BMW X6 Interceptor Met-R From Russia

Russia is not generally cool, but during the last couple years a few tuners have emerged from that country showing a great taste in styling high-end cars! Take this one for example, this special body kit designed Zaur Khalilov and made by Met-R for BMW X6 is arguably the coolest one ever made for this car! It even has a cool name, the Interceptor!

The Interceptor comes with modified bumpers and bonnet as well as new massive wheels. You get spoiler lip and headlight bezels at front, flared arches and side skirts at each sides and a diffuser and a rear wing at the back. Those who like works of Hamann and Lumma will also like this kit as well, but like them it’s too flash and vulgar and…  It’s not a Gentleman’s car.

BMW car hire clients can get extra power with new Alpina model

BMW car hire
enthusiasts may be interested in the latest high-performance model from Alpina.

Following its unveiling at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the B3 S Bi-Turbo is set for release to the UK market.

Motorists will be able to get their hands on the redesigned vehicle from July this year, with deliveries available through Sytner.

Powered by a 3.0-litre V6, the 400bhp machine is easily identifiable thanks to its redesigned front spoiler and new rear diffuser.

According to the manufacturer, the spoiler reduces lift at the front and enables optimal air flow to the high-performance cooling system.

The high-powered vehicle is capable of a top speed of 186mph and is able to race from zero to 62mph in just 4.7 seconds.

Furthermore, the car boasts fuel economy and emissions improvements compared to its predecessor, as it is able to achieve 29.1mpg and carbon dioxide levels of 224g/km.

The Ultimate Niche Machine: BMW Considering X4

You can already buy a BMW 3-Series in sedan, coupe, station wagon and X3 “cute-ute” bodystyles, and for some automakers that might be enough. For niche-crazed BMW though, it’s just the beginning. A 3-Series GT is planned in the mold of the 5-Series GT, as a midway-point between the coupe, sedan and station wagon versions. You know, in case you can’t decide which you want. “This has never existed!” screamed Autobild… back in 2008. Of course, now it does exist in the form of the 5-series GT, which could actually end up replacing the 5-series wagon in the US market. And as the march of the niche vehicles rolls onward, there’s one more segment that the 3-series architecture still hasn’t capitalized on: the jacked-up midway point between coupe and SUV. That’s right babies, the X4.

But don’t blame BMW for considering a baby X6, which will likely resemble a jacked-up, slightly coupe-ier version of the 3er GT. After all, the Bavarians have sold over 80k X6s since launch, or twice the projected volume.That, BMW sources tell Autocar, makes an X4 far more likely to happen:

We haven’t made any firm decision. However, the X6’s success shows there is a continued demand for sporty off-roaders.

Of course, the relatively small difference between the current 1-series and the 3-series makes the niche spacing even more of a tricky task. Seriously, what are the differences between buyers of an X1, a 3er GT, an X4, and a 3er Wagon? Do we need to start making up Venn diagrams of these buyers’ priorities? Or is BMW trying to prove a kind of automotive Zeno’s paradox, in which niches can be infinitely subdivided? Where is the focus?

BMW M Safety Car fleet handed over at Jerez

An exquisite line-up of cars fresh from BMW's M Power division in Munich will be presented to Race Direction in a special ceremony at the Gran Premio bwin de España this weekend.

The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez is one of the jewels in the MotoGP crown as it is not only one of the most emotional of races from the perspective of fans and riders, but it heralds the start of the all important European season in 2010. A new decade of MotoGP action with the fastest prototype MotoGP bikes evolved over the winter began with the opening round in Qatar three weeks ago, when the reigning champion Valentino Rossi sped to the front to win his 104th Grand Prix in a thrilling race ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso.
Following this whirlwind Championship is BMW M, who for the 12th year will once more supply the Official Car of MotoGP with an exquisite line-up of cars fresh from BMW's M Power division in Munich. A BMW M6 Coupé V10 will again be at the forefront of all on-track activities for the all important Race Control work, enabling speedy track inspections and intervention at all of the 18 rounds on the 2010 calendar. The equally powerful BMW X6 M will be the second Safety Car as it starts its second year reinforcing BMW's support of MotoGP. Race Director Paul Butler will have a BMW M3 Sedan at his disposal while the Safety Officer and Stewards of the meeting have a BMW M5 Touring and BMW 5 Series GT at hand. The Medical car will be the new BMW X1. The two main Safety Cars - BMW M6 and BMW X6 M - actually went to Japan just before the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud disrupted the world's flight patterns, meaning they have travelled much more than many of the people in the paddock!
These cars will be officially handed over to Race Direction on Saturday at 7pm in a ceremony that will take place on the start line of the Jerez track. All the cars will be present for a spectacular photo shoot. CEO of Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, will get his very own BMW 750i which will be his car for the entire season. This hand over will take place on Saturday at 4.15pm outside the Dorna Offices, with Thomas Schemera, Director Sales & Marketing BMW M handing over the keys.
Some lucky fans will get right up close to the action with some exclusive VIP trips around the service roads as guests of the VIP Village when they get aboard a fleet of X5s. All MotoGP Safety Cars will be liveried in BMW Motorsport colours. Additionally there will be the first view of the new BMW M Service Centre that will be situated in the paddock where the MotoGP Community can get a wealth of information about BMW and the hugely historic, yet technologically leading world that is BMW M.
Astride of every 125cc, all new Moto2 and MotoGP grids will be two bikes with a BMW R1000SS and a BMW HP2 Sport being the last bikes to close the circuit before the race gets the green light and the frenzied action starts. These bikes are centre stage on Friday during a Grand Prix meeting when selected TV journalists get the chance to ride the bikes around the tracks with cameras and microphones fitted for their international programmes.
The BMW M Award will once more provide an added twist to MotoGP qualifying on Saturday afternoons with points being given to each rider after each qualifying session. Come the season finale in Valenica in November, the winner will drive home a brand new M3 Coupe, just as Valentino Rossi did in 2009, but Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa will all have eyed up the World Champion receiving the keys to one of Munich's finest, so will be making their plans right from the word go to get their sets of M3 keys at the season's close. After Qatar, Stoner has the advantage with 25 points, with Rossi on 20 and Lorenzo on 16. At Jerez last year it was Lorenzo who clinched pole from Dani Pedrosa so expect no different as they battle for home honour

BMW's Project i Megacity electric car will be launched in 2013.

BMW's Project i Megacity electric car will be launched in 2013.
It will be a full five-seater in the Golf class, it will be rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, establish a new design language for electric cars and will be constructed from lightweight carbonfibre. However, it is expected to feature signature BMW design features, such as the kidney grille and Hofmeister kink.
The Megacity will also be marketed under its own brand, and will eventually feature a range of cars, including sports versions.
BMW believes that it has developed a radical, lower-cost, mass-market-compatible means of producing carbonfibre monocoque bodywork that will dramatically reduce the Megacity's potential weight, improving not only its range but acceleration too.
Its range is anticipated to be around 160 miles, aided by its aerodynamic efficiency and carbon bodywork that's expected to represent a breakthrough in terms of both cost and mass production potential, both aspects usually relegating the material to low-volume, high-priced models.
Like the Mini E, the Megacity will feature unusually high levels of deceleration when the throttle is released in order to enhance battery regeneration, although the effect is expected to be slightly less pronounced.
The enhanced regenerative braking of the Mini E is contributes as much as a 20 per cent improvement in range on the city cycle, and BMW is keen to carry as much of that benefit over to the Megacity as possible.
Its powertrain will be closely based on the second-generation electric drive system used in the BMW 1-series coupe-based Active E hybrid, which is more efficient in terms of range, acceleration and battery packaging than the system used in the Mini E.
Unlike some electric car pioneers, BMW plans to sell the car complete with its battery, the high cost of the powerpack offset by the high residual value it will have as a result of the second life usage it will receive as an energy store for power companies, it believes.
Electricity generators will harness these used electric car batteries to provide additional energy supply during moments of peak demand on the national grid, the batteries still capable of holding as much as 85 per cent of their charge after several years' usage in EVs. Nissan is planning a similar role for its used EV battery packs.

BMW also says it is experimenting with a new electric version of its defunct C1 electric scooter, whose concept it believes could be revived with electric propulsion.

The BMW X1 by AC Schnitzer

The X1 is the latest welcome addition to the compact vehicles segment, and brings the characteristic BMW “Driving Pleasure” to this class. With an extensive range for the BMW X1, the AC Schnitzer version now celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show 2010.
The BMW X1 is available with choice of a 6-cylinder petrol engine and three 4-cylinder diesel power plants. Here again, AC Schnitzer is setting totally new standards for driving pleasure in the premium compact segment. The BMW X1 xDrive23d has been upgraded from a 150 kW/204 HP diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and Common Rail injection to 240 HP. The 2.0 d and 1.8 d units in the BMW X1 also feature Common Rail injection and a turbocharger, and with the AC Schnitzer tuning package achieve 210 and 171 HP respectively. Naturally, the power upgrades are available for both the sDrive and xDrive versions. The AC Schnitzer engine styling including capacity logo is available for vehicles with and without performance upgrade.

Acoustically, the sporting driving experience is enhanced by the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer for the petrol X1 xDrive 28i (in development). Visual elegance is provided by the chromed “Racing“ tailpipe trim which is also available for all other models.
The superb driving behaviour of the BMW X1 with its focus on agility, precision and handling is the direct result of the sophisticated suspension technology used on the extremely solid body structure. AC Schnitzer has built on this and with its suspension spring kit and an aluminium strut brace, ensures the perfect balance between sporting performance and driving comfort.
The AC Schnitzer aerodynamics package is far more than mere decoration, although it harmonises effectively in the overall concept. The front spoiler and rear skirt extension, in combination with the rear roof spoiler, improve downforce and ensure additional ground adhesion. Engine bay venting is optimised by the AC Schnitzer Bonnet Vents. These are enhanced further with chromed centre webs available as an option. In aesthetic terms, the AC Schnitzer aerodynamic conversion emphasises the expressive styling and reveals to the observer on first glance the universal sporting ambitions of the X1 by AC Schnitzer.
Impressive design elements also lend a sporting and youthful note to the interior of the BMW X1 by AC Schnitzer. These elements include silver “Exclusiv“ carbon interior trim, illuminated leather gear knob, aluminium gear knobs with or without digital gear display, “Black Line“ aluminium cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminium handbrake handle and pedal set, foot rests and velours foot mats.
The finishing touch comes from a set of attractive wheels, so the X1 retains its stylish appearance not only on twisty or changing terrain, but also outside a fashionable cafe. An ideal choice is the brand-new Type VIII wheel in 19“. The new wheel with its 5 double spokes in BiColor Finish is an evolution of the well-known Type VI wheel, and complements perfectly the styling language of the BMW X1. AC Schnitzer Type IV wheels in silver or in BiColor in 18, 19 or 20 inch, together with the Type VI rim in 18“, complete the range available for the BMW X1.

BMW upgrades 2010 outlook following profitable quarter

BMW, the world’s leading luxury car maker, posted Wednesday a first-quarter net profit to €324 million, and upgraded its full-year outlook.

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The company made a net loss of €152 million in the first three months of 2009.

BMW reported core earnings of €291 million on sales of €12.443 billion, compared with a first-quarter 2009 loss of €251 million on €11.5 billion in sales.

The net profit figure exceeded an analyst forecast of €247 million compiled by Dow Jones Newswires, but sales were slightly below their outlook of €12.6 billion. A total of 315,614 vehicles were delivered, an increase of 13.8 percent.

Core earnings for the entire group, including BMW motorcycles and financial services, came to 449 million euros, compared with a loss of €55 million in the first three months of 2009.

For all of 2010, BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said the group was “aiming to achieve significantly higher group earnings” than in 2009, an improvement from the previous outlook for “notable” growth in earnings.

“The BMW Group has made a good start to 2010. We increased earnings significantly in the first quarter and are now back on a growth course on almost all car markets,” Reithofer said in a statement. “We expect that earnings will grow dynamically over the course of the year,” he added.

The company plans to sell more than 1.3 billion automobiles this year to remain ahead of rivals Daimler and Audi in the premium car segment, a forecast that was unchanged.

Most regions around the world reported higher sales, with Asia posting a jump of 55.7 percent and North America gaining 9.2 percent.

BMW's results were boosted by strong sales of the company's new 5 Series and its new X1 sports utility vehicle. Mini sales were 13.6 percent higher and the BMW group also sold a total of 279 Rolls-Royce limousines, a gain of more than 60 percent.

BMW X5 Change the Factory Installed Radio Kit

In this article we will discuss the features and components of BMW X5. It shares many features common with E53 model of BMW. At that time when E53 came to market BMW was owned by Land Rover. So it had designs and features common to both Land Rower and BMW. The engineers of BMW took many new ideas from Rover to develop X5 model that were advanced in design and also minimized cost of production. The control of electronic parts as well as features like descent control was taken directly from Rover technology. It was introduced as a sporting model. Later it was mentioned as both sport utility and activity vehicle. The manufacture and the assembling operations of X5 happen in United States of America in the Carolina part of BMW which is located in Spartanburg. A change in the engine was made in a different version and was known as X5 LM which was used to set up a record in racing by few players in the year 2000. Another model with a slight modification was made with change in engine capacity from 4.6 liters to 4.8 liters.

It had decorations in both interior and exterior side and wheel measured 20 inches. It became the fastest car in the SUV segment. This model was succeeded by BMW E70. Major torque was on the rear wheels nearly 62 percent making it similar to rear drive as with sedans. This car falls in the mid size range segment. E63 is a related model of BMW X5. Transmissions are both automatic 6 and 5 speeds and manual 6 and 5 speed type. It has a wheel base of 110 inches and its width is 1.872 meters or 73.7 inches. In 2004 to 2006 models its height is 69 inches or 1.753 meters and measures 4.666 meters or 183, 7 inches in length. The 2004 model was face lifted and it included many additional features in its design and offered better comfort. The engines were upgraded for better performance and utility of fuel. The exterior body became available in many different colors.

New head lights found place in this face lifted version. Rings were added around the head lights which gave it better look and it is often referred to as eyes of angel. Similar modification was done in tail lights. Variations were also made in the glass pattern. The line pattern which was clearer replaced the unclear pattern of dots. There was a sharp increase in power to 310 horse power from 290 horse power. Head lights were adaptive which means according to the change in the direction of the car the head lights direction also kept changing. Power transfer between front and rear wheels took place in very short time in the order of seconds so that it could regain the speed quickly. Head lamps made up of inert gas xenon were included in 2005 model and the 2006 model used R6 engine. The radio dash kit for X3 and X5 models of BMW were nearly the same. The kit has fascia panels and harness adaptors branded by ISO. Aerial adaptors are necessary to change the factory installed kit.

2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe

Based on a powerful tradition in this segment, the BMW Concept Gran Coupe carries the essence of brand values and the genes of BMW design into the future. The concept shows the classic features of all BMW coupes: the long wheelbase, the vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, the set-back greenhouse, the flat silhouette, the coupe-style roof line and the short front overhang reflect the dynamic potential of the vehicle. The surface structures and the fact that the design quality is geared towards perfection illustrate the aspiration of the brand BMW to build 4-door high-performance coupes with the sportiest proportions and the most elegant design.

In the BMW Concept Gran Coupe, BMW presents the vision of a 4-door vehicle which combines the exclusivity of a Gran Turismo with the fascination of a high-performance sports car. The design of the concept study underscores the expertise of the brand BMW in the development of vehicles with a distinctive sporty character which offer space for more than two occupants. This reflects the particular quality of the BMW Group design philosophy, which consists in precisely and authentically translating the specific values of product substance into an aesthetically convincing shaping style. The design process is set through with a passion for aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance, precision and perfection. This is how the uncompromising premium aspiration of a BMW Group product, the unmistakable style of the brand BMW and the precisely defined character of each model are given concrete form.

2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2010 BMW M3: Tie Game

Alright, fan boys (and girls), prepare for battle. The ever keen-eyed Sam Smith over at Jalopnik has spied an interesting phenomenon in the car universe. The new 2011 Ford Mustang GT performance figures are within spitting distance of the mighty 2010 BMW M3. The Bavarian bruiser produces 414 horsepower out of its milky-smooth 4.0-liter V8 and hits the scales at 3,652 lbs. Meanwhile, the 5.0-liter Mustang serves up two less horsepower, but weighs 40 pounds less, too.
At this point, odds are your blood is pumping no matter which side of the ring you happen to find yourself on. Stats that close yield frighteningly similar numbers when the two cars hit the track, too. The M3 can clip off the 0-60 dash in 4.3 seconds. The Mustang can do it in 4.4. Quarter mile? Deadlocked at 12.7 seconds at 111.3 mph.
It’s true, a quarter mile doth not a sports car make, which is why these next figures are so important. While the M3 can come down from 60 mph in 105 feet, the Mustang can do the same in 104. And here’s the real shocker: Both cars hold onto the skidpad at .97 g. Now, before the comments go superfly TNT, it’s worth noting that the as-tested BMW will set you back an eye-widening $28,180 more than the Ford. We could think of a thing or two to do with an extra 30-large.

New York 2010 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive

We dig super sedans. You get 94 percent of the performance of a sports car (or there abouts) plus the ability to take a few friends along for the hair-raising ride. Also, cops don't seem to scrutinize big snazzy sleepers as much as they do bright yellow scissor-doored whatchamacall'em-ardos. It should come as no shock then that when we first heard about the new Alpina B7, we were pretty excited. When we then subsequently learned that an all-wheel drive version of BMW's sportiest big sedan was coming to the New York Auto Show, well, our excitement grew.

Then we saw the car in the flesh.

Let's just say we're now triple excited. A few pertinent stats, if we may. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in a host of BMWs has been significantly improved to 500 horsepower (up by 100 hp over stock) and 516 pound-feet of torque (up by 66 pound-feet). The B7 is also more aerodynamic than your garden variety 7 Series, comes with zillion-spoke wheels (fine, twenty) and can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. With the Alpina B7 xDrive, you can now toss AWD into that already frothy mix.

But the above stats aren't the crazy parts. It's the details that impress the most. For example, all four of the heavy-duty half shafts come out of the 7 Series High Security. The 60 to 0 mph braking distance is identical to a Porsche Turbo. That last bit is not an April Fools' joke, although it's somewhat mitigated by Alpina's saying, "that's cold braking distance." While not a stat per say, the AWD system is mechanically identical to other BMW xDrive systems, though Alpina has written their own software system, presumably for the better.

One last thing that's actually a little to complicated to explain: take a look at the center of the B7's wheel. You'll see that once you've slid the heraldry over, there's a keyhole. Now, if you zoom out, you'll notice no valve stems anywhere on the wheel. In other words, your tire pressure's locked in and can be adjusted to the tenth of a PSI.

BMW Considering X4 Crossover, Again

A few years back BMW was reportedly working on a sporty crossover model based on its X3 platform and designed along the same lines as the X6, however, the vehicle, tipped to be called the X4, quickly fell off the radar once the global financial crisis hit.

With BMW now cruising into the top selling luxury brand position, things are looking up for the automaker and we’re starting to here all manner of rumors regarding possible future models. The recently revealed Gran Coupe concept car has reportedly been given the green light for production, as has a sports car based on the Vision EfficientDynamics, and BMW has even confirmed that it will be building a new front-wheel drive entry-level model as well as its Megacity Vehicle--but now there is a new report claiming the X4 crossover is back on the table as well.

The reasoning is that BMW would like to repeat the success that it has having with the current X6, which itself is based on the X5 SUV. BMW has managed to sell more than 80,000 X6 crossovers worldwide since the vehicle was launched back in 2008, which is almost double what the automaker was predicting.

An inside source has revealed to Autocar that the vehicle is under consideration but is yet to receive the green light. If approved, the X4 would almost certainly be based on the 2011 BMW X3 due at the end of the year. Expect a four-seat layout, coupe-like proportions and very aggressive styling.