CarSPIN

A short-but-sweet report by the AP today reported that:

German automaker BMW AG said Friday its 2006 sales in China rose 51.3 percent amid a luxury car boom.

Even more impressive, the same report recalled:

BMW’s Rolls Royce unit announced earlier that its China sales rose 60 percent last year, though it did not release the number of cars sold.

And we thought they all drove knock-off Hondas…

- Discuss This Article in the CarSPIN Forums

The funny thing about European SUVs is that they’re every bit as tough (if not tougher) than their domestic and Japanese competition - but they just seem… too nice… to be put to the test. Sure, you’ll see one at a boat ramp or parked near a beach every so often, but except for the venerable Land Rover line, how often is it that a European SUV is seen muddied, trudging home from a tough day of “utilities” that it’s made for?

The designers of the BMW X3 are trying to change its fancy image just a bit. Recently, European Car Web got down and dirty with BMW’s small Sport Activity Vehicle (as they call it) and put it to the test.

Despite its computerized stability features, the engineers in Bavaria made sure that the X3 is capable of doing some serious off-roading:

The new DTC is supposed to increase the amount of time before the car steps in and takes control over the engine and brakes. DTC also allows for higher lateral acceleration, giving the OK to what’s deemed a “light and controllable” drift in the turns. It all makes for the ‘active’ part of this SAV.

Check out the full review at European Car Web for the rest of the story.

BMW recently introduced a facelifted version of their controversial 5 Series sedan.  You won’t be able to spot many changes, but don’t be fooled; there are many technological advancements over the previous model.  There’s a new six-banger, which now develops 273hp and 236 lb ft of torque.  More importantly, the new 5 delivers 30.5 mpg, according the BMW AG.  Impressive, indeed!

Inside, the i-Drive is now updated and is shared with the new BMW X5.  Higher quality trim and materials is utilized as well.  Besides some aesthetic improvements to the lights, the new 5 Series employs BMW’s FlexRay electronic platform, a more stable one than before.

Overall, the changes are more than skin-deep, and those who were turned off by the styling will probably not like the facelifted version any more.  But dynamically, it’s a more superior machine than its predecessor.   

Discuss this article in the Carspin Forums!

BMW’s first ever hardtop convertible made its worldwide debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sunday. This comes as a departure from 3-Series convertibles of the past, all of which have been cloth tops - although it was possible in the past to invest in a one-piece hardtop.

“BMW has over 70 years experience in producing dynamic convertibles, and all this experience and our innovative spirit are reflected in this convertible,” said Klaus Draeger, Member of the BMW Board of Management for purchasing.

The E93 Convertible will receive the same powerplants as its E92 Coupe sibling, a 3.0 liter naturally aspirated inline six for the 328i and the 3.0 liter twin turbo with 300hp for the 335i. Although BMW has yet to release a full range of specifications, they claim a 5.5 second sprint to 60 MPH for the 335i, only a tenth of a second slower than the 335i sedan and, perhaps more intriguing, a tenth of a second slower than the E46 M3 Convertible (a ragtop). There’s no word yet on pricing, but we’d expect a base price of around $2,000 more than the coupe. The 3-Series Convertible should be available in US Showrooms by the end of March.
NAIAS Press Release
BMW NA Press Release
CarSPIN Forums Discussion