AUTO NEWS SL: BMW

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Monday, October 15, 2012

Spy Shot: Would You Happen to be the BMW M6 Gran Coupe?

Spy Shot: Would You Happen to be the BMW M6 Gran Coupe?:

Okay, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is really not a big secret. Heck, some savvy photographers caught it frolicking in the snow a few months ago. At that time, the Gran Coupe was all covered up with psychedelic livery, so you couldn’t make out what was really going on with the body.
An even savvier photographer recently caught an image of what appears to be the M6 Gran Coupe up in the air at BMW being worked on (above). There is a small chance that this is simply a 6-Series Bimmer converted into an M6 Gran Coupe. If that’s the case, then that is the cleanest conversion we’ve ever seen, so a conversion is doubtful. What’s even better is that this spy shot has no camouflage at all, so we get a look at this alleged 560-horsepower beast in all of its glory.

BMW 1-Series M Coupe by A-workx

BMW 1-Series M Coupe by A-workx:

Another day, another tuning package for the coveted BMW 1-Series M Coupe . This tiny sports coupe has taken the tuning world by storm and German tuner A-workx is its next victim.
The new tuning package for BMW’s baby model comes packed with a bunch of upgrades, none more impressive than the engine modification. The 1-Series M Coupe’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six has been revamped with a large intercooler, a high performance, modified oil cooler, engine oil and mapping, a new air filter, and a new exhaust system from Akrapovic. These changes bump the output from the standard 335 HP at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm to 450 HP and 405 lb-ft of torque.

BMW X5 M

BMW X5 M:

In conjunction with the next generation X5, BMW is also working on the M version of the SUV. The model has been caught testing for the first time doing some quick and loud laps around the Nürburgring race track.

Video: BMW i8 Spyder Concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

Video: BMW i8 Spyder Concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show: bmw

Three years after the unveiling of the 2+2-seater BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, BMW i showcases for the public in Paris the second variant of this innovative hybrid sports car. The Spyder Concept is a 2 seater, open top variant with the same architecture but with a lot more curb appeal. Among the most eye-catching features of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder are the upward-swivelling, windowless doors.
The i8 Concept Spyder is based on the LifeDrive architecture seen in the first i8, underpinned by a

2012 Paris Motor Show: BMW 650i Gran Coupe Individual Mineral White

2012 Paris Motor Show: BMW 650i Gran Coupe Individual Mineral White: bmw

Another BMW Individual-styled model at the BMW exhibit in Paris is the 650i Gran Coupe painted in the stunning Mineral White color. The unique four-door coupe features Merino leather fine flower BMW Individual “Brown Cohiba” with Black Piano trims, another special treatment from BMW Individual.
The 6er Gran Coupe offers the practicality of a four-door automobile with the sporty and elegant lines of a premium coupe. Adrian Van Hooydonk’s designing team has done an excellent job embedding the classic BMW design icons with the new design language seen across the 6er family. From the beginning the

2012 Paris Motor Show: 2013 BMW X1 sDrive16d Valencia Orange

2012 Paris Motor Show: 2013 BMW X1 sDrive16d Valencia Orange: bmw

The facelifted X1 was also present at the BMW stand in Paris. Sporting the once 1M-exclusive Valencia Orange, the X1 has under the hood the highly efficient 2.0 liter four-cylinder diesel engine producing 116 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 260 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm.

2012 Paris Motor Show: BMW Z4 sDrive20i M Sport in Melbourne Red

2012 Paris Motor Show: BMW Z4 sDrive20i M Sport in Melbourne Red: bmw

Due for a refresh any day now, BMW’s only roadster, the Z4, was represented in Paris by the sDrive20i model with the ever popular M Sport package. Since Fall 2011, the sDrive20i and 28i versions are equipped with petrol engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The new 2.0-liter engines are fitted in the BMW Z4 sDrive20i and in the BMW Z4 sDrive28i, which now replace the naturally aspirated six-cylinder BMW Z4 sDrive23i and BMW Z4 sDrive30i models.

2012 Paris Motor Show: BMW 520d Touring Cashmere Silver with Liquid Black alloy wheels

2012 Paris Motor Show: BMW 520d Touring Cashmere Silver with Liquid Black alloy wheels: bmw

After my last drive aboard the M550d Touring, I fell in love for the first time with a BMW sports wagon. But before my review goes live next week, another Touring came before my eyes at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The BMW 520d, displayed in the Cashmere Silver color, was featuring some of the best looking wheels we have seen on a BMW recently. Dubbed Liquid Black, the lightweight alloy wheels carry the catalog style 356 and are available in 20s.

BMW Super Bild Of The Week: F11 5 Series Touring

BMW Super Bild Of The Week: F11 5 Series Touring:

There is no denying the appeal of a BMW touring. You combine the space and usefulness of an SUV with the driving characteristic of the Ultimate Driving Machine. And when dressed up in the aggressive M Sport trim or beyond, like in this Kelleners Sport Tune, they are simply some of the nicest looking cars on the road.
Alas, BMW has denied those of us in the United States the pleasure of the touring, including the awesome M Performance Automobile M550d with its tri-turbo 3.0 liter diesel churning out a ground pounding 546 ft-lbs of torque while still attaining 44 mpg rating.

As a matter of fact, currently the United States is not privileged with any touring, in any series, until the F31 Touring makes its U.S. debut next year. That’s all fine and dandy but what I really want is the F11. It’s okay if we don’t get the M Performance Automobile edition since the certification process, and more importantly the costs involved to have a new engine certified for U.S. DOT approval are quite high. Therefore I will gladly settle for a 535i M-Sport.
So for those in power, if you’re reading this, those of us that are touring fans here would greatly appreciate the LCI F11 next year.
Have a Super Bild? Send it manny@bmwblog.com

F10 BMW M5 by IND

F10 BMW M5 by IND:
dsa

Chicago-based tuner IND gives us a glance at their exciting F10 BMW M5 project. The M5 by IND is one of a kind automobile and the level of customization reaches new levels. The $100,000 super sporty sedan was stripped out and rebuilt under the IND philosophy.
So what does that imply? First and foremost, the M5 gets a custom carbon fiber roof and trunk. Along with the clear weight savings, the look of the car is enhanced as well. At the front and rear, the M5 features the 3D Design front lip and rear diffuser.

Report: BMW bringing 3-cylinder engines in the U.S.

Report: BMW bringing 3-cylinder engines in the U.S.: dsa

BMW is looking to bring three-cylinder engines in the United States. According to Automotive News, and somewhat not surprising, the new highly efficient three-cylinder banger will be offered in the next generation MINI that comes to the U.S. sometimes in 2014. Just as we reported last month, the 1.5 liter engine will also make its way in the 2014 BMW i8.
“Hybrids with a three-cylinder engine are coming rapidly,” said Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, at the Paris auto show for Automotive News.
Furthermore, Robertson said that customers don’t necessary want to “know the ins and outs” of their engine, “but they want performance.” A vision we share as well, especially at these times when many customers are simply buying the car based on performance numbers and fuel consumption indicators.

The “Baby-Six,” a 1.5 liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine, is built on the 500cc per cylinder architecture. The compact engine has the same genes as the award-winning 3.0 liter six-cylinder unit, but with its own personality. “The 3-cylinder has its own character and sounds, doesn’t make you think it’s a 3-cylinder engine, ” Dr. Bernardo Lopez Alvaredo, Powertrain, Head of Function Operation Evaluation, BMW AG told BMWBLOG.
In Europe, the entry-level engine will be used for both hybrids and front-wheel drive vehicles, but the possibility of a rear-wheel drive vehicle powered by the same engine remains on the table. Dr. Lopez said that essentially, any BMW up to 1,300 kilograms is a candidate for the small engine.
The power unit is estimated to produce around 120-220 hp.

Report: BMW plans up to 12 models on new platform

Report: BMW plans up to 12 models on new platform: das

In an interview for Automotive News, Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, said that the Munich-based automaker will build up to twelve compact models based on the the new front-wheel drive platform.
The FWD platform, also known internally as UKL (an acronym for the German words ‘unter klasse’, or ‘entry level’ in English) was introduced last week at the 2012 Paris Auto Show in the form of the Concept Active Tourer.
The very same platform will underpin the next generation MINI in 2014, as well as other BMW models, including the new 1 Series which will debut in 2018.

Robertson suggested that the BMW FWD vehicles will debut around 2014 as well.
“One of the big advantages of UKL is that we are able to launch a lot of products almost simultaneously because we are doing the engineering at once,” Robertson said. “This is the first car that we are showing.”
The premium small market is a significant bet that BMW is placing on. The segment is expected to grow faster than any other one in the upcoming years. The development cost of the new FWD architecture will be spread across multiple models and brands, allowing the company to offer a competitive price for their products.
As seen in the BMW Concept Active Tourer, the FWD vehicles provide additional interior space, a trait that will attract a broader customer base.

1013MM & LTBMW Project: F30 BMW 3 Series with SSR Professor SP1 wheels

1013MM & LTBMW Project: F30 BMW 3 Series with SSR Professor SP1 wheels: dsa

Last month 1013MM and LTBMW revealed their project based on the new F30 BMW 3 Series. The modded F30 3 Series sports a redesigned fascia that includes a BMW M6 front bumper and modified BMW 1M side fenders.

2013 North American Car And Truck Of The Year Award: F30 3 Series and X1 on the list

2013 North American Car And Truck Of The Year Award: F30 3 Series and X1 on the list: das

The committee responsible for the North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards just announced the short list of potential winners. Among a wide range of different vehicles, BMW is represented by two models. The new F30 3 Series in the Car category and X1 in the Truck/Utility short list.
The only two vehicles from the premium segment that made the list are the aforementioned 3 Series and the new Cadillac ATS.
The full list can be found below:

Video: F30 BMW 3 Series by AC Schnitzer

Video: F30 BMW 3 Series by AC Schnitzer: das

The Aachen-based tuner AC Schnitzer reveals new upgrades to their F30 3 Series program. In a new video released this week, the German tuner showcases its latest tuning kit for the 318d and 320d models. The former model now produces 171 hp while the latter outputs 218 ponies.

BMW M5 by IND Distribution

BMW M5 by IND Distribution:

The next major event of the Fall is the SEMA Auto Show and if there haven’t been enough reasons to follow the vehicles that will be attending, this next model should seal the deal. The guys over at IND Distribution will be headed to Las Vegas with a special project based on the new BMW M5. The tuner has yet to offer any details on this car’s specifications, but they did promise that it will be the "world’s fastest M5." Has this caught your attention yet?

BMW 3-Series Touring by AC Schnitzer

BMW 3-Series Touring by AC Schnitzer:

After providing an extensive tuning package for the 3-Series sedan, AC Schnitzer has moved on to its station wagon sibling to provide similar upgrades. Their new package for the BMW 3-Series Touring improves upon the exterior and interior look of the vehicle, as well as its power output.
The exterior upgrades include a new front spoiler, a chrome front grille, a rear roof spoiler, and a rear skirt. There is also a wide variety of wheels to choose from, ranging from 18" to 20" and different designs and colors. The interior combines aluminum elements with a very cool Black Line package.

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe:

After releasing the 6-Series Gran Coupe, BMW will switch models to apply the Gran Coupe treatment to the upcoming 4-Series. However, new details suggest that the same package will also be applied to the next 2-Series. The next 2-Series Gran Coupe will be aimed customers looking for a coupe look with some extra practicality.
The BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe will be offered in a rear-wheel-drive configuration and, according to the first details, "is a car to bring classic sporting BMW values and a sense of tradition against modern rivals. It will feature an individual appearance for the front and rear ends that will distinguish it from the current 1-Series. It will also be built on a slightly lengthened platform and will feature a lower elongated roofline.
Under the hood, we will find the same engine line-up as in the standard 2-Series: a 2.0 petrol engine with either 150 HP, 177 HP, or 218 HP and a 2.0 turbodiesel engine producing 214 HP. These engines will be combined with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission.
Expect to see the new BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe launched sometime in 2014.

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 3 October 2012 19:00 EST.

BMW X1 Powder Ride and Concept K2 Special Editions

BMW X1 Powder Ride and Concept K2 Special Editions:

For people that get the four seasons, you’re all probably aware that winter is coming, and that means you’re going to need a ride that can take the wrath of the cold in stride.

Video: BMW Concept Active Tourer at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

Video: BMW Concept Active Tourer at the 2012 Paris Motor Show: bmw

Here are some live videos of the BMW Concept Active Tourer introduced at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
BMW’s first front-wheel drive vehicle was the main attraction at the Bavarian’s exhibit and from what we have gathered, it has received positive reviews. The design is the work of Michael De Bono, an UK-born designer also responsible for penning the F31 3 Series Touring.
In concept form, the premium FWD minivan-looking vehicle uses a plug-in hybrid platform with the eDrive architecture paired with a 3-cylinder 1.5 liter gasoline engine.
Our own Hugo Becker gives us an analysis of the new concept:

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