Among a handful of debuts at NAIAS BMW also took the wraps off of the refreshed Z4. You can read about our analysis of the car here. But NIAIAS allowed us not just a look at the specs but also some time kicking the tires. Our opinion? The Z4 continues to be one of the most stunning drop-tops available on the market.
Since the launch of the F30 3 Series we at BF have bemoaned the fact that BMW rid itself of the option and package structure that had been around for decades. No sport package and a lack of stand alone options was a shock to many BMW fans and hopeful 3 Series owners. Especially the enthusiast set. And now we have the 320i - not only a throwback in name but also in options and packages.
NAIAS 2013 represented a big show for BMW in several ways. Most importantly was the introduction of the 4 Series coupe concept. But production cars also had their time in the spotlight with the M6 Gran Coupe and Z4 LCI both debuting in Detroit. The US market also saw the debut of the 320i and the 3 Series Touring. And on top of that there was the press conference with a handful of new details around BMW\'s future in the US and current production status. All told well worth the trip for us. And while we couldn\'t take you with us, we have the next best thing with a full video recap of the show.
The 2013 NAIAS will be remembered for a lot of things. The debuts of both the Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50 – both serious 3 Series competitors. The updated NSX concept and the Audi RS7. And of course that fiberglass superhero the C7 Corvette Stingray.
But for BMW it was a major show for both production and concept cars.
The BMW Group achieved its highest ever sales result in 2012, with a total of 1,845,186 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered worldwide. This was an increase of 10.6% over the previous record year in 2011 (1,668,982).
Next Monday marks the beginning of the 2013 auto show season with the famed North American International Auto Show. It\'s not only the most important show in the US but easily one of the biggest in the world. As always BimmerFile will be on hand to cover the show and this year, the following debuts...
In thinking about what BMW would be perfect for a week-long holiday adventure in the upper Midwest of the US, there are a few that immediately come to mind. My own E61 5 Series wagon certainly fits the bill. But of course we needed to test something new and the wonderful F11 5 Series wagon isn\'t coming stateside. There\'s the line of SAVs - specifically the X3 and X5 to consider. However the X3 was quickly deemed too small. The X5 would work but there\'s something a little expected about it. Then it hit me. Why not the biggest of them all; The 7 Series?
Pop the corks. BMW has beaten Mercedes (and Lexus) to hold onto the luxury sales crown in the US besting Mercedes Benz in a head-to-head for back to back titles as king of the luxury market in the US.
