The car features four doors, a sloping coupe roofline and high waist line, oversized wheel arches for the 21in rims, and seating capacity for four. Its front end shares much in common with the current X5 SUV on which it’s based but gets a new CS-Concept inspired front bumper with aluminum underbody protection. The side mirrors also get a new design, made up of two units with a strip of lights between the lower unit finished in body colour and the upper section made of aluminum.

Debuting on the new X6 is BMW’s new ‘Dynamic Performance Control’ technology, a drivetrain and chassis control system combined with xDrive AWD that can send varying levels of torque to the rear wheels when traction is lost. New to the design is the ability to provide its stabilising effect both under power and with the engine in overrun. As soon as the system detects possible over- or understeer of the vehicle, for example in a bend, it will vary the distribution of drive forces between the wheels for perfect stability, dynamic traction, and forward motion.

There is no official word on what engines will be available in the X6, however Budds’ has uncovered some inside information that indicates we will see continued use of BMW’s twin turbo technology not only in a 6 cylinder form, but also in an 8 cylinder form as well. Enjoy the pictures below followed by the official press release.

(Click to Expand)

Official Press Release:
Inventing the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), BMW has established a highly innovative and, indeed, trendsetting segment in the automobile market.

And now the time is ripe for another brand-new concept: The Sports Activity Coupe combining an elegant, dynamically flowing roofline with the typical features of a BMW X model – a truly fascinating combination now borne out for the first time in the guise of BMW Concept X6. Presenting this concept car, BMW is proudly demonstrating the vision of a unique vehicle developing the striking design language of BMW X cars with a clear and consistent focus on sportiness and elegant presence.

BMW Concept X6 captures the eyes of the beholder through its highly innovative combination of design and concept features. The car combines four doors and a dynamically flowing coupe roofline with a high sill-line, muscular wheel arches, and a strong centre of gravity positioned right in the middle and making a clear reference to four-wheel-drive technology.

The result is a unique vehicle clearly presenting the DNA of a BMW X model but interpreting the character of such a vehicle in a unique and truly sporting manner. The design of BMW Concept X6 is the authentic visualisation of outstanding driving qualities borne out by the car mainly through BMW’s intelligent xDrive technology as well as Dynamic Performance Control.

Unique, aesthetic look: dynamic coupe line and the typical features of a BMW X model.

The front end of BMW Concept X6 is dominated by highlights in design clearly symbolising the car’s dynamic orientation to the road. From the side, in turn, the proportions are definitely elegant, the short front body overhang emphasising the dynamism of the car, the long overhang at the rear, its stretched and sleek look. The long line of the engine compartment lid merges smoothly and gently into the elegantly rising A-pillars, the greenhouse moved far to the back and the roofline tapering out clearly and consistently from the B-pillars interacting with the high window line to provide low and, indeed, almost flat window graphics.

The roofline, in turn, flows down gently to the rear spoiler, finally moving up again slightly in a small upward swing perfecting the overall line of a coupe and at the same time optimising the car’s aerodynamic qualities.

The dynamically stretched side lines highlight the aesthetic effect of this concept car, with BMW Concept X6 obtaining its impressive presence clearly through the unique combination of these lines and the design elements of a BMW X car.

Apart from the high window line, the large wheel arches and the centre of gravity visibly in the middle of the car, particularly this distinctive and powerful interaction of convex and concave surfaces, of the muscular side-sills with running boards made of drilled aluminium beneath the doors and the strong underfloor protection elements front and rear also made of aluminium express all the genuine DNA of BMW X.

Consistent focus on sporting performance.

BMW Concept X6 combines the design features so typical of a BMW X model with a truly individual, aesthetic look. In its character and design, this concept car stands out clearly from BMW’s highly successful SAV models, although the core features of those models provide a strong and sound foundation for the development of a unique personality in the guise of BMW Concept X6 as the Sports Activity Coupe.

With its impressively dynamic driving characteristics, the BMW X5 already excels as a true exception in its segment, and was indeed the forerunner creating the entire segment in the first place. Now BMW Concept X6 provides a clear impression of how an even more consistent focus on sporting performance in this class is able to set standards once again.

Through its design alone, this new concept car arouses the greatest expectations of the driving experience in a Sports Activity Coupe, bearing out the robustness and superior traction of a BMW X model in combination with dynamic driving qualities never seen before in this segment of the market.

World debut: Dynamic Performance Control in BMW Concept X6.

Dynamic Performance Control making its world debut in BMW Concept X6 provides ideal qualities for experiencing new dimensions in driving dynamics. This drivetrain and chassis control system, combined with BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive technology, offers a truly unique standard of driving stability in every situation, benefiting both driving dynamics and safety at the same time.

Dynamic Performance Control, a truly innovative system, spreads out drive forces as required in all situations, feeding a varying degree of power whenever required to the two wheels at the rear.

Dynamic Performance Control is the only system of its kind in the world able to provide its stabilising effect both under power and with the engine in overrun. As soon as the system detects possible over- or understeer of the vehicle, for example in a bend, it will vary the distribution of drive forces between the wheels for perfect stability, dynamic traction, and forward motion. And in the process Dynamic Performance Control improves driving stability at all speeds, this unique chassis and suspension innovation ensuring not only safe traction when setting off and precise control when entering a bend, but also higher lateral acceleration and optimum directional stability when accelerating out of the bend.

BMW – setting the standard in a dynamically growing market segment.

Launching BMW Concept X6, BMW is once again proving the company’s outstanding competence in the development of new car concepts. First, this fascinating study shows how the range of BMW X models highly successful the world over might be extended by yet another exclusive version; second, BMW Concept X6 presents the possibility to experience the sporting performance so typical of the brand in entirely new style and with brand-new features. The highly innovative Sports Activity Coupe created in this way is therefore once again paving the way into a dynamically growing market segment.

BMW Concept X6 is beyond comparison with any existing series production vehicle the world over. But at the same time it creates clear references and associations through its unique, sophisticated design, the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe guiding the fantasy of the particularly demanding motorist in a clearly defined direction: this car promises driving dynamics in a dimension never seen before.

Yet a further point is that BMW Concept X6, through its extravagant look and appearance, opens up very tempting perspectives for the future, this Sports Activity Coupe boasting design ideally suited to prove individual style and character.

Unique, innovative – and BMW all the way.

BMW Concept X6 is unique and brand-new in the world of the automobile. But it nevertheless stands out as a genuine BMW at first sight, all design features of this concept study clearly reflecting the particular language of BMW design. Indeed, through its design language alone BMW Concept X6 makes a number of clear and highly recognisable statements simply because they are quite unique in this constellation: The car expresses sporting elegance, superior presence and stylish extravagance as well as the symbiosis of superior power and outstanding robustness so characteristic of a BMW X car and now enhanced to a significantly higher standard in BMW Concept X6.

Clear orientation towards the product features characterising the concept of a Sports Activity Coupe gives BMW Concept X6 a fascinating look right from the start. Through its design alone, this car expresses the features essential to such an innovative vision of a completely new car. Conversely, this design principle now arouses the expectation that a BMW Sports Activity Coupe may well develop precisely the outstanding sportiness and superior power both on the road and offroad clearly borne out by this concept study.

So it is precisely the unique features of the vehicle that lead to its unmistakable design. And it is this authentic design so typical of a BMW which gives the BMW Concept X6 its individual style and character and also reflects the image of the brand. In other words – only BMW is able to create a Sports Activity Coupe, and BMW Concept X6 shows what such a car must look like. Front end with dynamic orientation to the road.

BMW Concept X6 stands out clearly as a genuine BMW from every angle. This is ensured primarily by the sculptural shape and design of the car characteristic of all BMW X models, the front, side and rear areas merging smoothly into one another, the car’s shapes and surfaces forming one common unit.

Individual details also bear out the design so typical of the BMW brand, ranging from the BMW kidney grille with its dual round headlights cut away at the side and the powerful contour line along the flanks of the vehicle all the way to the horizontal lines accentuating the sheer width of the car.

Like on the BMW X5, the fundamental look and impression of the front area of this concept car symbolises powerful presence right from the start. But given the large share of surfaces finished in body colour, the front end nevertheless creates an impression of lower height, emphasising the dynamic, road-going orientation of this Sports Activity Coupe.

The DNA of BMW X is also to be admired on the engine compartment lid and the structure of the almost vertical BMW kidney grille, with its slats finished in high-quality titanium colour. In addition, clear signs of distinction to be admired in many details serve to accentuate the sporting potential of this high performer.

Large air intake scoops positioned far to the outside not only bear testimony to the cooling requirements of an engine one can rightly expect to be particularly powerful, but also show a clear orientation, together with the side panels extending far to the inside beyond the headlights, to the wheels, emphasising how stable the car is on the road.

The air intakes are split horizontally by chrome-coloured bars also supporting the surrounds on the round foglamps. The contour of the central air intake, finally, is characterised by lines oriented to the outside, again providing a clear optical orientation to the road as such.

Through their design sharply cut across at the top, the dual round headlights typical of BMW express a particularly intense and focused look. Hence, the entire vehicle will appear to be concentrating even more on the road ahead. The outer contours of the headlight units, in turn, extend far into the side panels, making the front overhang look shorter than it really is and giving the vehicle an even more sporting and dynamic appearance from the side.

Side view: characteristic wedge shape, dynamic roofline.

The unique proportions of BMW Concept X6 are particularly clear from the side, the gently tapering roofline and the long body overhang at the rear giving the car its stretched and sleek coupe silhouette.

The roofline itself reaches its highest point directly behind the steering wheel, highlighting the driver’ position and creating an effect most appropriate for the extravagant design of BMW Concept X6. The chrome surrounds on the side windows, in turn, made of one piece, accentuate the sheer elegance of the vehicle, while the absence of pillars dividing the side area gives the window graphics a completely homogeneous look making the entire vehicle appear lighter and almost transparent.

The counter-flowing line at the bottom of the D-pillar so characteristic of BMW and well-known to the connoisseur as the “Hofmeister kick” stands out clearly towards the rear of the window frame, while slender plastic protection panels at the bottom edge of the bumpers, the side-sills and wheel arches discreetly allude to the robust character of BMW Concept X6.

The side-walls are split by two intuitively contoured lines merging slightly towards one another at the front of the car and thus creating a wedge shape signalising the forward-pushing motion of BMW X6.

The contour line extending to the rear at the level of the door openers comes out particularly clearly, emphasising the dynamic wedge shape of the car further accentuated by the growing distance between the shoulder line and the sill-line towards the rear end extending all the way to the rear lights to give the entire vehicle an even sleeker and more stretched-out look. The second character line runs parallel to the side-sills, half-way between the contour and the sill-line. Both front and rear, this second character line ends where the large and muscular wheel arches bulge strongly out of the side panels.

Reflecting the usual style and character of a BMW X model, the wheel arches are almost square in their contours, offering sufficient space for light-alloy rims measuring no less than 21 inches, with Y-spoke design created specifically for BMW Concept X6.

The exterior mirrors on BMW Concept X6 likewise come in brand-new, innovative design. They are made up of two units with a white-glistening strip of lights between the lower unit finished in body colour and the upper section of the mirror cap made of aluminium. This row of lights supplements the corona rings in the headlights so typical of BMW and serving as daytime driving lights.

BMW Concept X6 provides particularly powerful interaction of concave and convex surfaces between the characteristic lines of the side panels. The play of light and shade created in this way gives the entire vehicle an unusually muscular look, visualising the agility so typical of a Sports Activity Coupe in a particularly fascinating manner. And the generous surfaces also emphasise the powerful presence of the vehicle, while the elegant lines structuring these surfaces are a clear expression of its elegance.

Strong shoulders and powerful roadholding distinguishing the rear end.

The rear end of BMW Concept X6 offers a fascinating combination of elegance, sportiness and robustness in one smooth and harmonious symbiosis. The muscular bumper and the protective underfloor panel are classic design elements of a BMW X car. In addition, the proportions typical also of a coupe are borne out here in design language again characteristic of BMW X, with the greenhouse featuring an unusually angled rear window tapering out to the rear.

The stable grip on the road emphasised by the powerful rear section is expressed above all by the equally powerful and elegant shoulder sections, another feature typical of a coupe being the rear lid integrating a striking air flow contour lip.

The entire rear end is split and characterised by horizontal lines making the rear end look even wider and emphasising the powerful stance of the car on the road, in the process creating attractive interplay of convex and concave surfaces.

The rear end reaches its full width in the area of the wheel arches, the two exhaust tailpipes positioned far to the outside and featuring high-quality surrounds together with a trapezoidal contour guiding the eyes of the beholder to the wheels.

The distinctive light edge along the lower section of the bumper provides yet a further highlight referring in particular to the ground clearance of BMW Concept X6 so typical of a BMW X car. Again, it is details of this kind that characterise the exclusivity and refined nature of the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe.

The rear lights, in their design, likewise reflect the unique character of BMW Concept X6, re-interpreting the L-shape so typical of BMW’s X models and adding a dynamic, sweeping line. Extending far into the side walls, the rear lights again express the full width of the car also through its night design.

Extravagance and dynamic design for a unique driving experience.

In its design and looks, BMW Concept X6 sets new standards and leaves a lasting impression, the concept study presenting brand-new options in expressing sportiness and modern elegance. Creating a car which combines the dynamic lines of a coupe with the superior power and refined robustness of a BMW X car, BMW is once again entering new terrain in the market segment of all-wheel-drive luxury cars, where the BMW X5 has already shown how dynamic driving qualities may well become a decisive criterion in a new segment. The BMW X3 then added outstanding agility as a further factor for success, and now BMW Concept X6 stands for the ongoing continuation of these priorities.

Despite its consistently sporting orientation, BMW Concept X6 retains the full character of a BMW X model, which indeed makes this concept study particularly appealing. Hence, BMW Concept X6 features not only the dynamic flair of a coupe, but also four doors, a large rear lid and a wide range of attributes, that is all the fortes of a BMW X model. And it is precisely this combination that expresses the extravagance and thrill of a brand-new car concept as well as the innovative power of the BMW brand.

But as part of a Rocky Mountain driving experience that alternated between awe-inspiring views of nature and pampering luxury resorts, the most northerly stop of our tour of Alberta provided copious amounts of what less romantic, but more enthusiastic, drivers may appreciate most about this tour: lots of seat time on some of the most amazing roads in Canada.

Unlike the manufacturer junkets for new vehicles that send us auto scribes jetting around the world for some precious few hours behind the wheel of the latest hype-mobile, this was to be a week-long driving tour available for any couple willing to fork out the not-inconsiderable cost of $7,000-plus for this particular drive-it-yourself tour of Alberta, culminating in stays at postcard-pretty Fairmont resorts in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise.

Arranged by boutique luxury travel firm Horizons & Co., in partnership with Fairmont Hotels and BMW Canada, the trip provides seat time behind the wheel of either a BMW 330Ci Cabriolet, a BMW Z4 3.0i convertible or a BMW X5 sport utility vehicle.

Ours was an automatic Z4 with paddle shifters and 215 horsepower — not the most powerful convertible around, but a superbly refined one that offers reasonably spacious accommodations for two people and, importantly, a decent sized trunk for a two-seater. With no back seat in the Z4, if there wasn’t room in the trunk for a week’s worth of gear, a pile of luggage in your passenger’s lap would not be a great start to any romantic getaway.

The experience starts out at Calgary airport, where a representative from DreamFleet, which handles the BMW account, greets you, leads you to the car, gives you a brief rundown of all major controls, and hands you a route book with suggested routes and optional activities, so you can leave your map books at home.

Our Z4 didn’t come with a route book, but luckily it was equipped with a handy aftermarket Sony navigation system. So it was simply throw the bags in the back, hop in, drop the top, and head out on the open road, with Banff as our first destination.

It takes about an hour of driving on the Trans-Canada Highway outside of Calgary before the Rocky Mountain views get truly majestic, but by the time you hit Canmore, and all throughout the Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper route, the mountains never feel like much further than an extended arm’s length away.

Even at the height of summer, the snow-capped peaks of the summits remind you that at heights like that, snow storms and winter weather are never far away — as we would later discover.

All three cities are located within protected national parks, and you really do notice the difference in the crisp, clean air. It will make you want to drop the top as much as possible, especially after you get off the main highway and start working your way north on the curvier, but more scenic, Highway 1A.

Our particular version of this trip compressed all three Fairmont resorts into three nights, which meant a higher proportion of driving versus leisure time than the regular itinerary, with about two hours of driving time a day.

Although it doesn’t sound like much, those two hours can easily become double that, since you’ll continually want to stop for pictures: a roaring waterfall here, a family of elk grazing by the side of the road there, a turquoise lake framed by scraggly mountain peaks there.

By the end of your time, it’s easy to become a jaded photographer: “Yes, that sparkling blue lake with the mountains towering over it is spectacular, but the sun isn’t quite in the right spot for a picture, and there’s not even one mountain goat around now.”

Pulling into the town of Banff, after a family of caribou grazing by the road became our first wildlife sighting, it was hard to recognize the town through all the construction. The city is ripping up the entire Banff Avenue main strip from April to October to replace 100-year-old pipes.

But the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, about a 20-minute walk outside that downtown core, seems stoically untouched by the craziness, its Scottish baronial design and forested surroundings still seeming as castle-like and isolated as it was when they were built in 1882.

There’s also a heavenly comforting spa inside, with three separate waterfalls that cascade into mineralized pools, and on to your shoulders, at three different temperatures, naturally lit by two-storey-tall windows, as well as an outdoor heated pool.

Back in the late 19th century, most guests at Banff were European ladies and gentlemen who would vacation here or in nearby Lake Louise for a month or so at a time, since the boat and train ride between continents would take two weeks or more in total.

Although the area is most famous now for its world-class skiing, this Banff landmark was only a summer property until 1969, with Lake Louise becoming winterized in 1982, and Jasper in 1986.

Lake Louise is only a half-hour drive outside of Banff, but to break up the driving, we headed north on our second day, to Jasper, via the Bow Valley Parkway, stopping within a half hour at Johnston Falls.

Here, visitors walk along a narrow pathway in a gorge cut by the fast-moving water, on the way to two deafening, spraying waterfalls. The chipmunks here are obviously used to the steady stream of visitors, and they will jump up on your lap at the mere suspicion of food.

It was on the grounds of Fairmont Lodge in Jasper that I saw the deer, with warnings all over its natural perimeter that it was nesting season, and that new deer moms could get seriously cranky with strangers poking about their offspring.

The lodge is the “newest” of the three properties and it is also the most remote. Its first incantation opened in 191 . It’s more of a luxury lodge than a hotel, with separate log cabins available that contrast with the castle-like ambience of the others. Yet for true relaxation imbued with a common bond with nature, it’s hard to beat.

From there, it was back down the Icefields Parkway, where a stop at the visitor’s centre led us to a tour of the Athabasca Glacier. This hunk of six square kilometres of ice is toured for half of the year by a bus on monster truck tires, officially called an Ice Explorer. About halfway up the glacier, you can get out and walk around, which was right around the time when a 15-minute snowstorm hit, the first time either one of us experienced that in the summer.

The novelty wore off quickly in the cold, and even quicker for the guy in shorts and sandals, but it was likely the most memorable part of the entire trip.

Prices for the package begin at $3,495 a person, and $3,995 a person in high season, for either of the convertibles, with the X5 4.8i costing $500 more, not including airfare. The packages run until mid-October.

If you want a manual transmission, the 330ci Cab is the only choice, and it is perhaps the best combination of roominess, comfort, sportiness and fuel efficiency — you are communing with nature, after all. The Z4 can be a little harsh over bumps, and not the easiest thing to get into and out of for less mobile folk, but a pure drive overall.

And if you’re there celebrating anything with your significant other, you’ll also want to take a picture of the personalized desserts by Chef Daniel Buss in Banff’s Banffshire Club, no matter how jaded a photographer you become.

MICHAEL BETTENCOURT
From Thursday’s Globe and Mail

BMW is designated the Official Vehicle of the Canadian Open; each participant will receive the use of a BMW vehicle for the duration of the event, while spectators will be able to view vehicle displays during the Canadian Open. As well, all players will have a chance to win a 2007 BMW 335i Cabriolet with a hole-in-one contest at the 17th hole.

BMW Canada’s affiliation with golf includes the BMW Golf Cup International amateur series, the BMW Ultimate Golf Challenge, the Canadian Skins Game in 1998-2001, and the former Vancouver stop on the PGA Tour from 2000 to 2002.

The Hydrogen 7 is a production-ready prototype unveiled by BMW last year. Unlike many hydrogen-powered cars, the H7 does not use fuel cells and electric motors, but instead burns hydrogen in a typical internal combustion fashion.

BMW has apparently come through on its promise of building a limited number of Hydrogen 7s for use by celebrities and government officials.

The cruising range in the hydrogen mode is more than 125 miles, with another 300 miles in the gasoline mode. If there was no gasoline storage, hydrogen mode range could be significantly greater.

Although the H7 could be produced in a few years, the lack of a hydrogen infrastructure means most people probably won’t get their hands on one for quite some time.

BMW Motorrad Canada has announced it will host the first annual BMW Motorrad Summerfest at Mosport International Raceway in Ontario this summer. The event, from July 13 to 15, will celebrate BMW motorcycles and coincide with rounds four and five of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

The event will include a display of 2007 BMW motorcycles with opportunities for on- and off-road test rides, an apparel boutique, a collection of vintage and custom BMW motorcycles, high-mileage awards for dedicated BMW owners, and a Canadian GS Challenge to test the skills of off-road riders.

The Summerfest is open to motorcycle enthusiasts of all brands. The weekend admission price of $50 includes the Superbike Championship, parking and camping privileges, a welcome package and all Summerfest activities. In conjunction with the event, a March of Dimes charity ride will start from each of the Southern Ontario BMW Motorrad Retailers and finish at the raceway.

For more information and online tickets, visit click here.

On a beautiful sunny day in Barcelona, Nick Heidfeld had nothing but a black cloud over his head for most of his race. First with a pit stop error, which left his car with one of his wheels barely hanging on and having to complete an entire lap at a snails pace, to having stubborn transmission problems, which eventually made him throw in the towel.  

Though these little hiccups are annoying to the team, they still remain in third position in the constructor’s championship. Although BMW most likely will not pass this point, it seems like they are going to be the toughest team to beat other than Ferrari and Maclaren.

The next race finishing positions and points will be determined of how you place in qualifying. This Monaco race sees racers basically stay in their race spots for the best part of the whole race as there is essentially no room to pass on this tight course.

This will be a tough race indeed. Not only do Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica have to deal with the pressure of qualifying into Q3 to hopefully be in the points, they also have to deal with Darryl Budd and Carly sitting in the stands watching their every move.  

Tune in May 27th at 7:30am to catch all the action live on Speed TV.

The snarling sound of an F1 car returned to the Nurburgring for the first time in 31 years on Saturday 28 April when this season’s BMW F1.06 put in a handful of hot demo laps.

Driver Nick Heidfeld guided the BMW around a combined loop of the F1 circuit and the fabled Nordschleife, recording an 8min 34sec time – comparable with the time of a well-pedalled supercar on the Nordschleife alone – on his second of three laps.

“It was an incredible sight and sound,” according to a BMW staffer who saw the demo run, “you could hear the engine for about a minute before it came into view around the longest part of the circuit.”

Heidfeld was under strict orders from BMW F1 boss Mario Thyssen to bring the multi-million pound car back in one piece, and the suspension and tyres were modified to cope with the bumpy old track, all of which limited the chance of setting a record time around the circuit.

Harder compound demo tyres and a raised-height chassis with an extra 40mm at the front and 80mm at the rear were fitted to cope with the bumpy, abrasive surface. The gearing wasn’t perfect either, being too short for some of the Nurburgring’s high-speed sections .

Heifeld, however, was still impressed by the track and the experience: “The drive was simple incredible. This racing track is the best in the world and it was very special as I left the grand prix circuit in the direction of the Nordschleife.”

The F1.06’s speed peaked at a shade over 170mph on the Dottinger Hohe, the Norschleife’s longest straight, where Heidfeld said he was “really shaken up” by the combination of high speed and bumps in the track.

He had a similar experience on the Bergwerk section, a tight right-hander, also reporting being “shaken up”.

The idea for the run came out of BMW’s long association with the track, where all current models are still put through their paces during test and development.

Last week at the ‘Ring was the ideal opportunity with an endurance race featuring 200-plus entrants, about half being BMWs.

Around 45,000 people saw the first F1 car at the circuit for three decades, many said to have been attracted by the rare sight.

From Autocar UK

See the video here

   

 

 

Now, what would you say if I told you there was a car out there that could be a direct reflection of your uniqueness – a mini genetic reincarnation, so to speak? Hard to fathom, I know, but just imagine driving a vehicle that is you.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showcased as if on display in an art gallery, the MINI Coopers were gallantly presented to the public placed along a road map of activities, interactive stops and artistic expressions. Nestled amongst the already aesthetically pleasing lines of the MINI were actual artistic masterpieces created by artists inspired by the nature and soul of the MINI Cooper. Three such artists were given the chance to create their magic using MINI roof canvas’; Bernice Lum, Julia Deakin and Christopher Hutsul. Lum, a MINI owner, already sports her artwork on the roof of her ride, proudly creating a vehicle that is ultimately an extension of her and her personality. Also, graphic artist Alexis Victor showcased her talents, creating an abstract painting live on site that truly embodied the MINIs spur-of-the-moment spirit From MINI owners to enthusiasts and everyone in between, the MINI DNA Launch Party had something for all. Music, drinks and food were in constant flow as the MINI staff made sure all attendees were fully involved in the experience that is MINI. And if that wasn’t enough, sitting down with a Palm Reader for a Personality Test was sure to complete the evening’s experience. The Reader even recommends the right MINI for you at the end of the session – what more could you ask for?

Owning a MINI is about being yourself and expressing who you are as a driver and a person and this launch party clearly showed this. It is said that artistic expressions are extensions of oneself however the artists on display at the MINI DNA Launch Party also believed their artistic expressions were extensions of the car itself. All hail the vehicular muse.This year, the MINI saw more than just an improved body image, it also sports a newly upgraded MINI Cooper S engine; a 1.6L 4-cylinder turbo-charged 172bhp beast. Unlike previous models with a super-charger, this MINIs engine is so well-tuned and ready for action that full-on power is available at revs as low as 1,400. While not stressed at the party, this engine change is sure to wow the MINI crowd and perhaps drag in even more admirers – if that’s even possible. 

MINI has a niche market that no other manufacturer has been able to tap into yet, thankfully. Creating a vehicle that is so interchangeable is no easy task yet MINI handles the job like an old pro and proudly boasts its chameleon personality and uniqueness all at once. While most manufacturers offer a good variety of options and available packages for their vehicles, very few have as extensive a list as MINI. And for that, MINI rises well above the competition in originality and flexibility.It really is possible to create a MINI Cooper that is so uniquely you the car might refuse to turn on if it’s not your bum in the driver’s seat. However, this wild ability to mix and match options has always been available with the MINIs, but was stressed to the max at the launch party. As their slogan suggested; “MINI as individual as you are” there really is a car out there to suit each and every one of us, we just have to know where to look and, apparently, MINI is the place                  

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Set to be unveiled April 22nd, the concept will preview what is sure to be BMW’s most expensive model — a rival to the Mercedes SL-Class and Audi R8, and a sucessor to the Z8 sports car.

A source to the publication said BMW aims to sell 15,000 units anually. BMW sold just 5,700 Z8s between 2000 and 2003.

A BMW insider told Auto News the Z9 will have a folding hardtop roof and a front-engine configuration. The source said BMW might also offer a fixed-roof coupe version.