Chris Bangle has been both loved and hated by BMW aficionados. His design guidance not only transformed BMW’s lineup, but his often radical design changes have even been adopted by other automakers.
In this brief video clip, the designer discusses his time with General Motors and his experience at BMW after arriving there at the age of 35. Bangle even discusses what he has inside his own personal garage. [click to continue…]
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The availability of an awesome sound system is a prerequisite for any car in the premium segment. Even the Hyundai Genesis offers an available system from Lexicon, similar to the sound system offered by Rolls Royce.
According to Canonsburg Mercedes, one of the rising stars in the automotive audio market is Bang & Olufsen. Perhaps better known for their home sound systems, Bang & Olufsen hardware is creeping its way into vehicles from numerous premium brands, including Aston Martin, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The latest automaker to partner with this company is BMW. [click to continue…]
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The sixth generation of BMW’s 5 Series sedan, which debuts this summer, still offers drivers a segment-leading array of premium safety, performance and luxury features, but now it delivers something new: The added confidence that can only come with being named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Achieving this recognition requires electronic stability control—a standard feature on all BMWs since the 2000 model year—and the highest possible ratings in four separate IIHS measures of safety, including a new roof-strength test that gauges a vehicle’s safety performance during rollover accidents. The redesigned 2011 5 Series thus becomes the first 5 Series vehicle to ever become an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” [click to continue…]
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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. Worcester Mass Jaguar dealer concedes that this sedan competes 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.
Worcester Mass Jaguar dealers concede 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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