"BMW and Mercedes are continuing to work on joint projects, CAR can reveal. The two premium brands reckon working together might just stave off the threat of the credit crunch, collapsing car sales in key markets and the uncertainty wobbling the very foundations of the motor industry. But the BMW-Merc collaboration is proving difficult, according to executives in Germany contacted by CAR. Maybe it's a mutual case of 'not Invented here'. Maybe it's what decades of ingrained rivalry does to you. Or a mix of shortsightedness, ignorance and stubborness. Perhaps a combination of the above. And if they can't finalise a deal, BMW is likely to hop into bed with a rival manufacturer. Talks with the Fiat group are at an advanced state, too (more of which later). BMW and Merc are finding it very difficult to agree on even the smallest common denominators. Like engines ...

"Unique delivery experience at BMW Welt in Munich and breathtaking drive in South of France included in Fantasy Package BMW today announced that it will offer -- exclusively through the renowned Neiman Marcus Christmas Book -- a limited edition of its all-new 2009 BMW 7 Series, designed by the team at BMW Individual, and based on a BMW 750Li. In honor of the 7 Series' 31st anniversary, only 31 of these personalized models have been built and the 31 lucky Neiman Marcus customers who buy the car will have the ultimate "bragging rights" -- they will be able to purchase the 2009 BMW 7 Series from October 16, before the vehicle's North American preview at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, and before its 2009 launch date. Each automobile also includes an unforgettable European driving experience along the French Riviera. The Neiman ...

This is the new BMW X1. Okay, BMW calls it the Concept X1 – it will be wheeled out tomorrow at the opening day of the Paris motor show – but 99 percent of what you see here will be arriving in production form in the UK in autumn 2009. Expect prices to kick off around £20,000 as the X1 tries to capitalise on its lack of direct rivals – Audi’s Q3 is still two years away. No surprise BMW is predicting 100,000 sales a year as buyers continue to downsize without loss of image. Err, yes, it’s a safe bet that the X1’s lines are likely to have design purists swooning for all the wrong reasons. Its busy mix of lines, uncomfortable proportions and heavy-handed detailing means the X1 stands out – but probably in more of a point-your-finger-and-snigger way than its designers would like. BMW obviously disagrees ...

If you just bought a 2008 M3 Sedan, we’d advise you to stop reading this article immediately because we’re pretty sure that you won’t like what you’re about to hear and see. The Bavarian carmaker went ahead and facelifted its all-new M3 Sedan just a few months after the high-performance sports sedan made its market debut earlier this year. Like the recently facelifted 3-Series Sedan , the 2009 4door M3 receives a new set of tail-lights inspired from the new 7-Series along with a more pronounced trunk lid. Not a lot of changes, but it does look better than the 2008 M3 Sedan. Inside, refinements include a redesigned air grille in the center of the cockpit, a new armrest on the center console and new available trim options. As with all 2009 BMWs, the M3 Sedan also ...

"Our dear friend Palbay from Upstate SC came through for us again. He was able to spot the car near the BMW Performance Center track in Spartanburg. We mentioned several times before that an M version of the popular X6 model will be available sometimes in 2009 and throughout the last few months, we have seen several spy photos of the car undergoing testing and more testing. Rumors floating around the web say the BMW X6M will be powered by a 5.0-liter V10 with 373kW and 520Nm of torque, even though we believe that a twin-turbo engine will be more suitable for the job. The 4.4 V8 Twin-Turbo can be the ideal choice. The car already weighs around 5,000 lbs and placing a heavy V10 engine in it, would not make much sense. Palbay says that this X6 seems a little further ...

1. Looks Can a five-door coupe-hatchback-SUV ever work? In a word, yes. The BMW X6 is the most striking car the company makes, combining truly gargantuan proportions to offer up massive road presence. Make no mistake, this is a big car. The BMW X6 takes the pumped-up looks of the BMW X5 SUV and chops the roof to create the world’s first production SUV-coupe. The sloping roof mixes excellently with the rising waistline sweeping from the front through to the high rear, while the familiar BMW face lends an intimidating front for such a high-riding car. And it draws attention on the road like no other – be warned, this is definitely not a car for shrinking violets. 10/102. Looks inside The familiar BMW ergonomics continue inside, and the cabin is lifted pretty much intact from the X5 – which ...

Finally, due to some spy photos, we are able to confirm some features of the next generation BMW Z4 prototype. What is for sure is that the car received a retractable hardtop which seems to be a two piece metal roof. The new prototype will be developed on the latest 3-series keeping the same dimensions to the current model but adding an inch or more in length and width. The car will be powered by a new generation 3.0L bi-turbo straight six engine which will be capable of 326 hp in the new 740i. For the European market it will also be available a version with an entry-level no frills 2.0L4-cylinder engine version. The first production is heard to be released first time at the Detroit Show in January 2009 with the possibility to see a preview of this model at the Los Angeles ...

The 2009 BMW 3-Series sedans and wagons get slightly freshened interior and exterior styling. Also, for the first time in North America, these premium compact cars will be available with a diesel engine. The 3-Series line consists of 2-door coupes and convertibles, as well as 4-door sedans and wagons. Convertibles have a power-retractable hard top. The 2009 3-Series lineup consists of the following: entry-level 328, mid-line 335, and high-performance M3. Depending on body style, the 328i is available with rear-wheel drive or with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. It's powered by a 230-hp 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine. Also depending on body style, the 335i is available with rear- or AWD. Those models are powered by a turbocharged 300-hp version of the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder. New for 2009 is the rear-drive 335d. It has a 265-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel that is emissions legal in all 50 states. M3 ...

Already under development with the internal codename "F10," the next-generation BMW 5 Series will soften the harder lines of the current E60 with more conventional-looking headlights and a cleaner front-end design. New European pedestrian safety standards are expected to drastically alter the design of many European cars for the worse, but BMW will not only maintain its classic twin-kidney grille design, it will reduce the length of the front overhang. As is typical of most recent BMW redesigns, this 5 Series will add some space between the wheels by extending the wheelbase nearly 3 inches and widening the track. The overall length will grow by less than half an inch, while its height will be reduced slightly and its width increased by a fraction. A set of 17-inch wheels will be the smallest available with 18- and 19-inch wheels optional. Under the hood, this 5 ...

The BMW M6 Coupé is to be offered with a competition package aimed at offering enhanced driving dynamics. The new package features a revised suspension configuration comprising a 12mm lower front end and 10mm lower rear, retuned Dynamic Stability Control and ABS settings, and a modified Variable M differential for greater cornering capability. Visually, a competition package-equipped M6 Coupé has a new bonnet with precision lines for an increased sporting look and M double-spoke light alloy wheels with wider rims that are shod with new Pirelli P Zero Corsa System tyres. The competition package costs 2,745 EUR in addition to the 106,354 EUR OTR price of a BMW M6 Coupé. Following the announcement of the new BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring, the M3 Saloon has also been updated for September. The pinnacle of 3 Series Saloon ownership now gets the same rear end enhancements ...

The BMW Group is continuing its product initiative. At the International Motor Show in Geneva, Helmut Panke, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, announced the development of two new BMW brand model series: "We are using the strength of the BMW Group and pushing emphatically ahead with the extension of the vehicle range. We will be further expanding with two completely new, ...