We have heard from reliable sources that BMW along with ZF have been developing the newest 8 speed transmission to also work with Stop/Start. Stop/Start is a technology developed to allow the engine to turn off automatically when the car is stopped for a period of time (at a traffic light) and the engine will turn back on when the accelerator is depressed.
Currently, this technology has been reserved for 4 cylinder engines coupled with a manual transmission in markets outside the US. This new offering would allow the use of Stop/Start in vehicles with larger displacements and of course in different markets that prefer the automatic.
Earlier in the year we learned that BMW will be transitioning its current lineup of 6 speed autos to 8 speeds by model year 2013. The 8 speed debuted in the 760Li and will be featured in the 5 GT as well as the 5 series this spring. There has been no set date as to when this new feature will make it’s debut but one can expect it first in the 7 Series hybrid this spring and other models after.
While we busily complete our first extensive review of the soon to release BMW 550i GT here is a little something to hold you over. Below is snippet of a review completed by our good friend Jonathan Sprira of the Executive Road Warrior (where his complete review can be found) and the BMWCCA.
The 2010 BMW 550i GT is built on the same platform as the new F01 7 Series, introduced last year, and might best be viewed as a kind of 7 Series wagon, despite its 5 Series moniker (clearly Munich agonized about what to call this car) and four-door coupé-like appearance. It’s definitely a niche vehicle with the combination of 7 Series legroom, X5 headroom, and a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. The GT sits lower to the ground than the X5 or X6 but it’s a bit higher than the 7er.
Expect the 5er GT to be far more popular in Europe, where many families typically have one car that has to serve multiple purposes, versus the U.S., where multiple car ownership is common and the GT’s versatility may therefore not be as highly valued.
OmniAuto.it is reporting via Autoblog that BMW will be feathering racing expenses even more next year. With BMW exiting Formula 1 and (finally) selling off their team to Peter Sauber it was assumed that there would be additional funds to invest in both Efficient Dynamics and the remainder of the racing programs.
Autoblog says, BMW is going to cut its entries in the WTCC down to a single two car team- Team Schnitzer from Germany. The team will gain WTCC stalwart Andy Prilaux from the former UK team to improve its drivers. Though this looks like a cost cutting maneuver it could also be an attempt to get all of the top drivers on one team to knock SEAT from the top-spot while not having the other drivers lose face.
We also have been hearing from sources that the ALMS team and drivers will remain in tact for 2010. There are also rumors of additional races to be completed outside the US with Schnitzer competing in the Le Mans Series in Europe with a BMW ///M3 GT2 similar to those used in ALMS but we have not been able to confirm this rumor.
We do not think that BMW will be making any further cuts to its racing programs but this begs the questions: What would BMW be without racing? and, How many teams do they need to furnish to fulfill that requirement?
Official Release: The Los Angeles Auto Show will be the site of three North American vehicle debuts for BMW. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6, which combines the Sport Activity Coupe concept with full hybrid drive to create the world’s most powerful hybrid passenger vehicle, and the all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the first sport luxury sedan featuring BMW ActiveHybrid technology, will be on display. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car will also make its first public showing in the US as well.
While we have covered the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept at great length here at BimmerFile we have not had the chance to get up close and personal with it, until now. We recently attended a private showing of the car before its trip to LA for the auto show.
While not anticipated to be introduced as a single production model the Vision is said to showcase future drivetrain, efficiency techniques and design language that will be used in production models. This revolutionary concept is designed with the intent of being powered by 2 electric motors and a three-cylinder diesel engine to produce 356 hp and 590 lb-ft. It would rocket the car from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds while achieving almost 63 miles per gallon.
We’ve got specs of every model for every market except the 528i destined for the US. That model will use a slightly different engine from the 528i in the PDF below (output will be lowered to 240hp).
One of the more interesting things to note. The new 5er’s loss of some aluminum in its structure has added to the unladen weight. The E60 530d for instance weighted in at 3,483 lbs. The new F10 530d with the same engine comes in at a hefty 3,780 lbs. Yes that’s a difference of 297 pounds! The 530d in question is a Euro model with the single turbo diesel 3.0L. And as you’d expect BMW has upped the power by 7 hp and the torque by 30 in an effort to counter the weight increase.
We have been informed by reliable sources that the recently spied Z4 will not be an ///M model or even an M Sport model. The car will feature more aggressive front and rear bumpers. The black wheels shown will be the correct style but they will not be offered in that finish.
We have also recently learned that this performance oriented vehicle will feature a bump in engine performance similar to the 7RR option on the X6 35i to 320hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. This car will be available in the US market.
The F10 5 Series has a tough act to follow in terms of sales success. But what about design? The E60 5er has had a lot of mixed reviews over the years when it comes to its exterior and interior looks. Looking back on the previous car it is clear that the E60 was quite unique in BMW’s design language. Notably it distanced itself from both the E90 3 Series (current generation) and the E65 7 Series (previous generation) in exterior and interior design. Without even going into whether or not the E60 was a successful design statement, it was a surprise move for a company that had for years produced cars that looked similar while catering to different markets. The same sausage at different lengths was the reference many had made when discussing several generations of BMWs from the 80s through the late 90s. However, with the last generation 3, 5 and 7 BMW appeared to create unique identities for it’s core vehicles and distance itself from using the sausage of different lengths.
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: E84 X1, F01 7 Series, F07 PAS, F10 5 Series, F13 6 Series Coupe, F20 1 Series, F25 X3, F30 3 Series, Rumor, Technology Nov 30th, 2009 2 Comments 
