The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BMW

  • BMW X2 M35i revealed

    BMW has revealed the new M Performance version of the X2 crossover that will be going on sale in March 2019.

    The German brand unveils the sporty version of the compact crossover which is employing M Performance features.

    Called the X2 M35i, the model is fitted with a twin turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 301bhp and 450Nm of torque, and it comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission as well as an intelligent four-wheel drive system.

     

    2019 BMW X2 M35i

    With the transmission given M Performance tuning, the M35i can get from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds and to ensure the optimum engine performance, BMW has fitted a new cooling system.

    BMW’s performance arm has given this sporty version of the X2 M Sport suspension, an M Sport differential mounted on the front axle and M Sport braking system with dark blue callipers. An optional adaptive suspension system is also available.

    The German brand has altered the design to suit the performance, with a Cerium Grey paintjob alongside full HD headlights, additional air intakes, M Sport mirror caps, an M Sport rear spoiler, twin exhausts and 19-inch bicolour alloy wheels.

     

    2019 BMW X2 M35i

    Inside, the X2 M35i comes with the M Sport package that adds a leather steering wheel with shift paddles, optional sport seats and a choice of three different upholsteries, while BMW can also fit a head-up display alongside a digital instrument display and the standard-fit iDrive infotainment system.

    Production starts in November this year, with pricing and specification to be announced closer to the March release date.

     

  • BMW expands UK car recall again

    German car manufacturer BMW has expanded a British safety recall for another 88,000 vehicles because of a fire risk.

    The announcement — the second in two weeks — comes after it had already expanded an initial recall to 312,000 diesel and petrol vehicles on May 9 due to a risk of engines cutting out.

    It will now examine another 88,000 cars, plus 200,000 cars that were already affected by the earlier safety checks.

    “BMW has chosen to expand on its existing battery connector recall,” a company spokesman said, adding it would replace two wiring connections.

    Models affected by the latest recall are all 3 Series petrol and diesel cars manufactured from December 2004 and July 2011.

    The models affected in the May 9 recall are the BMW 1 Series, the 3 Series, the Z4 and its X1 cars that were produced between March 2007 and August 2011.

    “We are taking the opportunity of the existing recall to proactively check,” the spokesman added.

    “In doing so we are taking every precaution in terms of safety while minimising disruption and inconvenience to affected customers.”

    The initial recall was launched last year after former Gurkha soldier Narayan Gurung died on Christmas Day in 2016.

    He had crashed his Ford Fiesta into a tree while trying to avoid a stalled BMW in the town of Guildford in southern England.

     

  • Coscharis ends Valentine promo on BMW

    Coscharis ends Valentine promo on BMW

    Coscharis Motors Plc,  BMW brand representative in Nigeria, has ended the celebration of love with its customers through the Valentine Special promo for select BMW variants.

    It started on February 12 and ended on February 19.

    The Valentine promo was intended to show its love commitment to customers and prospects alike.

    “We were celebrating the love season with a special price package for the BMW 435, BMW 218, BMW 6 Series and some MINI cars. In addition to the special price package, we were further offering free one- year service plan, free registration and free weekend demo to buyers of any BMW variant within this period,” Coscharis Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde said.

    Customers, he said, would still benefit from the  two-year warranty or 60,000km or whichever comes first and an optional of four years extended warranty. This is continuing in the quest to offer buyers peace of mind and confidence that they are driving a high-quality product.

    “Our customers desire the very best love gift, which epitomises style, luxury, prestige, performance and peace of mind. We want to assure them that they can enjoy all these from our BMW variants for their driving pleasure,’’ he added.

  • Allegation of $1.2m London house untrue – Sen. Oduah

    Allegation of $1.2m London house untrue – Sen. Oduah

    A National Assembly member, Sen. Stella Oduah, has debunked allegation that she bought a 1.2 million dollars house in England while she was Minister of Aviation, saying it is untrue.

    She said at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Thursday that the allegation made in an online publication was a total falsehood, without any foundation.

    The online medium’s report alleged that the senator purchased the property under another name and that the ownership of the property was uncovered when she attempted to rent it out in March, 2017.

    Oduah described as “unfortunate’’, the medium’s penchant for continual publication of falsehood about politicians and people in government.

    “Of course, the allegation is not true, it cannot be true.

    “It is unfortunate that we have a country where journalists will copy a story without verifying the authenticity of that story.

    “When you read my statement on it later, then it will be for you to make up your mind. But, categorically it is untrue and it is unfair,’’ she said.

    The lawmaker recalled that the same online medium had reported that she purchased two BMW cars when she was minister.

    She said that the medium only published lies, adding that the vehicles were property of the Federal Government, which she never bought for herself or took away when she left the minister.

    According to her, that was the same way they carried a story about bullet proof cars; bullet proof cars were never bought by me, not even by the agency they alleged.

    “In fact, bullet proof cars were never a transaction that was not approved.

    “They were two vehicles that were on higher purchase by the agency and the ministry directed that because of the need as proposed by the agency, they should go ahead and do the higher purchase.

    “Suddenly, for the online medium, higher purchase turned into procurement; I don’t know if there is a similarity between higher purchase and procurement.

    “So, I now realise and symphatise with anybody that works or tries to work for government, because you will have the likes of Sahara Reporters thrive on making your life difficult.

    “I rise above that at all times because I know that what they say is never the truth, particularly on my case, it is not true.

    “It cannot be true; why will I purchase vehicles on higher purchase and then it is on the ministry’s and agency’s name, why?

    “That same vehicle, I never drove it for one day and when I was leaving the ministry, I didn’t take it along with me?

    “The question should be `where are those bullet proof cars today?” she said.

    Oduah blamed the negative reports on persons who were unhappy with her efforts to revive the nation’s aviation industry when she served as the minister.

  • I’m not under probe for N255m bullet-proof BMW cars, says Oduah

    I’m not under probe for N255m bullet-proof BMW cars, says Oduah

    Former Minister of Aviation Senator Stella Oduah has claimed that there was no basis upon which she could be probed in connection with the N225 million bullet-proof BMW cars she purchased as a minister.

    The senator said she was unaware of any probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on any matter concerning her.

    She was reacting to media report that she had been invited by the EFCC for questioning over the cars.

    Ms Oduah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja at the weekend that that there was no basis upon which she could be probed, saying that the vehicle did not belong to her.

    “To start with, I do not know where any letter on the probe is because nobody has invited me. And as far as I know, there is nothing and there cannot be anything on invitation for purchase of a BMW.

    “I did not buy a BMW; I have never bought a BMW. The BMW is a property of the government, and it is still in government’s care.

    “The car is with the agency that bought it.

    “The agency is still using it, and so, why will the car which belongs to government and in the care of government and being used by government, be an issue for me?

    “I have since left the ministry,” she said.

    She said the reports were the handiworks of persons, who were not comfortable with the tremendous achievements she made in the aviation sector and wanted to tarnish her image.

    The former minister said when she was appointed, Nigerian airports were in poor states and could be compared to motor parks.

    She added that no effort by anyone, including her predecessors in the ministry, could be compared with what she did to reposition the aviation industry for the period she was the minister.

    Oduah, now a lawmaker, challenged anyone to do a comparative analysis of the sector before she became minister, while she was minister and after she left as minister.

    “I think some people are not just comfortable that what we did in aviation is unimaginable.

    “What we did in aviation was so far-reaching that it had never been done before; it was unprecedented.

    “To get into the lounge where people sit was impossible; most motor parks were better than what we had at the airport, whether in Lagos, Abuja or Sokoto.

    “We took them on and efficiently, and in a very timely manner, changed every one of them and made Nigeria airspace safe,’’ she said.

    She said safety of Nigerian passengers was made a priority while she held sway, adding that landing gears, flight gadgets and every single thing was functioning to make Nigeria’s airspace recognised by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    “I challenge anybody to just do a spreadsheet; how aviation was before, how I made aviation and how aviation is today.”

  • BMW, Ford, Mercedes, VW to build charging network for electric cars

    BMW, Ford Mercedes and VW have concluded arrangement to design and build a network of ultra-fast charging stations along Europe’s major highways.
    BMW, Daimler (parent of Mercedes-Benz and Smart), and VW Group’s Audi and Porsche brands joined with U.S. maker Ford to announce the joint venture last week.
    The network will include 400 sites by 2020 where chargers reportedly will operate faster than today’s Tesla Supercharger stations.
    Silicon Valley electric-car maker Tesla Motors laid out the template with its Supercharger network, which now numbers 327 sites in the United States and more than 400 sites outside the country.
    The network will be based on the Combined Charging System (CCS) protocol currently used in a lower-power version by all four makers.
    The global group that sets software and physicals standards for the CCS specification has been working on upgrades from the current 50-kw maximum spec for many months.
    More than a year ago, Audi pledged that a 150-kw DC fast-charging network would be available by the time its 2019 Audi e-tron all-electric crossover utility vehicle launched sometime in 2018.
    Porsche followed with a mention of 350-kw fast charging as it unveiled the concept version of its Mission E all-electric sport sedan, expected to launch in 2019.
    “This will be an important step towards facilitating mass-market battery-electric vehicle adoption,” said the partners in their joint statement.
    The 400 planned sites will incorporate “thousands of high-powered charging points” by 2020, they said.
    Fast charging at rates as high as 350 kw could cut the time to recharge an electric-car battery to 80 percent of its capacity from the current 30 minutes or more to as little as 15 minutes.
    That would be, in the words of the joint venture, “as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations.”
    The four founding auto companies will be equal partners, but other makers will be encouraged to participate in what the group calls a “brand-independent network.”
    Statements by each of the four partners said encouraging things about the future of all-electric vehicles.

  • Blow to BMW workers as car maker plans to close final salary pensions to new contributions 

    German car giant BMW is on a collision course with its United Kingdom (UK) workers over plans to stop 5,000 employees from making fresh contributions to its two gold-plated final salary pension schemes, the Daily Telegraph has learnt.

    In a blow to employees, it has emerged that BMW wants all its UK staff to start paying into a less generous defined contribution (DC) pension plan, which it launched in 2014 and already has about 2,000 members. It plans to close its two defined benefit schemes (DB) to future accrual by so-called active members at the start of June next year and will consult with workers on the changes.

    Both are in deficit. The bigger DB scheme had an estimated deficit of £813m at the end of 2015, while the other had a £34.8m shortfall.

    Unite, the union, immediately declared last night that it would oppose BMW’s proposals.

    The car manufacturer has already shuttered the DB schemes to new members to cut costs. Its smaller scheme was closed thirteen years ago while the larger plan was shuttered in 2013.

    DB schemes promise to pay retirees a set income linked to their wages and number of years of employment. However, such plans have increasingly become unaffordable for many companies and have been scrapped in favour of DC schemes, where pension income is dependent on the amount saved as well as investment performance.

  • BMW bosses to skip Paris show

    BMW’s (BMWG.DE) management board is skipping the Paris Motor Show to hold talks aimed at breaking a deadlock over whether to produce new electric cars, including a battery-powered Mini, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

    Spurred on by the success of United States rival Tesla (TSLA.O), which has received almost 400,000 pre-orders for its Model 3 car, German carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) have accelerated their own electric car programme.

    VW, for example, has said it plans to launch more than 30 electric vehicles over the next decade, forecasting they would account for about a quarter of group deliveries by 2025.

    Executives across the industry predict electric cars will increasingly gain mainstream acceptance among customers thanks to advances that make batteries get cheaper and more powerful and the VW emissions scandal, which has sparked a regulatory backlash against diesel-engine vehicles.

    But BMW has been torn about whether to accelerate development of new electric cars, given its expensive early investments into the area, which resulted in only lacklustre sales of its i3, which saw only 25,000 deliveries last year.

    Norbert Reithofer championed the i3 project while chief executive of the Munich-based carmaker and, in his new role as chairman, is keeping up pressure on new CEO Harald Krueger and BMW management to expand the company’s electric program.

    But some other senior executives are unwilling to plough more resources into electric cars until i3 sales improve and there is a clearer business case for such investment, according to one of the four sources, who declined to be named because of the confidential nature of the discussions.

  • BMW to launch four-seat X7

    •Firm may open electric car battery factory in Thailand

    The X7 full-size Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of BMW will possess extra-exclusive and extra-luxurious features, the auto giant has confirmed.

    The X7 will be launched in 2018 as a rival to the likes of the Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Land Rover Range Rover but an even plusher version is being readied to target a new range of SUVs from ultra-luxurious brands Bentley, Mercedes-Maybach and even fellow BMW Group brand Rolls-Royce.

    The information was confirmed by BMW Sales and Marketing boss Ian Robertson.

    Robertson said there would be a version of the X7 with distinct styling and a four-seat arrangement similar to that of Volvo’s XC90 Excellence.

    According to him, the extra-luxurious X7 will be priced north of $100k, just like the XC90 Excellence. The regular X7 will have seven seats split over three rows and a starting price well below $100k.

    All X7s will be built at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The vehicle is being developed around the carbon fiber-infused 35up platform that made its debut in the latest 7-Series. Test mules have already been spotted. The new SUV from Rolls-Royce will be based on the British brand’s own aluminum space-frame architecture.

    Robertson also reaffirmed that BMW’s recently announced plans for a model positioned above the 7-Series.

    He said the high-end model, likely to be an eight-Series coupe, has been in development for some time and will be shown in the not too distant future.

    He also confirmed a new BMW compact crossover for the United States (US). The vehicle is thought to be the coupe-like X2 recently spied in prototype form.

    Meanwhile the company is considering building a factory to produce batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles in Thailand, the country’s industry minister said.

    Construction was likely to start in the middle of next year with an investment of two billion baht ($57 million), Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang said, adding that the factory would make hybrid vehicles more affordable for Thai consumers.

    “Hybrid vehicles are still expensive now, but once there is a factory established and batteries are available this will make it affordable for consumers,” Atchaka told reporters.

    A spokesman for BMW in Thailand said the company was not immediately able to comment on the investment, but would issue a statement soon.

    Atchaka said the Thai government was working with BMW to offer tax incentives to make the country a center for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

  • BMW goes all out with 2016 M4 GTS

    BMW goes all out with 2016 M4 GTS

    BMW has unveiled its special edition BMW M4 GTS and loaded the car with appealing styling and high performance upgrades.

    “We’ve taken a radical route with the set-up of the BMW M4 GTS to create a sports machine for the race track that delivers top-end dynamics and inspirational performance,” said Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, in a press release. “It allows us to demonstrate what is possible today with a road-legal car.”

    What separates the M4 GTS from the basic model is its water injection system which allows to car to reach higher speeds.

    The M4 GTS marks the first time the water injection system has been used in a road car, according to BMW. The system works by creating a mist that is injected into the intake manifold where it evaporates, cooling the engine which in turns reduces the final compression pressure.

    This cooling system improves the performance turbo chargers which allows for the engine to crank out 493 horsepower, taking the car from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 149 miles per hour.

    The German automaker also cut 200 pounds by using aluminum and carbon fiber throughout the construction allowing for faster speeds.