Filed under: Recalls, BMW

On the heels of the massive airbag recall just last month, which included a total of 3.4 million Japanese automobiles from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda, German automaker BMW has announced that it will recall 42,000 of its 2002-03 3 Series models (E46 platform) for the same problem. The recall is blamed on a single defective part, all from the same supplier, which may cause the airbag to catch fire or send metal fragments towards passengers in the front seats. BMW spokesman Dave Buchko told the Detroit News that the automaker knows of no improper “deployments or injuries related to this issue in any BMW.”

The part in question, supplied from a company named Takata, was manufactured incorrectly at its Moses Lake, WA, plant. The company also disclosed that some airbag components may have been exposed to moisture at another one of its locations, in Mexico. According to Takata, there have been six incidents worldwide (four in the United States) and none have resulted in injuries.

BMW adds 42k 3 Series models to massive airbag recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW adds 42k 3 Series models to massive airbag recall

Filed under: Sedan, China, Crossover, BMW, Shanghai Motor Show

Automakers continue to pour big money into the developing market that is China, and new sub-brands born of joint ventures with domestic partners crop up on what seems like a weekly basis. The latest? According to reports, BMW and its Chinese ally Brilliance are forming a new sub-brand called Zhi Nuo (“The Promise”) that will likely rely on existing or older BMW products as a basis for new models.

Previous reports had indicated that the sub-brand could build its offerings based on an older 3 Series model (presumably the E90 series), but newer rumors have the X1 crossover (shown) factoring in. The Zhi Nuo brand could receive its official unveiling as soon as later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Perhaps most interestingly, Automotive News Europe reports that the automaker’s ambitions for Zhi Nuo may extend beyond China’s borders. It’s not clear what markets BMW may be eying, but executives admit the company hasn’t ruled out Europe.

BMW planning Zhi Nuo Chinese sub-brand, may export models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW planning Zhi Nuo Chinese sub-brand, may export models

Filed under: Sedan, China, Crossover, BMW, Shanghai Motor Show

Automakers continue to pour big money into the developing market that is China, and new sub-brands born of joint ventures with domestic partners crop up on what seems like a weekly basis. The latest? According to reports, BMW and its Chinese ally Brilliance are forming a new sub-brand called Zhi Nuo (“The Promise”) that will likely rely on existing or older BMW products as a basis for new models.

Previous reports had indicated that the sub-brand could build its offerings based on an older 3 Series model (presumably the E90 series), but newer rumors have the X1 crossover (shown) factoring in. The Zhi Nuo brand could receive its official unveiling as soon as later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Perhaps most interestingly, Automotive News Europe reports that the automaker’s ambitions for Zhi Nuo may extend beyond China’s borders. It’s not clear what markets BMW may be eying, but executives admit the company hasn’t ruled out Europe.

BMW planning Zhi Nuo Chinese sub-brand, may export models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW planning Zhi Nuo Chinese sub-brand, may export models

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Technology, Hatchback, BMW, Electric

BMW has unveiled the i3 Coupe Concept ahead of the 2012 LA Auto Show. Like the automaker’s other i efforts, the i3 Coupe boasts a carbon fiber body, and an electric motor with a maximum output of 170 horsepower helps shuttle the two-door down the road. Believe it or not, the i3 Coupe Concept puts its 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. Engineers bolted an array of lithium-ion batteries under the floor to keep the vehicle’s center of gravity as low as possible, and the carbon fiber reinforced plastic chassis gives the i3 Coupe Concept plenty of rigidity.

Technically, the new electric concept rides on the same wheelbase as the standard i3, but boast a wider, lower look. BMW says aesthetic tweaks like the raked windshield and gently sloping rear deck are set to become hallmarks of the i3 family.

Inside, the i3 Coupe Concept comes packed with a slew of sustainable materials, including leather, wood and wool, and thanks to the vehicle’s packaging, the passenger cabin features an uninterrupted space between the driver and passenger footwell. Likewise, with no transmission tunnel, the cabin appears more open and airy. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading i3 Coupe Concept continues to evolve BMW’s electric aspirations

i3 Coupe Concept continues to evolve BMW’s electric aspirations originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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i3 Coupe Concept continues to evolve BMW’s electric aspirations

Filed under: BMW, Diesel

Back in July, we told you that BMW would be bringing a pair of new diesel engines to the US market in the near future, and thanks to the folks at VWVortex.com, we might just have a clearer view of exactly how those new oil-burning mills might fit into the automaker’s lineup.

One intrepid forum member obtained a photo of a slide being shown during a BMW North America meeting, listing specific models set to receive diesel engines in the coming years. If true, it appears that the 3 Series sedan and sport wagon will both be offered with diesel power in the first and second half of 2013, respectively. Also on deck for next year is a 5 Series diesel, reportedly slated to launch in the third quarter, as well as an X5 diesel that will arrive in Q4 2013. Looking ahead to 2014, the slide shows that both the 7 Series and X3 will be offered with diesel engines. Both of those models will come in the first half of 2014.

BMW currently offers the X5 with a 3.0-liter diesel inline-six in the xDrive35d model, and before the F30 3 Series arrived earlier this year, the automaker offered this same engine in its well-liked 335d sedan.

The two engines BMW will be bringing to our shores are a new 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel four and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel six. Our best guess is that the 3 Series, 5 Series and X1 will receive the smaller mill, estimated to produce roughly 255 horsepower and an unknown amount of torque. The 7 Series and X5 will likely rely on the larger 3.0-liter six for torque-tastic grunt. Expect eight-speed automatic transmissions to be on hand across the board, as well.

Future US BMW diesel plans leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, South America

BMW has announced plans to invest 200 million euro ($261 million by current exchange rates) in a facility in Brazil. The move is an effort to counter Audi in one of the world’s quickest-growing markets. BMW says it plans to produces upwards of 30,000 units a year at the Santa Catarina factory by 2014, though that number could swell significantly if the automaker sees the demand. Audi, meanwhile is set to build 150,000 vehicles per year at its location in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico. Reports indicate that automakers are looking outside of the contracting European and slowing Chinese markets in search of more sales.

Ian Robertson, member of the BMW board said, “Brazil is a market with tremendous potential for the future for the BMW Group. For that reason, we are strengthening our long-term commitment to this country.”

BMW has focused on emerging markets to help step up sales by 20 percent by 2016. The automaker originally announced its plans to build construct a facility in Brazil in 2011, but the move was postponed due to shifts in the country’s tax codes. Now Brazil is offering new tax brakes to any carmaker that aims to invest the area.

Scroll down to read the full BMW press release.

Continue reading BMW planning $261 million plant in Brazil

BMW planning $261 million plant in Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, BMW, UK

Sponsoring most events is pretty straightforward for any company: fork over the right sum of cash and you’re the new official automaker/timekeeper/jelly donut of whatever the event is. But for BMW, its status as Official Automotive Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a bit more complicated.

Even pledging to fork over a massive fleet with 4,000 vehicles to the organizing committee wasn’t enough for the German automaker to secure its status. BMW also had to meet the committee’s stringent emissions requirements: while the average emissions of vehicles in the UK comes in at 138 grams of CO2 per kilometer, the automaker supplying these Olympic games had to come in below 120 g/km – which BMW did at 116 g/km.

To get there, a portion of the cars BMW is supplying are electric vehicles: 160 units of the 1 Series ActiveE and 40 of the Mini E, with another 40 of the 5 Series Active Hybrid. The rest of the fleet is comprised of the 320d EfficientDynamics (1,550 vehicles), 520d Efficient Dynamics (700), X3 xDrive 20d (17), X5 xDrive 30d (10) and Mini Countryman Cooper D (200 vehicles), plus another 25 R1200 RT motorcycles and 400 BMW Streetcruiser bicycles.

Wondering what they’ll be doing with all those cars? They’ll be used for everything from shuttling around the athletes, officials, medics and journalists to hauling boats out of the water. Scroll down below for the full details.

Continue reading BMW unveils armada of vehicles for London Olympics

BMW unveils armada of vehicles for London Olympics originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW unveils armada of vehicles for London Olympics

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, BMW, Luxury

BMW has finally pulled the sheets back on its 2012 M6 Convertible. The convertible counterpart to the hardtop that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show bows with the same vicious turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 under the hood. Good for 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the convertible should be able to launch to 62 mph in around 4.1 seconds. BMW hasn’t mentioned the weight difference between the hardtop and the convertible, though the automaker stressed the 2013 model has shed significant weight over its predecessor. The “base” 2013 BMW M6 Convertible will leave the showroom with 19-inch M-designed wheels, though larger 20-inch alloys are also available.

The vehicle will land on U.S. shores this summer ahead of its hardtop brethren. The big question is whether or not BMW will offer the convertible with an honest manual gearbox. So far, BMW hasn’t said much in that direction beyond saying the possibility is “under consideration.” Given the M6 Convertible target demographic, we’d say that we doubt it, but you never know – BMW has had a noteworthy habit of building America-only manual transmissions models as of late. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 BMW M6 Convertible makes its world debut

2012 BMW M6 Convertible makes its world debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW M6 Convertible makes its world debut

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, BMW, Luxury

BMW has announced it is recalling a whopping 1.3 million 5 Series and 6 Series vehicles from the 2003 to 2010 model years. Of those, Reuters notes that some 368,000 examples were sold in the U.S. – most of them sedans like the one above.

It doesn’t sound like too difficult of a problem to fix, but the automaker says the cars’ battery cable covers could be incorrectly mounted. BMW says no accidents or injuries have occurred because of the issue, but there is the potential that affected models may fail to start, or worse, catch fire.

Owners will be receiving a letter soon and will be asked to visit a BMW dealer for about a 30-minute repair session.

A company spokesman tells The Wall Street Journal that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been notified. Just 9 months ago, BMW was penalized $3 million for failing to report safety defects to NHTSA quickly enough. It looks like they may have learned their lesson. Read the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading BMW recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 Series models worldwide

BMW recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 Series models worldwide originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 Series models worldwide

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

The 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe may have debuted a full three months ago (time flies, huh?), but we’re just now seeing it in person for the first time here at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The prolonged debut almost makes sense for BMW’s big coupe, since it’s a late entry in a segment that already includes stunners like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Audi A7, Porsche Panamera and even the Aston Martin Rapide (if you’re really reaching).

But that doesn’t make the 6 Series Gran Coupe any less interesting – or stunning. We still don’t 100 percent love the 6er’s new front fascia, but there’s no question that the sloping roofline and squat hind quarters are anything less than sleek and shapely. Oh, and get a load of that interior. The two-tone leather surfaces and two-passenger rear compartment look absolutely stunning.

BMW will launch the 640i Gran Coupe in the United States first, powered by the automaker’s widely popular N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, good for 315 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The eight-cylinder 650i and xDrive models will follow suit in short order, as well.

Cost of entry: $76,895 for the 640i. Get your wallets ready, and see a full brace of live images direct from Geneva in our attached high-res gallery.

Continue reading 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe finally shows up

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe finally shows up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe finally shows up