The BMW Group has delivered the first 40 vehicles that will be used for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

As the Official Automotive Partner to London 2012, BMW’s newly-liveried vehicles will be used by LOCOG to help ensure the games run smoothly. The full fleet will consist of electric, diesel, and hybrid cars, as well as bicycles and motorcycles, and will achieve LOCOG’s strict 120g/km emissions target.

Paul Deighton, LOCOG’s CEO said: “The BMW fleet will become a familiar sight around our venues this summer and will help us perform a huge range of tasks to will help to ensure the smooth running of the Games. Taking delivery of the first vehicles is an exciting moment for us as we continue our preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Tim Abbott, MD of BMW UK, said: “BMW’s Olympic fleet needs to be varied to deal with the complex operational demands of the Games time effort. We were selected as a partner based on our ability to provide such a diverse fleet that could achieve the challenging emissions threshold as set by LOCOG. We are extremely proud for our cars to be involved in the London 2012 Games and are excited about seeing them in full service this summer in these eye-catching designs.”

As shown in the official photos posted here, the 520d EfficientDynamics and 320d EfficientDynamics are two of the models which will be used extensively during the Games.

BMW is indeed in talks with General Motors (GM) about a co-operation to produce fuel cell vehicles, it is confirmed this morning. 

A rumour of a partnership between the two was reported here on TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk a few weeks ago (see story) and now BMW Chairman, Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that talks have been on-going for some time. Speaking at the BMW annual accounts press conference, Reithofer announced that discussions for the co-development of fuel cell technology between the two firms had begun before GM announced a partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroen.

GM and PSA Peugeot Citroen’s partnership aims to improve their competitiveness in Europe by sharing vehicle platforms and components and creating a joint venture for the sourcing of commodities.

Commenting on this additional alliance, BMW’s Chairman said: "We had no idea that GM and PSA were planning an alliance but our discussions with GM on fuel cells will continue. They have a lot of expertise in this area but we have nothing confirmed yet."

Reithofer said that the alliance did not affect BMW’s deal with PSA on 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines. "I can’t comment on the PSA-GM alliance but as far as we are concerned, our deal with PSA is solid."

This morning, the BMW Group announced a profit of 4.9 billion Euros and sales of 1.38 million BMW cars throughout 2011.

Are you drooling at the prospect of driving an electric car from a luxury brand like BMW? If not, then you might be when you check out the new teaser video for the BMW i3 city car and the BMW i8 super car.

The German automaker has released a new YouTube video highlighting the electric and plug-in hybrid cars, which are set to debut in 2014. You can check out the video here.

They are certainly exciting offerings. The i3 hatchback is set to be available either as a true battery electric car with a range of 100miles; or as a range extended hybrid car, similar to the Chevrolet Volt, with an onboard petrol powered generator.

Meanwhile, the BMW i8 is a coupe that puts the emphasis on environmental responsibility and high performance. It will use a three-cylinder engine to power its rear wheels, with an electric motor powering the front wheels. In addition, it will include a lithium-ion battery pack, hidden away in a so-called “energy tunnel” that offers a low centre of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution. It can run from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, achieve a top speed of 155mph while returning fuel economy of 78mpg.

Reducing fuel consumption isn’t all about tweaking the engine – BMW has managed it by introducing a new automatic climate control system.

The system, being featured in the new BMW 3 Series, not only offers automatic air circulation control – which is used when there are increased concentrations of exhaust gases or fine particulates, such as when travelling behind heavy duty trucks; it also offers an additional filter system that is effective when switched to air circulation mode. According to BMW this eliminates environmental odours and noticeably enhances air quality.

As part of its EfficientDynamics efforts, BMW paid close attention to improving fuel consumption. So, when the driver switches to ECO PRO mode, the system operates using an optimised heating/climate strategy. Even though there is no noticeable loss in comfort, fuel efficiency is enhanced thanks to reduced air drying and cooling. 

There are a number of exciting features with the system. For example, depending on the radiation and intensity from the sun, it can adapt and adjust to the desired temperature level. In addition, to avoid fogging windows it comes with an automatic sensor-controlled anti-fogging function – it intervenes as soon as visibility is affected.

As an added advantage, with a two-zone climate control system, the driver and the front seat passenger can set the desired temperature for their seat area individually.

The Geneva Motor Show 2012 continues to take shape with BMW the latest to announce a debut for the showcase.

It will introduce the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition at the event. The vehicle, powered by a 1.6litre 85kW/116hp diesel engine features BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and achieves fuel economy of 62mpg with CO2 emissions at just 99g/km. It can also accelerate from 0-62mph in just 10.5seconds.

Indeed the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics is not the only new technology from BMW to be introduced at the event.

It will also showcase two new four-cylinder engines as part of the BMW 1 Series. This includes the BMW 125i with a four-cylinder petrol BMW TwinPower turbo technology unit capable of maximum torque of 310Nm; and the BMW 125d which will be able to achieve torque of 450Nm.

BMW is taking its EfficientDynamics strategy forward by introducing a new TwinPower turbo four-cylinder engine for the X3 xDrive28i.

The new engine is set to replace the inline six-cylinder engine and will offer significantly improved fuel economy figures – indeed BMW anticipates that the X3 will be the most fuel efficient petrol sport activity vehicle it has ever sold in the USA.

This remarkable upgrade in both power and efficiency is largely due to the use of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. It uses high precision direct fuel injection, as well as variable camshaft timing and VALVETRONIC variable valve timing with twin-scroll turbocharging. All of these features combine to give the BMW X3 the sort of power you would not expect from an engine that is naturally aspirated.

It delivers maximum power of 240hp at 5,000rpm with maximum torque of 353Nm developed at just 1,250rpm. It also races from 0-60mph in just 6.5seconds and has a top speed of 130mph.

Despite these advancements in power, the engine is actually lighter thanks to the use of an all-aluminium crankcase. Emissions are also kept low thanks to auto start/stop which will be standard on both the X3 xDrive28i and the X3 xDrive35i.

As an added bonus, the driving dynamics control comes with ECO PRO which enhances fuel efficiency by: optimising the drive train, heating, air conditioning and electrical functions; displaying driving tips to conserve fuel; and displaying fuel saved as “bonus” miles added to a vehicle’s driving range.

BMW is planning a third electric model for its new ‘i’ ‘Born Electric’ range, according to Germany’s Autobild magazine.

It is believed that the car maker could be planning a to launch an i5 compact MPV model in 2015 to complement its first two electric models; the i3 electric supermini and the i8 plug-in hybrid roadster.

It is expected that the i5 will sit between the i3 and i8 in terms of price and will be based on the i3 but feature a higher roofline and more luxuries.

Like the i3, the MPV’s rear wheels will be driven by an electric motor which will produce 167 bhp power and 184 lb/ft torque. A second version will be available with a range-extending combustion engine to compliment its electric power, meaning that power output will total 256bhp.

The i3 supermini is expected to launch first in 2013, followed by the i8 sports car in 2014.

We could well hear news of an i5 at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March… stay tuned.

You might not expect TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk to report on BMW introducing a new range of M Performance Automobiles – however, there is a distinctly green flavour to these new vehicles.

The vehicles boast a new six-cylinder in-line diesel engine and feature three turbochargers capable of delivering a maximum output of 280kW and peak torque of 740Nm. It is applied in the BMW 550d xDrive Sedan, the BMW M550d xDrive Touring, the BMW X5 M50d and the BMW X6 M50d. As an example, the BMW M550d xDrive Sedan can race from 0-62mph in 4.7seconds with a top speed of 155mph.

However, what sets the vehicles aside from an environmental standpoint is that they are equipped with an eight-speed sports automatic gearbox and BMW EfficientDynamics technologies, including ECO PRO Mode and auto start-stop. This keeps fuel consumption of the BMW M550d xDrive Sedan to 37.3mpg with CO2 emissions at 165g/km. This means the vehicle meets Euro 6 exhaust standards.

One of the key features is an exhaust treatment system that boasts a diesel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter. This helps to minimise the formation of nitrogen oxides.

In addition, the new line-up of BMW M Performance Automobiles will also mark the introduction of the most powerful diesel engine ever fitted by BMW.

It will have a maximum output of 280kW/381hp and maximum torque of 740Nm as low down as 2,000rpm.

BMW is ‘calling all electronauts’ as it opens the recruitment process for drivers interested in leasing its first electric car model as part of trials taking place in the US.

From this week, the German car maker begins the hunt for 700 drivers in the Boston, Hartford, New York, Los Angeles, Sacremento, San Diego and San Francisco areas. The electric car, based on the car maker’s 1 Series model will be available to lease in these first trial regions for $499 a month on a 24 month contract with a down payment of $2,250.

With vehicles available on a first come, first served basis, interested motorists are advised to head to www.bmwusa.com/ActiveE to apply to take part in the trial.

The first field trials of the prototype models then commence as drivers join the trial, with similar trials to take place in Europe and China too. In total, BMW expects to trial 1,100 of the ActiveE vehicles, produced at the firm’s plant in Leipzig, Germany. The details of trials in other regions have yet to be confirmed, but we know that the trials of the ActiveE will prove an important part in the car maker’s plans to electrify its range. The firm hopes that findings from the field trial will provide direct insight into series production of its first purpose-built, mass-produced electric vehicles, the BMW i3 in 2013 and the i8 in 2014.

The ActiveE car has a 32 Kwh lithium-ion battery, that delivers a range of around 100 miles, coupled with a 125 kW electric synchronous motor that drives the rear wheels. It takes around eight seconds to reach 60mph and has a limited top speed of 90mph.

Ahead of the roll-out of the BMW ActiveE electric car, the German carmaker has teamed up with Tendril – a cloud-based energy management platform provider – to demonstrate a smart energy home.

The smart energy home, in Mountain View, California, is meant to help refine the charging of the ActiveE – with Tendril’s energy management platform, known as Tendril Connect, providing connectivity to the electric vehicle charging station from local utilities and energy service providers. Meanwhile, Tendril Energize, a series of applications that include a web portal, will monitor the charging station.

The idea is that this will provide important insight into the location of electric vehicles on the grid distribution network and help to manage hotspots in the growth of energy consumption.

In addition, the BMW smart energy home will include a solar panel installation, smart thermostats, residential lighting, home appliances and other smart devices. Together, BMW and Tendril will integrate the battery charging station to help mitigate its impact during peak periods of electricity demand.

The Tendril Connect system has been built from the ground up with the aim of handling “big data” – it is currently licensed by 35 customers including the likes of Siemens Energy and a host of smart meter communications vendors.