TrendCentral: Car sharing services are esteemed for their practicality, but have offered little in the way of luxury. BMW, however, recently launched DriveNow, the first branded premium car sharing service. Located in Munich, the system boasts 300 Mini Coopers and BMW 1-Series models available for short term rental. With a onetime membership fee of just €29 (approximately $41), and hourly rates of €14.90 (roughly $21), it makes driving in style a reality for those who otherwise couldn’t afford to cover the cost of the insurance on such vehicles. Plus, gas is included which, in this economy, is a luxury in itself. In some instances, using a set of wheels from the DriveNow fleet could be cheaper than taking a taxi.

Car Clubs [TrendCentral]