A further chapter has been added to the success story of the BMW X models. In a matter of two-and-a-half years, the BMW X1 has notched up worldwide sales of more than 300,000 units. Since its market launch in autumn 2009, the first – and for a long time only – vehicle of its kind in the premium compact segment has conquered a steadily expanding fan base and scooped up a host of awards. The tremendous popularity enjoyed by the BMW X1 both in its home country and in numerous car markets around the world is fresh proof of the sheer appeal of the vehicle concept embodied by the BMW X models. This compact all-rounder entered the market as the fourth member of the BMW X … CONTINUED

BMW and Toyota have announced plans to jointly develop a new sports car and other technologies. The two companies have announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding at BMW’s HQ in Munich.

The companies plan to expand their already existing cooperation initiated in December last year, which will now include joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and development on lightweight technologies.

Toyota’s recent success on collaborating with Subaru to develop the highly acclaimed Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ gives us hope of an exciting sports car from BMW and Toyota.

See the full news announcement inside.

BMW i presents a series of videos with some feedback from the electronauts who are part of the BMW ActiveE lease program.

The BMW ActiveE began leasing in select markets beginning in Fall 2011. It was made available for lease in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York, Boston and Connecticut.

The ActiveE has a maximum power output of 170 hp and a maximum torque of 184 lb-ft, the latter is available from a standstill as typical of electric powered vehicles. This makes for an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under nine seconds while top speed is electronically limited at around 90 mph.

Hartge releases its software ECU piggyback tune for the BMW 6-cylinder turbo N55 engine. It yields impressive power gains of +56 horsepowers and +59 ft-lb torque! The tune can be applied to the F30 335i, F10 535i and F25 X3 xDrive35i.

The Hartge ‘Engine Conversion’ is a bespoke tuning module that plugs in ahead of the engine computer on the wiring harness. It has factory-style plugs to connect in-line with the water temp sensor, fuel rail pressure, turbo boost pressure sensors, turbo wastegate valve, intake camshaft sensor, 12V power and ground. The module then sends a modified signal to the engine computer allowing it to increase boost by varying amounts depending on load, engine speed, and other factors.

All of the factory safeguards remain … CONTINUED

Hartge has officially released its software ECU piggyback tune for the BMW 4-cylinder turbo N20 engine. It yields impressive power gains of +45 horsepowers and +45 ft-lb torque! The tune can be applied to the F30 328i, F10 528i, F25 X3 xDrive28i, and E89 Z4 sDrive28i. Check out a video of the tune in action inside.

The Hartge ‘Engine Conversion’ is a bespoke tuning module that plugs in ahead of the engine computer on the wiring harness. It has factory-style plugs to connect in-line with the water temp sensor, fuel rail pressure, turbo boost pressure sensors, turbo wastegate valve, intake camshaft sensor, 12V power and ground. The module then sends a modified signal to the engine computer allowing it to increase boost … CONTINUED

This is likely the very first E30 M3 Touring that you’ve ever seen, and for good reason - BMW never made such a model. But where BMW stops, the BMW enthusiast (or shop) sometimes picks up.

This custom built E30 M3 touring started its life as a E30 318i touring. The builder, a New Jersey custom fabrication shop, used a totaled E30 M3 coupe as the donor for many body parts, while a E36 M3 provided the heart for the custom M3 touring - BMW’s 282HP S50B30 3.0L engine with 80k miles on the clock.

It also features shaved hood, shaved front bumper (EvoIII style), carbon fiber front brake ducts, carbon fiber front splitter, Evo II front lip, Evo II hood gasket seals, Euro grills, original Euro … CONTINUED

We bring you the first video of the F34 3 Series Gran Turismo (GT) in action. 335i prototypes were spotted on and around the Nurburgring as it recently began its performance testing at the Ring.

The 3 Series GT is being tested concurrently with the other future F3x variants - the F32 coupe and F33 convertible.

The overall apperance of the 3 series GT will follow the 5 Series GT in having some independent styling from the other 3 series variants. Unlike the 5 Series GT however, it will feature a simple hatch design/function rather than the twin trunk arrangement. It should also have sportier styling and driving intentions than the 5 Series GT, which its retractable spoiler seems to be a sign of.

Expect the 3 Series Gran … CONTINUED

The U.S. 2013 3 Series (F30) online configurator has come online and now also features the long awaited F30 M Sport configurator, as well as the builder for the F30 Activehybrid.