BMW Press Release regarding the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show
 
The IAA Frankfurt Motor Show will open its doors to the press on 15 September 2009. What makes this show special for the BMW Group is that, for the first time, all three brands – BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – will exhibit under one roof, located in the Frankfurt Trade Fair’s new Hall 11.
 
Europe’s latest state-of-the-art exhibition hall is accessible to visitors directly from the exhibition grounds’ new main entrance.
 
The highlight of BMW’s presence this year is a circuit several hundred metres long running around the entire exhibition space on which the BMW EfficientDynamics fleet and vehicle premieres will be presented. Thomas Muderlak, responsible for the BMW Group’s exhibition concept at the IAA: “Motor shows are an important aspect of our communication with customers, the media and trade visitors.
 
                                                   
 
We are delighted to maintain our tradition of hosting innovative displays at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and present all three brands together for the first time. A highlight for our visitors will be the chance to experience our vehicles actually driving around the BMW stand: We will be interpreting the BMW brand’s motto of “Sheer Driving Pleasure” quite literally.
 
BMW Group initiatives – BMW Group Junior Campus
In 2003, 2005 and 2007, the BMW brand was housed in a Cubist building on the so-called Agora, while MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars were located in different halls. Presenting the three brands in such close proximity this year will allow the BMW Group to showcase various corporate initiatives. As the organizer of the BMW Group Junior Campus and the host of the ZEIT Conference, the BMW Group will take advantage of the opportunity to create a forum for overarching social issues such as sustainability. From 15-27 September 2009 children aged between 3 and 13 years will be able to discover the fascination of sustainability and mobility at the Junior Campus. Both instructive and fun, sustainability workshops for children aged 7 to 13 will focus on topics such as conserving resources, traffic control and sustainable production. Children will conduct their own independent, interactive research, perform tests and experiments, and have fun acquiring the know-how they need to build their own car at the end of the roughly two-hour workshops. The BMW Group Junior Campus also features two age-based driving courses that teach young IAA visitors how to behave responsibly on the roads.
As part of the socio-political debate on mobility and sustainability, the BMW Group’s ZEIT Conference future summit on 14 September 2009 provides a platform for a panel discussion with high-ranking representatives from the worlds of politics, business, architecture and environmental protection. The Sustainable Value Report 2009/ 2010 will also be presented at the BMW Group press conference on 15 September 2009.
 
The BMW exhibition concept: “Experiencing Joy.”
The basic concept behind the BMW brand’s presence at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show focuses on sheer driving pleasure. For the first time, IAA visitors can experience the vehicles’ design and appeal in motion – thanks to the moving presentation of vehicles on the circuit. A varied programme will highlight new products and innovations from the BMW portfolio. Visitors will be able to observe these driving demonstrations from stunning lounges with an impressive view of the circuit’s banked corner.
 
BMW EfficientDynamics: Lower emissions – more driving pleasure
The BMW EfficientDynamics fleet presented on the circuit will provide an impressive demonstration of how driving pleasure can be combined with lower fuel consumption. Thanks to Efficient Dynamics, BMW is able to prove conclusively that this is not a contradiction in terms: With its two most recent model generations, the BMW Group has reduced its fleet’s consumption in Europe by more than 25 percent while enhancing driving pleasure. By the time the Frankfurt Motor Show opens, around 1.4 million BMW vehicles equipped with the award-winning BMW EfficientDynamics technology – which comes as standard in every new BMW – will have been delivered to customers.
 
The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car, which will be presented to a global public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, incorporates a wider range of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies than any vehicle before: from its ultra-efficient combustion engine, sophisticated energy management and BMW ActiveHybrid technology with innovative electricity-storage technology to lightweight construction and consistently optimised aerodynamics. The 2+2 seater was designed as a plug-in vehicle using full-hybrid technology and provides the capabilities to combine the driving performance of a BMW M automobile with fuel consumption and emissions that are even lower than for today’s compact cars.
 
BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition – Efficient Dynamics in series.
The new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition will be presented alongside the BMW 320d for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The sedan combines a fuel consumption of just 4.1 litres diesel per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 109 gram per kilometre in the EU test cycle with an engine output of 120 kW/163 hp. This model further asserts BMW’s acknowledged superiority in the development of especially low-emission models with dynamic driving performance. The following models will further enhance the efficiency and dynamic performance of the model range: the BMW 520d Special Edition and the BMW 116d, the BMW 116i, the BMW 120i Coupé, the 118d Coupé and the BMW 730d with BMW BluePerformance (EU6 norm) models.
 
Other world premieres at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show:
Besides its Efficient Dynamics fleet, the BMW stand will also focus on the world premiere of the hybrid vehicles BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and BMW ActiveHybrid X6 as well as the world debut of the BMW X1 and the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 sedan and the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Sports Activity Coupé each incorporates its own model-specific combination of combustion engine and electric motor for an extraordinary, and impressively efficient, driving experience. The BMW X1 is the first vehicle in the premium compact segment to embody the characteristics typical of a BMW X model. Thanks to BMW EfficientDynamics, it boasts the best combination of driving performance and fuel consumption of any of the BMW X models’ rivals. As the founding member of a new segment, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo unites the key features of a prestigious sedan with those of a modern Sports Activity Vehicle and a classic Gran Turismo. The BMW 740d, scheduled for launch in autumn 2009, will be a further focus of attention: It is the first model equipped with a new straight-six diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology.
 
Visitors can also look forward to other product innovations, such as the BMW Power Kit for four-cylinder diesel models, new BMW rear luggage racks and the latest portable navigation systems.
 
More detailed product information can be found in the BMW Group PressClub at https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/.
 
Source : bmwblog.com

Has the time of the BMW Dual Clutch Transmission come and gone? Sources are indicating that the recently introduced DCT may be such a niche product that its time may be short lived. Porsche is feeling the same way with the famed PDK. The dual-clutch setup is fantastic in its implementation but remains an extremely niche product. According to Automotive News, transmission specialist ZF Friedrichshafen AG does not see a mass market for the dual-clutch technology that it sells to Porsche. Part of the issue is the cost to performance proposition of building a DCT that can handle lots of torque. With today’s performance cars increasing torque exponentially it leaves little market for the DCT.
 
With the introduction of the X5 and X6 ///M versions using a technically updated automatic transmission and cylinder deactivation to produce shifts as fast as a DCT the writing was on the wall for a possible end to the BMW DCT. What this means now is that in the short term we will more than likely not see future products offered with a DCT, with a shift to 8 speed automatics across the line by 2013. We have been told not to assume anything in regards to current offerings but that the ///M3 and DCT are a perfect match.
 
All you F10 ///M5 anticipators take note- this seals the deal that a DCT will NOT be in that vehicle!

We have received some exclusive information from a highly reliable source. This information explains how the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept relates to future offerings from BMW. This information provides an inside look to what we can expect for the foreseeable future and how BMW will bring new technologies and designs to market well ahead of earlier estimates.
 
With Vision Efficient Dynamics BMW is giving an insight into not just a particular model but showing that the concept is the future of BMW. Everything you see here is not going to be exclusive to one car and it is not an interpretation of one car. Customers should benefit from the latest sustainable technology in whatever BMW they choose be it a Coupe Sedan , SAV or even a Roadster , it should’nt be limited to one model.
 
The future of BMW technology is being presented in this single vehicle to showcase what will filter across the whole BMW portfolio. These features will not remain exclusive to one particular image enhancing model (halo vehicle). The design of this concept is very much an introduction to a new level of progressive design that will be inherited in future BMW models. This design language will show the design trends progressing and being adventurous with traditional and new design elements.
 
The three cylinder turbo diesel featured here in the VED is in very fact a reality coming to the F20 BMW 1er. Three cylinder engines in both Petrol and Diesel, both turbo charged of course will be in the F20. The Active Hybrid 1 will be something similar with again a three cylinder turbo diesel connected to an electric motor. This Active Hybrid will be available a few months after the initial debut of the F20.
 
As for other areas? The design of the VED is a hybrid of what is coming in future design trends for BMW. For instance, the front of the car is highly reminiscent of the next generation 6er although it will have conventional shaped light units. The grille is almost identical , wide and stretching across the car.
 
The shape of the hood which is raised over the front wheel arches will be seen in the Z2 Roadster and Coupe as will a shape similar to the rear light unit of the VED. Although the lights will not be razor thin but more proportionate to the compactness of the car. And although they will not sit on the rear deck like the Concept. They are pushed into the body work as if it was made of butter.
 
The shape itself if you shrink it down is highly identical to the previous unseen Z technik concept which is the predecessor to the Z2 Coupe. The interior and door cappings are conceptized from the 6er and the four up seating gives a clue to the 6er GT in terms of layout, use of space and of the console that seperates the driver and the three passengers. If you look down from above , especially the rear deck where it splits and imagine that as completely joined you will get an impression again of the Z2. It will have a typical BMW Z4 Coupe like rear window. The wheels are covered to assist with aerodynamics. If you remove the black covers you see a real sporty wheel for the next 6er it’s a bit like a shuriken . BMW will offer the aerodynamic wheels as an optional choice.
 
The technology and materials are not far off away. Closer than you think. M Division will be the first to use aluminium chassis on series M cars to really bring the weight down on the more core M models and of course the future “Compact” models as well as more emphasis on carbon fibre body panels.

Avant de découvrir le spectaculaire Vision EfficientDynamics, nous pensions que le concept 'vert' de BMW destiné à Francfort avait été débusqué à sa sortie de camion. Les photos du véhicule bâché et son interprétation avaient fait le tour de la toile mais rapidement BMW avait pris le soin de dire que ce n'était pas LE concept Efficient Dynamics prévu à Francfort. Ce qui s'est concrétisé ensuite avec l'engin dévoilé ce week-end.
 
Selon Automobile Magazine, l'engin mystérieux serait en fait le show car préfigurant une nouvelle déclinaison de la future Série 6 BMW : le GT6.
 
Ce concept est donc un "coupé" 4 places doté de 4 portes à ouvertures antagonistes facilitant l'accès aux places arrières. Il remplace le projet inspiré du concept CS, jugé trop imposant dans le contexte actuel de crise, ce projet F14 s'inscrira dans une lignée naissante, celle des BMW GT. Après la GT5, après cette GT6, il existera vraisemblablement des GT1 et GT3.

In addition to several world premiers introduced at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, BMW Group brings out more special editions of already produced vehicles. This includes the BMW M6 Competition which stands out among others by an exclusive design, both interior and exterior.
 
BMW will also introduce a new color in the M6 line-up, Frozen Gray Mettalic….matte finish. The M6 Competition Edition is limited to only 100 vehicles, all of them carrying a special engraving.
 
Inside, the few lucky customers can choose between two design variations, the Merino full leather interior with either black or light gray two-tone contrast stiching. Special floor mats with the “M6 Competition” stitched on them will emphasize the limited edition M6 the owner has purchased.
 
There are also some fine technical tuning, starting with a special suspension which will provide even more momentum, and continuing with revised springs, dampers and stabilizers. The ride has also been lowered by 10 mm upfront and 12mm at the rear.
 
No pricing is available at this time, but we intend to find out more about the ordering process at the Frankfurt Auto Show.