The Z4 Roadster Concept Was Unveiled

The Z4 Roadster Concept was unveiled, and what a stunner it is! Due for production next year as a 2019 model, there will likely be minor aesthetic changes from this Concept version, with some front and rear cleanup and a more restrained use of interior materials in the cockpit. Strictly rear-wheel drive, the Z4 goes back to a fabric top, as opposed to the previous gen folding hard structure. Available engines for the States will likely start with the 4-cylinder found in other models producing just under 250 horsepower. A step up to the Z4 M40i model will include the inline six-cylinder powerplant benching 320 horses with 340 lb-ft of torque. It will get up and go, as the Z4 is expected to weigh in at just under 3,200 pounds. Both a six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed auto box from manufacturer ZF should be available for specification, depending on your preference. Wheel sizes will likely top out at 19鈥?for that aggressively sporting look. I love the wheels on the Concept and hope they make it to production. The interior is being touted as substantially roomier than the current Z4, and bristles with the latest in BMW tech. Drive is present in its sixth-generation version, and an 鈥渁ugmented-reality鈥?head-up display will be available as well. The overall feel is very modern, but it appears to be laid out in a very driver-centric manner, which appropriately harkens back to BMW鈥檚 roots. 50,000 and can be optioned up from there. I look forward to the production version, provided the bean counters don鈥檛 remove too much of the style from the Concept.

The interior design is upright and very mid-20th century in theme, with details including circular gauges, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a column-mounted shifter marked out for PRNDL operation. The interior can be hosed down, and the floor is coated with polyurethane. Like Teslas (and Porsche sports cars and some other mid- or rear-engined sports cars), there鈥檚 a 鈥渇runk鈥?under what looks like a traditional engine hood, but this one鈥檚 big enough for up to 24 two-by-four boards. As is the case for Tesla models, the B1 will be offered in versions differentiated by their battery capacity. A base version with a 60-kWh battery will provide a 120-mile range, and one with a 100-kWh battery shoots for a 200-mile range. Charging rates haven鈥檛 been disclosed, but the B1 will have CHAdeMO Level 3 fast charging that should allow an 80 percent charge in roughly an hour. Bollinger obviously has a lot yet to prove. While it鈥檚 relatively easy to present a one-off prototype, it鈥檚 much harder to bring a vehicle to any level of volume production. Bollinger confirmed that the B1 will be built in the United States, likely with the assistance of an established third-party manufacturer. With first deliveries targeted for early 2019, the company is looking to open retail outlets鈥攂oth company-owned and franchised dealers鈥攊n major U.S. 1000 down payments until early 2018. We see many roles for the B1 to fit in with its quiet capability鈥攆or conservationists, hunters, bird-watchers, energy hawks and, well, people who crave an SUV that worships flat panels.

One of the most important and expensive purchases in your life, besides buying a home, is buying a car. Because of that it is essential to choose the right car for your needs. So how do you do that? I myself fancy a Porsche Carrera, but I doubt my wife would be very enthusiastic about it. No matter what kind of a car you plan on buying, SUV, station wagon or a truck, your car will have just one basic mission in life getting you and your family fast and safe from one place to another. When you decide on purchasing a car you need to know what you will be using car for. If you are single, a convertible could be the way to go, but if you have two or three kids it will just not do. If you have kids and are planning a vacation think about all the luggage you are going to have to transport with you.

It doesn't mean you need a truck, but you do need to think about trunk size of the car you plan on buying. Car manufacturers produce lots of different models very well suited for average size family needs. Large sedans and station wagons are just a sample of the cars on the market today. SUVs are a great fun as well as status symbols, they are also great for outdoors, but recent surveys show that less then 10% of the SUVs in US ever sees a dirt road. If one of your possible choices for car buying is an SUV, besides fuel consumption (which is enormous) you should also bear in mind the parking problems as well. Pickups with crew cabins are one of my favorites (if you do not live in a big city). It is a great choice for people that need really versatile car. Pickup enables you to haul big loads as well as take your kids to football practice or camping.

And do not forget about hybrids. This is probably the best choice for environment conscious people living in big cities. They are extremely fuel efficient as well as much easier to find a parking spot then SUVs. Usually hybrids have two engines, an electric and a gas one. Electric motor is in most cases responsible for supplying enough power for car electricity needs; this is done by accumulating electricity which is produced by braking. This will save gas but probably not enough to earn a medal form Greenpeace, but it is a start. Also hybrids are more expensive then normal cars. Toyota Prius is a great example of a very successful hybrid car, you can get it to run 60 miles for a gallon of gas. Over time such fuel efficiency can save you a lot of money besides helping with environment. Then we have electric cars. They run on fuel cells and are environmentally friendliest cars available today. However electric cars are not good choice for everybody. Make sure to do a thorough research if you plan on buying one. And at last you need to make decision whether you want to buy a new or used car. It is a personal decision to make, and there are lots of factors included in this, probably the most important as always being you budget.