Chapman BMW on Camelback Blog

With gas prices on the rise and more stringent corporate fuel-economy standards on the horizon, it’s only right that BMW have a solution for its BMW drivers to consider.  A 4 cylinder TwinPower (single turbocharger) the first in the brand since 1999 is on its way to our showroom starting this fall.

BMW is substituting its much loved two turbochargers with a single TwinPower turbocharger on some engines, A single turbocharger with two scrolls is more efficient, and we like those words a lot, on engines that have cylinders positioned in a straight line  Do not fret our BMW enthusiasts, the twin-turbo technology will persist on high-performance 6- and 8-cylinder models, as well some diesel engines.

We are looking forward to welcoming the new BMW Z4 sDrive28i to the family and being able to offer our customers the option of going with something efficient and yet still carrying the undeniable class and performance the BMW vehicles have earned.

The Scoop: This Z4 is the first BMW to get the company’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which takes this sports car back to its roots. Its predecessor, the Z3 roadster, was only offered with a 4-cylinder when it first launched in 1996. The new turbo 4-cylinder replaces the base inline 6-cylinder engine on the current Z4, which means the sDrive30i model is discontinued. Although it makes 15 horsepower less than the 6-cylinder it replaces, the new 4-cylinder cranks out 40 lb-ft more torque, which is a lot. It’s also 20 percent more efficient. The twin-scroll turbocharger makes it all possible, along with a litany of other mind-boggling feats of engineering. 

I could go on about the LDS-coated crankcase cylinder bores, height-staggered balance shafts and dual-mass flywheels,  increased torque, improved performance and much reduced fuel consumption  and emission levels but I am not going to lie that borders on being past my technical ability, this however does not: I think this new 4-cylinder is going to be a jewel of an engine. With its athletic design, agile handling and still powerful engine The fact that it’s lighter, too, will only make the Z4 even more fun to drive!

Keep your eyes and ears open for the announcement of the New 2012 Z4 arriving at your Chapman BMW on Camelback showroom soon!

What was the first BMW model assembled in the United States to feature in a movie you ask?  Why that would be the BMW Z3! The first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW that rolled off the Plant Spartanburg assembly line beginning in October 1994.  It was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, and shortly after was featured in the classic must see movie ‘GoldenEye’.  James Bond was the proud driver of the Z3 that was equipped with the standard bullet proofing, full SATNAV tracking equipment, satellite downlink capabilities, a rear parachute, all-points radar, a great sound system and oh yes last but not least – Stinger missiles.  And no I am afraid these are not options on the Build Your Own BMW Website for 2012 models!

FUN FACT:

• Pierce Brosnan received a BMW 850 CSI from BMW, for his promotion of the BMW Z3 in Golden Eye. Unable to resist the urge to test the road with his gift, he was caught by the police doing 120 mph. He was not given a speeding ticket, but instead interrogated about the bungee jump stunt in the movie!
• BMW’s have been featured in other Bond movies including: Octopussy, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough.

But the fame does not stop there by any means…..After some research and some fun findings our beloved and much admired BMW models are sprinkled throughout today’s Movies and TV shows and are really quite the star studded vehicle of choice whether it be for a car chase, lots of car chases actually, to the chauffeured 7 Series, a little kidnapping, and lets not forget time travel, comedy scenes, being chopped in half by a helicopter……. The list goes on and makes me want to go and watch

All three of the great Bourne Movies feature BMW’s, there are thousands of movies and TV shows, like CSI, Beverly Hills 90210 and Dead Like Me to name just a few.  Literally thousands of U.S.A. and Foreign films and TV shows have BMW’s as part of the cast!

Now, what we would like to know if you can take the time to comment is what is your favorite movie scene involving a BMW?  One of mine for starters is the Tom Hanks movie ‘Splash’ where he takes the car on a wild drive, sliding, cornering and even a jump, it was awesome!  But hands down I liked the chase in Ronin – watch the video here: http://www.spike.com/video-clips/24bxap/ronin and of course I liked it all the more because they show it being driven by a woman….  That’s just my pick, now share yours with us please!

Tell us your favorite or even just one that you noticed and thought ‘hey that’s a BMW’ and drop us a line……  Go on what else do you have more pressing than something fun such as this!?!  Take a coffee break and talk to us.  Chapman BMW on Camelback wants to hear from you!

News of a new BMW X1 variant will certainly excite Europeans, but the engine within matters to markets around the world — including North America. After all, the 2011 X1 xDrive28i crossover is the first application of BMW’s new turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The new four-cylinder is based off the automaker’s famed inline six architecture, and is essentially a shortened form of the N55 single-turbo 3.0-liter I-6 currently used in a number of its xDrive35i and sDrive35i model ranges, albeit with two cylinders lopped off.

In European form, the new four-cylinder puts out 245 horsepower at 5000 rpm, and delivers a solid and 258 pound-feet of torque from 1250 rpm. The turbo four should be fairly efficient, an estimate by BMW, the engine placed within the X1 will allow its small crossover to achieve 29.8 mpg on the European combined test cycle.

According to BMW officials, this engine will not be offered in U.S.-spec X1s, but confirm this engine is destined for the U.S. in other models. We have already heard the Z4 roadster is due to receive this engine sometime next year, but knowing BMW’s knack for dispersing engines across its portfolio, there is a good chance we will see it in volume models like the 1- and 3 Series lines.

Like this X1? Then you will love the X3! Check out our inventory at Chapman BMW on Camelback for all your BMW needs.