BMW launches AK-47 thwarting X5 Security Plus

If Jason Statham's character, Frank, decides to switch back to a BMW in The Transporter 4, we think we have his new ride picked out. Or maybe Clive Owen just needs to film another episode of The Driver. BMW has just released info on its first Class Six bullet resistant vehicle, the BMW X5 Security Plus, which happens to be the first vehicle ever available to the public with that classification from a high-volume manufacturer. That means that its skin can handle anything up to a AK-47 assault rifle, the weapon-of-choice for terrorists, pirates and kidnappers around the globe. Besides thicker bulletproof glass, BMW has added heavier armored body panels all around, as well as sealing up all of the joints to bolster protection in normally vulnerable body panel gaps.

The Security Plus models are partially built alongside the regular models in Spartanburg, SC, and then sent to Toluca, Mexico for final assembly. Some of the special features that are fitted include a beefed-up suspension with special run-flat tires, an intercom system to communicate with people outside the vehicle, a hold-up alarm that automatically locks windows and doors, plus sirens and flashing lights too. There's also a list of options that includes a rear view camera and a front-bumper-mounted side view camera. It's powered by BMW's 355 horsepower, 4.80-liter V8, and even with the extra equipment, this crossover can scoot from 0 to 62 miles-per-hour in 8.2 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 112 mph.
There's a full press release after the jump and a huge high-res gallery too. You'll see there is very little to tip evil-doers that the person inside is worthy of attention, until the need to escape arises and the lights go on. BMW handles sales of these vehicles in a very discreet manner and even offers special driver training so anyone can become The Driver.
[Source: BMW]

BMW Certified Pre-Owned on track to a record 2009

BMW announced today that its certified used vehicles business in the U.S. jumped 24 percent in the first two months of 2009. Sales were up by 19,000 units and are on track to beat last year’s record number of 104,000.
“In the current economic climate, BMW Certified Pre-Owned vehicles have become a significant source of revenue for BMW [...]

BMW announced today that its certified used vehicles business in the U.S. jumped 24 percent in the first two months of 2009. Sales were up by 19,000 units and are on track to beat last year’s record number of 104,000.

“In the current economic climate, BMW Certified Pre-Owned vehicles have become a significant source of revenue for BMW dealers, not only balancing new car sales but also generating additional aftersales and warranty business,” said BMW in a statement.

BMW said that its sale program for 2009 is designed to further increase the share of CPO sales volume at BMW dealerships.

BMW selects models with less than 60,000 miles or that are less than 60 months old for certification. BMW provides warranty for every CPO vehicle for a total of  6 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the vehicle’s original in-service date.

BMW working on second-generation EfficientDynmics technology with NASA

With help from NASA scientists and some sophisticated technology, BMW is moving forward with its second-generation EfficientDynamics green car technology. According to CAR, BMW and NASA will work together in building what is known as a “thermoelectric generator.”
The technology, which is used to power satellites, will help boost fuel-economy in BMW vehicles by 5 percent says [...]

With help from NASA scientists and some sophisticated technology, BMW is moving forward with its second-generation EfficientDynamics green car technology. According to CAR, BMW and NASA will work together in building what is known as a “thermoelectric generator.”

The technology, which is used to power satellites, will help boost fuel-economy in BMW vehicles by 5 percent says BMW’s head of development Klaus Draeger. A thermoelectric generator converts heat between radioactive materials to generate electricity. When hooked up to a car’s exhaust system, a thermoelectric generator can generate about 200W of power.

“Some of the heat generated by combustion is converted to electric energy which is then fed back into the car’s power supply to feed high-demand systems such as climate controls,” Draeger told CAR Online.

Draeger says that the new technology will make it into BMW cars by 2014.

Source: CAR

Swiss Gigolo jailed for six years after blackmailing BMW heiress

The Swiss man accused of blackmailing BMW heiress Susanne Klatten has been jailed for six years. Helg Sgarbi, known as the Swiss Gigolo, was convicted at his trial in Munich after trying to pull a scam in an attempt to squeeze millions of euros out of Germany’s richest woman.
Sgarbi was also convicted at his trial [...]

The Swiss man accused of blackmailing BMW heiress Susanne Klatten has been jailed for six years. Helg Sgarbi, known as the Swiss Gigolo, was convicted at his trial in Munich after trying to pull a scam in an attempt to squeeze millions of euros out of Germany’s richest woman.

Sgarbi was also convicted at his trial for trying to scam three other unnamed women. He has reportedly extracted 7 million euros ($8.8 million USD) from Klatten.

Sgarbi threatened to release footage of their affair onto the internet. He apologized to Klatten in court but did not say where the alleged sex tapes are being kept.

Klatten owns a 12.5 percent stake in BMW.

Source: BBC

BMW and Daimler to swap shares and boost cooperation

We’ve been hearing about a Daimler and BMW “cooperation” for some time now. Both automakers have been stepping up previous efforts to share cost due to the current economic downturn. A German magazine, Der Spiegel, is now reporting that the two automakers plan on swapping shares to boost cooperation.
The magazine said that the Daimler and BMW [...]

We’ve been hearing about a Daimler and BMW “cooperation” for some time now. Both automakers have been stepping up previous efforts to share cost due to the current economic downturn. A German magazine, Der Spiegel, is now reporting that the two automakers plan on swapping shares to boost cooperation.

The magazine said that the Daimler and BMW will exchange a seven percent stake in each other. It said reported that the German government has been approached to find out whether it would overrule such a cross-ownership, reports Automotive News.

Der Spiegel said that the two automakers will announce full details shortly and that the move is expected to save the two automakers “several hundred million of euros” in the short term and billions in the mid-term.

There is some fear from the Quandt family which owns 46 percent of BMW. Der Spiegel said that family head Johanna Quandt and her son Stefan fear that Daimler will take over BMW as it did with Chrysler after a much talked about “merger of equals” in 1998.

BMW: Project i vehicles will be ‘premium-cars’

According to Project i boss Dr. Ulrich Karnz, BMW’s Project i will develop vehicles for those that can afford premium vehicle. Project i is BMW’s strategy to develop compact electric-vehicles for big cities like London, New York, Tokyo and Shanghai. The 515 electric MINI E models currently being tested are the foundation of future Project [...]

According to Project i boss Dr. Ulrich Karnz, BMW’s Project i will develop vehicles for those that can afford premium vehicle. Project i is BMW’s strategy to develop compact electric-vehicles for big cities like London, New York, Tokyo and Shanghai. The 515 electric MINI E models currently being tested are the foundation of future Project i vehicles.

“These vehicles will be premium vehicles,” Kranz told CAR at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. “They will not be Tata Nano rivals – no way! We can and will only build premium cars.”

Kranz said that BMW has yet to decide whether the cars will wear a BMW badge or create another brand for the fuel-efficient premium vehicles. He said that the cars will initially be built in Germany but production in other markets is possible.

“They will be built by BMW in BMW factories – we wouldn’t consider outsourcing production to a third party,” Karnz said

BMW to offer 7 Series with xDrive AWD in late 2009

The option will be available on all versions of the 7 save the smallest diesels and gasoline engines that we don't get in North America anyway, fetching a €2500-2800 premium (in European markets) over conventional rear-drive versions. BMW is testing the 7 Series with xDrive in snow-draped locales before the option is offered in other markets starting at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2009, after which Quattros and 4Matics will be looking over their shoulders.

Engineers in Bavaria have reportedly worked hard to keep the 7's rear-drive dynamics intact, and have opted to fit the xDrive system with a 30:70 rearward bias instead of the 40:60 in other applications. xDrive-equipped 7s will also get a slightly higher ground clearance and Hill Decent Control, a system usually reserved for serious off-road vehicles.

Buyers in the upper echelon of the luxury segment are increasingly demanding all-wheel traction on their rides, and BMW has evidently grown tired of seeing would-be customers flocking to rival automakers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz to get what they want. So for the first time in the model line's history, the new BMW 7 Series will be offered with all-wheel drive.