Motorsport fans around the world have much to look forward to from BMW in 2011.  On the two-wheeled front, the hottest action will happen in World Superbike competition – the world’s premiere production-based motorcycle racing. Last year was seen as a success by the BMW camp with team Motorrad taking one Pole position and a second place finish during the season, finishing half way down the points board.  2011 promises much more with clear objectives for the team’s first race win, and then some. Joining Leon Haslam and Troy Corser on the grid will be James Toseland and Aryton Badovini, both riding WSBK spec S1000RRs.  Officially, BMW will share technology including engine and electronics updates with the Italian team, with the expectation of data sharing and feedback from the Italian team.  While it’s unlikely that team Italia will better the factory team, this remains to be seen – Toseland is, after all, a two-time WSBK world champion. Below is BMW’s official press release: Munich/San Donato Milanese. BMW Motorrad has announced the entry of Team BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike in the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship. The team will debut with riders Ayrton Badovini (ITA) and James Toseland (GBR) and will receive technical support from the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team, which is providing engines and electronics for the BMW S 1000 RR. The team will be led by Andrea Buzzoni, Director of BMW Motorrad Italia and Manager of the Superbike project;Serafino Foti, who will serve as Sporting Director; and Gerardo Acocella as Technical Director. In 2010, BMW Motorrad Italia made its debut in international competition and won both the riders’ and constructors’ titles in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, with Ayrton Badovini as lead rider for the team. The Italian squad will also continue in this series with Lorenzo Zanetti (ITA). “BMW has it in its DNA to constantly seek maximum performance and innovative solutions, comparisons and teamwork, respect and trust, as well as a clear strategic orientation towards the objective,” says Christian Kremer, CEO of BMW Group Italia. “We will be entering the FIM Superbike World Championship with the same professionalism and enthusiasm demonstrated to date; and we are sure...

Try buying a 4×4 truck with the options and colors you want off the dealer’s lot in Dallas, Texas. Odds are you’ll find the options and colors in rear wheel drive only because 4×4′s don’t sell as well as 2x4s in Texas. Why do you need a 4×4 in Texas? So why do SUVs have to be 4×4′s or All Wheel Drive? In fact, at the entry end of the segment, many Cute Utes are available in two wheel drive (predominately front wheel drive since the small SUVs seem to be developed off passenger car platforms). But the X1 is available in sDrive in several world markets. The advantages to rear wheel drive are numerous. The best advantage being a strict split of work between front and rear axles. The RWD variant will feel better to the knowledgeable driver than the AWD model. That and there’s a weight advantage and potentially a better price too boot. The question that has to be asked is do you need all wheel drive? Since most SUVs are rarely taken off road, and real snow tires make a rear wheel drive vehicle acceptable in snow, why would you need the expense and weight of AWD? And what if you live in a section of the country that rarely sees snow? The new X3 is a much better vehicle than the one it replaced, and it would be neat if BMW could make it even better by offering an X3 sDrive variant. A sweet driving, ‘command view’, easy to get in and out of – a requirement for aging boomer babies – car that doesn’t have the weight or price penalty of the xDrive version. So this calls for a poll! Would you be interested in an X3 sDrive? And if so, where do you live? Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll. The rest is here: Poll: BMW X3 sDrive? Why Not!

In 2008 when BMW launched the X6 Sports Activity Coupe, the Munich-based automaker went under fire for the continuous expansion of their X-models. The BMW X6 SAC created a new demographic, a niche that soon became attractive to other automakers as well. The X6 was marketed as a Sports Activity Coupe and combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all wheel drive and all-weather ability, large wheels and tires) with the stance of a coupé (bold styling, dramatic sloping roof). While slightly longer and wider than the X5, the X6 sits significantly lower and seats only four people, a feature that many started to criticize. Soon the X6 became a hit for the company with most of the units heading to China, Eastern Europe and Middle East. While not a volume seller, the X6 was often hard to find on dealers’ lots. In December 2010, BMW of North America reported 30.8 percent sales increase, exactly 561units. Globally, the company sold 4,018 units in December 2010. Today, Audi announced they are considering an X6 competitor. Audi’s Head of Design Wolfgang Egger talked to the press about a sport crossover rival to the BMW X6. “It has been a big success in China, where it’s become a second car driven by women. There, it’s a female sports car.” According to Egger, the forthcoming Audi Q3 will be a step in this direction, but the automaker could still go further to compete with BMW. Last year, Mercedes-Benz also announced a competitor for the X6. Dubbed GLC , the coupe-crossover is due to launch sometimes in 2014. [Source: LeftLaneNews ] Here is the original post: Audi plans BMW X6 competitor

This Tiguan-based crossover likely won’t make it to our shores. Premium carmakers are filling the compact crossover market in a hurry, fulfilling the desires of a market that wants an alternative to traditional cars without the weight and fuel-economy penalties of larger vehicles and engines. Audi has chosen this April‘s Shanghai auto show for the unveiling of its latest such offering, the Q3. Keep Reading: 2012 Audi Q3 Spy Photos – Future Cars Related posts: 2012 Audi S7 Spy Photos – Future Cars 2012 Audi A6 Spy Photos – Future Cars 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe Spy Photos – Future Cars Go here to read the rest: 2012 Audi Q3 Spy Photos – Future Cars Go here to read the rest: 2012 Audi Q3 Spy Photos – Future Cars

Hamann reveals their own interpretation of the M Sport Package for the new BMW 5 Series. In this initial stage, Hamann included updates to the front and rear bumpers, and changes tot he exhaust system. The front bumper features the aggressive look seen on the official package from BMW. Same sporty look appears at the rear as well. The Hamann package includes the HAMANN 4 tailpipe rear muffler. Other changes include the Hamann side skirts. Details remain scarce at the moment, but the German tuner will reveal their 5 Series at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Read more from the original source: Hamann reveals M Sport rear and front bumper for BMW 5 Series

BMW of North America released today to its US dealerships the order guide for the new 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Back in December , BMWNA published an initial ordering guide that outline the standalone options and packages available for ordering. The updated version comes with small changes. The BMW Assist with Bluetooth and the iPod/USB adaptor become standalone options, rather than part of the Premium Package. Unfortunately for BMW customers, one option that has been labeled as important among consumers, Navigation System, remains part of the Convenience Package. In order to get the Navigation system, one has to pay for the Convenience Package which can only be ordered with the Premium Package, one that will most likely be quite expensive. Comfort Access and Rear Parking Distance Control are also part of the same Convenience pack, two options that have always been sold as standalone options in other models. Final pricing is expected to come out next week and we don’t expect any other changes in the final ordering guide, at least not for the initial orders. While the changes don’t affect us directly, we have always planned for a stripped down 1M, we can see how this becomes an inconvenience for many US customers who now have to choose between a bare stock 1M or one that is fully loaded. See the original post here:  BMWNA releases the BMW 1M Ordering Guide

2005 GM Sequel concept GM India is looking to triple production by 2013. Chevrolet’s aim of 300,000 sales follows as India’s economy and demand for cars remain very strong. 2010 saw sales rise 59%, to 110,804 units. In order to increase sales, Chevrolet will introduce six new vehicles within the next two years, including a diesel engined Spark city-car and two new commercial vehicles, according to CEO Karl Slym. Some Chevy models in the Chinese line-up have also been introduced into the Indian car market, with profit shares predicted to rise by 5%. The launch on the commercial vehicle sector should be productive. According to Slym: “In India, 40% of the overall sales of the market are in commercial vehicles, and we don’t sell in that market. That is a big, huge growth area.” See the rest here: GM to triple production by 2013 (IN) More:  GM to triple production by 2013 (IN)

The inevitable has happened! The Mini Paceman will be added in 2013 to Mini’s ever growing range. While details are restricted, BMW’s chief executive and design & development, Klaus Draeger said the Paceman will be produced alongside the Countryman in Graz, Austria by Magna-Steyr and will go into production in 2012, before its launch in 2013. Mini has set a yearly production figure if 20,000 units. The Paceman concept is powered by a turbocharged 1.6 litre petrol engine, developing 208bhp (211PS/155kW) and 260Nm (192lb-ft) of torque. A wide range of engines and drive configurations will be offered. Read the original post: Mini Paceman to launch in 2013 See the original post here: Mini Paceman to launch in 2013

It’s been 60 years since Toyota launched the Land Cruiser SUV. To celebrate this landmark, Toyota is releasing a special edition ‘60th Anniversary’ trim-level on both the regular Land Cruiser and the V8 model. The regular Land Cruiser is powered by the same 3.0 D4-D diesel engine, but is now Euro5 compliant. The Land Cruiser 60th Anniversary replaces the outgoing flagship LC5 grade and features 18” alloy wheels, privacy glass, leather interior w/electrically adjustable and heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers w/dusk sensor, front and rear parking sensors w/rear-view camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, HDD satellite navigation system w/17 speaker JBL surround sound, chrome front fog light surrounds, chrome exhaust pipe, and bespoke badging and mats. This will start at £49,950. The V8 60th Anniversary model starts at £61,950 and adds black leather interior, rear cabin entertainment system, chrome side trims, and 60th Anniversary badging, in addition to standard specification like DAB digital radio, 20” alloy wheels, 6 disk DVD autochanger, and 14 speaker JBL surround sound system. The 3dr model arrives in entry-level LC3 guise and is equipped with 17” alloy wheels, 6 speed manual, climate control, keyless entry and start, Bluetooth, and front fog lamps. This is priced at £30,395. To date more than five million Land Cruiser models have been sold in 188 different countries and regions worldwide. Here is the original: Toyota unveils 60th Anniversary Land Cruiser, introduces new 3dr model (UK) Read more:  Toyota unveils 60th Anniversary Land Cruiser, introduces new 3dr model (UK)

Based on the most recent spy photos, the folks over at Gmotors took a shot at rendering the next generation BMW 1 Series Hatchback. The F20 1 Series goes on sale in early 2012 and the official unveiling will take place at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The next generation 1 Series will be available in three and five door variants with both variants using the new modular/expendable platform. The backbone of these models was designed especially for this purpose so every model can have a variation backbone, simply be moving suspension points and firewalls to areas that will benefit each vehicle. Corroborated with more parts sharing, this new approach will allow BMW to reduce even more the production costs. The rendering below shows an adventurous and dynamic look, with some design elements reminding of the 5 Series GT. We expect the 1er to have a more aggressive look, fitted to the 1 Series bodystyle. Inside, our sources confirmed that the steering wheel design and dashboard controls align with the current design language at BMW, including the new LCD screen that takes a similar stand as the one recently displayed in the new 6 Series Concept. The car will inherit some cues from the 5 Series, taking the sometimes criticized 1er interior to higher luxury levels. The 1er will remain a rear-wheel drive vehicle and shares the same L7 architecture as the next 3 series. At the same time, the L7 has the flexible firewall location geometry that will allow it to accommodate FWD, RWD, or AWD models. We expect the first official photos to hit the web sometimes in August. [Source: Gmotors ] More here: Latest Rendering: 2012 BMW 1 Series Hatchback

Press Release: From autumn 2011, all new BMW cars can be equipped with an innovative traffic information system to ensure that sheer driving pleasure is compromised as little as possible by tiresome traffic jams and tailbacks. Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI) has been developed by BMW ConnectedDrive for BMW navigation systems. It delivers unique dependability and accuracy in the automotive sector when generating, transmitting and applying information on the latest traffic situation in real-time. This data is used for calculating the most efficient route and making any subsequent detour recommendations. BMW ConnectedDrive customers are able to use RTTI as a premium alternative to the continually available Traffic Message Channel (TMC). The key benefits are as follows: faster and more comprehensive data communication via cellular networks and the SIM which is integrated in the vehicle. In addition to motorways and major roads, the new system also covers country roads and numerous inner-city links. Considerably more data are taken into account for analysing the traffic situation and they are also updated more frequently. In the future, BMW drivers will receive precise information about the traffic situation on a potential diversion route in addition to warnings about traffic jams on the current route. Unexpected delays occurring on the alternative route are thus a thing of the past. Instead, the navigation system always seeks out the fastest route to the driver’s selected destination, even under the most adverse conditions. This very tangible benefit for streamlined journeys compared with previous bulletins about tailbacks is based on the significantly increased volume of data that can be used for analysing the traffic situation. Apart from the traffic reports provided by the police, only a limited number of sensors are available on motorways and arterial roads so far, whereas the future will see both moving and stationary vehicles providing data that indicate the latest status on traffic flow and congestion. Apart from truck fleets operated by freight forwarders and taxis with navigation systems linked to a control centre, mobile phones carried in vehicles will also deliver data that indicate traffic jams or tailbacks. The dynamic network connections of cellular...

BMW continues to build the anticipation leading towards the unveiling of a new concept at the Geneva Motor Show. BMW ConnectedDrive Concept is rumored to showcase the latest advancements in the ConnectedDrive area. While details are scarce at the moment, we predict that BMW will demo some of their latest car-to-car communication features, road safety technology and many others. A new video released on BMW Youtube channel illustrate some of the new things available in future vehicles. One of them is Follow-Me, a feature that connects your car to the playlists you have in your home. By using cloud storage technology, your BMW could access any music that is available on your home computers or media devices. Mood-Based Playlist features works in a similar way as Pandora, the popular application and internet radio that plays tunes based on the genre you choose. Mood-Playlist allows you to select your mood as you enter the vehicle and the application will download music from the internet that matches your personal mood. As far as the ConnectedDrive concept, the  ConnectedDrive Futurelab website gives a short teaser description of the new vehicle: “2011 is also the year in which we are setting the course for the future. Initial insights are already available to you now in the FutureLab from BMW ConnectedDrive. Or soon right here, with an extraordinary vehicle, which will once again revolutionize driving in terms of comfort, infotainment and safety. Exactly as you have come to expect from BMW”. Read the original here: BMW ConnectedDrive Concept: Seamless Media Access

It’s that time again. Time to identify the vehicle that houses the shifter seen here. Leave your answer in the Backfires comment section by mid-day Wednesday. The first person to correctly guess this week’s shifter will win a Save the Manuals sticker and magnet. Related posts: Name That Shifter, No. 1: Lamborghini Diablo Name That Shifter, No. 5: Peugeot 605 Name That Shifter, No. 7: Honda Prelude Read the original here: Name That Shifter, No. 10 View original here: Name That Shifter, No. 10

In the sports car world, the most emotional colour (or color for the large American audience) would likely be judged as red. Signifying passion and desire, the colour red is famously exhibited on the shapely, aerodynamic bodies of the most popular high-performance sports cars. However, as lovely a radiant red strikes at the heart of speed enthusiasts, the dark colour of black lures sports car fans presenting mystery and elusiveness. The Batmobile, Knight Rider’s KITT and the famous #3 GM Goodwrench stock car of Dale Earnhardt continuously fuels character behind the colour tone. For the 2012 model year, Porsche has channeled the tone into a special limited run 911 Black Edition. Recently announcing a very limited edition Porsche 911 Speedster and the 911 Carrera GTS, the 911 Black Edition doesn’t present specific weigh-savings or performance enhancements but rather a presentation of the Porsche 911 at its best. To be offered in coupe and convertible body styles, a total of 1,911 examples for this Porsche 911 will begin to go on sale in spring. Coated with one of two exterior shades (Solid Black or a Basalt Black Metallic), the 2012 Porsche 911 Black Edition sails with a stealth-like appearance broken only by the vehicle lighting and the chrome exhaust tip framing. Riding on 19-inch 911 Turbo II forged wheels matching titanium and black together, the 2012 Porsche 911 Black Edition theme is continued to the four-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers. Black with a black interior, this special edition Porsche 911 cabin allows aluminum-painted air vents, steering wheel spokes, gear lever and dashboard to contrast the darkened environment. The biggest gain of the Porsche 911 Black Edition interior is the inclusion of high-technology infotainment gear. Giving the driver or passenger access through a center column-mounted called PCM (Porsche touch screen Communication Management). XM satellite radio, XM NavTraffic and a GPS-based navigation controls are easily in reach. Completed with a Bose Surround Sound speaker system, the interior equipment of the 2012 Porsche 911 Black Edition is said to provide customers around $6,000 of cost-savings. A base 2012 Porsche 911, the rear-mounted 3.6 liter flat-6 engine finds 345 horsepower available as rear wheel motion...

Ford has cracked the code on the C-segment and returned the Focus’s honor. Ford was keen that we drive a preproduction 2012 Focus out of the public eye. That’s how we wound up near Potrero, California, separated from the Mexican border by nothing but a rocky brown hill. Well, that’s not exactly true. Between us and the border also stood an armada of maybe 500 U.S. Border Patrol vehicles, enough that any illegal alien probing the landscape would knock himself unconscious on a government-issue Ford Excursion or Chevy Suburban. We represented an additional hazard to cranial health, madly hurling a navy-blue Focus back and forth along State Route 94. Our progress was surely tracked by scores of agents wielding monster binoculars, who twice halted us at hastily erected roadblocks for “curiosity checks.” Which is how we became the very public spectacle that Ford so fervently hoped to avoid. Victory. (Once its cover was blown, we photographed the Focus in remote downtown L.A.). Keep Reading: 2012 Ford Focus U.S.-Spec – First Drive Review Related posts: 2012 Ford Focus Euro-Spec – First Drive Review 2012 Ford Focus – First Look 2012 Ford Focus – Auto Shows Original post: 2012 Ford Focus U.S.-Spec – First Drive Review Excerpt from:  2012 Ford Focus U.S.-Spec – First Drive Review