BMW BLOG

With a month left before the official launch at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Rolls Royce Ghost marketing campaign is being launched on the web. In the video below, Dan Balmer, Product Manger for the Rolls Royce Ghost, talks about the impressive performance and other interesting features that the Ghost brings to the table.

As a quick reminder, The Rolls Royce Ghost is powered by a new V12 6.6 liter turbocharged engine which produces 563 horsepower at 5,250 rmp and an impressive 575 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. The engine is matted to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

It runs from 0-62mph(0-100km/h) in only 4.9 seconds and it has a limited top speed of 155mph(255km/h).

In the U.S., the Rolls Royce will cost $245,000 and in Europe, it will have a price tag of 213,000 euros. As we approach the IAA Motor Show, we expect to see more videos and news related to the Rolls Royce Ghost.

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We know that some of you BMW fans have seen this video before, but for the rest of us that somehow missed it – this includes us also – we believe it will be interesting and fascinating enough to post in our website as well.

This is one of these videos that speaks to the true BMW enthusiasts and as you will go through the whole four minutes video, you will understand why. Only a true BMW fan will get excited about a miniature BMW M3 being packed with lights all around and inside. Or….could we be wrong and actually everyone will enjoy this?

The work on this 1:18 scale model(the size recommended by everyone) was done by Jacok Michel who runs a business called “Modell-Lichtsysteme”. You can send it your M3 model to Jakob and based on the options you choose -full lights, only exterior lights, only interior lights – he will retrofit your model and turn it into one of the coolest toys. The price for the full package fluctuates between 130-200 euros, that’s $187-$287 for us in the U.S. An exterior only “lights work” will set you back 70 euros($100).

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We have all seen all sort of reviews lately, from the BMW 7 Series to the X6 M or 5 GT, but we what we have not seen in a while, is a review, test drive if you with, of AC Schnitzer modded BMW.

Since we live in the U.S., it’s sometimes hard to get our hands on some of these exclusive European cars, but thanks to our journalists friends across the world, we can still bring you some of these reviews.

The AC Schnizter 7 Series received a series of visual treatments: a new front bumper, larger side skirts, a lifted and widened rear-end and new rear boot and roof spoiler, among others. A new set of AC Schnitzer wheels are available for the new 7 Series: a 22 inches transparent five-spoke alloy wheel and multispoke Type VII, also available in 22 inches.

So if you believed the new 7 was a great looking car, then we have no doubt you’ll like the AC Schnitzer version even more.

Video after the jump

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We haven’t seen a good video from BMW-web.tv in a while, but today they are back and better than ever. Beside the intriguing and fascinating voice of the narrator, the video is quite entertaining and exciting taking us behind the scenes at BMW Classic in Munich.

Part of the “Joy is Boundless” marketing campaign, representatives of BMWClub China have hoined the M Power World Community in Munich. This event connects two different group of people from different culture backgrounds that share one common passion: BMW cars.

During their tour at BMW Classic in Munich, they had the opportunity to experience live the BMW history and see some of the most exciting BMWs every produced, including models that are not being displayed anywhere else at this point, such as the 1997 BMW 750iL  featured in a “Tommorw Never Dies” James Bond movie.

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Attending the BMW X6 M event gave us the opportunity for the first time to listen to the new twin-scroller 555 horsepower engine and despite what others might say, it does sound like an M engine.

Sure, some might say that the sound resonance doesn’t match the one in the existing M models, but in the end, if you listen to the X6 M next to the X6 xDrive50i, you will be able to distinguish them.

The X5 M, which is powered by the same engine, was present in Atlanta as well, but unfortunately it was not included in the test drive program.

One of our readers, Paul, which we will like to thank with this occasion, has attended a BMW Car Club event in New Jersey where BMW of North America decided to bring out the BMW X5 M. While attending the event, Paul managed to capture the sound of the X5 M on a short video and share with us as well.

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With about two years ago before the official unveiling, the next generation BMW 1 Series continues to be tested by the BMW engineers. A heavily camouflaged 1 Series prototype was spotted in Munich and it is the first video we see of this new model.

We believe we are looking at the 5-door shooting brake variant of the 1er, a new bodystyle that will complete the already upcoming large 1 Series family. Due to the new 1 Series modular platform which can be extended and used across several bodystyles, BMW is looking into more 1er variants. The traditional portfolio will include the 1 Series hatchback, ActiveHybrid and Sporthatch. The sporty portfolio includes the 1 Series Coupe and Convertible, along with the new M-like vehicle, Supersports and the upcoming smaller Z2 Roadster and Roadster Coupe.

The BMW X1, still built on the same platform, will enter the 1 Series family as an entry level Sports Activity Vehicle. The rumor is that a a BMW X2 might follow as well. The now confirmed 1 Series GT will be included in the Gran Turismo family, along with the 5 GT and the future 3er GT.

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I am back from the BMW X6 M International Media event and I can certainly say that I had fun. Driving the new BMW X6 M has been the highlight of this year for me and I already look forward to more driving tests.

Some of you might ask why the fixation with the X6 M? Well, as you might have seen by now, most of the BMW purists heavily oppose the idea of SUV/SAV Motorsport model. Many concerns and questions have been raised in the last months and beside building the first all-wheel drive SAV M, they were heavily under scrutiny for the decision to bring the first turbo engine in an M car. The 4.4 liter V8 engine produces 555 horsepower and a pretty darn cool sound.

Since I couldn’t really drive and shoot videos at the same time, I decided to leave the video taping job for the real professionals and enjoy more time behind the wheel of a BMW X6 M. I did attempt to shoot a short video during the race track laps I have had with BMW’s X6 M engineer and test driver, Bernd Limmer.

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Now we already know that BMW fans are one of the most committed people to a car brand and maybe some of us even labeled ourselves as one of the biggest BMW fans ever, but when Klaus Hammerschmidt comes up front with his story, then we all look like amateurs….okay, in  a way.

So what’s the story of Klaus Hammerschmidt? He is retired 73 years old entrepreneur who just picked up his 135th BMW vehicle at the new BMW delivery facility, the Welt.

And to make this event even more memorable, Hammerschmidt picked up a brand new custom made BMW M6 with the Competition Package. His first BMW was a 1800ti from 1963. Over the years, he had 26 cars from BMW Motorsports division, 29 BMW Alpina and 80 other BMWs.

So let’s see…73 years old, started driving at 18, that gives us 55 years, this means an average of almost 3 BMWs a year, pretty impressive and hard to beat.

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