Official Release: Driving pleasure, premium quality and reliability guarantee the latest models from the BMW and MINI brands the highest acclaim in international automobile markets. That has been confirmed yet again in a recent study conducted by international market research firm J.D. Power. In its latest customer survey – the Automotive Performance and Layout Study (APEAL) – assessing satisfaction levels among North American new car buyers, the BMW 5 Series range, BMW X3, BMW Z4 and MINI Countryman emerged as winners of their respective vehicle segments. In addition, four more models from the BMW Group finished in the top three of their category. This tally means the BMW Group boasts the highest number of segment winners of all manufacturers in the latest APEAL survey.
There is no better way to test the American made BMW X3 then to subject it to a family road trip culminating on the 4th of July. Outside the windows it’s all long straight highways and picturesque small towns that exude Americana. Inside it’s black coffee upfront and Cheerios in the back (and on the carpet). When BMW designed and engineered the X3 they didn’t have the ‘Ring in mind as much as the sippy cup. And as much as that grates at my enthusiast mentality, I appreciate the care that BMW put into solving the everyday sort of challenges that many drivers face. And I really appreciate it when I have my own family in tow.
All four Fifth Gear presenters took turns behind the wheel of the new X3 for the first ever multi-person test. The result? Both the X3 and Fifth Gear end up looking pretty good.
As you may recall BMW has initiated a system that allows a customer to actually see their X3 being Built in Spartanburg North Carolina. But what goes into a system like this? How does it actually work? Glad you asked…
In a surprise move, BMW M’s head of R&D, Albert Biermann told AutoCar a bit about future M offerings.
“Turbocharging provides more power and performance but with better fuel economy and emissions,” says Albert Biermann, BMW M’s head of R&D. The V8 is the same ‘S63’ unit used in the X5 M and X6 M, but with revised induction and exhausts for sharper throttle response and a more solid top end. Biermann also stated, “There will be some all-wheel-drive surprises on M cars in the future.”
Many have concluded that his comment about M going 4 wheeling was directed at only the ///M5, which is set to make its public debut in a few weeks at Sahnghai but we take that to mean that M is looking into offering more models (outside just the X5 and X6) in all wheel drive. The M5 being offered in all wheel drive is no surprise as many of the early spy videos showed the car getting power on the tarmac a little too even to be rear wheel drive. When Alpina created an xDrive version of their flagship B7 the writing was on the wall that M would likely follow suit. If you read between the lines this may also indicate that to the chagrin of many enthusiasts the X3 may be offered in an M version as well as the the next 3 series. These two platforms are intertwined and dollars spent on one can easily translate to the other for the most part so it just makes sense to build one thinking about the other.
Keep in mind this is very much a UK spec. So when the presenter starts talking pricing and what comes standard know that this varies greatly from market to market.
Official News: Its world premiere is one of the highlights of the 2011 NAIAS and a dazzling performance on the road certainly awaits it: the new BMW 6 Series Convertible fulfils the desires of demanding automobile connoisseurs for fascinating aesthetics, superior driving dynamics and progressive luxury in an open-top premium automobile of the upper class. The new version of this great BMW convertible impresses with the athletic elegance of the bodywork and the soft top in the characteristic fin look. In the sophisticated interior of the four-seater, the elegantly flat, free-standing Control Display of the iDrive operating system, supplied as standard equipment, lends an exclusive touch. The driving experience is characterised by optimised comfort and a heightened level of sporting zest. The market launch in the USA will be made with the BMW 650i Convertible. Its V8 power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo and direct fuel injection delivers 400 hp (300 kW/407 bhp) and can be combined with either a six-speed manual transmission, or an eight-speed automatic sports transmission.
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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.
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Sections: E89 Z4 Roadster, F10 5 Series, F25 X3, MINI Jul 28th, 2011 No Comments 
