BMW is known the world over for its excellent brand of inline-six cylinder powerplants. In most cases, those supremely smooth and powerful engines power the German company's cars and trucks. Apparently, that won't always be the case, though, as BMW has just revealed its new Concept 6 motorcycle at the EICMA Show in Milan.

As the name implies, the Concept 6 boasts an engine with six cylinders, and the best news is that the mill is destined for a new production model in the near future. Expect to see a replacement for the long-running LT series of touring bikes, bringing BMW more in line with the standard-setting Goldwing from Honda.

Looking at the actual concept itself, the chassis appears to be heavily based on the current production K-Series unit, and the powerplant is tilted at the same 55-degree angle as the current four-cylinder. Bodywork is suitable for concept duty, with a futuristic take on the old-school Cafe Racer look.

Power? BMW's being a bit coy at the moment, suggesting that it makes as much horsepower as the current 1.3-liter four (over 150, to be sure) and as much torque as any other motorcycle engine in production with a stout 96 lb-ft at 2,000 RPM. With a redline of nearly 9,000... you can imagine that there's plenty of power on tap. Check out our high-res photo gallery below and hit the jump for a video and the press release.



[Source: BMW]

These days, BMW's most popular line of motorcycles all over the world are its adventurous GS machines, but the Bavarian manufacturer is also well known for its excellent long-distance touring mounts with its traditional boxer engines. BMW looks to uphold that reputation with a thorough update to its 2010 R 1200 RT, and it joins its GS sibling in getting new heads with dual-overhead cams.

Though the maximum power output of 110 horsepower is carried over from the 2009 model, BMW says that torque is boosted a few lb-ft to 88 and that both the horsepower and torque curves are greatly improved. A revised fairing joins a slightly enlarged windscreen that is reportedly more transparent than before as the notable exterior modifications.

The final major update is made to the suspension, which is blessed with the latest versions of BMW's Integral ABS brakes and Electronic Suspension Adjustment. Nine different combinations are available to the rider that adjust front and rear damping along with spring pretension and spring rate up front. Want all the details? Click past the break for the official press release.



[Source: BMW]

Anyone who follows motorcycling would likely tell you that BMW's R 1200 GS sets the standard when it comes to building a proper adventure touring motorcycle, and with good reason. As I found out when I last threw a leg over the 2009 edition, BMW's big air-cooled mule can pretty much go anywhere its rider points it, and it'll tackle gnarly off-road conditions with just as much aplomb as it attacks paved back roads and long stretches of superslab.

Still, nothing is perfect (I actually prefer the little brother F 800 GS off the road), and BMW saw fit to update its best-seller for the 2010 model year with a revised boxer engine that now sports dual-overhead cams. That's a major modification and it allowed BMW to locate five-percent more horsepower than the previous mill. Those 110 galloping ponies join 88 lb-ft of torque that BMW says is spread more evenly throughout the rev range than before. We'll take it, more power is always a good thing, right?

As you'd expect, there's also an upgraded R 1200 GS Adventure model for those who truly need the most capable bike they can get their grubby mitts on. Updates over the standard model include spoked wheels in lieu of cast, more suspension travel and a monster 8.7-gallon fuel tank. See both new models in all their glory in our image galleries below.




[Source: BMW]

If you're one of the enthusiasts who think the BMW M3 has grown too big and bloated with the current model, take heart: the Bavarian automaker's elite M division has just released the M3 GTS. Following in the path lead by such legendary derivations as the M3 CSL, the new M3 GTS is a hardcore, performance-focused version of Munich's finest sports coupe.

The award-winning engine has been enlarged from 4 liters to 4.4, and output is tipped to have jumped up to 450 horsepower. But that's only half of the power-to-weight ratio, as the M division has put the M3 GTS on a serious weight-saving scheme to cut its curb weight by some 420 lbs, thanks to a stripped-out interior devoid of frivolities like air-conditioning, satellite navigation and radio, equipping the M3 GTS with things like an emergency cut-off switch, fire extinguisher, racing buckets and mounting points for a competition-spec roll-cage and six-point racing harness. Lightweight windows, upgraded wheels, tires and suspension and a radical aerodynamics package are also part of the mix.

The car's performance is expected to increase considerably, but all that extra kit comes at a price: 115,000 euros in this case, or about $170,000 – but the M3 GTS is not expected to make it to the North American market, with deliveries beginning in Germany next May.

BMW is known for offering premium automobiles and motorcycles here in the United States, so it comes as little surprise that the German automaker would plan to produce premium electric vehicles as well. According to British motoring magazine Autocar, those electric vehicles, which are currently being developed under BMW's Project i initiative, will be available with two-, three- and four-wheeled platforms.

Marc Gerard, head of interior design at BMW, explains that the automaker has yet to decide whether these Project i vehicles will "fit below Mini, between Mini and BMW or above BMW." Another issue that needs to be sorted out is whether the electric machines will break new styling ground or if the automaker will instead choose a more conservative path so as not to alienate any potential buyers.



[Source: Autocar]

The Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo Long Wheelbase is for when merely long isn't long enough. There is already an Alpina B7 based on the normal wheelbase BMW 750i, and that car is 16.7 feet long -- but come now, what are you supposed to do with that? Curl up into the fetal position when you want to go somewhere? Take classes at Cirque du Soleil so you can contort yourself into a rear cabin that offers a meager 38.4 inches of rear legroom?

No. What you do is buy the long wheelbase version built on the 750Li. It adds six more inches in back so you can stretch out -- you know, live like a real person, not some frightened armadillo. Your discernment will be rewarded with Alpina's fettled version of BMW's 4.4-liter V8, adding a couple of turbos for 507 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. That gets you and your white whale sixty in 4.8 seconds, just 0.1 second longer than the guy in a regular wheelbase B7.

But it's not like either of you will notice: you'll be too busy trying to finalize your hostile takeover of Samoa, he'll be too busy trying to figure out how to extricate himself from his Lilliputian conveyance. Alpina hasn't announced pricing, but if you want one, here's our advice: bring a lot of money.

According to Wired, a trend is emerging from the design studios of some of the world's top automakers, and it may be spreading like wildfire as you read this. We're talking about cars like the recently-unveiled BMW X6, Honda Crosstour and Audi A5 Sportback. Squint a bit and its not too hard to look at the overall shape of these three cars and see the outline of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

Of course, there's a big difference between the three aforementioned crossover/wagon thingies and hybrids like the Prius and Insight. While the big wagons are shaped to attract the attention of higher-end luxury buyers, the Prius and the Insight – itself accused of copying the shape of its rival from Toyota on numerous occasions – were styled in the wind tunnel to promote good fuel efficiency at highway speeds.

Regardless of the reason behind their being and whether or not you find them ugly or beautiful, it would seem that we should start getting ourselves accustomed to the sloping rear hatchback look – its now officially a trend.



[Source: Wired]

When BMW introduced its first sport-utility crossover, the X5, in 1999, some were excited, while others lamented that the Bavarian automaker had lost its touch. In either case, the company's roster of X series crossovers has continued to grow since to include the X6, the X3 and now this, the X1. The smallest crossover in the line-up, the new X1 is based on the compact 1 Series, and while the dimensions may be somewhat similar to the X3, its styling marks a significant improvement. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself in the photo gallery below, straight from the Frankfurt show floor where the new crossover was introduced to the public for the first time.

German automakers have elevated the crossing of traditional market segments into an art form, BMW arguably chief among them. Joining the X6 – a sort of cross between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports coupe – is the new 5 Series Gran Turismo, revealed in production trim to the public at the Frankfurt auto show.

Combining what BMW claims is the head room of the X5 and the legroom of the 7 Series in a more compact form, the 5 Series GT bridges the gap between a tall wagon and a short sport-ute. A strange concept, to be sure, but one which BMW appears to have pulled off with aplomb. Available with a range of engines starting with a 245hp diesel and topping out at the 407hp twin-turbo V8, the Gran Turismo is slated to replace the 5 Series Touring wagon variant in the American market in the near future, but you can see it now in our high-resolution image gallery below.

The Ultimate Driving Machine. That's the tag which BMW has ascribed to itself. And while the Bavarian automaker offers several sporty models, it lacks what industry insiders refer to as a "halo vehicle". That is, one model that sums up with the brand stands for. But they're said to be working on a new supercar – to rival the likes of the Audi R8 and Mercedes SLS AMG – and this could hint at the direction they could take it.

Called the Vision EfficientDynamics, we initially brought you details of the concept car a couple of weeks ago in the ramp-up to the Frankfurt Auto Show, where BMW finally took the wraps off the enticing new concept. But while its competitors continue building bigger and more powerful performance machines, BMW's concept takes a different approach. The engine is a tiny 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo-diesel, coupled to an electric motor for hybrid propulsion. Lightweight construction helps the Vision get up to sixty in just 4.8 seconds while returning 62.6 miles per gallon on the European cycle, figures which, combined, its rivals can only dream of. And so can we, but in the meantime we've got photos from the concept's debut in Frankfurt. Just click on the thumbnails below.

Here at the spring shows in Bryant Park, there's a lot of waiting. Waiting in lines to get in. Waiting for shows to start. Waiting to exit.

We decided to put all that waiting to good use and ask fashion show attendees what is the one luxury they won't do without, even in tough times. What came back was answers more varied than the colors of spring, ranging from a BMW to a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

The majority chose little luxuries that had to with their person: manicures and pedicures, hair cuts, hair highlights, makeup and massages.

"Teeth bleaching!" offered Wendy Evankovitch, a pediatric dental assistant. "Chiropractor," said makeup artist Szilvia Varrs.

But there were some random answers, too. Nancy Mammana, who owns Rock Media Entertainment, won't do without dance lessons. Zachary Weiss, an intern for publicist Lizzie Grubman, said it was his needlepoint belt by Tucker Blair he splurged on recently. He was wearing it today.

Sadly, clothing was not the first word rolling off tongues, an indication of how difficult a time the industry has had lately. Accessories have had it a little easier.

Violet Xie, a fashion student, said vintage jewelry is her one shopping allowance because it can pump up a simple ensemble.

"I love handbags," said Jordan Brodsky, a college grad looking for a job in fashion, sporting a bright blue number from Michael Kors. "No matter how much weight you gain, they'll always fit you."

What about you? What is the one luxury you won't give up?

Only a decade or so ago, it would have been unfathomable for a Japanese automaker to come even close to outselling the established German marques in the luxury automobile market. But it's a new millennium, and today Lexus sits at the top of the hill. However Toyota's premium division shouldn't get too comfortable in that position, as BMW's sales trends indicate that the Bavarian automaker could surpass its Japanese rival and take the top spot yet again.

Sales have been down across the market, so the real winner here will be the one that has lost the least, not gained the most. While Lexus has seen its sales decline by a whopping 40% recently, BMW's have dropped a comparably low 28%. The trend has placed BMW within spitting distance of Lexus, with less than 2300 units separating the two. So while it may not be a done deal yet, it could be in the very near future.

Over the last two years BMW has started making a major push for its new EfficientDynamics technology in Europe and more recently in North America. The premise is that the company that has long promoted itself as the "Ultimate Driving Machine" can retain all the qualities that made it so ultimate while drastically cutting fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In Europe, BMW offers a suite of technologies like automatic start-stop for engines, brake energy regeneration and smaller four cylinder engines. The most important near term technology however is diesel engines.

Late in 2008, BMW launched its first two new clean diesel vehicles here in the United States, the X5 xDrive35d SUV and the 335d sedan. We recently had a chance to spend a week with the 335d to determine if it truly can provide the driving experience that customers expect of a BMW with better fuel efficiency. Read on to find out if the automaker succeeded.


Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Who said that loving mother earth and fast cars were mutually exclusive? Certainly not BMW, which has staked its reputation on its EfficientDynamics initiative. Asserting that efficiency and performance can go hand in hand, BMW has been actively researching – and producing – cars that deliver the kind of driving experience for which the Bavarian automaker has become famous while utilizing less resources than ever before. And the company will unveil its new centerpiece for the program – called Vision EfficientDynamics – at the upcoming auto show in nearby Frankfurt.

The space age design speaks for itself, but under the hood BMW has paired a 163hp 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel with a plug-in electric motor and a dual clutch transmission. The result, according to the Bavarian engineers, is a 4.8-second run to 60 while returning 62.6 miles per gallon. Talk about the best of both worlds. Unfortunately it's just a concept car at the moment, but the show piece gives us an advanced look at what to expect from BMW in the years to come.

Looking for a new toy? May we recommend something with a big engine in a small roadster. It's a guaranteed recipe for fun.

As if the BMW Z4 M wasn't fast enough, a German tuning firm called Manhart Racing has taken the diminutive convertible – which usually comes with a six-cylinder engine – and dropped in the 5-liter V10 from the BMW M5. Still not enough? They've modified the engine further to deliver a whopping 550 horsepower that, in a 1450kg car is good for a supercar-rivaling sprint to sixty in just 3.9 seconds. That's some truly epic acceleration that's sure to embarrass the big boys.