An interview with Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, President of BMW M GmbH. In it, he gives review for the successful year 2011 and explains the philosophy behind the new BMW M category of cars: the BMW M Performance Automobiles Range.
We also get the best look yet at the upcoming X6 M50d in LCI/facelifted form.
For months now, there have been signs and clues pointing to the potential release of several M tuned BMW models which will create a new category of models to fill the gap between the standard series cars and their M versions. It’s now just been officially announced by BMW M! See inside for BMW M’s full official announcement.
So what rumored models can we expect to launch this new category of BMWs? The following three rumored models should all come with the criteria just announced by BMW M for its new M Performance cars category — extra power, tuned handling, and M visual enhancements.
There is the M550d, which was first discovered on the label of a new BMW brake pad package (pictured left). The M550d … CONTINUED
Here’s some great news for the 3 series touring fans in the US - the US market will receive the F31 3 series touring! BMW’s decision to bring the 5 Series GT to the US and nip the F11 5 series touring in return had us all a bit worried whether the 3 series touring to be unveiled later this year would share a similar fate.
Fortunately, Paul Ferraiolo, Manager, Product Planning & Strategy of BMWNA, confirmed with us during 2012 Detroit NAIAS that the next generation F31 3 series touring will make it stateside again:
“It’s coming, we’re not gettting rid of it, we love it”, Ferraiolo said when we asked about the next generation 3 series touring. More from Ferraiolo: “The touring buyers - in … CONTINUED
Happy New Year to the entire BIMMERPOST community! As we cross over to a new year it’s a fitting time for a recap of the past year. It was an amazing year for BMW, with the company hitting sales records and many new important models making their debuts. 2012 should prove to be as successful, if not more. And we’ll be seeing some new models and facelifts coming. We recap the BMW 2011 year for you inside.
Pursuant to the opening of a new assembly line in November of 2010, the BMW Spartanburg plant has produced 255,359 models, contrasted with 142,135 last year, equaling a whopping 80 percent boost in production.
The stated goal for the facility is 270,000 units and employing some 7,000 workers BMW managed to fabricate 11,349 X3s, 9,650 X5s and 3,680 X6s there during the month of November for a total of 24,679, according to an article in the Charleston Regional Business Journal. If they were to produce a similar number of cars and SUVs during December, their total annual production at the plant would surpass 280,000 vehicles. Even allowing for holiday shutdowns, the plant should easily meet the stated goal.
BMW ramped up production this year after a $750 million … CONTINUED
BMW has released its second X6 M50d teaser. The company tries to raise the anticipation with this video dubbed “Step 2″. There’s no new information or new details shown, but BMW promises that the X6 M50d will “feel like a race car” and “deserve the M badge”. Guess we’ll have to wait and see if it actually can live up to these promises.
It’s teaser time again! Hot off the press here’s part 1 of “a new chapter: powered by BMW M”.
When you listen to the engine carefully you can hear it’s a diesel engine. At this point we can only speculate what this is about exactly, but if we were forced to do so we’d say it’s a promotion for the long-rumored M Performance Diesel models called X6 M50d ( and M550d for the F10) powered by a 3.0l inline 6 Diesel engine with no less than 3 turbochargers.
If rumors coming from a dealer presentation in the Netherlands prove true, this engine will make 381 hp and over 516 lb-ft torque. Complimenting the power plant is a dedicated M Sport Package and some other goodies. In other words, … CONTINUED
BMW of North America has announced a modest inflationary price increase effective January 1, 2012. The Destination and Handling fee for all models will be increased to $895 on that date as well. This increase is less than one percent and applies to the models listed in the table below. In these tough economic times a careful balance was attained between the competitive situation, inflationary conditions, and market realities.
Now, more invigorating horsepower and torque, is available with two new power kits bring crisp stimulating performance to the Ultimate Driving Machine. BMW 135i and 335i Models can now be retrofitted at BMW centers or via the Port Installation Program to an unprecedented level of performance. These new Power Kits ensure that new car buyers and current owners are in for that extra thrill beyond the outstanding performance that can already be realized with these exciting vehicles.
Version 1 Power Kit: [Review and More Details HERE] Performance-Optimized Engine Software. This version of the Power Kit was first introduced on the 335i BMW Performance Edition model (announced in July, 2011). Available for all Model Year 135i and 335i vehicles. Also available for X6 vehicles produced up to 04/2010.
Version … CONTINUED
