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With all the niches that BMW has been creating of late, it was not about to leave the 100+ horsepower gap between the M3 and the next most powerful 3-Series, the 335i/Ci alone.

Indeed, reports indicate that along with the newly face-lifted 335i coupe/convertible, the coupe which you see in these pictures, BMW will introduce a 335iS with 340hp and 322 lb-ft of torque to fit nicely within that gap. Compare the purported figures with that for the M3 and 335i/Ci:

M3
Power: 400 hp
Torque: 295 lb-ft

335i/Ci
Power: 300 hp
Torque: 300 lb-ft

Want ...

BMW has officially introduced the all-new 2010 BMW 5 Series. Historically the second best-selling BMW line after the 3 Series, the new 5, codenamed F10, replaces a dramatically-styled car (the E60) that courted controversy its whole life as part of the “Bangle BMWs.” Taking styling cues from the new 7 Series, the 2010 5 Series appears more conventional and restrained compared to its predecessor. While the rear three-quarters view is reminiscent of the current BMW 3 Series, the overall shape dispenses with the angularity that marked the outgoing model in favor of a more rounded look.

The new car is ...

In a deal nearing $51M, BMW has joined the rank of high-profile partners for the 2012 London Olympics. BMW will provide 4,000 vehicles to transport athletes, officials and members of the press during the games.
The company, which does have a British presence with Mini and Rolls Royce, is also a sustainability partner for the 2012 games. It will supply low emissions vehicles, electric cars, bicycles and motorbikes to help the organizing committee with its goal of holding the greenest Olympics ever staged.

BMW’s victory has ruffled some feathers, especially that of Nissan. The company planned to supply ...

Last week, we introduced you to the hardcore M3 GTS. Thankfully, we now have some official BMW videos of the car in motion to complement the first post. One thing is for sure, this is one mean-sounding M. Hear for yourselves!

[Source: BMW]

Despite a recent facelift, sales of the current BMW 3-Series reportedly dropped 40% during the first half of 2009, prompting BMW to accelerate the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter car. Codenamed F30, the new car will debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The new car's styling was signed off by now-departed BMW Group design boss Chris Bangle and is said to be a departure from the current car's looks. Many changes will take place on the engine side. The 335i, while featuring the venerable inline-6 engine, will lose one of its two turbochargers and ...

Well, we (car blogs) all guessed wrong when we reported that the arrival of a BMW M3 CSL was imminent. But we were not too far off, as BMW has in fact unveiled a hardcore version of the M3. It is called the GTS and while it is road-legal, it is really a weekend clubsport racer.

The car comes replete with loud "look at how fast I am" bits like the front splitter and a massive, fixed rear wing, but according to the BMW M-Power site spotlighting the car, the real delight is the engine. The 4.4L V8 is ...

In the quest for fuel efficiency, one ingredient that is not mentioned enough is 'weight.' Quite simply, safety advances and electronics have helped balloon car weights over the past few decades, requiring larger, more powerful and more thirsty engines. In this context, it is refreshing that BMW has invested in a join-venture 'for the production of carbon fibres and textile semi-finished products (CFRP) for use in vehicle construction', as per BMW's press release.

Carbon fiber is an excellent, tough and lightweight compound that is extensively used in motorsports and sports cars (such as the M6, which has a carbon ...

CSL. These iconic letters suggest ultra-special in BMW speak dating back to the famous Batmobile of yesteryear. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, BMW's M Division has now affixed the letters to a one-off M5 CSL, which should have any car buff salivating intensely.

The most special part of the M5 CSL is of course its new engine. The M Division increased the base 5.0L V10's capacity to 5.5L with a longer stroke, creating the largest ever M engine. A carbon fiber manifold featuring a bigger air box and a secondary oil cooler combine to give the M5 ...

These spy pictures are the best yet of the next generation BMW 5-Series (codename F10). While the car is lightly camouflaged, one can see that the new 5 has a less dramatic shape than the current, polarizing 5-Series. Up front, the car has hints of the 5-Series GT, while in profile, it has some resemblances to the current 7-Series. In fact, the next 5 is based on the current GT, which in turn is based on the 7-Series platform. According to Autocar's sources, BMW has applied many ride and handling lessons learned during the development of the GT to ...

Even though BMW has denied it, the video below seems to confirm that the Bavarians are readying an ultimate, lightweight version of the venerable M3. Perhaps its the imminent release of the ultra-powerful Audi RS5, or just clamoring by hardcore enthusiasts. Regardless, the fixed wing and apparent weight savings hinted to by things like the carbon-fiber front splitter make this a plausible expectation. In addition, the car caught testing at - you guessed it - the Nurburgring, appears to have a wider track to accommodate fatter, racing slicks.

Rumors already have the car outputting 470 hp thanks to a better breathing system ...

Well, you know it's a concept, so the bizarre shape only a mother could love should not be a surprise. However, this concept is significant in that BMW has undertaken a serious commitment to launching a line of green cars, dubbed Project I, in the very near term. The Simple concept featured here was built to test technologies that might find their way into the new line of electric BMWs before long.

BMW's advanced Technik team created the tandem Simple in order to achieve a 120 mpg fuel consumption target.

“It’s the only way to get such ...

This teutonic battle is as close as it can get: two 3.0L, force induction-propelled German sports sedans battling for the title of class benchmark. For years, that benchmark has been the BMW 3-Series, a car that wins critics' hearts through its perfect balance of all the elements necessary to make a sporty, practical every day car.

Enjoying the lofty position atop the list of sports sedans has its dangers: it inspires rivals to mark you as the bulls eye as they try and better you. Audi in particular has seemingly made a laser-like focus on BMW its raison-d'etre ...

We recently reported that the next generation BMW M5, due in 2011, will lose its fantastic, free-revving V10 in favor of a twin-turbo V8. Gone will be that signature V10 howl, to be replaced by the unmistakable turbo whistle that you will be able to hear in this spy video if you listen carefully.

As we mentioned before, the twin-turbo powerplant promises more power than the outgoing V10's 500 hp and undoubtedly, much more torque. So while we will miss the aural beauty of the current M5, we are looking forward to the performance figures of its more beefy ...

This is a great video of the upcoming BMW X1 being built at BMW's ultra-futuristic, Zaha Hadid-designed plant in Leipzig, Germany. Below are a few more pictures of the plant as well. Heck, I'd be happy bolting cars together if this were my workplace!

[Source (video): Worldcarfans via Youtube]

You didn't think BMW would build the outlandish Vision EfficientDymanics for nothing, did you?! If not, you were right: AutoExpress reports that BMW will resurrect the M1 moniker with a high-tech sports car based on the Vision concept. As expected, the M1 will feature the Vision's 1.5L three-cylinder diesel engine, paired with an electric motor. The hybrid powertrain will produce 350 hp and 590 lb-ft. of torque.

The M1 will reach 60 mph in less than five seconds and as with other BMWs, its top speed will be limited to 155 mph. The car will achieve these ...

If you have been following news regarding high-end sports cars of late, you will not be surprised by this post. Many car makers are downsizing their high-end performance engines in order to meet ever more stringent emissions rules, and BMW's M division is no exception. We have already heard that the next M3 will lose its V8 in favor of a twin-turbo inline 6, and now comes news that the same diet will affect the next generation M5 due in 2011. Gone will be that screaming V10, making room for a twin-turbo, direct injection V8.

Of course, BMW will ...

It has been a busy week for BMW at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Not only the Munich manufacturer officially unveil the BMW X1, 5-Series GT and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, it produced another first by introducing the cars on a circuit built inside its corner of the exhibit grounds.

Here, you will find three videos: BMW's opening ceremony, a review of the highlights, and a fun video of stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer riding his BMW F800R on top of the four-cylinder BMW tower!

[Source: BMW TV]

Earlier in the week, we brought you the first pictures and video of the exciting, ground-breaking BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. As mentioned in the post, BMW has built the Vision as a rolling representation of technologies it will adopt in the immediate future.

BMW has now released a second official video that sheds light on the design process of the Vision. Design geeks, rejoice!

[Source: BMW]

Autocar reports that Toyota and BMW are in partnership talks that could see the two distinctly different companies exchanging platforms. Of interest to BMW is the next generation of Toyota's innovative iQ, "the world's smallest four-seat urban city car", which could underpin BMW's planned electric city car. This could see the resurrection of the Isetta brand name of the 1960s.

In return for the iQ chassis, Toyota would get access to the next generation Mini Coupe and Roadster platforms to extend its range of small urban cars.

The BMW tie-up would be the second cross-branding win for ...

After much anticipation, wrong guesses by the media, and a few teaser pictures, BMW has revealed what it imagines the future of its performance cars as being. Have no doubt that this highly-complex, advanced concept car is a very significant statement by BMW, signaling the company’s technological direction in the upcoming years. If you are a fan of automotive technology, read carefully what is surely the most technically dense report ever posted on rightpedal. Quite frankly, your writer’s head is still spinning from trying to absorb the details of all the marvelous technology introduced in the BMW Vision ...

Next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show, BMW will launch its first hybrid models, called the ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7. Both cars feature BMW's gasoline, 4.4L, twin-turbo V8 engines mated to a Lithium-ion hybrid system co-developed by BMW and Daimler-Benz.

ActiveHybrid 7 has one electric motor, which as a backup unit to the V8, gives the hybrid 7-Series the 459 bhp and 561 lb-ft. The car reaches 62mph in 4.9sec, and returns a UK cycle 29.1mpg.

The ActiveHybrid X6, recognizable through its hood power dome, features two electric motors for a total of 478 bhp ...

Try as might, I could not help but vent here today. You see, early this morning, I posted the news on BMW pulling out of Formula 1 at the end of the season, and that should have been that. However, I have long been a fan of their Formula 1 effort and I am still sitting here fuming about the decision taken by the BMW board. In fact, I will admit once again that ...

This is a very sad day for Formula 1 fans. In an emergency press conference convened in Munich, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer announced that BMW will withdraw from F1 at the end of the 2009 season. The announcement is part of a complete, cross-company strategic overhaul meant to align BMW's premium products with sustainability and environmental friendliness.

Flanked by BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen and head of R&D, Klaus Draeger, Reithofer said, "We are of the opinion that the premium segment has to remain a positive role model within our society." He stressed that BMW will remain active ...

Yesterday, I was reading an article that made me think the automotive end times are here: BMW and Mercedes-Benz are working on three-cylinder cars to be released in the next five years. And no, we are not just talking cars like the above Smart.

Now, anyone who has driven a Smart surely knows how rough and harsh-sounding three-cylinder engines can be. Their only saving grace is fuel-economy, which is obvious. Mercedes-Benz does not seem to care, given that it already makes a three-cylinder junker for the Smart, and apparently thinks that a C-Class and a three-cylinder would go well together ...

Those of you who would like to experience what it is like when Detroit makes a genuine world-class car should take a look at the Cadillac CTS-V. The 556-hp CTS-V is taking the fight to rivals like the 500-hp BMW M5 and Jaguar's superb new 510-hp XFR.

Do not forget that this Cadillac has already passed the hardest of all tests: the CTS-V can boast about being the fastest V8 production sedan in the world, holding the category lap record around the Nürburgring.

In these videos, you will see how the CTS-V stacks up against its competition from ...

OK, so admittedly, this is not the most technical of tests. The British TV show Fifth Gear sets out to figure out whether the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a clear choice over the now-aging BMW 5-Series.

The new Mercedes is packed with technologies such as a driver alert system and a hood that pops up in a pedestrian crash in order to reduce injury. In fact, Mercedes-Benz calls the E-Class the most advanced car they have built.

A new BMW 5-Series is not that far off. For now though, this is how two comparable models of the two cars stack ...

These pictures are being referred to as 'leaked' in the blogosphere, and we are happy someone was a bit naughty. We showed you spy pictures of the baby Bimmer SAV a few weeks ago and as you can see here, no surprises: a handsome vehicle with typical BMW design cues inside and out.

With the X1, scheduled to be unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show this fall, BMW takes straight aim at its German rivals: Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Aah, nothing like a good duel.

The rivals:

Audi Q5

Mercedes-Benz GLK

Volkswagen Tiguan

2010 BMW X1

[Source ...

To close the week out, we have a behind-the-scenes walkaround of BMW Group's Southern Calfornia design studio, Designworks. While the studio is famously responsible for the first X5 SAV, it is a full-service agency that serves non-automotive clients. Designworks president Verena Kloos introduces you to a few such examples.

You can see more of the tour here.

[Source: BMW and motorauthority]

BMW has released information about the cleanest 3-Series ever built. The car in question is a slightly mis-named 316d, motivated by a 2.0L diesel engine good for 114hp and 192 lb.ft of torque. Although the car is no typical BMW, what with a 0-60 time of 10.9 seconds, the main figures are the 52mpg mileage the car delivers, as well as the 120 grams per mile of CO2 it emits.

No words as to whether the car will make it to the United States, but don't hold your breath.

[Source: Autocar]

And here's our home country's list. American automotive journalists will be voting fro the following cars and trucks for the 2010 North American Car/Truck of the Year awards, respectively. Last year, the impressive Hyundai Genesis took the car award, while the venerable Ford F-150 took home the truck award.

As you can see below, BMW and Ford have a remarkable four cars each spread across both categories! Ford actually beats BMW if you count the Lincoln MKT, which is in fact a Ford (does Ford really want to admit to that, though?!)

Candidates for the 2010 North ...

OK, so I am teasing you with that one. BMW has always maintained that it will never build an M7 (even though Audi has the S8 and Mercedes the S63 AMG and S65 AMG), something about it clashing with the M division's brand values (oh, so it's OK to have X5 and X6 Ms but not an M7?)

BMW enthusiasts' complaints non-withstanding (ahem...AHEM), these are pictures of the 7 Series M Sport. Now, even though I am known as a BMW fan among friends, I have not been a fan of any BMW design of late, save ...

These are the latest official teaser and spy pictures of the BMW X1, accompanied by a video of a prototype undergoing testing in Mallorca, Spain. This new, all-wheel-drive crossover vehicle, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, is based on the 1-Series platform and is designed to fit in below the BMW X3. The X1 is similar in size to the X3 but rides significantly lower. The next generation X3 will, in turn, grow larger in order to leave a bigger gap between itself and the X1

In Europe, the X1 will come to the market in ...

Besides GM teetering closer to bankruptcy, it is a relatively slow car news day. Therefore, we have to resort to serving up an oldie-but-goodie: a TopGear video. Watch Jeremy Clarkson come to terms with the dual nature of the BMW M5, a car whose engine - and this is from personal experience at the BMW M School in South Carolina - makes you weep with joy when it comes on song.

It’s Monday and we at rightpedal feel obligated to brighten your day with a totally random video.  We love the sight of BMW test engineers putting the high-performance X5 and X6 M through their winter-traction paces, even if summer is nearly upon us. Start planning for your next winter ride early!

[Source: YouTube]

Here is a close look a the newly-launched 2009 BMW Z4 in motion. Unlike the original Z4, this one has a folding hard-top roof and in general, has gone a bit more upmarket.

An interesting note: the exterior and interior were designed by two women who beat out the internal competition at BMW. Perhaps this is a good omen for BMW's marketing team, because the company has stated that it is targeting women with the new model.

We would love to know what you think of the new design, especially our female readers! Please leave your comments below.

In ...

Yes, yes, I know you know that things have not been going, shall we say, ‘that well’ for the car industry of late. Given the downturn, it is inevitable to see major shifts in the center of power among the big corporations. But two recent pieces of news really demonstrate just how bizarre the car industry has become. Tell me I am not alone when I think that the below would make for one heck of a corporate thriller celebrity gossip rag, replete with courtships, breakups, back-stabbing and unpredictable behavior:

VW gets weak - Porsche buys VW - Porsche gets weak - VW ...

In this segment of our coverage, we briefly talk about the new Honda Insight (sorry, we just could not get too much more excited about it), the new generation of iDrive in the new BMW 7 series (dubbed 'Version 4.0', it will make its way across the entire BMW model lineup), and the remarkable story of the Alfa Romeo BAT 11.

This last story needs some more context. Dr. Gary Kaberle of Traverse City, Michigan owned the rare Alfa Romeo BAT9d for over 30 years before selling it in order to finance his late wife Deb’s breast cancer ...

Once again, the Germans are bravely (or insanely, depending on your values) launching high-power, high-performance, fuel-hungry products in the midst of a definite green-aware socio-political environment. Behold the new BMW X5 M and X6 M, the first-ever non-sedan recipients of BMW’s “M” treatment.

Some quick facts:
Engine: Twin-turbo, direct-injection V8
Horsepower: 555hp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 500 lb-ft from 1500 to 5650 rpm
Transmisson: 6-speed M Sports automatic w/steering-wheel paddles
0-60: 4.5s (manufacturer’s claim)
Top speed: 155mph limited (171mph with M Package)

We think the X6 M looks better than the X5 M, which looks like an after-market ...

The 2009 Brand Image Awards by Kelley Blue Book has named BMW the ‘coolest’ car brand, as well as the ‘best performance brand’ and ‘best exterior design brand’. Its arch-rival Mercedes-Benz, was voted as the ‘best prestige brand’.

The full results are as follows:

BMW: coolest
BMW: best performance
BMW: best exterior design - luxury
Cadillac: best comfort
Cadillac: best interior design
Ford: most rugged truck
Mercedez-Benz: most prestige
Nissan: best exterior design – non-luxury
Toyota: best value
Toyota: Most family

So, the question is, which would you rather be: cool, or prestigious? Do you agree with the other awards? Leave your ...

OK, so this is REALLY a sign that the automotive apocalypse is nigh: bitter arch-rivals BMW and Daimler, Mercedes-Benz’s corporate parent, are reportedly considering a mutual 7% cross-ownership agreement. This follows older reports of the two companies planning joint purchasing activities with a view toward cutting costs, and the news today is within the same context.

The billionaire Quandt family, which owns 46% of BMW, is said to be against the deal, fearing an eventual takeover by Daimler. Furthermore, the German government has yet to rule on whether the agreement would be a violation of Germany's anti-trust regulations ...

I came across this review by Fortune’s Alex Taylor III, who has recently driven BMW’s diesel 3-Series, and it got me thinking. In case you did not know, BMW has just started offering two diesel models in the US – the 335d Sedan and the X5 xDrive35d, both featuring the amazing 3.0L, 265hp inline 6 that return 36 mpg hwy in the former model and 26 mpg hwy in the latter.

There has always been a debate about whether diesel passenger cars are viable in a market that views them in quite a negative light. Moreover, critics are ...

BMW has released details of the BMW Concept 5-Series Gran Tourismo, a car it says creates a whole new category as a “Progressive Activity Sedan’, which means that they probably hate us for calling it a station wagon. By now, we are used to BMW’s nomenclature of this sort, recalling “Sports Activity Vehicle” or SAV instead of SUV when the X5 was released. Although the car in the pictures is dubbed a “concept”, it is apparently production-ready, minus that show-car coat of paint.

The GT will hit the market this fall and will be officially launched in Geneva in ...

The American BMW Group Chief of Design, Chris Bangle, is quitting in order to "pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry," according to BMW. Dutchman Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design for the BMW brand, will take over Bangle's role. Bangle, who started at BMW in 1992, oversaw corporate design for BMW, MINI, and Rolls Royce, is one the most controversial and yet influential designers of the last decade, inspiring anti-Bangle websites calling for him to step down.

Bangle was criticized for the shocking, angular look of recent BMWs, starting with the previous generation BMW 7-Series. While ...

Until recently, BMW was planning on building a supercar to rival Audi’s smash hit, the R8. However, in step with the changing socio-political scene, BMW bosses scrapped those plans in favor of a high-tech, eco-friendly supercar.

It is reported that the upcoming Z10 ED is being developed by BMW’s Technik division, akin to Lockheed’s Skunkworks. “ED” stands for “Efficient Dynamics”, a BMW moniker that encompasses everything it is doing to increase efficiency in its lineup.

Instead of using a version of the current M5/M6 V10, which was the old plan, this supercar will use a brand-new ...