Wednesday, July 29, 2009

BMW 760 Li pricing announced

$136,660. Apparently, that’s what’s going to cost you for a brand-new BMW 760Li. That may be a steep price for a car these days especially since the economic crisis has made penny-pinching a top priority for most American consumers. But then again, the BMW 760Li is not like most cars. It is, after all, a BMW.

BMW 760 Li pricing announced

The new 760Li, which is now available to order at US dealerships, is poised to more than exceed the generous hype it has been getting in the previous months. It comes with an all-new 6.0-liter V12 all-aluminum engine with Twin Turbo Technology and a High Precision Injection, which injects fuel straight into the combustion chambers.

In addition to that, the 760Li’s engine isn’t a slouch by any stretch of the imagination. Underneath the hood of this luxury vehicle is an engine that can produce 535 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.

The 760Li also comes with a standard set of features that include an 8-speed automatic transmission, a heated sport steering wheel, integral active steering, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection, head-up display, and a Sirius XM Radio.

Suffice to say, the BMW 760Li is one of those cars that is sure to attract a lot of customers regardless of the price tag. And with all the features and technology equipped in this baby, some folks might even say that $136,660 is a bargain.

Friday, July 24, 2009

BMW offering $4,500 'Eco Credit' on new diesel model

With the government prepared to help automakers boost sales and move cars out of their dealerships through incentives programs, automakers are giving consumers a little push of their own now, with some massive incentives on new cars coming into place. Just recently, Chrysler unveiled its own 'Double CA$H for Your Old Car' scheme that emulated the government’s own 'cash for clunkers' programs, and now luxury German marque BMW is following suit with its own incentives program for two of its new diesel models.
2009 BMW 335d and X535d
The scheme being run by BMW will see consumers given a $4,500 'Eco Credit' to purchase a new 335d or an X5 xDrive35d model. BMW is taking the stance that as an environmentally responsible company it wants to reward American drivers for being more fuel efficient by providing incentives on its most fuel efficient cars, but we have a sneaking suspicion the incentive may have something more to do with the less than optimal sales of luxury diesel cars in the U.S. so far.

Nevertheless, the scheme should prove attractive to buyers coming out of the financial crisis, and may just be the decisive factor in affecting consumer choices when it comes time to buy their luxury vehicle. Additionally, BMW points out that both diesel vehicles that fall under the scheme are eligible for tax credits of up to $1,800, bringing their real prices down even further.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Car Insurance: Young Drivers and Cheap Insurance

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The expense of insuring a teenage driver is no joke; it really can break your bank if you are not careful. Young drivers obviously lack experience in driving and insurance providers are not lenient on the price of giving them coverage. They know these kids can often be persuaded into careless driving by their passenger peers by turning the radio loud, engaging in noisy conversations, talking (or heaven forbid, texting) on the cell phone and thinking these things are innocent fun. But more experienced drivers know that any kind of careless driving leads to accidents, which is why the insurance companies charge higher rates for teens.

Of course, these high premium charges can be decreased when the policyholder is dealing with the right insurer and knows what to look for and expect. While insurance for a 17 year old isn’t going to compare with insurance for a 30 year old in cost, there are ways to get the company to scale back the price some for your teen driver, which could leave you possibly paying less than his friends do. Some ways to get cheap insurance for young drivers include being involved in your young driver’s life by setting ground rules to eventually see lower rates, while other ways will require your sole attention and careful planning. Then there are some factors that determine their rates that are merely circumstantial and can’t be altered.

Get Cheap Rates
Just like for experienced drivers, the cost to insure a young driver depends heavily upon certain factors. The gender of the driver is huge when it comes to premiums; young male drivers pay more than young female drivers do. This is not due to any prejudice, it’s simply because statistics prove that young male drivers have always been involved in more traffic incidents than young female drivers. The location of the vehicle the teen is driving also plays a role in determining the premium. While sometimes this factor can be changed, most often it cannot. If the car dwells in an area marked with high crime activity, you’ll be paying more for insurance.

While there’s not much a policyholder can do about having a young male driver and the town they live in, there are some things both the

What the Young Driver Can Do
First and foremost, the teen needs to listen to you and your rules, but you also need to listen to your kid’s concerns as well. There will be some rules that can be compromised by both parent and teen, but don’t be afraid to set definite rules about driving because “driving is a privilege, not a right.” Following the laws of the land and the rules of your home will help your young driver grasp a better understanding of the importance of driving safely.

Keep your driving record clean by not getting into accidents or receiving tickets. Knowing the laws and following your parent’s rules may help you avoid these nasty situations that will make your insurance price skyrocket. Remember that it takes time for these flaws to be erased from your record, so your cost of insurance will be high for as long as they stay there. It’s best to not get any negative marks or points on your record in the first place.

Get good grades. You might not see a link between your grades and your ability to drive, but your insurance company does. They believe students who perform well in a high stress situation, such as taking an exam or writing essays, will also perform well in other high stress situations, such as on the road driving the freeways. Students who can show their report card having a “B” average or better will see the privilege of cheaper insurance rates. Some insurers will require that student already have 3 years of driving experience first, while others don’t have this requirement.

Pay for all or some of your insurance. By offering to help pay to be insured, you will gain responsibility and help your parents save their own money. This may also help you drive safer since you’d be the one to pay for any hikes in the premium cost due to any accidents or tickets you receive.

What the Parent/Policyholder Can Do
Be involved in your teen’s life so your expectations are known. No parent can expect their child to read their mind and know the expectations, so it is important for the parent to discuss what is required of him often. This leaves little room for misunderstandings and excuses. Rules about curfews, the number of passengers in the car, what the car is used for, when it can be used, and how many miles the car can be driven per week/month are some basic rules that can be set.

Choose coverage that pertains to the young driver. For instance, if he is driving a car that does not have a high cash value, it might be wise to drop any Comprehensive and Collision coverage. Also, before purchasing a vehicle for the teen, talk to your insurance agent to see what type of car would be cheaper to insure. Some providers offer discounts for hybrid cars, while others will tell you to get an inexpensive car to lower your cost. The type of car greatly affects your rates.

Pay a higher deductible. On any policy, having a higher deductible will lower your rates because it means the insurance company will be paying less for your claim. If having a higher deductible is too expensive for you, require your young driver to help pay it if they are the reason a claim is filed. Deductibles can range from $250 to $1,000. Go over these numbers with your young driver so they have a better understanding of all that goes into paying for an accident. These figures may help them drive safely and less frequently when they know how expensive the consequences of driving recklessly are.

Cheap auto insurance for young drivers isn’t going to jump out of the computer screen and fall into your lap. You’ll need to search for it, and the fastest way to look is by comparing what local auto insurance companies are willing to quote you. We can help you get these quotes when you enter your zip code in the appropriate box and continue answering the short list of questions. Combine our quotes with the above mentioned steps and you could be paying the cheapest possible rates for your young driver.

Source: Car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com

New Car 2010 BMW 740d

The BMW 7-Series range in Europe is to be offered with its most powerful diesel engine ever in the 740d model, at the same time as the popular 730d comes with a revised powerplant offering improved fuel economy and emissions figures.

The new BMW 740d heralds the latest technological leap for the 7-Series, taking diesel performance in a luxury car to a new level. Powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine that produces 306hp, the BMW 740d provides the driver and its occupants with a smooth yet rapid method of transport, while merely sipping at its fuel tank.
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The 2993cc engine features an all-aluminum crankcase and third generation common-rail fuel injection system offering 440 lb-ft of torque from just 1500rpm. This enables the 740d to achieve a class-leading 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds before going on to an electronically-limited 155mph top speed.

Bmw 740D Side View

These performance figures have been made possible by the unique way the twin turbochargers work. A smaller turbo provides near instantaneous response for swift initial acceleration, before a larger unit provides additional thrust from the mid-range to the redline. However, courtesy of EfficientDynamics technologies the new 740d still achieves an outstanding 40.9mpg (Imperial) on the combined cycle and a CO2 emissions figure of just 181g/km.

The revised BMW 730d accounting for approximately 85% of 7-Series sales in some markets and has also been improved for 2009. It now comes with an engine that has been refined to achieve 41.5mpg (Imperial) on the combined cycle (40.9mpg for the long-wheelbase) and CO2 emissions of 178g/km (180g/km for the 730Ld). This represents a 7.3% reduction in emissions and almost six% improvement in fuel economy.

Making the performance gains possible are BMW's award-winning EfficientDynamics technologies allied to an engine that features third-generation common-rail direct injection technology, incorporating piezo injectors that operate at a peak pressure of 2000 bar.

Bmw 740D Interior View

Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine's power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car's electrical circuit. When the driver is accelerating, the alternator disengages so all the power is channeled towards the car's performance. Other ancillaries, such as the air-conditioning compressor, are also able to disengage to improve the performance of the car. The roof, doors, hood and front fenders are made from aluminum to reduce weight and help achieve the outstanding efficiency performance.

The launch of the 740d coincides with the introduction of M Sport models to the 7-Series range. Now all BMW 7-Series variants in Europe can be ordered with M Sport equipment. The latter adds new 19" M Sport wheels, M Aerodynamic body styling and high-gloss exterior trim. Inside, Sport seats, M Sport steering wheel, M Sport door sill inlays, brushed aluminum interior trim and Anthracite headlining complete the list.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New Car:BMW S.X. Concept

Looking at some of the controversial recent designs coming out of BMW, many enthusiasts might think that it's not hard to imagine that study hall doodles would be preferable. Not exactly a schoolboy anymore, Iulian Bumbu has applied skills learned at a Milanese automotive design program to a BMW etude.

BMW S.X. Concept – Click above for image gallery

The car looks like it could actually be possible, wearing design cues that echo the recently redone Z4. The renderings call to mind the recently scuttled Concept CS from BMW's own pens, depicting a car that's extra-wide, super-low, and ultra aggressive. In any case, BMW could do worse than this flight of fancy.

G-POWER BMW M3 E46

450 hp for the BMW M3 E46 and Z4M, that’s quiet impressive. The G-POWER SK I supercharger system provides the 3.2 l straight cylinder engine from the BMW M GmbH with the necessary boost to push the output from standard 343 hp/365 Nm to awesome 450 hp/450 Nm. 20 inch G-POWER “SILVERSTONE DIAMOND” alloy wheels with MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres in the dimensions 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20, G-POWER coil-over suspension and a stainless steel sport rear muffler featuring the legendary G-POWER “DEEPTONE” technology complete the G-POWER package for the two M-cars.

2009 G-POWER BMW M3 E46
After getting the BMW E46 scene ecstatic with the 550 PS strong G-POWER M3 with integrated 5.0l M5 V10 engine, by the way the only one on the market, G-POWER launches another product for serious performance upgrade for the BMW M3 E46 and Z4M, that will fascinate the M- enthusiasts. Being the leading manufacturer of after market supercharger systems for BMW automobiles it is no surprise that G-POWER naturally relies on forced induction for its new product based on the premium superchargers from ASA.

And the result is awesome! Despite the fact that G-POWER did not go for the expensive compression reducing forged pistons and even the exhaust system stays untouched, reliable 450 hp and 450 Nm of torque could be realized for the BMW M3 E46 and Z4M.

The secret behind this power explosion under the bonnet of the G-POWER M3 E46 and Z4M is the large ASA TM I 20 centrifugal supercharger. By the way, the ASA superchargers are being used in the ALPINA models B5S, B6S and B7 as well, just like the ALPINA B6 GT3 race car, in witch the chargers could state there impressive quality and reliability during in this year’s 24th hour race in the “Green Hell” of the Nurburgring! The exclusive use of components meeting OEM standards is one of the basic elements of the G-POWER philosophy and one of the secrets for the extraordinary quality, reliability and performance of the G-POWER products.

Of course a 107 hp additional power leave its marks at the performance figures. The figure from stand still to 200 km/h improves from standard 18,1 seconds to impressive 14,7 seconds. Not bad for a car that has been introduced almost 10 years ago and now is even quicker than the current 420 hp strong BMW M3 V8 with its 15,8 seconds.

Accompanying measures in regards of wheels, suspension and exhaust system complete the G-POWER program for the BMW M3 E46 and Z4M.

Together with the 20 inch G-POWER “SILVERSTONE DIAMOND” alloy wheels set and the MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres a top speed of more than 300 km/h is achievable. The G-POWER SILVERSTONE alloy wheels have been exclusively designed for the current BMW models. Due to the successful combination of double spokes and the "concave design" typical of G-POWER they separate the BMW M3 E46 and Z4M form the rest of the mass production. The G-POWER “diamond cut” provides for the fascinating dynamic appearance of the G-POWER SILVESTONE rim, in contrast to the silver-graphite coated rim body and the bolt applications of stainless steel. An additional feature of the G-POWER SILVERSTONE rim is its weight-optimised design that allows a low rim weight with the same stability, compared to other standard wheels. A perceptibly improved impression of convenience and a considerably increased agility accompany the minimisation of the unsprung mass: advantages of the G-POWER SILVERSTONE rim, which you can factually experience especially in combination with the low-profile tyres from MICHELIN in the dimension 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20. Further improvement of the road handling is realized through the continuously height-adjustable G-POWER coil-over suspension RS with nine selectable settings each for bound and rebound.

Not included in the G-POWER SK I supercharger system for the BMW E46 M3 and Z4M, but still worth a second thought, is the G-POWER sports rear muffler. This rear muffler is completely hand made out of stainless steel on the in- and outside and grants for a perfect fit thanks to OEM standard product quality. Though when you fire up the engine and the throaty G-POWER sound emerges the 4 x 76 mm end pipes of the G-POWER sports rear muffler, all those attributes are swept aside. The sound is strong in low revs and is getting more and more aggressive the higher you rev. With this setup the G-POWER sports rear muffler underlines perfectly the significantly increased power of the BMW M3 E46 and the Z4M. The patented G-POWER “DEEPTONE” technology is responsible for this extraordinary sound pattern.

The cost for the 20 inch G-POWER SILVERSTONE DIAMOND complete wheel set incl. MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres in the dimension 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20 is 4.422,17 &eur;, the G-POWER coil-over suspension RS is 1.205,88 &eur; and the G-POWER sport rear muffler is 1.079,83 &eur;. The output increase with the help of the G-POWER SK I supercharger system for BMW M3 E46 and Z4M is 10.495,80 &eur; plus the installation.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

BMW X5d diesel SUV

It's not that BMW is trying to get you into a diesel SUV, but... the car BMW loaned us for a week's test was an icebox-white X5 xDrive35d (they like long, unwieldy names at BMW) with the words "Efficient Dynamics" emblazoned in six-inch-high bright blue letters on both sides.

Well, yes, okay, we understand, but did you also have to have an even larger underlay, in white, stuck-on letters, that said, "Efficent"? And what about the smaller advertising on the rear flanks that proclaimed you can get 585 miles per tank of diesel fuel? All right. We've got it. (By the by, cars that end up with customers don't have the gaudy ads on the sides, but I suppose that if you really wanted them, BMW would slap them up there right quickly.)

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What BMW has wrought with this diesel SUV is to bring American customers into the long-established European custom of driving fuel-efficient diesel vehicles. It's an interesting tack, mainly because diesels -- long thought of as noisy, slow and smoke-spewing -- are, in the modern idiom, none of those.

Yes, there is a slight bit of clatter from the X5's three-liter inline six-cylinder diesel at startup, but it quickly goes away and just sounds, more or less, like a normal gasoline engine.

So we'll get the techo stuff out of the way up front: current diesel engines, like the one in the X5, are called "clean diesels" because they don't rumble down the street, belching clouds of dirty black smoke, like all those big city buses we grew up with.

There's a more exhaustive explantion here, but suffice to say that the BMW X5 diesel uses a solution of urea called AdBlue to make things cleaner at the back end of the exhaust system.

Keep in mind, however, that BMW also markets two other versions of the X5, both powered by gasoline engines -- a three-liter conventional six; and a 4.8-liter V8. The diesel version, with a base price of $51,200 is about $4,000 more than the smaller gas-engined car and some $5,000 less than the V8 model. (While our car started life at $51,200, it ballooned to nearly $66,000 with more than $12,000 worth of add-on packages, including $1,200 for the "head-up display," which is an orange-lighted digital speedometer that appears, ghostlike, in the windshield. Is this really worth $1,200?)

Once you're inside the X5 diesel, however, you'll find it doesn't feel much different than the gasoline car. It has the requisite comfort, wrapping you in thick leather (thick is a theme here -- the steering wheel is a beefy monster of a thicko), steering wheel controls, zillion-speaker audio, air-in-all-directions heat and cold, and enough insulation to isolate you from all the diesel noise you thought you were going to hear, but won't, even if the windows are down.

What I found striking about this car were some of the esoteric design tricks. I liked the two-piece tailgate -- man, is that a throwback to 1960s era American wagons. The bottom half, when unfolded, is 15 inches deep, big enough to use as an extra shelf for, well, tailgate parties at the ballpark.

There's a lovely, great panoramic glass sunroof that goes sailing back forever (or, at least, past the front row people). In the center of the rear seat, you can lower the arm rest and find a folded-up cloth ski bag, so those muddy, wet skis won't muck up the inside of your SUV. (The assumption, left unsaid, is that people who buy BMWs are the people who can afford to go skiing. Just an aside.)

There were, however, a few irritating design flaws. The car came equipped with running boards, but they were too high -- they were just about at a level with the floor, so when you're trying to get out, your calf scrapes down along the running board. Either lose the boards or lower them. After 15 minutes of searching, I gave up on trying to find a latch for the glove box. (I later found it, only by doing a Google search and learning that I wasn't the only one looking for this elusive button.)

Then there's BMW's long-hated iDrive control system for navigation, audio and other esoterica. Word is that it's going to be revamped in next year's X5. I wasn't driving next year's X5. Complaining about the iDrive is like shouting at a blank wall -- but, once again: simplicity would suffice.

On the road, the X5 diesel is everything you'd expect in a big SUV from BMW. It's fast (zero to 60 in under 8 seconds, says the factory), the ABS brakes stop the car quickly, despite its weight of more than two and a half tons, and it will haul you and yours serenely for long distances at (diesel, once again) good mileage.

Ultimately, it comes down to this, if you're dithering between gas and diesel: If you want different, and if you especially want low-end torque, you'll want the diesel. It's strong, generally reliable and it's more efficient.The downside (if you want to call it that) is that with diesel is that there are fewer fueling opportunities -- there are more gas pumps than diesel pumps. On the other hand, right now (and keep in mind that fuel costs fluctuate wildly, as we've all seen) diesel costs slightly less: a recent check with AAA showed that the national price for regular-grade gasoline was $2.67 a gallon, $2.55 for diesel.

It's up to you.

SPECIFICATIONS:

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d; front engine, all-wheel drive five-door SUV.

Price: test model, $51,200 (Base price: $65,620)

Power train: 3-liter inline six-cylinder 265-horsepower diesel engine. Six-speed automatic transmission, with manumatic function.

Curb weight: 5,225 pounds.

Seating capacity: seven.

Fuel consumption : 19 mpg, city; 26 mpg, highway.

Fuel tank capacity: 22.5 gallons.

Length: 191.1 inches; width: 76.1 inches; height: 69.5 inches; wheelbase: 115.5 inches.

Warranty: four years/50,000 miles.

Diamond Bar, Glendora, Azusa and West Covina cities get electric BMW Mini E

An E-ticket ride will soon be rolling through four San Gabriel Valley cities.

Diamond Bar, Glendora, Azusa and West Covina were chosen to participate in BMW's pilot program for its first all-electric vehicle, the Mini E.

Each of the municipalities received two of the 200-horsepower Mini Cooper look-alikes at just $10 a month for each. Only 450 of the two-seaters were produced.

At the end of the one-year lease, participants will provide feedback to BMW. It is expected that an all-electric vehicle will be mass produced by 2012.
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The study is being conducted in the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey. Non-municipal lessees will have to dish out $850 a month for the all-electric vehicles, which can travel up to 150 miles on one battery charge and reach a top speed of 95 mph.

Auto News:BMW, Mercedes Benz Sales Drops Slow as Contraction Wanes

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit, the world’s top two luxury- vehicle makers, reported the slowest sales declines in at least eight months in a sign the worst market in decades is abating.

BMW, which also makes Mini and Rolls-Royce models, delivered 127,546 cars and sport-utility vehicles in June compared with 146,136 a year earlier, the Munich-based company said in a statement today. The 13 percent drop was the slowest since October. Sales of Mercedes-Benz models fell 5 percent to 100,300 vehicles, the smallest decrease since September, Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler said.
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“The luxury carmakers are more of a true bellwether of underlying demand, because they haven’t benefited measurably from government incentives,” said Peter Kelly, senior director at J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting in Oxford, England. While discounts may have, the two carmakers’ sales numbers “suggest that the market may find a bottom in the second half.”

Government-funded rebates in Germany, France and Italy have helped stem car-sales declines after the recession led Europe’s auto market in 2008 to shrink by the most in 15 years. Deliveries in the region fell 4.9 percent in May, the slowest drop in 13 months, according to European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association figures.

BMW fell 15 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 25.48 euros in Frankfurt trading, the lowest price since May 29. Daimler declined 37 cents, or 1.5 percent, to a three-month low of 24.20 euros.
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‘Favorable’ Incentive Effects

PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe’s second-largest carmaker, said today that first-half global sales fell 14 percent. The incentives were “quite favorable for us” in attracting customers for the Paris-based company’s smaller cars, Citroen division Managing Director Frederic Banzet said.

Lower inventories of unsold cars and improving demand have helped Daimler and BMW increase production rates. Daimler, which is also the world’s largest truckmaker, has reduced the number of employees on short-time work to 47,000 from 60,000 at the end of April. BMW has cut the number of workers on reduced hours to 12,000 from 25,000 in March.

“There are first indications of a slight recovery on the automobile markets,” Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief, said in the statement. Introductions of the X1 SUV and 5-Series Gran Turismo crossover model “will give sales a further boost in the second half of the year.”

German, Chinese Growth

Sales by the BMW brand fell 13 percent to 105,220 vehicles, while Mini-division deliveries slipped 8.9 percent to 22,273. Rolls-Royce sold 53 cars in June compared with 114 a year earlier. Group sales increased in Germany, China, India and Brazil. Sales in the U.S. fell 20 percent.

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Cars group, which includes the two- seat Smart minicar, delivered 111,300 vehicles in June, a decline of 6.7 percent, limiting the drop in the first half to 19 percent. Smart-car sales fell 17 percent to 11,000. Group deliveries rose in China, Brazil and France, helping push inventories to their “lowest level in years,” Daimler said. Sales fell in Japan and the U.S.

“The development of sales in June exceeded our expectations,” Klaus Maier, Mercedes-Benz Cars’ top sales executive, said in Daimler’s statement. “We expect to see our sales stabilize in the second half of 2009.”
Source: bloomberg.com

2011 BMW 5 Series Sheds Some Camo, Gets Some Camo

The next BMW 5 Series is taking shape. It must, because BMW has fitted its latest prototype (pictured) with a batch of psychedelic camouflage. Spied mules before with bulging, unfitting body work, but these shots from our spy photographers in Europe show a bit more detail of the upcoming model.

With little surprise, the 5 Series Gran Turismo's styling cues are starting to show. The grille, for instance, loses the rake of the current model in favor of an upright and flat stance. In fact, the entire front end appears to be flat, much like the current 7 Series. The headlights show a departure, too. Even with camouflage, shape that appears much less stylized than the current 5 Series.


As Mike Connor reported in February, the 2011 5 Series -- codenamed F10 -- will feature engines based on the new turbo range: A 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six in the 540i, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the 550i, and a twin-turbo clean diesel. The 5's wheelbase will grow a couple of inches, but the aim is to maintain current mass using smaller, turbocharged engines and extensive aluminum in the body's exterior panels. Control-arm front suspensions will replace the MacPherson struts. Options include the Integral Steering package just introduced on the 7, which adds electronically controlled rear steering to the familiar active front steering.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

2010 BMW X6 M

Hurtling along at a cool 143mph (230km/h) in BMW's 2010 X6 M at Road Atlanta just before you shut it down hard for turn 10A, there's a brief moment where you wonder if it's even physically possible for the 5,324lb (2,415kg) missile you're now a part of to slow down enough to make the turn and avoid surfing the sand into the runoff area. But the moment passes and soon enough you're throwing the car into a four-wheel drift and pegging the throttle as you confidently accelerate up the hill to start a new lap.

That, in a nutshell, is all you need to know about the X6 M. Our time with the car was limited to just a few hours on the road and 20 laps of Road Atlanta at today's BMW-sponsored press event, but that time has given us a clear image of what the X6 M is - and isn't.
2010 BMW X6 M
It's an SUV (or SAV - Sport Activity Vehicle, according to BMW) that you can actually take to the track and not only safely negotiate the corners with but actually have fun exploring the outer limits of the chassis, brakes and tires. And those limits are very high indeed - with a solid exit from turn 7 there's a real possibility of seeing the vehicle's electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h).

At speed, the car seems to shrink around you, contrary to its large street presence. Turn-in rewards good technique - crisp and precise if you're off the brakes, but tending toward understeer with trail braking. Get back on the throttle at the apex and you can steer with your right foot - assuming you've switched off traction control - with the car sending at least 60% of its power to the rear wheels, and a full 100% at speeds over 111.8mph (180km/h).

Straightaways flash by in a blink with the 555hp (408kW) twin-turbo V8 screaming to its 7,000rpm redline without once running out of breath - a trait it owes to its unique cross-tuned manifold and twin-turbo setup. Stand on the four-piston, 15in brakes and the 275/40/20 front and 315/35/20 rear tires will perform miracles of deceleration with confidence-inspiring feedback.

Behind the wheel, the X6 M not only feels small, it feels almost - almost - light. It certainly doesn't feel like a 5,300lb behemoth. Steering is light but offers decent feedback, the brake pedal is firm with a long stroke and the accelerator is responsive but never jerky, even at low speeds. For many drivers the X6 M's six-speed automatic transmission will either be a draw or a sore spot, but in practice the unit does admirably in automatic mode, though to extract the most from the vehicle, you'll need to tap the wheel-mounted paddles yourself.

Take a step back from the heady rush of the track, and the X6 M begins to raise some questions. The first: who would buy this? It is, after all, a four-seater, four-door SUV/crossover with an understandably portly curb weight. Inside, the M is even more luxurious and well-appointed than the standard X6, with stitched leather and carbon-fiber-like materials throughout the cabin.

The vehicle is intended to be a sort of automotive Swiss Army knife, capable of doing it all, but like the cutlery, in the end, it doesn't really do any of them as well as a specialist tool. And that's traditionally what the M Division has made - scalpels, not Swiss Army knives.

That said, it is a very pleasing and fun track-day toy, and even though the average X6 M owner will likely never see a closed course, it's the possibility that will entice many. Just as most SUVs will never leave the comfort of paved suburbia, so too is the X6 M as much about potential as it is about practice.

Driving the standard X6 from Road Atlanta to Spartanburg after our time with the X6 M was somewhat anti-climactic, but it served to highlight the comfort, ease of driving and perfectly capable acceleration of the standard V8 vehicle. Driven back to back on the city streets, the differences between the standard and M versions might not be readily apparent to the average driver, though the M's aggressive exterior leaves no doubt as to which is which.

Perhaps BMW's own engineers summed the X6 M up best at the press conference when they compared it to a sunny spot in a sea of gloomy news, brought in to brighten up the automotive world when it needs it most. And that it certainly does. The question is whether its on-track potential will translate into real-world sales at its $89,725 price point - but we'll have to wait at least until sales start in October to learn if the M Division has hit all the right marks with its latest sport-activity sports car.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

New Car 2009 Hamann BMW 7 Series F01


Manufacturer Technical Specifications

General

Country Of Origin Germany
Year Of Introduction 2009
Base Price When New N.A
Miles Per Gallon N.A
Body Type 4 Door Sedan
Curb Weight N.A
Powertrain Layout RWD
Transmission 6-Speed manual

Engine

Configuration N.A
Displacement N.A
Power 180 kW / 245 hp
Torque N.A
BHP / Liter N.A
BHP / Weight N.A
Redline N.A

Performance

Top Speed N.A
0 - 62 mph N.A
0 - 100 mph N.A
0 - 250 mile N.A
Skidpad N.A
Braking, 62-0 mph N.A
Slalom Speed N.A



The HAMANN refining programme for the new BMW 7-series

Individualisation on the highest level – this is the motto under which HAMANN presents its refining programme for the new BMW 7-series of the model range F01 and F02. Already since 1986, the Laupheim-based company develops and produces products for the individualisation of BMW automobiles. Thereby, the HAMANN technicians profit from hundreds of successful motor sports participations. The competence which was gained there is the basis for the development of new HAMANN products and renders the highest level for product quality and processing. The result: stainless steel exhaust systems with a sporty and earthy sound, aerodynamics components reducing the lifting forces and striking light alloy rims from 19 to 22 inches. Interiors perfectly fitted with leather and combined with floor-mats in matching colours as well as non-slip aluminium pedals extend the accessory range.

Already when establishing the design, HAMANN perfectly adjusts the individual components of the aerodynamic pack. The result is an exciting styling with an optimised air flow across the car silhouette. LED daytime running lights which are integrated in the new front skirt, render a sporty-dynamic look and increase the passive safety. Simultaneously, in combination with the roof spoiler and the rear spoiler, the lifting forces are reduced and give the upper class limousine a new, attractive overall appearance. The visual connection between the front and rear part are the HAMANN side skirts which are available for the model series F01. The optionally available rear shield insert for the side skirt of the model 730d and 740i allows fitting the four-pipe sport end muffler. Four round stainless steel end pipes with a diameter of 90 millimetres perfectly enhance the rear part of the 7-series BMW and produce a powerful, earthy sound.

A performance enhancement for the Diesel engine with variable turbine geometrics is already under construction. By this first tuning stage the serial measure of the 730d (180 kW / 245 hp) increases by approximately 33 kW/45 hp.

A technical highlight of the offered tuning programme is the one-piece HAMANN-aluminium wheel called DESIGN HM EVO 22 inches. A hallmark of the modern styling is the glossy black paint with the diamond-grinded rim star and the discreet deep rim well. Five elongated and over-vaulted triple spokes document visual and technical finesse. Struts inside the spokes render additional stability. Modern production processes and the use of special aluminium alloys guarantee highest bearing loads at a low weight. Here, HAMANN recommends the dimensions 9.0Jx22 inches with 265/30ZR22 tyres at the front axle and 10.5Jx22 inches with 295/25ZR22 tyres at the rear axle.

The four progressively coiled chassis springs which lower the centre of gravity with the models 730d, 740i by 40 millimetres at the front- and rear axles, render a dynamic appearance. For the models 750i and 750Li, there is a lowering kit consisting of two chassis springs and an evening kit.

In addition to the existing, serial interior equipment, HAMANN accessories made first-class aluminium, pedals and foot-rests render motor sports air and perfectly match the embroidered HAMANN floor mat set. If desired, even a complete leather equipment can be produced with expert precision.

For more information about the extensive HAMANN refining programme, please visit the web site www.HAMANN-MOTORSPORT.com



Saturday, July 4, 2009

BMW confirms plans for 3-series GT

2012 BMW 3-series GT preview rendering
BMW has just taken the wraps off its new 5-series GT, which goes on sale early next year and shares its design with the next-generation 5-series sedan, also due next year. The concept of the vehicle has proven so popular – at least to BMW’s management - that a smaller version based on the next-generation 3-series sedan has been confirmed for production.

Picking up the 3-series GT moniker, the car will feature the same raised seating position and ride height as the bigger 5-series GT and will also likely adopt a two-tier rear hatch design. It will come with both RWD and xDrive AWD configurations, with power coming from a range of four and six cylinder engines. The computer generated rendering gives us a preview of what the new car may look like, revealing that it will share the aggressive new look that’s being implemented across BMW’s lineup.

Speaking with Edmunds, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer stated that his company has not cancelled plans for a 3-series crossover as it’s “considered a volume builder with which we [BMW] can earn good money.”

Designers will be stressing the car’s coupe characteristics just as they did with the X6 and new 5-series GT. Expect to see extremely short overhangs, pumped fenders and sporty alloy wheels. Pricing will also reflect the car’s positioning above the standard 3-series on which it will be based. Along with an upcoming replacement for the X3, it will give BMW a vital rival to Audi’s A4 Avant as well as the upcoming Q3 SUV.

Its release date is scheduled for late 2011, about the same time that the next-generation 3-series sedan is due.

New Car BMW X1 SUV

http://www.motorauthority.com/content/images/2/0/2010_bmw_x1_official_photos_leak_main630-0701.jpg
The next couple of years will be very busy for BMW as it launches a handful of new models including new versions of current top sellers and some models we’ve never seen before. The new X1 falls into the latter category and will take the carmaker into the compact SUV market currently dominated by the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

The X1 has been conceived with the flexibility to offer traditional RWD and xDrive AWD configurations, as well as a wide variety of petrol and diesel powertrain choices. It will debut in Europe this fall with a choice of four engines - one petrol and three diesels - and will be available in both RWD and AWD. The most efficient of the range, the RWD sDrive18d achieves fuel economy of up to 45.2mpg (5.2L/100km) while still being capable of reaching speeds of up to 124mph.

It was also revealed today that the X1 will go on sale in the U.S. in 2011, likely with two new petrol engines.

Every X1 will also be available with BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology helping to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. These will include brake energy regeneration, engine stop-start technology and a gearshift point indicator.

The initial model range will include the 258hp (190kW) and 228lb-ft (310Nm) of torque xDrive28i 3.0L petrol model, which can accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 127mph while returning fuel economy of 25mpg (9.4L/100km). This is followed by a 204hp (150kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) of torque xDrive23d, a 177hp (130kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque xDrive20d and sDrive20d, and finally a 143hp (105kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque xDrive18d and sDrive18d.

BMW family traits can also be found in the styling of the front and rear lights, which resemble the recently revealed 5-series GT and the 7-series sedan, respectively. The shots also confirm that BMW designers have stuck closely to the lines of the Concept X1 showcased at last year’s Paris Motor Show.

Three full-sized seats in an elevated position at the rear offer generous space and the backrest is adjustable for angle and folds down in a 40/20/20 split. Luggage compartment capacity may be increased from 420 litres/14.7 cu ft to a maximum of 1,350 litres/47.3 cu ft. An electrically operated Panorama glass roof is available as an option.

Production volume is expected to top the 100,000 mark and will take place at a BMW plant in Leipzig. The X1 will be priced higher than the 1-series, likely starting close to the $30,000 mark, and will be revealed for the first time in the metal at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Gallery: 2010 BMW X1 SUV

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

LEAKED: High-res shots of 2010 BMW X1


2010 BMW X1

Although it is isn't slated to be officially revealed until this fall's Frankfurt Auto Show, it feels like we've been seeing the wraps come off BMW's X1 baby crossover for years now. Thanks to a steady stream of spy shots over the last 18 months or so, we feel like we ought to be able to tell you not only the shape and size of the glovebox, but the material its walls are made of. Regardless, these are the first official shots of the X1 that have leaked out on the web, apparently because of German magazine FOCUS online.

As we've already seen almost all elements of the X1 already, the final shape doesn't surprise us, which appears much like a shrunken X5 mixed with styling cues from the bull-nosed 7-Series, 5-Series Gran Turismo, and of course, last year's X1 Concept.

The inside is typical Bimmer fare as well, with a sober but handsome and well-screwed-together look. The usual accoutrements are present in the photo models' driver oriented instrument panels, including iDrive, USB ports, and thumb-shifters for the automatic.

We're already tired of BMW's awkward model naming conventions, but regardless, the CUV is expected to launch in Europe in xDrive18i and xDrive 18d configurations, along with an xDrive20d model whose 177 hp diesel is apparently good for 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, an xDrive23d model with a 204 hp oil-burner (0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds, top speed of 139 mph), as well as the xDrive28i, which is apparently good for 143 mph. No word yet on what models we'll see in the U.S. just yet, but we'd be surprised to see anything less powerful than the xDrive28i in Stateside dealers, and we'll keep our fingers crossed for a diesel variant.

According to current scuttlebutt, the X1 will launch in autumn exclusively paired with all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive versions are expected to come on line soon thereafter. Check out the gallery below and keep checking back with us for further details as they become available.

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