Although the two models are both part of BMWi sub-brand, which is dedicated to developing sustainable vehicles, the i3 and i8 are decidedly different.  The i3, which is set to enter the market in 2013, is a fully electric compact car that is designed for an urban environment.  On the other hand, the i8 is a gasoline-electric parallel hybrid sports car.

The BMWi sub-brand is part of BMW’s commitment to environmentally friendly vehicles and the i3 and i8 are the first vehicles to enter the market under this sub-brand.  To further prove its enthusiasm about sustainable vehicles, BMW also recently announced that the plants in Washington and Germany would use renewable resources to make materials for the BMWi vehicles.  For example, the BMW plant in Moses Lake, Washington will use hydroelectric power to manufacture the carbon fiber for the i3 and i8’s frame.

Often, electric vehicles have a reputation for heavy frames and less power, but the BMWi vehicles are blazing a new trail.  Drivers of Mountain View luxury cars will be impressed to discover that the i3 and i8 are both light and speedy vehicles, despite their electric governing systems.  The i3 and i8 are both made with carbon-fiber materials and an aluminum underbody, which decreases the overall weight of the vehicle.  The i3 sprints from zero to 60 miles per hour in eight seconds. The i8 sports car races to 60 miles per hour in a mere five seconds and tops out at about 135 miles per hour.

One of the best features on the i3 model is its quick recharging rate, which is estimated at about an 80 percent charge in only one hour.  For a city-driver with no time to spare, this rapid recharge rate will not damper his or her busy schedule.

To learn more about the BMW i3 and i8, which will be introduced at dealerships in the United States in 2013 and 2014, respectively, please stop by your local Belmont BMW dealerships, where we would be happy to answer your questions about these recent BMWi sub-brand announcements.

In a BMW Financial Services company statement, Ed Robinson, President and CEO for BMW Group Financial Services, said, “As a company, we pride ourselves on our ongoing uses of technology to build stronger relationships with our customers.” Robinson added, “Not only does ‘The Ultimate Drive’ app allow us to broaden our awareness as an organization to a vast audience, but more so, it provides us the ability to nurture a two-way dialogue with our customers in an engaging way.”

When a user first downloads the mobile app, there is a brief tutorial to introduce the user to the different features and settings specific to this app.  The introduction is helpful and the easy-to-navigate interface makes this app simple to use for all BMW enthusiasts.  A user can also create his or her profile with favorite roads and driving patterns to share with other drivers.

There are four options to choose from on the home screen: road stretches, my profile, BMW news and alerts.  Clicking on “road stretches” launches a map where suggested roads are highlighted and users can rate and comment on the roads via email, Facebook or GPS.  BMW 1 Series drivers can also create their own suggestions for road stretches that they enjoy driving in their own neighborhoods.

In addition, when the user clicks on BMW News on the home screen, he or she is automatically connected to the BMW newsfeed, where the user can browse recent articles and blogs about BMW vehicles.

The mobile app is available for free from Apple’s App store and the Android marketplace, and your Belmont BMW dealerships encourage drivers to download “The Ultimate Drive” app and start connecting with other BMW driving enthusiasts in your neighborhood.

Ranking fifth overall, BMW was the top luxury brand in the survey, which is conducted annually by Consumer Reports. The 2011 Car Brand Perception Survey got feedback from 1,721 adults in households that had at least one vehicle in a random phone survey.

Vehicle brands are scored according to the total number of time they are mentioned with regard to seven categories and then the number of unaided mentions is figured in. Even if you don’t understand the formula, you can understand that your Belmont BMW dealerships are excited about the outcome.

The brand with the highest perception, perhaps surprising some, was Toyota with a score of 147. Ford was a close second with 144 points, followed by Honda with 121. Another domestic brand was in fourth place – Chevrolet with 102 and BMW was fifth with 93. Right on its heels was luxury brand Mercedes-Benz with a score of 90.

Lexus and Cadillac also made the “best” list with scores in the 60s, but several Luxury brands showed up on the “worst” list, like Land Rover, Saab and Jaguar – all with scores under 15.  So what does this survey mean for the “best” brands? For BMW it’s just another affirmation of what owners already know.

This survey is essential for buyers because it offers a starting point for comparison and an idea of which brands to consider first. Customers of Belmont luxury cars will appreciate that this survey tallies what customers think – not industry analysts or insurance companies. This truly represents how much people enjoy their cars.

Since Consumer Reports is such a highly-respected publication, it not only has the trust of the public, but the auto industry pays attention when CR speaks as well. Belmont BMW dealerships are convinced the brand’s ranking on this list will mean increased sales.

Although details are still sketchy and BMW has been putting out teasers on this car for about a year, it will be available in just a few short months and I would love to tell you that the blanks have been filled in and we know the horsepower and body specs. But we don’t – not yet.

San Francisco BMW service centers realize that BMW fans are waiting anxiously for more information. They would love it too. Recently BMW did throw out a few hints in a town outside its headquarters in Munich, Germany.

The body is a definite 1 Series Coupe, but bulked up and beautiful. Details were harder to discern, but knowing BMW we can confidently visit our Belmont BMW dealerships when this coupe hits the showroom and not be disappointed about a thing.

This body is about 3.25 inches wider than the usual 1 Series Coupe and with its inflated fenders, looks like it’s been hitting the gym pretty hard. Expect an all-steel body. Yes, the carbon fiber didn’t offer any savings on weight or cost, so steel it is.

So it’s buff, it’s solid and it’s a BMW. Not much more we need to know. Your San Francisco BMW service center staff will help keep your current BMW or a new 1 Series Coupe at its top performance level and can help you stick to your maintenance schedule with friendly reminders.

BMW seems to be doing what it does best – listening to the customers and creating just what they want: In this case, a fast and affordable coupe that looks much more expensive than it is and will make owners the envy of their neighbors.

Chalk up one more to that German engineering and more than one hundred years of tradition. BMW truly has a model for everyone.

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But the Droid was too sweet to pass up, so I splurged and haven’t regretted it in the month or so since making the purchase. This little handheld device does darn near anything, from running GPS directions for driving and walking and public transportation, to browsing the internet, playing music, streaming video, counting calories, identifying constellations, analyzing art, and even making phone calls. It’s the single best piece of technology ever invented, in my humble opinion. There’s nothing you could do to make it better.

Unless…

Unless you could drive it. That’s what Belmont BMW dealerships are holding their breath for, at least, and in a recent press release from Nokia, it looks as though BMW and a few partner automakers will try and get a system to integrate these high-tech cell phones into the workings of the car.

A BMW dealership in Belmont could, for example, potentially sell you an automobile that syncs up to the phone and runs all those apps for you. It could play your music, run the GPS application, and even come up with apps of its own that keep tabs on the inner workings of the vehicle. People spend so much time in their cars nowadays; something like this would only make the experience easier and more enjoyable. If I think I love my phone now, just wait until it becomes part of my car!

And that’s the beauty of technology. You don’t think you need anything more than a simple phone or a simple car, but when you start surrounding yourself with the possibilities that these brilliant engineers are coming up with, it’s hard to remember what life was like without them. To think, I didn’t want a phone that had a camera. They don’t even make those anymore, do they? In time, there won’t be cars without apps. And we’ll remember that BMW was right there for the start of the new trend.

But in any event, all these guys hide behind disguises, even though if they ever were to take some credit they’d be all over the covers of People and US Weekly like a third-world Angelina Jolie baby. People would love them, probably even worship them, if only they’d come forward. Come on, there wouldn’t be endorsement opportunities for these guys? Get out from under those hoods and take some credit!

In the world of Belmont luxury cars, another superhero of sorts has been recently spotted hiding under a disguise: it’s the first glimpse of the hard-top BMW 6 Series, but only behind psychedelic swirls, probably to keep it relatively hidden at some sort of promotional event. In Belmont, BMW dealerships have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this grand automotive beast for months, and while we’ve seen the convertible version test-driven around in public a few times, this is the first instance of the hard-topped model making itself seen, and it looks fantastic.

The engines expected to be used in these new vehicles are likely to be either the double-scroll, single-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder or the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. Some rumors have even hinted that there could be an option that includes a 262 cubic-inch twin-turbo V8 that rolls out over 600 horsepower. Whatever it goes with, the new 6 Series vehicles will use the Efficient Dynamics break kit, which charges the battery while the car is slowing down.

Sounds like a super car, right? So like superheroes, will it stay hidden behind its secret psychedelic identity forever? Of course not. This particular disguise is a temporary one. Soon enough, it’ll be on the streets in all its naked glory, and we’ll revel in its astonishing beauty and power. Batman and Spiderman will hopefully be taking notes.