[Updated] Official images of the BMW 3-series GT show up in the internet

The pictures do look real and are similar to what we had already seen in spy photos. The Gran Turismo has, like the 5-Series, a higher and larger rear section that will take some time to fully appreciate it, and while we didn't expect any changes in the front it features an updated grille and new bumpers.

The 5-Series GT was considered a flop, it didn't sell what BMW was expecting and pretty much the public did not like the weird rear section. But it seems BMW isn't giving up on this idea. The new car is 200 millimeters longer, 110 millimetre longer wheelbase and stands 81 millimeters taller than the Touring

The engines will be the same available on the rest of the 3-Series range, and the public presentation will happen at the Geneva Motor Show in a few weeks. Below we have the normal GT and the M Sports Package.

Source: autowp
Interior images: bmwblog

BMW sells Husqvarna to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer

This is a little confusing. BMW sold Husqvarna, the Swedish born company, to Pierer Industries which is owned by Stefan Pierer, the current president of KTM. But Pierer is the majority shareholder of India's Bajaj Automotive, which owns a little over 47% of Cross Industries. And Cross Industries is the parent company of KTM.

 

So there may be a conflict of interest, since Pierer becomes responsible for two motorcycle manufacturers. We have no idea on what is going to happen. All we know is that BMW and KTM didn't reveal the values of this sale and BMW justified this sale has a "strategic realignment at BMW Motorrad" so they can focus on on the urban and e-mobility segments, and since Husqvarna builds off-road bikes it makes sense to get rid of the company founded in Sweden.

Source: bmw

Wunderlich “MadUSA”. Built from a BMW S1000RR

Wunderlich, which is the American distributor for German aftermarket parts, joined BMW Motorcycles of San Francisco to create this amazing beast. And why is it called "MadUSA" (pictured above)? Wunderlich first created the Mad Max (pictured below), which had Continental TKC 80, in Germany, but to sell it in the States they kept the Mad and added the USA for an obvious reason.

Basically this bike is a BMW S1000RR with about €12.500 ($17.000) of extras, not counting labor and painting. But for that price you get an Öhlins FRRT 811 fork, TTX shock, Sportego Bar Conversion Kit, Piranha Conversion Kit (bodywork), Remus exhaust system, among many other expensive parts.

Yet the engine is unmodified. It produces 173hp at around 13.000rpm and has a maximum torque value of 103Nm (76lb/ft) at 10.550rpm. This is good for a top speed of 285km/h or 177mph if you live in the U.S.A..

Source: cycleworld

Radion Design created the BMW M9, looks cool!

There are several design companies in the world and many more individuals doing they private sketches envisioning what a car should look like, but most of them are really bad and don't deserve much attention. This concept looks pretty good. It is different from what BMW is doing at the moment but you immediately recognize it as a BMW.

Source: radion design

BMW and Toyota signed binding agreements

Render by Mark Farrington

Toyota and BMW signed a deal regarding collaboration on Fuel Cell Systems, Sports Vehicle, Lightweight Technology and Lithium-air Battery Collaboration to Commence.

But what deserves more attention is the creation of a mid-size sports car whose platform is shared by both companies. This might mean, at least for Toyota, the return of the Supra which will be slotted above the GT86.

Both carmakers want the study for such car finished by the end of 2013, meaning we might see some concepts in 2014 and the production version in 2015. Almost certainly that the aspect of the car and the engines will not be shared.

1. Fuel cell system

- The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020.

- The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles.

2. Sports vehicle

- The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

3. Lightweight technology

- The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the joint development of a sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles.

4. Post-lithium-battery technology

- The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

Video presentation of the new BMW R 1200 GS

The challenge taken by the BMW Motorrad development department was pretty big, they had to make the previous GS, which is the most successful travel enduro in the world with 170.000 units sold, even better, and they believe they did it. Check the video below.

2014 BMW X5 III (F15) shows up in an online configurator

Seems a second IT guy made another mistake and made available an online configurator from which someone was able to get a few pictures of the next-generation X5 (F15).

As expected the new SUV is very similar to the previous one, although they have tried to differentiate it from the X3, managed to make it look like the 3-Series. For example, the rear lights are almost the same, only slightly larger.

Besides the normal X5 there will be a X5L that will have a larger wheelbase to allow an extra row of seats, thus being able to sit seven people.

The new BMW will keep the V6 and V8 engines from the outgoing model, but will have a new four-cylinder diesel engine, probably the one in the 325d and 125d, with 218hp and 450Nm.

Source: autoevolution

BMW and Mini will have 23 FWD models

BMW 1GT

The Minis were always FWD, but BMW has earned a reputation building RWD cars with spectacular handling and performance since the very beginning in 1929 with the 3/15 DA-2, but now things will change and we have found out that BMW will have 12 cars with front wheel drive and Mini 11.

Some of them deserve mention, we have a Z2 with front wheel to compete with the Mazda and Alfa Romeo rear-wheel drive cars in the same segment, and from Mini we will have a "Saloon" that has little to do with the original model.

See the images below to find out what other models BMW and Mini will introduce in the next few years.

Source: autocar magazine

Short News: BMW wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year [Video]

And for that they use the BMW M6 Coupé and the BMW HP4 and probably many tires due to all the drifting to wish everyone Happy Holidays. See the video below.

Source: BMW Unpacking Power

BMW 1-Series Coupe and Convertible Limited Edition Lifestyle

 

The 1-Series Coupe and Convertible, while still having the look of the old model, will soon be replaced, and to mark its last year of production BMW launched this special edition.

 

Outside you will be able to choose from three different metallic colors, Mineral White, Space Grey and Sapphire Black. As standard you have 18inch wheels, a brown soft-top with silver pigmentation that reflects light, brown leather trim with white contrast stitching, a matching brown sports leather steering wheel, an anthracite roof liner and a "Fineline Stream" exquisite wood strip.

Source: BMW

 

BMW Z4 Roadster facelift and new entry level engine

The changes are minimal and only someone very observant will notice the change in the LEDs, the new wheels, and the new chrome piece along the side indicators.
 

Also new is the Design Pure Traction styling package, which offers three exclusive exterior colors, Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver and Valencia Orange. On the inside, this pack adds an orange and black plastic trim with orange stitching on the leather seats.

The new entry level option, called Z4 sDrive18i, has a softer version of the 2.0litre with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology developing 156hp (115 kW) and 240Nm (177lb/ft) with the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

This is true for some markets. For example, Australia will not have this weaker version of the Z4, which has a top speed of 220km/h (137mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 in 7.9 seconds (8,1 with the automatic gearbox). But if you want a roadster with low fuel consumption, this is your choice, averaging 6,8 l/100km (41.5 imperial mpg or 34.6 US mpg).

All the other engines choices remain from this year (sDrive28i, sDrive35i and sDrive35is). The premiere will take place at the NAIAS Detroit 2013.

Source: BMW

BMW M6 GranCoupe revealed

We waited anxiously for the official presentation of the new M6 and today we get to see the first official pictures of the GranCoupe that is scheduled for presentation in the Detroit Auto Show next January.

The new M6 has the same characteristics as the majority of the other cars in the M family. It has a redesigned front bumper with larger air inlets to help cool the motor and brakes, widened wheel arches, carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof panel, among others.

At the back we also have a changed bumper containing a carbon fiber reinforced plastic diffuser and four chromed tailpipes. The wheels have a diameter of 20 inches, 9.5 inches wide in the front and 10.5 inches at the rear, together with 265/35 and 295/30 profile tires.

The widened wheels arches are there because of the also widened tracks, 1631mm in the front and 1612mm in the back.

The engine is a V8 twin-turbocharged (M TwinPower Turbo technology) 4.4liter engine developing 560hp (412kW) and 680Nm (502lb/ft) of torque from 1500 and 5750rpm, connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The car is a little heavy, weighing 1950kg, but still it moves pretty well. BMW says it will do 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 4,2 seconds, which is 0,1 seconds less than the Mercedes CLS63 AMG, and will have a top speed limited to 250km/h (155mph), but if you want you can pay to raise the limit to 305km/h (189mph).

The fuel consumption is not as high as expected, thanks to standard fuel-saving functions such as stop/start and brake energy recuperation, which allow an average fuel consumption of 9,9liters (28.5mpg) and CO2 emissions of 232g/km.

 

On the inside we have a mix of luxury and sports car style with a lot of leather and Alcantara, plus a boot with 460liters or 1.265liters if you fold the back seats. At the technological level we have an M-specific BMW Head-Up Display, Park Distance Control, a rear-view camera, High Beam Assistant, Speed Limit Info, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View and BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition.

Source: BMW