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Reconfirmed: BMW developing FWD, four-cylinder small car line for sale in U.S.

Filed under: Technology, BMW, Rumormill, Luxury

BMW seems to think American buyers are ready to sink their teeth into small luxury vehicles. The automaker has reconfirmed plans to unleash a wave of small, front-wheel drive creations positioned below the 1 Series and due to go on sale in the U.S. market. The vehicles will be sold under a new class called UKL, and there are supposedly several different body styles just waiting to pounce on unsuspecting North American buyers. The news came via Ian Robertson, a BMW board member for sales and marketing, who also said that the full line will pack a four-cylinder engine when the cars debut before 2013.

BMW is looking to move around 100,000 units of its new UKL series vehicles worldwide, though the company hasn’t said exactly how it expects that figure to be broken up by market. Automotive News reports that while the company has also been tight lipped about exactly how many different vehicle types will fall under the new front-wheel drive, four-cylinder philosophy, other reports have pointed to a total of four body styles at launch.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Reconfirmed: BMW developing FWD, four-cylinder small car line for sale in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Volvo mulling sub-S40 sedan, BMW X1 rival

Filed under: Sedan, Crossover, Volvo

2011 Volvo S40 Now that Volvo is no longer a part of Ford Motor Company, change is inevitable. The Swedish automaker can no longer rely on Ford to supply low-cost global platforms or new powertrains in the future, so that future may include fewer platforms and better model distinction. AutoWeek reports that Volvo will soon go from three platforms to two by adding some new models and taking away some others. On the chopping block are the S40 sedan and V50 wagon. Both have sold reasonably well, but they are reportedly too close in size to the new S60 to be retained. The V70 station wagon will cease to exist after the 2011 model year.

Doug Speck, CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, tells AW that a new vehicle is being considered that will be smaller than the S40. It would do battle against heavy hitters like the BMW 1 Series. The small sedan’s all-new platform could also spawn a compact crossover to take on the likes of the BMW X1. Speck cites the feverish growth of the small luxury crossover segment as the main motivating factor to adding a smaller stablemate to the XC60 and XC90. In the short term, the larger S80 and XC90 will also be redone, better positioning Volvo to win sales in China, where large luxury rides are in high demand.

Speck also set expectations for S60 sales in the U.S. Volvo hopes to sell 15,000 to 25,000 copies of the attractive new sedan annually. Volvo sold only 5,895 copies of the outgoing S60 in 2009, though the last-gen model, which first sold way back in 2001, was very long in the tooth.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Volvo mulling sub-S40 sedan, BMW X1 rival originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bugatti Veyron vs. BMW S1000 RR – Which is fastest?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., BMW, Bugatti, Motorcycle

2010 Bugatti Veyron versus BMW S 1000 RR

Car guys insist that their four-wheeled machines are as fun as any motorcycle. The two-wheeled, leather-clad bike folks laugh at this notion, then scream off into the twisties at 9,000 rpm. The discussion can go back and forth until both parties are blue in the face. Inside Line decided it would be fun to put two powerful examples, one car and one motorcycle, to the test. These aren’t just run-of-the-mill vehicles, either: In one corner is a 2010 Bugatti Veyron while in the other sits a 2010 BMW S 1000 RR. The battleground? Forest roads around Molsheim, France

The Veyron obviously has the power advantage, thanks to its quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16 engine that produces 1,001 horsepower. The 190-horsepower BMW, however, has a huge weight advantage and the agile bike can get around any Citroën-shaped obstacles that it might come across.

The staff at Inside Line give the nod to the bike, for a number of valid reasons. It makes more sense in a day-to-day atmosphere, can slip through traffic, and when the luggage rack is applied it has more cargo capacity. The S 1000 RR also gains an edge when comparing maintenance costs. Changing a tire on a bike isn’t too much of a hit to the wallet, but to change the full set of rubber on the Bugatti costs $90,000. Furthermore, there are only two machines in the world capable of handling that job — one in France and another here in the US.

Regardless of the outcome, the pair both represent unique forms of engineering excellence and the real winner of the shootout is Inside Line. Getting to spend time with either vehicle is a treat, but getting to do it on a scenic French road is a dream. Head on over to Inside Line to live vicariously through their lucky contributor.

[Source: Inside Line]

Bugatti Veyron vs. BMW S1000 RR – Which is fastest? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring is an excellent vehicle you’ll never drive

Filed under: Wagon, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 5 Series Touring

2011 BMW 5 Series Touring – Click above for high-res image gallery

Take a good, hard look at this vehicle, which is currently on display at the Paris Motor Show. Seems like it would be the perfect alternative for someone who wants a luxury SUV but doesn’t need a vehicle that large. It also appears to be the perfect car for a person who wants cargo room yet despises luxury crossovers. This is the 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring – and we can’t have it.

Wagons are, quite unfortunately, going the way of the dodo in this country. A vehicle that makes too much sense won’t sell in a country where sense is tossed into the wind. The problem is, that’s part of what makes this country great – the idea that we can go and buy a V10-powered Ford Excursion even if we just use it to drive the kids to soccer. Yet, that vehicle only makes sense for a small number of people, and those people are buying better tools for their job anyway.

The 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring, assuming of course that you are looking for a luxury car, makes far more sense to far more people. It fits just as many people as the high-riding crossover alternative, while also providing just as much cargo space. It’s arguably better looking than any crossover or sport utility vehicle. More importantly, it has loads of useful space while at the same time being a blast to drive. The only area it would fall in a comparison would be in regards to towing.

You can view the stats for the 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring in the press release after the jump, but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. We won’t get to enjoy the 306 horsepower 535i Touring, or any other variant of this wonderful wagon. And before it’s even left in the ‘comments’, yes, we know all about the BMW 5 Series GT.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW 5 Series Touring

Paris 2010: BMW 5 Series Touring

Continue reading Paris 2010: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring is an excellent vehicle you’ll never drive

Paris 2010: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring is an excellent vehicle you’ll never drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé looks low, flat and mean

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW’s Paris press conference isn’t set to take place until later today, but the boys from Bavaria left its Concept 6 Series Coupé hanging around on the display’s massive curved plinth.

While we couldn’t finagle our way inside to take a gander at the interior (at least not yet), the crisply styled GT clearly foreshadows the nearly-here 6 Series production model. The attractive and surprisingly large coupe borrows bits from Beijing’s Grand Coupe concept as well as the new 5 Series, particularly in the nose.

When it arrives next year, the serial 6’er will likely be powered by BMW’s range of turbocharged and naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines, with eight-cylinder motivation reserved for the next M6.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept

Gallery: BMW 6 Series Concept

[Source: BMW]

Paris 2010: BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé looks low, flat and mean originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: BMW X3 is new yet familiar

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW X3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has whisked the sheets off of its 2011 X3, and the second-generation crossover looks suspiciously like its predecessor. Beyond a seemingly endless parade of spy shots over the last couple of years, that’s predictable, as the Spartanburg built X3 has been a considerable sales success for the German automaker.

While the sheetmetal stays largely the same, the lineup receives new engines and an eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s set to spread like kudzu throughout the automaker’s offerings. The X3 also becomes the first model in BMW’s growing X franchise to adopt electric power steering (the automaker’s controversial variable sports steering rack is optional), as well as optional Damper Control and Dynamic Drive Control (as seen on its range of sedans and sports cars).

In addition to the new sheetmetal, BMW promises added rear seat room, addressing one of the vehicle’s key shortcomings for the North American market.

Power will come from BMW’s Twinpower Turbo (Bimmerese for twin-scroll turbo) inline six-cylinder that gives the XDrive35i model 306 brake horsepower at 5,800 rpm with max torque of 295 pound-feet of torque at just 1,300 rpm. That’s good enough for a 0-62 mph time of just 5.7 seconds and a top whack of 152 mph, though it’s not clear if that figure will be governed when it reaches us Yanks. An entry-level xDrive28i model will also receive I-6 power, with 240 hp and 230 pound-feet of torque. Naturally, diesel mills will also be available in other areas of the globe, but as of yet, BMW officials haven’t committed to bringing an oil burner to the States. The petrol model, however, should be in showrooms before year’s end.

Check out our gallery of live shots below, and hop the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW X3

Gallery: 2011 BMW X3

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Paris 2010: BMW X3 is new yet familiar

Paris 2010: BMW X3 is new yet familiar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered for your pleasure

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Videos, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered inside and out – Click above to watch video after the jump

The BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept appears to have separated the audience into camps called “OMG BMW what have you done?” and “OMG BMW is back!” If there are any of you left on the fence looking for a closer look before you sign up to one of those clubs, here are high-definition renderings of the concept without and within.

Of course, they’re still renderings so you can reserve final final judgement, but you’ll see how the exterior light elements work and get clues to interior details. We’re digging that glass roof in all kinds of ways. Follow the jump for the close-ups, and stay tuned for live coverage straight from the Paris Motor Show. Hat tip to Rob!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered for your pleasure

Video: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered for your pleasure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 BMW 550i

Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Reviews, Luxury

The Redesigned 5 Series Becomes A Baby 7 Series

2011 BMW 550i

2011 BMW 550i – Click above for high-res image gallery

More than one mile above sea level, located in the heart of Sequoia National Park, is the General Sherman tree. This nearly three-hundred foot tall Giant Sequoia is considered the largest tree in the world, as based on total volume. More impressive than its mass is its age – scientists believe it is between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. Giant Sequoias have prospered over centuries, while countless lesser trees have come and gone, because they posses very unique qualities. Their foot-thick bark allows them to resist fire, and their shallow roots take advantage of rain showers during periods of drought. And, in an interesting twist of natural survival, their tall canopies effectively block the sun, preventing competitors from taking hold and surviving in the darkened shadows at their base.

The BMW 5 Series is in a similar position. The long-established benchmark mid-size sport sedan finds itself in a constant battle with competitors trying to push it aside in an effort to capture its territory. Instead of resting on its laurels, BMW re-engineers the four-door once every eight years to conform to a changing and ever crowding segment.

Introduced earlier this year, the all-new 2011 BMW 5 Series breaks new ground. Now sharing platforms with the 7 Series, the sedan seems to have changed its tune from sport to luxury. We spent a week with the range-topping 550i, fitted with the automaker’s twin-turbo 400-horsepower V8, to put our fingers on its new mission.

Gallery: Review: 2011 BMW 550i

2011 BMW 550i

Continue reading Review: 2011 BMW 550i

Review: 2011 BMW 550i originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort

Filed under: BMW, Electric

BMW ActiveE concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The evolution of BMW’s electric vehicle program, Project i, goes sort of like this: from Mini E concept to leasing that car to happy customers to the ActiveE concept to field tests of the larger sedan next year and then on to the Megacity EV, which is scheduled for 2013. Those last two steps have yet to happen, but today we learn a bit more about how and where the ActiveE, a modified 1 Series Coupe, will prowl the streets. BMW has announced that the following U.S. cities and areas will get the ActiveE:

New York City
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Sacramento
Boston
select markets in Connecticut

So that makes California and the East Coast the lucky ones. We’ve heard a few hundred ActiveEs would be tested around the U.S., but BMW hasn’t provided any more details on the number of vehicles coming to each location. The field trial starts next summer, so we don’t have that much longer to wait.

What can drivers expect from the ActiveE? BMW says that “realistic simulations” show the all-electric car can go from 0-60 in approximately 8.5 seconds and the car has a top speed of around 90 miles per hour (electronically limited). Range is estimated at 100 miles. Unlike the Mini E , the ActiveE can seat four and carry about seven cubic-feet of stuff.

Gallery: BMW Concept ActiveE

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort

BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Creed to head BMW NA marketing after Pitney passing

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, BMW

Dan Creed, BMW BMW’s North American Vice President of Aftersales, Dan Creed, has been chosen to replace former marketing VP Jack Pitney, who passed away last month as the result of a tragic accident on his farm. Creed will pick up the reins of marketing as well as product planning and strategy for The Roundel in North America.

Creed has been with BMW since 1996, when he joined the automaker’s Canadian arm. His past assignments for the company have included Canada’s National Sales Manager and head of the Southern Region of BMWNA. In his role as the President of Aftersales, Creed presided over parts, service, accessories and lifestyle schwag for both Bimmer and Mini.

BMW’s official press release is after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Report: Creed to head BMW NA marketing after Pitney passing

Report: Creed to head BMW NA marketing after Pitney passing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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