BMW North America VP of Marketing dies in tragic accident

Tragedy has struck BMW after Jack Pitney, the car brand’s vice president of marketing, was killed in a freak accident while he was on vacation at his farm.

Details are still being withheld as we speak, so we don’t have anything to say until more information surrounding the circumstances of his passing comes to light.

Pitney, who was 47 years old at the time of his passing, joined BMW in 1995 as the lead man of the company’s corporate communications department. Pitney was also directly responsible for BMW’s decision to bring MINI to America, and was likewise being prepped to for a new vice presidency position beginning on September 1.

There’s not a whole lot to say when a tragedy like this happens. So it is with heavy hearts that we send our deepest condolences to the family of Jack Pitney.

The world lost a really good man.

Next BMW 1-Series Will Get New Engines

Patiently waiting for the next generation BMW 1-Series to debut, we know we probably won’t be seeing it over on this side of the pond. However, that won’t stop us from taking notice of the interesting changes the BMW will undergo.

The first, and most obvious changes, will appear on the exterior of the vehicle. Well, we probably shouldn’t say "most obvious" considering the redesigned bodystyle is anything, but extravagant. The biggest changes will be made under the hood as BMW will be offering a wide range of engines, including turbo-petrol engines with three or four cylinders. However, theBMW 1-Series will remain a RWD vehicle built on the same L7 platform as the 3-Series.

The entry level models will get 1.2 and 1.5 liter engines with power outputs ranging from 70 to 184 HP. Next to it there will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 204 HP and 238 HP and a range of three-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 95 to 177 HP. The top version will still get the six-cylinder N55 Twin-Scroll engine.

The first hatchback version will be revealed in early 2011, and it will be followed by both coupe and convertible versions.

BMW X4, X3 35iS, X3M rumors

BMW Blog has the scoop on some possible new BMW models, as per the reporting of an apparent inside source who goes by the moniker Scott26.  Scott26 has an impressive track recordof divulging correct information before release.

Still taken with a healthy does of skepticism, Scott26 reports that BMW is, at the very least, considering the following models: An X4, an X3 M and an X3 35iS.

2010 BMW X6 M Road Test Review

BMW added M Power to their 2010 BMW X6 M. This new beast of an SUV/SAV goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and delivers 555 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque. The twin-turbo V8, hatchback body style, with SUV ride height and four seats offers limited hauling capability but tremendous amounts of fun. Join Steve Hammes and Jessi Lang as they go over some of the vehicles highlights in this BMW review and Road Test.

BMW Art Car. From 1975 to 2010.

2011 Audi RS5 vs. 2010 BMW M3, 2011 Cadillac CTS-V - Comparison Tests

BMW X6M AC Schnitzer

The BMW X6M Falcon from AC Schnitzer is really an imporvement. You can finally hear the X6M! Next to that the power is increased to 650 hp (standard 555 hp) with a topspeed of 320 km/h. 

Audi, BMW, Mercedes increasingly dependent on China as sales drop in Germany

While Audi sales increased in China by 53 percent, Mercedes sales practically tripled.  BMW, which had a slim increase in German sales of four percent, delivered 82 percent morecars to customers in China versus a year earlier.

One explanation for the increases comes from the J.D. Power & Associates research firm.  A recent report from the group says that luxury vehicle sales will advance in China twice as fast as the industry's average.  This could translate to 1.1 million units by 2015. LINK

G-Power M5 (E60) Hurricane RR

German tuning company G-Power claims to have used the BMW M5 to achieve the World's Fastest Sedan record.  The G-Power Hurricane RR manages a top speed of 372 km/h (231 mph), roughly the same top speed as the McLaren F1.

The car beats the tuner's previous record, set by the M5 Hurricane RS.  That car used a 750-hp (551-kW) twin-supercharged V10 engine to hit a top speed of 367.4 km/h (228 mph). LINK

BMW X1 overtakes Audi Q5 for top-selling premium SUV

By a margin of just 407 vehicles, the BMW X1 barely beat out the Audi Q5 to be Europe's highest-selling premium SUV for the first six months of 2010.  BMW sold 44,067 units of the X1 from January to June, compared to 43,660 units of the Q5.

The Volvo XC60 (29,616 units), Land Rover Freelander (20,138 units) and the BMW X5 (16,565) rounded out the five top selling SUVs in Europe for the time period.  JATO Dynamics, a research firm in the UK, compiled the statistics, which were published in the Automotive News.

Sales of the X1 have certainly not slowed down.  The company claims to have sold 11,483 units in July alone.  One advantage is the vehicle's €27,200 pricetag, at least €9,000 less than the other models in the top five.

However, the list could get a shakeup once 2011 model year vehicles go on sale.  This could include X1 competitors from Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz, along with the Audi Q3and Saab 9-4X.  The MINI Countryman could also pull away some buyers from the X1, even though it may not be considered a "premium SUV".

The Countryman will cost €7,000 less than the X1.

BMW considering 6-series shooting brake

Could BMW have a BMW 6-Series Gran Turismo concept ready to go for the Paris Motor Show?  Citing an accidental disclosure by BMW development head Dr. Klaus Draeger, AutoExpress says the shooting brake 6er has already been constructed.

The magazine says the design was created by BMW exec Adrian van Hooijdonk, the man responsible for the 3er coupe and the 6er.  Van Hooijdonk, who also works on the looks ofthe MINI and Rolls-Royce, is believed by many to also have inspired the Bangle Butt look of some current BMW models.

Van Hooijdonk is believed to be basing the style of the car on the Gran Coupé concept from the Beijing Motor Show.  Once the 6-Series GT is unveiled, public reaction would dictate if it is produced, and in how many units.  Still, AutoExpress says the Gran Coupé will go into production with or without the 6er GT, and will be targeted at customers of the Mercedes CLS.