We always have our ear to the ground in search of the latest BMW news and speculation. What we are hearing these days is that BMW will be upping the Efficient Dynamics push. Sources have been reporting that we will see the introduction of auto stop/start at some point in the not so distant future into new models and markets.
Based on our information all indicators point to this beginning with the September 2010 production run and will be available in a variety of non-hybrid vehicles for the first time; possibly including the ///M3 and the V12 powered 760. Auto/Stop start is a feature that can be turned on or off by the driver, the system basically turns the engine off when the car is at a stop idling and restarts when the accelerator is depressed. It has not been taken into account by the EPA for official MPG figures but is said to improve economy in the real world as is evidenced by EU methods.
We will update you as we hear more about this strong rumor.
Another huge BMW Podcast for us. We recap Michael’s experience at last week’s BMW NA press event where he had to drive pretty much every car BMW imports to the US on the track. It also gives us our best debate yet on whether or not the 335is is truly an M3 killer. But what about the 135i with the new N55 engine? We had guessed it may be down on (actual) power as compared to the N54. Conclusions? You’ll have to listen!
We then move on to talk about the new Competition Package M3, 5 Series diesels (we drop some hints as to the engine we’ll likely see in the US) and of course the car we can’t get enough of, the Alpina B7.
Finally we touch on the incredible showing at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring with BMW winning the race outright.
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BMW continues the tradition of seeking innovative new technologies to enhance the ownership experience by exploring opportunities to address relevant concerns of their client base. The BMW driver can generally be characterized as forward thinking and enthusiastic. A recent article at Green Car Congress highlights a technology that speaks to both the environmentally conscious and the enthusiast. Using an innovative new technology for a one-piece dashboard in the 7-series, which can reasonably be expected to find it’s way into the rest of the product line, BMW has reduced the weight of this large interior piece by 20% while employing a recyclable material.
BMW’s choice of Borealis’ 20% LGF-PP grade to replace its previous two-component dashboard construction has secured a number of advantages in addition to weight reduction: Nepol GB215HP gives significantly better warpage behavior and therefore improved processing and lower system costs for the BMW team. The new single material solution requires less material to achieve the mechanical properties of high stiffness and strength, and impact performance required for the dashboard carrier, adding to the overall production cost-efficiency and component performance. The use of recyclable PP contributes to raising the environmental profile of the 7 Series, with the general vehicle weight saving ultimately lowering fuel consumption.
While this editorial has been in the works since late last year, I have refrained from publishing it until now- to better coincide with the official public unveiling of the the 2011 F10 BMW 5 Series.
BMW since the 1970′s has had separate classes of sedans based mainly on size and the level of luxury. This was even true through the late 80′s and 90′s when BMW was accused of producing “the same sausage at different lengths”. The 3 Series has always been the smaller sportier car with less luxury and available options while the flagship sedan was the posh 7 Series. The 7 exuded class and luxury. It was loaded with latest exclusive technologies and ultra premium materials while providing its clientele with copious quantities of space both in the passenger compartment and luggage area. The 5 Series has always been somewhere in the middle in terms of size, luxury and available technology.
Looking at the current 3 series (E90: 2005- current), the current 5 (E60: 2003- until this June), and the last generation 7 series (E65: 2002-2009) it is hard for most to discern the shared design language let alone shared components. Chris Bangle led the revolution to change the look of BMWs, “We were making sausages at different lengths and management at that time and especially Chairman Eberhard von Kuenheim and technical director Wolfgang Reitzle felt we needed to break away and chart a new course for the company and the brand,” Bangle said in David Kiley’s book Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World. Under his leadership (he did not pen the designs) each model had its own style and enough exclusive bits and pieces to make each standout as an individual. Engines, transmissions and other mechanicals were shared throughout the lineup but for the most part things went their separate ways, especially once you openned the doors and gazed at the interior.
Supplements to the BMW Individual product portfolio round off the list of new items in the range of BMW M GmbH. For the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, too, there is the option to add an unmistakable touch with stylish and exclusive options from the BMW Individual program directly at the market launch. The range specially developed for the Sedan includes the BMW Individual high gloss Shadow Line, the BMW Individual Exterior Line in satinised aluminium design, an anthracite-coloured BMW Individual roof liner and BMW Individual reading lights at the rear.
While at the Chicago Auto Show we spent some time with Andreas (Andy) Bovensiepen the son of Alpina’s founder, Burkard Bovensieben, to discuss Alpina’s B7 launch in the US. Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH, (known to enthusiasts simply as Alpina) is located in the small Bavarian town of Buchloe and is a relatively short drive from BMWs headquarters in Munich. Alpina is more than a simple tuning company, Alpina is a boutique automobile company with a focus on building exclusive BMWs. BMW and Alpina have a working arrangement that allows ideas and information to flow freely in both directions which makes for some great products.
Alpina has sold several limited edition models in the US, the rare Z8 and the previous generation E65 B7 which featured a supercharged motor. We at BimmerFile also have knowledge that Alpina provided some welcomed input and performance adders for the E46 ZHP 3 Series.
Of the many interesting things we learned during our conversation was that Alpina will not be bringing any products below the B7 to the North American market. The reason? They simply don’t have the capacity to build enough to satisfy demand. Nor should they, Alpina is unapologetically the finest distillation of the BMW essence, it is an exclusive product providing performance and sophisticated refinement for the select few willing to pay the price of admission. With a total output of about 5 cars per day Alpina expects to sell around 3,000 of these B7s by the end of the cars run.
The Chicago Auto Show; the largest in the nation and one of the largest in the world (by volume and attendance). This year the snow and the economy have reduced the press turnout but the cars as well as debuts were still to be found.
For BMW fans the most important debut here was the Alpina B7. A car that is Alpina’s second go at a 7er in the US and one that represents the Alpina brand particularly well. 21″ wheels that are 21 lbs. That is Alpina in a nutshell as well as the B7. Engineering effeciency, power, performance and of course, comfort. We’ll have more on that car later. But until then, enjoy the show.
Today BMW has taken the wraps off of pricing for the Alpina B7. The 500 hp 516 lb-ft of torque B7 is the performance leader of the 7 Series range and will be once again offered in the North American market. Look for its official US debut at the Chicago Auto Show coming up in early February.
Official Release: BMW announced the pricing today for the 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 sedan, which will join BMW’s North American product range as the most dynamic 7 Series model. As the second generation of ALPINA automobiles based on the BMW 7 Series to be offered in the US, the 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 sedan will retail for $122,875 (standard wheelbase) and $126,775 (extended wheelbase). Both prices include $875 Destination & Handling. The first BMW ALPINA B7 was offered as a limited edition for the 2007 and 2008 model years. Newly interpreted and based on the current BMW 7 Series platform, the B7 will again set the benchmark in terms of performance, refinement, and technology.
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: //M3\\, EfficientDynamics, F01 7 Series, Rumor Jun 15th, 2010 11 Comments 
