It seems that the German based carmaker is on a constant fight against its rival in the United States, Tesla, which is strongly working on the new Tesla S. As opposed to that, BMW is also reported to cross its thumbs on the future i5 and i7 plug-in hybrids, working thus on the so called F18 PHEV project.

There is no official report on such matter, but according to CAR, the BMW is indeed preparing the two hybrids, which will be based on the 5-series four-door model with long-wheelbase, destined for the Chinese market alone and with design lines taken from the present 6-Series.

Sine we are talking here about stretch platforms, it would be logic to say that BMW i5 and i7 will use higher batteries for extra range mile, while another advantage would be the wider space inside the cabin.

Since we are talking about batteries, it would come in handy to state that both plug-in hybrids will use all three driving modes, depending on the power source. The FWD and the RWD will be used mainly on electric power, while the AWD will go on hybrid power.

With all that, BMW will not take away the conventional engine, meaning that the i5 and the i7 will come with a four-cylinder unit, developing 250 horsepower. The engine will be backed up by an electric motor at the front, with an additional 200 horsepower, while the one found at the rear, will give an extra 100 horsepower. So imagine what both of them could do with an overall of 550 horsepower.

That would be quite impressive for BMW i5 and i7 plug-in hybrids, as performance would seat around 80 mile range, which is significantly improved, as opposed to the Tesla Model S, which would go for an amazing 265 miles. But BMW will figure a way out to solve this “small” problem, until 2018, when the two models might be officially unveiled at the 2018 Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW Might Be Planning i5 and i7 Plug-in Hybrids to Take on Tesla S appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The BMW i8 was recently put face to face with its direct rival Tesla Model S in a video test drive carried out by CounsumerReports, the main reviewer of high-end sports cars.

The test drive with the BMWi8 vs. Tesla Model S was meant to give us a closer look on the two high-performance models, showcasing their design, aerodynamics, technology and performance on the track.

First off, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid is coming with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol unit, along with the BMW`s eDrive technology, in the shape of an electric drive system.

The 1.5-liter turbocharged unit outputs a total of 231 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels, while the electric drive sends an additional of 131 horsepower to the front wheels, the hybrid car also coming with an all-electric range of up to 35 kilometers, at a top speed of 120 km/h.

On the other hand, the Tesla Model S is coming with configurations, namely a 60kWh battery, with an EPA estimated at 208 miles, as well as a 85kWh battery, rated at the 265 miles.

The first configuration has a starting price of $71,070, while the 85kWh comes at $81,070.

Apart from these two configurations, the Tesla Model S also comes in a range-topping P85, developing 416 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, backed by an 85kWh, rated at 265 miles, while the price stands at %95,740.

If you are curious enough to see which one is better than the other, just hit the play button and enjoy the ride!

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW i8 Confronts Tesla Model S in Video Test Drive appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

What Car? has already nominated the winners for the green car category, and as it was expected, the BMW i3 won the category, beating up its competitors like Renault Zoe and Tesla Model S.

The rules for the What Car? nominations were quite simple: the first one is, that all competitors must be “eco”. Every facelift for all new model must pump out less CO2 as the car makers struggle to cope with the emissions regulations.

Then, another criteria would be that all participating cars must make electric motoring more accessible, by introducing technology to go with that.

BMW i3 has it all: high-tech since it has now teamed-up with Samsung to deliver the Samsung Galaxy Gear BMW i3; a new all-electric powertrain and carbon fiber reinforced plastic; an electric motor worthy of our respect: a synchronous electric motor offering 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

It is the case our big winner, BMW i3, the first electric car that BMW has ever made. And you know how it is said: the first time is always the best time.

Well done BMW i3 electric.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW i3 Nominated the Green Car of the Year appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

This is not very flattering. One of our favorite cars of all time, the current generation F10 BMW M5 took a bit of a kick to the side of the head recently.

The hit came from the most unlikely source, the newly launched Tesla Model S sedan. That name makes it an all electric car with sporting credentials.

What isn’t immediately apparent is the fact that these cars are rivals. They’re not direct ones, but there is a good amount of sense in a comparison.

Both are slated as family sedans, both have sporting credentials, both have similar sizes and, crucially, both cost about the same (in the United States).

Starting off with these ideas, the guys at Automobilemag staged a very simple comparison, one of a drag race between the two cars.

Obviously, the Tesla Model S wins and the reviewers are chuffed, there’s finally something that can take out the institution that is the M5.

Let’s not be petty and look at the proper facts here. No launch control was used in the M5, why not? Even without this function, the driver in the BMW seemed a little slower to react.

Though the race was nearing its end, coming up on 100 mph really saw the M5 make up some ground on the Tesla. Short runs will be its forte, but at the top end it doesn’t stand a chance.

Even with the performance run being handed over to the Tesla Model S (and boy would many people want you to), there’s always a problem with charging length.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post F10 BMW M5 out-dragged by the Tesla Model S appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.