Saab Seals Engine Deal with BMW, gets 4 Cylinder Turbo Units from 2012

The BMW Group and Saab-owner Spyker Cars N.V. have come to an agreement for the use of the German automaker's petrol engines in Saab's vehicles from 2012 onwards. The long-rumored deal, which will ultimately help Saab further reduce its reliance on previous owner General Motors, currently the firm's only supplier of gasoline powerplants, was signed on Wednesday by Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and the CEO of Saab Automobile, JanÅke Jonsson, in Trollhättan in Sweden.

Under the agreement, BMW will supply Saab with 4-cylinder 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol engines, which will incorporate the Bavarian automaker's fuel-saving and emissions -cutting stop-start and regenerative braking tech. Saab said the engines will be adapted to meet the firm's specific requirements.

"We look forward to integrating this technology into our next-generation vehicles in a true Saab way," said Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson.

Though the two automakers did not go into any other details, it is believed that the petrol engines will be the same as the ones used in the MINI range, with at least one of them to be assembled at the BMW Group's Hams Hall engine plant in the UK. The 1.6-liter Turbo will be used on the next 9-3 (expected in 2012), as well as on the new 9-5 sedan.

Ian Robertson, Executive Sales and Marketing Director of BMW said: "Our engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance and we are delighted to support Saab with our engine expertise."

Saab's chairman Victor Muller noted that both parties are open "to explore further opportunities in the future".

The two companies did not disclose any financial or contract volume details on the engine deal.

VIDEO: BMW Clip Shows 6-Series Coupe Concept Inside and Out

While not the action-packed video we were hoping for, nevertheless, here are the first official clips of BMW's Concept 6-Series Coupé that will take center stage at the firm's Paris Motor Show stand next week.

The two new promotional videos walk us around the exterior as well as the interior of the Bavarian GT. Despite being billed as a concept, the production version of the 6-Series Coupe, which is expected to arrive in showrooms next year, will only get some minor styling changes such as more subtle tail pipe and exterior mirror designs. Scroll down to watch both videos.

BMW Still Trying to Convince us Mystery Coupe is Interesting

Look! There's a new video of BMW's mystery coupe! And this time it's under a tarp! Last time it was being loaded onto a truck, and now it's being taken off of a truck! Isn't that exciting?

Seriously, though, we do get a brief glimpse of new swirly camouflage (ooh!) and a date: September 30th. This is the first press day for the 2010 Paris Motor Show, hinting at a big reveal on that day. Or maybe the date when the viral marketers will be fired.

Personally, I'm hoping its Option 'B'. Stay tuned for more (*snicker*) exciting updates.

By Tristan Hankins

My Two Dents on the New BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept

Finally, we've gotten a glimpse at the new 6-Series Coupe. Not the Gran Coupe nor the Gran Turismo, but the actual, factual, second-gen new 6-Series. Although it's technically called a concept, you know what we're dealing with. This is supposed to be BMW's big GT, but when picturing it on the street next to a Maserati GranTurismo for example, the car just doesn't impress on a major scale. It's not all bad, though.

The exterior is very expected, and thus bland. "Bland" because the 6-Series is a car you buy for its outward appearance as well as interior finish, and the appearance just isn't "chic" enough to fit the bill. That's not to say it doesn't look good, but its face could have been more "well-tailored prom king" and less "plain Jane at locker 47" (fingers crossed for the M6). Considering the 6-Series' target consumer has a high-school mentality, its pretty but average exterior might hurt it in the long run.

The nose is where it really loses points for me; it's just too busy and simple at the same time. The rest of the exterior, though, is quite a nice evolution. That flare that drops from the front fenders into the rockers is very attractive and does a good job of adding depth to an otherwise 2D surface (character line or no). At the rear, the 6-Series' tail - with its snazzy wraparound lights - succeeds nicely in evolving away from the Bangle butt and blends nicely with the rest of the car (and lineup).

As previously mentioned, both interior and exterior styling are equally important in this segment, making the new 6-Series slightly unbalanced. How so? While the exterior is pretty but beige, the interior is jaw-droppingly stunning.

Under the glass roof, the 6-Series' concept's interior is an eyes-wide event. Its layout is driver-centric and appears to be tailored for a king, all while screaming at you with B&O speakers.

Lines cross at obscure points and the materials are interestingly fitted in order to make the inner realm of BMW's GT a time consumer to look at (in a good way). It simply takes a while to fully absorb all the details and it's delightful.

Set to fill the gap of between the 5- and 7-Series, this car is almost exactly as expected and thus a tad disappointing from a passer-by's standpoint. To debut this at Paris, a show viewed as the models' runway of the automotive world (i.e. the outside is what everyone sees first and judges...harshly), indicates that BMW may truly be running into a design dead-end.

If that's the case, BMW's "dontblogaboutthis" car had better be a fan-friggin-tastic techno tour de force because the next 6-Series is shaping up to be a vehicle where it's only what's on the inside that counts. As always, sales will tell the story, and facelifts are always there should the need arise.

By Phil Alex

MODIFIKASI BMW Seri 7 Lebih Sporty | Disentuh Lumma

MODIFIKASI BMW Seri 7 Lebih Sporty | Disentuh Lumma

Home modifications Germany, Lumma Design, successfully providing an aggressive sport touch viscous on the BMW 7 Series luxury saloon. All that thanks to the aerodynamics package which offered a limited edition Lumma.

Like on the front, new bumpers equipped spoiler, and fog lamps, Daytime running lights LED. Plus, wrapping body kit that connects to the side equipped with over-fender brake cooling vents.

Design side skirts also seem to flow down to a rear bumper diffuser combined with new designs and ends of double-trapezoidal tailpipe. This aerodynamic package makes the figure of-seven series look more broadly.

Lumma also provide carbon elements in several parts, including the house next to the rearview mirror, front grille, all door handles, door center pillar, trunk lid lip, and the mudguard. Increasingly muscular appearance with the use of 22 inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in lightweight high performance tires Vredestein lansiran sized 265/30 front and 295/25 at the rear.

In the interior, modifier of specialist BMW, Mercedes and Porsche was just giving the package aluminum pedals and carpet in accordance with the desires of the color choices. Carpets are getting Lumma Design embroidered logo.

Pack these modifications can be applied to all variants of the Series 7, both short and long wheelbase versions. Amazingly, every installation has been equipped with TUV certificate, which ensure product quality meets the highest standards of European Lumma.

Unfortunately, Lumma not provide for cardiac pacemaker performance packet-seven Series.

2010 BMW 1-Series Sport Picture

2010 BMW 1-Series Sport Wallpaper

2010 BMW 1-Series Sport Interior

2010 BMW 1-Series Sport Wallpaper

BMW's Paris Show Highlights Include EfficientDynamics X3, New Engines and AWD for 5-Series

BMW has released details of what it will be presenting at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Alongside the world premiere of the Concept 6 Series Coupé, 2011 X3 SUV and 5-series Touring are new engines, AWD and phone tech for the 5-series and an Efficient Dynamics version of the X3.

The Bavarian automaker is touting standard electromechanical servotronic steering (which adjusts the responsiveness of the steering depending on the vehicle's speed) along with optional Drive Dynamic Control, adaptive headlights, HUD and a "top view" rear view camera available across its 2011 X3 range.

An EfficientDynamics variant of the X3 with stop-start technology and a six-cylinder engine / eight-speed automatic transmission combo will also be shown, but will not be available in the US and Canada.

BMW will also unveil several new engines for its latest 5-series range, including a 3.0-liter in-line six 525d producing 204 hp (150 kw) and a 528i with 258 hp (190 kw) for the Touring (wagon). A twin turbo straight-six 535d diesel with an impressive sounding 300 hp (220 kw) will also be offered in both body styles.

An all-wheel-drive derivative of the 5-series sedan and Touring called xDrive - which will be available with both 535i and 530d engines - will also be officially launched (again, not available in the USA and Canada). xDrive will also be available as an option on all Gran Turismo models and as a sedan-only 550i model.

The 5-series will also get the options of a hands-free tailgate from Q2 2011 and ConnectDrive, which allows Blackberry and iPhone integration. Now you can read and dictate emails from the comfort of the driver's seat, while your back seat passengers take advantage of the wireless internet access. No word on pricing information, of course.

New accessories for the M3 focused on the areas of aerodynamics and the interior, along with M-sport packages for the 5-series sedan / Touring and X3 SUV will also debut in Paris.

By Tristan Hankins