The Best BMW X1 Teaser Yet?

Sections: X1 Jun 16th, 2009 6 Comments

You be the judge.

The first BMW World Record

Sections: BMW History | Official News Jun 15th, 2009 1 Comment

Official Release: The cruising altitude of modern airliners ranges from 10 to 12 kilometres. It is hard to imagine, then, that a pilot managed to broach these heights a full 90 years ago. It was a BMW engine which, on 17th June 1919, propelled Franz Zeno Diemer to an altitude of 9,760 metres. If further proof were needed of the superiority of the ingenious yet simple concept of BMW’s highaltitude engines, it was furnished during that summer of 1919 at Munich’s Oberwiesenfeld airfield. No human had previously piloted an aircraft to a greater height. continued →

BMW X1 Prototype Official Footage

Sections: Video | X1 Jun 14th, 2009 2 Comments

The official images and video of the final production vehicle are coming shortly. But until then BMW has filmed one of the latest X1 prototypes for its latest press event in Mallorca Spain.

BMW Expands Methane Gas Program at US Plant

Sections: Official News Jun 11th, 2009 3 Comments

Official Release: BMW is investing another $12 million to expand the capacity and efficiency of its landfill methane “Gas-to-Energy” program.

The new system, which is nearing completion, will include two new highly-efficient gas turbine generators capable of producing 11,000 kilowatts (kW) of electricity. These two new co-generation turbines will replace four older, less-efficient turbines. The new turbines have the capability to increase electrical output from 14% up to almost 30% of the plant’s current electrical demand. While the new turbines double the overall electrical output using the same amount of methane gas, through electrical and hot water generation over 60% of the plant’s total energy requirements continue to be provided by methane gas produced at the nearby landfill. continued →

BMW’s New Voice Activation in Action

Sections: Technology | Video Jun 10th, 2009 2 Comments

Look for the new system to debut September worldwide.

The video is both in German and English

BMW Group Sales Down 18%

Sections: Official News | Sales/Marketing Jun 8th, 2009 1 Comment

Official Release: In market conditions that remain difficult, the BMW Group sold 109,042 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles worldwide in May. This sales decrease of -18.3% was more moderate than in most of the previous months. A total of 487,906 (prev.yr.: 618,734 / -21.1%) vehicles were sold in the first five months of the year. Despite declining sales volumes, the BMW Group was able to gain market share against its competitors in the premium segment during this period. continued →

BMW to Debut New Voice Activation System

Sections: Official News | Technology Jun 8th, 2009 1 Comment

Official Release: Starting in September 2009, BMW is presenting a truly innovative, cutting-edge technology for voice control in the automobile allowing even more reliable and convenient operation and control of navigation systems and infotainment functions.

Introducing this new system, BMW is raising the driver/vehicle dialogue to a new level of excellence. For the first time, one single voice command is sufficient to completely transmit the driver’s destination into the navigation system. The driver’s verbal statement specifying the place, street and number is processed immediately by the system, all data going directly into the navigation unit. continued →

Next 1 Series Come into Focus

Sections: F20 1 Series Jun 5th, 2009 7 Comments

One of the more prolific sources of information on the greater web has been a fairly anonymous web poster named Scott27. Reportedly he works deep within BMW’s marketing department and is one of those rare employees who lets a few details slip from time to time. In his latest comments on Germancarzone.com he gives us some further insight into the next generation 1 Series. One of the main aspects that is important in understanding the following information is that the next 1 Series will be built using a modular platform as we’ve talked about previously here on BF. It will be shared with the next MINI as well. This will allow BMW to be very cost efficient in creating different variations of the car to cater to new segments.

Much what what he says we’ve already reported but it’s both confirmation and further details on a car we’re all eagerly anticipating. Here are a couple of excerpt from those posts. In them he lays out the high level structure of all the upcoming 1er models and how they fit within newly designated customer categories.

Efficient Dynamics: Why the BMW 1er will spearhead the first premium line up in the compact segment to offer a hybrid drivetrain for each variant.

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Matte Finishes Coming to the M3?

Sections: //M3\\ | E90 3 Series Jun 5th, 2009 1 Comment

We’ve heard trough several sources recently that BMW is busy perfecting the process of matte paint finishes through the help of a supplier. According to those same sources Munich is looking to debut three varriations on the current M3 as a run-out special edition before the car is officially retired in several years. Reportedly those colors are to include black, silver and white if all goes according to plan.

BF Review: 2008 528xi

Sections: E60 5 Series | Review Jun 5th, 2009 4 Comments

The 5 Series has always occupied an important role for BMW. For years it has straddled the line between sports and luxury sedan. On one side the 3 Series’ shape and weight allow it to be overtly sporty (if optioned correctly). On the other the 7 Series is unashamedly luxurious. The 5er has historically straddled both concepts and has gone on to become (in some forms) what many call the best sports sedan on the planet.

We know from experience the current 5er (even in its base 528i form) can hit the same high notes of its predecessors. However as any BMW enthusiast knows, it’s all in how you option the car. So here’s the question, what happens if a base 528i is saddled with both the automatic transmission and all-wheel drive options. Can it conceivably live up to the tradition of great 5 Series sports sedans and truly lay claim to the term “Ultimate Driving Machine”?

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