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Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe caught without camouflage

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, BMW

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s not a common practice for an automaker to debut a convertible before its coupe counterpart, but that’s exactly what BMW has done with its next-generation 6 Series. The droptop made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, and while the hardtop Sixer will be rolled out within the coming months, our spies have just captured the swoopy new coupe out in public completely undisguised.

We’re hardly surprised by the design of the new 6 Series Coupe – a fixed-roof version of the attractive new cabriolet that takes inspiration from the Concept 6 Series Coupe that debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Obviously, some of the concept’s finer points (the large wheels, the large lower air intakes) have been softened for the production car, and what we’re left with is a pretty sleek evolution of the big coupe’s design.

We fully expect powertrains to be carried over unchanged from the convertible, meaning a twin-turbocharged V8 packing 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque will be in store for the 650i coupe, mated to a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. We haven’t been given the official word on when the Big Six will officially debut, but we’d be shocked if the new coupe didn’t turn up at the Geneva show in March.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe caught without camouflage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xplore Adventure Series vehicles want you to see our National Parks

Xplore Adventure Series FJ Cruiser – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our National Parks are American treasures, and one company wants you to get out there and explore them. We saw its first creation, the Xplore Adventure Series FJ Cruiser, at last year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. That vehicle is going to be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to the National Parks Foundation. Xplore isn’t limiting itself to just the FJ Cruiser, however, and parts will soon be available for various Jeep, Ram Truck, Toyota, Ford, GM, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

The parts are available at local dealerships and range from the basic to the burly. Stage one of the Xplore series of parts includes interior upgrades produced with the help of Katzkin. Stage two upgrades feature BFGoodrich off-road tires, aluminum wheels, Bilstein shocks and a Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust. If you want to push further into the woods, Stage three bolts on winches, a roof rack, rock rails, a rooftop tent and upgraded lighting. There’s also a built-to-order Stage 4 for Jeep and Toyota vehicles, which brings builder TLC into the mix and adds custom paint choices as well as electronic upgrades and expedition-level equipment.

Keeping with the theme of the Xplore name, each Xplore vehicle comes with a one-year National Parks pass, membership in the Xplore club and a subscription to the Xplore Lifestyle magazine.

Gallery: Xplore Adventure Series FJ Cruiser

Xplore Adventure Series FJ Cruiser

[Source: Xplore Vehicles]

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Xplore Adventure Series vehicles want you to see our National Parks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe the “most affordable” M product ever offered

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

At $47,010 (including destination), the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe isn’t exactly cheap. Still, Matthew Russell, BMW product and technology PR rep, says it’s “the most affordable M BMW has ever sold, adjusting for inflation, including the original E30 M3.” That car cost around $34,000 when it was introduced in 1988. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Russell is more than right: $34,000 in 1988 had the same buying power as $62,885 in 2010.

With rumors of BMW getting into front-wheel-drive cars, we asked Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, if M could do a FWD car. Segler said, “I haven’t thought about that,” and went on to remark that he couldn’t see doing a sub-1-Series M car. Russell elaborated with, “There are rumors about what is coming, but those aren’t from us.” As to other rumors about whether the coupes will be limited or capped in number, we were told categorically, “No.” But that was amended with, “But they will be hard to get.”

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Detroit 2011

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

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2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe the “most affordable” M product ever offered originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW reportedly pondering building 3 and 5 Series models in U.S.

Automotive News Europe is reporting that BMW may be looking into expanding the number of models that the company manufactures here in the States. While the German automaker says that there are no solid plans on the table right now, it’s possible that both the 3 Series and the 5 Series could join the X3, X5 and X6 on the production line at the BMW facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina (shown above). The move is being considered as the U.S. threatens to overtake Germany as the company’s largest auto market. In 2010, the U.S. fell a mere 252 vehicles shy of taking the sales crown from Germany.

BMW currently holds a 2.3-percent market share in the U.S. with 266,000 vehicles sold in America in 2010. With the U.S. economy in a slow but steady state of improvement, the company fully expects to eclipse that number in 2011. As a result, the Spartanburg facility will operate at its full capacity of 240,000 units this year.

So far, it’s unclear as to whether the company would eye building a new facility for the American-built 3 and 5 Series vehicles or if BMW would simply add on to its South Carolina plant.

[Source: Automotive News Europe – sub. req.]

BMW reportedly pondering building 3 and 5 Series models in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW: 1 Series M Coupe’s main competitor is… a used M3?

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 1 Series M Coupe is a car capable of turbocharging the dreams of many an enthusiast, BMW or otherwise – but the question many have is whether it can it turn the dreams of M3 buyers into something less… dreamy. During this week’s Detroit Auto Show press days, we spoke to Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, about what 1 Series M Coupe means for Bimmer’s performance brand and the M3.

Dr. Segler responded to those worried about the 1 Series M Coupe being better than the M3 with “the M3 is the car of M, the icon, playing in another league. The best feeling is still in an M3.” So even though BMW’s product and technology PR rep Matthew Russell described the 1 Series M as “an M3 in a 1 Series body,” the 1 M is distanced from the M3 by its limited options, including the fact that the M button on the steering wheel only adjusts throttle response, nothing else.

On the other hand, when discussing concerns that the 1 M was engineered so as not to step on the M3’s toes, Segler said “It was never held back at any stage. It is as good as it can be, this was exactly the car to build.” When we asked how much one would have to spend in order to make it better than an M3, we were told that it would make more sense to buy an M3. “It is not a replacement for the M3,” he also said. Russell added, “The M3 is in the middle of its life, it has a long way to go.”

And finally, our favorite answer came when we asked what is the competition for the 1 Series M Coupe, and Russell amusingly remarked, “A certified pre-owned M3.”

What say you? Is BMW just being cocky or does the auto industry offer a true direct competitor for the 1 Series M Coupe?

Click past the break for a comparison chart between the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the current BMW M3.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Detroit 2011

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Continue reading BMW: 1 Series M Coupe’s main competitor is… a used M3?

BMW: 1 Series M Coupe’s main competitor is… a used M3? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show

2010 BMW 760Li – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is proving to be more eventful for BMW than the automaker had originally intended. As workers were preparing to load a BMW 7 Series onto a transport truck near Detroit’s Westin Book Cadillac hotel, a pair of thieves jumped in and drove off with the German luxury sedan. The car is said to be worth $140,000, and as of this writing, local police have had no luck tracking down the stolen vehicle. Thankfully, this 7 Series is equipped with BMW Assist, which locates a vehicle if it’s stolen, so it’s only a matter of time before cops close in on the BMW bandits.

If some brand new 7 Series parts wind up on Craigslist’s Detroit-area ‘for sale’ section, we’re willing to bet the sale price is too-good-to-be-true for a reason.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 760Li: Quick Spin

2010 BMW 760Li

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Ford

If you thought 2010 was going to wrap up with an all quiet on the recall front, think again. Ford and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced the recall of 14,737 vehicles for a faulty body control module that may short out and cause a fire.

The recall covers certain 2011 models that were built in a six-day period, including some 2011 Edge, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 and Lincoln MKX vehicles. NHTSA says that if the body control module shorts out, it could overheat and cause a fire.

Dealers are expected to inspect the module and, if necessary, replace it free of charge. NHTSA says that Ford plans to start the work on or before January 10, 2011, and that owners may contact Ford directly with questions at 1-866-436-7332. Hit the jump for a look at the full recall notice.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers

Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda and Honda form B-Spec Showroom Stock racing series

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Honda, Mazda, Racing

Mazda and Honda B-Spec racers

Racing is a rich man’s sport, no question about it. Sure, there are some ways to get into a bit of wheel-to-wheel that cost less than others, such as the 24 Hours of LeMons, but even that is more expensive than you might think. But regardless of the cost, some people still need to scratch that racing itch. One way to keep costs down is to get into spec racing – everyone uses the same type of car and they are typically kept showroom stock minus the addition of safety features such as a roll cage, harness and racing bucket. Mazda and Honda understand this and the two automakers have decided to roll out a B-Spec racing series that utilizes the Mazda2 and Honda Fit.

If the thought of tossing either of these two cars around a track doesn’t sound fun, then you clearly have never driven either one. Though they are both down on power, they offer high levels of tossable excitement. Turn them into race-ready hoon machines and the volume knob twists to 11.

A spec series presents an even playing field for the competitors because the engines and chassis remain stock for all cars. Driving skill is what will win in an event like this, and every ounce of that behind-the-wheel prowess will be tested in these low-powered hatchbacks. Hop the jump to read the full press release.

[Sources: Mazda, Honda]

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Mazda and Honda form B-Spec Showroom Stock racing series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Over 11 minutes of BMW 1 Series M Coupe and E30 M3 hotness

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW

BMW 1 Series M Coupe and E30 M3 – Click to watch the video after the jump

The beauty of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe isn’t that the bean-counters let their best performance engineers have at the smallest car in the range. The real beauty is that the car goes back to the very roots of the M division, before the M3 went all V8 on us and took a hefty weight penalty in the process.

To illustrate the point, BMW took the new coupe out to the track, and brought along its spiritual predecessor, the original E30 M3. Fortunately for us, they filmed the encounter – all 11 and a half minutes of it. And while half of it is stock promotional footage, there’s a good few minutes of on-track action spliced in for good measure. Check it out in the video after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Continue reading Video: Over 11 minutes of BMW 1 Series M Coupe and E30 M3 hotness

Video: Over 11 minutes of BMW 1 Series M Coupe and E30 M3 hotness originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe to get 5.5-liter turbo

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Mercedes-Benz AMG Black Series badge

The Mercedes-Benz C Class already has a hugely capable and entertaining performance model in the 451-horsepower C63. But a refreshed C Class is expected to bow at next month’s Detroit Auto Show, and an exotic Black Series Coupe is expected to follow later in the year.

Inside Line reports that a conversation with Mercedes spokespeople has revealed that the 6.2-liter in the C63 will not be tweaked for Black Series duty, opting instead for the company’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter mill. That powertrain, as you may recall, already puts out 571 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque in the S63 AMG. That’s 71 more ponies than the the CLK AMG Black Series and more twist than almost anything this side of a diesel-powered heavy-duty pickup truck. That should help justify the expected $100k-plus price tag of the rarest of AMG variants, while simultaneously making every BMW M3 owner a bit leery of a race with the Black Series coupe. Let’s just hope it maintains the otherworldly bark of the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter, which is one of the C63’s primary draws.

[Source: Inside Line]

Rumormill: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe to get 5.5-liter turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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