http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=107BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina recorded another milestone in their 15 year history as the 1 millionth BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicleandreg; rolled off the production line today at BMW Manufacturing Co. The Black Sapphire X5 xDrive 35i with Cinnamon Brown Nevada Leather interior is bound for a customer in China. This is a significant achievement for the BMW Groupandrsquo;s only U.S. manufacturing facility at a time when the manufacturer is just months away from completing a $750 million expansion to prepare for production of the next generation BMW X3. The BMW X5, which was originally launched in Spartanburg in 1999 as the first vehicle in the Sports Activity segment, has laid the cornerstone for BMW as the most successful premium vehicle manufacturer in the SAV/SUV segment during its 11-year history. This commitment to continuous improvement has resulted in numerous accolades for the vehicle's design, quality and safety. In 2000, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) declared the BMW X5 to be the safest vehicle ever to be crash-tested. In 2007, the BMW X5 received a gold award in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study in North America. In 2007 and 2008, the X5 received the "Top Safety Pick Award" for outstanding crash test results from the IIHS. During this timeframe, approximately 60% of all X5andrsquo;s produced at the Spartanburg facility have been exported to over 120 markets around the world. andldquo;The success of the X5 is directly attributable to the designers of the vehicle, our parts suppliers and the many dedicated and hard working associates who continue to come together and create such a special vehicle," said Mr. Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing during a brief ceremony at the end of the production line. The 1 millionth X5 coming off the assembly line today was ordered by a customer in China and will soon be shipped to the Port of Charleston to begin its journey overseas. Joining Mr. Kerscher at todayandrsquo;s event were Secretary of Commerce Joseph E. Taylor and South Carolina State Ports Authority boardmember Richard Hagins. Unable to join the event, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham praised BMWandrsquo;s commitment to America by growing its presence in South Carolina and exporting South Carolina-made BMWandrsquo;s throughout the world. andldquo;It tells me, and should tell all South Carolinians, that world-class manufacturing in our state is not only doable, but that it can lead our economic recovery efforts,andrdquo; said Senator Graham. andldquo;This is a day of great pride for all South Carolinians and the BMW family. It is a testament to the quality of the SC workforce, the supply chain, and to BMW, one of the greatest automobile manufacturers in the world. Now, one million X5s later, BMW is one of the great business success stories in the history of South Carolina. This milestone gives us hope for the future and is a positive sign that through world-class manufacturing our state will prosper will in the years ahead.andrdquo; BMW Manufacturing began production in 1994 as the first European manufacturer to successfully build and operate a plant in the U.S. The factory celebrated its 15th anniversary in South Carolina last September and has produced approximately 1.6 million vehicles since that time. Recently, plant officials, also acknowledged that it has exported over 1 million vehicles from its Greer campus during this time span. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=108 Le Mans. On June 12 at three in the afternoon the legendary the 24 Hours of Le Mans will officially begin. A highlight will surely be the participation of the Jeff Koonsandrsquo; 17th BMW Art Car which has been presented in Paris just a week before. In April 2010, BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen announced the driver line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk Manduuml;ller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) will race the BMW Art Car #79. Jandouml;rg Manduuml;ller (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Uwe Alzen (DE) will drive the BMW Le Mans car #78. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the worldandrsquo;s oldest endurance race in all of sports car racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, Sarthe, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance, it is organized by the Automobile Club de landrsquo;Ouest (ACO) and runs on a circuit containing closed public roads. The race is designed not only to test a car and driverandrsquo;s ability to be quick, but also to last over a 24-hour period. The BMW M3 GT2 Derived from the BMW M3 high-performance sports car, the BMW M3 GT2 boasts a 4.0-liter V8 engine with a maximum output of 500 bhp, an upgraded chassis, racing-caliber brakes, and extensive use of lightweight materials. Able to reach 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, the BMW M3 GT2 is rapidly emerging as a real first year contender at this yearandrsquo;s event. For the Comeback at 24 Le Mans BMW Motorsport is supported by numerous successful partners. This is why the BMW M3 GT2 will be labeled with the logos of Castrol, Crowne Plaza, Dunlop, Randstad, Sympatex, LuK, Handamp;R, BBS and NGK for the race on the andldquo;Circuit de la Sartheandrdquo;. The 17th BMW Art Car by Jeff Koons At the premiere of the 17th BMW Art Car Jeff Koons unveiled and signed his car in front of 300 international VIP guests on June 1 in the Centre Pompidou, one of the worldandrsquo;s most prestigious cultural institutions for modern and contemporary art. It is the same place where Roy Lichtenstein back in 1977 first presented and signed his Art Car. In the spirit of Calder, Stella, Lichtenstein, Warhol, BMW announced this year that the 17th Art Car created by Jeff Koons will race where the first rolling pieces of art by legendary artists raced andndash; at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France on June 12-13, 2010. Koonsandrsquo; canvas is a BMW M3 GT2, which was homologated to compete at this yearandrsquo;s running of the worldandrsquo;s most famous endurance race. The Design Process As part of his creative process, the artist collected images of race cars, related graphics, vibrant colors, speed and explosions. The resulting artwork of bright colors conceived by Koons is evocative of power, motion and bursting energy. Its silver interior along with the powerful exterior design, the Art Car will impart a dynamic appearance even when itandrsquo;s standing still. The challenge to create the BMW Art Car had to do with using a light material and a design that would not interfere with the racecar's aerodynamics and weight. Timing was also an issue, as there was only a two month window between the first design sketches and the Paris world premiere. This is why digital print on car wrapping vinyl was used covered by a double clear-coating to bring out the color. To apply hundreds of dynamic lines of Koons' design onto the car, CAD designs were translated from 3D into 2D for the printing process and then painstakingly applied to the entire car as well as onto individual spare parts. Koons design incorporates many bright contrasting colors to communicate the aesthetics of power. The concept design was transformed into hard eged lines of color. Graphics of debris were added to the rear sides and back of the car to simulate the power of the car. Furthermore, two graphic rings on the rear of the car represent supersonic acceleration. Koons and BMW The germination of Koonsandrsquo; collaboration with BMW began in 2003, when he expressed his desire to create a BMW Art Car. His relationship with BMW started more than two decades ago when he drove a BMW while residing in Munich, home to the BMW Group headquarters. Koons is known for his heartfelt appreciation of cars. Earlier this year he was even recognized by music icon Bono of U2 as one of the ideal artists to design a car that would make the world fall in love with automobiles again. Koonsandrsquo; creative process for the BMW Art Car mirrors techniques, some borrowed from transportation design and development, which he regularly employs for his artistic production. For example, in the creation of Koonsandrsquo; monumental sculptures, his studio uses 3-D CAD models to evaluate the surfaces, assembles them via methods found in bike chop shops, and paints them in a manner based on sophisticated automotive painting techniques. BMW Art Cars Since 1975, artists from throughout the world have turned BMW automobiles into art signifying a particular period through the Art Car program. In 2007, the latest installment was revealed with Olafur Eliassonandrsquo;s andldquo;Your mobile expectations: BMW H2R project.andrdquo; Many of the cars by the likes of Warhol, Lichtenstein, Stella, Rauschenberg, Hockney and Holzer have been exhibited in renowned museums throughout the world including the Louvre, the Guggenheim Museums, and the Shanghai Art Museum. They have been displayed at the BMW Museum in Munich, between 2006 and 2010 and many went on a world tour throughout Asia, Russia, Africa, India, the United States and Mexico. The Koons car number, andldquo;79,andrdquo; pays tribute to the 1979 Andy Warhol car. The Warhol car was assigned the number andldquo;76,andrdquo; an homage to the 1976 Frank Stella car, both of which raced at Le Mans. The home of all BMW Art Cars is the BMW Museum in Munich. Starting in September, Koonsandrsquo; 17th BMW Art Car will be presented there together with some of its predecessors. With over 100 major projects worldwide, BMW Group cultural programs have been an integral part of the companyandrsquo;s contributions to society for almost 40 years. Besides contemporary art, architecture and design, classical music and jazz are key components of this engagement. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=117 BMW of North America has announced three BMW Performance aerodynamic accessories for the M3 Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible. The new rear deck lid spoiler, mirror caps, and front splitters are constructed of ultra-rigid carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite material, matching the standard CFRP roof panel of the M3 Coupe. Each component is shaped based on advanced research conducted in one of BMWandrsquo;s Munich-based wind tunnels. This ensures compatibility with the overall aerodynamic andldquo;signatureandrdquo; of the M3, serving to reduce lift and minimize drag. Such characteristics are appropriate to enhance the vehicleandrsquo;s high-speed stability while maintaining fuel efficiency. Like the CFRP roof panels on the M3 Coupe and M6 Coupe, BMW Performance components made of carbon fiber have been climate and durability tested during development to ensure long-term quality. Each component is finished in a special clear coat laminate to reflect ultraviolet radiation. BMW Performance accessories feature a 2-year / unlimited mileage warranty. If installed before a customer takes delivery of a new M3, the BMW Performance accessories will share coverage of the 4-year / 50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The new BMW Performance aerodynamic accessories are going on sale this month at Authorized BMW Centers.http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=122 RSR Motorsports Racing Team car No. 198 captured their first series win for both RSR and MINI, earning first place in the Street Tuner (ST) Class during the race at New Jersey Motor Sports Park on July 17, 2010. In addition to the first-place trophy, the RSR Motorsports team will also be presented with a $5,000 award from MINI as part of its Motorsports Contingency Program. This will be the largest payout the program has ever made to any of the motorsports teams that race MINI vehicles. andldquo;The RSR Motorsports team had a great run at New Jersey Motor Sports Park, and demonstrated the full capability of MINI as a racing competitor,andrdquo; said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. andldquo;Racing is a key part of MINIandrsquo;s heritage, and we are grateful to the teams like RSR Motorsports who help to keep MINIandrsquo;s racing spirit alive with their strong commitment of both time and effort.andrdquo; After rebuilding a badly burned out car from the ground up, RSR Motorsports drivers, Randy Smalley and Owen Trinkler, finished last weekendandrsquo;s race with a 16.071-second lead ahead of the second-place vehicle. This victory follows on the heels of car No. 198andrsquo;s third-place podium finish at the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March. andldquo;The car was good, the team was great; this was a hard-earned win for us,andrdquo; said team owner and driver, Randy Smalley. andldquo;2010 is shaping up to be a solid season for RSR Motorsports, and we will continue to stay focused and hope that we earn additional podium spots this season.andrdquo; MINI USA also congratulates seventh-place finishers, Sara Cattaneo and VJ Mirzayan; their best showing to date in their No. 197 MINI Cooper S. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=142 Munich, Germany. BMW Classicandrsquo;s Customer Workshop is a response to the growing desire among numerous BMW enthusiasts to own an authentic vehicle that is as true as possible to its original state and in the best possible condition. andldquo;This workshop is a key element in the realignment of BMW Classic and our orientation towards customers in the classic vehicle market,andrdquo; says Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Group Classic. In parallel with this, the supply and remanufacturing of components is being further expanded. Other areas have also been added, such as the purchase and sale of vehicles, authentication certificates, advice to buyers, and a worldwide collection and delivery service. The principal advantage of the BMW Classic Center is that it offers all its services under one roof. andldquo;We have the theoretical knowledge of the vehicles, the technical expertise, Original BMW Parts, and the requisite infrastructure to systematically link it all up,andrdquo; adds Ralf Vierlein. In future, too, vehicles that have been fully restored by the BMW Classic Center can be handed over to their owners amid the unmatched ambience of BMW Welt. A andldquo;deliveryandrdquo; of this kind is not just a unique experience for the owner, but a particularly striking example of the successful symbiosis of past and present within the BMW Group. Further information on the Classic Center is available at www.bmw-classic.com http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=192BMW continues tandomicron; celebrated thе 25th anniversary andomicron;f іtѕ M3 wіth thе launch andomicron;f a nеw limited edition model available fandomicron;r thе Chinese market. Dubbed M3 Tiger, commemorating thе current Year andomicron;f thе Tiger іn China, thе nеw limited edition M3 wіll feature thе Fire Orange Metallic paintwork already seen andomicron;n thе M3 GTS model. In addition tandomicron; thе andomicron;nlу one andomicron;f іtѕ kind exterior wіth numerous black accents, thе M3 Tiger sports 359M styling wheels іn 19 inches, black painted аѕ thе air intakes andomicron;n thе bonnet. Othеr blacked out раrtѕ include thе kidney grills аnd chrome exhaust tips. Inside, thе limited M3 Tiger wіll feature Novilla black leather wіth contrasting orange stitching аnd thе headrests wіll bе branded wіth аn andomicron;nlу one andomicron;f іtѕ kind tiger head logo. Tandomicron; differentiate even additional frandomicron;m andomicron;thеr limited edition M3s, thе door sill plates wіll аlѕandomicron; illustrate a Tiger Edition Logo іn fire orange metallic color. Source: bmwreport.comhttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=190 With 900 HP and a top speed of more than 205 mph, G-POWER is building the world's fastest SUV based on the BMW X6 M in a limited edition of 5 units. With the G-POWER X6 TYPHOON RS V10, G-POWER once again presents an automobile that can only be described with superlatives. The standard X6 M with its twin turbo-charged engine is already powered by an impressive power unit, but the standard BMW engine has not been capable of arousing emotions to the same way as the original M-POWER engine has been able to up to now. For this reason the engineers at G-POWER decided to fit the X6 M with the breath-taking performance of Formula 1 technology. An appropriate powertrain to suit G-POWER's philosophy was quickly found. A high-revving engine with direct throttle response is now showing a character which the 5.0 l V10 power unit produced by M GmbH inherited at birth. In addition, the G-POWER BI-compressor system (taken from the G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RR world-record vehicle) was developed one stage further and at the same time the cubic capacity of the BMW V10 power unit was increased from 5.0 to 5.5 liters. This means more space for the supercharged air from the twin ASA T1-316 compressors which will be cooled to optimum performance temperatures by the double-flow, water-cooled intercooler. This complicated aluminum casting replaces the standard air box on top of the engine and its direct inlet is responsible for the spontaneous response characteristics which give the G-POWER motor its incomparable "Race Feeling". The inner workings of the 10-cylinder, four-valve engine are optimized by light, precisely balanced MAHLE high-performance forged pistons with lower compression and increased mechanical strength. As the standard connecting rods and piston pins were equally not up to the considerably increased forces, here too, recourse was had to special parts. The forged, 7-bearing crank shaft is also a custom-made part which boosts the cubic capacity by 10% from 5.0 up to 5.5 liters. An optimized data map for the engine electronics rounds off the extensive modifications made to the V10 power train. The result is a peak performance of 900 HP at 8.000 rpm and a maximum torque of 642 lbf at 6.800 revs. This enormous power output is transmitted by a six-speed gearbox built by G-POWER to the rear axle. The automatic gearbox fitted as standard, just like the standard BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system, have been sacrificed to the G-POWER engineers' objective of creating a pure-bred sports car in SUV clothing. Read the full story at G-Power.de  http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=205 World premiere at Geneva Motorshow: The new BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.Parallel to the world debut of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, BMW is also presenting the concept of a future-oriented full-hybrid model in the upper midrange segment: The BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid for the first time offers the combination of a BMW straight-six with electric drive, setting new standards for sporting pleasure at the wheel and superior sustainability in this segment. Munich: The new concept car offers a particularly good rendition of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan in all its dynamic, efficient and innovative qualities, at the same time representing the ongoing development of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with their drivetrain technology already in production.The drive system featured in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid consists of a straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, eight-speed automatic transmission, and electric drive. Integration of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a sedan already extremely efficient with its 'conventional' combustion engine reduces both fuel consumption and emissions once again by more than 10 per cent. At the same time the electric motor offers a boost function, supporting the gasoline engine in generating particularly dynamic drive power for an even more sporting driving experience in the car. Source: BMWUSA http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=209 The new BMW 5-seriessaloon, model F10, has arrived! We've been eagerly awaiting the 6th generation of the 5-series for some time, and are delighted to welcome it finally into the BMW family. Even before its official launch, the new BMW 5-series created rather a furore: with the longest wheelbase inits class, a long bonnet, short overhangs and a coupandeacute;-like roof line, it is about to be catapulted to the top of its segment. The 5-series by AC Schnitzer is already in our development department. Our engineers, designers and technicians are working flat out on an extensive product range comprising performance upgrades, exhaust systems, suspension solutions, aerodynamic components and accessories for the interior. We'll keep you informed! Various wheel and tyre combinations are already available in 19 and 20 inch, which we are pleased to present. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=210 "Now are you high or just stupid? An M3 against a Mustang GT? On a racetrack? Seriously, son, which one is it? High or stupid?" Yes, we know how this sounds. And had we suggested this matchup just a few months ago, we would deserve more withering scorn than can be found in a week-long Judge Judy marathon. Why? Because this Munich versus Motown matchup has never been done before. Not even considered because it just didn't make sense. Sure, the M3 went V-8 in 2008, but that's not the issue. The truth is, the Mustang GT was never good enough to challenge Bavaria's finest. That is, until now. Your doubt is understandable, but check the specs. For 2011, both rear-drive, four-seat coupes use all-aluminum V-8 engines with double-overhead camshafts tickling 32 valves. The M3's 4.0-liter carryover makes 414 horsepower at 8300 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm. The Mustang's all new 5.0-liter V-8 cranks out 412 ponies at 6500 rpm and 390 pound-feet at 4250 rpm. But the most compelling number is 0.2: the difference in power-to-weight ratio between the two. The Mustang carries 8.8 pounds per pony to the M3's 8.6. And yet, at the test track, the 5.0 equals or betters the M3 in every performance category we measure. Both hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, but the Mustang is faster to the quarter mile by a tenth of a second and 0.7 mph-12.7 seconds at 111.6 mph. It also stops two feet shorter from 60 mph-a tie as far as we're concerned-and the GT really shatters the M myth on the skidpad. America's original ponycar manages to outgrip one of Germany's most iconic sports cars to the tune 0.2 second through our figure eight and by 0.01 g in lateral acceleration. But the M3 is the better driving car, right? What about the vaunted BMW steering feel, cornering agility, and legendary suspension tuning? Sure, the Mustang's antiquated live rear axle is fine at the strip (and skidpad, apparently), but the M3 must be faster where it counts: on a racetrack, against the clock. Well, hold onto your buts (and butts), because we are about to find out. Read more: MotorTrend http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=221 World star Katy Perry became the "Future Girl" for the filming of the new image campaign for the TV station ProSieben, and even resurrected Marilyn Monroe in one scene. The spot takes place in the future, and the architecture of BMW Welt still gives an ultra-modern feeling, even in 2050. Shining silver robots and a rocket also have a part to play. As part of the recording, Katy Perry also performed her new song, "Teenage Dream", which comes out on 27 August. Filming took two days in total, with popstar Perry being available for one day. The BMW Welt Hall and Auditorium formed the backdrop for the spectacular interior recording sessions, and the Double Cone andndash; the hallmark of BMW Welt andndash; featured in the futuristic outside shots. "The multipurpose Auditorium, with its flexible stage flooring and adjustable wall, and the space-age feeling of the BMW Welt architecture were the main criteria that made us decide to film this production in BMW Welt", said ProSieben-Marketing-Chef Thorsten Panduuml;tsch. The new image campaign will be appearing on ProSieben from 1 September. Thomas Muderlak, host and manager of BMW Welt is delighted that ProSieben chose BMW Welt, which, with 2 million visitors, is the most popular attraction in Bavaria, as the location for the unusual film shoot. He was personally on hand to show Katy Perry the hightlights of BMW Welt , after which she insisted on signing the BMW Welt guestbook by kissing it. BMW Welt's recipe for success is based on the diversity of the facilities it offers and its regularly changing exhibitions and focal themes. BMW Welt links technology, design and innovation with lifestyle, energy and culture and provides a public forum for encounters and dialogue. Those who wish to gain a fuller insight into the BMW brand can spend the whole day experiencing the entire complex, made up of BMW Welt, the BMW Museum and the BMW factory. The factory tours start in BMW Welt, which is directly linked via a bridge with the Museum and the Headquarters (the administrative building for the BMW Group). The authenticity and continuity of BMW, the history of the brand and its innovative production systems and technology become tangible through the extremely informative guided tours of the factory. With two restaurants, a bistro and a coffee bar, there is plenty of opportunity to eat and drink, and there are shopping facilities too. The Junior Campus is a fascinating independent section for 7- to 13-year-olds, based on the results of the latest scientific child and youth development research, and allowing visitors to discover "Mobility with every sense" in a playful way. Source: BMW Group http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=236 Today BMW announced Jim Oandrsquo;Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC, will host a special Teen Driving School on September 7, 2010 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois to kick off the 2010 BMW Championship. The tournament features 70 of the worldandrsquo;s top professional golfers competing in the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Group 1 Automotive, owner of 15 BMW and MINI dealerships nationwide, is partnering with BMW to sponsor the fundraiser for the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full university tuition and housing grants to deserving young caddies. Like the BMW Championship, all proceeds from the Teen Driving School will be donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. The Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana BMW Centers will contribute $3 for every mile driven by participating teens during the event. Evans Scholars and Chicago area teens will participate in Teen Driving School andndash; BMWandrsquo;s road safety program designed to help young people learn how to be safer, more informed drivers. A PGA TOUR player will also attend the driving event, during which BMW will launch its andldquo;DRIVE IT HOME andndash; DONandrsquo;T TXT andamp; DRIVEandrdquo; campaign to build awareness that texting while driving is one of the most dangerous actions a person can do behind the wheel. The BMW Teen Driving School is a grassroots initiative under the companyandrsquo;s Corporate Social Responsibility program combining teens, road safety and local community outreach. It is a recent extension of the teen curriculum offered at the BMW Performance Center located in Spartanburg, SC. Students improve their driving skills and increase their road knowledge through classroom instruction, driver awareness demonstrations and hands-on driving exercises. Since BMW became a presenting sponsor of the BMW Championship in 2007, theBMW Championship has raised a total of $7.3 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation. BMW also offers a summer internship program that invites the scholars to work for BMW, offering them invaluable insight into their future careers after graduation. At the 2010 BMW Championship, BMW will also continue its tradition of pledging a four-year Evans Scholarship in honor of the first player who scores a hole-in-one during the tournament. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=237 BMW Manufacturing announced today that production of the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle got underway at the South Carolina plant. In early 2008, BMW Group announced that it would invest $750 million in the South Carolina plant, its largest investment in South Carolina to date. This commitment paved the way for construction of a new Assembly Hall built exclusively to produce the BMW X3 along with a significant expansion to the existing Paint Shop. This 1.5 million square foot addition increases the plant's total footprint to over 4.0 million square feet. andldquo;The launch of the new X3 will mark a historic moment for this plant. I am confident that the BMW X3 is once again going to make our plant a leader in the Sports Activity segment,andrdquo; stated Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg. Within the last 7 years, the first-generation BMW X3 has been an extraordinary success story for the BMW Group. The BMW X3 began production in 2004. After production of over 600,000 units, the last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion red metallic BMW X3 xDrive35d, came off the line in Austria yesterday. With the model change, production of the X3 was relocated to the South Carolina plant based on existing manufacturing proficiency of the BMW X5 and X6 models. The US plant has become the expertise center for the BMW X Models. The addition of the third model to the plant's vehicle mix has created several hundred new jobs and increased BMW's total investment in South Carolina to $4.6 billion since 1992. Source: BMW Group http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=239 Mechthild Holter (founder of the agency, andrdquo;playersandrdquo;), Dr. Gregor Jansen (director, Kunsthalle Danduuml;sseldorf), Burghart Klauandszlig;ner (actor and director), Chus Martandiacute;nez (senior curator, Macba andndash; Museu dandrsquo;art Contemporani de Barcelona), Dr. Christiane Meyer-Stoll (curator and keeper, Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein), Dr. Matthias Manduuml;hling (head of collections and curator, Lenbachhaus Munich) and Rein Wolfs (director, Kunsthalle Fridericianum Kassel) have been nominated as First Jury for the Prize of the Nationalgalerie for Young Art 2011: Mechthild Holter, founder of the agency, andrdquo;playersandrdquo;, one of the most successful German agencies for finding engagements for actors and directors. Holter graduated in Italian and English language, and theatre, film and television studies. At first, she worked as photographer, e.g. for the journal "Spex", and as photojournalist. Since 1994 she finds engagements for actors and directors through andrdquo;playersandrdquo;. Gregor Jansen is director of the Kunsthalle Danduuml;sseldorf since 2010. He holds a doctorate in art history and has been working as exhibition manager, curator, lecturer, art critic and writer since 1991. He was curator of exhibitions about the art of the 20th and 21st centuries in Aachen, Cologne, Maastricht, Peking and Seoul. From 2005 until 2009, he was director of the ZKM | Museum fanduuml;r Neue Kunst Karlsruhe. Burghart Klauandszlig;ner, born in 1949, actor. Studied at the Max Reinhardt School of Drama in Berlin. Since the 1970s he had theatre engagements, e.g. at the Schaubanduuml;hne am Halleschen Ufer (Berlin) and the Schauspielhaus in Hamburg as well as theatres in Frankfurt am Main, Bochum and Zurich. He has won several awards as movie actor, most recently for his role in the movie, andrdquo;Das weiandszlig;e Bandandrdquo; (The white band). Klauandszlig;ner is a member of the Deutsche Filmakademie and has been elected member of the board there in 2010. He also works as director and author. Chus Martandiacute;nez, senior curator of the Museu d'Art Contemporani (MACBA) in Barcelona. Having been director of the Kunstverein in Frankfurt from 2005 to 2008, she is at present a member of the team of curators of the 29th Sandatilde;o Paulo biennial festival, which will open this September. At MACBA, she is currently involved in the exhibition, andrdquo;Are You Ready For TV?andrdquo;, which will open in November and which examines the historical overlap between art and philosophy, and the medium of the television programme. Her writings have been published in newspapers and journals such as Artforum, Kaleidoscope, Piktogram, Afterall and in monographs, e.g. about Armando Andrade Tudela, Kostis Velonis, Thomas Bayrle, Deimantas Narkevicius and Manon de Boer. Christiane Meyer-Stoll, born in 1963 in Essen, studied art history, ethnology and history in Munich, and today is working as curator at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (Vaduz). Since 1989, Mrs. Meyer-Stoll has been active in the area of contemporary art. Working as curator between 1993 and 1999 she participated in establishing the Collection Goetz (a prestigious private collection of contemporary art in Munich) as a private museum, and thereafter she was managing the artists workshop in Lothringerstraandszlig;e (Munich). Exhibitions concerning individual proponents of Modernism after 1960, e.g. the first retrospective show of Fred Sandback, shows about Arte Povera and other movements have been rewarded recently, e.g. she won an award for curators, the Justus Bier Prize in Berlin (2009). Matthias Manduuml;hling, born in 1968, is an art historian and Head of the Department of Collections/Exhibitions/Research and Head of Collections for the Arts after 1945 at the Standauml;dtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau in Munich. He studied art history, theatre, film and television studies and political science in Bochum and Manduuml;nster. From 2003 to 2005 he worked as scientific assistant at the Kunsthalle in Hamburg. As author and curator he has published widely and has organised many exhibitions about the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Rein Wolfs, is currently the director of the Kunsthalle Fridericianum in Kassel. Wolfs has been the founding director of the Migros Museum for Contemporary Art in Zurich (working there from 1996 until 2001) before he was appointed exhibition manager at the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam. In 2003, he was also the curator of the Dutch pavilion at the biennial festival of Venice. The seven members of the jury will assess more than 100 proposals to select four candidates who will participate in a group exhibition in the Hamburger Bahnhof museum in September 2011. As has already been announced at the last award ceremony in October 2009, for the first time two members of the Deutsche Filmakademie (Mechthild Holter and Burghart Klauandszlig;ner) will be invited to join the jury. The origin of this extension lies in the new co-operation between Prize of the Nationalgalerie and the Deutsche Filmakademie. In future, the two institutions will work together more closely in order to provide artistic film productions with a forum in the museum. This idea is based on the observation that in the commercial film sector also there are frequently productions which may be considered as "artistic" and which by means of an unconventional film language come close to the aesthetics of the art movie (video, film, film installation). Such film productions are shown at the periphery of film festivals but go largely unnoticed by the art world. With the newly established PRIZE FOR YOUNG FILM ART the Nationalgalerie intends to honour a cinematic position every two years. The Prize of the Nationalgalerie for Young Art has been awarded for the first time in 2000 and is thus celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The long-standing main sponsor, BMW, will as always organise the shortlist party to announce the nomination of the four artists, on October 6, 2010. For almost 40 years now, BMW has been involved in more than 100 formats for contemporary art, music, design and architecture worldwide. In Berlin, BMW supported the Berlinale in 2010, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden at the jointly initiated event andldquo;Staatsoper fanduuml;r alleandrdquo; as well as the curatorial workshop Real Players of the Berlin Biennale. Moreover, in 2007, the 16th BMW Art Car was created in Berlin by the artist Olafur Eliasson. Source: BMW Group http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=243 Munich. BMW has made history andndash; more than once. And the essence of its own history has always been about one thing: joy. This purest of all emotions is now the theme of the new BMW Collection. BMW JOY encompasses high-quality T-shirts and polo shirts, trendy sweaters, pullovers and hoodies, jackets and high-end accessories. The collection tells the Story of Joy with exuberance, engaging dialog, and holds many surprises in store. It demonstrates the typical BMW dynamism in fantastic colors, permits a range of combinations, and has unexpected details that create a joyous mood. JOY is available for the whole family. This line of products has the Story of Joy literally woven into it andndash; you can read the BMW Joy manifesto on the interior of every item: andldquo;Joy is our promise andhellip;andrdquo; Stylish declaration: Joy never says never. The T-shirts in the BMW Collection broadcast their message loud and clear andndash; and with style: andldquo;JOY NEVER SAYS NEVERandrdquo; is printed on these tees for men, women, and children. And you can read the statement once again on the neck, where it is discretely woven into a cotton ribbon around the collar. This fine detail is not only incorporated into the T-shirts but into all of the clothing in the collection. The JOY polo shirts with concealed buttons are perfect for anyone who loves the sporty BMW look and doesnandrsquo;t like to skimp when it comes to design and quality. High-quality cotton makes them pleasant to wear, whereas the contrasting colors on the inside of the collar, the collar, and in the decorative stitching give the shirts a dynamic elegance. Whatever the weather, thereandrsquo;s always a reason to be joyful. Being in a good mood does not depend on the temperature. Itandrsquo;s a matter of your attitude. And with the BMW Collection, youandrsquo;ll always feel good andndash; even in the cold. Take for instance the casual sweat jacket with its furry hood, which is adjustable using a woven band. With big JOY lettering on the chest, stylish knitted pullovers offer the perfect his-and-hers looks. The complementary V-neck and zip collar are an added touch. Even if itandrsquo;s bitter cold, you will be overjoyed to have this ladiesandrsquo; down jacket as part of your wardrobe. Generously lined with feathers and with a large hood, and also breathable and wind and water resistant andndash; it will keep you cozy right through the winter. And, in style. Fashionable fitted-cut seams and white piping around the hood and zipper make this jacket a cheerful and snuggly eye-catcher. And of course, it comes with a promise of JOY andndash; printed on the back. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=246 For most BMW models, the 2011 model year began in spring 2010. Below, we outline each of the 2011 models including the changes that will take place from September production. For complete descriptions of the 2011 models, please refer to the individual press kits available on www.bmwusanews.com. BMWandrsquo;s new inline-6 gasoline engine. Beginning with model year 2011 production, several BMW models (135i, 335i, 535i, 535i Gran Turismo, X5 xDrive35i, and X6 xDrive35i) will switch to the new, single twin-scroll turbocharged inline-6 andldquo;N55andrdquo; engine. The newest BMW inline-6 engine is the first BMW inline-6 to combine turbocharging, High Precision direct fuel injection, and Valvetronic variable intake technology. It features a single, mid-sized turbocharger with a andldquo;twin-scrollandrdquo; housing to boost performance and minimize the response lag. Together, this combination produces the same at 300hp and 300 lb-ft of the previous N54, but the fuel efficiency improves and the emissions are reduced. A further advantage of turbocharging is that this is the most weight-efficient method to boost engine power and performance. The N55 turbocharged inline-6 weighs approximately 150 lbs. less than an equally powerful eight-cylinder engine displacing 4.0 liters. This lower weight means a significant advantage not only in fuel economy, but also in balancing the car's weight distribution. Using Valvetronic for the first time on a turbocharged inline-6 allows the engine to andldquo;inhaleandrdquo; air for combustion with virtually no delay and with reduced pumping losses. As a result, the engine makes power more quickly than ever before, and this is proven by the N55andrsquo;s ability to reach peak torque at 1200rpm, 200rpm earlier than its twin-turbo predecessor [N54]. Packaging is better for the new engine, as the BMW Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control unit is now mounted directly to the engine, shortening the required wiring harness length and providing more efficient cooling to the DME through the use of intake air. Furthermore, using a single turbocharger means only a single exhaust stream must find its way to the catalytic converter, so only a single catalytic converter is used on the new engine. The single catalytic converter can be activated more quickly at cold start than the preceding twin-catalyst configuration, so the new engine has a cleaner cold start emissions signature than its predecessor. The new andldquo;N55andrdquo; engine will be installed in the 135i Coupe and Convertible, the 335i Sedan, Coupe and Convertible (excludes 335is models), the new 535i Sedan when it arrives this summer, the 535i Gran Turismo arriving this spring and finally, the X5 xDrive35i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Vehiclesandreg; starting with April production. 2011 BMW 1 Series Coupe andamp; Convertible. In the 1 Series, BMW introduced a modern and authentic performance coupe that draws inspiration from the iconic BMW 2002 model of some 40 years ago. By combining sporty rear wheel drive dynamics, agile handling, powerful engines, and seating for four, the 1 Series Coupe rekindles the flames that the BMW 2002 first ignited. The 2011 model year 1 Series Coupe and Convertible went on sale in spring and are available in two versions: the 128i and the 135i. For model year 2011, the BMW 135i receives the all-new andldquo;N55andrdquo; inline-6 engine (see Page 1), and the sporty 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission from the Z4 Roadster replaces the 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The 2011 128i Coupe and Convertible continue to be powered by the 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine that generates 200 lb-ft of torque. The engine features Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and magnesium /aluminum lightweight construction. An M Sport Package is now available on all 1 Series models, with sporty components perfectly matched to each vehicle. Last year, the 1 Series received interior enhancements which include the 4th generation iDrive system when equipped with optional BMW Navigation. It features new menus, new direct-select keys as well as Programmable Memory Keys. With access to GoogleMaps database search capability, subscribers to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan can access BMW Search to find a point of interest with a keyword. 2011 BMW 3 Series Sedan andamp; Sports Wagon. The 2011 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon are poised to maintain their legendary market leadership with the latest exterior and interior styling, state-of-the-art technologies, and superb ergonomics. The 2011 335i Sedan receives BMWandrsquo;s remarkable new turbocharged inline-6 engine with Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and High Precision direct fuel injection, coupled with a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Output is 300 horsepower. The celebrated 6-speed manual transmission remains standard and the 6-speed Steptronic automatic is optional. 328i models continue to feature the 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline-6 engine with magnesium / aluminum lightweight construction and Valvetronic. With a subtle freshening in 2009, the benchmark 3 Series received updates to exterior design features, a more dynamic profile, and a wider stance. The 4th generation iDrive controller and high-resolution display are now included when equipped with the Navigation system option. Popular on 3 Series models is an M Sport Package, with sporty components perfectly matched to each vehicle. Beyond the popular Sport Package, the M Sport Package includes an Anthracite headliner, an exterior aerodynamic package with BMW Individual Shadowline trim, and M-specific wheels, door sills, footrest, gearshift lever, and steering wheel. The M exterior color LeMans Blue Metallic is also available on 3 Series models with the M Sport Package. 2011 3 Series Coupe andamp; Convertible BMW has announced substantial enhancements to the 2011 3 Series Coupe and Convertible, including outstanding style updates for 328i and 335i models and a new engine for 335i models. A new model, the high-performance 335is, also becomes available for the 2011 model year (see next section). All 2011 3 Series Coupe and Convertible models went on sale in Spring 2010. All-new is the engine for the 335i model (see Page 1). The 6-speed manual gearbox, beloved by North American enthusiast drivers, remains standard, and the well-known 6-speed Steptronic automatic is optional, now available with andldquo;pull-styleandrdquo; shift paddles on the multifunction steering wheel. The profiles of the BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible are instantly recognizable at first glance. Beyond the basic shape of the cars and their classic lines, the new design of the headlights, the enhanced depth and detail of the taillights, the interior, and even the exterior mirrors were specifically created for the Coupe and Convertible. These unique design elements reflect the sporty character of the car. The driver who chooses a two-door vehicle desires a car with dynamic looks as well as driving performance. With this in mind, BMW engineers and designers set out to create a unique, unmistakable blend of design features and most importantly, driving pleasure. 2011 335is Coupe andamp; Convertible The hot new BMW 335is Coupe and Convertible are each destined to take a place in history among the line of desirable, often collectible, BMW andldquo;sandrdquo; models. Based on the newly-enhanced BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible (see previous page), the new BMW 335is features the award-winning, twin-turbocharged BMW inline-6 engine, specially tuned and equipped to produce 320 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0-liters. For the first time on a BMW 3 Series in the US, the 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Launch Control will be available as an option, in place of the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Equipped with the DCT, the 335is Coupe is capable of 0-60mph acceleration in 5 seconds flat. The andldquo;sandrdquo; was first seen by North Americans on the original BMW 3 Series, which was imported from 1977-1983. The 1980 BMW 320is included the most desirable 3 Series equipment, including Recaro sport seats, sport steering wheel, halogen high-beams, sunroof, dual color-keyed wing mirrors, anti-sway bars, exterior aerodynamic enhancements, and cross-spoke light-alloy wheels. Later in the1980s, the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series were each available as andldquo;sandrdquo; models, including the BMW 325es, 325is, and 535is. Again, sticking with a proven formula, BMW gave the andldquo;sandrdquo; models enhanced aerodynamics, sport suspension, on-board computer (OBC) and Check Control, sport leather seats, and other features. As the newest andldquo;sandrdquo; model, therefore, the 2011 BMW 335is follows its lineage by offering stunning looks, more power, and a raft of functional, performance-inspired equipment tailored to suit the enthusiast driver. 2011 BMW 5 Series Sedan The world debut of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan marks the epitome of modern design and driving pleasure in the world of premium midsize sedans. Through its athletic and executive looks, driving dynamics typical of BMW, and innovative comfort and safety features, the sixth generation of BMWandrsquo;s executive express accurately reflects the standards upheld by the worldandrsquo;s most successful manufacturer of premium cars. With the longest wheelbase in the segment, a long and sleek hood, short overhangs, and a coupe-like roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan stands out clearly from the competition. Overall, the aesthetic looks of the car are achieved through balanced proportions. Design features emblematic of BMW are to be found at the front with its kidney grille inclined slightly forward, in the stylish and elegant side view of the car, and at the muscular rear. Within the interior, precise functionality and a fresh ambience come together in perfect harmony, unmistakable style, and clear orientation to the driver. Highly advanced drivetrain and suspension technologies combine agile handling for the driver and a high standard of riding comfort for passengers. When equipped with the Sport Package, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan includes Adaptive Drive, which encompasses Driving Dynamics Control, Electronic Damper Control, and Active Roll Stabilization. Optional Integral Active Steering will virtually extend or shorten the vehicleandrsquo;s wheelbase for improved stability at high speeds and enhanced agility at lower speeds. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is currently available with V-8 and inline-6 gasoline engines. The top-of-the-range BMW 550i is equipped with BMWandrsquo;s andldquo;reverse-flowandrdquo; V-8 engine featuring twin turbochargers and High Precision direct injection for maximum output of 400 hp. The new inline-6 of the BMW 535i (see Page 1) features a single twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision direct injection, and, combined for the first time with turbocharging, Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology. It delivers a maximum output of 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. The 535i and 550i are available with a choice of 6-speed manual transmission, and BMWandrsquo;s new 8-speed automatic transmission, or andldquo;Sport Automaticandrdquo; 8-speed. The third variant of the 5 Series lineup is the 528i, featuring a 240 hp inline-6 with lightweight magnesium-aluminum construction and Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology for efficiency and unparalleled responsiveness. The 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is standard on the 528i. MSRP for the 528i is $45,425, including $875 Destination andamp; Handling. Beginning with September production, xDrive will be available on the top two 5 Series models, with pricing for the 550i xDrive and 535i xDrive at $52,775 and $62,875 respectively. The M Sport Package returns to the 5 Series delivering performance and style for the most enthusiastic of BMW drivers. The package adds a number of M style visual cues to the Dynamic Handling Package. The M Aerodynamic Kit gives the 5 series a sportier and more aggressive look, while the M double-spoke light alloy wheels and performance run-flat tires (size 18andrdquo; on the 528i and 19andrdquo; on the 535i, 550i, 535i xDrive, and 550i xDrive) back up the look with impressive performance and handling. The M Steering Wheel adds to this package by providing the most ergonomic grip for confidence during dynamic maneuvers. To accentuate the M Sport package, the interior is fit with Aluminum Hexagon trim (wood available). BMW EfficientDynamics technologies are featured in appropriate combinations on each model, including features such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, a gearshift point indicator, active cooling air flaps, and on-demand operation of engine accessory drives. Lightweight materials are used intelligently to balance the vehicle. Components such as doors, hood, front fenders, and suspension assemblies are made of aluminum. The driver assistance systems offered with the new 5 Series include an all-new Parking Assistant, Top View cameras, and Frontal Collision Warning with application of the brakes when ordered with Active Cruise Control plus Stop andamp; Go. Other driver assistance features available include Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, a Head-Up Display, and BMW Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection. 2011 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Entering its second model year, the 2011 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo adds new facets to BMWandrsquo;s Ultimate Driving Machine tradition and refines the concept of first-class travel. For the very first time, the attributes of an elegant sedan, a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle and a classic Gran Turismo are masterfully melded into a single, harmonious vehicle concept. New for 2011 are the xDrive all-wheel drive equipped 5 Series Gran Turismo models. The 535i xDrive Gran Turismo will be priced from $59,175 and the 550i xDrive Gran Turismo will be priced from $67,075, in each case a $2300 premium over the traditional rear-wheel drive models. As a result of final confirmatory fuel economy testing, the highway and combined values for the 550i Gran Turismo have been increased by one MPG. This eliminates the gas guzzler tax on all 2011 5 Series Gran Turismo models. The traditional European term Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) was first applied by Italian carmakers in the 1950s when they combined the performance, handling, and style of a 2-seat sports car with luxurious amenities and luggage room for each occupant. BMWandrsquo;s new Gran Turismo nurtures this tradition in its own contemporary way, providing exceptional space, style, luxury, and comfort for four passengers, plus the performance and driving pleasure of a BMW. Starting with September 2010 production, the 535i Gran Turismo will be available with xDrive, preserving the Gran Turismoandrsquo;s high dynamic ability in all four seasons. This unique combination gives BMWandrsquo;s newest 5 Series Gran Turismo a new level of performance and efficiency in the true spirit of BMW EfficientDynamics. BMWandrsquo;s signature corona rings feature LED technology and take on several functions: as parking lights, as an identifying element when the headlights are on, and as daytime running lights. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo interior combines space, luxury and stylish materials to create a premium ambiance. In the rear seats as well as up front, thereandrsquo;s a sense of generous space and comprehensive amenities, promoting relaxed and accommodating travel. In standard form, the rear seating accommodates three passengers, with a 40-20-40 split of the backrest allowing for selective fold-down. In addition, the entire seat cushion can be adjusted 3.9-in. fore and aft and the individual backrest sections can be adjusted over a range of 15anddeg;-33anddeg;. Optional as part of the Luxury Rear Seating Package are individual, multi-adjustable power seats, separated by a center console with cupholders and a storage compartment. Accompanying the variable seating accommodations is variable cargo capacity, ranging from an already generous 15.5 cu ft. in the sedan-style enclosed trunk to fully 60.0 cu ft. (DIN rating) with folded rear seats and SAV-style long cargo floor. A variable partition between the trunk and passenger compartments provides occupants with sedan-type climate and noise insulation even when the trunk is being loaded, yet moves with the seats when they are adjusted and folds flat when the greatest capacity is needed. 2011 BMW 7 Series Sedan Apart from the addition of the powerful ActiveHybrid 7 and the inline-6 powered 740i and 740Li models, the 7 Series goes unchanged for the 2011 model year, with one exception: the sensor for Active Cruise Control with Stop andamp; Go will be a smaller, less obvious sensor unit first introduced on the new 5 Series. The placement of the sensor on the 7 Series will remain to the right of kidney grille. The BMW 760Li Sedan went on sale in Fall of 2009 featuring the latest chapter in BMWandrsquo;s decades-long history of harmonious V12 engines. This newest BMW V12 produces 535 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque with help from twin turbochargers and High Precision Direct Injection. It also marked the first use of BMWandrsquo;s new 8-speed automatic transmission. The outcome is a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds in a stylish, luxurious package. The long list of standard features and amenities ensures the comfort of each occupant. Also, in the continuing development of BMWandrsquo;s flagship 7 Series, BMWandrsquo;s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive system has become available on the 750i and 750Li Sedans. In the 7 Series application, xDrive has been refined and enhanced to ensure a new benchmark is established for handling characteristics among all-wheel drive sedans. xDrive limits understeer by shifting power rearward (up to 80% to the rear axle) while preserving the stability for which BMW has been so widely recognized. Also, the system can now apply a precise combination of throttle and individual rear-wheel braking to maintain neutral handling in a corner, regardless of road surface conditions. These key enhancements to xDrive ensure that the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive are two of the most nimble all-wheel drive sedans available in any vehicle segment. For 2011, BMW announced the North American return of the 7 Series with an inline-6 engine. The new BMW 740i and BMW 740Li achieve a remarkable balance of power, efficiency, and sporty driving dynamics. Both models went on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010. In 1977, the original BMW 7 Series was launched exclusively with inline-6 propulsion. The United States first met the BMW 7 Series in the 1978 model year as the 733i Sedan. The 733i featured a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine rated at 197 horsepower. The 733i remained on sale in America until it was replaced in 1985 by the BMW 735i Sedan. The 735i, which featured an updated inline-6 engine producing 218 horsepower from 3.4 liters, enjoyed a production run that lasted through the end of the 1992 model year. The 735i was joined by the extended-wheelbase 735iL in May of 1988. The 2011 model 740i and 740Li feature BMWandrsquo;s internationally acclaimed twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with output of 315 horsepower. All-aluminum engine construction, High Precision direct fuel injection, VANOS variable camshaft technology, and Brake Energy Regeneration are a few of the technologies used under the BMW EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy to place the 740i and 740Li among the most powerful six-cylinder luxury sedans in the world. Delivering power to the rear wheels is BMWandrsquo;s 6-speed automatic transmission, well-known for fast, smooth gearshifts and an ability to intelligently adapt to the driver. Both models are available with the full complement of 7 Series options and packages, including the M Sport Package, Driver Assistance Package, Luxury Seating Packages, Rear Entertainment Package, and even the BMW Individual Composition Package. 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 arrived on American shores late in the second quarter of 2010 as a 2011 model. Based on the 5th-generation BMW 7 Series, this unique car sets new standards for performance and efficiency in the premium luxury class. Symbiosis of a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine with a 3-phase synchronous electric motor gives the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 a combined output of 455 hp and maximum torque of 515 lb-ft from 2000 andndash; 3000rpm. Power is transmitted via an 8-speed automatic transmission with the electric motor positioned between the engine and the torque converter. The electric motor receives its supply of energy from a lithium-ion battery developed specifically for this automobile. The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 accelerates to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while delivering better fuel efficiency than the 750i and 750Li. Auto Start Stop maximizes efficiency by avoiding engine idling when stopped. The ActiveHybrid 7 is distinguished by aerodynamically-tuned ten-spoke 19-inch Aero wheels, and is available in Bluewater Metallic exterior paintwork. The BMW ActiveHybrid 7L has a wheelbase increased by 5.5", all of which is devoted to the enhanced comfort of rear-seat passengers. Both models are available with a wide range of options from the portfolio of equipment offered on the BMW 7 Series. 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 with xDrive The BMW ALPINA B7 represents the second generation of ALPINA automobiles based on the BMW 7 Series to be offered in the US. The first BMW ALPINA B7 was offered as a limited edition for the 2007 and 2008 model years. Newly interpreted and based on the current BMW 7 Series platform, the B7 again sets the benchmark in terms of performance, refinement, technology, luxury and exclusivity. The BMW ALPINA B7 is offered with xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, and in both standard- and long-wheelbase editions. Yielding exquisite levels of power and torque from the twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8, and in conjunction with the electronically-adjustable suspension with active roll stabilization, the new B7 promises to offer a spectrum of driving experiences so broad as to be unheard of in this class of automobiles. The evolution of the traditional 20-spoke 21" ALPINA Classic wheels underlines the fresh design language found throughout the B7 and imparts to it a distinctive appearance and powerful stance. All B7 sedans are equipped with BMWandrsquo;s twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter, all-aluminum, High Precision Direct Injection V-8 engine, enhanced by ALPINA to produce 500 (373kW) horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700Nm) of torque. This rear-wheel drive performance/luxury sedan achieves 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds (4.6 seconds with xDrive). With maximum torque available across an unusually broad engine range, from 3,000 to 4,750 rpm, the B7 accelerates effortlessly from virtually any speed. The B7 sedan is finished with ALPINA aerodynamic developments, including front and rear spoilers which not only enhance the appearance but also improve stability and performance at high speeds. In true andldquo;form-follows-functionandrdquo; fashion, the ALPINA front integrates the fresh-air requirements of the transmission and engine oil coolers, which are separated out of the main cooler module for improved efficiency. The spoilers reduce lift at the front by 30% and rear by15%. The exhaust systemandrsquo;s two double tailpipes are seamlessly integrated into the rear bumper. The newest evolution of the traditional 20-spoke ALPINA Classic wheels gives the B7 a distinctive appearance and powerful stance. The interior of the B7 sedan features ALPINA blue illuminated door sill trims, the Switch-tronic steering wheel in hand-stitched Lavalina leather, and the Black-Panel LCD screen instrument cluster branded with ALPINA. The full complement of BMW 7 Series exterior colors remains available, in addition to the signature ALPINA Blue metallic paint. 2010 BMW 6 Series Coupe, Convertible The modern BMW 6 Series revived the essential attributes of its landmark 1976-89 predecessor: sporting, yet luxurious accommodations in the 2+2 format; sporty and gorgeous exterior design; strong, refined performance; an extra measure of sporty driving pleasure; and extensive standard equipment, encompassing outstanding luxury and convenience features. Summer of 2010 marks the end of production of the current generation 6 Series and M6 Coupe and Convertible. Look for a new 6 Series to be released in due time. 2011 BMW X5 SAVandreg; For 2011, the BMW X5 models are enhanced with new powertrains and updated design. Innovative new design elements and powertrains are the result of over 4,000 new parts created by BMW designers and engineers for the 2011 BMW X5. Two of the X5andrsquo;s powertrains are all-new for 2011, creating the new X5 xDrive50i ($59,275) and X5 xDrive35i ($46,675), in addition to the familiar BMW Advanced Diesel X5 xDrive35d ($52,175). All models receive a design update that enhances the brilliant focus and aesthetic appearance of the X5 brand. The gasoline models receive BMWandrsquo;s new 8-speed automatic transmission for better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The X5 xDrive50i features BMWandrsquo;s 4.4-liter andldquo;reverse flowandrdquo; V-8 engine with 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, coupled to the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The X5 xDrive35i features BMWandrsquo;s newest inline-6 engine (see Page 1), with 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft, also coupled to the 8-speed automatic. These two models are capable of 0-60mph acceleration in 5.3 seconds and 6.4 seconds, respectively, while achieving EPA highway fuel efficiency ratings of 20 and 23 miles per gallon, respectively. The updated body design of the 2011 BMW X5 is characterized by well-balanced proportions that accentuate the vehicleandrsquo;s powerful presence and agility. A long wheelbase, short front and rear body overhangs, and large light-alloy wheels provide a visual balance between the front and rear of the vehicle. Square-shaped, carefully flared wheel arches hint at the X5andrsquo;s all-wheel drive traction and other-roads capability. The body lines sweep upwards from the front and rear wheels, communicating BMWandrsquo;s near-perfect 50-50 front-rear weight distribution which is so essential to the X5andrsquo;s legendary driving dynamics. The sides of the X5 are elegantly stretched though the strong horizontal lines of each side. The surface of the hood flows seamlessly into the waistline, while the prominent, gently inclined contour line at the door handle level extends from the front wheel arches to the rear of the vehicle. These character lines symbolize power, stability, and presence. With its distinctively contoured hood, large BMW kidney grille and dual round headlights, the new BMW X5 boasts an expressive front end that symbolizes power and presence. The newest interpretation of the X5andrsquo;s look is led by the redesign of the front fascia and position of the standard fog lamps. Due to an increase in the number of elements painted body color, the front end gives the impression of being lower. At the same time, the increased size of both the central and outer air intakes hint at the boosted engine output. The black trim at the bottom edge of the body is now considerably narrower. A matte-finished silver protection plate extends across the entire width of the central air intake, emphasizing the muscular features of the SAV, and accentuates the new X5andrsquo;s character. An M Sport Package is now available on most X5 models, with sporty components perfectly matched to each vehicle. Last year showcased the introduction of the BMW Advanced Diesel-powered X5 xDrive35d. It features a 3.0-liter sequential twin-turbo inline-6 diesel engine with 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. The X5 xDrive 35d offers class-leading performance and fuel efficiency: 0 andndash; 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and an equally impressive 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway EPA rating. 2011 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe What if you could have the other-roads capability of BMWandrsquo;s celebrated X5, combined into one vehicle with the presence and remarkable driving dynamics of a BMW Coupe? The BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe is equally at home taking the family skiing, or taking a few laps around the famous Nϋrburgring. The superb, even remarkable driving dynamics of the X6 are attributable to another BMW innovation: Dynamic Performance Control. DPC distributes torque as required in all situations, feeding a varying degree of power and torque to the two rear wheels. DPC is the only system of its kind able to provide its stabilizing effect both under acceleration and deceleration. The X6 is available with a choice of twin-turbocharged engines. The 2011 X6 xDrive35i ($57.375) features BMWandrsquo;s all-new 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo inline-6 with 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 2011 X6 xDrive50i ($68,075) features BMWandrsquo;s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. Both models feature the new 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission. 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 ($89,775) made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September 2009 and went on sale at US BMW Centers in December 2009. BMW ActiveHybrid technology provides outstanding driving performance with equally impressive efficiency. It melds both of these qualities to offer a truly unique driving experience. The drive system featured in the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 consists of a 400 hp twin-turbocharged V-8 gasoline engine and two electric synchronous motors delivering 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively. Maximum system output is 480 hp, and peak torque reaches 575 lb-ft. ActiveHybrid technology offers a boost to performance and simultaneously improves fuel efficiency by approximately 20 percent versus a comparable vehicle powered by a combustion engine alone. The result is an enjoyable driving experience and an increase of four miles per gallon to 17 mpg on the City drive cycle (EPA). Precisely controlled interaction of the gasoline engine and electric motors contributes to the efficiency of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 at all speeds. 0-60 mph takes 5.4 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 130 mph. These performance figures are made possible by utilizing a two-mode active transmission. The ideal combination of the two power modes can be controlled for enhanced efficiency and dynamic performance in any driving condition. BMWandrsquo;s first full hybrid model is able to run exclusively on electric power andndash; entirely free of CO2 andndash; up to a speed of 37 mph for up to 1.6 miles. 2011 BMW X3 (All-new) The all-new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle will be introduced late in 2010 as a 2011 model, and will go on sale early in the first quarter of 2011. In the United States, the X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i will be available. Read the complete press release at bmwusanews.com. 2011 BMW Z4 Roadster The classic roadster is back andndash; more powerful and more stylish than ever before. It is the BMW Z4, the only car in its segment that combines classic roadster proportions with a seating position near the rear axle, rear-wheel drive, and a retractable hardtop. Nothing matches the BMW Z4andrsquo;s ability to offer all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Roof down, this two-seater offers a refreshing experience of sunshine wind. Drive it with the hardtop closed and it provides all the comfort of a sports coupe. The design of the new Z4 comes out through classic details interpreted in new, up-to-date style. This outstanding two-seater offers a unique combination of elegance, agility, and comfort. The aluminum shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, saving maximum space in the process. Even with the roof closed, the new Z4 retains the proportions typical of a genuine roadster. The new BMW Z4 is offered in the US with two well-known and acclaimed inline-6 engines, both displacing 3.0 liters: 300 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i and 255 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i ensure truly outstanding acceleration and response at all times. Comprehensive use of BMWandrsquo;s EfficientDynamics technologies serves to provide an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and fuel efficiency. While both models feature a manual 6-speed gearbox, the Z4 sDrive35i is available with the 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT). The 6-speed sport automatic is optional on the Z4 sDrive30i. An all-new exclusive Citrus Yellow package will be available as of September 2010 production on all Z4 models. Unique to this package are a number of premium features. First, Sport seats with an exclusive black Alcantara/leather combination cradles passengers in comfort and luxury. The center of the seats and backrest panels are black Alcantara with yellow accents, matching the unique color scheme of the car. The armrests and center console are draped in black Nappa leather with door inserts in yellow Alcantara featuring a double lapped seam. The center of the passenger-side dashboard is also fit with black Alcantara, while the lower dashboard is colored in Citrus Yellow. Unique for this package is the Individual Piano Black wood trim, anthracite colored headliner and exclusive Atacama Yellow exterior. 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is The new BMW Z4 sDrive35is ($61,925) is one of BMWandrsquo;s fastest and best-handling Roadsters ever. The turbocharger system developed for the engine of the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is maintains a high output throughout the entire engine speed range. Nominal peak torque is increased to 332 lb-ft from 1,400 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Maximum output of 335 hp is delivered at 5,800 rpm. The BMW Z4 sDrive35is will complete the sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds (preliminary). Acoustic tuning of the exhaust system of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is gives the car a very unique sound across the speed range. The sound is characterized by a deep rumble with a focus on the low frequency sound range. The BMW Z4 sDrive35is includes new M Sport upgrades such as M Aerodynamics and adaptive M Suspension. The adaptive M Suspension combines a ride-height reduction of 10 millimeters (almost 0.4andrdquo;) with electronically controlled shock absorbers to improve the vehicleandrsquo;s agility without compromising ride comfort. The M Sport upgrades emphasize the Z4andrsquo;s athletic character through aerodynamically optimized exterior features and customized interior components. Special 18-inch light-alloy wheels round off the sporty character of the Z4 sDrive35is. 19-inch light-alloy wheels are optional. In addition, the new model is further distinguished by a striking front bumper with a matte aluminum trim bar in each outer air intake, a rear bumper with accentuated surrounds on the tailpipes, and a rear diffuser finished at top in body color and black textured surface underneath. Inside, a full complement of M Sport details augments the new Aluminum Carbon interior trim and available new Kansas Walnut leather. When Atacama Yellow is ordered on a Z4 sDrive35is (see Citrus Yellow package, Page 11), the mirror caps will be yellow rather than the oxide silver as is standard on other 35is models. The all-new Exclusive Citrus Yellow package will be available in combination with the M Sport Package. 2011 BMW M3 Sedan, Coupe, Convertible BMW raised the performance benchmark once again with the introduction of the 4th generation M3. The latest M3 is again available, as was the 2nd generation, as a Sedan ($56,275), Coupe ($59,275) or Convertible ($67,925). All share the unique, high-revving, 414-horsepower V-8 engine and choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed M Dual Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic. For the M3andrsquo;s 2011 model year, which started in March 2010, buyers of the M3 Sedan and M3 Coupe can choose a new Competition Package which reduces vehicle ride height by 10mm and includes unique 19andrdquo; wheels with wider offset for enhanced stability, standard Electronic Damping Control with enhanced programming, and higher-threshold programming for the M Dynamic Mode (if equipped). Starting with September 2010 production, the 2011 M3 will receive a number of further enhancements. Mineral White Metallic exterior paint becomes available, as do new Palladium Silver / Black / Black and Fox Red / Black interior upholsteries. The celebrated M Drive system becomes standard. Identified by its now-famous M Button on the steering wheel, M Drive allows the M3 driver to pre-program two andldquo;personalitiesandrdquo; for the vehicle and toggle between them with a press of the M Button. The button will: Activate the andldquo;second levelandrdquo; of Dynamic Stability Control known as M Dynamic Mode (MDM). Activate the Sport setting of the Servotronic variable power steering system. Arm the shift lights (when equipped with M-DCT). Select the pre-stored setting for Electronic Damping Control (EDC), if equipped. Select the pre-stored setting for Drivelogic (when equipped with M-DCT). Finally, BMWandrsquo;s Auto Stop-Start feature becomes standard on the M3 with September production. Auto Start-Stop is a BMW EfficientDynamics fuel saving measure previously unavailable in the US except on ActiveHybrid models. Auto Stop-Start will automatically stop the engine when the transmission is placed in Neutral and the clutch is released. The engine will immediately restart as soon as the clutch is depressed. The system is driver selectable and will only function once the engine is up to operating temperature and the ambient temperature is between 37 Degrees F and 85 Degrees F. The new Manual M Sport Seats (M3 Sedan, Coupe) offer the same adjustments as the previous electric seats but with manual adjustment in order to save weight (approximately 5kg per seat) and expense when power memory seats are not required. Lumber support and seatback side bolters remain electrically adjustable. Power Seats remain standard in the M3 Convertible. 2011 BMW X5 M AND X6 M The X5 M and X6 M are unchanged for the 2011 model year. Finding new ways to expand the boundaries of what is possible with existing BMW models has always been the singular purpose of the craftsmen at BMW M. The BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M are the first all-wheel-drive models to offer the remarkable performance, dynamic driving experience, athletic design, and premium quality of a BMW M product. Both models are powered by a new-concept BMW M engine that departs purposefully from the established ultra-high-revving V-8 and V-10 M engines powering the M3, M5 and M6 models. For power, torque, and response characteristics, BMW M has adapted twin turbocharging, High Precision direct fuel injection and accompanying new technologies that achieve the ever-consistent BMW M goal of the highest levels of performance and refinement. Thanks to a special, M-tuned version of BMWandrsquo;s Integrated Chassis Management, on-board systems including xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and Dynamic Performance Control torque-vectoring system are maximized for handling while braking and accelerating under the most extreme circumstances. As a result, the X5 M and X6 M are able to maximize traction while precisely following the steering inputs of the driver. The X5 M and X6 M are equipped with the M Drive system, which allows a driver to pre-configure the vehicle for maximum performance and feedback at a touch of the steering wheel-mounted M Button. BMW EfficientDynamics The Intelligent Way to Reduce Fuel Consumption and Emissions. BMWandrsquo;s commitment to reduce harmful emissions and help protect the environment is unique in the automobile industry. BMW applies its EfficientDynamics principles to each model by using lightweight components in key areas, new technologies for improved powertrain efficiency and more importantly, planned sustainability for the long term reduction of fuel consumption and emissions output. A recent Environmental Defense report shows that BMWandrsquo;s fleet average for CO2 emissions was reduced by 12% from 1990 - 2005 and its fuel economy improved by 14%, despite the introduction of many new passenger cars and light-duty trucks. This not only demonstrates our long-standing dedication to help the environment, but our ability to do so with every vehicle that wears the BMW roundel. In this period of time, BMW has introduced many industry-leading technologies across its entire model range, such as Valvetronic throttle-less engine control, on-demand coolant and hydraulic pumps for reduced parasitic losses, and High-Precision Direct Injection. In 2009, BMW added two 50-state BMW Advanced Diesel models for an unprecedented combination of performance and low emissions. In some 2010 and 2011 models, BMW introduced Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop technology and two BMW ActiveHybrid models. It is our unending goal to develop technologies and vehicles designed to combine the efficiency our customers desire with dynamics and performance our customers expect. BMW ConnectedDrive Innovations: Advanced on-board use of mobile phones and music players. Beginning with September production there will be enhancements to BMW Assist with Bluetooth and the iPod/USB Adapter. These enhancements extend the functionality through improved integration of mobile devices into the vehicle. These new features are made possible by hardware advances. (All Models) BMW Assist with Extended Bluetooth The Bluetooth functionality is extended beyond hands-free and phonebook support with multiple innovations. Feature support is dependent upon compatibility with the mobile device. RIM Smart Phone Integration Mobile Office: The industry-first mobile office integration of BlackBerry Smartphones, a customer can access email, text messages, and notes through the iDrive system providing seamless integration with the vehicle. Safety and avoiding driver distraction is paramount at BMW. In order to maintain the driverandrsquo;s focus on the road, the vehicleandrsquo;s voice control system (included with navigation) will read messages aloud via text-to-speech. The central screen will also display the only the first three lines of text. The full text can only be displayed when the vehicle is parked. Compatible BlackBerry hardware, firmware, and feature set will be announced later. vCard photo support: Images of contacts stored in your phonebook are downloaded from the device and shown on the vehicle display. When the mobile phone rings, a picture of the caller will appear on the vehicle display. External Call Lists: External call list handling downloads the andldquo;re-dialandrdquo; and andldquo;received calls listandrdquo; at every reconnect of the mobile device and after each call. Bluetooth Music Streaming: Bluetooth music streaming offers wireless audio streaming from the mobile device to the vehicle. Music stored on the mobile phone is played and controlled through the iDrive controller. iPod/USB Adapter andmiddot; iPod One-wire integration: The iPod connection no longer requires the andldquo;Y-cableandrdquo; for separate aux-input for sound. The iPod USB cable supplied with the iPod is all that is required to connect the device to the vehicle. The music is transferred directly from the iPod digitally to the sound system via the USB connection.andmiddot; Album Cover Art: If cover art is contained in the metadata of a particular song, it will show on the vehicle display while the song is played.andmiddot; Voice Control of Devices: The driver can control external devices and select genre, artist, album, and song title with the voice control system included with Navigation System.andmiddot; Mobile Phone Device Driver Update: In combination with BMW Assist, the USB port can be used to upload new mobile phone and audio player device drivers. (Release timing for this feature and device driver availability are subject to change.) Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=245 Jim Oandrsquo;Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC launched the companyandrsquo;s andldquo;DRIVE IT HOME andndash; DONandrsquo;T TXT andamp; DRIVEandrdquo; campaign today with the help of Evans Scholars, local teens and automotive partners including Group 1 Automotive, and the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana BMW Centers at a special Teen Driving School to kick off the BMW Championship at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. PGA Tour player, Brian Gay, also attended the event to speak about the importance of road safety. All proceeds from the driving event benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full university tuition and housing grants to deserving young caddies. Oandrsquo;Donnell, a staunch advocate against behaviors associated with distracted driving commented, andldquo;Being a good corporate citizen is a BMW core value and we are particularly committed to promoting safe driving through eliminating driver distractions.andrdquo; Additionally, he said, andldquo;Road safety goes to the heart of the companyandrsquo;s DNA and we advocate not only the safety of our own customers, but the safety of everyone on the road. Our teen driving school and andldquo;DRIVE IT HOME andndash; DONandrsquo;T TXT andamp; DRIVE campaign give us the opportunity to invest in our children, raising awareness about the risks of driving and helping them to develop lifelong safety habits.andrdquo; Earl Hesterberg, President and CEO, Group 1 Automotive, which owns 15 BMW and MINI dealerships throughout the U.S., was pleased to team up with BMW to promote the early education of young drivers. "We are excited to partner with BMW to sponsor its Teen Driving School coinciding with the BMW Championship," commented Hesterberg. "Driver awareness and safety for teens have never been more important given the many distractions confronting young drivers today andndash;such as texting while driving. We are proud to support BMW in its efforts to help keep teen drivers safe." BMWandrsquo;s andldquo;DRIVE IT HOME andndash; DONandrsquo;T TXT andamp; DRIVEandrdquo; campaign is an important addition to the teen driving school program. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 87 percent of teens admit to texting while driving. At the teen driving school, students learn this behavior is one of the most dangerous actions a person can do behind the wheel. Dan Gubitosa, Director, BMW Performance Center noted, andldquo;Our driving instructors teach that itandrsquo;s vital to remain focused on the road ahead and be aware of oneandrsquo;s surroundings. If you are on the cell phone or texting while driving, you are not able to anticipate or react intelligently to hazardous situations. Our new campaign on distracted driving creates awareness about the consequences of this action affecting not only teens but everyone who drives a vehicle.andrdquo; The BMW Teen Driving School is a grassroots initiative under the companyandrsquo;s Corporate Social Responsibility program combining teens, road safety and local community outreach. It is a recent extension of the teen curriculum offered at the BMW Performance Center located in Spartanburg, SC. Students improve their driving skills and increase their road knowledge through classroom instruction, driver awareness activities and hands-on driving exercises. Since BMW became a presenting sponsor of the BMW Championship in 2007, the BMW Championship has raised a total of $7.3 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation. BMW also offers a summer internship program that invites the scholars to work for BMW, offering them invaluable insight into their future careers after graduation. At the 2010 BMW Championship, BMW will also continue its tradition of pledging a four-year Evans Scholarship in honor of the first player who scores a hole-in-one during the tournament. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=247 The BMW Group has been named as the automotive industryandrsquo;s Supersector leader for the sixth consecutive year, and is therefore the worldandrsquo;s most sustainable automobile manufacturer. This was the conclusion of the SAM Group, published in its latest evaluation for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI). The BMW Group is the only company in the automotive industry to have been listed in this important group of sustainability indexes every year since it was established in 1999 and named Supersector leader for each of the past six years. This year, the BMW Group is also the only German company to be ranked among the 19 Supersector leaders worldwide. andldquo;We are delighted to be recognised by the renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. This independent ranking confirms once again that the BMW Group plays a leading role in the automotive industry of the future,andrdquo; said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. andldquo;For us, being the worldandrsquo;s most sustainable automobile company means accepting responsibility as a good corporate citizen. It motivates us to continue along this path towards our vision of sustainable individual mobility.andrdquo; The fact that sustainability is an integral part of the BMW Group's corporate strategy was rated particularly highly by SAM Group analysts. The Board of Management of the BMW Group declared sustainability one of the companyandrsquo;s core strategic principles back in 2000. At the BMW Group, corporate sustainability is firmly entrenched throughout the entire value chain: from the development of fuel-saving and alternative vehicle concepts through clean production processes to green recycling practices. The BMW Group also accepts responsibility for its roughly 96,000 employees and is involved in social projects outside of its plants. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=251 Dustin Johnson believes the fourth win of his young and promising career was the best one. That's mainly because of the players he beat Sunday in the BMW Championship. And a big part of it is timing. This had been one big summer of Sunday disappointments playing in the final group. It started with the 82 he shot in the final round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Then came the shock of Whistling Straits, when Johnson didn't realize he was in one of a thousand bunkers on the 18th hole and was given a two-shot penalty for touching the sand with his club, knocking him out of the playoff at the PGA Championship. Even in the FedEx Cup, he was in the last group at The Barclays three weeks ago only to shoot 72 and tie for ninth. This one turned out differently. Tied for the lead with two holes to play, knowing the 405-yard 17th hole that bends to the right with bunkers protecting the left side, Johnson reached for his driver and blasted his biggest shot of the final round at Cog Hill. "I knew I needed to hit a good tee ball because it was going to be my best chance of making a birdie," Johnson said. "I was just trying to cut a drive, hold it against the wind and get it around the corner a little bit. And I hit it perfect." It set up a sand wedge from 94 yards that Johnson hit to 2 feet for the go-ahead birdie. He followed with another clutch drive and a 40-foot par down the ridge that settled tap-in range from the hole for a par and a 2-under 69. He wound up with a one-shot victory over Paul Casey, moving Johnson to No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings. For all the heartache he endured in his breakout season, Johnson showed he is as resilient as he is powerful. "To finally get it done, especially after all the things I've gone through this summer ... it can't feel any better," Johnson said. Johnson's biggest rival had been playing in the last group on Sunday. Another rivalry was renewed Sunday when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson played together for the first time this year. There was far more at stake for Woods than Mickelson, for the world's No. 1 player needed to finish around fifth to get into the Tour Championship. He wasn't even close. Mickelson put five strokes between them over seven holes and matched the best round of the day at 4-under 67. Woods didn't get under par for the first time all week until a birdie on the 17th hole. He finished with a 70 to tie for 15th, not nearly enough to crack the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings and get to East Lake. It will be the first time in his pro career that Woods has not been invited to a tournament. "I didn't play well in the beginning of the year and I didn't play well in the middle of the year," Woods said. "Now I'm starting to play well. I'm headed in the right direction." Mickelson didn't get all he wanted out of these playoffs. He started at No. 4 and slid to No. 10 after his tie for eighth at Cog Hill, his first top 10 since the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Beating Woods is a small consolation, although their head-to-head record playing in the same group now stands at 11-11-4. "He certainly brings out the best in me, and I enjoy being paired with him," Mickelson said. For Johnson, the best is still around the corner. In one year, the 26-year-old American has established himself as one of golf's rising stars. He won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in February to become the first player since Woods in 1998 to go straight from college to PGA Tour titles in each of his first three years. No other American in his 20s has more than his four career victories. And where some see failure, Johnson sees only opportunity. True, he could easily have captured two majors this year. Johnson takes pleasure in knowing that he played in the final group five times this year, a sign of consistency. Casey, meanwhile, had a chance to make a statement of his own. He was No. 9 in the world when European captain Colin Montgomerie declined to pick him for the Ryder Cup. It was shocking to leave Casey off the team, leading to innuendoes and hard feelings. Casey had a three-shot lead on the back nine until making three straight bogeys, then failed to give himself a birdie look inside 25 feet over the last three holes. He closed with a 69. "It was myself against the golf course, 72 holes, and I played it one shot worse than Dustin Johnson," Casey said. With the 70-man field at Cog Hill narrowed to the final 30, the BMW Championship offered plenty of drama away from the leaders. Charlie Wi appeared set for his first Tour Championship until making bogeys on the last two holes, missing a 12-foot par putt on the final hole. That moved Bill Haas up to No. 30. Then came Matt Kuchar, who needed a birdie for any hope of getting into a playoff at Cog Hill. He ran his putt 3 1/2 feet by the hole, then missed it coming back. Kuchar was in a two-way tie for third, and the bogey moved him into a three-way tie for fourth. That allowed K.J. Choi to crack the top 30. Ryan Moore, the 54-hole leader, was alone in third place when he sent his second shot over the 18th green. He smartly played away from the pin to avoid chipping into the water and took his bogey, which kept him in the top 30. If Moore had made double bogey, he would have fallen out of the Tour Championship. The 30th and final spot went to Bo Van Pelt. Johnson earned a small measure of redemption. He likely moves to No. 12 in the world with his fourth career victory. "I know I've had some failures andmdash; I don't know if I'd call them failures andmdash; I've had a few mishaps," Johnson said. "To come back and get it done, I'm very proud of myself. I think I've handled everything very well, and now I've got to look forward to two weeks from now." Source: Accociated Press http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=254 PGA TOUR players Camilo Villegas, Rickie Fowler, Martin Laird, Charley Hoffman, Vaughn Taylor and Marc Leishman practiced a different type of driving andndash; at the racetrack andndash; during the 2010 BMW Championship. The dynamic racing event took place at the Autobahn Country Club racetrack in Joliet, IL at the conclusion of the first day of competition at the tournament. The BMW Championship is the third leg in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup and features the worldandrsquo;s top 70 professional golfers. All proceeds from the BMW Championship will again benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, one of the nationandrsquo;s largest privately funded college scholarship programs, providing full university tuition and housing grants to deserving young caddies. Since BMW became a presenting sponsor of the tournament in 2007, the BMW Championship has raised a total of $7.3 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=255 BMW Classic is offering classic BMW automobiles for sale. A BMW M1 and a BMW 3.0 CSL are to be sold by Bonhams auction house in Dubai this October. The two rarities hail from the companyandrsquo;s own collection and rank among the icons of BMWandrsquo;s automotive heritage. The auction sale marks BMW Classicandrsquo;s next step on its path towards customer orientation. Following the expansion of the historic workshop into the BMW Classic Center, which carries out restoration work on customer vehicles, further business segments are being broached: andldquo;Buying and selling classics is as much a part of our new range of services as the consignment of classics and advice on buying,andrdquo; says Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Classic. andldquo;The auction of these two automobiles is our first move in that direction.andrdquo; Since the 1990s, both the BMW M1 and the BMW 3.0 CSL have been owned by BMW Classic, and its forerunner BMW Mobile Tradition, where they were progressively restored and made public appearances at special events like the Concorso dandrsquo;Eleganza Villa dandrsquo;Este. The auction of these two cars by Bonhams in Dubai will be the first time any model from the companyandrsquo;s own collection has been put up for sale. andldquo;I have no doubt that, for this debut, we have made the right choice in terms of the location and our partners,andrdquo; declares a confident Baumer. Further purchases and sales will follow. andldquo;Documenting BMWandrsquo;s heritage and our deployment potential for events naturally form the spearhead of our collection strategy, but beyond that we want to give BMW enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase classics directly from the manufacturer in Munich,andrdquo; explains Ralf Vierlein, General Manager Sales and Aftersales at BMW Classic. andldquo;At the same time we are consolidating our presence in the Middle East andndash; a region where we see a great deal more potential specifically on the classic car front,andrdquo; adds Vierlein. The partnership with renowned British auctioneers Bonhams began last November, when they placed the worldandrsquo;s largest private collection of classic BMW motorcycles under the hammer at the BMW Museum in Munich. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=256 The 2010 Paris Motor Show is the setting for the world premiere of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupandeacute;. This design study for a premium-class 2+2-seater is the embodiment of a passion for aesthetics and dynamics. Flowing lines and aesthetically sculpted surfaces define the design of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupandeacute;, in which classic BMW coupandeacute; styling cues are given a modern rendition. Among the innovative details featured in this concept study are full LED headlights and a newly designed, freestanding Control Display for the iDrive operating system. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=258 At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, luxury auto maker BMW announced several new enhancements and accessories for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Perhaps most notable among the new offerings is the BMW holder for the Apple iPad, an accessory that attaches to the companyandrsquo;s new Travel andamp; Comfort System, and offers secure back-seat mounting for the tablet, the ability to be used in vertical or horizontal orientation, and angle adjustment. Also new is the BMW Station for the Apple iPhone, another cradle-like accessory designed for BMW models lacking the companyandrsquo;s iDrive control system. It offers optimal mounting of an iPhone, allows for charging without visible cable connections, includes a hands-free kit with directional microphone and radio mute function, and will interface with an upcoming BMW Link app for iDrive-like functionality. The company is also planning to offer new Bluetooth technology created for iOS 4 that allows the iPhone 4 to be better integrated, and complete support for the new iPod Out feature of iOS 4 for improved navigation and control of connected devices. BMWandrsquo;s new accessories and features for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod are expected to be available in new BMW automobiles beginning in Spring 2011. Source: ilounge.comhttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=260 Spontaneous, flexible, CO2-free mobility in the characteristic style of the brand andndash; World-first transfer of that familiar MINI feeling to the two-wheel segment brings alternative drive technology to the attention of lifestyle-led target groups andndash; Innovative vehicle concept marks its world premiere at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=262 New York Metro and Greater Los Angeles will again be included and be joined by Metropolitan markets of San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and Boston. Woodcliff Lake, NJ andndash; September 23, 2010andhellip; Later today at Opportunity Green in Los Angeles, BMW will announce the markets which will participate in the BMW ActiveE field trial when it begins in summer 2011. The New York metro market and the Greater Los Angeles Area will again play key roles. In Southern California, the metropolitan market of San Diego will be included. Northern California will be included in the BMW ActiveE field trial with the Greater San Francisco and Sacramento areas. In addition to select markets in Connecticut, Boston will provide new opportunities to gain experience in this trial. The BMW ActiveE field trial will build on the success and experience gained during the MINI E field trial, now in its second year. Experience gained in this second-phase trial will prepare the BMW Group for the launch of its purpose-designed Megacity Vehicle in 2013. andldquo;We were the first automaker to put 450 electric vehicles on US roads for daily use. We have gained so much insight into living with an EV with our MINI E pioneers over the last year,andrdquo; said Rich Steinberg, Manager of Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy for BMW of North America. andldquo;Partners like the City of New Yorkandrsquo;s Mayorandrsquo;s Office, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison have also been critical to the success of the program. Weandrsquo;re looking forward to working with more drivers in more markets to build on our base of experience as we get ready for the launch of the Megacity Vehicle, and we look forward to even greater collaboration with the BMW ActiveE.andrdquo; andldquo;In addition to our existing and new pioneers in each of these markets, we looking forward to working our new strategic partners the City of San Francisco Department of Transportation, San Francisco Clean Cities Coalition, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston, San Diego Gas andamp; Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Northeast Utilities and subsidiary Connecticut Light andamp; Power, Sacramento Municipal Utilities District and New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition,andrdquo; added Steinberg. The BMW ActiveE field trial is set to begin in Summer 2011. BMW ActiveE: the next phase of the BMW Groupandrsquo;s ongoing EV development A glimpse of the BMW ActiveE was first seen with the Concept ActiveE at the North American International Auto Show in January, 2010. Based on the chassis of a BMW 1 Series Coupe it features a newly developed electric drivetrain and a lithium-ion battery-packed developed in cooperation with SB-LiMotive. It offers four passenger seating and approximately seven cubic-feet of luggage capacity. The vehicle concept and drive system provide the agility and dynamic acceleration performance which are characteristic of the BMW 1 Series Coupe. Based on realistic simulations, the sprint from 0-60 mph requires approximately 8.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the vehicle is electronically limited at around 90 mph. The lithium-ion battery pack specially developed for this vehicle supplies energy to the motor and all other functions of the BMW Concept ActiveE. For the first time, storage cells are used which were developed especially for use in automobiles by the BMW Group in collaboration with the cooperation partner SB LiMotive. The aim is to use the best available technology in the area of energy storage as part of the development of the Megacity Vehicle. The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE have their own liquid cooling system and intelligent battery management system, which are key elements in increasing both the storage capacity and the durability of the battery cells. These systems also ensure that the long range can be maintained largely independent of external climatic conditions. The storage system developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE enables a real-world range of about 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions. The climate control systems developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE can also be activated via smartphone. This option includes a timer function so the driver can ensure that the vehicle is conveniently pre-cooled or pre-heated before getting into it in the morning, for example. Climatic pre-conditioning optimizes not only ride comfort but also the operating status of the energy storage system in the sense that it maximises the range of the vehicle. The control of the heating and air conditioning system by mobile phone is made available through BMW ConnectedDrive. The BMW Concept ActiveE demonstrates the extensive range of options for using these services with the full integration of a smartphone connection into the vehicle infotainment system. A future-oriented technology which runs across all brands: electro-mobility as a mainstay of EfficientDynamics. With the BMW ActiveE, the BMW Group demonstrates the continuation of its project i research and development activities geared towards achieving emissions-free mobility independent of fossil fuels. It builds on the significant experience that already been gained through the MINI E field trial which recently entered its second year. The BMW Group is developing electro-mobility as an additional central mainstay of its EfficientDynamics strategy. Electric drive provides an additional option for individual mobility, alongside the ongoing optimization of the pure combustion engine, the market launch of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in production vehicles and the BMW Hydrogen 7 as evidence of the suitability of hydrogen drive for everyday use. Project i brings together the BMW Groupandrsquo;s activities relating to the development of production vehicles with electric drive. The focus is on the conception of a production Megacity Vehicle which fulfils the requirements of a sustainable mobility solution for urban areas, with one option being electric drive. The BMW ActiveE field trial will begin in summer 2011 leading up to the Megacity Vehicle in 2013. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=263 Monaco. What better place for a lively exchange focusing on andldquo;A Journey to Excellence in Designandrdquo; than the 2010 Monaco Yacht Show? BMW Group set the stage for its Design Talk theme aboard the sumptuous andldquo;Cloud 9andrdquo;, a 60-meter motor yacht that is available for charter through Edmiston andamp; Company, leaders in the world of super yachts, who also hosted the evening. The masterpiece created by the world-renowned British yacht designer Andrew Winch was built by the famous French manufacturer CMN. With the backdrop of Monacoandrsquo;s fabled coastline, hundreds of the worldandrsquo;s most luxuriously appointed motor and sailing yachts nestled hull to hull in the sunlit exhibition marina. As exclusive automobile partner, BMW presented at the Monaco Yacht Show the most supreme and luxurious rendition of hybrid technology ever seen so far in the automobile: the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. It combines a V8 gasoline engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. Furthermore, BMW introduced its pinnacle of automotive manufacturing with BMW Individual which meets even customerandrsquo;s most exacting requirements in terms of highly exclusive appearance: a specially equipped BMW Individual 730d with the paint finish Citrine Black metallic and Merino leather Amaro Brown. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=266 BMW has announced the North American availability of a comprehensive suite of BMW Performance accessories for its segment-busting X6 Sports Activity Coupe. The new BMW Performance parts for the X6 include the Power Kit, aerodynamics components, unique light-alloy wheels, and a new flat-bottom Sport steering wheel, and will go on sale at authorized BMW centers in October 2010. andldquo;BMW remains committed to helping customers personalize their vehicles,andrdquo; said Dan Creed, Vice President of Marketing for BMW of North America. andldquo;The BMW X6 leaves our South Carolina factory as one of the most exciting vehicles on the road, possessing near-perfect balance, power, style, and versatility. The new BMW Performance accessories for the X6 serve to make it more powerful and more stylish, and enhance its trademark balance.andrdquo; Power Kit and High Performance Exhaust System Perhaps the most exciting new development is the announcement of a BMW Performance Power Kit for 2008-2010 X6 xDrive35i and X6 xDrive50i models. The Power Kit for the X6 features special software developed and tested in-house by BMW powertrain engineers, and enhances the driving experience by providing higher engine output and responsiveness without increasing fuel consumption or exhaust emissions. The results are 320 horsepower (+20) and 332 lb-ft of torque (+32) for the X6 xDrive35i and 440 hp (+40) and 480 lb-ft of torque (+30) for the X6 xDrive50i. Each model reaches 60mph from a standstill 0.2-second quicker when equipped with the Power Kit (6.3 seconds for the X6 xDrive35i with Power Kit and 5.0 seconds for the X6 xDrive50i with Power Kit). 50-75mph passing acceleration times are reduced by about 0.5 seconds for each model. BMW Performance is also developing a high-performance exhaust system for V8 and inline-6 powered variants of the X6, and will announce availability of the system this winter. Aerodynamics Directly from BMWandrsquo;s state-of-the-art Munich wind tunnel comes the comprehensive new BMW Performance Aero Kit for the X6 Sports Activity Coupe (excluding X6 M and ActiveHybrid X6 models). The Aero Kit, which includes redesigned front and rear bumper covers, side skirts, and rear bumper insert, is specifically sculpted to reduce aerodynamic drag and lift at high speeds, improving stability while making a dramatic, stylish statement. Additionally, new specially-sculpted Rear Fins and Rear Deck Spoiler may be added to fully complement the aerodynamic signature of the X6. Wheels BMW Performance has created a stunning set of 21-inch light-alloy wheels for the X6 Sports Activity Coupe (all models including X6 M and ActiveHybrid X6). Measuring 10andrdquo;x21andrdquo; with 285/35/R21 tires up front and 11.5andrdquo;x21andrdquo; with 325/30/R21 tires at rear, the unique spoke design features a polished outer surface with unique inner contours which dramatically highlight the powerful, athletic character of the X6. Steering Wheel Last but not least, BMW Performance has made available a unique multifunction steering wheel for X6 models (excluding X6 M and vehicles with Lane Departure Warning). This direct replacement for the standard X6 steering wheel features a thick, racing-style, flattened lower rim and is fully covered in hand-stitched Alcantara material. Since the steering wheel serves as the driverandrsquo;s primary interface with the X6, the BMW Performance Steering Wheel has been designed to place maximum emphasis on the importance of the man-machine connection. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=267 Global Tuner Grand Prix Event Info This is the only event of its kind in North America where the best tuners and racers in the world will compete for the fastest lap time around this legendary circuit. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is the only track in North America where lap times for production cars are recognized by major manufacturer's world wide as well as the media from around the world. A lap time here is used as a measuring stick for a vehicles performance. (Equivalent to Nurburgring in Germany) The GTGP is the Main Event of the weekend with ALMS style open grid for teams and spectators. Unlike similar events held at remote race tracks, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a world renown racing facility and the GTGP captures world renown automotive performance companies and enthusiasts. The GTGP is where the best in the world will compete head to head over the course of 3 days. Top manufactures, tuners, drivers and teams from around the world will converge on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for 3 days of competition. Whether you are in the GTGP or the GTGP Challenge race you will experience the best that motorsport has to offer, from the competitors, vendors, manufactures to spectators and fans. This is an event not to be missed as the world will be watching the best in the business go to battle. The GTGP consists of 3 classes of cars, open to all Import, European and Domestic vehicles. This includes Street, Tuner and Unlimited. The 3 different classes each are bracketed in 3 categories that include FWD, RWD and AWD. In addition to these 3 classes GTGP will accept experienced Time Trial and Auto X competitors. We welcome all the top performance tuners in the world including all manufactures. THE GTGP Challenge Race is an all out wheel to wheel no holds barred 50 minute sprint race. The best of the best will compete for the top of the podium. Staged as a wheel to wheel race where anything can happen and the competition will be fierce. The field will consist of 60 entries of mixed makes and models. Automobiles will range from Porsche Cup, to Corvette, Viper, Skyline, EVO, STI, BMW M3 and more. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a paved race track, originally constructed in 1957 near Monterey, California, USA. The current racetrack is 2.238 miles (3.602 km) in length with a 300 foot (91 m) elevation change. It has eleven turns, including the famous "Corkscrew" at Turns 8 and 8A. The first race was held on November 9, 1957 won by a Ferrari. In the intervening years, the track has hosted USRRC, Can Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000, IMSA GT, Champ Car, American Le Mans Series, Grand American, Monterey Historic Automobile Races, World Challenge, AMA,WSBK Superbike World Championship and Moto GP. For over 50 years top manufactures have tuned and tested at this facility, major championships have been decided here and history has been made in all forms of motorsport at this legendary circuit. Today major automotive magazines along with top manufactures rely on this circuit to be a measuring stick to judge a cars performance. This is the only track in North America that rewards a complete package in terms of a vehicles performance and is also recognized by every automotive manufacture in the world. The 11 turn configuration is one of the most challenging racing circuits in the world with each corner and each straightaway testing both man and machine and pushing them beyond limits, yet each section offers different challenges. A lap time recorded at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a testament to both a driver's skill and a car's performance and is recognized around the world. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=270 In a program to celebrate the opening of the new 1.2 million square feet BMW manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, BMW Group Chairman Dr.-Ing. Norbert Reithofer announced the plant expansion completes the companyandrsquo;s one billion US dollar investment in the U.S. market between 2008 and 2010. andldquo;The U.S. will remain the worldandrsquo;s largest premium market for the foreseeable future and we intend to participate in the expected growth with the expansion of our activities here,andrdquo; said Reithofer. andldquo;Our investments, the creation of new jobs and our active involvement in local communities are proof of our deep commitment to the U.S. and its people and we will continue on this path into the future.andrdquo; According to Reithofer, the BMW brand wants to remain the best-selling European premium brand in the U.S. In September 2010, the BMW brand in the U.S. reported sales of 18,228 vehicles (+21.1 percent) and a year-to-date sales volume of 157,464 vehicles, up 9.2 percent. US$ 750 million of the total investment plan have been used to prepare Plant Spartanburg to produce the all-new BMW X3 and included construction of a new assembly hall for the BMW X3 and expansion of the Body and Paint Shops for higher production capacities. As a result, Spartanburgandrsquo;s production capacity is set to increase by 50% from 160,000 to 240,000 units by 2011. Since the start-of-production at the Spartanburg plant in September 1994 more than 1.6 million BMW vehicles have been manufactured for customers around the world and total capital investment now amounts to US$ 4.6 billion. To support the increased production, a total of 1,600 new jobs are being created with about 1,000 already hired and another 600 to be hired by the end of the year. The total number of jobs at the plant will increase to 7,600 by the end of the year. The balance of the US$ one billion investment was used to expand and modernize BMW Groupandrsquo;s U.S. headquarters campus in New Jersey and to build two new regional distribution centers in the Northeast and Midwest in 2008 and 2009. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=271 Glendale, CA. Last Sunday Pacific BMW had their third annual Accessory Fest. There were over 300 cars and over 500 people in attendance. Pacific BMW sold Original BMW Accessories at a discounted price. Vendors in attendance were Brembo, RPI, Rennspec, MFest, BMW Performance, ESS Tunning, Meguiarandrsquo;s C andamp; C Collision, BMW CCA, Top Stitch, BSW, Monster, Sprinkles, Hint water and Akrapovic. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=272http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=274 BMW announces a base price of $37,625 for the all-new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicleandreg;, which arrives in dealer showrooms by the end of the year. That is the Manufacturerandrsquo;s Suggested Retail Price for the refined, 240-horsepower X3 xDrive28i. The turbocharged, 300-horsepower X3 xDrive35i will have an MSRP of $41,925. Both prices include $875 Destination andamp; Handling fee. Both models feature a standard 8-speed automatic transmission and BMWandrsquo;s acclaimed xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system. BMW sparked the creation of todayandrsquo;s hottest industry segment with the 2004 introduction of the original BMW X3, a vehicle designed to be the best-handling light truck in the world andndash; a true BMW andndash; while affording its owners generous space and versatility to accommodate their active lifestyles. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then the competition has been very sincere indeed. The impact of the original X3 became unquestionable as other manufacturers rushed to join its unique place in the market. For the second-generation BMW X3, the designers and engineers took inspiration from every lesson learned in the original X3andrsquo;s seven-year life cycle and forged two new models that extend the reach and strength of the original. More versatile than ever andndash; with a rear seat that can fold in three sections, not just two. Faster. More fuel efficient. Refined. The new X3 will re-establish the benchmark for the segment the original X3 spawned. The new BMW X3 features the latest in BMW ConnectedDrive technologies, including an available rearview camera with Top View. The most comprehensive integration for the latest Blackberry smartphone devices will be available, making it possible to read emails from the Navigation screen while stationary and, through innovative text-to-speech technology, listen to e-mails while driving. As a true representative of The Ultimate Driving Machineandreg;, the X3 offers a number of options to enhance driving dynamics and active safety. The available Dynamic Handling package includes two firsts in a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle: Driving Dynamics Control and the new Performance Control which works with Dynamic Stability Control to combine individual wheel braking with light throttle to help counteract the effects of understeer and oversteer. Variable Sport Steering is also included with the package. Additionally, for the first time, the X3 will be available with BMWandrsquo;s Head-Up Display as an option. With a base price of $37,625 for the X3 xDrive28i, the all-new 2011 X3 also represents a notable jump in value over its 2010 predecessor, which started at $39,725. The 2011 X3 will include more standard equipment, including Bluetooth connectivity, iPod/USB interface, anti-theft alarm system, and on the X3 xDrive35i, standard BMW Xenon Adaptive Headlights. Produced exclusively at BMWandrsquo;s Spartanburg, S.C. factory, the new X3 will be supported by a state-of-the-art ordering and manufacturing system. Customers will be able to make changes to their vehicle order until six days prior to the start of production. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=275 Iacobucci HF Electronics S.p.A, worldwide leader in manufacturing of galley insert for commercial and business aviation, enters new market with the launch of an innovative VIP Seat designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. A new business unit and team were created by Iacobucci HF to manage this new product line initially targeted at the business jet market. The entire product development was market driven with transparent and customizable options for OEMs. The design and product development process was strongly customer oriented. Iacobucci invested in a dedicated production unit to fulfill customerandrsquo;s needs. Both the engineering team and production team were hand selected from the top performers in the industry. Innovative materials testing and assembly processes were included into the development plan as well as advanced supplier and production quality controls. andldquo;With our close to 40 years of experience in seat design for a wide range of industries,andrdquo; said Laurenz Schaffer, President BMW Group DesignworksUSA. andldquo;We provided Iacobucci with design innovation to create a premium product that differentiates Iacobucci for their entry in a highly competitive market.andrdquo; DesignworksUSA created a premium seat design that was focused on the theme of perceived lightness. Using contour control and attention to negative space as a technique, the design team was able to convey openness and transparency. DesignworksUSA took Iacobucciandrsquo;s innovative seat mechanism and created an attractive shape featuring fresh, reduced, and unique attributes. To emphasize lightness, transparency, and openness the designers removed material from the armrest. Similar to premium automotive seat design, DesignworksUSA paid meticulous attention to every detail for this design program. The end design result is a graceful seat ready to enhance any aircraft interior. andldquo;We believe our company is mature to introduce a new product in the VIP aircraft seat market" said Lucio Iacobucci President and CEO of Iacobucci HF. andldquo;BMW Group DesignworksUSA is the ideal partner for this new project, and I am confident both companies can offer the right mix of technology, innovation and design to the market.andrdquo; Featuring a single back rest structure with the seat height 45-46andrdquo; and a 7andrdquo; deployable and extendable leg rest, the new VIP Seat guarantees maximum comfort and proper support of the body in various seating positions. A specific andldquo;cradleandrdquo; recline mechanism with a seat pan tilt coordinated with backrest recline and fully retractable armrest with friction drop-down movement convert the seat surface into a fully flat and flawless bed. The headrest movement includes vertical, horizontal and tilting features. The new Iacobucci HF VIP Seat is manually operated. Electronic controls can be installed as an option. The light structure and smooth movements make it extremely lightweight and easy to be installed as well as maintained, reducing operating costs. A sleek modern design and use of premium materials sourced from the best worldwide suppliers make the VIP Seat an exclusive choice for private jet customers. Designed and developed with a customer-oriented approach, the VIP Seat can be customized to suit individual needs and fit a variety of cabin interior designs providing maximum flexibility and integration on board aircrafts. To continue the focus on customer satisfaction, Iacobucci has established a unique experience of customer support in the aviation industry with an increased number of repair stations worldwide as well as an agreement with Lufthansa Technik in Tulsa USA to service the U.S. market. Finally, a dedicated VIP Seat customer service team and call center have been established together with a spare parts stock department. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=277 With the right preparation, drivers can not only negotiate the winter months safely but have a lot of fun in the process. BMW Snow and Ice Trainings get drivers into shape to handle the demands of winter. From the Alpine scenery above Sandouml;lden to the icy roads of Sweden, BMW Driving Experience offers special driver training courses tailored to road conditions in the coldest season of the year. After all, if you can deal assuredly with the challenges of winter, youandrsquo;ll be able to enjoy its plus points that much more. Hitting the heights: BMW snow training in Sandouml;lden. The BMW Snow Intensive Training courses in Sandouml;lden demonstrate how skilful braking and steering can be used to deal with slippery roads, including uphill and downhill routes. Sandouml;lden provides the perfect conditions for the courses; the BMW Driver Training Center in the Austrian resort is the highest venue of its kind. Here participants practise all the skills required for winter driving andndash; from emergency braking to drifting and off-road driving andndash; under the watchful eye of BMW driver trainers. And they can admire the magnificent scenery of the andOuml;tztal Alps at the same time. Participants will have use of a variety of current BMW models over the two days of the course, including the new BMW X3, BMW 5 Series and BMW M3. Controlled slides: BMW Snow Drift Training. You need special levels of skill to drift through corners with the copybook excellence of a rally driver. When you get it right, though, itandrsquo;s not only a lot of fun but also a boost to driver safety in wintry road conditions. Drifting is the effect when a driver allows the rear wheels to break away in a controlled manoeuvre, and confident cornering forms part of the BMW Snow Drift Training course in Sandouml;lden. The 420 hp BMW M3 makes this half-day training course in Sandouml;lden even more attractive. Where prototypes dare: BMW Ice Fascination Training near the Arctic Circle. Arjeplog, 60 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, offers BMW test engineers outstanding conditions in which to put prototype vehicles through their paces under extreme winter conditions. And the Swedish testing site also gives participants in BMW ice training courses the opportunity to learn how to drive with control and assurance in extreme cold-weather situations. The participants drive a BMW M3 equipped with spikes across large, specially prepared areas of ice, honing their driving skills over the challenging surface with the help of personal tuition from BMW driver trainers. Turning into corners, counter-steering and stabilising are the keys to high-speed drifting with extreme lateral dynamics. A andldquo;taxi rideandrdquo; in the BMW M3 Ice Racer and ice racing action under floodlights with the Polaris quad bike provide the perfect climax to an intensive driving experience. Once the dayandrsquo;s driving pleasure is over, the participants are given an exclusive look behind the scenes of the BMW test centre. In this location far away from BMW Group headquarters in Munich, engineers explain what models are driven, how the cars are tested and what kind of improvements are made in daily testing with the BMW vehicles of the future. The training courses last four, five or six days, depending on the content of the course and the previous experience of participants. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=280As part of an exclusive partnership and with effect as of next year, the Munich-based premium carmaker BMW will be supporting the international talent programme of piano manufacturer Steinway andamp; Sons. The aim of the joint initiative between BMW and Steinway andamp; Sons is to promote and nurture young musicians at national and international level. With production facilities in Hamburg and New York, the world-renowned manufacturer of upright and grand pianos has partnered authorised Steinway dealers for several decades in promoting piano competitions for children and young people up to the age of 17. The competitions enjoy considerable prestige and have already brought international recognition to a number of great artists. Another key component of the companyandrsquo;s efforts to promote young musical talent is the International Steinway Festival, which takes place in Hamburg every two years. This festival brings together piano competition winners from the nine countries in which the competitions are currently held. The highlight of the event is the festival concert, which gives all the pianists an opportunity to showcase their skills and experience the concert environment in front of a large audience without the pressure of competition. To kick off this exclusive cooperation, BMW is presenting its special limited-edition BMW Individual 7 Series Composition inspired by Steinway andamp; Sons on 11 November 2010 at the Hamburg factory of Steinway andamp; Sons. Dr Uwe Ellinghaus, Director BMW Brand Steering and BMW Brand Management, commented: andldquo;We very much look forward to our partnership with Steinway andamp; Sons, like BMW a premium brand with the highest quality standards and a passion for detail. The special-edition BMW Individual 7 Series Composition embodies the desire of both brands to combine aesthetics, comfort and technical perfection. With its aim to provide support for future talent, the BMW Group considers that promoting the Young Steinway Artists in this way is a perfect adjunct to its commitment to culture.andrdquo; The luxury saloons of the BMW 7 Series express the aesthetics, quality and exclusivity which both brands epitomise. A design style with a commitment to perfection is the hallmark both of vehicle production at BMW Individual and of upright and grand piano manufacturing at Steinway andamp; Sons. For its world premiere in Hamburg, the BMW Individual 7 Series Composition inspired by Steinway andamp; Sons will be presented in two perfectly coordinated colour variants. Deliberately reminiscent of the piano keyboard, the colour schemes reflect the contrast between black and white. The exclusive appearance of these luxury saloons is characterised by top-quality craftsmanship and the use of exquisite materials. At the same time, the paint finish andndash; in a choice of black or white andndash; and upholstery and surface materials are the result of a design and build quality that is unique worldwide and has been developed specifically for this special edition. The bodyandrsquo;s paintwork, for example, in which each coat of paint is individually smoothed and polished by hand, boasts a high-end finish comparable to that of piano lacquer. Precise highlight details, together with an audio system specially adapted to the luxury saloonandrsquo;s interior, complement the sophisticated ambience and add an even more exclusive touch to this special edition. The vehicles, produced as a special limited edition by BMW Individual, are built to customer specifications and based on the normal or long-wheelbase versions of the luxury saloon. Cultural commitment of the BMW Group For almost 40 years, international cultural commitment has been a key element of the BMW Groupandrsquo;s corporate communications. Having played a role in over 100 events worldwide, the BMW Groupandrsquo;s commitment in the cultural sphere has always sought to preserve absolute freedom of creative potential andndash; as much a prerequisite for groundbreaking works of art as for pioneering innovations in a successful commercial enterprise. The BMW Group focuses its cultural involvement on contemporary art and music, as well as on architecture and design. The long-term joint venture between HamburgMusik gGmbH and BMW was announced in 2008, long before work on the spectacular Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburgandrsquo;s Speicherstadt was scheduled to be completed. BMW not only committed itself to becoming the companyandrsquo;s first main sponsor, but also aims to be actively involved with the planning of its own creative projects. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=282 Every year the LA Auto Show kicks off with two press days full of activity for journalists, designers and industry representatives alike. In 2008, the show had a record number of debuts with 23 world debuts and 15 North American debuts. Press days also include a breakfast sponsored by the Motor Press Guild, the andldquo;Green Car of the Yearandrdquo; award presented by Green Car Journal, the Design LA Conference, which includes the announcement of the winning Design Challenge entry, and the newest addition to press days, the Green Cars Ride andamp; Drive. Automobile Designers finish out the Design LA Conference on Thursday night of press days at the Designersandrsquo; Night Reception. The first event to kick off the show to the public is the annual charity event, Sneak Preview Night, which takes place on the Thursday night before the first public day. General and gold area tickets are available to purchase for this festive event and all proceeds are donated to Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles and One Voice.http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=283 Inspiring through and through. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The letter M now comes to the segment of the BMW 1 Series to symbolise outstanding power delivery and the highly dynamic driving properties of a high-performance sports car. In the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the technology of a high-performance car is combined with the agility and lightness of a compact model to create a whole new dimension of sports-style driving pleasure. With this 2-door model, BMW M GmbH is now realising for the first time in this vehicle class its concept of racing-oriented performance characteristics in a car developed for everyday use . This further extends the company's model range, paving the way for younger target groups to be able to access the hallmark driving experience offered by an M car. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe embodies the unmistakable M feeling in a highly concentrated form. Its in-line 6-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo and petrol direct injection develops a maximum output of 250 kW/340 bhp with an engine-speed-oriented characteristic curve typical of BMW M cars. With chassis technology derived directly from motor racing, a power-to-weight ratio reduced to 4.4 kilograms per bhp and precisely optimised aerodynamic components including innovative air curtains at the front end, supreme conversion of superior propulsion power into thrilling driving dynamics is guaranteed. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe accelerates in 4.9 seconds from zero to 100 km/h and reaches the 200 km/h mark after 17.3 seconds. In the area of efficiency, too, it achieves top figures within its performance category. Its average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres, while CO2 emissions are at 224 grams per kilometre. The outstanding sporty flair of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is outwardly expressed by the athletic character of its body design. In the exclusively designed interior of the 4-seater, high-quality materials and an M-specific cockpit create the ambience of a premium sports car. In its standard configuration, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe displays the concept harmony so characteristic of M cars: able to cope both with the extreme demands of the race track and the diverse challenges of everyday traffic. What is more, individual preferences in terms of comfort, safety and infotainment can be fulfilled with a model-specific selection of equipment options also available for the BMW 1 Series Coupe, including the BMW ConnectedDrive program. Design: classic coupe proportions, M-style aesthetic appeal. The dynamic proportions with which the BMW 1 Series Coupe proclaims a brand of driving pleasure unique within the competitive field provide the perfect foundation for the instantly fascinating appearance of the first ever high-performance model in the compact segment. Measuring 4,380 millimetres in length and 1,420 millimetres in height, theBMW 1 Series M Coupe is the both the shortest and the flattest model in the BMW M GmbH range. It is also 55 millimetres wider than the BMW 135i Coupe: the width of 1,803 millimetres is the result and the expression of a track width at the front and rear axle optimised to enhance driving dynamics in a way which is specific to this model. The design of the front end impressively reflects the outstanding performance capabilities of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The powerfully shaped front apron forms a homogeneous surface, dominated in the lower section by three large-format air intakes. In order to optimise the aerodynamic properties, so-called air curtains are used for the first time in serial production vehicle. The in-flowing air is routed into two ducts by means of openings in the outer section of the front apron. These openings are designed so that the air flows along the inside of the front apron in a closed duct to the wheel arches, where it is discharged through a very narrow opening at high speed, just passing the outer wheel flanks. The escaping air stream covers the side of the front wheels like a curtain, thereby reducing aerodynamically unfavourable turbulence around the wheel arches. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is fitted as standard with bi-xenon headlamps. The twin circular headlights characteristic of the brand are truncated in the upper section by an LED-fed positioning light. This is what creates the typical focussed look of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe. With the greenhouse conveying an impression of lightness, the powerfully distinctive shoulder line and the elaborately sculpted surfaces symbolise precisely controllable athleticism from the side perspective. The wheel arches of the 2-door model bulge out especially voluminously at both the front and rear. One hallmark M feature is the chrome gill element on the front wheel arch which is particularly elongated. It bears both the side turn indicator and the M brand logo, as well as forming the starting point of the bead line running via the door openers to the rear. What is more, a vertical contour edge starts at the gill element which leads down to the side sill. Fine-tuning in the wind tunnel has also shaped the design of the exterior mirrors. In their basic shape they are the same as those of the BMW M3. The powerfully arched wheel arches also make the rear of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe seem especially broad. Horizontally arranged lines accentuate this impression. A discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid generates additional downforce on the rear axle at high speeds. The rear apron has side openings which echo the look of the air intakes in the front apron. The characteristic M visual symmetry is created by chrome twin tailpipes, each positioned towards the outer edges. L-shaped rear light clusters with red glass covers create a characteristic night-time illumination. Inside these, the rear light is provided by two light banks fed by LED units. The exterior paint finishes Alpine White non-metallic, Sapphire Black metallic and the exclusive Valencia Orange metallic are available for theBMW 1 Series M Coupe. The standard 19-inch M light alloy wheels inY-spoke design provide perfect road contact and a striking appearance. In-line 6-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo and engine-speed-related performance characteristics. An in-line 6-cylinder engine with outstanding performance, sensational free-revving properties and long-lasting thrust provides the BMW 1 Series M Coupe with its power source for delivering supreme driving dynamics. The 3.0-litre power unit combines hallmark M performance characteristics with contemporary efficiency. It has been modified in M style so as to be able to handle the requirements of both everyday traffic and the race track. The result: with an engine output of 250 kW/340 bhp, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe achieves almost exactly the level of the third-generation BMW M3, while in terms of driving dynamics this compact, top-flight athlete is clearly superior to the latter model, which was replaced just a few years ago. The M TwinPower Turbo Technology used in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe consists of two relatively small turbochargers which, because of their low inertia moment, are active even at low engine speeds, each providing three cylinders with compressed air. This results in an unusually spontaneous level of responsiveness. The drivetrain provides its maximum torque of 450 newton metres at as little as 1500 rpm. This is available up into the 4500 rpm range and can be increased by another 50 newton metres in full throttle by means of an overboost function. The maximum level of 500 newton metres permits highly dynamic acceleration manoeuvres, and the forward thrust once again available after each gearshift makes for a linear speed increase typical of M vehicles. The engine reaches its maximum output at 5,980 rpm. With this engine-speed-related performance curve, the 6-cylinder power unit embodies the characteristic M properties of a high-performance engine: the BMW 1 Series M Coupe spurts in just 4.9 seconds from standing to 100 km/h, and the urge to accelerate is limited at 250 km/h by means of intervention in the engine control system. The cooling system of the power unit is designed to enable it to do justice both to its outstanding performance potential and to the particularly high demands of constantly drawing on maximum power output. An additional separate radiator and a specific air duct deal with the increased thermal stress which can be generated by driving in a particularly sporty style on the race track. The engine's outstanding efficiency is mainly due to direct injection which allows for high-precision fuel supply by means of piezo injectors placed centrally between the valves. In addition, Efficient Dynamics measures such as brake energy regeneration and needs-based control of auxiliary units ensure that the average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle is limited to 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions to 224 grams per kilometre. The transmission of propulsion power in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is taken care of by a 6-speed manual transmission. This newly developed transmission is operated using a very short M gearshift lever. Chassis technology: low weight, high rigidity. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe has a chassis whose elements have run through BMW M GmbH's racing-oriented development process. Numerous key components were originally conceived for the BMW M3 and are now to be found in the compact high-performance coupe in modified form specifically adapted to the new model. In creating the vehicle set-up, a procedure which includes test runs on the Nanduuml;rburgring Nordschleife, the interaction of the engine, chassis and body was optimised here again so as to create a characteristic, consistent overall set of properties taking into account the low vehicle weight of 1,495 kilograms. Both the double pivot front axle and the five-link rear axle of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe are made almost entirely of aluminium. Tubular stabilisers, axle links made of forged aluminium and aluminium shock absorbers round off the lightweight construction concept as applied to wheel suspension. As standard: variable M differential lock, compound brakes, DSC with M Dynamic Mode, Servotronic. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is fitted as standard with a variable M differential lock. This generates lock-up torque as required and completely variably up to 100%, thus providing for optimum traction on all road surfaces. The variable M differential lock responds to differences in rotational speeds in the right and left rear wheel, redirecting drive torque within a fraction of a second. So where there are significant differences in friction coefficients between the right and left rear wheel, for example, optimum traction and maximum propulsion power are ensured. The principle of the engine-speed-sensing M differential lock supports the dynamic qualities of rear-wheel drive both on slippery surfaces and when accelerating out of bends. The M-specific compound high-performance brake system of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe provides impressive stability even under extreme stress, as well as being extremely light. The design principle of the brake system is derived from motor racing and guarantees excellent deceleration figures with significantly reduced heat sensitivity. Their inner-vented and perforated grey cast iron discs with a diameter of 360 millimetres at the front and 350 millimetres at the rear are linked to the aluminium disc chamber on a floating basis by means of cast-in premium steel pins. In the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, power transmission to the rear wheels also provides the ideal basis for thrilling driving dynamics due to the consistent separation of drivetrain and steering functions. The rack-and-pinion steering is fitted with the hydraulic power steering system Servotronic which regulates its supportive effect in relation to road speed. The driving stability control system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe includes such elements as the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an anti-slip control function (ASC), the brake assistant Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), a drive-off assistant, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), an anti-fading function and a dry brake function. In the wet or on slippery surfaces the driving stability system intervenes early on but discreetly so as to prevent oversteering. As an alternative to normal operating status, the driver can activate M Dynamic Mode (MDM) by means of a switch on the instrument panel, thereby raising the intervention threshold of the driving stability control system. This facilitates driving off on snow or loose sand by means of controlled slip. MDM also enables specifically applied, dynamic oversteering. Exclusive and characteristically M: sports car ambience on the inside. It is not least due to the exclusive interior design that the unmistakable M feeling can be sensed even before the engine is started. The characteristic M cockpit and a model-specific colour and materials concept create a style which perfectly recreates a sports car ambience. The standard sports seats in Boston leather offer both driver and front passenger excellent lateral hold even when taking bends in dynamic style. The design, created exclusively for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, includes orange contrast stitching on the black surfaces of the seats and backrests as well as the M logo embossed in the front of the headrests. It is characteristic of sports cars that dark colours dominate inside the vehicle, thereby enhancing the driver's concentration on the road. In the BMW 1 Series M Coupe this effect is created by the anthracite-coloured BMW Individual roof liner but also by the exclusive design of the interior trim strips, door panels and cockpit scoop in dark Alcantara. These design elements also feature the orange-coloured contrast stitching, as do the gearshift and handbrake lever gaiter. An M driver footrest and M entry sills round off the exclusively styled interior. The model-specific design of the characteristic M cockpit in theBMW 1 Series M Coupe also contributes to optimum vehicle control. In the instrument panel, grey dial faces for the tachometer and a speed indicator going up to 300 km/h with red needles are combined with white display illumination. The M leather steering wheel, which also comes as standard, has multifunction keys for operating the audio and telephone systems. In addition, the characteristic M button on the right steering wheel spoke enables the driver to switch spontaneously to a sports-style vehicle set-up. This configuration activates a particularly sporty characteristic curve in the engine control. Here, accelerator pedal commands are implemented with greater spontaneity. Extensive range of standard equipment, high-quality options and innovative BMW ConnectedDrive features. In addition to those features characteristic of M vehicles and other elements specific to this particular model which directly contribute to creating an exclusive driving experience in a high-performance sports car, theBMW 1 Series M Coupe also features an extensive range of standard equipment which underscores its premium character. The 2-door model shows its practical qualities with such features as four fully-fledged seats, a level of comfort which is geared towards covering lengthy distances and a luggage compartment with a capacity of 370 litres. Additional comfort needs can be fulfilled with a range of innovative options which are largely unique within the competitive field. In addition to air conditioning and cruise control, the audio system BMW Radio Business with MP3-capable CD player and six speakers come as standard. Optional extras include two-zone automatic air conditioning, comfort access, a rain sensor, automatic anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the navigation system Professional with hard drive storage. In conjunction with the navigation system the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is fitted with the operating system iDrive which enables control of infotainment, navigation and communication functions using the Controller and an 8.8-inch Control Display. The range of features available from the BMW ConnectedDrive development area includes the driver assistance systems Adaptive Headlight and High Beam Assistant as well as Park Distance Control with sensors at the rear. In addition to unlimited use of the internet, BMW ConnectedDrive also provides access to internet-based services to optimise navigation and entertainment functions. Innovative technologies to integrate mobile phones and music players are available for the BMW 1 M Series Coupe in combination with the navigation system Professional including mobile phone preparation. Thanks to the new interface technology, the latest generation of the Apple iPhone and the Apple iPod touch can be controlled via the iDrive menu. As the latest addition to the range of office functions also developed within the BMW ConnectedDrive program, owners of a BlackBerry smartphone by the mobile phone manufacturer RIM (Research In Motion) can now display e-mails on the vehicle monitor of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe via Bluetooth. Further information on the BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Market launch in Germany in May 2011. World premiere at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Price incl. VAT in Germany: andeuro;50,500. (Price quoted is the recommended retail price ex works, not including transportation costs. Errors and amendments excepted.) Insurance group (KH/VK/TK): 18/26/25 The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is produced at the Leipzig plant. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=284 The BMW 3 Series has been named to the Car and Driver 10Best Cars list for 2011, marking the 20th consecutive 10Best win for the 3 Series, andldquo;a feat unmatched by any other vehicle on the market,andrdquo; according to the magazineandrsquo;s editors. andldquo;Continuing this streak means a great deal to all of us at BMW,andrdquo; said Joe Wierda, Product Manager andndash; 3 Series andamp; X3, for BMW of North America. andldquo;Even in the sixth model year of its fifth generation, the BMW 3 Series remains the sport sedan benchmark as well as the segment leader. We never take that for granted. In 2009 we introduced the BMW Advanced Diesel 335d Sedan. This year we introduced an award-winning new engine for the 335i models, improving fuel efficiency by ten percent, as well as the new 335is Coupe and Convertible. Of course, the BMW M3 remains the ultimate expression of the BMW 3 Series.andrdquo; The BMW 3 Series, originally introduced to the United States market in 1977, is now in its fifth generation. For the 2011 model year, the 3 Series name actually covers a wide array of models all sharing the common theme of traditional BMW values: compact dimensions, near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution, excellent outward visibility, precise ergonomics, smooth, responsive engines, and superb control feel. Available as a Coupe, Sedan, Convertible, and Sport Wagon, as well as two- and all-wheel drive variants, the 3 Series can be configured for a range of active lifestyles. At the top of the 3 Series are the fire-breathing M3 Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible. The M3 is powered by a 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower V8 engine and represents decades of race-bred development by BMW M GmbH. As a pure expression of The Ultimate Driving Machineandreg;, every 3 Series model, regardless of engine configuration or body style, is available with a six-speed manual gearbox (335d Sedan with 425 lb-ft of torque excluded). Also standard is BMW Ultimate Service, including no-cost maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles. Source: BMW Group http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=285 MINI arrives at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit fuelled by innovative and sustainable ideas and an across-the-board focus on driving fun and individuality. Exactly 10 years ago, visitors to the NAIAS witnessed the relaunch of the MINI brand in North America, which signalled the beginning of an unparalleled success story. And now the brand is preparing to celebrate this landmark anniversary at the 2011 show with the world premiere of the MINI Paceman Concept. This spectacular study vehicle takes centre stage alongside the current model line-up and establishes a totally new category of car with its potential for providing even more driving fun and an even greater range of usage. The MINI Paceman Concept provides a fresh and distinctive interpretation of the hallmark style and innovative character of MINI. As for cars already in series production, the MINI brand is represented at the 2011 NAIAS by the most attractive and diverse range of models in its history. Eye-catching design modifications, additional engine variants, a comprehensively updated selection of diesel engines and innovative new equipment items sharpen the appeal of the new MINI family in terms of design, driving fun, efficiency and individuality. With its MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman models, the worldandrsquo;s only maker of independently developed premium small cars will continue to boast both the most extensive and the highest-quality range in the segment. MINI Paceman Concept:an urban and masculine Sports Activity Coupe. The masculine design language of the MINI Paceman Concept spotlights both the stand-alone identity of the concept and its membership of the MINI family. The four-seater study, whose two large doors and wide-opening tailgate mark it out unmistakably as a MINI, imbues the sporty, cutting-edge Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) category with undeniable appeal. The platform of the MINI Countryman, with its hallmark MINI proportions, increased ground clearance and raised seating position, defines the studyandrsquo;s compact dimensions. The MINI Paceman Concept takes the fundamental strengths of MINI andndash; its uniqueness, go-kart handling, agility, dynamic capability and individual design andndash; and gives them a fresh twist with the help of cutting-edge technology and an innovative body concept. It combines a sporty, masculine appearance, versatility and coupe looks with the dimensions of the four-door MINI Countryman. And it brings together the classical MINI concept, the defining features of the MINI Countryman and the style of a coupe to harmonious effect. The result is a MINI andldquo;muscle carandrdquo;, which displays its dynamic capability from every angle and showcases it impressively both when viewed from the side and in the design of the rear. The MINI Paceman Concept, whose crossover design makes it the first Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) in the small car segment, blends lifestyle elements with premium quality. It is the ideal car for young, modern, extrovert urbanites who love the hallmark MINI go-kart feeling, enjoy stand-out individuality, place great importance on the personality of a brand and buy into its character and ethos. The MINI Paceman Concept prioritises a particularly emotional driving experience and demonstrates this ability in a style typical of the brand. Here you can find clear evidence of how totally new vehicle concepts can still be developed today through unconventional creativity. MINI Countryman: fun has no limits. The MINI Countryman takes the hallmark driving fun of the brand into a new dimension. This is the first MINI to come with four doors and a large tailgate as well as a versatile interior offering space for up to five people. The MINI Countryman is the first member of the MINI family with a body measuring more than four metres (157") in length and which can be ordered as an option with all-wheel drive. With these features, in addition to the Countrymanandrsquo;s raised seating position and optimised ride comfort, the worldandrsquo;s only premium vehicle of its kind crosses the boundaries of urban mobility to take the trademark MINI feeling into new dimensions and win over additional target groups. Optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive allows the driving fun you expect from the brand to be experienced off the beaten track as well. The ALL4 system is available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman. The selection of petrol variants ranges from the MINI One Countryman developing 72 kW/98 hp and MINI Cooper Countryman (90 kW/122 hp) to the 135 kW/184 hp MINI Cooper S Countryman, whose 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine is the most efficient unit in its displacement class. The petrol models are joined in the line-up by the diesel-powered MINI One D Countryman (66 kW/90 hp) and MINI Cooper D Countryman (82 kW/112 hp). All variants of the MINI Countryman meet the EU5 exhaust gas standard in Europe and the ULEV II standard in the USA. The new MINI family: striking design, minimal emissions. Carefully targeted design modifications, even more efficient engines and additional innovative equipment features increase both the variety and the appeal of the MINI model range. For instance, the sporting character of the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible is now highlighted even more sharply. And under the bonnet, the new-generation petrol engines already in place are now joined by newly developed diesel units to deliver another boost to efficiency. Based on the BMW Groupandrsquo;s drive system expertise, the four-cylinder engines offer a further optimised blend of driving fun and fuel economy. The MINI Cooper D and MINI One D, in particular, have raised their game, posting CO2 emissions of 99 grams per km combined with fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 km (74.3 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle. The new MINI Cooper D Convertible sees the inimitable driving fun of an open-top MINI now combined with the pulling power and efficiency of a diesel engine. The newly developed four-cylinder diesel unit produces 82 kW/112 hp and accelerates the MINI Cooper D Convertible from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.3 seconds. The new model variant records average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 4.0 litres per 100 km (70.6 mpg imp) to go with CO2 emissions of 105 g/km. The other newcomer to the range is the MINI One D Clubman. The new entry-level diesel engine now also gives the Clubman unsurpassed levels of fuel economy. The new MINI One D Clubman sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.8 seconds, burns an average of 3.9 litres of fuel per 100 km (equating to 72.4 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle and emits 103 g/km of CO2. MINI Connected: linking up for more driving fun. Among the other innovations presented at the North American International Auto Show is an all-new and globally unique form of in-car entertainment. MINI Connected heightens the enjoyment of driving by intelligently linking the driver, the MINI and the outside world. MINI is the worldandrsquo;s first car manufacturer to offer andndash; with MINI Connected andndash; a newly developed USB interface with exceptional functionality designed to maximise the integration of the Apple iPhone into the carandrsquo;s audio and infotainment system. An application available for MINI Connected comprises a web radio function, the use of Google local search and Google Send to Car services, and reception of RSS news feeds. Moreover, it also enables Facebook and Twitter posts to be displayed on the on-board monitor and allows the user to send standardised text messages. The additional functions integrated into the MINI are activated and operated via the on-board control system. To use the full range of MINI Connected functions, customers need to specify their cars with either the MINI Visual Boost audio system or the MINI navigation system. Bothoptions use a high-resolution colour display in the Centre Speedo and the MINI joystick positioned on the centre console to ensure comfortable, easy and intuitive operation. Source: BMW Group http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=286 The BMW Group underlined the companyandrsquo;s long-term commitment to China during the visit of the Vice-Premier of the State Council of the Peopleandrsquo;s Republic of China, Li Keqiang. andldquo;Close and long-standing ties exist between China and the BMW Group,andrdquo; said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, at the BMW Welt in Munich on Saturday. Li Keqiang visited the BMW Group with a delegation to learn more about topics such as future mobility. During the visit he received information concerning, for example, the MINI E, the BMW Active E as well as the technology of future BMW Group electric vehicles. The BMW Group will work together closely with the Chinese government on future mobility. The company is also supporting the market launch of electric vehicles in China through a number of projects. Series production of an electric vehicle developed jointly with its local joint venture partner is scheduled to begin in 2013. andldquo;The BMW Group and its partner, Brilliance, are making a joint contribution to sustainable mobility in China,andrdquo; Reithofer said. For instance, an electric-powered BMW 5 Series Long Version was developed as part of the first Sino-German electro-mobility research project in collaboration with Tongji University in Shanghai. In addition, the worldwide MINI E fleet trial will also be extended to the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shenzhen from 2011 onwards. The MINI E will be tested in everyday driving through a consortium made up of the energy partners, State Grid Corporation and Southern Grid, and the China Automotive Technology and Research Corporation (CATARC). The same applies to the BMW Active E, a fully-electric powered vehicle based on the BMW 1 Series, which will be on the roads in China later this year. The BMW Group has been building BMW 3 Series and 5 Series models at its Chinese facility in Shenyang with its joint venture partner, Brilliance, since 2003. The company announced the construction of a second production plant in China in November 2009. The BMW X1 will also be built at the new plant in the future. The investment volume for the new plant in Tiexi, in the Shenyang region, amounts to a total of 560 million euros, shared equally between the BMW Group and its partner, Brilliance. Production is scheduled to begin in 2012 and will create more than 4,000 new jobs in Shenyang over the coming years. This will increase the BMW Groupandrsquo;s annual production capacity in China significantly to more than 150,000 vehicles from 2012 on. Over the long term, the two plants will have the combined potential for 300,000 vehicles a year, depending on market developments. China is now the companyandrsquo;s third-largest market. As per November 2010 more than 152,000 vehicles were sold in China andndash; an increase of 90%. This meant that the company easily exceeded its original sales target for China of approximately 120,000 vehicles. The BMW Group is also confident about its business performance in China for the current year: andldquo;We expect to see a double-digit percentage increase in sales growth in China in 2011, in line with market forecasts,andrdquo; Reithofer explained. Impetus will come from vehicles like the new BMW X3, the new BMW 6 Series and the MINI Countryman, all of which will launch in China this year. In light of the strong market growth in China, the BMW Group will further expand its dealer network in 2011. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=287 New 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offers performance of a six BMW announced the return of a four-cylinder engine to the US BMW line-up for the first time in since 1999. Like the companyandrsquo;s latest 3.0-liter turbo inline six, the new 2.0-liter engine will combine twin-scroll turbocharging with high-pressure direct-injection and BMWandrsquo;s VALVETRONIC intake control. With 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, it offers more power and torque than BMWandrsquo;s normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. It will arrive later in 2011. Maximum output of 240 horsepower is achieved at 5,000 rpm, 1,500 rpm lower than in the normally-aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. The peak torque of 260 lb-ft, comes on stream at just 1,250 rpm. Not only is that 30% more torque than the aforementioned inline six, it also peaks 1,500 rpm earlier. The vigorous power comes on early and climbs steadily all the way to redline. The four-cylinder engine with its all-aluminum crankcase is lighter and more compact than a six-cylinder engine of equivalent power. The turbocharger is a twin-scroll system. The exhaust streams leaving the two pairs of cylinders are kept completely separate as they flow through the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, taking a spiral path to the turbine wheel. This configuration results in very low exhaust back pressure at low engine rpm, and allows the energy of the exhaust gas pulses to be optimally managed and translated into powerful rotation of the turbine blades, without a delay in throttle response. The patented BMW VALVETRONIC system with seamlessly variable intake valve lift control dispenses with the throttle valve system typical of conventional engines. Instead, combustion air mass is controlled inside the engine, resulting in much faster response. Pumping losses are kept to a minimum, making the engine more efficient. The High Precision Injection direct-injection system also helps to improve efficiency. Centrally positioned between the valves, solenoid injectors with a maximum injection pressure of 200 bar (2,900 psi) precisely control the supply of fuel. The fuel is injected very close to the spark plug, resulting in clean and homogeneous combustion. The cooling effect of the injected fuel also allows for a higher compression ratio than might otherwise be possible. This results in further efficiency improvements. US-specific model and timing information will follow at a later date, but this new chapter in the story of BMW EfficientDynamics will arrive later this year. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=288 BMW of North America is pleased to announce a performance exhaust system for the M3! With the racetrackand the street in mind, this new exhaust was designed using an extremely heat-resistant and lightweightchrome-nickel alloy called Inconelandreg;. This optimized exhaust conduit allows the M3andrsquo;s V8 engine to breathemore easily (reduction in backpressure) and create a very powerful sound. Product Highlights / Benefits: Powerful and sporty exhaust note with no droning for everyday suitability.Fabricated from a chrome-nickel alloy called Inconelandreg;. o Inconelandreg; is an extremely heat-resistant and strong material. These qualities allowed engineers to reduce the wall thickness of the exhaust from 1.5mm to 0.8mm without sacrificing strength. o This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40% (~20 lbs.) when compared to the stock exhaust. o Inconel is very corrosion resistant and has been used at the highest level of Motorsports. Perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips (laser-engraved with the M logo) represent the ultimate in technology and sportiness, accentuating the individual character of the BMW M3. Developed using state-of-the art CAD and FEM technology, ensuring optimum fit and OEM quality. M Performance parts are warranted for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period when the installation occurs before the first delivery of a new vehicle. If the M Performance parts installation occurs after the first delivery, the accessory will be warranted for the balance of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period or two years and unlimited mileage from the date of installation, whichever one is greater. Source: BMW NAhttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=289 The motorcycle road racing world championship andndash; or MotoGP andndash; ranks among the worldandrsquo;s most popular and spectacular sporting events. The involvement of BMW M GmbH in motorcycle racingandrsquo;s top-echelon event now enters its 13th year. To ensure the safety of the practice runs and the race itself, BMW M GmbH is providing the official Safety Car along with a raft of other high-performance vehicles for use by the Dorna Sports management team and IRTA officials. At the curtain raiser on 19th March, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe will for the first time be deployed as the official Safety Car for the MotoGP events andndash; in advance of its market launch late in April. The BMW Safety Car is a one-off built by BMW M GmbH specifically for this race series. Only the 340 hp straight-six M TwinPower Turbo engine and the entire drivetrain were taken over unchanged from the production model. In the interests of weight optimisation, the BMW Safety Car comes with a carbon fibre-reinforced bonnet featuring additional large air vents, as well as polycarbonate side and rear windows. A special lightweight titanium race exhaust system not only saves weight but also delivers a captivating sound for the benefit of the spectators. Complementing the discreet spoiler lip on the boot lid there is now an adjustable rear wing to provide the requisite downforce. On the Safety Car the aerodynamically honed front apron with its precisely defined air ducting, including Air Curtains, features an additional splitter integrated on the underside of the apron. The interior of the BMW Safety Car is a model of uncompromising purism. A rollover cage bolted behind the B-pillar, the absence of rear seats, two racing bucket seats with 6-point safety belts, an M steering wheel in alcantara and a fire extinguisher are all standard in the Safety Car. The suspension technology of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe was specially adapted for the Safety Car. Its high-performance suspension system boasts an adjustable race track set-up that includes a sports-tuned chassis in which the dampers are independently adjustable for bump and rebound. The BMW Safety Car runs on 19-inch mixed tyres measuring 255/35 at the front and 285/30 at the rear. Vehicle height is variably selectable and the camber of the front and rear axle can be altered to suit the circuit topography. The braking system of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, already designed for extremely high demands, is replaced in the Safety Car with a six-piston fixed-calliper racing brake system. The deployment of the brand-new BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car marks the continuation of BMW M GmbHandrsquo;s successful partnership andndash; begun in 1999 andndash; with Dorna Sports, the organisers of the MotoGP World Championship. With a fleet of eight vehicles, BMW is supporting the safe running of the motorcycle world championship in the current race season. As well as the official BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car, this year sees two further reserve Safety Cars from BMW M GmbH present at the track: a BMW X6 M and a BMW M3. In addition, the organising team has been given a BMW X5 M for the Safety Officer and a BMW ActiveHybrid X6 for the stewards. On call this season as a Medical Car is a BMW 535i Touring. There will also be two Safety Bikes contributing to the safe running of race weekends: a BMW S 1000 RR and a BMW HP2 Sport. The ceremonial handover of the vehicles took place at BMW M in Garching-Hochbranduuml;ck on 28th February 2011. It was on this occasion that Dr Kay Segler, Director of BMW M GmbH, and Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports, made an advance announcement that the successful partnership would be extended until 2016, before sealing the agreement in a signing ceremony. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=290 Amidst an impressive start on the international automotive markets, the new BMW X3 has rapidly become the shooting star in its segment. Winning the title of andldquo;Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2011andrdquo; awarded by the specialist car magazine andldquo;Auto Bild Allradandrdquo; is current proof of the new BMW X3andrsquo;s exceptionally high degree of popularity. The success in the reader survey conducted by Europeandrsquo;s biggest-selling specialist journal for four-wheel drive cars is already the BMW X3andrsquo;s second title victory this year. Only a few weeks ago, readers of the magazine andldquo;Off Roadandrdquo; voted the Sports Activity Vehicle andldquo;Off-road Vehicle of the Year 2011andrdquo;. With this double success, the new BMW X3 is quick in following the traces of its predecessor, which, in 2006 and 2007, was able to secure the readersandrsquo; vote of both periodicals twice in succession. For the eleventh time now, readers of andldquo;Auto Bild Allradandrdquo; were asked to name their favourite models from those available on the German car market. In nine categories, there were more than 130 four-wheel drive vehicles to choose from. The new BMW X3 promptly secured first place in the category andldquo;Off-road vehicles and SUVs ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 Eurosandrdquo;. The associated title of andldquo;Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2011andrdquo; was awarded during a festive ceremony in Frankfurt on 24 March 2011. With a captivating design, a unique combination of sportiness and efficiency as well as the largest and most variable luggage compartment in the competitive environment, the BMW X3, which has been on sale in Germany since November 2010, yet again sets standards in driving pleasure, versatility and premium quality. Compared to the predecessor model, with which BMW established the concept of the Sports Activity Vehicle in this segment, it offers a noticeable increase in space, even more efficient engines, optimum motoring comfort and a widened choice of innovative equipment features. Both at the front and at the rear the new BMW X3 convinces through outstanding travel comfort and a high-class ambience. With a 550-litre loading capacity, which can be increased to 1,600 litres, and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, the vehicleandrsquo;s carrying capacities also set new benchmarks for the segment. Source BMW Newshttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=291 BMW announced today that its South Carolina plant has increased its ranking to No. 4 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyandrsquo;s (EPA's) Top 20 On-site Generation list of the largest green power users. In 2010, through BMWandrsquo;s on-site landfill gas energy system, the company generated nearly 62 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power. This represents about 37% of the companyandrsquo;s overall electricity use, the highest usage percentage of the EPAandrsquo;s top 10 Green Power Partners. It also underscores the companyandrsquo;s decision to exchange the traditional sources of electricity generation in support of cleaner, renewable energy alternatives. andldquo;This achievement confirms our companyandrsquo;s commitment to protecting the environment and continual implementation of sustainable methods of capturing renewable energy, including our landfill gas program,andrdquo; said Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing. Since 2003, methane gas has been collected, cleaned and compressed from a local landfill and used to power more than 50% of the BMW plantandrsquo;s total energy requirements. In 2009, the company invested $12 million in its landfill gas program to further improve overall efficiency. Implementation of the program has reduced CO2 emissions by about 92,000 tons per year and saves about $5 million annually in energy costs. More recently, the company announced the addition of a hydrogen storage and distribution center within their on-site 11 Megawatt Energy Center to facilitate on-site fueling of a hydrogen-fuel cell material handling fleet inside the new 1.2 million square foot assembly plant that produces the all-new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle. "BMW Manufacturing is leading the way by using renewable energy sources," said Elizabeth Craig, EPA Acting Director of the Office of Atmospheric Programs. "Their actions are helping to protect air quality and green our power supply." According to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, the BMW Group is currently the worldandrsquo;s most sustainable automobile manufacturer. In 2010, the company was named industry leader in this important global sustainability index for the sixth consecutive year. Earlier this week, the EPA updated each of its National Top Partner lists, highlighting some of America's largest green power purchasers. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners with the largest annual voluntary purchases and/or on-site usage through April 6, 2011. The ranking can be found at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=292 BMW of North America today announced a production run of twenty identically-equipped 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupes for the United States. The 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe features BMW Individual Frozen Black exterior paint with a deep metallic luster to accentuate the athletic lines of the legendary M3. Extended Novillo Leather with unique red-contrast stitching is also specified, as are M3 GTS black wheels, red brake calipers, and gloss black exterior trim elements. With the Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe, BMW is celebrating the availability of its exotic Frozen paint colors under the custom-tailored BMW Individual program. MSRP will be $79,650, and a complete equipment list is provided at the end of this press release. Each 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe will be powered by the award-winning 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower M V8 engine, equipped with BMWandrsquo;s M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) which lowers the 0-60mph acceleration time of the M3 to 4.5 seconds from 4.7. Redline is a breathtaking 8,400 rpm. The 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe continues the tradition of innovation and passion for driving by incorporating key changes to the M3andrsquo;s dynamic qualities. The included Competition Package reduces vehicle ride height by 10mm and includes M3 GTS 19andrdquo; wheels (in black for this Edition) with wider offset for enhanced stability, standard Electronic Damping Control with enhanced programming, and higher-threshold programming for the M Dynamic Mode. About BMW Individual Frozen Paint Colors. The special BMW Individual matte paintwork on the Frozen Black Edition M3 adds a rare metallic luster to the vehicle. Compared to conventional exterior colors with gloss finish, the sculpture-like character of Frozen Black paint highlights the athletic contours of the M3. To achieve this luster, a special BMW-developed silk matte clear coat is applied over the Black Metallic base coat. BMW Individualandrsquo;s Frozen paints meet or exceed all BMW standards for durability and longevity, and feature a full factory warranty. Special care guidelines are provided to customers and authorized BMW centers to prevent the finish from becoming glossy. Four Generations of BMW M3. Racing provided the reason for the original M3andrsquo;s 1986 creation. BMW produced the M3 as a road-going homologation version of its 3 Series to gain eligibility to compete in the German Touring Car Championship. Popularity and strong consumer demand substantiated the case to continue developing the M3, making it both a better performer and more inviting road car as it evolved along with the underlying 3 Series, the companyandrsquo;s most popular vehicle. In 1988, North Americans met the BMW M3 for the first time, and its high-revving 2.3-liter inline-4 with 192-hp became a legend on this side of the Atlantic. The next generation M3 arrived in the 1995 model year with a 3.0-liter (and later, 3.2-liter) 240-hp inline-6 powerplant. That car began the next chapter of M3 Racing history which lasted a decade on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1997, the first M3 Sedan joined the family and the M3 Convertible followed shortly thereafter. The third-generation M3, available from 2001-2006 as a coupe and convertible, again was offered with six-cylinder power, this time providing a remarkable 333 hp from 3.2 liters. From the 2002 model year, this M3 marked BMWandrsquo;s first offering of the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) for the United States. The fourth and current generation M3 was introduced for the 2008 model year as a Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible, featuring an all-new 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower V8 engine with eight individual throttle bodies and an 8,400-rpm redline. Showcasing its remarkable performance envelope, the newest M3 Coupe serves as the basis for the M3 GT2 race car, which successfully competes in endurance races against the most exotic cars from around the world in the American Le Mans Series. A pair of BMW M3 GT2s are preparing to take on the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend. American BMW team driver Joey Hand is looking to add to his wins at both the Daytona 24 Hours and the Twelve Hours of Sebring earlier this year. http://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=293 Back in Hollywood. BMW is pleased to announce their participation in the upcoming Paramount Pictures release andldquo;Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocolandrdquo; as the filmandrsquo;s main automotive partner. High performance with fewer emissions is the name of the game: One of the BMW vehicles provided for Tom Cruiseandacute;s next film is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. It has been recognized as having the most sophisticated technology and the most striking design among the current concept electric supercars. In a few years the BMW i8, which was inspired by the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept vehicle, will enter series production. andldquo;We are thrilled to be involved again in another Hollywood Blockbuster,andrdquo; said Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing. andldquo;The BMW Group leads the way in developing future mobility with a focus on sustainability. One great example is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car which will be presented in the film. With its futuristic design and large glass surfaces, the car offers a fascinating perspective on the future of sheer driving pleasure andndash; in combination with maximum efficiency. Also with BMW ConnectedDrive technology, it is the perfect car for Ethan Hunt to outsmart his pursuers through narrow streets and busy city traffic.andrdquo; andldquo;We are extremely appreciative of the incredible support BMW provided to our filmmakers and production teams as they traveled the world making the movieandrdquo;, commented LeeAnne Stables, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships at Paramount Pictures. Having provided vehicles for outstanding film projects, TV productions, etc. for more than 35 years, entertainment marketing is firmly established as an important building block for the BMW Groupandrsquo;s long-term image and product communications. andldquo;Mission: Impossible andndash; Ghost Protocolandrdquo;, directed by Brad Bird, is scheduled for release mid of December 2011. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=294 The BMW Group showcases its visions of future mobility in the shape of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept studies. Unveiled for the first time, these concept vehicles provide a glimpse of the first electrically powered production cars from the new BMW i sub-brand, due to be launched as the BMW i3 in 2013 and the BMW i8 in 2014. andldquo;We are marking another milestone in the history of the BMW Group. As Chairman of the Board and an engineer myself, I am very proud of this project,andrdquo; declared Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at Fridayandrsquo;s premiere of the two vehicles in Frankfurt. andldquo;As the worldandrsquo;s leading premium car manufacturer, our aim is to offer customers purpose-built electric-drive cars as well,andrdquo; he added. With its zero-emission electric drive and a range of approximately 150 kilometres, the BMW i3 Concept has been specifically developed for use in an urban environment, its dynamic 125 kW electric motor and rear-wheel drive ensuring BMW-style dynamic handling. Thanks to its innovative LifeDrive architecture featuring a carbon passenger cell, the BMW i3 Concept combines an extremely low weight of 1,250 kilograms with optimal interior space and the highest crash safety levels. With four seats and a 200-litre luggage compartment, this vehicle is fully suited for everyday use. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=295 Even the most efficient internal combustion engine can only convert about one-third of the energy derived from fossil fuels into the mechanical kinetic energy needed to power a motor vehicle. Over the past few years BMW EfficientDynamics has made great improvements in engine efficiency, for example with technologies such as direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, exhaust-driven turbochargers, brake energy regeneration and the Auto Start Stop function. However, about 60 percent of the generated energy is still lost, half of it being exhaust heat, with the remaining half as heat absorbed by the engine cooling system. Finding ways of recovering this lost heat energy is one of the major goals being pursued by engineers working on BMW EfficientDynamics for the future. That is why the BMW Group is involved in several projects, each with different approaches to utilising dissipated heat energy, and at various levels andndash; in research, pre-production and series development. Among the most promising innovations are the turbosteamer, thermoelectric generator, engine encapsulation and a waste heat exchanger for oil heating. The Turbosteamer and Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) projects are focused on generating electric current from waste heat to improve overall engine efficiency, but each project follows a different approach and time frame. There is great potential for considerable fuel savings if the electrical energy required by all of the systems in an automobile can be produced using waste heat rather than relying solely on the vehicle's generator. This is another milestone behind the philosophy of BMW EfficientDynamics in achieving increased power and performance while reducing emissions and fuel consumption at the same time. BMW turbosteamer andndash; modelled after a power station. In the Turbosteamer Project research and technology specialists of the BMW Group are working on a heat recovery system that is based on the principle of a steam process. The process of recovering energy from waste heat is already practised on a large scale in modern power generation plants: large gas and steam power stations combine the principles of a gas turbine and a steam circuit to achieve a significantly higher level of efficiency. The gas turbine process is the first phase of the energy conversion and serves as the source of heat for the downstream steam cycle in the second phase. The BMW turbosteamer is based on this two-stage stationary power generation method andndash; but reduced in scale and design to form a component that can be used in modern automobile engines. The first-generation turbosteamer andndash; a maximalist approach. Researchers proved the feasibility of this technology in December 2005 with the unveiling of the first-generation turbosteamer, which was based on a maximalist approach: they designed a dual-cycle system. The primary element was a high-temperature circuit that employed a heat exchanger to recover energy from the engine exhaust gases. This was connected with a secondary circuit that collected heat from the engine cooling system and combined this heat with the high-temperature heat from the primary circuit to create lower temperature heat. When this design was laboratory tested on the four-cylinder petrol engines produced by BMW at the time, the dual system boosted the performance of these engines by 15 percent. The turbosteamer today: smaller and simpler. In order to further develop the system for use in series production, attention was given to reducing the size of the components and making the system simpler to improve its dynamics and achieve an optimized cost-benefit ratio. Thus researchers focused on designing a component having only one high-temperature circuit. andldquo;A heat exchanger recovers heat from the engine exhaust, and this energy is used to heat a fluid which is under high pressure andndash; this heated fluid then turns into steam, which powers an expansion turbine that generates electrical energy from the recovered heat,andrdquo; explains Janduuml;rgen Ringler, Team Leader for Thermal Energy Converters at BMW Group Research and Technology. For the latest generation of the turbosteamer, engineers developed an innovative expansion turbine based on the principle of the impulse turbine, which offered many advantages in terms of cost, weight and size when compared to earlier concepts, and these are factors that are very beneficial when it comes to series production. andldquo;We have made great progress toward achieving our original goal, which was to develop a system ready for series production within about ten years. When completed, this system will weigh only 10 kg to 15 kg and will be capable of supplying all of the electrical energy required by an automobile while cruising along the motorway or on country roads,andrdquo; says Ringler. Under these conditions the developers are sure that the average driver will be able to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 percent on long-distance journeys. Initial integration of a mock-up system in the BMW 5 Sedan. All of the system components developed on the test bench have been configured to form a module that can be integrated in vehicles. This has been done successfully by installing a mock-up system in the BMW 5 Sedan. Thermoelectric generator. Considerable progress has also been made in the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) Project that is also focused on series production of an energy-saving component. The two alternative systems developed to date differ in their positioning in the vehicle andndash; one unit is designed for the exhaust system, while the other is intended for the exhaust gas recirculation system. The development phase focused on integrating units in the exhaust system has led to considerable component improvements, especially in terms of weight and size. Electricity from waste heat andndash; a space-age solution. The thermoelectric generator converts heat directly into electricity. The engineers of the BMW Group basically refined a technology that has been used to power space probes for more than four decades by NASA, the aeronautics and space agency of the United States. The principle behind this technology is known as the Seebeck Effect, namely that an electrical voltage can be generated between two thermoelectric semiconducters if they have different temperatures. Since the percentage degree of efficiency of TEGs was rather low, this technology was considered unsuited for automotive applications. However, in recent years progress in the area of material research has led to discoveries that have improved the performance of TEG modules. One principle andndash; three generations. The first step taken by engineers was to integrate a thermoelectric generator in the exhaust system to generate electrical current. The first such system was shown to the public in 2008 and delivered a maximum of 200 watts, which was relatively low in terms of power efficiency. But the use of new materials and improvements in the weight and size of the TEGs led to rapid new developments, so that the latest generation of TEGs installed in the exhaust are capable of generating 600 watts of electrical power, and it will not be long before the goal of 1,000 watts is reached as research progresses. The current prototype andndash; a BMW X6 andndash; was built as part of a development project funded by the US Department of Energy. Then in 2009, the BMW Group unveiled an alternative development in this project. Rather than installing the TEG as a separate module in the exhaust system underneath the vehicle, engineers decided to integrate the TEG in the radiator of the exhaust gas recirculation system. In this configuration, customer testing has shown that 250 watts can be generated while CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are reduced by 2 percent at the same time. What's more, this energy recovery system offers some interesting added benefits, such as supplying the engine or passenger compartment heating with additional warmth during cold starts. And the thermoelectric generator is the ideal counterpart for BMW EfficientDynamics Brake Energy Regeneration. While the brakes generate energy during deceleration and stopping, the TEG functions at its best when driving is really exciting andndash; namely during acceleration. Researchers forecast that TEGs will lead to fuel consumption savings of up to 5 percent under real everyday driving conditions in the future. The ideal combination: heat management and BMW EfficientDynamics. While some features of BMW EfficientDynamics, such as brake energy regeneration or the Auto Start Stop function help reduce consumption when decelerating or during idling periods, intelligent heat management can do the same when the vehicle is being accelerated and driven. In the future, even before starting the car, insulation and encapsulation of the engine compartment will ensure that the temperature of the drive train is stabilised by residual heat, thus shortening the cold start phase. An exhaust heat exchanger will also keep gearbox oil warm to reduce friction and fuel consumption as well. And a TEG or turbosteamer will supply the vehicle's electrical systems with ample power, delivering benefits when it makes the most sense andndash; while enjoying sheer driving pleasure! Depending on the vehicle environment and driving habits, heat management can deliver measurable benefits for specific driving scenarios. For both short and long-distance driving various features can reduce fuel consumption. Insulation of the engine compartment, gearbox oil heating with exhaust heat exchangers installed with petrol engines, or the heating function of the exhaust heat exchanger for diesel engines are features that are well-suited for vehicles that are predominately driven over short distances. During longer journeys the thermoelectric generator or turbosteamer add to that. And by utilising synergy effects, heat management will play a major role in reducing CO2 emissions in the future. Source: BMW Grouphttp://bmwpulse.com/index.php?cID=296 Fifth generation of the worldandrsquo;s most successful high-performance sedan in the premium segment of the executive class; new BMW M5 is an exceptionally dynamic high-performance sports car with four doors and five seats; consistent further development of the vehicle concept initiated in 1984 with the first-generation BMW M5; compelling track potential combines with the comprehensive practicality of a luxurious business sedan; groundbreaking character headlined by significantly improved efficiency, supreme long-distance comfort, and innovative driver assistance systems and infotainment functions. World premiere of a newly developed BMW M high-performance engine: high-revving 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo package andndash; consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo technology, cross-bank exhaust manifold, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection and VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control; 560 hp at 6,000 andndash; 7,000 rpm, maximum torque: 502 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm; maximum speed: 7,200 rpm; wet sump lubrication optimised for high lateral loads, lag-free power delivery, typical M car thrust. Significantly improved balance between performance and fuel consumption: acceleration 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, 124 mph in 13.0 seconds, top speed: 155 mph (190 mph with M Driverandrsquo;s Package); average fuel consumption in EU test cycle: 28.5 mpg imp; engine output 10 per cent up on predecessor model, maximum torque increased by 30 per cent, fuel consumption cut by more than 30 per cent; extensive Efficient Dynamics technology, including Auto Start-Stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration. Power transfer to the rear wheels via the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission Drivelogic; traction-optimised automatic gear selection; Launch Control; Low Speed Assistance; automatically activated parking mode; M-specific gear selector; M leather steering wheel with shift paddles. Hallmark M conceptual harmony produces superior performance characteristics with precise interplay of drive and chassis technology, aerodynamics and weight balance; power-to-weight ratio: 7 lb/hp; M-specific suspension (front and rear axle kinematics), M Servotronic steering, Dynamic Damper Control, DSC stability control system including M Dynamic Mode; bodyshell mounting using special panels; lightweight compound high-performance braking system. Outstandingly agile handling thanks to innovative rear axle differential with Active M Differential; electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential enables fully variable distribution of drive between the rear wheels to optimise traction and stability in dynamic lane change manoeuvres and acceleration out of corners; degree of lock can be varied between 0 and 100 per cent according to the situation; fast, precise and pre-emptive responses thanks to constant data cross-checking between the Active M Differential and DSC stability control system, and monitoring of the accelerator pedal position, wheel speed and yaw rate. Two individually configured set-ups for the car can be called up using the new M Drive buttons on the steering wheel; range of programmable parameters unique in the segment: engine response, M Servotronic responses, Drivelogic shift program, DSC mode, Dynamic Damper Control and information in the Head-Up Display. Characteristic body design with familiar M aesthetics reflecting the carandrsquo;s extremely dynamic yet precisely controllable nature; specific design features contributing to performance characteristics; front apron with extremely large air intakes for the engine and brakes; athletically flared wheel arches to emphasise wide track; hallmark M andldquo;gillsandrdquo; with integrated indicator bars; aerodynamically optimised rear apron with diffuser between the right and left-hand pair of twin exhaust tailpipes; gurney-style rear spoiler on the boot lid; 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in exclusive double-spoke design. Unique combination of sports car cockpit and luxurious ambience for the interior; M-specific instrument cluster in black-panel technology; newly designed, leather-covered centre console; M sports seats; standard specification also includes: Merino leather upholstery with extended features, exclusive aluminium Trace interior trim strips, BMW Individual roof liner in anthracite, electrically operated steering column adjustment, four-zone automatic climate control and ambient light. Extensive range of driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive unmatched by competitors in this segment and beyond: M-specific Head-Up Display (standard), Adaptive Headlights for standard xenon light, High-Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian detection, Lane Change Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, Surround View, Speed Limit Info, internet usage, extended integration of smartphones and music players, real-time traffic information and apps for receiving web radio and using Facebook and Twitter. Almost all BMW 5 Series Sedan equipment options available, including Comfort Access, M multifunction seats, active seats, doors with Soft Close Automatic function, hands-free tailgate opening, electric glass roof, trailer coupling. Specifications and performance: BMW M5: V8 engine, M TwinPower Turbo technology with Twin Scroll Twin Turbo, cross-bank exhaust manifold, High Precision Direct Injection and VALVETRONIC variable valve control. Displacement: 4,395 cc, output: 560 hp at 6,000 andndash; 7,000 rpm, max. torque: 502 lb-ft at 1,500 andndash; 5,750 rpm. Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.4 seconds, acceleration 0andndash;124 mph: 13.0 seconds, top speed: 155 mph (190 mph with M Driverandrsquo;s Package). Average fuel consumption: 28.5 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 232 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5. Source: BMW Group