Spied! 2012 BMW 3 Series Wagon

As the fifth-generation BMW 3 Series plows through its fourth year of production, we've begun to catch glimpses of the sixth-generation car set for 2012. Today, we've captured the first images of the next BMW 3 Series Wagon.

Known as the Touring model in Europe, the 3 Series Wagon is expected to ride on a longer wheelbase than the next-generation sedan. Other than the chassis stretch and wagon bodywork, expect the car to be virtually identical to the sedan. From these pictures and past spy shots of the sedan, we can see that the next-generation 3 Series, codenamed F30, will get a more upright nose (likely to meet pedestrian crash requirements) that will bring its styling more in line with the new 5 and 7 Series cars.

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BMW 5 Series Looks, Drives Like a Baby 7

BMW lengthened the new midsize 5 Series, ported over virtually all the high-end options offered on the luxury 7 Series, and created what may be the world's finest car, at least in the $50,000 (starting price) category. The new design erases some of the quirks of the 2004-2009 5 Series and now non-Bimmerphiles will have a hard time telling it from the longer 7 Series. Which is nice because an entry BMW 535i runs $20,000 less. The car is nearly flawless to drive and to ride in.

BMW teases the new X3 in The Netherlands

BMW’s X3 model is up for a replacement soon and the company has started to tease the 2011 compact SUV. The teasing exercise which is made up by a couple of detailed images can be seen on the website of the company’s Dutch division.

We can see a portion of the hood which, just like other new BMWs has various design lines giving it a more dynamic look. There is also an image of the left taillight which has hints of the X1’s taillight but I prefer the on the X1. But of course we will have to wait and look at the whole car before we give our final verdict.

new X3

There are also two more images of some designers working on the clay model. You can see all the images in high-res fashion after the jump. The 2011 BMW X3 is scheduled for an October 2010 debut at the Paris Motor Show.

First Drive: 2011 BMW 135i DCT

Dual-clutch gearboxes. Not yet common parlance for the average buyer, but a frequent topic of debate among enthusiasts. The rift: rowing your own cogs versus having a computer do it for you. There's a purity of experience in working the clutch and the shifter yourself that simply doesn't come through in the flapping of a paddle. But does that really make the manual better?

2011 BMW 135i DCT

No, not really. Not if by better you mean "faster." Because dual-clutch gearboxes are brutally fast, far less prone to user-induced error and generally just better for driving a car hard: you can keep your feet over the go/stop pedals, heel-toe is unnecessary, and both hands stay on the wheel at all times.

If by better you mean more fun, however, the manual wins every time. Sure, it's pretty cool clicking through the gears video-game style as you run up to and beyond 100 real-world mph, but the novelty quickly wears off and you're left either driving for maximum pace or finding a 7/10s drive a bit less enjoyable.

So what's this meandering diatribe all about? The 2011 BMW 135i with DCT, of course. While Volkswagen and Audi have had similar DSG systems in their cars for some time now, the entry of the DCT (BMW's moniker for their dual-clutch unit) into the 1-Series lineup, it's accessible in a relatively affordable, rear-wheel-drive luxury sports coupe. And that's pretty cool. Except when it's not.

BMW’s Hybrid Future May Include 3 Series

BMW was initially slow to build hybrid cars, but now it is turning just about everything into a hybrid. In a speech to shareholders on Tuesday in Munich, Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the BMW AG board of management, not only confirmed the rumored production version of the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept, but also said a 3 Series hybrid is likely coming, too.

The gas-electric 5 Series could be on road next year, Mr. Reithofer said, and he added that the company was “anticipating the hybridization” of other models, “such as the BMW 3 Series.” He said that BMW would choose “the most suitable hybrid solution for the respective model.”

The ActiveHybrid 7 is already on the market, and these two new models would give BMW a full range of eco-cars. Mr. Reithofer’s speech touched on a number of green themes, including an initial $100 million investment in a joint venture based in the United States with SGL Carbon to provide lightweight carbon-fiber parts for future production cars. And he talked about the battery electrics BMW has been testing. “Our global field test with the Mini E is a great success,” he said. “Many enthusiastic customers for e-mobility already exist today.”

The electric Mini Es are headed for fleets in France and China in 2010, Mr. Reithofer said, and test fleets of BMW-branded electric cars, built in Leipzig, will be on the road next year.

2010 BMW 750i

I would give high praise to BMW for its clean and modern-looking interior design, and it is no surprise that there was more than enough head and leg room for most drivers and passengers. Those seeking more room to the rear can opt for the Li model that is five inches longer than the test car and offers true stretch-out room.

There are few cars on the road that deliver the perfect balance between luxury and driving pleasure -- with enough of the latter to please even those addicted to 120 mile per hour romps on the autobahn. The 7-series does all that with ease, and for that reason is now named by this driver as the best luxury car yet driven.

OK, you knew this would not be cheap and it isn't. With $17,525 in options, the tested 750i sold for $100,980.

BMW unveils new BMW 5 series

The new BMW 5 series is expected to maintain the marque’s foothold in the premium segment which saw 7,735 units sold since 2003 for the previous model.

The previous generation 5 series has since 2003 been at the core of BMW’s success in Malaysia with sales of 7,735, of which 6,732 were locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Geoffrey Briscoe said the new sixth-generation models were expected to maintain that legacy.

Geoffrey Briscoe, managing director of BMW Group Malaysia at the launch of the new sixth generation BMW 5 series.

BMW Group Malaysia yesterday launched the new sixth-generation BMW 5 Series, one of the most anticipated cars this year in the premium segment of the local automotive industry.

BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia in a Limited Edition of 99 Units

German automaker BMW is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the famous win it recorded with its 328 model at the Mille Miglia endurance race, by bringing a special edition Z4 Roadster. Known as the BMW Z4 sDrive 35is Mille Miglia Limited Edition, only 99 units of the car will be manufactured.

The special edition is based on the recently revealed top-of-the-range Z4 sDrive35is. The car is thus powered by 3.0-liter inline six cylinder unit that produces 335 bhp and up to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. This can be increased through overboost to 500 Nm (369 lb-ft).

The changes to the Mille Miglia model are mainly cosmetic. The Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia comes standard with a M-power body kit and a special Polaris Metallic grey color offset by a matte black radiator grille. A couple of 1000 MIGLIA badges and 19-inch dark wheels complete the exteriors.