Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: BMW admits four-cylinders are likely headed back to U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/report-bmw-admits-four-cylinders-are-likely-headed-back-to-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/report-bmw-admits-four-cylinders-are-likely-headed-back-to-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/report-bmw-admits-four-cylinders-are-likely-headed-back-to-u-s/#commentsFiled under: ,



About half the vehicles BMW sells worldwide come equipped with four-cylinder engines, yet the German luxury car maker's single biggest market doesn't sport a single four-banger in its entire lineup. BMW hasn't sold a vehicle with a four-cylinder engine in the U.S. in over a decade, but company vice president of US engineering Tom Baloga told Bloomberg that the trend won't likely continue.

The U.S. government is mandating fuel economy averages of 35.5 mpg by 2016; a number that will shrink engine sizes for most automakers. BMW's overall fuel economy for the 2008 model year was reportedly 26.5 mpg, which means the Munich, Germany-based automaker has a lot of work to do to achieve that number. And since customers have come to expect a certain level of performance from BMW, Baloga says the company will have to increase fuel economy without hurting performance. To keep performance levels high, we expect to see more turbocharging and direct injection in future models.

Interestingly, BMW already meets 2016 U.S. fuel economy standards with its model lineup in Europe, but team Bimmer reportedly doesn't plan to fill out the bulk of its lineup with oil burners. BMW already has diesel powerplants in its 335d and the X5 in the States, though, so we wouldn't be surprised to see more diesels in the years to come.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: BMW admits four-cylinders are likely headed back to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bavarian motor werksBavarianMotorWerksbmwdieselfour cylinderFourCylinderfuel economy standardsFuelEconomyStandardsTue, 21 Jul 2009 11:26:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: BMW 1-Series spot - creation by precision]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/video-bmw-1-series-spot-creation-by-precision/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/video-bmw-1-series-spot-creation-by-precision/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/video-bmw-1-series-spot-creation-by-precision/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The BMW 1-Series is on the verge of being sold here in the U.S., which means the multimedia blitz is on its way. With automakers getting more creative to capture buyers attention, spots are getting more high tech, and less reality based. BMW brass have recognized the trend, and the end result is a fanciful version of how the 1-Series is produced at the factory. Hit the jump to see the the :30 spot, which carries the tag line "Makes you want to get behind the wheel." While the commercial may not do that for us, the razor sharp BMW chassis and silky smooth 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six has us panging for a shot behind the wheel. Check out the gas fill up point just before the Bimmer takes off. That would beat the hell out of self-serve in the dead of winter.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW 1-Series spot - creation by precision

VIDEO: BMW 1-Series spot - creation by precision originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>128i135iBavarian Motor WerksBavarianMotorWerksBMW 1-SeriesBmw1-seriesCommercialThu, 20 Dec 2007 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Production version of the BMW X6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/video-production-version-of-the-bmw-x6/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/video-production-version-of-the-bmw-x6/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/video-production-version-of-the-bmw-x6/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



When the BMW X6 concept was revealed in Frankfurt in September, we had mixed reactions to its oversized hatchback proportions. BMW made no bones about the fact that the sleek CUV was close to its production reality, and after seeing the motion pictures on YouTube, we tend to believe them. Video of the freshly-unveiled X6 in production trim is sitting out there for everyone to see, and from what we can tell, it's almost a dead-ringer to its Frankfurt forefather. As the scribes over at Carscoop pointed out, the b and c-pillars are now predictably visible, the side view mirrors are now larger, and the tail pipes have been modified. The high-end crossover shown in the video carries XxDrive35d badging, which means an oil-burner sits underhood. On the other hand, the start-up audio in the video sounds decidedly petrol-powered.

It's difficult to say if an expensive, less practical four-seat crossover from any other automaker would be a hit in the US, but BMW buyers tend to snap up whatever the Bavarian automaker dishes out. We look forward to taking in the X6 in Detroit next month. The complete video is available after the jump.

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading VIDEO: Production version of the BMW X6

VIDEO: Production version of the BMW X6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bavarian Motor WerksBavarianMotorWerksBimmerBMW X6BmwX6CrossoverCUVFrankfurtX-DriveMon, 17 Dec 2007 10:19:00 EST<![CDATA[2008 BMW 1-Series are special, receive engraved start-stop buttons]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/2008-bmw-1-series-are-special-receive-engraved-start-stop-butto/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/2008-bmw-1-series-are-special-receive-engraved-start-stop-butto/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/2008-bmw-1-series-are-special-receive-engraved-start-stop-butto/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Europeans have been privy to luxury small cars for decades, but since gasoline has always been much cheaper here in the States, we've been stuck with mostly unathletic luxury barges. Three dollar per gallon gasoline is changing that paradigm quickly, and smaller high-end vehicles are finally hitting our shores. Perhaps the most highly anticipated one is the BMW 1-Series, with its well-known brand pedigree and the same engines found in the 3-Series.

BMW is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 1-Series coupe and cabriolet are successful in the US, and the marketing push reaches all the way to the stop-start button. To commemorate the beginning of the 1-Series, BMW is engraving each and every stop-start button with "Year One of the 1". The phrase pretty much says it all, and enthusiasts waiting in line for the spry little Bimmer are probably already committed to buying the smallest RWD vehicle in America with or without the special message. We're looking forward to taking a 135i out on public roads, and we'll let you know if we actually notice the forgetful little phrase embedded into the overplayed stop-start button.

[Source: CarScoop]

2008 BMW 1-Series are special, receive engraved start-stop buttons originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>130i135i3.0L inline six3.0lInlineSixBavarian Motor WerksBavarianMotorWerksBMWBMW 1-SeriesBmw1-seriesFri, 09 Nov 2007 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: BMW M3 Sedan doing its thang]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/video-bmw-m3-sedan-doing-its-thang/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/video-bmw-m3-sedan-doing-its-thang/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/video-bmw-m3-sedan-doing-its-thang/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click above image to view VIDEO of the BMW M3 Sedan

There are plenty of BMW M3 coupes driving around the web, but the newly announced sedan is a much rarer bird, indeed. The four-door M3 is mechanically the same as its coupe sibling, with its 4.0L V8 engine and six speed manual transmission. And from the A-pillar forward, the two Ms are nearly identical. The pair of souped-up 3-Series also have a lot of differences, starting with the door count and ending with the sedan's steel rather than carbon fiber roof, the latter of which helps the four-door tip the scales at over 3,500 lbs.

Judging from the video posted after the jump, the M3 Sedan's extra tonnage doesn't seem to affect its road performance. While the M3 sedan was put through the paces in front of the cameras, the subdued speeds and the absence of an F1-style soundtrack leads us to believe the marketing folks were behind the wheel. Regardless, the BMW M3 is gorgeous, and the scenery and roads picked for the video shoot are just as hot. Check out nearly four minutes of the M3 Sedan riding through the mountains after the jump.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Gallery: 2008 BMW M3 Sedan

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW M3 Sedan doing its thang

VIDEO: BMW M3 Sedan doing its thang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 BMW M3 Sedan2008BmwM3Sedan4.0L V84.0lV8420 HP420HpBavarian Motor WerksBavarianMotorWerksCoupeWed, 10 Oct 2007 10:03:00 EST