BMW Straightline Archives

Yep, the words came directly from BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer during a speech at the company's annual management meeting.

"We are exploring the possibility of developing a joint architecture for the front and four-wheel drive systems of these cars (BMW and Mini). In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future," Reithofer said.

Reithofer also mentioned BMW's planned Megacity Vehicle and the fact that it will incorporate carbon fiber to keep weight down. "We consider carbon fiber a cutting-edge material for the auto industry. Our efforts will make sustainable mobility possible in urban environments. In line with our corporate philosophy, the energy demand for producing carbon fiber will come from hydropower. We are currently looking for a suitable location in North America to set up our joint venture plant."
 

Categories: Auto Industry,BMW,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Luxury Cars

That's right, this wagon isn't headed our way, and you have nobody to blame but yourselves.

Sure, internet forums are awash in glorification of the German sport wagon, but only 800 or so Americans bothered to actually purchase one. And that my friends makes for a very difficult to explain business plan.
 

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Categories: BMW,Luxury Cars,Wagons

BMW is certainly taking its time with the next-generation 6 Series. We first saw prototypes testing on the Nurburgring around this time last year, and now our latest spy shots show similar looking prototypes testing in the Arctic Circle.

Oddly, these prototypes don't look all that different from the current 6 Series. Odd, because we remember sitting down with some BMW executives not too long ago who said that this 6 Series would be a dramatic departure in terms of styling. Maybe so, but the overall shape of these prototypes looks pretty familiar. Maybe that will change when the covers come off later this year.

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Categories: BMW,Convertibles,Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Spy Photos

A report in the trade journal Automotive News says that Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler will double its spending on development of various green technologies over the next two years.

The company plans to spend $1.4 billion in each of the next two years for battery, fuel cell and fuel-efficient engine technology. According to the story, in each of the three previous years, the company spent $700 million.

Head of Daimler R&D, Thomas Weber said, "If you want to be market leader, you cannot wait until the supplier sells you these components. It means you push the pedal."

That pedal-pushing could result in pure electric versions of the A-class, B-class and Smart cars in the next few years. Further, the C-, E- and S-class sedans and variants will be offered in either conventional hybrid form or in a plug-in version.

Weber told the paper that the next-generation S-class due in 2014 will use a flexible architecture that could accommodate gas or diesel engines, a hybrid power train or a fuel cell power plant.

Competitor Audi acknowledged at this year's Detroit Auto Show that it would like to expand its "E-tron" electric-vehicle nomenclature to a sort-of sub-brand, as it did with "quattro," and release a full line of electric and/or hybrid-electric vehicles. Its most recent concept offering was the A1 E-tron concept at this year's Geneva Auto Show which used a small Wankel rotary engine to replenish its battery pack, in the same fashion as Chevrolet's Volt. BMW has shown a real interest too in expanding its hybrid offerings, most recently previewed by the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept vehicle at Geneva and the Concept ActiveE electric concept from the Detroit Auto Show.

Automotive News (subscription required)

Categories: Audi,BMW,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Hybrids,Mercedes-Benz

Months and months and more months ago we reported that BMW would not do an M1 version of the 1 Series. We had it on good authority from a source inside BMW. Still, the rumors of the car's existence have lit up every blog and forum the world over.

Well, today at the Geneva auto show, Inside Line has once again confirmed from a source inside BMW that the M version of the 1 Series will not happen. Got that, people? It will not happen.

"If we do something, it'll be a 135is like we've done with the Z4 and the 3 Series," the source told us with a wink.

So this fall look for BMW to introduce a 135is powered by a more powerful version of the twin-turbo N54 inline six-cylinder and a more aggressively tuned suspension.

That is all.

Categories: BMW,Coupes,Future Vehicles,Geneva Motor Show,Sports Cars

Remember way back when we said that we would tell you more about the BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept when we got a chance to see it on the Geneva show floor? Yeah, well, not so much.

BMW was not getting into the technical nitty-gritty today. BMW says that the vehicle has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 and a 40-kW electric motor. How much power that combination creates is a mystery, as is the arrangement of those parts and the, well, mostly everything else. It's better, perhaps, to simply think of this concept as a non-specific expression of the company's oft-referenced Efficient Dynamics motif.

We know that, unlike the mild-hybrid system of the 7 Series ActiveHybrid, the 5 Series version can run on pure electric power, at least in theory. And we don't know how long it would run solely on electrons. BMW also mentioned that the 5 Series ActiveHybrid's powertrain can interact with the car's navigation system to provide optimum fuel economy according to the planned route. So, in other words, if your route calls for a long highway run followed by an in-town jaunt, the car could make sure that the batteries would be fully charged just in time for the city drive so that the trip could be completed in pure-electric mode.

Perhaps in this fashion, and with its full hybrid capability, the 5 Series ActiveHybrid could achieve better combined fuel economy than the line of fuel-efficient diesels BMW is already putting into production in the new 5 Series. Maybe. Oh, and the wheels look every bit as silly in person as they do in photos.

Categories: BMW,Concept Vehicles,Geneva Motor Show,Hybrids,Sedans

BMW will expand its lineup of hybrid models with a gas/electric version of the new 5 Series sedan. In typical BMW fashion the car pictured above is considered a concept car, which as far as we can figure just means that it's the upcoming 5 Series ActiveHybrid with those big, shiny stickers on the sides.

The 5 Series hybrid isn't going to challenge the Prius for any fuel-efficiency titles. BMW reckons that the 40-kW electric motor, which in the case of the 5 Series augments the power of a turbocharged inline-6 gas engine, should provide a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy. The system, of course, includes regenerative braking and an automatic start/stop function.

We'll give you more details on this car from the floor of the Geneva auto show next week.

More photos after the jump...

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Categories: BMW,Geneva Motor Show,Hybrids,Luxury Cars,Sedans

This is the latest test mule of the 2011 BMW X3. As you can see, it's not all that different form the current X3. It's your basic compact SUV with a high seating position, all-wheel drive and a little bit of cargo room out back. From what we hear, this X3 will go on sale toward the end of this year just before the slightly smaller X1 arrives in early 2011.

Categories: BMW,Crossovers,Luxury Cars,SUVs

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

Say you have $95,000 to spend on an odd-looking crossover thing. Unlike most luxury manufacturers, BMW has not one, but two models to choose from. On the one hand, there's the X6 M, a Motorsport-tuned version that will embarrass sports cars that are half its weight.

And then there's the X6 ActiveHybrid, an equally expensive but slightly less nimble X6 that trades some performance for fuel-efficiency. Not much fuel-efficiency, mind you. On the highway, the X6 Hybrid's EPA number goes up two notches, but it still doesn't crack 20 mpg (its 19 mpg) while the city numbers goes from a paltry 12 mpg to a more respectable 17 mpg.

So day to day, the X6 Hybrid will drain your wallet at a slightly slower pace. Then again, all those batteries assure that you'll be moving at a slightly slower pace as well. The weight gain is nearly 500 pounds, which wouldn't be so shocking if the X6 M wasn't already a bit hefty on its own. Still, neither crossover is a slouch in the performance department as you can see from the numbers that appear after the jump. You just have to decide which numbers you care more about.

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Categories: BMW,Crossovers,Hybrids,IL Track Tested,Luxury Cars,SUVs

It's probably the most recognizable automotive advertising tagline ever and it's taking a vacation. We're referring to BMW's use of the term "Ultimate Driving Machine" to describe its vehicles. Starting today, BMW's latest ad campaign will ditch the famous words in favor of its "Story of Joy" campaign.

"All of our efforts in engineering, design and technology are about one thing, which is creating moments of joy," said Jack Pitney, Vice President, Marketing, BMW of North America. "Given recent trends in consumer mindsets, the campaign refocuses BMW on the joy of driving and sharing those moments in an upbeat, humanized and refreshing fashion."

In other words, times are tough, so emphasizing cool stuff like driving fast might not be the most politically correct message. Will "sharing the joy" get an equally important point across? We'll see soon enough as BMW says it will be the largest luxury automotive spender of the Winter Olympics.

Categories: Auto Industry,BMW,Luxury Cars,Trends

Information on the refreshed 2011 BMW X5 came out today. There are no big surprises, just a mild exterior update along with a couple new engines and additional features.

As expected, the top-of-the-line X5 now offers the same 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 found in the X6 and it's rated at 400-horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Base models get the new N55 3.0-liter single turbo inline-six cylinder. The new 3.0-liter is being rolled out as a replacement for the previous twin-turbo inline-six cylinder and offers a similar 300 horsepower while improving emissions and mileage. Both engines get BMW's latest 8-speed automatic transmission first introduced in the 5 Series Gran Turismo. The diesel X5 remains in the lineup with no mechanical changes.

New features for the 2011 X5 includes active cruise control and a lane departure warning system.  

Categories: BMW,Luxury Cars,SUVs

At first blush, the idea of running a hybrid on a chassis dyno is silly. A dyno is all about power and performance, and a hybrid, well, isn't.

That is, unless the hybrid is the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6, of which its creators reckon is the most powerful in the world. Have a look at its stats as claimed by BMW -- 480 horsepower and a staggering 575 lb-ft of torque.

This prodigious output comes by way of a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and a two-mode hybrid system. The product of the now-defunct collaboration between GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW, this hybrid system is fundamentally similar to that of the Chevy Silverado Hybrid and Tahoe Hybrid. Pairing these two power generators together is like dashing creatine powder onto a medium-rare strip steak.

This ActiveHybrid X6, then, is a hybrid with a chip on its shoulder, just begging to have its claims put to the test. And test it we did, strapping it down to a chassis dyno and making it sing. Er, whir and hum quietly.

Dyno charts and photos after the jump.

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Categories: BMW,Car Tech,Crossovers,Green Tech,Hatchbacks,Hybrids,Luxury Cars

It's the closest thing we get to an M7 and the 2011 BMW Alpina B7 is priced accordingly. Standard wheelbase models start at $122,875 while the one with the big back seat goes for $126,775.

The new super sedan will make its official debut the 2010 Chicago Auto Show next week and go on sale in the spring. Based on the latest 7 Series, the B7 is tuned to produce 500-horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

2011 BMW Alpina B7

Categories: BMW,Chicago Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans

Photo Illustration by Nick Wilcox, automotiverenderings.blogspot.com

So now that the 2011 BMW 5 Series is out in the open, it's time to move on to the really good stuff. We're referring to the next BMW M5, of course, you know the one we spotted on the Nurburgring late last year?

Now that we know the final shape of the standard model it's not too hard to fill out the details on the Motorsport-tuned M5. Unlike the M3, the M5 is always a bit more subtle. A deeper front air dam, extended side skirting and four pipes out back are the obvious cues along with lightweight wheels and a quarter-panel badging.

The big inlets up front are needed to feed the twin-turbo power plant that will reside under the hood. We received confirmation on that one from a BMW executive last year, so the only real question at this point is the final output. The 4.4-liter V8 will be the same motor used in the current X5/X6M models, so the M5 is guaranteed at least 555 horsepower. And the chances of BMW leaving it at that are slim, so something more in the range of 570-590 horses is a good bet.

Various rumors have also indicated that BMW is considering some type of electric assist for this M5 e.g. a production KERS system of sorts. That may have changed in the last year or so now that BMW is no longer participating in Formula 1. We asked our sources inside BMW anyway and they didn't have much to say. So either it's not going to happen or it hasn't been fully approved at this point.

One thing that is for certain is the use of BMW's M Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) in place of the current SMG setup. It could gain a gear over the M3's seven-speed setup, but either way it will be a huge upgrade over the single-clutch SMG.

Given that the standard 2011 BMW 5 Series is scheduled for its debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, don't expect to see the 2012 M5 until either late this year or early in 2011.

Categories: BMW,Future Vehicles,Geneva Motor Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans

As proof that car companies no longer make showcars just for giggles, a senior BMW authority out of Munich has assured Inside Line that the Vision EfficientDynamics plug-in pure hybrid 2+2 concept car rolled out in September at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show is earmarked for production. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Reaction to the 356-horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque plug-in electric (one lithium-polymer battery stack + 2 electric motors) with dedicated lighter weight three-cylinder diesel range-extending engine mounted amidships has been off the charts. Now we're all waiting for more details and, of course, that sticky price issue.

Our executive source goes on to say that total volume is being debated, but that it will fall between 5,000 and 10,000 units. The prototype's powertrain and basic sub-3,000-pound assembly will remain intact, but, says the source, "there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design." Uh-oh. We know why these alterations are needed, but does this mean it's going to migrate toward being a sort of sleek Toyota Prius? Let's hope not.

When we asked if this could finally be BMW's second true production supercar after the Giugiaro M1, the response was a firm "quite probably." So maybe our Prius/Honda Insight fears are overreaching. It'd be nice to maintain that 0.22 drag coefficient and the hellacious looks.

IL also learned that the BMW future product engineers are also noodling non-stop with the hybrid drive system in order to make our test of the Vision EfficientDynamics prototype come this summertime in southern France a real-world high-speed thrill. It should be even quicker than the previously quoted 4.8 seconds to 62 mph.

"And that name that the marketing people forced on us," says our mole, "that's going to change for sure." -- Contributor Matt Davis reporting from Portugal.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

Categories: BMW,Concept Vehicles,Coupes,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Hybrids,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars