BMW BLOG

With many 2010 models just around the corner, BMW AG announces small pricing increase on some of their vehicles, sold in Germany, starting in January 2010. Along with the price change, BMW will include some options in the standard configuration.

The price increase affects only certain models. BMW X1, X5, X6, 5 GT, 3 Series Coupe and Convertible pricing will not increase.

The cheapest entry into BMW’s lineup continues to be the BMW 116i which now sells at a base price of €22,100, only €100 more than the 2009 model. For all other models in the 1 Series lineup, the price increase is around €250. The super fuel efficient 116d will now sell for € 24,200.

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With all the news on the recently unveiled BMW M3 GTS, we thought we would bring back some old school footage of a previous exciting BMW: M3 E46 CSL. The famous Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson, took the M3 CSL on track along with another “old schooler”: E9 3.0 CSL.

Before we jump into the video, allow us to give you some background information on these two models. The BMW E9 3.0 CSL was produced from 1968 to 1975. The 3.0 CSL is considered the first project by the BMW M division. The car was a lightweight, 3003cc sports model of the 3.0 coupe. Special racing models with 3.2-liter (340 hp/253 kW) and 3.5-liter (430 PS) engines and aerodynamic trimmings helped establish BMW as a premier racing team.

At the time Clarkson review the car, he believe the 3.0 CSL would have been priced at 160,000 british pounds…in our money, of course.

At the SEMA 2009 Show, Local Motors has unveiled a prototype of the Rally Fighter, the off-road racer developed in just 15 months through the innovative crowdsourcing design process. So how is this related to BMW?

Well, the four-seater car is powered by the award winning BMW 3.0 liter twin-turbo diesel engine. The high performance clean diesel delivers 265 hp and 425 pound-feet (576 Nm) of torque at only 1750rpm that are transferred to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Putting together the lightweight of the Rally Fighter (3,200 pound/1,450 kg) and the EfficientDynamics 3.0 liter diesel, the fuel consumption is stellar on this prototype: at 30-36mpg (12.8-15.3 km/l) , the Rally Fighter is competing for most efficient in its desert off-road class.

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As some automobile publications describe it, “the land of trends and all things cool when it comes to cars”, SEMA 2009 opened its door earlier this week. SEMA Show is held usually in late October or early November in Las Vegas and brings together aftermarket manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, car dealers, specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers and restoration specialists.

For less than a week, Las Vegas revolves around cars and when it comes to car modding or tuning, anything goes here at SEMA. Some of the cars are clearly “overdone” while others still maintain a bit of decency.

Our hometown fellas at JDM Chicago were present and managed to snap some photos for us. Let’s have a look.

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It’s always tempting to write “Wash Me” on a dirty car or to draw something on a fogged windscreen with your finger. Everyday situations like this were the inspiration for this publication, says Nico Ammann, art director and photographer of the works featured in the book to be published by MINI Switzerland in a limited edition of 2,000.

The upshot is a colourful volume depicting a wide range of subjects, and one that will appeal not only to MINI fans. The common thread is that none of the ten artists has ever before worked with the automobile as a medium, and each has transformed it into a transient work of art.

The following artists and authors contributed to the book project: Smash137, Fabian Bertschinger, Marisa Pichler and Gigi Burn, Tika, Euro, Aurèle Sack, Stefan Ege and Seak, August, Rémi Jaccard and, last but not least Dieter Meier, also famous as the singer in the band Yello.

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Moving away for a bit from the BMW automobiles, today, we have something interesting for the BMW Motorrad fans.  The BMW Motorrad collection for the new season highlights two particular characteristics reflecting the true style and philosophy of the company: First, a clear sporting orientation culminating for the time being in BMW Motorrad’s successful participation in the World Superbike Championship. Second, ongoing development in the areas of safety, comfort, function, quality, and design.

The range of new products extends from the new, sporting DoubleR C o l l e c t i o n (suit, helmet, boots and gloves) for the BMW S 1000 RR and the Pant Cross together with the matching Jersey Cross for hard offroad riding through new materials such as SuperFabric® and BeCool™ all the way to the trendy and functional enhancement of products already lauded for their quality.

While the new Suit Rallye 3 comes with a new membrane structure featuring comfort mapping, the Gloves Rallye 3 stand out through their new high abrasion-resistant SuperFabric® material. The Boots Rallye GS Pro now feature a removable inner shoe for extra comfort and a pleasant climate within the boots.

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