Monthly Archive for November, 2009

BMW 123d by AC Schnitzer

Published on November 28, 2009 in 123d, AC Schnitzer, BMW 1, bmw 123d and BMW diesel. 0 Comments Tags: , , .



High performance vehicles like Porsche 911s being used for pursuit duty on Germany’s autobahn is nothing new. As such, in order order to grab the attention of Essen Motor Show attendees, the Tune It Safe! program’s annual police-liveried show car needs to go a step further. Past efforts have included rides such as a police-liveried Brabus Rocket and a TechArt-prepared Porsche 911. This year, AC Schnitzer got the call and it has unwrapped (or perhaps wrapped is the better term, given the side graphics) a police car concept based on the BMW 123d coupe.

Naturally, Schnitzer couldn’t leave the stock, 40 mpg 204-horsepower twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel alone, and so it has boosted the show car’s engine to 241 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. They’ve also applied an array of their appearance upgrades including a front splitter, rear spoiler, and a bigger wheel/tire package. The body has been dropped 30 millimeters, which should help compensate a bit for the extra drag of the light bar on the roof. Inside, racing seats and carbon fiber trim are accompanied by a cover for the iDrive knob that matches the wheel design.

2011 BMW 5 Series sedan

Published on November 23, 2009 in 2011, 5 Series and BMW 5 Series. 0 Comments Tags: , .

BMW 5 Series sedan - all new!

The 5 Series is an important model for BMW, particularly in North America where it’s the brand’s second best seller behind the 3 Series. Heading into 2010, BMW has expanded its mid-size line with the new Gran Turismo body style already on sale. However, the volume leader for the 5 Series is the four-door sedan, which officially debuts today. The 2011 model transitions to a new platform architecture shared with the latest 7 Series as well as the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost. The 5 Series sedan gets a four-inch shorter wheelbase than its siblings, but at 116.9 inches, it still stretches well past its competition. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class runs a mere 113.1 inches between its axles and the Cadillac CTS is 113.4 inches.

From a technical perspective, the new 5 Series picks up much of what can be found in the 7 Series and the Gran Turismo. Read on after the jump to learn more about it.

BMW 5 Series first official shots!

Published on November 22, 2009 in 2010 5 Series and 2010 bmw 5 series. 0 Comments Tags: , .



BMW’s official unveiling ceremony isn’t until Monday, but a few authentic shots of the all-new “F10″ BMW 5 Series are floating around cyberspace. These three low resolution images only give us a frontal glimpse of the upcoming 5 Series sedan, apparently as it does a dress rehearsal for its big show at the beginning of the week.

Our first sans-camouflage observation says it looks much like the 5 Series GT, its close sibling. Thanks to its “sport sedan” role, the new 5 Series four-door sports a slightly more aggressive flair to its front facade and side styling. In case you were wondering, the little black buttons just ahead of the front wheels are side view cameras, just like those found on the 7 Series. We’ll reserve further judgment until Monday, when they pull the rest of the tarp off.

Valentino Rossi drives BMW M3 GTS

Published on November 19, 2009 in BMW M3 and valentino rossi. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Valentino Rossi drives BMW M3 GTS
After securing his record ninth MotoGP title, there’s little doubt that Valentino Rossi is the fastest man on two wheels. And BMW has acknowledged the Italian rider’s speed by awarding him a brand-spankin’-new M3 sedan.

The German automaker is a sponsor of the motorbike racing series, providing organizers with safety cars and other vehicles, and even using it to debut the new X6 M crossover earlier this year. And every year BMW gifts a car to the rider who proved the fastest in qualifying over the course of the season. Rossi’s won the “M Award” five times now, but before he drove off in his new V8 sports sedan, BMW gave him a rare opportunity to sample the new hardcore M3 GTS.

So what did the fastest man on two wheels think of the fastest Bimmer on four? Quite a lot, apparently, as the multiple world champion said he wants to be first on the list when the M3 GTS goes on sale next year.

BMW 1 hybrid inn Munich

Published on November 19, 2009 in 1 Series, 1 series hybrid, BMW 1 and BMW 1 Series. 0 Comments Tags: , .



At thelaunch of the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, officials acknowledged the automaker would be producing several additional hybrid models in the near future. Rumors have been floating around that the new 5 Series – due to launch in 2010 – will get the same mild hybrid system going into the ActiveHybrid 7 and its crossover counterpart, but what about BMW’s smaller offerings?

Testing near Munich, a BMW 1 Series mule was caught wearing “Hybrid Test Vehicle” badging, proving that BMW’s hybrid system won’t be used exclusively on its larger models. Given the small size of the 1, this will undoubtedly use a version of the same mild hybrid system, a modular setup that has the motor/generator sandwiched between the engine and transmission with a compact lithium ion battery in the rear.

The 1 Series hybrid will take on the production version of the Lexus LF-Ch concept recently shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show when it hits the market in late 2011 or early 2012. The Lexus is similar in size to the 1er, but will only be offered as a hybrid, while the 1 will retain conventional powertrain options. There’s no word whether the Lexus or the 1 Series Hybrid will make it onto U.S. shores, but if both automakers plan to recoup development expenses, sales in North America are almost assured.

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BMW ActiveHybrid X6 from $89,725

Published on November 19, 2009 in bmw activehybrid x6 and BMW X6. 0 Comments Tags: , .

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 from $89,725

For your hard-earned $89,725, you can have your pick of V8-powered BMW X6s. That substantial pile of dosh will secure you the keys to the Bavarian automaker’s monster 555-horsepower X6 M or its new X6 ActiveHybrid. Unlike rival Mercedes-Benz which has opted to make its ML450 hybrid available exclusive by lease, BMW will sell the ActiveHybrid X6 outright to all comers, whoever they may be. Unlike most BMWs, the option list for the hybrid is relatively limited, although we suspect the folks at BMW Individual will be only too happy to customize one to your heart’s content.

During our recent first drive of the gas-electric version of Bimmer’s so-called “Sport Activity Coupe,” we only saw 16 mpg in a test loop that consisted primarily of Miami traffic, a bit shy of official 17/19 mpg EPA estimates. Aside from the hood bulge and the wheels, there isn’t much to visually distinguish the hybrid from non-M X6s, and with its still-considerable appetite for fuel, we have hard time seeing the value in ponying up nearly $90k for this vehicle – especially when you can get the giggle-inducing lunacy that is the X6 M for equal coin.

Of course, a flawed value equation hasn’t stopped many other vehicles we know from selling – especially ones sporting a green halo – but we’ll find out if BMW has played their cards right when the X6 ActiveHybrid goes on sale beginning December 5.

BMW 550i Gran Turismo from $64,725

Published on November 19, 2009 in BMW 5 Series. 1 Comment Tags: , .

BMW 550i Gran Turismo from $64,725

With the introduction of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, BMW has filled a previously unimagined niche and elicited plenty of controversy in the process. Regardless, the first GT to go on sale in the US is the V8-powered 550i and the cost of entry has been set at $64,725. However, in traditional German fashion, the tariff can grow rapidly with the judicious use of the option sheet. Here are couple of examples: opting for the duo of rear “sport seats” and sacrificing one of the rear seating positions will add $3,950 to the bottom line, while the sport package adds another $4,200. If you tick every box available, you’re in for over $96,000.

The 550i GT goes on sale in the States on December 5 with the 400 hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The twin-turbo six-cylinder 535i GT joins the party later but BMW has not yet committed to selling the diesel powered 535d Gran Turismo in the US.

BMW M 1

Published on November 18, 2009 in 1 Series, BMW 1 Series and BMW M. 0 Comments Tags: , .

BMW M 1

Successive generations of the BMW M3 have come a long way since the original, with a skyrocketing curb weight and an ever-climbing price tag. The new M3 GTS may have done a lot to counter the former, although sadly it only further escalated the latter. But enthusiasts take heart, because someone’s on the case. Fortunately, that someone is Dr. Kay Segler, head of Munich’s famous M division.

According to reports, Segler and his team are pushing the beancounters to give them the authorization to make an M-tuned 1 Series. While the twin-turbo 135i is touted by many as a closer successor to the original M3 than the current M3, he feels there’s more that can be done.

Unfortunately, Segler is talking about the next-generation 1 Series, so even if approved, it’d be a while before any future M-tuned 1 hits the road. If and when it does, however, it could take aim at the Audi S3 with a 330-horsepower version of the Bavarian automaker’s new TwinPower engine. As for naming schemes, they may have to get a little creative to avoid confusion with the original M1 supercar.

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Autotechnik drops BMW 335i Doppelturbo-Cabriolet

Published on November 17, 2009 in 3 Series, 3 series convertible, ATT Autotechnik, BMW 3, BMW 335i, BMW 335i Convertible and Doppelturbo-Cabriolet. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .



The regular 335i is rated at 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque (though, of course, those numbers are underrated a bit). The Doppleturbo on the other hand makes 356 hp and 388 lb-ft of torque. A little less power than the M3 (414 hp) but nearly 25% more torque (the M3 makes just 300 lb-ft). You also get a stainless steel exhaust and big, good looking 20-inch, 20-spoke wheels (though some more brakes would be nice, at least visually speaking). But is it any good?

Well, in the past we’ve seen BMW tuners do the whole less-horses-more-torques thing with good results. Anybody remember Alpina’s take on the Z8? Essentially, rather than use the E39′s high-strung 5.0-liter V8, Alpina bored out a 4.4-liter BMW V8 to 4.8-liters. The results were 375 hp (vs. 394 hp) and 383 lb-ft of twist (vs. 368 lb-ft) and according to all lucky enough to drive the car, a much preferable grand tourer to the “stock” car. Could ATT Autotechnik have worked the same magic with the Doppelturbo?

BMW X3 U.S. delayed

Published on November 16, 2009 in BMW World. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , .



According to BMW of North America’s president, Jim O’Donnell, the Roundel crew will delay the launch of the 2011 BMW X3 by six months to establish a new customer ordering program and iron out which engines will be available in the States.

The move will apparently make the customization of the X3 both easier for consumers and less expensive for BMW, which plans to offer models with the top ten options on dealer lots. Production of the X3 will move from Magna Steyr’s facility in Austria to the automaker’s Spartanburg, S.C. plant, where it will be built along side the X5 and X6.

Traditionally, the X3 would be available with the bigger and more expensive inline-six at launch, but BMW plans to make four engines available at the onset, likely a naturally aspirated inline six, turbocharged six and possibly a diesel four-cylinder and the recently introduced six-pot from the 335d.

The delay means we won’t be seeing the redesigned X3 in showrooms until the middle of 2011 — some six months after BMW’s U.S-built cute ‘ute goes on sale in Europe. However, BMW plans to allow customers to begin ordering their X3s in October of 2010, so expect to see the revamped crossover unveiled in production early next year.