Electric-Powered MINI E Delayed Due to High Demand

BMW had hoped to release the electric powered MINI E early this year, but due to overwhelming demand the release has been delayed until April. BMW has received 1,800 applications for the car, but only plans on producing 450 units. The high number of applications have delayed the process.

Since only 450 units are going to be produced BMW now has to go through the task of notifying most of the interested parties that they will not be receiving the vehicle. In order to qualify for the MINI E, a potential driver must live in Los Angeles, New York or New Jersey. In addition the driver must have a lockable garage that can accept a built-in charger to charge the MINI and lastly they must be willing to pay $850 a month to lease the car for a year.

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Is Ford Trying to Sell Volvo to BMW?

Earlier this year there were rumors that Ford was thinking about selling Volvo, but those rumors were quickly denied. Now rumors are circulating again that Ford is now talking to BMW about Volvo.

TimesOnline is claiming that Ford is in preliminary talks with BMW to sell its stake in Volvo. Of course sources are claiming that there were talks even though both automakers are denying it.

It was also rumored two years ago that Ford was in talks with BMW about Jaguar and Land Rover although both brands were eventually sold to Tata of India.

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BMW is Worried About the Launch of the All-New 7 Series

BMW's new North American chief, Jim O'Donnell is worried about the launch of the all-new 7 Series in the US next spring.

The US economy is so bad right now that O'Donnell has little hope for increased sales of BMW's flagship sedan, which will be in dealerships in March. O'Donnell's main goal is that the new 7 Series does better than the overall import luxury segment.

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Bid farewell to BMW's legendary M inline-six

Filed under: BMW

Click above for a high-res pic of the S54B32

Say what you will about their design department, but BMW is known for producing some of the most amazing engines on the market. Especially the Bavarian automaker's stoic M division, whose current V10 engine has won its fair share of awards and then some. The same goes for the S54B32, Bimmer's internal code-name for the 3.2-liter iron-block straight-six which the company is now preparing to retire after seven years in production.

Over its lifetime, the 3.2 provided motivation for such performance icons as the E46 M3, the Z3-based M roadster and breadvan, and the Z4 M, as well as the exotic Wiesmann MF3. But with a new Z4 on its way, S54B32 is being sent to pasture, replaced now in various applications by Bimmer's highly-rated twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six. The latter is a a fantastic engine, but there will always be a special place in our hearts for the cast-iron 3.2.

[Source: Car via Motor Authority]

Bid farewell to BMW's legendary M inline-six originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Museum opens for business

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer opened the BMW Museum today in an official opening ceremony highlighting the importance of tradition for the company. “Awareness of our heritage, the experiences and...

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The Shuanghuan CEO: Showdown At The EU Corral

 
The Shuanghuan CEO has been put on official notice.

The uproar started at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year when Hebei, the Beijing-based parent company of Shuanghuan, introduced their new SUV, the CEO, to the public. The Shuanghuan, a 4-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon, features a 5-speed manual transmission, and a DOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder in-line engine.

Oh yeah, and approximately 120-horsepower.

Regardless of the glaring mechanical differences between the CEO and the X5,  the CEO apparently bore enough of a resemblance to the BMW X5 at the Frankfurt Auto Show so as to cause the Bavarian auto company’s skin to prickle. Essentially crying highway robbery, BMW filed a lawsuit against Shuanghuan in September 2007 for blatant design and copyright infringement; ultimately seeking to ban the sale of Shuanghuan CEO’s in Germany. In June of 2008, a Munich court sided with BMW and ordered the production and distribution of Shuanghuan CEO’s in Germany to halt immediately. Additionally, all current models of the CEO are to be destroyed and/or permanently removed from German roads. In response to the ruling, Shaunghuan officials assured the public that they would be appealing the decision to the European Union.

The obvious failure in the German market aside, the Shuanghuan has been met with mild success in the rest of the European market and is rumored to be currently evaluating the merits of a North American launch. I say, Hi-Ho Shuanghuan, we Americans love a little bit of scandal.

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Officially Official: 2010 BMW Z4

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, BMW

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 BMW Z4

BMW will unveil the all-new Z4 roadster at the Detroit Auto Show next month, but there's no need to wait for the show in Motown to see the car in non-spyshot form, as all the Euro-spec details were officially released when the clock struck midnight in Munich. We're into the new bodywork, which is pretty voluptuous compared to the preceding model, with a hint of 507 lineage evident in the car's lines. Follow the jump for the rest of the skinny.

Gallery: 2010 BMW Z4

Continue reading Officially Official: 2010 BMW Z4

Officially Official: 2010 BMW Z4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

Ever considered getting a hybrid vehicle but didn’t think it would have enough power for you. The 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is said to be the most powerful hybrid car ever produced. The car features a 0-60 time of just 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. It also features BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, sensotronic brake actuation, dynamic traction control, 20-inch light-alloy Aero wheels, BMW Assist with GPS and Bluetooth, and much more.

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

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2011 BMW X3

Here is a look at some spy shots of the 2011 BMW X3, a car that will soon be up against some stiff competition from both Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Although it is covered in an awfully tacky covering, it’s not hard to see that the car is shaping up well. Keep checking back for more details.

2011 BMW X3

2011 BMW X3

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Stupid Mutual Exclusivity Of The Day: Audi A8L Option Packages

Back in the good old days of automobile purchase decisions, a buyer had a long list of options from which to choose. Seldom were any said options (aside from picking one engine over another) mutually exclusive.

When there was a case of mutual exclusivity, at least it made sense. I mean, c’mon, do you really need air conditioning with that selection of the high-compression solid-lifter race-spec L88 427-cubic inch engine on this ’67 Corvette you’re ordering, sir?

Continue reading after the jump!

In writing an upcoming story comparing leading executive-rockets, though, I learned that Audi might take the cake for foolish option package mutual exclusivity. I received a response from Audi’s product line media representative confirming that the A8L (and A8) can be ordered with the Sport Package or the Technology Package, but not both. The reason: “I’m sure for technical hardware reasons” sayeth the Audi media fella.

The Sport Package delivers 20-inch wheels, sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and a firmer dynamic setting for the air suspension. One would guess that the Technology Package would have to include some contradicting elements, right? Nope, just adaptive cruise control (laser-guided) and lane/blind spot assist via a light in the mirror and vibration in the steering wheel…

…Really!?! The only reason a guy (or gal) can’t get the Sport Package and also have laser-guided adaptive cruise control (the best reason to get the package) is because the Sport Package steering wheel won’t vibrate? And Audi wonders why the market is dominated by the 750L and S550!

In all honesty, that’s one of the few niggles I had about the A8L. It’s a hell of a car!!! Just when I order mine, give me the Sport -and- Tech packages…I want to maximize the A8L’s athletic reflexes, but I also want to cruise effortlessly on I5.

Don’t worry about the steering wheel. The vibrations from the 20-inch tires are enough already.

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