Bucket Seat: BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept

The BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept was unveiled this week at the Beijing International Motorshow. That's a long name for a car, thankfully it is just a concept so if and when it does go into production, it will be shortened and given a number. Most people in the industry have already tipped it to take on the 7 badge and with good reason too. The 7 series has always been the pinnacle of BMW's design philosophy, with it leading the way in design changes that from there gets passed onto the other cars in the stable. 

To be honest this car took most by surprised, BMW did well to keep it under wraps with the odd spy shot being captured now and then, maybe all their other new models were distracting us? Whatever the case is, they did a blody good job on this one. When it comes to big luxury sedans, there are really only two and with Mercedes Benz already throwing down the gauntlet with their all new jaw dropping S-Class, BMW had to step up to the mark to match their German rivals. From what we're seeing in the VFLC (I'm calling it that for short) ,they're certainly up for the challenge as in previous models one always felt that the 7 series lacked something when coming up against the S-Class. 

Bare in mind this is just a concept so expect some major changes to the production model, so the fancy lights could be changed to the more used xenon/ led option and those suicide doors might be swapped for the more conventional type doors. Interior wise, the seats will probably have more bulk and as much as I want the Starship Enterprise set up for the driver it will be toned down due to cost purposes. 

Overall I think BMW have got a true contender here, it's massive wheel arches and wide stance just makes it look like it's the business. I could go on with the stuff given in the press release but one really just has to look at it to understand what went into this vehicle during design and conception. It would be wrong to say it is "simply stunning" because there is nothing simple about it, so I'm going to go with "sophisticatedly stunning".

Bucket Seat: Toyota FT-1 Concept

The North American International Auto Show is on in Detroit "Motor City", its the biggest show on the North American continent and usually its the American brands that pull out the show stoppers but as it was discovered yesterday, its the guys from across the ocean that came packing with the big guns.

I've been a Toyota fanboy my whole life, I grew up with the brand and eventually my first purchase of a car was a Toyota, so naturally I'd like to see them produce new exciting cars but of recent years there wasn't much to excite one. Yes the 86 was launched a few years ago but again, it's a good car but nothing to rival the competitors in terms of a high performance sports car. Even on a smaller scale, I and many others were sad to see them discontinue their hot hatch competitor. The money is there, they have the talent, but why are Toyota holding back? 

My friend, who works for the company tells me its because they have "small balls", I sided with him on that argument. You have the Germans, Italians, French and new kids on the block the Koreans, taking risks, going extreme and 9 out 10 times it paid off, that takes balls, big balls. Toyota always seemed to have taken the safe conservative route, going for designs and cars that will appeal to everyone of the paying customer but at the same time won't win any awards for outstanding design. The methodology seemed to be "do it simple but do it right", which is fine... if you have small balls.

Step in the FT-1 Concept (Future Toyota 1), when I first saw a picture of it barely minutes after it made its début at NAIAS, I was blown away. Was this really something that came out from Toyota's stable? It was everything they're not for the past few years, screw braking boundaries, they smashed it down and marched all over it! The car it self looks like something from an Animee cartoon, the sharp edges, flared arches, bold lines, no matter which angle you look at it, you will be flabbergasted. 

That retractable rear wing... *drool*

It's not a thing of beauty, it's a menacing beast with strong Japanese influences shining through, there is some resemblance to that of an ancient Samurai warrior with tones of Toyota's LeMan and F1 car heritage integrated into it. At the unveiling, Calty's Design Research President, Kevin Hunter said that "the FT-1 is a symbol of Toyota's design future", which can only mean an exciting future on up coming models. He also went on to say how Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda challenged designers to create cars to "spark peoples emotions", something they've seriously lacked over the years but got it spot on with this one, it may sound weird but I wanted to cry after seeing this car.

No performance specifications have been released as yet and with it being a concept, there will be changes to the design if it ever reaches production, I just hope it wont face the same clippers that the FT-86 faced. Personally I think has to reach production because Akio asked his team to create a car that will make people say  " I want this! I HAVE to drive this!!! " so they can't show us this and take it away. Many say it will adopt the Supra name which in my opinion is great, due to the fact when one thinks of Japanese sports cars the first 3 that come to mind is the Nissan GTR, Honda NSX and the Toyota Supra. Back in its hey day, the Supra was one of the most feared cars on the drag strip and it still has a high cred on the drifting circuit. 

For those who cannot wait to get behind the wheel of this beast, it is already available to download on Gran Turismo 6 on PS3 and PS4. I'm actually considering buying that game just to download this car! One thing the Toyota FT-1 Concept helped prove, is that my friend and I were wrong, Toyota went onto one of the biggest stages of world motoring, pulled its pants down to show us that they do have big balls, VERY BIG BALLS!

JIMS Preview: BMW

So the Johannesburg International Motor Show is just around the corner, it is the biggest motoring exhibition on the continent and what's great about it, is that motor manufacturers treat it with the same respect as any other big motor show across the world. So if you are a petrol head you are going to be spoiled with concept models, future models, current models, eye candy models *wink wink*, anything and everything to do with motoring. 

BMW i3

This week we look at what BMW SA will be featuring at the show this year, the German auto makers stand is always one of the most popular one. Crowds gather around the models showcased and the visitor gets to experience the cars first hand and find out more info on them from the helpful people at hand. It's been a big year for BMW with the launch of their BMWi brand, so those of you whom are planning on visiting JIMS keep an eye out for the i3 which is BMW's first full electric production car that will be retailing next year in SA during the second quarter. No official word yet if the i8 will be making an appearance but here's hoping!

BMW Hybrid Active 7

Keeping with the electric theme, the Active Hybrid 7 will also be at the show. It runs of the same drive train as the 3 and 5 with the 6 cylinder petrol engine coupled with the electric engine. 

BMW 3 Series

The 3 series which is proudly assembled in South Africa at their Rosslyn plant will also be on display with its variants which include the much talked about 3 series GT.

BMW 4 Series

The one that most of us have been waiting to see is no doubt the new 4 series, it should be one to gather a crowd, the coupe which is based on the 3 series will be on sale soon in SA and seeing it in the metal might convince more people to opt for it.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

My favourite car to look for on the stand is without a doubt the M6 Gran Coupe, it is one of the most sexiest cars on the road today. The design is flawless and with the M Power treatment under the hood its bound to make you weak in the knees.

BMW M5

Other cars you can also spot at the stand will be the facelift 5 series which just launched this week in SA along with the 5 series GT and the beast sedan that is the M5. The ever popular Z4 roadster and the new 1 series will be there as well. Overall it is a killer line for the enthusiast so make your way down to the show which is held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec from the 18th till the 27th of October 2013.

BMW 1 Series

BMW Z4

BMW 5 Series Facelift

BMW 5 Series GT Facelift

BMW 3 Series GT Facelift