Tag Archives: BMW

Luxury Hybrids Compared – BMW ActiveHybrid 5 vs Mercedes E300 Hybrid vs Audi A6 Hybrid

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The big three from Deutschland have all now revealed and released (or very soon to be released) their hybrid luxury cars for the UK. Interestingly all three have gone for the mid range of the traditional three tiers, i.e. the A6, E Class and 5 Series. However all three have gone very different ways. Auto Express have recently reviewed each separately and here we will look at bringing that data together to see what we have learned about, like it or not, the future of motoring.

 

 

 

 

 

The Layouts

Audi A6 Hybrid – 242bhp/480Nm (combined) – 4 Cylinder, 2.0l turbo, 208BHP  – 40kW motor, 53BHP, 210Nm.

BMW ActiveHybrid5 – 335bhp/450Nm (combined) – 6 Cylinder, 3.0l turbo, 302BHP – 40kW motor, 54BHP

Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid - 228BHP (combined) – 4 cylinder, 2.1l twin turbo diesel 201BHP – 20kW, 27BHP, 250Nm

Conclusion: BMW has gone down the Lexus GS route of performance hybrid, Audi have gone for the cheaper economy version of petrol hybrid, while Mercedes have gone for ultimate economy with the diesel electric hybrid setup. Three very different ways but do they work and is there any point when diesels are so good?

Economy and Performance

Like previously mentioned all three have gone very different ways with their hybrid systems for different reasons, however when people hear “hybrid” they think economy, not KERS F1 power boost. With that in mind improved economy has to be a factor, especially in a saloon car that is made for everyday driving. The A6 Hybrid offers the 2.0 Turbo not available in the A6 normally, and with the hybrid setup offers 44MPG combined. Hardly stunning figures, but decent for a 242BHP turbo petrol car. However Auto Express comment that “the A6 Hybrid lags trails the faster 3.0-litre TDI quattro by more than 10mpg. Another dynamic flaw is that by combining such a high power output with front instead of four-wheel drive, this model can be left scrabbling around for grip when pushed – not what you expect from an Audi.” Could do better Audi, hybrid technology is not new anymore and we all expect more.

If you really hate diesel and you can’t get over it, then it maybe worth a look. However then you would also have to overlook the BMW. Although it costs an estimated £4,000 more you will get a glorious six cylinder turbo and nearly 100 more horses. This is where the BMW also makes no sense. Sure go for a performance hybrid, but why not mate the battery to the Twin turbo from the 535i instead of just the 530i model? Or go the more economical but still fast route and mate it to the 528i’s fantastic new twin turbo petrol or the excellent 520d engine. 44MPG is superb for a turbo six that does 5.9 to 60, and kind of puts the Audi to shame on paper (Auto Express saw 30.1MPG around Portugal in tests). However the 535d puts it to shame in every sense. It is cheaper, faster in the real world and more economical. One just for the American’s maybe.

That leaves the diesel electric Mercedes. For me, the clear winner here. At 67.3MPG it blitzes not only the other two but also the E350 CDI and its non hybrid brother the E250 CDI by over 10MPG. Auto Express comment how “by comparison, the standard Mercedes E250 CDI is 0.2 seconds slower to 62mph and can only manage 53.3mpg. Crucially, the Hybrid reduces CO2 emissions to a class-leading 109g/km which has money-saving implications for company car drivers. Previously the cleanest E-Class emitted 129g/km.” The only question is price. At present it is going on sale for just over 51,000€ which translates to low £40s. If this works out in reality then Mercedes are on to a winner especially as you get a huge amount of standard kit with the E300 to justify the price.

Economy Conclusion

Winner: Mercedes E300 Hybrid – Outstanding real world economy for such a powerful car. Autocar even managed to beat the official MPG
Loser: BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – A hybrid for performance boost than economy. Auto Express only saw real world 30MPG compared to the 535d’s 40+ on similar roads.

Performance Conclusion

Winner: Mercedes E300 Hybrid – Sure the BMW is faster 0-60, but with all that torque the Mercedes holds its own in the real world. That twin turbo 4 with the electric boost makes it feel like a E350. BMW should have gone all out for the 535i engine if they wanted a true performance hybrid.
Loser: Audi A6 Hybrid – you need every one of the 8 gears to make it work against this company. That wouldn’t be a problem if it its MPG was in the 50s but at 45 it needs more as its Audi’s TDI units leave the hybrid standing in every sense.

Overall Summary

It sounds like the Audi is a bad car. It is not. Far from it, it just seems to have an incredibly small niche and does not push the boundaries. As Auto Express comment, “the deciding factor for the A6 Hybrid will be price”. How many people out there want a reasonably quick petrol executive saloon with good MPG. When you say it like that, the Audi makes some sense, but for some reason I feel let down. Maybe a Quattro version or this drive train in an A5 would be better. If this car came out 4 years ago I would say wow, but in today’s world its just good.

The BMW is an interesting car, but like I mentioned before it too seems held back. It seems they also have aimed it at the Lexus GS rather than the Audi and Mercedes, which for it’s US target audience makes sense. I think UK / Mainland Europe buyers would like to see the 528i engine or the 520d unit combine with a battery. The Petrol being what the Audi could have been (50+MPG and 250+BHP) or with the diesel a car similar to the Mercedes E300.

The Mercedes kind of wins by default. That’s not saying it’s not that great. With any of the big three German luxury brands you expect class leading figures from every model. The Mercedes does this with superb performance, economy and just a great general drive. That is why it is the winner of these three.

Original Articles and images from Auto Express:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/271063/audi_a6_hybrid.html
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/277999/bmw_activehybrid_5.html
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/280972/mercedes_e300_bluetec_hybrid.html

 

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Best Real World New Car in the UK

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Image / Autocar

What is the best “normal” car you can buy? It needs to be practical as it is an everyday driver, fuel efficient, desirability, great performance (not exclusively speed), and feel special and under £30,000. Autocar have looked at this very question and it makes for an interesting read. They compare the benchmark BMW 3 Series 320d, against the Range Rover Evoque, Skoda Superb Estate, VW Golf GTD and to see if a bit more money is worth it a Mercedes Benz E220 CDI. Good mix of potential rivals for the BMW.

Full review here (estimated reading time 5 minutes), summary below.

On paper all three cars are circa £30k, which seems to be a level you can get a superb car that has everything required. The Skoda and VW come in cheaper, while the RR and Merc are around the 320d price range.

The new BMW 3 Series divides opinion with its looks, however no one can deny its simply outstanding drive and performance. This is what makes it the benchmark to beat. The 320d is what most people would say is the standard 3 Series diesel, and Autocar make the point of showing just how far BMW have moved the game on in just 10 years. The 320d at the turn of the millennium had 136BHP, 49MPG and 0-60 in 9.6s (Source/Parkers). However this latest model does 7.5s to 60 and nearly 62MPG, all in a much quieter, better sounding refined way. It is leagues ahead of the competition. If you are a petrol fan, the 320i does 0-60 in 7.1 with 44MPG and 181BHP compared to 8.1s, 167BHP and 30MPG. Impressive numbers and that does not include the huge drop in road tax prices due to vastly improved co2 emissions.

These figures leave the rivals in the shade on paper, however Autocar praise the Range Rover Evoque for sheer desirability. It drives so well for a chunky looking thing, and where as no one will bat an eyelid at the 3 Series, for now at least the Evoque is a real head turner. The interior is “great fun to be in and has the virtue of being very different”.

The others, well the Skoda Superb is a huge amount of car and if you aren’t a badge snob you can’t go far wrong. The Golf GTD is superb but too expensive in this trim. £28k is too much for a diesel Golf, and a better match is a cheaper version with the same 170BHP engine. The Mercedes is vast and will give you all the prestige you need, 50MPG and is quick, but it is too “old-mannish” with the interior. I personally think the E Class is a great looking car and is considerable value at just £4k more than the Golf.

Original Article/ AutoCar

What is you favourite real world car? What other car’s should be considered? Would you go for a second hand previous generation 320d and save £15,000? Maybe this is the main rival to the new 320d… thoughts?

 

 

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AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport – The 620BHP version of the BMW M5

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620 horsepower and 790Nm of torque. However you have the kids in the back and your partner up front whilst sliding sideways around a track. That is the mental image to go with the mental numbers AC Schnitzer have come up with their take on the BMW M5 called the AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport. All backed by a two year warranty!

We recently featured their superb take on the new AC Schnitzer 3 series, however this is the one we have been waiting for. AC Schnitzer are known for their superb tuning options on naturally aspiriated BMWs in the past, so every car fan has been waiting to see what they and Alpina do to another petrol turbo M car after their superb M1 Coupe. Result, well the numbers do not say half the story.

Firstly it looks fantastic, so much so it makes the normal M5 look like a standard trim 5 Series 520i. The front carbon bumper and subtle changes across the whole car are superbly designed. I personally would leave off the side “ACS5 Sport” sticker option though. The V8 soundtrack is amped up when you want it to be thanks to active valve system and twin chromed “Sports Trim” pipes. All this adds to the visual and aural flair of this superb car.

Image / AC Schnitzer

They offer tonnes of styling options including wheels up to 21 inches. The suspension has also been tuned by AC Schnitzer for track but with every day usage in mind. It should offer a quality ride.

Overall this car just appears to be a monster. More power than a McLaren MP4-12C or a Ferrari 458 (more relevantly finally more power than an Audi RS6), yet luxurious comfort and four doors with a big boot. And look at the engine below! Bring on the Touring version please!

Thoughts?

 

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AC Schnitzer 3-Series unveiled

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AC Schnitzer have been around the BMW tuning market for a while now, but this is the first look at their take on the latest 3 series. At present the exterior and interior modifications have been unveiled. There are the updated version of the classic AC Schnitzer alloy wheels in sizes 18 to 20 inches, and a lowering kit.

Performance options will come, and it will be interesting to see what they do to the latest 328i with its 2.0 Turbo engine, as well as the 6 cylinder 335i and diesel models. While a lot of people did not like the idea of dropping the standard six for a four pot turbo, the reviews have been universally positive. With a bit of tuning it will be interesting to see what they can produce. I would expect close to 300BHP up from 245BHP whilst retaining close to the official 44MPG.

 

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BMW M135i – Unveilied

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I swear we don’t just cover BMW’s, but here is another as BMW rolls out more form its rebranded M Performance range. It is an update to the disappointing in reality but great on paper M135i. As with the previous car it is powered by a twin turbo 6 cylinder petrol with over 300BHP (final figures not released but est. 320BHP). Because of this it should sound fantastic, BMW 6 Clyinders always deliver in this department. The M135i is the first look at a performance version of the second generation three door 1 Series. It looks nice from the back but the front will divide opinion.  For me it looks too overstyled. Far too many vents and cuts for me. Without the M Power stripes it would also look quite plain.

The car is said to borrow heavily form the M1 Coupe including the engine and gearbox, so it should be great to drive but the main problem is a fast well specced 3 series will be only a couple thousand more.  We will have to wait and see if the AMG A-Class will give us another option in the premium mega hatch market.

Pictures from Autocar

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BMW M550d xDrive – 4WD Tri-Turbo Diesel M Car

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The first of the new BMW M peformance division cars the BMW M550d xDrive has been given a first drive by Autocar. It is a car which in real world performance is potentially even faster than the new Twin Turbo V8 M5. The xDrive system, which is not available in the UK on a 5 series is rumoured not to make it over the Channel at all. Yet BMW have hinted at a RWD version called M550d I think this is a shame as although BMW are known for RWD saloons, it would be a refreshing change to see a 4WD saloon from them, especialy with all that torque to put down on the road. Speaking of which figures are 545lb ft. A mighty 103 more than the 535d, which was hardly the weakest car in the world. Power is also up to a huge 376BHP yet when cruising down the motorway it will do up to as good as 45MPG. 0-62 in 4.7 seconds and it does a standing 1000m in 23.7s, to compare a E92 M3 is about the same.

Autocar mention how the throttle response is epic and “no diesel should have throttle input like this”.

“Any revs, in any gear, the M550d xDrive simply flies. Pegged hard, its accelerative nature is nothing less than brutal”

Now if only that engine could be put in a 3 series. Or better yet, what will Alpina do with this engine?

 

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