BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo: Business Class for the highway

After sedan and wagon now the third body version of the Munich bedrock comes on the market. In early March, the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo in Geneva will be presented to the world public, 15 June, the rollout is in the car dealerships. He looks from the front even as "ordinary" 3, so show up at the rear of the car but a few design changes.

But beautiful in order. Front of course greets the BMW-typical radiator grille. The elongated headlights connect the front view of the car with the fenders. The long bonnet has exactly like the low roofline somewhat. Of a coupe But the highly stretched tail displays already recognize that it needs to be more space than a flashy sports car. The already compared to the 3 Series Touring had grown to 20 cm long and had grown by 8.1 cm in height to make it clear. This is then also the rear-seat passengers in the form of abundant legroom used to benefit. And also equipment with a luggage compartment volume from 520 to 1600 liters is larger than on the Touring.

On the trunk lid then emblazoned which automatically from a speed of 110 km / h extending mini spoiler. He and lengthened by 11 centimeters compared to the wheelbase Touring will be important building blocks for a good driving stability. The necessary dynamics of three petrol and two diesel engines will provide. In the petrol, the buyer has the choice between the top engine, the 335i in a six-cylinder version and the two four-cylinder 328i and 320i. When the diesels are the 318d and the 320d in the offer. The power range of the engines ranges from 143 to 306 hp. All units are working with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The drive is provided by BMW as usual via the rear wheels. For the power transmission standard with a six-speed manual transmission is responsible. Optionally, an eight-speed automatic will be booked. To save fuel, all models have been the mandatory start-stop system.

Starting in July 2013, can be not only the usual trim levels Sportsline, Luxury Line and Modern Line again the M-Sport package can be ordered. In the summer is to be added then another diesel engine and the xDrive will be available. For merchant gets the Gran Tourismo from € 36,150, what are the proud 1,800 euros more than the Touring.

Photos: © BMW

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BMW i3 Concept Coupe

The new electric car at the Geneva Motor Show (March 07 - March 17, 2013), first presented in Europe. On the already pre-release images are particularly striking, the high shoulder line and the apparent lack of B-pillar. The two different colored paint, the stylish wheels and LED lighting make for a modern appearance acting.

For the drive, the drive eDrive system, which should be designed for a range of 130 to 160 km. The energy needed to drive the on-board systems and comes from a specially developed high-power lithium-ion battery. The power consumers such as heating and lighting should have been aligned according to BMW on particularly low energy consumption. Different driving modes to extend the range to up to 25% again.

Another special feature leads to BMW that the battery built here much less sensitively to temperature fluctuations in its environment as today's commercial power storage, which should have a positive impact on the range of the model. When the energy has decreased but then so strong that the driver has to charge so he can view the next charging station and the charging to reserve space by pressing a button. Using an optional range extender available, the range of the vehicle can then also be increased to a total of around 300 km.

Photos: © BMW

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Preview: Citroen DS3 Cabrio

in 2013 seems to be a peak year for all fans will be convertible. It's obviously not the current weather that makes me so euphoric, no, they are the convertibles coming soon to the market. 

Besides the new Opel Convertible Cascada, the beginning of the week I could see up close (and that looks mighty good!), Now runs the Citroen DS3 Cabrio before the dealer.

The two drove the 156 hp DS3 THP 155 and were quite impressed - even if that is not a true-to DS3 Cabrio convertible and fits more into the category of "open at the top" lifestyle small cars. After all, the soft top can while driving up to a speed of 120 km / h . And in just 16 seconds.

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