Hartge Presents New Tuning Program for the BMW 116d

If you're looking for a bit more oomph for your new BMW 116d, you may want to check out Hartge's latest tuning program for the entry-level diesel version of the three- and five-door 1-Series hatchback. The specific package consists of performance improvements that come in the form of an upgraded ECU that boosts the 2.0-liter turbo diesel's output from 115HP and 260Nm of torque to 143HP and 315Nm (232 lb-ft).

There's also a sport suspension kit that adds new springs which lower the 116d's ride height by 25mm as well as a sport exhaust system. And if you're still not content, Hartge will have no problem upgrading your bimmer with a numerous aero parts and a new set of alloy wheels and tires.

Official: BMW 2.0-liter Turbo Coming to the USA in 2011, Replaces 3.0-liter Straight-Six

We knew BMW's brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was coming to the States but now, the Bavarian automaker has made it official. The German company released a statement saying the first cars to be equipped with the force-fed four-banger will "arrive later this year" in the USA.

The 2.0-liter unit made its debut on the X1 compact crossover and will eventually replace BMW’s trademark normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. While BMW's US division has yet to announce which models will get the new engine, in Europe, the automaker has already confirmed the powerplant for the Z4 coupe-roadster and the 5-Series range.

In the U.S., the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six is currently available on these models:

-128i Coupe / Convertible 230HP

-328i Sedan / Coupe / Convertible / Sports Wagon / xDrive 230HP

-528i Sedan 240HP

-X3 xDrive28i 240HP

-Z4 sDrive30i 255HP

There's a strong possibility that BMW will offer the new 2.0-liter turbo on all of these models in the U.S. but this has yet to be confirmed.

BMW's more for less 2.0-liter unit combines twin-scroll turbocharging with high-pressure direct-injection and the firm's VALVETRONIC intake control. In the X1, the maximum output of 240 horsepower is achieved at 5,000 rpm, or 1,500 rpm lower than in the normally-aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. The peak torque of 260 lb-ft, comes on tap at just 1,250 rpm, which according to BMW, is not only 30% more torque than the aforementioned inline six, it also peaks 1,500 rpm earlier. On top of that, BMW says the four-pot also returns 16 per cent better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

VIDEO: Two Chinese Guys Build a Remote Control BMW 1-Series

If this video is to be believed, An Jiaxuan is an inventor par excellence and an electronics genius to boot. We see him playing around with various (and presumably) self-developed Smartphone apps, including ones that switch the lights and air conditioning on and off and can take a picture from a tripod-mounted camera.

That’s not all, though. Jiaxuan’s next big project is equipping and controlling a full-sized car via remote control. What’s the timeframe for this endeavour? Just twenty days.

With little more than some software development knowhow, a borrowed BMW 1-series hatchback, a Nokia C7 Smartphone and a whole lot of electronic and mechanical components, Jiaxuan makes the impossible a reality. Sure, it could all be a hoax or a viral ad for the C7, but that’s not really the point; this video has some funny moments.

Like when Jiaxuan’s friend asks, “How’s the control? Is it just as good?”

And Jiaxuan replies, “Of course man, it’s gotta be otherwise we’re not gonna be able to get the car to drift.”

It’s that sort of balls-to-the-wall car lover insanity that we at Carscoop adore. Or the final scene in the video, where Jiaxuan’s friend points at an overflying aircraft and says:

“Think you can control that plane up there?”

Looking up at the sky, Jiaxuan answers, “We could try, yah...I think it’ll work.”

Click through for the full video and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

2010 BMW 1-Series: Coupe Gets 2.0-liter Engines, New Sport and LifeStyle Editions for the Hatch

BMW's 1-Series range is entering the 2010 model year with two new engines returning up to 52.mpg US for the coupe and two additional special edition versions for the three- and five-door hatchback models. Starting off with the 1 Series Coupe, the Bavarian automaker is enhancing the two-door model's lineup with the addition of the 120i Coupe that is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine developing 170HP at 6,700 rpm and peak torque of 210Nm /155 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm.

The gasoline engine accelerates the 120i Coupe from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.8 seconds and offers a top speed of 224km/h or 149 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is rated at 6.6lt/100km or 35.7mpg US with CO2 emissions of 153gr/km.

The second new model to join the range is the 118d Coupe that features a 2.0-liter turbo diesel churning out 143HP at 4,000 rpm and 300Nm /221 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. With this power plant that is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 118d Coupe goes from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210km/h or 130mph while returning an average fuel consumption of just 4.5lt/100km or 53.2mpg US with a CO2 emission rating of 119gr/km.

Both the 118d and 120i Coupe will be go on sale in Europe in September.

Other new models as of September 2009 are the Lifestyle and Sport Editions which will be available with all engine variants of the three- and five-door hatchback versions of the 1-Series. Highlights of the Lifestyle Edition include the exclusive Marrakesh Brown Metallic paint with matching interior trim and upholstery, additional exterior components in body color and chrome-plated tailpipes as well as specific 17-inch light-alloy rims in five-spoke design.

The Sport Edition models come as standard with the M Sports Package which includes the M Aerodynamics Package, a sports suspension set-up as well as 17-inch light-alloy wheels in dual-spoke design. Furthermore, the BMW 130i and BMW 123d feature 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Ferric Grey paintwork available as an option also on the other model variants.

Other features included in the package are the Blackline rear lights, exterior components in body colour, Shadow Line on the window shaft covers and side window surrounds, foglamps and chrome-plated tailpipes on the exhaust

Inside, the Sport Edition comes with a set of front passenger sport seats, chrome-plated entry trim bearing the name "BMW Edition", stainless-steel pedals, an M footrest, an M sports steering wheel, an M gearshift lever in soft nappa leather, interior trim in Aluminium Glacier Silver and roof lining in anthracite color.

New Rumors Surface about 4-Cylinder Turbocharged BMW Engine, this time for Z4 Roadster

Last time we reported about BMW's long-rumored family of turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, it was in the summer of 2010. Meanwhile, the German manufacturer hasn't revealed anything on the matter, giving the whole affair an almost mythical status.

However, a new rumor has surfaced, with Automobile Magazine tweeting that the entry level BMW Z4 will soon get a new, 4-cylinder force inducted engine, as a replacement for the naturally aspirated inline-six.

The exact tweet was “BMW new 4-cyl coming this year in Z4 roadster. Replaces nat asp 6, so at least 200 hp” and, seeing that average fuel consumption regulations and emissions standards are getting stricter by the day, it sounds like a logical move for BMW.

The Bavarian company sure knows how to build a fine turbocharged engine and there are many models in its line-up that could benefit from a more frugal, and equally if not more powerful four-pots. The 1-Series and 3-Series are just two that come to mind right, although we’re pretty sure that X3 owners wouldn’t mind better fuel economy as well.

Clearly, the question here is not “why”, but rather “when”, and at the rate things are going, we’d say let's meet up again this summer and we’ll hopefully have some more official info for you.

BMW Prices U.S.-Spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible at NAIAS 2011

At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, BMW announced pricing information for the U.S.-spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe, face-lifted 2012 1-Series, and the all-new 2012 650i Convertible.

The revised entry-level 128i Coupe starts from $31,825, while the much anticipated 1-Series M Coupe with the 335HP turbocharged inline-six is priced at $47,010 and will be available in limited quantity. The new generation of 650i Convertible starts at $91,375. All prices include an $875 destination and handling fee.

For the 2012 model year, all 1-Series variants received a mild exterior makeover and come with iPod/USB integration. Furthermore, certain models feature an innovative Air Curtain system (128i), which reduces wind resistance, Xenon adaptive headlights and power seats with adjustable lumbar support as standard (135i).

The 128i Convertible models get larger, 17-inch alloys, while the 135i Convertible comes with 18-inch rims. By adding a through-loading system, engineers also managed to improve the storage capacity of all open-top versions.

The complete price list of the 2012 BMW 1-Series is as follows:

128i Coupe $31,825

135i Coupe $39,925

128i Convertible $37,475

135i Convertible $44,675

The 2012 BMW 650i Convertible is powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, rated at 400 hp and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, which can be mated either to a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says that the new model offers more passenger space, improved ergonomics and better materials. Just like the previous generation, the new 6-Series Convertible has a soft top that can retract in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h).

Sales of the 2012 1-Series, 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible will start this spring.

BMW Prices U.S.-Spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible at NAIAS 2011

At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, BMW announced pricing information for the U.S.-spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe, face-lifted 2012 1-Series, and the all-new 2012 650i Convertible.

The revised entry-level 128i Coupe starts from $31,825, while the much anticipated 1-Series M Coupe with the 335HP turbocharged inline-six is priced at $47,010 and will be available in limited quantity. The new generation of 650i Convertible starts at $91,375. All prices include an $875 destination and handling fee.

For the 2012 model year, all 1-Series variants received a mild exterior makeover and come with iPod/USB integration. Furthermore, certain models feature an innovative Air Curtain system (128i), which reduces wind resistance, Xenon adaptive headlights and power seats with adjustable lumbar support as standard (135i).

The 128i Convertible models get larger, 17-inch alloys, while the 135i Convertible comes with 18-inch rims. By adding a through-loading system, engineers also managed to improve the storage capacity of all open-top versions.

The complete price list of the 2012 BMW 1-Series is as follows:

128i Coupe $31,825

135i Coupe $39,925

128i Convertible $37,475

135i Convertible $44,675

The 2012 BMW 650i Convertible is powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, rated at 400 hp and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, which can be mated either to a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says that the new model offers more passenger space, improved ergonomics and better materials. Just like the previous generation, the new 6-Series Convertible has a soft top that can retract in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h).

Sales of the 2012 1-Series, 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible will start this spring.

VIDEO: BMW Owner Leaves Car in Gear to Push, House Pays the Price

So here's how this 'fail' story goes: A female driver gets stuck on a patch of ice / snow in her automatic BMW 1-Series. After a few unsuccessful attempts of trying to free the Bavarian hatch from behind the steering wheel, she decides to leave it in gear and give it a push herself. While the BMW driver eventually managed to clear out of the slippery part of the road, she ended up in another mess [...]. See what happens next in the video after the break.

Hartge Releases New Aero Parts for BMW 1-Series

BMW tuning specialist Hartge has launched a new assortment of aero add-ons and sport exhaust systems for the 1-Series. Available parts include a front lip spoiler, rear diffuser, side skirts, roof and boot lid spoilers, carbon casings for the exterior mirrors, inserts for the lower air vents, decals and the not so necessary, Hartge emblems. The tuner has also released two new sport exhaust systems with four tailpipes for the 125i and 135i models with the M Aerodynamic package.