2013 Bmw X5 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW considering North American engine plant?

BMW may be set to expand its US operations with a new engine plant, Bloomberg reports. The Bavarian automaker already has its Spartanburg, SC factory which builds the company's X3, X5 and X6 crossovers. According to the story, Mexico is also under consideration for the BMW engine factory, with the report claiming a final decision will be made in 2014.
"Establishing local motor manufacturing abroad is more complex than assembling cars, but it's a logical step for them to eventually start making engines in markets where they're expanding vehicle production," Juergen Pieper, an analyst for Bankhaus Metzler tells Bloomberg. Building engines in the US or Mexico would save BMW from having to ship engines for some of its most popular models across the Atlantic.
BMW, for its part, hasn't said anything concrete. Spokesman Mathias Schmidt is quoted in the story saying, "As part of our long-term growth strategy, we're frequently looking at different countries for possible locations of future production facilities. No decisions have been made yet, though, for an additional plant."

2014 BMW X5 configurator goes live

BMW won't begin selling the 2014 X5 for another few months, but the German manufacturer has brought the third-generation SAV's configurator online, allowing interested customers to poke around and look at the X5's optional goodies.
Like the 3 Series, the X5 is available in a number of lines that load up extras automatically. There's also a do-it-yourself truck that allows owners to pick and choose if they're not enamored with the styling or trim of one of the dedicated packages. As usual, the options list is quite vast, regardless of which line is chosen. We were able to easily take the new, rear-drive X5 sDrive35i, which started at $52,800, and bring the total price up past $80,000.
The new X5 carries over its 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 from the current model, as well as BMW's excellent 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline-six. The X5 xDrive35d, with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel will also be available on the third-generation SUV, but won't hit dealers until early 2014. BMW is stepping outside of the X5's usual bounds, offering a dedicated rear-drive model, available with all the same trimmings as the xDrive vehicles. Head over to BMW's US consumer page and have a go.

BMW will be featured marque at 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed

As part of BMW's centenary celebration, it has been named the featured marque at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed. That means we'll see plenty of Bimmers on track, but it also means a few will be hoisted in the air on this year's version of the famous Gerry Judah sculpture. That sculpture takes center stage on the Goodwood House's front lawn, blending metal with actual automotive machinery for a striking display that serves as the centerpiece for the entire Festival of Speed. This year, it will feature three race-ready BMWs – the 328 Mille Miglia Roadster, a Brabham-BMW BT52 Formula 1 car, and a Le Mans-winning V12 LMR. Consider the racing bases covered. And since this is England, it's only fitting that Rolls-Royce and Mini will stand alongside their parent company during this year's event – Rolls-Royce is headquartered down the road. BMW Motorrad will feature prominently, as well, and the M Brand will have its own "M Avenue," which will feature M cars sold over the past 40 years, including more than a few of the M cars our editors chose in their list of the greatest BMWs. You can also expect BMW's birthday present to itself, the futuristic Vision Next 100 concept, to receive a prominent placement at Goodwood. And of course historical and modern BMW models will be taking to the Goodwood Hill Climb course alongside the usual slate of performance vehicles, racecars, and concept vehicles from other brands. The 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from June 23 to 26. Related Video: