Over the past six months we’ve heard rumors of several “near” M cars that have been undergoing testing. Today we have our first official confirmation from M themselves. “The BMW M Performance Automobiles” will span the range from the X6 and 6 Series Gran coupe all the way down to the much rumored M135i. The idea is simple, bring near M levels of performance to cars with better every day drive-ability. Sounds a little like the E46 ZHP doesn’t it?
The current 1.6L MINI engine wasn’t quite born out of the strange bed-fellow partnership that the previous power plant was. The Tritec came to MINI from of Chrysler (where it was engineered and designed in Detroit) via Brazil (where it was produced). It just so happened that it turned out to be a robust and characterful power plant that suited the R50 and R53 rather well.
In comparison the Prince family of engines has quite the pedigree. Designed and engineered by key members of the same team that had just finished work on the famed M54 inline six BMW engine, the Prince engines introduced MINI to a number of new technologies. BMW even enlisted the help of the then BMW F1 team and some of their engineers when it came to a few key components within the JCW version.
The new F30 3 Series has elicited quite a few question from BF readers since it was introduced about a month ago. And more than a few have been questioning the car’s use of electronics to change the driving behavior and performance. Will it actually change the “feel”? That we won’t know until we drive the car later this month. But the other end of the spectrum – EOC Pro mode – we can tell you about. Here’s Robert with the question:
I am curious about the new “eco pro” setting on the F30. BMW claims a potential improvement of 20% fuel consumption. Will this be over and above the stated US EPA mileage? in other words, will the stated EPA mpg numbers take into
consideration the eco pro mode or can we expect even better mpg on top of these numbers if we utilize the setting? Thanks.
BMW themselves have released an interview with Senior Vice President BMW Group Design Adrian Van Hooydonk primarily about the new F20 1 Series. It’s an interview unfortunately with BMW’s terrible 1 Series European marketing wrapped around it but it’s interesting nonetheless.
While we’re warming to the new F20 we’re still not convinced it’s as successful as the new F30 3 Series in overall execution. Perhaps it doesn’t matter all that much since our US readers will never get a chance to see the car on US roads. But what about the coupe and convertible?
After years of avoiding it, BMW is making the Tokyo Motor Show all about alternative power plants for 2011. Making it’s official production debut will be the AciveHybrid 5 Series.
Official Release: The introduction of groundbreaking drive system innovations sees BMW taking driving pleasure to consistently greater heights, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions to ever lower levels. At the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 (3 – 11 December 2011) the German premium carmaker is underlining its pace-setting development expertise in this field with the presentation of next-generation BMW ActiveHybrid technology, new four-cylinder petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and – for the first time in the Japanese market – a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with BMW BluePerformance technology. This year’s Tokyo Show is hosting the world premiere of the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The full-hybrid Sedan brings together a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, an electric drive system, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a high-performance lithium-ion battery. This package of technology allows the brand’s third hybrid model to be driven on purely electric power around town, offers drivers a boost function delivering extremely dynamic acceleration, and enables the car to coast with the combustion engine switched off. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 also comes with a globally unique intelligent energy management system, which works in tandem with the navigation system to prepare the car’s drive functions in advance for upcoming road conditions.
Official Release: Now in its second generation, the BMW 1 Series is once again the undisputed benchmark for driving dynamics in the compact vehicle segment. Just a few weeks after its market launch it has now been officially certified as a perfect role model in the area of safety. On the current Euro NCAP crash test, the new BMW 1 Series achieved the top score of 5 stars. After analysis of all the data collected in the course of extensive testing procedures, the testers officially confirmed that the new BMW compact model provides outstanding occupant protection over a range of different collision types. In addition, the car’s pedestrian protection and its numerous standard safety fittings also attracted a positive rating. Among other things, the new BMW 1 Series can be fitted with the extended emergency call including automatic position finding and accident severity identification – the BMW Assist Advanced eCall. BMW received the special Euro NCAP Advanced Award for this BMW ConnectedDrive service a year ago.
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After a very long break we’re back with our biggest and longest show ever. We start with the M5 and new 3 Series and Michael’s first-hand experiences with both cars. And as much as that could be a show in itself, we move on to tackle pretty much every other major BMW topic from the last three months. The show runs a little over an hour and weighs in at 45 mb but it’s one you won’t want to miss.
We’ve just returned from the Frankfurt IAA and to say that the BMW Hall is overwhelming is an absolute understatement. The scale of BMW’s home auto show venue is immense. Imagine an auto show floor stateside and then think that the size of that entire building is around the size of BMW’s own in Frankfurt- it is that enormous. BMW didn’t disappoint its fans in its presentation of its newest offerings and future concepts; offering a wide range of vehicles, all presented in the ideals of Efficient Dynamics. Our cameras were able to capture it all so be sure to check out the gallery.
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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.
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: E71 X6, F10 5 Series, F1X 6 Series Gran Coupe, F20 1 Series, M Performance Line Jan 12th, 2012 6 Comments 
