Today we got some optimistic news from BMW on the future of diesels in the United States. In talking to journalists at the BMW University program at the company's U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, Tom Baloga, vice president of engineering for BMW of North America, expressed confidence that a four-cylinder diesel will show up in a range of U.S.-bound models during the next decade.

"You're going to see it of course in the 3 Series," he said, "and the 5 Series is a good possibility. If the performance [of such an engine] is sufficient in the X3, U.S. customers would likely accept it in the X5 as well."

Said diesel four-cylinder would be a 2.0-liter (as in the European 320d shown above), but BMW wouldn't be targeting the bargain end of the market.

"This engine needs to match the acoustic qualities of a 6-cylinder, and it needs to match the performance, as well as performing better in terms of fuel economy and emissions.

"Our four-cylinder diesel will be so good that people will readily accept it as a replacement for six-cylinders. The target is to produce enough horsepower to be comparable [in performance] to our N54/N55 six-cylinder turbos."

Source: Inside Line

BMW has substantially cut the price of its Sirius Satellite Radio factory option from $595 to $350 on select 2010 vehicles (excludes 5 Series, 6 Series and X3) while also adding functionality. Customers who choose Sirius will continue to receive "The Sirius Everything" package for one year, along with some of the most popular XM channels available including Oprah Radio, XM Public Radio and several sports channels.

Beyond cheaper hardware and expanded channels, BMW and Sirius have also made the satellite radio more user friendly. Users can now view the channel list as a channel name, artist and a new "Instant Replay" function allows you to replay a favorite song or program. You can also choose favorite songs and receive an alert when one of your favorites is being played, which is one of those good ideas somebody should have thought of long ago.

Source: AutoBlog

This is it; the BMW M3 that we've all been waiting for after the demise of the previous, E90 M3 CSL. The hardest ever production M3 that gets the GTS moniker is a track-focused yet completely road-legal, limited edition model and it comes with many weight saving measures, more power from a larger capacity V8 engine and lots of juicy upgrades that you normally find on aftermarket tuned cars.

It doesn't take long to see that this isn't your 'every-day' M3. The car is distinguished by several unique features ranging from the Porsche 911 GT3-like orange finish and the numerous matte-black applications, to the adjustable front splitter and rear wing that can provide a higher level of downforce and the unique 19-inch wheels with ample 225/35 tires at the front and 285/30 at the rear.

A closer look at the car also reveals the beefy fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the back as well as the new yellow springs with a small M logo. BMW says that the M3 GTS features a special threaded suspension, adjustable in compression and rebound. More in the jump!

But there's more than meets the eye to this M3. Since the serial-production model is already weight-optimized with a bevy of measures such as the carbon lightweight roof that was previously reserved for the GTS's predecessor, the E90 M3 CSL, BMW's M division had to come up with new solutions to lower the car's weight.

The weight-saving measures adopted on the new 2011 M3 GT3 include a new set of light body-contoured front seats, optimization of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car's windows in the back, the removal of the air conditioning, navigation and radio systems and the rear seats that have been ditched altogether - who needs them anyway on a car like this.

Furthermore, the GTS features a new titanium rear silencer that not only promises to produce a more race car-like symphony but it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.

According to BMW's M division, the M3 GTS tips the scales at around 1,490 kilograms (3,285 pounds). That's more than impressive given that the standard M3 (U.S.-spec model) weighs in at 1,680kg (3,704 lbs).

As a track focused model, the M3 GTS has been prepared for installation of 6-point seatbelts for use on the race track while there are also mounts for the roll-over protective structure bolted on from the B column plus a fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation.

Which brings us to the heart of the M3 GTS; the engine bay. The serial production M3 gets a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 engine pumping out 420HP. For the M3 GTS, BMW's M department enlarged the displacement of the V8 to 4.4-liters thus promising an output of around 450 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics.

BMW says that it intends to shatter the lap time of the iconic M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the M3 GTS. "The test runs certainly give grounds for optimism," the firm said in a statement.

We're still waiting for BMW to release performance figures and more technical details on the new M3 GTS, but we can tell you that the price of the custom ordered model is expected to be €115,000 (US $170,000) for delivery in Germany, including 19% VAT.

BMW said that the first examples are due to be supplied in Germany in May 2010 while according to current planning, registrations in other countries will be possible from Summer 2010.

Source: CarScoop

BMW has joined forces with carbonfibre specialist SGL Group to produce lightweight parts for its new MegaCity electric vehicle. MegaCity will take on Daimler's struggling Smart division with a range of affordable urban vehicles, in both two- and four-wheeled forms. Two plants will be built in North America and Germany to manufacture carbonfibre parts on a “large scale” for the first time.

"We will enter into a new dimension in the use of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics, both in terms of volume per car and in vehicle numbers," a BMW spokesman said.

The companies are said to be investing 230million euros ($500mil.) in total.

Source: AutoCar

The next-generation BMW M5, due out in 2011, is still more than a year away from launch, but European sources are confirming that the new midrange über-sedan will ditch its thirsty 5.0-liter V10 engine in favor of a twin-turbo V8.

Long before the new M5 hits showrooms, we'll get a look at a redesigned 5 Series, possibly next spring at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. The standard-issue 5 Series should reach the States as a 2011 model, while the extra-potent M5 more than likely will appear as a 2012 model.

The direct-injection V8 in the next M5 is said to displace 4.8 liters, with output approaching 600 horsepower. The biturbo V8 reportedly will be tied to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 2012 M5 also is said to incorporate a KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) adapted from Formula 1, complete with a boost button and such fuel-saving technologies as cylinder cutoff.

Source: Inside Line

Rather than just covering vehicle debuts at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, there is a lot more news you can pick up here from company executives attending the show. In one such situation, BMW of North America’s CEO, Jim O’Donnell, confirmed that the luxury German automaker will offer 4-cylinder in the U.S. before 2015 to meet stricter fuel economy rules.

Under new federal guidelines revealed yesterday by President Barack Obama, automakers will have to improve the fuel-economy of their fleet by 5 percent annually before the national standard of 35.5 mpg takes place in the 2016 model year.

The 4-cylinder engines will be equipped with BMW’s next-generation twin turbochargers, reports Automotive News. That “is the goal and we will do it,” O’Donnell said.

He said that BMW will add a 4-cylinder variant of the 3-Series in the U.S. by spring 2012. The automaker is also considering 4-cylinder variants of the X1 and the X3 along with the 1-Series.

Source: eGMCarTech

Manhart Racing has unveiled their latest creation called the BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG – otherwise known as “Porsche Chaser.” Manhart swapped the 420-hp V8 from the M3 and tossed in BMW’s V10 from the M5 and M6.

However, Manhart did not stop there. After a bunch of modifications by Manhart’s engineering team, the tuner pumped out a total of 550-hp from the 5.0L V10, which is now mated to a 7-speed SMG gearbox. With all the modifications complete, the Manhart BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG goes from 0 to 62 mph in a whopping 3.9 seconds with an eye-popping top speed of 208 mph.

The best part? Manhart didn’t go wild with visual modifications. The most noticeable change are the 20-inch BBS challenge-R-wheels. More photos and press release at the source!

Source: eGMCarTech

BMW Chairman Norbert Riethofer paid a visit to the Mini factory in Oxford England this week to inform staff members that they will soon have two new cars to build. The first confirmed model for production is the Coupe concept that was previewed online last week ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show rollout. The Coupe will be joined by a second concept at the show which in all likelihood will be the oft-rumored speedster version of the coupe.

Reithofer did not announce any timing for when production of the new models would start production. Also unknown at this time is whether the Coupe and Speedster will be available only in John Cooper Works form or in base Cooper and S flavors as well.

Source: AutoBlog

After all the spy shots and teasers, BMW has finally released the details of the new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics ahead of its scheduled debut; the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW says that the high-performance concept study, with their ActiveHybrid technology, showcases “future demands in sustained mobility” and is “a symbol for the future of Sheer Driving Pleasure in harmony with trend-setting efficiency.” The automaker says that the aim of the Vision EfficientDynamics, is to realize “the performance of a BMW M Car and a highly emotional character combined with the fuel economy and emission management of a modern small car in the premium class.” Videos and more info in the jump!

Power for the full-hybrid 2+2 seater BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, comes from a 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, and two electric motors. The 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine features the latest generation of common-rail direct injection technology, producing a total of 163 horses with a peak torque of 214 lb-ft, and transferring power to wheels, via a double-clutch 6-speed transmission.

“Consistently applying the BMW ActiveHybrid strategy, BMW’s development engineers followed the principle of “Best of Hybrid”, choosing the optimum combination of a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle and a full-hybrid system at the rear,” BMW said. In English that means that there is one-electric motor positioned between the combustion engine and the double-clutch gearbox. It produces 25 kW (33-hp) and is able to reach a peak of up to 38 kW (51-hp) with a maximum torque of 214 lb-ft. The second electric-motor, which powers the front axle, offers a continuous output of 60 kW (80-hp), and peak torque of 162 lb-ft. Extra power of 84 kW (112-hp) is available for a period of up to 30 seconds; the electric motor is even capable of delivering 104 kW (139-hp) for 10 seconds. All of this is transmitted through a two-stage, single-speed reduced-ratio gearbox.

With everything working in sync, the total system output comes in at 356-hp, with a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft. But all that power is used only when you need it; when overtaking, for example. 0 to 62 mph comes in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph and fuel-economy is estimated at 63 mpg.

Overall, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with a total of 98 lithium-polymer cells. When connected to a regular 220v outlet, the Vision EfficientDynamics requires 2 ½ hours to fully charge. A full-charge allows the car to cover a distance of approximately 31 miles when running on electric-mode alone.

So will we ever see a production model? Not for now. BMW says that the “Vision EfficientDynamics offers a realistic impression of the unique potential of BMW’s ActiveHybrid technology and the great innovative thrust of BMW EfficientDynamics.”



Source: eGMCarTech

The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid has arrived, the new gas-electric X6 will be the most powerful hybrid in history, with 480 peak horsepower and diesel-like plateau of 575 lb-ft of torque.

That impressive powertrain consists of twin electric motors (delivering 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively) and a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. All those horses will be corralled through a seven-speed dual-mode transmission and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The run to sixty will take just 5.4 seconds and the top speed will be limited to 130 miles per hour.

The EPA has yet to test the vehicle, but the German automaker is estimating its X6 Hybrid will return a 20-percent fuel mileage improvement average over the standard twin-turbo X6. That should mean about 18 miles per gallon combined in the States. The official public debut is scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and the sale date is slated for four-quarter 2009.

Source: AutoBlog

No one could have predicted what has happened so far in the Formula 1 this year. Brawn GP, a team that didn't even exist a few weeks before the season started, dominated the first half of the season, Jenson Button, who scored just three points in 2008, has won six of the first seven races, and the Formula One Teams Association threatened to leave and start their own series.

It appears that along with Lewis Hamilton's and McLaren's return to form in Hungary, normalcy has also come in the form of an amended Concorde Agreement that was approved by the World Motor Sport Council and the FIA late Friday night. The new contract between the F1 teams and CVC Capital, which is the commercial rights holder for the series, determines how revenue is distributed and sets the sporting and technical regulations through December 31, 2012.

Few details were given about the specifics of the agreement (though they should be released shortly on the FIA's website), but it has been announced that the teams agreed to restrict resources as an alternative form of cost cutting to budget capping. The only team yet to sign the agreement is BMW-Sauber, the principals of which have already announced that they will exit the series at season's end. According to the FIA, the team has until Wednesday to sign the agreement to allow a new operator of the team to race in the series next year.

Source:autoblog.com

BMW's Board of Management met this week and voted to to wind down its Formula One team at the end the of the 2009 series after just four seasons. According to a statement from BMW, the resources that had been expended on the company's F1 program will instead be re-directed to the "development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability." That means we will likely be seeing a significant ramp-up of work on electrification and efforts like Project I which first spawned the MINI E.

After returning to F1 as an engine supplier first to BMW in 2000 and later to Sauber, BMW took over the Sauber team prior to the 2006 season. Since then, BMW Sauber has only managed a single win and has struggled in 2009 under the series' revamped technical rules. BMW has not yet given any indication that it is open to selling the team and its assets the way Honda did last year to Ross Brawn.

The automaker's other motorsports programs will continue in 2010 and beyond with efforts in touring cars, the American Le Mans Series and Formula BMW.

Hit the source to read a full press release and statement from CEO Dr. Norbert Reithofer.

Source:AutoBlog

Marketed under the name, “Petrosexual drivers”, a term used to describe a person who is obsessed with cars (the Urban Dictionary said it, not us), it was commissioned by Carmony.co.uk, an used car seller in the United Kingdom.

The study was of course based on an UK demographic, so it might not apply to the rest of the world, but nonetheless, the findings are……let’s just say….amusing.

Here are some of the highlights:

* Women are still most likely to name their cars
* Women are becoming more knowledgeable when it comes to knowing the difference between a coupe and a hatchback for example
* “Boy Racers” are still Subaru’s fans, while the “Sunday Drivers” enjoy their station wagons.
* Muddy boots are most likely to be found in the trunk of a MINI
* MINI drivers are the least likely to workout
* Females that drive a BMW are most likely to wear sexy lingerie
* “One in 20 (5 percent) of male BMW drivers wear a thong and eight percent of older men are more likely to go commando!” ( Now that really made us burst in tears of laugh)
* One in ten think their vehicle choice makes them seem more intelligent

Source: BMW Blog

BMW AG, the world’s biggest maker of luxury cars, probably will bring back four-cylinder engines to meet tougher U.S. fuel-economy standards, the company’s top North American engineer said.

The automaker, which hasn’t offered the smaller engines in the U.S. since 1999, wants to boost fuel efficiency without hurting its reputation for performance vehicles, said Tom Baloga, BMW’s vice president of engineering for the U.S.

“The biggest challenge will be maintaining the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ performance,” he said in an interview yesterday, referring to the Munich-based company’s marketing motto.

Automakers must boost industrywide average fuel economy to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 under U.S. rules adopted in May that moved up the deadline by four years. BMW will have a harder time meeting the tougher standards than most companies because it has a smaller vehicle lineup and focuses on compact, powerful models, Baloga said.

BMW’s fleetwide average was 26.5 mpg in 2008, he said. The exact increases for individual automakers haven’t been set yet because the government is still writing the new standards.

Baloga wouldn’t say when BMW might resume offering four- cylinder engines in the U.S. About 50 percent of the company’s models worldwide use them, he said. Outside the U.S., BMW uses four-cylinder engines on models such as 1-series and 3-series cars, as well as the X3 sport- utility vehicle and one of its 5-series cars.

Source: Bloomberg

Most drivers who don't like their car either trade it in or sell it.

Police on New York's Long Island say a teenager set his BMW on fire "simply because he hated the car." Nassau County police didn't offer additional details on the alleged motive.

Police say a surveillance camera recorded the 18-year-old torching the 1992 BMW on July 10. At the time, it was parked about 2 1/2 feet feet from his apartment building.

The defendant was awaiting a court appearance Friday in First District Court in Hempstead. The charges include arson and reckless endangerment.

Source: AZCentral