| February 28, 2013
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BMW Teams Up with Continental to Design Self-Driving Cars

It may be a scary concept to comprehend, but the futuristic idea of self-driving cars may become a reality sooner than we thought possible. Several automakers and their engineers are working to perfect this concept, including BMW.

This week, BMW announced a new joint-venture with Continental in order to design and develop a self-driving system that could be completely function by the end of 2020- just 7 years from now.

The intention is that these cars would have the recognition of intersections, toll stations, and roadwork. The feature will only be used when the driver is in peril, or when you are trying to avoid a traffic jam. It could also be useful on long car trips when you want to relax when traveling.

BMW has been involved in developing this type of technology for quite some time now. In 2011, BMW tested a self-driving car prototype successfully. The vehicle drove itself from Munich to Nuremberg without any driver interaction.

We have no fear (for the time being) in the United States as these new prototypes plant to be tested on public roads in Germany and other areas of Europe this year and next.

Category: BMW Technology | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| February 20, 2013
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BMW i8 Hybrid Prototype Test Drive

The BMW i8 is a prototype that has been gaining a lot of recognition in the auto world over the past few months. The i8 is BMW’s plug-in hybrid sports car in which an electric motor drives the front wheels and a 1.5-liter three cylinder engine drives the rear wheels. It is a powerful car at around 350 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.

If engineered as planned, the hybrid car will get as much as 80 miles per gallon and will be fast- reaching 60 seconds in 4.6 seconds.  However, much fine-tuning needs to be done before the prototype is released, as you will see in the video.

This video shows representatives from Britain’s Evo Magazine test driving the i8 prototype on a frozen lake in Sweden. Perillo BMW is excited about the i8 and will share more news about the prototype as it is released.

 

Category: BMW i8 Hybrid, BMW Prototypes | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| February 18, 2013
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New BMW Z4 GTE Racecar Ready to Hit the Track

Racing fans, there’s a new BMW racecar that is gaining a lot of attention in the sports world. Earlier this month, BMW introduced its BMW Z4 GTE racecar, replacing the BMW M3 GT from last season.

The Z4 was debuted at the Daytona Raceway, where it retired the M3, the championship winning car from last year’s American Le Mans Series.

So what are the differences between the M3 GT and the new Z4 GTE? The BMW z4 GTE is considerable more compact than the M3 GT, and also saw changes in its aerodynamics. New aerodynamics were installed in the undercarriage and rear wing.

The new car (#55) will be driven by Bill Auberlen of the United States and ALMS rookie, Maxime Martin of Belgium. We at Perillo BMW are anxious to see how the new BMW racecar performs during this year’s races!

Photo courtesy of Gizmag

Category: BMW Z4, BMW Z4 GTE | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| February 6, 2013
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Premium Qualities for a Not so Premium Price: 2013 BMW 320i

Do you want a premium car for a not so premium price?  The all new 3 series 2013 BMW 320i is the solution.  It offers the same benchmark characteristics of the 3 series sedan with just a little less power.

Photo courtesy of Edmunds

The 320i will go on sale at our dealership this spring at a starting price of $33,445.  That is almost $4,000 less than the current 3 series model.  Marshal Cabot, general manager of a BMW dealership commented on the affordable price, “The new BMW 320i will be a great gateway model for aspiring BMW owners.  It offers the premium amenities, peerless style and dynamic handling that only BMW can provide at a more affordable price point.”

Less powerful, but still efficient, the 2.0L turbocharged engine will deliver 180 hp with 200 lb-ft of torque, getting you to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.  It will save you some money at the pump, offering a decent estimated fuel economy of 23/34 mpg city/highway.  Other features from the ever-popular 3 series models are available in the 320i including the manual transmission, larger wheels, BMW assist technologies, rear-view camera, moon-roof and a navigation system.

Contact our sales department at (312) BMW-1111 to find out exactly when it will be in our showroom!

Category: 2013 320i, BMW 3 Series | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| January 30, 2013
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The Road Home…

In a new BMW USA commercial, the automaker focuses on the roads that we take to get home. This road is different for each of us, and is one that is engrained in our mind.

You may even remember the road home to your childhood house. Can you picture the scenery you passed each time you took the road home?

Even more important than the road you take home is the feeling of returning home. BMW perfectly captures the emotion in its new advertisement.

What do you think of BMW’s new sentimental ad?

Category: BMW Videos | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| January 25, 2013
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Are Snow Tires Best For You?

Chicago receives on average, 38 inches of snow fall each winter; that’s over three feet of snow!  If you take enough time, money, and care to pick out the perfect vehicle for yourself or maybe your child, you should also put the same amount of energy into making sure nothing happens to it during the winter.
The best way to do that is to purchase a set of new snow tires.  They are made completely different and with different rubber for the specific purpose of safe driving on snow and ice.  The rubber they are made from ensures flexibility even below 32 degrees.  Regular tires become hard and rigid when it’s cold, reducing traction grip.

Snow tires are also made with cleats or studs that maximize traction on icy roads.  The special design on the tread helps to effectively clear snow, ice, water and slush out from under the tire while moving.

A few tips for taking care of your snow tires are to make sure you buy a full set of four.  Only having two on the front or back will actually increase the possibility of sliding or spinning out on ice.  Also, make sure when winter is over you change the tires back out because it will wear out the winter tires faster, causing you to have to purchase an entirely new set next year.  Otherwise, you can store them away to use again the following year.

Contact our dealership to find out about tire specials or just tire information in general.  We are happy to help keep you safe this winter!

Category: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| January 23, 2013
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BMW Gears up for the Super Bowl… Commercials

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for another Super Bowl! Other than the matchup between the Ravens and the 49ers, many Americans look forward to enjoying the day with food, drinks, friends, and of course—Super Bowl commercials.

Rumors are already starting to form about which companies will present ads this year. It has been said that BMW will once again be making an appearance with its ads this year.

Over the years, BMW has put out some memorable advertisements, including this comical one from last year, which highlighted the features of the new 3-Series:

And this one from the 2011 game:

What types of car commercials do you prefer? Serious or funny?

Category: 2012 BMW 3 Series, 2013 Super Bowl | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| January 10, 2013
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Team USA’s Prototype Bobsled for 2014 Winter Olympics Revealed by BMW Engineer Group

In our last post about BMW’s involvement in designing 2014 Winter Olympics gear, it had recently been revealed that BMW would have an impact on the Team USA’s bobsled.

BMW North America announced it was developing a two-man bobsled for Team USA during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. It plans to use its expertise in automotive engineering to completely re-engineer the two-man bobsled.

The automaker has now officially revealed its two-man bobsled prototype, build for the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation. Take a look below:

Photo courtesy of BMW North America

The specially-designed sled has carbon fiber construction and optimized aerodynamics. The engineers worked to lower the center of gracity, which will be of benefit to Team USA as they compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The team at BMW will continue to develop the bobsled over the coming months to perfect the prototype. When Team USA competes using the sled in the 2014 Olympics, they will be aiming towards winning their first two-man bobsled gold medal since 1936.

Category: 2014 Winter Olympics | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| December 21, 2012
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BMW Happier New Year Event- Resolution: “Hug More”

To continue with BMW’s “Happier New Year” event, the automaker offers one last resolution this year.

BMW challenges you to “Hug More” in 2013. And they don’t mean embracing your loved ones in a big bear hug. They are referring to hugging corners as you drive in a high performance BMW vehicle.

Would you be willing to take on this resolution this year?

 

Category: BMW Happier New Year Event | Tags: , , ,
| December 18, 2012
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BMW Celebrates 40 Years of Electric Cars

With the release of the new 2013 BMW i3 and i8 vehicles, the automaker is proud to add to its line of electric cars. While the trend to “go green” is in right now and it’s as important as ever to help preserve our environment, this is not near the first electric cars for BMW.

BMW’s electric car line goes back 40 years to the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The BMW 1602 was its first electric car that was designed to shuttle VIP and serve as support cars in the games’ long distance events.

Since 1972, BMW has seen a multitude of energy efficient, electric vehicles. These models include: LS, E30, E1, E36, MINI E, ActiveE, and now the i3 and i8.

Category: BMW i3, Electric Cars | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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