BMW begins production of the new BMW X3 at Spartanburg plant
Press Release: BMW Manufacturing announced today that production of the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle got underway at the South Carolina plant.
In early 2008, BMW Group announced that it would invest $750 million in the South Carolina plant, its largest investment in South Carolina to date. This commitment paved the way for construction of a new Assembly Hall built exclusively to produce the BMW X3 along with a significant expansion to the existing Paint Shop. This 1.5 million square foot addition increases the plant’s total footprint to over 4.0 million square feet.
???The launch of the new X3 will mark a historic moment for this plant. I am confident that the BMW X3 is once again going to make our plant a leader in the Sports Activity segment,??? stated Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg.
Within the last 7 years, the first-generation BMW X3 has been an extraordinary success story for the BMW Group. The BMW X3 began production in 2004. After production of over 600,000 units, the last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion red metallic BMW X3 xDrive35d, came off the line in Austria yesterday.
With the model change, production of the X3 was relocated to the South Carolina plant based on existing manufacturing proficiency of the BMW X5 and X6 models. The US plant has become the expertise center for the BMW X Models. The addition of the third model to the plant’s vehicle mix has created several hundred new jobs and increased BMW’s total investment in South Carolina to $4.6 billion since 1992.
[Source: BMW ]
The new BMW X3: New generation replaces the previous
Press Release: The BMW Group favoured a smooth transition when carrying out the generation change of the bestseller BMW X3. The end of production of the first generation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) was celebrated at the plant of the Austrian production partner Magna Steyr in Graz yesterday. Production of the new BMW X3, which will be launched on the German market on 20 November 2010, will begin today at the BMW Spartanburg plant in the US state of South Carolina.
The new BMW X3 is a resolute continuation of the formula for success of the first SAV in its class. With further enhanced agility, noticeably optimised driving comfort, more space than any of its competitors and innovative equipment options, it offers the ideal prerequisites to inherit the position of its predecessor as the benchmark in the segment and to strengthen it further.
Within the last 7 years, the first-generation BMW X3 has written an extraordinary success story. In Graz alone, 605,498 units of the agile all-rounder came off the assembly line during this period. Together with the vehicles produced within the framework of the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly in Russia, Egypt and Thailand, the total figure adds up to 614,824 units. The last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion red metallic BMW X3 xDrive35d, will remain with the Magna Steyr company, where it will be used in future as an executive car. A BMW X3 xDrive20d with full emergency vehicle specifications that had left the assembly line shortly before, will be donated by the BMW Group to a non-profit making organisation. For many years now, the BMW X3 has proved itself to be an ideal emergency vehicle for police and doctors. At the end of its model life, yet another vehicle will now take on this important task in the service of the general public.
As the first and, for some time, the only premium vehicle of its kind, the BMW X3 launched in 2004 and boasting intelligent four-wheel drive BMW xDrive, outstanding handling characteristics and a variable interior, gave reason for spontaneous enthusiasm and a lasting positive response on the international automotive markets. As a result, the concept of establishing benchmarks in the field of driving dynamics within the competitive environment of all-terrain vehicles, which had previously already been successfully pursued in the case of the BMW X5 in a higher segment, was endorsed yet again.
Driving pleasure, premium quality and, in addition, outstanding efficiency helped the BMW X3 become extremely popular and achieve excellent results in independent surveys. Experts have honoured the BMW X3 with several awards for outstanding safety, customer satisfaction, reliability and stable value. These included top rankings in the ???Customer Satisfaction Index??? (CSI) issued by the J.D. Power market research institute, as well as in the breakdown statistics kept by the Allgemeine Deutsche Automobilclub (ADAC). Twice in succession, the BMW X3 was voted both ???Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year??? and ???Off Road Vehicle of the Year??? respectively by readers of the magazines ???Auto Bild Allrad??? and ???Off Road???.
The segment established by the first-generation BMW X3 is now also served by other premium vehicle manufacturers. The new BMW X3 faces up to intensified competition with consistently optimised qualities in all relevant disciplines. The engines on offer for this Sports Activity Vehicle boast the best performance and, thanks to BMW EfficientDynamics, the most favourable fuel consumption and emission levels as well. The vehicle???s entirely newly developed suspension technology facilitates a clear advantage both in terms of agility and driving comfort. With a loading capacity that can be increased from 550 to 1,600 litres and 40 : 20 : 40 split-folding rear seat backrests, the new BMW X3 offers the largest amount of space and at the same time the highest level of variability in its segment. Moreover, there is a choice of innovative equipment features, driver assistance systems and mobility services by BMW ConnectedDrive that is unique within the competitive environment. For example, the new BMW X3 is the only model in its class to offer the options of a Head-Up Display and Internet access inside the vehicle.
With the model change, the production of the BMW X3 is being relocated to the BMW Spartanburg plant, a facility that has become the expertise centre for BMW X models. So far, the US American location of the BMW Group???s global production network has produced BMW X5 and BMW X6 models. Thanks to substantial extension work and with an investment of around $750 million, the prerequisites for the production of the new BMW X3 and the associated increase in the annual production capacity to around 200,000 vehicles have been created at Spartanburg.
The collaboration between the BMW Group and Magna Steyr also lives on within the framework of the new production structures. In the meantime, production of the MINI Countryman has started in Graz. The fourth model of the brand is not only the first MINI to feature four doors and a large tailgate, but can for the first time also be fitted with four-wheel drive technology. In this way, the Austrian production partner???s expertise in the field of all-terrain vehicles, which has already been demonstrated in the case of the BMW X3, continues to be comprehensively utilised.
[Source: BMW ]
Last E83 BMW X3 rolls off the line at Magna plant in Graz
On Tuesday, the last BMW X3 E83 model rolled off the production line. Over 600,000 units were produced in the last seven years and 12,000 people were involved in the production of the first BMW compact SAV.
The X3 at Graz plant has been a success story and the BMW X3 number 605.498 was completed. The last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion Red BMW X3 xDrive35d, will remain with the Magna Steyr company, where it will be used in future as an executive car.
A BMW X3 xDrive20d with full emergency vehicle specifications that had left the assembly line shortly before, will be donated by the BMW Group to a non-profit making organization.
Spartanburg plant in South Carolina will begin producing the new X3 this fall.
Despite moving its premium compact SAV to the U.S., the Graz plant continues to remain actively involved with BMW. The new MINI Countryman will get its own assembly line at the Austrian factory and over 60,000 units are expected to be produced annually.
USA Today: ?For 2011 BMW builds a better 528i, 535i, 550i at a lower price?
Mainstream news outlets have caught up on test driving the new 2011 BMW 5 Series and reviews are starting to flow in. Last one to deliver their impressions on the new 5 Series is USA Today.
Let’s have a look.
….
“BMW does a dandy job of complicating its cars, but there’s a simple summary for the wholly redesigned (”all-new” in breathless auto industry parlance) 2011 5 Series sedan.
Bigger, looks better, priced less, gets better mileage.
Bigger. But not much more room inside where you want it. More headroom in front than the 2010 5 Series had, but otherwise the interior dimensions are comparable, and the 2011 winds up with only about 3% more overall passenger space.
The biggest beneficiary of the 2-inch-longer body on the 3-inch-longer wheelbase seems to be the trunk, leapfrogging from sub-par to among the best, even if compared with larger sedans.
The new size has added several hundred pounds, too, which can hurt agility, though the test car was definitely nimble by any reasonable standard.
Looks better. Reasonable people often disagree on matters of taste. Still, the new appearance eschews the troubling raised-trunk look ??? BMW apparently is moving away from it just as mainstream brands are adopting it.
The new vehicle has a smoother silhouette than its predecessor, which is the sort of change that pleases most eyes. True, there’s still a lot going on visually, and some details seem gratuitous.
Priced lower. The 535i has a starting price that BMW says is $1,650 less than last year’s 535i. The 550i V-8 version is $900 less than last year’s.
But until last month, there was no less-costly 528i, as was offered in the 2010 line. The lowest 2011 price for a 5 Series since launch last spring had been the 535i’s $50,475 (including $875 in shipping).
Now the 528i has been added to the 2011 model line and starts at $45,425, which BMW says is a price cut of $1,400 vs. the 2010.
The part about using less fuel is uncomplicated. Drive farther, spend less. The 2011 BMW 5 sedans are rated as much as 4 miles per gallon better than their 2010 counterparts.”
2011 Lumma Design and TopCar CLR 500 RS2 based on new 5 Series
LUMMA Design paired up once again with Russian tuner TopCar to create their own version of the new 2011 BMW 535i. Dubbed CLR 500 RS2, the tuned up 5er carries forward the LUMMA philosophy by giving the vehicle a super aggressive body kit, an unique paint and the usual power boost.
The CLR 500 RS2 kit includes a new front bumper, carbon fiber hood, wider rear fenders, side skirts, rear bumper with integrated rear diffuser and dark tail lights. Even further, the two tuners also added a carbon fiber rear trunk spoiler.
The car sits on custom 19″ wheels.
CLR 500 RS2 produces 380hp, a significant increase over the 306 horsepower found in the “standard” engine.
Inside, the car makes extensive use of carbon fiber as well.
As expected, LUMMA CLR 500 RS2 comes with a hefty price, 136,933 euros.
Photo Comparison: BMW X1 vs. MINI Countryman
German magazine Auto Motor und Sport delivers a photo comparison between BMW’s entry-level premium SAV, the X1, and MINI’s newest adventure in the crossover segment, the Countryman.
Based on the photos below, the two cars are not only competing in the “Who’s bigger and better competition”, but also for similar customers. The two youngsters appeal to the same demographic, young professionals, outdoor active and last, but not least, loyal to the brand.
It will not be??uncommon??to see buyers migrating from one brand to another, or in this case, from the X1 to Countryman or vice-versa. Both vehicles offer an urban vehicle, versatile, fuel friendly and somewhat spacious.
The choice becomes even more confusing if BMW decides to price them in the same range, and with the new X1 making its debut in the U.S. next year, we certainly expect an entry-level price in the low 30s, similar to the MINI Countryman.
The X1 is based on the same platform as the xDrive BMW 3 Series Touring, Length and it measure 175 inches in length, 60.8 inches in height and 70.8 inches wide. MINI Countryman comes a bit short at 161.3 inches, 61.5 inches height and 70.4 wide.
The difference in trunk space is quite significant though, the X1 has a cargo capacity of 420 liters, which can increase to 480 liters with the back seats pulled a little to the front, and up to 1350 liters of storage space with the seats folded.
The back seat of the Countryman is a split-folding design, and cargo capacity jumps from 350 to 1,170 liters when it???s down, considerably lower than the X1.
Design wise, both cars maintain their brand’s DNA, with characteristic design elements and icons.
Recently, BMW X1 was crowned as Europe’s top selling premium SUV/SAV, so we look forward to see how the Countryman stacks up against the Audi Q5 or the Volvo XC60.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
[Photos source: Auto Motor und Sport ]
InsideLine takes the BMW 535i on the race track
InsideLine takes the 2011 BMW 535i on a race track and shares their impressions with us. The new 535i features the new turbocharged 3.0-liter N55 twin-scroll turbo, and equipped with the new eight-speed automatic, the car weighs 3,880 pounds.
The N55 engine produces 302 horsepower at 5,800-6,400 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque from 1,200-5,000 rpm. The 2011 BMW 535i runs from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds.
But how does it handle on a race track? Let’s have a look.
InsideLine review:
Test Results:
0 – 30 (sec): 2.3
0 – 45 (sec): 3.9
0 – 60 (sec): 5.9
0 – 75 (sec): 8.6
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.30 @ 95.06
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.6
30 – 0 (ft): 28
60 – 0 (ft): 110
Slalom (mph): 64.9 stability off, 62.0 on
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.84 stability off, 0.84 trac on
Db @ Idle: 42.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 73.4
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 67.0
Acceleration Comments: Wide range of settings means wide range of results, from normal drive to sport/DSC off. At worst, it stumbles off the line, then gets with the program at @ 3,000 rpm. At best with brake torque and DSC off, it’s still not what I’d call “snappy” off the line but at least the boost is in the right place for a decent run. Very smooth upshifts in every mode, but it seemed to delay 1-2 (possibly 3-4) in Sport mode. Crossed the finish in 4th gear.
Braking Comments: Highly susceptible to pavement irregularities, hence 10-foot variance in otherwise fade-free set of runs. Some smoking front pads, but no discernible loss of power. Obvious anti-dive suspension and lots of rebound damping. Firm pedal and straight stops throughout.
Handling Comments: Slalom: With DSC off in Sport, the tires were the limiting factor. Good balance between understeer/oversteer and good steering response but not enough ultimate grip to make it all work. In Sport + DSC on, the brakes would grab abruptly just as I approached a cone (expecting a little slide), so I had to back down the speed to keep from being pulled into cones by DSC. Skid pad: hard to balance/steer on the line with boost varying wildly — requires constant steering with DSC off. With DSC on (Sport +) it requires virtually no steering, and throttle was more consistent (obviously being managed by computer), steering weight was appropriate, but almost no feel.
BMW Australia to get BMW 520d Sedan and BMW 535d Sedan
BMW Australia announces the introduction of two diesel engines into the market. The new 2011 BMW 520d and the highly-awaited 535d are joining the other 5 Series models.
The 520d features a four cylinder turbo diesel engine producing a power output of 185 hp and 280 ft.lb.of torque(380 Nm) of torque. Despite boasting fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100km, and C02 emissions of 137 g/km
BMW 535d is powered by the straight six-cylinder engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology producing 245 295hp and 398 lb-ft (600Nm) of torque. ??535d has a fuel consumption of 6.1liters per 100km and emitting 162g/km of C02.
The North American market has yet to receive a 5 Series diesel, but expectations are that the 535d model will be available in the future.
Press Release:
BMW Group Australia today announced the addition of two new diesel variants to its critically-acclaimed BMW 5 Series range.
The new BMW 520d Sedan
and BMW 535d Sedan bolster a portfolio of BMW diesel vehicles already available in Australia, renowned for powerful engine outputs, combined with extremely low fuel consumption and emissions.
BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Mr Stavros Yallouridis said the popularity of BMW diesel models is growing rapidly in Australia.
???BMW diesel engines are winning international accolades and challenging many preconceptions about diesel technology as a whole,??? said Mr Yallouridis.
???The combination of enormous torque, blistering power and extraordinary fuel economy from our latest diesel engines is winning many fans in Australia,??? he said.
The ultra-efficient 520d features a four cylinder turbo diesel engine producing a power output of 135kW and 380 Nm of torque. Despite boasting fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100km, and C02 emissions of 137 g/km, the BMW 520d is still capable of accelerating to100km/ hr in just 8.1 seconds.
The 520d is priced from $83,300* and is loaded with additional features compared to its predecessor, including 8-speed automatic transmission, 17??? alloy wheels, electric power steering, Head Up Display, Interior trim in black high-gloss, through loading system, Park Distance Control (PDC) front and rear and active bonnet to reduce risk of injury in case of accident with a pedestrian. BMW EfficientDynamics technologies available on the 520d include low rolling-resistance tyres, brake energy regeneration, and air vent control.
The new diesel hero model, the 535d, offers extreme power with its straight six-cylinder engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology producing 220kW and a whopping 600Nm of torque. The new BMW 535d sprints to 100km/hr in 5.7 seconds while sipping just 6.1litres of fuel per 100km and emitting 162g/km of C02.
The 535d Sedan is priced at $134,400* and enjoys standard specification over and above the 520d Sedan including metallic paint, 1 8??? alloy wheels, 8-speed sports automatic transmission with Steptronic, adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights including washer system, rear view camera, electric seat adjustment with driver???s seat memory function, sports leather steering wheel, Comfort Access System and 12-speaker HiFi system to name just a few.
BMW 520d and 535d Australian Pricing:
# BMW 520d – $83,300
# BMW 535d – $134,400
The BMW 520d Sedan is now available in Australia. The BMW 535d Sedan will be available in BMW showrooms from November.
[Source: BMW ]
Tachometer of BMW 5 Series GT at 250km/h
Our sister-magazine BimmerToday just completed their review of the 2010 BMW 535i GT. ??The detailed driving report will be published on here as well, but in the mean time, a video of the speed tachometer ??gives us some numbers that would make any North American driver very jealous.
BimmerToday took the 535i GT to the autobahn and the top speed was recorded at 250 km/h, the cut off point for this vehicle. The 535i GT is powered by the N55 engine, a twin-scroll turbocharged unit. The 2,979cc six-cylinder powerplant features for the first time High Precision Injection and variable VALVETRONIC
The car produces 306 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque available from just 1,200 rpm. Sixty mph arrives in an estimated 6.3 seconds and speed wise it tops at 155 mph.
In the video you can see an acceleration maneuver from 100 to 200 km / h and from 60 km / h electronically limited top speed of up to 250 km / h.
Hartge gives the BMW X1 quad exhaust pipes
German tuner Hartge continues to improve their BMW X1 program. In the latest iteration, Hartge gives the following X1 diesel a quad exhaust system: xDrive18d, sDrive18d, xDrive20d, sDrive20d and xDrive23d.
The stainless exhaust system features four tailpipes each with 80mm diameter. The upgraded exhaust improves not only the appearance of the X1, but also the acoustics.
In Germany, the price for the Hartge X1 exhaust system was set at 1,785 euros, and as mentioned before, it is only available for the diesel models.
Petrol powered X1 models are expected to receive a similar exhaust system offering.
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