RE: BMW: Frankfurt 2013
Tuesday 10th September 2013
Keen to ensure the VW Group doesn't claim all the hybrid plaudits over the next few days, BMW has chosen Frankfurt for the global joint premiere of its 'i' range. We've been impressed by the i3 already and the i8 promises to offer something genuinely innovative in the supercar segment.
Plug-in X5 maintains BMW's green cred...But for something you really don't see every day, have a look at this sentence: 'Offering all-round protection against violent assault, kidnapping and organised crime, this model therefore meets the needs of individuals... with enhanced security needs.'
... but the M550d may be our BMW favouriteWhilst the X5 Security Plus looks similar to a civilian model as standard (because anonymity can be a safety feature, remember), it can be kitted-out with LED strobe lights, roof beacons and a siren. And don't worry about the extra weight; whilst BMW doesn't quote an X5 Security Plus kerbweight, the only engine option is the 450hp turbocharged V8.
BMW: Frankfurt 2013
An armoured X5, a new M550d and an electric scooter at BMW. Don't forget the hybrids too...
Plug-in X5 maintains BMW's green cred...
These are the attributes offered by BMW's latest armoured SUV. The Concept X5 Security Plus, despite the nomenclature, looks ready to defend the world's good guys (and probably some bad ones) from their enemies on the road.
It's built around an armoured passenger cell with mouldings and panels that are specifically AK47-resistent. Sealed joints prevent any shrapnel from entering the cabin and a polycarbonate coating on the windows further boosts protection. For those who know about such things, it's been rated at protection level VR6.
... but the M550d may be our BMW favourite
Though sharing a stand with the armoured X5, the C evolution scooter couldn't be much further apart on the BMW product spectrum. Its synchronous electric motor has a peak output of 47hp and a 75mph top speed, plus BMW claims a range of up to 62 miles. As its 8kWh battery is fairly small, the C evolution can be recharged through a domestic socket in four hours. Could it be the future of urban scooters?
Finally, as if needing to further offset the profligate Security Plus, BMW is introducing a 74mpg plug-in hybrid X5 eDrive plus a 518d as part of the revised 5 Series range at Frankfurt. The latter will be one for fleet bosses the country over, whilst those purchasing their own 5 Series may be keen on the revised M550d range, the original of which rather impressed Monkey back in 2012.
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Discussion
The i8 is just as diluted from the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept as the Boxster 986 was from the 1993 Boxster Concept. It's a mistake to show people something beautiful and dramatic and then offer them a massively watered down production car several years later. Porsche learned from their Boxster mistake, with both the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder reaching production looking very similar to the concept car. Bugatti also did a good job here with the production Veyron resembling the prototype very strongly, even if changing the appearance for production would have made it a lot easier to engineer.
'Offering all-round protection against violent assault, kidnapping and organised crime' I didn't realise someone from BMW was listening in when i proposed to the wife.
I thought the stats surrounding the scooter would be far more impressive. Love the look of the Frankfurt show always mean to go and duly forget.
I thought the stats surrounding the scooter would be far more impressive. Love the look of the Frankfurt show always mean to go and duly forget.
myhandle said:
The i8 is just as diluted from the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept as the Boxster 986 was from the 1993 Boxster Concept. It's a mistake to show people something beautiful and dramatic and then offer them a massively watered down production car several years later. Porsche learned from their Boxster mistake, with both the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder reaching production looking very similar to the concept car. Bugatti also did a good job here with the production Veyron resembling the prototype very strongly, even if changing the appearance for production would have made it a lot easier to engineer.
The Boxster concept had air intakes in the grille which made it look like Jaws (the Bond enemy, not the fish) and the hideous back end was, well, hideous and has not aged well. The 986 on the other hand is still gorgeous from all angles, 18 years later....perhaps that particular departure wasn't a terrible thing
As far as the i8 goes I can't really see this massive departure you're talking about. Perspex doors were never likely to make production (but it's cool as hell that the butterfly opening action has), and the colour scheme is a bit less 'Tron' than the concept.
The only real-world-disappointment I see is the sensible wing mirrors...other than that it looks pretty close to me.
BS75 said:
The Boxster concept had air intakes in the grille which made it look like Jaws (the Bond enemy, not the fish) and the hideous back end was, well, hideous and has not aged well.
The 986 on the other hand is still gorgeous from all angles, 18 years later....perhaps that particular departure wasn't a terrible thing
As far as the i8 goes I can't really see this massive departure you're talking about. Perspex doors were never likely to make production (but it's cool as hell that the butterfly opening action has), and the colour scheme is a bit less 'Tron' than the concept.
The only real-world-disappointment I see is the sensible wing mirrors...other than that it looks pretty close to me.
The original Boxster Concept looks pretty good to me. If a warmed-over version was launched today with a 4 cylinder engine as the sub-Boxster Porsche roadster I think it would be well received. The 986 was bigger than the prototype and the 981 quite a bit bigger still. The run-out edition 986 550 Spyder edition looks great, with its lowered suspension, better quality interior, appealing colour combination and two tone wheels, but a 1997 986 on those awful 17" cranked wheels and with orange indicators and detail-free interior surely does not look that great, particularly when compared to the '93 prototype on its split rim alloys and with such great detailing, including the little fans visible by the gearstick.The 986 on the other hand is still gorgeous from all angles, 18 years later....perhaps that particular departure wasn't a terrible thing
As far as the i8 goes I can't really see this massive departure you're talking about. Perspex doors were never likely to make production (but it's cool as hell that the butterfly opening action has), and the colour scheme is a bit less 'Tron' than the concept.
The only real-world-disappointment I see is the sensible wing mirrors...other than that it looks pretty close to me.
As for the i8 vs. the Vision Efficient Dynamics, the proportions are completely different. The prototype is a longer, more lithe looking car. The production car is a more squat looking thing. I have seen both in reality (Prototype in London in Park Lane showroom in January '13 and production car testing in France May '13) and they really do not have the same stance whatsoever. It's like the Alfa Romeo Brera; the interesting looking prototype had its details carried through to the production car, but not its proportions or stance. Both are very important for a good looking car.
Edited by myhandle on Tuesday 10th September 13:53
Edited by myhandle on Tuesday 10th September 13:54
danp said:
moribund said:
Remind me again what was impressive about the i3? Was it that they cost double the price of the competition for the same real-life range?
what competition?The version with a range extender is in competition with the Chevy Volt/Opel Ampera, isn't it?
C
CraigyMc said:
The version without the range extender is in direct competition with the Nissan Leaf, is it not?
The version with a range extender is in competition with the Chevy Volt/Opel Ampera, isn't it?
C
leaf starts at 21k, i3 at 25.5k (+3k for rex), ampera 29k (just been reduced by 3.5k)The version with a range extender is in competition with the Chevy Volt/Opel Ampera, isn't it?
C
but i'm not sure that folk interested in the i3 would consider the others as competition, it's rather more avant garde?
danp said:
leaf starts at 21k, i3 at 25.5k (+3k for rex), ampera 29k (just been reduced by 3.5k)
but i'm not sure that folk interested in the i3 would consider the others as competition, it's rather more avant garde?
I dunno where you got your i3 figure frombut i'm not sure that folk interested in the i3 would consider the others as competition, it's rather more avant garde?
According to the UK BMW website, the i3 starts from £ 30,680.00.
Edited to add: I think I understand. You're removing £5K for the government scheme thing.
Edited by CraigyMc on Tuesday 10th September 17:57
danp said:
what competition?
I was thinking of the Renault Zoe for pure electric - after subsidy it's £15k or less, similar size with 90 miles real world range (130 official). I was mocking the BMW because for all the show of carbon and other high tech it offers nothing new at all. Obviously it's arguably more stylish and desirable but still very disappointing.
Edited by moribund on Tuesday 10th September 18:35
moribund said:
danp said:
what competition?
I was thinking of the Renault Zoe for pure electric - after subsidy it's £15k or less, similar size with 90 miles real world range (130 official). I was mocking the BMW because for all the show of carbon and other high tech it offers nothing new at all. Obviously it's arguably more stylish and desirable but still very disappointing.Edited by moribund on Tuesday 10th September 18:35
The "show of carbon" saves it a not inconsiderable 300kg or so over the Zoe, will be revealing to see the real world range and performance when these are all in a group test, interesting times.
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