The latest addition to the long running series of BMW art cars is this Z4. Unlike previous art cars where the machine was the canvas, the z4 you see above was actually used as the paint brush. When BMW unveiled the new 2009 Z4 at the Detroit Auto Show, they showed a video of artist Robin Rhodes creating a massive painting using a Z4 with its wheels dripping with red and green paint. For the last two weeks, the car and two of the painted panels have been on display with several of the earlier art cars at Grand Central Station, but they’ve now been moved into the Jacob Javits Center for the New York Auto Show. We were walking by this morning and thought you might enjoy some car art with your coffee.

Here at the New York Auto Show today, BMW is publicly showing the new X6 M for the first time, resplendent in red. For all the questions that were raised about the X6′s own reason for being a year ago when it debuted, the same questions are even more boosted with the X6 M. The standard 400-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 has been boosted to a massive 555 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Does it make any more sense? Certainly no more so than any other 500-hp vehicle, but that’s not what the X6 M is about. As BMW points out, M is about an expression of joy. Aside from the acceleration, we didn’t find the standard X6 all that joyful. We’ll have to wait until we get the X6 M on a track in July to see if nearly 40 percent more power can address that. We’re just hoping the next M5 gets this engine.

As other automakers begin to move towards smaller, more efficient engines, BMW hasn’t given up on the V12. Not only has the company added a V12 to the latest 7 series, it’s an all new engine with 6.0-liters of displacement, carrying the same technology as the new 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i. Twin turbocharging and direct injection yield 544 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. Unlike the V8, the 12 retains the standard intake in the valley, exhaust on the outside flow configuration. An eight-speed automatic transmission will deliver all that juice to the rear wheels.

The V12 will be available in both the standard and extended wheelbase variants of the 760 and will push it 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The 760 reportedly also gets a combined 18.2 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle.

A 6.6-liter version will power the production version of the new Rolls-Royce 200EX and should probably top the 600 hp mark. Since BMW slipped out this press release in Europe while making no mention of the 760 here in New York, it seems unlikely that the V12 will be coming Stateside, although we’re checking with BMW to confirm.

As other automakers begin to move towards smaller, more efficient engines, BMW hasn’t given up on the V12. Not only has the company added a V12 to the latest 7 series, it’s an all new engine with 6.0-liters of displacement, carrying the same technology as the new 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i. Twin turbocharging and direct injection yield 544 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. Unlike the V8, the 12 retains the standard intake in the valley, exhaust on the outside flow configuration. An eight-speed automatic transmission will deliver all that juice to the rear wheels.

The V12 will be available in both the standard and extended wheelbase variants of the 760 and will push it 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The 760 reportedly also gets a combined 18.2 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle.

A 6.6-liter version will power the production version of the new Rolls-Royce 200EX and should probably top the 600 hp mark. Since BMW slipped out this press release in Europe while making no mention of the 760 here in New York, it seems unlikely that the V12 will be coming Stateside, although we’re checking with BMW to confirm.

In recent weeks, America’s comparatively stratospheric price of diesel fuel has slid back down to achieve parity with the price of conventional gasoline. One might think this development means it’s a great time to invest in a new oil-burner for the driveway, but the reality is that unless you’re an OPEC minister, there’s no good way to ensure this pricing trend is here to stay. So, allow us to table the fuel economy argument for a moment and suggest a radically different reason for going diesel: driving enjoyment.

While this idea may strike as an inherently foreign concept to most American motorists, the truth is that the torquetastic nature of diesel engines is particularly well suited to the Great American Roadscape – even more so than hybrid drivetrains. You can be forgiven for thinking otherwise – after all, automakers haven’t exactly given U.S. consumers a boatload of entertaining derv burners to sample, have they? Thankfully, the folks at BMW may have just the prescription: the 335d.

Coupes, sedans, convertibles, even sport-wagons… BMW’s venerated Motorsport division – known to all the world by the letter M – has tuned all sorts of vehicles from the Bavarian automaker’s lineup, but with the launch of the new X5 M and X6 M, this is the first time the tuning division has been tasked with tweaking a crossover or SUV… or anything with four-wheel-drive, for that matter. Purists might view it as a bridge too far for the garage that has turned out such precision driving tools as the original 3.0 CSL, the exotic M1 and the spectacular M3, but Munich’s marketing department has evidently wasted no time in assuaging those doubts by putting the new X6 M on the track as quickly as possible, and in one of the most speed-crazed, testosterone-infused forms of motorsport on the planet: MotoGP.

The Security Plus models are partially built alongside the regular models in Spartanburg, SC, and then sent to Toluca, Mexico for final assembly. Some of the special features that are fitted include a beefed-up suspension with special run-flat tires, an intercom system to communicate with people outside the vehicle, a hold-up alarm that automatically locks windows and doors, plus sirens and flashing lights too. There’s also a list of options that includes a rear view camera and a front-bumper-mounted side view camera. It’s powered by BMW’s 355 horsepower, 4.80-liter V8, and even with the extra equipment, this crossover can scoot from 0 to 62 miles-per-hour in 8.2 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 112 mph.

There’s a full press release after the jump and a huge high-res gallery too. You’ll see there is very little to tip evil-doers that the person inside is worthy of attention, until the need to escape arises and the lights go on. BMW handles sales of these vehicles in a very discreet manner and even offers special driver training so anyone can become The Driver.

BMW has an M Division that creates masterworks like the M3 and the automaker also has a Performance Division that creates accessories for those of us that might want an M3 but need to think of other things, like the kids’ college education. Now it’s been revealed that BMW has another division coming: a Motorsports Division that will sell racing components.

The revelation came at the end of an interview with Stephen Zoepf, the Accessory Development Manager at BMW Performance. Zoepf said the Motorsports arm will create competition parts from “bodies in white, to higher capacity brake pads.” Of course, he couldn’t comment on specifics, but to have BMW provide factory-engineered racing-spec parts is a huge present to every track-day BMW-phile. It won’t give you the cojones to pilot the M3 GT4 above, but you might be able to look and sound like the guys who do.

[Source: BimmerFile]

As of today, the German automaker has announced that a “Maintenance Program Upgrade” will be offered for all BMW models (except the ALPINA B7). The program generously covers factory scheduled services and most wear items for up to 6 years/100,000 miles. However, it doesn’t come cheap. The announced MSRP of the extension ranges from $1,395 to $2,995, depending on the model.

“BMW’s Maintenance Program keeps vehicles well cared-for and more valuable in the pre-owned marketplace,” says Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. “Our decision to make the six-year Maintenance Program Upgrade available to purchase for all BMW models makes it possible for more vehicles to remain under the care of an authorized BMW Center for a longer period of time.” Reading between the lines, this an excellent way to guarantee consumers comply with the factory maintenance – keeping BMW’s warranty repair costs low, and resale values high. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW, Image: Michael Harley]

Now, Audi is asking anyone who’s interested in chiming in to post their own alternative billboard designs on its Facebook page. If you become a fan of the page and craft your own response, RSVP to the LA Billboard War event. Attendees to the event can upload their images for all the Facebook world to see and comment on.

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