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BMW plans range-topping M760i

The rumors have come from several different places throughout the year and they all point to the same thing: we can expect a BMW M760i in 2016 to sit at the top of the 7 Series range. One of the latest scraps of evidence comes from a forum member at Bimmerpost last month who wrote that an M760i would arrive for model year 2017, and it would be the only regular-wheelbase version with a 12-cylinder engine even if a 760i model joins the lineup. The long-wheelbase 760Li, however, would also get a 12-cylinder motor. This week, BMW Blog published what it says is an accidentally leaked image from the German BMW configurator (pictured) that shows an M760i badge. The actual model doesn't appear, but the configurator places the badge over the 7 Series model you choose to configure. This will be the second 7 series to wear an M badge, and whenever we see it, we're told it will get the M Sport Package and Ferric Grey accents. The first M-badged 7 Series was a limited edition for the Middle East sold two years ago. Both the M760Li and 760Li are tipped to use the 6.6-liter V12 found in the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Wraith - that engine being an evolution of the V12 that powered the last-generation 760Li - but their outputs will vary. The long-wheelbase 7 is expected to get 600 horsepower. The M760i is said to get 624 hp, matching the output of the Wraith, and maybe some handling refinements to make it a proper competitor for counterparts from Mercedes-AMG, Audi, and Jaguar. On top of all that there will still be an Alpina B7, rumored to have 600 horses of its own. Introduction of the range could take place at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Related Video: X The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. News Source: BMW Blog, BimmerpostImage Credit: BMW Blog Rumormill BMW Luxury Performance Sedan m performance bmw 760li bmw m760i bmw 760i

Foreign automakers pay from $38 to $65 per hour to non-union workers

As leaders for the United Auto Workers gather in Detroit for their Special Convention on Collective Bargaining to work out the negotiating stance for this year's new labor agreements with the Detroit 3 automakers, what they most want to do is figure out how to eliminate the two-tier wage scale. However, the lower Tier 2 wage has allowed the domestic automakers to reduce their labor costs, hire more workers, and compete better with their import competition. As it stands, per-hour labor rates including benefits are $58 at General Motors, $57 at Ford, and $48 at Fiat-Chrysler – a reflection of FCA's much greater number of Tier 2 workers. The Center for Automotive Research released a study of labor rates (including benefits) that put numbers to what the imports pay: Mercedes-Benz pays the most, at an average of $65 per hour, Volkswagen pays the least, at $38 per hour, and BMW is just a hair above that at $39 per hour. Among the Detroit competitors, Honda workers earn an average of $49 per hour, at Toyota it's $48 per hour, Nissan is $42 per hour, and Hyundai-Kia pays $41 per hour. The lower import wages are aided by their greater use of temporary workers compared to the domestics. Automotive News says the ten-dollar gap between those foreign camakers and the domestics turns out to about an extra $250 per car in labor, which adds up quickly when you're pumping out many millions of cars. That $250-per-car number is one that, come negotiating time, the Detroit 3 will want to reduce, as the UAW is trying to raise both Tier 1 and Tier 2 wages. Another wrinkle is that the domestic carmakers are considering the wide adoption of a third wage level lower than Tier 2. Some workers who do minor tasks like assembling parts trays kits and battery packs already make less than Tier 2, but the UAW will be quite wary about cementing yet another wage scale at the bottom of the system while it's trying to fight a bigger battle at the top. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req., BloombergImage Credit: AP Photo/Erik Schelzig Earnings/Financials UAW/Unions BMW Chevrolet Fiat Ford GM Honda Hyundai Kia Mercedes-Benz Nissan Toyota Volkswagen labor wages collective bargaining labor costs

BMW i5 could get Toyota-sourced hydrogen power

It's starting to feel like the automotive landscape is right on the cusp of a boom in hydrogen-fueled vehicles. After all, the Toyota FCV is nearly ready, Volkswagen is readying a fuel cell concept for this week's Los Angeles Auto Show and Hyundai already sells its Tucson Fuel Cell. The next big name to add to that list might be BMW, as the company's co-development deal with Toyota starts to bear fruit.
According to Autocar, BMW may use a version of the fuel cell system from the Toyota FCV in the future i5. As part of its eco-oriented i sub-brand, the i5 is expected to be a stretched version of the i3 (pictured above) with extra rear legroom and cargo space. It's unclear at the moment whether a battery-powered pure electric powertrain will also be available. If accurate, then the rumor could give the Bavarian brand a counterattack against Mercedes-Benz' planned fuel cell vehicle in 2017.
BMW and Toyota first signed the memorandum of understanding to co-develop fuel cells, lightweight technology and a sports car back in 2012, and they made the arrangement official in late 2013. So far, few details on the progress of the work have been disclosed, but the performance model has been rumored to use a front-engine, all-wheel drive layout with supercapacitors.