AUTO MOTORING BLOG (AMB) is India's up coming favorite destination for learning the latest updates in the Indian & world Auto Industry.We are passionately brings you the hottest automotive news and the most comprehensive reviews.
BMW recalls 1.3 million 5-series and 6-series vehicles worldwide recalled from model year 2003-2010
BMW AG is recalling 1.3 million 5- and 6-series cars from the 2003 to 2010 model years.
The company says that in rare cases a battery cable covering in the trunk was incorrectly installed.
The defect could prevent the car from starting and in extreme cases could lead to a fire. BMW says it knows of no accidents or injuries from the defect.
The recalls will be undertaken by dealers and are expected to take between half an hour and an hour. There will be no charge.
The numbers for the recall are pretty vast, though; 109,000 vehicles in the UK, 102,000 in China, 283,000 in Germany and 368,000 in the US.
BMW has also recently announced a rash of recalls of the German automaker's BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce divisions over water pump problems.
BMW INDIA LAUNCHED CAR LEASING SERVICE LIKE MERCEDES
Taking a cues from rival Mercedes' book, German luxury car maker BMW's financial arm, BMW Financial Services India has introduced the lease facility here. This option allows a customer to drive a BMW lease entitles a customer to the JOY of driving a BMW of choice of his/her choice for a fixed period of time and for a pre-decided rental.
Under BMW Financial Services India, BMW Lease will offer cars for a fixed period of time in return for a pre-decided monthly rental. Available through its dealers, the service will initially be offered in six States — Delhi, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Maharashtra.
Mr Dan DeChristopher, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BMW India Financial Services said, “BMW Lease provides customised financing options, flexible lease tenures & better tax benefits. We are confident it will provide further impetus to BMW India sales.”
With a lower ownership cost, customers can choose between a finance lease & operating lease. Under the first option, all substantial risks and rewards incidental to the ownership of the vehicle is transferred to the customer. At the end of the tenure, the customer has an option to retain the vehicle at a price substantially lower than the market price.
Under an operating lease, BMW bears the risk of ownership, and at the end of the lease a customer can decide to upgrade to a new BMW or purchase the vehicle at the prevailing market price.
BMW M Performance Range Revealed, New Tri-turbo Diesels
BMW has revealed details of its new M Performance range, adding a new triple-turbo diesel engine and enhancements to each model's handling and technical packages.
The M Performance line-up launches with the M550d xDrive in Sedan and Touring wagon form, along with the X5 M50d and the X6 M50d - the latter also debuting in 2012 with a subtle styling makeover.
All four cars are powered by BMW's new triple-turbo common-rail diesel: a 3.0 litre six-cylinder mill that produces 280kW and 740Nm of torque - the latter coming online at 2000rpm.
The new engine represents a gain of 50kW and 110Nm over the 535d, and 55kW and 140Nm over the diesel driving the xDrive40d SUVs.
Matched with an eight-speed automatic Sports transmission and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the engine gives the M550d a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds for the sedan, and 4.9 seconds for the wagon.
Fuel consumption for the M550d sedan is listed at 6.3 l/100km, and the Touring wagon is only slightly short at 6.4 l/100km.
The same transmission and xDrive package shunts the X5 M50d to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds and the X6 M50d in 5.3 seconds, with the X5 listing 7.5 l/100km and the X6 listing 7.7 l/100km.
While all of the M Performance diesel models fall short of their petrol M car counterparts in the acceleration stakes, the much lower fuel consumption should prove appealing to buyers looking to strike a balance between guts on the road and pain at the bowser.
The M Performance range also brings a number of enhancements beyond the huge power boost, including M-tuned suspension, springs and dampers along with modified mounting for the body shell, engine and transmission.
On the styling front, the M550d gains 19-inch light alloy wheels, and the two X SUVs ride on 20-inch hoops. A new styling and aero package has been added to each model, drawing inspiration from the familiar petrol-powered M cars.
In the cabin, all four cars gets sports seats trimmed in black or dark grey, with a constrasting stitch and M logos everywhere. There's also an M steering wheel, paddle shifters, an Anthracite-coloured roof liner, and aluminium highlights.
Lastly, a new audio package has been developed to transmit the engine's noises into the cabin, sent through the car's speakers.
BMW's 7 Series will receive its first extensive update next year, however these spy images of a 7 Series development mule show that we shouldn't expect much in the way of exterior changes.
Instead, for their midlife update the F01 and F02 7 Series will feature a raft of under-the-skin revisions that will aim to boost power and efficiency.
The turbocharged 3.0 litre six-cylinder petrol of the 740i could jump from 240kW to 260kW, and the 750i's 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8's output may rise to 335kW - an increase of 35kW.
Currently, only the V12-powered 760Li flagship utilises an eight-speed automatic, however BMW's latest version of its eight-speed is expected to be bolted to I6 and V8 variants from 2013.
The almost complete absence of camouflage on this development car ( very unusual for a BMW prototype ) suggest that the car's sheet metal will carry over unchanged, with only minor alterations to the front and rear bumpers.
New wheel designs should be offered though, and the headlamp clusters will likely make greater use of LED technology.
Inside, there appears to be no substantial design changes. However, expect more up-to-date electronic equipment to feature in the 2013 7 Series' cabin.
BMW's big X6 "Sports Activity Vehicle" has come in for a 2012 upgrade, picking up a modest facelift, new technologies and the carmaker's new M Performance package.
Spot-the-difference styling tweaks include a lightly updated grille, along with restyled foglight housings, wrapped in a more prominent satin silver garnish.
The X6 gets new adaptive full-LED headlights as an option, upgradeable from the standard-fit Xenon lights, and there is also a new twin-bar LED design for the taillights.
Mechanically, the updated X6 will continue with its existing powertrain line-up, including the xDrive50i's 300kW 4.4 litre V8 and the 225kW inline-six driving the xDrive35i. The current eight-speed automatic transmission will also carry over.
BMW's new M Performance package has been added to the updated X6's options list however, with the xDrive35i gaining an additional 12kW and 40Nm of torque, while the V8 picks up a bonus 30kW and 40Nm.
The M Performance range also debuts a new triple-turbo 3.0 litre six-cylinder diesel engine, marking the launch of the top-end X6 M50d.
The new mill kicks out 280kW and 740Nm of torque, making for a 55kW and 140Nm boost over the current xDrive40d model
The X6 M50d lists a 0-100km time of 5.3 seconds, with fuel consumption listed at 7.7 l/100km. (read more about the M Performance diesel models here.)
The updated X6 gains new exterior colours, with the arrival of Orion Silver, Midnight Blue and Marrakesh Brown. Inside, there is new Vermilion Red Nevada leather and Ivory White Nappa leather.
The range-topping X6 M gains the same styling and interior upgrades for 2012, while the current 408kW and 680Nm 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 will carry over unchanged.
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe is nearly a year away , but BMW insiders have already begun speculating on a future 4 Series Gran Coupe, a model similar to the 6 Series Gran Coupe unveiled last year.
According to BMW insider Scott27, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will be a “very sexy looking four door Gran Coupe model which will bring the sleek sportiness , premium image and ambience of the 6er Gran Coupe to the Premium entry sports segment.”
The 4 Series Gran Coupe is said to compete with the A5 Sportback. Built under the codename F35, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will launch in 2015.
The bigger brother and the first BMW with four-doors and coupe-like design, 6 Series Gran Coupe, will launch in summer of 2012 and will directly compete with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS.
The 4+1 seat addition to the 6 Series line combines stunning proportions, design and driving dynamics of the 6 Series Coupe with interior room and amenities for up to five passengers.
The 6 Series Gran Coupe goes on sale in the US in June 2012 and will be offered as three distinct models: BMW 640i, 650i and 650i xDrive (the latter two launching in late summer 2012).
The new BMW 1 Series . The Chinese website auto.sohu.com has in fact published the drawings of the house used to register the patent version of 3 doors . The car should debut internationally , next fall & arrive in dealerships by the end of 2012.
We expected, the three-door carries the bulk of the five-door's design language, with only the tapered roofline standing out as an obvious styling difference.
Whether we'll see a 1 Series - badged Coupe and Cabriolet in the future is unclear - while those body styles are likely, reports over the past year suggest BMW will give the pair a new 2 Series badge and their own unique styling.
MECHANICAL UNCHANGED
No changes are also announcing the mechanics. The engine range will match that of the BMW 1 Series 5-door, 1.6 engine with turbo direct injection of gasoline available in two power levels, 136 and 170 hp and the 2.0 turbo diesel available in three different steps: 116, 143 and 185 CV. Depending on the engine, the gearbox can be manual or automatic six-speed eight reports: all-wheel drive is later. The 3-door should lead to debut on the 1 Series also 2.0 four-cylinder turbo with 245 hp, which will equip the sports version of the 128th and is available on the Z4 and X1 ( here for more) and the new 3 Series 328th.
OTHER VERSIONS COMING SOON
In addition, during 2013, the family of the BMW 1 Series will grow further with the arrival of the Coupe and Cabriolet variants: should be proposed as Series 2 . For 2014, however, would have expected the debut of the GT version (a crossover style 5 Series GT) and the station wagon, which will aim to compete with the Audi A3 Sportback next generation ( Here to learn more ) .
The lifestyle-focused 1er is expected to join its five-door sibling sometime in 2012, offering the same 1.6 litre petrol and 2.0 litre diesel engines that drive the current range
.jpg)
