The dispersion of BMW’s ActiveHybrid – and conjoined word – initiative continues with the 5 Series ActiveHybrid Concept. Billed as a “future-oriented full-hybrid model in the upper midrange segment” it boils down to the turbocharged inline-six you love and along with a 53-horsepower... 

6-03-2010

There’s no easy way to design and build a new F1 car, but the road to Valencia has been longer for the Sauber team than its competition. The team quite nearly missed the chance to race this year after BMW withdrew its support and a subsequent deal to sell the team fell through. But team founder... 

14-02-2010

Fall 2009 was supposed to be the next golden age of the racing game, with the genre’s two heavy hitters – Forza Motorsport 3 and Gran Turismo 5 – scheduled for release. While Xbox 360 owners were rewarded with an incredibly good Forza 3, several delays of GT5 wrecked the plans of many... 

14-02-2010

Not only will BMW not make an M7, but they even stopped making the incredibly-close-to-an-M Alpina B7 a few years ago. That car could hold its head high against competitors like the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, Audi S8 and Bentley Flying Spur Speed, with extra horsepower, refined handling and unique looks... 

12-02-2010

It’s fair to say that few automobiles have ridden atop their segment for as long as the BMW 3 Series has managed. Admittedly, there have been occasional frights from other German automakers or the odd Asian upstart, but it’s as if Munich’s engineers long ago brokered some sweetheart... 

7-02-2010

BMW has officially announced changes for its 2011 BMW X6, and the big news is that the German automaker will swap out its twin-turbo N54 inline-six in this sport utility for the new twin-scroll single turbo N55 mill, just like it did in the new 5 Series. The move continues BMW’s drive toward simplifying... 

5-02-2010

The outgoing BMW 5 Series may have ushered in a dramatic leap forward in terms of dynamics, technology, safety and creature comforts, but it’s the previous generation – the E39 – that Bimmerphiles still speak of in hushed tones. The departing E60 may have been a more capable package, but... 

3-02-2010

The next-generation BMW 3 Series isn’t that far off, with the sedan expected to debut sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model. Yet the Munich brand isn’t sitting on its hands in the meantime – the current 3 Series coupe and convertible are getting a mild refresh and updated powerplants this... 

24-01-2010

Over in Europe, Mini has rolled out a thing or two to keep its offerings fresh. There’s some model jiggering and new colors, but the biggest news is under that peewee hood. The four-cylinder engine is receiving a displacement bump from 1.4- to 1.6-liters. In naturally aspirated and turbocharged... 

23-01-2010

A BMW 1 Series Coupe, tweaked by the company’s M-Technik division, is reportedly under development for UK release in mid-2011. Destined to slot beneath the M3 Coupe, the smaller 1 Series Coupe is said to feature a modified twin-turbocharged six-cylinder packing 350 horsepower. The aluminum... 

16-01-2010

BMW’s storied history of building roadsters dates back to the original 328 of the 1930s. However, there have been gaps in the brand’s open-top lineage, including one extended stretch through the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. After a dalliance with the bizarre European market... 

7-01-2010

BMW heralds its X5 sport utility vehicle as a “Sport Activity Vehicle.” The tactic is designed to focus attention on the vehicle’s on-road handling and driving dynamics, but it’s also an attempt to eliminate any need for the automaker to apologize for the X5’s limited... 

28-12-2009