Tag: BMW

Latest Electric Cars of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date May 3, 2021

Mercedes-EQ, EQS 580 4MATIC

Over the last few months, we experienced one of the highest numbers of electric car reveals. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi released a substantial number of electric vehicles to market, and here is a list of them.

Mercedes EQA (electric version of GLA), EQB (electric version of GLB), and EQS (electric version of S-Class). Soon to be EQE (electric version of E-Class).

BMW iX (electric version of X5), iX3 (electric version of X3, with only rear-wheel drive) and iX4 (electric version of 4-Series Gran Coupe, coming soon).

Audi RS e-tron GT (Audi version of Porsche Taycan), Q4 e-tron & Sportback (electric version of Q4 and based on VW platform with rear drum brake), and soon to be A6 e-tron (Electric version of A6).

Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the internal combustion engine, but the end is within sight. As far as I can tell from the press releases, VW Group, Daimler, and BMW will not be developing new internal combustion engines, and they will revise their existing ones. Honestly, this is a great way to improve the internal combustion engines (ICE); these engines are efficient, and improving them will help to increase efficiency levels.

Mercedes-Benz’s electric car range is a carbon copy of their existing ICE cars. Audi and BMW are following the same strategy. This means one thing: we will be moving from petrol to electricity without even noticing. The range anxiety is still here, but the ranges are getting better than better. Mercedes-Benz offers a 770-km range for a single charge, and that’s good. Also, we have many charging points.

The only issue is that electric cars are expensive, but their prices will go down eventually.

Recently, Rory Sutherland mentioned how cool electric cars are, noticing that they have motivated people to talk about their cars again. Honestly, if you own a petrol/diesel-powered car and talk about it all the time, it makes you a bit weird nowadays. The era of car-based status or showing off is gone, but if you buy an electric vehicle, you have a brand-new experience that people would love to hear about. I feel like electric cars will make cars cool again.

Will I buy an electric car? Yes. I am especially interested in the Mercedes-Benz EQS.

Mercedes-EQ, EQB, 2021 — Mercedes-EQ, EQB

Audi A6 e-tron concept — Audi Q4 e-tron & Sportback

Photo // Audi, BMW, Daimler

Tags Audi, BMW, Electric Cars, Mercedes

Cars

I Saw A BMW X7 M50d in Shoreditch, London

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date December 20, 2019

A couple of months ago, I blogged about the BMW X7; however, I hadn’t had a chance to see the car in real life. My assumption was that it would look like a stretched version of the X5 – a kind of weird looking vehicle for families.

A few weeks ago, I saw a BMW X7 M50d in Shoreditch, London. For those of you who have no clue about Shoreditch in London, it is the hipster area in the east of the city, and I am really surprised to see an X7 over there.

Based on my first impression, the BMW X7 does not look that bad. BMW designers have managed to extend the X5 but not ruin the proportions, so it doesn’t have a weird look. Of course, you can sense something is wrong with the vehicle, but it is not that bad.

In addition, BMW has managed to vanish the boring seven-seater impression. Most of these extended SUVs are for families because they need psychical space, yet at the same time, they are driving something really boring. With the X7, the boring family SUV just became the cool SUV.

To be honest, if you need a seven-seater SUV, the BMW X7 is probably the best-looking one. Also, you can flaunt your high spec with a rear differential for better traction on your ski trips.

Tags BMW, BMW X7

Cars

You Should Buy a BMW M760Li xDrive

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date October 19, 2019

I have always had a soft spot for the BMW 7-Series, especially the BMW M760Li xDrive. It wasn’t like the Audi A8 or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, “hey look at me, everyone should look at me”. Although the 7-Series was always one step behind the S-Class in terms of technology, this was usually minor.

However, the M760Li is a different game! It is powered by a 6.6-lt V12 turbo petrol engine that is also available in every Rolls-Royce. It has a clever all-wheel drive system, looks sporty, and drives sporty. You will find lots of driving assistance systems that are very similar to the S-Class. However, the 7-Series is still based on 12-volt technology, so it doesn’t have a responsive electrically controlled suspension like the new X5 and X7.

Despite these downsides, the 7-Series is probably the only car in its class that can be driven by its owner! The S65 AMG was a V12 but wasn’t an all-wheel drive, and it featured an ageing engine. Literally, the S65 AMG was a dinosaur waiting to be retired, and it is done now.

On the other hand, the M760Li is a dynamic sport large sedan with a modern V12 engine. Also, it doesn’t shout like the S-Class. It is really hard to define the M760Li’s subtle attractiveness, but it is an amazing car. I think the V12 engine subconsciously captures my attention. Even though it will be heavy on the front axle, it is still an excellent car.

If you are planning to buy a large car, buy a M760Li. If you are planning to buy a large SUV, buy a M760iL. If you are planning to buy a four-door coupe, buy a M760Li.

You would never do off-roading with an SUV, but the M760Li has all-wheel drive. Four-door coupes always look awkward. So the only way is M760Li!
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Photo Credits // BMW

Tags BMW, BMW 7-Series, M760iL xDrive

Cars

BMW X7 Contemporary Art

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date July 4, 2019

BMW finally revealed their large-sized SUV, X7. It is supposed to compete with the Range Rover by offering a longer size. Yet the end result of the X7 is that it is simply an ugly SUV that looks oversized. I am sure that the X7 offers a great ride and comfort. But with that exterior design, it does not look like the best-looking large SUV on the market.

Honestly, competition with Range Rover is not about size. Rather, it is about ridiculous luxury and reliability. Range Rovers are not extremely long vehicles like the X7, but they instead offer very high levels of luxury and comfort.

The metric that BMW used to compete with Range Rover was size. If a manufacturer makes a longer SUV with a better price tag, people will buy it regardless of its exterior design.

Unfortunately, the world does not work like this, and BMW should have learned this lesson from the 5GT and Gran Coupe models. Sensory experiences with the product can enhance their competitive advantage more than any other physical advantage.

I haven’t seen the new X7, however, I am not very excited to see it. I am sure it won’t be something spectacular, with the exception that it is oversized like the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Yet I am unable to forget the fact that the X7 offers very sophisticated driving assistance and active safety systems that are not available in a Range Rover. For some people, these features are more important than luxury.

I am sure that the X7 will capture Range Rover’s market, especially in the US market where people look for something new and unique. Additionally, the X7’s weird design frames it as a contemporary art piece that no one has any clue what the meaning behind it is. If you visit Mayfair in London, you will be sure to find lots of contemporary art pieces that have literally no meaning.

Yet people are ready to pay a lot of money for them. Why? So that they can show off their taste in art and that they understand something that no one else can understand.

Long story short, the BMW X7 was either designed by the neo-classical economic model that forced them to make a vehicle longer to sell more than its competitors, or it was designed by behavioural economics principles to manipulate the consumer’s mind.

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Photo Credit // BMW

Tags BMW, BMW X7

Cars

BMW 7 Series Facelifted!

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date January 20, 2019

Today BMW revealed the facelifted 7 Series in China, featuring a really strong front end. The new 7 Series features the largest BMW kidney grille, inspired by BMW’s latest SUV: the X7. This design change signals that BMW is planning to differentiate between luxury models by using unique design language; in other words, through massive BMW kidney grills.

Other than that, you will not be able to see a major difference between the interior and the rear end of the 7 Series and previous models. However, there is bad news for the emerging markets: the 740e plug-in hybrid model with the 2.0-litre petrol engine is to be replaced by a 745e plug-in hybrid with a 3.0-litre petrol engine. It is likely that BMW is going to sell a version of the 745e with a 2.0-litre petrol engine to the emerging market; however, the rest of the world will face the new larger engine.

The new 7 Series offers an improved version of the existing Driving Assistance Plus; in addition, BMW has received permission to run fully autonomous cars in China. It must be noted that this will not make an impact on the 7 Series right now, but it is an important milestone.

The 7 Series still offers a level two semi-autonomous driving mode; this will be more than enough for stressful long journeys, as it is always useful to have a second eye while driving.

In other news, if you are planning to buy a Rolls-Royce Ghost, you will, in fact, be buying an outdated BMW 7 Series: the Ghost is based on the previous generation 7 Series and, in all honesty, the facelifted 7 Series offers a greater level of interior luxury.

Overall, the new 7 Series looks really exciting and will definitely challenge the ageing Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

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Photo credit // BMW

Tags 7-Series, BMW, BMW 7-Series

Cars

Fourth Generation BMW X5

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date June 10, 2018

The fourth generation BMW X5 is revealed today. It’s been 20 years since the first generation X5 and more than 2,000,000 vehicles were sold during this time. However, this time it’s a bit special.

The fourth generation BMW X5 arrived a couple of years earlier than expected. As the third generation X5 is only four years old, we have been expecting a facelift instead of a brand new vehicle. However, BMW decided to reveal a new model to honour the 20th year and the new modular platform.

This time, the BMW X5 features a proper off-road feature. Until now, BMW has never offered an off-road mode button or a differential lock. Actually, the torque-vectoring system mimicked the differential lock effect until now.

The fourth generation BMW X5 offers a new dimension and sees the rebirth of the X5. It features a rear-differential lock, an off-road driving mode and air suspension. You might be thinking that these are already available with the Range Rover. However, the Range Rover doesn’t offer the level of semi-autonomous driving which is available with the X5.

At the moment, the BMW X5 is capable of Level 2 autonomous driving. It can drive by itself but you still need to be in control.

The exterior looks better than that of the previous generation, and the interior is probably one of the most luxurious yet. The interior resembles the Bentley Bentayga a little, and you won’t believe you are inside an X5!

Overall, the new BMW X5 is a brand-new experience. With its new off road capabilities, BMW is bringing us back to where the SUV story started. If you are planning to have a new SUV, this is the one you should have.
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Photo Credit // BMW

Tags BMW, New X5, X5

Cars

BMW 7-Series is 40 Years Old

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date August 9, 2017

It has been 40 years since the first BMW 7-Series was revealed to the public. I would never have thought that the 7-Series is that old! Even so, I can clearly remember the last five generations. To be honest, you don’t miss a lot when it comes to the first few generations. The BMW 7-Series started to look good in the mid-1990s! In the 2000s, it looked like a spaceship.

Anyway, despite the 40 years of excitement, the 7-Series did not manage to witness the most important events of the world like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. To be fair, the S-Class is literally everywhere on this planet. Wherever you go, you will always find an S-Class.

Perhaps the brightness of the S-Class overshadowed the 7-Series. Actually, this is something quite normal. This segment was created by Mercedes-Benz and we expect to see a market dominated by the S-Class.

I can’t ignore the fact that the 7-Series brought dynamism into this market. The early versions of the S-Class are dull. They are just heavy and boring-looking objects. As the BMW transferred its sportive characteristics to the 7-Series, the market changed.

Unlike the S-Class, the 7-Series was, and always will be, more appealing to the younger audience, even though we have never seen a BMW M7 with a loud exhaust. BMW never went along this path of making the 7-Series a massive sport cars, unlike the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Even if you manage to find a 1998 7-Series with a good maintenance record, it will not look outdated, and that’s important!

In recent years, the 7-Series brought new technologies to the market including composite materials and serious weight reduction. Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and the Wraith are based on the previous generations of the BMW 7-Series.

BMW 7-Series 40 Years Old

Photo credit / BMW

Tags 7-Series, BMW, BMW 7-Series

Cars

The New BMW 6-Series Gran Turismo

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date June 21, 2017

To be honest, I read the press release last night at midnight. That’s when BMW sends out their press releases (in the middle of the night.) I thought it was a typo, because there is already an ugly BMW 5-Series GT, and now we have a 6-Series Gran Turismo? And they both share the 7-Series platform. In addition, the 6-Series will be replaced by the new 8-Series. Literally, the new 6-Series GT will be the only 6-Series available in the BMW family.

Sounds really confusing and I am sure BMW is confused as well. Probably they will re-brand the 6-Series GT as a 5-Series GT when they facelift this car.

The exterior of the 6-Series GT resembles both the new 5-Series and the 7-Series. The interior is taken from the new 5-Series, and the driving assistance systems are exactly the same as used in the 5-Series. Regarding driving comfort, the air suspension will offer a better ride than the 5-Series’ coil spring suspension. However, the air suspension drive train is inherited from the 7-Series platform.

The BMW 6-Series GT is a really confusing model. It is replacing the 5-Series GT. It is branded as the 6-Series to make it more dynamic, while the 7-Series platform is used for a more spacious interior. Basically, when you buy the 6-Series GT, you buy three different BMW models mixed together. So, the driving experience might be really interesting. By the way, the front seats offer eight different types of massage function.

BMW 6-Series GT’s competitors? Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte. A7 and CLS have no chance but Panamera? Good luck to BMW :) End of the day, a BMW is a BMW not a Porsche! Maserati? People love Maserati, they love Maserati. However, BMW will definitely capture many Audi and Mercedes-Benz customers. Also, people who are not really involved with the Porsche and Maserati brands will be captured by the BMW. However, a BMW can’t be as sportive as a Porsche!

BMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M Sportpaket

Photo Credit / BMW

Tags 6-Series, 8-Series, BMW, BMW 6-Series, BMW 6-Series GT, BMW 8-Series

Cars

BMW 8-Series is Back!

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date June 13, 2017

It is finally back, the 8-Series. BMW wiped out the 8-Series in 2000 with no mercy. According to the news at that time, BMW couldn’t make enough money to produce the 8-Series and consequently they removed it. However, BMW found money to make 2-Series Active Tourer 12 years later.

In 2006, we witnessed the rebirth of the BMW 6-Series! And it was supposed to compete with the Porsche 911. However, it competed with the Mercedes S-Coupe aka CL! As a result of this unexpected surprise, BMW has now decided to remove the 6-Series for the sake of the 8-Series.

The ageing BMW 6-Series will soon say goodbye to the customers. As a result, we won’t see any facelift or hear new model rumours because it will be gone soon. The replacement will be the 8-Series that will be competing with the Mercedes S-Coupe. I hope nothing goes wrong and that the 8-Series will start to compete with the Porsche 911.

We already saw an 8-Series concept vehicle a couple of years ago, and it is clear that the concept vehicle would be manufactured. When the concept vehicle was revealed, there were some rumours that the 8-Series might overlap with the Rolls-Royce Wraith. This was not welcomed by BMW! Apparently, they have changed their views.

Anyway, I am really excited about the BMW 8-Series. We finally have a proper large GT from BMW and have a German alternative in this segment of the market.

New BMW 8-Series

Photo Credit / BMW

Tags 8-Series, BMW

Cars

2017 BMW 725d

Post author By Uygar Kilic
Post date May 3, 2017

Yes, you read correctly. BMW is offering the new the 725d under the 7-Series in 2017! It is designed to be sold in emerging markets where the import duties and the road taxes are too high for the higher displacement engines. However, the BMW 725d doesn’t use a 2.5-lt diesel engine. It is powered by a 2-lt diesel engine. BMW just made a minor adjustment to the branding. Where did I see the BMW 725d? On BMW’s Turkish distributor’s website.

For many people, the BMW 725d will remind them of the early 1990s. There used to be 7-Series branded as a 725d, and I still can remember that car very clearly. When I saw the 725d on the price list, it took me back to the 1990s.

Anyway, it is basically the same car with impressive performance figures and a tiny engine. Is it worth buying? If you are facing heavy taxes on the cars where you live, the 725d will be perfect for you. You can spec up the car with the latest gadgets and the performance will never disappoint you.

BMW 725d is powered by a 2-lt diesel engine with 231HP power and 4,4-lt fuel consumption.

BMW 740e iPerformance

Photo | BMW

Tags 7-Series, 725d, BMW