BMW
BMW teases the new X3 in The Netherlands
BMW’s X3 model is up for a replacement soon and the company has started to tease the 2011 compact SUV. The teasing exercise which is made up by a couple of detailed images can be seen on the website of the company’s Dutch division.
We can see a portion of the hood which, just like other new BMWs has various design lines giving it a more dynamic look. There is also an image of the left taillight which has hints of the X1′s taillight but I prefer the on the X1. But of course we will have to wait and look at the whole car before we give our final verdict.
There are also two more images of some designers working on the clay model. You can see all the images in high-res fashion after the jump. The 2011 BMW X3 is scheduled for an October 2010 debut at the Paris Motor Show. Read the rest of this entry.
BMW 1-Series on steroids coming soon – VIDEO
BMW is currently testing a high performance variant of the entry-level 1-Series and although the company has not officially said anything about this new model which is being dubbed the ‘M1′, its not stopping the motoring fraternity from making speculations especially about its performance figures.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the ‘M1″ which may be called something else (perhaps Tii) is likely to be powered by a 3.0 liter turbocharged 6-cylinder which can produce 326hp and up to 450Nm of torque. In comparison the 135i which is available now makes 302hp and and 400Nm of torque.
It is also likely to get to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission along with a Launch Control system. Apparently a 6-speed manual transmission will be offered as well which is good news for stick shift fans out there.
Just like other M cars this 1-Series on steroids will also get an interior fitted with M equipment along with exterior upgrades including larger front and rear aprons, an M suspension and more. Continue reading to watch a video of the 1-Series being tested at the Nurburgring circuit.
All new F10 BMW 5-Series launched in Singapore!
Singapore’s official distributor of BMW vehicles Performance Motors Limited has officially unveiled the all new 5-Series mid-sized sedan for the local market. Codenamed the F10 this latest iteration of the 5er is the largest of them all and in my honest opinion, its miles better than the E60 model it replaces especially in terms of its design. It looks more true to a BMW instead of a controversial design with the E60.
Even the interior is way better with its BMW 7-Series inspired design. Everything looks and feels BMW. Although the E60 was a comfortable place to be in, the design was anything but exiting.
For the Singaporean market, PML is offering three variants staring off with the BMW 523i, 523i Highline and the range-topping BMW 535i. The base 523i is motivated by a 204hp 2.5 liter 6-cylinder engine that also makes 250Nm of torque achievable between 2,750 rpm and 3,000 rpm.
BMW claims that the average fuel consumption is figured at 8.0 liters per 100 kilometers (EU standard). I had a go in this model and power delivery is smooth although it could use slightly more power. The 6-cylinder sounds just like how a 6-potter should.
The Highline version retains the same engine option but comes standard with additional features and accessories such as 18-inch V-spoke Style 328 wheels, fine wood trim ash grain high gloss instead of black high gloss with the simpler 523i, Park Assistant, navigation, interior and exterior mirror with anti-dazzle function as well as a high loudspeaker system.
The top-of-the-line 535i has a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder engine with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo. This high-performance engine produces 306hp at 5,800 rpm and can crank out 400Nm of torque right from 1,200 rpm thanks to the force-induction system. Both the 523i Highline and this 535i comes with a 10.2-inch display screen for the iDrive system.
Pricing wise the 523i goes for S$215,800 while the Highline trim level carries a S$229,800 price tag. The 535i reaches the high 200s with its S$294,800 selling price. All models come with 3 years warranty or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. We recently had a go in the 535i in Portugal and you can click here to read our test drive report. A detailed launched story can also be found here.
Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
BMW announces more details about the 444hp M3 GTS
BMW has revealed more details about the track-ready M3 GTS that will be sold in low numbers. Power comes from a V8 that makes 444hp at 8,300 rpm which is about 8.7% more power compared to the standard but already so powerful M3.
Torque is figured at 440Nm which comes to a 10% increase. The torque is achievable at 3,750 rpm. Instead of a 4.0 liter V8 which you get with the standard M3 you will race home with a 4.36 liter unit thanks to a cylinder stroke upgrade. This will propel the GTS to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds compared to 4.6 seconds with the M3 coupe.
Gear changes are made possible with the M Dual Clutch Drivelogic transmission with 7 gears. This gearbox has been retuned for its use with the modified V8 powerplant. It comes with no surprise that the suspension has been tuned for racing as well. There is of course variable dampers and furthermore the camber on the front and rear axle can be adjusted too.
The 1,530kg 305km/h car also comes with a full aerodynamics package, performance brakes and more. The M3 GTS will be launched in Germany in July with a €136.850 price tag, including VAT. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia edition
It has been 70 years since BMW’s historic victory in the famous Mille Miglia race with the 328 MM Touring Coupe, and to commemorate that occasion Munich has produced this – the Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia edition. Could be a future collectible, as only 99 will be made.
The Mille Miglia will have a Polaris Metallic matte finish, blacked out grille, M aerodynamic kit and 19-inch wheels finished in Dark Chrome. Of course, Mille Miglia badges are proudly displayed both outside and inside the cabin, which comes with leather/Alcantara seats with red stitching. The M steering wheel also gets matching red threads.
Nothing has changed underneath, which means that long hood houses a 335 bhp/500 Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. More images after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
BMW shows interest in DTM, plans to rejoin in 2012
The German Touring Car Masters or DTM has been restructured and BMW is now interested to rejoin the series in 2012. The German automaker will race an M3 if it can meet the requirements set by DTM organizer ITR and it will reveal its answer by end of the year. Meanwhile BMW will make necessary technical preparations.
“The newly aligned programme offers us many important stages, on which to demonstrate the sporting gene present in BMW vehicles. The planned return to the DTM is an exciting challenge for our team,” said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen.
“Over the coming months we will be making all the necessary technical preparations that should allow us to be competitive right from the start should we join the series in 2012. Thanks to its great tradition in production car racing, the BMW M3 is predestined to be used as the basic car. In 2011 we will once again be lining up with our BMW M3 GT2, which is contesting its debut season in Europe this year,” he added.
DTM officially kicked off in 1984 and BMW has taken part before. The series then came to a grinding halt in 1996 due to cost issues but emerged again in 2000. If BMW joins the German series it will go head to head with rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
The press release also revealed that BMW is developing a 1.6 liter turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine that will be used in 2011. This engine will also feature direct injection and will be used in the Super2000 class in championships such as the World Touring Car Championship.
Volcanic ash cloud may force BMW to halt production in the US
Looks like the volcanic ash cloud is affecting the auto industry as well, specifically BMW. A spokesperson from the company told Bloomberg that BMW will have to temporarily halt production at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina US where the German company assembles the X5 and X6 SUVs.
Mathias Schmidt said that if the volcanic ash cloud continues to disrupt trans-Atlantic flights for another two days, the temporary shut down will be implemented. The cancelations of flights are affecting the parts supply chain which involves BMW supplying parts from Germany by air to the US. The company rolls up to 600 cars a day at the Spartanburg plant.
The volcanic ash cloud has been covering European airspace thanks to the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Airports from Dublin to Moscow are forced to shut down their operations for the time being. The disruptions are costing the airline companies up to US$300 million worth of revenues a day and that does not include the loss suffered by the people at large.
BMW to phase out M3 sedan with next-gen 3-Series line-up?
According to Automobile Magazine BMW will phase out the M3 sedan when the next generation 3-Series is introduced probably in 2012. The website claims that the auto company will continue to market the high-performance M3 as a coupe and convertible and that both variants will be powered by a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder engine with twin turbos. The powerplant is rumored to produce about 450hp.
The same article also mentioned that the 3-Series Gran Turismo will be introduced in March 2013, indicating a reveal during the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
