BMW X1 Interior revealed for the first time

The German fellows at Auto-News.de had the opportunity to test drive the BMW X1 xDrive23d in Mallorca, Spain. As expected, plenty of photos were taken, but the most interesting one to us is the interior design shot.

There were many speculations around the interior design of the X1, many believe that it will be a combination between the 1 Series design with the navigation part from the 3 Series. Well, judging from these photos, while it share some common elements with the other models, the interior of the X1 is unique in its own way.

It features similar controls, but with the buttons arranged differently, also inside air vents have a more angular shape and the navigation screen is built into the dashboard. Overall, a simple, but stylish layout.

In the same article, Auto-News confirmed our previous statements, there will be three different engines at the X1 launch, followed by other powerplants in the near future:

• BMW X1 xDrive20d - 177 horsepower - 8.4 seconds 0-60 mph - Max Speed 132 mph (213 km/h) - 40.5 mph (5.8 liters / 100 km)
• BMW X1 xDrive23d - 204 horsepower - 7,3 seconds 0-60 mph - Max Speed 138 mph (223 km/h) - 37 mpg (6,3 Liter / 100 km)
• BMW X1 xDrive28i - 6.7 seconds 0-100 - Max Speed 142 mph(230 km/h)

As part of the BMW EfficiencyDynamics program, next Spring, two new entry models are expected, BMW X1 xDrive18i and xDrive18d, which will offer improved fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. The rumor mill says that a rear-wheel-drive model is expected in the future.

BMW X1 will be available this Fall in Europe.

Source: Auto-News

2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo in Action

BMW released all the details and images on the 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo this past Friday. Today BMW released some static and driving footage of its latest addition.

Refresher: In the U.S. market BMW will offer the 306-hp 535i Gran Turismo which is powered by a 3.0L straight 6-cylinder twin-turbo. That allows for a 0 to 62 mph run in 6.3 seconds with fuel-economy estimated at 26 mpg. U.S. buyers can also opt for the BMW 550i Gran Turismo, which is powered by a 4.4L V8 twin-turbo engine making 407-hp and maximum torque of 442 lb-ft. 0 to 62 mph comes in 5.5 seconds while fuel-economy is estimated at 21 mpg.

2012 BMW 3 Series platoform being tested again

BMW intensifies the testing for its next generation 3 Series due out in 2012. Built under the internal code F30, the new 3 Series will receive a complete redesign and from what our sources are telling us, quite adventurous and unique.

With the new design just recently selected after an internal competition, the first test mules showing off the new bodystyle, won’t be seen until late next year.

But this doesn’t stop BMW from testing the new platform and from all the information we acquired in the past, we learned that the F30 3er will grow in size.  The fellows at Carmagazine UK mention a wheelbase measuring 2.8 meters (9.2 feet). A similar architecture will be used in the new 2011 BMW 1 Series but also the upcoming 2010 X3.

We already know that a Progressive Activity vehicle based on the 3 Series will be showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Developed under the name Gran Turismo, the the Progressive Activity Coupe has a higher roof when compared to the existing 3 Series Wagon and of course, a longer wheelbase as well. We learned a while back that the 3-series crossover will come with rear-wheel drive as standard, but four-wheel drive will be offered as an option.

The 3 Series GT is all about space and convenience, but without sacrificing performance. The rear seats offer generous room, higher sitting position that in the regular 3 Series models and of course, comfort.

The 2012 BMW 3 Series will offer a large variety of powerplants, from the existing petrol and diesel engines, to future four-cylinder turbo engines. Being still a few years prior to the official launch, we expect BMW to surprise us with more exciting engines, including one similar to the new N55 powerplant used in the BMW 550i GT

BMW fan reviews the new BMW X6 M

The New York Auto Show remains in history as the first motor show where BMW has officially revealed their first all-wheel drive M car, the X6 M. Even though the X6 M is not considered by BMW as being an SUV-type of car, bimmer fans will often refer to it  as the first M SUV.

We were fortunate to attend the official launch of this new Motorsport model and we were quite excited about  the design and technologies behind this car. Despite the always crowded BMW floor, we managed to spend some time with the car and snapped some photos for you.

Since we were waiting for the production model to launch before we can share with you all of our findings, we got beaten to it by Kamil at CarGuyDad, who spent some time himself with a production ready model near the Spartanburg plant.

He goes into more details and shared with us some known and unknown things about the BMW X6 M. Head over to his blog and see what he had to say.

BMW Z4 sDrive23i

For those of us that live in the U.S., BMW is offering only two choices when it comes to the new BMW Z4 roadster: the entry-model, sDrive30i and the more powerful, sDrive35i.

We recently had the opportunity to drive sDrive30i model and our review should be up tomorrow, but what we won’t have for a while is the opportunity to drive an European only model, like the sDrive23i that is available in the United Kingdom as well.

The UK based fellows at AutoExpress decided to go back and this time drive their entry model as well, especially since they were highly impressed with the sDrive35i they have previously tested. Has the sDrive23i lived up to their expectations? We shall find out next.

This UK-spec model provides the answer. It’s fitted with the entry-level 201bhp 2.5-litre straight-six engine, which revs sweetly all the way to 7,000rpm and produces a tuneful exhaust note.

Our example was also equipped with the optional M Sport adaptive suspension. This gives a choice of Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings, selected through the Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) function. DDC applies the same modes to the throttle response and steering weight.

The standard ride setting on the previous Z4 compares to Sport+ here. And in Normal and Sport, refinement is vastly improved – during our run, the springs soaked up the worst the UK’s roads could muster, instantly making the BMW feel like a more grown-up car

BMW Golf Cartbag - Stylish and Practical

Let’s break away from the monotony of our usual posting and allow us to show you something different: the latest BMW……Golf Cartbag designed together with the sports bag specialists OGIO. Now we know that many of you are golf players, so we thought it will be interesting to show you what you can buy from the bmw-shop.com website.

So next time you show up at the golf course in your Z4 or even better, the new 7 Series, sporting a BMW Golf Cartbag might win you some extra points…….okay, we made up this last part and it’s kinda cheesy but you get the point.

Sporty elegance, plenty of room and sophisticated details are guaranteed to make the new BMW Golf Cartbag - with its generous stowage space and numerous compartments - even more fun to have on the course. BMW has partnered with the renowned US sports bag specialists OGIO, to launch this 9-Inch bag in trendy white. Thanks to multiple compartments and a soft rubberized edge, it ensures optimum transport of your clubs. With eleven special pockets that make searching for purse, cell phone and scorecard a thing of the past, this bag is destined to quickly become a golfer’s favorite.

A Favorite Place for Golf Equipment.
The spacious outside pocket offers plenty of room for balls, tees and scorecard. Ten other compartments do away with the painstaking search for pitch mark and glove on the course. These include the fleece-lined, weatherproof compartment for valuables, the inside cell phone pocket and the spacious, soft rubber coated club compartment with seven partitions.

Quality - Right Down to the Last Detail.
As always, details make all the difference: The zippered rain cover is quickly attached when needed and golf gloves are fastened to the bag by means of Velcro, while a special tee holder and the insulated 0.5 l beverage compartment make this bag a comfortable companion on the course. Then there’s a lift grip for convenient handling and attachments to hold a caddy towel and umbrella. The bag comes with a shoulder strap, a practical adjustable foot and a patented, ergonomic 3-point plastic handle. The 3-ball dispenser makes sure your golf balls are always ready at hand. Thanks to the zipperless ball pocket, reserve balls and tees are quickly and easily accessed. The BMW Golf Cartbag is complemented by a fine selection of equipment and apparel, such as functional polo shirts made of breathable fast-drying fabrics.

Facts & Figures:
BMW Golfsport Collection: Golf Cartbag
Weight: 4.1 kg (9 lbs.)
Size: 40 x 35 x 94 cm (15.7″ x 13.8″ x 37″)
Material: Leatherette, nylon
Color: White

The complete BMW Lifestyle Collection is available at selected BMW dealers and on the Internet at www.bmw-shop.com.

BMW 130i tii by Format76

By now, you probably know our infatuation with the tii version of the BMW 1  Series. Since its first unveling at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2007, the BMW 1 Series tii model has been one of our most desired BMWs to date and seeing the car at the Chicago Auto Show as well, proved us why we love this car so much.

The 1 Series Coupe tii replicas have been around for months now, but for the first time, we have the opportunity to see a tii version of the 130i hatchback as well. Sporting the same performance parts as the coupe version, the hatchback model is just as good looking.

But what makes this video so special are the video producing skills shown by the guys at Format76.net. So let’s see if you agree with us.

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BMW’s Mini USA division launches “True Blood” campaign

BMW and MINI USA continue to impress with their latest and most innovative marketing techniques. If the MINI viral videos are already well known and appreciated by the fans, this latest campaign surprises everyone and hopefully, in a good way.

The campaign will launch under the “True Blood” name and MINI receives some help from the TV network HBO who runs the vampire show with the same name. This latest effort by HBO comes as continuation of the last year’s launch campaign that centered on ads suggesting a blood substitute.

In this new campaign, MINI is one of the several brands being pitched to…..vampires and the marketing efforts will run until June 14th when the show returns with its second season.

The ads feature blood-red versions of the MINI Cooper and Clubman and run with the headlines like: ”Feel the Wind in Your Fangs” and “Type GO.”. Several advertising spots were bought on  US Weekly, AM New York or the New York Observer.

Online, the ads can be seen on Yahoo and AOL portals, along with the CNN and HBO’s homepage. Several microsites have been setup for this campaign:  bloodcopy.com, fellowshipofthesun.org, and americanvampireleague.com.

Kate Alini, MINI marketing communications manager, saw an opportunity in this unique campaign when HBO approached her last month:  ”After evaluating it, we thought it interesting, fun, and unique. They came up with the concept and were dead on and authentic with our brand identity. But it was their concept,” she says.

Will this new ads be successful? No doubt, MINI has so far not failed to impress us.

[Source: MediaPost ]

BMW 128i vs. MINI Cooper S at the track

I bet you any money that you didn’t expect such a comparison today featured on the blog, but our friends over at InsideLine have done it again. They decided to take the BMW 128i Convertible and the MINI Cooper S Cabrio at the track and see how they stack against each other. Almost a year ago, we have performed our own comparison, but at the time, we chose the 135i Coupe and the Cooper S.

As usual, they put the two vehicles through some intensive tests, straigtlines, cornering, you name it…..who came up on top? Well, let’s watch the video.

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BMW 7 series HARTGE anthracite CLASSIC wheel set

HERBERT HARTGE GmbH & Co. KG are delightful to present the new HARTGE anthracite CLASSIC wheel set and the HARTGE sports spring set for BMW 7 series. HARTGE anthracite CLASSIC wheel set: 9.5 x 22″ offset 25 with 265 / 30 ZR 22 front ; 10.5 x 22″ offset 28 with 295 / 25 ZR 22 [...]