BMW Group and Allianz issues insurance and warranty for products

Not many car companies here in Malaysia have a used car program. BMW has their Premium Selection and Toyota has their TopMark service. It’s not easy to setup but it’s good because it allows the companies some kind of control over their product’s resale value. Not complete control, but at least there is some sort of avenue to influence it if you have a business where you take in used versions of your products, refurbish them, and resell them at a good price with at least a one year warranty for that peace of mind.

New BMWs are potentially full of electronic niggles. Loads of sensors for this and that. Personally I feel the last BMW that’s fairly modern but yet isn’t too full of sensors and electronics is the early batches of the E39 5-Series – the one with the single VANOS M52 engine, I think the production year 96 to 98?

Beyond that, with the E46, double VANOS E39 and etc, things got a little over a ‘fine line’, conventional throttles were replaced by drive by wire, etc. So there’s alot of things that could potentially break when you buy a used BMW.

This is where used car warranties come in. Internationally, BMW and Allianz have just signed an agreement to intensify their cooperation on a global level. The agreement focuses on a range of vehicle and mobility related insurance products for end customers, such as automobile insurances and used-car warranties.

We’ve already seen Allianz insurance products offered under BMW branding here in Malaysia and its called BMW Motor Insurance. It guarantees that the buyer of a new BMW will be entitled to a brand new car if the car is stolen or totalled in an accident within the first 12 months from date of purchase. Even used BMWs purchased from authorised BMW dealers in a similiar predicament within the first 12 months will also receive a full insured value claim settlement with no market value adjustment.

This could potentially extend to things such as extended warranty programs, which will definitely be very valuable to a BMW buyer. The current plan is for BMW Service + Repair Inclusive to be offered for the first 3 years or 60,000km, whichever comes first. Another two years to cover more years of a typical 5 year to 7 year loan will bring peace of mind.

-->Read More...

Lotus and negotiations with donors Sauber Petronas

The new Malaysian-owned Lotus F1 team is in talks about being sponsored next year by Petronas, the state owned oil company.

Petronas has been a long term sponsor of the BMW-Sauber team, who are being taken over by the mysterious investment group Qadbak but are not guaranteed a place on the 2010 grid.

Lotus boss Tony Fernandes, who is also in charge of the Williams sponsor AirAsia, confirmed the Petronas talks.

"We would love Petronas to sponsor us," he said at the verge of the Singapore grand prix.

It is also rumoured that 2002 Minardi driver and Malaysian Alex Yoong, now 33, has joined the team, but will have a management role rather than a driving one.

-->Read More...

Husqvarna opened a new R & D facility

The Husqvarna brand will enter a new phase of life under the BMW group as the German automaker’s fourth brand. There’s even a new Husqvarna section in BMW’s Pressclub site alongside the BMW, MINI and Motorrad brands now. We’ll probably see much more from them from now on – the first step is to develop new appealing products, right?

It recently opened a new R&D and administrative building, which will provide product development with the best possible support and permit optimum integration of all the functional units involved in the manufacturing processes for the entire range of Husqvarna products.

The new building has three floors and has been built as an addition to the company’s head office at Via Nino Bixio 8. The ground floor houses the engine R&D department and roller dyno facilities, along with the prototype workshop, the racing division and a technical training centre.

The first floor is where the R&D department is located, although the purchasing and market research departments are also on this floor. This is intentional – the people from all three departments have to meet often to meet a balance between functionality, quality and cost, both within the company and with suppliers.

The building is also ‘green’ in the sense htat energy for the hot water supply is provided by the solar panels fitted to the building’s roof. This is all part of BMW’s EfficientDynamics plan. There is also a public area in the front of the new building which has a Husqvarna showroom.

-->Read More...

Toyota Releases Pricing on New 4Runner SUV and 2010MY Cars

Just one day after the presentation of the all-new 2010 4Runner, Toyota released pricing on its truck-based SUV model as well as on four more 2010 model year vehicles including the Land Cruiser, Venza, Prius and Tacoma pickup truck. MSRPs for the new 4Runner (including an $800 destination fee) range from $28,300 for the two-wheel drive SR5 grade with a 157HP 2.7-liter four pot to $40,600 for the Limited grade 4x4 with a 270HP 4.0-liter V6. Toyota said that the V6 4Runners will begin arriving at dealerships in late October or early November, while the 4-cylinder SR-5 will go on sale in early January 2010.

As for the rest of the range, the 2010MY Venza crossover-thingamajig, which will begin arriving at dealerships in early November, carries a base MSRP (including a $750 destination charge) that ranges from $27,025 for the four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive model to $29,550 for the all-wheel-drive V6. That comes to an increase of $300, or an average of 1.1 percent over the 2009MY cars.

For 2010, the Venza adds a USB port for iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology as standard equipment on all audio systems.

Expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late October, the 2010 Land Cruiser will start from $66,770 (including destination fees), an increase of $1,215, or 1.9 percent over the 2009MY. Changes for the 2010MY include an upgraded audio system that adds a standard USB port for iPod connectivity, Bluetooth wireless technology, grey factory privacy glass tint to the rear hatch and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

While the 2010MY doesn't bring any upgrades for the Tacoma pickup truck, Toyota has announced a price adjustment increase of $175, or an average of 0.8 percent effective on November 2, 2009. MSRP's (including destination charges) range from $16,145 for the Regular Cab four-cylinder 4x2 with a five-speed manual transmission to $28,050 for the Double Cab long bed 4x4 V6 with a five-speed automatic.

Finally, Toyota has increased the base MSRP on the 2010 Prius II, III, IV and IV models that will begin arriving in late October by $400, or an average of 1.6 percent. Prices, again including destination fees, range from $23,150 for the Prius I model to $28,420 for the range-topping Prius V.

Toyota said that pricing for the Prius I model, which will be made available in limited numbers to fleet buyers, will remain unchanged at $21,750.

-->Read More...

Lexus HS250h use counterpart Toyota SAI

When the Lexus brand was finally introduced back in its homeland of Japan, it marked the end of the Toyota-badged Lexus products such as the Toyota Harrier, which was essentially a Lexus RX. The Land Cruiser and Lexus LX twins are still on though.

Or so we thought, because the new Lexus HS250h will be launched in Japan as a Toyota called the Toyota SAI, alongside the original HS250h which has already been launched in Japan, which isn’t really completely original at all, being a restyled Euro-market Toyota Avensis (platform also used for the Scion tC) with the Camry Hybrid’s gaso-electric powertrain. Boy, that was confusing!

Toyota will be positioning the Toyota SAI as a larger hybrid-only car compared to the Prius, though since they share the same 2,700mm wheelbase I don’t expect the interior space to be all that different, though rear headroom should be better.

In the HS250h, the chassis had to handle the naturally larger 2.4 liter Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid system but some are saying that the Toyota SAI will use the 1.8 liter version thats in the Prius. There are of course also news that it will use the same 2.4 liter HSD engine as the HS250h. What it will have is a proper boot, while the Prius is a hatchback.

-->Read More...

Turkey to be dropped from 2010 calendar

On the face of it, F1 recently presented a healthy 19 race dates for the 2010 calendar.

But so many of those venues are under a cloud: Canada and Germany are subject to the signing of contracts, Britain's two alternative circuits are not guaranteed races, Spa's racing license has been revoked, and South Korea's new venue is only half built.

Meanwhile, the latest uncertainty surrounds the May 30 allocation for the 2010 Turkish grand prix. Istanbul is therefore due to host a race within days of the Monaco GP, and the logistical impracticality of that prospect has been discussed this weekend by the FOTA group.

According to rumours, the most likely outcome is that the race, promoted currently by Bernie Ecclestone but not expected to retain a long-term presence on the calendar, is dropped altogether.

Officially, the Turkish GP, criticised for attracting so small a crowd earlier this year, is due to move to June 6 if the negotiations with Montreal fall through, which would give teams a more feasible time-frame to travel to the venue.

-->Read More...

Subtle Upgrades for the 2010 Model Year Fiat Panda Mini

Well, can't say that we blame you as we ourselves had to thoroughly check out the press release to discover the changes. On the outside, all 2010 model year Pandas adopt the more contemporary body colored grille found on the 4x2 and 4x4 Dynamic variants, new alloy wheel options, larger exterior mirrors and silver trim finish for the roof bars. Fiat has also added four new exterior colors to the lineup.

Inside, the instrument panel gets fresh graphics while there's also a new selection of upholstery colors.

Mechanical improvements are limited to the introduction of a new 69 horsepower 1.2-liter gasoline engine that emits 113g/km of CO2. In Europe, Panda buyers have a wide choice of gasoline, diesel, natural gas and LPG engines with outputs ranging from 54 to 100 horsepower.

The Panda, which formed the base for the new Fiat 500 and Ford Ka models, was launched in September 2003. In the six years it has been in production, Fiat has sold more than 1.5 million units of the mini hatchback.

-->Read More...

BMW Vision ED Concept Slated for 2012 as M1 Green Drive

A new report has surfaced indicating that BMW will build a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.

Set to revive the legendary M1 name, the fuel efficient supercar will reportedly adopt the concept's aggressive styling and advanced powertrain. Inside, the car will feature a three-dimensional head-up display, a "digital dash" and a two-plus-two seating arrangement.

Like the VED concept, the M1 will be powered by a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and an electric motor. While details are limited, the combined output is expected to be more than 350 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. If these figures are correct, the M1 will likely accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

According to an Auto Express source, the engine is almost production ready and some of the hybrid components will be taken from the X6 ActiveHybrid.

If BMW is planning on production, look for a launch in 2012.

-->Read More...

F1 'clash-gate' with football world cup

The 2010 British grand prix is scheduled to clash with the final of one of the world's most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup.

The apparent July 11 date gaffe, jokingly referred to by the British newspaper The Times as 'clash-gate', could result in sports fans having to choose which event to watch.

The clash, engineered by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone who co-owns the London football club Queens Park Rangers, is also another piece of bad news for Donington, formula one's new British home.

It is said that to ensure the crowds still flock to Donington despite the clash, Donington organisers are considering erecting big screens so that the evening's big match can still be watched.

-->Read More...

Chris Bangle - BMW Lovos Design Study Has us Wondering About Art

It must be fun to be a car designer. Unless, of course, your name becomes synonymous with a specific styling trend that very few seem to appreciate... but we digress. It definitely seems that 24-year-old Pforzheim University graduate Anne Forschner had a good time coming up with her BMW Lovos concept, which can alternatively look either like a frightened porcupine or svelte salmon, depending on its needs at the time.

The exterior of the Lovos – which somewhat ironically stands for Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity – is theoretically constructed from just one fully exchangeable part that recurs 260 times. Each exterior piece is covered in solar photovoltaic cells and can hinge on a substructure underneath to follow the sun or act as individual airbrakes. We can only assume the concept would be powered by electricity, as it makes our hairs stand up on end.

See the concept in all its glory in our gallery below and check out the rest of the story (in Russian or translated) at cardesign.ru.









[Source: cardesign.ru]

-->Read More...

TopCar : Bentley Continental GT Bullet

TopCar, a Russian tuning firm that we got to know after its custom package for the new Porsche Panamera sports saloon, has just announced an aerodynamic and wheel programme for Bentley's Continental GT and GT Speed coupe models. Called "Bullet", the package includes a new bonnet with air-intakes, a GT Speed grille (only for the GT obviously), front bumper with LED daytime running lights and a lip spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and side air-vents.

A discreet boot lid spoiler, new exhaust tips, tinted front and rear lights and the black window frames and lower moldings complete the aero package. Furthermore, the GT Speed's 20-inch alloys are finished in a darker shade and are available for the 'base' Continental GT.

The total cost of the aero kit including the forged alloy wheels amounts to €25,000 (about $37,000 US) while customers can opt for carbon fiber parts in which case the price increases to €30,000 (approximately $44,000 US). If you like the matte black finish on the model pictured here, then you'll have to deposit another €7,000 or $10,300 US.

The company said that it also developing new front fenders with large air-intakes that can be seen on the white Continental GT in the gallery. The cost for the front fenders is €5,000 or $7,300 at today's exchange rates.

-->Read More...

Aptera considering sales at Best Buy?

Might Best Buy begin offering the Aptera 2e when the vehicle is finally ready for sale at some unknown time in the future? Possibly. Though the video has since been removed from YouTube, some sort of promotional material from the big box retailer highlighting electric vehicles reportedly featured at least two separate cars from Aptera.

Further, the idea of selling electric vehicles at Best Buy locations isn't something new. In fact, selected locations scattered along the West Coast are already selling the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle. Further, rumors abound that Best Buy will soon offer more electric two-wheelers, including Segways and bicycles.

So, is this a good idea or bad idea? Would you consider purchasing an Aptera 2e from Best Buy? It's certainly a large purchase and there are obvious questions as to how the vehicle will be serviced, but having the space-age car available at such a large and well-known location might add to its credibility. What say you?

-->Read More...