BMW X1 U.S. debut delayed due to high demand in Europe

American buyers may have to wait a little bit longer before sinking their teeth into the upcoming BMW X1. According to Automotive News, the CUV has been more popular in Europe than the German automaker originally anticipated, and as such, BMW is experiencing a bit of a supply crunch. As a result, North American buyers won’t be seeing the X1 at the end of this year as originally expected. Instead, it’s beginning to look like the vehicle won’t show up here until early 2012 at the soonest. Automotive News reports that the X1 went on sale in Europe in November of 2009.

Since then, the high-riding hatch has sold out in every market it’s touched. BMW says that it fully expects the X1 to be a low-volume model here in the land of the free, with sales lodged somewhere in the same realm as what the current 1 Series Coupe and Convertible. Even so, the company says that it’s shooting for around 8,000 units per year. With the larger, more popular X3 just now hitting dealerships, the X1 will likely serve to fill a slot for buyers looking for a compact luxury crossover.

BMW X1 gets brand’s first 245-hp turbocharged four-cylinder

The BMW X1 may not arrive in the U.S. on schedule, but when it does show up, it will come packing a turbocharged four-cylinder. The all-aluminum 2.0-liter mill cranks out 245 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque thanks to direct-injection and a single twin-scroll turbo. European buyers will be able to bolt the engine to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic and the company’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. BMW claims the manual-equipped X1 will do the 0-62 mph in around 6.1 seconds. while opting for the auto will tack another .3 seconds onto its sprint time.

The German automaker has bolted on a heap of fuel-saving technologies, including start-stop and regenerative braking systems as well as a shift indicator. All told, BMW is shooting for 35.7 mpg on the imperial scale, or just under 30 mpg by U.S. measure – not too shabby for a full-time all-wheel drive machine. The fuel economy marks an improvement of 16 percent compared to the old lump. Click past the jump for the full details.

At $47,010 (including destination), the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe isn’t exactly cheap. Still, Matthew Russell, BMW product and technology PR rep, says it’s “the most affordable M BMW has ever sold, adjusting for inflation, including the original E30 M3.” That car cost around $34,000 when it was introduced in 1988. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Russell is more than right: $34,000 in 1988 had the same buying power as $62,885 in 2010.

With rumors of BMW getting into front-wheel-drive cars, we asked Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, if M could do a FWD car. Segler said, “I haven’t thought about that,” and went on to remark that he couldn’t see doing a sub-1-Series M car. Russell elaborated with, “There are rumors about what is coming, but those aren’t from us.” As to other rumors about whether the coupes will be limited or capped in number, we were told categorically, “No.” But that was amended with, “But they will be hard to get.”

BMW: 1 Series M Coupe’s main competitor is… a used M3?

The 1 Series M Coupe is a car capable of turbocharging the dreams of many an enthusiast, BMW or otherwise – but the question many have is whether it can it turn the dreams of M3 buyers into something less… dreamy. During this week’s Detroit Auto Show press days, we spoke to Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, about what 1 Series M Coupe means for Bimmer’s performance brand and the M3.

Dr. Segler responded to those worried about the 1 Series M Coupe being better than the M3 with “the M3 is the car of M, the icon, playing in another league. The best feeling is still in an M3.” So even though BMW’s product and technology PR rep Matthew Russell described the 1 Series M as “an M3 in a 1 Series body,” the 1 M is distanced from the M3 by its limited options, including the fact that the M button on the steering wheel only adjusts throttle response, nothing else.

On the other hand, when discussing concerns that the 1 M was engineered so as not to step on the M3′s toes, Segler said “It was never held back at any stage. It is as good as it can be, this was exactly the car to build.” When we asked how much one would have to spend in order to make it better than an M3, we were told that it would make more sense to buy an M3. “It is not a replacement for the M3,” he also said. Russell added, “The M3 is in the middle of its life, it has a long way to go.”

And finally, our favorite answer came when we asked what is the competition for the 1 Series M Coupe, and Russell amusingly remarked, “A certified pre-owned M3.”

What say you? Is BMW just being cocky or does the auto industry offer a true direct competitor for the 1 Series M Coupe?

Click past the break for a comparison chart between the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the current BMW M3.

2012 BMW M5 Sedan Realistically Rendered

This took alittle time and effort to get it right. by the way…im going with these type of side gills for this new M5 just because of the shape of the car, its a more rounder look like the new M3 so i went with the M3 style gills instead of a flat gill pasted on the side of the car. makes sence if you think about it  These Renders look as if someone took photos of this car at a car show  Enjoy my renders. Thank You.

Via: F10 Forums (by Alpine325ci)

2012 BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible take a bow

BMW recently pulled the wraps off of its hot new 1 Series M Coupe, but this new addition to the automaker’s least expensive range isn’t the only changes on tap for the 2012 model year. Both the coupe and convertible versions of the 128i and 135i receive modest upgrades for 2012, including very, very slight styling updates and a new powertrain for the 135i.

Up front, 1 Series cars equipped with Xenon headlamps (optional on 128i, standard on 135i) receive a new horizontal LED eyebrow to complement the corona running lamps. Out back, newly tweaked taillamps use LED running lamps similar to those on the rest of the BMW product line. The 1 Series also gets a tweaked M Sport package that includes an aero kit (standard on the 135i), increased top speed limiter and more sporting suspension geometry. Additionally, M Sport cars are fitted with sport seats and M-branded interior trim components.

Much like its older brother, the 3 Series, the 135i is now powered by BMW’s N55 3.0-liter inline-six which uses a single twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. In addition to the standard row-it-yourself six-speed transmission, the 135i can now be had with BMW’s seven-speed DCT that first debuted in the Z4 roadster. Fitting this new engine means that the 135i Coupe can run to 60 miles per hour in five seconds flat with DCT and 5.1 seconds with the manual (add 0.3 seconds to those respective times for the droptop 135i). The base 128i continues to use the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter mill found in the outgoing model, rated at 230 hp and 200 lb-ft and paired with six-speed manual or Steptronic transmissions.

New BMW Z4 sDrive35is with 340HP and M-Sports Package is the Closest You'll get to a Z4M

While BMW had pretty much ruled out the possibility of creating a successor to the M variants of the Z3 and the previous Z4 with its new hardtop roadster, no one from Munich ever said that there wasn’t going to be a faster and more focused version than the Z4 sDrive35i.

That car is the Z4 sDrive35is -the ‘s’ is what makes the difference- and it will make its world debut at next month’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show before going on sale worldwide in Spring of the same year.

Bypassing BMW’s ridiculous naming system (Z4is or Z4 35is would have been just fine), the range topping Z4 features a more powerful version of the company’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight six and M-Sports styling and chassis packages.

At the heart of the Z4 sDrive35is is BMW’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six that benefits from optimized air supply and increased boost pressure. Output is lifted from 306HP to 340HP at 5,800 rpm while peak torque is increased to 450Nm or 332 lb-ft and is available from 1,400 rpm all the way to 4,500 rpm.

Furthermore, the modified engine management on the Z4 sDrive35is also allows the use of an Overboost function briefly increasing engine torque under full load by another 50Nm or 37 lb-ft to 500Nm or 369 lb-ft.

Power is driven to the rear wheels through a revised version of the firm’s seven-speed double clutch transmission with BMW announcing a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds (0-60mph in 4.7sec) and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h or 155mph.

BMW says that despite the increased performance over the standard Z4 sDrive35i, the ‘S’ model delivers the same fuel economy averaging 9.0lt/100km which is equal to 26.1 mpg US with CO2 emissions rated at 210g/km.

Aside from the powetrain upgrades, the Z4 sDrive35is also comes as standard with an M Sports Package including the M Aerodynamics Package and adaptive M Suspension.

The M Suspension, which features electronically controlled dampers, lowers the entire car by 10 mm or almost 0.4-in. The top-Z4 also gets a reprogrammed electronic power steering system that promises to offer increased feedback.

On the outside, the M package adds unique 18-inch alloy wheels with 19-inch rims available an option, a new front bumper, re-trimmed kidney grilles, matte silver exterior mirror caps, a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and specific tail pipes.

Finally, the interior has been enhanced with several features such as the M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, M footrest, sports seats, aluminium carbon trim, BMW Individual roof lining, M entry strips and footmats with coloured piping.

The revised instrument cluster with grey faces on the dials and the “sDrive35is” model designation complete the package.

BMW Launches New M-Sports Package for 2010 Z4 Hardtop Roadster

The unveiling of the BMW Z4 sDrive35iS with its tweaked twin-turbocharged straight six that produces an output of 340 ponies was accompanied by the announcement of the release of a new M-Sports package with aerodynamic, interior and suspension upgrades for the entire Z4 range.

The M aerodynamic body styling kit adds a newly designed front bumper and a reworked rear bumper with insert in Anthracite metallic. The exterior package is rounded off with 18-inch M light alloy wheels.

Inside, the Z4 M Sports models benefit from an array of features including leather upholstery as standard, body-hugging sports seats, anthracite head lining, special trim on the dashboard and door panels, M leather gearknob, a thick-rimmed steering wheel and M designation door sills and floor mats.

From what we gather – BMW’s press release was quite vague on this – all Z4 M Sports models will also be able to be equipped with the adaptive M Suspension that lowers the hardtop roadster by 10 mm or almost 0.4 inches.

The M-Sports package for the Z4 will go on sale from March, 2010 with pricing to be confirmed in the new year.

G-POWER's Modded BMW X5M and X6M Make 600HP

Even though BMW’s M-badged cars are supposed to be the crème de la crème of each model series, that hasn’t stopped G-Power from offering bimmer buyers more power and exclusivity. Their latest accomplishment is a sport package with aerodynamic and performance enhancements for the X5 M and X6 M.

The German tuner has upgraded the 4.4-liter V8 turbocharged engine found in both M models with a reprogrammed ECU resulting in a modest boost in output to 600 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 700Nm or 516 pound-feet of torque from 2,000 rpm.

Along with the removal of the speed limiter, the two modified SUVs / SAVs / Crossovers (make your pick) are now propelled to a top speed in excess of 300km/h (187mph), with 0 to 100km/h (62mph) acceleration coming in 4.5 seconds and to 200km/h (124mph) in just 16.2 seconds.

There’s also a new suspension kit that lower’s the ride height of both models by around 30mm.

G-Power was never about subtle aero mods, and the company makes no exception with the X5 M and X6 M. Both models feature a different front bumper with extra large air-inlets on each corner along with a new bonnet made of Kevlar hybrid or full carbon and side skirts.

The rear is marked by a new apron, a diffuser that houses the stainless steel exhaust pipes, a roof spoiler, and in the case of the X6 M, a boot wing also.

G-Power has designed two separate sets of 23-inch alloy wheels that are shod in 315/25 ZR23 high-performance Michelin tires for the X5 M and X6 M.

The company also enhances the interior of the two M models with numerous parts such as a new sports steering wheel, a speedometer in G-POWER design and carbon-fiber covers for the side linings, central console and the dashboard.

G-Power said that €6,990 (plus assembly) will buy you the aero kit, €8,865.55 the new alloy wheels and tires, €3,021 the full stainless steel end muffler and €4,701.68 V8 engine power upgrade.