BMW presented a legend at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este - BMW 328 Kamm Coupe, a classic 60 years old race car. More than 10 years passed since the BMW 328 Kamm Coupe has been started. The car was lost in the troubled times of the post-war era in Germany – 1950s and the rebuilding was a nightmare, but the result is awesome. “We are very proud to bring this milestone in motor racing history and vehicle aerodynamics back into the public spotlight. Our tribute to the M1 at the Concorso two years ago showed how much inspiration the past can provide for the future. And the BMW 328 Kamm Coupe is an outstanding example of how far back the future at BMW stretches into the past.”, said Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Group Classic. “We’ve come up against some major technical challenges, had many discussions ...

This year the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este once again invites contemporary concept cars and prototypes to compete alongside the historic models traditionally on display. To qualify for entry, concepts have to be driveable and no older than three years. As announced at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’s second press conference in Milan, eight such vehicles will attend the event at the end of April in a bid to be crowned the most beautiful contemporary concept car. The winner will be chosen not by the jury but by the public. In this, the Concorso perpetuates a tradition going back 80 years: as long ago as 1929 the public was already ranking the showcased models according to their looks. For ten years now, this beauty contest of worldwide acclaim has been held under the patronage of the BMW Group. Three world premieres and a further ...

Enter your destination while keeping the road in view or changing the vehicle configuration – it’s all possible at any time with the BMW i-Drive system. Using the central controller, the driver can easily select i-Drive functions with one hand. And operation becomes even easier with the AC Schnitzer cover for the i-Drive system. The black anodized aluminium cover has an embossed image of an AC Schnitzer Type IV wheel. So the new design offers delights that are not only visual but also tangible, as the i-Drive functions can be controlled intuitively. The Type IV alloy and racing wheels have already proved their popularity in all vehicle classes, and now set their individual accent in the interior too. The controller is the central control unit of the i-Drive system in BMW vehicles. Ergonomically mounted on the central console, the ...

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is finally arriving in the US showrooms. The 550i Gran Turismo will be available from 5th of  December, 2009 with a base MSRP of $64,725, including $825 Destination & Handling. BMW 550i GranTurismo is fitted with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine connected with BMW’s first-ever 8-speed automatic transmission. Boasting a maximum output of 400 horsepower and peak torque of 450 lb-ft., the 550i GranTurismo is capable to cover the 0 – 60 mph sprint in just 5.4 seconds. The recently announced 550i GranTurismo offers an amazaingly comfortable travelling experience for four or five passengers in combination with remarkably flexible storage options. For additional comfort and first class feeling in the rear, BMW is offering a Luxury Rear Seating Package. The unique dual-access tailgate offers the choice of a tradition trunk opening or full tailgate access to the generous rear luggage ...

"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 ...

The Z3 was developed from the E36 platform of the 3 Series. The resulting platform is sometimes referred to as the E36/7(roadster) or E36/8(coupé). The rear semi-trailing arm suspension from the E30 was used rather than the more sophisticated multilink suspension from the E36. At first, only the 1.9 L M44B19 straight-4 engine was offered, but its 138 hp (103 kW) was not up to buyers' expectations. Interior appointments too were not up to the standard of other BMW models, and the plastic rear window looked poor compared to the glass unit found on the much less expensive 1999 Mazda MX5. In the North American market, the inline-4 engine was complemented by a larger straight-6 engine in 1997: the 2.8 L M52B28. This engine, similar to the BMW M52 in the 328i except with an all aluminum block and head, was especially desirable with its ...