As you may have picked up from our recently posts, BMW is being very aggressive with changing to relatively new models across the range this spring. So aggressive in fact that they’ve decided to begin 2011 model year starting with Spring production of most models. Some highlights:
The M3 Competition Package is real and includes 10 mm lower suspension, 19” M3 GTS wheels, remapped Electronic Damping Control and Dynamic Stability Control systems.
X5 now comes with the N55 single turbo inline six
BMW has introduced value packages to the aging 1 and 3 series models
Most models equipped with the twin turbo N54 inline six will be transitioning to the N55 single turbo for 2011.
Most vehicles receive minor changes for MY2011 in the form of options and new or revised packages, but some models are either all-new (for example, the new BMW 5 Series sedan and BMW ALPINA B7) or substantially updated (3 Series Coupe and Convertible). For existing models, what will not change for the start of the MY2011 are base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices. You can get all the details for the entire range in the official release below:
With NAIAS behind us it’s time to look back on the show and what was released. For starters this was the public debut of the ActiveE 1 Series, Z4sDrive35is, an upgraded 135i with the new inline six N55 and Dual Clutch Transmission as well as the US debuts of the 740i and 535i GT. For the full wrap-up we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bring you every second of video from BMW’s press conference. If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also included our full gallery of images and video from the two days. Enjoy.
The 5er GT has been one of the most divisive cars BMW has ever created. And while we at BF think it’s a substantially more impressive car in person and behind the wheel, it’s hard to quite get that across with just words and pictures. So BMW has created a mini-documentary around the development of the new 5 Series GT that helps tell the story of the car and the ideas behind it.
Part 1: Designing a new kind of car
Part 2: Prototyping the car and the first tests
Part 3: Testing under extreme conditions & debuting the car
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit will see the World debut of the BMW Concept ActiveE and BMW Z4 sDrive35is, as well as the North American unveiling of the twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine version of the BMW 740i and 740Li Sedans and the six-cylinder turbocharged version of the BMW 535i Gran Turismo.
BMW Concept ActiveE
BMW Concept ActiveE is the latest electric vehicle project under BMW Group’s initiative to produce vehicles that explore solutions to minimize environmental impact while preserving the dynamic driving experience for which BMW has long been known. The BMW Concept ActiveE will follow the all-electric MINI E as the second large-scale electric vehicle test program to be conducted in the hands of interested customers.
The 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo presents itself as an SUV that is not an SUV, a sport wagon that is not a sport wagon, a sedan that is not a sedan and lastly a coupe that is not a coupe. If it is none of those things, then what is it? That is the question a lot of people ask and there is no clear answer; it is a little bit of all of them and nothing like anything that has come before.
A different kind of car deserves a different type of review. That is exactly what we have done here at BimmerFile. For our first take on the new 2010 BMW 5 Series GT we decided to complete a review from different perspectives: from the driver, the passenger to casual onlookers and even the enthusiast. We are letting it loose tonight, the eve of the US on sale date! Read on and you’ll see what we have been working on along with the full photo set. As always we would love to hear your comments on this latest of controversial vehicles from BMW.
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.
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\\, //M5\\, //X5 M\\, //X6 M\\, E63/E64 6 Series, E89 Z4 Roadster, E90 3 Series, F01 7 Series, F07 PAS, F10 5 Series Jan 28th, 2010 7 Comments 
