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Breaking news this morning. BMW USA just posted some photos on their website of the upcoming 2011 BMW 335is. As we mentioned last week, the 2011 BMW 335 Coupe and Convertible will be offered in the “is” version as well, an upgraded model with 324 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft in “regular mode”; an electronically-controlled overboost function can briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft bringing the torque peak to 369 lb-ft.

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Courtesy of f1-site.com

With the season already seven races old, 2008 frontrunners BMW Sauber have just eight points - 62 less than at the same point last year. Given that championship leaders Brawn are already on 96, even the most loyal BMW fan would concede that the title is probably beyond the German-Swiss team’s reach.

However, after ongoing development work on the F1.09 brought them back into the points in Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix, BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen is refusing to write-off the team’s 2009 campaign.

“I’m often asked these days if it wouldn’t be better to simply stop working on the enhancement of the F1.09 and fully focus on our 2010 challenger instead,” said Theissen on BMW Sauber’s official site. “But this doesn’t represent an option for us. We won’t give up on the current season - far from it!”

After failing to trouble the top ten at the previous Monaco round, BMW Sauber certainly took a step forward at Istanbul Park. Although a poor start meant Nick Heidfeld finished outside the points, team mate Robert Kubica scored two - his first of the season - for his seventh place. And Theissen believes it was the addition of a new two-tier diffuser, and associated aerodynamic modifications, that made the difference.

“The race at Istanbul was the first we contested with our new twin diffuser. And the new component proved to be useful,” said the German. “Our car was fast enough at Istanbul to score points without having to benefit from any on-track incidents or the bad luck of other drivers. Obviously this isn’t enough to make anyone in the team complacent but it represents a basis we can use for our next enhancements.”

Following the new diffuser’s encouraging debut, far from putting development work on hold to focus on 2010, Theissen has accelerated the team’s 2009 programme, promising to bring new parts - including enhanced versions of the diffuser - to every second or third race over the coming months.

“There is still a lot of work waiting for us but the result secured at Istanbul was vital for the motivation of the entire squad, nonetheless,” he concluded. “At the end of the season we want to be able to say that we’ve encountered a disappointing start to the season but that we succeeded in turning things around and making it back to the front end of the field.”

Courtesy of Formula1.com “Official Formula 1 Website”

BMW l Spartanburg Plant

BMW Press Release -

Spartanburg, S.C. – June 4, 2009…It has been over one year since BMW Manufacturing announced it would invest $750 million in its upstate South Carolina factory to add 1.5 million square feet. Since that time, design, engineering and construction crews have been busy constructing the new 1.2 million square foot assembly facility and have added 80% or 300,000 square feet to the existing paint shop.

This investment is the largest ever announced for the Spartanburg County factory, increasing investments of the BMW Group in its South Carolina operations to nearly $4.6 billion (total investment for BMW through 2008 is $3.9 billion).

The new assembly facility is now fully enclosed and equipment is being installed. Expansion construction to the existing Paint Shop is also complete and new equipment is being tested. A new 1/3 mile conveyor system has been constructed to connect the expanded paint shop to the new assembly hall.

“We are very pleased that construction is nearly complete and that the project is on budget and on time,” said BMW Manufacturing President Josef Kerscher.

The new plant design is very similar to BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany, the newest plant within the BMW Global Production Network. It has been designed using “fingers”. The fingers are constructed along the sides of the new plant and allow for direct deliveries to the exact point of use on the production line.

A logistics warehouse has also been constructed as part of the new assembly facility. “We are committed to lean manufacturing and adding a logistics component attached to the plant was critical to ensure leaner processes and quicker delivery routes,” said Barbara Bergmeier, Vice President of Assembly.

In the expanded paint shop area, BMW has added several new technologies, many borrowed from other BMW plants, including the Leipzig plant in Germany.

One such technology is a new “RoDip” system. This new conveyor system represents a breakthrough in paint conveyor technology for pre-treat and e-coat processes. Previously, BMW Manufacturing used a “pendulum” system, similar to a ski lift, which carried the car along a rail and lowered it under the water. The new “RoDip” system rotates the entire vehicle 360˚ through each process tank. This reduces the amount of chemicals that are “removed” from tank and reduces chemical and dirt deposits inside the vehicle.

“Many new and innovative technologies have been implemented into the new Paint Shop area. This is exciting for the entire BMW Global Production Network as we are creating synergies and increased efficiency by implementing lessons learned from around the globe,” said Doug Bartow, Vice President for Paint at BMW Manufacturing.

Once the new paint shop and assembly facility are operational, the BMW plant in Spartanburg will manufacture the BMW X3, X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and X6 Sports Activity Coupe and their respective variants for over 120 markets worldwide.

BMW Manufacturing Co. is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and X6 Sports Activity Coupe. In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW North American subsidiaries include sales, marketing and financial services operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America; and a design firm and technology office in California. For more information on BMW Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.

Hello,

Thought I would share this with those of you who are into video games… The new Need for Speed Shift features the BMW M3 GT, E46 M3, and 135 along with other BMW models that we have grown to love. Here are a few pictures.  Be sure to check out the link after the pictures for a chance at winning a BMW me courtesy of Need for Speed.

Courtesy of Need for Speed

Courtesy of Need for Speed

Courtesy of Need for Speed

Courtesy of Need for Speed

Courtesy of Need for Speed

You can also visit the site here http://shift.needforspeed.com/home.action for a chance to win a BMW M3.

Press Release Courtesy of BMW:

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported May sales of 22,993 vehicles, a decrease of 27.7 percent from the 31,781 vehicles sold in the same month of 2008. The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 93,599 vehicles, down 29 percent, compared to 131,758 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

With 18,383 vehicles sold, the BMW brand reported its best month so far this year. Compared to the 25,469 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago, this is a decrease of 27.8 percent. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 30.5 percent to 76,819 vehicles compared to 110,569 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

“This month, the Northeast and Midwest showed signs of buyers’ interest and that’s a positive aspect for the entire premium market,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “As we have been seeing all year, customers remain cautious, and when they shop for premium products they are buying brands that have a history of value, dependability and enduring quality. This has helped sales in our core 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 range.”

The company’s Ultimate Service including the four-year, no cost maintenance program combined with one of the highest residual values in the industry further contributes to BMW being a safe and secure purchase in this environment.

In May, the BMW 3 Series reached an important milestone in the U.S. with over two million units sold since the launch of the first 3 Series (320i) in November 1976. The BMW 3 Series has remained the unrivaled benchmark in the premium segment for more than 30 years.

Click to see additional video commentary by Rich Brekus, General Manager – New Car Sales, BMW of North America, LLC regarding BMW’s sales performance in May.

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)

Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are up 8.3 percent, to 10,410 CPO vehicles versus 9,616 vehicles reported last May 2008. Year-to-date, CPO sales are up 9.8 percent, to 48,410 over the 44,077 reported in the same period of 2008. Since the beginning of the year, BMW has seen a strong performance of its certified used car business with May being the second best month in the history of the CPO program.

Most of you are aware of the several reports of E46 Subframe failures in the past couple of years. BMW has always said there was no wrongdoing and indeed no issue. Many companies even have created subframe reinforcement kits to address this issue. BMW NA has recently agreed to a proposed settelement, here is more info.

BMW NA Official Statement. BMW has agreed to a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit concerning the Sub-Frame structures on 3 Series (“E46”) models produced from 1999 through 2006. Under rare conditions the attachment points of the Sub-Frame may develop a fracture or crack. BMW has prepared an inspection, approved repair procedure, and reimbursement policy in keeping with the terms of the proposed class settlement. Details will be forthcoming, pending the court’s final approval of the proposed class settlement. In advance of the final settlement, BMW customers with questions should visit www.E46subframeclassactionsettlement.com.

Here is a press release courtesy of BMW.

Press Release BMW M3 Edition Models

Powerful, aesthetic design, supreme performance and exclusive style – the unique characteristics of the BMW M3 are now available in highly attractive Edition Models focusing on the most outstanding highlights of these outstanding cars.

Based on the BMW M3 Coupé, the M3 Edition Models offer a choice of no less than four highly individual cars boasting perfectly harmonised modifications in body design and interior features as well as special light-alloy wheels and an even lower chassis.

The BMW M3 Edition Models will be entering the market worldwide in July 2009 in Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow, and Monte Carlo Blue. In the interest of supreme exclusivity their production period is limited to just six months.  Individual highlights both outside and inside.

On the BMW M3 Edition Models the exterior paintwork and interior design are individually matched to one another. Depending on the respective Edition model, the body comes either in Alpine White Non-Metallic, Black Non-Metallic, Dakar Yellow Non-Metallic or Monte Carlo Blue Metallic. The combination with BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome accentuates the truly sophisticated character of the Edition Models.

Courtesy of BMW

The openings on the engine compartment lid on all models are finished in black, the BMW kidney grille, the side gills and the dual tailpipes on the exhaust system come in dark eloxy-plated chrome. The caps on the special BMW M exterior mirrors are likewise finished in black and are connected to the A-pillars by dual arms extending out of the mirror base finished in body colour.

Special colour highlights add an individual touch also to the interior of the BMW M3 Edition Models. The surfaces on the centre armrest, the centre console and the armrests on the door panels are finished in White on the Alpine White and Black models. At the same time these Edition Models come with interior trim in Carbon Structure Leather with white contrasting seams. The seats in Black Novillo Leather feature bespoke contrasting seams as well as vertical trim stripes on the upper section of the backrest and at the front of the legrest. On the Alpine White and Black models, these features come in white, on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models they are in the appropriate exterior colour.

As a further feature the armrests and door closing handles at the inside on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models come with yellow and, respectively, blue contrasting seams. And last but certainly not least, entry trim bars in Checkered Flag Design bearing the “M3“ model designation give all Edition Models yet another highlight.

Courtesy of BMW

Special rim design and lowered suspension.  To optimise the looks of the car, all four Edition Models come with specially designed light-alloy rims and a unique suspension: On all models the 19-inch forged M light-alloy rims in double-spoke design are available either in black or in the classic rim colour. And on the Alpine White, Black and Monte Carlo Blue models, the same rims are also available in a special white contrasting colour with polished spokes.

The suspension of the BMW M3 Edition Models adds to the sporting style of the cars, lowering the entire body by 10 millimetres or 0.4“.

BMW M3: supreme performance with eight cylinders and seven gears.  The BMW M3 Edition Models give this high-performance athlete a particularly striking look also reflected by the car’s supreme driving dynamics based on a unique all-round concept and drivetrain/suspension technology inspired by motorsport. The V8 high-speed power unit of the BMW M3 develops maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp from 4.0 litres.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels either through the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard or through the optional M double-clutch gearbox with Drivelogic enhancing both the dynamic performance and the all-round efficiency of the BMW M3 all in one. In this case acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 4.6 seconds (six-speed manual: 4.8 seconds) and average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 11.9 litres/23.7 mpg imp (six-speed manual: 12.4 litres/22.8 mpg imp)/100 kilometres.

The BMW M3 comes as standard with a lightweight carbon roof, while the options include Electronic Damper Control and the M Drive menu enabling the driver to configure individual, M-specific suspension and drivetrain functions just right for his personal style.

Courtesy of BMW