Detroit Auto Show: BMW 535i Gran Turismo also gets a six pack

2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW is rounding out its Detroit Auto Show premier lineup with the North American debut of the 535i Gran Turismo. The 550i GT that's powered by the 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 is already on sale in the U.S., but we won't get our shot at the six cylinder model until the spring of 2010. Like the recently-announced 5 Series sedan, the Gran Turismo is getting a new version of the 3.0-liter inline six cylinder turbo.

The current 535i and 335i both use a version of the six with two turbochargers. The version in the GT produces the same 300 hp and 300 pound-feet of torque with a single twin-scroll turbocharger. The engine also incorporates BMW's Valvetronic valve control system to reduce fuel consumption by eliminating the throttle and reducing pumping losses. The six will be mated up with the same new ZF eight-speed automatic used in the 550i and the ActiveHybrid 7. Want more details? Click past the break for the press release.

Price: 2010 BMW Z4 GT3 Customer Race Car With M3 V-8

As part of its customer racing program, BMW’s motorsport division will be offering private race teams a brand new model starting from next year. The latest addition to the racing lineup is the new BMW Z4 GT3 but unlike the regular roadster (pictured) on which it’s based, the new race car will be fitted with a M3-derived V-8 engine.

Offering drivers and teams the opportunity to compete in international and national championships in accordance with GT3 regulations, such as the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open and the ADAC GT Masters, as well as in 24-hour endurance races, the new Z4 GT3 joins a growing list of customer race cars offered by BMW, including the previous M3 GT4 and more recent M3 GTS.

The Z4 GT3 will come powered by a 4.0-liter V-8 producing approximately 480 horsepower. Using technology derived from the more extreme M3 GT2 race car engine, the potent powerplant in the Z4 GT3 will also sport a Power400 control unit for its electronic management and a 6-speed sequential manual gearbox.

First deliveries will start in the second quarter of 2010 and pricing is estimated to be around $425,765.

Source: Motor Authority

BMW S1000RR takes on Japanese litre-class superbikes, and wins!

The BMW S1000RR goes up against the R1, Fireblade, GSX-R1000 and ZX-10R, and comes out on top! Pretty amazing

Spy Photos and Video: F30 BMW 3 Series

The next BMW 3-Series spied in camo -- Click above to watch the video

The next BMW 3 Series, codenamed F30, was filmed at a gas station enduring some cold weather testing. Even in its psychedelic-swirl coating, the mule shows that the 5 Series' growth was no aberration -- the next 3 will be large. Watch for the man to emerge from the back seat in the video. Not long ago he wouldn't have even fit in a 3'er.

That's not all der neue 3 takes from its larger sibling: the elevated hoodline and what appears to be a return to unfussy lines down the side are also noted. We've yet to see much in the way of tech details, but the car will share its chassis with the next 1 Series, and this could be the 3 to receive the full weight of BMW's ActiveHybrid and EfficientDynamics goodies. Whatever engine they've got in this prototype, though, sounds good. Follow the jump for the video. Hat tip to Alexander

Source: Auto Blog

Auto News: BMW Roadmap For MINI Coupe And Roadster Production Leaked

Fans of the Mini brand will soon get two more vehicles to love. Back in September MINI's UK arm confirmed that both will soon be headed to production. Today, we've got the leaked word on a timeline for their production.

The latest line is that they're being fast-tracked to pre-production status by January of 2010, with full production models rolling out as early as October of 2010, pending a smooth and successful testing and ramp-up process. Even with such a short development and near-term production date, don't expect to see sales on this side of the Atlantic before sometime in early 2011.

With its sleek looks and even smaller size - there is no back seat in the Coupe concept - the new car certainly fits with the 'MINI' moniker. MINI had previously said it would ultimately be the public and press reaction to the concept that would guide Mini's plans on the matter, with its unveiling in Frankfurt and a U.S. showing at the Los Angeles Auto Show being the touchstones for that reaction. Instead the early reaction was so strongly favorable that MINI went ahead and made the decision to build it even before revealing it live.

Adding another pair of models to the Cooper/Convertible/Clubman range would move Mini closer to offering a full range of vehicles, though there are obviously no plans for true trucks/SUVs. Recent reports say the crossover won't be coming until 2010 at the earliest, meaning both the Coupe and whichever model that comes with it are still likely at least a year, and possibly as many as three years distant.

News of the production in MINI's Oxford facility came along with plans to hire an additional 1,000 workers to help build the new models.

Source: Motor Authority

BMW C1-E: concept

This is what a safe, environment-friendly and highly practical single track vehicle for city traffic could look like in the future. BMW Motorrad developed the C1-E study as a contribution to the European safety project eSUM. This study unit is based on the concept of the BMW C1. It is characterized by a very high level of active and passive safety and is driven by an electric motor.

The BMW C1-E provides exemplary protection for its rider. This is ensured by the safety cell with the conspicuous roll-over bar which dynamically spans the rider seat in combination with the energy-absorbing impact element at the nose end. A further special point is that the C1-E rider wears a seat-belt. In the study this safety feature is highlighted by red belts and belt buckles.

Visually the concept vehicle expresses brand typical sheer driving pleasure and clearly distinguishes itself from typical scooter looks. Its lines are dynamically stretched and flow horizontally with a low visual centre of gravity. The fairing with its windscreen, the luggage space behind the rider and the side stand for effortless parking ensure high suitability for everyday riding combined with a high degree of wind and weather protection.

The electric motor employed in the study has been designed for city use and is based on components by the company Vectrix. The motor obtains its power from a lithium-ion battery and thus possesses sufficient power for mastering most inner-city traffic riding with ease. Alternatively the vehicle could also be equipped with an efficient, low-emissions internal combustion engine.

The safety features of the C1-E have been taken from the former BMW C1 and further enhanced. BMW’s avant-garde two-wheeler is regarded as a milestone in safety on two wheels. It is the only motorised single-track vehicle to be exempt from mandatory helmet wearing in almost all European countries.

This BMW Motorrad study is to remain the only model of its kind. Series production is currently not planned. Nevertheless, findings from the project will find their way into other future developments in the field of single-track vehicles.

eSUM stands for European Safer Urban Motorcycling. It is a cooperation project between major urban European motorcycling centres and motorcycle manufacturers. The cities currently involved in the project include Paris, Rome, Barcelona and London and the manufacturers are BMW and Piaggio.

The advantage of two-wheeled transportation is that it offers a great opportunity for improving the flow of traffic in urban locations. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly and lends itself to individualisation. However, the vast majority of accidents occur in urban traffic, in areas where 80 percent of the population live. The idea behind eSum is to look into ways of countering this trend. The joint goal is the identification, development, and practical demonstration of measures which are able to guarantee safe motorcycle and motor-scooter transport in the inner-city traffic of the future.

One of BMW Motorrad’s major concerns over the last twenty years has been the improvement of motorcycle safety. This was amply demonstrated by the consistent strategy which has led to the Motorrad ABS and continued with its long-term ongoing development. Only a few weeks ago, on August 31, the 1,000,000th BMW motorcycle with Integral ABS, a BMW K 1300 R, left the production line in Berlin-Spandau.

Since 2005, a series of further active safety features have been developed to enhance the safety BMW motorcycles still further: RDC Tyre Pressure Control, ASC Anti-Slip Control, the new Race ABS and the DTC Traction Control incorporated in the new BMW S 1000 RR, not to mention the innovative range of BMW Motorrad rider equipment.

Over and above this, BMW Motorrad is also conducting research into forward-looking rider assistance systems designed to increased road safety, as part of the ConnectedRide project. Features being looked at include cross-traffic and traffic-light assistance as well as a warning system for impending poor weather, road obstacles, an approaching emergency vehicle, or sudden braking manoeuvres.

Source: Babez

First pics and specs 2010 BMW R1200GS, R1200RT

The 2010 BMW R1200GS/Adventure and R1200RT feature improvements in all areas, including engine, chassis and suspension performance as well as ergonomics

BMW have released pics and specs of the 2010 R1200GS and R1200RT bikes. Both machines are fitted with an updated version of BMW’s 1,170cc boxer twin, which now produces 110 horsepower at 7,750rpm and 120Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Engine internals come from the sportier, more aggressive HP2 Sport and include double overhead cams (DOHC), bigger inlet and exhaust valves, lighter, forged aluminium pistons and bigger throttle bodies for the fuel injectors. Also, the revised (slightly lower) gear ratios help improve acceleration.

Both bikes are available with ABS and optional electronic suspension adjustment (ESA II). Both bikes get LED headlamps, while the RT also gets an MP3 audio system with USB connectivity and iPod compatibility, redesigned fairing for improved weather protection and an electrically operated windshield. A lower seat, better suited for shorter riders, is available as an option on the GS/Adventure.

Various new colours are available, including red, white, silver, black and yellow. Prices for both the BMWs will be announced later this month.

Source : Faster and Faster

BMW M5 dropping V10 for turbo V8

The straight six in the first BMW M5 supersedans was silky smooth and plenty powerful, but it was getting a bit long-in-the-tooth, so it had to go. It was replaced by the 400 hp V8 in the E39, then later with the fire-breathing V10 in the current M5 (above) that pushed horsepower into the stratosphere, particularly when you activated the 'M' button. That engine remains powerful, but with CO2 concerns, fuel economy standards and the fact that the V10 isn't available in much of anything else in BMW's lineup, it seems like the next-gen M5 will probably find its motive power supplied by a V8 instead. If a V8 is good enough for the Audi RS6 and Cadillac CTS-V, perhaps it's good enough for the BMW M5, too.

BMW M5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

We saw speculation about a V8 M5 as far back as May, 2008, and more recent speculation that it was going to be a twin-turbo V10 instead, but now Inside Line is reporting that BMW reps have confirmed that a V8 will indeed be in the next M5's engine bay – although they didn't confirm which one. Most likely, it will be the 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that first appeared in the X5M and X6M. With 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, it falls right in the ballpark with other supersedan outputs. That new powerplant will sit in a new cradle as well, with the all-new 5-Series just months away. Around these parts, we're starting to refer to this next generation M5 as the Goldilocks Edition. Six wasn't enough, ten was too much and eight is just right. Thanks for the tip, Derick!

VIDEO People get all jumpy when it comes to their new BMWs

Click above to view the video after the jump

Question for BMW owners: Have you ever been so excited about your Bavarian beauty that you went all Tom Wopat and dove into the driver seat without opening the door? We've been in quite a few Bimmers ourselves, and while the driving experience is usually pretty damn good, we've always just opened the door.

After the jump, a new commercial gets creative by showing BMW owners of all walks of life getting physical with their German wheels. If a Golden Girl jumping through the X5's moonroof and a guy leaping off a roof into a 1 Series makes you want to perform stupid stunts with your BMW, please reconsider, and if you still must, kindly make sure to have cameras rolling. We're sure Tom Bergeron is anxiously awaiting your video.

[Source: BMW]

2010 North American Car of the Year nominees announced

Here in the car journalism biz, this is that time of year when everyone is evaluating all the recently introduced cars to determine which ones truly stand out. Here in town, the crew from Car and Driver are doing their 10 Best testing this week. Elsewhere other magazines are doing their own evaluations.

The organizers of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards have just released the short list of vehicles that they have deemed worthy of consideration for this year's awards. The winning vehicles will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show. For now, the jury has to evaluate a list of 15 cars that includes the new MK VI Volkswagen Golf, Ford's Fusion and Taurus, and a dozen others. The list includes three cars with hybrid powertrains, two that offer diesels and everything from the Kia Soul to the Porsche Panamera.

On the truck side –which also includes crossovers and tall wagons like the new Honda Accord Crosstour, Acura ZDX and Subaru Outback – there are only 10 nominees. Check out the nominees in our galleries below – who will pick up the mantle after 2009's Ford F-150 and Hyundai Genesis?

Gallery: 2010 North American Car of the Year short list

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Gallery: 2010 North American Truck of the Year nominees

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Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW X1 shows up

While us Americans will probably never get the three- and/or five-door 1 Series, we will be getting the new BMW X1. Here's your pudding proof. For some this is a maddening reality. For others it's like music you dislike. Still, we were a bit surprised by how much we liked the looks of the X1, especially in brown. With a grill lifted right off the 7-Series and a sinister set of angel eyes, the X1 is easily twice as handsome as big brother X3. Which might very prove to be the X1's major selling point. Just like the 3 Series and the 1 Series, the X3 and X1 are very closely related, not only in terms of powertrains, but mechanicals and chassis, too.

Engine choices are the usual BMW fare, ranging from the 258 hp double-VANOS straight-six in the xDrive28i to the 295 lb-ft of torque twin-turbo and common-rail diesel xDrive23d to less powerful diesel models like the 258 lb-ft xDrive20d/sDrive20d. There's also the sDrive18d which can get up to a BMW claimed 54.3 imperial miles per gallon. If you've somehow forgotten, the "x" in BMW-speak stands for AWD and the "s" stands for RWD. BMW claims the latter is the "most efficient rendition of spontaneous driving pleasure." If you can figure out what that means, let us know.

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 BMW 5 Series GT

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo took a whirl on the plinth and we have to admit it doesn't look the least bit absurd standing in person. We completely forgot to be offended at the fact we're being handed this instead of the perfectly fantastic 5 Series Sport Wagon. At least, until we played around with the dual-action lift gate -- then the word "gimmick" did flit through our cranial region for a moment.

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Still, it's not bad, and on the road it looks like it has the potential to get a whole lot better. As the Hesse-novel-length press release after the jump explains, the car will combine the legroom of the 7 Series, head room of the X5, 59.5 cubic feet of storage space, and a base diesel with 245 hp and 43 mpg. Go for gold, and there's a V8 twin turbo with 407 hp and a 5.5-second run to 60. Check it out for yourselves in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Frankfurt 2009: BMW 7 Series Active Hybrid

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

BMW isn't taking any chances with its reputation for dynamics with the 7 Series Active Hybrid. To its 449-hp and 479-lb-ft 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 heart it adds a 60-pound, 35-cell lithium-ion battery in the boot. The battery doesn't take too much away from the trunk since it replaces the rear-seat air-conditioning unit from the standard 7.

The battery boosts maximum torque to 516 lb-ft when everything is really humming, and that gets the huge-ish hybrid to 60 in 4.9 seconds rowing through the eight-speed automatic. The battery, a judicious foot, and hybrid stalwarts like brake energy regeneration can get you 25 mpg. Until Brad and Angelina finish with their Hydrogen 7, this is your best bet for a caring Bavarian luxo-barge.

BMW Confirms Four-Cylinder 3-Series For U.S.

While the rest of the world can opt for fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel four-cylinder versions of the 3-Series, the entry-level model in the U.S. sports a six-cylinder powerplant. Given the current concerns about climate change and the increasing cost of fuel, officials at BMW are now planning to add a four-cylinder engine to its U.S. lineup.

The move would almost certainly boost sales, since the European 320i, powered by a 167 horsepower gasoline four-cylinder is already one of the company's strongest-selling models. The engines planned for the U.S. will feature turbocharging technology, however.

2009 BMW 3-Series

The information comes from BMW’s U.S. chief Jim O'Donnell, who revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show that the introduction of the powerplants, equipped with the automaker's next-generation twin turbochargers, “is the goal and we will do it.” The car will be available for sale in spring of 2012.

If successful, BMW intends on adding four-cylinder engines to its X1 and X3 crossovers in the U.S. as well.

O'Donnell explained that the move is part of the company’s goal to meet tough new fuel economy standards coming into the U.S. between now and 2016. In line with the new standards, automakers will have to boost the fuel economy of their fleets by 5% every year before a national standard of 35.5 mpg takes effect in 2016.

Rival Mercedes-Benz has already decided to bring four-cylinder cars, including its new diesels, to the U.S. and Canada in 2010, proving even luxury and premium brands aren't entirely immune from the more mundane considerations of efficiency.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Live At Frankfurt

2009 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

We've all seen the photos and videos of BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics concept for a few weeks now, but even that level of familiarity isn't enough to dull the impact of the car's appearance from arm's length.

Live shots from the floor of the Frankfurt auto show reveal the Vision concept to be as much about design as it is about efficiency, and it's serious about efficiency.

The concept is powered by a 1.5-liter, 163-horsepower three-cylinder turbodiesel with two electric motors (one for each axle) powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Together, the whole system delivers 390 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid drive system isn't the only efficient aspect of the car, however.

It's also good for just 50 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer (though, of course, they're variable, since this is a plug-in hybrid design), and it's good for 31 miles on electricity alone.

For the full skinny on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, check out our coverage of its initial release--but not before you get sucked into the live gallery below.

2009 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

2009 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

2009 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept