Video: BMW M3 GTS gets wrung out on the 'Ring
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/#continued"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/m3-gts-630x.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>Click above to watch the video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/#continued">after the jump</a></small></strong></em></div>
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The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/bmw-m3-gts-unveiled/">BMW M3 GTS</a> is expected to carry some serious track cred. The extremely limited edition <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/bmw/">Bimmer</a> packs 450 horsepower from a 4.4-liter V8 engine, while weight is cut by 419 lbs compared to a typical <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/m3">M3</a>. Sounds like a dream come true. But if you planned on picking up one of the 90 M3 GTS models costing 115,000 Euro ($145,000 in U.S. funds), you're too late. The most capable E92 M3 is already sold out, but you can at least hit the jump to see video of a bright orange GTS as its takes on the famed N&uuml;rburgring.<br />
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In the BMW-produced video, M3 test engineer G&uuml;nter Sillinger takes the GTS for a spin around the 'Ring, then tells us just how great the high-strung coupe handles. Sillinger may be biased, but since we may never get behind the wheel of one of the select GTS coupes, we'll have to take his word for it when he says, "It's the most uncompromising, fastest and thrilling M3 ever." <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/#continued">Follow the jump</a> to watch the 2:19 video for yourself.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR_noVwr-58">YouTube</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Video: BMW M3 GTS gets wrung out on the 'Ring</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/">Video: BMW M3 GTS gets wrung out on the 'Ring</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Thu, 13 May 2010 12:32:00 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=DR_noVwr-58>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19475232/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/video-bmw-m3-gts-gets-wrung-out-on-the-ring/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Rendered Speculation: 2013 BMW sub-1 Series hatch with front-wheel drive
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</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/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a></p><a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/249646/"><img border="0" align="right" vspace="4" hspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/bmw-concepts-13510104457565612x408.jpg " /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> executives have been talking openly about adding a front-wheel drive model to the range and the first example are due to arrive in 2013. A new model to slot in below the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/1+series">1 series</a> is expected to share its platform with the next generation <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mini/">Mini</a>, while the 1 series is expected to continue with rear-wheel drive and be available in both the current hatchback and coupe body styles. <br />
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Autocar</em> reports the new FWD model will also be badged as a 1 series, giving customers multiple options to choose from. Similar to how <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/vw/">Volkswagen</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/audi/">Audi</a> share platforms at different price points, BMW is expected to pitch its car as more premium than the Mini. <br />
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What is unknown at this time is whether the new entry BMW/Mini will also share its platform with BMW's upcoming electric <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Megacity/">Megacity</a> vehicle. <br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/249646/">AutoCar</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/14/rendered-speculation-2013-bmw-sub-1-series-hatch-with-front-whe/">Rendered Speculation: 2013 BMW sub-1 Series hatch with front-wheel drive</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 14 May 2010 14:28:00 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/2010/05/14/rendered-speculation-2013-bmw-sub-1-series-hatch-with-front-whe/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19477470/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/14/rendered-speculation-2013-bmw-sub-1-series-hatch-with-front-whe/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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$99 Ultimate BMW Experience reinvents the factory tour
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><div id="pr_box"><img width="630" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="293" border="1" align="top" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/bmw-factory-tour.jpg" alt="Ultimate BMW Experience" /></div>
Most factory tours cost a lot less than $99, but <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> has more up its sleeve than a short walk down the production line. BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina facility is home to a new enthusiast attraction called "The Ultimate BMW Experience." The tour starts out with a trip to the Zentrum museum followed by a tour of the assembly line, where you're likely to see products like the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/x5+m">X5 M</a> get pieced together. That's not exactly worth parting ways with 99 bucks, but there's more to the deal. After the factory stroll, tour-goers hook up with a certified BMW performance driving instructor and spend two hours piloting a Bimmer on the track . Now there's a horse we can ride. Where do we sign up?<br />
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BMW plans to further upgrade the tour soon with "custom driving excursions, rare vehicle demonstrations and unique culinary events as well as many other spectacular opportunities." The Ultimate BMW Experience runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you're interested in the tour you can set up a date by calling 1-877-9BMW-EXP. Hit the jump to read over the BMW press release.<br />
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[Source: BMW]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/15/99-ultimate-bmw-experience-reinvents-the-factory-tour/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>$99 Ultimate BMW Experience reinvents the factory tour</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/15/99-ultimate-bmw-experience-reinvents-the-factory-tour/">$99 Ultimate BMW Experience reinvents the factory tour</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sat, 15 May 2010 14:09:00 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/2010/05/15/99-ultimate-bmw-experience-reinvents-the-factory-tour/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19476886/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/15/99-ultimate-bmw-experience-reinvents-the-factory-tour/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW wants more people to custom-order X3s with high-margin options
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><img hspace="0" border="00" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90046337.jpg" /><br />
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When the second generation <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/x3">X3</a> goes on sale early next year <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> wants more of its American customers to start special ordering the crossovers rather than buying them off the lot. Custom orders are more the norm in Europe where about half of all BMWs are spec'd up before being delivered to the buyer, and BMW has been promoting its Individual program which allows customers to pick and choose the colors and materials in their vehicles.<br />
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The advantage to BMW is that these optioned vehicles have much higher profit margins than the standard configurations typically stocked by dealers. If BMW can succeed in getting more custom orders for the X3 and other models it will improve the bottom line for both its dealers and the automaker as lots won't have to stock nearly as much inventory. The biggest problem is changing American's desire to show up at a dealer and drive something off the lot that day.<br />
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Promoting build-to-order will be much easier with the new X3 because production of the new model will be moved from Austria to the recently expanded Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. Building the crossovers here will allow BMW to drastically cut delivery times and BMW will also be more heavily promoting its factory delivery program and the<a href="http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/events/pds/default.aspx"> driving classes it offers at the adjacent Performance Center</a>. <br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100514/CARNEWS/100519923">AutoWeek</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/bmw-wants-more-people-to-custom-order-x3s-with-high-margin-optio/">BMW wants more people to custom-order X3s with high-margin options</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 17 May 2010 08:29:00 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://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/bmw-wants-more-people-to-custom-order-x3s-with-high-margin-optio/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19478976/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/bmw-wants-more-people-to-custom-order-x3s-with-high-margin-optio/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Unexpected winner crowned at N?¼rburgring 24 Hours [SPOILER]
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/audi/" rel="tag">Audi</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/porsche/" rel="tag">Porsche</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ferrari/" rel="tag">Ferrari</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/racing/" rel="tag">Racing</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/#2989063"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90060851highres-630op.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>24 Hours of Nurburging - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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The 24 Hours of N&uuml;rburgring took place this weekend with an enormous starting field of over 200 cars. The enduro features a huge array of classes, including GT2, GT3 and touring cars, with everything from <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/civic">Honda Civics</a> to <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/m3">Aston Martin Vantages</a> and even a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/911">Porsche 911 GT3 hybrid</a> battling through the Green Hell through the day and night. The race is run over a combined course of the legendary Nordschliefe and the modern Grand Prix circuit for a total of 15.8 miles, and with only 36 pits available, up to eight cars must share each pit, so plenty of coordination is needed. Read on after the jump to read what happened after the green flag fell. <br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/low/">2010 24 Hours of Nurburgring</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90060840highres_thumbnai l.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/audimotorsport-100516-1496_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90060841highres_thumbnai l.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/audimotorsport-100516-1502_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-24-hours-of-nurburgring/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/p90060850highres_thumbnai l.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/24-hours-of-nurburgring-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid/low/">24 Hours of Nurburgring: Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid</a></strong></p><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/24-hours-of-nurburgring-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/m101013fine_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/24-hours-of-nurburgring-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/m101014fine_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/24-hours-of-nurburgring-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/m101015fine_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/24-hours-of-nurburgring-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/m101016fine_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://green.autoblog.com/photos/24-hours-of-nurburgring-porsche-911-gt3-r-hybrid/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/m101017fine_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/unexpected-winner-crowned-at-nurburgring-24-hours-spoiler/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Unexpected winner crowned at N?¼rburgring 24 Hours [SPOILER]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/unexpected-winner-crowned-at-nurburgring-24-hours-spoiler/">Unexpected winner crowned at N?¼rburgring 24 Hours [SPOILER]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 17 May 2010 13:01:00 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/2010/05/17/unexpected-winner-crowned-at-nurburgring-24-hours-spoiler/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19480002/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/unexpected-winner-crowned-at-nurburgring-24-hours-spoiler/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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