BMW to show off 50th anniversary edition Minis in Frankfurt
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</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>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rolls-royce/" rel="tag">Rolls-Royce</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/mini-50-mayfair/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mini_frankfurter.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><small style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden -- Click above for high-res image gallery</small><br /></div>
<br />BMW has a number of splashes planned for this year's Frankfurt Auto Show, one of the biggest being Mini's 50th birthday celebration. As part of the "What a birthday. It's MINI" celebration, Mini will bring the special edition <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/mini-50-mayfair-and-50-camden-celebrate-50-years-of-tiny-cuddly/">50 Mayfair and 50 Camden</a> to the show -- as well as a ginormous birthday sign. The Minis get a "jubilee placard" on their noses, and an ear-splitting audio system run by the new "Mission Control."<br /><br />Elsewhere at the BMW group stands will be the entire Rolls-Royce line, featuring the Ghost, and BMW itself will have the entire Efficient Dynamics fleet running on a circuit, including the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and BMW ActiveHybrid X6. You can read all about it after the jump, and don't forget to take a cupcake to Mini if you're at the show. <br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-mayfair/low/">MINI 50 Mayfair</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-mayfair/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/camdenmini000_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-mayfair/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/mayfairmini000_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-mayfair/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/mayfairmini001_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-mayfair/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/mayfairmini002_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-mayfair/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/mayfairmini003_thumbnail. jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-camden/low/">MINI 50 Camden</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-camden/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/camdenmini000_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-camden/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/camdenmini001_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-camden/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/camdenmini002_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-camden/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/camdenmini003_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-50-camden/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/camdenmini004_thumbnail.j pg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: BMW]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/bmw-to-show-off-50th-anniversary-edition-minis-in-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW to show off 50th anniversary edition Minis in Frankfurt</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/bmw-to-show-off-50th-anniversary-edition-minis-in-frankfurt/">BMW to show off 50th anniversary edition Minis in Frankfurt</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:07:00 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/2009/08/01/bmw-to-show-off-50th-anniversary-edition-minis-in-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19114501/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/bmw-to-show-off-50th-anniversary-edition-minis-in-frankfurt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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REPORT: BMW will create new electric vehicle sub-brand
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</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>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rolls-royce/" rel="tag">Rolls-Royce</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/alternative-fuel/" rel="tag">Alternative Fuel</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border=" " src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/08/mini-e-drive-630.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <br /> BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL422239720090804">Reu ters</a> that its future electric cars will be badged as BMWs. This contradicts some earlier rumors that the automaker would revive another brand such as Triumph or <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/03/bmw-to-challenge-smart-with-isetta-brand/">Isetta for its electric vehicles</a>. <br /><br />The company will stick with its existing BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce marques, but Reithofer revealed that the board has voted to create a sub-brand for electric vehicles. This new sub-brand will be similar to BMW's seperate marketing of the "M" line of vehicle, will be targeted at urban drivers and include a two wheeler. The first of these new vehicles will likely start appearing sometime around 2012-13.<br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/quick-drive-mini-e/low/">Quick Drive: MINI E</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/quick-drive-mini-e/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/mini-e-drive-1280-01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/quick-drive-mini-e/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/mini-e-drive-1280-02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/quick-drive-mini-e/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/mini-e-drive-1280-03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/quick-drive-mini-e/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/mini-e-drive-1280-04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/quick-drive-mini-e/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/11/mini-e-drive-1280-05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><strong><br /> <em><small>Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.</small></em></strong><br /> <br /> [Source: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL422239720090804">Reu ters</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/bmw-will-create-new-electric-vehicle-sub-brand/">REPORT: BMW will create new electric vehicle sub-brand </a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:33:00 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.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL422239720090804>Read </a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/bmw-will-create-new-electric-vehicle-sub-brand/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19120189/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/bmw-will-create-new-electric-vehicle-sub-brand/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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REPORT: The future of the BMW 3 Series
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrid</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.ASpx?AR=24210 9"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/08/p0025423.jpg" /></a><br />
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The next generation BMW 3-series is set to get some major revisions when it arrives in two year's time. The new model is expected to be the first in the range to get a line of turbocharged three-cylinder engines in both gas and diesel variants, and will likely be 1.5-liter units -- essentially halved versions of the latest generation inline-sixes.<br />
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BMW's current six-cylinder diesels use a sequential dual turbo setup with small and large blowers to provide quick response and better top-end power. The new engines may use an electric motor to spin up the turbo more quickly allowing the use of a single turbo for reduced weight and complexity.<br />
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Aerodynamics will also be a major focus of the new 3 with the expected inclusion of front wheel air curtains. Ducts in the lower front bumper will route air out just ahead of the front wheels, creating a virtual wheel skirt. The high velocity over the wheels will prevent air coming around the sides and spilling around the wheels, one of the major sources of drag. <br />
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Other areas of improvement will include weight reductions, the incorporation of hybrid drive technologies, low-power climate control systems and eight-speed automatic transmissions. All that and more could be in showrooms as early as 2012.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.ASpx?AR=24210 9">AutoCar</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/report-the-future-of-the-bmw-3-series/">REPORT: The future of the BMW 3 Series</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:26:00 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.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.ASpx?AR=24210 9>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/report-the-future-of-the-bmw-3-series/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19120299/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/report-the-future-of-the-bmw-3-series/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Spy Shots: Mystery BMW concept headed for Frankfurt
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept2-630.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Mystery BMW concept - click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />It looks like someone at BMW is going to be in big trouble shortly. It appears that what we are looking at here is the concept car that the German automaker expected to unveil at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/Frankfurt-Motor-Show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a> next month as it is loaded up for transport. The new design study is reportedly some sort of sustainable sports car concept and is likely to include a variety of the brand's Efficient Dynamics technologies. Judging from the size of the vehicle shown in the snapshots from our friends at <a href="http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289289"> Bimmerpost</a>, this showcar may well give us a strong indication of the design direction for the next-generation 3 Series which is just two years away. Judging by the visible cut-line of the door in the lower middle of the car, this may a four door, likely of the "four door coupe" persuasion, or perhaps a touring-style hatchback.<br /><br />We may well be seeing some of the rumored powertrain for the new 3 including a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and some sort of hybrid drive system. Style wise, the concept appears to retain the elongated headlights that have appeared on the new Z4, 7 and 5 Series models, but with an even shorter front overhang. With the expected emphasis on aerodynamics for the new 3, it looks like the base of the windshield has moved forward giving the glass more rake than the current car. Oh, and that high-riding stance? We're assuming that's a byproduct of shipping block wedges, not actual design intent. We hope. <em>A fine tip of the hat to Mo!</em><br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/">Spy Shots: BMW 2009 Frankfurt concept</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept6_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept5_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept7_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289289"> Bimmerpost</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/spy-shots-mystery-bmw-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/">Spy Shots: Mystery BMW concept headed for Frankfurt</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:51:00 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/2009/08/05/spy-shots-mystery-bmw-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19120540/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/spy-shots-mystery-bmw-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW's coupe concept rendered, but is it coming to Frankfurt?
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/bmw-vision-concept-by-jon-sibal/#2"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/visionz_001-620op.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>BMW Vision Concept by Jon Sibal - Click above for a larger image</small></strong></em></div>
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Photoshop savant <a href="http://jonsibal.com/blog/2009/08/bmw-concept-vision-z/">Jon Sibal</a> has worked his rendering wizardry on one of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/spy-shots-mystery-bmw-concept-headed-for-frankfurt/">BMW spy shots</a> we saw earlier this week, but according to the automaker, the cloaked concept isn't bound for a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FrankfurtMotorShow/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a> debut.<br />
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Citing a source within BMW, iMotorMag is reporting that the vehicle in question is a five-year-old design study that was being moved from the automaker's studio in Germany to a storage facility. Although BMW still plans to unveil the Vision EfficientDynamics concept next month in Frankfurt, this reportedly isn't it (anyone else smell damage control?). However, that little detail doesn't detract from Sibal's efforts.<br />
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Taking a few cues from the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/BMWM1Homage/">BMW M1 Homage</a> concept, particularly the sculpted and creased front clip, Sibal's rendering does its best to interpret the coupe's lines through the tight cover. Although we think the twin-kidney grille probably descends further down the fascia, we're digging the reinterpreted Hoffmeister Kink that's been warped and indented to match the sharp lines of the concept. We'll know if Sibal's rendering was spot-on next month or if BMW has a new trick up its sleeve when the wraps come off BMW's next-generation coupe concept in Germany.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/">Spy Shots: BMW 2009 Frankfurt concept</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept6_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept5_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept7_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-bmw-2009-frankfurt-concept/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/concept4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div> <br />
[Sources: <a href="http://jonsibal.com/blog/2009/08/bmw-concept-vision-z/">Jon Sibal</a>, <a href="http://www.imotormag.co.uk/news/298621/bmw_concept_car_coming_to _frankfurt_but_not_this_o ne.html">iMotorMag</a>]<br /><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/bmws-coupe-concept-rendered-but-is-it-coming-to-frankfurt/">BMW's coupe concept rendered, but is it coming to Frankfurt?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:27:00 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://jonsibal.com/blog/2009/08/bmw-concept-vision-z/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/bmws-coupe-concept-rendered-but-is-it-coming-to-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19122416/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/bmws-coupe-concept-rendered-but-is-it-coming-to-frankfurt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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