BMW X1 Review and Photos 2013

Three years after its launch in its German home market, BMW's compact X1 crossover will be added to the brand's U.S. lineup. At the same time, the X3's little brother receives a slight face lift. The vehicle will compete with the Acura RDX, the Infiniti EX, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, and an upcoming Mercedes-Benz crossover based on the A-class; it also directly targets the Audi Q3, which that company has promised will be offered in the U.S. as well.

The BMW is the only vehicle in this group that is based on a rear-wheel-drive platform, which it loosely shares with the 1- and the 3-series. In fact, the entry-level model will be the rear-wheel-drive X1 sDrive28i, powered by a 240-hp, 2.0-liter four and priced at $31,545. For another $1700, BMW will also offer an all-wheel-drive version with this engine, dubbed the X1 xDrive28i. The top-of-the-line X1 will be the all-wheel-drive xDrive35i, powered by BMW’s 300-hp, 3.0-liter inline-six and offered at $39,345. Both engines are force-fed by a single turbo, while BMW insists on its misleading "TwinPower" terminology. Likewise, the "28" and "35" monikers bear no relation to the actual engine displacement. The 2.0-liter four is equipped with a gas-saving stop-start system. Neither performance nor fuel-economy figures have been given at this point. Unfortunately, none of the X1 models are available with BMW's excellent six-speed manual; a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic is standard on all versions.
















The X1 is not only a rather tiny crossover, it also is slightly odd-looking with its long hood, upright windshield and indented flanks. The face lift, launched at the New York auto show, doesn't help much to alleviate this impression. BMW points out that the "larger number of surfaces painted in body color highlight the vehicle’s enhanced elegance." This is a marked change in philosophy: The X1 used to sport more unpainted plastic—not for cost, but for styling reasons. There are now turn signals in the exterior mirrors, and the headlights are restyled for a slightly more premium look. BMW also has modified the interior with an altered center console.

The X1 is perhaps the most agile of small crossover SUVs, rivaled only by the Audi Q3. It also is the only current BMW crossover SUV that is not made in the U.S., but on BMW's home turf—in Leipzig, Germany, alongside the 1-series. And the U.S. market gets a special treat: The rear-wheel-drive sDrive28i and the top-of-the-line xDrive35i are available only here. Now that the X1 has finally arrived, BMW has a good chance to dominate this nascent segment before the German competition follows.

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BMW X6 Reviews, Specs, Photos

The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover released for sale in the second quarter of 2008 for the 2009 model year by German automaker BMW. The X6 was marketed as a Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) by BMW. It combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all wheel drive and all-weather ability, large wheels and tires) with the stance of a coupé (bold styling, dramatic sloping roof).


Model range

Petrol engines
The first BMW X6 models were released for the North American market in two variants, both powered by twin-turbocharged gasoline engines.
The base model is the X6 xDrive35i which is powered by the 225 kW version of the N54 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six gasoline engine. The top-of-the-line model is the xDrive50i which uses the N63 V8 engine, producing 300 kW.
See also: BMW N54 and BMW N63


Diesel engines

At launch, the X6 was available in many markets with two diesel variant: the xDrive30d and xDrive 35d, respectively. They are powered by BMW's 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine (in its sequential twin-turbocharged variant for the xDrive35d), and produces 235 PS (173 kW) in the xDrive30d and 286 PS (210 kW) in the xDrive 35d version. The second of these power units formed the basis of BMW's diesel launch in all 50 states in late-2008.
By 2010, a new 40d was added to the range, replacing the 35d, and in 2012 a new high performance M50d was added, but despite its nomenclature, is still powered by a 3.0-litre engine.

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Bufori MKIII La Joya

Bufori MKIII La Joya - Volkswagen's Polo. There's something just that little bit special about it. Those clever men and women behind such iconic and era defining vehicles as the Beetle and the Golf GTi certainly have a knack for making compact cars. When the air-cooled engine of the beetle became superseded by more modern, water-cooled powerplants, and when the Golf began to grow bloated and put on weight with each successive iteration, the engineers at VW found themselves once again with a supermini-shaped hole and without a supermini-shaped peg to plug it with. 

Cue the Polo. Legend has it, marketing chiefs at Volkswagen chose the name 'Polo' because, like 'Golf', it is a sport widely associated with a social upper-class; and while the original Mk1 Polo may have looked up rather than lived up to those lofty connotations, I can happily inform you that the opposite is in fact true of the current model. 

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Bailey Blade Concept

Bailey Blade Concept - Inspired by the classic AC Cobra, the Blade concept is based on a full DOM and Chrome Molly steel chassis consisting of tubular roll cage affixed to a solid ridged box steel frame.

The chassis is combined with a lightweight full vinyl ester hand laid fiber-glass body with functional trunk doors and hood. A possible carbon-fiber body is currently being evaluated.

The engine compartment is designed to accept a wide range of units, from a Ford Big Block or Modular engine to a smaller lighter BMW Engine. The first prototype will be powered by a Roush 400IR stroked small block Ford unit delivering 500+ hp.

The Blade will be equipped with a fully adjustable independent front and rear suspension with adjustable shocks that will allow customers to easily set it up for road and for racetrack use.

Among Neal Bailey’s partners for the Blade project is engineer Eric Rodela who helps with the 3D modeling and technical aspects of the build process.

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Anteros XTM Roadster

The Anteros XTM Roadster first introduced at SEMA in 2005 is built on the Chevrolet Corvette Roadster platform and powered by a 6.0 litre Chevrolet LS2 V8 developing 400 horsepower, or 650 horsepower if equipped with the optional Magnuson supercharger and other performance upgrades.

The carbon fiber body of the Anteros XTM has been styled to incorporate some of the defining features of supercars from the 1960s, or as Anteros put it, the 'Golden Age of Sports Cars'.

The custom interior of the Anteros XTM Roadster is upholstered in top grade leather and/or suede with a range of colors available.

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The Toyota Verosa Pictures Car

The Toyota Verossa was a sedan produced by the Toyota Motor Company for Japanese domestic market, and was exclusive to Toyota Vista Store Japanese locations. The Verossa exceeded Japanese government regulations concerning external dimensions and engine displacement, offering buyers a sedan that continued to offer a front engine rear drive platform, opposite the 2001-2006 Toyota Camry with very similar dimensions and front wheel drive. The advantage the Verossa offered over the Camry was the ability to offer all wheel drive, which the Camry couldn't do. The Verossa appeared in conjunction with the Toyopet Store alternative called the Progrès, and the Toyota Store Brevis.Toyota replaced the aging Toyota Mark II stablemates, the Chaser and Cresta which ended production together in 2000, combining the sporting aspects of the Chaser with the high luxury content of the Cresta, in a vehicle that was smaller than the Toyota Crown, a favorite with Japanese luxury car buyers for decades. The Verossa was a larger version of the Toyota Altezza that appeared in 1998 that became a sales success, offering high performance and luxury with a straight 6 engine and rear drive. The Verossa shared its X-chassis model code with its predecessors and also featured the front-engine rear-drive layout. The Verossa's production ceased in 2003 due to poor sales.

TOYOTA VEROSSA PICTURES CAR

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Toyota Land Cruiser Photo

Toyota Land Cruiser - The mighty Toyota Land Cruiser has a legendary reputation as a formidable off road vehicle. It was introduced to Australia in 1958, when Leslie Theiss (now Sir Leslie Theiss) imported 13 FJ25 Landcruisers to be used on the Snow Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. Sir Les had been impressed by some privately owned Landcruisers that were already working in the area. With a clever mix of a powerful engine and rugged drive train, the Landcruiser performed well in the rugged conditions and was also quite adept on the highways, making it a very versatile vehicle.

In the early years, Toyota sent engineers from Japan to study and rectify problems that these early Landcruisers were experiencing in Australia. Failed parts were examined and sent back to Japan in what was a key part of the R&D program Toyota conducted to develop the Landcruiser in to a market leading player. Not only did it allow Toyota to build its reputation, this level of support was impressive enough for Sir Leslie Theiss to secure the rights to import the Landcruiser in to the country full time.

Toyota Land Cruisers became used extensively by resource companies and in the bush and today they have a huge standing in the outback. In the Northern Territory alone, they almost account for 60% of the total SUV sales up there. The Landcruisers incredible off road capabilities, huge towing capacity and legendary Toyota reliability make it a market leader in Australia. Despite the relatively small proportion of Toyota sales in Australia, it has the most loyal following of all Toyota models, highlighted by the number of repeat purchases Landcruiser owners make.

The success of the Landcruiser in Australia is certainly a part of Toyota's proud history. When the Landcruiser was first imported here, the company was still somewhat in its infancy and the response to the vehicle by the public saw some of Toyotas best export sales at that time. It also established Toyota's footing in this country by building an incredible reputation in a very short amount of time.

Today Australia still plays an important role in the development of the Landcruiser as the tough landscape makes it an ideal testing ground. Thousands and thousands of kilometres are driven over harsh terrain and in hot conditions, providing valuable research data to ensure each new Toyota Land Cruiser model will uphold the reputation of its name.

Although new car sales of the mighty Toyota Land Cruiser continue to fall, at the mercy of increasing fuel prices and the ever growing demand for smaller urban SUV's, it will always remain in the hearts of many Australians. The tale is far from over though, with used Toyota Landcruiser activity rolling on, with older models up for restoration and recreational four wheel drivers and caravan and boat owners still very much interested in the whole spectrum of models.

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