BMW X3 Buyers will be able to see their Vehicles Being Built through an Online Video Portal

BMW wants to turn an ordinary sale into an emotional experience that drives brand loyalty and retention by offerings U.S. buyers of the 2011MY X3 a unique access to the creation of their crossover through an online video portal that will show them footage of their customized X3 being produced at the company’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“Customization is essential to the new BMW X3. With more than 10 million distinct configurations available, we wanted to get customers excited about the birth of their unique vehicle,” said Trudy Hardy, Manager, BMW Marketing Communications and Consumer Events, BMW of North America. “This production footage of the BMW X3 vehicles from our Spartanburg plant enhances the overall customer experience that is part of the BMW brand.”

BMW makes use of a total of seven cameras which track the X3 through the various stages of final assembly. The company added that the videos do not have an expiration date and can also be downloaded and shared.

To watch or download the footage, customers will have to create a My BMW account on bmwusa.com website and entering their X3 order number or VIN. The BMW X3 Customer Video Portal program kicks off today, January 20th.

Audi Presents High-Tech Auto Union Type C e-tron Toy Car Study with All-Electric Drive

At this year’s International Toy Fair in Nuremberg (February 3-8), Audi will showcase a selection of model cars and other products, including the Auto Union Type C e-tron, a concept study with a fully-electric drive based on the firm's limited edition pedal car, which is sold through is quattro GmbH subsidiary.

The one-of-a-kind Auto Union Type C e-tron boasts a hand-finished body made of aluminum and carbon-look material. Measuring 2.32 meters (91.34 inches) in length and 97 centimeters (38.2 inches) in width, the 1:2 scale model is suitable for children as well as adults up to 1.8 meters (5’11”) tall.

The high-tech toy car is powered by an electric motor delivering 1.5HP (1.12kW) and up to 60 Nm (44.25 lb-ft) of torque, fed by a lithium-ion battery. Power is sent to the rear wheels and the study is also equipped with a reverse gear.

The top speed is a very respectable 30 km/h (18.64 mph) and, depending on the driving style, the electrified Type C can travel as far as 25 kilometers (15.53 miles). Charging takes about two hours at most, using any standard 230-volt household socket.

Audi did not say if it has any plans to introduce a production model of the study in the future.

Rolls Royce Ghost / 200EX Online Configurator

The public debut for Rolls Royce's new, smaller-sized and lower-priced luxury sedan isn't due until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but nevertheless, the BMW Group-owned British firm has created an online configurator for the Ghost's preview model, the 200EX concept study. Judging by the most recent spy shots, there aren't any visible differences (at lease none of any importance) between the Ghost and the 200EX, so what you see here, is what you'll be able to get in a few months time.

If you feel like fooling around with the 200EX configurator that allows you to change the exterior and interior colors of the Rolls, click the link below and then choose 'Design' and after that, 'Visualizer'

The McLaren MP4-12C of Chronograph Watches

McLaren and TAG Heuer are celebrating their 26-year long partnership as well as the 20th anniversary of the original McLaren F1 with the launch of the limited edition TAG Heuer MP4-12C Chronograph watch. Taking inspiration from the upcoming MP4-12C supercar, the watch boasts a matching color scheme and is built from exotic materials such as carbon fiber.

The lightweight composite material was used for the dial, which features sapphire inserts that reveal the mechanism. The latter is protected by a highly durable titanium case, also minimizing weight. Other highlights include the alcantara leather strap evoking the MP4-12C’s interior, and orange luminescent markers on the hands, complemented by orange stitching.

Pilots and track drivers will appreciate the Flyback function, which allows the chronograph to be reset to zero and instantly restarted by pressing only once on the push button. There’s also a tachymeter at hand, indicating what distance is travelled, while the chronograph can record time intervals between two locations.

“I love watches and have always wanted to design one myself. The TAG Heuer MP4-12C Chronograph was a particularly interesting project as we have combined our passion for precision technology, engineering and performance and included some of the most outstanding design features and materials that can be found in the MP4-12C”, said Frank Stephenson, Design Director McLaren Automotive.

The TAG Heuer MP4-12C Chronograph will be produced in a limited run of 1,000 units. Those interested can purchase the watch through McLaren later this year.

As for the car that inspired the creation of the chronograph, the MP4-12C is powered by a 600HP mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, developed in-house by McLaren. Capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3 seconds and a top speed of 320+ km/h (200+ mph), the MP4-12C will hit the European market in spring 2011, at a base price of €200,000 in Germany and £168,500 in the UK. U.S. pricing will be released at a later date.

Our Automotive Future: Clever Tech Meets Clever Manufacturing

In a decade where green has become the new buzzword for almost every industry, automakers are facing two big problems: economy and emissions. The simplest way to achieve this is to reduce weight and reduce the size of the engine. With all the government mandated safety equipment and luxury features that today’s customers demand - power everything, air conditioning and the like - achieving the former is very difficult. And fitting a small engine into a heavy body is only going to stunt performance and make fuel economy all the more worse.

Fortunately, there are a few potential solutions. Carbon fibre is one. It’s said to be ten times stronger than steel and five times lighter. Unfortunately, it’s also four times as expensive, making it impractical for use in non-luxury vehicles. Now, engineers are looking to green energy and new manufacturing methods to make carbon fibre cheaper. Still, the results are yet to be seen.

There’s also the burgeoning belief that ultracapacitors are set to replace lithium ion batteries in hybrid and electric vehicles, though this is far from certain. Like carbon fibre, ultracapacitors are very expensive and unlike today’s lithium ion batteries are quite bulky and heavy. Think of the first generation of phone batteries for a worthy comparison. Fortunately, costs are coming down. According to Mike Sund, VP of investor relations at Maxwell Technologies, “[Ultracapacitor] costs have been reduced by two-thirds over the past three years.”

Even in this post-GFC world, the price of oil is also becoming an increasing concern for consumers and big business alike. Products, like Ethanol E10 and E85, are decent stopgap measures though aren’t solving the bigger problem. Now, companies are looking to manufacture synthetic gasoline from biomass such as woodchips and other waste materials. .

The technology still isn’t at the stage where it can compete with the major oil refineries, meeting only 1/8th of their capacity. Another hurdle is the raw biomass itself, which is too heavy to transport long distances. Still, new advances and investment in the industry are sure to produce some interesting results in the near future.

Lastly, the Scuderi Group has developed an experimental split-cycle engine that causes combustion to occur after the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, which it claims is 50% more fuel efficient than contemporary petrol engines. How about a 1L engine that offers the same performance as a 1.8, with better fuel economy than a contemporary 1L? By using some clever trickery that allows the spark to come later, along with a turbocharger and small air-tank, the Scuderi engine could reinvigorate faith in the internal combustion engine – if it ever reaches production.

So, the future of the automobile is looking bright. Now all that’s left is the wait to see if these technologies will reach production status.

VIDEO: RC Drifters at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Drifting usually involves insanely powerful tuner cars, lots of smoke and some highly skilled drivers. But it turns out that you don’t even have to have a driver’s license to drift like a true professional. Don't believe us? Then just take a look at the radio controlled car in the video after the break, which was provided by Carscoop’s very own Phil Alex, attending the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Chinese Man Commissions US$666,000 Gold Trimmed Fiat 500 C Abarth with Diamond iPad

An incredibly wealthy Chinese businessman has commissioned Italian tuning firm Fenice Milano to build a one-of-a-kind Fiat 500 Convertible Abarth inspired by the 'La Dolce Vita' concept study we first showed you back in October 2010. The bespoke 500 C Abarth is named "La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 200hp" and according to Fenice Milano, the car will cost a breathtaking €500,000 or about US$666,000 at current exchange rates.

The starting point of the build is a Fiat 500 Convertible Abarth. As the car's name suggests, at the unnamed client's request, there is abundant use of gold. On the outside, the golden pearlescent white painting includes 24K gold particles while the precious material also adorns the body trim and wheels. The electric fabric roof top is finished in black.

Inside, Fenice Milano has completely overhauled the 500 C Abarth's interior. For starters, the redesigned steering wheel has the outer ring made of teak wood and comes with 24k gold inserts. The original carpet floor was replaced with handmade teak wood while the center console is embellished with a gold framed instrument panel, more wood and 24K gold inserts.

The redesigned seats are also sewn with the precious material, the interior elements are full grain leather and natural-colored Alcantara with handmade on sight stitching.

One of the most eye catching items is the Apple iPad Supreme Edition made in 24k gold and diamonds by English designer Stuart Hughes. The removable Ipad is positioned on the upper section of the center console and provides a complete interaction of the device with the car. It is fitted with a GPS navigation system, an audio system that can handle MP3 and all Ipod features and also an internet connection run by wi-fi and a appropriate sim card.

In partnership with Romeo Ferraris, the Italian tuning firm also applied some performance upgrades to the car including an engine kit with a new turbine, a complete exhaust system and an ECU tune, lifting the 1.4-liter motor's output from 140HP to 200HP, plus a set of Brembo brakes and a sports suspension.

Being such an expensive build, the handover of the "La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 200hp" to its new owner won't be a simple transaction. "The future owner wants the delivery of his new “little treat” to be made in absolute concealment, in a jewelry shop owned by a friend, as depicted in the animation video," said Fenice Milano in a statement. Video and photos follow after the break.

Fulton Innovation Wirelessly Charges Tesla Roadster

A few days ago we brought you the news that GM will begin offering in-car wireless charging mats for mobile phones as an option from Q3 2012. These devices, that are making big waves at trade shows both in the U.S. and around the world, do away with the pesky cords and bulky adapters of old, replacing them with two conductive metal plates (i.e. one on the back of your phone and one in your car).

So imagine if you could charge your electric car this way. It should be simple, right? You’d just need to upscale it to suit charging a bigger battery. Well, at the 2011 CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, Fulton Innovation showed such a gadget by wirelessly charging the be-all and end-all of electric vehicles: the Tesla Roadster.

The eCoupled Powerspot, as it is called, works on the same principles as its smaller cousins and can even provide you with charging updates through a smart phone app. Do you want to keep track of how much it costs to recharger your electric car? The app can do that too.

There’s even a video, though admittedly it’s not very interesting. No electrical arching or unearthly humming noise here, I’m afraid; just a silent, practical vision for the future. You can check out the video for yourself, if you’re so inclined. There’s no indication of when this technology will be available, though I suspect we will be seeing it within the next five years or so.

It has, after all, been used by Hino to recharge electric busses for at least the past two years. It’s not so much a matter of if but when, and whether it can be made cost effective. One thing is for sure, the future for electric vehicles just got a little brighter.

Via: Jalopnik & The Next Web

Ford Releases List with the Top 10 Ways Our Cars Changed Over the Past Decade

The first decade of the new millennia brought an unprecedented amount of change to the automotive industry. While ten years ago having cupholders in the cabin was a big thing, today fast mobile communications, fuel efficient engines and complicated active safety features are just some of the technologies that have made their way into cars.

“Cars have become more like brains on wheels”, said Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s global trends manager. “Consumers today want to stay connected and they want the drive to be an experience, especially since the amount of time Americans spend in the car has nearly doubled in the last 10 years”.

Check out Ford's list with the Top 10 ways the automotive industry changed since 2000 right after the break.

[From Ford Press Release]

1. Infotainment

Vehicle options 10 years ago, such as in-dash compact disc players and speed control systems, are now standard features. Consumers’ desire to have constant access to information helped spawn technologies such as voice-activated controls, real-time traffic and Wi-Fi mobile hot spots now found on many 2011 Ford products.

2. Entertainment

The days of packing a clumsy library of CDs or VHS movie tapes are gone. Today consumers have a wide variety of compact ways to be entertained while behind the wheel. A decade ago, for instance, satellite radio was not available in cars. Today, more than half of new passenger cars are equipped with the service, according to Ward’s Auto. Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC can stream Internet radio like Pandora or can play music from USB plugged-in digital music players or memory sticks.

3. Taking out the guesswork

Today’s vehicles are equipped with new technologies that make driving easier, including self-parallel parking, rear back-up cameras and rain-sensing wipers. Terrain management, a new Ford feature available on the 2011 Explorer, lets the driver select the type of terrain the vehicle is driving through, such as sand, snow or pavement, and the vehicle then adjusts wheel spin, throttle inputs and other inputs accordingly.

4. Accident avoidance

Automotive safety has also advanced dramatically. In 2000, the average car had at least two airbags. Today, most vehicles have at least four, with some models equipped with up to 10 airbags. The airbags themselves also have improved. Ford is the first automaker to introduce inflatable second row safety belts.

The biggest change, however, is in the area of accident avoidance. For example, Ford’s new Curve Control, available on the 2011 Explorer, monitors a driver’s speed entering fast, sharp corners then corrects the vehicle. Other examples from Ford include a collision warning system that detects moving vehicles ahead; Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that alerts the driver when approaching vehicles enter the system’s defined blind spot zone; and cross-traffic alert to sense oncoming traffic when the driver is backing out of a parking spot.

5. Fuel economy

In the early 2000s, bigger was better. Vehicles were large and powerful and boasted off-road capability rarely used by the average consumer who purchased them. Consumers wanted cars that could transport large amounts of cargo and lots of passengers.

Cars and the engines that power them are shrinking and have become more fuel-efficient. According to Edmunds Best-Selling Vehicles, the most popular models in 2000 were trucks. That same report from 2009 shows small passenger cars topping the list.

According to the EPA, fuel economy between 2000 and 2010 improved for the industry from 19.8 mpg to 22.5 mpg – a 14 percent improvement. Increasing numbers of consumers are also choosing smaller, fuel-sipping four-cylinders. The percentage of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines increased from 31.7 percent to 48.4 percent between 2000 and 2010. For example, the four-cylinder version of the Ford Fusion, which attracted 55 percent of buyers in 2007, now accounts for more than 70 percent of sales.

6. Built-in navigation

TripTik gave way to MapQuest, which soon led to the first commercially available automotive navigation system in the late 1990s. According to Berg Insight Research, there are an estimated 150 million in-dash, aftermarket, compact personal and navigation-enabled mobile guidance devices used globally. Today, navigation systems are integrated into vehicles and are much more comprehensive.

7. Creature comforts

Consumers today enjoy a more comfortable ride. Better interior materials, sleeker interior designs, heated and cooled seats that automatically adjust driver position, remote start and more storage capacity all offer more comfort and convenience. Even a hands-free power liftgate that opens with the wave of a foot underneath the rear bumper can be found on Ford’s new C-MAX.

8. Customization

Ford has responded to the trend of an increased desire for personalization by adding features in its vehicles such as ambient lighting colors that can be changed to fit the driver’s mood, driver’s seats with customizable settings that adjust automatically with the push of a button, even decal kits for the new Fiesta.

9. Security

Keyless remotes, alarms and warning systems, and anti-theft systems have come a long way toward making life on the go safer for many. For example, Ford and Lincoln vehicles come with technologies such as SYNC’s 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report, or MyKey, which allows parents to restrict vehicle speeds when a teen driver is behind the wheel. Intelligent Access with push-button start allows Ford or Lincoln drivers to start the engine by simply carrying the key fob as they approach and enter the vehicle.

10. Paint colors

Brighter, more vibrant paint colors are edging their way into consumers’ hearts. Black and silver still top the list, but colors like Lime Squeeze found on the Ford Fiesta or Yellow Blaze found on the new Focus have become more popular. New paints mixed with glass or metal flecks have also changed the way cars look.

And there you have it. Some of you have witnessed the entire process, while others got all the gizmos by default, so to speak. In any case, this has been just one chapter, as automakers are planning to cram new, even more innovative technologies into their next generation of cars.

According to the Detroit automaker, lithium-ion batteries and safety technologies will continue to improve steadily and we’ll see vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems that will allow cars to “talk” to each other and share information about congested areas, slippery roads, accidents, points of interest and so on.

“People are used to living with technology”, says Connelly. “That’s why companies always have to think ahead. Understanding what consumers want and need tomorrow – or even next year – isn’t enough. We have to anticipate needs and desires farther out, 10 years down the road and beyond so we can deliver vehicles that will truly fit our customers’ lives”.

2011 CES: OnStar Coming as Aftermarket Product for Non-GM Vehicles

If you're fond of GM's OnStar in-car wireless communication system but don't plan on owning a vehicle from the Detroit automaker, we have some good news for you. At the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, General Motors announced that it will begin selling the safety, security and connectivity service for non-GM and older GM vehicles already on the road.

The service will be available through an aftermarket rear view mirror replacement featuring the OnStar button as well as other controls, which is said to be compatible with most top-selling vehicles from major manufacturers.

According to the company, the OnStar retail product will offer the same key features found on GM's vehicles including Automatic Crash Response, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, one-button access to emergency and roadside services, and hands-free calling, including Bluetooth connectivity.

The mirror will be available in the United States initially through Best Buy this spring, with more retailers to follow soon. Pricing for the mirror is set at $299, plus installation which is expected to cost between $75 and $100, while the OnStar subscription service will start at $18.95 a month or $199 for a full year.

“For years, thousands of drivers have asked us to get OnStar in vehicles that didn’t feature it as standard,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president.

“With the retail product that we’ve introduced today they certainly can. This move in to the consumer electronics space represents the biggest development in our business model since introducing OnStar as standard across all GM products several years ago. It represents a quantum leap forward in our plans to grow our business and provide a strong new revenue base for GM and OnStar from which we can further develop our core offerings in the factory-equipped market.”