Tag Archives: Cologne

BMW

BMW and AirConsole team up to showcase in-car gaming at Gamescom, with a new game planned for 2024

Munich. BMW and AirConsole are joining forces at Gamescom in Cologne from August 23-27 to demonstrate the AirConsole in-car gaming platform in the BMW i5. AirConsole allows players to enjoy casual games in their new BMW i5, providing entertainment while waiting for the car to charge. Casual games are easy to play and have intuitive controls. The game selection for the launch of the new BMW 5 Series includes racing, sports, simulation, strategy, jump-and-run, and puzzle games. There will be a continuous addition of new games to the portfolio.

BMW and AirConsole are also introducing ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ from Sony Pictures Television to the AirConsole game collection at Gamescom. This all-new version of the popular quiz show is being specifically designed for in-car gaming, combining the simplicity of AirConsole’s smartphone game controller with elements from the original game show. ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ will be available in BMW and MINI vehicles with the AirConsole App by 2024.

“AirConsole brings a fantastic platform for casual in-car gaming to our vehicles, constantly delivering new and entertaining experiences. The addition of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ is a perfect example of that,” said Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President BMW Group Connected Company Development.

“Bringing ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ to our platform represents the perfect mix of entertainment and innovation,” said Michael Fuller, in charge of Business Development for Games at AirConsole. “This game is a beloved global phenomenon, and its inclusion showcases our enthusiasm and dedication to pioneering in-car gaming.”

BMW i5 showcased with a unique gaming design at Gamescom.

To celebrate the launch of in-car gaming, the BMW Group is presenting a BMW i5 with a special gaming wrap at Gamescom. The design pays homage to the 8-bit era of computer games with large pixels. The color scheme takes inspiration from the games available on the AirConsole platform. The wrap also features elements of video game controllers, highlighting the unique in-car gaming solution with AirConsole, where the smartphone serves as the controller.

*Vehicles that can be enabled with AirConsole at a later date: BMW 7 Series; BMW iX from production 03/23; BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7, BMW X5 M, BMW X6 M from production 04/23; BMW XM from production 08/23. Other BMW models will follow gradually. Availability of AirConsole App depends on model and country and is part of ConnectedDrive Professional package or Personal eSIM option.
News

Archive special: The Birth of the Ford Fiesta

The final production of the Ford Fiesta is happening today at Ford’s factory in Cologne, marking the end of almost 50 years of production.

The history of the Ford Fiesta goes back further than you might think. Ford had never entered the ‘mini’ car market in Europe before. Instead, in 1958, they chose to follow up the Anglia with another family car – the Cortina. This decision was based on the belief that the Cortina would be a more successful venture. This belief was supported by a thorough examination of Austin’s new Mini in 1959.

However, as the Mini became a huge success and gained competition from the Hillman Imp and Fiat 127, Ford decided to reconsider their approach.

This led to the creation of a prototype that gained initial approval from management in 1970. Following that, Ford’s global empire split the project into different branches.

One of the most successful branches was the design house Ghia in Italy. They showcased the advantages of front-wheel drive (FWD). Soon after, in September 1972, Ford allocated $1 billion for ‘Project Bobcat’ – despite boss Henry Ford II still holding the belief that small cars only generated small profits. (This disproves the notion that the Fiesta was solely a response to the 1973 oil crisis.)

End of an era: The Ford Fiesta story

Recognizing the importance of meeting consumer demands, Ford conducted an extensive market research project. The project was one of the most expensive at the time and involved randomly selecting drivers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain to evaluate various prototypes.

The research revealed that the Fiesta was the perfect size for all countries and that FWD was highly preferred. Further research in 1973 showed that the car should be a hatchback, as hatchbacks were increasingly popular due to their added practicality compared to sedans.

Additionally, research conducted in San Francisco indicated that Americans also showed interest in the car, which led to plans for US sales. As a result, production expanded beyond Cologne, Saarlouis, and a newly built factory in Valencia, to include Dagenham as well.