2007 Bmw Z4 M Power. Cabriolet. 6 Speed. Loaded. Clean. Gray/red. Clean Carfax. on 2040-cars

Auto blog

BMW profit of $2.7B is down as automaker invests to keep luxury lead

Despite selling 6.6-percent more vehicles - a record by volume - and posting higher revenues in the second quarter of 2013, BMW Group's profit of 2.07 million euros ($2.75 billion) is down 8.8 percent from last year. Investments in new technology (e.g. the new i3) and personnel, in addition to a competitive market, are to blame, BMW states. But the automaker remains committed to its fiscal targets for 2013, which, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, says will be "on a similar scale to 2012."
The BMW brand's sales performance in the first half of the year, which increased by 7.7 percent to 804,258 vehicles delivered, was good enough for it to maintain its lead in the luxury market, narrowly beating Audi, which delivered 780,510 vehicles, Automotive News reports. Mercedes-Benz delivered 694,433 vehicles to cement third place.

BMW Shanghai: Driving in mega cities, designing the future and more

The BMW enclave is a suitable mix of high-tech and throwback cool.
A few days before the Shanghai Motor Show kicked off, we were part of an international group of media that was invited to have a look at the BMW Designworks Shanghai Studio and ConnectedDrive Lab facility. The building that BMW found to house its Chinese think tank is in a lovely part of Shanghai known as the former French Concession. The late 1890s and early 1900s French architectural style, brick-paved streets and tree-lined spaces feel a world apart from the ultra-modern heart of Shanghai, and the BMW enclave is a suitable mix of high-tech and throwback cool.

BMW teases new 7 Series with gesture control tech, LCD display key

Want an early glimpse at what features you can expect to see in your next car a few years down the line? Look to flagship luxury sedans, where automakers often roll out their most advanced technologies. Like on the next-generation BMW 7 Series. Previewed in this teaser clip above, detailed in the press release below and pictured in the massive gallery at bottom, Munich's upcoming flagship model will be packed with innovative features. It'll have a remote-control parking feature that won't even require the driver to be on board when entering or exiting a parking space, controlled through an LCD touchscreen on the key fob. Once on board, you'll also be able to control the infotainment system with three-dimensional gestures made in the air or through the touchscreen display. Power will be provided by a new generation of engines, starting with a turbocharged inline-six mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. An adaptive air suspension promises to offer a sporty or cushioning ride as desired. And it's all being built around a structure made partially out of carbon fiber, cutting nearly 290 pounds off the curb weight. All of which paints a picture of the next-generation 7 Series as a rolling technology exhibit, and one we're looking forward to experiencing first-hand. Technology and innovation workshop on the new BMW 7 Series model range. PreDrive Miramas. 17.04.2015 BMW is using a technology and innovation workshop to present an initial selection of development highlights which the next generation of the BMW 7 Series model range will use to set new benchmarks in lightweight design, driving dynamics, comfort, intelligent connectivity and operation. The extensive use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the structure of the passenger cell, the rigorous and detailed application of lightweight design and a new generation of engines combine to reduce the weight of the luxury sedan along with its fuel consumption and emissions figures. The comfort, safety and driving experience offered by the new BMW 7 Series benefit from new chassis technology, exceptional scope for interaction with the car's infotainment technology and a wider selection of driver assistance systems from BMW ConnectedDrive. BMW EfficientLightweight: Carbon Core helps to reduce weight by up to 130 kilograms. Thanks to the BMW EfficientLightweight strategy, the new BMW 7 Series line-up will tip the scales up to 130 kilograms lighter than the outgoing generation of models.