The all-new 2011 BMW X3 finally broke cover, and it promises to be a sportier and roomier than ever before.
Overall the 2011 X3 doesn’t look too different from its predecessor. However, its front fascia has been heavily revised to mimic the more upright, bolder look of the recently updated 5 Series and 7 Series. [click to continue…]
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When drivers discuss the incredible BMW M cars, it usually involves factors like top speed, 0-60 times and lateral g’s. But when you talk about the performance of the 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe, you’ve got to start with this: All 30 units from its very limited-edition run sold out in under 12 minutes.
“We leapt at the chance to bring this truly special vehicle to the United States,” said Larry Koch, M brand manager for BMW of North America. “The Frozen Gray M3 is a striking work of sculpture, speed, and style, and perfectly marks the 25th birthday of the M3 model. I’m personally thrilled to see that our customers are as excited about it as we are. We filled the 30 reservation slots within twelve minutes and took the names of at least 50 alternates in the first hour. The 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe will be one of the most unique BMW vehicles ever imported to the U.S.” [click to continue…]
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BMW has already announced that more carbon fiber components will be making their way into more of their vehicles over the next several years. The material is not only incredibly strong, but its light weight will be helpful for improving fuel-efficiency as well.
But for their first electric vehicle, the BMW Megacity, the Bavarian automaker is not simply using carbon components across the roof, or the interior, or limiting the usage to any one specific area. Instead, all of the body panels and the entire structure of the upcoming Megacity will be carbon fiber. As a result, it will be the first high-volume vehicle, other than rare supercars, to be made with a carbon fiber. [click to continue…]
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If you’re eagerly awaiting the all-new 2011 BMW 5-Series, get in line. According to the latest reports, BMW has completely sold out of the new model worldwide.
The 5-Series begins at $44,550 here in the U.S. and it became available in late March. This sedan completes in the highly competitive mid-size luxury sedan segment where it still out performs the venerable Mercedes E-Class and and Audi A6. [click to continue…]
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Like other premium automakers, BMW is hard at work devising new powertrains and platforms that will help cut emissions and boost mpg. At the same time, these brands are also looking for ways to dominate the increasingly in-demand premium compact segment.
The 1 Series will continue to be important for achieving many of these goals, and a new front-wheel drive platform is already in development for BMW’s smallest model. But in addition to FWD, the 1 Series will not only feature a four-cylinder engine, but it will also receive a new three-cylinder unit to help dramatically curb CO2 emissions. [click to continue…]
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BMW is known for producing the “Ultimate Driving Machines,” but the German brand has a long history that has included the manufacturing of motorcycles as well as aircraft engines. What few consumers may realize is that the BMW logo is actually a symbol of the movement of an aircraft propeller, an image that dates back to the early 1900s.
Although most will say that BMW’s logo was inspired by white propeller blades cutting through blue sky, some will say that the blue and white actually stems from the official colors of the German region of Bavaria, where the company is located. [click to continue…]
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Consider it Munich West. Although Spartanburg, S.C., is thousands of miles from BMW’s German hometown, it’s carved out a unique place in the automaker’s international operations. The area is the site of BMW’s only U.S. manufacturing plant as well as the only international source for the BMW X5 and X6, two of the most original vehicles on the road today.
The X5 is a Sport Activity Vehicle that lives up to its name, holstering an optional 4.8-liter V8 making 350 hp for plenty of on-road sport and BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive to handle a wide variety of off-road activity. Taking this versatility to the next level is the X6, with a coupe-like profile, coupe-like high performance and a distinctly uncoupe-like ability to handle rugged terrain. [click to continue…]
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With the recent launch of the all-new 2011 5 Series, it was only a matter of time before we began seeing spy shots and video of the next-generation M5 sedan. Luckily, that time is now.
One such 2010 BMW M5 prototype was recently spotted taking on Germany’s Nurburgring. In addition to photos of the vehicle during high speed testing, video of the new M5 was also captured as it drove around the area immediately outside of the legendary race track. [click to continue…]
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Slow sales of the all-new 5 Series GT in the U.S. market has caused some BMW executives to regret how the vehicle was launched. At the model’s launch, only the high-end V8-powered 550i Gran Turismo with rear-wheel drive was available. However, execs are now acknowledging that a six-cylinder variant should have also been available.
Making a top-of-the-line available first to drive more money from early adopters is not an unusual strategy for automakers, but unfortunately this strategy backfired in BMW’s case. After launching late last year, the GT has sold fewer than 1,200 units. One of the problems attributed to poor sales is the V8’s relatively poor fuel economy. Despite its performance in the U.S., consumers in other markets are reportedly flocking to buy gasoline and diesel-powered six cylinder GT models. [click to continue…]
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Patience is a virtue, my friends. At least that’s what BMW believes. The Bavarian automaker is asking customers to begin pre-ordering their BMW vehicles online; claiming that it’s worth the wait. With the new 2011 BMW X3 getting ready to be introduced for next year, BMW has already put that vehicle as an option for the pre-order program. [click to continue…]
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