Category: BMW

New spyshots of the next 7-Series have emerged on the Internet. This time, the future flagship is barely camouflaged.

The current generation has been roundly bashed by the professional press and brand’s fans for its design, the first of a series designed by the controversial Chris Bangle. Since then, almost all carmakers have copied the “flame surface” design and Bangle has mellowed. The next-generation is expected to feature a more classical design which borrows styling cues from the CS concept car.

The boot of the current 7-Series has been heavily criticized at its launch. Revamped in 2006, it was integrated a bit more into the general overshape. With the next-generation, the boot will be almost integrated. However, the camouflaged tail lights are cause for concern as they seem to feature a round shape while the general design features straight lines.

The next 7-Series is expected to be unveiled at the next Paris Motor Show.

Click here to see the pictures

Source: Auto Express

BMW has installed a massive billboard featuring real size vehicles to promote its M range.

Located in Moscow, the billboard is large enough to host real M models from the Z4M to the M5 thanks to its gigantic size of 6,000 square meters.

Source: Englishrussia

BMW is seriously considering downsizing the M line to make it more environmentally friendly.

In an interview, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said that he would like to see fewer cylinders used in the German automaker’s M line. Indeed, from the first M3 E30 in the 80s, the number of cylinders has jumped form 4 to 8 for the latest M3 E92. The same story applies to the M5 whose number of cylinders progressed from 6 to 10.

Reithofer said that BMW will now “ be focusing on its six-cylinder engines as it attempts to improve its emissions and fuel consumption levels in light of stricter regulations set to roll in over the next decade.” in an interview, head of development, Thomas Weber, said that Mercedes “will strongly force the trend in downsizing” – for both diesel and petrol models. Weber claims that the recent trend of using larger engines to power vehicles would be “sharply reversed,” and its V8 units are also under investigation for downsizing.

BMW plans to end V8 diesel production due to stricter emission regulations better fuel efficiency demanded by customers.

The stricter regulations made another victim among the engines as BMW stopped producing the rare V8 diesel engine. In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, the company CEO Norbert Reithofer said that the carmaker would focus on the smaller six cylinder engines which offer similar performances with the help of turbocharging and direct injection technology while meeting the tougher regulations.

Mercedes has similar plans although the company didn’t confirm such plans. Audi is standing against the trend as the carmaker released a V12 TDi engine at Geneva and plans to launch a more powerful version of the 4.2-litre V8 unit.

Codenamed M67, the V8 diesel appeared for the first time in 1999 under the form of a 3.9-litre unit which won the "3-4-litre" category of the International Engine of the Year award for 1999 and 2000. It delivered 234bhp in its first version. Its power jumped to 241 bhp in 2000 and to 254bhp in 2001. It grew in size in 2005 and became a 4.4-litre unit with a power output of 299bhp. In 2006 its power was increased to 329bhp.

Claus Luthe died last week at the age of 75 years old. The car designer led BMW’s design during the 80’s.

While today car designers are the rock stars of the motor shows, Claus Luthe belongs to the same category as forgotten designers like Uwe Bahnsen who authored the most memorable cars of the 80’s. Claus Luthe is considered the father of the 7-Series E32, 5-Series E34, the 3-Series E30 and E36, and the 8-Series coupé.

Born in 1932 in Germany, Claus Luthe studied bodywork before joining Fiat as designer where he drew the front face of the 500 in the fifties. In 1956, he came back to Germany to join NSU. There, he designed the Prinz and the famous RO80 which inspired the Audi 100 model. He became head of the design department at NSU in 1967. Under the leadership of VW, Luthe designed the Audi 100 and the first VW Polo.

In 1976, he left VW  to become head of design at BMW. At BMW he went on to design some of the company’s most emblematic models such as the 7-Series E32 and the 5-Series E34. Unfortunately a family tragedy stopped his career. In 1990 he left his post at BMW after being suspected of fatally stabbing his chronically drug dependent son. Later on he worked as an external consultant for BMW.

BMW is considering a fourth brand intended to sell environmental-friendly models.

Last week, Petrol-Head reported that BMW was considering launching an electric vehicle expected to go on sale in the US. However, the integration of such an innovative car in the current range was also questioned. BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer has confirmed the project. Called ‘Project i’, its purpose is to evaluate all possible options to sell the new car. BMW Chairman said that the project has a great deal of latitude, even creating a new brand.

Still at an early stage, Reithofer didn’t confirm any technical options. ‘An electric motor is an option we are looking into. It does not only work at zero-emission level. The technology is now sophisticated enough to offer driving pleasure. This is one of the reasons why we are evaluating the option of launching a battery-powered car.’

The German group already has three brands, BMW, of course, Rolls Royce and Mini.

According to company sources, BMW will unveil the next-generation Z4 next year. The next Z4 will be larger and more expensive than the current model.

The second-generation will be BMW’s serious attempt to increase its market share on the roadster segment as the current Z4 sales result suffers from a fierce competition. Like the MX-5 did two years ago, the next Z4 will replace its soft top a folding roof. The security and reliability offered by the folding roof achieved to convince the company’s executive to adopt it despite disadvantages such as increased weight and reduced storage space.

The future Z4 will grow in size and in price, leaving room for a a rumoured smaller roadster, called Z5 and based on the 1-series compact model. It is rumoured that a M version will be offered but like the former Z3M, it won’t get the latest M3 engine. Instead, the Z4 M will likely be powered by the twin-turbcharged 3.0-litre inline six from the 335i. The engine’s power output would be boosted to 350bhp.

BMW is seriously considering building an electric intended to go on sale on the American market by 2012.

No green light has been given yet and the carmaker is still thinking at the opportunity to build an electric car. The potential electric car might be outsourced as BMW might not have the production capacity in the US to build it. Building the electric car in Germany is a path the carmaker won’t likely take as the Euro goes stronger.

BMW has also not decided yet whether to go on its own or to partner with another carmaker. Another stumbling block might also be the integration of such a peculiar model in the carmaker’s lineup.

It would be nice to see a reinterpretation of the Z13 concept car unveiled in the ’90s.