BMW BLOG

We have been debating on whether we should post this article or not, but in the end, the urge of getting your feedback won. Before we jump into the article, we would like to say from the beginning that our intention is not to put the rendering artist in a bad light, but rather to point out some facts.

Dave Cardoso, a graphic artist from Belgium, created new renderings of what a future generation BMW M6 could look like, of course, all based on his ideas.  While we can’t deny his rendering skills or 3D modeling, we can’t say that we’re big fans of his work. Clearly the images below show us a car that has no ties to BMW’s past, current and future design language and if it wasn’t for the kidney grille, it could have passed for any other brand out there.

Yes, we’re aware that this is most likely a design exercise as many we have seen before, but truth is that we would like these artists to learn more about BMW’s design history and future plans, and ultimately come up with some viable solutions.

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Earlier today, several auto publications reported that the second generation BMW X3 is being delayed by at least six months. While we were lead to believe that the new X3 will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, truth is that BMW has never officially acknowledged the X3 launch at the first auto show of the year.

MotorAuthority reports, based on an information from BMW North America CEO, Jim O’Donnell, that the six months push back will allow the company to offer a new ordering system that allows customers to pick and match their vehicles to their exact specifications.

At the same time, the article reports that initially the new X3 will be offered with four engine variants and the complete X3 lineup will feature four-cylinder units as well. BMW is considering both gasoline and diesel engines for their U.S. models.

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M1, no M1, this has been a game that we’ve been playing in the past two years. Initially, BMW ruled out the possibility of a new M1 model, just to recently return with tidbits of information regarding a Motorsport vehicle based on the 1 Series.

Just recently, automobile publications around the world were opening their morning editions with “M1 is back in play” headline quoting sources close to BMW, along with some teaser information mentioned by Dr. Kay Segler in interviews.

The rumormill churns again around a future M1 model, but this time, the 135i Supersports, the car we’ve heard being mentioned before, takes the centerfold. The current BMW 1 Series Coupe, E82, will still be the base of an M1-like vehicle, a teaser for the BMW fans prior to the real M1 coming to the market in the redesigned 1 Series.

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Latest from the mouths of the BMW rumor mill are that the German automaker is in development of a small, front-wheel drive hatchback called the 0 Series. It’s  said to be slated right between the 1 series and MINI line up to fulfill the needs of customers wanting a smaller, but premium vehicle.

Most notably, it’s an answer to Audi’s all new hatchback, the A1. Although the 0 series goes against conventional BMW driving dynamics, it does share traditional BMW traits and design cues. From the pictures, the 0 Series sports traditional BMW kidney grilles, Hofmeister kink, subtle rear spoiler and sporty (M-like) front bumper.

The power plant will be a 1.5 liter three-cylinder turbo diesel engine boasting 161-hp with an all electric variant said to be available at a later date. The 0 series is said to start at $24,000 and will be available in both three and five door offerings with production beginning in 2012.

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Based on spy photos, our friend Jon Sibal/Leftlanenews is back with another rendering of the 2012 BMW M5. While the new 5 Series Sedan is days away from its official unveiling, the next generation M5 super sedan is due to launch in 2011 as a MY12 model.

The 2012 BMW M5 rendered below features the M-style front-fascia with larger, aggressive air intakes and of course, the now branded “M” fender vents. The rendering also features M-style wheels, very aggressive and quite stunning.

The next generation BMW M5 is one of the most  highly awaited Ms ever released by BMW. Using for the first time a turbocharged engine, the F10 M5 moves away from the naturally aspirated engines seen in the past and will use some of the latest technological advancements in the automotive industry.

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On the launch of the new BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, Autocar UK sat down with BMW project leader Peter Tuennermann to discuss the firm’s future hybrid plans. This past year, there were several rumors around future BMW hybrid models, starting with a 5 Series and X5 hybrid and ending with the X3.

But were these just simply rumors or is BMW indeed looking to extend their hybrid offerings? Just yesterday we learned that even Rolls Royce is considering a hybrid version of the new Ghost.

Let’s take a look at the interview published by Autocar:

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First reports of a hybrid model by Rolls-Royce appeared back in September when several car publications published some rumors around a Rolls Royce hybrid. Initially it was being said that the Phantom model is the candidate for the new hybrid, but today, the Autocar returns with new information on the possible hybrid, only this time, the new Ghost is being mentioned.

Since RR Ghost shares the same rear-wheel drive platform as the F01 7 Series model, the implementation of BMW’s ActiveHybrid technology found in the 7 Series can simply the development process.

In the current configuration, Ghost is powered by a  6.2-liter V12 563 horsepower, 575 lb-ft gasoline engine. The hybrid system will add an electric motor in a mild hybrid application, with no electric only propulsion possible. The automatic start-stop system developed by BMW will also come into play to further reduce fuel consumption.

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Ever since the news broke that the next generation BMW M5 will be powered for the first time by a turbocharged engine, many BMW fans, and not only, have posed THE question: why a turbo engine and not the almighty NA powerplant that made us all happy?

After a discussion with Albert Biermann, head of development at M Division, Autocar UK reports that the decision was influenced by BMW’s aggressive plans to cut fuel consumption as part of the EfficientDynamics programme.

“We’ve been forced to switch to an engine offering greater low-end torque than the naturally aspirated engine to ensure it can cope with the longer axle ratio,” Biermann said. “It’s the only real way we can balance achieving the environmental improvements we want while retaining similar levels of performance to today’s car.”

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Autocar UK returns with some new information on the rumored BMW 1 Series Supersports, an “M-like” model that will be placed below the M3. According to sources close to the magazine, the new car has been favored over a highly-awaited BMW supercar.

As we reported several times in the past, the “Supersports” model is based on the next generation 1 Series, more exactly, on the 135i Coupe. The car would compete with the Audi S3 and the UK pricing is rumored to start around £32,000.

An M division source somewhat confirms our previous statements: BMW needs to offer a new car for its enthusiasts, something that will replace the so-missed M1. With them moving towards smaller, more efficient cars, it is only wise to develop a super sporty car based on a 1 Series platform.

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It seems like cat is out of the bag. For the past few weeks we’ve been hearing rumors around a possible “street version” of the BMW M3 GT4. The first prototype was spotted at Nurburgring last month and shortly after, the speculations began.

We’ve been sitting on some information for weeks now since we promised our sources that we won’t reveal anything until its official launch, but several online forums are reporting new information today. As we heard as well, the “CSL-like” M3 will NOT carry the CSL name, but rather use GT4 or simply GT naming convention. The car will be revealed sometimes this month.

In the mean time, here are some new information, courtesy of M3post:

Name

* It won’t be called M3 CSL.
* Instead, BMW will either call it “M3 GT4 Street” or “M3 GT”.

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