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. (more…)

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. (more…)

“BMW has announced prices and specifications for its new X6 flagship. The £53,930 xDrive50i, which arrives in November, is powered by twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 petrol that develops 408bhp – good enough for a 60mph sprint in 5.4 seconds and a 155mph limited speed.

Those with an environmental conscience will be pleased to hear that the BMW’s CO2 and combined fuel economy figures of 299g/km and 22.6mpg shame those of the Cayenne GTS (332g/km and 20.3mpg) and Range Rover Sport (374g/km and 17.8mpg). But then everything’s relative…” (more…)

“BMW has given its top-end 6-series performance models a visual and dynamic boost. The top-drawer M6 is now available with a £2180 Competition Package that drops the front and rear suspension by 12mm and 10mm, retunes the DSC Dynamic Stability Control and ABS settings, and throws in a modified Variable M differential. There are also unique alloys shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa System rubber and a restyled bonnet.

Available on all non-M derivatives, the new Sport Edition pack – which adds £3650 to the coupe and convertible’s pricing – features bespoke 19-inch alloys, stiffer anti-roll bars (10 percent front, 30 percent rear), a sports exhaust, a more scalloped bonnet, brushed aluminium cabin accents and a wider choice of exterior colours, plus those Pirelli tyres.” (more…)

“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. (more…)

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.

10/10 (more…)

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 Motor Show this November. As a mention the new Z4 will be produced in Germany starting with 2009. (more…)

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 models use a 414-hp 4.0-liter V8. (more…)

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. (more…)

Here is a car that’s dressed to impress. Instead of sporting traditional metal bodywork, the stunning BMW GINA roadster is clothed in a hi-tech fabric skin.

Not only does this provide a striking look, the durable material is stretched over a wire frame which can move at the flick of a switch, completely changing the car’s appearance.

One of the smartest additions is the bonnet – as our pictures show, it splits down the centre like a sports bag, instead of being hinged. Other highlights include a rear wing reminiscent of the stubby tail of a 6-Series coupé, which can be raised for a sporty look, while the headlights close like eyelids when they’re not in use. The scissor-opening doors can move to create a look similar to that seen on the Z4 . (more…)

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. (more…)