BMW X4: A Budget X6?

Why can’t people realize that CUVs are simply sporty-looking people movers? They won’t go off-road and they’re too stiff for city driving.

The overcrowded CUV market, however, shows that people haven’t really gotten wise at this. The appeal, I think is the idea of having a smaller and more economical vehicle that packs the same “safety” as an SUV.

For BMW, that market segment is quite profitable, moving 80,000 X6s since its launch. Now, the company is taking a look at offering an even smaller vehicle to be slot in below the X6.

Currently rumored to be the X4, the car is expected to share the same platform as the upcoming X3 but will share the same styling as the X4.

BMW Concept Gran Coupe Unveiled

BMW knows how to make a splash. The German company stole the Beijing motor show by unveiling the Concept Gran Coupe.

It’s a huge car – a five-meter saloon with a coupe look and it’s rumored to be the new car that will be slotted higher than the 7-series. Word has it that this car will be the basis for the new 8-series flagship.

The car’s sporty four-door look seems to position it to rival not with the Merc S-class but with other sport four-doors like the Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera, and the Aston Martin Rapide.

Powering the car is most likely the same powerplants seen in the current 7-Series which include the 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline and diesels. The eight-speed automatic might come as standard.

“It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7-series but a more dynamic, sporty character: much more of a driver’s car,” said BMW chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk.

BMW 5-Series xDrive Gran Turismo Revealed

BMW keeps its model lien fresh with the unveiling of the BMW 5-Series xDrive Gran Turismo.

The model comes with two variants both equipped with the xDrive all-wheel drive technology. One packs a diesel and the other packs a gasoline engine.

The all-wheel drive system guarantees an “appropriate distribution of drive power front-to-rear in every situation.”

Current variants are only for the 530d and the 550i. xDrive Gran Turismos for the 535d and the 535i will come in September.

BMW Z29 Supercar Concept

Holy crap! The M series have been quite the sporty lot but when it comes to supercars, you’d struggle to think if BMW ever came out with one. In recent history, there’s the M1 but that hasn’t really come to fruition.

Now check out this Z29 supercar concept from BMW. The car’s a collaborative project between BMW’s Technik subsidiary and BMW’s M division.

The car’s powered by a 336 bhp straight-six engine – the same one found in the M3. Doesn’t really sound like supercar territory but the use of carbon-fiber and aluminum sub-frames make this car lightweight. Sprinting from 0-62 mph only takes just 4.4 seconds.

The styling takes its cue from the 2006 M Roadster and the 2004 M3 CSL.

No word yet on what BMW plans to do with this concept.

Source: Autocar

Video: BMW Mini Frankfurt “Two Untamed” Teaser

Call it shock advertising bu t BMW must be nuts having this pretty absurd teaser. Dubbed “Two Untamed,” it’s supposedly to hype on the debuts of the Mini Coupe and the new Roadster Concept. Mini just celebrated its 40th anniversary but this teaser just does away with the whole British sensibility. Try more of a combination of British eccentricity and Japanese shock marketing.

BMW Gunning for Lexus US Sales Rank

After facing a global sales drop (and most automakers did suffer from that), German automaker BMW is setting its sights on Lexus as the top luxury brand in the US.

Lexus, Japanese automaker Toyota’s luxury brand, has always been at the top of the sales boards in the US for the past 9 years. However, BMW has made quite the push and is just around 2,000 units behind this year.

“We’re really breathing down Lexus’ neck,” said Jim O’Donnell, CEO of BMW Group’s North American sales.

The US auto market took a huge beating due to the recession. The year saw two of the Detroit Three (General Motors and Chrysler) go belly up. Still, BMW sees a possible improvement in luxury car sales as the economy improves.

Source: DetNews