BMW Group hopes to meet sales target

The BMW Group has delivered 1,244,775 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles worldwide up to the end of November this year, it was announced yesterday.

Compared with the corresponding period last year this is an increase of 33,654 vehicles, or 2.8%.

In November, the BMW Group sold 114,321 automobiles, which marks a rise of 0.3% compared with the same month last year.

"This year, in spite of the model changes for the MINI, BMW X5 and BMW 3 Series Coupé, we have set the ambitious goal to achieve a new sales record again," said Dr Michael Ganal, member of the board of management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing.

"We will meet this goal and thus remain the world's leading supplier of premium automobiles," he explained while observing that the models directly affected by the changes represent almost a third of the total sales of the BMW Group.

BMW Group heading for new record year

Rolls-Royce brand automobiles up to the end of November this year. Compared with the corresponding period last year (1,211,121), this is an increase of 33,654 vehicles, or 2.8%. In November 2006, the BMW Group sold 114,321 automobiles, which marks a rise of 0.3% compared with the same month last year (114,007).Dr Michael Ganal, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing: "This year, in spite of the model changes for the MINI, BMW X5 and BMW 3 Series Coup, we have set the ambitious goal to achieve a new sales record again. We will meet this goal and thus remain the world's leading supplier of premium automobiles. After all, the models directly affected by the changes represent almost a third of the total sales of the BMW Group. The new BMW 3 Series Coup has been on the market since September this year.

ICA Warns of BMW Damage Issues

CHICAGO -- As has been previously reported by the International Carwash Association (ICA), the front axle control arm on the 2006-2007 BMW 5 Series all-wheel drive vehicles can interfere with the inside guide rail on some carwash conveyors.

The ground clearance of these BMW 4WD SUV's is 4 3/8 inches, which is 1 inch less than the 2 WD models. However, the inside rail height of some conveyor systems is more than 4 3/8 inches and can be as much as 5 inches. Thus far, only some Flapan/3G conveyors have been reported as impacted by these specifications.

The resultant interference of the aluminum front control arm and the steel guide rail causes significant wear on the control arm and could result in a control arm failure. The replacement cost of the control arm is approximately $600 at a BMW dealership.

Behind the Scenes with Seth Thomas

Behind the Scenes with Seth Thomas While most people are enjoying the holidays, BimmerWorld driver, Seth Thomas, is ready for the 2007 racing season to begin. Thomas hopes to win his first driver's title in the Speed World Challenge Touring Series in his BimmerWorld BMW E90 325i. In 2006, BimmerWorld was the only team to run the new E90 chassis and they spent a great deal of time testing and developing the car. Although they encountered many gremlins along the way, Thomas finished 12th overall in driver's points in his #38 BimmerWorld Performance Friction BMW 325i. Thomas is a natural on the track and he certainly has what it takes to help BMW reclaim the manufacturer's title. While competitive, his laid back personality and great sense of humor makes him popular in the paddock. I stopped by Seth's home town of Cumming, GA to learn more about this young energetic driver.

BMW Launches the BMW Hydrogen 7 and New BMW X5 Sports Activity ...

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- BMW today unveiled two world premiere vehicles during its press conference on the occasion of the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The first premiere was the new BMW X5. The new BMW X5 grows in size and luxury yet further improves upon the driving dynamics that made the first iteration of the X5 such a success. The new X5 will be available with an expanded array of available options -- one of which is a third row, seven passenger seating option. The new BMW X5 is now on sale in the USA. The second premiere was the new BMW Hydrogen 7, the world's first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile. The Hydrogen 7 -- which has fulfilled all of the criteria of BMW's rigorous product development process -- will be built in a limited series and will be driven by selected users in the US and other countries in 2007.

Spies first to break real images of the new BMW 5-Series

While Daimler-Chrysler has already launched a restyled Mercedes E Class, BMW's facelifted 5-Series and M5 are scheduled for released in spring 2007 only.

Here are for the first time photos showing undisguised prototypes of the facelifted 5-Series during a test drive in Munich. One photo is showing the remodeled M5 with different air intakes in the front skirt, different headlights and upgraded dashboard and interior design. The remaining photos show the standard 5-series, which is also getting new air intakes in the front skirt and a smoother rear skirt and a new automatic shift lever.

Photos include:

1 photo (1296H1) of the restyled M5.

3 photos of the restyled standard 5-Series.

2 photos of the interior and dashboard.

2010 BMW 5-Series Specifications

2007 BMW 5-Series Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

-2,996 cc 3 liters in-line 6 front engine with 85 mm bore, 88 mm stroke, 10.7 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder N52
-Premium unleaded fuel 91
-Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 30 and EPA city (mpg): 20
-Multi-point injection fuel system
-18.5 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
-Power: 190 kW , 255 HP SAE @ 6,600 rpm; 220 ft lb , 298 Nm @ 2,750 rpm

2007 BMW 5-Series Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features

-Four-wheel ABS
-Brake assist system
-Cornering brake control
-Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
-Electronic brake distribution
-Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
-Immobilizer
-Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
-Stability control
-Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs , multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

2007 BMW 5-Series Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features

-Body color front and rear bumpers
-Chrome/bright trim around side windows
-Day time running lights
-Driver power heated partial-painted door mirrors , passenger power heated partial-painted door mirrors with automatic
-External dimensions: overall length (inches): 191.1, overall width (inches): 72.7, overall height (inches): 57.8, wheelbase (inches): 113.7, front track (inches): 61.3, rear track (inches): 62.3 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 37.4
-Front fog lights
-Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights
-Heat reflective glass
-Heated door locks or key
-Luxury trim alloy & leather on gearknob, wood/woodgrain on doors and wood/woodgrain on dashboard
-Metallic paint
-Fixed rear window with defogger
-Glass electric front sunroof
-Tinted glass on cabin
-Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,472
-Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe and rain sensor

2007 BMW 5-Series Interior Standard Features

-12v power outlet: front and 1 , 12v power outlet: rear and 2 , 12v power outlet: cargo and 1
-Air conditioning with climate control and rear outlet 2
-Diversity antenna
-Peripheral interior monitoring anti-theft protection
-Front and rear ashtray
-Audio anti-theft protection: code
-RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
-Cargo area light
-Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 14
-Front seats cigar lighter
-Clock
-Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
-Full dashboard console with open storage box , full floor console with covered storage box
-Delayed/fade courtesy lights
-Cruise control
-Front seats and rear seats cup holders pop out
-Door ajar warning
-Door entry light
-Door pockets/bins for driver seat, passenger seat and rear seats
-External temperature
-Floor covering: carpet in load area
-Driver and passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
-Bucket electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, six adjustments and tilt adjustment
-3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
-Front seat center armrest
-Lockable glove compartment
-Two height adjustable electric adjustable head restraints on front seats , three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
-Headlight control with time delay switch-off, dusk sensor and auto off with ignition active
-Heated washer
-Illuminated entry system
-Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 37.7, rear headroom (inches): 37.9, front leg room (inches): 41.5, rear leg room (inches): 36, front shoulder room (inches): 57.3, rear shoulder room (inches): 57.2 and interior volume (cu ft): 99.1
-Low fuel level warning
-Low tire pressure indicator
-Low washer fluid level warning
-Memorized adjustment with two settings on door mirror position and steering wheel position with five driver's seat positions and head restraint
-Online information system
-Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch, includes power windows and speed sensing
-Vehicle speed proportional power steering
-Front and rear power windows with two one-touch
-Front and rear reading lights
-3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
-Rear seat center armrest integral box
-Three fixed bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
-Rear view mirror
-Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
-Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
-Front and rear roof airbag
-Front seat back storage
-Vinyl seat upholstery with additional vinyl
-Seating: five seats
-Service interval indicator
-Front side airbag with occupant sensors
-Ten speaker(s)
-Leather covered electrically adjustable multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment easy entry
-Tachometer
-Telematics 240 and 12
-Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror
-Ventilation system with recirculation setting, micro filter and active carbon filter
-Voice activating system includes phone

The Z4 goes bi: Hartge Biturbo Z30

BMW tuner Hartge is no stranger to building fast BMWs. Stuffing the 5.0-liter V10 into a 3-series, and a 4.4-liter V8 into a 1-Series are just a couple of their recent feats of magic. The latest transformation is the H30 Biturbo, taking the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight six from the 335i and filling the bonnet of a Z3 with boost. Producing 380 horsepower and 332 ft/lbs of torque, the modified motor will get you to 62 miles per hour (100 KMH) in a scant 4.8 seconds on your way to a top speed of 177 miles per hour.More info and pics after the jump.

[Source: AutoMotorundSport]

Braking comes from 4-piston calipers gripping 380mm front rotors with 324mm rotors in the rear. The 20-inch wheel and tire combination featuring 245/30ZR20 front and 295/25ZR20 rubber in the rear also allows the H30 Biturbo to take full advantage of the chassis.

Links