Through this industry-first combination of attributes, the M5 redefined the capabilities of a sedan with levels of power, precision, balance and linear control never before imaginable.  Since then, finding new ways to expand the boundaries of what is possible with existing BMW models has been the singular purpose of the craftsmen at BMW M.  Now the BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M are the first all-wheel-drive models to offer the remarkable performance, dynamic driving experience, athletic design, and premium quality of a BMW M product.

Official BMW X6M X5M Full Press Release

Both models are powered by a newly-developed 4.4-liter V8 M engine delivering 555 hp at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1500 to 5,650 rpm.  This new M engine is the world’s first with a pulse-tuned exhaust manifold encompassing both rows of cylinders combined with high-performance twin-scroll twin turbo technology.

For the X5 M and X6 M, engineers at BMW M pushed the capabilities of BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the Dynamic Performance Control system to manage the power and performance potential of these two new vehicles. The special M suspension includes Adaptive Drive and newly-developed Servotronic power steering.  These features combine to push the limits of what was previously possible with a sport-oriented vehicle, and guarantee driving behaviour characteristic of a BMW M product: incredible stability and precisely controlled steering qualities abound throughout the performance envelope.

2010 BMW X6M X5M Photo Gallery

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Taking place at Ponts at the foot of the Pyrenees in the Lleida region, the Enduro Del Segre is organised by the Motoclub Segre and is one of the most important national off-road events in Spain. The club itself is one of the biggest in Spain, and has been responsible for nurturing many talented riders over the years, including the likes of Dakar champions Nani Roma and Marc Coma, and many up-and-coming young riders such as Oriol Mena, who was the winner of the opening day. 

 For new BMW Motorrad Motorsport recruit, Juha Salminen, this season opener was of particular importance, as the famous Finn is competing in every round of this particular championship, alongside his WEC duties. With this first round attracting a top-level entry list, including riders such as Ivan Cervantes and Cristobal Guerrero, competition proved to be close between all riders throughout both days. 

With a similar format to the WEC, the weekend’s enduro took place in perfect weather conditions, with riders tackling two 80-kilometre laps each day, interspersed with three Specials each lap. Unlike the WEC, at the end of both days, all the times were added together to give one final result. With Juha Salminen and Simo Kirssi representing BMW Motorrad Motorsport in the E2 Class, and Marko Tarkkala, David Knight and BMW España-supported rider Aaron Bernardez campaigning the G 450 X in the E3 class, all riders proved that they are now fully up to speed and ready to get their world championship ambitions underway this coming weekend in Portugal.  After the first day of competition, it was BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s David Knight who topped the Enduro 3 class and finished third overall. Local rider Oriol Mena was the winner of the opening day, closely followed by Juha Salminen with David third. Simo Kirssi, who had been sick with food poisoning for several days prior to this event, managed to find the strength to ride to a respectable fourth place in the E2 class on Saturday. After the second day of competition it was Juha Salminen who came out on top, winning the E2 class and giving his Spanish championship title ambitions the best possible start. In the E3 class, BMW Motorrad España’s Aaron Bernardez finished in second place, behind overall and class winner Ivan Cervantes, with Marko Tarkkala claiming the final podium spot. In the important ‘scratch’ category, which combines all the results from the various classes, Juha Salminen finished in second position, behind Ivan Cervantes and in front of Cristobal Guerrero.  

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer: “It was a very useful weekend in Spain for all of our riders, in particular Juha, as his great results put him in a strong position for contesting the next round of the Spanish Enduro Championship. In the next round, he’ll be able to start from the front of the pack like all his rivals, which he wasn’t able to do this time, due to not having contested last year’s series.  “For the other riders – who were using it as valuable test and preparation time for the forthcoming Enduro World Championship – they knew it was going to be tough racing against top Spanish riders on their home turf, but they have proved themselves up to the task and also shown that the bike is competitive and ready for any challenge. Overall, it was a great final test and it was rewarding for me to see all the new team members working so well together. All the riders are happy with their bikes and looking forward to getting on with WEC business in Portugal this weekend.” 

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Troy finished ninth in both races and Ruben took 13th in race one and followed that with a hard-fought 10th in race two. The results weer all the more spectacular considering that Roben and Troy had started the races from the fourth row of the grid after problems in Superpole on Friday.

But almost more special than the top ten finishes was the sight of Troy in fourth place after two laps of race two! The Aussie had blasted off the line superbly from 16th on the grid and stunned everybody by crossing the line in fifth place at the end of lap one. By lap two he had stormed into fourth – a position he held until lap four.

Although he ended the race in ninth, his spell in fourth place made up for all the disappointment the past two days and gives Troy, Ruben and the whole team a tremendous boost before the next race in three weeks time.

In the absence of an international outdoor championship for both continents, the Indoor World Championship is the world’s most important event in sports stunt riding. At this prestigious annual competition in Zurich, thousands of visitors gather to see the best stunt riders from all over the world perform their tricks.

Furthermore, the organizers create a special surface for the event, coating the floor with 70 tonnes of the finest asphalt that allows the riders to perform at their best, safe in the knowledge there are no bumps, holes and scratches to create problems during their complicated tricks and combos. With no adverse weather conditions to worry about, and a big crowd cheering on the competitors, the atmosphere at the SWISS-MOTO is always electric.

As the reigning double world champion and title defender, Chris Pfeiffer was the hot favourite to take the victory again, but after picking up a nasty flu bug, his participation in the competition was uncertain. Unable to train properly during the first day of practice, Pfeiffer had plenty of time to notice that his rivals had all ‘upped their game’ and had seriously improved their routines, so an easy title defence for him was definitely out of the question.

During the first qualifying heat, Chris was struggling with his energy levels and ‘only’ managed to achieve third place on the score sheet. “I had to use a few hot tricks from my repertoire, because I just wasn’t feeling fit enough, but it was just about enough to keep me in contention” said the 38-year-old. And after gorging on a large slab of Swiss chocolate as a homeopathic energy booster, Pfeiffer’s second round of qualifying was just about perfect, as he scored maximum points from the judges. This brought him back up to joint first place on aggregate score, going into Sunday’s finals.

As the last of the 16 semi-finalists to enter the specially create 50 x 15 m wide “Action Area” on Sunday, Pfeiffer was feeling good enough to show his best tricks. However, about halfway through his routine, he crashed while doing a on-handed wheelie circle – a trick he invented called “Touch-Ground Cicle”. Chris was able to complete his routine with no other dramas, although he knew that points would be deducted for his mistake.

With his legendary determination and the hope that he would not encounter any more bad luck, Pfeiffer went into the final, supported by his fans, family and thousands of spectators at the Zurich exhibition centre. He showed one trick after another – fluid dynamic and as solid as a Swiss clock – and was duly awarded with the day’s best score by five judges. This was enough to give him the clear victory, and for the third consecutive time, Chris claimed the indoor world championship title for stunt riding.

“I was quiet before the finals started and just happy that I had the chance to do it all again on the BMW F 800 R,” said Chris. “The atmosphere at the Swiss-Moto was amazing, so I just really went for it out there. When I’d finished my routine and waited for the scores from the judges, I had a feeling that I had done enough – and when I got the confirmation, I was overjoyed! Without a doubt, this was the toughest of all three World Cup titles I have won, so this victory is the most enjoyable yet!”

In so doing, he also set the fastest lap of the race – with a time of 1:32.726 – and showed the huge crowd that BMW Motorrad Motorsport are not in the championship just to make up the numbers. In race two, tire problems forced him out of the reckoning and he should’ve retired. He had numerous lurid slides, but somehow managed to bring his S 1000 RR home, even though he nearly crashed on several occasions. His team mate Ruben Xaus finished 19th in race one, but improved considerably in the second race to finish just outside the top ten. All in all, a great start to BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s Superbike World Championship debut and a portent of things to come. Race one was won by Noriyuki Haga (Ducati), with Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) second and Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) third. In race two, Haga was in contention for a double, but was beaten by America Ben Spies (Yamaha), with Briton Leon Haslam in third place.  

From time to time, a benchmark in progressive automotive technology is set anew. Witness such an occasion as the new BMW 7 Series prepares to enter the market. This fifth generation luxury sedan, from the world’s most successful purveyor of automobiles, demonstrates the fusion of all-encompassing luxury with unparalleled driving dynamics.

The new BMW 7 Series stands for luxury, thrilling driving dynamics and overwhelming visual presence. It is the result of stylish design and the supreme art of engineering. This top-end sedan owes its trendsetting character to a wide range of innovations, serving to make a lasting impression on drivers and passengers alike.

With its classic BMW proportions and the longest wheelbase in its class, the new BMW 7 Series has a striking profile. The design of the front and rear give the car a self-assured look, while the large, protruding, upright kidney grille, characteristic BMW double headlights and L-shaped rear lights make a bold statement. Through its interior design, the BMW 7 Series is a particularly modern rendition of pure luxury. The innovative interior, with clearly arranged driving and comfort functions, ensures added superiority. Ambiance, exclusivity and sophistication all come as standard.

For the official BMW Canada web feature, please click here:
http://www.bmw.com/ca_old/en/newvehicles/7series/sedan/2008/experience/phase_2/experience.html

YouTube Videos
BMW Head Designer talks about the new 7 Series

BMW 7 Series from Car and Driver

A good look at the new BMW 7 Series

2009 BMW 7 Series Spied on the Nürburgring

BMW 7 Series with Night Vision – so funny!

2009 BMW 7 Series Test Drive Reviews
Edmunds – Inside Line
MotorTrend
Car and Driver

Mr. Bangle has taken quite a bit of heat from critics over the years, including a ‘Stop Chris Bangle’ online petition and even death threats. I believe that design should challenge convention. And good design should change convention. Chris Bangle has done both.

I had an opportunity to meet him a few years ago at the Toronto AutoShow. I was standing with an assorted group of BMW Canada executives and Canadian BMW retailers when he was introduced to us. I found him charming in a quiet way and very personable. He answered the onslaught of questions, focusing warmly on each person. He was extremely enthusiastic and passionate about the product and the design process itself. At one point though he must have felt that he was running on a bit because he stopped talking and sort of self-depreciatingly mumbled, “oh, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about that.” Well Darryl and I had been sidling closer to him the whole time he was speaking. “Oh yes we do!”, I almost shouted at him, worried that he was going to stop. What happened next has endeared Chris to me forever. He looked Darryl and I in the eyes as if to measure our sincerity. The three of us turned slightly away from the group, Chris reached around to the back of his suit jacket and flipped it up. (it was a black-tie evening) He then proceeded to pull a notebook out that he had stuffed down the back of his pants. He flipped it open and showed us his personal notes, sketches, ideas and plans . It was amazing.
By me and many who admire his vision and foresight, Chris Bangle will be missed. We will watch his future endeavours with great interest. Good luck Chris!!

Official Press Release
Chris Bangle hands over his post as head of BMW design to Adrian van Hooydonk

Munich: Christopher E. Bangle, the BMW Group’s Head of Design, has worked closely with Adrian van Hooydonk in BMW Group design development for nearly17 years. Now he is handing over his post to van Hooydonk, who is currently Head of BMW Automobile Design. “Chris Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group’s brands. His contribution to the company’s success has been decisive, and together with his teams he has mapped out a clear and aesthetic route into the future,” said Dr. Klaus Draeger, BMW AG’s Board Member for Development. Draeger went on to explain that the BMW Group was currently “in an excellent position”, thanks to a broad portfolio of automobiles and several new vehicle concepts due for market launch in the coming months and years. The BMW AG Management Board, he added, is looking forward to working with van Hooydonk—a man who shares Bangle’s fascination for technology and aesthetics, tradition, and innovation—as Head of BMW Group Design, affirming that van Hooydonk would be in a position to continue to build on a design philosophy which extends across the BMW Group’s brands.

Bangle’s plan to pursue his own design-related endeavours beyond the auto industry marks the start of a new phase in his life while maintaining strong ties with the BMW Group.

Over the years, numerous designs for new vehicles and vehicle concepts have been developed under Bangle’s leadership. As well as continuing the BMW 3, 5, and 7 Series, he and his teams were responsible for a range of other models, including the BMW Z3, Z4, X5, Z8, X3, the new BMW 6 Series, the BMW X6, and the 1 Series. Other developments under the auspices of Bangle include new MINI and Rolls-Royce models and a number of innovative motorcycle concepts. During his tenure, Bangle was also instrumental in making the company’s consultancy subsidiary, BMW Group DesignworksUSA, what it is today: a global design agency in North America, Munich, and Singapore for leading international brands and companies in a wide variety of industries.

Thanks to their outstanding design quality, numerous products from all three of the BMW Group’s automobile brands have won a host of renowned awards from around the world. Bangle has always had a special aptitude for working with his teams to strengthen the identities and unmistakable images of the BMW Group’s brands and to inspire design innovations, said Dr. Klaus Draeger, Board Member for Development. Over the years he has received a dozen patents for his technical applications and design. These, along with the one hundred additional patents awarded to the BMW Group Design under Bangle’s auspices, are a testimony to his creative and innovative power.

Born in the USA, Christopher Bangle, 52, has been Head of BMW Group Design Development since October 1992. After studying at the University of Wisconsin and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, he began his working life in Rüsselsheim, where he worked for Adam Opel AG. In 1985 he joined FIAT, where he became Director of the FIAT Centro Stile in 1992. Shortly afterwards he left the Italian automaker to come to Munich.

Throughout his career with the BMW Group, Bangle’s right-hand man has been Adrian van Hooydonk, who is now set to become his successor. Bangle described van Hooydonk as “truly a top professional in our business,” adding, “I am sure that the many strong design strategies he has helped us create for the BMW Group will continue to develop and evolve.”

Adrian van Hooydonk, 44, will take over as Director of BMW Group Design with immediate effect. In his new position he will be responsible for design development for the BMW, Rolls-Royce, and MINI brands. Born in the Netherlands, van Hooydonk studied at Delft Polytechnic University in Holland and later at the Art Center Europe in Vevey, Switzerland, until 1992. From there he came to Munich, where he joined BMW as a designer. In the year 2000 he went to California to work for the BMW Group subsidiary Designworks USA; he was Director of the internationally renowned design agency from 2001 to 2004. Then, under Bangle as the BMW Group’s Head of Design, he became Head of the Brand Design Studio for BMW Automobiles.

The BMW 6 Series and 7 Series lines clearly bear the hallmark of van Hooydonk’s design influence, as do the Z9 Concept Car, the BMW Concept CS (unveiled in 2007), and the M1 Hommage Study. In 1997 van Hooydonk created the ACV 30 Show Car for MINI, and more recently he and his team have developed the designs for the new BMW 7 Series and Z4 as well as for the Concept Progressive Activity Sedan, which celebrates its premiere at the Geneva Auto Show in early March 2009.

“I am honored and extremely excited to take on this new responsibility”, says van Hooydonk. “BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce produce the best cars and motorcycles in their segment, and I am really looking forward to being able to contribute to the future development of these brands.” Speaking of his hopes for the years to come, van Hooydonk added: “I have no doubt that there are challenges ahead, but BMW’s depth in engineering and the passion of its talented design team are as strong as ever. Together I am sure we will be able to create some very sophisticated and extremely attractive concepts.”

Chris Bangle: Great cars are Art

Chris Bangle explains his philosophy that car design is an art form in its own right, with an entertaining — and ultimately moving — account of the BMW Group’ Deep Blue project, intended to create the SUV of the future.

BMW’s Chris Bangle Designs His Own Exit
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2009/02/bmws_chris_bang.html?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis