Over the Back Fence: A New BMW 8-Series?

Is BMW joining the coupeish sedan game? That's the word from AutogesundheitZeitung, in a sense. Word is BMW is working on a Mercedes CLS / Aston Martin Rapide / Audi A7 fighter that will fill the void of a proper full-sized flagship with sporting intentions. The idea would be to leave the 7-Series as a luxo barge and add a performance-oriented, slope-roof model that would likely get the M-Power treatment. No word on timeline, or whether or not it would wear the 8-Class badging. – Mike Spinelli

Another Performance Flagship on the BMW Roster

The German automaker, BMW, has recently announced that it will uncover its curtains off a new high-end sportscar concept in Shanghai. Some auto analysts have claimed that the aforementioned sports car could reach production which will be dubbed as the Z9. Do not get confused about the previous Z9 which BMW used on a gull-winged concept at the 1999 Frankfurt Auto Show with a convertible version making the show circuit in 2000.

The sportscar gives off a singular look with the Z4, making it its big brother. It’s a canvas-topped two-seater with a long nozzle and a rear-wheel drive. European publications sources have reported that BMW still haven’t decided to whether equip the vehicle with a 5.0-liter V10 from the M5/M6 or a new 6.3-liter V12 driving a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

Yes, the Z9 is supposed to replace the failed retro-look of the Z8. BMW’s last limited-edition performance roadster, the Z8 sold fewer than 6,000 units between the 2000 and 2003. The company’s sales target for the Z9 is 15,000 units a year. We could all assume that the BMW studio is being asked to come with a more aggressive style than the hapless and plain Z8.

Also, the Z9 is BMW’s latest entry into the supercar market segment. The car’s BMW parts will be built primarily of carbon-fiber and aluminum superframe chassis on which the combination yields a power-to-weight ratio of 458 hp per ton beating the heck out of Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430. BMW focuses on pitting the two-seater against the Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SL particularly.

Open-topped, the carbon-fiber folding roof allows keeping weight and the center of gravity down. It will include tech-heavy innovations together with active spoilers and a venturi underbody to suck onto the tarmac.

We’ll just wait and see for the production model to come out. In the meantime, log onto BMW’s official site for more details.

BMW creates 2007 Limited Edition Individual M6 Convertible and ultimate driving expirience for 2006 Neiman Marcus

Christmas is coming early this year, as BMW and Neiman Marcus partner to create the ultimate driving fantasy. BMW is offering, exclusively through the legendary Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, the 2007 Limited Edition Individual M6 Convertible.

The luxury convertible comes with a custom Ruby Black exterior finish accented with an interior with Piano Black trim elements, power sports seats wrapped in our custom Gold Brown shade of supple BMW Individual Merino leather, and M-radial spoke alloy wheel. The car also comes fully equipped with an incredible 11-speaker Surround Sound stereo and six-disc CD changer. Only 50 of these custom-made automobiles, including the once-in-a-lifetime driving experience, will be available for purchase in this year's Christmas Book for $139,000.

As if the car itself wasn't enough, BMW is offering these fortunate fifty Neiman Marcus customers the pinnacle of the "ultimate driving experience." Each gift opportunity features an exclusive European adventure in which the purchaser takes delivery of their new M6 Convertible directly from the factory and drives on to tour the Bavarian countryside. And for the serious BMW-enthusiast, each customer will have the opportunity to meet with the automaker's famous car designers, and be given a private tour of the BMW factory in Munich. Also included in the package are two round-trip business class tickets on Lufthansa® to Munich, Germany, gourmet meals, and luxurious accommodations for four nights. Upon completion of the trip, their new vehicle will be shipped back to the States for immediate delivery. The trip is scheduled for Spring 2007.

Bold and uncompromising, the BMW Individual M6 Convertible stands alone. The unmistakable roar of its 5.0-liter, V-10 engine delivering 500 horsepower at your command and the precision handling, M Variable Differential Lock, and Electronic Damping Control make every trip extraordinary. Its on-board computer, GPS navigation, and Voice Command System merge driver and auto into one intelligent entity. At the heart of this incredible machine is a Formula 1 inspired, V-10 engine with 10 individual throttle butterflies capable of revving up to 8,250 rpm thanks to its sophisticated design and knock control systems. Coupled to a seven-speed Sequential Manual Transmission with Drivelogic®, it can launch you from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 exhilarating seconds.

A photo and description of the Limited Edition M6 Convertible appears on page 97 of the 2006 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. The opportunity to learn more and order this magnificent machine and experience begins at 12 noon EDT on Wednesday, October 18th when you call 1-866-303-2696. Interested buyers are encouraged to program their speed dial now. After all, who wouldn't want to be first in line for this year's hottest Christmas gift?

Official Production M3 Pictures Released!

It's still more than a year until the next-gen BMW M3 will go on sale as a 2009 model. But AutoWeek's profiling the latest in M-Power. We're still buzzing from the sharp kack! of the M3 Concept's high-revving, 4.0-liter V8, as the prototype was rolled into the Geneva show's kleig lights. Now, AW consolidates the details of BMW's new V10 on the half-shell. It produces 420 hp and a relatively light 295 lb-ft of torque at 3900 rpm. Redline is 8400 rpm, which can be goosed by a six-speed manual. Is it all just overkill, or will the M3 be a fitting downline to BMW's touring-car racers? We'll know next year. – Mike Spinelli

2008 BMW 335i Convertible

The 2008 BMW 335i convertible comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 300hp @ 5800rpm and 300 lb-ft torque @ 1400-1500rpm, rocketing it to 60mph in just 5.5-seconds. Continue reading for a video.

Stowed or raised in approximately 22 seconds, the new roof has been introduced, not only for added security, but also for better visibility and a greater feeling of space and light for occupants. Because the roof features a larger rear glass windscreen and side windows, visibility has improved by 38 per cent compared to the outgoing 3 Series Convertible.

Inside M-Division HQ

BMW has opened a new cutting-edge M-Division engine test facility, where the engines of many future Motorsport BMWs will be developed, and last week it gave Autocar the full guided tour.

The company says that the new facility will enable it to dramatically reduce development costs and the time it takes to bring an engine to market. This should allow the company to expand the number of M-Division models it offers, and to bring them to market more quickly, and more cheaply.

The new engine test building is revealed in Autocar's exclusive photographs of the site (see gallery). It covers the same area as a football pitch (around 10,000 square metres) and is mounted on a 60cm-thick concrete
base. It took just 286 days to build, from starting construction to the first test bed being run.

Aside from three engine test beds, the facility hand-builds pilot-production engines and is also involved in
writing the immensely complex engine management programmes that run the engines.

The test facility that runs on unleaded

BMW's brand new engine test beds can handle up to 738bhp, 516 lb ft of torque, and 12,000rpm. Being able to use the engine's full production exhaust system on them is also a big step forward, the company says.

One of the test rigs is configured to take drive from the prototype engine – via a rear differential – and use it to power a pair of electrical generators. This allows power created when test-running an engine to be fed back into the power supply for the building.

The facility can be run 24 hours a day (or up to 5000 hours per year) and BMW engineers say that while a conventional on-road engine test programme might take six to eight weeks, the same cycle can be completed in just nine days on the test bed.

BMW claims cost savings of 75 per cent over the testing phase of a three-year engine development project because the need for expensive prototype vehicles is much reduced.

2008 BMW 5-Series: New York Auto Show Preview

BMW has performed a number of updates for the interior and subtle facelifts outside to freshen the appearance for 2008 of its new 5-series, to be unveiled at the New York auto show. Here’s what to look for in both the sedan and wagon models:

• For clean air flow, the kidney grille is now flush with the new front fascia;
• Headlamps offer clear glass lenses surrounded by chrome rings;
• The air intake sweeps up at the sides and carries a horizontal bar to emphasize its width;
• Rocker panels are molded to add a sleeker appearance from the side view;
• Taillights have clear lenses, too, with LED turn signals.

Interiors have a new look as well, with features like “Pearl Gloss Chrome” brightwork and two-tone door panels that mimic instrument panel hues. Larger pockets in the doors and an open tray on the console expand the list of convenience features.

Technical surprises start with a new inline six-cylinder engine that’s teamed with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, or a Sport Automatic with shift paddles—your choice. Six-cylinder versions of the 5-series are available with BMW’s iDrive system, and all-wheel-drive. —Jim Dunne