BMW BLOG

Only 8 days left until we arrive at CIAS, the Canadian International Auto Show.  We will be providing live coverage from the show, stay tuned for the latest from Toronto next week.

CIAS will host the release of the 7 series Hybrid and Z4 sDrive35is for the Canadian market.  We also have breaking news that the Mini Beachcomber will be present on display for the crowds in Toronto to enjoy.

Canadians living in the extra-urban environments of Toronto, Vancouver and the like will enjoy the impressive utility, functionality and style of Mini’s new Beachcomber.  With four doors, four accommodating seats and four wheel drive, those in more rural parts of Canada will also embrace the new Mini’s mild off road capability and excellent traction on snow covered or gravel roads.  Read the rest of this entry »

The North American International Auto Show is now almost two weeks behind us, but we thought we would rekindle the energy of the show through a collection of some of our strongest photos.

We hope you can share our passion captured on film (well, a digital sensor actually).

As always, our goal is to provide you with the best quality photos from the Auto Shows we attend, please enjoy.

…And yes, we threw one in for good measure…
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As announced a few weeks back, the six-cylinder 7 Series makes a comeback in the U.S. market. The 2011 BMW 740i was showcased at the Detroit Auto Show and sales will begin this Spring. Both the 740i and 740Li will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010. The M.S.R.P. of the 740i is $71,025 and the long wheelbase 740Li will retail for $75,425 (prices Include $875 Destination and Handling charge).

The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li feature BMW’s the twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine with maximum output of 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm. All-aluminum construction, High Precision direct fuel injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft technology, and Brake Energy Regeneration are a few of the technologies used under the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy to place the 740i and 740Li among the most powerful six-cylinder luxury sedans in the world.

The engine is matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

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The second BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo model for the American market, 535i GT, made its official debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The 535i GT comes to complete the Gran Turismo family offered to the U.S. consumers and also, it introduces into the market the latest BMW engine, dubbed N55.

The new BMW Power Turbo uses a single twin scroll turbo instead of twin turbochargers as the N54 engine. The 2,979cc six-cylinder powerplant features for the first time High Precision Injection and variable VALVETRONIC valve management combined with the single twin-scroll turbocharger.

Quoting people that have driven the 535i GT, with 304 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque available from just 1,200 rpm, it’s no slouch, even though obvious slower than the 550i model. Sixty mph arrives in an estimated 6.3 seconds and speed wise it tops at 155 mph.

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As any brand that respects its label, MINI revealed a new concept at the North American auto show. MINI Beachcomber, a Moke-line inspired ALL4 all-wheel drive and a preview to the upcoming MINI Crossover, had its world premiere in Detroit this week.

While the Beachcomber will remain at the concept level, plenty elements from its design will be seen in the production crossover, minus the “doorless” approach as someone pointed out. MINI did mention that lightweight doors (lightweight has been emphasized throughout the show by BMW) and a soft roof will be available.

While the BMW brand sales suffered more than one would want last year, MINI has done somewhat better: 6% down in 2009. As outlined in the press conference, MINI’s network of 90 dealerships, makes the U.S. market most attractive for the UK-based automaker.
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Press days are over at the Detroit Auto Show 2010 and despite the initial skepticism, the North American International Auto Show could be labeled as successful by many automakers and press media attending the show.

In an interesting combination, BMW showcases both performance oriented and emission-free vehicles. To emphasize again that BMW stands behind its performance line-up, the press conference began with the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the latest addition to the roadster family and the highest performer. The sDrive35is brings all the characteristics of an M-like model, but without the badge.

It carries under the hood an upgraded version of the popular N54 engine. The tuned up engine produces 335 horsepower (340hp in Europe) at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft in “regular mode”. An electronically-controlled overboost function can briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft. This brings the torque peak to 369 lb-ft.
Unofficial, preliminary numbers show that the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is runs from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. In comparison, the regular Z4 35i registers 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds (5.1 manual transmission). BMW Z4 sDrive35is is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph. The engine is matted to 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) with SPORT and SPORT+ driving modes. The DCT also features a Launch Control function for maximum performance when accelerating from a standstill. BMW sDrive35is weighs 1,525 kg (3,362 lbs).

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First batch of BMW ActiveE photos was posted yesterday, on the first day of the Detroit Auto Show 2010, but we return with a new photo gallery. BMW ActiveE is an important step in the Project i program and in our opinion, the most important BMW model displayed in Detroit this year.

An important detail missed by many automotive publications is that the BMW ActiveE uses a drivetrain that will make into the first MCV, Mega City Vehicle, to be launched by BMW before 2015. This morning BMWBLOG’s team attended an ActiveE workshop where the technology behind this product have been discussed extensively. As always, you will get the scoop first and we will have a full article soon.

This concept is powered by a completely new electric synchronous motor that has been specifically developed for this vehicle. With 170 horsepower it develops a maximum torque of 250 Newton meters. In everyday driving it achieves a range of about a hundred miles.

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Official Release: Good afternoon everyone and welcome to MINI.

This is the all-electric MINI E, with zero emissions.

With over 600 MINI E, we have the largest fleet of electric cars involved in an international pilot project. The project has been running for just over six months now in the US and Germany and 40 MINI E hit the streets of UK at the end of last year. The MINI E is also scheduled to be in France at some stage later in 2010. The learnings from the project will provide us with valuable information which will flow into the development of our Megacity Vehicle and other electric vehicles at the BMW Group. So, what have some of our MINI E drivers been saying here in the US? They feel that:

* The range is appropriate for urban life.
* The charging time is acceptable.
* And last but certainly not least, “it is really fun to drive the MINI E!”

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