2013 BMW X1

Just like with the BMW X5 and X6, the smallest version in the X-Series - the X1 - will be also receiving an update version by the end of 2012. These will be the last changes for the X1 before BMW will be unveiled the new generation sometime in 2014-2015.

Also, just like with the recently announced X6, do not expect to see big changes. The facelift X1 will receive a midlife refresh that includes new designed bumpers at front and rear as well as new headlights. There will be no changes to the sheet metal and therefor the shape of the lights will not change, but only the graphics. There will some upgrades at the interior with improved materials and some of the latest technologies.

It is believed that some minor changes will also be made under the hood. Nothing big however, just the addition of a few extra HP and of course the improvement of the fuel economy.

UPDATE 03/18/2012: BMW will officially unveil the 2013 X1 next month at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The US market will only get the X1 xDrive28i, a version powered by the new N20 2.0 liter four-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine with 245 HP and 258 lb of torque. This engine can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The new X1 will go on sale on the U.S. market in September of 2012. (BMWBlog)

gallery:2013 BMW X1

 

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2011 BMW ALPINA B7

2011 BMW ALPINA B7 Review

Should you ever want to prove how big a car-nut you are, all you'd have to do is correctly identify the car in the picture gallery as an ALPINA. If your goal is to firmly impress your entourage with your vehicular knowledge, you could add that ALPINA began as a company building typewriters in southern Germany before it moved on to become a BMW tuner.

According to ALPINA, the spoilers reduce lift by 30% up front and by 15% in the rear. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)

As with most high-brow tuners, ALPINA made its name by modifying BMWs for racing purposes in the late '60s. From then on, ALPINA has become its own car manufacturer concentrated on making excellent BMWs even better.

By the way, if there's a car enthusiast in your entourage, he or she will not be as impressed with your knowledge of low-volume car brands, as the signature 20-spoke wheels and “ALPINA Blue” patented metallic paint colour are tell-tale signs of an exclusive ALPINA car.

Heck, the parking attended at the Rogers Cup tennis event immediately recognized the car as an ALPINA and directed me to a secluded portion of the lot, noting that no harm would come to the car in that area. As I walked out of the lot, I noticed many Mercedes S-Class', Audi A8s and regular 7-Series BMWs amongst the “normies” in the rest of the lot.

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BMW revealed the electric models i3 and i8

BMW unveil the i3 and i8 concept cars which are aimed at sustainability and zero-emissions. These vehicles will be the first electrically powered cars from the BMW i sub brand, with the launch of the i3 coming in 2013 and the i8 the following year. The i3 concept has a range of 150km and is intended for use in an urban environment. It comes with a 125 kW electric motor, rear-wheel drive and impressive handling. Weight was a kept to a minimum in this vehicle thanks to the LifeDrive architecture, allowing the vehicle to clock in at just 1 250kg. It also comes with 4 seats and 200 litre luggage compartment. The BMW i3 is able to complete 0-100km/h in less than 8 seconds and can reach 80% charge (off a high speed charger) in just one hour. The BMW i8 comes with a 260 kW engine which allows it to complete 0-100km/h in just 5 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h. It boasts a fuel economy of less than 3 litres/100km, a figure other sports cars would love to emulate. It comes with a plug-in hybrid drive and has a range of 35km in electric mode, with a 3-cylinder petrol engine taking over for more dynamic driving. The BMW i3 and i8 will be built in Germany’s Leipzig plant. Look for more information on these vehicles closer to the release date.

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2011 BMW 535i GT

What happens when you take a sports sedan and add sprinkles of practicality? You get the 2011 BMW 535i GT. This car lets you carve the corners and allows you to transport the kids in comfort..sounds like a winner in our book. 

Nowadays, the trend has shied away from old time station wagons which are seen as obsolete and as fuel prices continue to be on the rise, the trend is also moving away from SUV’s. So to address these concerns, BMW has defied convention and created the 535i GT which combines most of the features from a SUV along with most of the features from a sedan. This combination forms a vehicle that is like a nice pair of jeans- you can still do hard work in them yet when you go to a nice dinner, the jeans oblige. Exterior:

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BMW 1M Coupe filmed drifting at the world’s tallest helipad

The 2012 BMW 1M Coupe really is on top of the world these days, isn’t it?

Days after the car was featured on the pilot episode of the new season of Top Gear, BMW’s high-powered 1M found itself on top of one of the tallest buildings in America: the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles. More important than that, the U.S. Bank Tower stands 1,018 feet tall and is considered as the tallest building in the world with a helipad on it.

So what exactly is the 1M Coupe doing on the helipad of this skyscraper?

Well, there’s awesome and then there’s awesome. This video of the 1M Coupe performing an arc drift on top of the world’s tallest helipad certainly qualifies for the latter. Kind of makes that previous video of the sports car drifting through walls look like child’s play, doesn’t it? Either way, the whole video certainly speaks for itself.

Reminder: The BMW 1M Coupe is powered by a new twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine that delivers an impressive 335 HP at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. It has a sprint time from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and a electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The standing quarter-mile mark comes up in 13.2 seconds.

gallery:2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe

 

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Source:BMW

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BMW reveals 2012 6 Series M Sport and diesel models

2012 BMW 6 Series variants - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW is expanding its 6 Series line. The automaker has just announced information on the 2012 640d Coupe and 640d Convertible. The two-door oil-burners aren't expected to make it Stateside, and that's a pity, as they make use of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six with 313 horsepower and a hefty 464 pound-feet of torque. All that twist helps the coupe hit 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds while returning 51.4 mpg on the Imperial scale. BMW is also offering the 6 Series with xDrive for the first time as well, but only on 650i models. Thankfully, buyers can expect to see the all-wheel-drive coupe in North American dealers later this year.

If chugging along with a diesel under your hood isn't quite your speed, you'll be happy to know that BMW is also offering a 6 Series M Sport for 2012. The package includes special aerodynamic additions as well as LED fog lamps and 19-inch, double-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, sport seats are trimmed in Alcantara and leather as well as an M Sport steering wheel. We think the more aggressive M Sport look helps mitigate the 6 Series' somewhat unfortunate nose... what say you? Check it out in the gallery, hit the jump to read the official verbiage and then weigh in with your thoughts in Comments.

Gallery:2012 BMW 6 Series

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SOURCE:BMW

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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Stars In Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol

The Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol will air on December 16, 2011, but while many people think Tom Cruise will be the star of the show, we would beg to differ. If we do find ourselves checking out the fourth movie in the Mission Impossible franchise, we’ll be doing so just to get a glimpse of theBMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car that will inspire the productionBMW i8 version.

"We are thrilled to be involved again in another Hollywood Blockbuster," said Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing. "The BMW Group leads the way in developing future mobility with a focus on sustainability. One great example is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamicsconcept car which will be presented in the film. With its futuristic design and large glass surfaces, the car offers a fascinating perspective on the future of sheer driving pleasure – in combination with maximum efficiency. Also with BMW ConnectedDrive technology, it is the perfect car for Ethan Hunt to outsmart his pursuers through narrow streets and busy city traffic."

Hit the jump to watch the Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol trailer, but more importantly, pay close attention to the one minute mark to catch a glimpse of the BMW i8.

gallery:2013 BMW i8

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BMW M3 CRT already sold out!

BMW’s newest special edition hasn’t even been out for a week yet and already there are reports stating that the BMW M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) has completely sold out. That’s right, according to German magazine, Autobild, any hopes of owning one of the 67 available units may be dashed. That being said, we’ll play it on the safe side and wait for the official confirmation from BMW before sticking a fork in this special edition.

If this rumor does hold any water, don’t expect BMW to amp up their production efforts to quench the demand. An insider has already stated that the company only has the resources and timeframe to produce 67 units, and a total of zero of those units will be making their way over to the States. Once again, the US gets a big fat goose egg on the cool special edition models and what’s worse, the BMW M3 CRT didn’t even need the US market to fill its orders.

The newest and coolest feature on the new M3 CRT is the CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) components. What makes the CRT unique is that BMW has taken the leftover CFRP and reprocessed it with synthetic resin to create a bonnet that has the strength of a conventional steel hood at a quarter of its weight. This new hood is even 50% lighter than an aluminum hood. Add this component to the 4,360 cc V8 producing a total of 450 HP at 8,300 rpm and a peak torque of 324 lbs-ft at 3,750 rpm and you get 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph.

gallery:2012 BMW M3 CRT

 

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Source:BMW Blog

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