BMW is rumored to replace the 3-Series badge with the 4-series moniker for the two-door coupe and convertible variants of its newly revealed 3-series sedan, in much the same way that it does with the larger 5-Series (sedan, Touring and GT) and 6-Series (Coupe and Convertible) models.
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All four models achieved a maximum five-star rating with Euro NCAP officials pointing out that carmakers have made significant improvements in the area of pedestrian protection.
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Starting from this summer, BMW will offer its xDrive four-wheel drive system on the 320i, 328i and 335i petrol models, with the 320d xDrive to follow later in the year.
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In Europe, the new 3-Series Touring will arrive in showrooms later this year as the 328i with a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol producing 241-horses (245PS), the 320d propelled by a 181hp (184PS) 2.0-liter turbo diesel and the 330d equipped with a 255-horsepower (258PS) 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel.
A six-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels in the four-cylinder models with the 330d sporting a standard 8-speed automatic, which is optional on the other models. Both transmission variants are linked to a fuel consumption-reducing Auto Start-Stop system.
What makes these latest pictures of particular interest is that we see the 4/3 Series Convertible with its electrically operated, three-piece metallic top neatly tucked away in the trunk.
Furthermore, our scoopsters were able to get close enough to the camouflaged prototype to snap a few photos of the interior that will be shared with the coupe model. Not surprisingly, even if BMW does change the name of the two-door models, the dashboard will be identical to that of the latest F30 3-Series sedan.
The unnamed 8-year old boy from Dorchester was left unsupervised in his mom's new BMW 328i sedan, which was parked on a driveway on Mascot Street.
The youngster was waiting for his mother to drive him to school but apparently, he felt the need to hop into the front seat, turn on the engine, place the car in gear and stomp on the gas pedal.
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We will begin with the Bavarian automaker that issued a recall of approximately 7,600 3-Series models built from October 19, 2011, through March 18, 2012, over an issue with the front seat head restraints.
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No thanks to a shipping accident that occurred last Friday at the port in 
Via: Autoblog.com , Source: M3forum
While we where busy hunting down the Detroit Show premiers, our fellow Dutch bloggers from Autoblog.nl discovered a series of official images featuring the upcoming 2009 BMW M3 Cabriolet. We’re not certain yet whether BMW intends to show the drop-top M3 in For the time being, we know that it’s equipped with the same 420 HP 4.0-liter V8 engine as the Coupe and Sedan M3s and that according to initial information, due to the extra weight of the retractable roof and the additional strengthening of the chassis, it’s accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 MPH) in 5.3 seconds, 0.4 seconds slower than the M3 Coupe. There are also unverified reports that the M3 Cabriolet will debut BMW’s first ever 7-speed double-clutch transmission dubbed as the “M DKG”, but better wait for an official release before we jump to any conclusions. -Continued
Via: Autoblog.nl
If you ever happen to visit 
Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: pudracar
BMW tuning specialist HARTGE has released a new line of accessories for the 2007 BMW 3-Series Coupe (codenamed E92) and Cabriolet (codenamed E93) models. The product line up includes front and rear spoilers, side sills, rear diffuser, exhaust system and new dials for the dashboard. Follow the jump for details and pictures. -Continued
HARTGE front spoiler lip for E92 Coupé and E93 Cabrio (not possible with M Aerodynamic package)
HARTGE lip for boot lid for E92 Coupé
HARTGE rear diffuser for E92 Coupé 335i, 335d and E93 Cabrio 335i (only in connection with HARTGE stainless steel rear silencers 18 92 0335 - not possible with M Aerodynamic package)
HARTGE left side sill for E92 Coupé and E93 Cabrio (not possible with M Aerodynamic package)
HARTGE right side sill for E92 Coupé and E93 Cabrio (not possible with M Aerodynamic package)
HARTGE speedometer 300 km/h (dial in silver metallic with red needle) for E92 Coupé and E93 Cabrio
HARTGE speedometer 300 km/h for E92 Coupé and E93 Cabrio
HARTGE stainless steel rear silencer with dual round tail pipes left and right for E92 Coupé 335i, 335d and E93 Cabrio 335i
BMW’s forthcoming M3 Cabriolet has been caught wearing minimum camouflage on the streets of Understandably, the drop-top M3 will undergo additional stiffening and structural enhancements compared to the standard 3-Series Cabriolet models in order to boost torsional rigidity. Although the M3 Cabriolet will weigh a bit more than its Coupe derivative, the 420 HP V8 engine won’t have much of a problem accelerating the drop-top from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a little bit over 5 seconds. As with the M3 Coupe and
Via: Car
AC Schnitzer’s LPG powered 3-Series Coupe has set a new speed record for liquid gas fuelled vehicles by achieving a top speed of 318 km/h or 198 mph at the Nardo high-speed track in 
In line with the “eco-uber-alles-friendly” character of this year’s Frankfurt Show, BMW specialist AC Schnitzer will present one heck of a supped up BMW 3-Series Coupe. The GP3.10 is equipped with a modified version of the BMW M5/M6’s 5.0-liter V10 engine that can on LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) or regular gasoline producing 552 HP (+45 than the M5/M6) and up to 540 Nm of maximum torque. When it uses LPG which is cheaper than petrol, it produces about 15 percent less CO2 from the exhaust.
Green Energy with 552 HP und 540
AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED with alternative LPG drive
Driving pleasure has been written large at AC Schnitzer for 20 years. And happily, nothing will change for the 62nd IAA. But this goal can be reached in a totally alternative way, as the launch of the superb AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED shows. This high-performance coupé has LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) drive, where power and efficiency, economy and ecology, meet in an exciting study.
As if the extravagant exterior of the project vehicle, based on the current 3-series coupé, were not enough, under the bonnet growls the V10 engine of the current M5/M6 which AC Schnitzer is presenting at the show for the first time in bivalent design: The vehicle has a fully sequential LPG system with two parallel 5-cylinder vaporizers. There's no loss of power or dynamics. The engine, tuned with a remapped control unit and modified exhaust tract with sports catalyst and exhaust manifold, develops 552 HP/406 kW and produces up to 540 Nm at the crankshaft. In itself, that's 45 horses more than the M5/M6. But why power this with LPG?
Liquified Petroleum Gas is a sensible alternative to normal petrol fuel, both economically and ecologically, and after corresponding conversion can be burned in almost any petrol engine. Per litre, LPG is not only cheaper than petrol but produces around 15 percent less CO2 from the exhaust. With over 2700 filling stations in
Talking of slowing down: the striking body design will soon bring passers-by to a stop. In conjunction with the mineral green special paintwork, the AC Schnitzer aerodynamic kit is a real eyecatcher. The air intakes on the front wings, with their characteristic chrome ribs, and the rear 60 mm wheelarch extensions, are particularly successful. With the AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED, AC Schnitzer has created a feast for all the senses, where the centrally positioned sports rear silencer with its sonorous crescendo takes centre stage acoustically
The rear styling with its special contours and the rear skirt with integral diffuser, the rear roof wing with carbon centre part, are as aesthetically pleasing as the powerful front skirt with its coarse-mesh sports grille. The latter makes an effective contribution to the breathing of the oxygen-hungry five-litre engine. Equally breathtaking for the spectator is the first sight of the racing rims Type VI.
The latest creation from the
Performances kW / HP: 406 kW / 552 HP
at rpm: 8000 rpm
maximum torque: 540 Nm
at rpm: 6200 rpm
Performances: 0 - 100 km/h = 4,5 sec. 0 - 200 km/h = 13,9 sec.
Maximum speed: 320 km/h