Jerome's International BMW Blog

2012 Detroit Auto Show: What’s NEW on BMW’s 2012 3 Series?

2012-01-10T13:23:00.001-06:00

Author: Shawn Molnar

BMW has never been caught sitting on their hands when it comes to improving upon the class-founding 3 Series. Now in its sixth generation, the F30 3 series had big shoes to fill. The E90 it replaces was a fine car that never lost sight of the “Ultimate Driving Machine” mandate, while concurrently bringing considerable steps in technology and comfort.

Of course, there are many new things to talk about when walking around the car’s exterior, and plenty new in the interior as well (in fact, the interior has made the largest departure from it’s respective predecessor yet). But what’s new with BMW’s 3 series? Are there any major steps taken in the design that really differentiate it from any 3 series before it?

From a distance, it appears not. The proportions are very much the same, and we’re thankful for that. The proportions of the 3 series struck a harmonic balance decades ago, and since then BMW has never put a foot wrong. From the iconic and still-loved E30 on, every successive 3 series has captured hearts with a different execution of a similar basic shape. Okay, it’s no 911; the sheet metal has been played with more creatively, but despite its constant growth the 3er continues to cling tightly to the family tree.

Step closer however, and the discerning eye will find three key design elements that are completely new. First of all and most obvious is the physical connection of the headlight fixture to the kidney grills. This “first ever” design execution adds a new spin to the classic double round headlight approach. It’s fresh, and in person, it adds an element of aggression to the front of the car, while not losing touch with its design roots. The continuity of the horizontal lines also emphasizes the cars width, which was one of the targets of the design team when sketching the new 3 series.

Next up would be the double character line found on the side of the new 3 series. The first, more traditional line originates near the top of the front wheel arch, stretching back to meet up with the rear tail lights, after transecting the door handles along the way. The new character line runs somewhat parallel to the former, but originates at the front headlight, swooping up at a more aggressive angle before meeting the bottom edge of the Hofmeister kink. This line is more subtle, but adds a lot of play to the light reflecting off of it. In essence, it parallels a tight shirt worn by a body builder, showing its flexed muscle.

Lastly, and the least noticeable, is a new rear diffuser incorporated into the aerodynamic design. It’s not a gaping diffuser borrowed from an F1 car, but it is functional, and for those who know, and appreciate this racy tech – it means a lot. It lends itself to more of those, stand back and admire moments when exiting the vehicle.

The rest of the 3 series is new – but think more evolution than revolution.

Source: BMWBlog

BMW wins U.S. luxury sales crown

2012-01-10T13:16:00.000-06:00

BMW beats Mercedes to claim first U.S. luxury sales crown Lexus' 11-year reign ends DETROIT -- BMW fended off a late-year surge by rival Mercedes-Benz to win its first title as best-selling luxury brand in the United States. BMW said its U.S. sales rose 15 percent to 26,834 in December, for an annual total of 247,907. Mercedes said its sales last month climbed 28 percent to 25,701, pushing its tally for the year to 245,192. The results officially end Lexus' 11-year reign atop the U.S. luxury rankings.
The brand reeled after the March earthquake in Japan disrupted production, finishing the year down 13 percent at 198,552. Mercedes won the title once, in 1999, before ceding the U.S. crown to Lexus. BMW of North America and Mercedes-Benz USA were the only companies that failed to release U.S. totals along with the rest of the industry on Wednesday, drawing more attention to the luxury race. The results exclude Mercedes Sprinter vans and Smart cars as well as BMW's Mini brand, which aren't luxury vehicles. BMW sales advanced 13 percent for the year in an overall market that rose about 10 percent. Mercedes' U.S. deliveries also climbed 13 percent, aided by a refreshed C-class sedan and redesigned M-class SUV. Mercedes advanced after BMW ended the third quarter leading its German rival by 7,621 U.S. sales. The lead narrowed to 1,582 by the end of November. Both automakers increased incentives in November and carried forward customer discounts into December, according to Ivan Drury, an industry analyst with Edmunds.com. Mercedes increased incentive spending in November by 39 percent compared with a year earlier, and BMW's incentives rose 25 percent, according to Autodata Corp. Many of those discounts and incentives are on the C class and 3 series, which are the automakers' top sellers. Rivals have noticed the discounting. "They've been outspending us -- even with some relatively newer products," Kurt McNeil, Cadillac's vice president of sales, said in a telephone interview. BMW has offered $400 to $600 a car more than the General Motors brand, he said, and Mercedes' discounts exceeded Cadillac's by more than $1,000. "They've been bringing it from an incentive standpoint," he said. While some automakers in the past have delayed releasing monthly results, "this is unusual," Jesse Toprak, an industry analyst with TrueCar.com, said Wednesday. "I don't really recall this happening from two automakers who are clearly going head-to-head against each other. It's too much of a coincidence."

BMW 2011 LA Auto Show Presentation - Mission Impossible GHOST

2011-11-22T17:01:00.001-06:00

Prototype of the 4-Series cabriolet variant spied with a folding hard-top roof

2011-11-22T15:46:00.001-06:00

Just a month after we first spied the 2013 BMW 4-Series Coupe, here are the first spy shots of the 2013 4-Series Cabrio.

Now going by the internal names F32 for the 4-Series Coupe and F33 for the Cabriolet variant (being based on the new F30 3-Series) we're starting to get a better idea of how the 4-Series family will be shaping up. The prototype spied here features a folding hard-top roof. The 4-Series may also spawn a four-door sport coupe variant to compete against the Audi A5 Sportback.

The 4-Series will also be larger than the 3-Series and the Coupe is expected to debut in late 2013 while the Cabriolet variant will follow sometime after that in early 2014.

Source: worldcarfans.com

Introducing The All-New 6th Generation BMW 3 Series Sedan

2011-11-21T09:47:00.000-06:00

Dynamic, Efficient and Luxurious

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 14, 2011 11:15 am EDT … With the

announcement of the sixth generation BMW 3 Series Sedan, the benchmark by

which all sport sedans are measured just got raised. The pioneering history of

the 3 Series serves as inspiration for the new sports sedan, whose powerful

styling represents a fresh interpretation and conscientious development of

traditional BMW design cues. It will not only set new standards for performance

and handling but also for luxury, technology and efficiency as well.

The all-new BMW 3 Series Sedan arrives in US showrooms in February 2012 as

a 2012 model.

The new BMW face, with elongated headlights reaching along as far as the

BMW kidney grille, emphasizes the new BMW 3 Series’ sense of width and

strengthens its athletic overall profile. The sixth generation of the 3 Series has

grown moderately in size compared to its predecessor, with its wide track (front

+ 37 mm/1.46 in., rear + 47 mm/1.85 in.) particularly prominent, and the car’s

length (+ 93 mm/3.66 in.) and wheelbase (+ 50 mm/1.96 in.) also accentuates its

sporting allure. Inside the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, the rear passengers will

appreciate the noticeable increase in space made possible by the larger

dimensions. And the BMW 3 Series range is now also available in a trio of trim

and equipment variants – the Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Each

presents its own individual take on the character of the sports sedan, with

exclusive, high-quality material combinations and unbeatable build quality

underlining the premium ambience of the new range.

Drive and chassis technology have always been key areas of expertise for the brand,

and agility and driving dynamics remain outstanding attributes of the new

BMW 3 Series Sedan. The new car belies its larger dimensions with an equipment

equalized curb weight 88 lb (40 kilograms) below that of its predecessor.

A choice of two muscular, refined and efficient engines – which both feature new

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology – will be available for the new

BMW 3 Series Sedan in the US market. In addition to the already successful

6-cylinder N55 engine powering the 335i, customers can also opt for the new

turbocharged 4-cylinder (N20) variant in the BMW 328i. This latest-generation

engine, initially introduced in the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i, rewards the driver with both

a dynamic driving experience and significantly reduced fuel consumption.

The innovative 8-speed automatic gearbox – which is a first in the segment –

opens up a whole new level of driving experience. It can be specified in

combination with either the 328i or the 335i and includes the new Auto Start-Stop

function. Compact and exceptionally efficient, it allows the new BMW 3 Series to

match or outperform models fitted with the standard six-speed manual gearbox

in terms of fuel economy. The new 8-speed automatic brings together shift

comfort, dynamic performance and efficiency of the highest order, making it the

perfect partner for the new sedan’s dynamic potential.

As components of the BMW EfficientDynamics technology line-up, the

Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, and need-based operation

of ancillary components (including an on-demand air conditioning compressor)

also play their part in reducing fuel consumption. Added to which, the new

Driving Dynamics Control switch, which allows the driver to choose between

Comfort, Sport, Sport + and ECO PRO Mode, gives both models the potential to

further improve these figures. This ECOPRO Mode helps drivers maximize fuel

economy through their driving style, thereby enabling them to increase the

distance they can travel between visits to the pumps. BMW will add another

cutting-edge engine to the line-up in 2012, when the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will

premiere.

BMW ConnectedDrive offers an unmatched combination of available driver

assistance technology and mobility systems for the new BMW 3 Series range. A

new arrival in the premium mid-size segment is the latest-generation full-color

Head-Up Display, which projects key information – in sharp resolution – onto the

windshield so it appears directly in the driver’s field of view. Also available is

Surround View with Side View and Top View, which gives a bird’s-eye

perspective of the vehicle and the area around it. In addition, an available

Parking Assistant system helps the driver to parallel park. Among the other

assistance technology available under the BMW ConnectedDrive banner are the

Active Blind Spot Detection System and Lane Departure Warning System with

camera-based Collision Warning system, which are offered for the first time in a

BMW 3 Series. A Navigation System with Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI)

and an innovative comfort access function allowing hands-free opening of the

trunk lid are all included on the options list.

Design.

All in all, the innovative body structure and intelligent lightweight design concept

of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan ensure that it is now larger and safer, but –

depending on the engine specified – also lighter. The dynamic proportions and

athletic overall impression of the new 3 Series bring the sporting character of this

hugely successful model into even sharper focus.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan is an iconic figure in the sports sedan segment and

over the years has come to symbolize the aesthetic appeal, dynamics and

sporting capability of BMW. With its dynamic lines and athletic overall presence,

the sixth generation of the world’s best-selling premium vehicle highlights the

sporting character of the brand’s mid-size model. Although the new BMW 3

Series has grown moderately in all dimensions compared to its predecessor, it

retains a perfect balance of sportiness and elegance. As in previous generations,

the sedan’s dynamic proportions are shaped by the sweeping hood, short front

overhang, long wheelbase and set-back greenhouse, typical of BMW.

Striking face with precise contours and multi-faceted surfaces.

The wedge shape of the new 3 Series’ silhouette and its wider track

underline the sporting appearance of the new BMW. By clearly accentuating the

width of the car, the multi-faceted surfaces of the expressive front fascia give the

BMW 3 Series a more athletic face than ever. A wide, squat interpretation of the

upright, slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille emphasizes the assured

presence of the new BMW 3 Series. LED accent lights positioned like eyebrows

above the striking twin headlights with corona rings (if Xenon Headlights are

specified) lend an extra intensity to the classic BMW focused look. Clearly

defined headlight surrounds now extend up to the frame of the kidney grille,

merging the headlights and grille of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan into a single

stylistic unit and adding further emphasis to the car’s broad-set stance. The

BMW 3 Series replaces the central air intake of its predecessor with two larger

intakes, which are positioned underneath the headlights to the outer edges of the

front fascia and add extra depth to the car’s sporty styling. On the far left and

right of the main ducts are small vertical intakes which help create the “Air

Curtain.” This new technology improves air flow around the front wheels,

enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel consumption at higher

speeds.

The closely spaced, squat openings of the kidney grille, with their eye-catching

surrounds, form the most prominent element of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan’s

front design. This is also where the precise lines of the heavily contoured hood,

spawned by the roof pillars and flowing over the full length of the hood, come

together on the their journey towards the road. The result is a front that appears

lower-slung, giving the BMW 3 Series a clear sporting edge when viewed head-

on.

Precise lines produce a stretched silhouette and enhance the car’s

dynamic impact.

Powerfully taut surfaces with sweeping lines dominate the side view of the BMW

3 Series Sedan, stretching the car visually and lending extra verve to its dynamic

stance. The flanks of the car are shaped by an eye-catching double character

line running alongside each other. The higher character line emerges out of the

low-slung nose and flows over the front wheel with an understated sweep, in a

nod to the sedan’s fleetness of foot. The second character line develops lower

down behind the front wheel and follows a delicately arching path towards the

rear. Together, they reinforce the dynamic wedge shape of the car’s flanks. As

well as providing a discreet increase in muscularity in the rear section below the

character line, these styling cues also create vivid light and shade effects, which

draw further attention to the car’s wide track.

The striking interpretation of the hallmark BMW Hofmeister Kink at the base of

the C-pillar, injects the silhouette of the new 3 Series with even greater élan.

Alongside it runs a fine contour line from the roof pillars into the rear deck lid,

giving the roof an even lower appearance from the side. The resultant sense of

sporty yet elegant lightness spreads all the way down the sedan’s sides, with the

slightly rising shade line low down on the heavily contoured side skirt adding

further emphasis. The large light surfaces above the side skirt serve to enhance

the lightness of the car’s flank lines.

Contrasting light surfaces imbue the rear with brio and energy.

The strong horizontal lines of the rear – including rear lights in customary

BMW L-shaped design positioned at the outer edges of the rear – accentuate the

broad face of the wheels and wide track of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan. The

low-set reflectors guide the vertical lines flowing out of the greenhouse over the

rear lights to the wheels, lending visual emphasis to the car’s consummate road

presence. Traditional BMW 3 Series design traits include the two lines below the

rear spoiler and above the bumper, which frame the rear stylistically. Richly

contrasting light surfaces give the rear end of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan a

fresh dynamic flair, while the interchanges between smoothly flowing surfaces,

precise lines and defined edges inject brio and energy.

The interplay of surfaces and lines fills the interior with life.

The interior of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan is straight out of the BMW design

handbook. The driver-focused cockpit wraps around the driver and puts all the

important controls within easy reach. The cockpit is angled towards the driver by

seven degrees. The ingenious layout of the front cabin incorporates the driver-

focused cockpit as part of its natural design – i.e. without excluding the front

passenger. The surfaces and lines flow over the instrument panel towards the

front passenger side of the cabin, where they form a smooth, protective border.

In the driver’s area all the lines converge on a single point behind the steering

wheel and guide the eye towards the road.

The cockpit’s four circular dials (fuel gauge, speedometer, tachometer and oil

temperature gauge) come with a black panel display. Positioned on the

horizontally structured instrument panel, the freestanding iDrive monitor with

slim, transreflective, high-resolution display recalls the latest flatscreen

televisions normally found in living rooms rather than cars.

On the driver’s side of the deliberately asymmetric center tunnel, a different trim

surface and graining mark out the active driving elements of the interior, while

the trim surface on the front passenger side exudes a pleasingly elegant air.

Positioned centrally on the center console within easy reach of both the driver

and the front passenger is the standard iDrive Controller.

More space, wide variety of storage compartments, even greater

practicality.

Passengers in the rear of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan will enjoy significantly

more space than in the outgoing model. The car’s larger dimensions ensure rear

passengers are welcomed by 0.71 in. /18 mm of extra legroom inside the doors

as they climb aboard. Behind the fully contoured front seats, 0.6 in / 15 mm of

additional knee room and 0.31in. / 8 mm of extra headroom further enhance the

passengers’ comfort on the road. Backrest nets offer additional accommodation

for small items, reflective vests and road maps. Larger pockets in the front doors,

whose lines and surfaces open up towards the instrument panel, now have

space for drink bottles up to one liter in size. Added to which, two large drink

holders are now integrated into the center console ahead of the gearshift lever. If

desired, the cupholders can be swapped for an oddments tray, which is stored in

a special area of the glove compartment when not in use. The new sedan offers

480 liters of luggage capacity, 20 liters more than the outgoing model in DIN

measurement protocol. And an innovative and practical solution allows extremely

convenient access inside. If the optional Comfort Access is specified, the trunk

can be opened hands-free and without needing to use a key. For example, if the

driver approaches his new 3 Series with both hands full, all he/she needs to do is

move his/her foot around underneath the bumper to trigger the opening

mechanism for the trunk lid (see also BMW ConnectedDrive). The luggage

compartment can hold as much as three golf bags, or a pram and chassis

inserted over a remarkably low trunk sill that is a mere 26 inches high (66 cm).

Standard securing hooks hold the items firmly in place, while a storage tray

under the load compartment floor and a deep storage compartment on the left-

hand side accommodate small oddments. For bulky items, the optional Through-

Load includes a folding rear seat bench to allow flexible transport solutions. The

40:20:40 split rear backrests offer unbeatable versatility when you need to carry

passengers and long items, such as several pairs of skis or snowboards, at the

same time.

Three equipment lines shine the spotlight on the car’s distinct character

traits.

High-quality material combinations and unbeatable build quality underline the

premium ambience of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan. The materials and color

concept of standard model accentuate the sporting character of the car, but a

large selection of colors and upholstery variants also offer scope for various

other options. From the basic matte satin silver surface treatment to the warm

look of fine burr walnut wood, all trim surface options can be combined with

either the leatherette or one of two leather upholstery colors.

In addition to the standard trim level, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan can now

also be specified with any of three equipment lines or an M Sport Package.

Customers can therefore adapt the appearance of their car to their personal

lifestyle and preferences – in their own way and with eye-catching results. The

Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line each emphasize the different sides to

the new BMW 3 Series Sedan’s character in their own individual way. The

exclusive, carefully coordinated equipment features embrace both exterior

design elements and the selection of materials and colors for each model. In

terms of value, design coherence and expressiveness, the new BMW Lines go

far beyond existing packages in the segment.

Sport Line: With eye-catching exterior features in high-gloss black, this new line

accentuates the dynamic appearance of the BMW 3 Series Sedan. Eight heavily

contoured high-gloss black kidney grille slats in a chrome-colored surround give

the front end of the car a particularly sporty and alert look. The black inserts in

the front apron make the air intakes appear larger and lend extra emphasis to

the muscular wheel arches. Bi-color, double-spoke design 18-inch light-alloy

wheels provide the athletic looks to match. Meanwhile, high-gloss black painted

exterior mirrors and the standard high-gloss black B-pillar and window trim add

an extra sporting flavor to the flanks. A black trim strip on the lower crease

underlines the width-enhancing effect of the rear styling, while the black chrome

exhaust tips rounds off the exterior’s sporty appearance. The sporty and

exclusive ambience of the interior is expressed by contrasting black and red

accents. Red trim rings, red scales in the circular dials, red stitching on the

sports steering wheel and a base trim strip in high-gloss black with coral red

accent strips all underline the sporting ambience of the cockpit. The standard

sports seats can be specified in a choice of two upholstery styles and three

colors. The ignition key for Sport Line versions of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan

is identified by its black finish and red detailing.

Luxury Line: The discreet high-gloss chrome elements of this line lend the

exterior of the BMW 3 Series Sedan a particularly elegant and exclusive appeal.

The BMW kidney grille with 11 fine chrome slats, two slightly offset chrome trim

strips in the front apron air intakes, and a high-gloss chrome trim strip running

horizontally above the air scoop give the front a striking appearance. As with the

Sport Line, the B-pillar and window guide come in high-gloss black, and the

window frame and weather strip are in chrome. Special 18-inch light-alloy wheels

in multi-spoke design accentuate the stylishness of the new BMW 3 Series

Sedan when viewed side-on. From the rear, the new Luxury Line is easily

identified by its exquisite, high-gloss chrome trim strip – which extends across

the full width of the rear apron – and its chrome exhaust tips. Chrome elements

also catch the eye inside the Luxury Line variant. This is the only line which

gives the radio and air conditioning units a chrome surround. High-gloss wood

trim (with stylish inlays also available) and seats with distinctive stitching and

leather upholstery in three classically elegant colors highlight an inviting,

exclusive ambience. The ignition key for Luxury Line versions of the new BMW 3

Series Sedan can be identified by its black finish and chrome detailing.

Modern Line: In contrast to Luxury Line models, the avant-garde trim elements

included in Modern Line versions of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan are all in satin

aluminum, underlining the contemporary character of this line. The BMW kidney

grille, with 11 satin aluminum slats, and double trim strips for the air intakes in

the same color give the front end of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan a particularly

contemporary, classy touch. The high-gloss black B-pillar and window trim of the

Modern Line blend smoothly with the satin aluminum trim elements at the front

and rear. 18-inch turbine-style light-alloy wheels strengthen the future-focused

concept of this equipment line. The harmonious lightness of the interior

dispenses with strong contrasts. Instead, with a light upper side to the dashboard

and a steering wheel in Dark Oyster, it generates an all-new ambience. Leather

upholstery in Oyster or Black, and a choice of three trim surfaces with accent

strips in pearl-effect chrome, further enhance the appealing interplay between

materials. A trim element with three-dimensional structure and open-pored wood

lays on a whole new feast for the fingertips. Modern Line versions of the new

BMW 3 Series Sedan are marked out by the oyster-colored ignition key with matt

silver detailing.

M Sport package: The M Sport package brings the ultimate in sporting

makeovers to the new BMW 3 Series. An all-new aerodynamic package for the

exterior clearly sets cars specified with this package apart from the base model

and the three lines. 18 and 19 -inch light-alloy wheels in hallmark M design,

M Sport suspension, a black kidney grille and BMW Individual High-gloss

Shadowline trim give the car that typical M look. The theme continues inside the

car with sports seats boasting distinctive upholstery choices, trim elements with

blue accent strips, an M Short-shifter (in models with manual gearbox), M door

sill covers, an M driver’s footrest and the new M leather steering wheel.

New dimensions in driving pleasure and dynamic performance: Sporty power

delivery, outstanding efficiency and enhanced ride comfort. The sixth generation

BMW 3 Series sports sedan offers top-level agility and driving dynamics, and

they combine all this with new levels of comfort. At the same time, there is no

change to the proven basic concept comprising high-performance engines, a

sporty chassis and a rigid, lightweight body. After all, over the past 35 or more

years, drivers have come to expect dynamic, sporty driving enjoyment as a

matter of course in a BMW 3 Series model, while powertrain and chassis

technology rank as a core strength of the brand. A longitudinally mounted

engine, rear-wheel drive and a balanced (50:50) weight distribution are a formula

that makes the BMW 3 Series the sportiest sedan in its segment.

At launch, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan will be offered with two high-torque,

refined and fuel-efficient engines, both feature the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo

technology. They comprise the familiar 6-cylinder inline engine and a new-

generation 4-cylinder engine. Both engines offer impressive driving dynamics

coupled with substantially reduced fuel consumption and emissions. At first sight

contradictory and conflicting technical objectives have been ingeniously resolved

by BMW. For example, the dynamism goes hand in hand with outstanding

performance on the cost and environmental front, since emissions for both the

engines are well within the US ULEV II limits. And the new Driving Experience

Control switch with ECO PLUS Mode, which is available for all engine versions,

provides the opportunity to extend these savings even further.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels either via a standard 6-speed manual

transmission or, optionally, via an 8-speed automatic – currently the only such

unit in this segment. The automatic, which can be combined with either engine,

is so efficient that it is able achieve lower fuel consumption and emissions than

with the manual transmission on the EU test cycle (EPA test figures will be

announced closer to the US on-sale date). Both the manual and the automatic

models are equipped with the Auto Start-Stop function for further savings.

Advanced suspension technology, featuring a large number of light-alloy

components and new tuning, along with Servotronic speed sensitive power

steering, low vehicle weight and a balanced weight distribution top off a dynamic

package, making the new BMW 3 Series Sedan an exemplar of sporty handling

combined with increased comfort.

BMW 328i: New 4-cylinder gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo

technology sets a new benchmark for driving dynamics and efficiency.

With the launch of the new sports sedan, an ultra-modern 4-cylinder engine will

make its debut in the BMW 3 Series. In keeping with the dynamic overall theme

of the new BMW sports sedan, this new-generation turbocharged engine offers

plenty of power and performance, responsive acceleration, powerful torque, a

high rpm ceiling and low weight. The new 4-cylinder engine, which provide

noticeably livelier power for maximum driving enjoyment, also comes with lower

fuel consumption than its predecessor.

The state-of-the-art, lively 2.0-liter engine marks a return to the popular sports

sedan’s roots – it was with lightweight, high-performance 4-cylinder engines in a

similar vein that the BMW 3 Series made its debut back in 1975, with the first

6-cylinder engines for this series making their appearance at the 1977 Frankfurt

Motor Show. A 6-cylinder continues to top the engine line-up in the new BMW 3

Series.

The significant upgrade in power and efficiency is chiefly down to the use of

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which combines High Precision Direct

Petrol Injection, Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and VALVETRONIC

variable valve timing along with twin-scroll turbocharging. On the new-generation

4-cylinder engine, this world-exclusive technology package from BMW again

provides a very efficient way to extract more power from the engine, rather than

taking the route of a much larger displacement and, in the process, adding to the

weight and therefore to fuel consumption. This explains why the more dynamic

performance and driving enjoyment does not come at the expense of higher fuel

consumption and emissions.

The new BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder’s displacement of 1,997 cc delivers

maximum power of 180 kW/ 240 hp at 5,000 rpm while, thanks to twin-scroll

turbocharging, the maximum torque of 260 lb-ft is developed at just 1,250 rpm

and remains constant up to 4,800 rpm. These statistics translate to

commensurately dynamic performance: The new BMW 328i accelerates from 0

to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, on its way to an electronically governed top speed

of 130 mph, 155 mph with Sport Line. The engine responds instantly when the

driver demands more throttle, and the vigorous and almost linear power delivery

from only slightly above idle, which continues all the way into the higher rpm

range, is duly impressive.

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in the new 4-cylinder engine.

This new engine is the most powerful in a new generation of 4-cylinder engines

designed in accordance with the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, which aims to

combine increased driving enjoyment with reduced fuel consumption and

emissions. In technical terms, this new 4-cylinder engine is modeled on the

current multi-award-winning 6-cylinder inline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo

technology (N55), which is the benchmark in its class for dynamic power delivery

and impressive efficiency. This world-exclusive technology combines High

Precision Direct Petrol Injection, Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and

VALVETRONIC variable valve timing with twin-scroll turbocharging.

These features give the new BMW 328i the sort of power which with a naturally

aspirated engine would require more cylinders and larger displacement. At the

same time, with its all-aluminum crankcase, this engine is lighter and more

compact than a 6-cylinder engine of equivalent power. This has obvious benefits

for driving dynamics: the reduced load on the front axle gives this

BMW sports sedan greater agility and further improved steering and cornering

characteristics.

Twin-scroll turbocharging.

The new 4-cylinder engines also feature twin-scroll turbocharging. This means

that the exhaust stream from cylinders 1 and 4, and the exhaust stream from

cylinders 2 and 3, follow separate spiral-shaped paths to the turbine wheel. This

reduces exhaust back-pressure at low engine rpm, allowing the energy of the

exhaust gas pulses to be utilized as efficiently as possible. The result is instant

throttle response and fast-revving performance which BMW drivers can instantly

translate into driving pleasure.

VALVETRONIC, Double-Vanos and High Precision Direct Injection.

The combination of a high power output and a simultaneous reduction in

emissions is achieved by VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-

Vanos variable camshaft timing. The latest generation of the VALVETRONIC

system features a faster-acting, optimized stepper motor with integrated sensor.

Seamlessly variable control of intake valve lift dispenses with the need for a

throttle butterfly. Instead, the air mass is controlled inside the engine, resulting in

faster response. At the same time, pumping losses have been reduced to a

minimum.

The excellent efficiency is also down to the High Precision Direct Injection

system. Centrally positioned between the valves, solenoid injectors precisely

control the supply of fuel. The fuel is injected very close to the spark plug, with a

maximum injection pressure of 200 bar (2900 psi), resulting in clean and

homogeneous combustion. The cooling effect of the directly injected fuel also

results in a higher compression ratio than on port injection engines, bringing

further efficiency improvements.

Exceptional performance assisted by innovative design features.

The exceptional performance of the new engine is also due to various innovative

features of the core engine. For example, twin balancer shafts positioned at

different heights result in optimized vibration absorption, while a centrifugal

pendulum absorber integrated in the dual-mass flywheel brings a noticeable

reduction in irregular running at low engine rpm. The driver can therefore make

full use of the strong low-end torque without sacrificing smoothness. These

factors all help to explain why the new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine achieves

refinement, noise and vibration of a kind that was previously confined to

BMW 6-cylinder engines.

BMW 335i: Inline 6-cylinder engine with beefy power delivery, strong

torque and superb refinement.

Fans of large 6-cylinder engines have a treat in store too. The inline 6-cylinder

engine (N55) in the new BMW 335i will impress performance-minded drivers with

its effortless power, exceptionally fast-revving temperament and outstanding

refinement. The N55 has been setting standards from the start, as the pioneer of

a new generation of engines in which BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with

High Precision Direct Injection and VALVETRONIC variable valve timing plus a

twin scroll turbo made its debut.

Thanks to intensive fine-tuning of the engine, BMW’s engineers have now further

reduced the fuel consumption and emissions of the predecessor, while at the

same time maintaining its high performance. With a maximum power rating of

225 kW/ 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, the 3.0-litre 6-cylinder unit reflects the sporty

personality of the BMW 3 Series and helps this sedan deliver brilliant

performance. And the high peak torque of 300 lb-ft, on stream between 1,200

and 5,000 rpm, ensures that the power is effortlessly and instantly delivered.

As a result, the new BMW 335i can show off its prowess with a 0 to 60 mph

sprint time of just 5.4 seconds,. The automatic version is on par, reaching 60

mph a full 0.2 seconds faster than the outgoing model. Top speed remains the

same, at an electronically governed 130 mph (210 km/h) and 155 mph (250

km/h) with Sport Line.

All this extra performance comes with exceptional fuel economy and low

emission figures. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is rated at 7.9 liters per

100 kilometers (29.8 mpg). Fitted with the new eight-speed automatic

transmission, the BMW 335i is even more frugal, with combined fuel

consumption of just 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers (32.6 mpg). The improvement in

emissions for the manual and automatic versions works out at 6 and 16 per cent

respectively. EPA rating will be announced closer to the on-sale date in the

USA.

Sporty 6-speed manual transmission as standard; state-of-the-art eight-

speed automatic optionally available for both engine versions.

The BMW 3 Series owes its characteristic driving experience not just to its high-

torque, fast-revving engines, but also to its transmissions. For performance-

minded drivers the transmission, as the interface where the power from the

engine is relayed to the rear wheels, is pivotal to a dynamic driving experience. It

is just as important for it to offer precise, short-throw shifting as it is to provide

the right ratios. Smooth shifting, low noise and efficient design are further

qualities demanded in the premium segment. For drivers who value a hands-on

approach, the new BMW sports sedan is equipped with a 6-speed manual

transmission as standard, while those who prefer to leave the shifting to the

transmission will find an ideal alternative in the innovative 8-speed automatic.

Finally, customers can also opt for a Sports Automatic version of this

transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts as an upgrade with the

Sport Line and M Sport package.

6-speed manual transmission as standard.

The sporty 6-speed manual transmission in the new BMW 3 Series boasts an

easy and precise shifting action and optimal ratio spacing. The lightweight,

compact format and innovative, low-friction design help to further enhance shift

feel and efficiency. The transmission used on the BMW 335i, is equipped with

dry sump lubrication for significantly improved efficiency and shifting quality, due

to reduced drag losses. At the same time, noticeably more comfortable shifting is

achieved by the use of innovative carbon friction linings in the synchromesh

units. The new BMW 328i likewise features an optimized transmission with ratios

precisely matched to the performance characteristics of the new engine. The

optimal ratio spacing makes for powerful sprinting performance and fast mid-

range acceleration, all combined with a reduction in fuel consumption.

Innovative 8-speed automatic transmission: efficient power transmission

and optimal ratios.

The new BMW 3 Series can be equipped with an optional high-performance

8-speed automatic transmission, which can be combined with any of the engines

being presented. The additional ratios allow this state-of-the-art transmission –

which is an option not currently offered by any competitors in the premium

compact sports sedan segment – to combine unprecedented standards of

comfortable shifting, sporty performance and efficiency. With all this going for it,

the automatic transmission is fully in keeping with the overall sporty

temperament of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan.

In terms of size and weight, this 8-speed unit is comparable with the 6-speed

automatic transmission used in the past. A range of innovative technical features

and exceptionally high internal efficiency allow this higher-performance unit, too,

to combine powerful acceleration, strong mid-range sprinting and further reduced

fuel consumption. For performance-minded drivers this transmission also has

lots to offer, particularly since the driver can choose to play a more active role by

changing gear manually, thereby releasing even more of this sporty sedan’s

potential.

With its optimized control technology, the 8-speed transmission boasts extremely

fast shift and reaction times and direct downshift capability. The electronic

transmission controller can also alter the shift characteristics as required, to

cater either for a sportier or for a more relaxed, fuel-saving driving style. Despite

a larger overall spread, eight ratios mean that the spacing between them is

smaller, so that the optimal ratio is available in virtually all situations. The close

ratios deliver turbine-like power combined with smooth and fuel-efficient low-rpm

operation. Altogether, then, as well as providing dynamic acceleration and

smooth shifting, the new 8-speed automatic also allows drivers to maintain a

very economical driving style. This all helps to explain why, when fitted with the

8-speed automatic transmission, the new BMW 3 Series has even lower fuel

consumption than models equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission.

A sports version of the new 8-speed automatic transmission is available as an

option for cars equipped with the Sport Line and M Sport package. This unit

offers even sportier shift characteristics (e.g. faster shift times), and the option of

changing gear manually using the paddle shifts on the steering wheel.

Alternatively, it is also possible to use the electronic Quickshift selector lever on

the center console. The Normal and Sport modes are chosen using the Driving

Dynamics Control switch. This allows the Sports Automatic to deliver both

dynamic driving enjoyment and top-level comfort.

Precision chassis engineering sets new standards:

sporty handling, high agility and increased comfort.

In the sixth model generation, too, dynamism and performance are among the

stand-out features of the BMW sports sedan. These qualities are underpinned by

a precision-engineered chassis with four-wheel independent suspension that

perfectly complements a winning formula: a longitudinally mounted engine, rear-

wheel drive, balanced weight distribution and torsionally stiff body. In the new

BMW 3 Series the engineers have further improved the already outstanding

handling qualities of its predecessor and its excellent agility and directional

stability, while at the same time noticeably improving comfort. To achieve this,

they have made extensive use of extra-lightweight chassis components,

sophisticated and perfectly tailored axle kinematics and a high-precision steering

system. State-of-the-art electronic control systems on the new BMW 3 Series

Sedan help manage the vehicle dynamics and ensure that the combination of

outstanding sporty performance and increased comfort can be enjoyed to the full

and with complete peace of mind.

With friction-reduced wheel bearings and ball joints, aerodynamic improvements

at the rear axle and reduced rolling-resistance tires, the whole chassis plays its

part in reducing fuel consumption and thus emissions.

A wheelbase of 110.6 inches / 2,810 mm (+ 1.96in/50 mm) and a front and rear

track width of 60.3 / 1,543 (+ 1.46 in / 37 mm) and 61.9 / 1,583 millimeters

(+ 1.85 in/ 48 mm) respectively give the new BMW 3 Series Sedan a more road-

hugging stance than its predecessor, while the weight-optimized powertrain and

lightweight body design result in a perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution.

Double-pivot front axle with spring struts and anti-roll bar.

The new BMW sports sedan adopts an innovative but proven front axle design

which provides an optimal fusion of driving dynamics and comfort. The

suspension components combine maximum stiffness with minimum weight.

Aluminum torque struts, wishbones and swivel bearings bring a substantial

reduction in unsprung masses. At the same time, the absence of torque steer

makes it easier to gear the kinematics of the double-joint axle to agility and

dynamism.

Advanced axle design further refined:

five-link rear axle improves driving dynamics and comfort.

Incorporating various significant improvements and refinements, the rear axle of

the new BMW 3 Series makes an important contribution to the new model’s

improved driving dynamics and comfort. Its space-saving design is based on the

tried-and-tested five-link design used on the predecessor model, with

elastokinematics which have been specially tailored to the new sports sedan,

featuring long spring travel and precise and confident wheel location in all

situations.

Extra-wide mounts and supports on the wheel carriers for track and camber,

extremely stiff control arms, the stiff axle subframe and thrust arms connecting

the suspension and body provide an excellent basis for the agile and, at the

same time, comfortable overall suspension qualities of the new BMW 3 Series

Sedan. The large mounts and supports at the rear axle not only affect handling,

they are also important for ensuring good acoustic insulation between the

powertrain and suspension, particularly on vehicles with a powerful, high-torque

engine. Thanks to the effective insulation of the powertrain from road excitations,

the new rear axle also provides first-class noise and vibration damping.

The classic BMW 3 Series rear-wheel-drive set-up and a balanced weight

distribution also provide the ideal basis for resolving the conflict between ride

and handling. As a result, the new BMW 3 Series impresses with extremely

sporty handling combined with highest standards of stability and comfort. Last

but not least, the reduced-friction wheel bearings, robust powertrain isolation and

carefully targeted aerodynamics modifications at the rear axle also contribute to

improved driving dynamics and efficiency.

Optional Variable Sports Steering.

Optionally a new variable-ratio steering system can be ordered. Variable Sports

Steering provides different steering gear ratios depending on the turning

situation, so that the new BMW 3 Series responds either more directly or more

softly to the driver’s steering inputs. This reduces the number of steering wheel

rotations required for bigger turns by up to 25 percent and makes for easier,

more convenient parking and turning since less effort is required from the driver.

Also, the handling is sharper in general, for example when very sudden evasive

action is called for. At smaller steering angles between zero and 100 degrees, on

the other hand, the Sedan provides high standards of track-holding and

straightline stability, and offers satisfyingly precise response to steering changes.

The variable-ratio steering is a purely mechanical system based on a variable-

ratio steering rack.

High-performance lightweight brake system.

The dynamic performance of the sports sedan calls for an equally powerful brake

system. The new BMW 328i uses lightweight floating caliper brakes at all

corners with large vented discs while the 335i uses 4-piston fixed calipers at the

front and floating calipers at the rear. The aluminum front fixed calipers bring a

further reduction in unsprung masses. This extremely high-performance system

also features outstanding heat tolerance, excellent wet braking performance,

easy operation and precise control. Together with the large wheels and high-grip

wide tires, it provides the sports sedan with highly effective deceleration.

The brake system is further supported by various state-of-the-art electronic

safety systems, which are integrated into the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

system for improved driving dynamics and safety. The DSC system incorporates

the following functions: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Stability

Control (ASC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), along with start-off assist, brake drying and

an electronic limited slip function for the rear differential, which can be activated

using the “DSC Off” button.

Driving Dynamics Control switch with ECO PRO Mode:

extra-sporty, more relaxed or more fuel-efficient driving modes – at the

press of a button.

The new BMW 3 Series offers impressive driving dynamics combined with new

standards of comfort in the segment. This is a result of superbly tuned

suspension which achieves an astonishing balance between dynamics and

comfort. On top of this, drivers are also able to vary the overall character of the

sedan depending on the driving situation or to suit their personal preferences. As

well as sportier or more comfortable drive settings, they can also opt for extra

fuel efficiency. The different modes are selected using the new Driving Dynamics

Control function including ECO PRO mode, which is standard on all 3 Series

models.

Using the Driving Dynamics Control switch, the driver is able to customize

accelerator response characteristics, engine response, the power steering

characteristics and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) thresholds. The

Servotronic function, the automatic transmission and Dynamic Damper Control

are integrated into the system too. Using the simple-to-operate rocker switch on

the center console, drivers can choose between ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT

and SPORT+ modes. Each of these predefined setups activates different

settings for the relevant powertrain and suspension components.

In SPORT Mode, for example, throttle response is very sharp and the steering

becomes even more direct. On vehicles with automatic transmission, the shift

points are altered to provide a significantly sportier drive.

A further button allows the driver to change the DSC settings. Selecting Dynamic

Traction Control (DTC) mode, for example, makes it much easier to start off on

loose surfaces or in deep snow. In this mode as well as in SPORT+ mode, the

Dynamic Stability Control thresholds are raised and Dynamic Traction Control

(DTC) is activated. It is also possible to shut off DSC altogether. The electronic

limited-slip function for the rear differential can then provide extra-sporty

acceleration out of corners or hairpins.

The new ECO PRO Mode, meanwhile, supports an extra-efficient and economy-

conscious driving style. It does this by changing the accelerator mapping so that

the same pedal travel delivers less power than in the standard mode. Also in this

mode, the automatic transmission control strategy is modified so as to upshift

sooner and to delay downshifts, while intelligent energy and climate

management reduces the mechanical power consumption and also the

consumption of electrical systems such as heated mirrors and seats. But the

biggest potential for improving fuel economy comes from the driver’s own

personal driving habits. Special displays in the instrument cluster let the driver

know by how much the driving range is being extended, show fuel consumption

history, or, with reference to the specific driving situation, provide tips and

incentives on how to develop a more economy-conscious driving style. ECO

PRO mode allows average fuel consumption to be reduced by up to 20%, with a

corresponding increase in driving range.

Dynamic options: M Sport package, Adaptive M Sport suspension, sports automatic

transmission and BMW 3 Series xDrive.

For out-and-out enthusiasts, further features are available to enhance the

dynamic driving qualities of the new BMW 3 Series and give them a distinctive

visual dimension as well. The M Sport package, which will become available

after launch, is designed for this very purpose and has been developed

specifically for this model series. It includes the lowered M Sport suspension,

featuring a 10 millimeter (0.4 in.) drop in ride height, firmer suspension and

damping, and larger anti-roll bars. Also featured are 18 or 19-inch M alloy

wheels. The package is completed by an M aerodynamics package featuring

special body parts, and by chrome tailpipes, exclusive exterior paintwork and

interior trim to match. An Adaptive M Sport suspension with electronically

controlled damping is also optionally available for the new BMW 3 Series. Based

on incoming information about body and wheel acceleration, lateral and

longitudinal acceleration, vehicle speed and steering wheel position, an

electronic control unit adapts the damper mapping to the road surface and

driving situation. At the same time the driver can use the Driving Dynamics

Control switch to vary the basic suspension characteristics between more

comfortable or sportier settings. An 8-speed sports automatic transmission with

faster shift times and sporty steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts is also

available as an option.

The new BMW 3 Series will soon provide even more variety and become even

more attractive with the introduction of BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. In

addition to the typical benefits of all-wheel drive, the electronically controlled

BMW xDrive system – which can fully vary the driver power split between the

front and rear wheels with split-second speed – ensures top-class traction, safety

and handling, and optimal power management whatever the weather and road

conditions. The system has been recalibrated for greater agility and precision,

with benefits also for cornering. In this new version it offers an ideal combination

of dynamism and comfort, and is the ideal basis for maximum driving enjoyment.

The BMW 335i xDrive and BMW 328i xDrive, all-wheel-drive models will go on

sale in summer 2012.

BMW EfficientDynamics: More power, less fuel consumption.

With high-performance engines, superior suspension technology and an

extremely torsion-resistant body, the new BMW 3 Series is building on its

position as the sportiest sedan in its segment. It is also advancing even further

on the comfort front. Agility and dynamic performance continue to be the sports

sedan’s stand-out features, and are key to its high standards of driving

enjoyment. To cap this off, the 3 Series also boasts an exceptionally good

balance between performance and fuel consumption. This reassuring knowledge

is a further incentive for drivers to make full use of the dynamic potential of the

new BMW 3 Series.

To a large extent, these typical BMW qualities are due to the BMW

EfficientDynamics strategy that is extensively used on the new sports sedan.

New, more fuel-efficient engines, extra-efficient transmissions, on-demand

control of ancillary units, intelligent lightweight design, Auto Start-Stop function,

and low drag aerodynamics including “Air Curtain” and underside fairing all help

to consolidate the leadership position of the new BMW 3 Series on fuel

consumption and emissions.

Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, ECO PRO Mode.

The new BMW 3 Series Sedan is equipped with an Auto Start-Stop function,

which automatically switches off the engine during short stops at traffic lights or

in stationary traffic, so as not to waste fuel. For the first time, and uniquely in this

class, this system can be combined with the new 8-speed automatic

transmission as well as the manual gearbox. The new BMW 3 Series is also

equipped with BMW’s now familiar Brake Energy Regeneration system. With

Brake Energy Regeneration, power for the vehicle electrical system is generated

only during braking and overrun. When the engine is under load, the alternator

can often be disengaged. This not only means that electricity can be generated

with little or no effect on fuel consumption, it also grants the sports sedan livelier

acceleration. Finally, the new Driving Experience Control switch gives drivers the

option of selecting ECO PRO Mode which, by modifying the powertrain

management and re-programming the heating and air conditioning, the heated

seats and the exterior mirrors to operate at optimum efficiency, reduces fuel

consumption by as much as 20%.

On-demand control of ancillary units saves energy.

Intelligent energy management in the new BMW 3 Series is further enhanced by

the ancillary units, which consume significantly less energy compared with

conventional systems. Examples include the on-demand coolant pump, the

electronically controlled oil pump and the electromechanical steering system,

which only consumes electric power when steering assistance is actually

required. The special air conditioning compressor featured on many of the sports

sedan models works on the same principle. As soon as the driver switches the

air conditioning off, the belt drive to the compressor is disconnected by a

magnetic clutch, to minimize power drain.

Intelligent lightweight design brings further reduction in fuel consumption.

Use of lightweight materials has played a significant role in reducing vehicle

weight and in delivering high passenger cell safety standards, combined with a

significant increase in strength. At the same time, these measures also help to

ensure superior driving dynamics. Intelligent lightweight design is integrated into

all areas of BMW vehicle development work and into all components, from the

body and engine to the suspension. Materials used include high and ultra-high

tensile steels, a hot-stamped B-pillar, plastics and state-of the-art composites.

Increased use of aluminum components in the engine and suspension systems

has also further reduced the weight of the relevant assemblies.

Aerodynamic optimization of underside paneling.

It is common knowledge that fuel consumption can also be cut by reducing

aerodynamic drag. As the excellent drag coefficient (cd = 0.26) would suggest,

the aerodynamics of the new BMW 3 Series have been intensively honed in

BMW’s state-of-the-art full scale rolling road wind tunnel. The optimized

aerodynamics also have benefits for noise reduction and roadholding. In

particular, streamlined design of the underside plays a big part in minimizing lift

forces. The aerodynamically optimized underside with extended streamlined

panels at the sides, under the engine compartment shield and at the front part of

the exhaust tunnel provides unprecedented standards of sealing. Additional

aerodynamic covers, which create a diffuser effect at the rear axle, further

reduce drag and lift forces, while at the same time improving stone chip

protection. Also, the front aprons are designed to incorporate the “air curtain”

effect which reduces turbulence in the wheel arch area – again reducing drag.

This system was first introduced on the 1 Series M Coupe in 2011. The

aerodynamically designed wheel arches, and the air deflectors in front of them,

likewise help to reduce fuel consumption.

Dynamic, efficient and innovative: The new BMW ActiveHybrid 3.

In autumn 2012 a sensational new model will join the BMW 3 Series. In the new

ActiveHybrid 3 – the world’s first hybrid at the premium end of the sports sedan

class – the innovative BMW ActiveHybrid powertrain technology and the sporty

personality of the BMW 3 Series meet and merge with highly dynamic and

efficient results. The combination of the 6-cylinder engine and electric drive

produce unrivaled driving enjoyment, combined with even better fuel

consumption and emissions figures, and further intensify the sporty, yet fuel-

efficient driving experience that lies at the heart of the new BMW 3 Series. The

gains in both performance and efficiency are a textbook example of the

BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy in action. Following the

BMW ActiveHybrid 7, BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5, the new

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is the fourth production model in which a model-specific

intelligent combination of internal combustion engine and electric drive provides

extra performance while at the same time significantly slashing fuel consumption

and emissions. In the BMW ActiveHybrid 3, ActiveHybrid technology has for the

first time been integrated into the vehicle architecture right from the start.

Amongst other things, this meant that a lot of space was saved.

The powertrain of the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is closely tailored to the sporty

personality of the new BMW 3 Series. It features the 225 kW/ 300 hp inline 6-

cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology (N55) and a hybrid-

specific eight-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor

which for limited periods can increase power by up to 40 kW/ 55 hp. Maximum

combined output is 250 kW/ 335 hp, with a maximum combined torque of 330 lb-

ft. This high-powered, high-performance combination nevertheless returns

extremely low fuel consumption. Average consumption in the EU test cycle is

less than 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers (36.7 mpg). That means the ActiveHybrid

technology in the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 offers fuel savings of more than 12.5

percent compared with equally powerful conventionally driven BMW sports

sedans.

The electric motor supplies the 6-cylinder engine with supplementary driving

power and can provide a boost function when extra-dynamic performance is

required. This adds a further edge to the driving experience in the BMW

ActiveHybrid 3. BMW ActiveHybrid technology also allows the vehicle to run

solely on electric power. In this zero-emission, virtually soundless driving mode,

the vehicle can cover a distance of between 2 to 2.5 miles (around three to four

kilometers). Top speeds in all-electric mode range from 37 mph (60 km/h) under

load to 100 mph (160 km/h) on overrun (coasting). When the driver applies more

throttle, the internal combustion engine is engaged automatically, then

disengaged on overrun. During overrun and braking, the electric motor acts as a

generator, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is used to

charge the battery. This is the same principle as the Brake Energy Regeneration

function on the regular models, although on the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 the amount

of energy recuperated by the electric motor is many times greater.

Efficient and seamless integration between the internal combustion engine and

electric motor is ensured by the central power electronics, which provide

intelligent, proactive energy management to further improve overall system

efficiency. In terms of utility and interior adaptability, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3

shows no significant differences from the other models in the series, since its

high-voltage battery is integrated under the floor of the trunk. With trunk space of

390 liters (DIN) and unrestricted through-loading functionality, there are no

concessions on the car’s high standards of comfort and convenience. Drivability

too is on a par with that of a BMW 335i.

BMW ConnectedDrive: Intelligent integration provides greater comfort,

safety and infotainment.

The BMW ConnectedDrive range of technology includes a portfolio of innovative

functions – unique worldwide – which serve to ensure maximum comfort,

infotainment and safety. BMW ConnectedDrive uses the intelligent link-up of the

driver, car and outside world to provide useful information for the situation at

hand. The technical pre-eminence and progressive character of the new BMW 3

Series is underpinned by an unmatched combination of driver assistance

systems and mobility systems from BMW ConnectedDrive.

Among the most prominent technologies developed under the banner of

BMW ConnectedDrive are the comfort-enhancing systems BMW Parking

Assistant and Surround View. They are joined in the new BMW 3 Series Sedan

by features which further increase levels of passenger comfort – such as office

services, calendar and Facebook as examples.

High-functionality interface technology providing a prime example of state-of-the-

art infotainment capability enables the driver and passengers to make extensive

use of external mobile phones and music players inside the new BMW 3 Series

Sedan. With new Bluetooth office functions from BMW ConnectedDrive, internet-

based services such as weather, news etc., as well as calendar entries and text-

based messages (SMS and e-mail), can be viewed in the Control Display of the

iDrive operating system and read out via the Text to Speech function. In addition,

passengers can access their personal music library on their smartphone or

music player inside the car. Their playlists, stored song titles and relevant album

cover artwork are then displayed on the on-board monitor. The BMW Connected

Drive app allows full in-car use of web radio and calendar functions in

combination with the Apple iPhone. In addition to web radio music streaming

services such as Pandora and MOG can be accessed safely and conveniently

through the iDrive controller and screen.

The constantly expanding number of driver assistance systems from

BMW ConnectedDrive provide added safety and assurance on the road. In a

new development in this premium class, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan will be

available with the new-generation full-color Head-Up Display. Key driving

information is projected – in sharp resolution – onto the windshield so it appears

directly in the driver’s field of view. Safety is given a further boost by the

availability of the Active Blind Spot Detection System and Lane Departure

Warning System including Collision Warning. This technology warns the driver of

a possible collision during a lane change maneuver or if the car strays

unintentionally out of its lane. Meanwhile, the Advanced Collision Notification

function help occupants to limit the consequences of an crash, should the worst

come to the worst.

Head-Up Display with full-color capability.

The new-generation Head-Up Display now delivers even greater display quality,

functionality and flexibility. The symbols projected onto the windshield are

displayed in sharp resolution in the driver’s direct field of vision. All of which

allows drivers to view all of the information in this ergonomically excellent

position without having to divert their gaze from the road ahead. A full range of

colors are used to reproduce common road sign symbols as accurately as

possible through the display graphics. Depending on vehicle specification, the

car’s speed, cruise control setting, navigation instructions and alerts from the

Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems will be displayed. Even

direction indicators and Check/Control messages can now be displayed, as well

as a wide range of information selected personally by the driver. The intensity of

the projections adapts automatically to the light conditions, and therefore follows

the illumination of the cockpit dials. Added to which, the precise positioning of

the projections on the windshield can be adjusted easily using the iDrive

Controller. The variety of driver assistance systems available for the BMW 3

Series Sedan increases the amount of information that can be shown in the

Head-Up Display to a whole new level.

Active Blind Spot Detection System monitors vehicles following behind.

Inattentiveness or misjudgment of the distance and speed of a vehicle

approaching from behind can lead the driver into a critical situation when

changing lanes. The optional Active Blind Spot Detection System warns BMW 3

Series Sedan drivers of the potential danger of such an overtaking maneuver.

The system uses a pair of rear-mounted radar sensors to monitor traffic in the

adjacent lanes, from the blind spot to a distance of approximately 60 meters (200

ft.) behind the car. This information, indicated to the driver before he actually

changes lanes, allows him to prepare for a lane change maneuver with

confidence and to avoid critical situations from the outset. If other road users are

approaching the car in an adjacent lane or moving through the driver’s blind spot

behind and to the side of the car, a yellow triangle symbol in the housing of the

driver’s side exterior mirror gives a discreet warning of possible danger. If the

driver then still goes ahead and activates the direction indicator, announcing an

intention to pull in or out, the LED symbol starts to flash. A further warning is

provided in the form of a discreet but unmistakable vibration of the steering

wheel rim.

Camera monitoring: Lane Departure Warning System and Collision

Warning.

The Lane Departure Warning System available for the new BMW 3 Series

Sedan is activated at speeds above 70 km/h (43 mph) and warns the driver if he

unintentionally strays out of his lane. The system comprises a windshield-

mounted camera in the rear-view mirror area, a data comparison unit and a

signal generator which – as with the Active Blind Spot Detection System –

causes the steering wheel to vibrate. The Lane Departure Warning System is

speed-sensitive. At high speeds, the system reacts at a suitably early stage if the

car is getting close to the lane markings. The camera tracks the lane markings

on at least one side of the car, and the control unit uses image processing to

calculate the position of the car in relation to the markings. The camera focuses

some 50 meters (164 ft.) ahead of the car and is also active through corners and

on narrow roads. Indeed, the system even works in the dark as soon as the

headlights have been switched on. The driver can therefore count on its services

in a wide range of everyday driving scenarios. The system does not give a

warning if the driver has signaled an intention to change lanes or turn off by

switching on the direction indicator. BMW ConnectedDrive uses a high-tech

multifunctional camera, mounted on the rear-view mirror, to initiate a number of

different driver assistance systems. With the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, BMW

will become the first premium manufacturer to use such a camera for monitoring

traffic on the road ahead. The image processing system continuously scans the

scene on the road and gives an audible warning if it identifies a potential collision

risk. If the driver draws too close to the vehicle in front, the system produces an

acute audible warning and a visual signal appears in the instrument cluster or

the optional Head-Up Display, if specified. At speeds upwards of 50 km/h (30

mph), the brake system is primed and the activation threshold of the hydraulic

Brake Assist system is lowered. These measures, which are activated

simultaneously with the visual and audible warnings, are designed to help the

driver react effectively in an emergency. There is no automatic braking

intervention. The sensitivity of the automatic Collision Warning system can be

individually configured by the driver through several stages.

If the worst comes to the worst: BMW Assist enhanced Automatic Collision

Notification with automatic vehicle location.

In the event of an accident in the new BMW 3 Series, the enhanced Automatic

Collision Notification system from BMW ConnectedDrive allows the emergency

services to receive detailed information on the type of collision and the likelihood

of trauma level injuries before arriving at the scene of the accident. That allows

first responders to prepare the appropriate medical care in advance for those

involved in the crash. The precise position of the car and vehicle type are

specified, and all the data gathered by sensors in the car is forwarded. The

information provides indications as to the nature and severity of the collision,

while the deployment of the car’s restraint systems gives the emergency

services an idea of the number of injured people and allows frontal, rear, side or

multiple collisions to be identified and differentiated. This is possible thanks to an

advanced algorithm developed in partnership with the William Lehmann Trauma

Center in Miami, Florida that used transmitted vehicle data to estimate the

likelihood of severe injuries as a result of a crash. As well as automatic

activation, the system also allows the driver or front passenger to trigger the

Emergency Call manually and to be connected with the BMW call center without

delay.

Intelligent use of advanced light technology.

The optional High-Beam Assistant for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan provides

enhanced safety at night. The system automatically switches high beams on and

off, as conditions require, ensuring that the driver always has optimal visibility

without having to switch manually between high and low beam. Images recorded

by the camera integrated into the rear-view mirror allow the system to identify

vehicles travelling up to around 400 meters (approx. ¼ mile) in front. Oncoming

traffic is picked up when it is still around 1,000 meters (just under

¾ mile) away, and the system also switches to low beam if ambient lighting is

bright enough.

The optional Adaptive Xenon headlights provide illumination follows the curves

of the road, turn with the steering angle and the speed of the car. The cornering

light function integrated into the fog lights is triggered when the driver switches

on the indicator and turns the steering wheel (at up to 65 km/h /40 mph). Every

time the driver turns, an additional beam of light provides significantly improved

visibility in the area immediately around the car.

Rear view camera and Surround View deliver a perfect overview.

A rear view camera is also available for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan as an

extension of the Park Distance Control (PDC) system. PDC uses sensors in the

bumpers to detect the distance to obstacles in front of and behind the car. The

camera is located in a protected position in the license plate recess of the trunk

lid and sends images with optimized color and perspective to the cockpit

monitor. Interactive lane markings signal the room available for the parking

maneuver and the smallest possible turning circle.

Making its debut in the BMW 3 Series Sedan, the Top View system provides an

even more extensive overview of the car. This system complements the rear

view camera and PDC sensors, and works using two cameras in the exterior

mirrors. The data collected on the car and its surrounding area is processed by a

central computer, which generates an overall image. This is then displayed on

the on-board monitor, presenting a bird’s-eye view of the car and the area

around it, and enabling the driver to carry out precise maneuvers in tight spaces.

If the car is moving at under 20 km/h (12 mph), the driver can – at the touch of a

button – also choose to activate only the Side View function of Top View. Side

View uses two cameras integrated in the sides of the front bumper to monitor

traffic crossing in front of the vehicle. These images are also relayed to the

cockpit, where they not only act as a maneuvering aid but, above all, give the

driver an early idea of what is happening on the road to the left and right of the

car when pulling out from narrow and concealed exits or junctions.

BMW Parking Assistant takes charge of maneuvering into parking spaces.

The BMW Parking Assistant is another comfort-enhancing driver assistance

system from BMW ConnectedDrive to be included in the new BMW 3 Series

Sedan. The new system helps the driver to maneuver safely and comfortably

into parking spaces positioned parallel to the direction of travel. BMW Parking

Assistant uses ultrasound sensors integrated into the side indicator surrounds to

help the driver search for suitable parking spaces. With the car traveling at no

more than 36 km/h (22 mph), these sensors permanently measure the length

and breadth of parking spaces at the edge of the road and on roadside verges.

BMW Parking Assistant searches for spaces at least 1.20 meters (around 4 ft.)

longer than the car itself. With the system activated, the driver is alerted to

suitable spaces as he passes them. When the system is switched off, this

measuring process takes place in the background; only when the driver draws to

a halt and engages reverse gear is the parking space flagged up on the on-

board monitor using a suitable symbol. In both cases, drivers can confirm they

want to use BMW Parking Assistant with a push of the iDrive Controller. During

the parking process all they have to do is operate the accelerator and brake

pedal and keep an eye on the area around the car; the Parking Assistant takes

care of the steering wheel movements required to carry out a precise reverse

parking maneuver. Drivers are given instructions to guide them through the

parking process. Audible and visual alerts from PDC, the rear view camera or

the newly introduced Surround View system help to maintain the required

distance to other vehicles or obstacles in the chosen parking space.

Innovative trunk access makes life a little easier.

BMW ConnectedDrive has come up with another new and intelligent solution

that makes BMW cars even easier to use. The hands-free trunk lid opening

function – available for the new BMW 3 Series Sedan in conjunction with

Comfort Access – is a first in the premium class. Standing behind the car,

customers can prompt the trunk to open with just a short movement of their foot

under the center of the rear bumper, i.e. without using their hands. The trunk

then automatically unlocks and swings open by spring force. The vehicle is fitted

with sensors placed at different heights in the rear bumper trim, which are able to

identify a person standing behind the vehicle. The sensors can identify the foot

“command” by monitoring the area of the leg between the shin and the tip of the

foot. They then send a signal containing special algorithms to the on-board

computer. Access is only authorized, however, if the system simultaneously

identifies the Comfort Access control unit (the key), which the person must be

carrying with them. The trunk lid is then unlocked and raised automatically,

without hand contact. Key authorization provides the safeguard ensuring correct

operation at all times.

Body and safety: The safest BMW 3 Series yet.

The new BMW 3 Series offers its passengers exceptional active and passive

safety. Judicious selection of materials, a high-strength structure and an

intelligent lightweight design concept allow the body to meet the most exacting

standards, and it teams up with highly efficient restraint systems to provide

maximum occupant protection. At the same time, the lightweight construction of

the new BMW 3 Series makes a significant contribution to the efficiency and

agility of the new sports sedan. In addition, an extensive package of active safety

components help the driver to avoid accidents or, if a collision is unavoidable, to

minimize its consequences. The same goes for the optimized pedestrian

protection systems. All in all, the flawlessly assembled overall concept of the

new BMW 3 Series makes it an incredibly impressive proposition – not least in

terms of safety.

High-strength body structure with extremely stiff passenger cell.

The body of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan meets the highest standards across

the board. Large and extremely durable supporting structures and the intelligent

use of high and ultra-high-tensile multi-phase steels maximize the strength of the

safety passenger cell, while keeping weight low. Precisely calculated load paths

ensure that impact energy is spread around the passenger cell to other areas of

the body such as the floor structure, side members, front bulkhead and roof, and

absorbed by defined deformation zones of the front and rear. In the event of a

side-on collision, reinforced structures in the B-pillar and sills, high-strength side

impact members in the doors and sturdy seat cross-members protect the

occupants from injury. With its strengthened pillars and roof members, the

passenger cell also provides a secure survival area for the occupants if the car

rolls over. The body of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan is over 10% more rigid

than its predecessor – good news for drivers who like to see vibrations

suppressed and steering precision nurtured.

Individual protection at every seat.

The exemplary crash responses of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan body also

provide the best possible basis for the optimum design and set-up of the car’s

restraint systems. The sports sedan is equipped as standard with front and side

airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus head airbags for both rows of

seats. Responding to the nature and severity of the impact, the integrated safety

electronics ensure that only those airbags that are able to provide effective

protection are deployed at the optimum time. Those airbags that are not required

remain unused – and therefore ready to spring into action should there be a

second collision. All seats are fitted with three-point inertia-reel seat belts, and

the driver and front passenger also have belt latch tensioners and belt force

limiters. Also part of standard specification are ISOFIX child seat attachment

points for the rear seats.

Improved pedestrian protection.

The front of the new BMW 3 Series features various pedestrian protection

systems. An impact absorber is located between the bumper supports and

bumper trim, reducing leg injuries, while the hood is built to include deformation

elements, which absorb impact energy. These optimized measures help to

reduce the risk of injury and mitigate the consequences of an accident.

A host of active safety systems reduce the risk of accidents.

A selection of electronic assistance systems make an active contribution to

driving safety in the new BMW 3 Series, helping drivers to avoid collisions in the

first place. The functions of the main assistance systems have already been

described in the “BMW ConnectedDrive” chapter, but the stand-out features

include the, daytime running lights, Adaptive Headlights with variable light

distribution and anti-dazzle High-Beam Assistant, dynamic brake lights, a rear

view camera, the Lane Departure Warning System including Collision Warning,

the Lane Change Warning System and Speed Limit Info.

The all-new BMW 3 Series Sedan will arrive at US BMW centers in February 2012 as a

2012 model. Images and video can be downloaded from www.bmwusanews.com.

2012 BMW M5 Frozen Silver seen at LA Motor Show

2011-11-18T11:19:00.000-06:00

Though apparently focused on their return to the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and their two main presences there, the hybrid 5 Series and the i Range, BMW knows the importance of the LA Motor Show.

A lovely showcase at the American motor show in Los Angeles features the 2012 F10 BMW M5, with added goodness of a couple of special paint options being included in the lineup offering.

The new paint finishes are called Frozen Silver and Frozen Gray and they are similar to the ones they sold some limited edition M3s over this and the past year.

No pun intended on the brand new F30 BMW 3 Series but the F10 M5 is considerably more interesting and though a little inconvenient, the new paint looks brilliant.

Further more, BMW plans to introduce the new Frozen Silver finish into the premium paint offerings, thus making it available to all F10 M5 purchases not just those of limited edition stamping.

Mind you, a price of around 5000 dollars for the special exterior skin of the BMW M5 will still keep a shade of exclusivity.

A new paint finish is nice but the 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 engine that can develop 560 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque is what really gets your heart going.

Accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds (or less by some accounts) and a top speed of 155 mph or even 190 mph when in M Driver’s Package.
Source: BMW Coop

2012 BMW 3-Series Revealed

2011-11-17T08:59:00.000-06:00

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran

BMW’s new 3-Series, the sixth generation of the automaker’s entry-level sedan, is now bigger, bolder, and with a revamped engine lineup including a hybrid option, more fuel efficient than ever.

Set to go on sale in February as a 2012 model, the ‘F30’ 3-Series also debuts BMW’s new face, which features elongated headlights reaching along as far as the trademark kidney grille.

Otherwise, the design is somewhat predictable, with an athletic body, short overhangs, and a long bonnet dominating the look.

As mentioned, the 2012 BMW 3-Series is bigger than the model it replaces, with its wheelbase growing by almost two inches, now measuring 110.6 inches, and its front and rear track measuring in at 60.3 inches and 61.9 inches, up 1.46 inches and 1.85 inches respectively.

Importantly, weight distribution remains an ideal 50:50 split front to rear. Overall weight is down 88 pounds on the outgoing model as well. Most of the extra girth benefits rear seat passengers, which get more legroom as well as shoulder room.

Three trim levels and two engines, initially

Buyers in the U.S. can look forward to three different trim levels--Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line--and two new engines: a range-topping six-cylinder turbo in the 335i model or a new four-cylinder turbo in the 328i.
Both engines feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which is essentially the automaker’s name for its engines featuring twin-scroll turbochargers, direct fuel injection and solenoid injectors, the latter being the latest innovation for BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve control system.

Both engines can also be matched to either a standard six-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic. The auto ‘box features engine stop-start technology and is both faster and more fuel efficient than the manual. Paddle-shifters for pseudo manual control are available with either the Sport Line package or new M Sport Package.

Also aiding efficiency is a brake-energy recovery system used to power ancillary features like the air conditioner. A number of settings available to the driver--“Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport +” and “ECO PRO”-- through a new Driving Dynamics Control switch will also help them choose between economy and performance driving.

A further button allows the driver to change the DSC settings. Selecting "Dynamic Traction Control" (DTC) mode, for example, makes it much easier to start off on loose surfaces or in deep snow. In this mode as well as in SPORT+ mode, the Dynamic Stability Control thresholds are raised and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is activated. It is also possible to shut off DSC altogether. The electronic limited-slip function for the rear differential can then provide extra-sporty acceleration out of corners or hairpins.

The six-cylinder engine featuring in the 2012 BMW 3-Series is BMW’s venerable 3.0-liter ‘N55’ unit and in this latest application develops 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, the latter coming on from just 1,200 rpm and staying all the way to 5,000.

It will rocket the luxury sedan from 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and see it easily reach its electronically limited top speed of 130 mph, or 155 mph when equipped with the Sport Line trim.

When equipped with the eight-speed automatic, BMW claims a fuel economy of 32.6 mpg for the slightly more generous European combined cycle. In fact, BMW even claims that owners upgrading to the new model can expect improvements in gas mileage of about 6 and 16 percent for the manual and automatic models, respectively.

The four-cylinder engine, meanwhile, is a 2.0-liter unit that we recently tested in the 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i and is rated at 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This unit produces its peak torque from as low as 1,250 rpm and will accelerate the 328i from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and to the same governed top speeds as the 335i.

Full EPA-rated gas mileage figures will be released closer to the car’s sales launch next year.

Source: FoxBusinessNews

BMW M3 Sedan - The Ultimate Q-Ship for the Garden State

2011-11-15T12:46:00.000-06:00

Dom Miliano, Newark BMW Examiner

If you know anything about New Jersey, you know it’s a crowded place to drive a car. Big SUVs, slow humdrum slugs and anything that’s not nimble will put you in second place (or worse) in the daily joust that is the Garden State Grand Prix. Also, if you buzz the roads in a bright red, super sexy, low, sleek sportster, you have essentially tipped your hand to the competition – i.e., that mouth breathing bozo in the lane next to you! But a well made slate gray, 4-door sedan – no wings, no buzzy exhaust, no bill board sized decals – can level the playing field. It just might let you fly under the radar and give you an edge when it comes to squirting into a gap or making time in traffic. If that’s your cup of espresso, I have your car – the BMW M3 sedan.

While the heart of a BMW is the engine, in any BMW “M” series vehicle it’s the same but even more so. The engineers in Munich some how manage to breathe more Teutonic oomph into each new iteration. In the new M3 sedan, you’ll find a race proven 4.0 liter, 414 bhp V8 under the discrete hood bulge that’s capable of propelling this 3,700 lb Bimmer to 60MPH in well under 5 seconds. More than enough performance to make that grocery getter on your “6” disappear in the mirrors. More important in a tight place like NJ is the ability to stop on a dime and get 9 cents change. And while I have waxed poetic in the past about BMW brakes, the binders in all M series cars benefit from the same engineering attention paid to the engine. In the new BMW M3 sedan, the brakes do not disappoint delivering racecar-like feel and control in what looks like your basic family grocery getter.

The M3 sedan body style has three benefits over its sexier coupe stable mate. It is more of a plain-brown-wrapper BMW than the zoomy looking M3 coupe – that makes it a real Q ship. Next, it has that second set of doors – always an asset when loading the kids, packages or “stuff”. Finally, you get a really better “greenhouse” – greater visibility all the way around. Again, in the cheek-to-jowl NJ roads, visibility counts for something.

The interior of the M3 benefits from a few of the more desirable M goodies like the fat, grippy steering wheel and great, supportive seats. Otherwise, it’s pure BMW “3” series inside which is not a bad thing. And yes, it has a musical sound system with iPod connectors that integrate your MP3 player seamlessly with the basic radio controls.

Even though this is a sedan, this M3 4-door is shod with very high performance tires. Mounted on Double Spoke (Style 219M) Satin Chrome finish M light alloy wheels, 18 x 8.5 front, 18 x 9.5 rear; you will find 245/40 front and 265/40 rear performance tires. And, yes, expect a very high level of road holding – a level not normally experienced in a 4 place mid-size sedan.

Despite the low profile image of the M3 Sedan, you get a hint of the sporting intentions once you are behind the wheel and spark the high-revving V8 to life. The throaty growl of the sport-tuned exhaust is exciting without being annoying. Flick the right paddle, located behind the leather-wrapped wheel at the 3-o-clock position and you are in first gear; ready to set off for an exciting ride. You, of course, have the option to let the manual/automatic gearbox do the shifting for you or you can play boy racer and make like an F1 Pilot as you charge the corners. On my road test, I decided to let the transmission and its electronic programming shift for me. In a half hour jaunt on twisty two lane roads with hills and medium speed corners, the car always felt like it was in the right gear. In fact, it was so smooth and docile, I could almost forget I had 414 peppy ponies on tap should I need them. And yes, dinosaur that I am, I would have preferred a slick shifting 6 speed three pedal conventional manual transmission. BMW’s Getrag-built units set the standard for self-shifters and I hope then never stop making them. But in the M3 Sedan I drove, I got the paddle shifter box and as Beretta used to say, “dats the name of dat tune.”

However, I was fortunate to be able to both drive our subject M3 on both the twisty two lane roads in upstate New York and on the challenging nearly two dozen turn Monticello racetrack. And while the M3 sedan was exciting and fun on the road, the benefit (and limits) of the sports-tuned suspension and wide, aggressive tires can only be explored safely away from the dangers of two-way traffic and the worries of snagging a traffic violation. On the track, it really all came together. First, acceleration was startling. Switching to “let me shift it myself” mode lets the driver hold a gear all the way up to the red-line – the place where smiles are born! On the track, the nearly 300 lb-ft of torque and direct control over shift points allowed for explosive launches out of low and medium speed corners. Even though I had just driven this very same car on the road, it became an entirely new experience on the track.

Despite the mixed road conditions – cool temps, damp surfaces – the M3 was more racecar than any 4-door car I have ever driven. It may, in fact, be the perfect BMW Car Club vehicle – a real world commuter during the week and track day star on weekends all rolled into one.

As with all modern BMWs, there are lots of plusses and a few minuses. The plusses are obvious – it’s fast, stealthy, has a real trunk, offers great handling and brakes and comes with all of the safety and comfort we expect from the boys from Munich. But, the rear seat legroom is still a little cramped, especially if the driver or front seat passenger is tall. And, alas for car guys and gals on a tight budget, the M3 Sedan is not cheap. At nearly $60,000 without options, tax and tags, it’s a serious purchase.

However, if you are looking for a fast, comfortable, entertaining family sedan, one that could blow the doors off most sports cars on the road today, look no further. The BMW M3 Sedan is your steed.

Source: Examiner.com

Eisenmann Exhaust System For BMW 550i

2011-11-14T11:38:00.001-06:00

Horatiu Boeriu

When BMW dropped the V8 naturally-aspirated engines in favor for the new twin-turbo powerplants, many BMW fans and owners complained about the lack of “real sound” coming from underneath the hood or through the exhaust pipes.

Currently, the F10 BMW 550 is powered by a V8 twin-turbo unit producing 407 horsepower and outputting a decent sound through the exhaust pipes. The remedy came shorter after the market launch of the new 5 Series when respectable tuners released their own exhaust systems

One of them is Eisenmann, a German company with a long history in developing aftermarket parts for BMW vehicles. Eisenmann offers two stainless steel exhaust pipes in 90 mm or 102 mm size.

As usual, Eisenmann offers both a sport version with EC-approval, as well as a louder and acoustically even more appealing road race version without approval.

The Sport version with two tailpipes sells for 1487.50 euros, while the four tailpipes version costs 1606.50 euros.

A visual and acoustic impression of the race version exhaust system is provided through the following video from Iron Man USA.

Source: Iron Man via Bimmertoday via BMW Blog

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 arrives at US BMW centers in March 2012.

2011-10-01T19:07:00.001-05:00

By Jonathan Welsh

BMW AG introduced a hybrid-powered version of its new 5-Series sedan, called the ActiveHybrid 5. The car is based on the current 535i sedan and uses the same basic turbocharged 3-liter , six-cylinder engine in that car and several other BMW models.

The gradual proliferation of hybrid models in the BMW lineup marks a significant change in the company’s philosophy in the last several years. When the Toyota Prius and a few other hybrid models began to take off, the German car maker said it wanted to avoid the obvious inefficiency of carrying two power systems in one vehicle. Now it is using a hybrid powertrain in its bread-and-butter 5 Series model.

The new car adds a 55-horsepower electric motor for a combined output of 335 horsepower and the ability to travel on electric power alone for short distances. Power is transmitted through an eight-speed transmission and can propel the ActiveHybrid to 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds. It can also move at speeds up to 37 mph on battery power and can travel for up to 2.5 miles at an average speed of 22 mph before the engine kicks in.

Buyers shouldn’t expect Prius- or Honda Insight-style mileage from the BMW. But the company says it expects the ActiveHybrid’s fuel economy to show ”a double-digit percentage improvement” compared with the standard 535i, which has a rating of 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid power system charges its lithium-ion battery while the car is braking or coasting, with the electric motor acting as a generator. Under hard acceleration the motor gives a power boost. A driving mode called ECO PRO shuts off and decouples the gasoline engine while coasting at speeds of up to 100 mph to make the most efficient use of energy that might otherwise be wasted.

The car’s drive-system electronics are also are linked to its navigation system, allowing analysis of the route and conditions. The car then adjusts to operate at high efficiency levels based on the route.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 arrives at US BMW centers in March 2012.

Source: USA Today

Forza 3 Car Guide-Episode 6-BMW Z4 sDrive35is '11

2011-05-14T18:21:00.002-05:00

World Premiere of the BMW Concept M5 at the Auto Shanghai 2011

2011-04-21T08:59:00.002-05:00

Z4 gets N20 turbocharged four-cylinder engine

2011-04-21T08:55:00.001-05:00

Author: Satch Carlson
When BMW stirred interest by announcing that it will bring four-cylinder engines to the U.S. market again—their last iteration here was the twin-cam four in the 318ti—the big question was: Which cars will get them?

The X1 is the obvious first choice; indeed, journalists drove four-cylinder X128i’s during BMW’s Technology Day in Munich earlier in April. But that car is in such high demand in Europe that its U.S. delivery date keeps being pushed back farther and farther; we don't expect to see them before late 2011, and some pessimists say we won't get the X1 until next year—if then.

So BMW's selection of the Z4 as a nice repository for the N20 was a welcome surprise; it signals a return to the verities of sports-car motoring with a smaller, more-efficient four-cylinder engine.

The move is possible because despite its size, the two-liter N20 ups the ante for efficiency in small engines; combining high-pressure direct injection with BMW’s Valvetronic intake control behind a single twin-scroll turbocharger—hence BMW’s silly “Twin Power” moniker—the N20 produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque That’s more power and torque than the normally aspirated three-liter inline six in the Z430i (a detuned version of the N52 magnesium-sandwich engine, which in some iterations produces around 265 horsepower).

More important, the new engine makes maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 1,500 rpm lower than the six—and peak torque comes on at just 1,250 rpm. With 30% more torque, it also peaks 1,500 rpm earlier. That gives the Z428i—let’s pause to acknowledge the fact that BMW nomenclature is now hopelessly out of alignment with any known descriptive criteria—exactly what you want in a sports car: frog power out of the corners.

The new Z4 is expected to be available this Fall

Source: BMW Car Club of America

BMW Launches EVolve Mobile App and Online Dashboard

2011-04-21T08:50:00.002-05:00

BMW Launches EVolve Mobile App and Online Dashboard, Gauging Compatibility for Electric Vehicle Prospects

Tracking the mobility of today’s consumers, BMW EVolve helps drivers evaluate their EV readiness and aids BMW engineers in developing future innovations

Woodcliff Lake, NJ, April 19, 2011— BMW’s EVolve mobile app launches today, available through the Apple iTunes Store and available in the Android Marketplace in late April. EVolve will determine if the current transportation habits of a driver are compatible with the electric vehicle lifestyle regardless of their cars’ make or even their mode of transportation.

The Wherever You Want To Go documentary series—which asked the world’s foremost minds how electric vehicles would change the futures of mobility, technology and cities—marked the beginning of the company’s foray into “Collective Engineering,” collaborative problem solving that looks beyond their all-electric vehicle, the BMW ActiveE field trial, and beyond BMW to address the mobility challenges of 21st Century urbanization overall.

To build upon the conversation initiated by these groundbreaking films, the EVolve app aims to open drivers’ minds to the benefits of adopting the EV lifestyle by demonstrating their potential cost savings and environmental impact. In line with the collective engineering notion, the app has been designed in partnership with MINI E drivers—actual EV drivers currently participating in the BMW Group’s first formal field trial, which began in 2009. The app provides tips from this group of seasoned drivers, based on their experiences thus far. Drivers also have access to real-world comparisons that put their energy and transportation usage into context, such as equating a vehicle’s CO2 emissions to that of a home television. Ultimately, following three complete “trips” with the app, the user will be given a compatibility rating letting them know how an EV might fit into their daily life.

Source: BMWUSA

BMW M3 Drifts

2011-04-14T08:25:00.000-05:00

This is how Automotive Rhythms' day is going at the BMW Performance Center in Greenville, SC. This is their BMW M3 Coupe with the Competition Package.

BMW M3 Lightweight to be called M3 Sedan GTS – 440 hp

2011-04-14T08:21:00.001-05:00

Author: Horatiu B

On April 1st, BMW unveiled a new concept based on the current M3 Sedan. The M3 “Lightweight” is set to debut in June at the Nurburgring M Festival.

Initial information released by BMW were vague, we learned at the time that the M3 Sedan Lightweight will be making extensive use of carbon fiber and other lightweight parts that will reduce the overall weight of the car.

BMW also revealed that the power output will be between the “regular” M3 and the M3 GTS, so somewhere between 420 and 450 horsepower

Today, German magazine Auto Motor und Sport reports that the M3 Sedan will be actually marketed as …M3 GTS, but the power output for the sedan will be “only” 440 hp. The car will therefore sit between the M3 Sedan and the M3 Coupe GTS.

Just like the coupe, the GTS sedan will be equipped with the specially tuned DCT transmission with seven switching stages. Compared to the normal sedan, the GTS will show significantly lower weight thanks to the various components made out of carbon, and also due to special lightweight components used inside the car.

According to AMS, the production version will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1, 2011.

Source: BMWBlog

thedieseldriver.com reviews the 535D

2011-04-12T12:02:00.001-05:00

2011 BMW 535d Sedan Review and Road Test

DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS IN THE BMW 535D

Driver assistance systems are particularly well-integrated into the car and the more I spend time in cars with these sophisticated systems, the more I become convinced that they are a necessity, not a luxury. Everyone is subject to a car’s blind spot, so, unless you are driving a convertible, blind-spot detection (a light blinks if there is a car in the blind spot) has universal appeal. Ditto for the lane-departure warning system that makes the steering wheel vibrate if the car wanders out of the lane. Far too many accidents take place when drivers momentarily lose their focus (or worse, fall asleep) at the wheel.

Equally useful are an active cruise control system that can bring the car to a complete stop and resume when appropriate and the swiveling adaptive headlights, reminiscent of those of the Citroën DS, which move along with the steering wheel.

While I can’t argue against the fact that night vision with pedestrian detection adds a layer of safety, and I like BMW’s implementation of it in the Central Information Display compared to the way Mercedes-Benz places it in the instrument cluster, it’s still too expensive to have mass appeal or impact.

Full Review available at thedieseldriver.com

Source: thedieseldriver.com

BMW’s Intelligent Transmission Reads the Road

2011-04-12T11:51:00.001-05:00

BMW is developing an “intelligent” transmission that uses GPS and other tech to read the road and shift accordingly.

The eight-speed gearbox would consider things like topography, road conditions and speed to select the optimal gear. Data is gathered via the car’s navigation and stability control systems, a cellular data connection and — down the line — onboard cameras and radar.

Such data would allow the car to determine the radius of the curve up the road, for example, and determine the best time to downshift. It also could “see” that nice section of curves and hold that lower gear so you can flog the corners most effectively.

BMW says the transmission “adapts remarkably accurately” to varying situations and works as well as an experienced driver using a manual gearbox. The gearbox provides “an increase in driving pleasure and optimized efficiency,” the company says.

It’s probably a couple of years down the line, but BMW says the transmission is in “advanced development” using the ZF eight-speed offered in the 5- 7- and X- series

Souce: Wired.com

The Story Behind the Building of your BMW X3

2011-04-12T11:47:00.000-05:00

A behind the scenes look at what it took to create a customized video for new owners' of their X3 being built

BMW Security Vehicles. Training.

2011-01-27T09:49:00.000-06:00

Deep Inside East Germany. On a former soviet military airport, BMW offers its toughest driver training. Here, drivers of BMW High Security Vehicles can develop their driving skills and push the cars to their limits

Video: 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible in Black Sapphire

2011-01-27T09:33:00.001-06:00

Author: Horatiu B.

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show has just closed its doors and the first major automotive show of the year has proven to be a success for most of the automakers. BMW made no exception and the Munich-based automaker introduced for the first time two of their latest models.

First, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe finally took off its cover and revealed to the world one of the most anticipated BMWs of the year. Second, the new 6 Series Convertible showcased the latest BMW design language. The 2012 6er Convertible made its world debut with two vehicles present in Detroit.

During press days, we had a chance to shoot some video of a 6er Convertible in the stunning Black Sapphire color. Before we jump into the video, allow us to recap some of the details around the new 6 Series.

The new 6er convertible makes its US debut this Spring. By the end of this year, the US market will get both the 640i and 650i models. The entry-level 640i is powered by the N55 TwinScroll turbocharged engine. The engine produces 320 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 450Nm of torque between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. The 640i Convertible weighs 1,840 kilograms, but still manages to run from 0 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

BMW’s top model 650i is powered by the twin-turbo 4.4-liter direct injection V8. The engine produces 400 horsepower from 5500 to 6400 rpm. While it is impressive that peak power is maintained for 900 rpm, the even more impressive feet may be sustaining the peak torque of 450 pound-feet from a lowly 1750 rpm all the way up 4500 rpm. Equipped with either the manual or the torque-converter automatic, the 6 is rated with a 0-to-60 time of 4.9 seconds and limited top speed of 155 mph.

The stunning, all-new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible will start at $91,375, pricing for the 640i will be announced at market launch.

Source: BMWBlog

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2012 BMW M5 close to its final unveiling » 2010-m5-

2011-01-24T16:35:00.001-06:00

According to our sources we are less than three months away from the official unveiling of the new 2012 F10 BMW M5. Meanwhile, BMW continues to test different prototypes across Europe and the last one was spotted on the tarmac of the Schiphol airport in Netherlands.

Despite several reports on different BMW websites, including ours, the M5 Concept will not be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, with another auto show being chosen as the host for the world debut of the concept version. (More on this soon).

The next generation 2012 BMW M5 drops the fans-favorite V10 naturally aspirated engine in favor for a V8 turbocharged engine. The powerplant in the F10 M5 is based on the same unit found in the BMW X5 M and X6M, the twin scroll twin turbo version of the N63, known as the S63. The 4.4-liter V8 twin-scroll powerplant will peak at 578-horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque. The 0-62 mph dash should take about 4.4 seconds, but official track times will not be available until late 2011.

As seen on these spy shots as well, the front-end sports the expected M trademarks with the usual aggressive bumper and larger than normal air intakes.

While built on the same platform, F10 as the 5 Series sedan, the M5 features wider fenders, giving the car more muscular and imposing look. The twin dual-exhaust tips are an M trademark and the prototype spotted features them as well.

Other new technology is expected to be seen in the new F10 M5, but BMW has been lips-sealed so far.

[Source: Autoblog.nl ]

G-Power to give the BMW M3 GTS over 600 horsepower

2011-01-22T09:35:00.000-06:00

Author: Horatiu B.

Press Release: The BMW M3 GTS seams to have all it takes for being the ultimate BMW M3: lightweight body parts, carbon aerodynamic parts, titanium exhaust, racing suspension, roll cage and racing bucket seats for six-point seatbelts. BMW is right when they call it an “extreme athlete for street and racetrack”.

But there is one thing it is missing. The ultimate output. An additional 30 hp compared to the standard BMW M3, that costs just half the price of the M3 GTS, is not too bad, but the ultimate output for the M3 GTS can only be provided by G-POWER.

That is why the first couple of BMW M3 GTS, out of the limited edition of 220 unites, have started to arrive at G-POWER for their output enhancement. A specially adapted version of G-POWER’s SK II CS supercharger system pushes the factory output of 450hp to a more suitable 6XXhp.

After this modification the BMW M3 GTS can finally show the armada of Porsche 911 GT3 RS who’s the boss at the various clubsport racing events.

Right now the first of the announced BMW M3 GTS has just arrived at G-POWER. Two more are already on their way. So a little piece of advice for the “competitors” of the G-POWER trained BMW M3 GTS: prepare yourself for a rough ride…

Source: BMWBlog

BMW 1M: All the info you need to know

2011-01-21T10:03:00.000-06:00

Author: Horatiu B.

While attending the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, our team at BMWBLOG had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M CEO. Being one of the most hyped BMWs in the past year, the 1M is gathering lots of attention from BMW’s current and future customers, as well as fans around the world.

Many information around the 1 Series M Coupe have been already communicated and our extensive coverage of the new baby-M began several months ago, but in Detroit, we learned more about the car, both from a technology, engineering and marketing perspective.

What is the nearest competitor?

Nearest competitor is probably the Porsche Cayman S, however, no competitors were considered when building the car – the purpose was to build cars the customers would want to drive.

Why a low volume M?

The idea is to keep resale value as high as possible. creating an instant classic.

Pricing?

Price was a serious driver of this car – it was a distinct effort to create an E30 M3 soul successor.

The 1M in a single phrase.

The 1M is basically a truncated M3 Competition Package with a manual.

Development of the engine.

The development time of the engine was very short – engineers took only about a year to build it if not less, beginning in October 2009. In December 2009 the decision was made to build the 1M. Dr. segler championed the project and made all major decisions. Took around 1 year to develop and test the car. M cars utilize the Nurburgring circuit for extensive testing. All the testing needed to be completed in Spring and Summer before bad weather starts. He said the engineers and designers worked very, very hard to complete the project. Dr. Segler was emotional and had a few tears the first time he saw the car in completed form. In a broken voice, he said, “we need to build this car”.

The 1M is powered by the N4 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 engine. For the 1M, the turbocharger, exhaust system, and ECU have been revised to produce 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, though up to 369 pound-feet are available temporarily in overboost mode. Redline is found at 7000 rpm.

Why Valencia Orange?

Ironically, the 1M was first presented to Dr. Segler in Valencia Orange and it was so good that the color made it to the production model. As a fun fact, we observed Dr. Segler was wearing a new Rolex Milgauss which had a black dial with orange second hand and dash marks. True love for the color scheme…

1M design.

The fascia looks like a car built within a car. The car was built with very little changes to be made from the concept to the production model. There will be no convertible version and no other transmission or option for a sunroof. Weight savings came through minimal options.

When Dr. K join BMW M he drove several M models. He was inspired by the E30 M3 EVO. He liked how the car felt.

1M customer demographic.

Dr. Segler said many car manufactures are not listening to their young customers and only build expensive super sports cars. Recognized there was a need to produce an affordable M car for younger enthusiasts. This car shows BMW is listening to what customers want. He hopes the 1M will inspire young future engineers and designers to want to work on cars and hopefully BMW.

“is” vs. M cars?

Dr. Segler was clear cut on this. “is” badged cars are not M cars. M cars are race cars. The car is M pure. It’s not about just power and hp. This car is about road holding because of M3 suspension components. You do not need more power in this car. M button on steering wheel offers a more aggressive throttle response by changing engine mapping of N54B30TO engine.

The engine background.

The engine software tuning was done by BMW race car engineers. It took a very long time to get it just right. From October ’09 to December ’10. Dr. Segler is confident with N54 1M engine reliability.

This engine had to pass bench and Nürburgring track tests for reliability before it was signed off by BMW M to be used in the 1 Series M Coupe.

He said the closest part of track in America, that resembles the Ring, is the kink at Road America. He said multiply that times 70 corners over 13 miles and you will see why it demands so much from a car.

Production and markets.

Official production starts May 2011. Cars will be delivered to China market as well. Dr. Segler said there is no limit on how many 1M’s can be built. This is the first M car to be built in Leipzig plant – alongside 1-Series models.

Video: Control a BMW with a Nokia C7

2011-01-21T09:46:00.001-06:00

Viral videos are one of the best weapons in the online world, and this one makes no exception. Apparently setup by the cellphone maker Nokia, the short viral clip showcases a pair of Chinese guys using the recently launched Nokia C7 phone to control via Bluetooth a BMW 1 Series Hatchback.

This brings back memories of James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies when Pierce Brosnan controls a 7 Series via a smartphone. While the special effects and bad guys are missing from this new clip, the results is quite extraordinary as well.

Details around this project are scarce at the moment, but we’re hoping to learn more soon.

To plug in the C7 for Nokia, here are some of the background information on their new smartphone: it has a 3.5 inch OLED display with a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels, does quadband GSM/EDGE and pentaband 3G, meaning you’ll be able to get high speed internet access on this thing regardless of where you are on the world and which operator you use, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi b/g/n, 8 GB of onboard memory, 8 megapixel camera, and the ability to capture 720p video.

Source: BMWBlog

Due To Record Sales, BMW and Audi to Expand Factories This Year

2011-01-21T09:39:00.001-06:00

Author: Horatiu B.

According to Bloomberg, BMW, Mercedes and Audi AG, the world’s three largest luxury-car makers, will expand factories this year to ease capacity constraints driven by record demand for their vehicles.

Volkswagen AG’s Audi is aiming to overthrown BMW as the world’s bigger maker of premium vehicles by 2015, and plans to increase production for cars and SUV to more than the 1.15 million produced in 2010.

BMW and Mercedes have similar plants with increased production at the Leipzig and respectively Stuttgart plant.

“The top three are poised for further growth,” said Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler who recommends buying VW, Daimler and BMW shares. “The momentum in luxury markets will continue this year and also in 2012. It’s a necessity for manufacturers to take steps to address this.”

The increase in automobiles sales is a direct link to the expanding Chinese market which became one of the two largest auto markets in the world. United States continues to remain the largest one. Audi plans to spend 11.6 billion euros ($15.7 billion) through 2015 on plants and new models. BMW has spent 1.5 billion euros alone on its German plants since 2009, while Daimler is building an 800 million-euro small-car plant in Hungary.

While BMW plans over 20 new models in the next five years, Audi said will roll out a total of 13 new models and upgraded vehicles this year.

The VW unit will spend more than 5 billion euros at two German factories in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, where the A6 will be built. Audi also said it will begin work this year to expand a factory in Gyor, Hungary, to increase capacity to 125,000 cars.

BMW anticipates record sales in 2011 with more than 1.5 million BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models. The Munich-based automaker is spending 400 million euros at its factory in Leipzig, Germany, to prepare for the production of the Mega City electric car by 2013.

Just recently, BMW completed a $750 million expansion of its U.S. factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to make room for the revamped X3 SAV. BMW is also expanding capacity in China, India, and South Africa.

Source: BMWBlog

2011 BMW X3 Test Drive & Review

2011-01-20T15:39:00.001-06:00

BMW Group Announces Partnership with NBC Universal

2011-01-20T15:35:00.002-06:00

BMW Group Announces Partnership with NBC Universal to Become the Exclusive Foreign Brand Automotive Advertiser for NBC’s Coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 13, 2011... BMW Group announced today that it will be the exclusive foreign brand automotive advertiser for NBC Universal’s broadcast of the London 2012 Olympic Games. This agreement marks the first time that NBC Universal has granted foreign automotive exclusivity for its Olympic coverage. It is also the first time that NBC will have only two automotive advertisers, one foreign and one domestic.

The agreement expands the automaker’s association with the Olympic Games. In addition to being the official Automotive Partner and a Sustainability Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games, BMW announced last July a six-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the National Governing Bodies of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, U.S. Speedskating, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field. Under that agreement, BMW will provide the USOC and the four individual sports with financial support, fund-raising opportunities and access to BMW Group’s technical expertise to help the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams improve their training and performance. BMW Group was also a sponsor of the Atlanta Olympic Games and the U.S. Olympic Team in 1996.

“The Olympic Games represent the highest level of athletic competition and showcase the world’s best athletes at their peak performance,” said Trudy Hardy, Manager, BMW Marketing Communications and Consumer Events. “As a company focused on the development of high performance vehicles and one that has a long history of dedication to competitive sport, we are proud to strengthen our connection to the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement and Team USA.”

BMW Launches BMW X3 Customer Video Portal:

2011-01-20T15:33:00.000-06:00

BMW Launches BMW X3 Customer Video Portal:

Consumers Can Watch Production of Their Custom-Made BMW X3.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 19, 2011… Starting on January 20, BMW customers will have unique access to the creation of their custom-made BMW X3 vehicles via an online video portal that will show them footage of their customized X3 being produced at the company’s plant in Spartanburg, SC.

“Customization is essential to the new BMW X3. With more than 10 million distinct configurations available, we wanted to get customers excited about the birth of their unique vehicle,” said Trudy Hardy, Manager, BMW Marketing Communications and Consumer Events, BMW of North America. “This production footage of the BMW X3 vehicles from our Spartanburg plant enhances the overall customer experience that is part of the BMW brand.”

Customers can view the footage by creating a My BMW account on bmwusa.com and entering their X3 order number or VIN. Using seven cameras in BMW’s South Carolina plant, BMW delivers X3 customers with video that tracks their vehicle through the various stages of final assembly. The video does not have an expiration date, giving consumers round-the-clock access to the assembly footage, and the video can also be downloaded and shared with interested friends and family members.

Available this month, the new BMW X3 builds on the success of its first-generation counterpart, offering drivers increased space, functionality, efficiency and comfort. The first BMW X model to be equipped with electro-mechanical power steering as standard equipment, the vehicle also offers owners the option of Dynamic Driving Control and BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems.

BMW M3. 25 years.

2011-01-17T10:21:00.001-06:00

he success story of BMW M began in August 1985 with the fastest 3 Series BMW of all times. Today, BMW M is the embodyment of BMW Motorsport. Watch a brief history about this very special brand.

BMW 1 Series ActiveE production vehicle to roll out next week

2011-01-17T08:57:00.000-06:00

Author: Horatiu B.

The BMW 1 Series ActiveE will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, but the first production vehicle will be roll out as early as next week. According to BMW insider Scott27, the company will soon be ready to accept applications for the pilot program that begins this summer.

To gather feedback quicker and more efficient, BMW has also setup a forum for future owners and general public. The team behind the ActiveE project pointed us to the following internet address: bmwactivatethefuture.com.

BMW will also introduce an iPhone app, called “BMW EV Mobile Application” which will allow non-electric drivers to make an informed decision on whether the BMW 1er Coupe ActiveE satisfies their driving habits and requirements.

In the US, BMW will offer at least 450 ActiveE vehicles, similar to the MINI E pilot introduced two years ago.

New York Metro and Greater Los Angeles will again be included and be joined by Metropolitan markets of San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and Boston.

A glimpse of the BMW ActiveE was first seen with theConcept ActiveE at the North American International Auto Show in January, 2010. Based on the chassis of a BMW 1 Series Coupe it features a newly developed electric drivetrain and a lithium-ion battery-packed developed in cooperation with SB-LiMotive. It offers four passenger seating and approximately seven cubic-feet of luggage capacity.

Based on realistic simulations, the sprint from 0-60 mph requires approximately 8.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the vehicle is electronically limited at around 90 mph.

The lithium-ion battery pack specially developed for this vehicle supplies energy to the motor and all other functions of the BMW Concept ActiveE. For the first time, storage cells are used which were developed especially for use in automobiles by the BMW Group in collaboration with the cooperation partner SB LiMotive. The aim is to use the best available technology in the area of energy storage as part of the development of the Megacity Vehicle.

The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE have their own liquid cooling system and intelligent battery management system, which are key elements in increasing both the storage capacity and the durability of the battery cells. These systems also ensure that the long range can be maintained largely independent of external climatic conditions. The storage system developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE enables a real-world range of about 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions.

More information and photos will be released in the next weeks.

[Source: GCF ]

2012 BMW 650i Convertible - 2011 Detroit Auto Show

2011-01-14T10:18:00.000-06:00

This new droptop Bimmer embraces the three virtues of driving: Performance, Fun and Style.

By Sam Mitani

There’s no secret that BMW was planning to make a convertible version out of the new 650i Coupe when it showed the 6 Series Coupe Concept at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show; so we were primed and ready when the Munich, Germany-based company took the veils off the new 650i Convertible today in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. And just as we predicted, the car is stunning inside and out, spiritually similar to the current 650i Convertible that has proved popular in the high-end convertible marketplace the past few years

Like the current model, this new BMW 650i Convertible features an electrically powered soft top with flying-buttress architecture. The buttresses project out along the flanks of the body into its rear section, accentuating the car’s sweeping silhouette. With the roof up, the transition of the roofline into the rear end flows smoothly; with the top tucked in place behind the cockpit, the car looks like it was originally designed as a convertible. The automatic opening and closing operation for the roof is activated by holding a button on the center console. Opening the roof takes 19 seconds, while the closing process lasts 24. As with the current model, both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds up to 25 mph. The roof of the new BMW 650i Convertible is available in two colors, including a new beige. Two non-metallic exterior paint colors and seven metallic shades are available. Exclusive Nappa leather is standard, and can be ordered in four color options (Vermillion Red, Ivory White, Cinnamon Brown and Black). The instrument panel, center console, and the upper sections of the rear door panel and side trim can also be lined with Nappa leather with contrasting stitching as an option.

Head-Snapping Power

Under the hood of the sleek new 650i Convertible is a 4.4-liter V-8 that produces 400 bhp between 5500 and 6400 rpm, and delivers peak torque of 450 lb.-ft. between 1750 and 4500 rpm. This unique “reverse-flow” engine, whose turbochargers are positioned in the V-area between the cylinder banks, produces power from low in the rev range, making it both thrilling and fun to drive. Mated to this powerplant is BMW’s 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission that features speed, flexibility, sportiness and efficiency. Its minimal torque converter slip and rapid gear changes should satisfy even serious drivers who are accustomed to standard manual gearboxes in their sports machines. The new transmission has an innovative gear set configuration that allows this unit to offer eight gears, aiding acceleration yet allowing the driver to save fuel by driving at low revs. The driver can choose to select gears manually via shift paddles on the standard Sport leather steering wheel. The factory claims that new 650i Convertible will run to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with both the manual transmission and the 8-speed automatic, and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The new BMW 650i Convertible will reach dealer showrooms in the spring as a 2012 model, priced at $91,375.

Source: Road & Track

Breaking News: Audi TT RS heading to America in 2011

2011-01-14T10:12:00.000-06:00

Audi has given its lust-worthy TT RS the green light to tear up U.S. roads. With 360 bhp, it’ll be plenty capable.

By Mike Monticello

You asked. We asked. And today Audi made it official: The TT RS will be coming to America. You’ll have to wait until the third quarter of 2011 to find one in a U.S. showroom (the hot little sports coupes are already on sale in Europe), but if R&T Road Test Editor Jonathan Elfalan is a good judge of performance cars—and he is!—we’re confident it’ll be worth it: After sampling a TT RS at Willow Springs Raceway earlier this year, Elfalan basically got down on his knees and begged Audi to start shipping the all-wheel-drive rockets our way.

Apparently Elfalan wasn’t the only one hassling Audi. In just one month, more than 11,500 enthusiasts expressed interest in the TT RS via a survey on Audi’s Facebook page. That, along with the aforementioned positive reviews from U.S. media outlets, served up a no-brainer decision for Audi.

“With performance and agility rooted in Audi motorsports success, the TT RS is truly an emotional sports car,” said Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen. “That emotion became abundantly clear as we explored interest across the country.”

The TT RS’s emotion comes by way of a 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder producing 360 bhp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. The sole transmission choice—a 6-speed manual—points to the car’s utter enthusiast bent, as does the lack of a convertible version. Audi estimates the pumped-up TT RS will hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date next year.

Source: Road & Track

Ignition and Recall Timing: A Tale of High Pressure Fuel Pump Failures

2010-10-27T15:36:00.000-05:00

Author: Hugo Becker

Well the intertubes are all in a dither now that BMW has recalled cars for the failure of some High Pressure Fuel Pumps (HPFP) on its turbocharged direct injected engines.

To begin with the recalled cars have two fuel pumps, a primary low-pressure in-tank pump, and a secondary high pressure pump near the engine itself. The low pressure pump isn’t really all that low pressure, it’s a 5 bar pump (about 70 psi) and if you’ve ever dealt with carburettors you’ll know that’s about 10 times more than you’re used to.

The secondary high pressure fuel pump is the enabling technology on a gasoline direct injected engine. The really high pressures that pump develops can overcome the pressure of the turbocharged slug of air that is then further compressed in the cylinder. The timing sequence of fuel injection and spark is directly dependent on the high pressure fuel pumps operation.

However, if the high pressure fuel pump fails, the engine can still operate on the 5 bar pressure from the primary fuel pump. What it can’t do, at that point, is utilize as much boost pressure or ignition timing that allows such high power from small displacement as its owners are used to. In essence it will still run, but it will run like a four cylinder, automatic transmission, Camry.

What BMW and the supplier of the high pressure fuel pump have been doing in the past year or so is isolating the cause of the failures, developing a workable engineering solution to the problem (that won’t introduce additional problems), testing the solution, and the deploying the fix into the field and gather feedback on its effectiveness.

BMW has told BMWBLOG that they have a revision of the HPFP that has been in service since March of 2010 and that they are satisfied that it is providing the reliability they expect.

That leads directly to the buzz surrounding the recall. Cars are not recalled because a couple of executives and a lawyer get scarred after a news story.

Responsible companies that have an issue with a defective part first acknowledge the problem. They then assure customers that they will provide a fix and possibly will reinforce the warranty on the defective part. They will then work closely to identify the cause of failure, engineer a solution, and thoroughly test it. At that point, with a proven solution in hand, they will issue a recall for the superset of potentially problematic parts.

This is what BMW has done. They acknowledged the problem with the high pressure fuel pump, and before they had a fix in hand, they extended the warranty on the HPFP. Then with a fix in hand, they worked with authorities (in the case of US cars,NHTSA) to issue a voluntary recall. At most, the news story pushed up the timing of the announcement.

There are 150,000 cars that are subject to recall, the actual number of defective HPFP is some subset of that. That being said, it’s much more fun to buy into the conspiracy theory that without the dogged pursuit of our media, nothing would have been done about this. But I can guarantee you that most in the media wouldn’t know what a HPFP is if it bit them in the keester. I still wouldn’t monkey with the Cuomo’s though .
Source: BMWBlog

Official Statement: BMW Voluntary Recall

2010-10-27T15:33:00.000-05:00

BMW High-Pressure Fuel Pump Voluntary Emissions Recall – models w/ N54

BMW has discovered that certain 2007-2010 model year vehicles may experience partial failure of the High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) which is part of the direct fuel injection system on certain 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X6, and Z4 models. Specifically, vehicles powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine (internally dubbed ''N54'') are affected. Symptoms include long engine starting times and sometimes the illumination of the Service Engine Soon lamp in the instrument cluster, possibly accompanied by reduced engine performance (''Safe'' operation).

BMW will issue a further voluntary emissions recall. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified in a letter sent by first-class mail. Affected vehicles will receive a software update to reprogram the HPFP and/or a new generation HPFP.

BMW had previously extended the emissions warranty coverage period to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, on affected vehicles in all 50 States.

There have been no reports of injuries related to this issue.

BMW Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Voluntary Safety Recall – X5 models w/ N52

BMW has discovered that some MY 2008 BMW Sports Activity Vehicles equipped with N52 normally-aspirated inline six-cylinder engines may experience a failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. Due to increased wear of an internal component of the fuel pump, the pump could malfunction causing the engine to stall.

BMW will move forward with a voluntary safety recall of affected vehicles to replace the fuel pump in affected vehicles. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified in a letter sent by first-class mail beginning in November.

There have been no accidents or injuries reported as a result of this issue.

Customers who receive a letter for either recall should contact an Authorized BMW Center to schedule a service appointment.

Customers with further questions may contact BMW Customer Relations at a dedicated number, 1-800-563-4269, or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

12 lucky fans to drive a Prototype BMW 1 Series M Coupe

2010-10-26T14:06:00.000-05:00

As Dr. Kay Segler pointed out to us, the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe is a car built and designed for enthusiasts. In our opinion, the 1M represents a turning point for the M Division and future M models would nothing less but exciting, spectacular, fun and Ultimate Driving Machines.

Under the command of Dr. Segler, social and new media, enthusiasts and BMW fans, play an important role in the M strategy, so it is not surprisingly that BMW has just decided to offer the opportunity to drive the new BMW 1M. Twelve lucky fans would get some seat time with the 1M, all BMW’s expense.

Read further…

“We promised that with a little bit of luck you could have the opportunity to be one of the first to drive the BMW 1 Series M Coupé

The time has finally come: twelve interest parties who have registered on M-Power.com will have the chance to drive a prototype of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé themselves on 18 November 2010. Participants will arrive on 17 November 2010, and depart again on 19 November 2010. The event will be held in Germany. BMW will cover all costs for participants at the event itself. If you are traveling from outside Germany, we will book a flight for you.

Please click the link below and send us a photo of yourself and briefly explain why you should be one of first people to have an opportunity to drive the BMW 1 Series M Coupé. Please let us know your size (S,M,L,XL,XXL) as all participants will receive a special outfit from us. You should speak English because the event will mostly be held in English to cater for our international guests

Got the time? Then click on the following link, but before register at M-Power.com Closed Room

I would like to be one of the twelve participants.

Please note that filming and the taking of photographs is prohibited during those parts of the event held on BMW company premises. However we shall, of course, document the event for you and all other interested parties with photos and videos, which we will place online after the event.”

Design Award of Germany goes to BMW 5 Series Sedan

2010-10-26T13:46:00.000-05:00

Press Release: The new BMW 5 Series Sedan has won Silver in the 2011 Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented annually by the German Design Council. The country’s most prestigious prize for product design is one of several honours already bestowed by the Design Council in recognition of the excellence of BMW Group Design. The Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and will be presented at a public ceremony in Frankfurt on 11 February 2011. The presentation forms part of the opening event of Ambiente, the world’s biggest trade fair for consumer goods.\

Since its launch in 1969, the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany has been conferred each year on outstanding international achievements in the categories of product and communication design, as well as on a personality from the world of design and on up-and-coming young talent. The winners are chosen by an independent jury consisting of ten representatives from industry, academia, design and the media, who are appointed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

The selection criteria for the design award are rigorous: all entries must already have received a national or international award and must embody trends and developments with a defining impact on future design. A further entry criterion is the nomination by the Trade and Industry Ministries and Senators of the federal states or by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

The design of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan deftly translates the vehicle’s attributes into an authentic formal language. Sheer presence and stylish elegance lend expression to the Sedan’s premium quality and outstanding ride comfort. Its sporty driving characteristics are reflected in the dynamic lines of its bodywork and the overall impression is that of a thoroughly athletic automobile. The superior aesthetics of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan are also conveyed by its perfectly balanced proportions and meticulously executed details.

The unique quality of BMW Group Design has already been recognised several times over by the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2010 this “prize of prizes” went to the Kinetic Sculpture of the BMW Museum (Gold), in 2009 it was awarded to the BMW HP2 Sport motorcycle (Silver), in 2008 to the BMW G650 Xcountry motorcycle (Gold), and in 2007 to the BMW Cruise Bike (Silver). For the new BMW 5 Series Sedan this is not the first award of the year: in 2010 its exceptional design already resoundingly persuaded the jury of the internationally renowned red dot awards.

[Source: BMW ]

BMW's Mini E drivers lead the electric-car wave

2010-10-24T04:27:00.000-05:00

Todd Crook, a 42-year-old television advertising producer from California is convinced. So is Tom Mologhney, a 43-year-old New Jersey restauranteur. They're sold on the Mini E, BMW's first electric car to be put in the hands of consumers in the U.S.

For 15 months, they've been part of a select group of drivers in New York, New Jersey and California who have driven the fully-electric Mini E as their main commuting vehicle. And, as Laura Bruno from the Daily Record in Morris County, N.J., reports, these drivers could be in the forefront of showing their fellow motorists that electric vehicles are worth a try. She writes:

Tom Moloughney has been test driving a Mini Cooper E, an all electric car, his home has solar panels on the roof, which powers his home and car. CAPTIONBy the Daily RecordNow, with other electric cars poised to enter the market — the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf in November and December, respectively — the Mini E drivers are vocal advocates for battery-powered vehicles.

"I'm hooked," says Crook.

When BMW set out to test the Mini E, a lithium-ion battery powered two-seater, the goal was to see if an electric car could withstand the real-life commuting needs of urban settings, says Mini E spokesman Dave Buchko.

Mini E feedback would inform BMW's work on the four-seat Active E, which is planned for a summer 2011 release, and the Megacity planned to premier in 2013.

BMW found the Mini E 100-mile battery range was suited to daily commutes, Buchko says. "We've gained valuable insight, insight that we are putting into play with our other vehicles," Buchko says.

The drivers say they found a car they don't want to give up.

"It's the car of choice, the one everyone in the family fights over," says film art director Jim Dow, 67, of Newport Beach, Calif. Dow has a BMW X3 and a Ford F250 in addition to the Mini E, but he says he, his wife and a son all vie to drive the electric car.

"The first six months I didn't touch the other cars," Dow says. "The truck sat for six months before I went to use it and then the battery was dead."

Peder Norby, 48, who lives near San Diego in a home powered by solar panels, bought a Gem e4 in 2007, an so-called neighborhood electric car that cruises at less than 30 miles per hour and has a 20 mile range. He wanted to test if electric cars could really stand up to a daily commute.

A San Diego County planning commissioner, Norby has driven his Mini E across the county from the Mexican border to the desert. "I can tell you today that for the rest of my life I'll be driving electric," says Norby. "I'm sold 100 percent."

The Mini E has about a 100 mile range when fully charged , says the drivers and Buchko. The Volt is advertised as being able to run an an electric charge for up to 40 miles, but after that it uses gas to power it. According to Nissan, the Leaf will have a similar 100-mile range.

The Mini E test drivers say they simply plug in to a 220 volt (three-pronged) outlet when the arrive home at night and it's ready to drive each morning.

Dow says he once drove his Mini E for a weekend trip that would have exceeded the range. He was contemplating running an extension cord from his hotel room, but found an outlet in the landscaping next to the parking lot and had no problems charging.

Crook's employer moved his parking spot next to an outlet so he can charge at work, if necessary. "It's fun to drive ... I've zipped up right next to a Porsche," says Crook.

Moloughney, who has put more than 41,000 miles on his Mini E in 15 months, keeps a Porsche Boxster in his Chester Township, N.J. garage as his other car. But he prefers to commute in the the Mini E seven days a week, at least 65 miles roundtrip, to his Montclair, N.J. restaurant.

Moloughney put solar panels on his home after getting the Mini E because he plans to have an electric car in his garage into the foreseeable future.

"This is not a golf cart," Moloughney says of misconceptions about electric cars. "This car is really powerful."

These drivers rave about the torque. They barely have to use the brake pedal. As soon as their foot comes off the accelerator the car slows down, they say.

"It's so much fun to drive and the fact that it is all electric is wonderful," says Dow.

Despite a lease cost of $800 a month the first year, now down to $600 in the second year, the drivers say they believe they either broke even or saved money with the program. BMW paid for their insurance and any maintenance required, mostly just new tires, they say.

Dow says it cost him about $35 a month to drive the Mini E daily. With Norby's solar powered home and car, fueling the car costs him nothing out of pocket. The cost of installing the solar panels will be recouped after four years of not buying gasoline, he says. After that, he's only saving money.

"The sun has never raised its price," Norby says.

Bruno reports for the Daily Record in Morris County, N.J.

BMW's Electric Car Innovation

2010-10-24T04:21:00.000-05:00

Melissa Hincha-Ownby

Megacity Vehicle could drive a longer distance than other electric cars.

BMW's Megacity Vehicle won't be the first mass-produced electric vehicle on the market, but it will be the first mass-produced vehicle to use a passenger cell made from carbon, specifically carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Carbon is known for its light weight and likely will allow BMW to offset the additional weight that comes with an electric vehicle drive train. And a lighter vehicle will probably lead to an extended driving range. With American consumers focused on being able to drive longer distances on one tank of gas or one electric battery or electric charge, this could lead to more interest in the Megacity Vehicle as its 2013 release date nears.

Yahoo! BuzzBMW is creating this vehicle from the ground up and completely in-house, using what it calls "the LifeDrive concept." The company says electrifying its vehicles requires a completely new approach to vehicle architecture and body construction in order to optimize the electric vehicle platform.

"The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules," the company said in a statement. "The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Its partner, the Life module, consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. Furthermore, the new vehicle architecture opens the door to totally new production processes, which are both simpler and more flexible and use less energy."

Although the success of future electric vehicles will depend on the consumers' adoption of the technology, automakers like BMW are continuing with their plans to bring all-electric vehicles to market. As the technology improves we are likely to see longer driving ranges, which is one of the key factors that will influence Americans' electric vehicle purchase decisions.

BMW does not yet have details on the possible range of the Megacity Vehicle, but with several years to fine-tune this process, we may very well see a vehicle with an all-electric range near the 200-mile mark--the sweet spot for American buyers.

Source:forbes.com

Yet Another Rumor: Next BMW M3 Sedan Replaced by Hatchback M3 Gran Turismo?Posted on: 23.10.2010

2010-10-24T04:12:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

Roundel stirs up debate in the BMW world. In the latest issue of the magazine, an article around the BMW M3 Sedan being replaced by an M3 Gran Turismo has already begun to create controversy in the BMW world.

Following the same principle as the 5 Series GT, the designers are looking to create an M3 Gran Turismo vehicle that would be able to compete with cars like the RS4 Avant or Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG T-Modell.

It is not the first time we hear about the M3 Sedan being phased out in the next generation, but it is certainly a premiere that an M3 Gran Turismo is thrown into the mix. We have already learned that the company will be producing a 3 Series Gran Turismo vehicle when the new generation 3 Series launches.

Despite being published and republished by respectable automotive magazines, we still advise you to take these rumors with a grain of salt.

InsideLine goes even further and creates an atrocious looking rendering of an M3 Gran Turismo, using as the starting point the current M3 Sedan bodystyle.

Source: bmwblog.com

The Family Car Guide: 2011 Luxury Wagons, Part Two

2010-10-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

By Suzanne Kane

Continuing our two-part series on the 2011 luxury wagons, here we’ll look at the wagon offerings from Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Since they’re luxury makes, they naturally come with a wide variety and number of standard and optional features.

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon – The 5-passenger mid-size 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is available in five trims, with base MSRPs ranging from $38,265 to $52,940. The base trim comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and a 270-hp 3.0-liter direct injection V-6 engine. Other trims feature the 304-hp 3.6-liter direct injection V-6. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The base model achieves an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway, while fuel economy numbers for other trims are 18/26. Notable features include standard power liftgate with memory height, fold-flat rear seats with 58 cubic feet of cargo space, modular under-floor storage, hand-cut-and-sewn seating accents, optional Sapele wood trim, optional heated/ventilated seats, leather seating surfaces, Bose 5.1-surround sound audio, 8-inch diagonal light-up touch-screen navigation system with voice activation, available rearview camera. Safety features include eight airbags, four-wheel ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability and traction control systems, OnStar automated crash response and a slew of OnStar safety/diagnostics services, and optional rear parking assist.

Enlarge PhotoMercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon – The single wagon offering from Mercedes-Benz for 2011 is the E350 4Matic Wagon, which carries a starting MSRP of $56,200. Powered by the 268-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to seven-speed automatic transmission and featuring 4Matic AWD, the full-size E350 4Matic Wagon seats five adults and two children in three rows and has 20.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the second row down. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway. The automaker’s tagline is that is doesn’t just do some things well, but it does everything well. Considering the nine standard active airbags, electronic stability control, and standard or optional features such as brake assist, active lane keeping assist and active blind spot assist, adapative Bi-Xenon headlights with active curve illumination, night vision assist with passenger detection, attention assist driver drowsiness monitor – safety is something the automaker pays a great deal of attention to. Since this is a Mercedes-Benz, the array of luxury features standard and optional are extensive.

Enlarge PhotoVolvo V50 Sport Wagon – The compact premium wagon from Scandinavian automaker Volvo is the V50 Sport Wagon. For 2011, the five-passenger front-wheel drive (FWD) V50 is available in T5 and R-Design, with starting MSRPs at $39,000 and $32,850, respectively. Powered by the 227-hp turbocharged five-cylinder engine, five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, the V50 achieves an Epa-ESTIMATED 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway. Safety features abound, including preventive ABS with electronic brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, dual Xenon gas discharge headlights with active bending lights, and protective safety including eight airbags, side impact protection and whiplash protection system and more. Maximum cargo capacity is 62.6 cubic feet.

Source: Family Car Guide

The Family Car Guide: 2011 Luxury Wagons, Part One

2010-10-22T22:34:00.002-05:00

By Suzanne Kane

The field of luxury wagons this fall is more than a little exciting – if you’re looking for a family car that combines the attributes of an SUV with the easy-handling of a car, plus a good deal of luxe features, mostly standard, some optional. In fact, even consumers who’ve long ago sworn off wagons are urged to come check them out. There’s a lot to like.

The total list of 2011 luxury wagons includes two from Audi, while BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo each offer one. In part one, we’ll look at the wagon offerings from Audi and BMW.

2010 Audi A4 Avant

Enlarge PhotoAudi A4 Avant – The compact five-passenger 2011 Audi A4 Avant, available in three models (2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, and 2.0T Prestige), features standard Audi Quattro full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) and 211-hp 2.0 TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway. The automaker bills the A4 Avant as offering the performance of a V-6 with the fuel-efficiency of a four-cylinder engine. But reviewers say that Audi A4 has never been known for performance, but more for its high-quality interior – which is considered the benchmark in its class. Well laid out, comfortable, standard leather seating surfaces, 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space (with rear seats folded), numerous technology features standard or optional prove the point. Safety features include front, side, and side-curtain airbags and optional rear-seat side-curtain airbags on Premium Plus and Prestige models, antilock brakes, traction and stability control. An Active Braking Guard is available as part of adaptive cruise control on Prestige. Base manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) range from $35,940 to $45,040.

Audi A6 Avant – Moving up to the mid-size 2011 Audi A6 Avant, the wagon version of the A6 lineup is also offered in three models (3.0T Premium, 3.0T Premium Plus, and 3.0T Prestige). Powered by a 300-hp 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 engine mated to a six-speed Tiptronic transmission and featuring standard Audi Quattro AWD, A6 Avant achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Base MSRPs range from $53,310 to $56,360. Reviewers say the A6 Avant delivers excellent handling dynamics and a suberbly-finished and comfortable interior, although its maximum cargo capacity with rear seats folded is 59 cubic feet and can’t compare with the 62.6 cubic feet of the Volvo V50 Sport Wagon. A6 Avant safety features include ABS, stability control, full complement of airbags (including optional rear side airbags), while rearview camera, rear parking sensors, side blind-spot assist, and lane departure warning systems are either optional or included as standard on upper models.

2009 BMW 3-Series

Enlarge PhotoBMW 3-Series Sports Wagon – Now in its fifth generation, the BMW 3-Series is considered by many to be one of the world’s premier driving machines. Its wagon variant includes the rear-drive 328i Sports Wagon and 328i xDrive Sports Wagon with intelligent AWD. Both models are powered by the 230-hp 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission (Steptronic automatic transmission is a $1,375 option). EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 328i is 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway (automatic) and 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway (manual), while the 328i xDrive achieves 17/26 (automatic) and 17/25 (manual). The premium compact wagons are equipped with stability and traction control, four-wheel ABS with dynamic brake control, run-flat tires, front and side airbags, while BMW Assist Emergency telematics, park distance control, and Xenon adaptive headlights are optional. Starting MSRPs range from $35,700 (328i) to $37,700 (328i xDrive).

Source: Family Car Guide

Diesel Economics 201: Q3 Sales Accelerate to 33%

2010-10-22T22:28:00.000-05:00

By Jonathan Spira on 21 October 2010

Is 2010 the year of the diesel? A new analysis by The Diesel Driver shows an increasingly strong preference for diesel-powered cars compared to the petrol-powered equivalent models

The Diesel Driver analyzed detailed new-car sales data from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, the four companies that currently offer diesel-powered passenger vehicles in the U.S. (a detailed spreadsheet of this data may be found at the end of this article). The data cover the first nine months of 2010 and show that diesel sales have not only continued to slowly increase but, in the case of one auto maker, they have reached a point where more buyers chose a diesel than a petrol-powered equivalent model. The trends for the three months ending September 30, 2010 are particularly worthy of note.

At Audi, 53% of buyers chose a diesel in Q3 over the petrol equivalent. For the first six months, only 45% went diesel.

The percentage of buyers choosing a diesel over petrol at Volkswagen increased from 36% to 41% and the Touareg joined the Jetta Sportwagen as a diesel model of preference with Q3 buyers choosing the Touareg TDI by a ratio of 3 to 1.

Given the relative lack of hype around diesel-powered automobiles (compared to hybrids), and the fact that the diesel market was virtually undetectable in the U.S. just a few years ago, the fact that 33% of car buyers in the third quarter chose a diesel over the comparable petrol-powered model is indeed noteworthy.

Total diesel sales for the first nine months of 2010 were 55,353 (the figure for petrol-powered cars was 115,041). This represents 33% of overall sales. Based on these numbers, diesel sales (when compared to comparable petrol models) will unquestionably comprise one-third of (comparable model) sales for calendar year 2010.

For the first nine months of 2010, only two diesel models consistently outsold their petrol variants, namely the Audi A3 TDI and the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Meanwhile, the BMW 335d and the Volkswagen Touareg are next in line for membership in this exclusive club.

VW CONTINUES AS VOLUME LEADER

In terms of volume diesel sales, Volkswagen lead with 14,413 diesels sold in Q3 and 37,803 sold in the first nine months of 2010. BMW continued in second place with 2914 diesels sold in Q3 and 8352 sold in the first nine months.

Audi, which had the highest percentage of diesel sales in Q3 with 53%, came in third with total diesel sales of 1775 (year-to-date sales were 4631). Mercedes-Benz, the company that introduced the first passenger diesel car in 1936, came in fourth, with 1893 diesel sales in Q3.

The Diesel Driver expects the overall uptick in diesel sales to continue as automakers introduce new diesel models. Mercedes-Benz recently added the E350 BlueTec sedan diesel and BMW is expected to add additional diesel models including a 5er Series diesel in the coming months.

Correction: 22 October 2010
An earlier version of this article stated that comparable model diesel sales had risen to 38%. It also stated that 73% of BMW’s comparable model sales were for diesels. As a result of receiving incomplete sales data from several automakers, multiple corrections were made to the spreadsheet. Actual Q3 diesel sales were 33% industry-wide in the U.S. and BMW’s Q3 diesel sales were 29%. The incomplete data had no material impact on other figures.

Source:TheDieselDriver

Multiple BMW Models Praised for Resale Value

2010-10-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

Recognition from both Kelly Blue Book and ALG

BMW announced that it won two Best Resale Value awards from Kelley Blue Book and a Residual Value Award from Automotive Lease Guide (ALG). The BMW 1 Series won the ALG Residual Value Award in the Near Luxury Car category. The BMW X5 xDrive35d Advanced Diesel was named Best Resale Value in its class by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and the 2010 BMW M3 is one of the Top 10 cars with Best Resale Value according to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

''BMW drivers are loyal to the brand not only because of the exceptional driving experience their vehicles provide, but because of the remarkable ease of ownership afforded by BMW Ultimate Service®,'' said Robert Frisch, Vice President, Western Region, BMW of North America. ''Ultimate Service helps ensure BMW vehicles are serviced properly and on-schedule for the first four years, boosting the resale value and desirability of each BMW in the used vehicle marketplace.''

ALG determines the award winners after carefully studying the competition in each segment, historical performance, and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing strategies are among the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts. Winning vehicles in each segment are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period. Since 2007, BMW models have won five ALG Residual Value Awards.

The Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in producing vehicles that best retain their value. In addition to the mainstream and luxury brands with the best projected resale values across their entire vehicle lines, awards are presented to top vehicles within 16 vehicle categories and for the overall top 10 vehicles across all categories. With these two latest honors, BMW has garnered a total of 14 Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards since the awards were established in 2003.

Source: BMWUSA

3 Series Designer Perspectives

2010-10-20T20:08:00.003-05:00

Source: BMWUSA

X3 Designer Perspectives

2010-10-20T20:06:00.001-05:00

Source: BMWUSA

BMW Group And PSA Peuget Citroen Signed Agreement On Further Development Of 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine

2010-10-19T14:10:00.002-05:00

MULGRAVE, AUSTRALIA – October 19, 2010: The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen will continue their successful engine collaboration. An agreement to that effect was signed by Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroen, in Paris.

The two companies have agreed to develop the next generation of the jointly designed 4-cylinder petrol engine which will meet EU 6 requirements. Currently, the engine is being used in several MINI, Peugeot and Citroën brand models.

The partners have also confirmed to examine other possible areas for cooperation at systems and component level, with the aim of leveraging synergies in the development, production and procurement of selected components.

“We have always been very successful in our cooperation with our partners, and that is particularly true with regard to PSA. We are delighted to continue our engine cooperation and look into options for further collaboration.” said Reithofer.

PSA Peugeot Citroën’s Chairman of the Managing Board Varin declared “this new agreement with BMW is confirming the success of the cooperation between our two companies which has produced 1.3 million engines since 2006. I am confident that the next generation of jointly developed engines will reach the same success as the current generation”.

Source: TheAutoChannel.com

New Mercedes-Benz V8 Engines Make U.S. Driving Debut

2010-10-19T14:06:00.001-05:00

CHESTER, NY - October 19, 2010: Mercedes-Benz USA is offering automotive journalists the first drive on U.S. roads of their all-new direct injection biturbo V8 engines. Powering through New York State's Hudson Valley region, the new 4.6-liter V8 engine has 20 percent smaller displacement than its predecessor but generates 429 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque - 12 percent more horsepower and 32 percent more torque than the engine it replaces yet fuel economy improves by about 10%. This new engine is available in the restyled 2011 CL550 4MATIC, with an MSRP of $114,025.

The second engine making its debut is the hand-assembled high-performance 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine, featuring the use of stop/start technology as well as twin turbochargers and direct injection.

Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

This new engine produces 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque while at the same time achieving an estimated 20 percent improvement in fuel economy. Mated to the award-winning 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission, this new engine is available in the 2011 CL63 AMG coupe ($151,125) and S63 AMG sedan ($138,875). For even more performance the optionally available AMG Performance Package increases engine power to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft. for torque; top speed also increases to 186 mph.

The epitome of luxury coupes

These new engines make their U.S. debut in the restyled 2011 CL-Class set to arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships in November. The flagship coupe of the Mercedes-Benz model range, the CL-Class features a new hood, fenders, grille, bi-xenon headlights with LED turn signals and daytime running lights. The rear of the vehicle incorporates new LED taillights, bumper-integrated exhaust pipes and reverse lights now located in the trunk lid. Inside, the interior includes new steering wheel design and interior colors.

Innovative New Safety Options for 2011 CL-Class Models

New safety options for the 2011 CL-Class line include Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist that both incorporate automatic ESP brake intervention. Active Lane Keeping Assist recognizes lane markings (thanks to a multi-purpose camera in the windshield and a computer that analyzes the images) and alerts the driver by simulating rumble strip vibrations in the steering wheel if the car drifts from its lane without the turn signals on.

Active Blind Spot Assist monitors both blind spots behind the vehicle. Whenever a turn signal is activated with a vehicle in the blind spot, the driver is alerted with visual and audible warnings. Both Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist now incorporate a brake intervention feature, in which ESP braking automatically helps correct the car’s course if the driver doesn’t heed the initial warning.

source: TheAutoChannel.com

Pre-Owned Spotlight

2010-10-19T13:14:00.001-05:00

2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG - $61,990

CALL 414-727-6724 or EMAIL jslazas@iamilwaukee.com for more information

Mileage: 31,986

Body Style: Convertible

Exterior Color: Black

Interior Color: Black

Stock #: 201193-2

VIN: WDBSK72F07F129200

Fuel: Gasoline

Engine: 5.4L V8

Transmission: AUTO 5SPD

Doors: 2

Wheelbase: 101"

Pre-Owned Spotlight!

2010-10-19T13:10:00.001-05:00

2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 4MATIC - $68,880

CALL 414-727-6724 or EMAIL jslazas@iamilwaukee.com for more information

Mileage: 18,440

Body Style: Sedan

Exterior Color: White

Interior Color: Cashmeresavanna

Stock #: 22115

VIN: WDDNG86X79A261661

Fuel: Gasoline

Engine: 5.5L V8

Transmission: AUTO 7SPD

Drivetrain: AWD

Doors: 4

Wheelbase

Rumor: BMW X4 Concept to be shown in 2011. Production model in 2014

2010-10-17T20:44:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

Newest rumor from Munich brings forward the idea of a BMW X4. First news around an X4 model came around in 2007, but they amplified earlier this year when other several automotive outlets reported on a future, smaller version of the X6 Sports Activity Coupe.

According to our sources, the BMW X4 has moved from an idea to the Concept stage and will be first shown in 2011. The production model will be launched in late 2013, early 2014. We learned that the X4 would share most hardware and interior parts with the X3. The X4 will be exclusively build at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. The Spartanburg plant have increased its capacity from a previous 160,000 to 240,000, and the expansion was presented today to automotive journalists. (We will report on this later this week).

Along the same lines, AutoWeek reports today that the X4 is a smaller and more agile four-seater. The X4 is set to receive individual styling in a move to give it a more sporting image and enable BMW to position it higher than the SUV upon which it is based.

According to AutoWeek, those who have seen the latest design proposals suggest the X4 differs from the X3 in much the same way the X6 is removed from the X5, with a bullish front end, curved coupe-style roofline, four doors and heavily angled tailgate.

“The design is not finalized, but we know the direction and it will likely surprise,” a source told AutoWeek.

As with any new product, expect to hear more news and rumors in the near future, and of course, the much-hyped renderings.

[Source: Autoweek ]

Rumor: BMW X5 to use the first Tri-Turbo Diesel engine

2010-10-17T20:40:00.000-05:00

Featured: Six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel

Author: Horatiu B.

It has not been yet confirmed with multiple sources, but the rumor mill has it that BMW is developing a tri-turbo diesel engine based on the six-cylinder turbo existing in the BMW line-up. The tri-turbo engine will output 354 horsepower and it will be initially used in a BMW X5 Performance Diesel.

This new engine will carry the EfficientDynamics badge by incorporating technologies like Start-Stop system and Brake Energy Regeneration (KERS). It will be geared towards the European market in need for a top X5 model.

BMW X5 Performance Diesel has less pronounced wheel arches that the ones seen on the new BMW X5 M . The Wheels give the car very sporting and powerful appearance. The aerodynamic performance package follows the design of the X5 M, but the central intake is smaller with the intakes for the brakes less open mouthed and a colored bar across .

Same source, someone close to BMW, speaks of subtle spoilers for air flow at the leading edge of the bumper. The rear of the car features two larger and more exposed performance exhaust pipes which will be incorporated in the upcoming facelift of the X5.

The tri-turbo engine will be first available in the X5 models and the X6 at a later date. BMW plans to introduce the engine within key models such as the next 5 Series , 7 Series and eventually the additional 5er and 6er variants.

It is unknown what name will these X5 models carry, but as soon as we get more info, you’ll have it.

Official: BMW returns to DTM in 2012

2010-10-15T09:07:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

The return of BMW to the DTM from 2012 is reality: This was confirmed by the company during the DTM race weekend at the Hockenheimring. In April this year BMW had announced its intention to race in the DTM in principle from 2012, the first time since its departure from the series in 1994. The Board of Management of BMW AG considers conditions tied to a positive decision to return to the popular touring car series have now been met.

In recent months BMW has been working with the DTM umbrella organisation ITR e.V. and the other manufacturers represented in the DTM on issues relating to the future technical regulations, and the long-term internationalisation of the championship. The positive nature of these discussions means BMW Motorsport can now begin planning its DTM comeback in greater detail.

Dr Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG with responsibility for development, says: “The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this.”

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen comments: “The entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for development.”

Hans Werner Aufrecht, 1st Chairman of the Board of ITR e.V. (DTM commercial rights holder and promoter): “We welcome the decision by BMW to enter the DTM from 2012. This is a further milestone for the future of our popular racing series, and proves that our efforts over the past few years have paid off. We laid the foundation for this in conjunction with the DMSB and the existing DTM manufacturers, namely Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Thus I would like to heartily thank all parties. I am personally looking forward to again seeing the three premium brands of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz competing against each other on the race track. Our fans have waited a long time for this.”

The intention is to use the BMW M3 as the basic DTM vehicle, a car that has enjoyed unique successes in the field of touring and sports car racing in the past. Eric van de Poele (BE) and Roberto Ravaglia (IT) celebrated two DTM titles with the racing version of BMW’s most sporty representative back in 1987 and 1989, while before that Volker Strycek (DE) won the DTM premiere in 1984 in the BMW 635 CSi. This season the current BMW M3 GT2 caused a sensation in the world of international endurance racing, taking victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (DE).

2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman Priced at $25,250

2010-10-15T09:04:00.001-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

MINI USA announces the pricing for the new MINI Cooper S Countryman. Base price starts at $25,250, excluding a $700 destination charge. A well-equipped Cooper S Countryman comes just under $30,000 mark.

MINI enters the US market with a choice of two engines, one of them the rev-happy 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline and the second found in the the Cooper S model adds a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection with a total of 181-horsepower.

It also features fully-variable valve management offering the best balance of engine power and fuel consumption in its class. And as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, both Cooper and Cooper S models are also available with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with manual control priced at $1,250.

The Cooper S Countryman ALL4 starts at $26,950.

The Countryman has five feature packages, including a Convenience Package and two Sport packages.

Here is a list of some of the options available for the MINI Countryman:

Premium Package (dual-panel panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, Harman Kardon stereo): $1,250

Sport Package (18-inch wheels, rear spoiler, sport seats, fog lights, dynamic traction control and hood stripes): $1,000-$1,250

Convenience Package (garage door opener, one-touch keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers and Bluetooth connectivity): $1,250

Cold Weather Package (power-folding heated mirrors, heated washer jets and heated front seats): $750

MINI Connected: $1,000

Navigation: $1,750

Next year BMW launches the X1 model in the North American market and expectations are that the entry-level model will be priced below $30,000, possibly creating some competition for the MINI Countryman.

Piston Heads drives the BMW 1 Series M Coupe

2010-10-14T08:19:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

“Christoph Smieskol, one of BMW’s engineers responsible for the 1 Series M Coupé, tells us that the company took inspiration from the original M3 in the pursuit of a ‘back to basics’ approach. Without saying as much, he alluded to the fact that this is as likely to be in the name of keeping the price of the 1 M down. We’re crossing our fingers for a showroom price of not much more than £40,000 – downsizing is going to be big in 2011

Despite the indisputable step up in ability and performance that characterised the arrival of the E92 BMW M3, there are many enthusiasts that lament the passing of its straight-six engined predecessor. BMW has finally acknowledged there's a gaping hole in the M-car range, and that the gap should be filled with something 1 Series shaped.

You'll have seen the images of the mildly camouflaged cars before now, and BMW has even released a few striptease-style photographs to start building momentum to a full reveal of its 1 Series M Coupé in December. Now some weeks ahead of the official launch they’ve let a few hacks loose with a pre-production car in Germany, including yours truly. Yes, this job can sometimes be fun…

It's going to be a looker, thanks in no small part to the deliciously bulbous wheelarches. I think they're more reminiscent of the 2002 Turbo's than any modern M-car's, though they are also necessary to accommodate the current M3's rear axle.

You can ignore the hand-made (i.e. bodged together) look of the arches on the test car, as the final version will feature a new one-piece metal body panel. One of the pre-production mules has an exhaust similar to the current 135i's - as opposed to the quad-pipe set-up of all modern M-cars - but it was confirmed that the finished product will have four outlets. And yes, 19-inch alloys will be standard - we're told that just one wheel size will be offered.

Christoph Smieskol, one of BMW's engineers responsible for the 1 Series M Coupé, tells us that the company took inspiration from the original M3 in the pursuit of a 'back to basics' approach. Without saying as much, he alluded to the fact that this is as likely to be in the name of keeping the price of the 1 M down. We're crossing our fingers for a showroom price of not much more than £40,000 - downsizing is going to be big in 2011.

That means fewer toys than we've grown accustomed to in our M-cars. The M3's rear differential may be present, but it is unlikely to be offered with different settings. Same goes for the steering and suspension, which does without adaptive damping or any adjustment. The driver can choose between two different throttle maps and the usual multi-stage stability and traction control system, but that's pretty much it. While the 1 M will be sold in the US, no automatic option is planned, so it's the M3's six-speed manual gearbox for all. The 1 Series M Coupé should weigh about 1500kg, and to put that into perspective, it’s the weight of an average bloke less than the current M3 Coupé. Which is a good start, if not quite the featherweight we might have hoped for here on PH.

And any hopes for a high-revving naturally aspirated engine are quelled when the start button is pushed and the familiar straight-six rumble makes its way through the exhaust system. Under the bonnet is a reworked version of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre unit that powers the Z4 sDrive35is. BMW has yet to release official power and torque figures, but count on about 350hp and 340lb ft. That's a useful jump up from the 135i's 306hp and 295lb ft - and it's worth remembering that the M3's peak torque is no more than the 135i's.

From the outset it’s torque that defines the new car's performance. The straight-six yowl is accompanied by a relentless shove in the back, and pick-up from low revs is impressively strong. Thankfully, this car is louder than the quick (but a little too cultured for our liking) 135i. From standstill you're into third gear in what should be a five-second 0-62mph time. As in the M3, the gearchange is a tad springy, though it's satisfyingly mechanical and quick across the gate.

Only when you've gone up and down the gearbox a few times do you realise that there was never any danger of running into the rev limiter. The grunt tails off, making it more natural to change up and use the torque than eke out every last horsepower. While there's nothing quite like the thrill of a screaming, naturally aspirated engine, we must be realistic about the times we live in, and turbocharging offers the best balance of performance and economy.

As with the most memorable M-cars through the years, the engine does not steal the show: the 1 M's chassis is a gem. From the moment you get underway the car feels remarkably different to the 135i. The wide, low stance helps with that, but so too does a direct, well-weighted helm - there's even some feel through the thick leather bound rim. The same can be said for the brake pedal, which is firm, but easy to modulate.

More impressive than the stopping power is the stability of the car under heavy braking, even while turning (oh the beauty of testing a high performance car on unfamiliar roads...). There is little in the way of pitch or wallow on the springs; the brakes just shed speed off - and there was little sign of fade after a good thrash through some fast German countryside.

Admittedly German road builders have no interest in challenging suspension engineers, so there were precious few bumps to contend with on our test route, but a couple of surprise mid-corner blemishes were shrugged off with ease, indicating that the 1 M was developed for a wide range of driving abilities and road conditions.

Pushing on further, the limited slip differential helps with traction and endows the car with a real rear-led balance under power. That the front end is so keyed-in helps with this. In short, it won't scare the uninitiated, but experienced drivers should find enough to interest them too.

To call the 1 Series M Coupé a true successor to the E30 M3 is stretching the point. Its relative simplicity owes a little to that car, but it owes a lot more to the economic environment we find ourselves in. The 1 Series should allow the M Division to continue to flourish, by introducing younger (and less financially endowed) buyers to the brand, but first impressions suggest that price alone won't be the only reason to opt for the 1 M.

On-Site Report: BMW Expands the Spartanburg Plant

2010-10-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

While the new X3 is the focus of attention, getting it to be that required a significant focus on the existing BMW manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC. BMW has added 1.2 million square feet of floor space to the existing facility.

They have increased production capacity from 150,000 units a year to 240,000 units a year. They have made the Spartanburg plant, Plant 10 in BMWspeak, the new center of excellence for X vehicles. And they will now export even more vehicles from the US to the rest of the world.

Here’s a little known fact. BMW exports more vehicles from the US to non-NAFTA nations than any other auto manufacturer. Nobody is close. In addition, well over 50 percent of the vehicles’ parts are built in the US prior to assembly.

BMW is also a leader in sustainable manufacturing. In fact the Dow Jones Sustainablity Index has named BMW the most sustainable car manufacturer for the sixth year in a row. And ssing how BMW manages energy at the Spartanburg plant shows how they achieved that. Several years ago they entered into a contract to purchase the waste methane gas from a nearby landfill. Normally that gas would be burned off on site, creating enormous amounts of waste heat. BMW uses it to power boilers, and to power two large turbine electrical generators. BMW can produce a great deal of power needed to run their facility from a fuel source that would have gone to waste. Even better, from a stockholder’s perspective, they can undercut electric utility’s price of electricity significantly when BMW generate their own.

BMW also introduced a new paint process which embeds a primer coat in the basecoat process. This represents a 30 percent savings from the old process. They also are working with the EPA to reduce their landfill use by utilizing the some of the effluent of the painting process as a concrete filler. The emphasis on green production has led to some very good solutions.

But at the end of the day, the most important aspect of BMW’s $750 million plant addition is the impact on the people that work there. Jobs have been created that didn’t exist before, a rarity in this economy. When the new plant was dedicated, the real pride of place belonged to those that spend their working hours in that facility. They have shown that BMW made the right choice over ten years ago in locating the plant in South Carolina.

Rumor: BMW to build a new M8 Hybrid Sports Car

2010-10-12T14:15:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

According to the German magazine Autozeitung and quoted by GT Spirit, but not yet confirmed by any of our sources, BMW is in the planning stage of a new, supersports, flagship model that could carry the M8 badge. News of a future BMW supercar have been going around for months now, but nothing solid has leaked to the press yet.

The car is rumored to take advantage of BMW’s advanced development in the hybrid world, and the car’s performance could reach 600 horsepower. According to the same German magazine, the technical background is completed, but everyone is waiting for BMW’s board decision on whether to purse this project.

The new model, rumored to be called the M8, will be based on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept unveiled at the IAA 2009. The hybrid drivetrain will offer near 600 ponies. The VED Concept idea goes through some iterations, and the new M8 will be five inches longer. The highly speculative M8 will be offered with a 2+2 seating combination.

If the rumors turned out true, then the hybrid drivetrain in this M8 will be a major breakthrough for BMW. The engine is based of the V10 unit found in the E60 M5, but it will add two new electric motors, in a similar layout as the VED: front and rear.

The first electric motor will deliver 80-115hp and the back one will deliver more than 50hp.

To maintain a lower curb weight and drive more performance, the BMW M8 could include an aluminum chassis, carbon fiber bodywork and fine Kevlar bucket seats. The weight target? 1500 kilograms.

The BMW M8 is said to debut sometimes in 2012.

For now, we are considered these news to be highly speculative, but we will report as soon as we learn further details.

GM pursues partnership with BMW

2010-10-12T14:07:00.000-05:00

After the recent partnership announcement between BMW and Saab, another automaker company is pursuing a strategic partnership with BMW. General Motor has recently came upfront with their plans of finding partners to develop technology and new products.

The rumor on the street is that GM is courting BMW for a possible joint venture. At the Paris Motor Show, General Motors were promoting the idea of being open to everyone for future collaborations. A source close to Automobilwoche, a German automotive magazine, mentions that some contact has been made between the companies in regards to possible BMW engines being used in GM cars.

This would not be first time GM has partnered with BMW. The X6 ActiveHybrid uses a two mode hybrid system developed by a consortium formed of BMW, GM, Daimler and Chrysler. Wall Street Journal reports that BMW will likely take a more active role this time with more BMW engineering making its way to GM products. Most likely this is a reference to BMW engines being used in some GM vehicles.

In recent months, BMW Group has already completed two similar contracts with the Swedish subsidiary Saab Spyker and the U.S. special vehicle manufacturer Carbon Motors. In both cases, the buyers and the BMW Group benefit from the partnership. BMW takes advantage of higher volumes sales, thus reducing production costs by moving larger quantities, while the partners benefit from the German craftsmanhip.

We will update you as we learn more.

MINI Cooper SD to receive four-cylinder 2.0 liter diesel engine

2010-10-11T09:09:00.000-05:00

Initial reports around the MINI Cooper SD model mentioned the new diesel-powered MINI as using a four-cylinder 1.6 liter turbodiesel engine developed by BMW, but latest reports place a different powerplant unit in the new vehicle.

The engine of choice seems to actually be the more powerful, yet still highly fuel efficient, four-cylinder 2.0 liter diesel engine developed by BMW and used in the 1 Series lineup. Consumption forecasts mention 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.

The new powerplant is said to offer a more balanced power delivery, associated with better traction when needed. The higher-torque found in the 2.0 liter engine will certainly put a smile on the driver’s face.

The high-end MINI diesel will be available in Summer 2011.

MINI has yet to announce the availability for the U.S. market, but the expectations, based on the increasing diesel sales in the U.S., are that a diesel-powered MINI will eventually cross the ocean.

First Look: 2011 BMW X3

2010-10-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

Back in 2003, the trend of downsizing from larger SUVs became quite evident and premium automakers went back to the drawing boards to conceptualize a vehicle that will enter and take conquer the premium compact SUV segment.

BMW saw a demand for premium SUVs and launched their first small Sports Activity Vehicle: BMW X3. With almost no competition at the time, Land Rover Freelander was the only vehicle coming close to the X3, the X3 captured majority of the segment share. “Basically we had about 95% of the segment back then, we really saw the demand coming there and the downsizing trend also occurring in the premium segment as well”, said Joe Weird, BMW X3 Product Manager.

Despite initial design criticism, both inside and outside the cabin, the X3 SAV turned out to be a big winner for BMW. A quick facelift fixed some of the initial quirks and also settled some debts with the customers, mostly around the quality of its interior design.

Over the next few years of years, the segment has been filled with offerings from other automakers, with the big players Audi and Mercedes launching their Q5 and GLK respectively. Two compelling products that quickly stole the market share from BMW and established themselves as market leaders.

With an overdue design and lessons learned from its first generation, BMW began working on the second generation F25 X3 back in 2006. After several rounds of internal design competitions, the approved model belongs to Erik Goplen, Director of Creative Design at the California-based design shop, Designworks, same subsidiary of BMW that also sketched out the first X3.

Starting from the idea of designing a Sports Activity Vehicle with a family-oriented approach, Goplen penned the new X3 with his own family in mind and also as an owner of the first generation X3.

Functionality, efficiency and dynamics are the core elements of the second generation X3, and Paris Motor Show was the chosen venue to showcase to the world these new elements.

Exterior Design

At a first glance, you see a more modern design, inline with the new BMW design language. The car sports, the same as the new 5 or 7 Series, a larger grille, imposing, yet not too aggressive. With a 50-50 split between male-female owners ratio, the front-end gets a neutral design that is appealing to both genders. With a segment that seems to cater mostly to females, BMW opted for the middle-ground, but the very early unveiling of the M-Sport package will most likely attract the male demographic.

The kidneys also feature shinny titanium inserts as seen in its bigger brothers, the X5 and X6.
From the back, the X3 can be easily recognized as a BMW product. The modern, fluid and rounded shapes are complemented by larger taillights that also feature the LED technology with a pair of glowing bars, very similar to what you see in an X5. The black-painted bumper seen in pre-facelift first generation models is long gone; another lesson learned by BMW from its nit-picking customers.

The original x3 looked a little bit narrow from behind, very vertical, the new one looks like it is more planted on road, with increased substance.

Bringing up the car to the new comfort standards, BMW added features like the power tailgate, an option that is standard on some of the high-end BMWs, like the 5 or 7 Series.

Looking at the car from the side, one can see that the X3 keeps its own identity, and the idea of a smaller, resized X5 goes is quickly dissipated.BMW designers kept many of its original, unique characteristics, like the raised beltline that emerges into the Hofmeister Kink, a tribute paid to the first X3. Further exploring the design territory, BMW also added a neat, sporty character line that rises to the door handles and embraces the door handles in a harmonious way.

The new X3 has grown in lengths about 3.5 inches from the previous generation, which makes it about the same size as the original X5. With the new X5 adding a third-row and implicitly around 8 inches in length, the X3 was given the extra room to move up in class and set itself apart from another recent model that launched at the entry-level of the X-family, BMW X1, which launches also next year in the U.S. and is currently available in Europe.

Seeing all three models in person, we can certainly attest that the three products are distinctive, with their own identify and customer base. Lifestyle, personal preferences and financial situation are the things that will influence one purchase over the other ones.

In our opinion, the overall increase in size will appeal to a broader range of customers.

The X3 models come equipped with 17 inch all-season tires, while the top-end model gets 18 inch standard, as expected with run-flats.

The larger dimensions gave BMW also room to increase its cargo capacity that can be extended by folding the seats down forward, standard in a 60/40 configuration, or an optional 40/20/40 configuration. Dog owners have not been forgotten and a cargo net works well for playful dogs that would like to ride as front-passengers.

Interior design.

Without a doubt, the most criticized aspect of the first X3. Owning one ourselves, we can align to those customers that felt the interior quality was sub-par and somewhat negligent. The second generation X3 comes to correct some of these shortcomings, the car features a huge improve in premium quality and BMW learned from their mistakes and feedback provided.

American customers’ demand for multi-functional and larger cupholders has been satisfied. Pop-out cupholders can be found on the side and one in the middle. BMW brought the cupholders forward, made them larger.

Speaking of space for storing personal things, more storage space can be found on the sides and also up in the front where the passengers can place their keys and other things.

Door panels are fully upholstered with higher quality leather, contrast stitching and increased quality of craftsmanship.

More wood trim has been added giving the car a more premium look. Options vary between lighter wood trim to darker.

The center console also grew in size and sports some of the controls seen in the X5 with the now usual orange backlit.

Interior space for rear-seating passengers has also increased by an inch, making long rides a tad bit more comfortable.

Conclusion

Beside the BMW purists, we believe the regular customer will embrace the new X3. In the end, the car offers more for most likely the same price. Sure, those of us familiar with the brand, see the 2011 X3 as an evolution of the current generation rather than the expected revolutionary design, and we certainly expected a more radical change.

This car caters to a more general audience, but still being true to the BMW heritage – handling and sporty dynamics.

Starting with the design and continuing with all the aero dynamics elements and the more fuel efficient engines, the marketing for the new X3 will focus primarily on EfficientDynamics, coupled with increased performance and a higher level of luxury, three important facts that BMW hopes will steer away customers from the Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLK.

With 8.8 liter per 100/km or 26.7 mpg, the 2011 BMW X3 becomes the leader in its segment and a future US bound X3 diesel will only come to strengthen its position. BMW also emphasizes that the driving experience is unique, a major step forward from the current generation and another advantage over its competitors.

Later this week, we will have a chance to spend time behind the wheel of a xDrive35i and we will share our driving impressions as well.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. Part1

2010-10-07T08:29:00.002-05:00

BMW Vision Concept gets the greenlight. To be built at Leipzig plant

2010-10-07T08:25:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

Today, German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, quoting sources close to BMW, confirm our initial assumptions. The beautiful VED goes in production in 2013 and will be built at the Leipzig plant.

The interesting news come from powerplant used in the first models. According to the same magazine, initially, the VED production car will be powered by a combustion engine.

At a later date, the hybrid version of the same car will follow. The powertrain which has been heavily tested this summer will be using a three-cylinder 1.5 liter engine, aided by two electric motors

The intelligent combination of these units, together with precisely controlled energy management, simultaneously enhances the dynamic performance and the efficiency of the car. Overall system output is 356 horsepower, and peak torque is 590 lb-ft.

According to a BMW executive, the total volume continues we should expect varies between 5,000 and 10,000 units.

BMW 5 Series Receives Five Stars in New More Stringent Crash Test

2010-10-05T12:13:00.000-05:00

Press Release: The all-new BMW 5 Series was one of only two vehicles to receive an overall five-star rating in the first crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under the new, more stringent New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

New criteria for the NCAP rating system include: more stringent side-impact tests, use of crash-test dummies of varying size (now also simulating a small adult female as well as a medium-size adult male), collection of more data, introduction of a single overall rating score and the highlighting of high-tech crash avoidance systems like electronic stability control, lane departure warning and forward collision warning.

“The performance of the new 5 Series in these tough new tests reflects BMW’s long-held belief in a holistic approach to vehicle safety that places equal emphasis on active and passive safety,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America. “That’s why we were the first to introduce the Head Protection System in 1997 and why we made Dynamic Stability Control, our electronic stability control system, standard on every BMW sold in the US beginning with the 2000 model year.”

The all-new 2011 BMW 5 Series is available with Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and Active Cruise Control with a Stop & Go feature. It is also available with Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection, a BMW first.

Every 2011 BMW 5 Series is equipped with BMW Assist which includes an enhanced Automatic Collision Notification system. This system, developed jointly with the William Lehman Trauma Center, not only contacts the emergency call center automatically in the event of a collision, but will also transmit data that will alert emergency responders to the probability of severe injury in order to help them better prepare.

Another important safety feature for drivers in colder climates is the availability of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive, which is now available for the 535i and 550i Sedans as well as the 535i and 550i Gran Turismo.

2011 Mini Cooper Countryman

2010-10-05T12:06:00.000-05:00

BMW ConnectedDrive receives special Euro NCAP award for Assist Advanced eCall

2010-10-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

Press Release: Testing institute distinguishes BMW Assist Advanced eCall as a pioneering safety technology beyond crash test requirements – The only emergency call system in Europe that BMW ConnectedDrive provides for all BMW models – Award conferred at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Munich. Following the most recent awards of five stars for the BMW 5 Series sedan and the BMW X1 in crash tests, the Munich premium automobile manufacturer has now been distinguished by the safety testing institute Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) with a special award for the BMW Assist Advanced eCall, the advanced emergency call system with automatic localisation and accident severity detection.

Awarded for the first time, the Euro NCAP Advanced Award distinguishes pioneering technologies in the field of vehicle safety and occupant protection that extend beyond the crash test requirements acknowledged throughout Europe. The award ceremony will be held on Friday, 1 October 2010 at the Paris Motor Show in Paris.
With its Euro NCAP Advanced Award, this institution funded by European governments, automobile clubs, and insurance companies is expanding its assessment procedure to include safety technologies that have yet to be taken up in the crash tests. As explained by Euro NCAP’s Secretary General Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, the key objective of the award is to educate consumers on the advantages of innovative safety systems in cars. In this respect, the focus of interest is placed on innovations that contribute directly to reducing the number of deaths on the road. The BMW Assist Advanced eCall is a unique system on the European car market for the early alert and comprehensive information of emergency services in the event of a collision. It forms part of the mobility services provided by BMW ConnectedDrive available in the BMW Assist package for all current BMW models.

Launched in 1997 in the USA and two years later in Europe, this technology automatically contacts a BMW call centre directly after an accident, creating the optimal conditions for the fast and targeted deployment of emergency services. The BMW call centre then reroutes the emergency call directly to the emergency services closest to the accident site. Since 2008, Assist Advanced eCall, now available in Germany, Austria, Italy, and France, also allows the transmission of additional data. The emergency services of many European countries can now receive these data that, in addition to the precise position and details of the vehicle model and colour, also contain information on the occupants, the number of activated airbags, the intensity of the collision, and the predicted severity of injuries.

The data on crash type and severity are analysed by an algorithm developed by BMW scientists for calculating the risk of injuries to the occupants. On the strength of this information the emergency services can prepare in good time and provide adequate medical care to the accident victims. In addition, the system also allows the driver of a BMW to initiate the emergency call manually, for instance to alert emergency services to other road users. In this manner, Assist Advanced eCall is an effective contribution to saving the lives of accident victims.

The Euro NCAP Advanced Award is a supplementary award for the assessment of vehicles that have achieved at least three stars in the testing institute’s crash test. The first recipient of this award is therefore the BMW 5 Series sedan certificated with five stars. Launched in March 2010, this model could convince the testers with its extensive standard safety equipment and highly effective occupant protection for a range of collision types. Achieving excellent results for the protection of both adult and child occupants and of pedestrians, this business sedan therefore ranks at the top of its segment in terms of safety too. Furthermore, the new BMW 5 Series sedan is the very first vehicle at all to be awarded 100% for its comprehensive safety equipment in the Euro NCAP crash test.

Rumor: BMW new front-wheel-drive family of cars to be sold in the United States

2010-10-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B

According to a report published by Automotive News, BMW’s new front-wheel-drive family of cars will be sold in the United States. Quoting sources within the company, AutoNews reports that BMW is convinced luxury buyers are ready embrace vehicles positioned below the 1 Series Coupe sold currently in the US.

Furthermore, the report says that the new class is being called UKL, an abbreviation for lower compact class cars sold in Germany. In our opinion, this is just an internal code and the production vehicles will be carrying a different label.

In an interview with the aforementioned publication, Ian Roberton, head of sales and marketing at BMW, said that the new class “will be a relatively big segment because we have several body styles”.

Without disclosing the bodystyles, Robertson confirmed that the US-bound vehicles will be powered by a four-cylinder engine. The new BMW family of small cars is expected to be launched before 2013.

Robertson expects significant volume from the small car lineup, with sales of 100,000 vehicles worldwide a year. Bringing the MINI brand and its FWD to focus, Robertson said for AutoNews that “No one has said to me the Mini isn’t great to drive”.

The following question remains: are the US customers ready for a front-wheel drive BMW?

New Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro 2011 - Driving Experience

2010-10-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

2010 Paris Motor Show: BMW M3 Frozen Black with Competition Package

2010-10-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

Author: Horatiu B.

They say “good things come in three” and the statement cannot be closer to the truth this time. The already highly acclaimed and one of the most wanted BMWs, the M3, pairs up with soon-to-become the most exclusive color on an M3, Frozen Black, and the new Competition Package.

Along with the exclusive and stunning paint, the Competition Package brings enhancements to the chassis by installing a 10mm lower suspension and 19” wheels with greater offset for a wider track. ZCP also includes remapped Electronic Damping Control and Dynamic Stability Control systems.

Design wise, modified rear lights with glass covers in a homogeneous red color provide an additional visual accentuation in the BMW M3 Coupe. With two harmoniously illuminating light banks fed by LED units, they create a characteristic nocturnal design.

Seeing the car in person, we had the feeling that the visual effects were even more imposing and the car certainly screams of confidence and joy of driving.

Editorial: Where’s my Diesel?

2010-09-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

By Andrew

Diesels. They’re a big part of BMW’s future with cars like the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept and just as big throughout their past. However, American consumers are none-the-wiser about the incredible potential that lie within these torquey, glow-plug equipped powerplants.

Being a European company, BMW are familiar with the needs of a market oriented first upon fuel economy and emissions output and second upon performance. As a result, diesel-powered cars have come to represent a large portion of sales abroad where taxation on cars is based upon emissions.

However, that’s not to say that diesels don’t provide the same type of driving pleasure derived from the gasoline powered brothers in arms. BMW have proved this point already ad nauseum

Beyond the realm of road cars, BMW have had a successful showing in motorsports with diesels. One example being the E36 320d that was entered into the 1998 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Not only was the little 2.0L diesel able to withstand the punishment of the Green Hell but it also managed to take first place over all representing the first time a diesel-powered car won the fabled event. I haven’t even mentioned the E46 330d the boys from Top Gear entered in the 2007 Britcar 24 Hours of Silverstone. In 2006, BMW even ran a pair of 6-Speed manual-equipped 335ds at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill returning an impressive 3rd place in their first and last outing. You can read the official press release prior to the race here – we hope to have more on these lovely twins in the near future.

Comparing the torque figures of a 335i and 335d, the performance gap advantages of the “d” begin to play their hand with the 335i returning 300 lbs-ft of torque with the 335d ringing up an impressive figure of 425 lbs-ft of torque. For further comparison, the 2010 E60 M5 with an extra four cylinders to its V10 and 2 additional liters of displacement can “only” muster 383 lbs-ft of torque against the 335d’s 425.

So that long, winding path brings us to the point: The current. When will we see more diesels from line-up currently available? The 335d and X5 xDrive35d have proved highly suitable platforms to deliver a new generation of diesels to a wide range of U.S. consumers but when can we expect more?

We’ve driven the 335d and X5 xDrive35d extensively and each time came away impressed with what was on offer: performance – both in terms of driving prowess and fuel economy. Moreover, I was given an opportunity to drive the littlest Bimmer, the 123d, late last year and for reasons beyond comprehension still cannot understand why this model isn’t on sale in North America. It’s torquey, efficient, clean and most of all fun. None of the BMW DNA leaves the 1 Series despite the lower rev limit and slightly off-tune diesel engine note. This could prove a critical pricing point to introduce diesels as well showing that you don’t need to spend $45,000 to enjoy the performance of a BMW while earning a pleasurable return on your monthly gas expense.

Case in point is the commitment to diesel products already made by Audi vis-a-vis the 2010 Audi A3 TDI. This smallest Audi of the U.S. market has gone from a diverse model line-up of gasoline and diesel engines to strictly a diesel-only line-up with a petite 2.0L turbocharged four – and we all are cognizant of Audi’s associate with diesel as it is. But, at this writing, there isn’t a comparable Munich-sourced alternative in this segment. With diesel-powered 1ers running around Europe and a warm reception by of the 128i and 135i here, why not knock Audi off their duffs in this segment while providing consumers with a more economical solution than the rather expensive 335d or X5d.

After all, recent diesels have been successful at proving to the American car buyer that perhaps there are more compelling for fuel efficiency than the Prius or even a Tesla. With continued commitment by Audi and BMW to diesel vehicles for North America this market saw a massive jump of 41% in the diesels available. This fact is punctuated by the point the X5d and 335d have enjoyed steady sales of over 600 and around 300 units per month YTD in 2010. So with steady sales, surely there is more room for BMW to inject diesel engines into the existing line-up.

in addition to motorsport application, the Bavarian diesel has found a special home in the history of BMW in terms of production cars. Cars like the E28 524tds and the E46 diesels with the international award-winning M57 engine – ironically what powered Clarkson and the boys to finish at the 24 Hours at Silverstone.

In terms of the future, BMW have pointed to diesel power as means of phasing in alternative fuel sources through the ultra-chic and very sleek Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. The VEDC combines a small, three cylinder diesel engine with electric motors as a means of providing clean, fossil fuel-generated power along with good, old fashioned battery power for M3-rivalling performance. And why shouldn’t the diesels be the way of the future? With nearly unparalleled fuel economy from gasoline counterparts plus the new generation of clean diesels, why wouldn’t more consumers be jumping all over these cars?

Well, in the United States, the general perception is that diesels are clattery, dirty engines. This is true ofdiesels - only about 20 to 30 years ago. Modern diesel technology keeps oil-butners from ever outputting the un-ending plumes of blue smoke or dirty bi-product that created the stigma associated with this type of engine. The other stigma of diesels is the general lack of performance – another major falsehood.

For the uninitiated, the oil-burning powerplants provide a nearly towering wall of a Teutonic torque that will allay any fears of lacking performance by shoving you so far into the seat you’ll expect to be sitting in the truck once you lift off of the throttle. Diesel powerplants feel like a shrunken Saturn 5 rocket under the hood of the 335d – all while returning better fuel economy than similarly powered and priced gasoline equivalents – did we mention that the Internal Revenue Service offers a nice little credit for buying fuel efficient cars like the 335d? What’s not to like about these types of engines?

One enthusiast agrees. After a recent letter in the current issue of Roundel proclaiming these same benefits, John Stoj started a fan page on Facebook called “BMW, please bring 4 cylinder diesels to the USA.” John’s page serves as a place where enthusiasts can both voice their love of the Bavarian brand and the desire for a more diversified engine line-up in North America. I contacted John to determine what his thoughts were on potential models and why there is such a strong desire for diesels:

I would like to have the option of more BMW diesel engines in the USA, especially the four pots. BMW is an industry leader in terms of driving dynamics, and even efficiency with their EfficientDynamics – as evidenced by their green award winning 118d – but as yet we have not been able to purchase these fantastic products in the USA. Discerning drivers want an option to purchase a fun, efficient vehicle. Who better than BMW to provide one? – John Stoj

So with BMW’s commitment to oil burners through the 335d and X5 diesel, what is the second act going to be? What should the follow-up be? Can consumers expect a continued commitment that will result in a wider array of available diesels for both the performance and luxury crowds alike? We would like to think so, having sampled some of the “d’s” available here and abroad. And if our opinion of diesels isn’t enough for you, this brief review of a diesel 3 Series by Fifth Gear should help to push you over the edge.

Reports have indicated that four cylinder diesel engines are imminent for the North American market. However, we’re still waiting with baited breath for confirmation of just when and in what models we’ll see these engines materialize.

Rumor: BMW and Saab to Agree on Engine-Purchasing Deal

2010-09-28T13:22:00.000-05:00

Back in June, Automotive News reported that BMW ans Saab were in talks regarding a BMW engine for new small car that the Swedish automaker wants to build. A report issued today by Bloomberg speculates, based on inside information, that the two companies have agreed on a deal that allows the Sweedish automaker to use engines made by BMW.

Initial deal involves BMW engines for the small Saab 9-3 model that is scheduled to be launched in 2012. The carmakers plan to announce the pact in Trollhaettan, Sweden, on Sept. 29, before the Paris Motor Show.

Previous reports also mentioned plans for BMW to supply a diesel engine for Saab’s 9-4x midsize crossover which will be built at the GM plant in Mexico. The car will launch in 2011. BMW’s Mini Countryman platform is rumored to be part of the deal for a smaller 9-2 model. The engine Saab will buy is a new 222 horsepower motor that BMW is developing and has yet to put in any of its cars, says Bloomberg.

BMW Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer has been looking for opportunities to sell components to other manufacturers to boost revenue. BMW, the world’s largest luxury- car maker, agreed in March to supply more than 240,000 six- cylinder diesel engines, cooling systems, and transmissions to Carbon Motors Corp., which is developing a police car for U.S. law enforcement agencies.

Other smaller companies like Wiessmann, are also using BMW engines.

The tear-drop shaped 9-2 car, inspired by the legendary Saab 92 model that was produced from 1949 until 1956, is rumored to appear in 2014.

2011 BMW X3: Bigger, Lighter, Faster, Frugal

2010-07-16T14:11:00.000-05:00

BMW’s recently revamped X3 makes improvements over its predecessor in every area. While looks are subjective and we’ll leave aesthetic judgments to you – the physical improvements of BMW’s latest Xdrive are not open for debate.

With a additional cargo capacity over the previous model, this mid-size SUV can now carry 1,600 liters of your prized possessions. A 40:20:40 split rear bench seat facilitates this impressive storage volume when folded flat to the floor; or the ’surfer dudes’ among us can stow boards and beer while seating one or two occupants on the rear bench. Five Adults can share the cabin, though four will ride in greater comfort.

Stretched longer and wider, the X3 now sits squatter, with a more aggressive stance than the X3 it replaces. As a point of reference, the X3 now measures 2 cm shorter than the original X5 – the vehicle that started BMW’s X line.

Stylistically, we’ve promised to bite our tongue and reserve judgment for you, but allow us to make a few objective comments. We’ve noted flowing lines along the belt line that both mix and contrast with staunch, boxy lines squaring off the vehicle. Headlights are near “E36″ in their rectangular, boxed shape. Two round foglights sit high on the font bumper, now a BMW design hallmark of recent vehicles. Classic L shaped tail lights blend the latest light emitting diode (LED) technology with traditional design.

The rear green house maintains similar basic proportions to the original X3, with a “slant-back” hatch design. This design element is core to the X3 and makes it easily recognizable among its BMW siblings.

The interior has improved in many areas, though we are hesitant to make any pronouncements until we’ve had a chance to sit inside.
Many new technologies are on board, both improving the dynamics and comfort of the vehicle.

Overall, BMW has refreshed the X3 and pushed it back to the competitive end of its class – one that it founded and established back in 2004.

We look forward to bringing you our in-depth review and driving impressions of BMW’s new X3 early on in 2011.

The New iSetta?

2010-07-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

“Look for the Isetta name to pop up more often in the future. BMW is building a ’sub-brand’ to market extremely efficient cars, some which may be all electric, and – horror of horrors – front wheel drive (FWD). Protecting the premium performance cachet of the BMW name will necessitate using a different name to accompany the BMW roundel on the new cars.

It’s unknown if or when the hyper-efficient BMWs will come to the US.

Ostensibly the commercial was for the BMW museum, but heck why highlight the Isetta?

This link popped up on Jalopnik today and also on a few other forums. A little digging by a number of people, including yours truly and our fearless editor-in-chief, Horatiu, it turns out to have been registered in May 2008 to one Olivier Molody. Kind of a unique name. What are the odds that a totally unrelated Olivier Molody works for BMW’s DesignWork USA. Coincidence? Not if you’re a conspiracy theorist.

The source code of the site seems to have all the requisite ‘green’ meta tags. So is theis the sign of things to come, the awaited Mega City vehicles, the FWD BMW? Heck if I know.

But the moral of this story may be, BMW knows how to generate buzz, and they’re playing us like Joshua Bell plays a Strad.

LUMMA CLR X 650 M based on BMW X6 M

2010-06-23T19:35:00.000-05:00

World premiere in Geneva: LUMMA Design turns the BMW X6M into a thoroughbred sports car.

CLR X 650 M – that is the name of the BMW X6M after it underwent a rejuvenation by LUMMA Design. Instead of the serial 555 hp (408 kW), the V8-engine now renders powerful 650 hp (478 kW). Also, LUMMA Design increases the maximum torque from 680 to breathtaking 830 Newton metres.

Thereby, the top speed rises to 312 kph. This enormous performance enhancement of the BMW is owed to the catalyst replacement pipes, the sports exhaust system and the adjusted engine electronics which LUMMA Design especially optimised for this automobile in elaborate tests. The matching sound for this newly gained power is rendered by the end muffler “Sportsound” with its four stainless steel end pipes measuring 100 millimetres in diameter.

BMW X6M turns into the CLR X 650 M

650 hp and a top speed of 312 kph

Broad aerodynamics kit and an undercarriage lowered by 40 millimetres

Wheels Blackline Monoblock in 23 inches

Aerodynamics kit and undercarriage enhance the performance
Matching the increased performance, the CLR X 650 M presents itself confidently with a broad aerodynamics kit. Already the new front skirt with the LED daytime running lights leaves no doubt for the bold appearance of the refined BMW. The wheel house extensions and the side skirt confirm the dynamic look which is further enhanced by 40 millimetre lowered undercarriage. The rear skirt, the boot lid top and the rear spoiler lip render a harmonious transformation. The great attention to detail used by the designers from Winterlingen in Germany, shows in a wide range of refinement, such as lateral indicator covers or the varnished sports-look carbon bonnet. Also the headlight blinds and the shaded rear light set contribute to the dynamic appearance.

For ideal road grip, there are four 315 millimetres wide ultra high-performance tyres by Michelin which are fitted to 11×23 inch Blackline Monoblock rims. The dynamic look of the voluminous black rims stems from the multipart look and the outer well made of stainless steel. This impression is further enhanced by varnished brake callipers which poke out between the spokes.

LUMMA Design also developed the interior as dynamic and performance-oriented as the new exterior. Leather and ultra-suede can be found for example at the ergonomically formed sports steering wheel. Rails made of orange-coloured carbon and pedals and foot rests made of aluminium moreover indicate the vitality of this automobile. The same applies for the illuminated door sills with the lettering “CLR X 650 M” and the extended speedometer range up to 360 kph displaying the LUMMA-Logo.

LUMMA Design confirms its love for detail also in the interior. Both the floor mats and also the boot mat are made of velour, have a leather edging and are adorned with the LUMMA coat of arms logo. The type plate with the consecutive serial number enhances the exclusive character of the CLR X 650 M.

BMW’s plan to build a sporty SUV has been perfectly completed by LUMMA Design. The automobile is already serially equipped with a powerful engine, but it only starts turning into a thoroughbred sports car as a CLR X 650 M. More information is available at http://www.lumma-design.com/

BMW X6 M runs 12.5 at 110 mph 1/4 Mile

2010-06-23T10:40:00.001-05:00

2008 BMW X5 4.8i- Great Year Round SAV - $50,988

2010-06-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

Loaded with options!!!! Carnival of savings!!!! A real head turner!!!! This blistering 2008 BMW X5 is the high-performance SUV you've been thirsting for. Zooooooom!!!! A powerful machine right here, you gotta drive it!!!! It's unbelievable how it moves you....really!!!! It's loaded with some really nice options such as the Technology Package (Voice Activation, Rear-View Camera, and DVD Based Navigation System). International BMW Wisconsin's BMW Cerified Pre-Owned Leader !!!! International Autos Group has four locations in metro Milwaukee--International Autos in West Allis, Mercedes-Benz of Elmbrook in Waukesha, International Infiniti in Waukesha and Audi North Shore in Brown Deer. Please call us for the location of this vehicle

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Hartge wheels for new BMW 5 Series

2010-06-22T13:06:00.000-05:00

The famous German tuner Hartge just released their wheels program for the new BMW 5 Series. With five new options available for the new 5 Series, Hartge continues their tradition of giving the newer BMW models an enhanced look.

Available in 18″, 19″ and 20″ sizes, the wheels can get wrapped up in Michelin, Pirelli or Continental tires. The 5 Series Hartge wheels also for run-flat tires.

At the front, the larger size is 255/35 ZR and slightly wider at the rear-end: 285/30ZR.

Pricing has yet to be announced.

Active Hybrid X6 – 1 Part Spaceship : 2 Parts BMW

2010-06-21T14:46:00.002-05:00

Words: Shawn Molnar

Photos: Alan Martin / Shawn Molnar

Never did I expect this. With nagging pessimism I accepted the keys to BMW’s new ActiveHybrid X6. At 5,688 lbs, how could this be “sporty” as in “Sports Activity Vehicle” or SAV as BMW have coined it?

Giant 20” Aero-wheels draw me in; seductive lines and powerful curves catch my attention. Is there more to this vehicle than meets the eye? Has BMW reconciled the weight penalty with decisive handling? What is the focus, the purpose of this complex vehicle – that is to say, “where is it at home?”

From the open highway to extra urban commuting, mild off-roading to the race track, we put BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 through its paces. Read on to discover how BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 performed through 10 days of our in-depth testing.

Impressions as a Daily Driver:

Like so many of life’s finer things, caviar, cognac and cuff links notwithstanding, I found BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 to be an acquired taste. The persistent pessimism I tried to suppress did not immediately disappear. Form must follow function; that being the case, why is the X6 sitting so high? Why does it weigh so much? The real question here is: what is the X6 trying to accomplish?

the majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent running errands, commuting to work, grocery shopping and picking up the kids, our daily driving impressions will be the first box we check mark.

Some of the basics to look for in a daily driver are as follows: ease of ingress/egress, maneuverability, visibility, fuel efficiency, utility, comfort, and excitement. Here’s how the ActiveHybrid X6 measures up.

Technology has advanced to a level that allows unprecedented comfort and convenience. Approaching the X6 from a distance, it is aware of your proximity and all doors can be unlocked with the touch of a door handle. Sliding into the supportive driver’s seat, you are now one button away from 480 hp. Making a quick stop at the corner store? Simply place one fingertip on the exterior handle, and the doors are locked – keys never leave the linty-depths of your pocket.

Once underway, features such as a rear backup camera and park distance control keep paint on the body, and money in your wallet. Difficult parking maneuvers no longer exist as the trajectory lines on the backup display move with steering input – allowing you to see where the X6 will be if driven in reverse at a given steering angle. Blind spots are under the careful supervision of parking assist detectors; as you approach an object in drive or reverse, audible alerts help you to maneuver within a safe distance. Suddenly the large footprint and honking shoulders of the X6 are shrunk to near compact car sizing.
As a hectic day in the city wears on, the high ride height of the X6 suddenly makes sense. Ingress and egress from the vehicle is effortless, the seat height is near standing position. No climbing into an SUV or dropping into a low slung car; errands are a breeze when you can slide in and out of the X6 so easily.

Nothing can slow you down, things are going so smoo… TRAFFIC JAM! Oh crumbs, we didn’t see that coming. Surely the X6 is no match for the monotony of bumper-to-bumper gridlock. Think again. The X6 strikes back with a brilliant info-tainment system, offering real-time traffic updates and alternate routes around jam-ups. But even if the stop-and-go driving persists, you won’t mind as you relax in the quiet isolation that the luxurious interior offers. Our test car came adorned with custom teal stitching on Ivory white Nappa leather, giving a light, expansive feel to the cabin. Quite honestly, few people enjoy living space as fashionable and vogue as the interior of this SAV.

The automated rear gate is very helpful as you often have your hands full when accessing the rear storage area. The X6 swallowed camera gear, tripods, ladders and duffel bags with room to spare. A maximum 1,350 Liters of cargo space is available with the rear seats folded down.

Once things start moving again, the ActiveHybrid X6 slices through traffic like few cars I’ve ever driven – ease of city driving is impressive. A stiffly sprung suspension keeps the X6 on its toes; steering response is immediate and very sharp. The X6 feels like an eager lion, ready to pounce through city streets. Don’t let its size and weight fool you – this is one nimble SAV. The elevated seating position allows for great visibility as you peer over the rooftops of cars ahead. The urban jungle is this lion’s domain.

While cruising along something magical happens: silence fills the cabin. Tire hum and wind noise are the only audible sounds (and just barely) as you glide along the roadway. With sufficiently charged batteries, the ActiveHybrid X6 turns its engine off, relying on electric power for propulsion. This happened several times approaching speeds up to 60 km/h! At a full stop, the engine will consistently shut off, conserving fuel and reducing emissions. Birds sing loudly, trees clap their branches in approval! Okay, it’s not that “green” with city / highway mileage of 12.6 / 10.3 L/100 km (18.7 / 23 mpg) respectively, but considering the size, weight and ready performance of the ActiveHybrid X6 we are left impressed with the efficiency it achieves.

Practice, driving in electric mode requires a very timid right foot. If you get eager with the gas pedal, the engine will quickly turn on, abruptly ending your hypermiling fun. If patient and smooth, the electric motors can slowly push you away when the lights turn green, all the way to a maximum speed of 60 km/h. We don’t suggest you try this in heavy traffic though, as cars behind you will not be as impressed as the surrounding birds and trees. An inspired detail of the ActiveHybrid X6 lies in its trick two-stage gas petal. 95% of petal travel is within the realm of the internal combustion engine – the X6 will intelligently discharge, or charge the battery pack depending on the instantaneous driving demands. But push the petal to its last 5% travel and you will feel it ‘click’, unleashing the full force of the electric motor, in addition to the V8’s mighty 400 hp. This creative design allows you, the driver to communicate your intentions to the vehicle, as if to say, “all ahead full, all hands on deck!” This hybrid throttle petal design is ingenious and very intuitive in use, a throwback to the KERS buttons (Kinetic Energy Regeneration System) on F1 cars of yesteryear.

Our biggest complaint about this drivetrain? From a dead stop, the split second delay required for the engine to turn on can leave you feeling like the gas pedal is not well connected to the engine. Of course, this is only noticeable if driving more than 4/10ths pace through city traffic. This can be remedied by putting the drivetrain in sport mode, wherein the X6 will not shut the engine off at a complete stop. If in a hurry, pushing through stop and go traffic and stop signs, sport mode is the best choice – offering the immediacy you’ve come to expect from a BMW’s throttle response.A

unique challenge presented itself: mild off-roading was required to position the X6 for a photo-shoot. Steep grassy hills were on the menu, and the X6 devoured them. The solid weight and rigidity of this SAV payed dividends. While the terrain was relatively light, the X6 felt more than up to the challenge. With appropriate tires, we could imagine the X6 going much further off-road.

“Steep grassy hills were on the menu, and the X6 devoured them.”More than the Sum of its Parts?

Now that we’ve gotten the formalities out of the way, let’s cut to the chase: what about the driving experience? Allow me to recollect a few of my favorite moments behind the wheel.

The sky falls dark, city lights begin to sparkle; it’s Friday night in the big city. A few friends pile in for a night on the town. It’s not long before exclamations and superlatives fill the cabin. A heavy dose of throttle? “Ohh MY!” Crank up BMW’s high fidelity sound system? “I feel like I’m in the club!” Cruise at 50 Km/h, engine off, in perfect silence? “Amazing.”

The electricity in the ActiveHybrid X6 pervades more than just the drivetrain – it fills the cabin and charges all passengers. This is an exciting car to drive. Remember that cool/nerdy kid in High School who wasn’t a jock, but could out-run the entire foot ball team? Who didn’t try very hard but aced every exam? The kid who kept his eyes on the ball while all the girls had their eyes on him? Meet the ActiveHybrid X6, it is an anomaly that succeeds in everything it does – and with personality!

To mention the features list of a fully equipped X6 would add three pages to this review; suffice it to say that every possible creature comfort is on board. A stand out feature? I would have to give the X6’s 10 speaker, 2 sub-woofer stereo system the nod, it really is fantastic. All genres of music come to life with clarity and rich, deep sound – it’s one more thing I fondly remember about the X6.

While it may sit high off the ground, you can see that the X6 always has its muscles flexed. Curves in all the right places are accented by sharp, powerful lines. Even at a stand still, there is an illusion of movement. This transcends the sheet metal – you can feel it from the driver’s seat. This is an aggressive vehicle, it has real curb appeal. Short of an exotic, few cars will attract so many looks from the sidewalk – people were constantly “rubber-necking” as the ActiveHybrid X6 slipped through down-town Toronto.

Many a press car has spent time in my driveway, but it’s the X6 that many of my friends and family keep asking about. “I miss that Hybrid 4X4.” Yes, I miss it too.

A Lap of Mosport:

we turn our attention to the unfettered performance of BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6. Of course, when a vehicle packs this much performance, it is downright irresponsible to test its limits on public roads, so we ventured to Mosport International Raceway for several laps of the tight, twisty 2.4 km “B” circuit.

Did we mention the “tight, twisty” nature of this track? Surely these corners must reduce the large, heavy X6 to a wallowing pool of jello. Not so. Even as all 5,688 lbs of X6 weighs down, the firmly sprung sport suspension pushes back at all four corners. Steering feel is sharp and sensitive, no vehicle of this size even comes close to the telepathic feedback found through the steering wheel. A front/rear weight distribution of 51:49 offers perfect balance, the ActiveHybrid X6 turns in quickly and sharply – there is very little understeer until the limit! It may show otherwise on the scales, but this BMW feels very light in your hands.

Massive 385 mm front / 345 mm rear (15 / 13.5 inch) brake discs burn off momentum, exhibiting no noticeable brake fade after several laps. From stand still, 100 km/h (62 mph) arrives in a scant 5.8 seconds, going on to achieve an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). The two mode 7-speed automatic gearbox will dance to the beat of any driving rhythm – it never feels a gear behind and holds gears appropriately to corner exit.

Exiting from the apex of a slow right-hander, we press on past the last 5% of the throttle petal’s two-stage travel. And the result? An additional 80 hp and 125 ft-lbs of torque is unleashed ala Robert Kubica’s old KERS equipped F1 car. With both internal combustion and electric engines pulling together, an astounding 480 hp and 575 ft-lbs of torque scorches the racetrack! Yes, BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 is the world’s most powerful production hybrid – and it shows. Driver skill notwithstanding, the ActiveHybrid X6 even managed to outpace and “blue flag” an E46 M3 while lapping the track. This from an upright, all-wheel-drive four-door SUV of sorts with over 1000 Liters of cargo space? This BMW has earned its roundel.

So what is the weight penalty for the additional battery pack anyway? 83 kg (183 lbs), well placed low and aft of the rear axle – contributing to the impressive balance of this vehicle. In a straight line, we’re convinced of the hybrid’s performance enhancement – that second ‘click’ of the gas pedal unleashes a real surge of acceleration. In the corners however, we estimate this advantage would be short lived, adding extra heft for the brakes, tires and suspension. All in all, the hybrid drive left us very impressed at the track, with quick ‘recycle’ time of its modest 2.4 kilowatt-hours battery capacity. Lap after lap, the system added additional thrust and all parameters remained in line while being actively cooled by an elaborate liquid cooling system.

For most potential buyers of the ActiveHybrid X6, track day excursions will be few and far between. For this reason, we see the added efficiency of the hybrid drive as a real asset, far outweighing any weight penalty associated with it during daily driving. Though, offer us the European Diesel version, and we may be forced to rethink the entire equation.

If you do sign on the dotted line, we hope that the above recollection gives you the confidence to try your hand with the ActiveHybrid X6 at your local racetrack. Remember, you’re only 75 hp short of the X6///M, with 74 additional ft-lbs of torque.

With our destination dialed into the slick i-Drive based Nav system, we headed off for the open road. Another facet of this BMW’s personality was about to show itself: a relaxed tempo that carried us for hours on the highway. With 7th gear engaged, the ActiveHybrid X6 sliced through the air with a very slippery drag co-efficient of 0.36. Of interest, both 6th and 7th are ‘over drive’ gears while 5th gear is direct. This gearing allows for increased highway efficiency across a greater window of cruising speeds. We easily met, and exceeded the EPA highway mileage of 10.3 L/100 km (23 mpg) while rolling down the highway at a fixed 100 km/h (62 mph).

As the miles rolled on, we found the 20-way adjustable front seats to be exceedingly comfortable and supportive. Any body shape can be perfectly coddled in these soft, perforated leather seats; they will mold to anyone’s body after enough buttons have been pressed. Speaking of all those buttons, 3 driver pre-sets are available, so you won’t spend the first 20 minutes of every journey getting prepped in the pilot’s seat.

The sure-footed nature of this SAV contributed to a confidence inspiring drive. Passing transport-trucks could not upset the composure of the X6 on the highway, and it proved impervious to cross-winds. Again, this added to the relaxed nature of the ActiveHybrid X6 on the open road.

When the sun faded away to a night-time drive, powerful Bi-Xenon headlamps lit the way. Ambient interior lighting creates a very elegant aura, and the amber lighting of all key instruments proves easy on the eyes. Typical BMW ergonomics are present, everything is placed exactly as intuition would grant it. Of course, the elevated seating position again proves advantageous – allowing you to look far down the road, over the rooftops of most small cars.

In short, the ActiveHybrid X6 is soothing to drive over long distances; it proved to be a great companion on the open road.

After a few days with the ActiveHybrid X6, my initial pessimism turned to pure adoration. There is so much to love about this car. But to be fair, we must outline a few areas we saw for improvement.

Firstly, the very large moon-roof is a delight, adding an expansive feel to the cabin. Where we found issue was once it’s opened. The large pop-up wind deflector is made of mesh, creating a high-pitched whistle at speeds over 50 km/h (31 mph). I sometimes found myself in the mood for open-air motoring, but quickly closed the moon-roof to silence the additional noise. We presume this mesh is necessary to prevent bugs and pebbles from being captured between the two large slabs of glass – layered one on top of the other when open. We look to the standard serrated plastic pop-up deflector to show how it’s done – this deflector is found on all non-panoramic BMW moon-roofs.

Next, we took issue with the “Comfort Access”, keyless entry. While it worked well 90% of the time, we found it would occasionally require several attempts to lock or unlock the doors, particularly when rainy conditions made the door handles wet. Was this partially down to “user error?” Could be, but we haven’t noticed this on other BMWs we’ve tested since then.

Lastly, while the front seats provided ample space in all directions, I found rear-seat head room to be limited. At 6′2 I found myself either having to slouch, or tilt my head to one side so as to fit in the back seat. Those 6 feet or less should have no problems finding comfort in the rear seats, but those among us who are taller will find the front seats more accommodating.

“This BMW has earned its roundel.”Clearly, we are stretching to find fault with this fabulous vehicle – these are very minor nit-picks found after our exceedingly critical eyes combed over this car.

BMW’s ActiveHybrid X6 went on to exceed all expectations. What at first seemed like a contradictory mix later proved itself an ingenious design. This BMW is so good at everything, it doesn’t have to fit a specific niche – it defies categorization.

Where is this BMW most at home? Rolling through the urban jungle – of which it is king. The ActiveHybrid X6 loves to cruise along city streets, making the most of its hybrid drive and sharp, sporty handling. Of course, we also found it quite at home on the open road and on the racetrack.

The ActiveHybrid X6, BMW has combined a convincing mix of personality, style, performance, efficiency and practicality. The advanced technology found within will have you thinking “spaceship” – but carve a few corners and you’ll be thinking, “BMW.”

Fantastic 2009 MINI Cooper Hardtop S-Low Miles-$$23,950

2010-06-19T10:13:00.001-05:00

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Hey! Look right here! This 2009 Cooper S is for Mini nuts who are hunting for a fun time. Escape into the wild blue yonder or go where you want and have a great time doing it with this fun ride! What a cool concept! This car is loaded with some really nice options such as the Premium Package (Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Automatic Air Conditioning, and Dual Pane Panoramic Power Sunroof). International MINI Wisconsin's largest new and Certified MINI dealer!

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Pricing Announced for 2011 BMW 5 Series xDrive Sedan

2010-06-19T08:58:00.000-05:00

Press Release: Just as BMW enthusiasts across the nation begin taking delivery of the new 2011 535i and 550i Sedans, BMW is pleased to announce pricing and availability for the xDrive variants of the sixth-generation 5 Series. Arriving in October 2010, the 2011 535i and 550i xDrive Sedans will retail for $52,775 and $62,875, respectively, including $875 Destination and Handling. These prices represent a $2300 premium over their traditional rear-wheel drive counterparts.

For the new 5 Series, xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive has been updated to match the performance and character of the 7 Series xDrive models introduced last year. BMW’s Integrated Chassis Management (ICM) is able to identify and limit understeer by shifting torque rearward (initially 80% to the rear axle) while preserving the stability for which xDrive has been so widely recognized. As a second step, ICM can then apply a precise combination of throttle and individual rear-corner braking in order to maintain neutral handling in a corner – regardless of road surface conditions.

Every BMW xDrive model receives standard Hill Descent Control. This selectable function allows the driver to descend slopes in extremely slippery conditions while maintaining control at a pre-set speed.

Additionally, all 2011 5 Series xDrive models feature BMW’s 8-speed automatic transmission, celebrated for smooth shifting, sportiness, and efficiency. Compared to the excellent 6-speed automatic in the previous-generation 5 Series, the 8-speed’s wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds for improved efficiency. Yet even with this capability, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration. To minimize response times and maximize acceleration, downshifts can be made directly between top gear and the lowest available gear for the current road speed.

2008 BMW 3-Series 328i Fantastic Car -11,640 miles

2010-06-19T08:56:00.001-05:00

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All smiles! Thank you for taking the time to look at this outstanding 2008 BMW 3 Series. The road won't know what hit it! The 3 Series puts every inch of pavement at your mercy. It's loaded with some really nice amenities such as the Premium Package (Digital Interior Mirror Compass, 4-Way Adj. Power Lumbar Support For Front Seats, Dakota Leather Upholstery, and BMW Assist w/Bluetooth Wireless Technology). BMW Certified Pre-Owned means you not only get the reassurance of up to a 6yr/100,000 mile limited warranty, but also a multipoint inspection/reconditioning, 24/7 roadside assistance, trip-interruption services, and a complete CARFAX vehicle history report. International BMW Wisconsin's BMW Cerified Pre-Owned Leader !

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Driving the 120d: The Road to Leipzig and 52 MPG average

2010-06-14T10:56:00.001-05:00

The BMW 1-series was introduced in the year 2004 and most models are manufactured at the all-new built plant in Leipzig. In Europe, the 1-series is available as a 3- and 5-door hatch as well as a coupe and convertible.

A wide range of engines is available including six petrol engines, starting with the 116i (90 kW / 122 hp) and up to the 135i (225 kW / 306 hp) (available only in coupe and convertible form). The diesel range includes four engines, starting with the 115- hp 116d up to the 204-hp 123d. BMW doesn’t offer six-cylinder diesel engines in the 1er Series.

BMW Werk Leipzig builds as many as 730 cars per day, among them the BMW 1er Series three door, the BMW 1er Series coupé, the BMW 1er series convertible, and the new BMW X1 SAV. The plant will soon build a trial fleet of the BMW concept ActiveE, an electric-drive vehicle similar to the BMW 1 Series Coupé.

The factory, designed by avant garde architect Zaha Hadid, has over 5000 employees and first opened in 2005. The building looks more like an art museum than a factory, with sunlight streaming through glass walls and car bodies moving on a track over open workspaces and the cafeteria, bathed in an ethereal blue light.

Although my 120d 5 Door wasn’t built in Leipzig, I nonetheless decided to take it there for a visit. The drive from Munich to Leipzig is ca. 425 km and the route takes us on the Autobahn A9 for all but 20 km of the route.

Our 120d came in an elegant space grey metallic with business navigation and multiple BMW EfficientDynamics fuel-saving options including regenerative braking and auto start-stop.

Regenerative braking recovers energy that would normally be wasted as heat through the brakes and the start-stop technology turns the engine off to avoid unnecessary idling when stopped

The Autobahn A9 (known as the A3 until a new numbering plan was implemented in 1974) runs from Munich to Berlin and is one of Germany’s oldest, the first stretch having been built in 1936 as part of the “Reichsarbeitsdienst” (a work program designed to reduce unemployment, introduced by the National Socialist regime). After German reunification, the A9 was expanded from two to a minimum of three lanes in each direction plus an emergency lane.

Moving away now from Autobahn history, the fuel economy we saw driving the 120d was equally interesting. Our route on the A9 took us from Munich past Ingolstadt (home of Audi), Nürnberg, and Bayreuth, before reaching Leipzig and exiting onto the Bundesstraße B87.

The 120d’s engine puts out 177 hp (130 kW) with a combined fuel economy rating of 4.7 l / 100 km (~ 42 mpg in the EU test cycle. The EU test cycle has three components: city or urban driving (the first 800 seconds of the test), highway or extra urban driving (the next 400 seconds), and combined (the complete cycle).

On a 300-km stretch with an average cruising speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), the 120d only used 4.5 l / 100 km or 52 mpg. This figure beats the combined fuel economy figure and comes very close to the highway (extra urban) figure, which is calculated at a slower average speed (see chart).

The New European Driving Cycle

The New European Driving Cycle represents the typical usage of a car in Europe and is used to measure fuel economy and emission levels.

2010 BMW 120d 5 Door Hatch

Base price/price-as-tested €28,700 / €37,000

Drivetrain Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine 2-liter, 177-hp, I-4

Transmission 6-speed manual

Curb weight (kg) 1375

Wheelbase (mm) 2660

Length x width x height (mm) 4239 / 1748 / 1421

0-100 k/mh (seconds) 7.6

City/highway fuel economy (l/100 km) 5.1/4.1

2009 BMW 5-Series 535i xDrive

2010-06-14T10:31:00.001-05:00

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Drive this home today!!!! Don't miss the fantastic bargain!!!! Your time is almost up on this outstanding 2009 BMW 5 Series. Why drive a boring little commuter car when you can drive this 5 Series and arrive in luxury!!!! BTW, when you are looking at this vehicle, don't miss the Sport Package. International BMW Wisconsin's BMW Cerified Pre-Owned Leader !!!!

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New Spy Video: 2012 BMW M5

2010-06-14T10:23:00.001-05:00

With a year left before its official launch, BMW F10 test mules are continued to be spotted by committed spy photographers. Built on the F10 platform as the 5 Series sedan, the new 2012 M5 will be one of the “greenest” M cars built to date, but also one of the most aggressive and fastest M.

The 2012 BMW M5 will be one of the most aggressive M to date with impressive road presence and massive looks, but at the same time, it will be one of the “greenest” M models ever built. The new M5 incorporates several EfficientDynamics elements, from the KERS system to the brake energy regeneration technology.

The front-end gets the M treatment with the usual aggressive bumper and large air intake. The hood features the same sporty look with concave and convex shapes as seen in some of the newer BMWs. The design lines continue to flow from front to end and they become even more substantiated on the sides.

The M gills continue to be covered by the camouflage, but without a doubt, the M trademark will live in this model as well.

At the rear-end, the typical quad exhausts remain with a sculpted diffuser and central intake. A small bootlid spoiler allows the car to remain understated and restrained.

To fight off the increased dimensions, BMW focused on lightweight construction and materials. The chassis is pressed in aluminum and several lightweight materials are used in doors, bonnet and even roof (carbon fiber). To reduce drag and boost downforce and lower fuel consumption, special Aerodynamic aids that will be incorporated in the front of the car, including the outer-edge of the wheel arches , front bumpers and within the grille intake. Mini turbines are incorporated in the grille to convert drag under braking into electricity.

The next generation 2012 BMW M5 is powered by a V8 turbocharged engine. The official confirmation came from BMW’s M boss, Dr. Kay Segler, in a recent interview for Auto Bild.

The powerplant in the F10 M5 is based on the same unit found in the BMW X5 M and X6M, the twin scroll twin turbo version of the N63, known as the S63, with Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM).

While Dr. Segler has not confirmed the power output, everyone’s expectations lie within the 585-600 horsepower range. As the M boss pointed out, the new M5 will offer the best of two worlds: for normal everyday driving and for use as a race car , triggered by a push of a button.

The F10 M5 will be unveiled next year at the Geneva Motor Show.

2007 BMW X5 4.8i-$46,985

2010-06-11T10:39:00.002-05:00

SOLD!

Sporty!!! Sizzling Performance!!! Previous owner purchased it brand new!!! Want to save some money? Get the NEW look, for the used price on this one owner vehicle. It's as fresh an example as you'll find on the market and will still look as good as new for years to come. Know where you are with the On-Board DVD Based Navigation System. International BMW Wisconsin's BMW Cerified Pre-Owned Leader !!!

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New Photos: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring

2010-06-11T10:26:00.001-05:00

Press Release: The new BMW 5 Series Touring is the perfect symbiosis of driving pleasure, efficiency, versatility and sporting elegance. The 4th generation of the Business Touring convinces through powerful design aesthetics, modern premium-level functionality and brand-typical driving dynamics combined with exemplary efficiency. Extensive comfort and safety features, which include numerous BMW-exclusive driver assistance systems, substantiate the outstanding qualities of the new BMW 5 Series Touring as an upper midrange touring car.

Design: individual styling, sporting elegance.

The design of the new BMW 5 Series Touring is characterised by a high level of individuality with regard to its proportions and surface design. Its uniqueness is reflected by dynamic and powerful looks. With its long bonnet, short overhangs, the longest wheelbase in its segment, the stretched silhouette and a steeply inclined roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Touring possesses an elegance unrivalled by its competitors.

Versatility: intelligent solutions for modern functionality.

Thanks to a multi-functional interior and intelligent detail solutions, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is fully equipped to meet the most diverse demands. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 560 litres. If desired, an increase in capacity to a maximum of 1,670 litres is guaranteed by 40 : 20 : 40 split folding rear seats, which are unique in this segment. The backrest angle is variable by up to 11 degrees. The backrest can be folded down using two control levers inside the luggage compartment, the loading space cover of which is automatically lowered when the tailgate is closed. The separately opening rear window automatically swings upwards at the push of a button.

The driving experience: supreme dynamics and outstanding comfort.

The most advanced drivetrain and suspension technologies ensure supreme sportiness and a higher level of motoring comfort. Optional Dynamic Driving Control enables drivers to set the suspension individually to their personal requirements. The new BMW 5 Series Touring features as standard pneumatic suspension on the rear axle, including automatic self-levelling. Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are optionally available.

The new BMW 5 Series Touring is making its debut with a choice of two straight-six petrol engines as well as a four-cylinder and a six-cylinder diesel. The BMW 520d Touring is powered by a 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder turbo diesel power unit featuring an aluminium crankcase and Common Rail direct injection. It is equipped with Auto Start Stop function as a standard feature, and with an average fuel consumption of 5.1 litres/100km (55.4 mpg) and a CO2 emission level of 135 g/km in an EU test cycle, it achieves the best efficiency in its segment.

The straight-six engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo under the bonnet of the BMW 535i Touring, with High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC, develops a power output of 225 kW/306 bhp. Maximum power output of the straight-six engine featured in the BMW 523i Touring in lean operation is 150 kW/204 bhp. The BMW 530d Touring features a straight six-cylinder diesel with a 180 kW/245 bhp output. Thanks to BMW BluePerformance technology it fulfils the EU6 emission standard. All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring fully comply with the EU5 requirement.

BMW EfficientDynamics: BMW 5 Series increases the lead even further.

All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring are optionally available with BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Like the electro-mechanical power steering EPS utilised on all variants, it makes an additional contribution towards efficiency. Depending on the model, the standard BMW EfficientDynamics measures comprise brake energy regeneration, Auto Start Stop function (BMW 520d), gearshift point indicator, demand-dependant ancillary components and active air flap control. An intelligent lightweight construction is obtained through doors, bonnet, front side panels, drivetrain and suspension components made of aluminium.

Innovative driver assistance systems by BMW ConnectedDrive.
The spectrum of features offered by BMW ConnectedDrive comprises,

inter alia, a Parking Assistant, Surround View, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, High-beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with detection of persons as well as Head-up Display. Furthermore, innovative office functions can be utilised via Bluetooth.

Joint development and production together with the BMW 7 Series.

The BMW 5 Series Touring is based on a newly developed vehicle architecture also used for the BMW 7 Series luxury sedans. Joint production of the BMW 5 Series Touring, the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW 7 Series at the BMW Dingolfing Plant, combined with the extensive use of shared components, ensures highly efficient production incorporating maximum possible quality standards.

[Source: BMW ]

2008 BMW 3-Series 335xi $30,985

2010-06-09T12:38:00.001-05:00

SOLD!

Dare to compare!!!! Get in or get out of the way!!!! How would you like riding away in this outstanding-looking 2008 BMW 3 Series at a price like this? This sizzling 3 Series will wow you with its mind-bending performance, plus it has comfort and safety to spare. You'll want to be sure and take note of the included the Sport Package (Sport Steering Wheel). International BMW Wisconsin's BMW Cerified Pre-Owned Leader !!!!

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