State Highway 3 near Sanson, northwest of Palmerston North, has been closed after a collision between a milk tanker and a BMW.
The driver of the tanker was shaken but unhurt. The driver of the car has been taken to Palmerston North with serious injuries, and is said to be in a critical condition.
His dog has been taken to Bulls and is being treated by a vet.
The accident occurred at around 8:40am when the BMW, heading towards Sanson, is believed to have crossed the centre line and hit the tanker, heading to Palmerston North.
The tanker ended up in a drainage ditch. The milk has been transferred to another tanker, and a crane will be used to retrieve the stuck tanker.
Roads in the area were closed, but have since reopened.
It's hard to imagine that back in 1958, a tiny BMW Isetta known as "the bubble car" saved what would become a powerhouse car company by the year 2000. Back then, Mercedes-Benz was ready gobble up BMW, which had done well with its motorcycles but was struggling with car sales.
The Isetta was a "micro car" and weighed just 750 pounds. Power came from a 1-cylinder, 13-horsepower BMW style motorcycle engine that produced 13 horsepower. It delivered 45 mpg, went 53 mph and cost just $1,048 when introduced in the U.S. market. Unique was the front of the car was actually its door, too, opening forward to allow 2-passenger access.
The first ever Isetta was designed by the Italian company Iso Spa, which then licensed production to BMW of Germany and Velam in France. Later, the Isetta would also be built in United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain and Brazil.
BMW engineers tailored their version different from the others, installing the aforementioned 1-cylinder, 247 cc motorcycle style motor. Beginning in 1955, BMW was officially in the "micro car" business in hopes of building consumer goodwill.
BMW the next year upgraded to an Isetta 250 in Germany that still ran just 53-mph. Owners only needed a motorcycle license to drive an Isetta in Germany, and soon after in October of 1956, the Isetta 300 was born on a longer wheelbase. Instead of permanent bubble windows, the 300 featured sliding side windows, larger 298 cc engine and room for 4-passengers. The Isetta 300 is the model that impacted America and is most recognizable to baby boomer car enthusiasts. Later, an Isetta 600 was built, featuring a more powerful 582cc engine and could achieve a top speed of 64 mph.
In May 1962, three years after launching the modern BMW 700, the end of Isetta production was at hand. Overall, a total of 161,728 BMW Isetta's were built, and there is now talk of BMW reviving the Isetta name and branding its' new Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) an Isetta. The rear-engined new Isetta mimics the older model (see photos) and should arrive in American showrooms in 2014 or 2015.
----
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes reader questions at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email at extramile_2000@yahoo.com)
Two Chicago Police Department beat officers pulled one man from the back of a burning BMW minutes after it collided with another car late Monday, killing two others in the BMW and seriously injuring two men in the other car.
The crash happened about 11:53 p.m. Monday, just west of a bridge over the Calumet River in the 3200 block of East 100th Street in the South Deering neighborhood.
The white BMW was headed west on 100th Street and had just crossed the bridge when its driver apparently lost control and it began sliding sideways into eastbound lanes, then collided with a Ford Taurus that was headed east, police said.
The two people killed were a man, 32, believed to have been driving the BMW, and his front-seat passenger, a woman about age 27, authorities said. The driver was declared dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 12:48 a.m. today, and the woman was declared dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 12:51 a.m.
The 29-year-old driver of the Taurus and his passenger, a man about age 27, were both hospitalized at Stroger Hospital in serious-but-stable condition, police said.
South Chicago District Officers Brian Stoyak and Harold Mason were able to save a man who was a back-seat passenger in the BMW after they spotted the car on fire as they drove on their beat late Monday, they told WGN-TV.
The partners were driving east on 100th when they spotted the BMW on fire, pulled up and saw people trapped inside, Mason said. They radioed to police dispatch, calling for more officers and Chicago Fire Department emergency crews.
"There was a lot of flames, smoke," Stoyak said. "People yelling, screaming. The guy in the back was screaming for his life."
The man appeared to be having trouble breathing, so Stoyak and Mason pulled the man halfway out of the car so he could get oxygen as they waited for rescue crews to arrive. Other South Chicago officers soon arrived and were able to help pull the other pinned people out of the car, Mason said.
The back-seat passenger was taken to Northwestern Memorial, where he was recovering in serious but stable condition, police said.
The crash is being handled by the police Major Accident Investigation Unit.
December 22, 2011, 12:48 PM EST By Manuel Baigorri
Dec. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Roberto Murga, a construction manager from Barcelona, loved his platinum gray Porsche Cayenne until the debt crisis made the sport-utility vehicle’s leather interior and electronic seats expendable.
The 66,370-euro ($88,800) status symbol is now unnecessary ballast for Murga, 33, who like other Spaniards has been forced to cut spending because of the country’s weakening economy. Car demand, which has halved since peaking in 2007, probably won’t recover this decade, analysts predict.“I can’t splurge anymore, and maintaining my precious Cayenne is just too expensive,” said Murga, who made as much as 8,000 euros a month before the real estate bubble went bust three years ago, forcing him to fire half his workers. “We have no profit at all. We just try to survive.”Murga has lots of company. The end of the property and construction boom, fueled by a speculative bubble and low interest rates during the previous decade, caused Spain’s unemployment rate to more than double to 22.8 percent. The economy, which stagnated in the third quarter, may contract in the final three months. The Cayenne, Porsche SE’s best-selling model, has become a symbol of the excess, with the scaling back of expectations dubbed the “Cayenne crisis,” said Victor Conde, marketing professor at Madrid’s Universidad Nebrija.Cayenne ‘Paradigm’“This car was the paradigm of how we lived above what we could afford,” Conde said. “Banks were giving way too many loans and everybody here was driving a Cayenne.”Those days are over and may never be coming back. Porsche sales in Spain and Portugal have fallen 34 percent from the 2007 peak to 1,900 cars last year. Deliveries of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s namesake brand have dropped 47 percent to 32,500.It’s not just luxury brands that are suffering. Its local auto industry, a rare source of manufacturing jobs in an economy dominated by services and tourism, has also been hard hit. That represents a particular challenge for Volkswagen AG’s Seat, the only Spain-based carmaker.Overall car sales in Spain will likely total 810,700 vehicles this year, down 51 percent from 2007, when 1.61 million cars were sold in the market. That level won’t be reached again this decade, according to Jonathon Poskitt, an analyst with LMC Automotive in Oxford, England.“The real issue is that there appears to be no quick fix on the horizon,” said Poskitt. “The euro-zone crisis is hammering confidence in the region, and Spain in particular has a massive problem with the unemployment rate.” The European car market has fallen 13 percent over the past four years.Production CutsCarmakers in Spain are responding by trimming production. Ford Motor Co. will furlough 4,000 workers for 39 days at its assembly plant in Valencia next year. Renault SA plans to temporarily lay off 2,295 workers at its plant in Valladolid for as many as 29 days in 2012. The French carmaker will also suspend the night shift at its Palencia plant starting in January.The bleak outlook for the Spanish market is pushing Seat and other local auto companies to expand into other markets. The VW unit will start sales in China next year and is broadening its product offering with the new Mii city car. It’s also updating its Ibiza and Leon compacts and the Toledo sedan.“Seat has to respond to the challenges of a complicated situation, chiefly in our home market,” Paul Sevin, the Spanish brand’s sales chief, said in an interview. “Seat’s overall performance makes us upbeat and definitely represents an improvement over 2010. Seat’s success does not depend on a single market.”Seat narrowed its operating loss to 101 million euros in the first nine months of 2011 from 218 million euros a year earlier. Revenue rose 6 percent to 3.96 billion euros.‘Broken’ MarketCie Automotive SA, a car parts supplier based in Bilbao, is also escaping the market’s slump by pursuing sales outside Spain, where it generates only about 5 percent of its total revenue.“The market here is broken, but has clearly reached a bottom and should start a recovery during the second half of next year,” Chairman Anton Pradera said in an interview. Cie’s clients include VW, Renault, Ford and General Motors Co. GM’s money-losing Opel unit operates a factory in Zaragoza.Without labor market reforms, the Spanish auto industry could be in for further cuts as growth shifts to Asia making the Spanish plants potentially expendable amid an overcapacity glut in Europe, said Ricardo Mateo, an economics professor at Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona.“Without more flexibility, there’s no future for this industry,” Mateo said. “Labor costs and taxes in Spain are high, unions very strong, and the industry needs to remain competitive as cars are now also produced in China, Korea, India and South Africa.”‘Driving a Renault’Customers are adapting to the new reality. Juan Ramon Valdivia, 19, who works at his family’s restaurant in Malaga on Spain’s southern coast, is looking to unload his Cayenne for a less expensive VW or Peugeot.“I didn’t pay much attention to price before, but now I do,” said Valdivia, who’s adjusting his priorities after revenue at the restaurant declined 30 percent over the past two years. “The Cayenne consumes too much gasoline.”While Valdivia and Murga have turned into ready sellers of their Cayennes, the availability of high-end used cars hasn’t helped dealers like Angel Rodriguez, sales manager at Arguelles Automoviles in Madrid, who said revenue is down 60 percent from peak times and profit margins have tumbled 50 percent.The Cayenne was the “favorite car for many people, especially in the construction industry,” said Rodriguez, who’s been selling cars for 30 years. “Later many found out they couldn’t afford it, or even pay for it at all, and I see them now driving a Renault.”
--With assistance from Andreas Cremer in Berlin. Editors: Chris Reiter, Rick Schine
To contact the reporter on this story: Manuel Baigorri in Madrid at mbaigorri@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Chad Thomas at cthomas16@bloomberg.net; Angela Cullen at acullen8@bloomberg.net
Arriving in early 2012, the car that's literally "The Franchise" for BMW seems headed in an entirely new direction.
The 2012 3 Series walks the walk in fine style. The sleeker-looking sedan is more than 3.5 inches longer and a couple of inches wider overall. Additionally, the distance between the front and rear wheels has increased by about two inches, which is good news for second-row passengers who benefit from improved shoulder, leg and hip room.
Despite its larger dimensions, the base 328i sedan is about 90 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, although this slimming down relates to the loss of two of the engine's cylinders. The previous 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder has been replaced by a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The powerplant, which is also showing up in other BMW products, including the larger 5 Series and Z4 roadster, makes 260 pound-feet of torque and can propel the 3 Series sedan to 60 mph in an impressive 5.7 seconds, which is just a touch longer than the 335i's time. That model retains its 300-horsepower six-cylinder turbocharged engine, but both powerplants now benefit from a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The manually inclined, however, can stick with the six-speed gearbox.
Final numbers aren't known as yet, but BMW expects the turbo-four to handily beat the previous 18 mpg city and 28 highway fuel-economy rating.
The new 3 Series also focuses on fuel efficiency in other ways. An electric air conditioning compressor functions on a demand-only basis, and a new feature shuts off the engine while stopped at intersections then instantly fires it up again when it's time to roll.
To offset the added power needs, the 3 Series features Brake Energy Regeneration which converts kinetic energy produced while coasting or braking into electrical energy fed back to the battery.
Also standard on all models is a Driving Dynamics Control with four different settings. The most fuel-efficient setting is ECO PRO mode that, when activated, cuts the horsepower to save fuel (as much as 20 percent, according to BMW). In ECO PRO, a special instrument-panel display indicates how far the 3's range has been extended.
Other cool technology options include steering that varies its ratios based on driver inputs. For example, it can adjust steering-wheel rotations by up to 25 percent (handy when pulling a U-turn).
With three new option groupings -- Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line -- there will likely be an equipment level to fit most budgets in this class. All-wheel-drive versions of the sedan will arrive shortly after the official launch, followed by a new M3 performance model plus a gasoline-electric "Active-Hybrid." And, of course, a revised coupe, convertible and possibly a new wagon will eventually be released.
In an ever-changing environment -- business and otherwise -- the BMW 3 Series has adapted while still giving drivers precisely what they expect: a car that keeps up with times and continues as a technology, performance and fashion leader.
BMW have recently released their new 3 Series and this is a crucial time for Audi who have recently also released the latest version of their A4 car. While the BMW is a brand-new vehicle, the new offering from Audi is just a facelift. The car has been given a more economical engine and there is a more at advanced entertainment system present in the car. The outside has also undergone some changes making it look a bit more modern.
The changes have been made to every model of the A4 but in this review we are going to be looking at the saloon. Given the fact that this car hasn’t really had a great deal of changes to its actual design it is rather similar to the previous A4 on the road. The new car comes with a choice of 1.8 or 2 litre petrol engine and much like the previous versions of the car it has rubbery steering and a rather firm ride. Many people who are hoping for improvements in these areas with the new version of the car are going to be quite disappointed.
There is no question that Audi, as it usually does, have created a car with a lot of grip but it feels very confident going through corners but unfortunately the steering really lets the car down. For anyone who has driven the BMW equivalent they will know that it is a lot more enjoyable to drive. BMW have a great focus on the car’s ability to flow through a bend and this makes it feel very sporty, unfortunately this is something that Audi have not done.
If you are choosing to buy the Audi then you must not do it for its sporty performance, instead you must see it as a cruiser. When you are on the motorway the engine simply fades into the background and it provides a very refined driving experience. The only thing that is going to disturb the car in the car is the wind whistling past the wing mirrors.
There is also a diesel engine available for the car and while you might not think this is the best choice for the car it really is the engine that works best. It has a low torque and has a performance that seems very easy. The petrol engine seems to have to work harder and can even become noisy when revved aggressively.
So far we have said much about how this new A4 is slightly disappointing because of its similarity to the old model, but you must not forget that the previous A4 was a great vehicle. One of the most notable things about the car was the great amount of space for the driver and passenger and the build of the car is as excellent as anything you would expect from Audi.
Related posts:
Audi A6 releasedAudi A1 What Car Awards winnerNew model in Picanto line-upKIA bares its SoulDS5 new kid on the road
Arriving in early 2012, the car that's literally "The Franchise" for BMW seems headed in an entirely new direction.
If nothing else, the 3 Series has kept up with the times, which call for significant improvements in fuel economy as well as a tread-lightly footprint that reaffirms and enhances BMW's environmental awareness. At the same time, BMW must maintain the passion and performance that has helped its star performer maintain its top-rung status.
The 2012 3 Series walks the walk in fine style. The sleeker-looking sedan is nearly none centimetres longer and about five centimetres wider overall. Additionally, the distance between the front and rear wheels has increased by about five centimetres, which is good news for second-row passengers who benefit from improved shoulder, leg and hip room.
The changes to the car's basic shape mean a low-slung appearance, especially the front end that's more aerodynamic than the 2011 version. But important for those who appreciate unrestricted views of the passing scenery, the 3 Series maintains its sensible low-waist, tall-window design along with thin roof and door pillars.
Despite its larger dimensions, the base 328i sedan is about 40 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model, although this slimming down relates to the loss of two of the engine's cylinders. The previous 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder has been replaced by a 240-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. The powerplant, which is also showing up in other BMW products, including the larger 5 Series and Z4 roadster, makes 260 pound-feet of torque and can propel the 3 Series sedan to 100 km-h in about six seconds, which is just a touch longer than the 335i's time. That model retains its 300-horsepower sixcylinder turbocharged engine, but both powerplants now benefit from a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The manually inclined, however, can stick with the six-speed gearbox.
Final numbers aren't known as yet, but BMW expects the turbo-four to handily beat the previous 11.3 l/100 km city and 7.0 highway fuel-economy rating.
The new 3 Series also focuses on fuel efficiency in other ways. An electric air conditioning compressor functions on a demand-only basis and a new feature shuts off the engine when you're stopped at intersections, red lights and other gridlock-related pauses, then instantly starts fires it up again when it's time to roll.
To offset the added power needs, the 3 Series features Brake Energy Regeneration. This system converts the kinetic energy produced when coasting or braking into electrical energy which is then fed to the battery.
Also standard on all models is a Driving Dynamics Control with four different settings, according to how vigorously you wish to pilot your Bimmer. The most fuel-efficient setting is ECO PRO mode that, when activated, cuts the horsepower to save fuel (as much as 20 per cent, according to BMW). In ECO PRO, a special instrument-panel display indicates how far the 3's range has been extended.
Other cool technology options include steering that varies its ratios based on driver inputs. For example, it can adjust steering-wheel rotations by up to 25 per cent (handy when pulling a U-turn).
That's just a taste of the technowizardry afoot in the new Bimmer, content that is likely to spread across the rest of the 3 Series line. And with three new option groupings - Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line - there will likely be an equipment level to fit most budgets in this class.
All-wheel-drive versions of the sedan will arrive shortly after the official launch, followed by a new M3 performance model plus a gasolineelectric "ActiveHybrid." And, of course, a revised coupe, convertible and possibly a new wagon will eventually be released.
In an ever-changing environment - business and otherwise - the BMW 3 Series has adapted while still giving drivers precisely what they expect: a car that keeps up with times and continues as a technology, performance and fashion leader.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 2012 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN
Type Four-door, rear-wheel-drive entry-luxury sedan
Market position BMW's range of 3 Series offerings are considered among the best entryluxury sedans on the market and are frequently used by competing automakers as benchmarks for similarly targeted automobiles.
Points ? Popular Bimmer blends power with lower fuel consumption. ? Turbo four-cylinder's stout low-speed thrust should help attract performanceminded buyers. ? Small-sized base engine not likely to reduce base price. ? Who would have thought taming BMW's power with an "Eco" switch would ever be offered. ? Continued strong 3 Series demand is expected.
Posted on December 16, 2011, Friday LOOKING FOR CLUES: CID men with the suspect (centre) at a telecommunication shop looking for clues.
SIBU: A pub worker suspected of theft of more than RM90,000 placed in a BMW car in Keranji Road on Monday morning was arrested yesterday.
He is placed under a four-day remand.
A source said the suspect had witnessed the car owner (his supervisor) counting money in the premises.
He was suspected to have contacted an accomplice, who later smashed the supervisor’s car and ran off with the money.
The money, amounting to RM88,000 belonging to the company together with the supervisor’s own money placed underneath his car seat went missing in the incident.
The police hope the suspect could lead them to the arrest of his accomplice.
They believed the man was also peddling stolen mobile phones.
Yesterday morning, the suspect led police to a telecommunication shop in Khoo Peng Loong Road to look for clues.
Police subsequently seized a mobile phone from the shop.
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. (F) and Volkswagen AG (VOW) were among the automakers with models that are finalists for North American Car and Truck of the Year awards from the Automotive Press Association.
Ford’s Focus, VW’s Passat and Hyundai Motor Co. (005380)’s Elantra are the car finalists, the association disclosed at an event in Detroit.
BMW’s X3, Honda’s CR-V and Jaguar Land Rover Plc’s Range Rover Evoque were the truck finalists. Jaguar Land Rover is part of Tata Motors Ltd. (TTMT)
To contact the reporter on this story: Craig Trudell in Detroit at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Bill Koenig at wkoenig@bloomberg.net
Police ram BMW in high-speed car chase caught on camera | Mail Online .newsnews .masthead { background-image:url(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/channelheaders/news_masthead.gif); } Home NewsU.S.SportTV&ShowbizFemailHealthScienceMoneyRightMindsCoffee BreakTravelColumnistsNews HomeArtsHeadlinesPicturesMost readNews BoardMy ProfileLogoutLoginFind a JobM&S WineOur PapersFeedbackMy StoriesSaturday, Dec 17 20119PM 0°C12AM-1°C5-Day Forecast Police ram BMW in high-speed car chase caught on camera
By Leon Watson
Last updated at 2:24 PM on 15th December 2011
Comments (0) Share
A dramatic car chase ended today when two suspected carjackers were rammed by a police car before being arrested at gunpoint.
Police in Australia caught up with the couple who were allegedly armed with a handgun north of Sydney, New South Wales.
Officers had chased the speeding BMW through the country towns of Maitland, Cessnock and Woolombi.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Hands up: Police point guns and the two suspects who were believed to be armed
Getaway: The carjacked BMW speeds along a rural road in New South Wales as it is filmed from a police helicopter
Road spikes were planted and as the speeding driver swerved to avoid them, an unmarked police car rammed the suspects' car -forcing both cars into a ditch by the road.
More...Crack police snipers wearing hi-tech camouflage called in as hunt for Australia's most wanted man is stepped upThe new Ned Kelly? Australia's most wanted man evades capture by shooting officer as police closed in following seven-year manhunt
Police with drawn weapons surrounded the car and removed the man and woman.
It's believed had carjacked the vehicle in the state town of Beresfield, near Newcastle, local media reported.
A police car catches up with the car and shunts it into the grass on the side of the road
The man and women are taken away for questioning by officers following a suspected carjacking and police chase
They were both arrested and taken away to Cessnock police station for questioning, it was reported.
No one was injured in the operation.
Share this article: FacebookTwitterGoogle+MessengerLinkedInDigg itNewsvineFarkNowpublicRedditPrint articleEmail article Add your commentsComments (0)No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,or debate this issue live on our message boards.Add your commentName:Town & Country:Your name and location will appear next to your comment.You have 1000 characters left.Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.I agree to the House RulesRemember me - this will save you having to type out your name and location when you next leave a comment.For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.TermsBingSiteWebEnter search term: FEMAIL TODAY Scarily skinny Ulrika Jonsson fails to fill out super-tight leather trousersShe was at British Comedy AwardsTeam Beckham head for Britain: Posh, Becks, their boys and baby Harper jet out of LA for Christmas at homeFamily looked very fashionableIt's been a big year for you! Pregnant Una Healy gets engaged to boyfriend Ben FodenHappy end to 2011Brother of Little Mix's Jesy Nelson is 'exposed as cocaine dealer' in Class A drugs bustShocking claims rock teetotal singerA new Dawn for Lenny: One year after his divorce from Dawn French, friends say he's 'very happy' with theatre producer LisaHappy families! Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian join Shane Warne's children to watch cricketer in actionOne big happy familyFlaunt it! Kate Beckinsale shows off her endlessly long legs in hotpants and boots on sexy coverMagazine well titledHolly Valance 'refuses to take the coach to Strictly Come Dancing final... and flies in by private jet instead'Nancy Dell?Olio hitched a lift'This has really taught me some things': TOWIE's James Argent tweets shock after terrifying car crashHe's shaken but uninjuredDouble trouble! Desperate Scousewives Gill and Debbie O'Toole are loud in leopard print Pair were at show's Christmas partyNice ice! Delighted Britney Spears shows off her stunning engagement ring after Jason Trawick pops the questionCelebration in Vegas What happened to your beautiful blonde locks? Amanda Seyfried is almost unrecognisable as she slips on a brunette wig Wore white dress on setMerry Blingmas! Pots of cash but not much taste? Then treat your beloved to one of theseLuxury companies are producing ever more lavish gifts Las Vegas girls are reem! TOWIE's Joey Essex cosies up to a local girl called Brittany as he parties in Sin CityBlondes DEFINITELY have more fun! TOWIE's Maria Fowler gets lighter locks in pursuit of the 'Abbey Clancy look''Do took four hoursKim Kardashian faces more backlash as she's named the Most lll-mannered Person of 2011 Earned title for disrespecting marriageI'll find somewhere like you... Adele moving out of London over fears that the smog is harming her voiceSinger has had throat surgeryExploitation of the Jackson Three: How the singer's children are being cynically controlled by the man whose greed wrecked his childhoodEdgy supermodel Agyness Deyn's secret gaudy taste revealed as $2.5m apartment goes up for saleWe always thought she was the arbiter of cool...The big reveal! Konnie Huq shows off her baby bump for the first time at the British Comedy AwardsJoined husband Charlie Brooker on the carpet'He just saw what he wanted to see: ' Kris Humphries' family had 'reservations about Kim from the start'Thought it all happened too fast We can see right through you! Former 'fat and frumpy' fitness guru Jennifer Nicole Lee courts more attention in a sheer dress Accessorized with goldSanta babe! Daisy Lowe bares (almost) all in Christmas calendar striptease Candy cane stockings and not much else!Tis the season to be grumpy: Jason Statham and Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely don't look very happy as they go Christmas shopping togetherEtta James terminally ill with cancerAt Last singer has been told by doctors that her leukemia is untreatable'I would have worked out more': Battle of the bunnies as Playmate Hope Dworaczyk takes a swipe at Lindsay LohanBoth posed for mag Kobe Bryant's wife files for divorce from the LA Lakers star after ten years together Stood by star in 2003 over sexual assault charge Does he ever say no? Frankie Cocozza kisses his way around Revenge nightclub, He managed to sign X Factor records as he wentBack on daddy duty: Tom Cruise dotes on his darling Suri on bonding day out after Mission Impossible tour Daughter had earlier thrown a tantrumA little overdressed, Tara? Ms Reid dons skintight red mini-dress and towering heels to do her choresActress looked ready to go clubbing Daphne Guinness admits she's worn nail polish on her LIPS (so how on earth did she get it off?)She's a fashion icon and visionarySpending that Playboy cash? Lindsay Lohan hits the ultra chic shops... just hours after nude pictorial hits the newsstands Victory or bust! She's a minor soap star but is Strictly finalist Chelsee on the brink of stardom as big as her surgically enhanced bosom? DON'T MISS Ho ho ho: Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley gets in the Christmas spiritDid her best Mrs Santa Claus impressionJustin thrills 'Beliebers' at underprivileged school as he takes to the stage and donates $100,000 during charitable visitPre-Christmas treatIt's a celebration! Madonna enjoys a family night out in NYC to fete her two Golden Globe nominations With children and toyboy Brahim Zaibat, 24LAPD Angel: Lucy Liu sheds her glamour girl image for the gritty police series SouthlandFighting crime in some of LA's toughest areasPlastic surgery fan Melanie Griffith looks surprisingly fresh faced Appears more natural than she has for years'I want to be an opera star': Charlotte Church confesses dream to return to her classical music rootsWent over to pop music for a few yearsShe may be tiny but they go on forever! Kylie Minogue shows off a lot of leg in two-toned dressAt the British Comedy AwardsGisele B?ndchen shows off her supermodel body for lingerie campaign31-year-old posed in stockings and high heelsStill hold a soft spot for him? Amelia Lily hits Faces with Frankie after his wild night with blondes, but her friend gets all the attentionPerfect pins: Ashley Tisdale shows off her stunning figure as she goes on post break-up shopping tripJust split from boyfriend Goodbye Rosie Webster! Helen Flanagan goes out with a fashionable bang in Chanel hat filming her last Corrie scenesMoving to be with manDon't call me spoilt! Tamara Ecclestone insists her ?200,000 handbag collection and 200 pairs of designer shoes are just frightfully canny investmentsDon't turn into a pudding this Christmas! Celebrity personal trainer James Duigan's ten top tips to prevent you piling on the pounds Ten years OLDER... Kylie Jenner, 14, looks a little too sophisticated in a sleek bandage dressFollowing in her sisters' footstepsIs it back on for Daisy and the Doctor? The model comforts Matt Smith after inspecting a dent in his carHe looked a bit preoccupied though...When J-Lo's toy-boy Casper Smart was EVEN younger! Glimpse inside his school yearbookSinger was on third marriage when he graduated Take That Gary! Strictly star Jason Donovan on how well he's done and how his best friend Gary Barlow secretly longs for the spray tan and sequins All I want for Christmas... is to be a kid again! Melanie Sykes recreates childhood with festive photo, complete with grubby kneesDream Big! Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes enjoy a family night out as they take daughter Suri to the circusShe was all wrapped up on way outAt least you didn't call him Louis! 2 Shoes' Charley Bird names newborn son Beaux in honour of X Factor Bandmate Lucy Texeira tweeted newsOnce more with passion! Nancy Dell'Olio and Alex Jones are back for group routine on tonight's Strictly Come Dancing final'Oh, how I've missed Essex': Amy Childs jets home in time for Christmas in festive red boots after a week in LAWas filming her reality show in the U.S.It's definitely the silly season! Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield don cheesy Christmas-themed jumpers on This MorningGetting in the spiritThe Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe: The Time Lord travels to war-torn Britain... and escapes to a Narnia-type worldChristmas special Feeling a little fragile? Birthday girl Sam Faiers hides beneath furry hat and huge sunglasses the morning after her 21st partyWent incognitoParty or bust: TOWIE girls Lauren Goodger and Chloe Sims put on a bold front Black dresses, cleavage and lots of smilesIs old-fashioned romance the secret to Downton Abbey's success? Star Dan Stevens thinks soHas bemoaned the death of romance in modern life Downton Abbey stars swap dowdy costumes for winter chic in their bid to conquer AmericaElizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt What have you got to hide Jude? Actor keeps style secrets firmly under his hat (which he has been wearing since October)Even on the red carpetStrictly secrets: We reveal the Suzanne Neville dress Tess will wear to the final Looks like something the dancers would wear!She's a Supermom! Ali Larter carries her son with one arm as she run errands But there wasn't a cape in sightJust like Daddy! Jennifer Garner admires three-year-old Seraphina's (temporary) Christmas tattoo Ben Affleck has a dolphin inking 'Wat a trophy!' Snoop Dogg shows off massive music video stash of what looks like marijuanaJust days ago he smoked 'joint' on stage'We're party animals': The Loose Women get their glad rags on and raise a glass to the festivities as they talk all things Christmas'They?re multiplying like head lice': The Absolutely Fabulous ladies lay into the Kardashians during their Christmas specialKourtney is pregnantHo, ho, ho! Comedian Michael McIntyre on his star-studded Christmas TV special ? and why he bailed out of Britain?s Got TalentCasper Smart rolls up to visit cougar girlfriend Jennifer Lopez on American Idol set (in HER white Bentley)She must trust him!My daughter's nightmare buying a bra online and why we're mad to let the High Street go bustMAX HASTINGS says we need sales advisorsShowing off her award-winning rear! Carol Vorderman pours her curves into Herv? L?ger for Christmas night outFavourite styleRise of the partypreneurs: Middletons spark 55 per cent increase in party planning businesses Carole and Michael own Party PiecesThat's some view you've got there! Sid Owen gives his stunning fianc?e some admiring glancesLazing on yacht in Dubai Kelly Brook is still stunning minus the make-up... even stepping off a plane at 6amBright-eyed and bushy-tailed flying into Belfast... But later covers up in a Bo Selecta mask (and lingerie) in hilarious photoWow, Craig David, you've changed!Nigella Lawson sticks to her favourite LBD for night out... but there's no hiding her shrinking frameFollowing Bodyism Clean and Lean planPaula Abdul's miniscule metallic dress and eye-popping cleavage steals the show from Nicole Scherzinger's X Factor performanceToo hot for the theatre! Katie Piper sizzles in a very sexy outfit She was at Christmas special of the Jersey Boys in the West EndMy Absolutely Fabulous life, by June WhitfieldNearly 20 years have passed since the actress, 86, had a cameo role in the showKobe Bryant's wife files for divorce from the LA Lakers star after ten years together Stood by star in 2003 over sexual assault charge BEL MOONEY: His female 'best friend' is coming between usAdvice for a woman whose partner writes long handwritten letters to his pal'I created a monster - and it came back to bite me' says The Gruffalo creatorSet to be the roaring highlight of Christmas Day TVBaby joy! Actress Alyson Hannigan is pregnant with second childThe Buffy The Vampire Star, 27, has daughter, 2The Only Way Is OnePiece for Joey Essex and One Direction's Louis TomlinsonStars prove they're not scared of fashionSandra Bullock shows off effects of fitness regime in plunging suit at New York premiereShe's been working hard since break-up with husband Jesse JamesWho knew a polo neck could be so alluring? Rose McGowan fails to conceal her curves as she heads out shoppingChristmas shopping in Beverly HillsDaddy bought us a zoo! How the tale of a family overcoming tragedy by rescuing a run-down zoo became a major Hollywood movie'Her mother was pushing for less nudity': How Playboy boss Hugh Hefner persuaded Lindsay Lohan to strip off in Marilyn Monroe tribute shoot Scaly nails: Get a snakeskin manicure... for ?62 per fingerA salon in London's Chelsea has brought the treatment to the UK for the first time'It's been an amazing year!' Cancer survivor Bernie Nolan is a picture of health and happiness as she prepares for a busy ChristmasSopranos matriarch Edie Falco enjoys family time with her daughter MacyPlays matriarch Carmela in the cult TV hitMarriage proposal rejected live on the Ellen Show turns out to be an elaborate hoaxRejection fooled millions after the unfortunate news exploded on TwitterIt's a Whoopi Cushion! Whoopi Goldberg stuns The View panel as she passes wind on live television She's a gas!She's a domestic goddess too! Blake Lively the golden girl bakes up a batch of cupcakes for charity Proudly showed off a tray Today's headlines Most Read Caught grinning on CCTV: The teens wanted by police after ticket inspector was knifed in the back when he challenged a pair of fare-dodgers French are felled by triple whammy: Now it's Sarkozy who's out on a limb as UK banks pull funds, Germans side with Cameron and CLEGG attacks their PM Sarkozy out on a limb as Germans side with Cameron after devastating triple whammy for French PM 'She wrapped her baby daughter in a blanket and shot her in front of me': Neighbours watch in horror as mother kills family of five Britain shivers on coldest weekend of winter as drivers are warned to beware of black ice Pain of the pigs: Undercover filming shows animals having their teeth clipped off with metal pliers without anaesthetic The most daring action moment in videogame history? Player's stunt in Battlefield 3 game goes viral as 5 MILLION people watch his daring kill Scandalous cost of justice: ?861 a night to lock up young crime suspects... ?650 to stay at the Ritz 'I want to ride in it': Teacher pulled pupil with muscular dystrophy from wheelchair so he could have a go Trapped in their homes: Families cannot afford to take second step on housing ladder Students to undergo background checks as universities seek to break 'middle-class monopoly' Children must learn times tables by age nine under tough new curriculum plans 'I've got a surprise for you': Husband blindfolds his wife.... and then chops off all her fingers to stop her studying for a degree Hounding of a first-class hero: The banker who threw a foul-mouthed student off a train could end up in court Speak up for Christianity, Cameron tells Archbishop: PM calls on the Church to defend 'values and moral code' of the Bible 'Claudia never had affairs or met men online': Heartbroken father prepares for third Christmas without his missing daughter Stocking up for Doomsday: As economists predict meltdown, meet the families ready for the worst Soldiers baton-charge Egyptian protesters in Tahrir Square after eight die and 300 are wounded in new clashes More than 430 killed in deadly flash floods that struck the Philippines in the middle of the night MORE HEADLINES French are felled by triple whammy: Now it's Sarkozy who's out on a limb as UK banks pull funds, Germans side with Cameron and CLEGG attacks their PM Stocking up for Doomsday: As economists predict meltdown, meet the families ready for the worst Britain shivers on coldest weekend of winter as drivers are warned to beware of black ice 'I've got a surprise for you': Husband blindfolds his wife.... and then chops off all her fingers to stop her studying for a degree Hounding of a first-class hero: The banker who threw a foul-mouthed student off a train could end up in court For sale, the house with the best view in Britain: Meet the family reluctantly giving up their idyllic life in the country's remotest home Caught grinning on CCTV: The teens wanted by police after ticket inspector was knifed in the back when he challenged a pair of fare-dodgers Pain of the pigs: Undercover filming shows animals having their teeth clipped off with metal pliers without anaesthetic Big day for a little lady: 2ft tall Jyoti dreams of Bollywood acting career after being crowned world's shortest woman Caught on camera: The shocking moment dancing Tube passenger minding his own business is violently shoved off train Speak up for Christianity, Cameron tells Archbishop: PM calls on the Church to defend 'values and moral code' of the Bible Pictures show happier times for mother believed responsible for massacring her family of five in front of horrified neighbors At last, a new Routemaster chugs into view: 21st century version of famous hop-on, hop-off bus unveiled by London Mayor Boris Johnson Sales panic Saturday: Stores slash prices by 65% as families rein in spending Fianc?e of 'gangster' whose death led to riots is let off drugs charge with caution Toddlers banned from making their own gestures as they sing Twinkle Twinkle 'in case it offends deaf people' Caught on camera: Female human rights activist handcuffed and dragged along ground for sitting on a roundabout (and now SHE's been charged with assault) 'Highly dangerous with fatal consequences': Family of boy, 12 who died playing 'cult-like' choking game warn of dangers of craze What the nanny saw: Housekeeper's stunning images of 1950s Chicago show working life in America in a new lightMOST READ IN DETAILEDITOR'S SIX OF THE BEST KELVIN MACKENZIE: Fare dodger's dad goes right off the rails AMANDA PLATELL: Just why do parents condone teen sex? SIMON HEFFER: Isolated? No. Now the whole world's our oyster QUENTIN LETTS: Dolly Draper's Victor Meldrew moment MAX HASTINGS: My daughter's nightmare buying a bra online and why we're mad to let the High Street go bust Miracle or total turkey? We put M&S's 45-minute bird to the testMONEY EXTRAS: MOST POPULAR When will the UK base rate rise? How to start your claim for PPI compensation Fund tips: Best Isas for different investors What to save for retirement (and how) ADVERTORIAL FEATURESNEXT Free GiftClaim your FREE Christmas gift worth ?10*Click here for more detailsGarnier UltraLiftSee the results for yourself.Funny how flowers do thatTell us who deserves some flowers and you could win them some. FreesatBanish the Christmas TV clashes.Win a Freesat HDTV and a Christmas hamperM&S Inspiration GuideMay all your Christmas dreams come true with our magical Inspiration Guide. Open now >Pink Ribbon BingoPlay bingo and help raise money for breakthrough breast cancerStudent FinanceYour essential guide to help students keep on top of money, brought to you by Barclays ? Back to top Navigation PopularHomeNewsU.S.SportTV&ShowbizFemailHealthScienceMoneyRightMindsCoffee BreakTravelColumnistsPopular searches in news:Daily Mail FacebookDaily Mail News TwitterDaily Mail Google+Daily Mail e-PaperLondon 2012Celebrity NewsUS ShowbizUS HomeSitemapNewslettersRSSArchiveText-based siteReader PrintsTop of page Daily MailMail onSundayWidgetsThis is NetworkThis is LondonThis is Money MetroLootJobsiteDatingFind a propertyMotorsPrime locationVilla Renters
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
HILLSBOROUGH — Flemington BMW has a new mission: The ?Mission to Drive? sales event. Kicking off the event, BMW customers were invited Thursday to Hillsborough Cinemas to a private ?sneak-peak? showing of ?Mission Impossible ? Ghost Protocol,? which features numerous BMWs.
?This event is in conjunction with Paramount Pictures as a joint marketing effort to generate excitement over new products BMW has and the movie,? said Byron Brisby Jr, the general manager of Flemington BMW.
BMW customers were invited to the sneak preview of the new Tom Cruise-fueled action movie as a way to thank them for their business and promote new BMWs, Brisby said.
The movie, which opens next week, features futuristic BMW Vision EfficientDynamics and the BMW 6 Series convertible, driven by Cruise?s character, Ethan Hunt. ?We hope to generate excitement about the BMW i3 and i8 Concept vehicles, which are scheduled to be released in 2014,? Brisby said. The i8 is the successor to the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. ?It?s a great looking futuristic car.?
?BMW dealers near and far are doing private screenings of the movie, and we were fortunate to be able to do this for our customers,? Brisby added.
About 300 people attended Thursday evening?s event, viewing the movie in two theaters, free of charge, complete with popcorn and soda. Several people also won watches.
?We had a great response from our customers,? said Ed Kiley, sales manager. ?Everyone was excited to come to the movie and see the cars,? he added.
Brisby noted that many BMW owners become loyal BMW enthusiasts, a phenomenon on display Thursday.
BMW customer Kenneth M. Damato, of Montgomery, brought a bunch of buddies to see the movie for a guys night out. ?I love BMW?s,? he said, explaining that he went to a BMW dealership after becoming angry about another car he had. He walked out with a 7 Series, and has owned six BMWs since then.
His friend, James Humza, added, ?They are just great cars.?
Janice VanDerveer of Hillsborough attended the event with her son, Matthew, 18. She bought her first BMW in July: a BMW X3. ?I really like the heated steering wheel,? she said, adding that she was looking forward to seeing the film and the BMWs in it.
Matthew Johnston, of Long Valley, said he, too, was excited to see the movie. ?I love BMWs,? he said. ?I bought other cars before, but I switched to BMW in 2005, and I collect them.?
He currently owns six BMWs, and picked up his newest, a 6 Series, in Europe.
?I ordered it here, and went over there to pick it up. It?s really a nice experience. They gave me a tour of the factory, and I saw all of the different cars.? He said he drove his new car in Europe and then it was shipped home to him.
Brisby thanked those attendance, and said, ?It?s nice we had a big turnout, and the movie was very good.?
Wheels Unplugged – Thu, Dec 15, 2011The German luxury car maker BMW AG’s Indian subsidiary BMW India has been on a roll in Indian market for the last couple of years and the company has also overtaken its German rival Mercedes-Benz to take the top slot in luxury car market. Now it has been reported that BMW has rolled out 20,000th vehicle from its Chennai plant. Juergen Eder, Managing Director, BMW Plant Chennai was present when the 20,000th car rolled out from the assembly line at the plant.
Headquartered in Gurgaon (National Capital Region), BMW India is a 100 percent subsidiary of the BMW Group. According to the company, till date it has invested 1.8 billion Rupees. The wide range of BMW activities in India include the establishment of a production plant in Chennai, parts warehouse in Mumbai and development of a dealer organisation across major metropolitan centres of the country.
According to the company, the Chennai plant produces the BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series and the BMW X1 in petrol and diesel variants. The new BMW X3 is produced in diesel variants. The BMW Plant Chennai has the capacity to produce 11,000 units per year on a double shift basis. The total number of employees at BMW India is 650. Up to 1200 jobs will be created in the dealer and service network. Currently, BMW India is present at 25 locations in the Indian market. By end of 2012, BMW India will aggressively expand its dealer network by increasing the number of outlets to 40 across major metropolitan centers and emerging markets in India.
BMW Motorsports ALMS GT champion Joey Hand will drive for BMW in the 2012 DTM championship.
Reigning American Le Mans Series GT champion and BMW factory driver Joey Hand will compete in Germany’s DTM touring-car series with BMW next year.
The 32-year-old from Sacramento, Calif., had a strong year in 2011, scoring wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, while also claiming the ALMS GT drivers’ championship and achieving a podium finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Hand will join Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler and reigning DTM champion Martin Tomczyk under the BMW banner when the automaker makes its return to DTM competition after a 20-year hiatus.
“I am really looking forward to my new challenge in the DTM and thank BMW sincerely for the company's confidence in me,” Hand said in a team statement.
The Californian got his first chance to drive the new BMW M3 DTM last month at the Circuito Monteblanco in Spain, sharing the track with his new teammates.
“I immediately enjoyed the BMW M3 DTM,” he said. “Its downforce and carbon brakes are extremely impressive. I know some of the team members from the past, and was able to acquaint myself with the others in Monteblanco. Now I am looking forward to our close teamwork in future."
BMW Motorsports director Jens Marquardt added, “Joey has been a member of the BMW family for many years, and we are extremely pleased that he will now form part of our DTM project. During the test in Monteblanco with the BMW M3 DTM, he immediately proved to be very fast. We are convinced the addition of Joey to our lineup will substantially strengthen our project.”
The 2012 DTM season kicks off on April 29 at Germany’s Hockenheimring.
Get more car news, reviews and opinion every day: Sign up to have the Autoweek Daily Drive delivered right to your inbox.
Autoweek loves passionate comments and debate, but remember that you're part of a diverse community. Above all: be respectful. Critique statements, not people; talk about the automotive world, but skip the political rhetoric, hate speech, and obscenities. While we can't read every post, this site is moderated and Autoweek will remove comments as we see fit. Questions? Read our Terms of Use or email moderator@autoweek.com.
SIBU: A supervisor told police a thief smashed the windscreen of his BMW car parked near his office at Keranji Road to rob him of his company’s money amounting to over RM80,000.
He told police that together with his own money kept in the bag put under the car seat, the thief took more than RM90,000.
A CCTV fixed near the parking lot showed a stranger on a motorcycle smash the window on the driver’s side to take the bag placed under the seat.
In another theft, a female teacher returning from Kapit for the yearend holiday had her handbag snatched.
She lost RM500 cash.
The teacher had just withdrawn the cash from a bank in Tuanku Osman Road on Monday night.
As she walked out from the bank, the thief snatched her bag and ran away.
He did not target the gold necklace she was wearing.
In the latest Mission: Impossible film, Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, wows his team of special agents with a display of all the tech-laden new gear they’ll have for their next assignment, including a levitation suit. But he saves the best for last. “Wait until you see the car,” a smiling Cruise says. The reference is to the i8 concept, a next-generation supercar from BMW, which helps Cruise and co-star Paula Patton race through Mumbai traffic. The car’s appearance highlights the brand’s return to Hollywood after a hiatus of more than a decade.
The sponsorship of Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol, opening in U.S. IMAX theaters on Dec. 16 and nationwide on Dec. 21, comes at the expense of Volkswagen’s Audi brand, which aims to topple BMW as the luxury car leader by 2015. Propaganda GEM, the Hollywood product placement agency that helped Audi boost its image with high-profile car appearances in such films as I, Robot and Transporter 2 and 3, set up the deal for BMW shortly after ending a 15-year relationship advising Audi.
BMW is betting its participation in the fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, which has averaged 1.1 billion viewers per film, could help widen its lead over Audi. Forecaster IHS Automotive predicts BMW sales will climb 39 percent by 2015, to 1.86 million vehicles, 170,000 more than Audi. “Such blockbuster placements are scarce, and BMW is as integrated into the movie as Tom Cruise,” says Jean-Marc Lehu, author of the book Branded Entertainment and director of communication at Paris’s Panthéon—Sorbonne University. “It’s a win for the brand.”
BMW’s role, its first in a big-budget film since a Z8 roadster was cut to pieces in the 1999 James Bond feature The World Is Not Enough, is a reminder that Hollywood is now a mandatory destination for marketers. With DVRs and on-demand programs allowing consumers to skip television ads, becoming part of the content is key for brands to get noticed. “The consumer today is in charge of where and how they consume content,” says Ruben Igielko-Herrlich, founding partner of Propaganda GEM. “Companies are realizing the value of being where their customers are.”
In addition to featuring the upcoming i8, BMW uses the film to promote its current X3 SUV, 6-Series convertible, and 1-Series compact. In lieu of an upfront payment, the company promised to promote the film in its print and television ads, says Uwe Ellinghaus, head of brand management at BMW. A person familiar with such sponsorships who was not authorized to speak on the record values the deal at more than $10 million. “Mission: Impossible is a whole new dimension for BMW,” says Ellinghaus. “It’s what James Bond used to be.”
The winged-door i8, a plug-in hybrid that accelerates to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour in 4.6 seconds and can get 78 miles per gallon, will be introduced in 2014—but gets center-stage placement in the film. At the movie’s European premiere at the BMW Welt product showcase in Munich on Dec. 9, the i8 was prominently displayed at the end of the red carpet. Cruise spent more than 90 minutes signing autographs and schmoozing with fans. The film also has scenes that showcase BMW’s in-car communications technology and safety features, such as pedestrian avoidance. “We want to get out of this rat race of who has the fastest cars,” says Ellinghaus. “We want to show that we have the smartest cars.”
The bottom line: Several BMW cars appear in the latest Mission: Impossible movie. The automaker is believed to have spent $10 million promoting the film.
Reiter is a reporter for Bloomberg News in Berlin.
BMW has given the scale model treatment to the M3 GT2 art car designed by Jeff Koons. Somehow, his art just got a little more pop.
The automaker has been using cars as canvases since 1975, when Alexander Calder designed the paint job for a 3.0 CSL. Since then, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Jenny Holzer and others have painted 17 BMW art cars, all of which the automaker has offered as 1/18th scale miniatures.
The Koons car, which made its debut in June, 2010, is the latest headed to gearheads’ shelves. It features such details as steerable front wheels, a removable hood and an authentic silver interior with plastic seatbelts.
There’s good reason to take this one home. When the commission was first announced, our own Tony Borroz feared Koons wouldn’t be up to the task of creating an art car for BMW — perhaps the artist would just turn it into a balloon animal, or paste some erotic photos of himself on the hood. But Koons really got into the project, pleasing both the art and automotive realms and joining BMW for a few laps at Sebring.
The resulting car featured a vinyl wrap of bright colors, flying debris and lines suggesting motion, all of which combine to evoke the feeling of racing even when the car is parked.
“These race cars are lifelike, they are powerful and there is a lot of energy,” Koons said after the car was unveiled.
BMW says that only 5,000 models went on sale online and in select dealerships, though we weren’t able to find one for sale on their official online store. The company didn’t announce pricing for the Koons replica, but other model art cars sell for $160.
BMW’s DTM M3 roars around the Monteblanco test track. BMW is returning to DTM for the first time since 1996. (BMW Motorsport)
BMW Motorsport concluded three days of tests with its 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters M3 at the Monteblanco circuit near Seville, Spain Thursday, with three cars and five drivers representing four teams, turning laps and collecting data.
BMW drivers Martin Tomczyk, Bruno Spengler, and Andy Priaulx were joined by reigning GP2 champion and ex-F1 pilot Romain Grosjean, and F3 driver Marco Wittmann, collecting data for BMW Motorsport, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM, and BMW Team RMG, which will carry the BMW banner in the 2012 season of Germany’s version of NASCAR.
“We are very happy with this test,” BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said in a press release. “As expected, Martin had no problem adapting to the car; he was very quickly able to concentrate on the actual test program. Overall, the teams, with Martin, Bruno and Andy, were able to tick off all of the points on our list. Romain and Marco also gave valuable feedback. We took another big step forward with the development of our BMW M3 DTM.”
DTM is the most popular racing series in Germany and attracts big-name sponsors. Like NASCAR, the series uses purpose-built chassis clothed in modified bodies resembling popular street cars. Unlike NASCAR, the cars race only on road courses, and use high-tech engines.
The series started in 1984, with BMW wining the first championship, and winning again in 1987 and 1989. The original series ended in 1996; but when it restarted in 2000, BMW chose not to get involved. Mercedes and Audi, which dominated the original series, were so successful that by 2005 they were the only remaining manufacturers.
BMW had originally thought that the revived series would lack prestige, and chose to spend its money on international series and racing in North America—a huge market for all three manufacturers. But as DTM’s popularity has grown, and with rumors of a possible North American version linked with NASCAR starting in 2013, BMW decided to rejoin the fray.
BMW Motorsports is clearly serious about winning in DTM, as evidenced by their time spent testing in Spain, completing more than 1000 laps and focusing on component endurance, chassis setup, and electronic testing.
Martin Tomczyk, who won the 2011 DTM championship driving for Audi, said he was very positive about the tests. “It we continue like this, I have no doubt that the car will be competitive by the first race,” he said in the press release.
BMW The 2013 BMW 6-series Gran Coupe is pictured here in production guise for the first time.
The 2013 BMW 6-series Gran Coupe, pictured here in production guise for the first time, arrives just 20 months after it was previewed as a concept car at the 2010 Beijing motor show. It joins the existing coupe and convertible in an expanded range of 6-series models aiming to attract buyers who place greater emphasis on outright style than sheer practicality. It will make its public debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show.
Stylistically, the Gran Coupe is identical to the second-generation 6-series coupe and convertible, from its forward-leaning kidney grille to the upper trailing edge of its windscreen. However, the car adopts a longer roof structure, shorter front doors, more substantial B-pillars and two conventionally front-hinged rear doors, providing it with added levels of everyday practicality. But to maintain a degree of coupelike style, all four doors are frameless.
With a length of 197.1 inches, a width of 74.6 inches and a height of 54.8 inches, the four-door 6-series Gran Coupe is 4.4 inches longer--exactly the same width and just more than an inch higher than the 6-series coupe. Despite its stylistic links to BMW's upmarket two-door models, though, it rides on an altered platform boasting a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase at 116.9 inches--or almost the same as the 5-series sedan.
Inside, BMW has used the Gran Coupe's additional length and height to provide adequate seating for four adults, with the rear seat offering a third three-point belt to allow for up to five occupants--a layout the German carmaker describes as 4+1. Front and rear seats are mounted slightly higher than in the 6-series coupe and convertible, providing for improved visibility. Trunk space is 16.2 cubic feet, 2.1 cubic feet less than in the 5-series sedan.
BMW announced an initial choice of three engines, all mated to a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox, in line with the 6-series coupe and convertible and coming as standard with rear-wheel drive.
The entry-level 640i Gran Coupe runs a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 315 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, while the range-topping 650i gets a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 packing 445 hp and a sturdy 480 lb-ft of torque--good for a 0-to-62-mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph.
North America is among selected markets to receive the option of all-wheel drive, although it will only be offered on the 650i. It adds 165 pounds to the car's curb weight. However, added traction off the line sees the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe's 0-to-62-mph time lowered by 0.1 second over its rear-wheel-drive sibling.
Also available to European buyers but not planned for sale in North America is the 640d Gran Coupe. It gets the latest variant of BMW's widely used turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder common-rail diesel producing 313 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It has 0-to-62-mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds and has a 155-mph top speed.
Although BMW isn't prepared to officially confirm it just yet, Autoweek can reveal that plans also exist for two performance variants--both developed in partnership with the M division. Heading the charge will be the M6 Gran Coupe packing the M5's twin-turbocharged V8 with 560 hp. Also under development but unlikely to be sold in the United States is a performance-orientated M 650d xDrive Gran Coupe. It is earmarked to receive a new high-power version of BMW's tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with standard all-wheel drive.
In keeping with developments brought to sister models, the 6-series Gran Coupe uses an electromechanical steering system, automatic stop/start and brake-energy recuperation.
Among the standard features on models bound for North America will be BMW's driving experience control offering the driver three distinct modes--comfort, sport, sport-plus and so-called eco pro, dynamic damper control, xenon light for main and dipped beam along with LED daytime running lights and remote shift paddles for the gearbox.
Get more car news, reviews and opinion every day: Sign up to have the Autoweek Daily Drive delivered right to your inbox.
Autoweek loves passionate comments and debate, but remember that you're part of a diverse community. Above all: be respectful. Critique statements, not people; talk about the automotive world, but skip the political rhetoric, hate speech, and obscenities. While we can't read every post, this site is moderated and Autoweek will remove comments as we see fit. Questions? Read our Terms of Use or email moderator@autoweek.com.
TOKYO - Auto giants Toyota and BMW said Thursday they have agreed to collaborate on research for cleaner, next-generation car batteries, underlining the growing push in the industry for green technology.
The agreement brings together Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's No. 1 carmaker and a leader in gas-electric hybrids, and BMW AG of Germany, a European maker that has a strong luxury brand image in both Japan and Europe.
"We are now joining forces to further develop environmentally-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments," Norbert Reithofer, chairman of BMW, said in a statement.
The two automakers will also work on improving lithium-ion battery technology, typically used in batteries for electronic gadgets and relatively new to autos.
Toyota has struggled to find a good lithium-ion battery for its green cars and is using technology from Japanese electronics maker Sanyo Electric Co. in its latest plug-in hybrid, for which Toyota has recently started taking orders. Toyota had worked with Panasonic Corp. on a battery before the electronics maker acquired Sanyo, partly to get better lithium-ion technology.
"This collaboration will allow for the development of the next-generation battery faster and at a higher level," Toyota Executive Vice-President Takeshi Uchiyamada told reporters at a Tokyo news conference.
Toyota and BMW have been engaged in extended discussions on technology and plan to collaborate on other medium-term and long-term projects, he said.
BMW will also begin supplying "clean" diesel engines to Toyota in 2014 for models for the European market. Diesel engines for passenger cars are huge in Europe but have yet to take off in the U.S. or Japan, the two major markets where Toyota is strong. Toyota does not have enough clean diesel engines for its European offerings.
Under their agreement, BMW is supplying 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre fuel-efficient diesel engines for Toyota. They declined to give details on models.
The announcement was timed with the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to the public Saturday.
Competition in new batteries is expected to heat up in coming years amid growing concern about global warming. Governments around the world are offering tax breaks and subsidies to encourage electric cars and plug-ins.
BMW said it is entering its first collaboration with a Japanese automaker because of Toyota's prowess in hybrids.
Toyota has sold more than 3.4 million hybrids worldwide so far, including models other than the pioneering hit Prius.
Toyota does not have an electric vehicle in its commercial lineup, although it is planning one for next year, for commuting short distances.
Japanese rival Nissan Motor Co. has made EVs the pillar of its green strategy and has a head start, offering the Leaf electric car from last year.
But electric vehicles are still a fledgling technology, meaning the race has just begun and others like Toyota and BMW can play catchup.
Nissan has sold about 20,000 Leaf cars around the world so far.
Toyota and BMW executives said sharing research can speed up development.
"The agreement between our two companies marks a milestone for our future collaborations," said Ian Robertson, a BMW board member who oversees sales and marketing.
___
Follow Yuri Kageyama on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yurikageyama
HOT! Coup d'état? BMW Launches The All-New 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Over 150 Photos! - AutoSpies Auto News@import url(/includes/style.css); AutoSpies.com | Newsletter | RSS Automotive News Top NewsMost Recent Spy ShotsSpy NewsNew CarsMisc NewsPhoto GalleriesReviewsReport CardsVideosPollsRumorsAuto Sales Submit An Article Dealer Reviews Free Classifieds Search Listings Sell Your Car Galleries LA Auto ShowLA Auto Show PreviewSEMA ShowSEMA Show PreviewiPhone 4s Car Photo SamplesChengdu Auto Show-Clone City!California Auto ShowFrankfurt Motor ShowLeaked Frankfurt Motor Show GuideFrankfurt Motor Show PreviewConcours D EleganceConcours DElegance WeekendThe Quail EventConcorso ItalianoBimmerFest East 2011ComiconWaterfest Cars And Parades! Tribute To The 4th Of JulyConcours On Rodeo DriveConcorso dEleganza Villa dEste View more galleries… .gallistitem{vertical-align:top;text-align:center;}#globalGalleryList{margin:6px;padding:3px;border:solid 1px #666666;background-color:#E8E8E8;width:645px;}.gallisttitle{font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;padding:2px;color:#000000;}.gallisttitle a{font-size:16px;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;}.topphotos{width:100px;}.socialmediabox{margin:5px;border:solid 1px #666666;;width:350px;padding-bottom:5px;}#socialmediatitle{padding:4px;color:#000000;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;background-color:#E8E8E8;}12 Votes Boost it! HOT! Coup d'état? BMW Launches The All-New 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Over 150 Photos!Agent001 submitted on 12/10/2011 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 6:01:17 PM 9 user comments | Views : 3,002 | Category: Spy Shots | Source: www.autospies.com Tag Links: BMW Gran Coupe, Mercedes CLS, Audi A7
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Introducing the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe – a new 4-door, 4+1 seat addition to the 6 Series line that successfully combines the stunning proportions, design and driving dynamics of the 6 Series Coupe with interior room and amenities for up to five passengers. Harmonious proportions, precise lines and sleekly contoured surfaces give the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe the unique ability to satisfy the driver who wants a luxurious and sporty coupe yet needs a car capable of carrying four adults in comfort and luxury. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be offered as three distinct models in the USA. The TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder powered 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe is the initial model and arrives early this summer. Later in the summer, the TwinPower Turbo V-8 powered 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe and the all-wheel drive 2013 BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe will join the range.
We have the MOST photos of the new Gran Coupe of any site..over 150! Check them out by clicking the link below...
Full 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe Photo Gallery
Sporting a length of 197 inches (5,007 mm) and wheelbase of 116.8 inches (2,968 mm), the Gran Coupe is 4.4 inches (111 mm) longer than its 2-door coupe sibling. A significant part of this extra length has been used to enhance seating comfort for the rear passengers. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is also 74.6 inches (1,894 mm) wide and stands 54.8 inches (1,392 mm) in height. For comparison purposes, the Gran Coupe is 4.0 inches (102mm) longer, 1.3 inches (34mm) wider and 2.8 inches (72mm) lower than the BMW 550i.
The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, in keeping with the tradition of the 6 Series Coupe, offers a unique combination of top-class sporting dynamics, stunning design, luxurious touring comfort and a 16.24 cu. ft (460-liter) DIN luggage compartment – now for four passengers. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe’s signature driving experience is complimented by a range of innovative driver assistance systems and BMW ConnectedDrive infotainment features. The new car therefore meets the highest expectations of driving pleasure and style in a large, premium 4-seat sports coupe.
Its unmistakable design language gives the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe an aura of athletic elegance. The long powerfully contoured hood, short front overhang and set-back passenger compartment team up with a 4.4 inch (111 mm) increase in body length over the 6 Series Coupe and a 4.5 inch (113 mm) longer wheelbase present a fresh take on the hallmark proportions of a BMW automobile. The Gran Coupe’s distinctive profile is dominated by its four-door, elegantly stretched roof line which flows smoothly into the rear end, is a similarly eye-catching and distinctive feature of the new model’s silhouette.
Full downloadable press release
Full downloadable press release
Full 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe Photo Gallery
Most Viewed Photos on AutoSpies.com RIGHT NOW! 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe 2012 BMW 3-Series Launch Barcelona 2011s Turkeys Of The Year 2012 Porsche 911 USA LaunchLAST 5 GALLERIES About the Author
"They are being watched. We work in secret. They'll never find us."
— Agent001 (View Profile)
User Comments
This 6-series Gran Coupe is nothing but beautiful. In my dreams, Cadillac will bring back the STS name in the form of a 4 door coupe (yea, I know the trend is watered down)...
(I just HAD to mention Cadillac of course)
— LACMAN (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 6:16:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4
Totally agree. This car reminds me of a work of art. Great job BMW. This a home run!
— acronis (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 7:40:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2
well done BMW, classy!
— CarCrazedinCali (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 8:18:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1
Simply awesome! I would like to see more pics of the M sport version.
— BimmersNme (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 8:38:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1
Those were the only two so far.
We will post as soon as there are more.
001
— Agent001 (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 9:02:40 PM | | Votes: 1
as alain de cadenet would say, that individual interior looks "delicious"
— blazinboy (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 9:14:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1
Beautiful.
— JapanEngineeringNo1 (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 10:11:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1
Almost, but no cigar! Attractive, but no WOW factor. This is just a 6 series with 2 additional doors. BMW should/could have done a little more work on the exterior/interior to differentiate the Gran Coupe IMO.
— Monopoly (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 10:24:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0
Yes, no wow factor, agreed. Barely distinguishable from the 2-door coupe. As a matter of fact, barely distinguishable from the 5er. The interior looks great, though.
— senorgato (View Profile)
Posted on 12/10/2011 10:29:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1 Add your Comments
Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img] Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]
Email Me When Someone Replies To My Message Login | Sign Up Submit an article
Register to vote, post articles, write comments, and interact with fellow auto enthusiasts Photo Galleries
AutoSpies presents the best Auto Show Photos, Automotive Videos, Car Reviews and Hot Rides. Detroit Auto Show
Cars 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe2012 BMW 3-Series Launch Barcelona2011s Turkeys Of The Year2012 Porsche 911 USA Launch2013 Audi A4/S4Lotus Evora S Vs. Porsche Cayman R2012 BMW 3-Series Official Photos2012 BMW 3-Series Launch Munich2012 Car Of The Year Nominees2012 MINI CoupeJaguar C-X16 Concept2012 BMW 6 Coupe M-Sport And Z4 2.8iAston Martin V12 Zagato2012 Jeep Wrangler PentaStar2012 Toyota Camry2012 Porsche 911 Official Photos2012 MB SLK55 AMGCadillac Ciel ConceptEXCLUSIVE First Real Life Shots 2013 Lexus GSEXCLUSIVE First Photos Of Next Gen Lexus Interface Autoshows LA Auto ShowLA Auto Show PreviewSEMA ShowSEMA Show PreviewiPhone 4s Car Photo SamplesChengdu Auto Show-Clone City!California Auto ShowFrankfurt Motor ShowLeaked Frankfurt Motor Show GuideFrankfurt Motor Show PreviewConcours D EleganceConcours DElegance WeekendThe Quail EventConcorso ItalianoBimmerFest East 2011ComiconWaterfest Cars And Parades! Tribute To The 4th Of JulyConcours On Rodeo DriveConcorso dEleganza Villa dEste More photo galleries
Latest Articles HOT! Coup d'état? BMW Launches The All-New 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Over 150 Photos!First Look At The Next VW Phaeton. After Its History, WHY Would You Make Another?Will Godzilla be dethroned by baby Godzilla?Toyota lowers annual profit forecast 54% after Thai floodsAmericans And Germans Clean Up In 10 Best Engines Awards For 2011Mercedes-Benz Sets Sights On BMW in 2012 After "Trouncing" Lexus In 2011Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Get Turbo 2.0-Liter Targeting 270 hpFord ends 5-year dividend drought by declaring 5-cent payoutFord Recalls 128,000 Fusion And Milans For Wheels That Fall OffDo You Agree? Mercedes-Benz Thinks Now Is The Time To Bring Their Small Cars To AmericaSheby Supercars sells 10 Tuataras in Dubai: that's $13 million!Honda prepares a rival to the Nissan QashqaiSPIED: That Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG Isn't What It Seems...Is THIS The Next Generation VW Rabbit?VIDEO: Nissan's Juke-R Hits The Track, But Guess Who's PISSED It Actually Exists...Auto Spies.com Ups Its Social Networking Game - Stay Connected And Spread The SpyingIs THIS The KICK In The Pants That EVs NEED To Sell? Charging Made Easy...Testing Reveals Five Star Crash Ratings Unique To US and RussiaDodge Dart will receive an optional 9-speed transmissionNissan GT-R Track PackHouse Republicans Call Out Obama Administration On Suppression Of Volt IssuesA Good Idea? Lexus Ponders Shifting Production To USAudi Set To Be Number Two Premium Automaker In Global Sales For 2011Honda Admits To "Sleepless Nights" Over VW's Diesel Technology - Planning Lightweight AlternativeHuh? Audi To Focus On BMW X6 RivalBoth Ford And GM Handout Holiday Cheer With Latest Rounds Of BonusesCars Get Lighter While Drivers Get Heavier - Why Not Just Throw In a Treadmill To Shed Pounds And Save Gas?UAW To Focus On Nissan for Unionization EffortsDiesel Shootout: BMW 320d vs Mercedes C220 CDI Who Takes The Crown Now?G-Power upgrades the 2012 Bmw M5 More latest news var Scribol; if(typeof Scribol=='undefined'){Scribol={}; Scribol.frames=[];Scribol.site='http://scribol.com/';Scribol.is_preview=false;} Scribol.frames.push('318254'); AutoSpies.com About Us Contact Us Advertising Privacy Policy Terms of Use Dealer Reviews Auto News
Web Development by T-Tech Solutions LLC | Web Hosting by DealerRater.com
The scene of the crash near Sanson - Source: Fairfax 
BMW have recently released their new 3 Series and this is a crucial time for Audi who have recently also released the latest version of their A4 car. While the BMW is a brand-new vehicle, the new offering from Audi is just a facelift. The car has been given a more economical engine and there is a more at advanced entertainment system present in the car. The outside has also undergone some changes making it look a bit more modern.
LOOKING FOR CLUES: CID men with the suspect (centre) at a telecommunication shop looking for clues.
Home NewsU.S.SportTV&ShowbizFemailHealthScienceMoneyRightMindsCoffee BreakTravelColumnistsNews HomeArtsHeadlinesPicturesMost readNews BoardMy ProfileLogoutLoginFind a JobM&S WineOur PapersFeedbackMy StoriesSaturday, Dec 17 20119PM 0°C12AM-1°C5-Day Forecast Police ram BMW in high-speed car chase caught on camera
Hands up: Police point guns and the two suspects who were believed to be armed
Getaway: The carjacked BMW speeds along a rural road in New South Wales as it is filmed from a police helicopter
A police car catches up with the car and shunts it into the grass on the side of the road
The man and women are taken away for questioning by officers following a suspected carjacking and police chase
Back to top Navigation PopularHomeNewsU.S.SportTV&ShowbizFemailHealthScienceMoneyRightMindsCoffee BreakTravelColumnistsPopular searches in news:Daily Mail FacebookDaily Mail News TwitterDaily Mail Google+Daily Mail e-PaperLondon 2012Celebrity NewsUS ShowbizUS HomeSitemapNewslettersRSSArchiveText-based siteReader PrintsTop of page
Wheels Unplugged – Thu, Dec 15, 2011
The German luxury car maker BMW AG’s Indian subsidiary BMW India has been on a roll in Indian market for the last couple of years and the company has also overtaken its German rival Mercedes-Benz to take the top slot in luxury car market. Now it has been reported that BMW has rolled out 20,000th vehicle from its Chennai plant. Juergen Eder, Managing Director, BMW Plant Chennai was present when the 20,000th car rolled out from the assembly line at the plant. 
BMW Motorsports 
BMW’s DTM M3 roars around the Monteblanco test track. BMW is returning to DTM for the first time since 1996. (BMW Motorsport)
BMW 
/ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/Bmw%20car%20news/bmw%20cars%20news/P90087454_highRes.jpg)
Most Viewed Photos on AutoSpies.com RIGHT NOW!
/ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/Bmw%20car%20news/bmw%20cars%20news/button_fblogin.gif)
/ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/Bmw%20car%20news/bmw%20cars%20news/twitter_follow.gif){kind=small}
/ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/Bmw%20car%20news/bmw%20cars%20news/2011-LA-Auto-Show.gif)
AutoSpies.com About Us Contact Us Advertising Privacy Policy Terms of Use Dealer Reviews Auto News 