Lumma BMW CLR X 650 GT to Debut in Geneva

Lumma Design was clearly not satisfied with the work it presented on the BMW X6 at Essen 2008. They now present another slightly different package and it's called the CLR X 650 GT. At the forefront of this is the rear carbon fiber spoiler which makes a line all the way to the sides ending at the front headlights.

The front spoiler is custom-fitted and is integrated to the daytime running lights. The front and rear fenders are enlarged, suspension is lowered, and the roof is finished in matte black. The 11x23-inch deep-dish rims are matched with high-performance tyres of size 315/25-23.

Lumma is not only known for exterior work but for the inside as well. For this part they fitted upgraded leather trim, sports seats upholstered in leather and ultra-suede. A flat-bottom sports steering wheel with a shift indicator makes the driver feel more willing than ever.

Although the pedals themselves were left untouched, the gas pedal features something Lumma calls the Gas Pedal Module or GPM. GPM works with the 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 and reprogrammed ECU to increase pedal response for enthusiastic driving.

The BMW X6 based Lumma CLR X 650 GT makes its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

Source: autoblog.nl

Video: BMW 5-Series GT Concept Presentation in Munich

In a special event in Munich, BMW took the wraps off its new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo prior to next month's Geneva Motor Show. The five-door liftback which is taller and longer than a 5-Series, supposedly combines elements and characteristics from several segments including MPVs and SUVs. BMW's latest niche model, known until now by as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), is scheduled to enter production later this year. In this film we get the chance to see the concept inside and out as well hearing BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk's initial thoughts on the GT.

Source: www.carscoop.blogspot.com

Y's Factory BMW M5 is Radical or Ruined?

Japanese tuners can be quite eccentric as far as body kit goes. This BMW M5-based sedan is an example of such eccentricity from Y's Factory. The front end features a revised bumper with tinted blue headlamp lenses. The low-profile tyres look at least 20-inch in diameter and are wrapped around 10-spoke black rims which feature what appears to be larger blue 6 piston calipers with matching hardware.

But the most visible signs of excess are at the rear where the car cannot be mistaken as it passes by. That is because of the two massive mufflers flanking an air diffuser. The wing on the boot rises up to about three thirds of the rear window and is wider than the body of the car itself.
Inside all that can be seen from the pictures are blue Recaro seats, standard M5 detailing and a floor that looks stripped out and bare. Details pertaining to the car's performance abilities can be seen on the tuner's website but unfortunately for us it's all in Japanese.

Source: thekucars.wordpress.com via autoblog.nl

Hartge Reveals BMW M3 Aerodynamic kit

Previously tuning house HARTGE had released a full range of accessories for the BMW M3 that include aluminium pedals, an aluminium handbrake handle and HARTGE gear knob. A new range of exterior accessories is now available from HARTGE.

Listed are a front spoiler lip, carbon add-ons for the front spoiler lip, and side sills for both right and left rear. This applies to both the coupe (codename E92) and convertible (E93). A rear diffuser and a lip for the boot lid are also offered but only for the M3 sedan and coupe, not for the convertible. The exterior side mirrors get a set of carbon casings. Side profile pictures are not available at this point.

The current BMW M3 comes only in three body types; a coupe, a convertible and a sedan. There's no word on a Touring wagon version. It uses a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 engine to produce 420hp (309kW) and 400Nm of torque.

Source: Hartge

More 2010 BMW 5 Series Details Emerge

New details of the 2010 BMW 5-Series are beginning to surface. Set for delivery during the 2nd quarter of 2010, the new 5-Series will carry a sportier design, and be slightly longer than the previous E60 generation.

Despite being longer, the functional dimensions stayed the same. Only the wheelbase was increased slightly. Aside from the sedan, a Touring version will come to market. That model should see daylight in October 2010. Each will have the wider BMW grille reminiscent of the BMW CS Concept, first shown in the Shanghai motor show 2007.

Several driver-assist systems will be available on the car, including a steering system with an active rear axle. This system will be speed-dependent, and help to prevent rear-end swing-out, making the car easier to control when cornering. The damping control on the car will be fully adjustable, with several different driving modes selectable on the fly. Night vision, lane-assist, active braking, and an advanced cruise control system will also be available.

The 5-Series will have a choice of petrol engines ranging from 180 to 370 hp, and diesel engines that output 180 to 290 hp. One of these options will be the 2.0-liter twin-turbo 204hp four-cylinder found on the 1-Series. From 2011 onward, a mild hybrid may also be available. As seen in the BMW 7-Series Active Hybrid Concept, mild hybrids function by cutting off the engine when the car is coasting, or at a dead stop. Mild hybrids can also assist with power output at higher speeds.

Eventually, we should also see the release of a new M5. This car would likely come with a huge 500+ hp V10, and a dual-clutch transmission.

Source: autozeitung.de

BMW 730Ld Launched in the UK

The UK is one of Europe's most important diesel car markets. Therefore most motor manufacturers doing business in the UK will offer at least one diesel derivative in their lineup. BMW is one of these automakers as it expects about 85% of 7 Series sales over the year to be diesel-powered. It has just launched the new 730Ld priced at £56,790 OTR. This is the long-wheelbase version of the 730d and comes with an additional 14cm of rear legroom. The car can be driven by its owner or by a chauffeur when the passengers seek the extra space and comfort of the rear.

Buyers of the 730d require certain levels of luxury specification and BMW is delivering on that expectation. Features like a self-leveling rear suspension, an electrically-powered rear window sunblind, individually heated and air-conditioned seats, and 9-inch twin flat adjustable monitor screens come either standard or as options depending on the package selected.

Powering the 730Ld is a 3.0-litre straight six turbo diesel motor producing 245hp (180kW) and 540Nm of torque. A 6-speed automatic gearbox accompanies this engine and helps the car achieve a 0 - 62mph time of 7.3 seconds as well as a top speed of 153mph. It registers a 194g/km emissions figure and a 38.7mpg combined consumption figure.

Source: BMW

Next Generation BMW 1-Series Details Spilled

Details of the next generation BMW 1-Series range have now cropped up courtesy of the UK edition of CAR magazine. A new series of engines will adorn the 1 Series beginning with a smaller, more efficient 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol. This new mill will power the 116i and 118i both of which are currently powered by 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engines respectively.

CAR says power figures will be as follows: the 116i gets 136bhp (101kW), the 118i gets 184bhp (137kW), 218bhp (163kW) for the 120i and the next 130i pumps out 272bhp (203kW). An M1 version is still out of the question, although a high-performance 300bhp (225kW) twin turbo 1 Series is on the cards. It would be powered by a 3.0-litre twin turbo petrol unit.

For diesel fans the selection is a 118d with 150bhp (112kW), a 120d producing 184bhp (137kW) and a 123d good for 211bhp (157kW). Later in the car's life, plug-in hybrid and electric versions are expected to hit the market.

Six-speed manual transmission systems will be the standard mate for these powerplants and a 7-speed double-clutch will be optional.

BMW engineers apparently tinkered with a front-wheel-drive layout in order to pair it with the MINI as a cost-reduction exercise. But it was decided the cars will stick to the brand's tried and tested RWD suspension. Body styles seen in the contemporary 1 Series range like the hatch, coupe and three-door hatch will stay. Additional shapes may be added such as a three-door shooting brake.

Source: Car

BMW M3 Touring Imaginatively Rendered with Supercharged V8 Engine

BMW currently has no plans of building an M3 wagon or Touring as the brand calls it. But that didn't stop an artist from creating an impression of one. Some of the features of this M3 Touring rendering include a paint job called Pepper White with Satin, an Argray Titanium exhaust, an AC Schnitzer front lip and roof wing and Black Series BBS RE Magnesium wheels with a Brembo 8-piston caliper brake system. Wrapped around its wheels are Yokohama ADVAN Sport Tyres.

Figuratively speaking, under the hood lies an engine force-fed by a custom Vortech supercharger. The standard M3 has a 4.0-litre V8 engine that produces 309 kW (420hp) and peak torque of 400Nm (295 lb-ft) at 3900rpm. Its maximum engine speed is 8400rpm. Although no power figures were speculated, it's safe to say that this rendered M3 Touring's engine, if real, would improve performance nicely.

The M3's main rivals are the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and the discontinued Audi RS4, both of which have/had wagon/estate versions in real life.

Source: jonsibal.com

BMW 7 Series Hybrid and X6 Hybrid confirmed for 2009 release

BMW will produce hybrid versions of the BMW 7 Series and the BMW X6 with sales expected to begin by the end of 2009. BMW Sales and Marketing Director Ian Robertson confirmed the report during talks with journalists at the Detroit Auto Show.

Robertson, the former CEO of Rolls-Royce, told journos that the two vehicles would use diffent hybrid systems. The luxury sedan 7-series would make use of a mild hybrid, allowing the engine to be shut down when coasting or braking. Accessories would still run with the engine shut down, making use of an electric motor. Meanwhile, the X6 Sport Activity Vehicle would be paired with a full-hybrid system, letting the SAV run on pure electric power or using a combination of its internal combustible engine and a larger electric motor to power the vehicle.

Concept versions of the two vehicles are on display at the North American International Auto Show. The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid is based on the 2009 model year, and runs on a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 paired to a 20hp electric motor that generates an impressive 155 ft-lb of torque on its own. The V8 already generates 400 hp, and 450 ft-lb of torque, but the added power from the electrics will help cut fuel consumption by 15%. Energy for the electrics would be kept in a lithium-ion battery mounted in the vehicle's boot. Regenerative brakes also send energy back to the battery pack.

Fewer details of the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid have been released, but the German automaker has said the concept would get 20% better fuel economy than similar V8 vehicles. The X6 hybrid concept was likely drawn up with the same 4.4 liter V8 as the 7-series hybrid concept. As these two vehicles are concepts, their will likely be some changes to mechanics and detailing before they get to the showroom. But do expect to see the BMW 7 Series Hybrid and the BMW X6 Hybrid in dealerships soon.

As Robertson said, "they will probably be available to our customers by the end of the year.”

Source: examiner.com

BMW X5 Celebrates 10 Years of Success

The BMW X5 is now ten years old. First introduced at the North American International Auto Show in 1999, the X5 has been bought over 845,000 times since. Still in its second generation, introduced in 2006, BMW believes the vehicle created the four-wheel-drive Sports Activity Vehicle segment.

Meant to combine "the driving dynamics of a BMW Sedan with impressive mobility off the beaten path," the crossover was built for durability and performance. The current X5 has choices of a V8 and inline-six, with diesel options as well. Over time, engines for the vehicles have become more powerful, while improving on fuel economy. One example is the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i, which makes use of 35 horsepower more than the first generation, while improving on fuel consumption by over 12 per-cent.

The rigid vehicles include independent suspension, stability control, Hill Descent Control, and Automatic Differential Brake. The safety features did not go without notice. When first tested in 2000 the X5 was considered the safest auto ever crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This made the car even more appealing, as it has seating for an entire family.

Auto motor und sport has given BMW accolades for the X5 design, and customers helped give the X5 a J.D. Power gold award based on their satisfaction surveys.

No word yet on when a third generation X5 will become available. The rumor mill says a BMW X5 M may come out in 2009, fitted with a 4.4-liter twin turbo V8. That engine generates 430 hp.

Source: BMW

2010 BMW Z4 Unveiled in Detroit

The Z4 in plain site for everyone to see.

BMW has premiered the new Z4 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. And it promises simply...more, more, more.

Gone is the much celebrated 3.2 liter inline six-cylinder with 343 hp. But BMW claims what replaces the S54B32 engine will be even better.

The latest Z4 will initially come with two naturally aspirated 3.0 liter engines. The first produces 300 hp for the Z4 sDrive35i with 300 lb-ft (406 Nm) of cranking power. The second dials it down to 255 hp with 220 lb-ft (298 Nm) of torque for the Z4 sDrive30i.

The sDrive35i offers an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which will take the Z4 from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 5 seconds flat. Standard on both models will be the 6-speed sport automatic.

BMW claims its EfficientDynamics technologies will provide unparalleled efficiency and performance and it's got a novel in the form of a press release detailing all of the bells and whistles that will make this Z4 better than the last one. But just having a look at the LED-highlighted design architecture of the Z4 body is a good start in believing.

Source: BMW