2007 Bmw 650i Convertible on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW to be featured at 2016 Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The 2015 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion just wrapped up, with the Shelby GT350 serving as the featured marque. Track officials, however, are not wasting any time – or enthusiastic momentum – in announcing a featured marque for next year's event. Next year's Reunion will highlight BMW on the occasion of its centenary. Now if you're thinking that the Bavarian manufacturer hasn't been building automobiles for that long, you're technically correct. The company started out as an aircraft engine manufacturer 99 years ago in 1916. It then got into motorcycles in 1923 before rolling out its first automobile – the Dixi that was a licensed version of the Austin 7 – in 1928. However you trace the automaker's history that's still one heck of a long time. And BMW has been active in motor racing throughout, making it a worthy candidate for next year's celebration. This won't be the first time that Munich's finest will be featured at the reunion. BMW was given the same honor back in 1996. The featured marque can alternately be an automaker, a specific model, a type of vehicle, or even an accomplished racing driver. Last year's was Maserati, preceded by the Chevy Corvette, Shelby Cobra, Jaguar, and the legendary Dan Gurney. Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Porsche have each been featured thrice - that's right, thrice! - in the history of the retrospective event. Related Video: BMW TO BE HONORED AS FEATURED MARQUE OF 2016 ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION MONTEREY, Calif., August 16, 2015 — The full, rich heritage of the Ultimate Driving Machine® will be celebrated when Bavarian Motor Works is honored on the occasion of its 100th anniversary at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The celebration takes place August 18-21, 2016 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on the scenic Monterey Peninsula. "The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a perfect stage on which to celebrate 100 years of BMW," stated Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America, LLC. "The BMW brand and the legend of The Ultimate Driving Machine® was forged on and continues to be refined on racing circuits all over the world. In the United States, Laguna Seca has played a starring role. This year, our BMW Z4 GTLM racing cars finished 1-2 in IMSA competition there - almost 40 years to the date a BMW 3.0 CSL won our very first race on the classic circuit.

BMW may keep next 1 Series out of the US

As BMW prepares to introduce the all-new 2 Series coupe and convertible, the 1 Series name definitely won't be going away. We know new sedan and hatchback models are in the works; including the GT shown above. According to Car and Driver, though, the future of the 1 Series nameplate in the US could be dependent on rival premium small cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3.
In an interview with C/D, BMW's North American head of product planning and strategy, Paul Ferraiolo, said that pricing might be the biggest deterrent to offering the third-gen 1 Series in the US. As he points out, BMW currently prices the 1 not too far from the 3 Series, but Mercedes-Benz and Audi will have their new small cars priced well below the $30,000 mark. BMW's Mini brand will also factor into the consideration since the 1 GT will share its underpinnings with the next-gen Cooper lineup.

Recharge Wrap-up: BMW X5 PHEV debuting in Shanghai, Proterra sets up shop in CA

South Carolina-based Proterra has received funding to build electric buses in California. The California Energy Commission has awarded the company, which is headed by former Tesla executive Ryan Popple, a $3-million grant. Proterra will use the funds for a facility in the LA suburb the City of Industry, where its largest customer, Foothill Transit, also operates. Proterra has also opened an office in San Bruno, just south of San Francisco. Read more at SFGate or at ValueWalk. Despite its "urban mobility" design, the BMW i3 has become popular outside of large cities. Rather than singular urban centers, "The strongholds in this country are parts of California, Texas and southern Florida," said BMW North America CEO Ludwig Willisch. He also says the electric car hasn't been particularly successful in the Northeast, with cities like New York perhaps not being as mindful of sustainability as California. BMW is also nearing i3 sales of 12,000 a year, which Willisch calls "a sustainable rate." Read more at Automotive News. BMW will debut its X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid at the Shanghai Motor Show this month. It is the first PHEV from BMW's core brand (not from its i sub-brand). It uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor for a total of 313 horsepower, and a combined fuel economy of about 70 miles per gallon (according to the ECE test cycle). Press days for the Shanghai Motor Show are April 20-21. Read more in the press release below. BMW at Auto Shanghai 2015. At a glance •BMW at the 16th International Automobile & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition (Auto Shanghai) from 22 – 29 April 2015 (Press Days from 20 – 21 April). •BMW presents a world premiere, four Asian premieres and two Chinese premieres in Shanghai. •World premiere: the BMW X5 xDrive40e Sports Activity Vehicle is the first plug-in hybrid series-production model from the BMW core brand. •Asian premiere: the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is the first premium model in its segment to offer maximum variability and room for up to seven people. •Asian premiere: the new edition of the BMW 1 Series is even more expressive, sporting and efficient than before. •Chinese premiere for the three athletes in the luxury class: the new BMW 6 Series Convertible, the new BMW 6 Series Coupe and the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. •Chinese premiere with top-notch driving dynamics, efficiency and exclusivity: the new BMW M6 Coupe and the new BMW M6 Gran Coupe.