Over the last several weeks we have been hearing interesting news in terms of what BMW is thinking about the future and future models. We all know that over 20 new models will be coming to market within the next few years but in which direction is the company moving?
Most enthusiasts are concerned about the overall increases in size and weight of BMWs in general. We have heard from several (reliable) sources this is not necessarily the direction of the future. With the possibility of new legislation being passed throughout the world to help combat pollution BMW has been investing in Efficient Dynamics to decrease emissions and make cars lighter. We have seen the first stage of the this program with stage 2 to be released shortly to the buying public in the form of hybrids.
That is not the end of the program; the team at Project-i is mandated to defy conventional thinking. And with the Vision Concept (the Z2) they will do just that in Frankfurt this September. The Z2 is not expected to hit dealers until 2013.
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Today BMWNA announced the official numbers for the new ///M models. In X5 guise it will weigh in at $85,400 and for the X6 $88,900. Ordering will begin in late May for production sometime in July with deliveries this fall. We all know there will be some sort of EPA hold up as has been the case in 3 out of the last 5 years with new models so expect them at the dealers in early October. Check out the PDF for all the info.
Official Release: A child suddenly runs out into the road from between two parked cars – it’s every driver’s nightmare scenario. BMW Group Research and Technology, in collaboration with leading research institutes in Germany, has now developed a system that can take the heat out of such situations thanks to so-called Car-2-X Communication. The research project AMULETT (the German acronym for “Active mobile accident avoidance and mitigation of accident effects through cooperative data acquisition and tracking technology”) involves vehicles communicating with a radio transponder carried, for example, by a pedestrian for purposes of personal safety. Cooperative sensor systems between the car and the transponder mean that even hidden pedestrians can be recognised. continued →
Last year around this time we featured an article on what BMW models are made where entitled “Made in Germany?” . BMWAG has graciously done this work for us this year by releasing a list of production facilities, what models are produced/assembled at each plant and the total number produced at the plant for 2008. This saved us a good deal of time and we thank them!
Worth noting in this official document is that the 5 Series GT will be in production this year as will the X6 Hybrid, but there is no mention of the new X3 or X1 which are both expected this year as well (now possibly in the Spring of 2010?). If you are questioning BMW producing cars in Asia, you will be happy to know that CKD stands for Complete Knock Down, and these are cars produced elsewhere in kit form and assembled for the specific local market in which they are assembled.
During this press conference the X5 ///M and 760 were debuted.
Auto Shanghai 2009, BMW Group Press Conference: Speech by Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing.
20.04.2009 Speech
Ladies and Gentlemen –
Here we have here the world premiere of the BMW 7 Series with a new V12 engine. This is the most powerful BMW 7 Series in the world.
The new BMW 7 Series is the fifth generation of this luxury sedan. And since it is BMW’s flagship, it is also a pioneer in terms of innovative technology and design.
This luxury sedan has been on the market for just over six months now – and within that short space of time it has already been voted “Car of the Year” in Europe by readers of the magazine auto motor sport.
The BMW 7 Series you see here – a BMW 760 Li – is the most exclusive and prestigious vehicle in our range.
I actually prefer to be behind the wheel, but, I must admit, it is quite a thrill to be driven in such a superb vehicle as the new 7 Series: Not only is it top of the range, it is also the first time this model is being presented. That is an unbeatable feeling.
While the BMW brand is our main focus (and passion) here at BimmerFile, we love the idea of competition. Competition in building the best car leads to innovations and improvements we as enthusiasts drool over. Each brand has its purpose and each brand has its pluses and minuses. In general Audi was/is renowned for its interiors along with Quattro all wheel drive and BMW for its superior driving prowess. To many the interior makes or breaks a car, and to others it is the love of the drive; either way it is a personal call, though we love to drive!
Audi Q5
Audi has sat back and taken it all in for the past 5 plus years while the BMW X3 racked up sales in the compact luxury SUV market before recently launching the Q5. The Q5 joins a crowded class which now includes offerings from not only BMW but Mercedez, Acura, Infinity and Land Rover to name a few. With SUV sales in the tank due to the gas crisis last summer and the current state of the economy, the Q5 comes to market at what would seem the wrong time… but is it?
Official Release: With a third-place GT2 class finish by the No. 92 M3 of Tommy Milner and Dirk Müller in the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team reached the ALMS podium for the second consecutive race. The duo completed 70 laps around the 1.968-mile temporary street circuit in the one-hour-and-forty-minute contest. Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand scored their first points of the season, finishing eighth in the No. 90 M3 after losing four laps following a collision with a lapped competitor just past the one-hour mark. continued →
BMW of North America announced today that all BMW models are now eligible for purchase of a Maintenance Program Upgrade which extends BMW’s standard Maintenance Program period to 6 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first (excludes ALPINA B7). Vehicle owners may purchase the two-year Maintenance Program extension from an authorized BMW Center during the first four years after the vehicle’s in-service date or 50,000 total miles, whichever comes first. MSRP for the extension ranges from $1,395 to $2,995, depending on the model. For a small surcharge, the period to enroll a vehicle is extended through the fifth year of vehicle age or 60,000 total miles. Most recently BMW made the M3, M5, M6, and Advanced Diesel models eligible for Maintenance Program extensions. continued →
BMW dealer investment for the future continues, even in the current economic climate. “Investments from our BMW dealers are proof of confidence in the future success of the BMW brand in the US,” Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC, said. “Today, our network is one of the strongest in the country and we are all working closely together to extend our leading position in the future.” continued →
Since we love to keep you on top of the latest in the world of BMW Motorsports we felt a TV schedule of sorts was in order. You can now better plan your weekends around when these races air! The following schedule includes ALMS and Formula 1 races for TV. Note: the F1 time of airing depends on the market/time zone so it is best to check you daily listings, all times in EDT unless noted. Enjoy!
4/19 2:30am F1 Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai International Circuit- SPEED
4/19 12:30pm (delay) ALMS Tequila Patron Long Beach Ca- ABC
4/26 8:00am F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit- Speed
5/10 8:00am F1 Spanish Grand Prix, Circuit de Catalunya- SPEED
5/17 10:00pm (delay) ALMS Utah Grand Prix- SPEED
5/24 8:00am F1 Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo- SPEED
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: Concept | EfficientDynamics | Z2 Apr 24th, 2009 28 Comments 
