BMW has introduced a Competition Package for its class-leading BMW M3 Coupé to enhance the model’s unparalleled driving dynamics. He package will go on sale 20 March, 2010. The new Competition Package comprises a revised Electronic Damper Control with a new Sport setting which, when coupled with the 10mm lower suspension, improves the standard car’s already dynamic handling. A Dynamic Stability Control Plus system with subtly less electronic intervention than before allows for a more enthusiastic driving style. Exclusively designed 19-inch light alloy wheels, inspired by the popular E46 M3 CSL, complete the package.

The Competition Package is priced at £3,315 in addition to the standard BMW M3 Coupé’s £52,730 OTR price.

At the same time Auto Start-Stop technology comes as standard to all versions of BMW’s M3. The Coupé, Convertible and Saloon already feature Brake Energy Regeneration, lightweight engineering principles and on-demand use of ancillary systems to enhance all round efficiency. The introduction of Auto Start-Stop, on both manual and M DCT transmission-equipped cars, represents the first time a BMW model with more than four-cylinders and a transmission other than a six-speed manual has featured the technology. No other high performance car currently comes with this capability.

The BMW X1 will debut in Europe this fall with a choice of four engines – one gasoline and three diesels – and will be available in rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations. The X1 will set new benchmarks in the premium compact segment for efficiency, comfort, utility, and of course driving dynamics. Achieving up to 5.2 L/100km on the European test cycle, the BMW Advanced Diesel-powered X1 sDrive18d will provide remarkable fuel efficiency while still achieving a top speed of 200km/h (124mph). Each drivetrain choice for the X1 will showcase the latest results of BMW’s EfficientDynamics engineering strategy, which is focused to reduce emissions and consumption while enhancing the performance expected of any BMW.

The BMW X1 is built at BMW Plant Leipzig where the new X model is produced on the same line as the three-door Sedan, the Coupé and the Convertible versions of the BMW 1 Series.

Pricing for the new model represents a steep increase, but buyers do get more for their money. In addition to its revised styling and folding hard top, the base car gets the more powerful 255-hp, 3.0-liter I-6 that was standard on the sportier ’08 Z4 3.0si. The new top performer for 2009 is the twin-turbocharged sDrive35i, which yields 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque.

BMW will also offer a full set of options for the new convertible. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will set you back $1525 and is only available on the sDrive35i. Other options include $550 for metallic paint, $2100 for a navigation system, and $750 for the extra safety of BMW Assist.

Buyers can deck out their Z4 with a sport package with sport seats, adaptive M suspension, 18″ wheels, and an increased speed limiter for $2300. For $1000 a cold weather package comes with a heated steering wheel and front seats, and for $2000 a premium sound package includes a premium hi-fi stereo, 6 DVD changer, and iPod integration. A premium package with auto dimming mirrors, power seats, ambient lighting, and a universal garage door opener is also available.

The BMW 760i and 760Li sedans will be powered by an all-new direct-injected V-12 engine that BMW says it has “developed as a completely new engine from the ground up.” The all-aluminum, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter unit produces 544 hp at 5,250 rpm, and delivers max torque of 553 lb-ft from 1500 rpm.

BMW says that both sedans will reach 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, despite their 4,640- (760i) and 4,795-lb (760Li) curb weights. The 760Li is stretched 5.5 inches to better pamper rear passengers, although BMW says the 7′s unique design maintains the side profile view despite the extra length.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is also making its production debut on the 760 and 760Li. BMW says that the eight-speed “marks the starting point to a generation change in the area of power transmission systems” – presumably meaning they will be sticking this new transmission in other models pretty soon.

The German automaker claims the eight-speed only minimally increases in size and weight over the former six-speed, and makes up for that in efficiency. The new transmission allows drivers to engage the highest gear at “significantly reduced engine speed” more often, increasing fuel economy and enhancing the smoothness of the twelve-cylinder engine.

BMW’s press release didn’t mention cost or availability of the new 760 and 760Li. We’ll have to wait until further announcements are made to know if the 760i and 760Li will venture stateside, or if it will be delegated as a European-only model.

At first glance, you might say “it looks like a regular X5.” That’s by design. BMW wanted the X5 Security Plus to meet customer demands for discretion in order to provide passengers with an even higher level of security. Underneath its unassuming exterior lies an armored cabin that complies with the requirements bullet resistance class 6. In other words, occupants will be protected from everything from crowbars to bullets from an AK 47.

Multiple modifications ensure the SUV’s bullet-stopping ability. A security glass conceived exclusively for this bullet resistance class is used in the windows. The body features high-performance steel molded components and panels. Plus, all the joints are sealed to provide protection in critical areas such as the gap between the doors and frame. Tires are fortified, too, in case victims need to escape an emergency situation. Even when completely flat, the tires enable the vehicle to drive up to 93 miles at speeds up to 50 mph.

In addition to the armor plating, BMW added other features to deal with hazardous situations. An intercom is integrated to communicate with people outside the vehicle without opening doors or windows. There is also a hold-up alarm that automatically locks doors and windows and activates audible and visual alerts. Controls for the system are conveniently located in the center console.

All the added security equipment adds weight, but BMW tuned the suspension to offset the burden. Heavy duty springs and dampers along with revised software for the suspension management make sure the added mass doesn’t greatly affect the driving dynamics. A high-performance brake system is also part of the package. However, there is still a small performance trade-off for the added protection. Even though all X5s receiving the security treatment receive the 355-hp 4.8-liter V-8, zero to 62 mph will take about 8.2 seconds and the top speed is limited to 112 mph. Still, you won’t find many armored cars boasting performance numbers like those.

Another advantage of the X5 Security Plus is the security vehicle assembly takes place right in a BMW factory. This ensures the security features are perfectly adapted to each vehicle compared to similar models that offer retrofitted armor plating. Also, all security vehicles are designed to be serviced at any BMW service center. BMW even offers special security vehicle driver training to enable owners to exploit all advantages of their vehicles.

BMW has yet to announce a price to for this fortified family-hauler. With all the intelligent security enhancements, though, we would expect the cost of safety to be rather expensive.

Purchasing the Maintenance Program Upgrade extends the services from a 4-year/50,000-mile term to a 6-year/100,000-mile term. Owners can purchase the plan within the initial 4-year/50,000-mile limit, or, for a fee, have the period to enroll the vehicle extended to 5 years/60,000 miles. Depending on the model, the extension service will cost from $1,395 to $2,995.

All U.S. BMW vehicles are now eligible for the program, except the Alpina B7. BMW most recently made its standard free maintenance services available for M3, M5, M6 and Advanced Diesel models. The Maintenance Program Upgrade can be purchased from any authorized BMW center starting in April, or added to any vehicles configured in the Build-Your-Own feature on the BMW USA website.

BMW’s maintenance program includes such services as oil changes, oil filter replacement, vehicle inspections, air filter replacements, brake pad and disc replacements, brake fluid replacement, engine drive belt replacement, windshield wiper replacement and spark plug replacement. The full list of services included – along with all limitations and exclusions – can be found at BMW’s website.

BMW last offered a four-cylinder engine for U.S. consumers in its 318ti hatchback in 1999, which was nixed due to poor sales. But as stricter fuel economy standards approach, BMW North America CEO Jim O’Donnell says a direct-injected, turbocharged four-cylinder could be on its way.

“The plans will be firmed up when we have definite news from Washington on what the fuel standards are going to be,” he said. According to O’Donnell, the engine could be used in the 1-series, the 3-series, and the X1 and X3 crossovers. BMW is designing the new four-cylinder to have as much power as its in-line six-cylinder engines, with better fuel economy and lower emissions.

O’Donnell is wary that consumers may not be willing to pay more for the engine, however. The four-cylinder will cost more for BMW to build, extra cost that will have to be passed down to consumers.

Mercedes-Benz is in the process of deciding whether it should bring the four-cylinder diesel from the E250 Bluetec concept it displayed at the New York auto show earlier this month to the U.S. The 2.2-liter diesel in the concept generates 204 horsepower and returns fuel economy of almost 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

Mercedes-Benz USA’s CEO, Ernst Lieb, says that although the engine may not work in the E-class for the U.S. market, it would be well-suited for the C-class sedan and GLK crossover. He said the engine could be used in both of those vehicles’ current generations.

Source: Automotive News

According to L’Automobile, the BMW 750Hi, as it will be called, will be revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show this September. The 750Hi will battle it out with the newly introduced Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid and the Lexus LS600h, which has enjoyed a few-year head start in this arena over its German competitors.

The 750Hi will be equipped with the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 from the 750i, which makes 400 horsepower in the non-hybrid. The mild hybrid will add an electric motor that will add about 20 horsepower, and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15 percent. The ActiveHybrid concept was also equipped with other EfficientDynamics upgrades, such as regenerative braking and start/stop technology.

BMW could match that output with eight-speed automatic transmission that debuted at the Shanghai auto show in 760i. We’ll have to wait until September to confirm these details – if indeed BMW brings its hybrid to the show.

Source: L’Automobile

Speaking with Automotive News, BMW’s U.S. CEO, Jim O’Donnell, said that the BMW brand will see at least ten percent growth over the previous year starting in September. He said the growth would continue through the final quarter, but Mini would remain flat in the last four months of the year. O’Donnell expects the redesigned 2010 7-Series to lead the charge come September, continuing its 1000-sales-per-month average from last year.

“By the end of the year, it will lead the segment. We are not shooting for gold, but to put this car into the market without a lot of sales allowances. If that means we do 1000 a month, so be it.”

But so far, the 7-series hasn’t been selling that well. Although the redesigned model didn’t go on sale in the U.S. until March and the lineup is missing its notorious V-12 engine, sales are down 67 percent for the four months this year compared with the same time period last year. BMW’s dealers moved 792 units in April. If BMW wants to replicate last year’s sales average – or beat it – sales will have to increase significantly.

O’Donnell said BMW is happy keeping the 1-series as a niche model in the U.S., defending the automaker’s choice to introduce the small car with a high price.

“One of the reasons we positioned it as we did was the dollar was particularly weak. Having pitched it at that level, we think it would be inappropriate to try and adjust that. We are happy enough with the 1-series being a niche model, concentrating mainly on people who want a small car with a degree of fun in it.”

In a separate interview with Automotive News, Mazda’s North American Operations CEO, Jim O’Sullivan, said that he predicts the seasonally adjusted annual rate for the year will rise to 10 million, meaning sales will have to pick up significantly during the second half of the year. “We are going to clean everything up before we get to September,” O’Sullivan said.

O’Sullivan also revealed that Mazda’s research and development and product cycle did not see budget cuts. He said Mazda is working on lowering fuel consumption by 30 percent across the board by 2015, designing gas engines that get diesel mileage and diesel engines that get hybrid mileage.

The Mazda2′s possible entry into the North American market was also discussed. It seems Mazda is seriously considering the Mazda2 for the Canadian market – but there was no mention of the Mazda2 for U.S. consumers. O’Sullivan said he didn’t think the Mazda2 would cannibalize sales from its best seller in North America, the Mazda3.

Although we think it’s just too early to predict when sales will make a recovery, making an educated guess about future growth rates are part of the job descriptions of CEOs like O’Donnell and O’Sullivan. We hope their predictions hold true.

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told reporters that there have been no signs that the market will recover before next year. BMW hopes to resume its target sales by 2012. By that time, new versions of the 1-, 3-, and 5-series model lines will be on sale.

With production down a third, inventories have fallen. However, sales volumes have only declined by a fifth, allowing the BMW group to earn €220 million ($293 million) in free cash flow from its car program.

The outlook isn’t any better for BMW’s rivals. Last week Mercedes-Benz posted a quarterly operating loss of €1.12 billion ($1.49 billion), while Audi saw profit fall to €363 million ($483 million). Meanwhile, Porsche is still struggling to find a solution to its plans for a high-risk takeover of Volkswagen.

According to BWM, this year will be a transition year. The company is presently more focused on securing its independence rather than meeting earnings targets. BMW says it expects to miss its 1.8-million-unit sales goal for 2012, but it will sell more than 1.6 million units, enabling it to reach profitability targets for that year.

Source: Automotive News