Edmunds’ InsideLine has published their full review of the new 2011 X3 xDrive35i, equipped with the N55 3.0L turbocharged engine that is becoming ubiquitous across the BMW lineup.

InsideLine starts of their article with these words:
“Stop, wait, shudder, silent, check.
Stop, wait, shudder, silent, check.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.”

Certainly scary to read in a NEW car review. When I saw that I thought I was in for one piss poor review. It turns out what they cleverly highlighted was a feature in the new X3 that will be missing from US spec cars (but maybee shouldn’t be), namely start-stop technology.

Regardless, InsideLine didn’t seem as happy with the X3, as they usually love BMWs. Reading the article, I wonder if their distasteful Beverly Hills surroundings had anything to … CONTINUED

Here are the best photos yet of the Alpine White 1M Coupe, courtesy of forum member Rob Shaw from the Brussels Motor Show. These high quality hi-res photos show as much details as we have seen of the white 1M coupe. Rob, an M3 owner remarked how the seats are very comfortable and sporty - like M3 seats.

BMW ALMS star driver Tommy Milner piloted the Need For Speed Schubert Motorsport Z4 GT3 to a dominant 4-lap victory at the 24-hour Dubai race. Milner, who piloted the No. 76 BMW Z4 GT3 with BMW factory driver Augusto Farfus and team regulars Claudia Hurtgen and Edward Sandstrom, drove to a four-lap win in what was a trouble-free race for the quartet.

“The 24-hour race in Dubai is the first tough test of the year for all the teams, and we mastered this challenge in style,” Milner said. “This was my first race at this circuit. Winning this kind of marathon at the first attempt is something I will certainly never forget. We had absolutely no problems and the team spirit was great. … CONTINUED

In just 7 days BMW will roll out the production vehicle for the BMW Electric mobility evaluation program. Having had international success with the MINI E programme in the US,UK, Germany and China. BMW roll out the first electric modern BMW in the shape of the 1er Coupe. Using feedback from the MINI E programme BMW have made gains in progressing it’s plans for electric mobility.

The folks at Autoblog had the opportunity to get their hands on the BMW Alpina B7, and they apparently had a blast. Not only would they let it run against an E92 M3 to find out the M3 “can’t lose the Alpina B7 on one long road to nowhere deep in the reaches of an unincorporated area of the California coastal mountains.” They also refer to the Alpina B7 as “an amazing machine. Defying all logic, the sedan seems to shed pounds as the g-forces increase – the uncanny feedback from the driver’s seat is of a sports car wrapped in a lightweight paper-mâché 7 Series disguise. In a word: fun.”

The 6-series testing appears to be on a roll lately. Only yesterday we brought you the latest set of spyshots showing the F13 6-series Coupe almost fully unmasked. Following here is what appears to be the first look at the 6-series coupe with M-Sport package, courtesy of spyshots.nl. BMW did a pretty good job at masking the M-Sport front and rear bumpers. A closer look however reveals the more protruding/curved front bumper, bespoke M-Sport side skirts, and a different rear bumper. Don’t be upset about the wheels as they aren’t the final choice. It’s still winter in Germany so this particular test car was fitted with wheels from BMW’s part bin (style 238, currently available for the F07 and F01).

As if that wasn’t enough spyshots.nl also … CONTINUED

Here it is, the muscles in brussels. The Alpine White 1M has been photgraphed here by the boys over on Autoblog.nl. In all honesty, the Alpine White is really growing on me. Generally, I think photos never portray Alpine White quite the way it looks in person, but in this case, the photos came out nice and I have to say, I’m becoming a fan on AW 1Ms. Hopefully someone can get out there and get some video as well? If you follow the source link, they have the full high resolution version of these pictures!

BMW Group announced today that it will be the exclusive foreign brand automotive advertiser for NBC Universal’s broadcast of the London 2012 Olympic Games. This agreement marks the first time that NBC Universal has granted foreign automotive exclusivity for its Olympic coverage. It is also the first time that NBC will have only two automotive advertisers, one foreign and one domestic.

The agreement expands the automaker’s association with the Olympic Games. In addition to being the official Automotive Partner and a Sustainability Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games, BMW announced last July a six-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the National Governing Bodies of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, US Speedskating, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field. … CONTINUED

Mercedes pulling the wraps off their new SLK (R172) is reason enough for another photo comparison. This one is particularly interesting as BMW’s move to build the current Z4 (E89) with a folding steel roof makes it all the more of a natural rival to the SLK. Mercedes pretty much started the segment of hardtop roadsters by launching the first generation SLK in 1996.

The new SLK appears to incorporate design cues from the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG such as the muscular front fascia. Mercedes also advanced their 3.5L V6 engine which now develops 302hp in the SLK 350 and thus is on par with the Z4 35i (300hp).

If that’s too much for your liking, there’s also an SLK 250 powered by a turbo 4 developing 201hp. No … CONTINUED