رد: Most unloved BMW M6 on Earth
 

CES 2009 Preview: FLIR helps BMWs detect pedestrians
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gadgets/" rel="tag">Gadgets</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ces/" rel="tag">CES</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/flir_ped_detect09_580.jpg " alt="" /><br /><br /><img hspace="4" border="0" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/flir_hdwr_09_250.jpg" alt="" /><a href="http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/content/splash1.cfm?id=7172">FLIR </a>, the maker of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/06/next-bmw-night-vision-system-can-detect-humans-in-the-dark/">BMW's night-vision system</a>, will be at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week showing off its PathFindIR thermal imaging camera. The company says its system isn't confused by oncoming headlights, works well in cold weather and can even see through fog, dust and smoke. <br /><br />FLIR also says its camera is based on the same technology used by the military to provide a <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">36&deg; field-of-view of the road ahead.</font><br /><br />We plan to check out the company's claims in the 6 Series they're bringing to CES. Maybe they'll even let us take it out and recreate that <a href="http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/stealth.asp">urban rumor</a> of 200-mph desert highway sprints with no headlights. No, probably not.<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/ces-2009-preview-flir-helps-bmws-detect-pedestrians/">CES 2009 Preview: FLIR helps BMWs detect pedestrians</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:36:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/content/splash1.cfm?id=7172>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/ces-2009-preview-flir-helps-bmws-detect-pedestrians/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1417767/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/ces-2009-preview-flir-helps-bmws-detect-pedestrians/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Rumormill: BMW 135i "SuperSports" model coming in 2010
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupes</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Sports/GTs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rumormill/" rel="tag">Rumormill</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453395/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/1-series_tii_580.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW 1 Series tii concept</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />According to a report originally posted at <a href="http://www.germancarzone.com/new-bmw-models-vehicles/27990-same-question-different-response.html">Germancarz one</a> and then repeated at BMW Blog, a certain Bavarian automaker is currently working on a new performance version of its 1 Series. Although it wouldn't be called an M1 -- since that moniker is <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/27/modern-retro-bmw-m1-homage-officially-revealed/">reserved for supercar status</a> -- the so-called 135i SuperSports would get a bunch of improvements, consisting mostly of lightweight body panels, a decontented interior, as well as an upgraded suspension and brake package. Power is said to come from the latest version of BMW's outstanding 3.0L turbocharged inline-six that's rated at 326-horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in the 2009 7 Series.<br /><br />We wouldn't be surprised to see the upgraded engine migrate down the line from its placement under the hood of the latest flagship, but we're a bit dubious that an upcoming lightweight SuperSports edition will see daylight beyond that. We'd rather see the 1 Series get these light weight mods (in a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/bmw-approves-tii-versions-of-1-and-3-series/">tii model</a> perhaps?) along with a smaller four cylinder engine option, complete with a price that's a bit easier to swallow than the current model. We're also still holding out hope for the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/bmw-123d-hanging-out-in-michigan/">123d</a>.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/">BMW Concept 1 Series tii</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453388/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii08_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453396/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii09_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453401/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii10_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453406/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii11_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-concept-1-series-tii-1/453398/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/concept_1er_tii12_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.germancarzone.com/new-bmw-models-vehicles/27990-same-question-different-response.html">Germancarz one</a> via <a href="http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/01/04/bmw-135i-coupe-supersports-model-to-be-launched-in-2010/">BMW Blog</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/rumormill-bmw-135i-supersports-model-coming-in-2010/">Rumormill: BMW 135i "SuperSports" model coming in 2010</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/01/04/bmw-135i-coupe-supersports-model-to-be-launched-in-2010/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/rumormill-bmw-135i-supersports-model-coming-in-2010/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1418590/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/rumormill-bmw-135i-supersports-model-coming-in-2010/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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VIDEO: BMW gives sneak preview of new X6 M
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossovers/CUVs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-a-sneak-preview-of-the-new-x6-m/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/x6m.png" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><small>Click above to watch video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-a-sneak-preview-of-the-new-x6-m/">after the jump</a></small></span><br /></div>
<br />The BMW X6 remains something of an enigma, specifically, why does it exist? Nonetheless, it does and BMW is working on additional variants including a two-mode hybrid for release later this year and an M version. We don't have much detail yet on the X6 M, but BMW has put a video up on YouTube with Bernd Limmer from M GmbH demonstrating a prototype. The X6 M will evidently have a higher output version of the current twin turbo V8, probably hitting the magic 500 hp mark. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system is also being re-jiggered to send more torque to the rear axle. That should help reduce the understeer that the nose heavy V8 X6's are prone to. So far there is no word on when we will see the X6 M in the flesh, but either the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/Geneva-Motor-Show/">Geneva Motor Show</a> in March or <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/Frankfurt-Motor-Show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a> in September seem's likely. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-a-sneak-preview-of-the-new-x6-m/">Follow the jump</a> to see the X6 M for yourself in high-res video. <em>Thanks to xeyad for the tip!</em><br /><br />[Source: <a href="http:// http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVuhD2zLF0">YouT ube</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-sneak-preview-of-new-x6-m/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: BMW gives sneak preview of new X6 M</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-sneak-preview-of-new-x6-m/">VIDEO: BMW gives sneak preview of new X6 M</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVuhD2zLF0>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-sneak-preview-of-new-x6-m/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1418863/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/video-bmw-gives-sneak-preview-of-new-x6-m/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series Touring
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/wagons/" rel="tag">Wagons/Estates</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://globalmotors.net/spotted-2010-bmw-5-series-touring/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/bmw5_trg.jpg" /></a>Who needs a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/report-bmw-green-lights-5-series-progressive-activity-sedan/">5-Series PAS</a> when you've got one of these? The next BMW 5-Series Touring is out testing, and despite the fact that it looks as long as a football field and it's buried under cladding, it doesn't look awkward or ungainly - something that cannot exactly be said for the coming <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/28/spy-shots-e-class-wagon/">Mercedes E-Class wagon</a>. <br /><br />The BMW wagon isn't expected to debut until the latter portion of 2010, but there are hints that the car will get the 400 hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 - perhaps for an M Touring assault on Mercedes' E63 AMG wagon? The family carrier is also hinted to offer turbodiesels and three transmission options: 8-speed automatic, 7-speed DKG, and 6-speed manual.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://globalmotors.net/spotted-2010-bmw-5-series-touring/">Global Motors</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/spy-shots-bmw-5-series-touring/">Spy Shots: BMW 5-Series Touring</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://globalmotors.net/spotted-2010-bmw-5-series-touring/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/spy-shots-bmw-5-series-touring/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1418530/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/spy-shots-bmw-5-series-touring/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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MINI E: An American sellout?
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Economy</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchbacks</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mini/" rel="tag">MINI</a></p><a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/mini-e-live-reveal/1167112/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/mini-e-plinth-580.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI E's unveiling</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />Is the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/la-2008-live-reveal-of-the-mini-e-in-beverly-hills/">MINI E</a> sold out? If by "rented through," yes, it looks like you may have missed your opportunity to be a beta tester for BMW's new electric Cooper.<br /><br />BMW is leasing around 500 of the diminutive hatchbacks at a cost of $850-a-month (including insurance) for one year in the New York/New Jersey metro area as well as Southern California, and according to a new Bloomberg News story, applicants for the program have outnumbered the cars by more than a 4-to-1 ratio, though there is always the possibility that not all of the cars have been doled out yet.<br /><br />If you're still pondering how you might be able to muscle your way to the front of the queue, be prepared for some changes from your everyday motoring routine. For one, the MINI E's range is limited to 120 miles, at which point you'll have to plug the car into the 220-volt outlet you've had installed in your garage. If you're stuck away from home, you can plug the MINI E into a 110-volt wall outlet, but be prepared to wait-a charge takes about 26 hours (versus around three for the 220-volt outlet). Beyond that, expect for MINI to require you to keep track of your driving experience with a diary and various online surveys.<br /><br />Despite all of the various hoops to jump through, we're not at all surprised to learn that the opportunity to noiselessly motor about in a zero-emissions Cooper has charmed more than 2000 lease applicants. Given the brand's fanatical (and generally well-heeled) following, we're almost surprised that the number isn't higher. So don't feel bad if you applied for a MINI E of your very own, only to get turned down. Besides, there's always the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/21/pml-s-mini-qed-boasts-640-in-wheel-electric-horsepower/">PML MINI QED</a>...<br /><br />
<br />[<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=alR Dfve6had0&refer=germany"> Bloomberg News</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mini-e-sold-out-in-america/">MINI E: An American sellout?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mini-e-sold-out-in-america/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1419766/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mini-e-sold-out-in-america/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Mercedes tries to burst Shuanghuan's tiny Bubble, gives up
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupes</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Economy</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/china/" rel="tag">China</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Euro</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchbacks</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mercedes-benz/" rel="tag">Mercedes-Benz</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/smt_bbl_crt.jpg" /><br /><br />Mercedes <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/21/mercedes-may-sue-over-chinese-smart-clone/">decided to sue Shuanghuan Automotive</a> for copyright infringement for its Bubble microcar (called the Noble in China), claiming it was a copy of the smart fortwo. BMW then decided to bring its own <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/27/bmw-joins-smart-in-threatening-copy-cat-chinese/">case against Shuanghuan</a>, citing the Shuanghuan CEO as a blatant facsimile of the BMW X5 (that's the CEO on the wall in the above picture). Mercedes got the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/01/daimler-blocks-debut-of-chinese-smart-clone/">Bubble banned from display</a> at a couple of auto shows, BMW won its copyright infringement lawsuit in Munich, and Mercedes sued the Bubble's importer, Martin Motors of Italy, to block sales of the car.<br /><br />It was all looking good... until BMW lost its case in courts in Munich and in China. The Italian court ruled that "consumers could not get confused" when similar vehicles are offered "with a significant price difference." With BMW cold knocked out in the Copyright Cage Match, Mercedes has been left alone in the octagon with Shuanghuan bearing down on it. It also hasn't helped that Italian commentators have already said <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/11/good-idea-smart-clone-importers-violate-court-injunction-at-bol/">they don't think the two cars will be confused</a>. <br /><br />Now Mercedes is looking for an exit. Martin Motors countersued Mercedes for &euro;100,000,000 - around $134.2 million USD - citing potential lost Bubble sales (that's a lotta Bubbles), and Mercedes doesn't want to lose its case and have to fork over colossal damages. Both sides expect the case to be resolved in a couple of weeks, and Bubbles are expected to go on sale this summer. <br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.motorauthority.com/daimler-on-verge-of-settling-smart-fortwo-clone-car-suit-in-europe.html">Motor Authority</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mercedes-tries-to-burst-shuanghuans-tiny-bubble-gives-up/">Mercedes tries to burst Shuanghuan's tiny Bubble, gives up</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.motorauthority.com/daimler-on-verge-of-settling-smart-fortwo-clone-car-suit-in-europe.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mercedes-tries-to-burst-shuanghuans-tiny-bubble-gives-up/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1419797/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/mercedes-tries-to-burst-shuanghuans-tiny-bubble-gives-up/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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