Archives for August 27, 2014

Evade Terrorists With a BMW X5 Security Plus

August 27, 2014 by admin 7 Comments

What’s new at the 2014 Moscow International Auto Salon.

An ordinary BMW X5 does not offer the protection of a security-enhanced model.

It is a dangerous world out there. Drive-by shootings, carjackings and war zone weaponry can put you and your passengers at risk. For these reasons BMW provides a line of Security Vehicles that are specially designed to ward off criminals, gang bangers and terrorists all.

BMW X5 Security Plus

This week at the Moscow International Auto Salon (MAIS), BMW took the wraps off of its latest security model — the X5 Security Plus. This crossover utility vehicle is specially fitted with heavy-duty, lightweight materials to protect the driver and passengers from an assortment of weapons including, .44 caliber handguns, AK-47 rifles, explosive devices and armor-piercing weapons.

BMW says that it uses pre-shaped aramid and polyethylene parts as well as special steel to protect vulnerable areas in the each vehicle. Aramid is a type of fiber originally developed by DuPont more than 50 years ago and valued for its heat-resistant properties. It is the same body armor fabric used in various aerospace and military applications; it will not melt or ignite in normal levels of oxygen. Polyethylene is a common plastic.

Specially Outfitted Vehicles

Even with the special security fittings, BMW claims that the changes are not apparent to the untrained eye. The overall harmony of the vehicle and its form and function remain. BMW makes use of security glass, run-flat tires and a self-sealing fuel tank to protect occupants. It also comes equipped with an attack alarm and an intercom system to communicate with the outside world.

Each model comes with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, ensuring superior handling and excellent traction. The modified chassis and control systems perform the same way that BMW’s other sport activity vehicles or SUVs work, with fuel economy enhanced by the automaker’s Efficient Dynamics technology.

BMW X5 Security Vehicle

An onboard fire fighting system is a security vehicle feature.

BMW 7 Series Sedan

The X5 is not the only BMW model that offers security protection. In addition, customers can also choose a standard X5 Security package that offers a standard level of protection against handguns. For optimum safety a BMW 7 Series offers state-of-the-art security in its High Security model. That model protects occupants from armor-piercing munitions and explosives.

BMW follows international Bullet Resistant Vehicle (BRV) guidelines as set forth in 1999 and updated as recently as 2009 to cover five categories of protection: VR4, VR5, VR6, VR7 and VR9. The most recent update introduced a change in trajectories for projectiles that strike a vehicle. The old standard offered protection for only certain types of shots conducted from limited angles. The new standard warrants protection for shots from any angle.

BMW X5 Security Vehicle

Special materials protect vehicle occupants including Aramid and high-grade steel.

Security Plus Advanced Training

Customers can order security vehicles outfitted with additional equipment such as: sirens, flashing lights and signal systems. Security driver training is also available as is special intensive training where drivers learn how to perform challenging maneuvers at high speeds, including escape turns and double lane changes. Are you looking to acquire James Bond-type driving skills? Your primer awaits you.

Choosing the Moscow auto show to debut its latest Security Vehicle may have been timed to coincide with the rash of threats along Russia’s border with the Ukraine. Apart from that volatile area of the world there are many other places where crime, war or terrorism has diplomats, corporate executives and other high-profile individuals demanding the best protection they can get.

BMW X5 Security Vehicle

Photos copyright BMW Group.

MIAS News

Bavarian Fest: 2014 BMW 535d xDrive

Looking Ahead: Moscow International Automobile Salon

Moscow: Datsun Makes a Splash With Its mi-DO Hatchback

Chevrolet Niva Rocks, But Will it Roll Here?

August 27, 2014 by admin 3 Comments

What’s new at the 2014 Moscow International Auto Salon.

Chevrolet Niva Concept

Take a look at the current Chevrolet utility vehicle line and you will find traditional Suburban and Tahoe SUV models at the top followed by the Traverse and Equinox crossovers. What the bow-tie brand has been lacking until now is a small utility vehicle, something it plans to remedy early in 2015 when the Chevrolet Trax makes its debut.

In reality, the Chevy Trax will not be the first small utility vehicle to wear a Chevrolet nameplate. Models supplied by Suzuki and Isuzu once filled that bill. In other markets, Chevrolet sells the Orlando and Niva models. You also might see a Chevrolet Captiva crossover here and there, a fleet-only utility vehicle sold to rental car fleets.

The Captiva has six more inches between the wheels and is nearly a foot longer overall than the Trax. Used models are available for sale and occasionally you’ll see one without the fleet sticker.

Chevrolet Niva

Inasmuch as the Trax will fill a hole in Chevrolet’s line up, a second small utility vehicle could add some pizazz that no other model currently offers. That model would be the Chevrolet Niva, a small crossover utility vehicle that is roughly the same size as the Trax.

The Chevrolet Niva has been in production since 1998, the offspring of a joint business endeavor GM has with AvtoVAZ, the Russian car manufacturer for the Lada brand. AvtoVAZ is now part of the Renault-Nissan alliance; the new edition will still be produced by the joint venture.

The big deal about the Chevrolet Niva is that a concept model was introduced at the Moscow International Auto Show (MIAS) this month. It is a much more muscular utility vehicle, one that will go into production late in 2015 as a 2016 model year offering.

Masculine Lines and Stance

The next generation Niva has masculine lines and comes equipped with 235/50 / R16 all-terrain tires, skid plates, roof rails and an on-roof light bar assembly. The picture that follows is of the current generation model and the proposed Niva. Guess which one has the best visual appeal?

Chevrolet Niva Concept

Jeffrey Glover, General Director of the Joint Venture said, “The style of the new car will be much closer to Chevrolet’s line. At the same time a more brutal appearance and the characteristics of the car suggest that it will continue to be a real Niva!

That “brutality” will be powered by a 1.8-liter four cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive and a locking rear differential will be included. The 135-horsepower engine comes courtesy of GM’s alliance with French automaker Peugeot.

Other details about the proposed vehicle were not divulged. Most likely, GM will use upcoming auto shows elsewhere to showcase prototypes.

Chevrolet Niva Concept

Rocking and Rolling Here

With automakers building vehicles for multiple markets, will we see the Chevrolet Niva in North America? There certainly could be room for this model, especially in snow belt markets and for consumers that want the off-road utility. And given that the Trax is not something you’d take off road, the Niva (or whatever it is called here) could work out well. Expect GM to pay close attention to the upcoming Jeep Renegade’s sales performance when weighing its Chevrolet Niva options stateside.

Photos courtesy of the General Motors Company.

MIAS News

Moscow: Datsun Makes a Splash With Its mi-DO Hatchback

Looking Ahead: Moscow International Automobile Salon

Evade Terrorists With a BMW X5 Security Plus

Moscow: Datsun Makes a Splash With Its mi-DO Hatchback

August 27, 2014 by admin 4 Comments

What’s new at the 2014 Moscow International Auto Salon.

The last time that the Moscow International Auto Salon (MIAS) was held the Datsun brand was a historical footnote in the annals of the automotive industry. That was 2012 — since then, Nissan revived the Datsun brand and is now selling budget models in Indonesia, India, South Africa and Russia.

Nissan at the MIAS

The Russian market is important to Nissan, which is also heavily invested in AvtoVAZ, the largest car company in Eastern Europe. The Renault-Nissan alliance controls the company and through its Lada brand it has been gaining market share. The just introduced Datsun brand will further Nissan’s growth across the Russian land mass.

The newly resurrected Datsun brand is on display at the MIAS, which is holding its press day today followed by a business day on Thursday. Beginning on Fri. and running through Sept. 7, 2014, the bi-annual show will be open to the public.

Datsun mi-DO and on-DO Models

Datsun miDO Two new models are on display, including the on-DO sedan that will begin delivery to customers in early Sept. The second model, a mi-DO hatchback, goes on sale early next Jan.

The model names may seem odd to western ears, but they have special meaning in the east. The word “DO” is Japanese for “moving” and also represents the “way” in doing things. The word “on” is Russian for “he” and “mi” sounds like the English word for “me” or what personalizes the car. So, “he moving” and “me moving” are what Russian consumers understand when hearing the names for the two Datsun models.

MIAS represents the international debut for the Datsun mi-DO, a model that shares the same platform and wheelbase as the Datsun mi-DO, but is shorter overall. Both models sit on a 94.5-inch wheelbase and are 59 inches tall and 66.9 inches wide. The hatchback is 155.5 inches long; the sedan comes in at 170.7 inches long.

Engine and Transmissions

Datsun mi-DO hatchback The two Datsun models are powered by an 87-horsepower, 1.6-liter four cylinder engine and are paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is also available.

Standard equipment includes: driver and front passenger air bags, anti-lock brakes, heated seats, heated door mirrors, and other amenities. To serve the Russian market, 25 Datsun dealers are in place in key areas across the country. Another 75 Datsun dealers are expected to be up and running within the next two years.

A new vehicle warranty for 3 years or 100,000 kilometers (62,137 miles) is standard for Russian market Datsuns. Nissan has also set up Datsun Finance to provide financing solutions to Russian customers.

Commitment to Russia

Speaking to the press, Vincent Cobee, Global Head of Datsun, underscored his company’s commitment to the new market, by noting that the brand’s highly affordable price has struck a chord with Russian car buyers. That price is 329,000 Russian rubles or roughly US$9,100 or far below the lowest price of any car sold in America. The Renault-Nissan alliance has no plans to sell Datsun in the United States or Canada.

Photos copyright Nissan Motor Corporation.

MIAS News

Looking Ahead: Moscow International Automobile Salon

Evade Terrorists With a BMW X5 Security Plus

Chevrolet Niva Rocks, But Will it Roll Here?