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I also like the way the Z4 coupe drives. All the usual BMW strengths are here: taut chassis, strong brakes, communicative steering, smartly executed interior, and willing in-line six-cylinder engine mated to a sure-shifting six-speed manual (a six-speed automatic also is offered). Sure, the 3.0-liter six produces “only” 255 hp, but it’s all you need for this 3108-pound two-seater. BMW says the Z4 coupe will reach 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds and go on to a top speed of 155 mph. Fuel economy is 18/28 mpg city/highway.
The Z4 coupe is pretty easy to live with, too, with a comfortable cabin and a decent amount of cargo space. Press the big black, white, and blue propeller badge to open the rear hatch, and you’ll find a large, fairly wide trunk that accommodates 12 cubic feet of cargo. Not bad for a two-seater.
Naturally, the Z4 coupe is not what one could call cheap. Our test vehicle had a base price of $40,400 but was loaded with options that brought the as-tested price to $47,850. The big-ticket items were a $2250 premium package with power seats and Xenon headlights; a $1300 sport package with 18-inch wheels and performance tires and a sport-tuned suspension; an $1800 navigation system (which kinda cheesily pops up from the instrument panel rather than being integrated into the center stack); and $500 heated front seats.
Still, this car offers a lot of street cred, not to mention driving enjoyment, for the price.

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The new BMW 7 Series is entering the market with a V8 and a straight-six gasoline engine both featuring Twin Turbo technology and direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection) as well as the first representative of a new generation of six-cylinder diesel engines.

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The X6 Hybrid will come with a two-mode system that features two electric motors housed in the transmission. This transmission means the X6 can run on electric power only. It also allows start-stop running in traffic, boosts the engine under acceleration and recovers energy under braking.

The X6 Hybrid will make its world debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

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The M1 was unveiled 30 years ago as the first t independently built car by the BMW Motorsport GmbH. The idea of developing the BMW M1, however, was the brainchild of Jochen Neerpasch, the head of BMW Motorsport GmbH at the time, and it was he who initiated the single-make series with Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley within the relatively relaxed structure of F1 three decades ago.

Press release

The F1 German Grand Prix programme this year will see the revival of the most spectacular single-make competition in motor racing history. The BMW M1 Procar series will be back at Hockenheim on 19th and 20th July as a field of ten cars.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, for one, is looking forward to the event: “The M1 was unveiled 30 years ago as the first car created independently by the then BMW Motorsport GmbH. It was a racing car which BMW customers could also drive on the road, a unique project which had to overcome some tricky administrative hurdles before getting off the ground.” In order to gain Group 4 homologation, 400 units of the super sports car had to be built within a period of 24 months. As Theissen continues: “The idea of organising a single-make series was born out of necessity – i.e. the requirements of homologation. Nobody expected the BMW M1 Procar series to go down quite so well. Just a mention of it today still triggers an enthusiastic reaction. This revival serves as a ‘thank you’ to the fans.”

“There hasn’t been a series as attractive as this before or since,” says Marc Surer. Now working as a Formula One expert on TV, Surer is well placed to judge. As a young Formula 2 driver, he conducted testing and set-up work for the prototypes at the time. “With its mid-engined layout, the M1 was a bit of an animal to drive and had an outrageous soundtrack. The series fed off the appeal of the cars and the opportunity for young drivers to measure themselves against the leading Formula One stars at the time.”

The five fastest drivers from Friday practice for the Formula One Grand Prix earned themselves a drive in the M1 race. The 15 remaining 500 hp machines were piloted by hungry young hopefuls. “You were really somebody if you got to drive in one of those races,” recalls Surer. “It was a unique opportunity to pit your skills against the F1 drivers – and they were certainly pretty quick in the M1. The handling of the mid-engined car suited them down to the ground. Plus, in 1979 – the first of the two years the series was held – they always started from the front and were given works cars. That made it pretty tough for us junior drivers in the independent teams. We had to look after our car, but at the same time did everything we could to make our mark.”

The idea of developing the BMW M1, however, was the brainchild of Jochen Neerpasch, the head of BMW Motorsport GmbH at the time, and it was he who initiated the single-make series with Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley within the relatively relaxed structure of F1 three decades ago.

A handful of past masters are set to line up once again for the two show races at Hockenheim. Surer will be joined by Jacques Laffite, Dieter Quester, Christian Danner, Harald Grohs and Prince Leopold of Bavaria. Jochen Neerpasch will also be there, at the wheel of the BMW M1 turned into an Art Car by Andy Warhol. His co-driver will be none other than Frank Stella, who also created an Art Car – a BMW 3.0 CSL which raced at Le Mans in 1976. The 72-year-old remains a keen motor racing fan.

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Glance at the car pictured above. If I were to strip off its badge and park it alongside a previous generation BMW X5, would you be able to tell them apart? I’m very optimistic that you wouldn’t. One can argue that cars today are somewhat similarly designed, headlamps, tail lamps, and quarter glass panels are carried over from one model to another, but definitely not entire cars.

BMW had taken legal action against Shuanghuan by filing a case in a German court in September last year, for making the CEO (Pictured) based on their X5 SUV. The case now has come to an end, BMW emerging victorious in the battle, as the court ruled that Shuanghuan’s CEO infringes BMW’s design rights.

Furthermore, the court announced that Shuanghuan is banned from selling their CEO in Germany.

But Managing Director Karl Schloessl is not happy about the verdict. He complains that the CEO is an entirely different car compared to the X5. He plans to fight again by appealing against the court’s decision.

’It is a one-sided judgment, but of course it was made in Munich. It’s a BMW city,” expressed the unhappy director on the court’s verdict.

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According to the German magazine the M3 CSL will feature not only an improved design, with carbon fiber body and a new front bumper, but will be completely different to the M line-up.

The performance will also be improved; from what we can understood from the low-res image, it will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds.

The M3 CSL will make its official debut in 2010

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Power will start from 272 hp for the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and will go up to 420 hp for the V8 version.

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