BMW Group heading for new record year

Rolls-Royce brand automobiles up to the end of November this year. Compared with the corresponding period last year (1,211,121), this is an increase of 33,654 vehicles, or 2.8%. In November 2006, the BMW Group sold 114,321 automobiles, which marks a rise of 0.3% compared with the same month last year (114,007).Dr Michael Ganal, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing: "This year, in spite of the model changes for the MINI, BMW X5 and BMW 3 Series Coup, we have set the ambitious goal to achieve a new sales record again. We will meet this goal and thus remain the world's leading supplier of premium automobiles. After all, the models directly affected by the changes represent almost a third of the total sales of the BMW Group. The new BMW 3 Series Coup has been on the market since September this year.

BMW¦at your service

BMW will provide police cars for Hampshire Police exclusively. While the Constabulary is a long-standing BMW customer the decision to switch exclusively to BMW has only recently been announced. As part of the switch, Hampshire Police ordered 23 cars with a total of 19 BMW 3 Series and 5 Series Touring models and four BMW X5 3.0d's. Most of the cars have already been prepared and are ready for service.

Hampshire Police has long recognised BMW for supplying reliable, comfortable, powerful and practical cars that suit both their day-to-day and more specialist requirements. John Bradley, Fleet Manager for the Constabulary, commenting on the order said: “As a Force we have used BMWs since the early 1970s. Our experience shows us that the product offers excellent reliability, good residual values and robust construction.

BMW introduces Qiblah arrow in navigation system

BMW Group Middle East has become the first premium car manufacturer in the region to introduce the arrow to Qiblah in Makkah in BMW navigation systems, operational from March 2007.

"We have realised the changing needs of many of our customers in the Middle East, whose busy lifestyles mean they are spending more time on the roads travelling between one city to the other," BMW Group Middle East managing director Guenther Seemann said.

The arrow towards Qiblah in Makkah will be available in the BMW 7 Series, X3, Z4, Z4 Coupe and MINI Cabrio from March 2007, and will also be available for RetroFit in the existing BMW 7 Series, BMW X5, BMW 3 Series and MINI models.

Video: Hartge V10 BMW 3 Series in Action

A while back we reported on the amazing Hartge V10 powered BMW 3 Series. Video footage of this 550hp beast has popped up showing some pretty amazing performance potential.

This latest incarnation of the venerable 3 Series would make it a drifter's dream machine. It will bring tears to the eyes of any dedicated RWD aficionado.


Full 2006 LA Auto Show photos (click the link below)

2006 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries.

2010 BMW 3-Series Specifications

2007 BMW 3-Series Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

-2,996 cc 3 liters in-line 6 front engine with 85 mm bore, 88 mm stroke, 10.7 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
-Premium unleaded fuel 91
-Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 30 and EPA city (mpg): 20
-Multi-point injection fuel system
-Main premium unleaded fuel tank
-Power: 172 kW , 230 HP SAE @ 6,500 rpm; 200 ft lb , 271 Nm @ 2,750 rpm

2007 BMW 3-Series Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features

-Four-wheel ABS
-Brake assist system
-Cornering brake control
-Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
-Electronic brake distribution
-Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
-Immobilizer
-Stability control
-Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs , multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

2007 BMW 3-Series Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features

-Body side molding
-Body color front and rear bumpers
-Day time running lights
-Driver and passenger power heated body color door mirrors
-External dimensions: overall length (inches): 178.2, overall width (inches): 71.5, overall height (inches): 55.9, wheelbase (inches): 108.7, front track (inches): 59.1 and rear track (inches): 59.6
-Front fog lights
-Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
-Luxury trim leather on gearknob, wood/woodgrain on doors and wood/woodgrain on dashboard
-Black paint
-Fixed rear window with defogger
-Glass electric front sunroof
-Tinted glass on cabin
-Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,340
-Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe and rain sensor

2007 BMW 3-Series Interior Standard Features

-12v power outlet: front and 1
-Air conditioning with climate control and rear outlet
-Diversity antenna
-Front and rear ashtray
-Manufacturer's own RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
-Cargo area light
-Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 12
-Front seats cigar lighter
-Clock
-Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
-Full dashboard console , full floor console with covered storage box
-Delayed/fade courtesy lights
-Cruise control
-Front seats and rear seats cup holders pop out
-Door ajar warning
-Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
-External temperature
-Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment , passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
-Bucket driver and passenger seat with height adjustment and tilt adjustment
-Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
-Front seat center armrest
-Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats , three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
-Headlight control with time delay switch-off, dusk sensor and auto off with ignition
-Heated washer
-Illuminated entry system
-Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 37.4, rear headroom (inches): 37.1, front leg room (inches): 41.5, rear leg room (inches): 34.6, front shoulder room (inches): 55.4, rear shoulder room (inches): 55.1 and interior volume (cu ft): 93
-Low tire pressure indicator
-Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch and includes power windows
-Power steering
-Front and rear power windows with two one-touch
-Front and rear reading lights
-3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side with pre-tensioners , 3-point reel rear seat belts on passenger side with pre-tensioners , 3-point reel rear seat belts on center side
-Rear seat center armrest
-Three fixed bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
-Rear view mirror
-Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
-Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
-Front and rear roof airbag
-Front seat back storage
-Vinyl seat upholstery with additional vinyl
-Seating: five seats
-Service interval indicator
-Front side airbag
-Ten speaker(s)
-Leather covered multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment
-Tachometer
-Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror
-Ventilation system with micro filter

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