BMW outlines plans to launch Tesla-beating EVs!!

BMW has a plan. It wants to be ready for anything, so from 2021 will begin introducing new models that can be built in battery, plug-in hybrid and pure internal combustion versions.

This means a big change in the way BMW designs and builds cars. But it’s the best way to prepare for the future, a senior executive says.

“The trend towards e-mobility is irreversible,” says sales chief Ian Robertson.

However, the company realises not all countries will join the trend at the same time. As Robertson says: “Global markets and customers will continue to demand very different drivetrains for a long time to come.”

BMW aims to give each market the kind of car it prefers.

Its engineers are developing two basic layouts, one for smaller front-drive cars and the other for larger rear-drive vehicles (known internally and respectively as FAAR and CLEAR). Eventually they will provide foundations for every car the BMW Group makes, including Mini and Rolls-Royce.

The pure electric cars will use front and rear sections similar to the versions with internal combustion and plug-in hybrid power. The difference will be in the centre section, where the floor will be made of batteries.

Drivers are strongly urged to check whether their motor vehicle has been recalled to replace faulty Takata airbags. These recalls affect a large number of car makes and models, and a small number of motorcycles and trucks.

There have been serious injuries and deaths from faulty Takata airbags. The inflator components may deteriorate and subsequently misdeploy in an incident causing metal fragments to propel out of the airbag.

Consumers should:

Check the list below to see if your vehicle is affectedContact a dealership or the vehicle manufacturer to get their airbag replacedRefer to the FAQs on Takata airbag recalls for further information.

CARS

It is critical that drivers with alpha airbags installed take immediate steps to have the airbags replaced because of a significant risk of injury or death involved in using vehicles with these airbags. Drivers with other recalled airbags should arrange for them to be replaced as soon as possible.

Make & modelYear RangePRA No.

BMW 3 Series E46 ALPHA12/2001 - 03/20032013/13576

BMW 3 Series E46 ALPHA09/1999 - 08/20062016/15581

BMW 5 Series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E532002-20052016/15581

BMW 5 series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E532000-20042017/15881

BMW E70 X5, E71 X62007-20122017/16230

BMW E70 X5, E71 X6

2007-20122017/16298

The all-new 2018 Mercedes Benz CLS is going to be divisive, and that may be the thing that saves it from oblivion. The third generation of this luxury four-door coupe comes at a time when fate of the sedan itself is hanging in the balance. It's also placing itself against some robust competition in the Audi A7 and BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe.

When the CLS was first rolled out in 2005, it sold around 15,000 units in the first year—not a bad number for an expensive new body style. The second-gen, in 2011, saw diminishing returns: in its first year, it sold around 8,000 units. How will the new generation fare, since it's going to be released into a marketplace that has largely turned its affection to crossovers and SUVs. If it follows this sales trend, it may struggle to reach 3,500 units sold.