BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

VST Conversions' Electric BMW E30 can toast a Tesla [with Video]

Maybe I'm crazy, but aren't vintage electric conversions just so much more interesting than current electric cars? They're like old Mercedes diesels converted to biodiesel: vintage cool but using modern day tech to be efficient, clean, and (in the this case) very fast.

This green '86 BMW 3-Series E30, built by Croatia's VST Conversions, is the brainchild of Mate Rimac; he wanted to go fast in an electric car, and now he can.

After working through a few power setups, the current version of the VST "bi-moto EV" puts down 500 horsepower through the wheels and can run the quarter in 12.1. The word you're looking for is DAMN. As in "Damn, this thing is awesome."

It only helps that the car's coated in a juicy shade of green and its graphics pay homage to BMW's 1-Series ActiveE concept. Now, I can't make any sense of the parts and other jazz used, but if you can, enjoy more info and pics of the build at DIY Electric Car.

By Phil Alex

Source: DIY Electric , Via: Green.Autoblog

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BMW’s South Carolina Factory May Get Fourth Model, Possibly 3-Series

BMW is considering adding a fourth model to its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in order to further compete with U.S. luxury market leaders Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

The Bavarian firm's chief, Frank-Peter Arndt believes an additional "volume model" could be added to Spartanburg's production line. The introduction of a fourth model would help reduce BMW's exposure to foreign currency, which presently tops US$14 billion. IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland believes the 3-Series is the most likely candidate for production at Spartanburg: "The 3-Series is a no-brainer." she said.

Of the 1.07 million vehicles BMW delivered last year, 397,103 of them were 3-series models. In spite of a 9.2% rise in U.S. sales from January to September 2010, BMW is still trailing behind Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

The Spartanburg factory - which makes BMW's X5 and X6 SUVs - recently underwent a US$750 million renovation to squeeze in the compact X3. The introduction of the latter model meant an increase in BMW's U.S. production capacity by a whopping 50%. Roughly 70% of the vehicles built in Spartanburg are exported, with more than 65% of the component parts sourced from North American suppliers.

Giving further credence to the 3-series at Spartanburg rumor is the December 2009 announcement by rival Mercedes-Benz that it would begin building the C-Class at its Alabama factory. It only figures that BMW would want to face this threat head on.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Bloomberg

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