Section: In the Press
Jul 25th, 2008
We have seen several sets of spy photos of what can be interpreted as a BMW X6 ///M over the last month. Originally it was thought that it would feature an over boosted version of the Twin Turbo V8 in the xDrive50i as the source of wheel spinning power.
Indications now are that these test mules could be featuring a advanced hybrid system designed under BMW’s F1 program, a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). This is an different system to the previous hybrid X6 (non-///M) we had featured which will utilize the system jointly developed with MB, GM and Chrysler.
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Jun 10th, 2008
According to Auto News via our friends over at AutoBlog Karmann may be up for sale sooner than later. Karmann is a German coach builder that also happens to produce the top for the BMW 1 series convertible. Audi had pulled their contract for the since departed A4 Cab earlier in the year disrupting a much needed source of income.
It is a family run business and they are currently weighing all of their options. The workforce has been slashed by 500 already and 1000 of the 5000 workers are slated to get cut as well in order to keep the company afloat.
The convertible roof business has been steady (partly thanks to the 1) but the real issue is in the vehicle assembly for automakers. They operate much like Magna does for BMW in producing vehicles via contract. Cars that have recently been produced by the company include the Audi A4 Cab, and the MB CLK. They also assemble kits and produce chassis.
Part of the reason for the decrease is the fact they basically designed the Chrysler Crossfire from the ground up, and needless to say that was not a huge hit.
Karmann for years produced many VW products, from the cabrio Beetle and Ghia to the much aclaimed Corrado. The BMW 635 CSI was also produced in significant numbers by the company.
What will the sale of the company mean for BMW is still up in the air, but hopefully it will not impact the production of the 1er roof.
May 20th, 2008
As we reported several weeks ago BMW and Daimler (Mercedes Benz) continue to discuss a variety of joint ventures.
The talks are more for cost savings and economies of scale than anything else. R&D, purchasing from suppliers would all benefit from a larger scale operation. This small scale has been a strong point and a downfall for both manufacturers, they tend to develop (along with suppliers) breakthrough technologies but have difficulties selling on a large enough scale to make profit margins great enough for investors and the overall health of the company.
BMW has seen a drop in its profit margins and Daimler recently lost a lot in the Chrysler fiasco so both can benefit from sharing in development costs and greater scale in purchasing. What remains to be seen is how deep this relationship will go and how it will effect future models, especially in green technologies.
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May 12th, 2008
This is not new news but it is interesting to see that BMW is still looking to add another brand. It was rumored BMW was to buy Volvo sometime last year; this never materialized because BMW felt that Volvo was not a good fit for what they need in a fourth brand. Other options still remain; including resurrecting the Triumph moniker that BMW owns. Lotus joining the party sounds good to me!
Forbes:
BMW CFO says group still considering fourth brand -
FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is continuing to consider whether it will set up a fourth brand as part of its long-term growth strategy, chief financial officer Michael Ganal said in an interview with Euro am Sonntag.
He said that to ensure long-term growth, it is not enough for BMW to tighten costs and that it must also consider increasing its revenues, adding a fourth brand ‘remains absolutely conceivable’.
At present, the group has the BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce (other-otc: RYCEY.PK - news - people ) brands.
May 7th, 2008
The N54 I-6 (twin turbo from the 335i etc.) has won back to back International Engine of the Year awards.
BMW also won awards for the 1.4-1.8l class with the BMW-PSA 1.6l turbo utilized in the MINI line up, in the 3-4l. category for the V8 in the ///M3, in the above 4l category for the V10 in the ///M5/6 and best new engine of the year for the 2.0l diesel in the 123d.
I guess you can say BMW makes great engines, something we enthusiasts have known for a long time!
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Apr 22nd, 2008
We have just received some information that the two brands are in fact in the early stages of an agreement.
BMW and Daimler have agreed (in principle) to work in cooperation for purchasing and in research and development. This is still in the early stages but we have learned that BMW pressured Daimler into this via stock owners of both companies. BMW is (the Quandts) seeking a minority share in Daimler AG to ensure long-term cooperation and an ex-BMW board member on the board of Daimler.
This agreement once finalized will be limited. It will only be relative to new technology and to lowering emissions. This cooperation is much like the current agreement for hybrid technologies but now will also include purchasing and development of other electronics. The agreement or one like it is necessary for the two to achieve greater economies of scale and to lower the R&D costs associated with developing lower emissions vehicles that will soon be required in many countries.
The original story about discussions being underway can be attributed to the AP via Business Week here
Apr 21st, 2008
Reuters had an interesting piece recently on BMW in the ever expanding Chinese market. Worth noting is that BMW did not rule out producing cars for export from China all together but for the time being the expansion would be used to fill the demand within the country.
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Apr 3rd, 2008
Here’s an excerpt from the highly recommended article:
What happens when you redesign 80% of a car that has been on the market for less than two years, leaving only the glass, doors, trunk lid, lights, and load bearing structure in common with the latest variant? For many companies, bankruptcy is the next step in this progression. For BMW, it’s just a step in the creation of the latest version of the M3. “Often, this is the only car in the household,” says Larry Koch, M Brand manager, BMW North America, “so we had to make it usable.” In truth, all M3s since the first E30-based version back in 1986-a car created so that BMW could build the 5,000 road versions required to race in the German Touring Car Championship-have been usable. They just haven’t always been enjoyable off the track, a point punctuated by the first M3 with its 192-hp inline four-cylinder, and the last version with its 333-hp inline six-cylinder. Both have the high-strung edginess of a methamphetamine addict.
+ “M“ IS FOR “MAKEOVER“ / Automotive Design & Production
There’s also some interesting info about both the Clubman (which was previously reported about on MotoringFile) and the 1er.
Mar 18th, 2008
In celebration of the cars finally making their way to US dealerships, we’re calling it 1 Series week here at BimmerFile. We’ll have more this Saturday (the official launch date) but until then, here’s another great review to take in. Our friends at Inside Line have finally had a chance to full test their 135i press car and well… it’s worth a click. Here’s an excerpt:
Spirited back-road driving proves the 2008 BMW 135i Coupe can deliver the goods, as it dispatched corners with crisp turn-in, an eager willingness to change direction and impeccable grip, without sacrificing the road-worthy poise of the 335i that we love. On our test track, this translates to a blistering 72.4-mph run in the slalom, easily outpacing the last 335i we tested (69.5 mph) and edging the 2008 STI (72.0 mph). Skid pad figures are a wash, as both BMWs generate 0.89g and the STI makes 0.90g.
+ Full Test: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe
Feb 16th, 2008
Based on my experience with the car, I knew the official 5.1 seconds number was going to be conservative. Now we have official proof of that.
135i First Test / Car & Driver
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