BMW 7-Series M Sport Model: First Official Photos

Unless someone had plenty of time to fool around with photoshop, these are the first official photos of the BMW 7-Series M Sport Edition. The Bavarian manufacturer has not released anything on the car yet, but we're willing to bet that what you see pictured here is not an M7 but rather a 7-Series with the M Sport package consisting of cosmetic exterior and interior tweaks, and quite possibly, a tuned suspension and uprated brakes plus a beefier set of tires.

Oddly enough, BMW's designers opted to decorate the M-Style bumpers with two large chunks of chrome on either side - what's with that? The 7-Series M Sport model also gets a dark chrome trim for the window surrounds and newly designed alloy wheels.

As with the M Sport packs offered on other BMWs, the 7-series' interior gains a set of sport seats up front along with a three-spoke M Sport steering wheel and polished aluminum decorative trim on the dashboard and the center console.

We'll get back on the 7-Series M Sport Edition as soon as BMW issues an official release.

Via: 7post

BMW to Debut New 3.0-liter Twin Turbo Diesel with 306HP on 735d

BMW has confirmed the development of a new and more powerful version of its acclaimed 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine. The new 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo diesel unit that churns out a maximum output of 306 horsepower at 4,400 rpm with a peak torque of 600 Nm or 442 lb-ft at just 1,500 rpm, will replace the current 3.0-liter inline-six diesel in the 735d, 335d, X5 35d etc that produces 286HP at 4,400 rpm and 580Nm or 428 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm.

The Bavarian automaker supports that while the new engine is more powerful than its predecessor, at the same time it offers some 4 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions - not bad. BMW said that the 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo diesel will make its premiere on the 735d later on this year with other models following soon after.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: BMW - Photos: 730d,

Police Recover BMW 750i xDrive that was Stolen During the Detroit Auto Show [with VIDEO]

The BMW 750i xDrive that was stolen during the 2011 Detroit Auto Show has been found. The $95,000 car was discovered at a gated apartment complex near Telegraph and Glendale Street, in Detroit’s West Side. Detroit police said the wires to the tracking system had been cut, but the Bimmer was probably ditched due to the massive media attention surrounding the case. Authorities seized the vehicle for further processing.

The 7-Series was used by BMW officials and guests during the press days of the Detroit motor show. Although it was a crime of opportunity, as the handler left the keys in the car and stepped away for a second, the thieves weren’t amateurs and were able to annihilate the GPS tracking device fitted to the $95,000 luxo-barge. Video report available after the break.

VIDEO: BMW's Security Vehicle Test Grounds at Former Soviet Military Base

For more than thirty years now, BMW has been producing a special range of security vehicles that offer armored protection against everything from pistol fire to small explosions. These vehicles are developed at a special test facility located in east Germany, in a former soviet base, said to have been the biggest military airport in Europe during the Cold War. Here, the Bavarian automaker tests its armored vehicles and hosts a special driver training program where instructors teach participants how to react in dangerous situations and push the cars to their limits. You can watch the video right after the jump.

What a Steal... Thieves Nab $94,000 BMW 7 Series at Detroit Motor Show

While we're done covering the automotive action from the main show floor of the Cobo Center, the Detroit Motor Show continues to make headlines, albeit for the wrong reasons. A BMW 750i xDrive (or 750iL xDrive) worth either $94,000 or $140,000 (depending on the news site....) was stolen near the Westin Book Cadillac in downtown Detroit. And what has that got to do with the Detroit Show, we hear you ask?

Well, the 7-Series was part of a fleet of BMW sedans that were used by the Bavarian automaker's executives and guests during the press days of the show. According to Police reports, the gray bimmer was being loaded into a transporter bound for New Jersey when the handler stepped away momentarily leaving the keys in the vehicle. That's when the crafty thieves stepped in and drove away with the 7er. Video report after the jump.

2010 BMW 7-Series: New 306HP Diesel for 740d, M-Sports Package and AWD Versions

It's '2010MY' time for BMW that has announced plenty of upgrades for its range-topping sedan model, following yesterday's reveal of the new 316d and 2010 1-Series Coupe and hatchback lineup. For the 7-Series, the new model year brings a new straight-six diesel engine with 306 horsepower on the 740d, a BluePerformance technology pack for the 730d, an M Sport package that's available for the entire range and the introduction of all-wheel drive variants for the first time on the 7er.

Beginning with the new 740d that will arrive at the firm's European showrooms this autumn, this model is equipped with a revised version of BMW's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine making 306 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and a peak torque of 600 Nm or 442 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. The previous version of the same engine that is found on the 335d and other models produces 286HP at 4,400 rpm and 580Nm or 428 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm.

The 740d accelerates from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.3 seconds and has a electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph. It consumes on average 6.9 lt/100 km in the EU test cycle (equal to 40.9mpg UK or 34mpg US).

For the 730d with its 245HP 3.0-liter straight-six diesel BMW is introducing the optional BluePerformance package that ads an NOx storage catalyst that reduces nitric oxides to the standard not coming into force until the introduction of EU6 in the year 2014. Furthermore, modifications on the engine and the drivetrain reduce the average fuel consumption of the 730d determined in the EU test cycle to 6.8lt/100km or 34.5mpg US.

Starting with the 2010MY, BMW's electronically controlled all-wheel drive xDrive system will be available for the first time on the 7-Series, initially on the 750i and 750iL that are both powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol developing 408 horsepower. BMW claims that the front-to-rear power split is 40:60 with up to 80 per cent of the drive power going to the rear axle in a bend.

Last but not least, the 2010MY 7-Series premieres the introduction of a new M Sport package available for all engine variants with both normal and extended wheelbase. On the outside, the 7-Series gains an aerodynamics package as well as additional chrome trim on the specially designed front and rear aprons, dark window surrounds and 19-inch or optionally 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design featuring different-sized tires front and rear. The electronically controlled BMW Dynamic Drive also comes standard in the M Sports Package for the 7 Series.

Inside, the M Sport pack adds sports seats with leather upholstery, an M leather steering wheel with multi-function buttons and an M footrest while buyers can opt for roof lining in anthracite and trim in fine-grain aluminum.

eBay Find: 1981 E23 BMW 735i Touring Prototype [with Video]

Yep, that’s not a typo: BMW did actually build an E23 735i Touring and it showed it at the 1980 Frankfurt Auto Show to gauge the public’s reaction. Unfortunately (or not), the car didn’t make it into production and was slowly forgotten, up until ten years ago. That’s when this example, one of only two custom built prototypes, first surfaced on eBay with 8,179 miles (13,163 km) on the odometer. Now, it has been posted on the auction site once again, for an opening bid of US $7,000.

The collector who originally imported it to the U.S. sold it three years later and the current owner bought it last November. At that point the car had clocked up 9,002 miles (14,487 km) but wasn’t running.

However, this ultra-rare 7-Series, boasting an interesting green paintjob, tan cloth interior, manual sunroof, roof rack, alloy wheels and automatic transmission, wasn’t in a disastrous condition. A quick service brought it back to life and onto the road and, according to the seller, it has a Massachusetts December 2011 inspection sticker and was driven for only 40 extra miles (64 km).

Being a 30-year-old car, the 735i Touring isn’t flawless. Luckily, it only seems to suffer from some minor surface rust, both on the body and underneath, which can be easily mended.

Other than that, the interior and engine bay appear to be neat and the owner’s detailed description of every fault, accompanied by revealing pictures, should be evidence enough that there’s no foul play involved.

Currently, the bid stands at US $7,600, which is pocket change for something as rare as this. And even if it sells for double the amount, the buyer can rest assured that this car will never depreciate. In fact, it’s a sound investment and, with some mild restoration, it can be turned into a great gem of automotive heritage.

Gallery and videos below.