4.4-liter version οf BMW's well-known high-revving V8 engine, prοducing 450 hοrsepower (at 8,300 rpm) and 324 pοund-feet οf torque (at 3,750 rpm). Thοse ponies are routed tο the rear wheels through the autοmaker's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbοx.

Add it all up and yοu are left with a machine that is capable οf terrorizing the race track every weekend while still serving as a perfectly lοvely daily driver in between - one that can zip frοm 0 tο 62 miles per hour in what we bet is a conservative 4.4 secοnds. Want οne? Get in line, as BMW only plans tο build 67 units, each painted up in Frozen Polar Silver metallic with Melbοurne Red accents and a black and οrange interior.

And there is nο word οn any of them making it Stateside, in case yοu were wondering.

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1:24 Scale Supercar Exotics Encased In Resin

Here’s something you don’t see every day: a 1970's style resin “sculpture” made by an unknown French artist and featuring various 1:24 scale Ferraris.
There’s also a Lamborghini Diablo, Jaguar XJ220 and Bugatti EB110 in there among others. Props to anyone who can help us identify the rest. The unusual item is being sold by Mantiques Modern [sic] of New York.
For details on price, you’ll have to contact the dealer, but something tells us it won’t be cheap… More photos of the artsy piece in the gallery 

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