The BMW 3-Series began production back in 1975 and is one of the German automaker’s luxury sedans. The 2012 model year will mark the 3-Series’ sixth generation since its birth and will incorporate all of the current versions for the luxury car: 2-door coupe and convertible, 4-door saloon, 5-door touring, and 5 door liftback. The new 3-series is expected to be powered with new aluminum four-cylinder gasoline engines ranging from 135 to 220 horsepower.
The current model is powered by a choice of four different engine. The 3.0L I-6 produces 230hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.0L twin turbo diesel gets 265hp and 425lb-ft of torque. Another option is the 3.0L twin turbo I-6 getting 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, and the final engine option is a 4.0L V8 producing 414hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Engines can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a six- or seven-speed automatic.
Following the quick sell of the M3 Frozen Black Edition comes a new special edition that will be used to bring the M3 production to a climatic close. The new BMW 335i Performance Edition (standard pictured) will feature a boost in power and some distinguishing characteristics.
Details on the new model are still scarce at this point, but during the July BMWNA Sales Roundtable Broadcast, BMW announced that the 335i Performance will get an additional 20 HP and another 32 lb-ft of torque to add to the standard model’s 300 HP and 300 lbs-ft. With this increase, the sprint from 0-60 mph can be made 0.2 seconds faster. Not a huge difference, but apparently enough to make a special edition out of it. Folks using the Beamer as a daily driver need not be impressed.
In addition to the mild power increase, the new model will also be equipped with black kidney grilles (stock ones in the trunk) and a "Performance Edition" badge. Potential customers will need to know that the new package can only be combined with the 335i models carrying the Sport/M-Sport package (must have increased top speed code 840).
Other than that, there’s nothing else to write home about at this time. The new BMW 335i Performance Edition will be available on August production 335i sedans with an additional $550 price tag. More details should be revealed closer to the production date.
Back in the ’30s BMW unveiled the 328 - the most successful and best-looking sports car at that time. The car’s success was due to its impressive design parameters: systematic lightweight construction, aerodynamic lines, optimum engine types, and outstanding suspension technology. Now, as a celebration of the car’s 75th anniversary, BMW will unveiled the 328 Hommage at this year’s Mille Miglia. This model modernizes the principles and the character of the vehicle from back then and offers a possible interpretation of how the designers of that time, Fritz Fiedler and Rudolf Schleicher, might have built the BMW 328 if they had the use of our current technology.
"With the BMW 328 Hommage, we wish to pay homage to the passion and inventiveness of the fathers of the BMW 328", explains Karl Bäumer, CEO of BMW Group Classic. "They created an icon, which is consid-ered a milestone in the history of the automobile."
UPDATE 05/23/2011: BMW revealed the first details on the 328 Hommage earlier this weekend and now it’s time to see the concept in action at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. At that same event, the concept won the title of "best of show" in the "Concept Cars and Prototypes" category. Hit the jump for the video.
UPDATE 05/31/2011: BMW has revealed a rather cool video of the 328 Hommage that captures the brand new concept car in action. The movie was filmed around BMW Design.
UPDATE 06/06/2011: BMW has unveiled a new cool video in which it compared the new 328 Hommage concept to the model that inspired it: the classic 328. A must see for anyone out there!
Hit the jump to read more about the BMW 328 Hommage.
The BMW M3 Convertible is getting a new carbon fiber aerodynamic dress-up courtesy of US tuner Vorsteiner, proving yet again that when it comes to high-performance BMWs, the US tuning company certainly knows what its doing.
By releasing their new carbon fiber bootlid and making it available for the BMW M3 Convertible, Vorsteiner is giving the high-performance Beamer not only a more aggressive aerodynamic upgrade, but also a performance boost that should give the car an even more powerful bite to go with its imposing bark.
The car’s new carbon fiber "duck bill" bootlid bears some striking similarities to what you can find in the BMW M3 CSL in that it has the "latest pre-preg autoclave construction with a high gloss automotive lacquer". According to Vorsteiner, the material is one of the lightest of its kind among all others available in the market today. Despite the talks surrounding it, the bodywork is still in its final stages, but you can expect it to be available at Vorsteiner dealerships in the coming months.
The Geneva Motor Show is now in the rear-view mirror, which means that the spotlight has now turned to the New York Auto Show this coming April, and if there’s one thing that we can all look forward to in New York, it’s that it will be the site of the 2011 World Car of the Year awards.
All in all, 39 vehicles were included in the initial entry list comprising of new cars from all over the world. From these 39 cars, the list was whittled down to ten finalists with the top three contenders from these 10 cars receiving the final nominations for the 2011 World Car of the Year title.
The cars that are subject for nomination are selected and voted on by an international jury panel consisting of 66 automotive journalists from 24 countries around the world. Each member of the panel has been appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the merits of their experience, credibility, and influence within the auto industry in their respective countries and, to an extent, in the region.
Eligibility for the World Car award is important in determining which cars can be nominated for the awards. This year, all candidates for the awards must become available for sale on at least two continents from January 1, 2010 to May 30, 2011.
Apart from the World Car of the Year title, other awards that will be announced at the New York Auto Show include the World Performance Car of the Year, the World Green Car of the Year, and the World Car Design of the Year.
Check out all the nominated cars for each of the categories after the jump.
Arkym has heard our cries and have brought forth yet another tuning kit for the BMW 3-series that doesn’t have us choking on last night’s dinner as did their AeroRace One. Fit for any 2010+ BMW 335is LCI, the M-Sport MC Edition package is just the right amount of sporty appeal without the head-scratching mods that appeared on that other model.
Typically when we come across a beautiful rendition of a car, we assume that the idea behind it was thought up by a man, since the auto industry is chock full of testosterone. This car, however, was the brain child of Maureen Chen, a woman who wanted to stand in front of her own car and not stand to the side of someone else’s ride in a scantily clad bikini.
Arkym’s press release sums it up the best stating: "And thus what was coincidentally manifested from this perfectly timed request was the Arkym E92 3-Series M-Sport MC Edition, 3-piece AeroSport kit for the 2010+ BMW 335is LCIs. A good relationship between individuals in the same automotive scene, man or woman, is absolutely key no matter where they come from as neighbors in our world. Given the opportunity for us at Arkym to explore the 335is lineup with Maureen Chen provided us with refreshing insight on how her personality and professionalism in wanting to be a part of her own project translates directly toward the look and feel of her car: sporty, classy, “avant garde”, and not afraid to bite."
No exact details were given on the different components added to the BMW E92 3-Series, but we’re staying on top of this one and bringing those details as soon as we have them. Until then, check out the gallery to see what happens when a woman decides that average just isn’t enough.
We’re already come across some pretty impressive exhaust systems by Akrapovic, first for the Ferrari 458 Italia and the second one for the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X. Today it’s time for round three with the BMW 335ireceiving the same updates. The Evolution exhaust system, which is made entirely of titanium or stainless steel, gives the BMW 335i more power and weighs less, offering an even better on-road performance.
The new exhaust system adds an extra 12 HP (at 5.980 rpm) and 16 Nm of torque (at 2.910 rpm). It weighs only 14 kilograms and is made entirely from titanium or stainless steel, making it sound very sporty and reflecting the formidable nature of the powerful six-pot engine.
The tuner is also offering a Slip-On exhaust system that only adds of 7 HP (at 5.950 rpm) and 8 Nm of torque (at 3.560 rpm). The range between 2,500 rpm and 3,000 rpm and at 3,500 rpm was also improved.
BMW’s 3-Series has made its way into the hearts of all Beamer lovers, but this next version is sure to please just about anyone who craves a luxury vehicle with insurmountable excellence. And if you don’t believe us, check out this rendering provided by designer, Andrei Avarvarii.
The 2012 BMW 3-Series Coupe is said to be longer than the current version by around an inch and a half, but it will have considerably shorter overhangs. Its design elements will be borrowed from brethren such as the next-generation X3, the new 5-Series, and the new 7-Series.
Power for the 3-Series should come from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and, quite possibly, an inline six-cylinder as well. A hybrid and a diesel version may also be up for grabs when the time is right. What we can be absolutely sure of is that the next 2012 BMW 3-Series will feature Vision Efficient Dynamics technology.
All we have to say is that the Mercedes C-Class, the Audi A4, and the Cadillac CTS better watch their step; this BMW 3-Series is packing some serious punch.
As you know, BMW prepares to launch the new generation 3-Series sometime in 2012. And today we have more details on the future car thanks to the British magazine Autocar. The news today is that the future 3-Series will be offered with a new Connect Drive system that will help the car "to react ‘intelligently’ with local road conditions to allow both greater fuel efficiency as well as improving safety for both drivers and pedestrians." Same system will also be used in the next 6-Series.
The new Connect Drive system offers "info coming into the vehicle" and "info from the vehicle". The first ones come from external sensors, from car-to-car communication and other technologies like these and then are downloaded in the car. The system will then combine them with information being generated by the car itself, including the vehicle status, and 3D information and makes decisions about the way the car operates. The new system will also help improving fuel consumption by 15%.
When it comes to the business of aftermarket BMW bits, AC Schnitzer are the people you speak to. Not only because their quality and fitment is superb, but also because they’re the only BMW approved tuning company – meaning your bulletproof BMW Motorplan remains intact. They offer a host of aesthetic and performance parts for almost every BMW, amongst the favorites being their performance exhaust systems. Not only do they sound much sportier than the factory items, but they also help free up a few horses and Newton-meters to your chosen ride. In this feature you can listen to not only the tuned versions, but also their factory counterparts for an all-round aural experience. Be prepared to fork out some cash though – one of these babies doesn’t come cheap! Cars include: BMW 550i (F10), BMW Z4 sDrive35is, different versions of the 650 BHP BMW X6M Falcon by AC Schnitzer, BMW 135i and 335i, and the BMW E92 M3.
Check out the videos after the jump and don’t forget to turn up the volume!
We haven’t seen or heard a whole lot of BMW’s “Story of Joy” in a while, but it doesn’t mean that BMW is done releasing those cool “Joy” commercials, which highlight the joy and happiness of owning – and driving - a BMW.
The central subject of the new “Joy” commercial is the 34-year history of the 3-Series and the pleasure and happiness of owning one. Not that owners of the 3-Series need any more affirmation of driving around town with a 3-Series, but it does paint a very poignant picture of the age-old belief that BMW is the ultimate expression of how a sports car should be and that the 3-Series is, as evidenced by the universal love for the car, the epitome of what BMW strives to be: a company that gives its customers a feeling of joy and happiness.
Check out the video and watch another one of BMW’s amazing “Joy” commercials.
