BMW M3 Edition Models : 2009

Powerful, aesthetic design, supreme performance and exclusive style the unique characteristics of the BMW M3 are now available in highly attractive Edition Models focusing on the most outstanding highlights of these outstanding cars.

BMW 700 : 1960

To set off this dismal end of the motorcycle market, BMW built the prototype of a new small car in 1950, taking up the lines of the pre-war BMW 327 and the 600-cc fl at-twin engine so popular at the time. But the project was subsequently discarded for economic reasons.

How exciting can a BMW European Delivery pick-up really be?

And my answer is simple: VERY EXCITING. As someone who has twice picked-up my bimmers through the BMW European Delivery program, I can tell you that each time I had the time of my life and could have never imagined that buying a car can be so exciting.

After all, we’re all used to just go to a dealerships, scout the showroom area or the parking for that car that we want or like, then get into a painful negotiation game and hopefully driving off with the car you wanted. But the BMW European Delivery program really takes the shopping experience to another level. First of all, all the hassle and negotiation techniques are far limited, almost non-existent. Then, it’s the price which most of the time is around 10% lower than the regular sticker.

We have talked about the BMW European Delivery program many times and we’ll leave it up to you to read more on it in our ED section or you can follow my last European trip here.

And to really prove our point of how exciting this program really is, the following video and photos will tell this story even better. The story starts with four friends going to Munich to pick up a gorgeous Montego Blue BMW 135i Coupe, then taking the car through Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France.

E46 BMW M3 CSL - A head turner

Last year, Andrew gave us an enthusiastic article on the E46 BMW M3 CSL, one of these M cars that many BMW fans are still hoping to see in the future.

The M3 CSL was a very low production, one-off model based on the E46 M3 and using its 333 horsepower engine as basis. The CSL stands for Coupe Sport Light and as the name suggests, it came with a lot of carbon fiber parts.

CSL came with a lighter carbon fiber roof and interior paneling, light seats and the buyers had the option to opt-out the radio and air conditioning unit. BMW built the car i only two colors: Silver Gray and Sapphire Black.

BMW made a limited run, less than 1,400 units of the M3 CSL (E46) vehicles between June and December 2003. Unfortunately for those of us in the U.S., due to the short production cycle and the complications and expense of clearing DOT and EPA standards for the North American market, BMW never brought the CSL to the United States.

To somehow satisfy the U.S. consumers’ needs to upgrade their M3, some parts from it were later made available on the regular M3 as part of an optional Competition Package.

In the UK, the BMW M3 CSL cost 20,000 British Pounds more than the regular M3 version, but it also came with a tuned up engine outputting 360 horsepower.

If we recall correctly, the CSL held for a while the BMW road car Nürburgring record of 7 minutes 50 seconds.

The question remains whether BMW will ever built another CSL version of the M3, but for now, these cars remain unique and quite valuable. As you can see in the photos below, there are plenty of reasons why they are so appreciated.

BMW introduces a New Voice Activation System

Starting in September 2009, BMW is presenting a truly innovative, cutting-edge technology for voice control in the automobile allowing even more reliable and convenient operation and control of navigation systems and infotainment functions.

Introducing this new system, BMW is raising the driver/vehicle dialogue to a new level of excellence. For the first time, one single voice command is sufficient to completely transmit the driver’s destination into the navigation system. The driver’s verbal statement specifying the place, street and number is processed immediately by the system, all data going directly into the navigation unit.

BMW is also the first European car maker to offer voice recognition serving not only to choose the appropriate audio source, but also to find individual music titles. The BMW system monitors and interprets the user’s voice commands regarding the type of music, the name of the artist, an album or an individual title, ensuring precise access to the audio program desired.

BMW’s voice control makes the operation and control of all of BMW’s latest navigation, communication and entertainment systems particularly reliable, safe, and convenient. User-friendly optimisation of the voice control function now enables the driver to use these extended options even more conveniently, without the slightest effort.

The new system comes in a wide range of languages and is available in Germany and Austria, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, and the USA.

Unique solution the world over straight from the factory: BMW cars “understand” complete addresses and music requests.
Introducing optimised voice control into the market in all current models as of September 2009 in combination with BMW’s optional navigation system Professional, BMW is once again setting standards in the simple and convenient control of navigation and entertainment systems fitted straight at the factory.

Following the full word destination entry introduced by BMW in 2006, the new system marks yet a further milestone in the rapid and precise selection of destinations. BMW is indeed the only car maker worldwide to offer a system able to “understand” a complete address entry. From now on the user no longer has to specify the place, street and number he is going to in individual steps, but is rather able to read out all this information in one, the entire message as a whole being covered and electronically processed by the system.

Should the driver, for example, read out the address “Berlin, Willy-Brandt-Strasse 1”, his BMW will take him straight to the Federal Chancellery in the capital of Germany.

This new system also facilitates the process of choosing your favourite music program while driving. To do so, the system supports the specific search for audio files, following various criteria according to the user’s choice. One option is to specify the type of music you desire, the artist, album or even the title of a specific song by voice control. The system then immediately presents the choice of audio files saved on the hard disc in a title list – and as of spring 2010, the system will even cover data files on a music player connected to the car.

Looking for the user’s favourite song, BMW’s voice control system also recognises several languages parallel to one another, finding, say, the English title of a song sung by a German artist without the slightest problem.

BMW voice control and BMW iDrive control: perfect combination of intuitive and safe function management.
Optimised voice control through BMW’s new system makes a significant contribution to enhanced comfort and safety in road traffic. Activation of frequently used functions by voice control ideally supplements BMW’s trendsetting iDrive control concept, offering the user the benefits of both systems all in one and ensuring largely intuitive operation of numerous vehicle and comfort functions, with the driver hardly having to take his eyes off the road. Hence, the driver is able to use the navigation and entertainment systems in his BMW quickly and efficiently, at the same time concentrating entirely on driving conditions and the traffic around him.

From the start the combination of BMW iDrive with voice control of a large number of commands ensures a supreme level of all-round efficiency. This efficiency has indeed been consistently optimised in the course of time, ranging from full-word entry in specifying destinations all the way to multi-modal control through voice control and the Controller in the latest generation of BMW iDrive. The driver is able to switch smoothly and without the slightest interruption from one entry mode to the other while performing the same process, with voice recognition remaining active for simultaneous use while making entries through the Controller.

This multi-mode operation may also be combined with new voice control functions enabling the driver to use his own particular style and mode of operation for functions he requires particularly often. To enter destinations into the navigation system quickly and in a routined manner, for example, the driver may first use voice control and then, through the Controller, call up specific information on sights and special stopovers along his route. He also has the option to pre-select the music program by voice control and then call up his favourite title at the touch of a button.

The system therefore adjusts in unique style to the user’s personal preferences, offering the safest and most comfortable mode of operation under all conditions and in every situation.

A detailed video of the new voice activation system:

German

English

[Source: BMW ]

BMW plans assault on the premium entry-level segment with X and Y models

BMW's equivalent of Deep Throat has divulged a host of information on the marque's coming plans for its premium entry level range incorporating the 1-Series and Z2, and a new line of Y vehicles. According to the mole, Scott26, the 1 will break into three different levels: Traditional, Lifestyle, and Sporting. They will be underpinned by a modular platform that could be differentiated among models and also serve as the basis for the next MINI.
The Traditional line will include the 1-Series along with Active Hybrid and Sport Compact versions. Sporting will comprise the 1-Series and Z2 coupe and cabriolet, plus a Supersports version of the 1 and a 135i Lightweight Performance Concept. Lifestyle counts the 1-Series Gran Turismo, the X1, X2, and the Y1.
As Scott27 breaks it down, the full lineup will advance the capabilities of Efficient Dynamics, and a hybrid version of each car will be offered. As well, the cars will "resist the usual jump in weight by using lightweight materials and sophisticated bonding techniques." What would be weighty at that point is the number of BMW's offerings, with 12 cars alone mentioned here, not counting the hatch models.
And what is the Y1? Strictly a proposal at this point, the line would be for those who want more "identity and creativity" in their Sports Activity Vehicles. A "dynamic , lighter and more personal" SAV than the X6, the Y1 is laid out as a 2-door, 2-seat "hybrid of an X with the aura of a Z." Think of a de-Bangled X Coupe. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!
[Source: 1 Addicts]

The Ultimate Flying Machine? BMW trims out business jet

BMW DesignworksUSA Falcon 7X business jet interior -

Thanks to its unique "ability to create designs consistent with individual brands, as exemplified by BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars," Dassault Aviation tasked BMW Group DesignworksUSA with the job of outfitting the interior of its new Falcon 7X business jet. The results were unveiled at the European business aviation community event in Geneva, and John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon, sounds pleased. "Thanks to DesignworksUSA's transportation design expertise and hard work, the new Falcon 7X interior cabin reflects our goal to define a new level of flying experience," he said of the effort.
Sounds like a winner to us. According to Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA President, "DesignworksUSA created the theme of "Elegance and Style fused with Function." Our concept focuses on the sensory elements of the flying experience emphasizing form follows feeling."
We're not quite sure what that means exactly, but one of the more interesting design elements has to be the lighting solution, which creates the effect of a starry night sky through the use of what appears to be little LEDs embedded in the ceiling and larger glowing orbs in the valence panels. Looks like a pretty nice place to spend some time while jet-setting between destinations. Check out the full press release after the break for more.

Camouflaged BMW X1 in Action

Seems like BMW is still waiting on releasing official images and videos of the full production X1. Nonetheless, the German automaker keeps us entertained with the release of official spy shots, teasers and now, this video of a camouflaged BMW X1 in action.

Refresher: The BMW X1 will hit markets next year and will be available with three engine choices. 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.