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BMW X4 Concept is no Shanghai surprise

"One in four new BMW cars is now a BMW SAV." If you're new to BMW parlance, SAV stands for Sports Activity Vehicle, a vehicle type most of us more commonly refer to as a crossover, and that statistic, which comes straight from the automaker itself, tells you all you need to know about why the X4 Concept you see above exists.
Like its larger X6 sibling, the BMW X4 Concept tries to shove a crossover in a mold shaped vaguely like a fastback coupe. Put another way, the X4 is likely to be a polarizing design, though perhaps not to the extent that the X6 divided opinions. As for us, we definitely prefer the styling of this X4 Concept, with its strong character lines and impressive wheel-to-bodyside ratio, over that of its bigger brother. That said, we're sure the AMC Eagle comparisons will begin in earnest starting right about... now.
Dimensionally, it seems the most obvious machine with which to compare this X4 Concept is the 3 Series Wagon - we're not sure if it will be as spacious inside as the 3 Series Gran Turismo. A two-inch stretch in the wheelbase ought to bring a commensurate improvement in legroom, and a body that's nearly five inches longer should be a boon for cargo capacity. Of course, that fastback roofline will surely cut down on the car's roominess inside, but we'll have to wait for the final production model to judge its true capabilities.

BMW gearing up for Sochi Olympics with bobsled documentary [w/video]

BMW might be a German brand, but that isn't keeping its US branch from helping out Team USA as the 22nd Winter Olympics gets set to kick off in Sochi, Russia next month. We last reported on BMW's partnership with Team USA's bobsled team in November of 2012, but with barely a month until the opening ceremony, it's about time we hear something new about the team's progress. And that's exactly what's going to happen when Driving on Ice airs this Sunday afternoon. The documentary charts the progress of the Team USA/BMW partnership to redesign the team's two-man bobsled for an event in which the USA hasn't captured gold in since 1936. And if you're concerned that this will be nothing more than a long advertisement for BMW, then you'll enjoy knowing that the program has more to do with the Team USA bobsledders than with the automaker. Even the trailer stars a number of team members and coaches, along with BMW DesignWorks USA's Michael Scully, lead designer on the program. There's a short preview embedded below, so if you just can't wait for next month's Olympics to kick off, you'll want to tune into NBC at 12:30 pm (Eastern time). Scroll down to watch the video preview and check out the full press release from BMW. BMW Slides into 2014 Winter Olympic Year with Announcement of U.S. Olympic Marketing Campaign, Bobsled Documentary. "Driving on Ice," a Film About BMW's Redesign of the Team USA Two-man Bobsled, to Air This Sunday on NBC. Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 3, 2013... BMW of North America, the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), today announced its U.S. Olympic marketing campaign for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games which includes a series of Olympic-themed advertisments, consumer and retail activations, social and digital media executions, and a national drive campaign to benefit Team USA. In addition, a documentary on BMW's complete redesign of the U.S. two-man bobsled entitled "Driving on Ice" will air this Sunday, Jan. 5 at 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST on NBC. "Driving on Ice" chronicles BMW's collaboration with the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (USBSF) to deliver a fleet of six new two-man bobsleds, applying the automaker's world-class design and engineering expertise to help Team USA chase its first Olympic gold medal in the event since 1936.

BMW recaps the glory days of M3 performance

Next in the BMW series chronicling the M3 come the second-generation E36 and third-generation E46 models. The E36 ran from 1992 to 2000, upping the game over its predecessor with a 3.0-liter inline-six that started out with 286 horsepower in Europe, or 240 hp when it came to the US in 1994. By the time it ended its run in 1999, it had vastly expanded the lineup and ushered in some key BMW firsts. Going beyond the coupe-only E30, the E36 added sedan and convertible bodystyles, and gave us BMW's Vanos variable cam timing system and the six-speed SMG sequential gearbox. The E46 that launched in 2000 would pare down the bodystyles to coupe and convertible yet go further with design and technical changes. The 3.2-liter inline-six shared only three minor components with the previous motor and put out 333 horsepower at 7,900 rpm. It introduced the power dome, fender vent, and inset exhaust tips as design trademarks. The special editions included the Euro-only M3 CSL, and the second-generation homologation special M3 GTR with a 493-hp, 4.0-liter V8, of which just ten were made. Having made the complete transition from racer for the street to comfortable, perfectly balanced sports car, BMW sold even more of the E46 with just two bodystyles than the E36 with three. Check out the video on the E36 above, then enjoy the look back at the E46 below. If you want to catch up on the latest BMW M3 and its M4 siblings, take a look at the video at the very bottom. Related Video: