No sooner do we question why BMW is keeping us in the USA in the dark and they go release the requested information! We now know the reason for the delay; there is no mention of the DCT in this piece BUT there is very little mention of the coupe (E92) or convertible (E93) so there is still some hope. There is also no mention of the internet via Connected Drive or the newer Efficient Dynamics technologies.
The only change engine wise is the Advanced Diesel in the 335d. There will not be a 335 wagon or a direct injection 330.
The iDrive will be updated as we have known for sometime and the remainder of the changes in appearance and packaging (including a heated steering wheel) will occur.
All in all it is very similar to the UK just we are not worthy of the other engines, DCT (yet?) or Connected Drive.
Update
It appears that the “XI” badging may be history:
BMW’s acclaimed xDrive all-wheel drive is featured in the newly named 328i and 335i xDrive Sedans and 328i xDrive Sports Wagon
Official BMW Press Release: Over the next months, the BMW Group will be carrying out various series of tests on electrically powered vehicles to determine the alternative drive of the future. Several hundred MINI brand vehicles are being prepared for this. The cars, built in the Oxford plant, will be modified accordingly in Munich and fitted out for trials.
In addition to a more performance oriented X5, BMW has begun testing a similar version of the recently released X6.
It appears to feature a beefier front and the typical 4 tip exhaust featured on //M models. There is also tape on the side of the front fender where the “gills” would be on an //M. Our sources have indicated BMW has no intention of launching an //M SAV, though things may change.
If past BMW projects like this are any indication this SAV will have a stiffer suspension, wider tires larger brakes and of course more power!
What this performance X6 version testing in California is really all about is anyone’s guess at this point.
Wait, that is not the only version of X6 that was testing in the South West.
It is once again Friday so what a better way to kick off the weekend then showing a clip of the guys at Top Gear doing what they do best. Once you watch the clip and then do a double take we would love to hear your comments on hybrids in general, BMW will be releasing hybrids in the X6 and 7 series sometime next year so even BMW fans are not immune to the wrath of the hybrid!
With the upcoming release of the next generation BMW 7 Series we thought a nice stroll down memory lane would be in order. We have compiled a brief history of the model line since the inception of the 7 moniker in 1977.
The first 7 Series followed the BMW design that was introduced in the 1977 6 Series coupe. It combined an elegant exterior along with new technical innovations. This original 7 (E23) was designed to provide the sporty handling of a BMW along with powerful refined engines in a package for the upper class of society. The initial flagship of this first 7 series was released in 1980 as the 745i. Interestingly enough the car’s designation did not indicate displacement (and many thought today’s models started that trend!) it was powered by a 3.2 litre turbo 6-cylinder engine. It was one of the performance leaders in the sedan segment at the time. Over the 9-year span it was built (1977-1986) about 280,000 of this model were produced. It was a huge success for BMW.
Autofiends.com has some nice photos of a new 335d hot weather testing out in Death Valley. Interesting to finally see the AdBlue filler cap (circle in bumper) for the urea injection system in body color.
We have been hearing rumblings from sources and in the community that the 335d release has been moved from October to December, though this has yet to be confirmed.
From the rear angle shots they were able to obtain you can see the new rear bumper fascia and body lines. There appears to be some change to the area behind the Hoffmeister kink in addition to the lights and bumper.
For further info on the BMW Advanced Diesels please see our previous articles here.
Though the X6 hybrid was revealed as a concept vehicle a while back we recently have not seen or heard much more about it. Until now! Chaz, one of our readers happen to snap some photos of a few different prototypes and graciously provided us with them. In the photos you can see one large chop shop mutant version of the front hood bulge and the other with a more production ready hood.
He was also able to snap a photo of the MB M class with a similar system, notice the HEV tag on the side is that internal code or a new label for Hybrid?
These models could utilize a two-mode hybrid system, much like the current GM offerings (Tahoe) on the roads decked out with large HYBRID lettering on all sides so that everyone knows your SUV is a hybrid.
The two-mode hybrid system is the product of a joint development program between GM, Daimler, Chrysler, and BMW that began a few years ago. The technology originally was designed for public transportation in city buses utilizing a two-mode hybrid transmission produced by Allison.
Here is a video that describes the current abilities and developments of the BMW Efficient Dynamics program. There are shots of an iDrive screen with guages/meters showing the efficiency and current usage levels of Efficient Dynamics technologies.
It is also worth noting that the direct injection with lean burn technology is mentioned. If and when BMW is able to find a way to introduce this to the US it would be a boost in efficiency and power!
The guys over at BimmerPost have some spy photos of what was believed to be the new BMW “V3″. To us the nose looked more like the X1 from spy shots we had seen a while back.
This car is in reality a E91 with an X1 nose on it. The X1 as we reported earlier will be based on the E91 platform. This mule is allegedly testing the new I4 turbo that BMW and PSA recently agreed to in a joint venture. It is much cheaper and easier for BMW to test cooling and other related systems in a modified car than to create a pre-production model. What is interesting to see is that these new motors will not only be used in the Z, and 1 as we were originally led to believe. They will be used elsewhere in the model lineup (but if you consider the X1 as part of the 1 series then it makes more sense!). There is little indication that the US will see these 4 cylinders anytime soon.
Earlier in the week we promised you a short video starring a BMW diesel, well here it is. It is entitled: Passing the Pumps with a Smile. It stars what appears to be a 320d (something we won’t see in the US) on a long distance road trip. Watch how many times they need to stop for fuel, or rather the stations they pass. I wonder why the US is so hung up on hybrids considering these diesels will outperform and out mpg them; this baby averaged just under 58 mpg on this trip. Let’s hope that the rumors of the 335d mpg being a very conservative estimate are even partially true!
The BMW NG6 Project, Next Generation 6 (cylinder) was begun over 6 years ago. This document is believed to have been originally found in the garbage of a BMW facility back in 2003. It may be the notes from one of the engineers after they attended a meeting or presentation. So far all of the engines depicted on this have come to fruition, the only one the US has not seen is the N53.
As we indicated a few days ago (we sat on it for a while as per a request from a source) BMW would be utilizing engines similar to the four cylinder turbo specifically utilized in the John Cooper Works MINI Cooper S. Weeks ago we discussed the 7 series will be offering a hybrid. Today it was all made official:
BMW to use engines jointly developed with PSA in BMW brand cars
05.06.08, 1:32 PM ET
FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. will use the four-cylinder engines it has jointly developed with French carmaker PSA in BMW brand cars, chief executive Norbert Reithofer said in a pre-release of his interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
He said the future generation of the BMW 1 Series will be fitted with these four-cylinder engines.
The report said BMW had previously intended to use these engines only in the MINI brand cars.
Reithofer also disclosed the new generation of the BMW 7-Series, which will be launched this year, will be fitted with a new hybrid engine.
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.
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Sections: E90 3 Series, EfficientDynamics, Official News Jul 16th, 2008 8 Comments 
