So the X6 Activehybrid was a complete failure. So what? You didn’t think BMW was just going to throw in the towel on this hybrid game, did you? Before I talk about their new entry, how about I talk about what went wrong with the X6 Activehybrid.

For starters, it was an X6, which means it was about as attractive as a Pontiac Aztek1. It also had a 400 lb weight penalty when compared to the already porky X6. Finally, it cost ninety thousand dollars. I’m more surprised that BMW actually brought this car to market, than I am about it being cancelled.

So, back to the business of today, the 2012 ActiveHybrid 5. Like the X6 ActiveHybrid, the ActiveHybrid 5 is no ordinary hybrid; it’s an ActiveHybrid. I kid, of course… that’s just BMW’s buzzword to make it seem cooler than it actually is. Let’s talk specs.

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Specs

• 335 HP2 twin turbo 3.0 liter six cylinder engine
• 55 HP electric motor
• Lithium ion battery pack
• Eight speed automatic transmission

BMW says ActiveHybrid 5 can travel 2.5 miles with the engine off, at a maximum speed of 37 miles per hour. The engine will also shut off when the car coasts, as is normal with full hybrid designs.

Fuel economy numbers aren’t available yet, but BMW is expecting “double digit increases” from the 20/30 mpg that the vanilla 535i gets. That could be as lame as 10%, though I’d expect it to be significantly better.

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BMW has four-cylinder engines coming to the Z4 and 5 series lines. These engines will be turbocharged, of course. This is BMW we’re talking about here, and power is not *optional*, but required. Anytime a manufacturer can increase fuel economy without sacrificing power, I’m certainly listening.

By swapping a turbo 4 for the traditional inline six, BMW is doing just that. These engines put out the same 240 HP we’re used to, but with 30% higher torque (260 lb-ft.) We don’t yet know how much better the fuel economy is, but surely it’s going to be a few MPG’s at the least. That is, if you can manage to stay out of the boost.

Normally when you downsize to a smaller engine, you get the added bonus of saving some money. Since we’re talking about a premium German automaker, that’s not the case here. In fact, BMW is charging about $2500 **more** for their four cylinder offerings. That, my friends, is what we call chutzpah.

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Want to see the upcoming 2012 BMW M5? Autoblog has the hookup. The V10 will be gone of course, replaced by the slightly less powerful twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8. Though this engine won’t exactly challenge the Prius for fuel-economy crown, it should manage a few more MPG’s than the outgoing V10. In the days of higher CAFE standards, every little bit helps.

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Fans of the V10 powering the current BMW M5 will be disappointed. Everyone else will be busy drooling over the shiny new 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood of the 2012 M5. Power is estimated to be somewhere in the 550-580 HP range – this engine is no slouch in the power department.

Technically this is a concept – but we’re talking about BMW here. This is the real deal. And it’s dead sexy. Just the right mix of classy and flashy… with a hint of the absurd power lurking underneath. Ahh, to dream.

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Say what now? That’s right, Motor Trend pitted a 2011 Mustang GT against a 2011 M3. Before seeing the video, and the numbers, you might think that’s absurd. Surely a lowly Mustang can’t even come close to the M3 in performance. You sir, would be dead wrong. Check out one of the key stat comparisons:

1/4 mile times:

M3: 12.8 seconds
Mustang GT: 12.7 seconds

Spoiler: The Mustang is faster, has better brakes, and handles better. Not to mention it costs drastically less. Check out the video below for the full comparison.

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Today BMW unveiled the 2011 X3 – the first time this mini-SUV has been redesigned since its release way back 2004. In other words, it’s about time.

Despite it’s level of luxury and driving dynamics, the first generation X3 was always a little akward looking. It seemed like BMW had a tough time translating their styling into the SUV form. With this redesign, that awkwardness seems to have disappeared. Instead, we have a quite attractive compact SUV.

The 2011 X3 has grown ever so slightly – it’s half an inch taller, 3 inches longer, and an inch wider. Under the hood choices are the following: a 240 HP 3.0 liter I6, or a twin-turbo direct injection 3.0 liter I6 good for 300 HP. No matter which engine you get, each 2011 X3 has a whopping eight speeds in the automatic transmission – now that’s fancy stuff.

Pricing and fuel economy ratings haven’t been released yet, but I’ll wager a guess. Like all BMW’s, you’ll pay dearly for the new X3. And, like all BMW’s, it’ll be thirsty. That said, it will be a fantastic driving SUV – you have to decide if it’s worth the cost.

2011 BMW X3 Gallery

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BMW is issuing a recall for certain X5 and X6 vehicles from the 2011 model year. Before you get all up in arms for your defective six figure luxury SUV, relax. The problem is – get this – an incorrect tire label.

Yup, a tire label.

See, both of these vehicles have 20″ wheels, but the labels say they are just 19″. That means that the recommended tire pressure on these labels is incorrect, which could be a safety issue.

BMW will provide new labels that owners can install for themselves. If you just can’t seem to lower yourself to applying a label to your vehicle, your friendly BMW dealer can take care of it for you.

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Having you been wanting a BMW 1 series, but the 135i just doesn’t cut it for you? Do you need more power, but still want the smallest BMW around? Your wait is almost over. Take a look at the upcoming 2012 BMW M1 – the baddest 1 series ever built.

Sure, BMW hasn’t even officially announced this car. It doesn’t matter. With an M3, M5, and an M6 already on the road, it’s only a matter of time before they release an M1. According to 1addicts.com , there will be some version of the twin-turbo I6 under the hood, though no word on estimated horsepower.

Call me crazy, but would it not be bad-ass if BMW finds a way to stuff the awesome 4.0 liter V8 from the M3 under the hood? Yea, I know.. crazy. It probably wouldn’t fit, given the M1′s small size. Ahh, to dream.

Check out the rest of the pics below.

Source.

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With the success of the M3, M5, and M6, many have wondered why BMW doesn’t make an M7?  After all, the M series is very well recognized as a serious performance division.  It just makes sense for BMW to carry this thinking to their top of the line model, right?

Almost.

See, there’s already an M7.  It’s just not actually called an M7.  Instead, it’s called the Alpina B7.  It is an M7 in all but name, and definitely doesn’t disappoint in the performance department.  Take a look at some quick specs:

2011 BMW Alpina B7 Specs

• 500 HP Twin-Turbo 4.4 liter V8
• 516 lb-ft of torque
• 6 speed automatic transmission
• 0-60 MPH in 4.5 seconds

Now, getting to sixty miles per hour in 4.5 seconds is serious business in any car.  Doing it in a huge luxury sedan is just plain sick.  The price of entry isn’t cheap though – base pricing is at a cool $122,875.  Of course, if you want to go with the long wheelbase version, that’ll cost extra.

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Interested, for some reason I can’t comprehend, in the monstrosity that is the 2010 BMW X6, but can’t get over the thirstiness? No? Well, someone must be, or at least BMW hopes someone is in that situation. For that mysterious customer, BMW created the 2010 ActiveHybrid X6. For the low, low, price of $89,775 ( starting ), one can pick up a gas / electric hybrid version of the X6.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Specs

• 400 HP 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8
• Twin electric motors, making 91 HP and 86 HP respectively
• Combined 480 HP and 575 lb-ft of torque
• 7 speed automatic transmission
• 0-60 MPH in 5.4 seconds
• Can run on electric motors only up to 37 MPH
• Roughly 20% improvement in fuel economy

I have no idea who the buyer for this vehicle is. Apparently BMW thinks that there will be enough to make it worth their while. We’ll see.

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