Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, BMW

Click the image above for more shots of the GP3.10 hammering around Nardo.

You might recall the AC Schnitzer crew trotting out a particularly gaudy BMW 3-series coupe in Frankfurt called the GP3.10, powered by a V10 engine pulled from the M5/M6 running off liquefied petroleum. While the styling of the Bimmer caused a few of us to inadvertently gag while patrolling the floor in Germany, its performance potential - 552 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque - showed promise.

Fast forward a few months later, and according to the Schnitzer folks, the GP3.10 set the world record for the fastest gas-powered car in the world. The coupe was brought out to the 13-mile Nardo test track in Southern Italy where it laid down a terminal velocity of 318.1 km/h, or 197 mph. While that’s a feat unto itself, even more surprising is AC Schnitzer’s claim that some of the technology will filter down to the tuner’s products in the future.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Continue reading AC Schnitzer GP3.10 LPG powered 3-series hits 318 km/h

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, BMW

You can get Starbucks anywhere from airports to a hospital cafeterias. The coffee giant is so hot right now, even BMW Designworks USA is getting in on the act. The BMW designers created a state-of-the-art espresso machine design that can be purchased at Starbucks for use at home.

Asipring home barista? This machine is for you. Powered by Bimmer’s 3.0L turbocharged inline-six, It fits on your countertop and lets you keep it simple with espresso or go more complex with cappuccino. The BMW designers even had enough tact to leave off the Bavarian Motor Werks roundel, which is a step in the right direction vs. what we’ve seen Ferrari do of late. The fancy and presumably expensive machine doesn’t appear to have any BMW styling cues, but it does bear a slight resemblance to the center stack of a Chrysler Sebring. If it helps you save a bit vs. the $4.03 you shell out for a medium latte in one of the trendy Starbucks stores, it may pay for itself over time. Just try not to scald your hand when frothing. Those Starbucks people are, like, highly-trained professionals, you know.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW builds Ultimate Espresso Machine for Starbucks

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, BMW

Click the image above for more shots of the GP3.10 hammering around Nardo.

You might recall the AC Schnitzer crew trotting out a particularly gaudy BMW 3-series coupe in Frankfurt called the GP3.10, powered by a V10 engine pulled from the M5/M6 running off liquefied petroleum. While the styling of the Bimmer caused a few of us to inadvertently gag while patrolling the floor in Germany, it’s performance potential - 552 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque - showed promise.

Fast forward a few months later, and according to the Schnitzer folks, the GP3.10 set the world record for the fastest gas-powered car in the world. The coupe was brought out to the 13-mile Nardo test track in Southern Italy where it laid down a terminal velocity of 318.1 km/h, or 197 mph. While that’s a feat unto itself, even more surprising is AC Schnitzer’s claim that some of the technology will filter down to the tuner’s products in the future.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Continue reading AC Schnitzer GP3.10 natural-gas powered 3-series hits 318 km/h

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, BMW, Hyundai, Lexus

What do you get when you cross a Lexus LS460 and and a BMW 5-Series (plus a health dollop of Toyota Crown -Ed.)? You get what appears to be the production Hyundai Genesis Sedan. The front end looks as though it was ripped right off of the most expensive Lexus, with a strikingly similar set of headlights, a spot-on grille, and similar bright work. Only the lower fascia wanders from the LS460. Out back it appears that Hyundai took a pass on the classic Lexus C-pillar, but the Korean automaker’s designers were obviously fond of the BMW 5-Series.

The big difference between the Genesis Sedan and the vehicles it borrows from is that Hyundai likely has no intention of charging $60,000 for their RWD sedan. While we’re generally not a big fan of derivative styling, the Genesis Sedan looks pretty good for a RWD V8 sedan priced in the $30,000 range.

Thanks for the tip, Jose!

[Source: bobaedream]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, BMW, MINI

The super-sized MINI Clubman has grown only 9.45 inches overall and 3.15 inches between the wheels. That doesn’t tell the whole story for the Clubman, though, as its small car charm gains some utility while also adding those neat little French doors in back. Luckily for panting MINI fanatics, the BMW group isn’t asking a king’s ransom for its famous little wagon. The base Clubman will start at $20,600, and a turbocharged Clubman S will set you back $24,100. For comparison’s sake, a base MINI Cooper starts at $18,700 in the U.S. and a Cooper S at $21,850. Thus, the premium commanded by a Clubman over a base Cooper is relatively small. Of course any self-respecting MINI owner knows that the British Marquee’s dozens of options and customizations will raise the average price by thousands of dollars, but it’s nice to see that base models start in the realm of reality. Check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW Group]

Continue reading MINI prices Clubman from $20,600 in the U.S.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Coupes, BMW

UPDATE: Kicking Tires has learned that the 128i will start at a much more reasonable $29,375.

Click the image above for more live pics of the BMW 135i.

Our boy Omar over at eGMCartech passed along a tip yesterday that BMW had a plaque standing next to its 135i listing the available options and price of its turbocharged entrant into the sport compact scene. Finally, all the speculation shall come to rest. After weaseling our way onto the show floor before the doors opened this morning, we made a B-line for the Bimmer booth to check it out for ourselves. The 135i sat on its pedestal, but unlike every other model there, the telltale placard was absent. Five minutes of snooping later, we hit gold behind a wall and you can check out the entire pricing and options list after the jump.

Pricing for the 135i starts at $35,675 — very close to what’s been rumored since its unveiling in Frankfurt. While that’s certainly on the high side of things, it’s not until you start optioning up the coupe that things get out of hand. REALLY out of hand. Tick the box for an automatic, and you’re up another $1,275. Want the paddle shifters? Tack on another $100. The premium package boosts it up another $3,300; navigation with iDrive, $2,100. And on, and on, and on. The only thing missing is the price of the rarified air in the cabin, but BMW was nice enough to provide the windshield for free.

Bottom line: if you MAX-OUT the 135i, your looking at over $52,000. Considering that a base 3-series comes in at around $28k (stripped), you’d better be very confident with your decision to be the first on your block to sport BMW’s new hotness.

Continue reading BMW officially accidentally prices 135i at $35,675*

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

The NHTSA has announced a recall of nearly 30,000 2006 and 2007 X5, 5-Series, and 6-Series models equipped with the 4.8L V8 engine due to a stalling issue. The reason for the recall is that low temperatures coupled with dry conditions can create a static discharge in the fuel line, which interrupts fuel delivery. The fix for the problem is both free and easy, as a BMW dealer will install grounding cables to your engine at no charge. BMW may create the ultimate driving machines, but if you’ve got a vehicle that meets the description above, we’d suggest hitting the dealer for a fix before the cold weather puts a shock in your fun.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Aftermarket, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW

It seems that BMW wants to join the Brembo club, so in an all-too-brief blurb, Reuters is reporting that the Bavarians will begin to equip their vehicles with Italy’s famed stoppers. There’s no indication about what particular models will be graced with Brembo setups, but in keeping with tradition, expect to find the telltale red calipers behind the wheels of BMW’s M-modified models. We can’t help but find it coincidental that this news comes mere days after Brembo bought Hayes Lemmerz’s North American brake-components division. Apparently the price may officially be right.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Coupes, BMW

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics of the 2008 BMW 6-series.

BMW released the details on the 2008 6-series today, and after wading through the lengthy press release, the only exterior changes we could come up with is a mildly revised fascia and LED taillamps. On the engineering side, BMW added a lane-departure warning system and a new electronic shifter with an optional Sport Automatic that blips the throttle when you grab the “-” paddle on the steering wheel. The new cost of entry for the 650i coupe is $76,375, while the 650i convertible comes in at a cool $83,475.

BMW’s exceeding long-winded press release is posted after the jump.

Continue reading BMW slaps a refreshed nose on the 6, plus new prices

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows

The Essen Motor Show in Germany has become one of the major outlets for Europe’s aftermarket tuners to show their wares to a dedicated fan base. Among the many models set to make their modified debut in the land of schnitzel and spatzel is the AC Schnitzer BMW E92 M3.

Details are scarce on what’s been done to the suspension and under the hood, but if the exterior enhancements are any indication, we’d expect the folks at AC to bring their trademark blend of functionality and style into a comprehensive whole. Carbon fiber adorns the front splitter and side skirts, and we’d suspect that a C.F. rear diffuser is mounted out back - all of which ties in nicely to the exposed weave on the roof. The larger rolling stock (20s?) is typical Schnitzer style and the lowered ride height is likely a coilover system derived from their standard E92 setup.

As soon as AC Schnitzer releases its official details, we’ll have more.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments