BMW Group Press Release: 30 years, 300 000 vehicles and a BMW M3 Coupe - these are the most significant earmarks of a remarkable anniversary. Three decades after commencing with the assembly of their first series production model, the BMW M GmbH has now delivered its 300 000th vehicle. The alpine white BMW M3 Coupe was handed over to a customer in Regensburg. This East Bavarian town is also the location of the BMW plant in which the high-performance sports car is produced.
It looks like BMW has begun prepping all of us enthusiasts for a change. The following two press releases were dated Monday (the same day the MY2009 info was to be released) but they just appeared today.
Usually when a manufacturer starts talking about the past they are changing the future. These releases discuss the handling and suspension of the 3er up to this point in the cars history.
We had heard from our sources months ago that the track (width) of the car had been increased and handling was to be much improved but we did not receive any further specifics. Though we are not sure of what these press releases serve it is fairly certain that they would not go through all the trouble just to write a history piece if there was not a change eminent.
As always we will inform you as soon as we hear the news.
Though the X6 hybrid was revealed as a concept vehicle a while back we recently have not seen or heard much more about it. Until now! Chaz, one of our readers happen to snap some photos of a few different prototypes and graciously provided us with them. In the photos you can see one large chop shop mutant version of the front hood bulge and the other with a more production ready hood.
He was also able to snap a photo of the MB M class with a similar system, notice the HEV tag on the side is that internal code or a new label for Hybrid?
These models could utilize a two-mode hybrid system, much like the current GM offerings (Tahoe) on the roads decked out with large HYBRID lettering on all sides so that everyone knows your SUV is a hybrid.
The two-mode hybrid system is the product of a joint development program between GM, Daimler, Chrysler, and BMW that began a few years ago. The technology originally was designed for public transportation in city buses utilizing a two-mode hybrid transmission produced by Allison.
BMW Press Release: The BMW Group will be investing over a billion US dollars in the USA by the year 2012. The company is thus underlining its long-term commitment to the largest automobile market in the world.
BMW’s US headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey is being expanded at a cost of 100 million US dollars. On 12 June 2008, Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of the BMW Group responsible for Sales and Marketing, and Tom Purves, President of BMW of North America, opened the new buildings for the US sales region, which also include facilities for engineering operations and training. A workforce of around 1,000 will be working at the extended site.
You can now order 2009 MY BMWs in the US (except the Z4 & 7). There are changes in store for the 3,5, and 6 series cars in terms of wheel choices, colors and option packages. It is interesting that the E90 LCI is not formally mentioned, but that there are no listed changes for the E92/93. So it is safe to say that the LCI is coming or these listed changes would be across the 3 series and not just for the E90!
On another note: Nowhere is the 335d mentioned… a bit perplexing or the rumors that the launch will be in December are true. The ordering guides should further clarify.
Update: This image was tipped to us and was hosted on E90Post.com, we do not know where it originated but is apparently the final design of the rear LED lights and new wheels.
3 Series sedan and Sport Wagon SOP 09.08
Standard Equipment
New 328i/xi 16″ light alloy multi-spoke wheels
New 335i/xi 17″ light alloy Double spoke wheels
Colors, Trims & Upholstery
Space Gray Metallic replace Sparkling Graphite
Tasman Green Metallic replaces Deep Green
Blue Water Metallic replaces Arctic
New Fine line Aluminum trim replaces current aluminum
Light Burl Walnut replaces Light Poplar trim
New Oyster Dakota leather and Saddle Brown Dakota are available
After the surprise reveal of the GINA concept last week BMW gave away some more design details for the upcoming Z4. Left Lane News set their illustrators up with some of the recent spy photos, some commentary and the GINA concept. What they came up with is a very accurate, though not perfect rendition of the upcoming Z.
Notice the decrease in flame surfacing and the reverse broken shoulder line as we had pointed out a last month. Overall the car looks more elegant and larger than the soon to be decommissioned model. July will ring in the end of the American 2 seater as the new model will be built in Germany.
You can read more about the E89 Z in our past post here and more about the interior here.
BMW of North America, LLC. today opened its new $100 million addition to its Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey US headquarters. The expansion is BMW Group’s largest investment in the U.S. since the inception of its U.S. subsidiary in 1975, apart from the plant in Spartanburg, S.C.
The new buildings will be home to BMW Group’s national Training Center, Eastern Sales Region and U.S. Engineering operations. The facilities will help the company to develop advanced technology and the highest level of professional training for a premium customer experience. 1,000 people will be working on the expanded BMW of North America Campus.
BMW marketing is at it again; teasing us with something like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit. I am fairly sure what this teaser is for but let’s see with you are astute readers come up with…
One would think that if you happen to have or are looking at a new phone with Bluetooth capabilities it should work with the Bluetooth system within a BMW; this is not the case. Due to the differences in wireless manufacturers use of specific protocols under the larger umbrella of Bluetooth a specific phone may not be compatible or only partially compatible.
BMW had joined forces with Auto Wireless Solutions to help keep up with testing phones for compatibility. The company is also in the business of selling phones so things on the Wireless4BMW.com site are not always updated as they should be even though it is directly linked from BMWUSA.com.
So what are you to do if you are in the market for a new car or new phone if the official lists are not accurate?
Our friends over at BimmerPost have their spies out and getting some great shots of a prototype once again. Months back our sources insisted ///M was not working on an X5 version as they did not want to water down the image like AMG has done by throwing the badge on anything with 4 wheels.
What was hinted at was a replacement to the current 4.8is utilizing the new N63 twin turbo V8 that the X6 has. What the actual X5 badge will say is anyones guess at this point. The motor produces 400hp and 450 ft/lbs. in its current form. BMW has big plans for this forced induction motor as it will also be utilized in the future 555i, and the F01/02 7 series.
The photo shows dual air boxes much like the current twin turbos have and what has been seen in the X6. Expect bigger brakes, beefier exhaust, adjustable suspension and of course larger and wider rims and tires to go along with the aggressive exterior changes.
Update 7/9/08
We have added 2 additional shots of this performance model taken within the US during hot weather testing.
People always ask us about the latest news, what our sources say and what will come to fruition. Even with the greatest sources and information some things that are in design never make it to production or even designs are so secretive only a few people know about them.
The GINA concept is the latter. No one has ever indicated its existence. The funny thing is it has shaped much of the current model design of BMW and has been around for a long time. It will be at the BMW museum not as a new concept but as part of the history of the brand.
That period of design is history so BMW has decided to “declassify” it to the rest of us.
Geometry and function in an infinite number of adaptations is what GINA (supposedly) stands for. This concept studies the use of non-rigid materials (fabric) over a space frame to create a different manner of “skinning” a car.
Essentially this is about being flexible in the making of a bespoke suit for a vehicle. It looks and moves quite differently than we are used to. It is lighter and requires less time and energy to produce. The front fabric moves to reveal the headlights when they are turned on, the rear wing is only visible as it is required. This concept would allow designers to create cars with any shape and even be able to allow the shape to be manipulated. My only concern is about durability in weather and the sun.
Watch the video and let Chris Bangle explain this concept further.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //M\\, Official News Jun 19th, 2008 3 Comments 
