Ignorant Car Owner + Lack of Common Sense = FAIL

There was a study that came out a while back which said that 80% of BMW 1-series owners believed that their car was front wheel drive. Being a 128i owner myself, studies like that embarrass the crap out of me. In fact, I didn’t even believe the study. I didn’t think that many people could be so clueless and ignorant about their car…until I saw this video.

Judging by the accent of the guy recording and the fact that this is a 1-series hatchback, this video was likely taken somewhere in the U.K. Watch as the woman tries to clear the snow away from the front wheels of her rear wheel drive car. SMH. I guess that study has some merit.

I don’t understand how so many people spend so much money on something they no nothing about or don’t even bother to familiarize themselves with.

But that’s not even the worse part. Keep watching as she then leaves the car in gear then GETS OUT OF THE CAR. Obviously the 1-series then drove into the house of the guy that’s been recording her the whole time.

Darwin award winner for sure.

[Automotive Addicts]

Oh Hi: 2012 BMW 1-Series

For the 2012 model year, BMW has decided to give its amazingly awesome 1-series a minor facelift. A very minor facelift that only a 1-series fan would even notice.

Since I am a said 1-series fan (so much that I went and bought one…excuse the pun) I noticed all the little minor details such as the new horizontal LED eyebrows over the now standard signature halo rings. On top of that, clear turn signals are the order of the day. Out back, redesegned LED tail lights can be found.

Under the hood, the 128i keeps the same inline six that generates 230 horsepower and 200 pound feet of torque. The 135i, however, gets the new N55 single twin-scroll turbo charger that makes the same 300 horsepower and the same 300 pound feet of torque that the N54 engine made, only it’s a bit easier on gas than the old engine. The 135i can now be had with BMW’s 7-speed DCT automatic, but do yourself a favour and stick with the manual. With the new N55 engine, the 135i gets from 0 to 100 in only 5.1 seconds. For comparison, the 135i with the N54 engine did 0-100 in 5.4 seconds.

The M-package will give you an even sportier suspension, an aero kit, sport seats, staggered wheels, an M steering wheel and and increased top speed limiter. Oh, and a host of M badges everywhere.

The cabriolet’s get all the updates as the coupes. The 2012 1-series will be available this coming spring.

For more pics click here.

[BMW]

My Next Car Is Coming In May!

According to Autoblog, my next car, the 1-series M, will be officially available for sale in May! Although it’s likely that I won’t be able to actually buy it then, you better believe that a test drive will make me want to take out a loan to ensure I get one. Especially since only 2,700 will be produced. The good news is, the majority of those 2,700 will be sold in North America.

God, I am so in love with this car it’s sick. Must. Have.

[Autoblog]

Volvo has BMW In Its Sights

Now under the control of Geely, Volvo apparently will be going through a bit of restructuring in order to make themselves more competative against BMW. Seems that everyone is targetting BMW, eh? Volvo’s first shot against the Bavarian automaker is with the new S60.

Now comes news that Volvo will drop both the S40 and V50 from its lineup in order to make room for a BMW 1-series competitor. But wait. Volvo has marketed the C30 as a 1-series competitor for years. Perhaps they realized the only similarity between the two is that they’re both four seaters.

Indeed Volvo needs to beef up its performance abilities if they truely wish to compete with BMW. This new model could also spawn a platform for an X1 fighter, likely to be called the XC30. Bring it on!

Unfortunately this restructuring process means a few other casualties as well. The V70 will be discontinued and replaced by the V60 in 2011, however we will not be getting the V60 in North America. It’s always sad to see another wagon go.

[AutoWeek]

Drool: BMW Releases Video of 1-Series M Coupe

Even though it is still fully camouflaged, BMW has released an official video of the upcoming 1-Series M. In the video, they do not give it an official name, but BMW has said that it will not be called the M1. That name is reserved for the original M1 and for a possible successor down the road.

Rumours of power have been all over the map, but the most consistant seems to be in the 320 horsepower range, about 20 more than a regular 135i. The 1-series M will also add two more air intakes, two additional ducts, wider fenders, a more pronounced ducktail shaped trunk spoiler, and of course drilled rotors are large brakes. Oh, and those sweet looking wheels will indeed make it to production as well.

No word yet on pricing, but BMW did say that the 1-Series M will only be available in limited numbers.

Lexus CT 200h Confirmed for North America

When you’re right, you’re right. And we definitely were right.

We reported that Lexus would be straight up stupid not to sell their hybrid hatch here in Canada and Lexus smartly decided to reverse its decision to not sell it here.

The CT 200h will now be available for sale on our shores giving some competition to the Audi A3, Volvo C30, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and to a lesser extent, the BMW 1-series.

The CT 200h will feature a 1.8 litre engine producing 134 horsepower and along with a  “powerful” electric motor along with a “drynamic driving experience”. It’s going to have to be pretty damned good dynamic if it’s going to take on the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series.

Lexus is touting the CT 200h as the first full hybrid in the premium compact segment just as it did with the HS 250h. And look how good that’s doing (not well).

Still, we predict much more success for the CT 200h as we Canadians love our small hatches. The CT 200h will do well among environmentally concious buyers with a lot of dough, but will likely get overlooked if people are looking for the performance and handling of the A3 and 1-series.

We’re waiting for you to make us eat our words, Lexus.