BMW Vision Connected Drive Concept

BMW says the design and technology of its two-seat Vision ConnectedDrive concept roadster are aimed at making the vehicle an integral part of a networked world. It is, perhaps, the ultimate social networking machine.
With the long hood of a classic sports car and a competition-style windscreen, the Vision ConnectedDrive looks muscular. BMW, however, makes no mention of the vehicle’s powertrain; the high-performance equipment featured here is electronic. Some of that electronic equipment is, in BMW parlance, layered, meaning that components perform more than one task. In that spirit, the headlights and taillights are integrated with sensors that monitor traffic and, rather archly, “the environment.”

The cabin is subdivided into three distinct areas by fiber-optic lighting. A heads-up display is said to fuse the actual view of the road ahead with virtual content. The co-pilot — that would be the front-seat passenger — can review a stream of data that, if deemed worthy of the driver’s attention, can be forwarded to the instrument panel.

BMW Vision

BMW Z4 Design at Geneva

That is actually what they call this car! BMW Z4 with new Equipment Package Pure Design Balance is on display at the Geneva Motor Show as we speak, as a further interpretation of the successful sporty roadster.


You might be struggling to realize what’s new on this car, and we can’t blame you. But it comes with Mineral White metallic, which is offered for the first time with the Z4 as part of the Design Pure Balance package. Alternatively you can go for other non-metallic and metallic exterior paint finishes.

This package is more about the interior. It’s been fitted with fitted with leather in the attractive new colour Cohiba Brown, with contrasting seams in Lotus White. The package is rounded off with additional black leather features featuring seams in Umbra, Fineline Anthracite wood and sports seats as standard.

You can order the new equipment package for the BMW Z4 form summer 2011. Pricing is TBA.

BMW Z4

2011 BMW M3 Review | Pictures | Specification

2011 BMW M3

The coupe is a 3-series that has undergone tuning by BMW M, the car maker's motorsport division. The latest model now equipped with a Competition Package as standard that improves on the current driving dynamics but more on that later.

2011 BMW M3

The 2011 BMW M3 is huge. Once you're settled inside, you feel as if your human presence is overshadowed, intimidated, especially with that innocuous M button staring at you. Still, the 2011 BMW M3 surprises because it is actually very easy to drive at city speeds and therefore, easy to live with on a daily basis.
I had no trouble cruising around tight HDB carparks, sometimes attracting a stare or two with the deep, rumbling V8 engine. A lightened steering wheel at low speed helped. The 2011 BMW M3 has a smooth, if somewhat rumbly, city drive even in Normal driving mode. I did without the Comfort mode, the third leg in the electronic damper control for the M3. The sports seats in front were cushy and yet provided ample lateral support, a reminder that these vehicles are still track cars.

2011 BMW M3

We liked the weighted steering that added a sharpness to the driving dynamics. Despite its track intentions, the suspension will be easy on your bones as it levels out road bumps that our engineers have forgotten about. A Comfort driving mode exists should there be a need to soften the handling further. Gear shifts were silky-smooth with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission but when required, a touch of the accelerator will bring you up to speed.