2013 BMW X6 Gets a Refresh, High-Output M Performance Packages

As they do with celebutante Kim Kardashian, most people fail to understand the BMW X6. But while Kim is always burnishing her image, the X6 is just now receiving its first major revision, one that includes a mild face lift and some enhancements under the skin. (Each also has a giant—er, skip that one.)


The X6′s front end has been tweaked to keep it more in line with the rest of the BMW lineup. Some new colors have been added to the palette and a new wheel design is available, too. We’ll leave it to you to decide whether this nip/tuck suits BMW’s 5000-plus-pound crossover. Adaptive LED headlights are now available as an upgrade to the standard xenon units.

More exciting, of course, is that BMW now will offer M Performance packages for both the turbocharged 3.0-liter six and the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. Additional power comes as a result of cranking up the turbo boost; on the six, output rises from 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque to 315 hp and 330 lb-ft. (These are just a shade lower than the 320 hp and 332 lb-ft delivered by the Performance Edition package in the outgoing 335i, which featured the same engine; the difference is attributable to different intake and exhaust plumbing in the two vehicles.) The M Performance upgrade will increase output in the V-8–toting X6 xDrive50i by 40 hp and 30 lb-ft, for totals of 440 and 480. The package also includes aesthetic touches like 20-inch wheels, black chrome exhaust tips, and dark window trim.

We in the States may not have the chance to buy one of the triple-turbo diesel M Performance models announced for Europe today, but the M Performance packages we are getting are at least small consolation. The Performance Edition pack for the 3-series costs just $550; hopefully these M Performance tweaks won’t add much more to an X6. It also seems like it wouldn’t be difficult to offer similar upgrades for other U.S. models using these engines—so pretty much BMW’s entire lineup—although no plans to do so have been announced just yet.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2013-bmw-x6-gets-a-refresh-hp-boosting-m-performance-packages/

Green Car Reports - BMW ActiveE Electric Car First Drive: What's It Really Like?

The first BMW ActiveE electric car in North America was just delivered last Friday. Now, with only 600 miles on that car, we've driven it.
Our first impressions of BMW's final electric test car, converted from a standard BMW 1-Series two-door sedan, are favorable.

It's solid, comfortable, performs well, and feels far more like a production car than its predecessor, the Mini E.

We're on record as calling the Mini E crude and unlikable. That didn't stop its drivers from raving about it, but the ActiveE is simply a far, far better car that we found much more enjoyable to drive.

Our drive came courtesy of electric-car advocate and restauranteur Tom Moloughney, who took delivery of that first ActiveE and spent the weekend getting familiar with it.

He calls it an "electric tank" and highlighted how much more solid and integrated it was than his departed Mini E, which he said was "pretty obviously a conversion."

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1071880_bmw-activee-electric-car-first-drive-whats-it-really-like

BMW Wisconsin

The All-New 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.

An exciting new addition to the 6 Series Line.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 11, 2011 6:00 pm EST... Introducing the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe – a new four-door, 4+1 seat addition to the 6 Series line that successfully combines the stunning proportions, design and driving dynamics of the 6 Series Coupe with interior room and amenities for up to five passengers. Harmonious proportions, precise lines and sleekly contoured surfaces give the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe the unique ability to satisfy the driver who wants a luxurious and sporty coupe yet needs a car capable of carrying four adults in comfort and luxury. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be offered in three distinct models in the USA. The TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder-powered 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe is the initial model and arrives early this summer. Later in the summer, the TwinPower Turbo V-8 powered 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe and the all-wheel drive 2013 BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe will join the range.

Sporting a length of 197 inches (5,007 mm) and wheelbase of 116.8 inches (2,968 mm), the Gran Coupe is 4.4 inches (111 mm) longer than its two-door coupe sibling. A significant part of this extra length has been used to enhance seating comfort for the rear passengers. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is also 74.6 inches (1,894 mm) wide and stands 54.8 inches (1,392 mm) in height. For comparison purposes, the Gran Coupe is 4.0 inches (102mm) longer, 1.3 inches (34mm) wider and 2.8 inches (72mm) lower than the BMW 550i.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, in keeping with the tradition of the 6 Series Coupe, offers a unique combination of top-class sporting dynamics, stunning design, luxurious touring comfort and a 16.24 cu. ft (460-liter) DIN luggage compartment – now for four passengers. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe’s signature driving experience is complimented by a range of innovative driver assistance systems and BMW ConnectedDrive infotainment features. The new car therefore meets the highest expectations of driving pleasure and style in a large, premium 4-seat sports coupe.

Read More: http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/newsfeed/post/2011/12/13/The-All-New-2013-BMW-6-Series-Gran-Coupe.aspx

Milwaukee BMW

Sneak Peek: BMW i3 And i8 U.S. Debut Before LA Auto Show

Yesterday afternoon, BMW hosted a Special Sneak Peek Preview Event of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 concept electric cars in New York. Both cars will make their official U.S. debut at next week's Los Angeles Auto Show.

After an hour-long photo session, we were addressed by Richard Kim, exterior designer for the BMW i range, and Rich Steinberg, manager of electric vehicle operations and strategy.

Kim said that when he and his team were originally commissioned with the task of designing these cars, they worked from an office separate from their peers, to help them start with a clean slate. As a result, they developed the "stream flow" theme that will be incorporated into all cars in the new i line. This theme has two horizontal lines flowing down the sides of the vehicles, converging from the top and bottom into the C-pillar sweep. It is meant to represent streaks of air passing down the sides of the vehicles.

Summary: BMW i3 Electric Car And BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid: Overview

Like the classic Hofmeister Kink in the parent brand's second window line, the "stream flow" theme will be the trademark of all BMW i vehicles.

Steinberg then focused on the development of the drivetrain, noting that separation into "Life Cell" and "Life Drive" modules allowed BMW to maximize interior room and luggage space.

A video showed how the drivetrain of a conventional internal-combustion engine platform is laid out, and compared it to a car based on a retrofitted platform like the ActiveE. It has to fit all the necessary electric parts, resulting in compromises to fit everything in, not to mention that different reinforcement structures are needed.

More details: ­ BMW i8 Concept: Plug-In Hybrid Sports Coupe—Full Details

He then showed how a purpose-built vehicle like the i3 allows BMW to maximize the occupant space inside the life cell. With no transmission tunnel, the floor is completely flat and occupants can slide freely across the bench seat to exit on either side if the situation dictates.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1068445_sneak-peek-bmw-i3-and-i8-u-s-debut-before-la-auto-show

BMW Pairs Electric And Traditional Turbos To Boost Efficiency

To improve fuel efficiency, engines are gradually shedding accessory drives. Electric power steering is now commonplace, and electric air conditioning compressors are used on hybrid cars to keep them cool while the engine's off.

Now, BMW has taken a new tack to electrifying ancillary equipment: It's created a twin turbocharger setup in which one half, the compressor that operates at lower engine speeds, is run electrically rather than mechanically.

From idle to acceleration

The news came to light in a patent application that was covered on the F30Post forum, which said it might be used in a potential future "tri-turbo" BMW model.

The patent filing highlighted the design's superior engine response--especially during the transition from engine idle to full acceleration, in part because no mechanical "waste gate" valve needs to open and close to allow exhaust gases into the turbine that powers a turbocharger.

Instead, the compressor is powered by a simple electric motor. In fact, you could make the argument that the "electric turbo" is really more of an electric supercharger, since a turbocharger contains a turbine (hence its name) powered by hot exhaust gases--and the BMW invention doesn't.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1068155_bmw-pairs-electric-and-traditional-turbos-to-boost-efficiency

2012 BMW 3 Series production starts today in Munich plant

The BMW Group is investing half a billion euros in building the new BMW 3 Series at the Munich plant, where series production launches today.

“The BMW 3 Series is the most important volume-produced model from the BMW Group as well as the biggest-selling model in the entire premium segment. To ensure that the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series likewise leaves the factory in flawless quality, we have invested around 500 million euros in our Munich home plant. And that means safeguarding 9,000 workplaces,” said Frank-Peter Arndt, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management responsible for production, in Munich on Friday.

As series production of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan got under way, Christian Ude, Mayor of Munich, along with Manfred Schoch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the BMW Group, also spoke before a large gathering of employees at the BMW plant in Munich.

“As Munich residents we can count ourselves fortunate that the decision to build the new 3 Series here signals a clear and impressive commitment to Munich on the part of BMW,” said Christian Ude. “BMW is not just one of our major employers and corporate tax payers, but beyond that also actively contributes to the wellbeing of the city.”

Manfred Schoch added: “Credit for this achievement on the part of the Munich site must also go to the highly motivated and committed employees who invest huge efforts and true dedication into ensuring that this location retains its attractiveness and competitive edge.”

The production launch of the sixth-generation BMW 3 Series marks the start of a new era at the Munich home plant. The investments have flowed, among other areas, into innovative production equipment and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies. They form part of a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the competitiveness and future viability of the Munich plant and thereby safeguarding 9,000 workplaces in the Bavarian state capital. In doing so, the BMW Group is signalling a special commitment to social responsibility at its headquarters.

Read More: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/10/28/2012-bmw-3-series-production-starts-today-in-munich-plant/

The new BMW M5: Soon to be a star on the road

The new BMW M5: Soon to be a star on the road, sooner still a star on the screen.

High-performance sedan makes exclusive appearance as cover car for the Limited Collector’s Edition of the Xbox 360 racing game Forza Motorsport 4 – Launch also marks the start of the BMW M5 Forza Cup – Winner’s prize is a BMW M5.

Munich. The upcoming launch of the new BMW M5 has set pulses racing, thanks, among other things, to its athletic and elegant design, V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology developing 412 kW/560 hp, seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic, and Active M Differential. And now the Forza Motorsport 4 racing simulation game for the Xbox 360 console provides the perfect outlet for this excitement. Ahead of the car’s official road launch, ambitious gamers can now thread the high-performance sedan around the world’s most spectacular race circuits on their TV or computer screens. The Limited Collector’s Edition of the latest version of Forza Motorsport sees the new BMW M5 not only taking on the role of “hero car” but also featuring as the game’s cover star. On the same day as the game is released (October 14, 2011), registration will open for the BMW M5 Forza Cup. The competition to set the fastest virtual laps in the new M5 will build to a climax in the finale at the BMW Welt. The fastest gamer will earn him or herself the keys to a very real high-performance experience; the winner’s prize is a BMW M5.

A few weeks after the car’s world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) – but ahead of its market launch in December 2011 – the Forza Motorsport community will have the chance to rack up the first virtual laps with the new BMW M5. The latest version of the globally popular racing game uses high-resolution HD graphics and state-of-the-art simulation technology to deliver an exceptionally realistic driving experience. Gamers can piece together their preferred race scenario from around 500 different cars and more than 100 circuits. The highlight is the new BMW M5, which will sample its first taste of virtual race action in Forza Motorsport 4. Gamers will compete to set the quickest times on circuits such as the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife track, where BMW M GmbH engineers have been fine-tuning the actual car over recent weeks and months. Forza Motorsport 4 offers a range of difficulty levels and driving aids, allowing both rookies and experienced gamers to experience the thrills and excitement of the game – and the new BMW M5 – straight off the start line.

For the first time, gamers will have the choice of using the controller or the innovative new Kinect control system for the Xbox 360 to pilot the car. Added to which, the game also features a garage mode, in which the selected car can be explored and configured. As well as the new BMW M5, the range of cars players can choose from includes a host of other BMW models, from the BMW M1 to the new BMW 6 Series Coupé.

Read More: http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/newsfeed/post/2011/10/14/The-new-BMW-M5-Soon-to-be-a-star-on-the-road.aspx