BMW has released new details about the M-Sports package for the 2011 X3.
Outside, the X3 gets revised bumpers and modified side skirts with the body-colour styling kit. Other goodies include 19-inch M light-weight alloy wheels, Shadow Line trim (window surrounds and roof rails), and exclusive Carbon Black metallic paint.
As far as the interior is concerned, BMW adds an M sports steering wheel, an M gear knob, gearshift paddles, sports seats, ‘Pearlpoint’ cloth / leather upholstery, and an anthracite roof liner.
Dynamically, the package acquires new sport suspension and variable sports steering.
Pricing information hasn’t been released, but the M Sports package will be available during the second quarter of 2010.
Unfortunately BMW has confirmed the news that is has cancelled further development and production of the BMW Z4 M.
The German car manufacturer said the economic downturn and a lack of customer interest in the model ruled out going forward with an M version of the Z4.
Strangely enough, the company is going forward with the X5 M and the X6 M and a whole host of new products that are large, expensive and not very economical on fuel costs.
Therefore, the lack of customer interest in the model - rather than the crisis- is perhaps the main reason for killing the M-powered roadster. Although it remains hard to believe, there is one consolation prize: the Z4 will get an M Sport package, just like the 135i.
Here we go, a black BMW 760Li spied in broad daylight. A very similar car (though with different plates) was spied a few weeks ago and hailed as the BMW M7. It wasn’t. Although BMW sources have admitted to the company being in the process of producing an M7 high-performance luxury sedan, this is not that car. What this happens to be is a 760Li, the long-wheel-base version of the 760i.
The pictured prototype features big black wheels, a longer wheelbase, four tailpipes shaped like flattened rectangles and what looks like the word “V12″ covered in tape on the front side of the car. Bits of the interior can be seen through the reflective glass but not much in specific detail can be observed.
At the moment BMW is only offering the new 7 Series up to 750i/ Li level where a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 is used to produce 300kW (407hp). Traditionally the 760i/ Li have been the range toppers for the BMW brand with their V12 naturally aspirated engines. Although technical details are not available yet for obvious reasons, speculation is that the V12 configuration has been retained but with an added two turbos for power persuasion. The BMW 760i/ Li should break cover at the Shanghai Motor Show in a couple of months’ time.
BMW has released an official video of the BMW X6 M, which is going to be presented in 2009. Naturally it’s a combination of all wheel drive and M power, and Limmer calls it “the X6 in its most sportive form.” Not sure if we can see the point of it, but well…
We all know by now that many car manufactures around the world are having monetary problems and see their sales plummet in 2008. This doesn’t count for BMW’s M Division, because the German tuning team of BMW has sold 50% more cars during the first 11 months of 2008, compared to last year. From January to November 2008, BMW has sold 22,340 M-Model cars worldwide compared to 14,092 vehicles in the same period in 2007. Already by August 2008 BMW M’s sales figures reached 16,150 units, exceeding last year’s total figure of 16,128 units.
