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	<title><![CDATA[unitedBMWonline Blog]]></title>
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	<description><![CDATA[BMW News, Views & Reviews]]></description>
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		<title><![CDATA[2013 BMW Motorsport Tent]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-motorsport-tent/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-motorsport-tent/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:54:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=515]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9043761090_48850735e2_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="BMW Motorsport Tent"></a></p>
<p>The new BMW Motorsport Tent for 2013 effortlessly puts all BMW motorsport fans in pole position. Whether on the campsite, by the race track, or in the wild, this robust two-person tent can be put up – after a little practice – in the time it takes to do a lap of the Hockenheimring.<!--more--> It is part of the new BMW Motorsport Collection , presented by the Munich-based manufacturer for the 2013 racing season.</p>
<h3>Quick, dry and robust: a top choice by the track and at the campsite.</h3>
<p>Time is ticking, but very soon the stopwatch stops. It reads two minutes – and that’s all motorsport and camping fans need to put up the BMW dome tent. But like in motorsport, speed is not enough to ensure victory. The BMW tent also scores highly in rainy conditions. The polyester sides with PU coating and taped seams ensure the tent is highly water resistant (waterhead rating of 5,000 mm) and can be used even in bad weather. The 87" x 59" x 43" interior remains dry and the side ventilation flaps provide fresh air.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/9041618977_e07dce2617_z.jpg" width="640" height="415" alt="BMW Motorsport Tent"></a></p>
<p>We all know it is only those who can go the distance who will win in the end. So the tent’s two flexible fibreglass poles, tent pegs and robust structure are all designed to ensure that it can put in a sterling performance for many seasons. Those who pitch this racy little number next to the racetrack are sure to make a special contribution to the atmosphere, too. The white BMW Motorsport logo on the side creates a striking contrast with the tent’s blue material. More optical highlights: red and white design elements, such as a striped reflective band and the slogan “powered by M.”. When not in use, the BMW tent can be compactly packed into a practical 28" x 7" x 7" nylon bag with carry handles.</p>
<p>The BMW Motorsport Tent is available from United BMW Roswell's online store <a href="http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/bmw-motorsport-tent.html" title="United BMW Roswell's online store" target="_blank">unitedbmwonline.com</a> alongside the range of other appealing items in the BMW Motorsport Collection.</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW 3 Series Coupe Wins Edmunds Best Retained Value Award]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-3-series-coupe-wins-edmunds-best-retained-value-award/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-3-series-coupe-wins-edmunds-best-retained-value-award/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:18:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=510]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9031055535_c537965f30_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW 3 Series E92">
<p>The BMW 3 Series Coupe has again earned the Edmunds.com Best Retained Value® award for the $35K-$45K Coupe category.<!--more--> Edmunds determined each model's competitive segment based on body type and sales-weighted average manufacturer suggested retail price of all available styles of that model's body type. Edmunds.com's Best Retained Value® Awards for 2013 recognize brands and models that have the highest projected residual value after five years.  In recognizing the BMW 3 Series Coupe, the editors at Edmunds.com noted, “Regardless of body style, the 2013 BMW 3 Series is an impressively well-rounded and highly desirable entry-level luxury car.”</p>
<p>The BMW 3 Series Coupe, which is available as a 240-horsepower 328i Coupe or 300-horsepower 335i Coupe model, combines excellent performance and legendary BMW driving dynamics with class-leading value thanks to its excellent results in retained value and through the BMW Ultimate Service® No Cost maintenance program.</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW Group Sales Record Another Stella Month - May 2013]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-group-sales-may-2013/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-group-sales-may-2013/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:35:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=483]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported May sales of 31,174 vehicles, an increase of 10.1 percent from the 28,321 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 6.3 percent on sales of 139,142 in the first five months of 2013 compared to 130,843 in the same period in 2012.<!--more--></p>
<p>“May usually gives us a strong boost as we head into summer and it did so again this year with the newly introduced 320i bringing significant numbers of entirely new customers to the brand,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “All the indicators from our dealers confirm that consumer confidence is increasing and we expect more successful months ahead.”</p>
<h3>BMW Brand Sales</h3>
<p>Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 13.8 percent in May for a total of 25,230 compared to 22,168 vehicles sold in May, 2012. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 8.2 percent on sales of 113,357 compared to 104,779 sold in the first five months of 2012.</p>
<p>In May, best performing vehicles included the 3 Series, up 47.2 percent to 9,307 units; the Z4 Roadster, up 19 percent to 338 units; the 6 Series, up 26.1 percent to 914 units; and the X6 SAV, up 18.4 percent to 887 units.</p>
<h3>BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles</h3>
<p>In May, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 13.6 percent to 15,831 vehicles compared to the 13,930 vehicles sold in May, 2012. January through May, BMW used vehicle sales are up 5.7 percent on volume of 72,700 compared to 68,793 in the same period of 2012.</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW Connected Drive - New Functionality]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-connected-drive-new-functionality/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-connected-drive-new-functionality/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:54:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=498]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9030969765_f6b00d22d9_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Connected Drive"></a>
<p>BMW ConnectedDrive has been synonymous with forward-looking concepts and technologies in the domain of automotive connectivity for many years. By refocusing on tailor-made mobility services and new, highly innovative service features, BMW is extending its lead in this field. In the US, this will mean new standards offering throughout the range for the 2014 model year, a significant update to the latest BMW iDrive user interface, the ability for customers to add services after they purchase the vehicle if they wish.<!--more--> BMW ConnectedDrive will also include a range of features tailored specifically to BMW i.</p>
<h3>BMW ConnectedDrive in many markets and for all vehicles.</h3>
<p>From the outset, BMW ConnectedDrive has been geared towards the mobility requirements of its users both today and into the future. The carmaker’s pioneering role is exemplified by the very first in-car integration of an Apple iPod in BMW cars back in 2004, as well as the multitude of apps for in-car use introduced since 2011. The reorientation of the services now turns comprehensive, intelligent connectivity between passengers, vehicle and the outside world into a reality, while the new and enhanced service features are to be made available for all models by means of a SIM card integrated into the vehicle.</p>
<p>Today BMW ConnectedDrive services are available in 11 countries. Over the course of 2013, the BMW ConnectedDrive service portfolio will be extended to an additional 14 markets around the world. The objective is to have around five million BMW cars linked up worldwide via ConnectedDrive with the help of the built-in SIM card by the year 2017. This broadening of its strategy makes BMW the first carmaker to firmly commit itself to the goal of achieving blanket connectivity. This will see BMW customers reap the benefits of a steadily increasing number of innovative new features and functions with high practical value.</p>
<h3>BMW ConnectedDrive in the US: For model year 2014, more standard features and available services.</h3>
<p>In the US the portfolio of BMW ConnectedDrive for model year 2014 will include more standard features throughout the range and even more available services. These will include:</p>
<ul>
<li>BMW Assist standard in nearly all 2014 models including 10 years of eCall with enhanced Automatic Collision Notification and BMW Teleservice.</li>
<li>Updated BMW iDrive 4.2 available or standard on most 2014 models with a range of enhancements and additional features.</li>
<li>BMW navigation and BMW Online standard equipment on all 2014 5, 6 and 7 Series cars as well as 2014 X5 and X6 Sports Activity Vehicles. It is optional on all other models. In addition to BMW Online, BMW navigation includes Advanced Real Time Traffic Information.</li>
<li>Concierge service is now standard on all V8 and V12 equipped 2014 6 and 7 Series models. It is now available as a standalone upgrade on most other 2014 models. The service can be initialized at the time of purchase or can be added anytime after purchase.</li>
<li>Internet access is available as an option on 2014 models equipped with navigation and the latest BMW iDrive 4.2 as part of BMW Online. The internet browser is connected through the vehicle using a 3G network connection.</li>
<li>Enhanced voice command options including available message dictation and integration of both Apple Siri and Samsung SVoice through the vehicle’s voice command controls.</li>
<li>Expanded availability of BMW Apps-ready third party apps. In addition to the apps available in the US today – including Pandora, MOG, Stitcher and Aupeo – new BMW Apps that will be available soon include Audible, TuneIn, Rhapsody and Glympse with more to follow. Later this year, BMW Apps integration will be available for devices with the Android operating system.</li>
</ul>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW 3 Series Wins Automobile Magazine All-Stars Award]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-3-series-wins-automobile-magazine-all-stars-award/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-3-series-wins-automobile-magazine-all-stars-award/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:04:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=506]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9031010571_43ed90449f_z.jpg" width="640" height="391" alt="BMW 3 Series Sedan F30">
<p>The BMW 3 Series continues living up to its hard-earned reputation as the best compact sports sedan in the world, and AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE backs that up by presenting it with a coveted 2013 All-Star award.<!--more--> As the class benchmark since its debut in 1977, the BMW 3 Series has collected over a dozen of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE’s highly sought-after awards by remaining the best in the business.</p>
<p>“The BMW 3 Series has become so ubiquitous that it’s easy to forget how exceptional it really is,” said AUTOMOBILE’s Joe Lorio.</p>
<p>“…this BMW still can ignite an enthusiast’s fire in a way that its competitors cannot,” the article continued. “It’s in the way the steering effort loads up during a seemingly endless series of switchbacks, the way the suspension reacts with each turn of the wheel, and the way the throttle is so precisely calibrated. You can feel the connection to the heritage that goes back to the BMW 2002 and the dawn of the compact sport sedan.”</p>
<p>“We strive to keep the iconic BMW 3 Series evolving as the benchmark among sport sedans, and recognition like this is reassurance that we are doing our jobs,” said BMW of North America’s Chairman and CEO, Ludwig Willisch. “We thank AUTOMOBILE for this prestigious honor.”</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW Group to celebrate in the 2013 Engine of the Year Awards]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/06/bmw-group-to-celebrate-in-the-2013-engine-of-the-year-awards/]]></link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:37:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=493]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9033103520_1b257e6f40_z.jpg" width="640" height="453" alt="BMW Engine of the Year"></a>
<p><strong>Two reasons for the BMW Group to celebrate in the 2013 Engine of the Year Awards.Class victories for the 2.0-litre engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and the 1.6-litre unit in the MINI Cooper S.</strong></p>
<p>The BMW Group has extended its run of success in the International Engine of the Year Awards by recording two more class wins. The company’s latest distinctions in the globally renowned competition came courtesy of two drive units which bring sporty performance characteristics to current BMW and MINI vehicles in particularly efficient style.<!--more--> In a repeat of last year, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology fitted in models including the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series finished top of its displacement category. And the 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine from the MINI Cooper S went one better, celebrating its seventh class win in a row. The Engine of the Year Awards were presented on 5 June 2013 at the Engine Expo fair in Stuttgart.<br />
Instantaneous power delivery and a level of efficiency unmatched by any rival were the cornerstones of the BMW Group’s successful showing in the Engine of the Year Awards. The winners in each category and overall are decided by an international jury, made up this year of 84 motoring journalists from 35 countries. The company’s success in two categories of the International Engine of the Year Awards represents further evidence of its globally recognised development expertise in the area of drive system technology. Since 1999, the BMW Group has racked up over 60 class and overall wins in the competition.</p>
<p>
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology once again provided the key to success in the 1.8 – 2.0-litre displacement class. In the winning BMW four-cylinder engine this package of technology comprises a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection and BMW Valvetronic fully variable valve control. The 180 kW/245 hp version of the engine is used to power the BMW 328i, BMW 528i, BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW X3 xDrive28i and BMW X1 xDrive28i.</p>
<p>
The other class conqueror in the BMW Group’s engine line-up also won over the Engine of the Year Awards jury – for the seventh consecutive year – with its impressive balance of sports performance and economy. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo unit, again the dominant force in the 1.4 – 1.8-litre category, boasts twin-scroll turbocharging with an overboost function, direct petrol injection and valve control based on the Valvetronic system. Its maximum output of 135 kW/184 hp enables the MINI Cooper S to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.0 seconds and deliver average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres (48.7 mpg imp). This highly efficient drive unit is now also available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper S Paceman, where it can be combined with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system.</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[All New 2014 BMW X5]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/all-new-2014-bmw-x5/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/all-new-2014-bmw-x5/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 May 2013 11:02:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=474]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/8890757078_c5580ea30d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5">
<p><strong>The vehicle that launched an entire segment set to enter its 3rd generation again setting the standard for luxury, versatility and driving dynamics</strong></p>
<p><!--more-->
<p>It isn’t often that an automobile manufacturer gets to launch an entirely new vehicle segment, but that’s exactly what BMW did in 1999 when it introduced the world’s first Sports Activity Vehicle – the BMW X5. Two generations and some 1.3 million vehicles later, the BMW X5 is set to enter its third generation.  As its predecessors have done before, the all-new 3rd generation X5 will again set new standards for luxury, versatility and – because it is a BMW first and foremost – driving dynamics.</p>
<p>The all-new BMW X5 will offer a new model and a first for the original Sports Activity Vehicle, the X5 sDrive35i, which marks the first time that an X5 model has been offered with rear-wheel drive. It, along with the X5 xDrive35i, will be powered by BMW’s multi-award winning 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six. The V8-powered X5 xDrive50i will use BMW’s latest 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8. It offers improvements in horsepower and torque, while at the same time improving efficiency. These models will arrive in US showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2013. Based on its popularity over the last several years, a new BMW Advanced Diesel model will join the line-up a few months later. The 2nd-generation X5 xDrive35d features a new 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder diesel engine. It will provide the abundant torque for which BMW Advanced diesels have become renowned while offering significant improvements in efficiency over its predecessor. All models will be equipped with BMW’s latest 8-speed automatic transmission. As was true of its predecessors, the all-new BMW X5 will be produced exclusively at BMW’s production facility in Spartanburg, SC.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/8890761730_f38a04eef8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5"></a>
<p>Among the attributes that have set the BMW X5 apart in the automotive landscape has been its unique blend of sporty, elegant exterior design and luxurious, flexible interior ambiance. Those attributes have been enhanced with an entirely new design, inside and out.  For customers looking to add an additional element of individuality to their new X5, the Luxury Line, xLine or M Sport will be available, as will two Interior Design Packages – Ivory White and Mocha.</p>
<p>Class-leading driving dynamics have been a hallmark for the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle from the very beginning and the new X5 is no different. BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive can be complemented by Dynamic Performance Control as part of the optional Dynamic Handling Package. The Dynamic Handling Package also includes Active Roll Stabilization providing an additional edge to the X5’s sporty handling attributes as well as Dynamic Damper Control and a rear-axle air suspension. Adaptive M suspension, available as part of M Sport, also includes Dynamic Damper Control and rear air suspension with more sports-oriented suspension tuning.</p>
<h3>Exterior design: dynamic flair that unmistakably marks it as nothing but a BMW X5.</h3>
<p>Signature BMW design features combine with undeniable presence and versatility to lend BMW X models their distinctive appearance. This design language has been given a contemporary and eye-catching update for the new BMW X5. The proportions of the 3rd-generation Sports Activity Vehicle are once again defined by a short front overhang, long wheelbase, upright A-pillars and the short distance between the front axle and the leading edge of the front door. The three dimensional design of the BMW kidney grille, set within the triangle of the dual round headlights and front foglamps, and the bumper’s X-shaped contour lines also identify it as a member of the BMW X model family.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/8890763226_ab2761beb5_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5 Front"></a>
<p>The new BMW X5 has a broad-set kidney grille that extends all the way to the headlight clusters, which extend from the kidney grille all the way into the front fenders. The hallmark four round headlights are trimmed by LED accent rings. To provide a new look, the light rings are flattened along the bottom edge and overlapped at their top edge. Sweeping chrome inserts and the prominently three-dimensional design of the lights underline the car’s sophisticated character. LED front foglamps are standard. The optional Adaptive LED Headlights are identified by the horizontal light sources in the center of the light rings. All X5 models are equipped with standard Adaptive Xenon headlights.</p>
<p>The front apron, with side air intakes positioned far to its outer edges, accentuates the wide track and planted stance of the new BMW X5. The striking underbody protection elements also provide a nod to its robust character. Drag-reducing Air Curtains make their debut on a BMW X model. These vertical apertures guide the incoming air around the wheel arches, where it creates a curtain of air over the wheels before making a controlled escape through the Air Breathers in the side of the front fenders.</p>
<p>The design of the flanks reflects the BMW X5’s power and sporting ability. Precisely drawn lines rising up towards the rear build a wedge shape draw attention to the dynamic character of the X5 and break up the taut surfaces around the front fenders, doors and rear wheel arches. The resulting light and shadow effect brings out the athleticism and agility of the Sports Activity Vehicle.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/8890165425_fea4500492_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5 Rear">
<p>The upright nose of the X5, with its forward-thrusting BMW kidney grille, cuts an arresting figure from the side. The familiar BMW swage line rises steadily from the headlight units, through the door pulls and into the tail lights. It combines with the character line extending from the upper edge of the Air Breathers and another, more obvious crease above the side skirts to stretch the figure-hugging surfaces of the car’s flanks powerfully to the rear.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/8890166429_cd078e63b9_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="2014 BMW X5 Side">
<p>The subdivision between the muscular body and the passenger compartment, whose large windows lend it a light and spacious feel, is clearly visible from the rear as well as from the side. Horizontal lines on the two-section tailgate and around the rear apron emphasize the width and robust stance of the new BMW X5. The thin, three-dimensional LED light strips of the two-section, L-shaped rear lights create a striking night-time look. Plus, the new BMW X5 is the brand’s first model to feature Aero Blades. These black air-channelling elements are contiguous with the roof spoiler and help it to optimize the car’s aerodynamic properties.</p>
<p>The versatility of the new BMW X5 can be seen in the standard black roof rails while the exterior paintwork can be ordered in a choice of 11 colors, among them the new Sparkling Brown Metallic as well as Mineral White Metallic.</p>
<h3>Interior design: high-quality materials, luxurious ambience, cutting-edge functionality.</h3>
<p>The interior of the new BMW X5 is both elegant and spacious. The horizontal structure of the layered surfaces underlines the broad sweep of the instrument panel and reflects the impressive amount of space available on board. The three-dimensional design of the surfaces also generates vibrant contrasts.</p>
<p>The interior materials selected for the new BMW X5 also play a role in shaping the exclusive onboard ambience. The trim strip and accent strip extend into the front door panels and are picked up again in the rear door panels. Plus, the standard Poplar Wood Trim now sits atop a high-gloss black surface, which is bordered on its lower edge by an accent strip in Pearl Gloss Chrome.</p>
<p>For the US market, the standard BMW Navigation system, with touchpad, includes a freestanding 10.2-inch Control Display Monitor. The displays for the climate control and ventilation systems feature black panel technology.</p>
<p>The Dakota leather seat surfaces are standard on the X5 xDrive50i and can be specified as an option on six-cylinder models.  Exclusive Nappa leather with extended features can be specified as part of the Interior Design Packages. Customers can choose from up to eight upholstery colors.</p>
<h3>Personalization: Luxury Line and xLine for the exterior.</h3>
<p>Two new Lines for the exterior and interior of the new BMW X5 can be ordered as an alternative to the standard specification, enabling a new level of personalization. Each Line represents a harmonious blend of design, colors and materials. M Sport is also an alternative for those that wish to accentuate the sporting character of the new X5. The Lines also encompass the new-look remote control key with redesigned operating buttons.</p>
<h3>xLine: presence and robustness.</h3>
<p>With stylistic underbody protection elements in brushed stainless steel, newly designed air intake bars in matt silver and a rear trim strip which, like the kidney grille bars, comes in matt silver, the xLine adds distinctive touches to the exterior and emphasizes the SAV character of the new BMW X5. This xLine also includes exterior mirror bases and B-pillar and C-pillar trim in high-gloss black, as well as Satin aluminum line exterior trim for the side windows. Roof rails are available in a choice of Satin Aluminum or high-gloss finish. Also included are a sport steering wheel, aluminum running boards and 19-inch Orbit Grey wheels – 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with mixed-sized performance tires are available as an upgrade.</p>
<h3>Luxury Line: modern and distinctive.</h3>
<p>The Luxury line for the exterior includes stylistic underbody protection elements and wheel arch surrounds painted in the respective body color, black kidney grille bars with high-gloss chrome fronts, T-shaped bars for the outer air intakes and louvers for the lower aperture, plus a chrome trim strip for the rear apron and Chrome Line Exterior adornments for the side windows. The exterior mirror bases, B-pillars and C-pillars all feature high-gloss black trim. Roof rails are available in a choice of Satin Aluminum or high-gloss finish. Also included are a sport steering wheel and 19-inch V-spoke wheels – 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with mixed-sized performance tires are available as an upgrade.</p>
<h3>M Sport: provides the right look and feel for the performance-oriented driver.</h3>
<p>M Sport offers the performance-oriented driver a particularly dynamic look and feel for the new BMW X5. Exterior touches include an M-aerodynamic body kit, Shadowline trim, high-gloss roof rails and 19-inch M-Double Spoke light alloy wheels. 20-inch M-Double Spoke wheels with mixed-sized performance runflat tires are available as an upgrade. The interior includes an 8-speed sport automatic transmission with shift-paddles, M-sport steering wheel, anthracite headliner, M foot rest and door sills, Aluminum Hexagonal trim and sport seats. Multi-contour seats can be specified as an alternative. An M Adaptive Suspension may also be specified as an upgrade.</p>
<h3>Two Interior Design Packages offer additional opportunities for personalization</h3>
<h3>In addition to the Lines, two Interior Design Packages – Ivory White and Mocha – offer additional possibilities for personalizing the new BMW X5.</h3>
<p><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/8890773658_64a68e927b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5 Interior">
<p>The <strong>Ivory White Interior Design Package</strong> features Ivory White Nappa Leather upholstery. The dashboard is covered in Atlas Grey leather with contrast stitching for both the seats and dashboard. It includes Fineline Oak Wood trim, although other trims may be specified as an alternative.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/8890145251_59a4eb1edd_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5 Interior">
<p>The <strong>Mocha Interior Design Package</strong> features Mocha Nappa Leather upholstery. The dashboard in this case is cover in Black Nappa leather with contrast stitching for both the seats and dashboard. The featured trim is Fineline Pure Wood Trim, although other trims may be specified as an alternative.</p>
<h3>Flexible interior, greater versatility with seating for up to seven.</h3>
<p>With its luxurious ambience and enhanced ride comfort, spaciousness and seating comfort, the new BMW X5 advances the standard set by its predecessor. The newly designed seats for the driver and front passenger ensure a high level of long-distance comfort and impressive lateral support. Multi-contour seats, which are standard on the X5 xDrive50i, and sports seats are available as an option on six-cylinder models.</p>
<p>Comfort seats are now available for rear passengers as is seat heating. The rear comfort seats come with bespoke upholstery, backrest adjustment through 10 degrees and 3.1 inches (80 mm) of fore/aft adjustment. The rear comfort seats can be specified either as an individual option or together with the optional third row of seats. The two additional seats are easy to access thanks to an Easy Entry function and a grip plate by the C-pillar. They can be lowered separately into the load compartment floor and come with inertia-reel seat belts.</p>
<p>The folding backrest of the second-row seat can now be split 40 : 20 : 40, which allows load capacity to be increased in stages from 23 cu.ft. – 66 cu.ft. (650 – 1,870 litres), based on EU measurements. That represents up to seven percent more volume than its predecessor. Additional storage compartments and door pockets which can accommodate 1.5-liter bottles up front and one-liter bottles in the rear contribute to the X5’s functionality both in day-to-day use and on longer journeys.</p>
<p>The new BMW X5 again comes with a split two-section tailgate. The lower element can be folded down horizontally to form a single level with the load surface. Power tailgate operation for the upper section is a standard feature. And now, for the first time, the tailgate can be closed as well as opened using the remote control and, at the touch of a button, from the driver’s seat.</p>
<h3>Multi-award winning 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six powers new X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i</h3>
<p>The new X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i will be powered by BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 engine (internally known as N55). It develops maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, with peak torque of 300 lb-ft available all the way from 1,200–5,000 rpm. The N55 engine was the first BMW inline-6 to combine turbocharging, High Precision direct fuel injection, and Valvetronic variable intake technology. It features a single, mid-sized turbocharger with a “twin-scroll” housing to boost performance and minimize response lag.  Using Valvetronic for the first time on a turbocharged inline-6 allows the engine to “inhale” air more efficiently for combustion with virtually no delay and with reduced pumping losses. The new X5 xDrive35i will accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Thanks to a lower curb weight and other EfficientDynamics measures it is also expected to be more efficient (EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch).</p>
<h3>BMW X5 xDrive 50i features the latest TwinPower Turbo V8</h3>
<p>The 4.4-liter V-8 engine (N63) that powers the current X5 xDrive50i receives an upgrade for its successor. The unique “reverse-flow” engine, whose two turbochargers are positioned in the V-area between the cylinder banks is well known for producing an instantaneous and sustained wave of power, making it a delight for the enthusiast driver. This new version of the engine adds BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing to the list of specifications. As a result, the new version of the engine (N63TÜ) develops a maximum 445 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm (a 45 hp increase), and makes peak torque of 480 lb-ft between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm (a 30 lb-ft increase). This newest TwinPower Turbo V8 powers the new X5 xDrive50i from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Thanks to the addition of Valvetronic, lower curb weight and other EfficientDynamics measures, the new X5 xDrive50i will also see significant efficiency gains (EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch).</p>
<h3>New X5 xDrive35d benefits from the latest BMW Advanced Diesel technology</h3>
<p>The new BMW X5 xDrive35d features an all new inline six-cylinder diesel engine offering an even better balance between performance and fuel consumption than the outgoing diesel. The 3.0-liter engine, whose BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises VNT turbocharging and common rail direct injection, now develops maximum power of 255 hp and maximum torque of 413 lb-ft which is delivered between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. In spite of the slight reduction in output from its predecessor, the new BMW X5 xDrive35d has a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 6.9 seconds (preliminary), making it just as quick or quicker. With the latest technology and the addition of an 8-speed automatic transmission, the new model is expected to post significant improvements in efficiency (EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch). The new X5 xDrive35d uses the latest in emission reduction technology. Lower nitrogen oxide limits are met using a close-coupled NOX adsorber catalyst and an SCR catalyst with urea (AdBlue) injection.</p>
<h3>BMW EfficientDynamics: eight-speed automatic and ECO PRO mode with new functions.</h3>
<p>All models in the new BMW X5 lineup feature an eight-speed automatic transmission, whose high internal efficiency, precision and short shift times help to improve both efficiency and responsiveness. The optional  eight-speed sport automatic transmission, offers a new “launch control” function, a high-precision traction control system which allows engine power to be translated as efficiently as possible into road speed when accelerating from a standstill.</p>
<p>In ECO PRO mode, the engine management, accelerator response and transmission characteristics are systematically tailored to support a particularly fuel-efficient, low-rpm driving style. At the same time, ECO PRO mode also programs electrically powered functions like the climate control, heated seats and heated exterior mirrors for extra-efficient energy management. In ECO PRO mode, a coasting function periodically decouples the engine from the rest of the powertrain whenever the driver eases off the accelerator at speeds between 30 – 100 mph without then applying the brakes. This allows the new BMW X5 to coast without engine braking, for maximized fuel efficiency. In conjunction with the standard Navigation system, highly fuel-efficient ECO PRO navigation routes can be selected. When the navigation system is activated, the Proactive Driving Assistant function also tells the driver exactly when to ease off the accelerator when approaching corners or a speed-restricted section of road, in order to save fuel.</p>
<p>Along with the additional ECO PRO mode functions, the new BMW X5 also comes with many other BMW EfficientDynamics features. These include Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start/Stop, on-demand operation of ancillary units, Electric Power Steering, and a variety of weight- and drag-reducing features. Along with other measures, use of ultra-high-tensile steels in the body structure, thermoplastics in the front fenders, aluminum in the hood and magnesium in the instrument panel support all help to reduce curb weight. Intelligent lightweight design also means that the increase in standard equipment compared with the previous model does not translate to increased vehicle weight. The curb weights for the new X5 xDrive35i and X5 xDrive50i are reduced by approximately 170 and 230 lbs respectively.</p>
<p>The BMW X5 also offers best-in-class aerodynamic design. Air Curtains, the Air Breather system, vertical aero blades at the rear window, air deflectors on the front wheel arches and a range of other detail improvements reduce the drag coefficient (Cd).</p>
<h3>Chassis: adjustable for driving condition and one’s mood.</h3>
<p>Sports Activity Vehicles are a vehicle segment created by BMW. Their combination of confident, sure-footed all-road traction and sporty but comfortable driving dynamics has made them a global success. The new BMW X5 once again raised the bar, incorporating refinements to the all-wheel-drive system and chassis technology.</p>
<p>Using the standard Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console, the drive settings can be matched to the requirements of the moment or to different driving situations. The COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and ECO PRO modes, which can be selected at the press of a button, allow the driver to customize the accelerator response characteristics, the power steering characteristics, the characteristics of the automatic transmission and also Dynamic Damper Control, if equipped. On vehicles with the Dynamic Handling Package, the characteristics of the active roll stabilisation system and the Dynamic Performance Control can also be tailored.</p>
<p>The suspension packages available for the new BMW X5 cater to individual requirements in terms of comfortable or sporty driving styles. With the Dynamic Damper Control + automatic rear self-leveling suspension option, electronic control logic adapts the damping characteristics to changing road conditions and driving situations. Two different damping modes can be selected using the Driving Dynamics Control switch. The same functionality is also provided by the <strong>Adaptive M suspension</strong>, available as part of M Sport. In this version, SPORT or SPORT+ modes offer extra-firm suspension and damping characteristics.</p>
<p>Finally, the <strong>Dynamic Handling Package</strong> maximizes both comfort and dynamics. This option combines the components of Dynamic Damper Control, automatic rear self-leveling suspension, Dynamic Performance Control, and Active Roll Stabilization.</p>
<p>The new BMW X5 features standard Electric Power Steering. Active Steering is available as an option. In addition to varying the power assist, Active Steering also adjusts the steering input required to turn the wheels in relation to vehicle speed. This reduces the steering effort required when parking and provides precise response and feedback at high speed. The electromechanical parking brake with Auto Hold function is once again standard on the new BMW X5. The powerful braking system offers stable and consistent braking performance even under heavy braking, assisted by Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Among other functions, the DSC system includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and the Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X). Other functions include Brake Assist, the Brake Standby feature, Start-Off Assistant, Fade Compensation, the Brake Drying function, trailer stability control and Hill Descent Control (HDC).</p>
<h3>BMW xDrive in the new BMW X5: intelligent all-wheel drive, with optional Dynamic Performance Control.</h3>
<p>All models of the new BMW X5, except the X5 sDrive35i, are equipped with xDrive full-time intelligent all-wheel drive, which actively manages the drive power split between the front and rear wheels at all times. The latest version of the xDrive power divider boasts optimized efficiency and a three pound (1.4 kg) reduction in weight. xDrive’s control logic uses information about road speed, wheel speeds, steering angle and accelerator position to accurately interpret both the driver’s intentions and what the vehicle is actually doing, and then apportions power front-to-rear in order to get as much power as possible to the road. BMW xDrive maximizes both traction and stability whatever the road and weather conditions, and also offers improved cornering dynamics by working to help counteract oversteer or understeer before the driver is even aware of the need.</p>
<p>If xDrive is combined with Dynamic Performance Control, the drive power split can be even more finely controlled. The electronically controlled DPC is integrated into the rear differential. In combination with xDrive it takes handling dynamics and directional stability to new levels. Dynamic Performance Control, which is available as part of the optional Dynamic Handling Package, seamlessly varies the drive power split between the rear wheels (torque vectoring), with significant benefits in terms of steering response and road-holding at all speeds. The stabilizing action of Dynamic Performance Control remains in effect even when the driver lifts off the accelerator while cornering.</p>
<p>All-wheel-drive models come with a new xDrive status display in the control display boasting 3D graphics. This feature shows real-time information about body roll and pitch. A compass display is also shown in the instrument cluster.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/8890769808_8ffede4203_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2014 BMW X5 Interior"><br />
<h3>More innovations to assist the driver and underpin services: the BMW ConnectedDrive range for the new BMW X5.</h3>
<p>A large range of BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems and mobility services are available for the new BMW X5. They improve active safety, convenience and the infotainment experience and offer best-in-class standards of intelligent interaction between the driver, vehicle and external environment.</p>
<h3>Safety: Active Driving Assistant and Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go.</h3>
<p>The new Active <strong>Driving Assistant</strong> safety package includes <strong>Lane Departure Warning</strong>, which alerts drivers to an imminent unintended lane departure, and a <strong>pedestrian and collision warning system with braking function</strong>, which detects vehicles in front and, at speeds up to 37 mph (60 km/h), also detects pedestrians who are on a potential collision course with the vehicle. If a hazard is detected, visual and audible warnings are given and the brake system is primed in order to reduce stopping distance. At speeds up to 37 mph (60 km/h), moderate “hazard” braking is applied to reduce vehicle speed and alert the driver to a critical situation.</p>
<p>The <strong>ACC Stop & Go</strong> enhances comfort and safety in slow-moving and stop-and-go traffic. This system maintains a safe following distance at any speed up to 130 mph (210 km/h). A combination of a front camera and full-range radar sensors registers preceding traffic or stationary vehicles. If the driver fails to react to a warning of an imminent frontal collision, ACC Stop & Go + Active Driving Assistant automatically brakes the vehicle all the way to a standstill if necessary. A new function, the <strong>Traffic Jam Assistant</strong>, is due to be incorporated in this package from December 2013 production onward. At speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h), this function not only controls following distance but also keeps the vehicle on track. The Traffic Jam Assistant keeps the vehicle in the center of its lane by providing active steering input.</p>
<p>BMW Assist eCall, <strong>which is standard including a 10 year subscription</strong>, includes enhanced Automatic Collision Notification, with automatic vehicle location and BMW’s groundbreaking Urgency Algorithm. The current generation of this system relays important information to the BMW Call Center in the event of a crash, such as vehicle position (accurate within feet), chassis number, vehicle model, vehicle color and data from the onboard sensors. The system also detects how many people are traveling in the vehicle, which airbags were activated and the intensity of the impact. Jointly developed with the William Lehman Injury Research Center in Miami, BMW’s Urgency Algorithm synthesizes all the available crash data in order to provide first responders with a prediction of the likelihood of severe injury. Arming first responders with this information has the potential to save precious minutes in a critical situation.</p>
<p>BMW ConnectedDrive technologies also enhance safety at night. <strong>Adaptive Xenon Headlights</strong> with turning lights are standard. <strong>Adaptive LED Headlights</strong> and the <strong>Automatic High Beams</strong>, which automatically dim the high beams in the face of oncoming traffic, are available. Night driving can be made even safer with the available by <strong>BMW Night Vision</strong>. This system now detects warns the driver not only about pedestrians but animals as well. The system relays a real-time video image to the control display which shows people, sizeable animals and other heat-radiating objects even if they are outside the headlight beam, and provides a warning if there is a collision risk.</p>
<h3>Comfort: innovative driver assistance systems and unique services.</h3>
<p>In the new BMW X5, the full-color <strong>BMW Head-Up Display</strong>, which projects important information onto the windshield, now includes even more additional information. When needed, telephone contact lists and entertainment programs can also be projected into the driver’s direct field of view.</p>
<p>Also new, and due to become available for the X5 by December 2013, is the latest generation of the <strong>BMW Parking Assistant</strong>. This helps the driver look for suitable parallel parking spaces and precisely maneuvers the vehicle into a parking space, not only by steering but also by operating the accelerator and brake pedal and selecting the appropriate gear. When the system has been activated at the press of a button, the new BMW X5 can park itself automatically in a selected parking space. Ease of maneuvering is enhanced by the <strong>Rear-View Camera</strong>, which is standard on the X5 xDrive50i, and the <strong>Surround View</strong> system, which now provides a 360-degree view of the vehicle and its surroundings on the control display. The Panorama View front and rear monitoring function, provides a better view of cross-traffic when merging from an exit with poor visibility.</p>
<p>Other features which are available for the new BMW X5 include the <strong>Speed Limit Info</strong> system, which shows any speed limits or overtaking restrictions for a particular road in the instrument cluster. Also available, the optional <strong>Active Blind Spot Detection</strong> system assesses the traffic situation on multi-lane roads in order to prevent critical situations when pulling out to overtake. When performing an intentional lane change, the driver is warned by a visual signal and a steering wheel vibration if another vehicle is hidden in the driver’s blind spot behind or alongside the BMW X5.</p>
<p>The BMW Assist Convenience Plan offers Concierge Services which the BMW ConnectedDrive customer can use to make hotel reservations, search for addresses and telephone numbers or check opening times, to name just a few examples. The plan also includes critical calling, enabling the driver to get help placing a call if their cell phone is not accessible or functioning. It also includes a dictation function that converts spoken notes into text, which can then be forwarded as an SMS or email message. <strong>Advanced Real Time Traffic Information</strong> is standard, supplying drivers with precise real-time traffic information and congestion reports.</p>
<h3>Infotainment: connectivity for office, entertainment and social media applications.</h3>
<p>Based either on a comprehensively integrated smartphone or on a built-in SIM card, BMW ConnectedDrive offers access to a wide range of mobility services and web-based services for office, travel and infotainment applications. A hands-free system with <strong>USB port</strong> is standard on the new BMW X5. The BMW ConnectedDrive Office functions allow emails, appointments, contact lists, calendar entries and notes to be shown on the control display.</p>
<p><strong>BMW Apps</strong> is standard on the new X5. BMW Apps enables the driver to be more seamlessly connected than ever before using their Apple iPhone.  Vehicle compatible apps like the BMW Connected App can be downloaded from the iTunes store, allowing customers to access Twitter and Facebook updates, listen to internet radio from around the world with Web Radio, and access their calendar all using the BMW iDrive controller and screen. The Last Mile feature helps users receive directions for walking from their BMW to their final destination and then finding their way back to their parked vehicle. Additionally, popular services like Pandora, MOG, Stitcher and Aupeo can be easily and safely streamed into and controlled by the BMW vehicle interface today. Other services like Audible, Glympse, Rhapsody and TuneIn will be integrated soon. The flexible design of BMW Apps allows unprecedented integration of smartphone functions, taking the in-car integration of iPhone, entertainment and online functions to a whole new level. BMW Apps adopts the familiar BMW display and controls to ensure that all functions can be operated comfortably, simply, safely and intuitively while minimizing driver distraction.</p>
<h3>Extensive standard specification and high-end optional equipment for more driving enjoyment.</h3>
<p>The exclusive driving experience in the new BMW X5 is reflected not only in the luxurious interior but also in the extensive standard specification and wide range of high-end optional extras. For the US market, the standard equipment list for all models now includes BMW Assist eCall with 10 year subscription, BMW Navigation with Advanced Real-time Traffic, BMW Apps, Mobile Office, Heated Seats, Park Distance Control, power tailgate, LED fog lights, auto dimming mirrors, storage compartment package and panoramic moonroof. Additional standard features include a two-zone automatic climate control system, Bluetooth hands-free system, automatically dimming rear-view mirror and Dynamic Cruise Control with braking function. The X5 xDrive50i also features Rear View Camera and multi-contour seats as standard equipment. In addition to the standard hi-fi sound system, audiofiles can choose either the optional Harman Kardon Surround Sound System or the Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System. The B&O system features a 1,200-watt amplifier and 16 speakers. A newly developed rear-seat entertainment system with DVD drive and two tablet-style monitors is also available. Additional available features include a sports leather steering wheel, heated steering wheel, four-zone automatic climate control, doors with Automatic Soft Close function, Comfort Access and aluminum running boards.</p>
<p>The all-new 3rd-generation BMW X5 will arrive in US showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year as the TwinPower Turbo inline six X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i as well as the TwinPower Turbo V8 X5 xDrive50i. The BMW Advanced Diesel X5 xDrive35d will follow in early 2014.</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/concorso-deleganza-villa-deste-2013/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/concorso-deleganza-villa-deste-2013/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 May 2013 09:09:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=467]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/8878485272_45fdb55c88_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013">
<p>A glittering parade of all the competition entrants and the announcement of this year’s prize-winners brought the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 to a fitting conclusion this Sunday. Thousands of visitors had once again travelled to the shores of Lake Como for this tradition-steeped event in the grounds of Villa Erba to delight in an ultra-exclusive line-up of historical cars and motorcycles.<!--more--> The jury and assembled galleries crowned the “Days of Elegance” by selecting the prize-winners from the numerous high-calibre examples of historical automotive art. The jury awarded the Trofeo BMW Group for “best of show” to the Bugatti 57SC Atlantic from 1938 as well as it won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este prize decided by public referendum. The Concept Cars and Prototypes class was headed by the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/8877868263_161d169812_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013"> </p>
<p>The backdrop and atmosphere of Lake Como, coupled with the exquisite line-up of vehicles and the enthusiasm of the spectators, ensure that the Days of Elegance in Cernobbio is without parallel.<br />
“The competition entrants and the special exhibitions at this year’s event have taken it to a quite extraordinary level,” explained Dr. Ralf Rodepeter, Director of the BMW Museum and member of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 Selecting Committee. “We’re therefore delighted that more than 6,000 visitors came along to experience the event on the Sunday alone.”</p>
<p>The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 brought together 50 cars and 35 motorcycles from widely varying eras in automotive history. In addition, six concept vehicles and prototypes went on show, each representing their own distinctive perspective on forward-thinking automotive design. This link between traditional and future-focused aesthetics in vehicle construction once again defined the character of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este as a fascinating stage for historical highlights and visions of future mobility.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8272/8877968777_a014f248a8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013">
<p>Away from the competition, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este also provided the setting for the world premiere of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé and the BMW Concept Ninety.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/8877939279_dc61feb3a1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013"> </p>
<p>The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este was held for the first time in 1929 in Cernobbio, northern Italy. Since 1999 the event has taken place in the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba under the patronage of the BMW Group. This year the Concorso di Motociclette, launched successfully in 2011, adopted the “90 years of BMW Motorrad” anniversary as its focal point. A special exhibition at Villa Erba featured over 30 leading lights from BMW’s history of “sheer riding pleasure”, including the BMW R 32 – the company’s first motorcycle – presented in 1923. The third edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for motorcycles also reached its climax on the central stage in the grounds of Villa Erba with the presentation of the Trofeo BMW Group. The jury awarded the prize to the IMZ M-35K.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/8878482060_82e09d6e6c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013"></p>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/bmw-pininfarina-gran-lusso-coupe/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/bmw-pininfarina-gran-lusso-coupe/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 May 2013 08:32:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=459]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/8878038540_da76ed9985_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé"></a>
<p>BMW and Pininfarina are two of the most tradition-swathed names in the motoring world. Each is a byword for cutting-edge technology, style, dynamics and aesthetics. With the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, the two time-honoured companies are unveiling the outcome of their first collaboration at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013. The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is a one-off and represents the exclusive interpretation of a luxurious BMW Coupé as seen through the eyes of Pininfarina.<!--more--> Working in close consultation, the two design teams have created a new automotive persona brimming with character and ready to join the high-end luxury class – typically BMW while sporting the distinctive signature of Pininfarina.</p>
<p>With the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, the BMW Design team took up exclusive design aspects such as luxury and elegance and fed them into a creative exchange with long-established specialist car designer and manufacturer Pininfarina. In this elaborately created one-off, the renowned companies BMW Group and Pininfarina joined forces to bring an idea to fruition: “The appeal of this collaboration with Pininfarina is that you get another, very different and special angle on facets like luxury and exclusivity,” notes Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design. “The Italian company, after all, has always been a byword for these criteria in particular, demonstrating time and again its keen sensitivity and exceptional finesse in these areas. In Pininfarina we have found the ideal partner to lend shape to this vehicle concept.”</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/8878046498_ea0bd408e0_z.jpg" width="640" height="398" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Sketch">
<p> “The result of this cooperative venture is far greater than the sum of its parts,” says Fabio Filippini, Head of Design at Pininfarina. “When two such tradition-rich and experienced brands join forces to turn a vision into reality, something utterly new and exciting emerges. From start to finish, this project was defined by a mutual respect for the identity of the other company.”</p>
<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/8877600715_1dc16f58a9_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Side"><br />
<h3>Consummate elegance.</h3>
<p>The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé adds a new dimension to the BMW claim to exclusivity. This painstakingly created one-off captivates the viewer at first glance. Liberal surface areas and taut contours are the distinguishing elements of an elegant car body. Typical BMW proportions – a long wheelbase, stretched bonnet and set-back greenhouse – imbue the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé with imposing dynamics even when stationary. At the same time the car exudes balance and harmony: BMW values such as technology, dynamics and precision are complemented by the skilled craftsmanship of Pininfarina to create a very special holistic experience. “The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé has an extraordinary impact. It expresses hallmark BMW values such as luxury and sheer presence in a highly elegant form,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “I admire the reductive clarity and precision in Pininfarina’s design. Their expectations for the end result have been just as high as ours, and their understanding of design perfectly complements the BMW design DNA for a vehicle of this kind.”</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/8877422109_ecc9257e25_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Front"><br />
<h3>Dynamic presence – the front view.</h3>
<p>With its broad, wheel-focused stance, the front of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé radiates sheer presence and dynamics. The hallmark double-kidney grille and the road-focused headlights with their suggested twin circular look reveal at a glance the family bond with BMW. At the same time the distinctive Pininfarina elements have been interpreted with Italian finesse to lend the front end a special flair.</p>
<p>The trademark BMW kidney grille forms the central element of the front-end design, and all surfaces and lines take their bearings from it. It symbolically points to the engine at the heart of the vehicle, its size reflecting the power of the V12 unit nestling behind it. The “kidneys” are angled towards the road, citing the typical BMW “shark nose” and lending the front end an even more dynamic look, particularly when seen from the side. Viewed up close it discloses highly accomplished detail work: the front part of the bipartite kidney grille is made of matt-sheen aluminium, while behind it an identically shaped part in high-gloss black adds visual depth and makes for an exciting contrast of materials.</p>
<p>Above the kidney grille the bonnet stretches across the front of the car, its subtle contours appearing to emanate from the BMW emblem and lending the bonnet a dynamic elegance. The flat headlights underline the road-focused look associated with a BMW and round off the “face” of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. Their dynamic contours are in perfect harmony with the classic BMW twin circular look in an interpretation that leaves them open at the top. The use of LED technology creates a technically premium impression while adding a striking depth to the headlights.</p>
<p>The eye-catchingly sporty front apron concludes the front end of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé as it dips towards the road. The flat, one-piece air intake accentuates the breadth of the front, an impression reinforced by chrome trim that adds a classy touch. The air intake is larger at the wheels and draws attention to the car’s wide, sporty track. Just above the road surface, discreet Pininfarina lettering points to the contributing partner from Italy, like a signature on a work of art.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/8878202254_52902ca1c2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Side"><br />
<h3>Elegant sculpture – the side view.</h3>
<p>The designers at BMW and Pininfarina set particular store by creating the right proportions. The car’s surfaces display the elaborate form language of BMW while being sculpted with a clarity that is hallmark Pininfarina. Within a powerfully present silhouette, convex taperings on the side add a dynamic elegance and give the body a tautly athletic shape.</p>
<p>At the same time the reduced, precise contours stretch the vehicle and underline its exclusivity with a contemporary touch. The high shoulder line extends almost horizontally along the entire side of the car, imbuing the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé with stature and presence. Above it the long roof line flows elegantly into the rear to define the short tail end. Below the shoulder line, a striking countersweep to the roof line emanates from the Air Breather behind the front wheel. Ascending towards the rear, it lends the back section of the car a light and dynamic appearance. All the lines have been designed with keen sensitivity: as they trace their course they become stronger or weaker and, through the changing play of light and shadow, show off the surrounding surfaces to their best effect.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/8878037710_3faebbdb3f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Side Detail">
<p>Numerous details accentuate the elegance of the side view. The matt-sheen embellishment behind the front wheel adds a stylish accent as it integrates the side indicator. Another signature BMW detail is the Hofmeister kink – the eye-catching forward bend in the window graphic that is perfectly integrated into the surrounding play of lines. Behind it the V12 logo indicates the powerful engine within the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. Pininfarina lettering in the side panel points to the definitive role played by the Italian design company in creating this vehicle, with the Pininfarina logo above it indicating that the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé was also built by Pininfarina.</p>
<p>The exclusively designed 21-inch wheels perfectly augment the sporty, elegant statement made by the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. Five trios of graceful yet powerfully sculpted spokes display a strong visual depth through the application of matt-sheen aluminium, black and black chrome. As such the wheel design blends an elegant multi-spoke style with the sportiness of five-spoke rims.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/8878213498_1143bba424_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Rear"><br />
<h3>Sophisticated stance – the rear view.</h3>
<p>The elongated side profile leads to a slender and elegant tail end. Striking horizontal elements imbue the entire rear end with a very broad, flat impression. At the same time, the generous surface design of the rear lends it a powerful presence. Between the surfaces, precise contours and horizontal lines break up the rear aspect, resulting in a clever interplay of light and shadow that partitions the entire design and brings it alive. An eye-catching detail is the transition from the roof to the rear lid: two elaborately shaped struts extend the roof pillar towards the rear, ensuring an elegantly fluid transition of the roof line into the tail section.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/8877421093_ef0dcbc779_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Rear Detail">
<p>Extending from the sides, the tail lights embrace the rear end in a single sweeping gesture that brings the side and rear together visually. The tail lights reveal elaborately detailed workmanship and lend the BMW L-shape a slender, almost filigree interpretation. They are set – jewel-like – within high-grade trim in matt-sheen aluminium. A particular highlight is their open design, allowing air to flow through them.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/8877584949_b4d353c811_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Interior"><br />
<h3>A contemporary take on classical values – the interior.</h3>
<p>The interior of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé takes up the accomplished fusion of modern elegance and authoritative dynamics as displayed by the exterior. Here the melding of sportiness, exclusivity and comfort makes for a unique interior experience. The fluid underlying geometry of the interior design by BMW takes on an individual character courtesy of the Pininfarina touch. With a special colour concept, choice materials and geometrical details in the doors, centre console and dashboard binnacle, Pininfarina lends further emphasis to signature BMW elements such as the driver focus and layering principle, while accentuating the sporty character of the interior with a fine instinct for cutting-edge and elegant details alike.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/8878039340_d04d35732e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Interior">
<p>The four-seater luxury coupé rolls out an exclusive ambience to welcome driver and passengers. The front and rear seats from the Pininfarina drawing board embrace all occupants with sporty side supports while providing the highest levels of comfort. From the driver’s seat, a sideward glance will initially reveal the hallmark BMW driver focus: all driving-related functions and controls are slightly angled towards the driver to be within optimal ergonomic reach. The horizontal alignment of the surfaces and lines of the dashboard create an expansive sense of space. The doors take up the flow of lines and invest them with greater dynamics as they follow their course, while the door handles cite the incisive shape of the tail lights as well as the side-panel embellishments as they bring these styling cues into the interior. The rear of the cabin likewise boasts spacious design, with legroom in the back seats of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé almost on a par with that of a large luxury sedan.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/8877419699_99be18aa6e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Interior"><br />
<h3>Select materials and top-quality craftsmanship.</h3>
<p>The exclusive colour and material concept is one of the stand-out features of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé and eloquently reflects its unique character. Extensive handcraftsmanship further enhances the interior ambience. Finest leather and kauri wood aged more than 48,000 years lend the cabin of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé a special aura. The high-grade leather from the Foglizzo leather factory – in black and a light shade of Tobacco Brown – creates a warm, exclusive ambience. Metal highlights in black chrome set a technical counterpoint to the extensive application of natural materials.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/8877422675_7087edd2ce_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Interior Door Panel">
<p>All the wood elements in the cabin are sourced from a single piece of kauri wood selected by the Italian timber experts of Riva 1920 exclusively for the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. Kauri wood has a unique grain and shifts in colour from gold to red to brown, depending on the incidence of light and angle of view. Simply polished and oiled, it exudes a particular warmth and naturalness in league with the exclusive leather surfaces of the interior. Native to New Zealand, kauri wood is among the rarest timbers in the world. Its special character derives from the fact that the toppled kauri trees have been preserved in swamps for millennia and can be processed like fresh timber after being retrieved from the fossil swampland.</p>
<p>The roof liner of finest Italian virgin wool features the striking “Principe di Galles” pattern. This grey plaid strikes a bold contrast to the traditional materials used for the doors and dashboard. The brown leather seats also pick up on the pattern in their all-round piping. Allowing extra light into the interior is an oblong aperture in the roof liner which is additionally illuminated by white LEDs. In the footwell areas, a soft deep-pile carpet in dark grey adds to a subtle sense of wellbeing. Another interior detail are the freestanding B-pillars, whose elegant design when viewed from the outside creates a homogeneous glazed area and frameless doors that appear very light.</p>
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		<title><![CDATA[BMW 6 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe - M Sport Edition ]]></title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/bmw-6-series-coupe-convertible-and-gran-coupe-m-sport-edition/]]></link>
		<comments><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/2013/05/bmw-6-series-coupe-convertible-and-gran-coupe-m-sport-edition/#respond]]></comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 13:24:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>steve</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/blog/?p=452]]></guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8793810849_db12274c7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="BMW 6 Series Coupe - M Sport Edition"></a>
<p><strong>Elegant and athletic design provides a perfect setting for the added functionality and value of the M Sport Edition BMW 6 Series.</strong></p>
<p>Sumptuous flair and alluring athleticism come together in the BMW 6 Series models to invest these premium luxury-class vehicles with hallmark driving fun.<!--more--> The new M Sport Edition offers a particularly exclusive opportunity to highlight the dynamic attributes of the BMW 6 Series Coupe, BMW 6 Series Convertible and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. With their harmoniously coordinated design details and ultra-high-quality range of features, the BMW 6 Series models in M Sport Edition guise deliver a driving experience that satisfies the most discerning requirements.</P>
<p>The M Sport Edition is available on all models and engine variants of the BMW 6 Series range (including xDrive models) and will be available from July 2013 production and is expected in United BMW Roswell's showroom early September. Pricing for the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition adds $4,600 to the base MSRP of the 6 Series Convertible, $4,800 to the 6 Series Coupe, and $5,300 to the 6 Series Gran Coupe.</p>
<p>The M Sport Edition models of the BMW 6 Series are based on the traditional M Sport package, comprised of a model-specific M aerodynamics package, 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, LED foglamps, the BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim, black-painted brake calipers and exhaust tail pipes in dark chrome. The interior features an M leather steering wheel, M door sill finishers, M driver’s footrest, and sport seats in nappa leather, as all of which enhance the exclusive ambience of the BMW 6 Series.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition adds the superb new Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster, Full LED Adaptive Headlights, and the comprehensive Executive Package. 650i and 650i xDrive models further benefit from the inclusion of the Driver Assistance Package. All M Sport Edition models of the BMW 6 Series also have the option of Sakhir Orange Metallic M exterior paint. This color was previously reserved for the iconic, ultra-high performance BMW M6. Another added option available for the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition is interior upholstery in BMW Individual Merino Leather in Opal White with contrasting seams in Sakhir Orange. This choice serves to accentuate not only the sporty attributes inherent to the 6 Series, but also enhances its luxurious character.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/8793811573_e51bfa09ae_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="BMW 6 Series Coupe - M Sport Edition"></a></p>
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