Over the past several weeks we have seen, heard and talked a great deal about these newer more efficient powertrains from BMW. There is the two-mode (can be run on electric for 1.6 miles) Active Hybrid X6, the Active Hybrid 7 which runs in gas + electric mode only and of course the 335d and X5 xDrive35d Advanced Diesels featuring a 3.0l with sequential turbos.
BMWNA has strategically taken a performance route with these offerings. The X6 in hybrid form is the most powerful on the planet and the 7 series may very well be the fastest hybrid production car. The current Advanced Diesels provide performance and efficiency (as well as decreased emissions) that other manufacturers do not offer. In these terms BMW is without competition.
We have continuously questioned whether the performance route was the “right” one to take. It was a decision that was made in a different economy and for a market that may not have included those seeking the world’s most efficient vehicle. Sure it would be great to have smaller more efficient motors brought to the market but then do we lose the “Ultimate Driving Machine” and inherit the “Ultimate Fuel Miser”?
I asked myself after listening again to our last podcast, if what I had said about these vehicles was the message I wanted to send. My conclusion was that it may not have been as clear as it could have been and I hope here to expand upon the views I started.
Deep inside the confines of BMW lie countless videos about everything you can imagine. This particular video was created in early 2008 and goes through the history of the Motorsport division at BMW. From the earliest race cars to the latest GT2 M3 it’s all there. And as you can see we got our hands on it. Enjoy!
Dave Buchko (Director of Advanced Powertrain and Heritage Communications at BMW NA) stopped by this week for conversation around hybrids, diesels and why there is no manual 335d. Here’s the full rundown:
X6 and 7 Hybrids
MINI E and the future
Current diesel range and sales
Future four cylinder diesel models in the US?
The future of drivetrain tech
News wrap-up and conclusions
Bimmercast #3:
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BMW ended its long ALMS winning drought with it’s first win with the new M3 Rahal/Letterman racecar. We here at BimmerFile send a big congrats to all those at BMWNA and Rahal Letterman racing. Well done guys.
Official BMW Press Release:
The BMW M3 returned to the American Le Mans Series winner’s circle with a 1-2 finish by the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team at today’s Time Warner Cable Road Racing Showcase.
The No. 90 M3, driven by Joey Hand and Bill Auberlen, achieved the new M3 racing program’s first victory. Teammates Tommy Milner and Dirk M ller in the No. 92 M3 scored their fourth podium finish of the season.
As the race began, starting drivers Bill Auberlen, in the No. 90 M3, and Tommy Milner, in the No. 92 M3, took advantage of their front row starting positions and opened a lead on the GT2 class. Only 15 minutes in, an early yellow slowed the field, but instead of reducing the BMW M3’s lead to mere feet, it increased it to almost a full lap as both M3s received a wave-by when the pace car picked up the overall leader. Before the race went green again, both M3s were able to pit for fuel, and Milner picked up the lead through pitstop speed.
At the one hour mark Milner still held the lead over Auberlen, but as the race’s second caution period occurred a “race within the race” began. Pitting both M3s under yellow, the crew of the No. 90 M3 got Hand serviced just a tick of the watch ahead of M ller to take the lead. Unfortunately, too many men over the wall for the No. 92 M3 resulted in a 60 second penalty, putting Milner an additional minute behind Hand, but still in second place.
Pitting a second time under the race’s third caution period, the M3s cycled through two more fast stops for fuel and new Dunlop tires. Today, able to keep the competition in check, the two M3s stayed in front for the remainder the contest to open another winning chapter in the history of BMW Motorsport.
The BMW ///M3s will occupy the first row for the start of today’s race in Elkhart Grove, Wisconsin. The 90 car driven by Joey Hand in the 1 spot with the 92 of Dirk Mϋller in second. The cars are fast through the turns and on this type of track that is a huge plus. The team has made much progress this year, with a little luck they can be 1-2 on the podium.
As a bit of a tribute to qualifying 1-2 above we have created a season recap of race photos up to this point.
The race will air today so set your DVR or pull up a chair to SPEED at 3:00 pm ET.
Yes we love all things BMW (if you were not aware!), but in order to remain objective we are well versed in the competing marquees; Audi included. We have seen over the last few years that BMW and Audi would go punch for punch with models and performance versions. This now going to be a bit different; Audi has thrown in the towel as it were… they have moved the S4 down market to now compete with the BMW 335. Audi will offer, a turbo 4 cylinder, a naturally aspirated V6 and a Super Charged V6 in the A4/S4 line. This is a giant shift in the market and the main reason we have gone so far as to post this.
The BMW ///M3 will only be challenged by Audi in the much costlier and limited production RS4 which will appear at a later date. The past generation RS4 was not a match in terms of driving dynamics to the ///M3 but we shall all see what the next version will bring to the party. It appears that Audi has realized that what they were trying to do in creating a ///M3 killer was impossible unless they built the vehicles in limited quantities (as in the RS4), this speaks volumes about what the current ///M3 is and what BMW has achieved.
What is also noteworthy is that this new V6 supercharged motor in the Audi is really matching the current BMW inline 6 twin turbo N54 rather than out powering it, as we all know it is well under rated by BMW and has not even seen the expected performance bump yet. Pricing and packaging seem to be in a nice neighborhood and may sway some potential BMW purchasers to the 4 rings, Click on for the full release.
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: E70 X5, E71 X6, E90 3 Series, EfficientDynamics, F01 7 Series, Opinion Aug 19th, 2009 3 Comments 
