Is it a Thunderbird? Is it an Alfa? No, it’s the Body II: a two-seater roadster made by Russian design and tuning firm, Cardi and it was shown to the public for the first time back in 2003 at the Moscow International Auto Show. The Body II rides on a BMW 3-Series platform (most likely the E36) and it’s equipped with a 2.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 196HP.

Source:bmwtdi

In anticipation of its pending tuning program for the latest iteration of the BMW 7-Series, Hartge has decided to release a new alloy wheel design for the Bavarian luxury sedan. The Hartge Classic wheel set is available in 22-inches and is combined with 265/30 ZR 22 tires up front and 295/25 ZR 22 tires on the rear axle. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Source:bmwcar

Crisis? What crisis? While most car manufactures around the world are seeing their sales plummet in 2008, BMW’s M-Division is flourishing in this harsh economic environment having exceeded the previous year’s equivalent figures during the first 11 months of 2008 by over 50 per cent! From January to November 2008, BMW has sold 22,340 M-Model cars worldwide compared to 14,092 vehicles in the same period in 2007. In November 2008 alone some 1,900 BMW M automobiles were delivered around the globe.

Source:bmwnews

BMW has lifted the covers on its brand-new 2009 Z4 roadster that will make its world debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11. By far the most significant change on the new Z4 concerns the replacement of the canvas roof top with a retractable hardtop essentially eliminating the need for a coupe version. The two-piece lightweight aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds.

Source:autobmw

MCCHIP has introduced a new tuning package for BMW’s controversially styled X6 SAV. The kit concerns the xDrive35d or in other words, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel version. With MCCHIP’s software upgrades the inline-6 turbo diesel engine delivers 340HP and 660 Nm, up from the standard car’s 286HP and 580 Nm. This enables the X6 xDrive35d to boost the maximum speed from 238 to 251 km/h.

Source:bmw

Enthusiasts were up in arms, but BMW refused to recognize their concerns (addressed on nearly every BMW message board, and by the BMW Car Club of America)… until now. According to a statement from the automaker, new software will be released in January 2009 that will restore the original turbocharger response. Of course, it comes with a warning that it may result in “slightly increased engine noise levels.” As if an enthusiast cares… Thanks for the tip Michael!

[Source: BimmerFile]

The rumored Z2 is currently in the works and could be available in both coupe and cabrio variants, and equipped with some form of BMW’s EfficientDynamics system. The 1-series-based two-door is expected to be powered by either a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 2.0-liter four, and there’s also talk of a hybrid version utilizing BMW’s eDrive system.

UPDATE: BMW has put together a Dexter-inspired teaser site for a new model set to be revealed in 19 days. We’ll know what’s up on December 14th.

[Source:BMWBlog]

BMW’s own twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 can easily match the power output of the M3′s normally-aspirated 4.0-liter V8). The first new M model to carry the turbocharged honor will be the X6 xDrive M, with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 reportedly making 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That same engine is reportedly going into the next F10-chassis M5 due in late 2010.

[Source: Autoweek]