BMW i8 and M1 reunited in mid-engined Bavarian retrospective

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Videos, Supercars, BMW

The BMW i8 may be the cutting edge today - it did, after all, just win our Technology of the Year award - but as rare an event as it is, it's not the first time that BMW has put out an extreme mid-engined supercar. The last time was in the late 1970s with the M1, a Giugiaro-designed, (partially) Lamborghini-developed piece of exotic machinery.

The better part of four decades later, Auto Express has brought together an original M1 with its spiritual (if much more advanced) successor for the video comparison that was bound to happen. The question we can't help but ponder, initial sales success aside, is whether the i8 will mature into a classic in the same way the M1 has.

Continue reading BMW i8 and M1 reunited in mid-engined Bavarian retrospective

BMW i8 and M1 reunited in mid-engined Bavarian retrospective originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Family scrambles to cover daughter's medical payments

This Christmas, Marlisa Smith has to choose between paying the bills or getting a little something for her three girls. Smith worries most about not keeping up with daughter Ashley's medical bills; they've been accumulating since she was born with a severe brain abnormality, mental retardation and autism seven years ago.

Abercrombie's budget director in running for CFO of UH

Kalbert Young, the state's budget director under outgoing Gov. Neil Abercrombie, is expected to be named chief financial officer for the University of Hawaii system.

Suspect, 21, is charged in flashing at university

A 21-year-old man linked to three reported incidents of indecent exposure on the University of Hawaii campus has been charged with three counts of misdemeanor sexual assault.

Health Department allows permits for dairy farm on Kauai

A planned Kauai dairy received approval this week for county building permits. Hawaii Dairy Farms announced Tuesday the state Department of Health has completed its review, which allowed for the approval of the building permits.

BMW against Merkel's female board member quota in Germany

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, BMW

There may soon be more women in power positions in the world of German business under a proposed law from Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government. If passed, the law would force large, publicly traded corporations to have female members make up at least 30 percent of their supervisory boards (which are responsible in part for business strategy) by 2016. In addition, all companies would have to increase the female proportion on their management boards, which conduct regular business.

The law seems likely to pass next month. "We've decided to do this and it will happen," said Merkel in a speech about the new rule, according to Bloomberg. Women currently have just six percent of management board seats in the country.

Big businesses in the country aren't on board with proposed law, including automakers. "BMW as a company doesn't believe in quotas," said spokesperson Jochen Frey to Bloomberg. "While we hold that opinion, we want and strive for diversity in our workforce in terms of gender, ethnicity and age." Currently, 25 percent of Bimmer's supervisory board is female, a bit higher than the national average in Germany of 22 percent.

German car companies are hardly alone when it comes to having a paucity of women in positions of power. Honda only added its first female member to the automaker's board of directors earlier this year, and Toyota and Nissan showed similarly low numbers. A 2013 list from Fortune ranked many of the most powerful women in the auto industry as coming from North America.

BMW against Merkel's female board member quota in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Nov 2014 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UH newspaper wins national honor

Ka Leo o Hawaiʻi, the University of Hawaii student newspaper, took first place in the best of show competition at a national convention for college journalists.

Early shoppers devour deals

Move over, Black Friday. Crowds of Thanksgiving Day shoppers got a head start on holiday purchases for what is becoming a new tradition.

More details emerge on hotter BMW i8S coming next year

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Luxury

The BMW i8 recently won the Autoblog Technology of the Year award, and it's going to get even better. In October, Automobile magazine reported that BMW's i brand is working on an i8S that would be stiffer and more powerful, and celebrate the marque's centenary in 2016. At the time, one of two power unit combinations was suggested, either one of them good for more than 500 horsepower.

Car magazine has added more info on the coupe said to be called Project M100, saying that in addition to being a birthday gift for BMW, it will also be a going-away statement to current chairman Norbert Reithofer, who is expected to retire in 2016 or 2017. It will also be so thoroughly reworked that there will be plenty of daylight between it and the standard i8: a more integrated carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, a wider range of materials used in the build, a larger luggage bay due to the omission of rear seats, a more aggressive suspension supporting heartier brakes and wider tires, and - perhaps - a different aero and ground-effects package to be visually different and make the most of the alterations.

As for that power unit, Car says that the two options mentioned by Automobile are still under consideration, being either a 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder with 320 horsepower and a 204-hp electric motor, or a 3.0-liter straight six with 480 hp and a 109 hp. Either choice gets an integrated starter motor good for another 27 hp, and a total torque number of roughly 520 pound-feet, 100 additional lb-ft than the current car. Word is that it will be shown for the centenary in 2016 then go on sale by the end of 2017.

More details emerge on hotter BMW i8S coming next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Nov 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Part of main road reopens 500 feet from hardened lava

Hawaii County officials reopened a section of Pahoa's main road at noon Wednesday with police and Hawaii National Guard troops in the area to make sure drivers didn't stop to get a look at hardened lava within 500 feet of the road.

Judge quashes Big Isle GMO ban

A federal judge on Wednesday once again ruled against efforts to ban genetically modified crops in the islands by invalidating a 2013 Hawaii County Council ordinance.

Sales will be ringing for stores as thanks still echo

Rather than just breaking bread on Thanksgiving, Hawaii retailers are hoping consumers will take some time to break the bank instead.

Tesla in talks with BMW about batteries, charging collaborations

Filed under: Europe, BMW, Tesla, Electric, Technology

With Toyota and Daimler no longer holding Tesla shares, the electric vehicle company might be looking for a new partner - possibly a Bavarian one. In a new interview with Germany's Der Spiegel, CEO Elon Musk confirmed that he has had talks with BMW execs about future collaboration.

"We are talking about whether we can collaborate in battery technology or charging stations," Musk said in the interview, according to Reuters. However, a Tesla spokesperson has tempered things by saying no formal agreements are in place at the moment.

In the same interview, Musk reportedly praised BMW's use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in its i sub-brand offerings, and said he would like to have a battery factory in Germany in the next five or six years.

The possibility of technological cooperation between Tesla and BMW has been a hot topic this year. In June, Musk reportedly met with BMW execs, and the two companies were also rumored to have met with Nissan to discuss charging technology. When Daimler sold off its shares, there was talk of it opening the way for possible collaboration between the two automakers, as well.

Tesla in talks with BMW about batteries, charging collaborations originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lava flow front not hot, thermal testing reveals

A thermal survey of the front of the stalled lava flow coming from Kilauea Volcano shows no signs of any hot spots.

Groups offer holiday fare to vets, needy

University of Hawaii baseball coach Mike Trapasso will serve as honorary turkey carver at River of Life Mission on Thanksgiving.

Autoblog Podcast #407

Filed under: Podcasts, Acura, Audi, BMW, Dodge, Toyota

Episode #407 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, and Sebastian Blanco talk about the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, the Toyota Mirai, and the BMW 3 Series falling off the Car and Driver 10Best list. We start with what's in the Autoblog Garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #407:



Topics:

• Challenge Bibendum
• Toyota Mirai fuel cell
• 3 Series falls off Car and Driver 10Best list

In The Autoblog Garage:

• 2015 Acura TLX
• 2015 Dodge Charger 392
• Audi Prologue Concept

Hosts: Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, Sebastian Blanco
Runtime: 01:07:55

Rundown:

• Intro and Garage - 00:00
• Challenge Bibendum - 18:32
• Toyota Mirai - 28:20
• C/D 10Best - 44:52
• Q&A - 53:52

---

Get the podcast:
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #407

Autoblog Podcast #407 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ship's damage to reef costs $840,000

The owner and the operator of a 733-foot cargo vessel that ran aground near the entrance of Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor in 2010 have agreed to pay $840,000 for causing damage to coral.

Large swell prompts advisory for 5 isles

A high-surf advisory remains in effect through 6 p.m. Tuesday for the north and west shores of Nii­hau and Kauai and north shores of Oahu, Molo­kai and Maui as a large north-northwest swell passes through the island chain.

Houses go cheap where lava is hot

While lava flows on Hawaii island have certainly put a dent into home sales, the market hasn't completely collapsed in the lower Puna district.

Next BMW 7 Series interior spotted

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

The next BMW 7 Series looks to be leading a rather dramatic change of the company's interior styling, judging by this new series of spy photos.

In the trio of shots, we can see that the next 7 Series will replace the high-quality plastic buttons of the brand's iDrive, HVAC and secondary audio controls with some very, very pretty aluminum pieces. We can also see what looks like haptic touch controls for some of the HVAC systems. While the 7 Series interior has never been bad, it's lagged notably behind the Audi A8 and new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This brightwork should be taken as a good sign, then, that BMW is preparing to take the fight to its countrymen. Aside from the handsome new switchgear, the large, wide nav screen looks like a pop-up unit, while it appears to be running a new version of the company's infotainment system.

These spy photos also give us our most detailed look at the 7 Series' new laser headlights. According to our spies, these will be an optional extra, while LED headlights will be standard. The high-output lights will flank a wider pair of kidney grilles that our spies claim will give the 7 a sportier look. Changes in back are still camouflaged, although our shooters claim the new lamps will be more angular than the current car's.

Expect the next 7 Series to make its debut in the second half of 2015, which could indicate a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Next BMW 7 Series interior spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2014 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Studies abound on edifice rex

With brilliant Waianae Range sunsets on one side, placid Pearl Harbor and the towering Koolaus on others, the views from Aloha Stadium on game days have few rivals.

Honolulu police department announces 35 promotions

Honolulu Police Chief Louis M. Kealoha has announced the promotion of 30 officers and five civilian employees.

UH-Hilo scientists help map lava flow

Predicting where the June 27 lava flow will go next is a fluid undertaking. In addition to the original topography of the landscape affected by lava flows, workers with Hawaii County Civil Defense must consider changes made to the topography by the hardened lava left on the surface and how that will alter future flows.

Sub crew rejoins families after 6-month deployment

The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Columbia returned to Pearl Harbor on Friday from a six-month deployment in the western Pacific.

Shark expert will keep state job after jail

A prominent Hawaii shark expert incarcerated for child pornography charges will return to his state job when his sentence is over. Randy Honebrink will retain his title as aquatic resource information and education coordinator when he completes his sentence next month.

Deportation change hailed by isle resident

For 16 years, Antonio has been trying to find a way to make it legal for him to stay in Hawaii. President Barack Obama may have given him a way.

Anglers sought to help clear fish from Nuuanu Reservoir

Nuuanu Reservoir will be open for fishing for one day next month, the Board of Water Supply has announced. The board wants anglers to help remove fish from the reservoir in advance of an improvement project slated for mid-2015.

Car and Driver 10Best list cracked by Tesla Model S, BMW 3 Series left off

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Hatchback, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Volkswagen, Tesla

Car and Driver is keeping new blood pumping into its annual 10Best cars list with three new entries making it on for 2015 and a perennial favorite falling off. Among the biggest shocks this year is that the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series are no longer named, despite years of some portion of that lineup earning a mention. In another surprise, the Tesla Model S (specifically in S 60 trim to fit under the $80,000 cost cap) makes it to the 2015 roster and is the only electrically motivated member of the group.

Despite the loss of the 3 Series, BMW isn't entirely shut out this year, because the M235i gets its name on the list. Car and Driver argues that the little coupe feels like a welcome throwback to the E46 chassis M3 of the early 2000s. In addition to the Model S, the final newbie to the annual group is the 2015 Ford Mustang GT. The inclusion of these new members knocks the Audi A6/A7 family and Ford Fiesta ST out from the 2014 rundown.

The other seven models carry over from last year, including the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Honda Accord, Mazda3, Mazda6, Porsche Boxster/Cayman and Volkswagen Golf/GTI.

The 2015 10Best cars list certainly seems to have something for everyone from the hot hatch fan to the family man and even the green car driver, thanks to the addition of the Tesla. Head over to Car and Driver to read its detailed explanations for each vehicle's inclusion, but if you've got a difference of opinion or just really like the list, let us know in Comments.

Car and Driver 10Best list cracked by Tesla Model S, BMW 3 Series left off originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teacher returning to Arizona to face student-sex charges

A 45-year-old special-education teacher accused of having sex with a student in Arizona did not flee to Hawaii to avoid prosecution because she was unaware of the charges against her, the woman's lawyer said.

Suit gaffs new tuna rule

Environmental groups sued the National Marine Fisheries Service on Thursday to challenge a new rule for fishing bigeye tuna, a popular species for sushi and fish steaks.

Ford, GM still doing new business with Takata amidst airbag crisis

Filed under: Safety, BMW, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials, Technology

Lengthy vehicle development times make it difficult for automakers to cut and run from the supplier.

You might expect automakers to be fleeing any connection with beleaguered supplier Takata in the wake of the company's exploding airbag inflator crisis. After all, with a Senate hearing, pending lawsuit, plummeting stock value and demand for a national recall, the tier-one supplier isn't at its strongest right now. However, years of cooperation mean that automakers are standing by Takata, and necessity may be playing a role, as well.

About 39 percent of Takata's business comes from airbags, and seatbelts make up another significant chunk of the operation too, says Bloomberg. The long-term relationships and lengthy vehicle development times make it difficult for automakers to cut and run from the supplier. "Takata has so much product breadth that I don't really see that they could just disappear," said AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan to Bloomberg.

For example, Takata helped develop the unique front center airbag with General Motors in models like the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. Outside of safety tech, it is also a partner with Ford on the adaptive steering system available on the upcoming 2015 Edge.

These long-lasting partnerships make change difficult now that there's a problem. According to Reuters, automakers claim it would take a year or longer to set up with a different supplier for replacement airbag inflators. Switching to a completely different part for the repairs might not be a viable option either, because of the engineering time needed.

BMW is taking action, though. According to Reuters, the Bavarian brand is working with the supplier to move inflator production from Monclova, Mexico, to a Takata factory in Freiburg, Germany. The Mexican plant may be the source of some of the faulty parts.

Ford, GM still doing new business with Takata amidst airbag crisis originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acquisition creates rail project conflict

A global engineering and design firm that holds three Oahu rail project contracts has purchased a rival company that holds the contract to oversee the design firm's work, forcing city officials to look at ways to resolve an apparent conflict of interest.

Acquisition ­creates rail project conflict

A global engineering and design firm that holds three Oahu rail project contracts has purchased a rival company that holds the contract to oversee the design firm's work, forcing city officials to look at ways to resolve an apparent conflict of interest.

Tree's plight parallels that of isles' koa

It's a giant tree so awe-inspiring that the local Maoris named it Tane Mahuta, or "God of the Forest." But a sad truth, they add, is that before industry and disease claimed most of this country's large kauri trees, Tane Mahuta wasn't so extraordinary.

2015 BMW i8: Autoblog Technology of the Year finalist

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Electric, Luxury, Design/Style, Technology

Traditionally, nominations for the Autoblog Technology of the Year award are earned for specific developments - a new-think powertrain, a uniquely developed material, a groundbreaking smartphone app, or what have you. In the case of BMW's marvelous i8, it so bristles with novel applied sciences and fresh features that we broke with tradition and nominated the entire car.

We just couldn't help ourselves. Oh, we could've focused on the i8's carbon-fiber monocoque, or its well-resolved plug-in-hybrid powertrain that incorporates a tiny 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and an electric motor, or its seamless through-the-road all-wheel drive. This is a car that will even have frickin' laser beams for headlights - at least it will for our friends in Europe (and it will in the US, should our legislators ever catch up).

It may sound odd to suggest that a six-figure sports car is a good value, but there's an argument to be made. The i8 isn't just a bit of street theater that stops traffic better than any Lamborghini or Ferrari. It also has performance that's comparable to far more conventional automobiles like Porsche's 911 Carrera 4 (a car that isn't that much less expensive when similarly equipped), yet it offers whisper-quiet, gas-free electric commuting, too.

The Autoblog team tested the i8 exhaustively this fall, from dynamics testing on Northern Michigan's undulating Tunnel of Trees route to assessing ride quality and fuel economy during long interstate slogs, to poring over all of its menu-driven features and various drive modes. It's the real deal, and it looks, sounds, and drives like the future.

In the end, we just couldn't bring ourselves to nominate a single aspect of BMW's exotic yet surprisingly livable sports coupe - it had to be the whole package. Can you blame us?

2015 BMW i8: Autoblog Technology of the Year finalist originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lead prosecutor defends actions in gambling case

The lead prosecutor in the gambling, money laundering and racketeering case involving so-called sweepstakes machines took the witness stand in state court Tuesday to defend himself against allegations that he and the former lead prosecutor knowingly presented false information to the grand jury to secure an indictment.

2016 X6 M brings the power at LA show

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

BMW tore the cover off the second generation 2016 X6 M Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

BMW tuned the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 to push out 567 horsepower, up from the last model's 555 hp. Torque also leaps to 553 pound feet, compared with the previous output of 500 lb-ft. The V8 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which swaps in for the old six-speed. This potent powertrain allows the crossover to hit 60 miles per hour in about four seconds.

The X6, which features slightly more dramatic styling and an angled rear roofline, debuted alongside the more conventionally styled 2016 BMW X5 M at the LA show.

Crossover and performance buyers alike will enjoy the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which allows 100 percent of the power to be distributed to the front or rear axles. The M treatment is evident in the exterior design, which features flared wheel arches, 21-inch wheels, prominent air intakes in front and quad exhaust pipes in rear. The X6 M starts at $103,050 when it arrives in dealers next year.

Continue reading 2016 X6 M brings the power at LA show

2016 X6 M brings the power at LA show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2016 BMW X5 M is big and bold, not beautiful

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

Awesome as it is, the BMW X5 M has never really been an attractive machine. Big and bulgy are the themes here, and that's only more pronounced with the X5's most recent refresh. But no matter, the X5 M has never been about looks - for this machine, it's all about performance, and BMW's hi-po crossover absolutely delivers in this regard.

Under the hood is the familiar 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8, though power has been boosted to 567 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque - healthy increases of 12 and 53, respectively, compared to the outgoing model. Hitting 60 miles per hour is said to take just four seconds, which is damn impressive considering this thing weighs well over 5,000 pounds.

But the X5 M has always been shockingly good to drive, with limits you'll never reach except in the most hardcore track scenarios (which we'd really like to see, by the way). It's not the prettiest thing ever, but that's okay. It's not exactly cheap, though, with prices starting at $99,650. Woof.

Continue reading 2016 BMW X5 M is big and bold, not beautiful

2016 BMW X5 M is big and bold, not beautiful originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 2 Series to wear 230i, M240i nameplates

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Luxury

BMW might not be done tweaking its naming scheme quite yet. Of course, at this point, the jumble of numbers on the back of the Bavarian models has no connection to what's under the hood. So there's not much reason to stop changing the monikers now.

As Autoblog reported a few months ago, BMW is slotting upgraded, turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines called the B48 and B58, respectively, into the 3 and 4 Series. If this happens, the 328i/428i would become the 330i/430i, and the 335i/435i would turn into the 340i/440i.

Obviously, this change hasn't happened yet, but the same member of 2Addicts, a portion of the larger Bimmerpost community has now claimed that the 228i and M235i would get the same treatment. They would become the 230i and M240i, respectively, with the new engines.

The exact source of this information isn't entirely clear. The user claimed to have access an inside source of future BMW model data. In one update to the thread, the person warned that the info isn't for certain but considered it "BMW's best laid plans."

The decision to alter model names with the introduction of new engines would seem to make at least some sense. We wish the numbers didn't seem plucked out of the air, though.

BMW 2 Series to wear 230i, M240i nameplates originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Homicide case was flubbed, prosecutor admits

City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro apologized and took personal responsibility for the mishandling of a negligent-homicide case that has left the grieving family of an Ewa Beach man continuing to seek answers two years after he died from injuries he sustained when hit by a truck near his home.

BMW i5 could get Toyota-sourced hydrogen power

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, BMW, Technology

It's starting to feel like the automotive landscape is right on the cusp of a boom in hydrogen-fueled vehicles. After all, the Toyota FCV is nearly ready, Volkswagen is readying a fuel cell concept for this week's Los Angeles Auto Show and Hyundai already sells its Tucson Fuel Cell. The next big name to add to that list might be ​BMW, as the company's co-development deal with Toyota starts to bear fruit.

According to Autocar, BMW may use a version of the fuel cell system from the Toyota FCV in the future i5. As part of its eco-oriented i sub-brand, the i5 is expected to be a stretched version of the i3 (pictured above) with extra rear legroom and cargo space. It's unclear at the moment whether a battery-powered pure electric powertrain will also be available. If accurate, then the rumor could give the Bavarian brand a counterattack against Mercedes-Benz' planned fuel cell vehicle in 2017.

BMW and Toyota first signed the memorandum of understanding to co-develop fuel cells, lightweight technology and a sports car back in 2012, and they made the arrangement official in late 2013. So far, few details on the progress of the work have been disclosed, but the performance model has been rumored to use a front-engine, all-wheel drive layout with supercapacitors.

BMW i5 could get Toyota-sourced hydrogen power originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breakout lava flows active but show little movement

Scientists and civil defense officials were monitoring lava breakouts behind the stalled flow front in Pahoa, including a new breakout Sunday afternoon that was midway in the 13-mile lava flow, near a system of underground cracks bringing lava downslope.

Kaena damage prompts gate and permit system

Fed up with the ongoing off-road damage at Kaena Point, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Monday it will put up a locked gate and start a permit system for vehicles using the dirt roads in the Moku­leia section of the Kaena Point State Park Reserve.

Takai heads to Washington with hope for bipartisan unity

Where many might see a deep divide and bitter partisanship that has led to congressional gridlock, U.S. Rep.-elect Mark Takai sees an opportunity.

Healing is first option

The number of confirmed child abuse cases in Hawaii has dropped by more than half since 2005. Mirroring that trend, the number of children needing foster care declined by nearly 50 percent.

Car companies may need to start curbing model proliferation

Filed under: Performance, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, Luxury, Design/Style, Earnings/Financials

Looking at the current automotive landscape, especially from German makers, you quickly get the impression that less definitely isn't more. BMW alone offers its 3 Series platform in practically every segment possible, including the regular sedan and 4 Series Gran Coupe, which would seem to be direct competitors. Porsche might be the winner, though, with 20 different variants of the 911 listed for sale on its US website. However, some of this model madness might be reaching an end as companies begin cutting back spending or shifting money to other priorities.

According to Yahoo Finance, the offerings from the German automakers are up 25 percent over the past three years to over 200 models in Europe. The peak is expected to come around 2018 at 230 separate vehicles, according to consulting company PwC.

Amazingly, BMW, which is among the poster children for this model explosion, might be changing its tune. "I'm sure there will be points in the future where we look at certain cars and say, 'Maybe we need to think differently now,'" said head of sales Ian Robertson in an interview, according to Yahoo Finance. The statement certainly sounds shocking coming from a company rumored to have 23 front-wheel-drive vehicles all using a single platform on the way.

The shift in thinking might not be a question of whether automakers can build all of these distinct models, but rather if it's the best way to invest their money. The small footprint of European dealers makes it difficult to show all of these vehicles off. Also, even if platforms and drivetrains are shared, there's still the extra expense in marketing each one. Finally, "every single variant increases development and logistics expenditure," said Porsche spokesperson Achim Schneider to Yahoo Finance.

So what do the German automakers do with the extra funds from not exploiting every possible niche? Volkswagen is reportedly working on cutting costs, and BMW is too. Also, Porsche is trying to grow overall sales. If this actually happens, maybe picking the perfect 911 will be a bit less complicated in just a few years.

Car companies may need to start curbing model proliferation originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Community devises ways to deal with lava

Vog air scrubbers made from off-the-shelf parts from a Pahoa hardware store. Heat-resistant fabrics to allow cars to drive over still-cooling lava. A water-cooled, heat-resistant bridge.

Ocean Watch: Waters off Palau are home to treasure trove of sea life

On the last day of my week in Palau, I asked five snorkeling companions to name their favorite part of the trip. The fact that we were evenly divided in our choices is testament to the wide variety of stunning marine life in this island nation of Micronesia. We were two for Ulong Channel, two for Jellyfish Lake and two for mandarinfish.

Child's best interest is not always family

By the time she was 2, the child had lived most of her life with the same two Oahu foster parents. The toddler had developed a strong bond with the couple and their family and considered their residence her home, according to court documents.

Hokule'a renews bond with New Zealanders

The last time Hokule'a crews set foot on this panoramic, cloud-swept beach in New Zealand's north land, they helped revive a voyaging tradition that had disappeared there.

China getting a look at Hawaii-based C-17, crew capabilities

Gen. Lori Robinson recently made her first trip to China in her new role as head of Pacific Air Forces, while a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft and 15 airmen based in Hawaii remain in the country for an air show, officials said.

Pahoa High alumni reschedule reunion as lava continues push

As lava from Kilauea Volcano continued its slow push toward Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station on Friday, a group of area school alumni were making plans to reschedule reunion festivities.

Rail panel OKs $48.4M for changes and delays

The rail transit board Thursday authorized the payment of $48.4 million for change orders and other additional costs due to delays in the project.

Smoke from lava prompts air quality concerns

The front of the lava flow from Kilauea Volcano threatening Pahoa remained stalled Thursday as officials monitored active breakouts and air quality.

Gap in funding questioned

While the Hawaii Supreme Court already has dinged the state for failing to provide sufficient funding to operate the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the debate now turns to what constitutes sufficient funding.

BMW says SUVs killed the sports car market

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, BMW, Earnings/Financials

In many ways, we're living in a golden age of automotive performance. After all, it's possible to show up at a Dodge dealer, hand over about $60,000 and storm away with a 707-horsepower Challenger Hellcat. Or for those who prefer a touch more luxury, the BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C63 and latest Cadillac ATS-V offer between 425 and 503 horsepower, depending on your pick, with a bit more poshness. However, none of these powerful vehicles fit the classic definition of a two-place, droptop sports car, and according BMW head of sales Ian Robertson, that's because the segment is very much in the doldrums.

According to Robertson, two factors seriously wounded the classic sports car market. First, the global economic crisis of a few years ago put a serious hurt on sales, according to Bloomberg. Further worsening the situation, the boom in popularity of luxury SUVs and crossovers in the past few years hasn't allowed for much recovery. Even car-hungry China hasn't helped much because of the smog in many cities and preference among some of the very rich there to be chauffeured.

Combined, Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK sales peaked around 114,000 units a year in 2007, but they are only expected to reach 72,000 annually by the end of the decade. Robertson is pretty pessimistic about the market's comeback too. "Post-2008, it just collapsed. I'm not so sure it'll ever fully recover," he said to Bloomberg.

Despite the downturn, there's no reason to start eulogizing the sports car. The ones that are available or are coming make for some fantastic offerings. They range from the V8 power of the Chevy Corvette to the more lithe styling of the upcoming 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Plus, a new Audi TT droptop is on the way. There's no reason to write the segment off yet.

BMW says SUVs killed the sports car market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2014 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Woman given year in jail for Iolani Palace break-in

A 22-year-old woman who admitted that she damaged a 130-year-old glass panel when she kicked in a door to break into Iolani Palace could be spending 12 more months in jail.

Lava stalls near waste facility; officials to seek federal funds

The lava flow from Kilauea Volcano is lingering near Pahoa's $3.9 million waste and recycling center while county officials keep an eye on a breakout upslope that moved 225 yards Wednesday.

Navy must fortify Red Hill fuel tanks, report says

State and city agencies want the Navy to either double-line its operational underground fuel storage tanks at Red Hill within the next 10 years or shut them down, according to a draft report issued last week by the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility Task Force.

Shipping seascape will change

The domestic shipping business that is Hawaii's main lifeline for goods is reverting to a duopoly next year after nearly a decade of three-way competition, though local consumers and businesses are not expected to see significant price or service changes.

Lava makes it inside fence around county waste facility

Lava from Kilauea Volcano flowed through a fence surrounding Pahoa's $3.5 million waste and recycling center Tuesday afternoon, one day after it burned a nearby house.

H-1 lanes to be shut in Kalihi at night

Starting Wednesday night, state transportation officials plan to make full and partial lane closures in both directions of the H-1 freeway in Kalihi from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Veterans Day events

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl: Keynote speaker is Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., U.S. Pacific Fleet commander. Ceremony begins at 10 a.m.; gates open at 8 a.m. Parking available on first-come, first-served basis. Call 532-3720.

Six 'shut up and take my money' cars

Filed under: BMW, Cadillac, Honda, Jeep, Subaru, Humor, Fiat

Any time you see this iconic moment in pop culture - Shut up and take my money! - posted in response to a new car reveal, rumor for an upcoming model or even lip-service to a vehicle that should exist, you can bet there's some intrinsic good in the idea. Though depending on the person offering up the cash, that good could take the form of extraordinary form, functionality, weight savings, power, handling, etc. You get the idea.

In fact, when I first proposed this list, I reached out to the Autoblog staff to help me brainstorm. Here are some of the ideas they offered up that I ultimately didn't use: Jaguar XE Coupe, Pagani Huayra Roadster, Mercedes-Benz S-Class "parade car" (cabriolet), Morgan 3-Wheeler with Ducati V-twin, Ford Transit Connectamino (pickup), Mercedes CLA63 AMG, Ford Fusion 5.0, BMW i8 Spyder, Lexus RC-F Shooting Brake, Volvo XC90 Polestar. Oh, and things we collectively wanted to stick Dodge's Hellcat in were almost as numerous as models that Fiat Chrysler Automotive currently makes (though none quite so compelling as the Grand Cherokee you see above.)

Ultimately though, while I used a couple of ideas from my colleagues, the list of cars I'd shell out for unquestionably is very personal. Though it isn't complete, what follows is a selection of cars whose very existence would prompt me - or the trust-fund-baby versions of me - to utter without hesitation: "Shut up and take my money."

Read, enjoy, and then post your own list of Take My Money Cars in Comments below - make Fry proud.

Continue reading Six 'shut up and take my money' cars

Six 'shut up and take my money' cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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