Queen of the Ring - Ring Taxi driver Sabine Schmitz in M5 on the Nordschleife

The lady makes her living driving a taxi - specifically, the Ring Taxi on the Nordschleife track at the famous Nürburgring in Germany.

This is Sabine Schmitz, Queen of the Ring, a former professional race driver, who now works as a TV personality and driver of the Ring Taxi at the Nurburgring circuit. She seems to enjoy her job.

Next BMW 3-Series to feature lots of new tech

BMW is developing a host of new technologies, many of which will be first introduced in the next 3-Series, according to two Autocar reports.

One of the main features of the next 3-Series will be an intelligent drive system which BMW calls "Connected Drive meets Efficient Dynamics". It will enable the car to collect data from the outside, traffic, road conditions, etc., and merge it with on-board information from the car to calculate the most efficiency way to run and drive the vehicle.

BMW to supply more police cars in the U.K.

Good news for BMW and British constables, bad news for police budgets and incorrigible speeders. BMW has announced a contract with the U.K.'s National Policing Improvement Agency to supply police cars to all 52 of the country's police forces.

The models being supplied will include the new 5-Series (F10 530d saloon/sedan), which will be a first for many police fleets, as well as the X1, the X3 xDrive20d and the X5 xDrive30d and xDrive40d SUVs. All car announced as part of the new set of police vehicles will be diesel-powered.

BMW working on a 2-Series - 1-Series to go FWD

Something is definitely afoot in BMW's development schemes. According to American auto magazine Car and Driver, BMW is developing three new models, including a new 2-Series.

The new models include a minicar based on the BMW Megacity concept, an Audi A1-competing FWD BMW slated below the 1-Series and a new 2-Series.

BMW X1 M Package spied

Spy photographers have snagged the first pictures of the M Package for the BMW X1.

While camouflage hides most of the details, it's clear the M Package adds a revised front fascia, modified side sills, and a redesigned rear bumper. Other goodies include unique wheels, Shadow Line trim, and a monotone paint job.

Inside, the cabin will likely feature a sport steering wheel, sports seats, an M gear knob, and an anthracite headliner.

No word on pricing, but look for a launch early next year.

Audi, BMW and Mercedes dominate premium sector in China

China is now the world's largest auto market and it continues to grow even bigger. This year total passenger vehicle sales in China will be around 17 million units. For 2011, that number is expected to be 19 million and it is Audi, BWM and Mercedes-Benz who dominate the country's luxury car sector.

The three German premium brands currently hold 76 percent of the luxury car market in China. And according to Yang Jian, managing editor of Automotive News China, those automakers combined will only grow their market share in the future.

BMW CEO: ELECTRIC VEHICLES WON'T BE PROFITABLE AT LAUNCH

Tying into the speech given by National Automobile Dealer Association chairman Ed Tonkin yesterday concerning the potentially premature push for ultra efficient vehicles, BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer shared some interesting facts about the expectations from the brands upcoming electric vehicles.

During Reithofer's speech to the Institute for the Automotive Industry, given in Nuertingen, Germany, via Auto News Europe, the CEO said, "It may be that you don't earn any money with such technologies during the first product cycle. Here, conventional drive has to cross-subsidize the new technology."

A two-cylinder BMW?

A two-cylinder BMW?

In an interview with German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport, Dr. Klaus Draeger, member of the board of management in charge of development at BMW AG, said it is a possibility.

BMW X4 due in 2014 - X4 M in the works too

More details have surfaced on the production of the BMW X4.

According to a report by AutoWeek, BMW will produce the X4 at its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in the United States and be priced in the same range as premium wagons in that market. BMW believes the success of the X6 has proven that consumers will buy a car that is more stylish than practical. The U.S.-market will be an important one for the X4. BMW will be expanding its production capacity at the Spartanburg plant from 150,000 units to 240,000 units per year to accomodate the manufacturing of the X4. The model is scheduled for launch in 2014.

BMW set to announce 2012 DTM plans

BMW is set to announce on Friday its decision to enter the German touring car series DTM in 2012.

The German carmaker, having pulled out of formula one at the end of last year, admitted recently it has started work on a DTM car to coincide with new regulations.

Bild-Zeitung newspaper says an official announcement about BMW's decision will be made on Friday.

Saab and BMW may share new FWD platform

Saab would like to share more technology with BMW. And BMW may have found a new partner to share development costs on a new front-wheel drive (FWD) platform.

The Swedish automaker, which has already signed an engine deal with BMW, is in discussions with the German automaker to share a new front-wheel drive platform that BMW is developing.

BMW has previously announced that it will built a new front-wheel drive model, in different body styles, to compete against the likes of the Audi A1. For production of that model, it is developing a new front-drive platform which it will share with sister brand MINI. Now, Saab wants in on that platform too.