Though the CS concept has been shown many times and described by BMW countless more times some of the finer design points get lost. One of these is the incredible moving turn signal located on the front fenders and doors. Essentially that due to the location and position on the front door the turn signal pops out and slides to allow the door to open. You can view this at 2:18 in the following movie.
What the recent spy shots of the “F” from our friends at Bimmerpost reveal is that the production car will have its turn indicators in nearly the same location as the CS, part on the fender and part on the door. How they implemented those lights to remain in that position is still up for debate but the shape and location is similar to the CS. The light appears to be smaller in size so the setup may be two hinged pieces allowing the light the remain fixed, we will no more shortly.
This image allows the long and short wheel bases to be compared, the rear door is larger than the front on the long wheel base. These shots are from final testing on the “Ring”.
More info on the soon to be released 7 can be found here
Official Press Release: On 19 June 2008, Chairman of the Board of Management of the BMW Group, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, opened the BMW Museum in an official opening ceremony. He highlighted the importance of tradition for the company: “Awareness of our heritage, the experiences and developments that our company has been through give us direction, power and inspiration for our work”.
After a period of construction lasting two and a half years, visitors can look forward to more than 120 exhibits in museum space covering 5,000 square metres. They will be presented in a completely new exhibition concept. The circular museum building right next to the company head office tower will continue to be a landmark. The adjacent low-level building now complements the “Bowl” – as the circular museum building has been designated ever since it was opened in 1973. This has entailed increasing the available floorspace fivefold. The museum will open its doors to the public this coming Saturday, 21 June 2008 from 10.00.
BMW Group Press Release: 30 years, 300 000 vehicles and a BMW M3 Coupe – these are the most significant earmarks of a remarkable anniversary. Three decades after commencing with the assembly of their first series production model, the BMW M GmbH has now delivered its 300 000th vehicle. The alpine white BMW M3 Coupe was handed over to a customer in Regensburg. This East Bavarian town is also the location of the BMW plant in which the high-performance sports car is produced.
It looks like BMW has begun prepping all of us enthusiasts for a change. The following two press releases were dated Monday (the same day the MY2009 info was to be released) but they just appeared today.
Usually when a manufacturer starts talking about the past they are changing the future. These releases discuss the handling and suspension of the 3er up to this point in the cars history.
We had heard from our sources months ago that the track (width) of the car had been increased and handling was to be much improved but we did not receive any further specifics. Though we are not sure of what these press releases serve it is fairly certain that they would not go through all the trouble just to write a history piece if there was not a change eminent.
As always we will inform you as soon as we hear the news.
Though the X6 hybrid was revealed as a concept vehicle a while back we recently have not seen or heard much more about it. Until now! Chaz, one of our readers happen to snap some photos of a few different prototypes and graciously provided us with them. In the photos you can see one large chop shop mutant version of the front hood bulge and the other with a more production ready hood.
He was also able to snap a photo of the MB M class with a similar system, notice the HEV tag on the side is that internal code or a new label for Hybrid?
These models could utilize a two-mode hybrid system, much like the current GM offerings (Tahoe) on the roads decked out with large HYBRID lettering on all sides so that everyone knows your SUV is a hybrid.
The two-mode hybrid system is the product of a joint development program between GM, Daimler, Chrysler, and BMW that began a few years ago. The technology originally was designed for public transportation in city buses utilizing a two-mode hybrid transmission produced by Allison.
BMW Press Release: The BMW Group will be investing over a billion US dollars in the USA by the year 2012. The company is thus underlining its long-term commitment to the largest automobile market in the world.
BMW’s US headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey is being expanded at a cost of 100 million US dollars. On 12 June 2008, Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of the BMW Group responsible for Sales and Marketing, and Tom Purves, President of BMW of North America, opened the new buildings for the US sales region, which also include facilities for engineering operations and training. A workforce of around 1,000 will be working at the extended site.
You can now order 2009 MY BMWs in the US (except the Z4 & 7). There are changes in store for the 3,5, and 6 series cars in terms of wheel choices, colors and option packages. It is interesting that the E90 LCI is not formally mentioned, but that there are no listed changes for the E92/93. So it is safe to say that the LCI is coming or these listed changes would be across the 3 series and not just for the E90!
On another note: Nowhere is the 335d mentioned… a bit perplexing or the rumors that the launch will be in December are true. The ordering guides should further clarify.
Update: This image was tipped to us and was hosted on E90Post.com, we do not know where it originated but is apparently the final design of the rear LED lights and new wheels.
3 Series sedan and Sport Wagon SOP 09.08
Standard Equipment
New 328i/xi 16″ light alloy multi-spoke wheels
New 335i/xi 17″ light alloy Double spoke wheels
Colors, Trims & Upholstery
Space Gray Metallic replace Sparkling Graphite
Tasman Green Metallic replaces Deep Green
Blue Water Metallic replaces Arctic
New Fine line Aluminum trim replaces current aluminum
Light Burl Walnut replaces Light Poplar trim
New Oyster Dakota leather and Saddle Brown Dakota are available
After the surprise reveal of the GINA concept last week BMW gave away some more design details for the upcoming Z4. Left Lane News set their illustrators up with some of the recent spy photos, some commentary and the GINA concept. What they came up with is a very accurate, though not perfect rendition of the upcoming Z.
Notice the decrease in flame surfacing and the reverse broken shoulder line as we had pointed out a last month. Overall the car looks more elegant and larger than the soon to be decommissioned model. July will ring in the end of the American 2 seater as the new model will be built in Germany.
You can read more about the E89 Z in our past post here and more about the interior here.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: F01 7 Series Jun 23rd, 2008 No Comments 
