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.”

This much is obvious from the first time you lay eyes on the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe, which wears a distinctive matte gray finish that emphasizes its sculpted, aggressive sheet metal. BMW used a special silk matte clear coat, sprayed over a Space Gray Metallic base, to achieve the look.

Less obvious—at least until you’re left watching the car’s tail lights as it blows by you—is the fact that the Frozen Gray edition also boasts the same standout powerplant found in all M3 Coupes. That 4.0-liter V8 churns out a robust 414 hp and doesn’t hit the redline until it’s spinning at 8,400 rpm, and then gets mated to BMW’s M Double Clutch Transmission, an advanced seven-speed unit that helps lower the Frozen Gray’s 0-60 time to just 4.5 seconds. Additionally, the limited-run M3 gets kitted out with the BMW Competition Package for a lowered ride height, electronic damping control and high-performances settings for its electronic driving-dynamics systems.

With the addition of numerous standard comfort, convenience and luxury features, it’s also clear that the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe will remain one of the hottest BMWs ever to hit American shores.

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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.

While some confusion and disputes over how BMW’s iconic logo still linger, the history of the company’s logo can be watched below.

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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.

Now, in addition to building these innovative vehicles, Spartanburg has a new claim to fame: It’s the only place outside of Germany where enthusiasts can enjoy “The Ultimate BMW Experience,” a unique first-hand immersion into the world of BMW tradition, performance and engineering.

The Experience will include guided visits to nearby resources such as the BMW Zentrum museum—the company’s sole museum in North America—and BMW’s Spartanburg plant, to see where the X5 and X6 are assembled. Perhaps the highlight of the event, though, will be the chance to engage in some custom-designed learning opportunities at the BMW high-performance driving school.

“From extraordinary driving programs to guided tours into previously restricted areas of the plant all planned by a personal concierge, The Ultimate BMW Experience transcends a traditional interaction by engaging visitors and revealing the sheer driving pleasure of a BMW,” said Bobby Hitt, department manager of Corporate Affairs at BMW Manufacturing.

All this is just the beginning of what BMW hopes will soon become a must-see destination for auto lovers from around the globe, offering Experience guests “custom driving excursions, rare vehicle demonstrations and unique culinary events.”

To get all the details on what BMW is cooking up down in Spartanburg, call 1-877-9BMW-EXP (1-877-926-9397) or visit www.bmwusfactory.com.

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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.

There are many benefits to pre-ordering and that is mostly due to the Build Your Own BMW configuration on their website which allows customers to pick new options and extras that they want. Take the 2011 X3, for example: choose from heated front seats ($500), a panoramic moonroof ($1,350), xenon headlights ($900), a snowboard carrier ($67) and an iPod interface adapter ($185). Those are just some of the examples for the X3 which can make a big difference in the car you are purchasing.

The 2011 BMW X3 is built in South Carolina, so expect a waiting time of only two weeks. That’s a small amount of time to wait for purchasing your perfect vehicle of choice.

It’s really a win-win situation for both consumers and dealers. For consumers, why settle for something on the lot when you can customize your very own package online. For dealers, pre-ordered BMWs will reduce the number of vehicles just sitting on the lot due to undesirable options and extras.

Don’t be afraid of the internet! In fact, pre-ordering BMWs online is very common in Europe. The idea is just rarer in the United States. So what are you waiting for? Go build your BMW of choice right now!

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BMW may not be among the first automakers you think of when you think of fuel efficiency—but maybe it should be. After all, the company put two different vehicles among the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Top 10 Green Cars for 2010—just as many as Honda or Toyota.

The BMW 335d has been on sale in the U.S. for just two years and, with its 2010 honor, has now been named to the list in each of them. The team at KBB put it succinctly: “To most passersby, the 335d looks like any other BMW 3 Series. To the driver, however, the 335d is something truly special.”

That’s courtesy of BMW’s high-tech BluePerformance diesel engine, a powerful inline-six mill that delivers EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway, along with 0-60 times of just 6 seconds. That advanced diesel is also among the cleanest engines in its segment. In fact, the BMW 335d emits fewer CO2 emissions per year than a V6 Toyota Camry.

Needless to say, the car is the most most fuel-efficient BMW passenger vehicle ever imported to the U.S.

Also named a Top 10 Green Car—for the third year in a row—was BMW’s MINI Cooper. The MINI was recognized by KBB for its ability to offer maximum fuel efficiency while still being “just as fun as anyone could expect.” The EPA numbers here: Drivers can achieve 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway in the “famously responsive” hatchback. And the MINI Cooper is cleaner than a Honda Civic in terms of CO2 emissions.

With impressive all-around performance like this, the 335d and MINI Cooper could be giving a whole new meaning to the words “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

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One of the most grueling racing events for both man and machine is the is the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring in Germany. This year, the BMW M3 GT2 took the win at this challenging event, five years since BMW’s last victory.

BMW has now claimed a total of 19 wins at the endurance race. The no. 25 BMW M3 GT2 was victorious after the Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid seemed like a likely winner after leading through the night.

“During my last stint we lost fourth gear,” said driver Jorg Muller (DE). “The problem gradually got worse. The main priority was to be careful and keep the car in the race. Everything worked out superbly in the end. The entire team has worked extremely hard over the last few months. This victory belongs to them. We drove consistent laps over the entire distance. If you can achieve that at a 24-hour race, you normally find yourself up at the front. For us today, it was even enough to finish first.”

Other highlights of the race include a successful return of the Lexus LFA, which won the  “near-production” SP8 class and took 18th place overall.

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More consumers seem to be interested in affordable, efficient transportation. Luckily, automakers seem more than willing to provide exactly that. Even BMW is reportedly working on yet another entry-level model which is to be slated below the 1 Series.

Featuring BMW’s all-new front-wheel drive platform, this new model, a hatchback, will be one of several new entry-level models to emerge from the German automaker in the next few years. This new model will also be developed alongside the next-generation MINI.

The upcoming front-wheel drive architecture is first scheduled to debut in 2014 on the third-generation MINI. This new platform will also be similarly sized to to the Volkswagen Golf.

For anyone dreaming of a BMW-badged alternative to Volkswagen’s GTI, you’re finally in luck. Unfortunately, it’s still just a few years away but could debut as early as 2013. In the meantime, the luxury segment is not without options for reasonably priced front-wheel drive models. If that’s what you might be looking for, Acura cars dealers offer the 3 Series-fighting TSX sports sedan, powered by a standard 201-hp, 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine. But of course, if you want something even smaller, a Mini Cooper or the current RWD 1 Series may be your best options.

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BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina assembly plant has been open to visitors for years. But BMW intends to expand the tours being offered at the plant into a new tour package called “The Ultimate BMW Experience.”

This new tour package will cost visitors $99 per person. The tour will be available by reservation only and feature a behind the scenes look at how a number of models, such as the BMW X5 and X6, are manufactured.

“People have been asking us for more tours,” says spokeswoman Bunny Richardson. “We have a lot of resources here. So we’re going to try to make more of them available to people who are interested.”

Included with the cost of the tour will be vehicle demonstrations and complimentary meals. For an extra cost, visitors can also catch a glimpse of limited areas of the facility that few non-employees ever see.

The new tour will include ares that previously weren’t available, such as the paint shop and door line. Participants will even be able to take part in vehicle test drives. According to Richardson, the plant expects to host about 30,000 visitors per year.

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Innovation is crucial for every business, but it’s particularly important for auto manufacturers. These days consumers not only demand performance and value, they also want the most innovative technology possible when it comes to safety, fuel-efficiency, and even entertainment.

But cars must also look innovative and function well. Take for example the latest cars and crossovers from Hyundai. Once an embarrassingly cheap nameplate with copycat designs, Hyundai has revitalized itself by offering more stylish products, which month after month is contributing to Hyundai’s rapidly increasing market share.

But one company that is no stranger to innovative design is BMW, whose DesignworksUSA designs not only incredible cars like the BMW 3 Series or Rolls-Royce Phantom, but also designs everything from faucets to coffee makers. This penchant for design innovation across countless product categories has led to DesignworksUSA’s latest title of the #1 Most Innovative Company in Design according to Fast Company.

As unusual as it is for BMW’s top designers to spend their time designing coffee makers, DesignworksUSA’s President Laurenz Schaffer says this is just the kind of work that sparks the big ideas.

“Challenging the status quo by creating new brand and product experiences that deliver better solutions for a changing world is what drives innovation at DesignworksUSA,” says Laurenz Schaffer, President of DesignworksUSA. “We’re thrilled to be honored by The Fast Company 50, and included among the ranks of industry leaders whose passion and dedication is clearly evident through the game-changing quality of their work.”

Click to enlarge

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After one of the worst recessions in decades, the automotive industry in particular has become a very different place. No automaker wants to risk overextending itself, which is why BMW, the world’s largest premium automaker, is teaming up with rival Mercedes-Benz in order to cut spending by $5.2 billion by 2012.

According to Bloomberg, this new partnership with Mercedes-Benz should be able to deliver a number of projects that should help cut spending on components and suppliers.

“We can say that from today’s perspective we will certainly and easily reach the 4 billion-euro savings goal, and even significantly surpass it,” said Herbert Diess, the BMW management board member responsible for the cuts.

While BMW is looking to save money, they’re not looking to impair their suppliers. Instead, BMW is eager to help suppliers improve efficiency as well, and help them develop the in-demand technologies and components that BMW and other automakers demand, such as new start-stop systems.

Not only will this new and rather unusual partnership help both brands trim costs over the next few years, but according to BMW’s Diess, it should also help to advance the development of the technology they both need.

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