Auto: 100 Thousand car buyers say "i" for BMW

Munich. Three years of BMW i, three years of innovation, three years of holistic sustainable mobility: since its market launch in November 2013, BMW i has not only been the technological pioneer of the BMW Group, but has also symbolised the company’s innovative strength and future orientation in every vehicle it brings onto the road.

Today, this can be seen more clearly than ever: the BMW Group has now delivered more than 100,000 purely electric-powered cars and plug-in hybrids to customers worldwide. The BMW i3 alone has reached a figure of more than 60,000 units, making it the most successful electric vehicle in the premium compact segment. Meanwhile, the BMW i8 ranks first among electrified sports cars, with more than 10,000 delivered since the middle of 2014. Additionally, there are the approximately 30,000 plug-in hybrids sold to date; known today under the label BMW iPerformance, these reflect the successful broad-based transfer of BMW i technology.

“BMW i remains our spearhead in terms of innovation and it will continue to open up groundbreaking technologies for the BMW Group,” says Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Harald Krüger. “When it comes to electric drivetrains, we’ve already successfully managed to put this technology transfer on the road. The next technological advance we will address is automated driving, where the BMW iNEXT will set a new benchmark.”

By establishing the BMW i brand and opting to develop a separate vehicle architecture and BMW eDrive technology for electric power, the BMW Group became a pioneer in the field of individual, sustainable mobility. Both the BMW i3, designed for locally emissions-free mobility in an urban environment, and the future-oriented plug-in hybrid sports car BMW i8 combine Sheer Driving Pleasure with a premium character that is consistently geared towards sustainability, including the use of resource-efficient production methods and materials. This also appeals to new groups of customers: more than 80 per cent of BMW i3 customers worldwide are new to BMW.

All in all, the BMW Group now offers seven models that either run on electric power alone, like the BMW i3, or are plug-in hybrids, combining a combustion engine and an electric motor. Other models will follow in the years to come, including a MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid in 2017. What is more, a new variant of the BMW i8 sports car with plug-in hybrid drive will come out in 2018 – an open-top BMW i8 Roadster. Looking further ahead, the portfolio will be extended to include a purely electric-powered MINI in 2019 and a purely electric-powered BMW X3 in 2020. At the start of the next decade, another, larger BMW i model with electric drive is due to appear: the BMW iNEXT. This highly innovative model will be the new innovation 

"Don't U Drive Me!" the case against fully automated cars

Following up on my friend nd colleague Daviot Kelly's well-placed rant against auto-drive autos, here's this screed from Fast Company

What will we get up to in our cars when they drive themselves and we have nothing to do? A new study looks at the possibility that we will use the time to be more productive, spending those saved minutes on work tasks, hacking through our to-do lists, and getting things done. It finds this is unlikely.
The paper, from Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle of the Transportation Research Institute at the University of Michigan, finds that the self-driving car will be a pretty bad place for getting productive, thanks to three main problems. One is that many U.S. citizens won’t be able to get any work done. According to previous studies by the authors, 23% refuse to ride in an autonomous car, 36% think they would be so scared that they’d do nothing but watch the road, and a handful suffer from motion sickness. In total, that’s 62% of U.S. citizens who won’t get anything done.

The final reason is the most compelling. The average journey is just too short to get much done other than checking Twitter or Facebook some friends.

In time, we'll get used to our cars doing the driving. We may be terrified to begin with, but humans are pretty good at getting bored and acclimatizing to perceived risk. Look at air travel for a great example of that.
Right now we all face forwards, and safety features like airbags and seatbelt are designed with this position in mind. In the fully autonomous vehicles of the future, we no longer need to sit in front-facing rows. We could have beds, or easy chairs, or seats that allow us to face other passengers. But, says the report, "not only would many of these nontraditional positions and postures vary considerably from the optimum for which the restraint systems were designed, some of them also have the potential to be near-worst-case positions or postures."
Safety, then, will have to be re-thought as cars morph to fit their new purposes. But that, too, can be solved. The biggest barrier to productivity then, is that we just don’t spend that much time in our cars. Or rather, while we spend an average of an hour per day driving around, the average journey only lasts 19 minutes (around 9.5 miles)—not enough time to open up a spreadsheet and start deciding on the best font to use for that report.

Auto: The magic number for BMW (3)

2016 marks the 30th anniversary of a motoring icon, one which revolutionised the mid-size sports car segment when its production started in 1986. The very first BMW M3 set a new standard by which other carmakers would be measured – and, five model generations later, are still judged today. BMW Motorsport Division, the precursor to BMW M Division, was incredibly rigorous in its deployment of undiluted motor racing technology in the development of the first-generation BMW M3. Its endeavours produced a thoroughbred high-performance sports car – based on the series-produced BMW 3 Series – that was perfectly suited to daily use. Over the three decades that have followed, BMW M has gently refined its trailblazing and highly successful creation from one generation to the next, while always taking great care to preserve the original character of the M3. The upshot is that there is arguably still no other car that blends such prominently honed motor sport genes and uncompromised everyday practicality into such an emotionally stirring overall package.
The 30th anniversary of the BMW M3 provides an ideal opportunity to look back at four highly intriguing model variants that, for various reasons, never made it past the prototype stage. Four surprise guests will therefore be attending their progenitor’s birthday party: the BMW M3 Pickup from 1986, the BMW M3 Compact from 1996, the BMW M3 Touring from 2000 and the second incarnation of the BMW M3 Pickup unveiled in 2011.
Use in touring car racing was the overriding development objective for the first-generation BMW M3.
The BMW M3 was not an attempt to produce a sporting flagship for a volume-produced model range; instead it originated from the idea of developing a racing car for motor sport that would also be available in a road-going version. The selected category of racing was Group A production touring cars – as seen in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) that had succeeded the German Racing Championship (DRM). The Group A regulations stated that for a racing car to be homologated, at least 5,000 road-legal units had to be sold within 12 months.

 The current (fifth) generation of the BMW M3 was introduced in spring 2014. In keeping with the change in nomenclature for BMW’s series-produced models, only the four-door sedan is badged “M3”, while the coupe and the convertible variants were given the model designation M4. In all three body variants, a free-revving straight-six engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and 317 kW/431 hp provides the power. Rigorously applied intelligent lightweight design elements include the extensive use of lightweight materials such as CFRP and aluminium for many chassis and body components. All of which has shaved around 80 kilograms off the weight of its predecessor.
This summer, BMW M Division released an exclusive special-edition model – limited to 500 units worldwide – as a special tribute to the successful 30-year history of the BMW M3. With its Macao Blue metallic exterior paint finish, the BMW M3 “30 Jahre M3” harks back to the first generation of car, for which this colour shade was first offered. The Competition Package, which is included as standard and comprises extensive powertrain and suspension modifications, pushes the engine output of the anniversary model up by 14 kW/19 hp to 331 kW/450 hp

Auto: "sexy" and Rolls-Royce in the same sentence, a new "Dawn"

The British carmaker describes the Rolls-Royce Dawn as the “sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built,” and we’re inclined to agree—in fact, Robb Report named it Best of the Best 2016 Convertible of the Year. Powered by a 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine, the Dawn was engineered specifically so that rear passenger room isn’t impeded by the convertible top. The top itself opens and closes in just over 20 seconds at a speed of up to 30 mph, and the automaker says the roof mechanism is the quietest in the segment. The front grille and bumper design were styled to emphasize the horizontal lines of the car rather than the traditional vertical lines of other Rolls-Royce models, 

Auto: Much better later than never - the Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar has hit the bullseye with its first SUV. The F-Pace is boldly styled, great to drive, refined and proves that you needn’t sacrifice excitement when choosing a family-friendly crossover. The 2.0-litre diesel is a punchy performer and R-Sport models have all the essential kit – although it’s pricey. The F-Pace is as luxurious and comfortable as a Jag 4x4 should be, and both company car drivers and private buyers will find its price and low running costs attractive. All in all, it makes Jaguar’s first effort in the crossover SUV market a notable success, as global demand for the car will surely prove. Only some of the cheap-feeling cabin materials let it down. 

Jaguar has finally entered the SUV market with its first-ever offering, the F-Pace. It fills a gap in Jaguar's range to compete against the ever-expanding crop of cars in the crossover market. It will inevitably bring great success to the brand, even if it has to take on SUVs like the Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Audi Q5 andLand Rover Discovery Sport. You can only buy the F-Pace as a five-seater, but it's a spacious model.

You can choose from one of four trims: Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio and S. When the car first went on sale, there was also a limited-run First Edition model, which came with a massive equipment list and enormous 22-inch wheels. That model has since sold out, but you can still get most of the options from it on other F-Pace models.

All F-Pace models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, Jaguar's InControl infotainment and sat-nav system and eight-way electrically adjustable leather seats. The interior is suitably plush, and will feel familiar to XE and XF owners, thanks to the rising gear selector on automatic models and a thick-rimmed steering wheel. You can choose from a huge number of desirable options, including a full-length panoramic sunroof and a Meridian sound system.

- from Auto Express (UK)

top  photo : Michael A.D.Edwards

Auto: Selling cars in "House and Land" country" at the Wealth Auto Show

'No way I buying a car fort that price," exclaimed the budget conscious lady, "not when I can't live outa car."

The"car" in question was actually the excellent (almost liveable) Jaguar F-Pace SUV, the venerable car maker's first foray intothe category and - from this writer's perspective - an unqualified winner and the occasion was the third iteration of the Wealth magazine Auto Show, held in the suitably massive hall of the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

But the other details could practically be shifted to anywhere, and could have come from almost anyone, male or female. the long-held convention of  property and personal real estate (in Jamaican parlance "house and land") has stubbornly persisted, despite some intermittent shifts among younger, upwardly mobile.

Its stil la challenge getting people sold on the idea of parting with their presumably hard-earned money for something that depreciates the moment it leaves the showroom or convention floor.

Still, the Show was powerful enough to attract a fair sized crowd on Sunday's final day, with all the usual ooohing, ahhhing and seated testing, helped along by the presence of two visiually distinct autos, a silver Bentley Continental GT and a flame-red (what else?) Ferrari 458 Italia, the latter really a rolling piece of automotive art, around which entertainment hosts Ity and Fancy Cat built a very humouorus impromptu skit later in the afternoon.

For the regular "car mart" aspect of it, the show tended to hit the mid to high-end ranges, but there were value-conscious models.

there was also a fair amount of corporate automotive video, and literature, one aspect I believe could be beefed up for the next time.

After all, a knowledgeable buyer is an aspirational buyer  - one who's less likely to make the statement at the start of this piece.

Brands/Auto: inside Cadillac House

Cadillac House is one of the brand’s most public-facing initiatives and a signal that they're serious about being part of its new home in NYC. We got an exclusive look at the experiential space with John Bricker, a Partner and the Creative Director atGensler, who has worked with Cadillac for the last several years to rethink (and bring to life) their dealerships and new NYC HQ.

Cadillac has a few goals: to actively engage with NYC’s cultural scene and be a part of their west SoHo neighborhood. Of course, they want to attract new people to the brand too, and see Cadillac House as a means of creating a dialog with them. There's a coffee bar, a retail space for up-and-coming designers, a gallery supporting artists with their less commercial work, frequent programming and a place to hang out or work. Melody Lee, Cadillac’s Director of Brand Marketing, says that “While Cadillac product will be featured prominently, Cadillac House is more about placing the brand at the heart of art, fashion, design, film and community. It’s about Cadillac finding points of intersection for the brand with our customers’ passions and interests, and being the brand that helps them pursue them.” Taking its “Dare Greatly” messaging to heart, the brand sees Cadillac House as a way to live that. Nathan Tan, the Associate Director of Brand Partnerships and Experiences, adds “…Cadillac House is our commitment to substantively investing in and shaping culture rather than just co-opting it for our own gain. Cadillac House is a statement of intent that brands can and should be producers of culture, not just advertisers.”

Gensler recommended that the front part of the building be recessed, creating a raised veranda and a set back entrance. It’s unusual, and it demands attention from people walking or driving by. Having a vintage Cadillac parked there is a nod to the brand’s long history, but placed in a very modern setting, with glass and mirrors and video screens inferring that what lies inside isn’t about what used to be. Bricker says “Cadillac House is called ‘House’ because it isn’t about a shop or a showroom, it’s a place for people to socialize as one would in a house.” He adds, “Using product sends a message that this is a destination that’s unique. We’ve interrupted the façade of this industrial manufacturing building from turn-of-the-(20th) century and punched it out with modern sensibility with this great street presence."

Brands?Auto: Mr Lexx Gets a "Fiat" for new song

Dancehall star Mr Lexx - who has been somewhat quiet on the local circuit is getting an international boost, courtesy of carmaker Fiat.

Lexx, along with Colombian El Freaky, provide the soundtrack for a typically tongue-in-cheek new ad campaign (see link below)for the bestselling Fiat 500, through their single "Bad Boys", which was actually released last year.

The Mountain view native, known for hits "Cook" and "Damn Right I Did It" says he is busy in the studio working on new material

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBrD0V38uN0

Auto: After A Century, BMW is still all about the Future

The BMW Group's view of the future.
The BMW Group is celebrating its centenary under the motto “THE NEXT 100 YEARS”. Future orientation and adaptability have always defined the BMW Group’s identity as a company. Ever since it was founded in 1916, the BMW Group has played an important role in shaping the future of mobility. It has done so by constantly reinventing itself, evolving from an aircraft engine manufacturer to a motorcycle producer and then a carmaker. Today the BMW Group encompasses the BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad and Rolls-Royce brands, as well as a large number of mobility services and BMW Financial Services.

Throughout its history the company has placed its sights firmly on the future and this has become embedded in the BMW Group’s DNA. So for the Centenary it is natural that the Group is focusing primarily on looking to the future and sharing its vision of personal mobility two or three decades from now.

It is both exciting and challenging to imagine how we will live and move around in the future: how will society, the economy, living conditions – and therefore mobility – change? What possibilities will new technologies open up? How will digitalisation and connectivity affect our automotive needs?

To answer these questions, the BMW Group has formulated six central hypotheses for individual mobility in the coming decades, based on key megatrends and future projections.

• Mobility is becoming versatile.
  New forms of mobility will open up countless possibilities for people to get where they want to go. The BMW Group aims to play a part in shaping these future forms of mobility.
• Connectivity is becoming second nature.
  In the future, everything will be connected. The BMW Group firmly believes that digitalisation and digital intelligence are meant to serve people. That is the only way they will permanently enhance our quality of life.
• Mobility is becoming tailor-made.
  Mobility will be increasingly flexible and tailored to individual needs. In the future, customised mobility will automatically ensure that people are able to use the best means of transport and take their preferred route to their destination. The BMW Group will offer carefully coordinated products and services to achieve this.
• Technology is becoming human.
  Technologies are getting smarter. The BMW Group believes that innovations are only beneficial to humans if they are simple and user-friendly. In its vision, technologies must be able to learn from and adapt to people, so that technology seems less technical and more human and familiar.
• Energy is becoming emission-free.
  In the future, energy will increasingly come from renewable sources. The BMW Group has a clear vision of environmentally-compatible vehicles built using renewable energies and recycled without generating emissions. It is working towards becoming a wholly sustainable company.
• Responsibility is becoming diverse. In the future, it will become even more important for global companies like the BMW Group to take responsibility for the environment, but also for the people directly or indirectly in its sphere of activity. One aspect – concerning both the company’s international workforce of more than 100 different nationalities and people connected with its various locations – is to promote intercultural exchange and improve lives. The BMW Group already supports more than 200 environmental and social projects in over 42 countries engaging in various projects involving its associates and local communities to maximize its impact in the future. (To find out more about Corporate and Intercultural Responsibility at the BMW Group, visit the PressClub at: www.bmwgroup.com/responsibility).

These six focus areas comprise the BMW Group’s view of the future. They also form the basis and inspiration for the design of the Vision Vehicles the company is unveiling to the public to mark its centenary.

Each BMW Group brand interprets the mobility of the future in a way that reflects its own particular values:

The BMW VISION NEXT 100 provides a glimpse of what “Sheer Driving Pleasure” could look like in the future.

The MINI VISION NEXT 100 offers a completely individualised, permanently available form of urban mobility.

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 epitomises bespoke automotive luxury.

Future riding pleasure with the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 promises limitless freedom.


BMW Group’s VISION NEXT 100 VEHICLES.

BMW VISION NEXT 100: “Sheer Driving Pleasure” of the future – what will it look like?

In the not-too-distant future, most vehicles will probably be completely self-driving – people will get around in robots on wheels. So, given these developments, how will we justify the existence of vehicles by BMW, a brand for whom the individual and Sheer Driving Pleasure are the focus of everything? And how will BMW’s brand values translate into the future?

In developing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the main objective was to create not an anonymous vehicle but one that is highly personalised and fully geared to meet the driver’s every need – because the very emotional connection between a BMW and its driver is something we want to retain. For the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the design team specifically took into account all the trends and technological developments that will be most relevant to BMW in the decades ahead. But they also took many of their cues from innovations and designs of the past. The key factor throughout, however, was something that has always been typical of the BMW brand: the desire to be uncompromising in its future focus on technologies and customer value.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design: “If, as a designer, you are able to imagine something, there’s a good chance it could one day become reality. So our objective with the BMW VISION NEXT 100 was to develop a future scenario that people would engage with. Technology is going to make significant advances, opening up fantastic new possibilities that will allow us to offer the driver even more assistance for an even more intense driving experience. My personal view is that technology should be as intuitive as possible to operate and experience so that future interactions between human, machine and surroundings become seamless. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 shows how we intend to shape this future.”


Four Proposals underpinning the BMW VISION NEXT 100:

A genuine BMW is always driver-focused.
In recent months and years, the greatest current trend in the automotive industry has become so widespread that it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when”: autonomous driving. The BMW Group also believes that BMW drivers will be able to let their cars do the work – but only when the driver wants. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 remains a genuine BMW, offering an intense experience of Sheer Driving Pleasure.

Artificial intelligence and intuitive technology become one.
Moving into the future, vehicles will be fully connected and digital technology will become so normal that it will permeate almost every area of our lives. Increasing digitisation will lead to the physical and digital worlds merging more and more. Artificial intelligence will learn from us, anticipating many of our wishes and working in the background to perform the jobs we delegate to it. The way humans and technologies interact will be transformed: screens and touchscreens will be replaced by more intuitive forms of human-machine communication and interaction. Better yet: technology will become more human.

New materials open up breathtaking opportunities.
In the future, how will cars be manufactured? At some point, presses that punch out hundreds of thousands of steel parts may well become obsolete - the use of carbon may already be a first indication of the sea-change that is imminent in the world of automotive materials and production. Technologies such as rapid manufacturing and 4D printing will produce not components or objects but intelligent, networked materials and could soon replace conventional tools to open up unimagined possibilities in design and engineering.

Mobility will remain an emotional experience.
Vehicles by BMW have never been purely utilitarian or merely a means of getting from one place to the next. Far more, a BMW is about looking to the next bend in the road, feeling the power of the engine and enjoying the sense of speed; it’s about the sensory experience, the adrenaline rush or that intimate moment at which a journey begins, be it for a lone driver or one travelling with a close friend or loved one. Moving into the future, that’s not set to change – because the emotional experience of mobility is firmly fixed in our collective corporate memory. By keeping the driver firmly in the foreground, the BMW VISION NEXT 100 will heighten this emotional experience in an unprecedented way.


BMW VISION NEXT 100: A vehicle for future mobility.

• From driver to “Ultimate Driver” – through digital intelligence
• “Alive Geometry” enables intuitive driver-vehicle interaction
• “Boost” and “Ease” driving modes enable driver- or vehicle-controlled operation
• “Companion”: The intelligent digital partner connects driver and car
• Trademark BMW exterior
• Materials of the future

From driver to Ultimate Driver – through digital intelligence.
In the future, BMW drivers will still want to spend most of the time they are in their car at the wheel. In the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the driver will remain firmly in the focus, with constant connectivity, digital intelligence and state-of-the-art technologies available for support. But that’s not all: the BMW VISION NEXT 100 will turn the driver into the Ultimate Driver. So even though the world may well be changing, Sheer Driving Pleasure is here to stay – and will be more intense than ever before.

In designing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the starting point was the interior. In the years ahead, the driver’s wellbeing will become increasingly important and rather than merely feeling they are in a machine that drives itself, they should sense that they are sitting in one that was specifically designed for them. This idea gave rise to an architecture in which the interior appears extremely spacious given the overall size of the vehicle; the BMW VISION NEXT 100, of course, retains the instantly recognisable athletic silhouette of a BMW saloon.

The design of the interior permits various modes of operation: Boost mode, in which the driver is at the controls, and Ease mode, in which the driver can sit back and let the vehicle take over. In Ease, the vehicle becomes a place of retreat with plenty of space, agreeable lighting and a comfortable atmosphere. In Boost, the driver takes over and benefits from the subtle and intuitive support offered by the vehicle. All the time, the vehicle is learning more and more about the person at the wheel, thanks to its sensory and digital intelligence which the BMW Group calls the Companion. The Companion progressively learns to offer the right kind of support to transform the driver into the Ultimate Driver.

A very important element of the Vision Vehicle is another innovation known as Alive Geometry, the likes of which have never before been seen in a car. It consists of a kind of three-dimensional sculpture that works both inside and outside the vehicle.

Alive Geometry enables driver-vehicle interaction.
Alive Geometry consists of almost 800 moving triangles inside the cabin which are set into the instrument panel and into certain areas of the side panels. They work in three dimensions, communicating very directly with the driver through their movements, which are more like gestures than two-dimensional depictions on a display. Even the slightest peripheral movement is perceptible to the driver. In combination with the Head-Up display, Alive Geometry uniquely fuses the analogue with the digital.

The triangles work in much the same way a flock of birds in controlled flight, their coordinated movements act as signals that are easily comprehensible to those inside the car. Combined with the Head-Up display, they involve the driver in a form of preconscious communication, where an intuitive signal predicts an imminent real-time event. Various approaches can already be seen today that appear to confirm the feasibility of this solution. Rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing, for example, are gaining importance all the time and are expected to be commonplace 30 years from now, meaning that in the future it will become feasible to produce far more complex and flexible forms. This is why in the context of the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the BMW Group refers to 4D printing, a process which adds a fourth level to components: the functional one. In the years ahead, printed parts manufactured in this way will directly integrate functions which today have to be designed and produced separately before being incorporated into the whole.

At the moment, the digital world is strongly linked to displays; the next step will be organic LEDs, in other words, displays that can be shaped and contoured. However the Vision Vehicle suggests there will at some point be no more displays at all. Instead the entire windscreen will serve as a giant display, directly in front of the driver. In the future the digital and physical worlds will merge, as shown with the example of the Alive Geometry and its interaction with the digital Head-Up display on the windscreen.

Boost and Ease driving modes for driver- or vehicle-controlled operations.
In Boost and Ease mode alike, the elements and technologies of the vehicle make for the most intense or relaxed driving experience, depending on what is required. Transitioning between modes is impressive and perfectly orchestrated, and Alive Geometry remains relevant throughout. In Boost, when the driver is concentrating fully on the road, Alive Geometry highlights the ideal driving line or possible turning point and warns of oncoming vehicles. Rather than making the driver drive faster, this kind of support sets out to make them drive noticeably better. In addition, intuitive feedback has a more physical and immediate impact than a robotic voice or instructions on a screen. In Ease mode, on the other hand, Alive Geometry is more discreet in its movements, informing occupants about the road ahead and any acceleration and braking manoeuvres that are about to happen.

In Boost mode, the entire vehicle focuses on the driver, offering intelligent support to maximize the driving experience. The seat and steering wheel change position, and the centre console moves to become more strongly oriented toward the driver. As the journey proceeds, the driver can interact with the vehicle via gesture control.

The contact analogue BMW Head-Up display of the future uses the entire windscreen to communicate with the driver. In Boost mode, it focuses exclusively on what really matters to the driver: information such as the ideal line, turning-point and speed. In addition, full connectivity, intelligent sensors and permanent data exchange allow the Head-Up display to generate a digital image of the vehicle’s surroundings. In foggy conditions, for example, this means the driver can benefit from information such as vehicles crossing ahead, before they actually come into sight. In addition, by learning more and more about the driver, the system continuously improves, concentrating on creating at all times the most intense and personal driving experience possible.

The transition to Ease mode brings about a complete change of interior ambience. The steering wheel and centre console retract and the headrests move to one side to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The seats and door panels merge to form a single unit, allowing the driver and passengers to sit at a slight angle. This makes it easier for them to face each other and sit in a more relaxed position for easier communications. Meanwhile, the Head-Up display offers occupants personalised content along with the information and entertainment they desire.

Depending on the driving mode, the focus of the vehicle changes, concentrating on essentials for the driver in Boost mode, and the surroundings and atmosphere in Ease mode, highlighting the impressive landscapes or buildings of interest that the car is passing by, for instance.

Whether the vehicle is in Boost or Ease mode is also clearly apparent to other road users as the trademark kidney grille, double headlights and L-shaped rear lights act as communication tool. Their different colours of light indicate which mode the vehicle is currently in.

Companion: The intelligent digital partner connects driver and car.
The Companion is symbolised by a small sculptural element which represents the driver-vehicle connection. Shaped like a large, cut gemstone, it is positioned in the centre of the dashboard, just beneath the windscreen, where it symbolises the intelligence, connectivity and availability of the BMW VISION NEXT 100. It also represents the constant exchange of data: the more it learns about the owner and their mobility habits, the smarter it becomes. At some stage it knows its drivers well enough to automatically perform routine tasks for them and offer suitable advice when needed. Irrespective of the vehicle itself, constant learning makes the Companion increasingly valuable to its owner.

The Companion also plays an important role in driver-vehicle communications when the car transitions from Boost to Ease mode. While the driver concentrates on the road in Boost mode, the Companion remains flat in the dashboard. But when the BMW VISION NEXT 100 takes control in Ease, it rises up to create an interface with the windscreen. A signal light tells the driver that the car is ready for fully autonomous driving. For other road users, the Companion has a similar function, signalling through its own light as well as that of the vehicle that the car is operating in automated mode. In certain traffic situations, the Companion is in visual contact with other road users, helping pedestrians to cross the road by means of the green light gradient on the front of the vehicle.

Trademark BMW exterior.
The design of the BMW Vision Vehicle is characterised by a blend of coupé-type sportiness and the dynamic elegance of a sedan. At 4.90 meters long and 1.37 meters high, it has compact exterior dimensions. Inside, however, it has the dimensions of a luxury BMW sedan.

The large wheels are positioned at the outer edges of the body, giving the vehicle the dynamic stance that is a trademark of BMW. When it comes to aerodynamics, exterior Alive Geometry contributes to an outstanding effect: when the wheels swivel as the vehicle is steered, the bodywork keeps them covered as if it were a flexible skin, accommodating their various positions. The innovative design of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 gives it an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.18.

The exterior of the vehicle is copper in colour, designed to underscore the idea that BMW vehicles of the future should appear technical yet still have a warmth about them – as symbolised by the close links between the vehicle and its driver.

This relationship begins as soon as the driver approaches the vehicle: intelligent sensor technologies automatically open its wing doors. To give the driver more space to enter and exit, the steering wheel is flush with the dashboard. Once seated, the full range of systems is activated by tapping on the BMW logo in the middle of the dashboard. The door closes, the steering wheel comes forward, and the driving experience begins.

Materials of the future.
The designers of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 primarily used fabrics made from recycled or renewable materials. The visible and non-visible carbon components, such as the side panels, are made from residues from normal carbon fibre production. In the future, the choice of materials will become even more important throughout the design and production process.

With time, other new materials will also be added into the mix, allowing different vehicle shapes to emerge. To save resources and support more sustainable manufacturing, less use will be made of wood and leather while innovative materials and the consequent new possibilities in design and production gradually come to the fore. This approach is already being exemplified by the use of high-quality textiles and easily recyclable mono-materials and the elimination of leather in the interior of the BMW VISION NEXT 100.


MINI VISION NEXT 100: “Every MINI is my MINI”.
Today’s MINI is the perfect premium compact car for the modern city. Digitalisation and connectivity are increasingly changing the way we get around on a daily basis – and this change is taking place most rapidly and noticeably in urban areas. The MINI VISION NEXT 100 is MINI’s answer to several key questions on urban mobility over the years ahead. In the cities of the future, will there be space for a car which engages at an emotional level? What will become of the “clever use of space” principle that underpins MINI? And how can MINI respond to a world becoming ever more digitalised and interconnected?

The core philosophy behind the MINI VISION NEXT 100 is the thoughtful use of the planet’s resources in providing personal mobility. The motto “Every MINI is my MINI” describes a particular take on car-sharing. In the future, fans of the brand will be able to call on a MINI tailored to their personal requirements where ever they are, day or night. The MINI of the future will be available 24/7, able to pick its driver up from their desired location in a fully automated way and will adapt itself to the driver’s individual tastes, interests and preferences. At the heart of this concept is fully connected digital intelligence.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, describes MINI’s vision for the future: “MINI looks to offer smart and bespoke mobility in cities that engages all the senses. And in the future, you might not actually have to own a vehicle to enjoy the benefits.”

Clever approaches to future mobility with MINI:

• “Digitally Mine” – where every MINI becomes my MINI
• The “Cooperizer”: a link between the driver and digital intelligence
• “Urban go-kart”: small, clever, nimble. The hallmark driving fun of a MINI will remain intact in the years ahead
• Novel use of sustainable materials in the interior
• Experience sharing – users become part of a MINI community

“Digitally mine” – where every MINI becomes my MINI.
In the future, as now, people will be attracted in great numbers to MINI cars and the attitude to life associated with them. But it may not actually be necessary to own a MINI to be part of the action. The design team’s challenge: how could a MINI be widely and instantly adaptable – making the driver feel it is their car, tailored precisely to their own taste – available whenever and wherever they need it?

The MINI VISION NEXT 100 is wrapped in a discreet, silver skin. The MINI designers refer to it as a “blank canvas”. How that canvas is used varies according to the individual user, their mood and the situations they encounter. Even the colour of the roof and the lighting mood in the interior respond in kind. The MINI uses projections adapted to the driver in terms of colour, graphics and content to create a personalised experience and customised package of on-board information.

The Cooperizer forms a connection between the driver and digital intelligence.
The Cooperizer is the name the MINI VISION NEXT 100 gives to the centrally-positioned circular instrument that has become such a signature feature of MINI cockpits. In the MINI VISION NEXT 100 it illuminates like a kaleidoscope. The colours and patterns it generates symbolise the car’s multi-faceted digital intelligence, which allows it to select a personalised setting for each driver, encompassing entertainment, communications and autonomous-driving options. On the move, the driver can influence the Cooperizer’s decision-making, as the rotary controls allow adjustments to the interior ambience and driving mode. So the car can be adapted to give a perfectly personalised driving experience, whether driven conventionally or autonomously. Pressing the “Inspire Me” button brings another special Cooperizer trick into play. Here, the MINI checks downloaded user data to select information of interest to the driver and provide them with potential sources of inspiration. For example, the MINI VISION NEXT 100 might suggest the MINI set-up configured for an artist the driver admires and whose exhibition they have recently visited. Or it could recommend a challenging, twisting route to the outskirts of town and switch to John Cooper Works performance mode.

The urban go-kart – small, clever, nimble. MINI will continue to offer the driving fun we know and love in the future.
In the future, driving in a MINI must still be fun, to the extent that drivers will prefer to drive themselves – as often as possible. The mechanical experience of speed and the feeling of nipping swiftly through twists and turns are part of what makes a MINI a MINI. But it doesn’t stop there. In a future world of self-driving cars, this side of motoring may have an even more significant, even more special role. Various aspects of the MINI VISION NEXT 100 will take the go-kart feeling to another new level. Cleared of many controls and screens, the interior has a pure, uncluttered look. And the glass front end opens up a dynamic view of the road. Here, augmented reality displays show the route or ideal driving line, heightening the driving sensation.

In addition to these dynamic elements, dreaming up clever details and creating maximum interior space within the smallest possible footprint are other MINI essentials. The efficiently-packaged, zero-emission drive system and the reduced need for crash zones in the future enable a compactness of body not so far removed from the first MINI back in 1959. The generous feeling of cabin space is enhanced by a full-width bench seat and pedals that slide with the steering wheel to adjust their position. The steering wheel is always there, but the option remains, to ask the car to drive itself; perhaps there are things you’d rather do during a journey when the driving environment is tedious.

Autonomous driving plays an important role in the MINI VISION NEXT 100, allowing it to travel occupant-free to a charging station, cleaning service, parking space or the next user. To switch from driving themselves to autonomous driving, the driver simply moves the steering wheel into the central area between themselves and the front passenger. In the process, those on board enjoy greater freedom of movement and getting in and out of the car in busy city centres is that much easier. The single-section bench seat and a full-width footwell, uninterrupted by a centre console, also help this, allowing passengers to gain rapid access from both sides of the car – without having to decide in advance where they would prefer to sit. When dynamic driving is the order of the day, active elements within the seat provide lateral support for the driver and front passenger. Park the car in a tight spot, and the doors automatically open as wide as possible within the restricted confines.

Innovative use of sustainable materials.
Making responsible use of resources is key in the selection of materials for the MINI VISION NEXT 100. These materials should retain their high level of perceived quality over many years, age stylishly and offer a special tactile experience. As digitisation increases, analogue qualities and experiences will become more important. With the more intensive use of a shared car, interiors will need to be much more hard wearing. In addition to the modern materials made from recycled plastic and aluminium in the floor area, roof lining and side panel trim, for example, the MINI interior designers used materials less commonly found in car cabins, such as brass, basalt and cellulose. The wraparound carrier and information strip, with its mount for the sliding steering wheel, and the Cooperizer with its thin brass structure are good examples here.

The designers made the storage net behind the steering wheel from lightweight basalt, while the lower section of the seat is trimmed in a recycled cellulose material similar to paper. This novel use of materials included deliberately allowing a patina to develop through use and ensuring they retain along-lasting and sophisticated appearance. When it comes to the natural look and feel of surfaces, the designers have embraced the irregularities inherent in the chosen materials and processing methods. That also applies to the seat covers in knitted Alcantara – a robust, somewhat iridescent material. The designers have steered clear of traditional interior materials like wood and leather altogether. Another example of analogue design in the MINI Vision Vehicle can be found in the wheels, whose rotation generates an “Ombro Cinema” effect: This involves the outer surface of the wheel not moving and only a disc behind it turning with the tyre. The even movement of a shimmering graphic – again brass-coloured – can be observed through openings in the outside of the wheel. The idea is for each wheel to look like a piece of a mechanical jewellery.

Experience sharing – the user becomes part of a MINI community.
Sharing cars, homes and goods is ever-more common, as digitalisation, connectivity and artificial intelligence make processes simpler and more automated. The MINI VISION NEXT 100 can bring together a community of likeminded people, with a shared MINI lifestyle in common. Everybody benefits from everybody. And mobility opens up inspirational experiences yet stands by its sustainable approach and prudent use of resources.

For example, a MINI user in the future is interested in a certain type of art and a friend gets hold of some last-minute tickets to a preview for an exhibition they might like. The Vision Vehicle identifies what’s involved, and coordinates and organises the whole excursion. The drive itself becomes part of a perfectly arranged service. MINI calls this vision of the future experience sharing.

Head of MINI Design Anders Warming sums up the most important aspects of the car: “The MINI VISION NEXT 100 shows how MINI’s unique take on the world could look in the future. The driving experience remains the emotional centrepiece, with effortless and seamless services grouped around it.”


Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100.
Rolls-Royce epitomises automotive luxury in a way that no other brand can. Founded in 1904, its products rose to pre-eminence around the world in a matter of years – in keeping with Sir Henry Royce’s motto: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it doesn’t exist, design it.”

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design: “In celebration of this pioneering spirit, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 has been designed as the ultimate expression of the future of super-luxury mobility. It is an enlightening vision of the fascinating possibilities of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the future.”

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is the first purely visionary vehicle in the 112-year history of the marque.

In creating it, the team focused on the following questions:

• What is the future of luxury?
• How might the exclusive character of a Rolls-Royce translate into the future?
• How will the demands of the Rolls-Royce clientele change? And how might Rolls-Royce even exceed their expectations in its constant quest for perfection?
• Could other traditional Rolls-Royce characteristics – such as precise craftsmanship, a pioneering spirit and a love for perfection – combined with future technologies and trends set new standards for luxury in decades to come?
• How can we ensure a journey in a Rolls-Royce remains as unique an experience in the future as it is today?

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars already realises the most diverse customer wishes and offers virtually unlimited scope for personalising its vehicles. Over the years and decades ahead, however, the opportunities will become even more extensive, and customers will be able to commission their personal Rolls-Royce into a genuine one-off piece. In terms of technology, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is based on an advanced lightweight platform equipped with a high-performance electric drive. From the wheelbase to the design of the body, its various specifications and equipment can be tailored specifically to suit the needs of the individual customer.

The Rolls-Royce design team expects that further progress in composite materials and technologies will have a decisive influence on how production can be customised in the future. Advances will also unlock new creative possibilities for the brand to meet the discerning wishes of its customers and achieve its goal of producing the bespoke automotive equivalent of haute couture.

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 incorporates just some of the design options that will be possible in the future.

It focuses on the following key aspects of a new dimension of automotive luxury:

• The “Personal Vision”: One of a limitless number of possible personal visions of a Rolls-Royce of the future
• The “Grand Sanctuary”: The vehicle interior as a private retreat
• The “Effortless Journey”: Guided by “Eleanor”, the passenger’s virtual assistant.
• The “Grand Arrival”: Stepping out at your destination in ultimate elegance.

The Personal Vision: One of a limitless number of possible personal visions of a Rolls-Royce of the future.
The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is but one of a limitless number of possible personal visions of a Rolls-Royce of the future. Indeed, in an evolution of the Rolls-Royce experience of today, the customer’s taste will shape exactly how his or her Rolls-Royce will look and how it will be configured.

In the spirit of the great coachbuilt cars of the past, Rolls-Royce will create the chassis of the future, hand-built from the most advanced materials and powered by a zero emissions powertrain. Innovative manufacturing technologies will enable customers to involve themselves in the style and proportion of their personal Rolls-Royce vision. They will be able to commission their very own cars shaped by Rolls-Royce designers to their personal tastes – unique bespoke masterpieces curated as a fingerprint of their owner.

The Grand Sanctuary – The vehicle interior as a private retreat.
In a Rolls-Royce, the well-being and desires of the occupants are all-important. For this reason, the design of the interior is the central starting point: it is intended as a space in which passengers can enjoy their very own style of luxury. The vehicle interior becomes a personal retreat.

In creating the interior, the designers opted for a clear-cut hierarchy of lines, as well as sustainable, authentic materials and subtle lighting. These combine to create a peaceful oasis, the ideal atmosphere in which to relax.

With this approach, the designers were able to create an inviting, purist space in which the intrinsic beauty of the materials shines through. The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, for instance, incorporates warm tone Macassar wood, a carpet of hand-twisted silk on the floor and further extraordinarily soft silk on the upholstery.

In the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 a panorama window of generous proportions provides outstanding visibility. Designed to “waft” along fully autonomously, the driver’s seat, steering wheel and instruments are superfluous in this model; what remains is a completely new sense of space. Cocooned in their own private haven, passengers have just a central analogue timepiece below the panorama window as a reminder that time not lost is the highest form of luxury.

The Effortless Journey: Guided by Eleanor, the passenger’s virtual assistant.
In creating the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, the designers also sought to keep the presence of technologies as subdued as possible while at the same time ensuring full connectivity. The vehicle is controlled by a virtual intelligence which fulfils the passenger’s every need. This virtual assistant is embodied in a digital representation of the Spirit of Ecstasy, which appears on the full-width transparent OLED display. It is named after Eleanor Thornton, the model who inspired sculptor Charles Robert Sykes’ iconic Rolls-Royce bonnet ornament. The more time Eleanor spends on the road with a passenger, the more she learns about their interests and needs – their favourite restaurants, tastes in art and favourite routes, for instance – and about the preferences and desires of all the other vehicle occupants as well, of course. Using speech interaction, the passengers can call upon her services to tailor their journey as desired.

The Grand Arrival – Stepping out at your destination in ultimate elegance.
From the outside, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is a vision of timeless aesthetics. Measuring 5.9 m in length, its silhouette radiates powerful elegance. At the same time, its coupé-style forms and the free-standing wheel arches on either side of the Pantheon radiator grille lend dynamism and lightness to its outward appearance.

The elegance and lightness of the body is further underscored by the paintwork “Crystal Water” and the Spirit of Ecstasy, made from hand-cut lead crystal and illuminated from inside.

Thanks to its impressive exterior design, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 will attract attention wherever it arrives. Its charismatic presence is further enhanced by the way the passengers alight: in a generous gesture, the roof and coach door open to reveal the interior of the vehicle. Passengers simply stand up and gracefully step out. The spectacle is additionally underscored by light projections, which create a “red carpet” showing the way out and turn every arrival into a Grand Arrival.

Should the need arise, two umbrellas integrated into the doors are available to protect passengers from the elements. Rolls-Royce bespoke luggage can be stowed in the front of the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, where there is ample storage space. An intelligent mechanism opens a hatch in the side of the car and presents the luggage to the waiting hands of the porter.

Giles Taylor, Design Director Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: “With the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 we were very mindful not to dwell on the past. We wanted to be as innovative as possible and at the same time transcend the design history of the marque.”

Auto: GLS, Grand Luxe Saloon, (or Wagon)

No, that's not what the letters GLS designate, but it wouldn't be a far off description.

Jamaican Mercedes Benz dealers Silver Star Motors this week debuted the largest, most powerful Benz SUV - the GLS.

It matches the long wheelbase (3.08 metres) configuration of the GL line to the upscale S-line, with performance to boot.

The two models on show (one physically in the showroom) are the 258-hp diesel and the monster 585-hp GLS63 AMG for those who like speed with their splendor.

All the tech specs and expected interior trimmings are built in. The GLS also has the added feature of live exchange with the phone hookup - meaning you can use all your phone apps - Internet and otherwise - within the vehicle as you would outside.

A small but eager group of media, customers and well-wishers got the opportunity to feel the GLS (at least the stationary one) up close and personal, and to get news of toher impending arrivals at Silver Star as the company gears up for the impending Jamaica Auto Dealers Association expo later this year.

Auto: Magna Rides into Midtown

Its becoming a fairly crowded block of real estate for car dealerships between Oxford Road and Cross Roads itself. With BMW, KIG and Audi and VW already hanging their banners from showrooms in that radius, along comes another global carmaker, through their reps, this time with a Latin twist:

Magna Motors Dealership Limited, the exclusive dealers of Hyundai in Jamaica has opened its new showroom at 27 Old Hope Road, a facility built on the foundations of the Hyundai “modern premium” philosophy of simplicity and perfection, world class luxury vehicles, andexceptional industry-leading experiences.

The showroom will feature Hyundai international top sellers, including the likes of the Tucson, Creta, Accent, Sonata, and Veloster,Santa Fe, Grand i-10 Hatchback and Sedan, H1 Minivan and Panel Van. The All New 2017 Elantra will join the lineup in the coming weeks. The space boasts a creative design, with elements accentuated by Hyundai’s “shaped sky”, “vertical green”, and “cellular landscape” – which is applied to the floor patterns of the showroom, conjuring up a feeling of nature.

“Our new showroom represents Magna Motors’ commitment to the development of Jamaica’s automotive industry,” said Juan Vargas, Managing Director. “We’ve invested US$10 million dollars to date, since entering the Jamaican market last August and we plan to double that figure by the end of 2017.”

Carlos Geourzoung, Sales Manager, Magna Motors Dealership Limited expressed satisfaction with the new facilities, and the elevation of Hyundai Jamaica to meet the international brand standards. “The showroom will act as home to preview our award-winning vehicles and gain more details and insight on Hyundai. We are happy to be changing gears to ensure we exceed expectations and create even more memorable customer experiences,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming customers here.”

The showroom is backed by the Hyundai Service Centre which opened in September 2015 at 22 Balmoral Avenue. Both facilities are designed to meet Hyundai's technical performance and quality specifications, with the latter featuring the latest Hyundai servicing equipment, Hyundai-trained service technicians, and a comprehensive parts inventory. 

Auto: Heil, Sensei!, A German-Japanese mashup, Jamaican Style

In Jamaican motorsports - as in motorsport everywhere - lighter weight equals better performance, and better performance often requires some creative intervention.

Like taking a '96 BMW M3 chassis and cutting, welding and re-fabricating it around a Mitsubishi Evo VIII power plant. Yeah, you read right. Champion race driver (2009 series) Chris Campbell, who actually dethroned the legendary "King" David Summerbell on his way to the top of the podium had the challenge of retaining a certain cc-rating at a particular weight, a feat which wold have been impossible on the BMW engines currently available - not to mention the cost.
The answer?: the sleeker, more efficient and more affordable Evo engine.

So, after some six months of brutal hard work and tender loving care, Campbell emerged with this sporting hybrid, this Teutonic-Japanese mashup done as only Jamaicans truly can.

And who should be Campbell's corporate patron in this endeavour? Jamaica Beverages which, through its Frutabrand (as well as Busta sodas and Turbo energy drink) will be seeing the motoring ace through the balance of the 2011 season (Campbell took 2010 off), the next outing being the "Caribbean Invasion" at Dover raceway over the Jamaican Labour Day weekend (as of this Friday).

A public launch session at the Michi Super Centre retail outlet on the outskirts of Kingston, media, racing enthusiasts and Jon Q public had their opportunities to gawk at the " fusion car" and get info on the process and the prognosis.

So, will this hybrid racer lead Campbell back to the winner's podium? Time will tell, but his experiement  is sure to arouse interest among manufacturers and enthusiasts around the world.

Heil - Sensei!

Autos: "M" No More; with its new "Excellence" designation, Bimmer Kills off the Mbadge

-From BMW Coop

If the genuine 760Li xDrive M Performance beautifully highlights the M division`s signature at the exterior and inside, the no-cost “Excellence” might seem to have nothing in common with the company`s hardcore division.

Just as the M760Li xDrive, we should have expected the same M features wrapping the body, instead all we got from the version is just a shadow of a genuine M Performance car. Let`s take for instance the M lettering at the back which was replaced with the “V12” badge.

Other features that mimic an M version are the 20-inch Individual lightweight alloy-wheels, bright chrome trimmings as well as the black brake calipers.In return, the no-cost “Excellence” version packs the same twin-turbo V12 engine with 600 horsepower, 19-inch brakes or the Executive Drive Pro adaptive suspension system, as the real M760Li xDrive.

On the other hand, the M760Li xDrive M Performance adds up the 19-inch M Sport brakes with blue metallic brake calipers, as well as the 20-inch rims finished in matte Cerium Grey metallic. Not to mention the slight mods added at the body, like updated bumpers, side skirts or the dual exhaust system.

Business: Fifty for Pan-Jam, One for the "Top"

 A banner day for business - with local conglomerate Pan-Jamaican marking the half-century, and, coming out of California, a slightly younger business bringing its offerings into the hyper-competitive auto/commercial lubricants market

www.localjoe.myorganogold.com