Car Throttle

A lot has been going on at BMW's M division lately. Surrounding the 25th anniversary of the M3, the Frozen Gray was released, and the M3 GTS recently clocked its lap time around the Nurburgring. The next big (or actually little) thing to come from the division is the 1-Series M. The car has been rumored for quite some time, and we are glad its coming for the first generation 1-Series rather than waiting until the next 1-Series. BMW has been teasing the car, and this new video shows the most of anything yet. One thing we can determine is that the color orange seems to be BMW's thing lately - something this writer is pretty happy about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYF82qb13I&feature=player_embedded

Its no secret in the automotive industry that most vehicle lineups get bigger with each passing generation. When that happens, new models are often introduced to slot in. The 1- Series is such a model - the 3-Series is and has continued to be BMW's bread and butter, but the 1-Series was introduced in a quest for volume. Ironically, it actually closer to the size of the original 3-Series. Today, it reached an important milestone - one million 1-Series produced. That's right, after being introduced in 2004 and still on its first generation, one million have been sold.  This is largely without the help of the United States market as well. The car was introduced in the U.S for the 2008 model year, and given our aversion to

Over the past few months we have been hearing about the possibility of a high-performance 1-Series model. Both from rumors and from comments from BMW themselves. Kay Segler, the head of BMW’s M division, said that the priority at the company was for new M models to slot below the M3. X1 M? No, they're talking about the 1-Series. Originally, it seemed as if the new model would be coming after the next-generation 1-Series launches. However, that is not the case as work is being done the car as we speak, for a quick launch. Autoblog has captured these photos, so head over there to check out all the images. The main debate is over what the new model will be called. M1 has been ruled out

Back in November, news came out about BMW planning other M variants. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M division, said that the priority at the company was on new models to slot below the M3. That leaves the 1-Series. However, the plan then seemingly was to produce the 1-Series M in the car's next generation - as in, don't expect it anytime soon. That could be changing, with the new 1-Series M coming as soon as 2011. Notice we're calling it the 1-Series M, not M1. BMW supposedly is considering what to name it, and I wouldn't bet on M1. Says a BMW insider to Leftlanenews: “The M1 name to us is a sacred thing for a car that marked an important turning point. It won’t be called

There has been some interesting cars used for duty by police fleets the world over, like a Lexus IS-F in the United Kingdom and a special Gallardo donated to Italian police by Lamborghini. Here in the United States, the Crown Victoria is the most prevalent model, with a smattering of Dodge Chargers thrown in for good measure. Chevrolet has taken aim at the market with a police-only Chevrolet Caprice model. In Germany, high-performance models have to be used, especially when patrolling high-speed corridors like the Autobahn. The Essen Motor Show in Germany displays a specially-outfitted police car model each year, as part of the "TUNE IT! SAFE!" initiative. This years model used is a BMW 123d donated by BMW and modified by AC Schnitzer. This car has

BMW has looked to the 1-Series to increase sales here in America as a small and (relatively) affordable BMW. Many have pegged it as the true modern day 3-Series given the former's increase in size over the years. Given BMW's performance prowess, it is just begging for a performance variant. A new report out says BMW could be working on introducing just that. Instead of going after the higher end with a dedicated M performance model atop the range (Like Mercedes-Benz is doing with the SLS AMG), BMW is opting to extend the M division downmarket a bit. The recently-introduced M3 GTS is the highest they are going for now. LeftLaneNews quotes Kay Segler, head of BMW's M division as saying: “The priority right now is

Expansion is the modus operandi for Munich (BMW) and while up until now that has mostly been odd blends of vehicle segments like the 5-Series Gran Turismo, we could see some performance vehicles added to to the BMW lineup as well. An example would be BMW's previous policy of no "M" SUV models that was broken for the X5 M and X6 M. The naming is even clunky - X5 M, X6 M. Who knows what's next? Maybe a roadster! I've heard a potential new BMW roadster model being referred to as the Z1 but that isn't right because it doesn't fit with BMW's rigid naming policy. For instance, BMW's coupe naming is down one number from the traditional model lines (6-Series below 7-Series) and roadsters are up one (Z4 vs

As if having a vehicle to compete in nearly every class isn't enough, BMW is continuing it's product march by creating new segments all together.The X1 is one such vehicle, joining other BMW's other segment-bending vehicles like the 5-Series Gran Turismo, and X6 Crossover. Like Volvo, BMW is aiming for an X vehicle for every accompanying vehicle class (like X3, X5, X6...could an X7 be near?). BMW recently released a teaser of the X1 and now new spy shots have caught the vehicle with nearly no camoflauge. Interesting fact: the upcoming X1 shares it's platform with MINI's Crossman wagon. From the pictures the X1 seems interesting, with a crossover-ish front and hatchback rear, Definitely a melding together of the different classes, and hard to pinpoint exactly what

The BMW 1-Series might not have the market to itself for very much longer. Lexus is looking to a new model to help them better compete in the European market.  Whether or not this car will be coming to the United States is yet to be decided.  We get the HS250h. How lovely of them! If the company was smart, they would introduce this model in the United States as well.  It certainly is better than the alternative, the econo-car HS250h.  Did I ever tell you how much I hate that car? It goes against everything the Lexus brand stood for (or at least I thought it did).  Being Prius-based is bad enough in and of itself, but actually looking like an Cimmaron Part 2 you'll is even worse! At least the 1-Series is actually

Now here's an interesting bit of news! Car website Sky Motoring is reporting on the next-generation of engines to power the next-generation of BMW's smallest model, the 1-Series. In it are some surprising findings, like a 3-cylinder engine! That's right, three cylinders. I don't know, but if true that would seem pretty bizarre to me. 3-cylinders in a BMW; would people really be up for that? Definitely out of the ordinary. The engines are reportedly in development to help BMW achieve higher fuel economy standards. The entire range of new engines in the lineup would be turbocharged to produce adequate levels of power. For instance, the lowest power 3-cylinder engine - dubbed x16i - would produce 163 horsepower. Not bad! Especially considering the size of the these cars, that is for