BMW X1 Concept

As a founder of the segment SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), BMW presented in Paris in 2008 a new world in the segment of premium compact cars a Concept Car BMW X range, the BMW X1 Concept.


BMW X1 Concept

The extraordinary potential offered by new vehicle category BMW dreaming now allows "small", almost confirming the lines of BMW X1 to come. Built on the platform of the 1 Series, and it follows the forms of Coupу, the X1 wants to retrace the path that led to the success of BMW X6, and offering the typical combination of driving pleasure and high functionality. For the first time these features were transferred to a car in the segment of premium compact cars.


BMW X1 Concept

In presenting this new BMW X1 Concept, the House of Monaco meets the requirements of a modern target that is suited to a car to drive every day to an active lifestyle and a fun driving ever again, like all other BMW models in the range "X".


BMW X1 Concept

The success story of the models of the BMW X range has again provided the inspiration for the development of innovative vehicle concepts. The BMW BMW X1 Concept exudes the charm of mobility agile, versatile and safe even on the dirt, made in a new automotive category.


BMW X1 Concept

The design of the Concept car is clearly the merits of the model. The BMW X1 Concept is a symbol of agility and versatility both in terms of driving characteristics and universality of use.


BMW X1 Concept

The style of a model range of BMW X was combined with the slender and elegant proportions. The BMW X1 Concept comes with its own well designed within the family of BMW models in the range X. The front incisor form that accentuates the width indicates the robust and athletic coach. An element of protection in contrasting color emphasizes the width of the carriageway.


BMW X1 Concept

With the aesthetic cog in a central position, the short distance between the front axle and the steering wheel and slightly squared shape of the wheel, the BMW X1 Concept reveals its affinity with other BMW models in the range X.

BMW X1 Concept

Characteristic tail lights with rear L powered LED unit by emitting a light uniform. The slightly slanted rear window gives the BMW X1 Concept sports an inspiration, with the horizontal lines that highlight its width.

BMW X1 Concept

The overall success of the market and the high appeal of the models of the BMW X range is not only the result of precise and target-oriented concept car, but also of the characteristics typical of the BMW brand in the automotive category. The charm of a range of BMW X is always associated with a premium quality that does not descend to compromise.

BMW X1 Concept

The relationship between driving performance and fuel consumption models of the BMW X range reach values which would normally leave behind the comparable models of competition.

BMW X1 Concept

The Concept Car suggests what could be the characteristics of a model of the BMW X range in the segment of premium compact cars. Its design indicates the belonging to the family of BMW X range At the same time, the stylistic emphasize the formal language typical of all BMW. The study describes the goal of offering in the segment of premium compact cars, the highest level of driving fun and efficiency, versatility and functionality, as well as safety, comfort and quality. All these attributes were considered in the BMW X1 Concept in order to provide for the production of a series of car within a year.

BMW X1 Concept

Each model of the BMW X range locked in design and driving characteristics of the unmistakable DNA of its automotive category, offering an interpretation of individual typical of the brand and the concept car, so as to ensure a real transfer of brand values and characteristics of a model of the BMW X range in all market segments. This criterion is also satisfied by the BMW X1 Concept.

BMW X1 Concept

Despite the smaller body compared to the models BMW X6, BMW X5 and BMW X3, the study identified is applicable in any context as a model range of BMW X. At the same time, the final design has provided the stylistic accents typical of a BMW that take into account the special needs of the segment of premium compact cars and which transmit impulses in the perception of new cars in this class.

BMW X1 Concept

With a length of 4457 mm external study measuring 108 millimeters less than the BMW X3. The passage of the BMW X1 Concept is 2760 mm.

BMW X1 Concept

Thanks to its proportions and the pattern configuration of four doors and large rear hatch, the study offers a generous feeling of spaciousness. The purity of the forms leave guess a feature adapted to drive every day.

BMW X1 Concept

The BMW X1 Concept combines these qualities with characteristic elegance Sofi ette rifle that the status of a car premium. These features transform the BMW X1 Concept into a trendsetter for a modern urban mobility and progressive.

BMW X1 Concept

The typical style of the mark accentuate the unique charm of the car. The double-kidney BMW mounted vertically, double headlights cut up, the big wheel and slightly squared, the black ribbon that wraps around the lower section of the body, in the strong rib failure, as well as the horizontal lines of the tail indicate clearly identified as the Concept Car BMW model range X.

BMW X1 Concept

The front end of BMW X1 Concept expresses the strength of a model of the BMW X range into a new interpretation.

BMW X1 Concept

The cut applied to dry the top section of typical dual round headlamps gives the BMW Concept Car at a glance particularly intense and focused. This effect is accentuated by a horizontal cover painted in black along the top edge of the headlights.

BMW X1 Concept

Another innovative Stilema is the frame of three-dimensional headlights. This element of design used in the BMW X1 Concept, which is also reflected in the rear and the graphics side of the crystals, draws attention to the highly technical nature of the units and the lighting design in glass. The fog lights have been mounted, as in models of the BMW X range, at both ends above the air intake.

BMW X1 Concept

Moreover, the robust character of BMW X1 Concept is highlighted by a security device. This indicates that the fitness to drive on dirt is embellished elegant silver paint. The front section of the component serves as both protections from the lower edge of the air..

BMW X1 Concept

In view of the profi recognize both the unmistakable proportions of the BMW X1 Concept that the new interpretation of the style of a model ranges of BMW X. The silhouette of the five-door compact is unusually slender, so as to spread the impression of sportiness and agility. Also, the hatchback of the BMW X1 Conceptfollows the shape of a coupe.

BMW X1 Concept

Equally characteristic is the cog in a central position also aesthetically indicates that in all models of the BMW X range balanced interaction between the front wheels and rear wheels in the transmission of power.

BMW X1 Concept

The BMW X1 Concept this interaction is also underlined by a strip mounted along the bottom edge of the plastic coating which extends along the entire side put spar varnished silver.

BMW X1 Concept

Like the front module, the tail of the BMW X1 Concept is equipped with a protection painted silver. The rear section of the broad protection element creates also a chromatic contrast that accentuates the width of the car.

BMW X1 Concept

In the configuration pattern of rear lights have been combined, the typical BMW design and innovative technology. The lighting units have an L shape also clearly recognizable in the design at night. In addition, the design is dominated by night-an innovative technique. The light is very intense and homogeneous and provides power consumption much lower than that of traditional light bulbs.

BMW X1 Concept

Even the paint of the bodywork of the BMW X1 Concept enhances the innovative, modern and at the same time elegant. The new Meridiangold metallic tint emphasizes the personality and dynamics of young Concept Car.

Read more »

Audi Sound Engineers Place 62 Speakers into a Q7

After orchestrating the design and installation of some pretty far-out Bang & Olufsen sound systems into vehicles like the R8, A8, and Q7, you'd think Audi's sound engineers would be perfectly content. Not so. In fact, in pursuit of the perfect sound, some engineers within the company have created their dream sound system, which involves stuffing 62 speakers into a Q7.




The venture, dubbed the Audi Sound Project, is the pet project of infotainment development engineer Peter Gleim. His goal -- to focus on wave field synthesis -- sounds like a scientist's fantasy, but is actually quite impressive. The object is to recreate a sound wave with several sources (i.e. speakers) placed closely together. Each speaker is controlled separately, so the signal can be delayed and staggered, allowing the listener to hear an exact reproduction of the original sound. Better yet, the sound is produced in an identical fashion for each seating position.

"We can simulate any wave front," Gleim said in a release. "With stereo, we can generate a sound as if the two speakers were located far outside the car. We can also add any desired spatial impression computationally -- not as a sound effect, but as a mathematically precise simulation."

Gleim's team managed to cram all 62 speakers, baffles, and amplifiers into the Q7, but its interior looks anything but normal. The ASP system includes five tweeters, five subwoofers, and 52 midrange speakers, all connected to a large power amplifier. Speakers are integrated into the dashboard, pillars, door panels -- virtually anywhere engineers could find space. Three separate PCs are needed to control both the amplifier and the entire speaker array.

"Our goal was to show what is technically feasible; to explore the limits," said Denis Credé, head of Audi's sound development. "What we are learning will be integrated into the sound systems of tomorrow. It's like with racing: A lot of what is first tried out on the race tracks of this world later shows up in modified in production vehicles. The Audi Sound Concept project is like racing for sound systems."

We imagine both packaging and cost are two major hurdles in pushing the ASC into production. On that later note, adding the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in an A8 or Q7 adds roughly $6300. We suspect that figure would grow exponentially for a 62-speaker system.
We're fans of excellent sound systems, but aren't always convinced they're worth the investment. What say you -- when shopping for a car, is the sound system an important component, or do you skip that option box?

Source: Audi

Read more »

Audi and Xbox to Host Forza 3 Tournament in New York City

Audi and Xbox to Host Forza 3 Tournament in New York City

Want to watch the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, but can't make your way to France? Perhaps the AXF 24 Challenge -- a party co-hosted by Audi and Microsoft's Xbox team -- is the second-best way to view the classic enduro.

The event celebrates the Le Mans race and serves as a venue for a digital race challenge. Audi's currently asking gamers to fire up Forza Motorsports 3, pilot a digital 2009 Audi R15 TDI race car around the Circuit de la Sarthe, and submit their best lap times. Those with three best times will be invited to the Audi Forum in New York City on June 12, where they'll compete head-to-head in a four-hour Forza-based endurance race. The winner will receive a one-day program with the R8 at Audi's Driving Experience school in Sonoma, California.

Want to watch the cyber-race in person? Audi's opened the event -- which includes a live feed of the Le Mans race, food, door prizes, and Forza 3 game kiosks-- to those over the age of 21. The festivities will be held from 1-5 p.m., and Audi suggests you preregister.

Source: Audi, Forza

Read more »

Audi's Stronghold in China Threatened by BMW, Mercedes-Benz

For the last 20 years, Audi has been top dog in the Chinese luxury auto market. Now its reign could be threatened as BMW and Mercedes-Benz begin to gain traction in the emerging market. 

"Mercedes and BMW have more up side than Audi in emerging markets, so it will be difficult for Audi to achieve its target," London-based automotive analyst Arndt Ellinghorst told Automotive News.

As the world's single largest automotive market, Chinese customers are increasingly important to BMW and Mercedes. As a result, both have crafted vehicles specifically aimed at the Chinese market. Tomorrow at the Beijing auto show, BMW will unveil an extended 5 Series, while Mercedes is set to debut its new longer E Class. The reasoning for extended wheelbases is that the wealthier Chinese population is typically chauffeured. 



Earlier this month, Audi posted its first quarter sales figures. With a strong start to 2010, Audi was able to secure the second place spot in global luxury sales, bumping Mercedes down to third. The Ingolstadt based automaker hasn't fared so well in China lately. Over that last 6 years, Audi's market share has slipped from 66 percent down to 46 percent. BMW has climbed from 16 to 23 percent, while Mercedes more than doubled its share, from 7 to 16 percent.

Audi had 159,000 deliveries in 2009, but has a goal to sell 200,000 this year. On track for that target, it sold 51,449 in the first quarter this year. Last year BMW sold 90,500 vehicles, but is on track to surpass that mark, with 34,179 sold through March. Mercedes sold 24,100 vehicles in the first quarter of 2010, and should meet its 100,000 sales goal. BMW is investing $749 million in a new Chinese factory to double capacity to 100,000 units annually. Mercedes already has a 100,000 unit production capacity in China.  

"The potential of the Chinese market remains enormous, and our targets are correspondingly ambitious," Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said last week.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

Read more »

Dartz Audi R8 gets a checkered skin, on-lookers bamboozled by the exquisiteness

Dartz, the Latvian tuner specialists are up at it again with their latest artwork, and what’s the canvas? Yes, you are right it’s the Audi R8 hiding under the checkered skin that resembles the look of a chess board in black and purple colors. Dartz call it their Chess R8 and it definitely more than meets the eye. Nothing was left un-checkered right from the Audi logo, side panels, bumpers or the front grills. Maybe game developers can take a cue from this and add custom full bodied checkered modifications in their future titles.

Read more »

Audi’s most luxurious and costliest A9 car to come in 2015

We all know that Audi’s A1 lineup has already reached to A8 and fans are desperately waiting for A9 to appear. Well, little more wait for the vehicle to see in the clear light of the day as Audi is already planning on an A9. The four-door sedan will be placed above current A8 and will be the most luxurious as well as costliest model Audi has ever offered. Audi A9 is expected to have a 3.0 TFSI engine with around 300HP for the base version, whereas the top model will get a V8 with 500hp. Future Audi A9 will be built on the Volkswagen’s new modular building block (MSB) platform that will be used for different models from Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini.
Coming to the exterior and interior of A9, the luxury car will have the design cues from latest Audi models including A7 Sportback. Interiors will be one of the most impressing factors. The interior is to feature highest quality material, leather, wood insertions, Alcantara and will be equipped with most advanced technologies as per the year 2015.
A9 is to take Audi’s design language to a new level altogether and is aimed at high-end luxury market. The vehicle is targeted at other brands in the category like Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera Turbo, or even the future Lamborghini sedan. It will go on sale sometimes in 2015 with an expected price tag of $140,0000, reports Topspeed.

Read more »

Astrum Meera Concept Car is a perfect blend of future tech, design

There are few concept cars that seem promising to fit well in the near future. However, the one pictured above give clear insight into what shape cars can take in future. Conceptualized by John Stephen Baltazar , the Astrum Meera Concept Car is the perfect embodiment of future tech and design. The concept flaunts several distinctive features that play cardinal role in safety, sustainability and practical design.
The features include Astrum Meera’s exhaust with built-in sensors to track the level of CO2 emission and alert driver when it goes beyond normal range, wheel rims that work though magnetic levitation and help make car not only lighter but faster. Also, there are unique side mirrors that remain hidden when car is parked and rolls out once engine is started. The mirrors also have built in camera system that allows the driver to see outside while sitting in without opening windows in rain or turning your head around.

Read more »