BMW X1 teasers released on its Facebook fan page

It seems like automakers are getting the hang of using social media to spread the word about their products. As such, the BMW X1 Facebook page has 926 fans, which is why BMW decided to release teaser shots of the upcoming compact SUV on the people-connecting website to keep fans excited.

When you think of BMW X1, think of Volkswagen’s Tiguan in terms of size. It’s slightly smaller than the X3 and will seat 4 individuals comfortably (although a 5th can be cramped in somewhere in the middle).

While we’re not sure which model year designation the X1 will carry when it hits markets early next year (most likely 2010), we do know that it will be offered in three different variants.

Kicking of the lineup is the xDrive20d, which is powered by a 177-hp diesel engine. Second is the xDrive23d, which is powered boy 204-hp turbodiesel. The xDrive28i gasoline model is powered by a 3.0 6-cylinder making 231-hp and a 199 lb-ft of torque. It will be the only model offered in North America.

We’re expecting BMW to drop all the high-res shots and details very soon.

Source: Facebook

Next generation BMW 1 Series: “Tradition, Sporting for every Lifestyle”

Scott27 from GCZ, a BMW marketing representative released some new info on the next generation 2012 BMW 1 Series. We decided to post it in exactly the same format he did, without any further additions.

But we would like to tell you that we can’t really confirm all the information posted in there, other than a few future 1 Series models we have heard about from other sources as well. Historically, he has been releasing useful information, rather than diversions…..

So, let’s see what BMW has in the pipe for us and pay attention to this exciting part at the end:

“The BMW 1er -BMW performance Concept is something similar to the BMW M3 CSL - more advantage of lightweight materials and specific options aimed at the enthusiast.
Although there will be a similar option for the M3 Coupe including Matt finishes as Glacier Silver , Matt Black and Clay White.”

And the possible new model we talked about yesterday: BMW Y1.

Definitive. Tradition , Sporting and for every Lifestyle.
The BMW 1er.

I am giving you a preview of the finshed article regarding the next generation 1er model , which will go into detail over the new Cost efficient modular platform that will be found under each variant.
I would like to stress this is not the old VW way where very car just shared the same platform without anything to differentate the actual car.
Why BMW will continue to lead the direction of premium small cars.
How the 1er will grow without compromise to weight , efficiency or handling? How a range of engines will continue to offer the best efficiency , performance in the compact class.
And why BMW are wanting to experiment in the segment that will grow larger with new exciting concepts for every level of driver.
And when the curtain goes down , the audience erupts for an encore.

The Backbone : The new modular Chassis.

Efficient Dynamics : Why the BMW 1er will spearhead the first premium line up in the compact segment to offer a hybrid drivetrain for each variant.

Efficient Dynamics Prt 2 : Pioneer to Leader - The first generation of 1er brought many efficient technologies to the compact segment .
The second generation will also bring new options and technology that will be seen across the whole BMW portfolio.

Putting it altogether : How the new 1er will resist the usual jump in weight by using lightweight materials and sophisticated bonding techniques.

Efficiency to Performance : Excitement for enthusiasts at every level.

The Traditional Portfolio .

BMW 1er

BMW 1er Active Hybrid .

BMW 1er Sporthatch.

The Sporting Portfolio.

BMW 1er Coupe

BMW 1er Cabrio.

BMW 1er SuperSports.

BMW Z2.

BMW Z2 Coupe.

The Lifestyle Portfolio.

BMW X1.

BMW X2.

BMW 1er Gran Turismo.

BMW Y1.

The Final Curtain : BMW 135i (E82) Lightweight BMW Performance Concept ., (Lightweight materials , 2 matt paint options)

What the current climate has taught us is that many customers are looking to downsize and we have seen in this time 5er customers becoming 3er customers and 3er customers becoming 1er customers.

Since the introduction of the 1er and the two year cool off stage to see if it binds success before expanding the range. We have learned especially now that people will pay for premium small cars a lesson we learned with MINI and now something we are learning with the BMW 1er.

The 1er was a very different direction for BMW had the Rover experiment succeeded we would never of had the 1er. Now with expansion the Coupe , Sporthatch and Cabrio have expanded BMW sales in many markets.

With the next generation which begins with the BMW X1 we are looking at expanding the range of 1er models as many customers who will return to BMW might take advantage of something smaller , more efficient but with the same level of luxury.

The list regards some concepts that are undertaken as competition exercises that have made it to the final stage , Although some ideas might not happen , it shows the commitment BMW have to making the 1er one of the key profit making models for the BMW Group.

The BMW 1er -BMW performance Concept is something similar to the BMW M3 CSL - more advantage of lightweight materials and specific options aimed at the enthusiast.
Although there will be a similar option for the M3 Coupe including Matt finishes as Glacier Silver , Matt Black and Clay White. But do not think of them as CSL’s.

Some official BMW X1 photos were released today

We’re probably just hours away from the full set of the official BMW X1 photos hitting the web, but in the mean time, the BMW marketing machine released some “teaser” photos of the X1 on their Facebook page.

As a refresher, with the X1, BMW offers a new perspective as a compact premium Sport Activity Vehicle. It will be oriented towards younger BMW fans and most important, as an urban vehicle. Even though initially there were no plans to release the car in the U.S., sources close to  BMW speak of the possibility of seeing this car sometimes next year.

BMW is going for a broad reach with the X1, which will come with the option of three petrol and three diesel engines from the outset. The petrols include two 2.0-liter models with 141 horsepower and 168 horsepower, and a 254 horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit. On the diesel side there will be three of 2.0-liter common rail fours producing 141 horsepwer, 175 horsepower and 201 horsepower.

The first models will feature the BMW xDrive system, but in the future, a rear-wheel drive option will be offered as well.

Stay tuned for more photos and information!

BMW X5 M: Real life photos

BMW North America is hosting their complimentary M Power Tour street drive in different locations across United States. Yesterday, the M Power Tour stopped in the beautiful San Francisco where  people attending had the opportunity to do a 25-minute street drive in a 2009 BMW M3.

Part of M Power Tour events, BMW will display their first xDrive Motorsport models ever built: the BMW X5 M and X6 M. Courtesy of Rboosted717, a member of Xoutpost, we have some real life photos X5M/X6M photos to share with you. Also, in a conversation with a BMW M specialist, he learned that the X5M/X6M models will have three special colors: red, blue and black, but the standard color pallet will also be available.

The next M Power Tour event will take place this Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, at the BMW Designworks USA headquarters in Newbury Park, CA.

There is also another thing we would like to share with you. Last month, BMW’s European Delivery desk informed us that for those U.S. customers interested in taking delivery of a BMW at the Welt Center in Munich, they will automatically receive a free M track day behind the X5M/X6M models in Salzburg, Austria.

The first U.S. xDrive M models will be available in October. The BMW X5 M has a base price of $85,400 while the X6 M is priced at $88,900.

2009 BMW X5 - Review

BMW’s X5 was one of the first to prove that a truck could dance through the twisties and reward an enthusiastic driver. It was a practical, four-season people mover that drove like a proper Bimmer. Granted, that first-generation “Sports Activity Vehicle,” which debuted in 1999, also was a bit firm in the suspenders and lacked the cavernous cargo area of more traditional SUVs. And so the second-generation X5 attempts to address those ills with a more compliant, yet still taut suspension and nearly eight inches of added length to accommodate an optional third row of seats. While the addition of the X5 xDrive35d and its 265-hp, 3.0-liter turbo-diesel is the primary change for 2009—stay tuned for more on that model—we decided to take another look at the top-level xDrive48i outfitted with BMW’s 350-hp, 4.8-liter V-8.

Performance is Relative, Even for a BMW

The last V-8 X5 we evaluated was similar to this particular example, albeit slightly less expensive due to the lack of the $3700 Sport package found on our tester. While this model rolled on 19-inch all-season rubber versus the 20-inch summer-tire option, the addition of BMW’s Electronic Damping Control suspension and sport seats/steering wheel made tossing around the 5200-lb behemoth rather pleasant. The feel from the helm is reminiscent of that in our long-term X6 xDrive50i, yet the absence of the X6’s torque-vectoring rear axle and twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8—both of which we expect to migrate to the X5 relatively soon—make the seven-seater a mite less playful, and slower.

Keep Reading: 2009 BMW X5 - Review