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Undisguised BMW 7-Series spied
Photo: Automedia.
Articel: Auto Express
We’ve seen the disguised test mules before, but now our spies have caught BMW with its guard down and snapped the production ready 7-Series without its black plastic cloak.
These are the very first pictures of the new German luxury model which isn’t set to go on sale until the end of the year. As you can see, the controversial styling of BMW’s largest model remains, but a new high waistline gives the luxury four-door a more modern look.
The newcomer is bigger than the outgoing car, and borrows styling cues from the CS Concept, which debuted at China’s Shanghai Motor Show last year.
We’ll get our first chance to see the newcomer in the metal at the Paris Motor Show in September.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Undisguised BMW 7-Series spied
We’ve seen the disguised test mules before, but now our spies have caught BMW with its guard down and snapped the production ready 7-Series without its black plastic cloak.
These are the very first pictures of the new German luxury model which isn’t set to go on sale until the end of the year. As you can see, the controversial styling of BMW’s largest model remains, but a new high waistline gives the luxury four-door a more modern look.
The newcomer is bigger than the outgoing car, and borrows styling cues from the CS Concept, which debuted at China’s Shanghai Motor Show last year.
We’ll get our first chance to see the newcomer in the metal at the Paris Motor Show in September.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Future BMW X3: Made in the U.S.A
BMW AG has made it official: It will build the next generation of the X3 SUV in-house, at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, when its current contract runs out in 2010–2011.
While not unexpected, it is a blow for Magna International which currently assembles the X3 for BMW at its Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. In preparation for the addition of the X3, which launched in January 2004, Magna purchased its next-door neighbor, Chrysler’s Eurostar plant that was making minivans and PT Cruisers. Once Magna owned the whole complex, minivan production moved to Magna’s original plant; PT Cruisers were consolidated at the Toluca, Mexico, plant; and the vacated Eurostar space was prepped to set Magna up as the sole source for the new BMW.
In 2006, the X3 represented about 45 percent of Graz’s total vehicle output. But the writing has been on the wall since BMW officials began suggesting the next X3 could share underpinnings with the Z4—and both could end up adopting the new 3-series architecture.
BMW is spending $3 billion to expand capacity at Spartanburg within three years from 140,000 units annually to 200,000. It already revamped operations, replacing two separate assembly lines with a single flexible one that builds the Z4 and the midsize X5 SUV. The new coupe-shaped X6 (based on the X5) also will be sourced out of South Carolina next year. The continued strength of the euro vs. the dollar is one of the reasons for building more of the BMW lineup in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Magna, which specializes in niche-vehicle production, says it is talking to customers to fill the excess capacity that looms in a couple years. That includes discussions with BMW, which is studying whether to source a different vehicle from Graz. The German automaker could be mulling something along the lines of the Concept CS revealed last month at the Shanghai auto show, and based on the 7-series. Or a smaller luxury sports tourer, based on the 5-series, could be under consideration.
It’s not been a good week for Magna. The Canadian parts maker also learned it lost out on its bid to buy Chrysler Group. Cerberus Capital Management is buying an 80.1 percent stake in the automaker in a deal expected to close in the third quarter.
Popularity: 9% [?]
BMW 3 Series - Still the benchmark after all these years
If you’re shopping for a smaller luxury sedan that puts a premium on driving satisfaction, the BMW 3 Series remains the place to start. It’s one of the world’s best sports sedans.
For 2007, 3 Series sedans and wagons come with powerful new engines, a couple of new colors and some minor interior tweaks. The 3 Series is expanding for 2007 with the introduction of an all-new, two-door 3 Series coupe and an all-new 3 Series convertible. (The 2007 3 Series Coupe is evaluated in a separate review.)
The 2007 BMW 328i and BMW 335i accelerate more quickly, stop shorter and turn with more lateral grip than any of their predecessors. The current 3 Series sedans are the roomiest ever, with more standard and optional equipment and more sophisticated electronic controls. BMW’s x-Drive all-wheel drive system is available on the 328i.
Yet what characterizes the current 3 Series sedans as much as anything is its high-technology. We presume the car-buying public expects the latest technology in BMW products, and the 3 Series delivers in spades. It’s everywhere in this compact sedan, some of it first in class and some not previously applied in any BMW.
The 2007 BMW 3 Series cars offer Active Steering that actually turns the front wheels without driver intervention, not to mention 150-mile run-flat tires, turning Bi-Xenon headlights, and an optional i-Drive interface. It was the first car in its class to offer radar-managed active cruise control, and even the standard cruise control will automatically apply the brakes if you get too close to a car ahead.
None of this is necessarily a bad thing, but owners of older 3 Series models may wonder where their purist sports sedan went, or at what point all the gizmos start detracting from that sporting character. Rest assured, this remains a true sports sedan, but its sporting heart is a little more difficult to find under all the stuff. More detail, pleace click here
Popularity: 6% [?]
BMW 7 Series 7
The 2006 BMW 7 Series is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, or luxury sports sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the 750i Sedan to the 760Li Sedan.
Upon introduction, the 750i Sedan is equipped with a standard 4.8-liter, V8, 360-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. The 760Li Sedan is equipped with a standard 6.0-liter, V12, 438-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
The 2006 BMW 7 Series is freshened for 2006.
Popularity: 7% [?]
