Check out the new M and M Performance displays at the BMW Welt in this epic photo thread.

BMW has confirmed that two diesel engines will be making their way to the US.

One is a 2.0L single-turbo twinscroll 4 cylinder direct injection diesel engine outputting 180 HP and 280 LB-FT torque, which are identical stats to the N47 engine which currently powers the F30 320d and F10 520. As for consumption and performance, the 320d, for example, achieves an impressive 52.2 combined MPG (US) (40.5 city / 61.8 hwy), with a factory claimed 7.1 secs 0-60 mph.

The other diesel will be a 3.0L twinscroll … CONTINUED

With the official announcement from BMW of the New Navigation Professional and iDrive/ConnectedDrive, many of you have inquired when the technology (both a software and hardware [cpu, graphics processor, hard drive] upgrade) would be implemented on the various models.

Below is the scheduled rollout for the new navigation and iDrive. These dates do not apply to the new iDrive Touch system, which will have a separate rollout and application schedule.

[b]]July 2012 Production:[/b]

3 Series touring and Activehybrid 3 (F31/F30h)
5 Series, 5 Series GT, 5 Series LWB (F10/F11/F07/F18)… CONTINUED

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported June sales of 27,720 vehicles, an increase of 3.2 percent from the 26,865 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 10.5 percent on sales of 158,563 in the first six months of 2012 compared to 143,521 in the same period in 2011.

“The June numbers continue the solid, consistent growth we predicted but, most important, the first six months of the year are setting the stage for even … CONTINUED

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 … 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 … CONTINUED

Good news for iPhone users. iOS6 is finally supporting iDrive Office integration via Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile). Bluetooth MAP is the protocol used to retrieve email messages through iDrive, which currently only works with Blackberry and a few other devices.

Here are a few photos showing a iPhone 4S connecting via Bluetooth MAP (wireless non-USB connection) using iOS6 Beta 1.

For the past few weeks, BMW has been offering a $300 discount on the 2012 3 Series for scheduling a test drive through the app, but they’ve now expanded the promotion to include all BMW models.

The discounts are as follows:

$300 Off 3 Series, 1 Series, X1, X3 and Z4 (all trims, including M models)
$500 Off 5 Series, 5 Series Gran Turismo and X5 (all trims, including M models)
$700 Off 7 Series, 6 Series, 6 Series Gran Coupe and X6 (all trims, including M models)

What … CONTINUED

The current F10 5 Series just arrived on the market in March 2010, but work has already started at BMW for the next generation 5 Series, which should come as a 2017 model.

According to BMW insider Scott26:

The next generation 5er is as I understand going through the motions of design process at the moment so they cannot give a concrete conclusion as we are still some time off from final design freeze , or the final car that will be chosen for production.

Of course … CONTINUED

Alpina recently debuted at the Geneva auto show, the improved BMW Alpina B5 Biturbo with 540 HP. We’ve reposted below the B5′s official specs and information, as well as a gallery from the Geneva show. Alpina has just released the following official video promo for the B5. Unfortunately, the B5 is not available in North America currently.

As announced yesterday, BMW’s N20, N54, S65, N18 engines have each picked a best engine award at the 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards [Full Award Results].

Here’s a brief overview of two of the technologies featured in most of the BMW engines available today – TwinPower Turbo and VALVETRONIC (variable valve timing) technology. Valvetronic was first introduced by BMW on the 316ti compact in 2001, and has since often been coupled with BMW’s double-VANOS.

Until 2012, no M model used Valvetronic, but instead continued to feature … CONTINUED

Four award-winners spanning a displacement range of 1.6 to 4.0 litres – BMW Group again emerges as the most successful auto manufacturer in the internationally renowned engine contest.

Unbeaten titleholders and triumphant newcomers have secured the BMW Group’s renewed pre-eminence at the 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards. Powerplants guaranteeing efficient power delivery in current BMW and MINI models topped no fewer than four out of eight displacement categories. The quartet of trophy-winners comprised two four-cylinder engines, a straight-six and an eight-cylinder. Scooping up best-in-class wins … CONTINUED

This summer a fleet of golden BMWs is taking to the streets all over the UK in celebration of the 2012 London Olympics. Spot one and you could win tickets to the Olympics. One lucky winner will also receive the Golden Prize – the chance to drive a BMW for a year. The prize includes use of four of the latest models from BMW’s London 2012 fleet.

A pair of tickets to the Olympics will be given out each day leading up to the games (until July … CONTINUED

Here are comprehensive DIY instructions for F30 3 series (and other model) owners for the coding of many electronically controlled functions, such as Auto Start Stop, DVD player in motion, folding mirrors, and a myriad of other features.

A great set of real life comparison photos between the F30 and F10, by Paul Tan.

Although the general styling of the newest 3 series and 5 series is now more consistent and shares more styling cues than the previous generation E90 and E60, there are still significant differences (in particular the front end) between the two designs as these photos highlight.

Here’s the tale of the tape for the F30 and F10:

F30
Height – 56.3 in
Length – 182.5 in
Width – 71.3 in
Wheelbase – 110.6 … CONTINUED

BMW recently revealed the 2013 7 Series LCI / facelift refresh model [official thread]. Along with the newly updated looks and technology (the most important of which is the Navigation Pro iDrive system), the US is also set to receive a diesel 7 Series model (according to C&D) sometime next year.

It will be powered by the same 3.0 liter diesel inline 6-cylinder engine from the X5 xDrive35d. Actual output for the 7 Series application isn’t yet known, but the standard configuration of this engine currently produces … CONTINUED

BMW has been busy trademarking. Below is a list of some recent BMW trademark filings for future potential models. Remember, just because a manufacturer registers a trademark does not mean that the model will necessarily come to fruition. But, it makes for some fun speculation and certainly paints a rough map of what potential future models we may see out of Munich.

Recent Trademark List:

X2, X4
M1, M2, M7, M10
2 Series Active Tourer
… CONTINUED

The M550d xDrive F11 Touring is making its auto show debut at AMI Leipzig. THE 2013 X1 LCI / Facelift model is also making its European debut.