Big Motoring World Reviews 2016 BMW X1

Big Motoring World reviews the latest BMW X1, a quirky crossover that attempts to marry premium German motoring with practicality and versatility.

Design

Despite being 15mm shorter, the 2016 X1 is 23mm wider and 53mm higher than the previous model. Its new exterior dimensions make it much more imposing, with lots of sharp creases, flared arches and more aggressive styling. In its appearance it adopts a very similar styling to the very popular X5, with the larger grilles up front adding more depth to the body.

Engine Performance

There are four engines in the range, all 2.0-litre, offering one petrol and three diesels. The entry level 18d manages a solid 148bhp but if you want real power opt for the 20d or 25d, producing 187bhp and 228bhp respectively. The petrol 20i is no push over either, using a 189bhp four-cylinder turbo.

On the road

With four-wheel-drive to ensure good traction and a slick six-speed automatic gearbox the impressive performance is easy to exploit. It’s surprisingly capable on long winding roads despite its size. All the models send their power to the front wheels predominantly, but are able to switch up to 100% of torque to the rear when it senses slip. The steering is controlled and direct, and the body control is faultless.

Practicality

The inside is very spacious, with plenty of headroom, generous shoulder space and 37mm more legroom behind the front seats. This is by and large due to its switch to a more modern platform with the transverse engine up front. There’s even more space as you venture into the back, including the addition of a sliding rear seat. The boot is 85 litres bigger than the last model, now 505 litres, and if you fold the rear seats flat you’ll reveal a 1,550-litre load area - that’s 200 litres more than before.

Economy

Despite boasting stronger acceleration and top speed, BMW have remarkably improved the X1’s fuel consumption and emissions performance. For a compact SUV that is capable of 146mph, 56.5mpg and only 132g/km of CO2 emissions is superb feat for the German giants.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. June’s figures showed the highest ever sales in 20 years of business. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

Good news for BMW regarding Chinese market

China’s decreasing market for BMW isn’t all bad news for the German car manufacturer, as Big Motoring World reviews.

Reallocation

BMW say they have reallocated vehicles which were initially intended for China and other emerging markets. They have been moved to prospering markets such as the USA and UK, which will increase competitiveness and higher incentives in our shores.

It’s particularly good for the USA which currently has a strong dollar, creating attractive marketing conditions, as China’s car market slows – last year the country accounted for 22% of BMW’s overall sales. This won’t necessarily have a negative effect on the manufacturer as a whole.

Growth

Chinese sales rose in the second quarter of 2015 and sales for BMW are expected to rise in the second half of this year, recouping some of the loss from lower sales earlier this year.

BMW were prepared for the slow start to this year, slowing Asian production at the back end of last year which enabled them to focus on the European market and America – countries where sales continue to strengthen.

“Competition is increasing in the US. The strong dollar is creating attractive market conditions,” Friedrich Eichiner, chief financial officer, told reporters. “Every manufacturer wants a piece of the cake.” And BMW are set to share a large slice of the cake with an increased market share and output in the US.

The German premium carmaker attributed the decline in sales to expenses for new product launches and a higher volume of compact cars sold — which have lower margins. Net profit for BMW was €1.75bn.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. June’s figures showed the highest ever sales in 20 years of business. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

Big Motoring World reviews: Mercedes GLC 350e hybrid 2016

Big Motoring World reviews the Mercedes GLC 350e hybrid, designed to be efficient and sporty. The GLC 350 is fast and refined to perfection, with impressive Co2 emissions and fuel economy. With its elegant exterior and broad engine choices, it's expected to outsell its obvious competitors.

Efficient

The GLC hybrid is capable of driving around 20 miles on battery power alone, and it can be charged from empty to full on a Level 2 charger in under two hours. If you are able to charge regularly and your commute is less than 21 miles, you could effectively never fill the 350e with unleaded fuel. It is quoted to produce economy of 109mpg, and just 60g/km of CO2.

On the road

The GLC 350e is a plug-in hybrid that is equipped with an 85kW electric motor which works in tandem with the 2.0 turbo. It has a combined power output of 235kW which can pull the SUV from rest to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds, topping out at 146mph. When you really step on the gas this motor bursts into life; the instant torque is immediately noticeable and it offers impressive straight-line speed. The GLC 350e also uses a seven-speed automatic transmission, enabling smoother gear shifting.

Driving modes

The plug-in GLC offers up a variety of extra driving modes, including an electric mode, a hybrid mode and a charge mode that uses the engine to charge the battery while driving. The GLC 350e drives equally as well as the petrol and diesel versions, motoring along without drama on electricity, and seamlessly switching to the engine when needed.

Hybrid mode

In hybrid mode the four-cylinder petrol engine combines with the electric motor to make the car even more efficient and just as quick. When you ease off the accelerator the two disengage, which generates more energy for the battery, but the pair couple up again to produce a sharp burst of acceleration when overtaking slow moving traffic.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. June’s figures showed the highest ever sales in 20 years of business. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

Big Motoring World reviews BMW X6 SUV

Big Motoring World reviews the new BMW X6 SUV which is sporty, powerful and not overly priced.

Aesthetics

This car blends the bulky, tall, traditional SUV build yet looks slick and sporty like a coupe at the same time. It’s certainly eye-catching, and all the more so with standard metallic paint across the range. Alloys are standard, too, with either 19- or 20-inch diameter, depending on trim. Optional add-ons include M Sport models which have their own body kit. The Pure Extravagance Exterior Design Package takes things up a notch further.

Interior

Leather upholstery is standard across the range, as are brushed aluminium trim and ambient lighting. Higher spec versions come with high-gloss wood trim, making it just as smart as the comparable Audi. It proves that you are getting your money’s worth, with a slick and easy to use dash display and infotainment system. iDrive comes as standard, whilst the driving position is excellent with a full view in front.

Performance

Sporty and powerful, it gets to 60mph in just seven seconds. The engine sounds spectacular, and the most economical X6 (the 30d) averages well over 45mpg and has CO2 emissions of less than 160g/km. BMW’s three-year, unlimited mileage warranty is par for the course.

Technology

Each model includes Bluetooth, DAB radio, sat-nav, automatic headlights and wipers, and heated front seats. If you go for the M Sport version, it also includes electrically adjustable sports front seats. The comfort and interior trim are joined by chassis and technology that proves BMW is striving in every department to create the perfect car.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. June’s figures showed the highest ever sales in 20 years of business. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

Big Motoring World reviews the modified BMW i3 which is controlled by your mind

Experts have modified a BMW i3 electric car so it can be driven remotely using just a person's thoughts, but could this really be the future of driving? Big Motoring World reviews the science behind this phenomenon.

What does it do?

Whilst it may be hard to believe, you can control this car with your mind and Money Super Market have evidence to prove it. The car, which was developed by the price comparison site for its ‘Car Insurance Epic Mind Drive project’, was seen in a demo being navigated around a curved track using only human brain waves.

The i3 is controlled by an electroencephalogram (EEG) neuro headset, using sophisticated software algorithms to translate brain signals into driving commands. With this innovative design a telematics box can be used inside the car to measure how well the car is being driven and the thought processes you apply whilst at the wheel.  

How did they do it?

The specialist mechanics replaced the driver's seat with a mechanical rig that was capable of turning the steering wheel and pressing the pedals on command. They then fitted the drivers with the EEG neuro headset to monitor their brain activity.

Before users can drive the i3 using nothing but their mind, they need to train the headset. Once the software understands their thought patterns, it can then wirelessly transmit them to the car. To do this drivers must associate a specific mental image with each manoeuvre or action you wish the car to take. For example, the software can be trained to associate a person thinking about a banana with turning right. Every time that person thinks of the banana their brain signals will be the same, so these signals can be translated into commands.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

Big Motoring World Reviews New BMW Water Technology

Big Motoring World reviews BMW’s new Direct Water Technology, believed to increase efficiency and performance of the cars’ engines.

How does it work?

A seven-litre water reservoir is mounted in the engine bay, with levels fed by condensation from the air conditioning unit which would otherwise have been wasted. Once the engine is up to temperature and a certain point in the rev range is exceeded, the water is used either as a fine spray into the inlet manifold, or into a high-pressure pump which mixes with fuel to form emulsion.
From that, the emulsion is then directly injected into the cylinder during compression. The spray is so fine, it evaporates before the crucial combustion phase. This means that it works as a secondary cooler as it takes in the air before combustion. BMW claims that at least 70oC is reduced; it’s like driving on a cold winter’s day all-year-round.

Future plans

DWI technology is currently only specifically for forced induction petrol motors. It has a particular benefit to cars that undergo high-load situations regularly and can be susceptible to knocking. BMW also says that 80% of their customers worldwide would never have to refill the DWI reservoir; the air conditioning will provide enough fluid for almost all of its uses.

Verdict

The Direct Water Injection technology in BMW’s 1 Series DWI prototype appears to have real potential for boosting the efficiency and performance of the engines; another forward-thinking move from BMW.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. It had its most successful month of trading in its history in July. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

BMW plans to sell only electric cars by 2025

Big Motoring World reviews BMW’s plans to sell only electric cars within ten years. The German automaker has dedicated a lot of time, money and workforce to Project i, which is dedicated to building fuel-alternative vehicles.

The factories used are eco-friendly and equate to a large part of BMW’s current model range.

Electric Power

The planned cars would still use a small gas engine to generate the electricity and extend the range of the batteries, but the main power of the vehicle would come from separate electric motors for the front and rear wheels.

Part of this decision has been forced by restrictions set by the EU on carbon emissions, whilst BMW’s hybrid and electric cars have also seen success in the current market. Celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Don Cheadle, James Cameron and Zooey Deschanel have all shown their eco-friendly mind-sets this year by driving electric cars.

BMW Project

And BMW’s first two cars from Project i, the £28,000 i3 electric and the £86,000 i8 supercar, have been successful on the market. The i3 is currently the fourth-best selling electric vehicle in the US.

Mercedes-Benz are also jumping on the electric bandwagon with a new SUV, the GLC, to be released later this year. The model was released earlier this year but will now be joined by a hybrid version.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.