bmw 3 series

Consumer Reports Names Infiniti G37 "Top Pick" Sports Sedan

The 2011 Infiniti G37 has been named a "Top Pick" by influential Consumer Reports in the sports sedan category, besting such competitors as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

CR is highly regarded because it accepts no advertising -- so is seen as isolated from pressure from advertisers. The magazine's testers buy cars anonymously to ensure they are typical of what you'd get. Most other auto testers evaluate vehicles borrowed from automakers, which have been specially maintained and are often loaded with features.

Tags: BMW 3 Series, Chevy Avalanche, Consumer Reports, Infiniti G37, Top Picks

Continue reading “Consumer Reports Names Infiniti G37 "Top Pick" Sports Sedan”

BMW Promises More Hybrids, Compares Itself to Chanel

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

BMW is out to prove that Ultimate Driving Machines can also be Efficient Driving Machines. The famed German automaker is already dabbling in hybrid technology with models such as the X6 and large, range-topping 7 Series, but soon the marque will expand the fuel-saving technology to its mainstream 5 Series and even 3 Series models.

Speaking at the automaker's normally scheduled annual meeting, Chairman Dr. Norbert Reithofer said that the upcoming 5 Series ActiveHybrid will go into production in 2011. This application should pair a larger 40-kilowatt electric motor to the mild hybrid system currently used in the 7 Series, and it will reportedly be capable of powering itself using electricity only. Closely following the 5 Series is likely to be a hybrid version of the next-generation 3 Series.

Interestingly, Reithofer also pointed out that BMW is poised for future success as it is apparently very highly thought of by the younger generation.

BMW is the most prestigious brand among Generation Y. Generation Y refers to the young people born between the late 1970s and the year 1994 in the U.S. This consumer group has an annual spending capacity of 200 billion dollars – and the most prestigious brands to this young generation are BMW and Chanel.

You can find the rest of Reithofer's speech after the break.

[Source: BMW]

Tags: 3 series, 3 Series Hybrid, 5 series, 5 series activehybrid, 5 series hybrid, bmw, BMW 3 Series, bmw 3 series hybrid, bmw 3-series, BMW 5 series, bmw 5 series activehybrid, bmw 5 series hybrid, BMW 5-series, Generation Y

Continue reading “BMW Promises More Hybrids, Compares Itself to Chanel”

BMW to release M3 Competition Pack in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Fans of performance-oriented versions of the BMW 3 Series have had plenty to celebrate lately. Recent additions to the top of the range have included the M3 GTS, while lower down we've been treated to a new, sub-M3 335i and an even more powerful 335is. Now reports indicate that a CSL-like Competition Pack is being planned for the M3 itself.

Said to incorporate a harder suspension dropped by 10mm and supplimented by new electronic dampers and new lightweight 19" alloys, the M3 Competition Pack ought to up the performance quotient. The 414-horsepower, 4-liter V8 engine will reportedly carry over unchanged, so don't expect any shavings off the stock M3's acceleration and top speed figures. But expect to see the M3 equipped with the Competition Pack to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show at a £3,315 (~$5,340k) premium.

Source

Tags: bmw, bmw 3 series, bmw m3, bmw m3 competition pack, Bmw3Series, BmwM3, BmwM3CompetitionPack, competition pack, CompetitionPack, m3, m3 competition pack, M3CompetitionPack

BMW Unveils Updated 335i Coupe and Convertible

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Always a favorite amongst luxury automobile buyers, the BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible have just been treated to a minor update. Visually, the 2011 models can be identified by new lights and bumpers front and rear, a wider grille and refreshed side mirrors. Inside, the convertible gets a new solar-reflective leather treatment that's supposed to keep the seating surfaces cool.

The biggest change, however, is the new engine. Replacing the outgoing twin-turbo inline-six engine in the 335i is a new twin-scroll single-turbo unit with direct injection that offers the same output but at more accessible levels. BMW's also offering all-wheel-drive on the coupe for the first time. You're bound to see the new model on the street shortly, but you can check it out now in our high-resolution image mega-gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 335i coupe and convertible