BMW

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The legacy of BMW includes 2 funky pickup trucks

BMW makes vehicles admired by many performance-car enthusiasts. The automaker’s reputation, like other German automakers’ pedigrees, is well-heeled and varied. The carmaker makes comfortable sedans that power along the open road like sports cars. What’s less known is BMW’s foray into pickup trucks. It made the E30 M3 and the E92 M3. The E30 M3 debut in 1986. It had a 2.3 liter engine with 200 horsepower and it was a soft top convertible. The pickup wasn’t a success but it lasted for 26 years — as a transport vehicle for the manufacturer. BMW pickup trucks didn’t sell well The carmaker also made a second M3 pickup, the E92. It included a 4.0-liter V8. It was short-lived and only was

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3 BMW sedans get worst depreciation honors

Consumers purchase BMW sedans for their well-documented performance qualities. But value is not part of the German manufacturer’s appeal. According to iSeeCars.com, the automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine, three of the German sedans are among the top-10 vehicles with the worst five-year depreciation averages. The website analyzed more than 8.2 million car sales to identify models with the lowest and highest loss in value after five years. BMW gets dubious honors The BMW 7 and 5 series hold the top two spots among the highest depreciating vehicles. The stablemate X3 has the 10th worst depreciation average after five years of ownership. Here’s the list of the highest depreciation cars: 1. BMW 7 Series, 72.6 percent. 2. BMW

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2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe: Lots of car, lots of money

Four-door coupe is among the automotive industry’s numerous contradictory terms. But since 2005 when the idea of a sloping roofline on a four-door sedan returned after a several-decade hiatus, it’s become a thing. Mercedes-Benz featured the idea in its C class; BMW is now participating with its 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe. Key Takeaways 600 to 617 hp from a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8: The standard M8 Gran Coupe makes 600 hp; the Competition trim bumps to 617 hp. Both produce 553 lb-ft of torque and reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Base MSRP of $130,000 climbs to $154,295 as-tested: Carbon ceramic brakes ($8,150), Bowers & Wilkins audio ($3,440), and Merlino leather ($3,500) drive the price skyward. Four-door sedan body makes

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BMW regains luxury clout with 2020 M850i gran coupe

Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche all keep stealth watch on competitors’ next moves and then attempt to outdo them. Newcomer Genesis is now in on the fun, and it must be joyful for luxury sedan and gran coupe enthusiasts to observe the rivalry.   Consider BMW. Hoping to regain the front-of-the-pack edge from Mercedes-Benz, it reintroduced its flagship 8 Series last year after a two-decade hiatus. Its 2020 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe debuts this year and continues the stoic brand’s efforts to regain premier honors.   Like its German mainstay rivals’ fans, BMW enthusiasts are as loyal as any carmakers’ followers. It’s hard to fathom they could be more pleased. While combing luxury, craftsmanship and performance, the 2020

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2019 BMW 3 Series gets 330e

The 2019 BMW 3 Series, the perennially top-ranked sedan, recently had its global unveiling at the Paris Auto Show. It will be available to the public in the summer of 2019. The car’s seventh generation will feature a new plug-in hybrid 330e. The PHEV includes BMW’s latest eDrive Technology to enhance efficiency and performance. A vital component of the new BMW 330e plug-in is the addition of XtraBoost, a system that allows the sedan to increase system output temporary by up to 41 horsepower (30 kW). It will increase the 330e’s 252 horsepower (185 kW) output up to 293 hp (215 kW). The 330e also sees its all-electric driving range increased to up 50 percent, to 37 miles (60 km)

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BMW, electric start-ups set for big presence at LA Auto Show

Much like the unusual circumstance of new vehicles debuting throughout the calendar year, the global auto show circuit begins at the end of the year at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The show, preceded since 2016 by press and trade days and a connected car expo, AutoMobility LA, doesn’t bill itself by age. It’s had several hiatus years. But since its debut in 1907 when 99 vehicles were showcased on a skating rink, the LA Auto Show has become a go-to event for automakers to unveil new models and concept vehicles. The tradition will continue this year, beginning Nov. 26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, when established manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW will have several models making

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Newly designed 2018 BMW X3 eases highway burdens

Purchasing a BMW is often considered a sign of status. It’s ownership of a sedan, sports car or sport utility vehicle possessing superior qualities on the open road. The luxury carmaker offers vehicles, including the newly designed 2018 BMW X3, that uniquely ease the burdens of highway commutes and long hauls across state borders. It’s what Bavarian Motor Works has always done well. But the once-dominant German manufacturer has increasingly been challenged by automakers wanting more of a share of the SUV sales deluge. Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Infiniti and Acura all have debuted worthy offerings in recent years. With sales down, BMW altered the X3 for 2018. Changes include a longer wheelbase and a three-bumper opening, one

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Microlino mini-car channeling BMW Isetta debuts in Europe in 2019

More than 50 years before tiny houses, Smart cars and other mini things on wheels became recent crazes, the BMW Isetta was a trendsetter. It was known as a “bubble car.” It was stylish, got great gas mileage and zipped perfectly around narrow European streets. Now, its modern-day equivalent, the electronic vehicle (EV) Microlino, has been approved as street legal by the European Union. Designed by Wim Ouboter, production of the Microlino has started and its debut is expected in early 2019. The company already has several thousand pre-orders. The Microlino is ideally named. It’s 7 feet, 10 inches long and weighs 990 pounds. Depending on what battery is installed, the Microlino has a 50 or 134-mile range. It can

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2018 Kia Stinger debuts as strong rival for Audi, BMW

Years after Hyundai and Kia emerged from automotive doldrums to offer stylish, top-rated, economic and performance-oriented vehicles, non-believers still quibble. A standard refrain is that South Korean manufacturers don’t offer prestige. The argument isn’t valid, particularly with the introduction of the 2018 Kia Stinger. It joins a strong lineup from both manufacturers (Hyundai owns about one-third of Kia) challenging long-time standard bearers. The new, speedy and handsome sedan provides another strong example of how the once upstart underdog is a severe competitor to rivals like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A5, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In its initial year, the Stinger is available in five-tRIM evels. The top-line GT has rattled the parameters of what might be expected from

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2018 BMW 740e: Big green sedan, big green money

The luxury sedan market is flush with wondrous vehicles, including the 2018 BMW 740e. They’re machines whose craftsmanship and performance further define the pleasures of driving even to enthusiasts who don’t need persuading. With the addition of the new BMW, Germany manufacturers continue to expand their reign of the segment. Mercedes-Benz has the S-Class and there’s the Audi A8. The 740e xDrive iPerformance gives BMW its most extensive list of powertrains. The plug-in hybrid, rated at 27 miles per gallon in gas-only mode, and 64 miles per gallon with the combined electric and gas methods considered, has the same overall qualities BMW enthusiasts appreciate. It’s comfortable and quiet, and it’s constructed with superior-class materials and a finish carpenter’s touch. Even

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BMW in which Tupac Skakur shot for sale, $1.5 million

The 1996 7 Series BMW in which rap legend Tupac Shakur was a passenger when he was murdered nearly 22 years ago is for sale. The asking price is $1.5 million. The BMW is on display for the first time at the Celebrity Cars Las Vegas showroom at 7770 Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas. Musician and producer Marion Hugh “Suge” Knight Jr. was driving the car on Sept. 7, 1996, when, at the intersection of East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane when a gunman fired four .40-caliber rounds into the passenger side of the vehicle. Shakur was hit in the arm, thigh and twice in the chest. He died four days later. When Skakur was shot in the vehicle,

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Fire risk prompts massive North American BMW recall

BMW is recalling more than 1.4 million cars and SUVs in the United States and Canada for two overlapping heating issues that could increase the risk of fires. According to a manufacturer representative, one recall includes more than 670,000 2006-2011 U.S. BMW 3-Series vehicles to address a wiring issue for heating and air conditioning systems. The first recall includes: the 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3 from the 2006-2011 model years. Also covered are the 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is, and the 2009-2011 335d. The second recall includes more than 740,000 U.S. 2007-2011 vehicles with a valve heater that could rust and lead to a fire. The larger of the two recalls covers

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BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz: good riddance O’Reilly

Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hyundai and Allstate Insurance Co., major long-time advertisers from the automotive industry, have removed their advertising campaigns from the controversial Fox political show “The O’Reilly Factor.” The abrupt reaction, which also includes several additional advertisers from various industries, has occurred over several days after the New York Times reported Fox and show host Bill O’Reilly paid five women to settle claims he sexually harassed them. According to a Reuters report, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi SA, direct marketer Constant Contact, men’s clothing company Untuckit, as well as T. Rowe Price are also no longer advertising on the show. “In light of the disturbing allegations, we instructed our media buyer this morning to reallocate our ad dollars to other shows

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Manufacturer Spotlight: BMW, airplanes to supercars

With its legacy dating nearly 110 years to manufacturing airplanes, BMW (Bavarian Motor Works) is renowned for its luxury vehicles that provide a unique combination of driving pleasure and performance. It took 18 years after BMW began in Munich, Germany as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG for the company to transition from airplanes to cars. The Dixi, the first four-wheel effort, was a hit. It joined by the Type 328 roadster as the brand’s defense against the Depression. The two-seater was hugely successful on the racing circuit with more than 120 victories during a five-year tenure ending in 1940. Following WWII, BMW stretched its ever-advancing success with models like the 501 and 502, luxury and roomy sedans. But the carmaker didn’t

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2017 NEW CAR PREVIEW: BMW to unveil lineup in Detroit

BMW will offer a varied new selection of vehicles, including the world debut of the 2017 5 Series sedan as well as the M Performance and plug-in hybrid electric iPerformance variants January 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The BMW X2 Concept, a compact Sports Activity Vehicle first unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September, will make its North American debut. With the introduction of the 530e iPerformance, BMW now offers a family of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles including the 330e iPerformance, the 740e xDrive iPerformance,  X5 xDrive40e iPerformance as well as the i3 and i8. The world debut of the 5 Series sedan will be represented in Detroit by the 2017 540i, and the

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2016 Lexus IS200: New luxury sedan gives BMW pause

The 2016 Lexus IS200 is a new vehicle, replacing the IS 250 as the upscale brand’s entry level luxury sedan. It features three models, including a more fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbo-charged engine with 241 horsepower. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly driver test drive was the Lexus IS200t with the F Sport Package. Lexus is known for its generous list of standard features, among other qualities. The new IS lineup in no exception. Standard equipment across the line includes: 17-inch wheels (18-inchers on the IS 350), xenon headlights, LED running lights/foglights/taillights, heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, eight-way power front seats with driver

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