BMW BLOG

With all the changes happening in the BMW Motorsport Division (see BMW leaving Formula 1), many of us are wondering how will it affect the Motorsport campaigns in North America.

Courtesy of BMW USA, we have some new information to relate:

• BMW of North America has confirmed the status of several Motorsport campaigns of interest to North American customers and enthusiasts.
• BMW Motorsport today announced that Formula BMW Americas will bid the international motor racing calendar farewell after the 2009 season finale at Mosport (Canada) on 30 August. Since 2004, over 110 drivers have competed for points and victories in the series. Formula BMW will continue to race in Europe and Asia.
• BMW announced on 29 July that the BMW Group will not continue its Formula One campaign after the end of the 2009 season. Resources freed up as a result are to be dedicated to the continued development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability. BMW will continue to be actively involved in other motorsport series (see below).
• In this context, BMW of North America will continue to support US motorsport activities in 2010, similar to its 2009 effort with the BMW M3 GT2 (www.bmwusa.com/motorsport).
• BMW Motorrad Motorsport racing is gathering momentum with the launch of the all-new S 1000 RR superbike. The S 1000 RR began Superbike World Championship (www.bmw-motorrad.com/motorsport) competition in 2009 and will contest another season in 2010.

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The chatter between us and our sources close to BMW has increased these past days, mostly due to the BMW Formula 1 announcement but also because of the BMW official statement regarding the unveiling of a new concept car at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show.

For the past few months, we’ve been hearing that BMW is preparing to show two different concepts at German auto show, one of them confirmed several times: the new Z Vision Concept(future BMW Z2).

The details surrounding the second concept have been sketchy and no one would like to comment on that, so the German publication Auto Motor und Sport caught us by surprise when they announced the name of this second model: BMW M1 Concept Hybrid.

Rendering – does not represent the actual model

We won’t say they’re wrong, but at the same time it would be irresponsible to take this rumor as valid, so we’ll let you be the judge of these news. Apparently the BMW M1 Concept Hybrid is based on the beautiful, highly acclaimed and admired, M1 Hommage.

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A new video of the upcoming BMW X1 has been launched by the folks at BMWwebTV. Peter Krist, Head of BMW X1 Project, explains the technology and marketing behind the new entry-level BMW Sports Activity Vehicle.

The X1 will be initially launched in the European market and slowly will be introduced in other markets as well, including the U.S. The X1 is also the first BMW is the first SAV to offer a rear-wheel drive option as well and will be available with both diesel and gasoline powerplants.

The official unveiling of the BMW X1 production model will take place at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, an event where BMW will display over 70 models.

The X1 goes on sale this Fall with the sDrive18i as its entry level model and a base price of 27,200 euros.

Video after the jump
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Exactly two months ago, BMW announced the introduction of three BMW M3 Edition models which will be available at the end of July.  These individual M3s will have some modifications in body design and interior features, as well as special light-alloy wheels and a lower chassis.

The M3s will run in limited production for six months and they will be available in four distinct colors: Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow, and Monte Carlo Blue. The M3 Edition models will also sport the BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome.

European journalists have already got their hands on these new M3s and today, the fellows at Car Enthusiast UK are sharing with us the first review of the BMW M3 Edition:

In the Metal

Unlike many special editions, this M3 stands out. The most obvious signifiers are the black-gloss finished alloy wheels (actually not standard…), which, together with the black kidney grilles, side vents, bonnet vents, door mirrors and exhaust pipes, lend the M3 Coupé even more menace. The 10mm drop in ride height adds to this too no doubt.

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Just days ago, BMW dealerships across the country reported that the new 2010 BMW 760Li is available to order. With a base price of $136,000, the 760Li is far from being considered a bargain, but so far the media reviews have been unexpectedly positive.

Even though the new 760Li doesn’t differentiate itself by much from the regular 750Li, the technology and performance available in this new model is quite impressive and unique. The top of the line 7er is powered by an all new 6.0 liter V12 Twin-Turbo engine which produces 535 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque.

For the first time, the new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is featured in a BMW model, beside the upcoming 550i GT.

Autocar UK has given the 760Li a fairly positive review and today, our friends at Motor Trend are sharing their thoughts on the 760Li:

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The new BMW 7 Series is one of those cars that you either fall in love at first sight or you never will, but we did and this happened the first time we laid our eyes on the car at the L.A Auto Show last November. Our second encounter with the 7 Series reinforced this warm feeling and after driving the car for the first time, we were ready to commit.

But here comes the third date where we finally got to spend some time together and got to know each other down to the very last detail. You know what they say? Live together before you commit and we did, for an entire week and hundreds of miles, we have been bonding.

Ready to hear more about this wonderful relationship? Or….was it really wonderful?

It takes time to get to know a car and most important to learn how it drives and handles, so our goal was to use the new 750i in different scenarios, from a daily driver commuting in the infernal Chicago traffic to a family car and of course, to a  sporty ride let loose on an uncluttered highway.

But most important, riding in the car as a passenger also, it really shows that the new BMW 7 Series can be indeed used by a variety of people, reaching out to a far larger demographic that one would expect.

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In Dr. Klaus Draeger’s speech today, there was a reference to a new sports car concept which will be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Media publications capitalized on that and started a new set of rumors. First, AutoTelegraaf.nl and Motor Authority posted something along the following line:

Dr. Klaus Draeger, member of BMW’s board of management has told AutoTelegraaf, the dutch auto news site, that BMW has plans to debut a sustainable sports concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. According to Dr. Draeger, the sports car concept will feature “sustainable design and material elements.”

Building on top of this, other publications and fans have already started to speculate that we might be looking at a a competitor for the Audi R8 and even the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Gullwing.

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Frankfurt. On September 15, 2009, IAA Frankfurt Motor Show opens its gates to the press. A first for BMW Group: This year, all three brands are presented under one roof – in Hall 11 which today was officially opened by Frankfurt’s Lord Mayor Petra Roth. Europe’s most state-of-the-art exhibition hall can be reached directly from the new main entrance of the Frankfurt exhibition grounds.

The highlight of BMW’s 2009 motor show presentation is a circuit of several hundred meters length that encloses the entire exhibition space and on which the BMW EfficientDynamics fleet and the world premieres will be presented.

Thomas Muderlak, responsible for BMW Group’s presentation at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show: “Participation in motor shows is an important feature in our communication activities directed at customers, the media and trade visitors.

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We decided to stay on the BMW/Formula 1 subject that made the headlines on all the auto publications and not only, around the world. By now many of you might have heard that BMW has decided to retire from the Formula 1 Championship at the end of this season.

The reasons are multiple, from the disappointing results this season to financial concerns. BMW will continue to be actively involved in other motor sports series and also to focus their efforts on consumer products and new technologies.

Of course, the announcement has shaken quite a bit the F1 world and a natural question has popped up: Who’s next?

P.S. Michael Schumacher is back, more on that soon!!!!

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Statement by Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Press Conference on the Realignment of BMW AG’s Motor Sports Activities

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for joining us at such short notice here today.

Yesterday, the Board of Management made the following decision:
• We will realign our motor sports activities.
• The BMW Group will end its Formula One activities at the end of the 2009 season.
• We will remain active in the field of motor sports, focusing on close-to-production motor sports and promoting young drivers.
• We will pool our expertise and financial resources in the fields of sustainability and new technology development.

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