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Xoutpost.com
is a general
reference and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) guide to some of the more
common things that current and potential BMW X3, X5 and X6 owners want to know about the
Ultimate Sports Activity Vehicle. This site
also serves as an information warehouse for modifications that BMW SAV enthusiasts have
made to their particular vehicles.
BMW Manufacturing announces production of the New BMW X3
* 01.09.2010
* Press Release
Spartanburg, S.C. – September 1, 2010… BMW Manufacturing announced today that production of the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle got underway at the South Carolina plant.
In early 2008, BMW Group announced that it would invest $750 million in the South Carolina plant, its largest investment in South Carolina to date. This commitment paved the way for construction of a new Assembly Hall built exclusively to produce the BMW X3 along with a significant expansion to the existing Paint Shop. This 1.5 million square foot addition increases the plant's total footprint to over 4.0 million square feet.
“The launch of the new X3 will mark a historic moment for this plant. I am confident that the BMW X3 is once again going to make our plant a leader in the Sports Activity segment,” stated Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg.
Within the last 7 years, the first-generation BMW X3 has been an extraordinary success story for the BMW Group. The BMW X3 began production in 2004. After production of over 600,000 units, the last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion red metallic BMW X3 xDrive35d, came off the line in Austria yesterday.
With the model change, production of the X3 was relocated to the South Carolina plant based on existing manufacturing proficiency of the BMW X5 and X6 models. The US plant has become the expertise center for the BMW X Models. The addition of the third model to the plant's vehicle mix has created several hundred new jobs and increased BMW's total investment in South Carolina to $4.6 billion since 1992.
* 01.09.2010
* Press Release
Munich. The BMW Group favoured a smooth transition when carrying out the generation change of the bestseller BMW X3. The end of production of the first generation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) was celebrated at the plant of the Austrian production partner Magna Steyr in Graz yesterday. Production of the new BMW X3, which will be launched on the German market on 20 November 2010, will begin today at the BMW Spartanburg plant in the US state of South Carolina. The new BMW X3 is a resolute continuation of the formula for success of the first SAV in its class. With further enhanced agility, noticeably optimised driving comfort, more space than any of its competitors and innovative equipment options, it offers the ideal prerequisites to inherit the position of its predecessor as the benchmark in the segment and to strengthen it further.
Within the last 7 years, the first-generation BMW X3 has written an extraordinary success story. In Graz alone, 605,498 units of the agile all-rounder came off the assembly line during this period. Together with the vehicles produced within the framework of the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly in Russia, Egypt and Thailand, the total figure adds up to 614,824 units. The last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion red metallic BMW X3 xDrive35d, will remain with the Magna Steyr company, where it will be used in future as an executive car. A BMW X3 xDrive20d with full emergency vehicle specifications that had left the assembly line shortly before, will be donated by the BMW Group to a non-profit making organisation. For many years now, the BMW X3 has proved itself to be an ideal emergency vehicle for police and doctors. At the end of its model life, yet another vehicle will now take on this important task in the service of the general public.
As the first and, for some time, the only premium vehicle of its kind, the BMW X3 launched in 2004 and boasting intelligent four-wheel drive BMW xDrive, outstanding handling characteristics and a variable interior, gave reason for spontaneous enthusiasm and a lasting positive response on the international automotive markets. As a result, the concept of establishing benchmarks in the field of driving dynamics within the competitive environment of all-terrain vehicles, which had previously already been successfully pursued in the case of the BMW X5 in a higher segment, was endorsed yet again.
Driving pleasure, premium quality and, in addition, outstanding efficiency helped the BMW X3 become extremely popular and achieve excellent results in independent surveys. Experts have honoured the BMW X3 with several awards for outstanding safety, customer satisfaction, reliability and stable value. These included top rankings in the “Customer... [Read More]
X6 appears to be favorite of most tuners. Here is another body kit by German tuner Enco Exclusive in dual tone color, quad exhaust pipes and 23" wheels.
As per latest reports BMW is considering an X3 M. If it gets the green light it will probably have the next M3's engine and better handling than the X5 M, as it will be much lighter considering that new X3 is under 4000 lbs.
From Automobile mag:
Sneak Preview: BMW's Front-Wheel-Drive Future
Almost two years before the first front-wheel-drive BMWs arrive, we've dug up enough information to put together a detailed idea of what the model range will look like. BMW will develop its front-wheel-drive portfolio simultaneously with the next-generation Mini lineup on the UKL1 architecure. The collaboration will result in three BMW-Mini pairings with each set distinguished by a unique door arrangement. The vehicles, which will arrive at the beginning of the 2013 model year, are:
BMW Joy and Mini Clubman: Joy is simply the internal name for a 1-series Gran Turismo, featuring a similar body shape to the current 5-series Gran Turismo. Even with its slant-back shape, this is the most traditional of the three vehicle lines and will target the Audi A3 Sportback and the Mercedes-Benz B-class. To set the two models apart, the Clubman will get two full-length, rear-hinged aft doors and retain the split barn doors for the tailgate.
BMW Compact Activity Tourer and Mini Countryman: These vehicles feature four conventional doors and large single-piece tailgates, but the higher roofs to lend them a more utilitarian look that's more crossover than car.
BMW Family Activity Sporster and Mini Traveller: The official name is still up in the air, but the Traveller is the long-rumored MiniVan. Both the BMW and Mini models are to be family- and leisure-oriented, boasting sliding rear doors, longer rear overhangs, and super-flexible interiors.
The ability to offer both front- and all-wheel drive on the ULK1 architecture is critical to challenging the Audi A3 and the next Mercedes-Benz A- and B-class. To keep up with the higher performance Audi S3/RS3 and Mercedes-Benz B22 AMG, Mini will continue to develop the Cooper S and John Cooper Works portfolios. BMW, on the other hand, is still pondering whether to downsize the M model range or to opt for a more unique ti/tii approach.
To differentiate the vehicle pairings, Mini will put a strong emphasis on three-cylinder engines. However, it's unclear if the new three-cylinder lineup can cover the entire range including the Cooper S and even the John Cooper Works cars. Engineering has reportedly developed a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder producing 272 hp, but we're still waiting to hear more details about running characteristics and durability. The volume-model gas and diesel three-cylinders would be good for up to 184 hp and 122 hp, respectively. BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer notes that selling three-cylinder Minis may present a challenge: "Although the three is definitely... [Read More]
BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team Wins at Road America!
Woodcliff Lake , N.J. – August 22, 2010… Proving once again that the BMW M3 knows the way to victory lane at Road America, the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team won the ultra-competitive American Le Mans Series GT class for the second consecutive year at the classic Road America circuit.
No. 90 BMW M3 GT drivers Joey Hand and Dirk Müller completed 66 laps of the 4.0-mile circuit in today’s two-hour-and-forty-five-minute American Le Mans Series race, winning by 2.6 seconds. The outstanding result gives BMW a six point lead in the all-important Manufacturer point standings. Hand and Müller move up to a tie for second in Driver points before the last two races of the season.
The day did not have such a good outcome for teammates Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner. Auberlen made a strong start in the No. 92 M3 GT, moving quickly up two positions from his P8 grid start. Unfortunately, on lap 8, only 20 minutes into the race, he became victim of a slowing prototype in the “Kink” and was hit hard from behind, just after shifting to sixth gear. The result was a high-energy crash at the fastest part of the track, which appears to have terminally damaged the No. 92 chassis but luckily, caused Auberlen no serious injuries. The car was retired from the race. Tommy Milner did not race and neither driver will score points. However, thanks to their consistent performance this season, he and Auberlen only drop to fourth in driver standings.
With testing scheduled to begin this coming Friday, August 27th for Round 8 at Mosport International Raceway, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, any celebrations will be short-lived. Before the checkered flag flew over the No. 90 machine, half of the team departed for home to start first thing Monday morning on the build of the new No. 92 chassis.
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