Let us start first by saying that we don’t even know what to name this highly classified BMW concept car that has been rumored for months to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It all started with a future Z2 Concept , then Vision Z or Z6/Z10 and more recently the M1 Concept Hybrid . As you can see, lots of names being thrown out there, some probably more realistic than others, but this what a marketing department has to do, create buzz, misinform sometimes and fish around for feedback. So, let’s go with the flow and continue down this path. The fellows at Edmunds InsideLine are jumping into this game as well and decided to render this concept based on their ideas and apparently, insider information. According to them, the idea behind the renderings was to create a design competing with the the Mercedes CLS or the Audi A7, not a coupe vehicle, but rather a sedan with a “coupeish” roof line. We do see some CS design elements in there and also plenty of design cues from the BMW concept spy shots revealed earlier this week. With just a month away from its unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the rumors and speculations around this new concept will continue to evolve and without a doubt, more renderings will follow. [Source: Edmunds ] View original here:  Edmunds renders the BMW Sports Concept Car

In the most competitive race of the season Dirk Mϋller and Tommy Milner drove the No. 92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team M3 to a third place finish today at the Acura Sports Car Challenge. The duo completed 107 laps in the two-hour-and-forty-five-minute race held at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course with Mϋller racing to the podium after a thrilling pass in the closing laps of the race. Teammates Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand finished eighth after a collision by a prototype car cost them one lap early in the race. Hand set the GT2 class fastest race lap, the first for the team this season. Almost immediately following the wave of the green flag an early caution slowed the field for the opening 22 minutes of the race. The race began in earnest after the restart with Tommy Milner holding the fourth position in the No. 92 M3. He passed for third on lap 14 as a light rain began to fall, but fell back to fourth as a fierce battle began between positions three through six. Bill Auberlen started the No. 90 M3 from the rear of the grid following a decision by the team to change tires before the start. The crew elected to pit him for fuel just before the restart so the Californian began the race off pit sequence to the rest of the GT2 class. Just after moving into eighth on lap 19 he was hit by a P1 class car and was forced to the pits for new tires, ultimately losing a lap. At the one hour mark, Milner had consolidated his hold on fourth, having completed 35 laps. He pitted on lap 50, handing the No. 92 M3 to Dirk Mϋller. Setting some of the quickest GT2 lap time of the race, Auberlen moved up to sixth as the balance of the GT2 field made their first pit stops. With one hour and thirty-five minutes complete, Auberlen pitted the No. 90 M3. Hand quickly got into the race, setting the fastest GT2 lap (1:21.969) on lap 67. The race settled in for some 40 minutes, but a late race charge by Mϋller had him within feet of third place in the final minutes. He made a great move under braking in turn one with five laps to go to bring home the team’s fourth podium finish of the season. Hand finished eighth. Bobby Rahal, Team Principal: “Dirk and Tommy did a great job in the No. 92 M3. We had to gamble a little bit with that last stop. We left the tires on eight laps...

A little more than a month from now, we will be seeing the unveiling of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It’s just very unfortunate for Mercedes-Benz that someone has leaked an entire set of pictures, providing us fans with a very good glimpse of the E-Class Estate version ahead of the show. In case you have forgotten, most if not all current E-Class engine will be available in the Estate version. Which means, the entire set of 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines. A 204-hp, turbocharged 1.8-liter and a 388-hp 5.5-liter V8 will be available among others. Check out the entire gallery Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. Related Posts 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate images leaked – well not really! We’ve seen many types of leaked images of upcoming models, but this leak might be one of the most … Official next-gen E-Class Coupe images leaked online Mercedes-Benz has some serious issues with models being leaked weeks if not months before they are… 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing photo leaked Mercedes-Benz has been teasing us for months now, not only did they publishing official photos of … The Mercedes C63 AMG Estate Facelifted 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG on German streets See original here:  2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate images leaked

This is one of the first shots from Audi. Audi is teasing fans before the unveiling likely to be in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. A 4.2L V8 is expected to be available in the A8 and a detuned V10 engine found in the Lamborghini Gallardo for the Audi S8. It is predicted that the S8 can have over 600hp. If you enjoyed this post, you should subscribe to our RSS feed . Also, you can subscribe by e-mail and get the latest news about cars, auto industry, concept cars, tuning in your inbox. It’s completely free! Subscribe to our Twitter to get the latest news. ShareThis Read more from the original source: New Audi A8 Teaser Picture See the original post here:  New Audi A8 Teaser Picture

What started as a rumor nearly two years ago, it has became reality: BMW will introduce a new model in the 3 Series family: 335i GT, short for Gran Turismo. Following the steps of the recent released BMW 5 Series GT and the newly confirmed 1 Series GT, the BMW 335i GT will hit the showrooms in 2011. Internally dubbed as V3 or Progressive Activity Coupe, the 335i GT is based on the new, slightly longer and cost efficient modular platform that will be used in the new  3 Series models, a platform that can be stretched or shrunk based on the vehicle.  335i GT sports a rear-end combination between a touring and a shooting brake model. The 3 Series GT will not feature the flexible trunk arrangement, but instead settling for a traditional trunk which provides increased  flexibility. The customer will be able to lift the glass area for easy storage and then have full use of a tailgate, as you would have in an SAV or Touring. The BMW 335i GT will provide increase personal luxury, something we’re currently seeing in the 5 Series GT. It will also offer back seat personalization, an optional bench or individual seating. 3 Series GT will receive the full Panoramic roof stretch from the front windscreen to the rear screen increasing the space. Sources talk about the 335i GT as being a very dynamic car that could be considered an alternative to the Touring model, but with a more personal feeling attach to it. The 3 Series GT vehicles will be powered by the award winning 3.0 liter six cylinder turbo gasoline and diesel engines, but additional powerplants will be offered in different markets. BMW’s upcoming four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is expected to be offered as an option as well. The BMW 335i GT will be competing with the upcoming 2010 Audi A5 Sportback, a five-door configuration concept much sleeker than traditional Audi Avant wagons. The first prototypes will start the testing on public roads in September and even though not confirmed at this time, rumors say that BMW might showcase the 3 Series GT as a concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show. [Source: Edmunds | Photo Rendering: Modtor ] Read more:  2011 335i GT confirmed by BMW

Description in Brief. • With its agile, versatile and modern character, the BMW X1 guarantees a new driving experience in the premium compact segment. It expands and enhances the range of BMW X models by yet another innovative vehicle concept. • Through its body design the BMW X1 demonstrates self-confident elegance, a versatile and sporting character, as well as spontaneous agility. For the first time the features and characteristics of a BMW X model are carried over in modern style into a unique vehicle in the premium compact segment. • The interior of the BMW X1 is characterised by clear function and trendsetting, modern style. The driver orientation so typical of BMW is additionally accentuated by the forward pushing lines within the cockpit area. Sophisticated materials and natural colours accentuate the youthful and dynamic flair of the vehicle. • The elevated seating position, a generous feeling of space, the wide range of storage options and the variable interior offer ideal conditions for enjoying the BMW X1 both in an urban environment and beyond, with agility, spontaneity and versatility of the highest calibre. Three full-sized seats at the rear offer generous space and freedom of movement. The rear-seat backrest is adjustable for angle and folds down in a 40/20/20 split. Luggage compartment capacity may be increased from 420 litres/14.7 cu ft to a maximum of 1,350 litres/47.3 cu ft. An electrically operated Panorama glass roof is available as an option. • Modern drivetrain technology gives the BMW X1 superior performance and supreme efficiency all in one. Depending on the model variant, the driver benefits from powerful, economical and low-emission gasoline and diesel engines, BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, as well as a wide range of BMW EfficientDynamics features including Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop, and a gearshift point indicator. The BMW X1 sDrive18d with rear-wheel drive and average fuel consumption to the EU standard of 5.2 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 54.3 mpg imp) and a CO2 rating of 136 grams/ kilometre offers the highest standard of efficiency all round. • The cutting-edge suspension technology featured in the BMW X1 comprises a double-joint thrust bar or, respectively, an aluminium double-joint...

Rolls Royce has just launched a dedicated website for its latest model, Ghost, which will be available this fall. Those visual configurators have been always available for all the BMW vehicles, so it was expected to see it for the Ghost model as well. The “visualizer” gives the options to learn more about the EX200/Ghost and also to select different color combinations, both interior and exterior. We have seen plenty of spy photos so far showcasing the exterior design, but there was a shortage of interior shots. As expected, the interior design is in-pair to company’s luxury standards, controls are neatly sculptured surrounded by chrome, and as usual, plenty of wood trim and fine leather. Now, you have the ability to combine all these options and see how they blend together. Those of you hoping to get a price associated with the options, well, you might have to wait a little longer, Rolls Royce has omitted to provide any pricing at this point. Expect to see the production model at the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall. Rolls Royce Ghost Configurator Read more: Rolls Royce Ghost configurator now online

An investment in the future: the Aerodynamic Test Centre. No other car maker is as committed as the BMW Group to making lasting and substantial investments in the enhanced efficiency of new models. Building the new Aerodynamic Test Centre, the BMW Group now has even greater competence and qualifications than before in the area of innovative technologies contributing in the medium and long term to the further improvement of all BMW and MINI models in their fundamental strengths and benefits. For optimisation of the car’s aerodynamic qualities improves both its performance and efficiency, as well as the driving stability offered by the car on the road. Precisely this is why optimum aerodynamics is already a fundamental factor today in the development of new models. Building the ATC, the BMW Group is giving even greater emphasis to the ongoing enhancement of aerodynamics as an essential cornerstone of the EfficientDynamics philosophy. Optimised aerodynamics have a direct impact on the car’s fuel economy and emission management, a reduction of air drag by 10 per cent offering the customer a reduction in fuel consumption on the road by more than 2.5 per cent – and even such an at first sight “insignificant” improvement is of great importance to the BMW Group as part of an overall package for the enhancement of efficiency. With BMW Group cars already offering excellent aerodynamic qualities today, further improvement and, indeed, optimisation, calls for a substantial investment. So making such an investment in the ATC, the BMW Group clearly expresses its intention to use all facilities also in future in order to improve both fuel economy and emission management to an even higher standard. The ATC offers new options and potentials in analysing the aerodynamic qualities of a car – and at the same time flexible processes applied at the ATC as well as its location in the immediate vicinity of the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) optimises the integration of all activities in the overall process of vehicle development. In future, therefore, the BMW Group’s aerodynamic specialists will be working next door and hand-in-hand with BMW’s designers, constructors, engine specialists and other experts. Over and above such enhanced integration into...

Another bad day at the office just about all you need to say to sum up the British Grand Prix from a BMW Sauber stand point. Once again the car suffered badly with tire heating issues from Friday onward. Robert Kubica had one technical issue after another in every practice session leaving him precious little time to track down the proper setup for the car. Silverstone was to be another step forward for the team with the introduction of a new front wing design, but it was soon clear that the F1.09 actually took a step backward. Heavy on fuel, no grip, light on fuel no grip and on it went.Starting from P12 for Kubica and P15 for Heidfeld it was clear that either one or both drivers would start the race very heavy on fuel, that fell to Kubica who with the combination of a heavy fuel load and the prime tire option to start the race hopped to gain a few spots through pit stops. That wasn’t to be the case as once again he could not manage to heat the tires and was painfully slow through cornering and almost 1.5 seconds a lap slower than a blisteringly fast Sebastian Vettel at the front. Heidfeld didn’t fair much better. Although he didn’t experience any technical problems during any practice session the inability to heat the tires was common to both cars adding at times up to .5s loss per lap. Once again for Heidfeld, he suffered contact on the first lap that sent a small piece of his front wing sailing off the track. By only a few laps later he received a call from his engineer to pit for a nose change because of a load loss at the affected site. Heidfeld made the decision to remain out and only pit as scheduled. It probably was the right call to stay out although his lap times suffered. If he had pitted that early, he would have re joined dead last and a good half a lap behind the car in front of him with no chance to recover anything. Despite the lack of pace in Silverstone, Mario Theissen is fighting on with some significant improvements slated for Germany and beyond. For more information on the BMW Sauber F1 team, please visit BMWF1blog.com View post: Formula 1: British Grand Prix Review