At this year's edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, BMW showed off a 328 Kamm Coupé replica that was built in-house by BMW Classic. The original model, named after the German aerodynamics pioneer Wunibald Kamm, disappeared without trace back in 1953.
If you follow the jump, you can check out two videos of the BMW racing car replica as well as general views from the event and shots from the Maserati A6GCS Spider Fura that won the "Best of Show" award.
The prestigious annual show was organized under the patronage of the BMW Group and was held on April 23-25.
BMW held a special private reception on the evening of the first press day at the Beijing Motor Show to unveil its all-new Concept Gran Coupé as well as the long wheelbase versions of the 5 Series, specially developed for the Chinese market, and this here video includes scenes from that event.
Most of you will probably be interested only in BMW's conceptual answer to Merc's CLS sports saloon, so in the video after the jump, fast forward to the 1:25 minute mark for the part with the Gran Coupé.
While BMW officials are keeping a tight lid on the possibility of an "M" or a "tii" version of the 1-Series Coupe, photographers are continuing to churn out spy shots and videos of camouflaged 1-Series Coupe prototypes testing on the road and the track.
This time we have a new video showing what appears to be a modified 1-Series partially wrapped in BMW's characteristic black and white camo, testing at the Nurburgring race track.
According to the grapevine, the M1, 135tii or whatever else BMW decides to name the car, will be powered by a modified version of the firm's twin-turbocharged straight six (and not the newer twin-scroll unit) pumping out somewhere around 350HP. If true, that's 44HP more than the 135i but 70HP less than the M3.
Spied here testing on the streets of Germany, the video reveals that the new X3 gets a more sloping front hood and larger front air intakes, while the crossover's profile is cleaner and resembles the crossover's smaller brethren.
It also appears that the new X3's dimensions have grown a bit allowing some breathing distance between itself and the X1.
Based on the next 3-Series platform architecture, the new X3 will come with all-wheel drive, though it is possible that the Bavarian automaker may also offer rear-wheel drive only variants of the compact SUV.
Depending on the market, engine options will include four- and six-cylinder diesel and gasoline units topping out with the 306HP 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol. A new hybrid version is also expected to be on offer.
The new X3 will be produced alongside the X5 and X6 models at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, with sales expected to start in 2011.
Here's the latest [short] video of BMW's upcoming performance 1-Series. What it'll be called (M1, 135is, 135tii, or something all-new) is to be determined, but at least it's getting closer to its debut.
Rumors regarding the car have been building up for what seems like ages, but what can be deduced is this: it'll be packing a high-output version of the 135's turbo'd 6, possibly wide-body fenders (which would be very appropriate), and hopefully a bunch of weight savings.
If we could get really racy, I'd like to throw in the idea of GT3-like roll-cages, racing buckets with harnesses, and a rear-seat delete. That would make for one racy little coupe.
BMW Individual's marketing guys were clever enough to drum up this little diddy. It's a brief run-through of one Individual customer's - Mark Carson, a Hawaiian native - experience creating his own unique M6.
Barring the cheesy voice-over done by someone who reminds me of George Takei (is that you, George?), the story and process of integrating Koa wood into BMW's big, Individualized GT is actually pretty interesting.
From interior and exterior personalization to the fact that they need "weeks of testing" to make sure using Koa was even possible, it's four minutes that are most likely worth your time.
California-based Dinan has put out their biggest-ever take on the BMW M3. The Dinanized bimmer is called the S3-R, and in place of the original 4.0 liter V8 is an engine that's been bored and stroked to 4.6 liters.
Up top, breathing is heavier thanks to a "Carbon Fiber High Flow Intake and bored out High Flow Throttle Bodies"; down low Dinan fits a free-flowing exhaust system that also makes use of pieces labeled "HIGH FLOW".
The decked-out Dinan M3 receives "new springs, front anti-swaybar, Carbon Fiber Front Strut Braces and Racing Rear Toe Links" while riding on relatively plain 19-inch one-piece wheels.
Now, what you've all been waiting for: it makes a naturally-aspirated 527 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of twist, and Dinan claims that it can crack 200 mph or 322 km/h. Damn.
Maximum Horsepower: 527 @ 7800 rpm Maximum Torque: 407 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm Suspension
Stage 3 Suspension System Includes: Performance Spring Set, Matching Front Bump-Stops, 28.5mm front anti-swaybar w/ urethane bushings, Front camber plates, Rear Upper Shock Mount Kit, Front Guide Supports
Carbon Fiber Front Strut Braces
Racing Rear Toe Link
Brakes
Dinan/Brembo Front & Rear Brakes with black calipers & slotted rotors
Dinan Options Wheels and Tire
Front Wheel: Dinan 19 x 9.5" Lightweight Forged Wheel Rear Wheel: Dinan 19 x 10" Lightweight Forged Wheel
Front Tire: 275/30-19 Michelin Pilot Sport II
Rear Tire: 295/30-19 Michelin Pilot Sport II
Accessories
Dinan Aluminum Pedal Pad Set
Dinan Deck Lid Badge
Dinan S3 Serial Numbered Plaque
Warranty
Matching New Car Warranty coverage up to 4 years/50K miles. Except on "Racing" parts.
The ActiveHybrid 5 is (officially now) the newest concept from BMW's Efficient Dynamics division, and ED has shaken things up a bit in the power train department. Instead of going with a V8-based mild hybrid setup a la the 7-Series and X6 hybrids, BMW decided to try the system out with their award-winning TwinPower Turbo'd 6-cylinder with Start/Stop tech running the show.
The system is fairly straightforward: up front is the engine, followed by the electric motor which is connected via an automatic clutch, and the 8-speed automatic transmission is the caboose. BMW placed the battery pack somewhere around the rear axle in order to improve weight distribution.
The battery pack, which provides 40kW or 54HP of power, gets recharged by an advanced Regenerative Brake system that works in conjunction with the electric motor. That same battery pack also "delivers electric power to the car's on-board network".
The network includes a remote-controlled cooling function (similar, we assume, to the solar-charged sunroofs that incorporate fans to cool the car down in the summer), while most electricity-driven systems - mainly the HVAC, navigation, and radio - remain functional with the engine turned off.
Not only is the ActiveHybrid 5 efficient, but it's damn smart too. How smart? Try to wrap your minds around this: BMW says the car can "adjust its operating strategy not just to current, but also to upcoming driving conditions." IT CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE...
Put plainly, the computer evaluates and adjusts how the drive train responds based on its own analysis of external factors and drivers' input. The car's computer saves route information via the navigation system (while retaining the driving style used one that particular road), and can predict what's coming up when drivers return to the same area.
BMW's explanation is just about perfect: "Should the system determine, for example, that the autobahn ahead is about to lead downhill, the charge level of the high-voltage battery is intelligently controlled in advance to regain brake energy upfront with maximum efficiency."
While no hard figures have been released yet, what we know is that thanks to the predictability program, cruising range has been stretched by 30%.
Now all we have to do is make sure our defense systems don't get hooked into Skynet's err we mean BMW's intelligent automobiles, or we're all screwed.
The next-generation of the BMW 5-Series Touring model has been spied on video less than two months before its world premiere at this year's edition of the Auto Mobil International show in early April in Leipzig, Germany.
While more practical and with a larger boot than the sedan version of the new Five that will have its public debut at the Geneva Salon next week, it goes without saying that the emphasis on the Touring model will continue to be more on style and handling and less on outright functionality and capacity.
There won't be any kind of surprises in terms of powertrain options with the Touring model being offered with same lineup of diesel and gasoline engines as the sedan version.
In Europe, the new 5-Series Touring is expected to go on sale this summer with other markets following shortly after. It remains to be seen if BMW will offer the estate model alongside the sedan in North America.
Our French pals from Supervroum2 took their camera aboard the all-new 2011 BMW 535i sedan during a quick lap around the Estoril circuit in Portugal at the media presentation of the car.
We remind you that in European guise, the 535i's single turbo N55 straight six is rated at 306HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) propelling the Bavarian sedan to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.0 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph.
The test car seen in the video after the jump was equipped with BMW's eight-speed automatic transmission.
Here's your chance to get a look at the North America-only BMW 335is Coupe in motion at the media presentation that took place at the Estoril race track in Portugal. If you follow the jump, you'll find two videos, one that includes a walk around the sporty coupe that nests between the 2011 335i and the M3, and the other with some driving impressions from the circuit.
The newest model in the facelifted 3-Series range packs an upgraded, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 320HP and 332 lb-ft of torque (370 lb-ft with overboost) mated to either six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearboxes.
The high-performance 335is Coupe will go on sale in the United States in June at an MSRP of $50,525, or about $7,000 more than the 2011 335i Coupe that's powered by a new single-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six with 300HP.
This week, BMW held a press event for its 2011MY 5-Series saloon in Lisbon, Portugal giving journalists their first taste of the all-new premium sedan before it goes on sale in Europe this March and shortly after in other key markets around the world. If you follow the jump, you can watch videos of both the new 535i and 530d from the Lisbon presentation as well as a short film on sedan's new parallel-park assist system.
As a reminder, the 2011 5-Series is based on a newly developed vehicle architecture also featured in the 5-Series GT as well as the 7 Series luxury sedan.
The 530d is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo diesel with 245hp and 540Nm of peak torque (398 lb-ft) that propels the car from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.3 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).
BMW claims that the 530d returns a combined fuel economy in the EU cycle of 6.3lt/100km or 37.3 mpg US.
The new 535i gets a new 3.0-liter straight-six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger pushing out 306HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.0 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph.
The petrol model returns a combined fuel economy of 8.5lt/100km or 27.7mpg US.
In Europe, the new 5-Series will also be available with two more diesels, a 184HP 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit (520d) and a 204HP 3.0-liter inline six (525d) as well as three more petrol engines, a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter straight six with 204HP (523i) and 258HP (528i) and a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 407HP (550i)>
All versions of the new 5 Series saloon are available as an option with BMW's new eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW has released a short teaser film of its new Concept ActiveE, a fully-electric version of its 1-Series Coupe that will begin trial runs with selected private and fleet drivers in the very near future. The prototype model, which will make its world premiere in Detroit next month, is powered by a an electric motor with 170HP that drives the rear wheels. Watch the teaser video after the jump.
We're still a couple of years away from the introduction of the new BMW 3-series family that bears the internal codename F30, but spies have once again captured the popular sedan version on film, this time at a gas station in Europe as the car is undergoing cold climate testing. The swirly disguise doesn't reveal much about the sedan's design but we assume that BMW's one-styling-fits-all blandness treatment will be applied on the four-door 3-Series.
And if the new 5-Series is anything to go by, expect the car to be slightly larger in all dimensions.
Powertrain options will include numerous four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel units (depending on the market of course), with the much appraised 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol in the 335i to be replaced by BMW's new 3.0-liter inline-six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger that makes 306-horsepower and 400Nm (295 lb-ft).
There's also a strong possibility that BMW may introduce a mild hybrid variant, but this has not been officially confirmed. Same goes for the rumors concerning the replacement of the M3's naturally aspirated V8 unit with a straight-six turbo.
As with the current model, the new 3-Series will be offered with an optional all-wheel drive system, while the range will eventually grow to include Touring, Convertible and Coupe models with a crossoverish GT akin to the 5-Series Gran Turismo said to be under consideration.
After details and first official photos of the new BMW Z4 sDrive35iS were released on Sunday, the Bavarian automaker has now followed up with a bunch of promotional videos showing off the hardest version of the roadster to date that will make its world premiere at the 2010 Detroit motor show in January.
It might not be an 'M' model, but the Z4 sDrive35is comes equipped with a tweaked version of BMW's 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six pumping out 340 ponies as well as a 7-speed double clutch transmission and the M Sports Package that includes an adaptive suspension and numerous M-Sports upgrades.
AC Schnitzer, the well-known BMW tuning house, has earned the bragging rights for having the world's fastest street-legal diesel car. The German firm's BMW 335d-based ACS3 3.5d Coupe reached a top speed of 288.7 km/h or 180 mph at the 13 kilometer-long Nardo test track in southern Italy breaking the previous record set in 2006 by an additional 8.7 km/h.
The tuner did not release technical details on the specific model, but we assume that it features the standard 310HP upgrade to the twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine.
Together with the record breaking ACS3 3.5d Coupe, AC Schnitzer also tested the ACS4 3.5 turbo, which is based on the BMW Z4 sDrive 35i, at Nardo. The 360HP hardtop roadster achieved a top speed of 303.1 km/h or about 188 mph, which may not have set a world record, but it's impressive nevertheless.
We first showed you WSTO's BMW 135i Coupe project car back in September. And if you liked it then, you're definitely going to love it now. During the first stage, the crew over at WSTO upgraded the compact bimmer with a front apron, trunk lip spoiler, shadow line grilles, H&R sport springs that lower the vehicle's ride height, aluminum sport pedals, alloy wheels, reprogrammed ECU and exhaust system.
The this second stage of the project, WSTO added a prototype US-spec quad exhaust system from Bastuck with customized tips that are wrapped inside 3D Design's carbon fiber diffuser.
The team also replaced the 19-inch black alloys from Klassen (wrapped in Toyo tires) with a new set of 19-inch Advan RS wheels in a gunmetal finish, this time shod in Yokohama Advan AD08 tires size 225/35 R19 up front and 255/30 R19 at the back.
Finally, the tuning house removed the matte black stickers from the 135i's sides and added two stripes stretching from the headlights all the way back to the tail lights. While we're not big fans of stripes, we must say that this particular scheme works very well on the small bimmer coupe.
If you follow the jump, you can check out two videos of the BMW racing car replica as well as general views from the event and shots from the Maserati A6GCS Spider Fura that won the "Best of Show" award.
