BMW setup an indoor circuit at the Frankfurt International Auto Show. Here is some footage of the 7 Active Hybrid, to be released sometime in the spring of 2010 doing a few laps. (Don’t mind Akon in the background.)
The 7 Series hybrid will feature a twin turbo V8 and an electric motor working together to produce 465 hp and 516 lb ft of torque. This will follow the X6 Active Hybrid (two mode) in bringing hybrids to the BMW lineup.
The next generation of BMW cars will feature new and improved electronics from Harmon. These systems will feature new technologies to limit power consumption while providing internet access and many other advanced features, something Harmon calls GreenEdge.
The current 4th generation iDrive system is also a product from Harmon, featuring a Preh controller.
Continue on for the complete Conneticut Post article
BMW has begun producing the new X1 SAV. Deliveries will start next month for Europe with most being focused on the four cylinder 2.0L diesel. In the US we’ll be seeing a petrol powered four cylinder (the first in over ten years) and the latest mid-level six cylinder engine.
The management of the west coast’s Oxnard Vehcile Preparation Center at Port Hueneme will be outsourced to Amports beginning on November 1, 2009.
BMW has stated this is not a cost cutting move but one for greater efficiency. The current employees may be retained by the new company but there are no guarantees.
I am going to hop on up on my soapbox and shout that “Joy” is making me sad. That’s right, I am sad due to the latest marketing campaign from the Fatherland.
I was ok with a Z4 being relaunched for a different cushier market with the aid of a remote control and some paint. The use of the Z4 to express Joy as an art car (literally this time around), was just fine with me as BMW has been known to produce cars as art pieces. The next step was the X1 and the “Joy” that it entailed, we in the US won’t see that model for a while so I was not too worried about a “Joy” invasion.
It looks from the latest advertisement that the brand as a whole is being engulfed by all this joy. Are they forgetting the “Ultimate Driving Machine” we have grown to love and been enthusiastic about for so long? I hope not but that is why I am sad. If the marketing machine (who also supplies Kool-Aid to some) is moving away from thinking BMW is all about the drive then what will the future engineers really be designing?
Lexus has become the next Buick; the average age of their buyer has increased to near AARP levels because they have focussed on comfort, reliability and all those things that bring the masses joy. Does anyone ever even use the word joy? Seriously, the only time I use or hear it is during the holidays or talking about this ad campaign. We are not the masses and while BMWs make us smile and give us an adrenaline rush, they bring a lot more than that- Drinking an Augustiner Edelstoff Helles makes me smile as well but you will never see that beer forget what makes it the best- tradition and purity just to name a few, BMW is not all that different. I hope BMW has not forgotten that and does not turn into Bud Light Lime.
I will hop off my box now and state that BMWNA has not fully adapted this campaign so there still is a chance for us… still a chance. (The aforementioned views may be those of the author and may or may not express those of BimmerFile.com)
Click on for the video that caused this soapbox rant-
Insideline’s sources are echoing ours in reporting that BMW has decided to go with a high-output twin-turbo V8 for its next M5 due out in 2011.
As we’ve reported previously we expect BMW to introduce a “kers” like system with this car as well as a new version of the DCT transmission found in the current M3.
Reasons for the V8 over the V10? Costs, efficiency, and packaging were all part of the decision.
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: EfficientDynamics, F01 7 Series, Video Sep 30th, 2009 No Comments 
