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.

World premieres of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept, new F20 BMW 1 Series (including new Efficient Dynamics Edition), new F10 ///M5, 520d Efficient Dynamics Edition, 1 Series with M Sport Kit (March 2012 launch), an electric scooter, Husqvarna motorcycle and several other models. Namely the BMW Performance 1 Series Design Studie, X1 Efficient Dynamics Edition and 3 Series Edition models that we not featured during the actual Media Conference.

We were puzzled by BMW’s decision to feature the 6 Series coupe’ and convertible so extensively during the media conference as these two models (although with new 40d power) were not discussed in the press releases leading up to the event. Secondly, the 6ers have been extensively covered by the media with other power plants. If anything, we were expecting a new model such as the 6 Series GranCoupe to be the surprise guest but rumors circulating the show were that BMW decided at the 11th hour the 6 Gran Coupe didn’t fit the theme of efficiency they were going for. Reportedly, it will be shown in Geneva closer to market launch. In case you were wondering; yes, even the ///M5 was discussed in terms of improved efficiency if you can imagine that.

There was another object on our scavenger hunt list that we searched high and low for in the vast BMW hall; the X6 ///M wearing M Performance stripes- it was nowhere to be found. Maybe that was for the better as our lenses were needed to capture the rest of the show.

We hope you enjoy the photos and we’d like to send a big thank you to Michael Talley for contributing his to our gallery. We’ll have more coverage from other manufacturers so stay tuned!

FULL GALLERY HERE

Jonathan Spira continues on his journey we introduced you to several days ago here. He is crossing Austria in search of some of the country’s finest wines in a Z4 sDrive23i.

“First order of business: top down. The top takes only 20 seconds to retract and it appears far more robust than earlier generation retractable hardtops, which seemed a bit fragile in construction. The interior features generous amounts of space; even with the top up, I never felt claustrophobic. With the top down, which is the way this car is meant to be driven, the cabin isn’t overly noisy or drafty; with the top up, you would never know you were in a convertible.”

For more of his take on the Z4 and of course the wine visit him over at Executive Road Warrior.

Our good friend Jonathan Spira is currently driving a 2009 BMW Z4sDrive23i on a wine tour of Austria.

“The weather in early September is just about perfect, with daytime temperatures around 21° C, cooling down to a comfortable 14° C in the evening. In other words, it’s the perfect weather to be driving a roadster.

BMW introduced its first roadster, the 315/1, in 1934 at the Berlin Motor Show. The 315 featured a long engine compartment, a six-cylinder motor, two sports seats, and a speedometer that went up to 150 km/h. The result? Instant Freude am Fahren (Joy of Driving, BMW’s tagline).

After selling 230 roadsters, BMW introduced the more powerful 319/1 variant with similar styling, selling 178. The 328 Roadster followed in 1936, becoming one of the fastest cars on the road (with a top speed of 155 km/h). Only 464 units were built until the Second World War necessitated an end of production.”

To read more of this entry and his view on a BMW Z4 we will not see on this side of the pond visit him at Executive Road Warrior.

The surfacing of the hood and large lower intakes scream: Sporty. While we can not verify the legitimacy of the image we thought you, our readers. would like to see the possibility.

Thanks Carl!

As sent in from a Chicago reader this morning…