2009 Vorsteiner BMW M3 E90 Pictures

2009 Vorsteiner BMW M3 E90

2009 Vorsteiner BMW M3 E90

2009 Vorsteiner BMW M3 E90

2009 RDX Racedesign BMW 3 Series E46

2009 RDX Racedesign BMW 3 Series E46

2009 RDX Racedesign BMW 3 Series E46

2009 RDX Racedesign BMW 3 Series E46

2009 RDSport RS35 Biturbo BMW 335i Pictures

2009 RDSport RS35 Biturbo BMW 335i

2009 RDSport RS35 Biturbo BMW 335i

2009 RDSport RS35 Biturbo BMW 335i

2009 Lumma BMW CLR X 650 GT Pictures

2009 Lumma BMW CLR X 650 GT

2009 Lumma BMW CLR X 650 GT

2009 Lumma BMW CLR X 650 GT

2009 Hartge BMW Z4

2009 Hartge BMW Z4

2009 Hartge BMW Z4

2009 Hartge BMW Z4

2009 Hartge BMW Z4

2009 Hartge BMW X6 Pictures

2009 Hartge BMW X6

2009 Hartge BMW X6

2009 Hartge BMW X6

2009 Hartge BMW X6

BMW Night Vision

BMW packed the new 7-Series sedan with optional gadgets ranging from radar-assisted cruise control to blind spot detection. There’s even a heads-up display. Pick all the high-tech options and you’ll add $26,000 to the car’s already hefty price tag. But the coolest feature is the new night-vision system that likens a twilight drive to a Special Forces recon mission.

The Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection system significantly advances the first-gen system found in the last 7-series by adding people-spotting technology that distinguishes between animals and humans. The system was developed by the Swedish firm Autoliv Electronics. It is the latest evolution of technology that Lexus and Mercedes-Benz also have offered since Cadillac brought it to the automotive sector in the 2000 Deville sedan.

Since then, thermal imaging has made way for far- and near-infrared cameras that detect even the smallest changes in temperature. BMW’s passive system uses far-infrared technology to scan for heat, whereas Mercedes’ near-infrared system illuminates the road with projected infrared light. The BMW system stands apart for its extreme depth, clarity in rain and ability to minimize extraneous information. Despite the added safety such systems offer, Cadillac and Lexus dropped them because few people bought them. But BMW, like Mercedes, still sees a market for it.

Spy Shots: BMW M3 GT4

we can see the huge rear wing and the lower lip in front. The car also looks lower to the ground. We can assume it has lost some weight, and has been fitted with some of performance racing parts. It looks right at home on the 'Ring.

See it in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s notes.

It seems like BMW is working on a hard core version of the M3 after seeing this white M3 taking some very fast laps around the Nürburgring. But what is it? Since BMW ruled out any CSL version of the current M3 the closest guess is that it could be a road going version of the GT4 racecar. A BMW M3 GT4 Street? So, what are the changes to a normal M3. Well, except from the rear wing that not even Stevie Wonder would miss, there is a lower front lip on the front spoiler. Car is also lowered and probably about 100 kg lighter. If this is really a M3 GT4 Street, we guess that some of the race typical gizmos will find its way even in this version, making it an even greater experience to drive.
With the Audi RS5 just around the corner, this could be what BMW really needs right now to keep up the interest for the M3 until the all new 3-series and M3 shows up in late 2011.

TUNED BMW 3-SERIES TOURING BASED ON M5

though there have been a couple of murmurings over the years, BMW has never come up with a touring version of the latest M3. The E91 does get 'M Sport' treatment, but evidently German tuner Manhart Racing felt that this just wasn't good enough.

But rather than kidnapping the M3's V8 for the job, it has gone one step further and shoehorned in the 5.0-litre V10 from the M5. This may sound like a terrific idea, but it does rather beg the question of why you wouldn't just buy an E61 M5 touring instead.

But Manhart has an answer for that. By tweaking the ECU and adding an HJS quad-pipe stainless-steel exhaust, this M3 touring actually produces 50bhp more than the M5 touring, peaking at 550bhp. What’s more, though there are no figures for this yet, you can bet it'll weigh closer to the E91's 1580kg than the larger E61's 1955kg.

While they were raiding the M5 parts bin, Manhart's finest also brought over the 7-speed SMG gearbox and limited-slip diff, and performance figures are predictably impressive. Manhart claims 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and a 200mph top speed, which, if true, is pretty astonishing. Helping to keep all this grunt on the road, Manhart also fits the estate with Bilstein PSS10 coilover suspension and six-piston calliper brakes from Stoptech.

To complete the 'M' effect, Manhart has custom made lots of exterior bits to make the E91 looks like an M3, including a full body kit, 'powerdome' bonnet and suitable ostentatious 20-inch black alloys. Inside things are as you'd expect, with alcantara and carbon fibre strewn about merrily, and body-hugging sports seats.

With a price tag of 120,000 euros (£111,876) this does cost around £30k more than the M5 touring, but Manhart willl also fit any or all of the bits to your existing E91 if the mood takes you.

Bmw adding two production shifts at its assembly plant in Spartanburg

Two production shifts will be added to the workweek of the BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
What this means, of course, is that 700 additional workers will be required. Previous BMW workers will be prioritized for employment. While the first shift would be filled immediately, the second will only be added in November.

The reason for the increase in production is the 3.6% sales increase in September, which is a remarkable record compared to an industry decrease of 26%. In a press release, Josef Kerscher, president of BMW Manufacturing, said that the company continues to guarantee the plant’s flexibility to efficiently respond to market demand. Specifically, BMW stated that for it to meet customer demand, its plant must maintain the ability to adjust shifts and staffing levels as needed. Since 1994, the Spartanburg, S.C. plant has produced more than 1.5 million vehicles.

V10-powered BMW M3 Touring

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Manhart Racing has launched a V10 version of the BMW M3 Touring.

Replacing the 4.2-litre V8 usually found in the front of the M3 is the 5.0-litre V10 engine from the M5, mated to the seven-speed SMG ‘box from the same car. This gives it a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.3secs.

See the hi-res Manhart Racing BMW M3 Touring pics

Other mechanical tweaks include the addition of the M5’s limited-slip differential, a modified ECU and a new stainless steel exhaust system equipped with four tailpipes.

Styling changes include a new bonnet, a new front bumper, new side skirts and wider rear-wheel arches. It rides on 20-inch aluminium alloys and its tyres at the front are 255/30ZR20 and 295/25ZR20 at the rear.

Inside, it gets heated BMW performance sports seats, a full leather interior with Alcantara roof and door lining and a BMW performance steering wheel with illuminating indicator switches, acceleration and quarter mile time displays.

Prices for the Manhart racing BMW M3 Touring are from 120,000 euro (£112,000) for the complete car, while its package can also be fitted retrospectively.

BMW 550i a sports car

We asked this question when we looked at the base price for the 2010 BMW 550i - $80,400 - versus that of the BMW 535i xDrive, which starts at $68,900. Sure, the 360 h.p. that come with the 550i's big V8 compared with the 300 generated by the 535i's twin-turbocharged V6 hint at better performance. And there is a host of standard amenities on the 550i, such as BMW's M Sport suspension and M Sport's sweet-sounding exhaust that you won't see on the 535i.

Yet, the only way to truly answer this question succinctly is to put the 550i through its paces over a week's worth of driving. And what better place to do that than in the southwestern German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, where, near Heidelberg, the Autobahn leads to narrow, winding country roads that reach down into the valleys surrounding the Neckar River and up into the hills where ancient castles, cloisters, cathedrals and wineries are ready to be explored?

This part of Germany is known for its old wealth and culture. Here, the BMW 5 Series sedan with its classic BMW grille and sweeping xenon headlights is at home. More precisely, the 550i is a four-door sedan with graceful lines that tone down the ``Hey, look at me in my BMW'' sentiment some other models project.

BMW Brings Back the C1 Electric Scooter

As a study for a safe urban motorcycling project, BMW Motorrad has resurrected their C1 covered two-wheeler for a one-off electric concept they call C1-E.

The C1-E was designed to highlight safety in low-emissions “single track” vehicles designed for urban use. As such, it sports the same roll cage, seat belt and windscreen as the erstwhile production C1. While BMW said that future single-track production vehicles may feature low-emission gasoline engines or electric motors, the C1-E swaps the original C1’s Rotax 4-stroke gas engine in favor of a Vectrix electric motor and lithium-ion battery.

Like Arrested Development, the Apple Newton and Tom Waits, the original C1 was an oddball that didn’t quite fit in to an established category but still received critical praise. A sit-down scooter with a crumple zone and aluminum roll cage, the C1 was intended to entice minicar buyers with an even smaller alternative that offered the same level of crash protection as most European small cars. It didn’t quite turn out that way.

Originally intended to be ridden without a helmet, the C1 turned into a sales flop after several European countries refused to exempt C1 riders from existing helmet laws. Despite the bike’s roll cage and studies that showed helmet-wearers who also used the C1’s integrated seat belt had worse neck injuries in low-speed crashes, the British government mandated helmet use. Sweden paradoxically required C1 riders to wear helmets but outlawed them from wearing seat belts. Partially as a result of lost sales in Britain, the C1 was discontinued in 2002 and was never offered in the United States.