Next generation BMW 3-Series rendered

 

Those guys over at BMW are just barely done exhibiting their talents with the 5 Series and the facelifted 3-Series Coupe and Convertible and they already working on the next generation 3 Series. It will be revealed in the next few months and will go on sale in early 2011. They sure aren’t wasting any time. Like many of their latest models, the 2012 3-Series will take its design inspiration from the 2007 CS Concept. It will remain a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive model with a new 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and 1.5-liter three-cylinder unit under the hood. Both units will deliver around 150 HP. All models will be offered with l EfficientDynamics – including stop-start and energy recuperation. The car’s interior is said to model that of the 5 series, but will also feature a tremendoues achievement. The next-generation 3 Series will have Wi-Fi in its lineup which we hope BMW will be readily able to explain once the car gets closer to production. As for the exterior, BMW seems to be sticking to its classic design while adding a wider body to differentiate it from its earlier models. We aren’t really sure if BMW fans will go for the newer model if it tends to look just like the models from before and cost more. Of course, they will be highly intrigued with the electronical adjustments made. Let’s just hope when the actual vehicle comes out, it will look a little prettier than this rendering.

BMW plasters massive billboard above Audi Hong Kong

Things are heating up in the advertising battle between BMW and Audi.

In this latest offensive, BMW has purchased a huge ad space on a billboard directly above Audi of Hong Kong. A massive advertisement for the new 5-Series sits on a wall over the showroom windows, all but completely displacing the Audidealership from view.

The ad war between the two German premium brands began a while ago, with competing billboards in California and repeated jabs at each other in European print ads. Lately, the campaign escalated when Audi aired a commercial in the U.S. during the Olympics which referred to BMW as "second best".

Now, the next move is up to Audi. But what they may want to do first is figure out who's fault it is for allowing the billboard space above its Hong Kong dealership to be purchased by the competition.

BMW Concept Gran Coupe revealed

BMW is showing off their latest design study, the BMW Concept Gran Coupe, at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in China. The show will be open to the public through May 2. At 1.4-meters high, the car is 10-cm shorter in height than the 5er and 7er sedan. Current rumors suggest that the car is already approved for production and will be marketed as the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe to rival the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, a car which BMW does not directly compete against at this time. [Read more...]

Vorsteiner GTRS3 widebody kit for BMW M3 E92

Vorsteiner has released a new body kit for the BMW M3 E92. The full product is called the GTRS3 M3 and it consists of several body modifications and aerodynamic pieces. Up front the bumper has been replaced with a complete carbon fibre unit with a modular replacement splitter, GTRS3 carbon fibre wide arch fenders and extended side skirts. A GTRS3 carbon fibre vented race bonnet is also available.
The back end consists of quarter panel fender arch extensions, a Vorsteiner chrome boot badge emblem, a wide arch rear bumper and an integrated carbon diffuser. A stainless steel quad exhaust system is available as an option. The twin 7-spoke V-308 concave forged mesh wheels can be ordered in 18 or 20-inch sizes. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tyres are specified.
Only 100 Vorsteiner GTRS3 M3 kits are to be sold through the company's worldwide network.

2011 BMW 528i Sedan

BMW has announced pricing for the all-new 2011 BMW 528i Sedan. The new 528i will arrive at BMW Centers in July and is priced from $45,425 including $875 Destination & Handling. Based on the all-new, 6th-generation BMW 5 Series, the new 528i receives BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with magnesium-aluminum construction and 240 horsepower, plus BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. Despite these enhancements, the base MSRP is $1,400 lower than the 528i’s 2010 predecessor. [Read more...]

BMW Shark By AG Excalibur

AG Excalibur - a Lithuanian tuner- presented the BMW Shark at the Top Marques Monaco. This car represents a tuning kit based on the BMW 6-Series featuring a red livery, white interior leather setup, and super-sized 30 inch wheels. And we can’t forget the front grill which looks like the BMW got a huge buck tooth. Its true, Top Marques is a place for supercars designed with good taste and who feature impeccable lines, so a car like the Shark really has no place there. At the same time, Top Marques is a place for any kind of vehicular extravaganza and, in this case, we can understand why this car would take its place there. The people who were there could only comment on how crazy this car was. That may have not been the reaction the tuner wanted to get, but the car still got some attention. We think that this may not be the best example of how bad publicity is still good publicity.

One million BMW 1-Series built after five years of production

BMW handed over the keys to the purchaser of the one millionth BMW 1-Series unit at the Leipzig Motor Show. The milestone car is a three-door BMW 118d built near the motor show grounds, and was delivered by BMW board member Frank-Peter Arndt and Saxony Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich. A customer from the area purchased the vehicle. The first generation 1er is produced in both Leipzig and Regensburg, Germany. The German automaker began sales of the car five years ago as a five-door hatchback and has since expanded the range to include a three-door, coupe and convertible. Of the million BMW 1-Series models sold, over 336,000 were delivered to customers in Germany.

BMW still top premium brand

BMW is still the world's number one premium brand but not by much. Audi sales have come very close to matching BMW's for the first quarter of this year - coming in only 1,709 units behind the Bavarian brand's. 

BMW had a global sale count of 265,809 units for the quarter (January to March) while for Audi the number was 264,100. BMW sales were buoyed by demand for the new X1 model. Both automakers were helped by resurgent markets, particularly the US, where overall auto sales rose 16 percent over the same period last year. [Read more...]

BMW E60 with 20 inch Work wheels

BMW M3 Aero by ARKYM Aerosport

ARKYM Aerosport, a California based tuner unveiled the Aero package for the BMW M3, both coupe and sedan versions. The tuner revealed no details on the prices. The Aero package includes a new front lip spoiler, a rear diffuser and a rear trunk spoiler. All components are available in in hi-gloss carbon and smoke-matte finish (by special request). [Read more...]

2011 BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo

BMW unveiled the BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo in China at the Beijing Auto Show. This is the first BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo to be equipped with the xDrive all-wheel-drive technology. The BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo is powered by a 4,4 liter V8 engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and High Precision Injection. The engine delivers a total of 407 hp and a peak torque of 442 lb-ft and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This way the 550i xDrive Gran Turismo also becomes the first model to combine BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive with an outstandingly dynamic, smooth, comfortable and highly efficient eight-speed automatic transmission. [Read more...]

BMW Announces Carbon Fiber Production in Washington

BMW will build a new factory in Moses Lake, Washington to produce carbon fiber parts for the Megacity electric-vehicle. Jointly-operated with SGL Automotive, the plant will import raw materials from Japan, spin them into fibers one-tenth the width of a human hair, and then send them to SGL's factory in Germany to be turned into carbon fiber fabric. Once completed, the sheets will be sent to BMW's Landshut plant to be turned into carbon fiber components. Eventually, the finished parts will be shipped to Leipzig, Germany where the Megacity will be assembled. Ground breaking will begin in June and SGL plans to invest $100 million (€74,660,720 / £ 65,544,325) on the first phase of construction. According to Theodore Breyer, deputy CEO of SGL, "This will be the leading carbon-fiber plant in the world."