BMW of Minnetonka

The rumors and speculations around a possible BMW X4 continue to ramp up. First news around the X4 showed up back in 2008, at a time when the X6 was relatively new to the market and the idea of a smaller Sports Activity Coupe seemed appropriate.Backed up by X6's strong sales (over 80,000 sales worldwide), the business case of the X4 seems to be back on the table.In a discussion with BMW officials, Autocar learned about BMW's interest in another all-wheel-drive X-model, but without an official confirmation at the moment.Thing is, the unexpected showroom success of the X6 has left BMW high ups wondering whether they should push ahead with a smaller, more affordable X4 model that has apparently been on the drawing board in Munich for some time now. The BMW officials in Hamburg weren't saying as much. But reading between the lines, it was clear they were fishing for thoughts on whether such a car warranted inclusion in the company's future model line-up.Having now seen the conservative route BMW has taken with the second-generation X3, it appears there could be scope for a more sporting X4 derivative off the same four-wheel drive platform - BMW's answer to the three-door Range Rover Evoque if you will.And at the end of their article, Autocar leaves with the following statement: "Most interesting of all, BMW will not deny an X4 is on the way."Back in June, we reported that the BMW X4 would be sold alongside the new X3, with a clear differentiation as between the X5 and X6. Sources indicated that the X4 would share most hardware and interior parts with the X3.The X4 will be exclusively build at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.
Alpina has released a teaser of the new 2011 BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo, slated for introduction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.  The teaser sketch shows the new 5-Series F10 sedan with a new front fascia and side sills and of course the classic Alpina multispoke wheels.Look for the Alpina B5 to get the same 4.4-liter direct-injection twin-turbo V8 engine seen on the Alpina B7.  With 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS) and up to 700 Nm (516 ft-lb) of torque, the engine gets the B7 from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.  The car could get a unique sports suspension, as well as a Switch-Tronic transmission.The Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo will be on display at the Supercar Paddock, while the first few who show up will be able to go out on a test drive.  Doors open at Goodwood from July 1st to the 4th.



BMW executives attending Auto China 2010 in Beijing are using the forum to chat people up about their upcoming line of Megacity electric vehicles.  The PR blitz is taking place as the company readies the Chinese leg of the MINI E test phase.

50 customers in China will begin testing the all-electric version of the MINI Cooper later this year, while others will get the chance to test a fleet of cars based on the BMW ActiveE Concept in 2011.

This will essentially be a beta test of the Megacity Vehicle, which will come to the global market in 2013.  One of the key developments for BMW is engineering the car in such a way that, despite a heavy set of batteries, it will have a weight lower than vehicles already on the market.

The lower the weight, the higher the car's all-electric range will be.  For the Megacity, BMW is planning on using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic throughout the car as it is both light and strong.  This should translate to a longer range than the 160-km (100-mile) range on the ActiveE.

Look for Megacity to become a new sub-brand for BMW that, if successful, could be spun off into its own division.  For now, the car is being developed under project i, and will be manufactured in Leipzig.


Posting to bulletin board e90post, BMW inside source Scott26 says the German automaker is developing a new "high end luxury" concept car said to be a pet project of company CEO Dr. Norbert Reithofer.  The BMW Z Spyder Stradale was first pitched five years ago before being quickly pushed into research & development.

Then the economy collapsed, and the new premium roadster was shelved.  However, with the economy slowly starting to get its grip, BMW looks poised to bring out a car that harkens back to the BMW 328 Mille Miglia.

If the posted sketch looks familiar, that's because the bottom half was already published in the August 2009 issue of Automobile Magazine as the BMW California Spyder.

The car features an elongated hood with a driver seat set just in front of the rear axle.  The shortened rear certainly ties in with the Z car lineage.  As seen in the new image, the car could potentially get scissor-doors, but this is not set in stone.  Scott26 says the doors could also open either from a rear hinge, or more conventionally.

The California Spyder was rumored to have the same V10 engine that the BMW F1 team used at the time.  That engine kicks out 700 horsepower (522 kW, 710 PS), though Scott26 says the car may get a V8 or V10 producing 592 hp (447 kW, 600 PS).  A kinetic energy recovery system and other hybrid elements could make their way onto the car.

Like the Z8, the Spyder Stradale would keep an aluminum frame, but lightweight carbon fiber panels would be produced through a partnership with SGL Carbon.  Steel and magnesium will also be used at the front, as well as the rear suspension, while a carbon fiber tub will be the basis for the passenger area.  The speculation suggests that this car could also be the backbone for a new two-seat Rolls-Royce Roadster,

Intriguing exterior features include a two-piece folding hardtop made from carbon fiber, active aerodynamics, LED daytime lighting, regenerative braking, stop/start, and BMW's first-ever automatically-extending rear spoiler with an extra lip for added downforce.  Inside, the car will have a minimalist angled dash with an iDrive screen and large vents, as well as lightweight bucket seats and a sharkskin interior.

If produced, the BMW Z Spyder Stradale might not hit the market until 2014.