Rumor: BMW, GM to Sign a Deal in the Back Rooms of NAIAS

We’ve previously reported on the topic of an alleged deal to be signed between BMW and GM for the joint exploration and development of Fuel Cell technology.

Rumors continue to trickle through the grape vine, and the latest we’ve heard is that a deal may well be signed when both automakers convene upon the NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan. Who knew real business was conducted behind the flashy displays and beautiful girls?

BMW has long focused development towards the burning of cooled, liquid hydrogen in conventional internal combustion engines. However, as the industry develops a better command of electric cars, it appears that fuel cell technology may trump BMW’s IC engine alternative. In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined in a chemical reaction which creates electricity, heat, and water as a by-product.

Not only is fuel cell technology extremely clean, but it could likely reduce the reliance of electric cars on dirty-to-produce, difficult to recycle, and heavy battery packs.

While we wouldn’t touch the recently bankrupted and highly unstable car company with a pole long enough to span the Atlantic, it appears that BMW sees some value in teaming with GM, likely to save on development costs, or possibly to take advantage of a hushed break-through that GM may well have in their laboratories. GM have reportedly spent 1.6 billion dollars so far developing fuel cell technology.

In another unprecedented partnership, BMW have recently partnered with Toyota to develop advanced battery packs.

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2011 BMWBLOG Car of the Year Award – We Crown a Winner Among BMWs

Our second annual Car of the Year Award is upon us, and this year we have an exciting – if slightly predictable pick. Every year BMWBLOG will consider every BMW Group car released for production during the calender year, forward nominations, and crown the one that best exemplifies the ethos and qualities of the brand.

Last year we chose BMW’s 740i as the most pure and honest example of Bavarian design. An excerpt from last year’s award elaborates, “With legendary inline-six power onboard, the 740i offers the type of brand purity that personifies its roundel. Whereas the 12 and 8 cylinder models were mighty and powerful to drive, the 740i was “fun.” There is a special honesty, simplicity and character to this car that embodies the magic of the brand – and for that, the 740i becomes our 2010 Car of the Year.”

Just as we did last year, we’ve given one vote to each of our staff Editors, and the car with the most votes takes the crown. You can read all of our Editor’s picks and rationale below before voting for your own pick among our finalists at the end of the article. To that end, we also have a 2011 BMWBLOG Reader’s Choice Award, which will air in a separate article once the voting period has concluded. Last year’s Reader’s Choice vote came down to the wire with a three-way tie! BMW’s 740i, 528i, and M3 ZCP (Competition package) shared a very narrow slice of the top step.

You’ll note that this year’s winner was not chosen unanimously among our Editors, but our 2011 BMWBLOG Car of the Year nonetheless wins by a landslide.

Hugo Becker

Yes, it’s officially the 1 Series M Coupe, but who (other than BMW) has called the car that. Odd when the name of the car is longer than its wheelbase. And that’s just what makes the 1M so good. It is a short wheelbase car with plenty of go!

We’re aware that this isn’t a from-the-foundation-up M. But it isn’t just badging and fluff, the 1M gets the ‘big boy’ suspension bits from the M3 and that transforms the car’s handling. The base 135i understeers when pushed, gets hinky under braking at high speeds, and flexes its butt under accelerative forces. The 1M’s suspension cures that. This is a rock solid car now. More suspension than engine (at last!).

Downside? Well, the motor is a lift from the Z4 sDrive35is (or whatever it’s called), with tweaks to software. That may be due to the fact that the 1M was a ‘submarine’, an internal project that made it through to management’s attention and was greenlighted for production. The timeframes weren’t there, nor the captial, to do a bespoke vehicle.

But, in my mind, the 1m (or, if you will, the 135is M suspension) brings out all that is good with the brand. A nimble, potent car that is at home on road and track. It can carry two in comfort (four in a little less comfort) in style over any road. And it does so at a price that is within reason. And that’s why, with the 6er coupe, the new M5, and other products announced by BMW this year, the 1M is my pick for BMW Car of the
Year.

Shawn Molnar

My vote would instinctively go to the 1M for the same reasons as Hugo, but because it broke the M rule of employing a bespoke M designed engine, it’s disqualified in my books.. sorry to be a stickler.

My vote would have to go to the M5. It’s the best M5 yet as a total package. It ushers in BMW’s new age of turbos in spectacular fashion and sets the tone for M cars of the future. It’s passionately BMW and uncompromising in every respect – from performance to efficiency, and raw feel. The car is connected like no other BMW released this year. It has that special “it” factor that most recent BMW’s – even M cars – have been missing. There is an “aura of awesome” that glows around it in person and when you drive it at speed – it makes a disciple out of you. For all of its passion, purity, and top-shelf performance, the M5 is my pick for BMW Car of the Year.

A very, very close second – nearly a tie actually, would be the F20 1 series. It’s a BMW for all; it’s fast, fun, good looking in person, light weight, efficient and extremely modern and practical. It’s a car for 2012.

Andrew Murphy

I’m not going to try to argue against the strength of the 1M.

However, I will throw in the ring my nomination for the N20-powered Z4. It’s too expensive but it’s a fun little car and represents the future of BMW well with the smaller, torquey engine. I’m guessing the 3 Series will take it next year but I think the Z4 entry is a good little car if even a bit understated for its fun factor. Besides, it looks like us Yanks better get used to the idea of a 4 banger!

Horatiu Boeriu

My vote goes to the 1M for two reasons: It’s the first M car that I feel a true connection with – could it be the crazy orange paint or the tight body that reminds me who’s in charge? Second, simply because it’s limited, special and it just owns the track.

On the serious side, it’s an M car that reminds you what BMW is all about and why I fell in love with the brand before I even thought about launching BMWBLOG. For me it’s the real lesson of BMW history and heritage.

James Bachici

The 1M is by far the most exciting, fun and most “pure” of BMW’s to come out in a long time even though it doesn’t have a truly bespoke engine. For me it brings back memories of a simpler time, where the recipe’s ingredients can all be pronounced and together form a fat-free, hearty, satisfying experience.

My second choice naturally would be the F10 M5. As it’s already been pointed out, it keeps getting better and better and sports that rare “aura” of awesomeness.

There’s more to say but I’ll limit myself to that!

Manny Antunes

My vote for BMW of the year is the 1M. For much of the same reasons as given above. It shows BMW is still capable of building a lightweight, nimble 2-door 4-seater with amazing capabilities. Even though the market called for more to be built, I understand why the volume was low.

My runner up is the F10, in particular the M5. No secret that I believe the M5 is the best sedan in the world PERIOD!!! The M5 embodies the executive sedan with race car performance. A bouncer in a three piece hugo boss suit!

Gabriela Pieleanu

I vote for the new 3 Series. With almost 400,000 units sold in 2010 (nearly one third of all BMW cars sold worldwide), the 3 Series is the best sold BMW car in the world, and thus the most important from sales point of view. Generation by generation, the car imposed itself as a standard in the premium middle class/compact executive segment.

The new 3 Series is a safe bet for BMW; BMW brings nothing radical in terms of design or technology, but the car is bigger, better, has a meaner look and delivers the elegance and sportiness that are highly awaited and appreciated by the customers.

The car builds on the heritage of the previous generations and improves on nearly every aspect, from styling, interior design, trims and materials, interior space to technologies. Plus the aggressive look, craved by all BMW fans. The new BMW 3 Series is ready for success, and it will prove that BMW has another winner on their side, another class benchmark.

This year, BMW’s 1M takes the 2011 BMWBLOG Car of the Year Award.

Now it’s YOUR turn to name the 2011 BMWBLOG Reader’s Choice Award winner! Please click your nomination from the list below.

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ALMS Champion Joey Hand switches to BMW’s DTM project

he driver line-up for BMW’s return to the DTM series in 2012 is close to finalization. BMW Works Driver and reigning American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT Champion Joey Hand (US) will contest the DTM series with BMW next year. Thus five of the six driver vacancies have been filled, with BMW having previously confirmed Andy Priaux (GB), Augusto Farfus (BR), Bruno Spengler (CA) and reigning DTM Champion Martin Tomczyk (DE) as DTM drivers for the 2012 season.

“Joey has been a member of the BMW family for many years, and we are extremely pleased that he will now form part of our DTM project,” says BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “His past successes have impressively underscored his skills set, and during the test in Monteblanco with the BMW M3 DTM he immediately proved to be very fast. We are convinced the addition of Joey to our line-up will substantially strengthen our project. In addition, his character fits into our team perfectly.”

“I am really looking forward to my new challenge in the DTM, and thank BMW sincerely for the company’s confidence in me,” explains Hand. “I immediately enjoyed the BMW M3 DTM. Its downforce and carbon brakes are extremely impressive. I know some of the team members from the past, and was able to acquaint myself with the others in Monteblanco. Now I am looking forward to our close teamwork in future!”

Hand is 32 years old, and has contested various North American championships with BMW race cars since 2004. 2011 marked a year of many successes for Hand: In partnership with BMW Works Driver Dirk Müller (DE) he won the ALMS GTE class, and helped BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL to the teams’ and manufacturers’ titles. During the past season he won the Daytona 24 Hours with a Riley BMW, and made his debut in the Le Mans 24 Hours (FR). There, Hand rotated driving duties at the wheel of a BMW M3 GT with Müller and Priaulx, resulting in the trio scoring a podium place with third in the GTE-Pro class. Hand initially tested the BMW M3 DTM at the “Circuito Monteblanco” in southern Spain from 15th to 18th November.

Hand was born on 10th February 1979 in Sacramento, California, and started his motorsport career in 1991 in karting. From 1996 he contested various North American and European single-seater series before switching to Formula BMW USA in 2004, simultaneously competing with GT sports cars. Hand has since successfully raced BMW race cars in the ALMS, in which he and BMW celebrated their hat trick, in the Rolex Sports Cars Series and in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

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IAA 2011: Skoda MissionL Concept Previews New Compact Sedan [Updated Gallery]

Czech car manufacturer and member of the VW Group, Skoda, is on a…mission at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to preview its upcoming compact sedan model with a close to production ready concept car named MissionL.
The production model will be positioned between the smaller Fabia and the larger Octavia challenging the likes of the Focus sedan in Europe, Russia, China, and India. Skoda said the as-of-yet unnamed compact sedan will launch in India by the end of 2011 and the rest of the world in the beginning of next year.
“We have taken a very pure approach to this design study – we have structured the surfaces simply, but impressively,” says Skoda Board of Directors Member for Technological Development Eckhard Scholz.
“The car has a strong, sporty look which conveys a beautiful simplicity and a youthful and contemporary appearance. Many people look for clean, minimalistic lines, and the MissionL concept offers all that,” Scholz added.
Albeit Skoda makes no mention in the teaser press release, given the positioning of the model as well as certain details of the design, it appears that the MissionL is the Czech variant of the VW Jetta.
Skoda has not yet released any information on the car's specifications but future buyers should expect the usual mix of diesel and gasoline engines found throughout the Volkswagen Group.
“This premiere kicks off ŠKODA's model offensive for the coming years," said Skoda Board Chairman, Winfried Vahland. “This new compact model, along with other new products to follow, will enable us to accomplish our goal of increasing global annual sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018. We are going to present a new car approximately every six months over the next few years.”

PHOTO GALLERY

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Skoda Remembers the VisionD Concept with a New Set of Photos

We're not sure why, but Skoda has released a new gallery of pictures of its VisionD concept that we first laid eyes on at the Geneva Motor Show back in March 2011.
Perhaps it is because the Czech automaker would like to refresh our memory on the design of the VisionD, which according to the company, offers a "clear indication" of the future styling direction for all Skoda models.
That or the VW Group owned company wants to show us how good the VisionD looks alongside a pretty woman...
The VisionD also represents a new proposal for a compact-size fastback with a slinky roofline and a long wheelbase with relatively short overhangs. Skoda says that the car's proportions not only offer a more aggressive stance, but also allow for improved interior space.
We'll remind you that at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this past September, the VW Group company showed the MissionL, a concept for a compact sedan model that drew its styling inspiration from the VisionD.

PHOTO GALLERY

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